ATHENS. Ga. (AP) — Xaivian Lee scored 18 points and No. 14 Florida finally found its touch from 3-point range, leading from the opening tip for an 86-66 victory over Georgia on Wednesday night.
The Gators (18-6, 9-2 Southeastern Conference) are hitting their stride with March just a few weeks away. The reigning national champions have won nine of 10 games — all but one of those victories by double-digit margins — and are all alone atop the league standings.
Georgia (17-7, 5-6) clearly missed top scorer Jeremiah Wilkinson, who sat out because of a shoulder injury. The Bulldogs simply didn't have enough firepower without their sophomore guard, who is averaging 17.1 points.
Blue Cain led Georgia with 17 points.
The Gators dominated from the opening tip. Florida scored the first 10 points, while Georgia missed its first eight shots. Alex Condon set the tone at the defensive end, blocking what looking to be a sure dunk by Cain flying in off the wing.
The Gators led by as many as 20 in the opening period while knocking down six of their first 12 attempts beyond the 3-point stripe. They finished 10 of 26 from long range — not dazzling, but certainly an improvement on their last-in-the-SEC 28.8% coming into the game.
Florida was up 43-27 at halftime and went on to complete a season sweep, having knocked off the Bulldogs 92-77 in Gainesville on Jan. 6.
When Boogie Fland swished a desperation 3 as the shot clock was expiring, pushing Florida to its biggest lead at 60-38 with just under 12 minutes remaining, many red-clad fans at Stegeman Coliseum headed for the exits.
Fland had 15 points and three other Gators were in double figures. Rueben Chinyelu was a beast on the boards with 20 rebounds. Florida even got a chance to send on 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux in the final minute.
Georgia did show some fight, slicing the margin to 10, but Lee made a 3 that finished off any thoughts of an improbable comeback. The Bulldogs came in averaging an SEC-leading 91.9 points, but were held to a season low.
Up next
Florida: Returns home Saturday for the first of two game against No. 25 Kentucky.
The Baltimore Orioles added Chris Bassitt to their improved rotation on Wednesday, agreeing to an $18.5 million, one-year contract with the right-hander, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus, and Bassitt can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses if he starts at least 27 games.
ESPN was the first to report on the contract.
Bassitt, who turns 37 on Feb. 22, went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA for AL champion Toronto last year. He has made at least 27 starts and pitched at least 157 1/3 innings in each of the last five seasons.
Bassitt joins a Baltimore rotation that includes Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers and Zach Eflin. Baz was acquired in a December trade with Tampa Bay, and Eflin re-signed with the Orioles for a $10 million, one-year contract.
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Latrell Wrightsell Jr. tied his career high with seven 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, Labaron Philon scored 18, and Alabama overcame a cold-shooting start to beat Mississippi 93-74 on Wednesday night and extended the Rebels' losing streak to six games.
Aiden Sherrell scored 15 points and Amari Allen had 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Alabama (17-7, 7-4 SEC). Aden Holloway added 12 points and six assists.
AJ Storr led Ole Miss (11-13, 3-8) with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Eduardo Klafke had 12 points and a career-high nine rebounds. Klafke, a 6-foot-5 sophomore guard, scored 10 points or more for the third consecutive game and the fourth of his career.
Sherrell scored the first seven points while Wrightsell, Allen and Holloway each hit a 3 in a 19-6 run that gave Alabama a 51-38 lead with 13:38 left in the game, and it was at least a two-possession game the rest of the way.
Storr scored 13 points — including the Rebels' first 11 — in a 15-5 run that gave them a nine-point lead with 9:10 left in the first half. Alabama scored 11 of the next 13 before Allen and Philon made back-to-back 3-pointers and Holloway added a layup to give the Crimson Tide a 32-30 lead in the intermission — their lowest-scoring first half this season. Ole Miss went 0 for 10 from the field over a span of about 6 1/2 minutes in the first half.
The Crimson Tide shot 53% from the field, made 12 of their 22 3-pointers and scored 61 points in second half.
Ohio State Buckeyes forward Amare Bynum (1) fights for a rebound with USC Trojans forward Kam Woods (13) and center Gabe Dynes (45) during the first half of the NCAA men's basketball game at the Schottenstein Center on Feb. 11, 2026.
COLUMBUS -- This was a winnable game for the USC Trojans.
The Trojans, in the midst of a three-game winning streak, were heading to Columbus, Ohio, to play the Ohio State Buckeyes with more than enough confidence against a Big Ten Opponent.
Freshman Alijah Arenas has been the spotlight for this Trojan squad during their nice stretch of games, scoring more than 20 points in each of those games, including notching 25 points during Wednesday's game against the Buckeyes, but it wasn't enough with USC's unwillingness to score in the second half, and they would evidently fall to Ohio State, 89-82.
Both halves for USC were practically the same.
In each of the two halves, the Trojans shot just 38%, and overall, shot 42% for the game.
Ezra Ausar led USC in first-half points, notching 11 on 3-5 shooting from the field, but would not be a factor in the second half of the contest as he would foul out on a costly reach-in attempt.
In back-to-back games, Arenas stole the show in the second half, as he led the Trojans with 16 second-half points on 4-11 shooting.
With the final five minutes of regulation coming to a close, the Buckeyes held a slim margin against the Trojans.
In the Trojans' last possession of the game, Arenas's uncoordinated pass to Ryan Cornish in the corner turned into a costly turnover, which sealed the game for the Buckeyes.
The relentless shooting from the Buckeyes was also a main catalyst that kept the Trojans at bay, with Ohio State managing to score four out of their five final field goal attempts.
With this loss, USC falls to 18-7 and heads back home next Wednesday to host the Illinois Fighting Illini.
The New England Patriots announced that they have signed two more players to futures contracts. This news comes after the team signed 11 players to futures deals on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the team made moves to sign offensive tackle Sebastian Gutierrez and running back Elijah Mitchell to futures contracts.
Gutierrez has been with the Patriots before, having spent time on their practice squad in 2022. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Denver Broncos. He has also played for the Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts. He went to training camp last summer with San Francisco and Cleveland prior to his time with the Patriots.
Mitchell was drafted by the 49ers in 2021 out of Louisiana. He ended up becoming a major part of the 49ers' backfield. He put together a strong resume that has seen him record 327 rushing attempts for 1,523 yards and nine touchdowns.
These might not be the flashiest moves for the Patriots, but they could add much-needed depth for the team in the offseason.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Jailen Bedford scored 23 points, Ben Hammond had 17 of his 19 points in the second half and Virginia Tech knocked No. 20 Clemson out of a first-place Atlantic Coast Conference tie with No. 4 Duke, beating the Tigers 76-66 on Wednesday night.
Bedford was the first-half spark with Hammond taking over after halftime as the Hokies (17-8, 6-6) snapped a two-game losing streak with their first win at Clemson since coach Mike Young's first season in 2019-20.
The Tigers (20-5, 10-2) moved into tie for the top after the Blue Devils' drama-filled loss to rival North Carolina on Saturday night. But Virginia Tech used an 11-5 run, fueled by Bradford's eight points, to close the first half up 40-33.
Clemson got to 40-38 early on in the second half, but gradually fell behind by 12 points, 52-40, on Hammond's second 3-pointer. The Tigers closed to 69-64 on Carter Welling's three-point play with 2:36 remaining. Bedford followed with his fourth 3-pointer to thwart Clemson's comeback hopes.
Bradford got things going for the Hokies with two 3-pointers, then had a three-point play, an inside basket and a 3-pointer as Virginia Tech took control;.
Clemson, coming off nearly a week on the West Coast with back-to-back wins over Stanford and Cal, had won 27 of its last 30 ACC regular-season games. But the Tigers looked a step slow throughout and allowed the Hokies to shoot 52% for the game, including 11 of 21 from three-point range.
Welling had 19 points and six rebounds to lead Clemson. RJ Godfrey, the Tigers leading scorer at 11.9 points coming in, was held to six points.
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 01: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during Game Seven of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Orioles completely struck out when it came to the top end of the free agent starting pitching market this year. With camp opening up, they made a move to try to shore up the back end with an established veteran, bringing recent Blue Jay Chris Bassitt in on a one-year contract worth a reported $18.5 million. ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke the news of the deal on Wednesday night.
Bassitt brings some unexciting dependability into the picture. The 37-year-old has pitched in 11 big league seasons and in his most recent campaign with the Jays, he pitched 32 games, plus another seven in the postseason. He has started at least 30 games in each of the past four seasons.
In 2025, Bassitt had a 3.96 ERA in the regular season with peripherals to roughly match that. On the off chance that he can turn back the clock a little bit, he might be able to descend into more the mid-3 ERA range like he had in his mid-30s. That’s cope talking, because this guy had a 1.327 WHIP in the past season and I just don’t see that the Orioles needed to fit another guy like that into the mix. You’ve got Dean Kremer around already to post a slightly better WHIP but slightly worse ERA.
Adding Bassitt also apparently gives the Orioles six people lined up for their starting rotation. This will resolve between now and Opening Day in some way that I can’t currently foresee. But if all of Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Eflin, and Kremer are healthy, Bassitt is bumping somebody out and it’s hard to imagine Kremer losing his spot.
One possibility is that this gives the Orioles some freedom to bring along Eflin a little more slowly after he works his way back into shape following last year’s back surgery. That’s the injury that was apparently causing him to pitch poorly. When Mike Elias updated the injury situation on his roster earlier on Wednesday, he didn’t indicate anything was amiss with Eflin, and perhaps nothing is amiss. Still, Eflin’s Opening Day readiness hinges on the most optimistic surgery recovery timeline and if they don’t have to push it, why do it?
Perhaps Bassitt himself will come along slowly. He pitched his final game of the 2025 season on November 1, the last game of the World Series. That’s more than a month less of rest than anybody who wasn’t in the postseason got. Presumably, Elias will talk a little more about his plan once this signing becomes official.
This is not the exciting starting pitching addition that any Orioles fan wanted when the offseason began. It is the starting pitching addition that we are getting as spring training opens.
Cincinnati Bengals nose tackle D.J. Reader (98) celebrates a sack of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) (not pictured) in the third quarter during Super Bowl 56, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The Cincinnati Bengals lost, 23-20.
The NFL offseason is in full swing, and the Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly ready to spend to help fix one of the league’s worst defenses to support a star-studded offense. With the legal tampering period just under a month away, the focus has turned to what free agents they can attract.
FOX Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman has predicted that the Bengals will attack the interior of their defensive line with a familiar face. Auman sees the Bengals signing defensive tackle D.J. Reader to a one-year contract this offseason.
Reader has finished the two-year deal he signed with the Detroit Lions after leaving Cincinnati ahead of the 2024 season.
“Reader, 31, just finished a two-year, $22 million contract with Detroit, starting every game as nose tackle. There’s talk he could return to Cincinnati, where he played from 2020-23, and the Bengals could use his presence up front after finishing dead last against the run and bottom three in points and yards allowed in 2025. In his prime with the Bengals, he was graded as a top-10 defensive lineman, and he’s not that anymore, but could still be a match in the $6 million range,” Auman wrote.
Reader is coming off of his first season without a sack since 2022, but the Bengals should be more interested in his ability to stop the run. Reader would likely be in more of a rotational role than his first stint in Cincinnati, but on a young defense that needs leadership, Reader would be just what the doctor ordered.
Auman puts Reader’s projected contract in the $6 million range, but Pro Football Focus projected Reader to get a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. Anywhere in the $4-$6 million range should be something the Bengals are comfortable with. They have also shown to value familiarity, something they certainly have with Reader.
Keep your eyes out for a potential reunion in March.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs waived forward Jeremy Sochan after being unable to find a trade partner before last week's deadline.
The Spurs announced the move to cut ties with Sochan on Thursday before playing the Golden State Warriors in their final game before the All-Star break.
Sochan was drafted ninth overall in 2022 by San Antonio. Sochan averaged double digits in each of his first three seasons, but averaged just 4.1 points in 28 games this season. Sochan was playing only 12.8 minutes per game — less than half of his playing time for his first three seasons — and hadn't started once after starting 149 of his 184 games before this season.
Coach Mitch Johnson praised Sochan's energy and wished him the best.
“We were all very aware of his desire to be in the rotation, given more of an opportunity than he had, especially recently,” Johnson said. "We wanted to do right by him and make sure that he had that opportunity before the year was over.”
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Riley Makalusky scored 20 points in 20 minutes off the bench, Kierra Wheeler scored 18 points, and No. 19 West Virginia blew out UCF 106-56 on Wednesday night for the Mountaineers' fourth straight win.
Makalusky, a junior forward, had her highest scoring game since she was a freshman playing for Butler. She made 7 of 10 shots overall, 3 of 4 3-pointers and went 3 for 3 at the free-throw line.
Sydney Woodley scored 16 points off the bench, Jordan Harrison and Gia Cooke 12 each and Sydney Shaw 10. Wheeler and Shaw grabbed nine rebounds each. Harrison, who had at least 14 points and five steals in her past four games, had four steals and eight assists.
West Virginia had a 41-0 advantage in points after turnovers. The Mountaineers had only seven turnovers to 23 for UCF.
West Virginia (21-5, 11-3 Big 12) led 13-4 after 5 1/2 minutes of play, then extended the lead to 24-6 thanks to an 11-0 run. The Mountaineers led 24-8 after one quarter and the lead reached 25 points after back-to-back 3-pointers by Makalusky, who scored 12 points in the first half. West Virginia led 45-22 at halftime.
The Mountaineers shot 68% (13 for 19) in the third quarter and scored 31 points for their biggest scoring quarter of the game. They led 76-38 heading to the fourth quarter and scored another 30 points.
Mahogany Chandler-Roberts scored 12 points to lead the Knights (10-14, 2-11).
Central Florida has lost six in a row.
Up next
West Virginia: The Mountaineers hit the road to face No. 17 TCU on Sunday.
UCF: The Knights return home to play No. 12 Baylor on Sunday. ___
Acuna did have one awesome headline out of Venezuela: He had a game with four home runs. That came after he didn't hit any homers last season for the Mets.
The White Sox may end up playing Acuna in centerfield, where he hasn't played before. So maybe it's just a season of new things for the new guy.
OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 18: Zac Cowan #26 of the LSU Tigers in action against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the NCAA College World Series at Charles Schwab Field on June 18, 2025 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Kristen Young/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)
We are wrapping up our position preview, and we finally turn to the LSU bullpen. I’m going to try and save on the grand generalizations or predictions on the quality of the pen because you just never know until games start. For what it’s worth, Jay Johnson says it’s the deepest bullpen he’s had at LSU, but I’ll let you decide if you feel Johnson actually believes it or if it’s just good ole preseason coach speak.
Returning Pitchers
8 Gavin Guidry (No stats, missed all of 2025 with a back injury)
45 Devin Sheerin (No stats, missed all of 2025 with a torn ACL)
If you want to believe in Jay Johnson’s optimism regarding his bullpen, the collection of returning talent is a good place to start. Gavin Guidry is healthy and reports out of fall and preseason scrimmages suggest this is the best he’s been.
Mavrick Rizy led LSU with 24 appearances a season ago, and the hope is he’s a high-leverage arm this season. Rizy is a draft-eligible sophomore who throws 100, so a strong season might mean he’s off to pro ball in a few months.
Zac Cowan is back for his senior season. He was nails for LSU out of the bullpen early on, kinda faltered toward the end of SEC play, was rocked by Little Rock in the decisive game of the Baton Rouge Regional, but finished strong in the CWS semifinals by going 5.1 innings of one-run ball against Arkansas. This year Cowan could work his way into the rotation if necessary, or he could pitch twice for LSU coming out of the pen.
The 2025 season was the first time we really got to see Jaden Noot pitch. Noot missed all of 2023 due to Tommy John, and just threw one inning in 2024. Last season, he made 20 appearances, including five starts, and found his stride toward the end of the season. Noot struck out 22 over the final 14 innings that he pitched. He started against Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament and pitched well (4 innings, three hits, one earned run, 2 BB, 7 Ks) and he was the first one out of the pen to relieve Cowan in LSU’s dramatic comeback win over Arkansas in Omaha; Noot retired the only three batters he faced and hopefully that serves as a springboard for a big 2026.
I’m not sure what to expect from Grant Fontenot who heads into his fifth year of collegiate baseball with just 16 innings pitched. He only threw five innings for the Tigers last season.
Conner Benge was the talk of the fall and preseason practices going into last season, but it never really materialized once the regular season began. Benge made 17 appearances, none coming after April 22’s 13-3 loss to Northwestern State.
The next time we see Devin Sheerin pitch for the Tigers will be the first time. The highly regarded transfer from Mount St. Mary’s didn’t pitch at all for LSU in 2025 because he tore his ACL playing basketball in the summer of ‘24. Physically, Sheerin profiles as this season’s Chase Shores. He’s a big, imposing presence on the mound (6’5”/255) though not quite as tall as Shores (then again, who is?) but has a fastball that can touch 100 and a wipeout slider. LSU tried to get Shores going as a starter to mixed results, but he was able to reinvent himself into a closer and got the final out for LSU against Coastal Carolina. Expect Sheerin to contend for the closer role.
New Pitchers: Freshmen and JUCO
35 Reagan Ricken
36 Ethan Plog
39 Jonah Aase
52 Zion Theophilus
97 Marcos Paz
Reagan Ricken was someone that LSU had to sweat out the MLB Draft over, but made it to campus. A righty from California, Ricken should contend for a rotation role either next season or in ‘28.
Ethan Plog is the lone JUCO transfer, coming in from McLennan Community College and has apparently made a name for himself in the fall. Plus he’s a lefty, and Jay’s going to need some left-handed options coming out of the pen.
Jonah Aase is going to take a redshirt this season, while Zion Theophilus (which is an INCREDIBLE name) is maybe a reliever someday for the Tigers.
Marcos Paz is someone to buy some stock in now. Paz got Tommy John and that kept him from beginning his professional career straight out of high Schoo. Paz has a lot of oomph to his pitches and could factor into the back end of the bullpen as he builds back strength.
Danny Lachenmayer and Santiago Garcia are both lefties that were top relievers at North Dakota State and Oregon respectively. Now they’ll try to carve out roles in a crowded bullpen. Garcia made the most appearances for an Oregon team that hosted a regional and he was also high school teammates with Steven Milam.
Dax Dathe is the definition of a journeyman with stops at Houston (as a position player), Grayson College (a JUCO school), Texas Tech, and D-II Angelo State. He went 17-5 over two seasons as a starter at Angelo State.
The Creighton Bluejays take on the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team in a Big East matchup at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. | Ian Bethune - The UConn Blog
The return of Sarah Strong and a big night from Azzi Fudd helped UConn women’s basketball clobber the Creighton Bluejays 94-44 at Gampel Pavilion on Wednesday night. Strong returned from a one-game absence (rest) to put up 16 points, three rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes while Fudd finished with 19 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Beyond the superstars, Allie Ziebell led the team with 20 points on 5-8 shooting from deep, Ashlynn Shade totaled 13 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists while Kayleigh Heckel chipped in with 13 points and four assists.
Creighton hung tough early, hitting two early 3-pointers to briefly take the lead and adding a couple more to pull even at 14-14 with 57 seconds left in the first quarter. Strong powered UConn’s offense with 10 of the team’s 19 points in the opening period.
Then, much like the previous meeting between the teams, the Huskies pulled away in the second quarter. They ripped off runs of 7-0 and 9-0 and out-scored the visitors 23-10 in the frame to take a 42-24 lead into the half.
Out of the break, UConn held Creighton to just seven points — all of which came during a 2:27 span — in the third quarter. Meanwhile, the Huskies started on a 7-0 burst and closed with 17 straight points, capped off by a four-point play from Ziebell.
UConn emptied the bench in the fourth quarter and still won by 50 — its largest margin of victory over Creighton. Over the final 30 minutes, the Huskies out-scored the visitors 85-30.
With the win, UConn improves to 26-0 overall and 15-0 in the Big East. Just five games remain in the regular season.
Next, the Huskies will hit the road to take on Marquette on Saturday. Tip-off is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Bruce Thornton scored 21 points and hit two late throws to help Ohio State secure an 89-82 win over USC on Wednesday.
Ohio State (16-6, 8-6 Big Ten) trailed 43-40 at halftime after opening 2 of 13 at the free-throw line, but Thornton steadied the Buckeyes in the second half. He became the fifth player in program history to reach 1,935 career points and moved into fifth all-time in Ohio State scoring.
The Buckeyes grabbed their largest lead at 67-60 with eight minutes left after a Devin Royal layup and a John Mobley Jr. 3-pointer. USC (18-7, 7-7) answered with a 7-0 run capped by a Jordan Marsh 3 to cut it to 70-69, but Christoph Tilly scored inside, and Royal added a jumper to push the margin back to five.
Alijah Arenas hit a 3-pointer with 1:09 remaining to pull USC within 82-81, but Thornton responded with a driving layup and converted the free throw to make it 85-81. USC missed two shots in the final 30 seconds, and Thornton closed it out at the line.
Royal scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Ohio State, and Mobley added 13. Thornton reached double figures for the 23rd time this season.
Arenas scored 25 points for USC, Kam Woods added 14 and Ezra Ausar finished with 13 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. The Trojans have played eight consecutive games decided by seven points or fewer.
The Pittsburgh Pirates put the finishing touch on their impressive offseason earlier this week, agreeing to a one-year, $12 million contract with veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna on Monday.
The deal is still pending a physical, but the Pirates are thrilled about potentially adding another power bat to their lineup. Ozuna’s 21 home runs last season would have led Pittsburgh’s roster, and that was considered a “down” year for him.
While joining a new team can be difficult, it helps that the 35-year-old will be playing for a former teammate in Don Kelly.
Kelly, who took over from Derek Shelton last year, was teammates with Ozuna on the Miami Marlins in 2015 and 2016. He’s excited about possibly reuniting with the three-time All-Star and being able to pencil his name into the lineup.
For Pirates Roundtable: Don Kelly is ecstatic about adding Marcell Ozuna.https://t.co/LX52cJmfpJ
“If everything goes well, excited to add Ozuna’s bat to the lineup,” Kelly said Tuesday during a video conference with reporters. “When you talk about the seasons that he’s had, last year being quote unquote ‘down year,’ still 21 home runs and a bunch of RBIs and a big power bat that we can put in the middle of our order.”
Kelly is looking forward to Ozuna’s impact off the field, too, and the effect he can have in the clubhouse.
“He’s a teammate. And the first-hand experience that I had with him in Miami and the feedback that we’ve gotten from everybody in Atlanta is that he helps everybody be better,” Kelly said. “Excited what that is going to mean in regards to Oneil (Cruz), too, to have Marcell be in the clubhouse, to be able to help him. I think Marcell is going to help a lot of guys.”
With Andrew McCutchen still unsigned, Ozuna has an opportunity to fill that leadership void and help the team’s young stars.
STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Azzi Fudd had 19 points, including three 3-pointers to become the 10th player in UConn history with 250 career 3s, and top-ranked Huskies cruised to a 94-44 win over Creighton on Wednesday night.
Allie Ziebell had 20 points and Sarah Strong finished with 16 as UConn (26-0, 15-0 Big East) won its 42nd consecutive game. Ashlynn Shade and Kayleigh Heckel added 13 points each in the Huskies' 53rd consecutive Big East regular-season win.
Elizabeth Gentry had 12 points and Kennedy Townsend had 10 points for Creighton (12-13, 8-8).
Creighton made its first three shots from 3-point range to take a pair of early leads. The Bluejays were 3 for 13 from 3-point range in the rest of the half.
Fudd had five points and an assist during a 12-2 run in the first quarter. A jumper by Fudd with 2:59 left in the first quarter gave the Huskies their first double-digit lead. Heckel and Fudd combined for 16 points in the second quarter. The Huskies scored 15 of the first 17 points in the quarter. In the two games this season, UConn has outscored the Bluejays 56-17 in the second quarter.
It was more of the same in the third quarter. Fudd hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Huskies up 60-31. She helped UConn shoot a season-high 53.8% from 3-point range as the Huskies won by at least 30 points for a program record 14th game in a row.
Creighton, which is 0-14 against UConn, made just one of its 16 shots in the third quarter.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo is joining the Miami Dolphins as their pass game coordinator, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the hiring. ESPN first reported the move.
Patullo was let go by the Eagles last month after a lackluster season calling plays. He'll now join new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley's staff and return to the role he held before being promoted to Philadelphia's offensive coordinator in 2025.
Patullo had been the Eagle's passing game coordinator since 2021, but when the Eagles lost OC Kellen Moore after winning the Super Bowl in 2025 — Moore took the head job in New Orleans — they turned to Patullo to maintain familiarity and continuity for quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
The in-house move did not pan out. Philadelphia seemed out of sync most of the season, finishing 24th in total offense at 311.2 yards a game and 19th in scoring at 22.3 points a game.
Miami finished the season ranked 25th in total offense and 25th in passing offense at 184.4 yards per game.
Hafley has said his staff is nearly put together. He has brought in former Green Bay Packers linebackers coach Sean Duggan as defensive coordinator and former Buffalo Bills special teams coordinator Chris Tabor for the same role. Bobby Slowik was also promoted from pass game coordinator to offensive coordinator.
Alabama went on the road tonight to face a sub-.500 Ole Miss squad and, after sleepwalking early on, they hit the gas and won comfortably by a score of 93-74.
The Tide started this one about as poorly as they are capable on offense. They couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean, finishing the first half at 26% from the field including 5-23 from deep. As a result, the Tide trailed by as much as nine points in the half before rallying late for a 32-30 advantage at the break. Labaron Philon led Alabama in scoring with nine, though he wasn’t efficient. Amari Allen made 2-4 from three to add six points.
The pace of play definitely favored the plodding Rebels. The boards were a draw in the first half, which is not good news for Alabama since Ole Miss is the second-worst rebounding team in the conference. Alabama was -1 in turnover margin with four while forcing three.
Things were much better in the second half. Alabama came out firing, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. in particular, and led by 15 midway through the second half. Ole Miss made a couple of runs but never could get terribly close the rest of the way. Alabama was able to flip the script on pace and burned up the nets. This Ole Miss squad just doesn’t have a ton of offensive firepower, so it doesn’t take a lot to put them away.
Wrightsell led the way with 21 points, all on three pointers. He shot a scorching 7-13 from behind the arc, including 6-10 in the second half. Four other Alabama players joined him in double figures, and Amari Allen led with eight rebounds as he seems to do every night.
Ole Miss ain’t great but it’s always good to get a comfortable win on the road. Next up is a putrid South Carolina team on Saturday night that was blown out at home by Mizzou last time out for their fifth consecutive defeat. That one will be back in Coleman.
Feb 27, 2025; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (30) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium.
ANAHEIM -- When Grayson Rodriguez initially found out he was being traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Los Angeles Angels, it was not through a front office meeting or a phone call at home, but rather during a trip that was supposed to continue his rehab work for the following season.
Rodriguez noted that after spending time at home, the plan was for him to return to the Orioles’ Spring Training Complex in Sarasota, Florida, to work with physical therapists, with most of his rehab already completed.
As Rodriguez’s flight landed around 11 p.m., he saw that he had received a text message from Orioles general manager Mike Elias asking to talk over the phone.
That alone raised alarms.
“I don’t know if the GM is calling at 10:30 at night just to chat,” Rodriguez said, admitting he immediately felt something significant had happened.
It was then that Elias informed him he had been traded to the Los Angeles Angels. Rodriguez noted that he and his wife, who was with him when the news broke, were both left in shock. As the reality set in, Rodriguez said he experienced an array of emotions following the news.
Shortly after, Rodriguez received a call from Angels general manager Perry Minasian, noting that the excitement and energy the Angels showed toward him helped flip a moment of shock into anticipation and optimism for the young right-hander.
Rodriguez, a former top prospect, was widely considered a focal point of an Orioles roster that appeared ready to make noise in the American League East, especially given the array of talent already in Baltimore before he made his Major League debut.
Players such as Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, along with others who were called up around the same time as Rodriguez, including Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg, and more recent additions like Jackson Holliday, highlighted the organization’s young core.
It was expected that Rodriguez would lead the charge on the pitching front, but that vision never fully came to fruition during his time in Baltimore. Underperformance and, more recently, injuries prevented him from making a consistent impact on a roster that was attempting to turn the page into a new era of Orioles baseball.
Ultimately, after the call with Minasian, beyond the excitement, the trade carried a bittersweet ending to Rodriguez’s time in Baltimore. He reflected on the relationships he built within the organization, having come up through the system alongside Rutschman, Henderson, and Westburg. Those bonds, formed since his teenage years, made the transition emotional.
Still, Rodriguez views the trade as a chance to reset. Injuries plagued the right-hander during a season in which he was unable to pitch, and this new chapter presents an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to regain his form on a clean slate.
For Rodriguez, the change is not about what was left behind; it is about turning the page, starting a new chapter, and getting back on the mound with renewed purpose in Anaheim.
Wasatch’s Maisey Blaser, left, grapples with Copper Hills’ Maquell Pace as they compete in the 115-pound weight class during the Ross Brunson All-Star Duals held at the UCCU Center in Orem on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Defending state champion Mountain Ridge built a narrow lead during the opening day of the 6A girls wrestling state tournament at UVU on Wednesday.
The Sentinels advanced seven wrestlers into the semifinals and totaled 95.5 teams on the opening day. Corner Canyon sits in second with 87 points, with Cedar Valley in third with 86.5 points and Westlake in fourth at 85 points.
Corner Canyon has the most semifinalists with eight.
Individually, Payton Gines’ quest for a 4-peat is very much alive after the Syracuse senior easily won her two matches at 115 points by fall. She is 27-3 on the season heading into Thursday’s semifinals at 3:30 p.m.
Three other wrestlers are chasing three 3-peats at this week’s state meet, and they all advanced to the semis as well: Layton’s Brynlee Sorensen, Skyridge’s Madison Sherman and Corner Canyon’s Clarion Fager.
A quartet of sophomores kept their repeat dreams alive as well with two wins on Wednesday: Corner Canyon’s Piper Eller, Copper Hills’ Naomi Kofe, Riverton’s Hannah Larson and Westlake’s Tevia Rarick.
Class 6A girls state tournament
Day 1 Team scores
Mountain Ridge, 95.5
Cedar Valley, 89.5
Corner Canyon, 87
Westlake, 86.5
Copper Hills, 72.5
Davis, 66.5
Syracuse, 64.5
Herriman, 53.5
100 pounds
Wednesday’s first round
Isabella Burke, Skyridge def. Kimberly Murillo, Copper Hills, Fall 0:49
Melayna Johnson, Riverton def. Gwendale Andra, Skyridge, Fall 1:09
Brynn Norton, Cedar Valley def. Alayna Eagar, Mountain Ridge, MD 20-8
Ava Eav, Lehi def. Neveah Powers, Weber, Dec 12-9
Wednesday’s quarterfinals
Piper Eller, Corner Canyon def. Isabella Burke, Skyridge, Fall 0:24
Melayna Johnson, Riverton def. Skye Schultz, Syracuse, Dec 8-7
Nevi Brady, Cedar Valley def. Brynn Norton, Cedar Valley, Fall 2:00
Bekah Price, Davis def. Ava Eav, Lehi, Fall 1:59
Thursday’s semifinals
Piper Eller, Corner Canyon vs. Melayna Johnson, Riverton
Nevi Brady, Cedar Valley vs. Bekah Price, Davis
105 pounds
Wednesday’s quarterfinals
Brooklyn Eagar, Mountain Ridge def. Nara Johnson, Skyridge, Fall 1:56
Lyra McCarthy, Syracuse def. Kamryn Keele, Lehi, Fall 3:27
Isabella Munton, Cedar Valley def. Parker Peterson, Cedar Valley, MD 11-0
Aubriana Wadley, Westlake def. Emma Wallace, Davis, Dec 10-6
Thursday’s semifinals
Brooklyn Eagar, Mountain Ridge vs. Lyra McCarthy, Syracuse
Isabella Munton, Cedar Valley vs. Aubriana Wadley, Westlake
110 pounds
Wednesday’s first round
Kiara Tanaka, Mountain Ridge def. Braylee Colman, Layton, Fall 1:01
Rachel Siniscalchi, Weber def. Alyssa Mangelson, Davis, Fall 3:56
Taranom Zakeri, Mountain Ridge def. Camryn Woodger, Skyridge, Fall 1:58
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Jailton Almeida of Brazil reacts after a victory against Serghei Spivac of Moldova in a heavyweight fight during the UFC 311 event at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida’s run in the promotion has come to an end.
This latest release marks the fourth Top 15-ranked UFC Heavyweight that the promotion has gotten rid of in the past year — Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Martin Buday, Alexandr Romanov, and now Almeida.
Almeida (22-5) departs the promotion with an 8-3 UFC record, coming off a lackluster unanimous decision loss to Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Vegas 113 on short notice. That defeat marked his second straight loss and capped an uninspired performance that left fans underwhelmed.
The decision to release Almeida is particularly surprising given his status as a top-10 contender in the Heavyweight division — a weight class often criticized for its lack of depth. With a winning record and a history of strong performances in the Octagon, many expected the UFC to give him another opportunity to rebound.
Almeida’s UFC tenure included victories over notable opponents such as Derrick Lewis, Rozenstruik, Romanov, and his most recent win against Serghei Spivac, cementing his reputation as an elite fighter.
At just 32 years old, Almeida remains a talented athlete with plenty of years left to compete. Though the UFC door has closed, other promotions are likely to show interest, and fans can expect him to continue making waves in the global Heavyweight scene.
When asked if this was their last dance, Bates candidly said, "I'm not sure."
"We've got a lot to be proud of and a lot to be grateful for because we've had an incredible career," added Chock. "Sometimes that's just how it shakes out. This is this story for us and I wouldn't change anything."
Milano Cortina was widely expected to be Chock and Bates' fourth and final Olympics. Although the couple didn’t implicitly state they would retire after the Games, Bates said they "put all of our effort and emphasis to peak at this event."
"Immediately right now it's really hard to say what the career plans will be, but TBD," Bates added.
Chock and Bates fell short of the ice dance podium at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics with a fourth-place finish, but helped USA win gold in the team event. The pair won three consecutive world championships leading up to the Winter Games and performed both the rhythm and free dance portion of the team event here to help Team USA clinch its second consecutive gold.
All that was missing from their resume was an Olympic medal in ice dance. Chock and Bates turned in a season-best 134.67 in their matador-themed free skate for a total score of 224.39. After their performance, Bates fell to his knees and pounded the ice before sharing a long embrace with his wife. But they had to settle for silver after Beaudry and Cizeron posted a total score of 225.82.
"It was our gold medal performance. It was the best that we could skate," Bates said. "It was a personal best score. It was a fourth performance over six days. It took a lot of mental strength and discipline to be locked in and to continue to go out and skate well and we did everything that we could."
Chock, 33, described the silver-medal win as "bittersweet" as she fought back tears. When asked about being unfairly judged, she said they "put out our very best skates every time we took Olympic ice."
"All four performances we had here at the Olympics, we're very proud of. They were flawless for us," she reiterated. "We couldn't have skated any better and we're super proud with how we took the ice, how we handled ourselves every time, and the rest is out of our hands. "
Bates, who turns 37 on Feb. 23, said the couple would need time to process the results and reflect on the experience before making any decisions.
"When things settle we'll be super proud and look back on our time here and be happy with everything that was up to us," he added. "We really did our best."
Tuesday night, in a blowout Spurs win over the Lakers, where essentially the entire second half was garbage time, Jeremy Sochan still never touched the court for San Antonio.
This is not a big surprise. San Antonio held on to him through the trade deadline, but gave his representatives the chance to find a trade for the former No. 9 pick, reported Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Sochan is making $7.1 million this season on an expiring contract and would have been a restricted free agent this coming summer if a team acquired him and picked up his qualifying offer. However, teams interested in him (the Knicks were mentioned) knew they could sign Sochan to a minimum contract off the buyout market and decided to wait rather than trade for him.
Sochan was part of the Spurs rotation alongside Victor Wembanyama for a couple of years. However, as the team added depth — Harrison Barnes, Carter Bryant, Julian Champagnie, Kelly Olynyk, Dylan Harper — Sochan was squeezed out of coach Mitch Johnson's rotation. Sochan is a solid defender, but he never developed the ball-handling or shooting the Spurs had hoped for (25.7% from 3-point range this season).
Once he clears waivers (no team is picking up his current salary), some team will likely take a chance on the athletic forward and see if he can fit in its system.
The picturesque golf course during the practice round ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)
PEBBLE BEACH – On Feb. 5, one week before Thursday's start of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, tournament officials announced an amateur addition to the field: Travis Kelce, longtime Kansas City Chiefs tight end, three-time Super Bowl champion and, oh yeah, Taylor Swift's fiancé.
The Pro-Am sold $60,000 worth of tickets in the next 12 hours.
"Very interesting," tournament director Steve John said this week in a Chronicle interview. "We're going to say ‘he' moved the needle."
John chuckled, absolutely aware who moved the needle. And for the record: John has been told Swift is not coming to the Monterey Peninsula for the event, though organizers are prepared just in case.
American professional golfer Sahith Theegala, right, walks past egrets during the practice round ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)
This little Kelce/Swift sideshow highlights an awkward reality for one of the PGA Tour's most stable tournaments, at an iconic venue. This year marks the 80th playing of the Pro-Am at Pebble Beach – but only the third edition since the event completely changed its identity.
At the same time, the tour's other Northern California tournament – most recently known as the Procore Championship and held at Silverado Resort in Napa – was dropped from the 2026 schedule last month. That event had been played in the Bay Area (first at Cordevalle in San Martin) since 2010.
It still lacked the distinctive history of the Crosby Clambake-turned-AT&T. For 77 years, this midwinter gathering counted as a comedy show/celebrity outing, with golf as the vehicle.
Bill Murray cracked jokes as he mingled with galleries. Alfonso Ribeiro danced on the greens. Professional golfers chased prize money, but that often didn't register until the final round.
The picturesque golf course during the practice round ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)
The past two years, after the tour made the AT&T one of its signature events – boosting the purse from $9 million to $20 million – it became a serious golf tournament. The world's best players, most of whom previously avoided Pebble, suddenly showed up. Every member of the top 10 in the world ranking will play this week.
But fans didn't immediately embrace the shift, which trimmed amateur participation from four days to two. Ticket sales dropped 17% from 2023 to ‘25, according to John. They're back up 19% this year, fueled by the faint hope of a Swift sighting – which suggests the celebrity crowd outnumbers the golf crowd.
"The fans are slowly coming back, but 77 years of one model, and then audibling that dramatically, is challenging," John said. "So the ticket sales have not been the same. That's not good, so it's on us to train our audience and do a better job getting the word out on what we are – a true golf event."
The AT&T needed a reset given how few top players were coming to Pebble Beach, despite its status as one of the game's elite courses. Then LIV Golf created upheaval, forcing the PGA Tour to revise its model – and eight signature events leaped to life with larger purses, smaller fields (80 pros this week) and more big names.
The practice round closed to the public ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)
AT&T, the longest-running continuous title sponsor on tour, funded the change at Pebble. The company also agreed to a multi-year contract extension last June, which would seem to indicate the tournament is here to stay – it's hard to imagine the tour not holding an annual event at Pebble Beach.
But PGA Tour officials are contemplating broader, sweeping changes to their schedule.
"I don't know where the tour is going," John said. "I know there's all these rumors out there, but they're all rumors. I haven't heard a thing. Are we changing our format? Are we changing the time of year? It's all out there, but I don't know anything."
A spokesperson for the PGA Tour declined comment Wednesday.
Any uncertainty about the Pro-Am belongs in a different realm than the end of the Napa event. That was a sponsor issue: Procore didn't renew after its two-year deal expired. The tournament's spot on the calendar, in September, always made it challenging to attract top players and thus less appealing to sponsors.
The picturesque golf course during the practice round ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)
But the wider intrigue involves whether the PGA Tour schedule compresses in 2027. Rory McIlroy referred to this "scarcity model" Tuesday, noting golf could learn from how the NFL uses a shorter season to whet fans' appetites all year.
One source suggested the tour is considering a schedule of 20 to 24 events (there are currently 45), with the season's start pushed back until after the Super Bowl. Yes, the NFL remains king.
For now, the AT&T Pro-Am forges ahead with its third attempt as a "true golf" tournament. Eighty amateurs, mostly corporate types, will play Thursday and Friday; that includes Kelce, four retired athletes (Steve Young, Alex Smith, Harris Barton and Pau Gasol) and three musicians (Jake Owen, Pat Monahan and Charles Kelly).
Many celebrities reluctantly scratched Pebble Beach from their February calendars.
"They were all disappointed – Ray Romano probably needed therapy," John said. "But we wanted to be a signature event, and in order to do that we had to go 80-80 (pros and amateurs). So make the best of it and see what happens in the future."
Throughout the last month, the UTEP men's basketball team looked like it was ready for a road breakthrough. Come close enough times, give yourself enough chances, sooner or later fate takes a turn.
For the suddenly surging Miners, that time came Wednesday night in Jacksonville.
UTEP gained some breathing room with a late 15-3 run, then held off a Gamecocks comeback to come away with a 69-64 victory that took a huge step toward the Conference USA tournament.
With the upset win, the Miners improved to 6-8 in Conference USA and 10-15 overall after their first back-to-back victories since the first weeks of the season against Division II and NAIA competition. Jacksonville State, which entered the game in second place in CUSA, fell to 8-4, 13-11 overall and now is 5-2 in home league games.
UTEP is now 2-5 on the road (it did beat last-place Delaware early on the road) and this was impressive.
The Miners checked the big box they needed to with four players in double figures: Caleb Blackwell and Elijah Jones each had 16, Kaseem Watson scored 12 and Jamal West had 10.
UTEP made 11-of-25 3-pointers to Jacksonville State's 8-of-18, which accounted for much of the difference.
Up next
UTEP gets its shot at league-unbeaten Liberty Saturday at the Don Haskins Center on national television. The unusual noon Don Haskins Center tip will be televised on ESPN2.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Mike MacDonald of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mike Macdonald may not have won Coach of the Year at NFL Honors during Super Bowl week, but he did win the Lombardi Trophy, which is a little bit more important in terms of career achievements.
At the Seahawks’ Super Bowl celebration on Wednesday, Mike Macdonald was introduced by former Seahawk and longtime radio play-by-play voice Steve Raible as someone who “should’ve been recognized as NFL Coach of the Year.” As Coach Macdonald approached the podium, the fourth-youngest head coach to ever win a Super Bowl provided a mic drop before he could even get into his speech.
“I think I’ll take this trophy instead,” Macdonald said.
Of course, the Coach of the Year award went to New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, while Assistant Coach of the Year went to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Macdonald finished third in the voting behind Vrabel and Liam Coen of the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Patriots and Jaguars went from 4-13 disasters to division champions, the Seahawks were clearly the NFL’s best team and that has been reason in the past to award Coach of the Year. Evidently Seattle exceeding its own low preseason expectations wasn’t enough in the eyes of voters.
The last time a Seahawks coach won Coach of the Year was Chuck Knox in 1984, when Seattle built off of its surprise AFC Championship run in 1983 by finishing 12-4 the following year. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the Divisional Round. Mike Holmgren, Pete Carroll, and now Mike Macdonald have all led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl appearance and yet none came away with an extra AP NFL award.
“We love the 12s. You guys are the best in the world, and now we’re the best football team in the world. World champs!” Macdonald added.
He’s Coach of the Year in our hearts. And he’s a Super Bowl champion, too.
The Golden State Warriors have had over 600 players don the more than 60 jersey numbers used by their players over the more than 75 years of existence the team has enjoyed in its rich and storied history.
Founded in 1946 during the Basketball Association of America (BAA – a precursor league of the NBA) era, the team has called home the cities of Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland, and even San Diego.
To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Warriors Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. For this article, we begin with the seventh of 16 players who wore the No. 44 jersey for the Warriors.
That player would be Golden State forward alum Leonard Taylor. After ending his college career at Cal, Taylor went unselected in the 1989 NBA Draft, signing with the Dubs instead.
The Los Angeles, California native played the sole season of his pro career with Golden State, leaving the league as a player afterward.
During his time suiting up for the Warriors, Taylor wore only jersey No. 44 and put up 1.1 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the "New Jersey Americans".
Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.
To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise's jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.
And for today's article, we will continue with the 12th of 14 people to wear the No. 42 jersey, big man alum Evan Eschmeyer. After ending his college career at Northwestern, Eschmeyer was picked up with the 34th overall selection of the 1999 NBA Draft by the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets.
The New Knoxville, Ohio native played the first two seasons of his pro career with New Jersey, coming to an end when he signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2001.
During his time suiting up for the Nets, Eschmeyer wore only jersey Nos. 00 and 42, and put up 3.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
The Denver Broncos came up short against the New England Patriots in the American Football Conference championship game, but it wasn’t because of the defense.
The defense kept them in the game. It was the lack of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball that held Denver back, and even though starting quarterback Bo Nix likely changes the outcome of that game, this was an issue throughout the season.
It’s not that the Broncos don’t have enough talented players on offense, it’s that they don’t have enough players that can take over a game when they need to. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton is a great receiver and highly trusted within the offense, but you won’t see Sutton take over games often. Denver lacks multiple options that can be that guy, which is why they should be looking to upgrade the offense this offseason.
When the Broncos signed tight end Evan Engram last year, the hope was that he would become Head Coach Sean Payton’s “joker,” a player that is essentially a jack of all trades and can do everything on offense. Payton has raved about having that type of player and he thought Engram would be that guy for him in Denver.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, the first year of Engram as a Bronco left a lot to be desired. He caught 50 passes on 76 targets for 461 yards and just one touchdown over 16 games. This isn’t bad production, as he averaged 9.2 yards per catch, but given what he did in his last full season with the Jacksonville Jaguars (114 catches, 963 yards and four touchdowns), Payton and the Broncos thought they would get more out of him.
Engram is a cut candidate and if the organization decides to move on from him to save money, drafting a replacement who can better portray the joker role would be extremely beneficial.
ESPN’s Field Yates has the Broncos selecting Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the 30th pick in the 2026 National Football League Draft, but he acknowledged that Sadiq could be taken much sooner and he would be a great value pick at 30.
“Coach Sean Payton has long valued a player who can be their "joker," a player who is either a top-end receiving back or mismatch tight end,” Yates wrote Wednesday. “Previous examples from Payton's time in New Orleans include Darren Sproles, Alvin Kamara and Jimmy Graham.”
Sadiq is exactly that, an elite receiving tight end that is a huge mismatch for linebackers and safeties. He has shown that he can take over games with his exceptional strength and speed, proving to be an effective weapon that can be used in several ways to impact games.
“Sadiq fits that description with an outstanding athleticism that makes him a threat after the catch. He had to wait his turn behind Terrance Ferguson at Oregon, but Sadiq blossomed in the primary role last season with team highs in both catches (51) and receiving touchdowns (8).”
This is the guy that Payton is looking for. He is a versatile playmaker that would be an excellent fit within any team’s offense. Sadiq has to clean up his blocking, but his raw talent as a pass-catcher is too good to pass up if he falls to Denver.
Shenendehowa skier Raquelle Landa won the girls division with a time of 29:59.2 during the Section II Nordic ski championships at on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at Gore Mountain in North Creek, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Shenendehowa's Raquelle Landa won her fourth straight individual sectional championship, while Queensbury swept the boys' and girls' team titles Wednesday at the Section 2 Nordic ski championships, held at Gore Mountain Nordic Center in North Creek.
Alongside Landa, Shenendehowa also had the boys' individual champion in Jacob Perkins.
Landa won the girls' individual race in 27 minutes, 9.4 seconds, nearly a minute in front of runner-up Anna Yarsevich of Saratoga Springs (28:04). Queensbury's Ruby Janssen was third in 28:37.5, with Scotia-Glenville's Kiera Macintosh (30:48.3) and Queensbury's Finley Purvis (31:20.3) completing the top five.
Landa, a three-time Times Union athlete of the year, was third at last year's state championships.
Mallory Cosh completed Queensbury's scoring trio with a ninth-place finish, giving the Spartans 17 points to beat runner-up Saratoga Springs - the defending state team champion - by 12 points. Shenendehowa was another two points back in third.
Shenendehowa's Perkins won the boys' race in 25:16.3, 27.6 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Alden Guay of Queensbury (25:43.9).
Guay started a run of four straight Queensbury skiers to cross the finish line, followed by Johnny Luthringer (26:33.1), Johnny Cirillo (27:06.9) and Josh Jenkin (27:26.5). Queensbury took six of the top 10 positions overall and finished with nine points to cruise to the team title ahead of Lake George (32) and Johnsburg (34).
The state championships for Nordic and Alpine skiing will be contested Feb. 23 and 24 at Bristol Mountain in Canandaigua.
In a matter of months, Nia Jax will surpass the 11-year anniversary of her in-ring debut, which saw her in tag team action at a "WWE NXT" live event. Nowadays, Jax is back in tag team competition, with the up-and-coming Lash Legend as her partner. As revealed on "Insight With Chris Van Vliet," she's also emerged as a locker room leader behind the scenes in WWE.
"Since I've come back, I have taken on the role of a little bit of the locker room leader just because I've been here longer than most of the girls in the locker room, I'm older, I've been around, I've seen it all," Jax said. "I feel as though you have to have a little bit of a tradition in the locker room. I think it gets lost in this new age.
"Some of the new people, they didn't come up when I came up. My coach was Bill DeMott when I got hired for the WWE. He was very old school, very traditional in the ways. Shake hands, you introduce yourself to everybody, you guys set up the ring, you break down the ring, you watch every match. We never had the opportunity to not go to a show even if we weren't working."
During her early WWE days, Jax noted that she additionally learned a variety of non-wrestling skills, such as ring announcing and timekeeping. Today's crop of developmental talents, however, don't seem obligated to do all the same things, which is why Jax has taken it upon herself to help them hone the crafts. Thanks to her Type A personality, Jax says she's gotten more comfortable with it.
The event will be held at State Farm's Crossover activation space at 9 p.m. CST Friday. Participants include former NBA forward Richard Jefferson, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, comedian Druski, streamer PlaqueBoyMax, BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester, internet personality Cam Wilder and Jake from State Farm.
"It should be a fun time," McCain told The Oklahoman. "I've met some of those guys, and they're all super cool. It'll be a fun time to get some shots up and have some fun with them."
The celebrity 3-point contest is a part of NBA Crossover, an immersive fan event taking place during All-Star weekend. It also features the NBA Creator Cup, where internet personalities will compete on Thursday.
It's all part of the NBA's push to create the most expansive creator footprint ever for a league event. More than 200 global creators have been invited to the festivities.
And while McCain is an active NBA player, he's also active online. He has 5 million followers on TikTok, 2 million followers on Instagram and 324,000 subscribers on YouTube, making him an ideal candidate to headline the event.
Jefferson, the only other participant with NBA experience (2001-18), figures to be McCain's top competition. But the 21-year-old sharpshooter also gave his thoughts on the rest of the field and who could hold their own.
"I've seen the PlaqueBoyMax's shot, and he's probably last," McCain said with a laugh. "But Druski might also be last. He might have a jumper, though. Cam (Wilder) will be able to shoot, for sure. Caleb (Williams), I've never seen him hoop, but I feel like he'll be able to hoop. I feel like most football players can hoop. I'm going to go with Cam Wilder, though, for sure."
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
The event will be held at State Farm's Crossover activation space at 9 p.m. CST Friday. Participants include former NBA forward Richard Jefferson, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, comedian Druski, streamer PlaqueBoyMax, BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester, internet personality Cam Wilder and Jake from State Farm.
"It should be a fun time," McCain told The Oklahoman. "I've met some of those guys, and they're all super cool. It'll be a fun time to get some shots up and have some fun with them."
The celebrity 3-point contest is a part of NBA Crossover, an immersive fan event taking place during All-Star weekend. It also features the NBA Creator Cup, where internet personalities will compete on Thursday.
It's all part of the NBA's push to create the most expansive creator footprint ever for a league event. More than 200 global creators have been invited to the festivities.
And while McCain is an active NBA player, he's also active online. He has 5 million followers on TikTok, 2 million followers on Instagram and 324,000 subscribers on YouTube, making him an ideal candidate to headline the event.
Jefferson, the only other participant with NBA experience (2001-18), figures to be McCain's top competition. But the 21-year-old sharpshooter also gave his thoughts on the rest of the field and who could hold their own.
"I've seen the PlaqueBoyMax's shot, and he's probably last," McCain said with a laugh. "But Druski might also be last. He might have a jumper, though. Cam (Wilder) will be able to shoot, for sure. Caleb (Williams), I've never seen him hoop, but I feel like he'll be able to hoop. I feel like most football players can hoop. I'm going to go with Cam Wilder, though, for sure."
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
The Baltimore Orioles have reportedly made an addition to their rotation.
Baltimore had been searching for pitching help, and on Wednesday, they have reportedly made a major addition. MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN reported on X that Baltimore has reportedly agreed to a deal with former Toronto Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt.
“Right-hander Chris Bassitt and the Baltimore Orioles are in agreement on a one-year, $18.5 million contract, sources tell ESPN,” Passan wrote on X. Bassitt, 36, joins an overhauled O’s rotation that also added Shane Baz and re-signed Zach Eflin to join Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, and Dean Kremer.
“Chris Bassitt’s deal with the Orioles, which is pending physical, includes a $3 million signing bonus and $500,000 in incentives if he starts 27 games. Which he has done each of the last five seasons, during which his 880.1 innings rank eighth among all MLB pitchers.”
Bassitt completed his three-year, $63 million deal with the Blue Jays and was a key part of their playoff run. The veteran right-hander went to the bullpen and was an effective high-leverage reliever for Toronto.
Yet, the Blue Jays opted to sign Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to replace Bassitt and Max Scherzer, leaving Bassitt to sign with the Orioles.
Bassitt went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA in 32 games. In the playoffs, he had a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances.
Baltimore will open its 2026 MLB season on March 26 at home against the Minnesota Twins.
There was concern when the United States named its Olympic men's hockey roster that they didn't have enough scoring firepower.
The one player who flies in the face of that is Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson.
Thompson wasn't on the 4 Nations Face-Off roster. But he's on the Olympic team.
And he's not just on the Olympic team -- he's going to be a huge contributor. Thompson is slated to be on the first power play unit as well as a high-powered line with Kyle Connor and Dylan Larkin.
“It’s awesome,” Thompson told The Athletic's Michael Russo. “I mean, it’s the best players in the league, best players in the world. Just trying to fit in, do what they tell me, and hopefully help them out. Everyone’s a threat, it’s fun, a ton of skill, and like I said, I’m just trying to do my part and hopefully help contribute some goals.”
He certainly seems ready, and if he can deliver, he could be an X-factor.
There's still a case to be made that the United States is lacking firepower, but they've got Thompson. To win the gold medal, the U.S. might really need Thompson to score a few huge goals along the way.
Fernando Mendoza is the projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, but on Wednesday, the Las Vegas Raiders' odds of taking him from 100% down a few notches.
New head coach Klint Kubiak is still nursing the Super Bowl hangover of partying after winning with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Still, he has already set his eyes on evaluating prospects going into the big day in April.
While he sees the potential in the Heisman-winning quarterback who led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first-ever national title, that doesn't mean he is automatically already in the silver and black.
"I saw the interviews he gave after those games, and how team-oriented he is," said Kubiak. "I look forward to getting to know the player better. But obviously he's a really talented guy with a with a bright future and we will see where he ends up."
The upcoming first overall pick will dictate the rest of Kubiak's tenure in Las Vegas. If he nails the pick, then he might be the next Sean McVay or his very own Mike Macdonald, who seem destined to be tied to their franchise for a decade to come.
If he misfires, though, especially after the Raiders combusted last season with their choice of signing Geno Smith and hiring veteran Pete Carroll as coach, then it might be a quick pit stop in Sin City before needing to find work somewhere else.
On the decision to possibly pick Mendoza first overall, he will have minority owner Tom Brady in his ear. The greatest quarterback who has ever lived in terms of success, Kubiak, has already admitted that he will be calling Brady a ton from now until the team decides what to do with April's selection.
"I'm really excited to work with Tom," he said. "He made the mistake of giving me his cell phone number, so he might wish he never did that because I'm going to be calling him a lot."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring his side's third goal with Phil Foden during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Fulham at Etihad Stadium on February 11, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images) | CameraSport via Getty Images
What a great victory! City make the home pitch count as they win 3-0. A really good game from Semenyo, Haaland, Bernardo and more. Foden also played well as did Ain Nouri, just an all around good game from all.
The win keep pressure at the top as this City makes it a tight race.
On to the reaction-
Pep Guardiola Reaction
“It was not easy after incredible emotions against Liverpool. If we allowed them to play it would be tough.
“The first half was top. It was a really good performance.
“I’m so happy for the guys. They showed that we can do good things.
“It’s not three points [the gap to Arsenal]. After the game tomorrow it may not be three points, we’ll see. We know each other quite well.
“Bernardo was exhausted, Rodri was exhausted. He didn’t lose one ball and then in the second half he lost 10 balls. The back four was so solid.
“Matheus was tired in the second half, and he didn’t play the level he needed to in the last 10 minutes.
“Khusanov with his incredible focus brought stability. But in general we are incredibly pleased with all the guys, their performance and the result.”
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Gabe Cupps (4) takes a layup in front of USC Trojans forward Ezra Ausar (2) during the first half of the NCAA men's basketball game at the Schottenstein Center on Feb. 11, 2026. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
After getting shellacked by Michigan on Sunday afternoon, the Ohio State men’s basketball team (16-8, 8-6) got back on the court quickly Wednesday night, facing the USC Trojans (18-7, 7-7) in a game that had big-time NCAA Tournament implications.
Entering Wednesday night’s game, Ohio State was listed as the first team out of the big dance, while USC was listed as a 10-seed according to Bracket Matrix. With several games coming up for Ohio State where they will certainly be underdogs, Wednesday night’s game was an opportunity to take care of business at home against a team they were favored to beat by 7.5 points.
Jake Diebler and his team have emphasized the importance of starting fast, but they did the opposite on Wednesday night, hitting one of their first eight shots and falling behind USC, 13-4, after five minutes of play. USC makes its money at the free-throw line, and went 6-for-6 at the free-throw line before the first media timeout. USC guard Kam Woods hit his fifth three-pointer of the season early, and Alijah Arenas, the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, hit four free throws early.
Ohio State briefly took the lead at 21-20, but USC forward Jacob Cofie — a 28.6% three-point shooter — buried a three to put the Trojans back up, 23-21, with 8:26 left in the first half.
The Trojans went on a stretch where they hit 8 of 10 shots, keeping Ohio State just out of arm’s reach for most of the first half. Arenas converted on a fast break layup with 38 seconds remaining in the half to put USC up 43-38, and Ohio State took their time inbounding the basketball to make sure they got the final shot of the first half. That possession eventually resulted in a Thornton floater at the buzzer that bounced around several times and dropped in, getting the Buckeyes back within three, 43-40.
Thornton and Devin Royal attacked the basket early in the second half, with Thornton’s layup tying things at 49 apiece with 15:05 left in the game. Three minutes later, a missed free throw by Arenas was gobbled up under the basket by Thornton, who turned and threw a touchdown pass to Bynum streaking down the floor. The 6-foot-8 freshman caught the pass and threw down a one-handed slam, shaking the rim and putting Ohio State up 58-54 with 12:11 remaining in the game.
After missing his first four three-point tries of the game, Mobley finally connected on one with 10:57 remaining in the game, putting Ohio State up 61-57. He connected on another with 9:14 remaining in the game, putting the Buckeyes up 64-58.
The Trojans let Ohio State go up seven point lead, but a three-pointer from USC’s Jordan Marsh got them back within 70-69 with 5:49 left in the game. Ohio State responded with baskets from Tilly and Royal and two free throws from Thornton, retaining that touchdown lead with just over four minutes remaining.
Ohio State’s stark turnaround in the second half shooting the basketball helped them put together several small “mini-runs” throughout the second half. Nothing huge, five consecutive points here, seven consecutive points there, added up, as the Buckeyes gradually separated themselves from fellow bubble team USC.
A pair of free throws from Royal gave Ohio State an 80-71 lead with 3:25 remaining, but USC didn’t break, scoring seven points in just over a minute to cut the Buckeyes’ lead to 80-78 with 2:02 left. However, Thornton made a tough layup with 40 seconds remaining and was fouled, putting Ohio State back up, 85-81. That iced the game, and the Buckeyes hung on to win, 89-82.
In the spirit of the Winter Olympics, here are today’s gold, silver, and bronze medal performers from Ohio State’s eighth Big Ten victory of the season.
Bruce Thornton – Gold
With his first-half floater that gave Ohio State a 19-17 lead, Thornton passed Kelvin Ransey in points and became the fifth-leading scorer in Ohio State history. That shot, which gave Ohio State the lead with 9:38 remaining in the first half, put Thornton at 1,935 career points.
Thornton was also the closer for Ohio State, dropping in an and-one layup with 40 seconds remaining and scoring Ohio State’s last nine points, finishing with 21 points.
Next up: program legends Jerry Lucas and William Buford, who are tied in third all-time with 1,990 points.
Devin Royal – Silver
No, the three-point shot still isn’t falling for Royal, who is now 2-for-23 over his last seven games. But everything else was on Wednesday night, as the junior forward from Pickerington was basically perfect on everything else, going 8-for-8 on two-point tries and hitting all three of his free throws, finishing with 19 points and seven rebounds.
Ezra Ausar – Bronze
Ausar, a 6-foot-9 senior from Atlanta, had a sizable family and fans section sitting in the lower bowl for this game. He was also the toughest player on the floor Wednesday night, coming up with several impressive steals, including one where he reached in and ripped the ball out of Thornton’s arms with two hands, and then turned around and ran the length of the floor to score over top of Thornton and Tilly.
He entered the game having shot the fifth-most free throws in the county (200), and was efficient at the line, going 5-for-6 despite being a 68% free throw shooter on the season. Ausar fouled out of Wednesday night’s game with 4:21 remaining. He finished with 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting, nine rebounds (five of which were offensive), two assists, and four steals in 34 minutes.
STORRS — When Ashlynn Shade opened the third quarter against Creighton on Wednesday with a steal that she converted into a 3-pointer at the other end, it all but sealed the win for the UConn women’s basketball team.
After going back and forth early, all it took was a brief halftime adjustment for the Huskies to completely smother the Bluejays. Shade’s shot was the first of five made 3-pointers for UConn in the third after it converted only five in the entire first half. The Huskies’ defense then lived up to its reputation as one of the best in the country holding the Bluejays to just 1-for-16 shooting in the quarter.
The Huskies outscored Creighton by 32 points in the second half to earn a 94-44 victory at Gampel Pavilion and improve to 26-0 this season. The win was UConn’s largest in the history of its series with the Bluejays, and it was also Creighton’s lowest-scoring performance in 14 meetings.
Sophomore guard Allie Ziebell led the Huskies with 20 points off the bench, connecting on five 3-pointers and shooting 7-for-10 from the field. Star guard Azzi Fudd added 19 points shooting 61.5% from the field and 3-for-4 from the perimeter, also adding four rebounds, four assists and two steals. All-American sophomore Sarah Strong added 16 points in just 19 minutes, while junior guard Ashlynn Shade and sophomore guard Kayeligh Heckel had 13 apiece in the rout. Heckel led the Huskies with four steals, and Shade matched center Jana El Alfy with a team-high five rebounds.
UConn had dismal offensive start, kept alive only by a dominant showing from Strong. The Huskies started the game 1-for-6 from the field and briefly trailed Creighton, 3-2, before Strong took matters into her own hands, scoring eight straight points to put the team back in front. She accounted for 12 of UConn’s 19 points in the first playing just eight minutes, but she exited the game late in the quarter and appeared to vomit in a trash can near the Huskies’ bench. She didn’t return to the game until three minutes into the second quarter.
Creighton kept pace behind a 4-for-9 start from 3-point range, trailing by just five at the end of the first. The Bluejays broke through UConn’s press to find multiple wide-open looks from the perimeter, and they connected with far more consistency than they did the first time the teams met on Jan. 11 when Creighton shot 3-for-25 from deep.
But the Huskies eventually found their rhythm, ripping off a 9-0 run in the second quarter to break open their first double-digit lead of the game. Fudd kicked things off with a layup after picking the pocket of Creighton star Ava Zediker, and Heckel capped the run with a steal-and-score of her own. UConn kept the Bluejays scoreless for almost six minutes, forcing six turnovers during that stretch.
Heckel scored five straight points to end the second quarter, sending UConn into halftime ahead, 42-24. She knocked down her first 3-pointer since Jan. 19 against Notre Dame, then immediately got out in transition for a layup after KK Arnold grabbed a steal. UConn had 17 points off turnovers in the half and held Creighton to just 31% shooting from the field, though the Bluejays were still hanging on thanks to six made 3-pointers.
But it was quickly over for Creighton after halftime once the Huskies began to heat up from deep. Shade opened the third quarter on a pair of 3-pointers, and Fudd later connected on back-to-back possessions. The redshirt senior scored eight points in the third shooting 3-for-3.
The Huskies continued to rain shots from the perimeter in the fourth. Ziebell connected for three of her five makes in the final frame, and Shade added one more of her own to improve the team to 14-for-26 on 3-pointers. UConn finished shooting better than 50% both from the field and from deep, and it also had 27 points off of 22 forced turnovers.
The LSU Tigers are one of the biggest NFL factories in college football. Even in a year like last season, where the coach was fired and the team went 7-6, they are set to send several players to the league.
For that to happen, though, they will need to impress scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine that starts later this month. This year, it spans from February 23 to March 2.
The NFL released a full list of every draft prospect that was invited to take part this season, and there were 11 former Tigers selected.
Here is a full list of the Tigers that will be there in Indianapolis:
QB Garrett Nussmeier WR Aaron Anderson WR Barion Brown WR Chris Hilton WR Zavion Thomas TE Bauer Sharp EDGE Jack Pyburn EDGE Patrick Payton LB Harold Perkins CB Mansoor Delane S AJ Haulcy
The combine is big for a couple of reasons. It allows players to meet with NFL front offices and coaching staffs to make an impression off the field. A couple of these players already met them during the Senior Bowl and other All-Star-type events.
The most well-known portion, though, is going to be the athletic testing. Players will run the 40-yard dash, three-cone drills, lift weights and more show off their athletic profile.
Hilton stands out as someone who could majorly benefit from the combine because of his speed. He's already had a strong pre-draft process and he should put a stamp on it by posting a blazing-fast 40 time.
Perkins should be another interesting player to watch. He will need great athletic numbers, as some NFL teams could be worried about his "tweener" skill set.
The most likely scenario is a minor cut or a futures contract, but what will be the first news out of 56th street that makes you raise an eyebrow or even both eyebrows? There are a few options, including an extension, a re-sign, a restructure, a cut, or maybe a trade. The next official date on the calendar is for designating franchise or transition players. This happens on the 17th, but other moves could be made prior.
The extension.
You are usually trying to lock down a player that has performed well for you and is deserving of a raise. My mind goes quickly to Dulin. He’s been making special teams and backup money for seven years, to the tune of just over 17 million. That special teams work is now more Pro Bowl level special teams work and he has always shown stable when given the chance to line up as a receiver. With Pierce and Pittman being two of the biggest question marks entering next season, having a solid backup plan would be a good idea.
One other thought for an extension. Could you extend Richardson? Based on his performance to date, he would not be due a big buck contract on the open market. If he was offered a couple of more years of guaranteed money, including picking up his 5th year option, might he stay in a system he is familiar with? Maybe he believes that he can re-establish himself as the starter if Jones is not signed, or make his mark if Jones arrival is delayed. It could be the safer play than moving to another team and hoping for a shot. It might help us, as he could be more enticing as a trade chip if he has a manageable contract for a couple of years.
The re-sign.
There are two players that will dominate this conversation, with one being an almost unanimous “Do it!” and the other being perceived as less of a slam dunk. Of course, nearly everyone wants to keep Pierce. He has earned his money to this point and deserves to get paid for his services going forward. He could get a franchise tag, but a longer contract would be preferred. Jones is less of a priority for some. Detractors will point to injuries and much of his success coming against weaker teams. I know that “dollar value” and “length” are sticking points for some, while others (including myself) believe that he is the best option and will be ready to go. It is also possible that if you still believe that AR is the long term answer, you see no need in using up cap space for DJ. Maybe there are others, but not double eyebrow raisers.
The restructure.
Many would go straight to Pittman for this, trying to relieve some of that 29 million cap hit this year. When you restructure, you end up giving even more money to the player and I can’t see that as a strong play for Pitt. I don’t want to jettison his contract, but I feel I need to. I’d see about going the restructure route with Taylor. He made 15.5 last year and will make the same this year, then walking into free agency in 2027 as a 28 year old RB. Would he play for 10 this year if we added two more years at that 15.5 number? A running back can see it all go away quickly, so some guaranteed money until his year 30 season would make sense. There are other candidates, but I’d explore this one to try and save 5 million.
A cut.
This is as easy as “We would prefer to have the savings, rather than your contributions next year.” If this is my first move, I have to make it Franklin. I can save 6 million and never have to watch a replay to see how poorly he covered a TE, or how he didn’t get deep enough in his zone. He’ll latch on somewhere, but I’m willing to give a shot to a rookie or a guy who has been biding his time on a bench. Pitt is a candidate based on cap savings alone, but I’d exhaust the trade and renegotiation options first.
The trade.
My preference would be to get something useful out of Pitt, but his salary is going to get in the way of deal. Aside from that, I think you bite the bullet and get what you can for Richardson. I understand that AR is a polarizing entity among Colt fans. You either think that he has gotten a raw deal and that all he still needs is playing time, or you think he is too often injured and may now be more of a distraction than an asset. It will play out one way or the other and it could easily still be three years, before we know which side was correct.
In my humble opinion, very little changes the Colts stars, unless they improve the DL. We could get good play out of Jones, Richardson, and dark horse Leonard. We could get good enough WR play if we lose AP or Pitt. We could even get adequate play from a RB, without JT. I believe that we can’t improve the DL enough with a draft pick in the 2nd round, so we will have to spend some money and/or draft capital to help that aspect. To do that, we will have to save some money somewhere else.
Do you agree that finding some pass rush is the quickest way to team improvement? If so, who are you paying and how would you solve the pass rush problem by saving money somewhere else? When I look at all the options, I’m afraid I see the need to save money on Pittman. If I can get a player in a trade, that would be my first choice, but if a cut is the only way to upgrade my DL, I have to let him go. He may not be on the Colt brass’ good side. I found this article where Pitt claims that DJ’s leg was more severe than was shared and happened in week 10.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's says exorbitant prices for 2026 World Cup tickets reflect surging demand (Roberto SCHMIDT)
Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup have skyrocketed on FIFA's official resale platform, with seats for many matches listed at several times their face value even though most tickets have only recently been distributed following the end of the main sales phase in January.
Weeks after FIFA President Gianni Infantino warned that tickets made available on resale sites were likely to come with an exorbitant price tag, those fears have come to pass on world football's own platform.
As of Wednesday, a "category three" seat -- the highest section of the stands -- for the tournament's opening game between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on June 11 was listed at $5,324, compared to an original price of $895.
One category three seat for the World Cup final on July 19 at East Rutherford, New Jersey, meanwhile, was being advertised for an eye-watering $143,750 -- more than 41 times its original face value of $3,450.
The cheapest available ticket for the final on the resale site was listed at $9,775.
In a few rare cases, though, some ticket prices have actually decreased. One ticket for Austria's group game with Jordan at the Levi's Stadium in California -- which hosted Sunday's Super Bowl -- is being offered at $552 despite costing its original buyer $620.
For football fans around the world, some of the prices on FIFA's resale site are confirmation of what they have railed against since the tournament draw in December.
"These exorbitant prices unfortunately don't surprise me. It reflects what we know and what we fight against: many people buy to resell," Guillaume Aupretre, spokesperson for the France national team supporters group "Irresistibles Francais", which has nearly 2,500 members.
"In the end, who pays the price? The passionate fans who end up with outrageous offers. We would prefer that this benefit real fans who come to support their team, but unfortunately, that's not the case."
Yet despite the steep price tag, sales remain brisk, reflecting a global clamor that has seen some 500 million requests for tickets according to FIFA.
- 'Monumental betrayal' -
While its resale platform benefits from FIFA's endorsement, the football body specifies in its terms of sale that it acts only as a facilitator -- for a 15% fee -- in this fan-to-fan market, and that resellers are the ones who determine ticket prices.
"Generally speaking, the pricing model adopted for FIFA World Cup 26 reflects the existing market practice for major entertainment and sporting events within our hosts on a daily basis, soccer included," FIFA said in a statement.
"This is also a reflection of the treatment of the secondary market for tickets, which has a distinct legal treatment than in many other parts of the world. We are focused on ensuring fair access to our game for existing but also prospective fans."
The resale market is unregulated in the United States and Canada. In Mexico, reselling a ticket above face value is prohibited, but only when the ticket is purchased in Mexico using the local currency.
Ticketing has become one of the most controversial issues surrounding the World Cup, with fan groups around the world such as Football Supporters Europe accusing FIFA of a "monumental betrayal" over pricing.
That in turn prompted FIFA to introduce a tiny sliver of tickets priced at $60 for official supporters groups. Critics maintain the cut-price category does not go far enough in addressing the problem.
FIFA meanwhile has been notifying applicants since February 5 whether they have obtained tickets during the second sales phase, which ended in January.
A final "last-minute" sales phase, from April until the end of the competition, will be organized on a "first-come, first-served" basis.
During these sales phases, FIFA states that it applies "variable pricing" whereby prices fluctuate "according to demand and availability" for each match.
However, it emphasizes that it does not apply "a dynamic pricing model (...) given that prices are not automatically adjusted."
Michigan State basketball has had an up-and-down stretch of games over the past two weeks, but their seeding in the NCAA Tournament hasn't shifted, according to Joe Lunardi of ESPN.
Lunardi released an updated batch of "Bracketology" on Tuesday, which again has the Spartans as a top seed in the currently projected NCAA Tournament. The latest bracket projection from Lunardi has the Spartans as the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region.
In Lunardi's latest bracket projection, the Spartans would face No. 14 seed North Dakota State in a first round matchup from Philadelphia. Should the Spartans win their first round matchup, then they'd face the winner of No. 6 seed Arkansas-No. 11 seed Miami (FL)/No. 11 seed New Mexico in the second round.
Michigan State is 20-4 overall and 10-3 in Big Ten play on the year, considered by some as a lock already to reach the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans have a number of tough games remaining to help bolster their seeding before we hit Selection Sunday in mid-March.
The Spartans will next take the court on Friday in a road game at Wisconsin. Tipoff from Madison, Wisc. is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
In every superspeedway race of the Next Gen era, NASCAR Cup drivers can be seen placing their hands against the opening between the A-pillar and window net in an effort to find every possible aero advantage. Drivers have gone as far as manipulating their gloves, including the infamous case where Joey Logano was penalized for illegal webbed racing gloves.
Well, one driver forgot about that. Noah Gragson, driving the No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford, placed his hand against that opening during his qualifying run on Wednesday. His 49.504s lap would have left him deep in the pack anyway, but when NASCAR saw him use the now-banned tactic, officials disallowed his qualifying time.
That will put Gragson to the very back of the field for the Duel qualifying races on Thursday. However, he is locked in via his team's charter, so there are no concerns about making the race.
"I completely forgot about that rule, so that one is on me," Gragson told FOX Sports 1. "Luckily we have the Duels and I feel like the Daytona 500 is such a long race, you can kind of start wherever. It is what it is, but hey, I feel like an idiot for that. Oh well, we got a race tomorrow to do ... I'm dumb for that."
Noah Gragson's qualifying time has been disallowed for putting his hand out the window. He spoke with Jamie Little. pic.twitter.com/1333mURhla
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Andre Mills scored 24 points, David Coit added 19 off the bench and Maryland beat Iowa 77-70 on Wednesday night to snap the Hawkeyes' six-game win streak.
Mills scored 10 straight Maryland points to take a 57-56 lead with 8:03 remaining and then Coit scored the next five points overall for a six-point advantage.
Bennett Stirtz twice got Iowa within three points in the final 20 seconds, but Elijah Saunders made four straight free throws and Coit added two more to seal it.
Maryland won despite going 19 of 28 from the free-throw line and committing 14 turnovers. Iowa could not take advantage due to missing 10 straight 3-pointers over the final 10 minutes of the game.
Saunders finished with 12 points and eight rebounds for Maryland (10-14, 3-10 Big Ten). Darius Adams added 11 points and Solomon Washington had 10 points and eight rebounds to help the Terrapins hold a 34-25 advantage on the glass.
Stirtz finished with 32 points, six assists and no turnovers for Iowa (18-6, 8-5). He was 13 of 21 from the field, including 4 of 10 behind the arc, to reach 30-plus points for the third time in four games. Tavion Banks had 13 points and eight rebounds.
Brendan Hausen made a 3-pointer with 11:42 remaining in the game to give Iowa the lead, 48-47, for the first time since there was 4:36 left before halftime.
On Dec. 6, Iowa eased to an 83-64 victory over Maryland for coach Ben McCollum’s first Big Ten victory.
Up next
Iowa: Returns home to face No. 13 Purdue on Saturday.
Maryland: Goes on the road to play Rutgers on Sunday.
Ford Field made it official this week. There will be no bowl game in Detroit in 2026. Last year, the Northwestern Wildcats defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 34-7 in the bowl finale.
With that announcement, the GameAbove Sports Bowl is done after nearly 30 years in the city under various names. In its statement, the stadium pointed to “the end of our current naming rights partnership” and said it was “the right time to adjust our focus to invest in sports at all levels and other entertainment events.”
Detroit joins Los Angeles and the Bahamas as recent bowl locations that have fallen off future calendars. That means two indoor NFL venues in major media markets have now stepped away from hosting traditional stand alone bowl games.
Because the sport is stuck in playoff limbo. The College Football Playoff remains at 12 teams for at least another year after expansion talks stalled between the Big Ten Conference and the Southeastern Conference. The Big Ten has reportedly for at least 20 teams. The SEC has shown little appetite to go beyond 16. That philosophical divide has frozen the bracket in place.
And here is where Detroit and Los Angeles become more than trivia.
In a 20, 24, or 28 team format, first round games would likely stay on campus. But additional rounds could shift to neutral sites. Climate controlled NFL stadiums in major markets would almost certainly receive serious consideration. A playoff elimination game in Detroit or Los Angeles would not resemble a mid-tier December bowl. Attendance would surge. Ticket pricing would change. National relevance would spike overnight.
There are still viable host cities. Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte, Jacksonville and Nashville are a few. both of which have new stadiums coming online in the next couple of years. The infrastructure exists in multiple markets that could absorb an expanded playoff footprint.
But that is only part of the equation.
What makes the recent shutdowns concerning is the uncertainty. If two NFL venues in major markets can decide the current bowl model no longer works, it becomes fair to wonder which game might be next. Three closures do not signal collapse. Bowl season will survive in some form.
Expansion could revive certain markets. It could squeeze others out entirely. And until the playoff structure is settled, every bowl outside the top tier feels like it is waiting to see where it lands.
This season, he has played 44 games and has 23 goals with 30 assists for the Blackhawks.
He was passed over for Team Canada, and even after a couple injuries, he remained off the roster.
Why isn't Connor Bedard on Team Canada's Olympic hockey roster?
In short, Bedard was passed up for veteran experience.
It wasn't a shoo-in to put Bedard on the team. He's not necessarily made to be a bottom-six player, as he's mostly an offensive-minded player at this point in his career.
Nick Suzuki was one of the last few forwards to make the roster, and Canada liked his ability to play on the wing and contribute in a lot of different ways.
The most headline-grabbing snub was Sam Bennett from the Panthers, and he was chosen as an injury replacement after Anthony Cirelli had to be taken off the roster due to injury.
Bedard will have future chances to play in the Olympics. This time around, it just wasn't quite his time.
The Lewis Cass boys basketball team celebrated senior night with a 43-35 win over Madison-Grant on Tuesday night in Walton.
A trio of seniors led the Kings (11-6), as Julian Levine had 21 points, Trey Johnson had 16 and Brennan Deeter added five.
Cass led 11-5 after one and the game was tied at 18-all at halftime. Cass took a 32-24 lead after three.
Brock Barnhart scored 12 and ZaJuan Johnson had 11 to lead the Argylls (4-12).
“I am very pleased with our effort at the defensive end,” Cass coach Eric Branz said. “I thought we did a good job taking away their scoring opportunities that we saw on film. We were also able to make adjustments at halftime and take away the ways they were scoring against us.
“We did not play up to our expected level of execution in the first half, but our guys responded early in the second half with more energy and effort.”
The Kings already have five more wins than they did all of last year with five games left in the regular season. The senior class is a big reason why.
“Trey had a nice night by hitting a big 3 in the corner during the second quarter when we needed a basket,” Branz said. “He was aggressive in the fourth quarter attacking the basket and knocked down his free throws.
“Julian also had a nice night in the scoring column and hit a big 3 in the fourth quarter when we moved him to the perimeter.
“I am happy that our seniors, Trey, Julian, Brennan, and Owen (Cotner-Graves), were able to get a win on their senior night.”
Cass closes the regular season with five straight games on the road, starting with a contest at Fort Wayne Canterbury on Friday.
PIONEER 55, KNOX 45
Pioneer (5-12) continued its strong play of late with a win over visiting Knox (5-11).
Shiloh Rine led the Panthers with 21 points. Ronnie Layer was also in double figures with 11. Micah Rans and Phillip McFatridge had nine apiece, and Lane Weldy chipped in five.
The Redskins led 11-10 after one before the Panthers took a 25-21 at halftime and 42-33 after three.
Myles McLaughlin scored 13 and Chase Fletcher scored 12 to lead Knox.
“I’m really proud of our guys tonight for the way they stepped up and played confidently despite Gabe (Scott) being injured,” Pioneer coach Darren McKaig said. “J.J. Solano played most of the game and defended the paint well. Phillip’s defense really disrupted Knox and helped get our transition game started. Ronnie hit three 3s in the third quarter within a few minutes and broke the game open for us. He has shot really well in the last few games.
“Micah and Shiloh were really working well together tonight. It seemed like every time Knox would try to stop Shiloh, Micah would score and every time they would try to stop Micah, Shiloh would score. Lane Weldy also hit a big 3 and got a big steal for us. He has been giving us some very important bench minutes. Again, it was pretty amazing what they were able to do tonight after losing a starter that usually plays almost the whole game.”
When a team have 35 shots on goal and fail to score, fingers should be pointed at the players, but the focus, with Marinakis in attendance, was only ever going to be on the man in the technical area. There were suggestions that the owner held a meeting with senior players straight after the match.
Forest remain deep in relegation trouble – with only two wins in their past 10 league games – and patience had been wearing thin in the stands. The home team were booed off at the end of both halves.
Nuno Espírito Santo and Ange Postecoglou have both been sacked in this chaotic season, and the threat of relegation will be a nightmarish scenario for Greek businessman Marinakis.
The upturn in results under Nuno at West Ham United, who are now just three points behind Forest in 18th place, adds another dynamic.
Forest do not have a game until their Europa League play-off first leg away at Fenerbahce next Thursday night.
Boos ring out at the City Ground as Forest are held to a 0-0 draw by Wolves 🌳🐺
Dyche said after the game: “If the owner wants to make a change, then that’s up to him, and that’s the way football is now, that’s just the reality of it. He’s been absolutely fair with me from the beginning to the end, and I’ve been fair with him and told him the truth every step of the way.
“If the fans want to change, that’s entirely up to them. All I do is work very hard at a club that I care about. If anyone chooses to change in football now, that’s their decision.”
Forest’s 35 shots was the highest amount from a Dyche team in the Premier League. Quite how they failed to win was remarkable, but also a damning indictment on their finishing ability.
“You’re going down with the Wanderers” was the inevitable chant from the away supporters, with their club already preparing for the Championship.
Wolves ended a run of three successive defeats and have only scored one goal in the Premier League in over seven hours.
Yet they frustrated Forest for long periods with their resilience, even if it was the home team’s profligacy that proved so costly.
Gibbs-White misses a brilliant chance to put Forest ahead vs Wolves 🤏
The worst miss of the first half came from loan signing Lorenzo Lucca.
With Forest breaking from the halfway line, Wolves were outnumbered in defence, but Lucca blasted the ball over from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross from six yards.
Lucca was signed from Napoli on loan last month and his poor first-half performance will only raise scrutiny on Forest’s recruitment and, in particular, the role of Edu Gaspar, their global head of football.
As Forest continued to fluff chances in front of goal, Marinakis was becoming increasingly twitchy in the directors’ box.
Forest’s frustration was growing. In the 69th minute there was an uncomfortable moment when Omari Hutchinson, the £37.5m record buy from Ipswich, sent another corner directly into the side netting to provoke an angry response from the fans behind the goal.
Forest’s best chance came in the 77th minute after a goalmouth scramble, with José Sá preventing Morato’s shot from crossing the line.
Winamac was down one of its best players with an injury and another with foul trouble but still found a way to record a rare win at Logansport on Tuesday night.
Jaybin Hines scored 31 points and the Warriors outlasted the Berries 61-55 in overtime at the Berry Bowl.
The Warriors (16-2) are in the midst of a historic season as they’re reaching rare benchmarks in seemingly every contest.
They defeated the Berries (11-8) for the first time since 2009 and it was their first win over them in the Berry Bowl since 2001.
“Our kids played hard. That was one thing that we put on the board to start with was we’ve got to play harder than Logan does,” Winamac coach Mike Springer said. “And we’ve got to stay strong with the ball because it’s gonna be a physical game. We’ve got to fight through it. And our kids were really resilient. We could have folded with Potthoff going down with a concussion and the foul trouble like we had. But our kids stayed together and played together. It was just a hard-fought game by both teams.”
The Warriors have had a balanced team all year. Leading scorer Justin Potthoff left the game with a head injury with 3:03 left in the second quarter and did not return. Second leading scorer Will Malchow picked up his third foul at the end of the first half and his fourth foul with 3:58 left in regulation. He eventually fouled out with a minute left in overtime.
But Hines picked up the slack. The 6-foot-1 junior guard entered averaging 9.4 ppg but scored 31 points Tuesday on 9 of 13 shooting from the field, 2 of 4 from 3-point range and 11 of 12 from the foul line. He added nine rebounds and five steals.
“He does that. He’s played like that on several occasions and when kids do that you let them go and let them play and make some big plays,” Springer said. “But I was really proud of our other kids. (Sean) Stark and Evan Burgess off the bench gave us really good minutes. And I was just really proud of our kids tonight and their effort that they stayed with.”
Malchow and Ethan Burgess added nine points apiece for Winamac. Parker Zeider added five points and Evan Burgess chipped in four.
Historically, Logansport with an enrollment of over 1,200 students has been a difficult match for Winamac with around 400 students.
“It’s always good to come in here,” Springer said. “It was a hard-fought game. It could have went either way. We pulled it out and we just want to keep getting better every time we step on the floor, whether it’s practice or game or shootaround or whatever, we just want to keep getting better. And the kids are doing that and that’s what puts you in position to win games like this.”
The game was not without its controversies. A Winamac fan was ejected by the referees with 3:03 left in the second quarter and a student fan was ejected with 3:36 left in the fourth. A Winamac player was called for a technical foul with 3:37 left in the second.
Springer was an assistant coach at Logansport during the Caleb Springer era in the mid 1990s.
“It’s tough when 20 years ago or 30 years ago when we were in here you couldn’t hear the fans and now you can,” Springer said. “But we’ve got to stay composed through the craziness. If we’re not getting calls or they’re going against us, you’ve still got to stay composed. Nobody’s trying to screw you out of the game. The refs aren’t trying to screw you out it. Sometimes they don’t see it like you do, but you’ve got to stay composed. And that’s what we’ve got to try to get across to our fans and to our kids.”
Eli Baldwin had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead the Berries. R.J. Clem had 16 points and 10 boards. Quincy Jackson had 11 points, five boards and three steals. Logan Lange had four points, six assists and three steals. Marquon Bell had four points and seven assists. Elijah Hopper chipped in three points.
The Warriors did a good enough job of neutralizing the Berries’ size advantage and the Berries shot 0 of 8 from 3-point range for the game.
It was close throughout. The Warriors led 14-12 after one. It was tied 31-all at halftime. The Warriors led 44-43 after three.
The Berries trailed by six midway through the fourth before Eli Baldwin and Quincy Jackson led a comeback. Jackson’s pullup jumper from 17 feet tied the game at 53-all with 1:30 left to play.
Logan Lange drew a charge to give the Berries the ball with 1:07 left. Jackson was off on a shot at the basket with 32 seconds left. But Lange came up with a steal with 18.7 seconds left. But Stark stole the ball back for Winamac with 8.6 seconds left. The Berries had a foul to give with 4.3 seconds left. Ethan Burgess’ 3-point attempt at the buzzer was off and the game went into overtime tied at 53.
Ethan Burgess’ three-point play gave Winamac a 56-53 lead with 2:06 left in OT. Following two missed free throws by the Berries, Hines hit 1 of 2 from the line to make it a four-point game.
Jackson hit two free throws to make it 57-55 with 41 seconds left. But Hines made four free throws in a row and the Berries missed their last two 3-point attempts in the final 30 seconds.
“When you’re teaching a class and your students don’t listen and then you don’t get the answer, that’s what I feel like it is tonight,” Logansport coach Matt Lange said. “Winamac is a great team. We know that. They’re 16-2 or whatever they are, but we got into a situation where we decided that listening to the coaches was a little tough for us. We played hard, don’t get me wrong. We played really hard and I’m proud of them for that. But just too many turnovers (16) against defense that they weren’t pressuring us.
“And just a lot of stuff. We just came out really flat like we always do, and then we just never picked it up. And it’s just one of those situations, you give up 61 points to anybody, it’s hard to win. But I’m a little upset right now. I just thought it was one that got away where we should have finished it in the regulation and we just didn’t do what we were asked to do. And I hate to say that, but it’s what happened. We just made bad decisions and poor choices and turnovers and whatever when we shouldn’t have.”
Clem, a 6-7 junior, also battled some foul trouble throughout and played 25 of the possible 36 minutes.
“We got back into the old situation where we stand and watch and we were just having issues running any kind of offense at all,” coach Lange said. “That makes it tough for those guys to score when they can double down on everything they do. And then we didn’t hit any shots. Heck, I don’t even think we hit one shot from the outside. It’s tough. We’ve just got to do better. West Lafayette is really good.”
Lange said he will give the players Wednesday off to rest up and regroup. The Berries have 10 days off before their next game at West Lafayette on Feb. 20 for the Hoosier Conference championship game.
“We’re at practice 52 and game 19,” Lange said. “It’s just upsetting. I thought this was really one that got away from us.”
Winamac travels to a 3-14 North White team on Thursday.
A bus carrying members of the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team was involved in a deadly crash Wednesday, according to multiplereports.
Baseball Community
Take a moment out of your day and say a prayer for the @IowaLakesbball team who were involved in a tragic bus accident earlier today. They suffered one fatality, along with several critically injured. Thoughts & Prayers up
Iowa State Patrol officials confirmed to KCCI that one person died in the crash. Amateur scout Jim Stevenson posted on Twitter/X that the death involved a member of the Lakers team, which was scheduled to visit North Arkansas College on Thursday.
“The Iowa Community College Athletic Conference and our members are heartbroken to learn of the bus accident,” read a statement posted to the conference’s Facebook page Wednesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the student-athletes, coaches, staff, families, and the entire Iowa Lakes community during this incredibly difficult time.”
As we close the book on the 2025 season, the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will give us our first taste of football for the offseason. The football world will descend upon Indianapolis for a week of interviews, drills, and athletic testing destined to shape the late-winter discourse.
Over 300 prospects will be invited to the event, hoping to boost their draft stocks ahead of the pro day circuit. Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss won't be among them.
Fear not, Chambliss was not left off the list for character concerns or bureaucratic oversight. Rather, it's an indictment of the NFL's expectations for his pending hearing, which is challenging the NCAA's decision to deny his waiver for eligibility. It seems like Chambliss is headed back to school, allowing us to focus on the prospects who were snubbed from the Scouting Combine.
Top Scouting Combine snubs
Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
Black, after six college seasons, will play the majority of his rookie season at 25 years old. That developmental path (and his age-adjusted production) isn't kind to his draft stock, and it may be the biggest reason he isn't headed to Indianapolis.
However, Black put himself on NFL radars in 2025, playing a significant role on a championship-winning offense. Black ran for 1,040 yards and 10 scores this past season. He boasts NFL-level athleticism with the speed to hit home runs, experience with zone and gap runs, and enough size to check the box.
Athan Kaliakmanis, QB, Rutgers
In a world where Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia and Georgia Tech's Haynes King are getting Combine invites, it becomes difficult to gather why Kaliakmanis won't be among the participants in Indianapolis.
Kaliakmanis was incredibly productive for Rutgers, ranking eighth in EPA and seventh in EPA/DB -- between Pavia and King -- in 2025. He's not a lock to get drafted, but Kaliakmanis looks the part of a mid-Day 3 pick and a prototypical backup quarterback at the next level. With a big arm and multiple seasons of starting experience, it's surprising that he hasn't gotten more love.
Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll
Perhaps the most notable admission from the Combine festivities is John Carroll's Tyren Montgomery. His wild ride to Mobile culminated in a strong Senior Bowl performance, proving that a Division III standout could play with the best upperclassmen the Division I could offer.
An excellent athlete at 6'1", 190 pounds, Carroll seems like a prospect the NFL would want to see get as many reps as possible during the pre-draft process. Given that nearly 50 receivers were invited to the event, Montgomery should have received an invitation.
Bryce Foster, OC, Kansas
Foster stood out on my preseason board as a potential low-end starter headlining the Kansas offensive line. All he's done in the time since is continue to win in pass protection.
Foster has SEC pedigree after three seasons in the middle of Texas A&M's line, then he took a step forward against Big 12 competition. With adequate measurables and a track record of success, his median projection still looks like a solid backup center.
Terion Stewart, RB, Virginia Tech
Stewart won't be in Indianapolis because of his production. Just 469 yards in his first year of Power 4 play isn't all that impressive, and nine career receptions is laughably little work through the air.
However, Stewart has intriguing fundamentals, fun burst, and elite contact balance, perhaps making him a role player at the next level. It will be an uphill climb to raise his stock during the pre-draft process, but his film made a worthy case for Indianapolis. I expect him to be a priority free agent in April, much like Raheim Sanders.
Jamal Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech
Haynes shares a lot of similarities with Wake Forest's Demond Claiborne, who rightfully rose up boards in a bad running back class. The Georgia Tech back is undersized and limited to a rotational role at the next level. Still, Haynes has the athleticism, footwork, and instincts to make plays on Sundays.
Haynes is a former receiver who stands out as a natural pass-catcher out of the backfield. As an integral piece of Georgia Tech's run-heavy attack, an inefficient season shouldn't have cost him the chance to show out at the Scouting Combine.
The Washington Nationals have had a relatively quiet offseason, other than trading away their ace, Mackenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers.
With Gore now on the move, the Nationals were in need of innings at the back-end of their rotation.
As a result, they signed Miles Mikolas to a one-year $2.25 million deal according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Mikolas will provide plenty of innings, having thrown 150 or more in each of the past four seasons, including two seasons with 200 innings or more.
That said, he's struggled in recent seasons.
After finishing sixth in National League Cy Young Award voting in 2018 with an 18-4 record and a 2.83 ERA, Mikolas has been unable to limit the longball.
Last season, Mikolas gave up an abysmal 1.7 home runs per nine innings and even tied an MLB record for most home runs given up in a single game, with six against the Chicago Cubs.
As a result, Mikolas' ERA has risen, as he hasn't completed a season below 4.75 since 2022.
After a seven-year stint with St. Louis, Mikolas will now hope to return to form with Washington.
At 37-years-old, this may be his last season on a big league roster.
For the Nationals, they'll hope Mikolas can provide a bulk of innings at the back-end of the rotation, even if he's unable to return to his old form.
After all, bringing in Mikolas as an experienced veteran could help the progression of young pitchers.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Two-time and defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has signed a five-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports, putting the 33-year-old driver under contract through 2031.
Hendrick also announced Wednesday a five-year extension with primary sponsor HendrickCars.com and a multi-year deal with Larson's crew chief, Cliff Daniels.
Since being paired in the No. 5 Chevrolet in 2021, Daniels and Larson have won two championships (2021, 2025) and led the Cup Series in nearly every major statistical category. HendrickCars.com serves as the car's main sponsor for 35 of 38 Cup Series events.
Larson moved to Hendrick after he was fired at Chip Ganassi Racing and suspended by NASCAR during the pandemic shutdown for using a racial slur during an online racing event.
Larson has 32 career wins in the Cup Series, including 26 since joining Hendrick Motorsports. He leads all drivers over that span in wins, runner-up finishes (18), top-five finishes (78), top-10 finishes (103) and laps led (7,149).
“This team, this organization and this family have given me everything I need to compete at the highest level," Larson said in a statement. "We’ve accomplished a lot together, but I truly believe the best is still ahead. ... I’m excited to keep chasing wins and championships with Cliff and the 5 team for many more years.”
Jeffrey “JB” Brown, president of Hendrick Automotive Group, said keeping the championship team together for years to come was "a no-brainer.”
Team owner Rick Hendrick added that building a successful team “starts with people.”
“Kyle is one of the most complete drivers in our sport,” Hendrick said. "His talent, work ethic and instincts give us a chance to win every time we race. Cliff is a true servant leader who brings out the best in everyone around him and sets the standard for how we go to the track. Having HendrickCars.com alongside this group continues to create real, measurable value for our automotive business.
"Together, it’s a combination that will keep winning races and competing for championships for a long time.”
Wednesday was a busy day for U.S athletes at the Milan Cortina Olympics as Team USA doubled its gold-medal tally.
Meanwhile, injured snowboarder Chloe Kim laid to rest any notion that she's anything but the gold-medal favorite. Madison Chock and Evan Bates likely finished their careers on the podium. And the jilted lover of the unfaithful Norwegian biathlete has responded.
Here are five of the top stories from Day 5 of the Milan Cortina Olympics
The 21-year-old U.S. speedskater who's the best in the sport made his Olympics debut in dramatic fashion. Stolz trailed Norway's Jenning de Boo in the final lap of their 1,000-meter race and appeared at risk of an upset loss.
But he chased de Boo down on the back stretch, then sprinted past him on the final turn as if propelled out of a slingshot to overtake the Norwegian with the fastest time of the day at 106.28, a new Olympic record. Stolz made up a deficit of nearly a full second on the final lap to secure the win.
Stolz's time survived the final race of the competition, and the world-record holder in the 1,000 meters is now the Olympic record holder and a gold medalist. De Boo took silver, and China's Ning Zhongyan won bronze.
Stolz is just getting started at Milan Cortina. He has a realistic shot at leaving the Games with four gold medals. He's also slated to compete at 500 meters (Saturday), 1,500 meters (Feb. 19) and in the mass start event slated to close speedskating competition on Feb. 21.
But France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron entered Wednesday with a slim lead of 0.46 points after edging the U.S. couple in Monday's rhythm dance.
And they delivered a brilliant performance of their own to edge Chock and Bates with a total score of 225.82 to secure the gold medal.
Laurence Fournier Beaudry ganó la medalla de oro en danza sobre hielo en los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno de Milán-Cortina 2026, junto a su pareja Guillaume Cizeron. 🥇⛸️#PatinajeArtisticopic.twitter.com/XFut3HGhrI
Chock and Bates won silver with a combined score of 224.39, 1.43 points behind the gold-medal winners. Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirer won bronze with a score of 217.74.
The individual Olympic medal was the final item on the résumé for Chock and Bates, who have been partners on the ice for 15 years and married since 2024. They've won two Olympic gold medals in team competition, including from Sunday night. And they entered the Milan Cortina Games with three consecutive world championships.
Wednesday's performance was expected to be their last in competition. If so, they'll conclude their decorated careers with two more Olympic medals from Milan Cortina.
Chloe Kim looks just fine
Chloe Kim declared on Jan. 13 that she was "good to go" for the Olympics despite sustaining a torn left labrum in training just days earlier.
It turns out that she was right. The two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist in the halfpipe made her Milan Cortina debut in qualifying on Wednesday. As stated, she's good to go.
Kim laid down a monster score of 90.25 on her first of two runs.
Two-time Gold medalist Chloe Kim WOWS with a huge first run in halfpipe qualifying. 😮💨🇺🇸
That score stood at the end of the day as the best by nearly three points. Japan's Sara Shimizu finished second with an 87.5, and Kim's U.S. teammate Maddie Mastro finished third with an 86.
The scores don't carry over to Thursday's final, where each rider will have three runs to lay down the best score of the day. But Kim erased any doubt that her injury has made her anything but the favorite to secure her third consecutive Olympic gold medal and the sixth in seven Games in the event for the U.S.
Neither of their positions were secure until reigning Australian Olympic gold medalist Jakara Anthony competed. But Anthony fell on her final run and finished in eighth place, ensuring that Lemley and Gauff would claim gold and silver.
France's Perrine Laffont won bronze with a score of 78. Japan's Hinako Tomitaka matched Laffont's 78, but finished excruciatingly off the podium in fourth place due to a tiebreaker.
Lindsey Vonn posts painful injury update: 'I'll be OK'
It was clear from reports that Lindsey Vonn's broken leg was no simple fracture.
Vonn provided some insight on Wednesday hammering that point home. In her second update since her devastating injury crash in Sunday's alpine downhill competition, Vonn posted on Instagram that she'd undergone a third surgery to repair her fractured left tibia. She also shared a picture from her hospital bed demonstrating just how serious her injury is.
Instagram/lindseyvonn
Instagram/lindseyvonn
Vonn's left leg is placed in what appears to be an external fixator, a brace that uses pins, wires and bars to stabilize severely fractured bones. She previously announced that she'd sustained a complex fracture, which Yale medicine defines as "when the bone breaks into bits and pieces, when the soft tissue surrounding the bone is severely damaged, or when the patient has other illnesses or injuries that complicate treatment and healing."
It's not clear if Vonn will require more procedures to rebuild her broken leg. But she clearly has a difficult road to recovery.
Vonn expressed optimism in her recovery while giving a thumbs alongside a note of gratitude to her medical team and supporters and well wishes for Team USA at the Olympics.
"I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful," Vonn wrote. "Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok."
Highlight of the day
NBC's drone pilots are doing outstanding work getting third-person shots of athletes barreling down the halfpipe, racing on the downhill course and sledding through the twists and turns of the luge track. They also appear to be having a good time.
On Wednesday, they offered up this gem simulating a first-person view of what it might look like to take on the Milan Cortina moguls course.
In case you missed it, Sturla Holm Lægreid won bronze in the 20km biathlon on Tuesday, then made the questionable decision to admit — in tears — in his post-race interview that he cheated on his girlfriend and that he'd hoped to win her back.
The girlfriend has now weighed in. Make that the ex-girlfriend. She understandably does not sound interested in Lægreid's post-infidelity overtures.
The girlfriend — who chose to remain anonymous — provided this response to Norwegian tabloid VG:
“It’s hard to forgive," she wrote. "Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world. ... I did not choose to be put in this position, and it hurts to have to be in it. We have had contact, and he is aware of my opinions on this.”
Here's the initial interview that sparked one of the strangest story of these Games:
"There's someone I wanted to share it with who might not be watching," he said, via BBC translation, fighting back tears. "Six months ago I met the love of my life — the most beautiful and kindest person in the world. Three months ago I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her.
"I had the gold medal in life, and I am sure there are many people who will see things differently, but I only have eyes for her."
Since returning to NASCAR in 2021 with Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), Kyle Larson has enjoyed immense success in the HendrickCars.com No. 5 Chevrolet. As a Hendrick driver, the 33-year-old has earned 26 Cup wins and two Cup Series championships in both 2021 and 2025.
Following that incredible run, it should come as no surprise that Hendrick Motorsports announced a five-year contract extension for Larson. Crew chief Cliff Daniels has also signed a multi-year contract extension. Additionally, HendrickCars.com will continue as the No. 5's primary sponsor for 35 of 38 races during the Cup Series season in the coming years. The company noted over $80 million in television exposure and tens of millions of social media engagements, courtesy of Larson.
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
“I’m incredibly grateful to continue my career with Hendrick Motorsports and HendrickCars.com,” said Larson in a release from the team. “This team, this organization and this family have given me everything I need to compete at the highest level. We’ve accomplished a lot together, but I truly believe the best is still ahead. I’m grateful to Mr. Hendrick and JB (Brown, president of Hendrick Automotive Group) for believing in me, and I’m excited to keep chasing wins and championships with Cliff and the 5 team for many more years.”
Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history, and Larson is one of the team's most successful drivers. Only Hall of Famers Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have scored more wins and titles than him for HMS.
HMS team owner and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, Rick Hendrick, said of the new deal: “When you look at what it takes to succeed at the highest level year after year, it starts with people. Kyle is one of the most complete drivers in our sport. His talent, work ethic and instincts give us a chance to win every time we race. Cliff is a true servant leader who brings out the best in everyone around him and sets the standard for how we go to the track. Having HendrickCars.com alongside this group continues to create real, measurable value for our automotive business. Together, it’s a combination that will keep winning races and competing for championships for a long time.”
The Atlanta Falcons made major changes to their front office and coaching staff after the season ended. The team fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, later naming Kevin Stefanski and Ian Cunningham as replacements.
The Falcons hired two new coordinators while retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on staff. Tommy Rees has taken over for Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator, and Craig Aukerman replaced Marquice Williams as special teams coordinator.
Rees and Aukerman were introduced during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. Aukerman, who previously served as the special teams coordinator for the Miami Dolpins, provided some insight into his coaching philosophy.
"Basically, my whole thing is we wanna teach these guys whatever we can to help our team win," Aukerman explained. "Whether it's on offense, defense, or special teams. If you're a four-core football player, a two-core football player, it doesn't matter. We wanna have a role for you and we want you to excel in it. So that's my biggest thing: I wanna teach these guys. I wanna develop them and I want to inspire them to play as hard as they possibly can."
Aukerman spent five years as a special teams coach with the Tennessee Titans and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2023.
The Falcons are also expected to add former Los Angeles Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn as an assistant, according to a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
The Falcons are hiring Chase Blackburn as their assistant special teams coach, per source. pic.twitter.com/3BLO8OpOXi
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips lines up at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 13, 2025, during an NFC wild card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Glendale. The in-game moment showed Phillips engaged up front as Minnesota’s defensive line battled through a physical postseason test under playoff pressure. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings traded defensive tackle Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets last summer, a shocking transaction because fans believed the team held Phillips in the highest regard. And when Phillips arrived in New York, he quickly realized the grass wasn’t greener on the other side.
Phillips’ comments put the Vikings’ former captain back in the spotlight and raise questions about the Jets’ tone.
The veteran lineman told all this week, sparing his head coach, Aaron Glenn, from criticism but noting a markedly different atmosphere from his time in Minnesota and Buffalo.
Harrison Phillips Sounds Off on the Jets’ Culture
It’s a story of the Jets being “the Jets.”
New York Jets defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) stands on the field at MetLife Stadium prior to kickoff, with Sep 14, 2025 marking a divisional clash against the Buffalo Bills as he prepared for another interior battle in East Rutherford. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Phillips on NYJ Culture
Phillips spoke to Roundtable Sports on Radio Row last week, and he wasn’t shy about revealing the truth.
He said about his employer, “I think Aaron Glenn inherited a very cancerous, truculent group — whole, top to bottom. It’s not individual people’s fault. I was there for one season — it was a very difficult season — and I almost wanted to waver on some of my thoughts and my beliefs and my optimism.”
“So, I can’t imagine being there for year after year after year after year and not seeing the results that you wanted, and it tainted people. Because my coach is going to get fired, my teammate’s going to get fired, I’m going to be a free agent, I might get fired, I have to play for me, I have to make sure my tape is hot regardless of what the system is asking me to do, what the scheme is telling me to do.”
Many Jets fans saw the interview and thought, “Sounds about right.”
Phillips added, “Then, young players come in and see, ‘Oh, that’s my vet, that’s how they’re acting, so that’s the way I’m going to act, too.’ It’s a long chain of things, and it can’t be fixed like that.”
“I think AG’s mindset, of any coach I’ve been around, to deal with what we had to deal with this season and be as consistent as he was to us throughout that whole thing, was super cool to see,”
Unless he’s released, Phillips can’t quite get out of New York; he’s scheduled to be a free agent in 2027.
The Stunning Trade
On August 20th, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted: “ESPN sources: Vikings are trading DT Harrison Phillips and a 2027 7th-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 6th-round pick and a 2027 6th-round pick, pending Phillips’ physical. Phillips now joins Jowon Briggs as the second DT that the Jets traded for Wednesday.”
Fans checked to ensure the tweet wasn’t from a parody account because — why would Minnesota trade Phillips?
The defense wound up ranking third in the NFL in EPA per play, so losing Phillips wasn’t a death sentence, but there were times throughout the 2025 campaign when Phillips’s run defense would’ve come in handy. Now, for their troubles, the Vikings will get a pair of extra 6th-Round picks, which, for all intents and purposes, nobody really cares about.
In the Twin Cities, Phillips earned respect as a team captain and tone-setter. He justified his contract by providing stability at defensive tackle when the Vikings struggled with inconsistency at the position. He steadied the middle of the defensive line when it sometimes faltered.
Off the field, he became the organization’s most visible humanitarian, consistently investing time and resources into community work. Over 51 games in Minnesota, the 29-year-old recorded 207 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, and 6.5 sacks, also serving as a cultural pillar in the locker room.
A Sad 2025 Season
Phillips personally played well in New York last season — go figure — but his team stunk. Utterly stunk. The Jets started 0-7, basically eliminating themselves from postseason contention by Halloween, and finished the campaign with a horrid 3-14 record.
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn gestures from the sideline during first-quarter action at MetLife Stadium, where Dec 28, 2025 brought a late-season matchup against the New England Patriots as he reacted to early-game developments. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
In recent weeks, Glenn has fired almost all of his coaching staff, so whatever culture he hoped to fix per the cancerous Phillips observation will start from scratch in 2026.
Phillips banked a 72.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. He did his part. It’s also worth noting that Phillips, until 2025, spent his entire career with the Bills and Vikings. Playing for a bottom-feeder was new territory — that he evidently didn’t enjoy.
What’s Next for Phillips & the Jets?
Phillips can escape from New York next offseason, and he’ll be 31 when it’s time to sign his next contract. Unless the Jets trade him in the upcoming months, he’s stuck contractually.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) exits the field at U.S. Bank Stadium following a hard-fought contest, with Sep 15, 2024 closing out a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers as he headed toward the tunnel in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
For the Jets’ overall outlook, well, they’re in a familiar spot. They need a quarterback. Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor held down the fort in 2025, but all that led to was a 3-14 record. In the coming weeks and months, New York can pursue a passer via trade like Mac Jones or Kyler Murray, sign Malik Willis from free agency, or explore the draft for a signal-caller like Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, or Trinidad Chambliss.
New York has the third-lowest Super Bowl odds for next year, with a +20000 moneyline, only besting the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 05: Terrance McKinney poses on the scale during the UFC 323 ceremonial weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena on December 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
“T-Wrecks” gets a home game.
All-action Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight Terrance McKinney has officially been added to UFC Seattle next month (Sat., March 28, 2026), where he’ll collide with Canada’s Kyle Nelson inside Climate Pledge Arena.
McKinney confirmed the fight on social media, writing, “Fighting in my home state, feeling truly blessed.”
Whenever McKinney (17-8) is on a card, violence is almost guaranteed.
The 31-year-old saw his two-fight win streak snapped at UFC 323 last December when Chris Duncan submitted him in the first round (watch highlights). Before that setback, “T-Wrecks” tapped out Viacheslav Borshchev (watch highlights) and stopped Damir Hadzovic via TKO — both inside the opening frame.
McKinney owns a 100 percent finish rate. He has never gone to the judges in victory or defeat. In 25 professional fights, he’s only made it past the first round four times — losing three of those bouts.
It’s first round or bust. Every. Single. Time.
Standing across from him will be Kyle Nelson (17-6-1), who has quietly turned his UFC career around. After starting 1-4 inside the Octagon and flirting with a release, the Canadian battled to a draw against Doo Ho Choi in 2023 before rattling off three straight wins over Blake Bilder and Fernando Padilla, capped by a stoppage victory over Bill Algeo.
With all the rumors of the New England Patriots potentially taking a big-time stab at Las Vegas Raiders phenom Maxx Crosby (partially spearheaded by me), I decided to take a look back at head coach Mike Vrabel’s coaching career to figure out if he was accustomed to making trades.
Before arriving in New England, Vrabel had been the head coach for only one other team, the Tennessee Titans. He was hired in 2018 and made three playoff appearances in his six seasons with the team.
During those six seasons, he did not make one single high-leverage trade.
He barely made any trades at all, in fact. A majority of his transactions consisted of sending players away and receiving draft picks in return.
For instance, in 2022 he traded away now Super Bowl champion A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a first and fourth round draft pick.
The next season he sent two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to the same team in exchange for young talent and even more draft picks.
His most notable move to bring a veteran to Tennessee came in 2021 when he traded a second and fourth round draft pick to the Atlanta Falcons for then 32-year-old wide receiver Julio Jones.
Jones played just 10 games in Tennessee, setting a new career-low in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Almost every trade Vrabel has made as a head coach has sent away players in exchange for draft picks. That trend continued in his first year as head coach of the Patriots.
Perhaps studying his past can provide new expectations for his offseaosn strategy in 2026.
Utah Olympic organizing committee VP Catherine Raney Norman speaks at the Utah Business Forward conference at the Hyatt Regency in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.
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Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
With the 2026 Winter Olympics getting underway Friday in Italy, four-time Olympic speedskater Catherine Raney Norman joins Sheri Dew, the executive vice president of Deseret Management Corporation, on the “Deseret Voices” podcast to discuss what it’s like to reach that crowning event.
Raney Norman was 17 when she represented her country in the 1998 Games in Japan. Some of her records still stand 20 years later.
Her impact on the Olympics continues as vice president of development and athlete relations for Utah 2034 as she aims to help other athletes achieve their dreams of Olympic glory.
Sheri Dew: Cat, I was so thrilled to get to talk to you and go in-depth a little bit about some of your Olympic experience personally. And then, of course, you’re intimately involved with the 2034 Games. They’re coming back to Utah.
Catherine Raney Norman: Well, I’m grateful to be here, so thank you so much for asking me to come in and share a little bit more.
SD: Well, we’re thrilled. This is a treat for us. Let’s make sure everybody knows about your background. We were talking before we started and you said, “Oh, you’ve Googled me.” And the story is pretty great. The more I read, the more I thought, “Wow, I thought I knew everything that you had done.” And I certainly had my knowledge increase. So you’re a four-time Olympian? Starting in 1998, in Japan?
CRN: Yes. Very first Games, 17 years old, still in high school at the time.
SD: Then Salt Lake in 2002.
CRN: Yeah. First time again. So fortunate to have the opportunity to compete in a home country.
And really transformational experience.
SD: OK, we’ll come back and talk about that because I want to know more about that.
Let’s see, then Italy in 2006.
CRN: Italy in ’06 was a kind of a breakout Games for me in terms of my athletic and performance side of things. Every Games was great.
SD: Then we capped it with ’10. 2010 Vancouver.
CRN: Yep. Yeah, Vancouver. It was so interesting for me with Vancouver, I had trained in Canada for about six and a half, seven years.
And so it was almost a little bit like a second home or a second home Games and the accessibility for family to be able to be there. So, yeah, it was a good one as well.
SD: So accessibility for family because you’re from Wisconsin.
CRN: I grew up just outside of Milwaukee in a kind of small town and village, and a Midwest girl where people always kind of ask, like, how did you get into skating?
And I was like, well, it’s kind of what we do there, right? Like, I learned to skate on a pond across the street from my house. We had a shopping mall that had an ice rink in it. Like, that’s just what you learn to do when you grow up in the Midwest as you learn to skate. And there’s a deep history and culture of skating in the Midwest on speedskating side.
SD: So I want to know how you knew you were good because you went on to — I think you still hold three U.S. records. Do you still hold them?
CRN: I’m actually I am down to two. One of them got broken about three weeks ago. My 3,000-meter record was just broken. About three weeks ago by one of our up and coming athletes on Team USA, Greta Myers. So, bittersweet as always. You always have that little competitive fire in you still. But I’m really excited to see that sort of talent coming through on our team side and seeing those records are, it’s time for them to come down.
SD: Well, and you held it a long time.
CRN: Yeah.
SD: I mean over 20 years. So isn’t that incredible. And you still hold the records in the 5,000, in the 10,000, correct?
CRN: Correct. Yeah.
SD: Which is again, over 20 years.
CRN: Yeah. They’re over 20 years old.
SD: So just to complete, to make sure, you were a World Cup team member every year from ’97 to 2010. Inducted into the U.S. Speedskating Hall of Fame in ’18, 2018. Hold six Allround titles.
CRN: Yeah.
SD: Is that right?
CRN: Yeah.
SD: Wow. How did you know? When did you know? Gosh, maybe I have a shot at this? Because last night I went to AI and said, “What percentage of the U.S. population becomes an Olympian?” It is, I don’t even know how to say this number: .00018%. It’s roughly 1 in every 550,000 individuals to become an Olympian.
CRN: Yeah.
SD: And I did not go to AI and said, well, how many people hit the Olympics four times? When did you know you were good? Did you figure it out? Did your parents? Did … how’d that work?
CRN: You know, I loved watching the Olympics as a kid growing up. And I remember skaters, and I started as a figure skater, and I remember watching Debi Thomas and Katarina Witt and Kristi Yamaguchi, and I was like, I want to be them.
And, so I used to get up early in the morning and practice figure skating in the morning, and then there were a group of short track skaters. So those are the ones that race on the hockey rink. They would skate on the outside of me and they challenged me to a race. It was a group of boys that challenged me to a race, and I raced them and I won. And they went over to my mom and they were like, “She’s good.”
And again, in the Midwest, speedskating, it is a hotbed, it is a thing. You know, legends like Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen, Eric Heiden, like —
SD: They all come from there, from Wisconsin.
CRN: Yeah. And they were like, “She needs to try speedskating.” And so I started to get into speed skating and I just loved it. I loved going fast. I loved that it was me against the clock. No other variable, right, like it was all on me if I was going to perform or not. And I love the competition and I just set my mind, I always wanted to go to the Olympics. And my like third grade teacher has like something that I wrote about wanting to go to the Olympics even, actually.
And so I just I set my mind to it. And my parents were so great and I went to a small school. They were great with my schedule and just, I started to progress. And in ’98, I mean, I was not slotted to make that team. I was not expected in any way, shape or form. I’d actually only been speedskating for about four years at that point in time.
SD: And again, you were 17.
CRN: And I was 17, and I made the team, and it was really unexpected.
And I was like, “Oh, this is like amazing.” And I went on to have a really successful couple of years as a junior athlete, competing on the senior circuit, competing at the junior levels, having, really successful performances and records and world championships and all that sort of stuff. And that’s when I started to kind of know that I was I was good, but I will probably honestly didn’t take me until I retired.
And as we kind of sit here where I now can realize, like, oh, I was actually really good, because I think as an athlete you’re always thinking about how can you improve, right? How can you do better? And you’re always, you know, who else is around you and what are they doing? And how do I make sure, like, you always, I always had to kind of prove to myself, even, and encourage myself.
So it took me a long time to realize, like, oh, I was actually really good.
SD: So talk to the other 550,000 of us per 1 who don’t become an Olympic athlete. What’s it take? And for such a span?
CRN: Yeah, it takes obviously a lot of sacrifice for sure as an individual and even as a family, right. It takes a lot of sacrifice. You know, you think about being 17 years old, right? I was not doing the after school sports. I wasn’t going to the school dances, I was traveling, I wasn’t in school that much, right? Like, you sacrifice that sort of those early years of your childhood. And again, I’m so grateful. I went to a small school, because everybody knew what I was doing.
And at that — my first Olympic trials — my whole class came out, right? So I still had that connection, which was great. But, you know, you sacrifice as you’re continuing on. And our athletes do this today too, right? They put sport, they put these dreams in front of their education, in front of their professional career, in front of their financial stability even, right?
And it’s all to chase this dream. And so it takes a lot of sacrifice in that regard, kind of from all elements of your life. It obviously takes a lot of hard work, right? I used to have my voicemail on my phone. Used to be, “I’m sorry I can’t come to the phone right now. I’m out living the dream,” right?
And it was because I was on my bike for four or five hours a day. And you’re riding up the different canyons here. And so it takes obviously a lot of physical, physical drive and, and capacity. But I think it also takes really for that duration, a true love of the sport, and a true ability to have fun and what you’re doing. And what I always said to people was, the day I stop having fun is when I’m going to retire, when it starts to become a chore.
And that’s kind of something that I’ve always shared with young kids that are coming up, whether I’ve coached them or not. You have to have fun at this, in doing this, because it is hard, right? The sacrifices you make, the physical pain that you go through, the mental toughness that you have to have, like, you have to have fun because there will be days that you don’t want to do it, right?
But if you can come back and have that fun and passion, you’ll keep pushing yourself through.
SD: So how do you think you think about all that that did at a pretty young age? Because it’s not like you started skating at 17. You said you’ve been skating for four years.
CRN: Yeah.
SD: In speedskating. So now we’re talking 13.
CRN: Yeah. And before that I figure skated.
SD: OK. So what do you think all that did to mold you? And how do you think that affected your development as a human, as a woman?
CRN: Yeah. I think a couple of things, you know, one, I think I showed myself obviously that if I put my mind to it, like I’m willing to put the work in by far, I’m always willing to put the work in.
You know, as I grew as an athlete, as I traveled the world, and a little bit tying into that or to experience we I, I learned, obviously different cultures how to engage with different cultures and different cultural norms in that regard. I learned the importance and primarily this was the effect of ’02 for me was the importance of representing your country and what it means to have those three letters on your back.
It’s more than just an individual performance by far. It really is. And those are things that I continue to carry through today and, the hard work side of things, the recognizing that you’re, you know, I’m in a position to be a role model, to be a representative of my community and the responsibility … and a mentor and the responsibility that that carries as well.
And I welcome that. I really, genuinely welcome that. And I’m grateful for that. I will say, I think some of the things that I learned through sport, where I was so hard on myself nowadays, even now as I’m a working mom, and I’ve now understand the importance of giving yourself grace and humility.
And so it’s just fascinating sort of the different ways and experiences that you have in your life that as it changes you, as you kind of go through.
SD: So I’m picturing just years of intensity.
CRN: Yes.
SD: Everything from training to the mental training to everything, right? It’s just intense.
CRN: Yes.
SD: So when you decided that, OK, I’ve done four Olympics, all these raft of awards. You must have a room full of medals and ribbons and plaques and —
CRN: Mom and dad’s house.
SD: OK, great. What’s it like then when you stop and say, OK, I’m done competing, because that’s been your life?
CRN: It’s daunting, right? Because your life has been I mean, I can still tell you everything I did on a Monday and on Tuesday, on a Wednesday, on a Thursday, on a Friday. And it drove you because I knew exactly what my schedule was exactly the time frames, what I was doing, right?
So everything was so structured, right? And when you step away, you lose that structure and it is a challenge for a lot of athletes. And I’m not going to say it wasn’t a challenge for me either. It was definitely a challenge, right? Because you go from here, being at the very top and having all of this, to all of a sudden you’re down and you’re catching back up with everyone else and figuring out what and figuring out who you are as a person, what your identity is and all of that.
And so it is definitely, it was hard for me. But I know many of our athletes struggle with this, and this is something that I’ve always tried to be helpful and help to champion, as well as that transition for our athletes. I’ll share that for me. When I started to make that transition, I, you know, I started, I was like, OK, I have to have a plan.
Like, I’m so used to having a plan. So it was going back to school. Then it was finding an internship and all of those things. But I was doing that at 30 years old —
SD: Not 20?
CRN: Not 20, right. Coming in with very different perspectives. But I will say the moment — I will never forget the moment I realized I made the right decision in terms of retirement was, it was the first fall that I wasn’t racing.
And I remember because my teammates were racing their first kind of practice races of the year. It was a Saturday morning, and I remember being at my house and I was relaxed and I was like, OK, I’m OK with this, right? Like, I’m good with sleeping in. I’m good with getting to go and do something else on a Saturday.
Like, I knew I made the right decision at that point in time. And so from then on it was, OK, now what am I going to do next, right? How do I channel that same passion that I had for so many years into something new? And that, I think, is so critical, especially for athletes. Athletes are passion-driven people.
They have high expectations of themselves and others. And so finding the right way to channel that was was sort of my next move.
SD: So one thing you did, among others, is you threw yourself into the Olympic movement.
CRN: I did.
SD: And you’ve been deeply involved. Talk about that. When did you move to Utah and become involved in, maybe we can bring the Games back here again. Because our 2002 Games were, I think, by every measure, very successful.
CRN: They were. Yeah.
SD: And you mentioned earlier that they were impactful for you. Tell us why and then throwing yourself into this movement.
CRN: Yeah. So I spent my last four years of my career training here in Utah. You know, starting to set my roots —
SD: Getting ready for Vancouver, getting ready for 2010.
CRN: Exactly. Getting my roots here, here in Utah. And, throughout my, you know, athletic career and then post career, I always and even today, I’ve always been an advocate for athletes. I am such a firm believer that we have this sort of duty of care to try to pave a better way for the next generation coming through. And so, I, as a competing athlete, and then once I retired, I was involved in sort of the athlete voice in athlete structure and was an athlete representative for the speedskaters, went on to then and vice chair, the counsel for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
So all athletes, all sports, all disciplines, Olympic and Paralympic and, through that kind of work that I was doing on the Olympic side and kind of giving back, we started to have rumblings here in Utah, like, we want to bring a Games back and how can we do that? And so Gov. Herbert was gracious enough to sort of tap me and say, “Hey, we want you to come and have a seat at the table and be the voice of the athlete for us.
“You’re so connected in with all athletes from across the country, right? Come and share your perspective with us.” And so that was really kind of the first stepping stone for me into bringing these Games back here to Utah. And how could I lend my voice and perspective, to the athlete side of things and making sure that we deliver a Games that is very athlete-centric because I feel this real duty.
And, I try to implore this on everyone, especially having had the lived experience, right? We are truly the caretakers and stewards of these athletes’ dreams, right? Those dreams that started when they were 8 and 9 years old.
SD: It’s a beautiful way to think about it, I love that.
CRN: But we are stewarding these dreams of these athletes.
SD: Making it possible really.
CRN: Exactly. The moment that they have dreamed about from when they were a child to, you know, 18, 24 or 25 years old, we are the ones who are creating that canvas for them. When that moment happens, when they step to the line and they, the gun goes off and they officially are an Olympian, right? That’s our job, is to create that for them.
I’m grateful to you know, Governor, for tapping me on the shoulder at that moment, to be a part of that and to then stay, stay involved.
SD: So your official title, if I have it right, is that you’re — for the ’34 Games. The ’34 Utah Games — that you are the vice president of development and athlete relations. What does that mean?
CRN: So I’ll go back a little bit. OK. So during our bid phase, Gov. Cox, kind of similar to Gov. Herbert, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “We want you to chair this.” And I always joke because he called me. And it was during the pandemic. And, you know, I was like shuttling my child to day care. And I say, “Governor, I’m dressed for day care.” “It’s OK.”
And during that process, you know, we were putting all of the requirements together for the International Olympic Committee to help them make a decision. And throughout that, one of the questions that they had to ask was, tell us your financial model. You know, if we are going to award these Games earlier than we normally would, what is your financial model look like?
And typically a Games is funded around ticketing and hospitality and sponsorship, right? And Utah’s in a unique position because the Games were awarded earlier. Los Angeles is hosting, all of those things. We actually can’t go into the commercial market space. And so I sat down at the time with our CEO, Fraser Bullock, and my background has been in philanthropy and in fundraising, and that’s kind of the course I took after competing and being involved in Games and all that sort of stuff.
I said, you know, we have an amazing group of community leaders and champions and business leaders who might have an interest in being involved. And we started this initiative called Podium34 and really starting to bring our community in to help raise race funds and raise dollars to stand up our organizing committee. To launch our early impact initiatives, which is, I think, so vital and so critical and part of our kind of core, why, we know these Games can have an impact, and we’re in a very privileged position that we can focus on impact more so than we have to focus on construction of venues. And so my role now is as vice president of development is to help to steward those individuals, steward those gifts, help to continue to raise funds, to help support the OCOG. And then on the athlete relations side, working with all of — I always call them my athletes — working with my athletes and teammates in helping to ensure that the athlete voice is incorporated into our decision-making.
And to go back to that kind of core value of: we are really stewarding their Games and their dreams, creating the most optimized experience for them.
SD: So it seems like, again, having the Games come back to Utah affords some unusual opportunities and privileges that weren’t here the first time —
CRN: 100%.
SD: How would you? And not to mention the fact that they were awarded far enough in advance to actually do something about. And with that block of time, how would you describe what you hope happens because of this extra time and the fact we’ve done it before? I think there’s a different mindset a little bit about what they can accomplish. Help us understand that.
CRN: You know, the Games have really honestly, they have very much so evolved since ’02 as well. I would say there is obviously the focus on sport, right? But there’s also, I think, as we’ve seen and I would say ’02 was the catalyst in this area, the impact that it can have on community. And so in ’02, you know, we were obviously very focused. We were new at this and very focused on venues.
Making sure the busses were going to run and the lights, the logistics things, right? And we were successful. And then we had this incredible legacy that happened afterwards, right? A lot driven by the financial success of, ’02 where venues were staying open. They are more vibrant than they’ve ever been. Families can participate in sports, kids can participate in sports.
And that has really again, it propelled us into this position to be able to host again. But it’s also propelled us into the position of thinking about impact, right? And recognizing that we are in a place of privilege compared to other hosts. We can really think about what we can do for our community, right? And that is the broader scheme of the Games, because as you kind of you shared, right, like 1 in 550,000, you get to be an Olympian, right?
We got to think about all of the others as well and how they can be a part of this. And that to me is one of the most exciting things. It’s probably one of the most fragile things that we can’t waste either. Waste the opportunity. But I really think about, obviously our kids and how can they be inspired by the Games, how can they participate in the Games, as we’re, you know, heading into Milan Cortina and, I’m getting a lot of school requests right now to come in and talk to kids, which is fantastic.
And sharing with them just how diverse, again, this is, right? Not every kid is going to make the team or the sports team or anything. But I was at a school two weeks ago and I said, “OK, well, let’s talk about the science of sport.” They were like, “What do you mean, the science of sport?” And I was like, “Well, do you know that there’s a difference between manmade snow and natural snow and how that affects the skis and the wax on the skis, how fast the athletes go?
“Let’s talk about their uniforms, right? And how much wind resistance there is with their uniforms and how they, why they wear certain things, right? It’s the science of sport, guys, right? You don’t just have to be an athlete, right? Let’s talk about nutrition.” So many different facets. And these kids, their eyes just opened up, right?
And so for me again, kind of bringing it back to the broader scheme of things is this opportunity to bring more people in, to let them feel like they have a place and purpose in and can be a part of that is, to me, really exciting, actually.
SD: So let’s conclude by talking about the athletes for a minute and your role with them.
How do you help the athletes who have given everything they’ve got? They’ve become an Olympian. They’ve they obviously have done some amazing things along the way. But they never get a medal, though. How do you help them?
CRN: You know, it’s a couple of different things. It’s and again I can kind of self-reflect on this, right? Because I was fourth. That’s, that’s a hard one. That’s a hard one to be in.
SD: You just sliced by the podium.
CRN: Yeah. We call it the chocolate medal. That’s what we call it. The chocolate medal. You know, I think it’s about a couple of different things. One, from a mentorship side of things, helping them to realize how exceptional they were on the field of play. Two, it’s about how, and, again, this is sort of, I would say, more a personal drive on my side. How can I help to open up doors for them? And, share with them my experience in transitioning and also just what they can expect, what they need, what their next steps are.
How can I help them? Help direct them? How can I use my network to open up doors for them? And I think that’s incredibly important, but then also encouraging them to find the new thing that drives them. Because I think for so many of us, it wasn’t work. It was a passion.
It was a love. And that’s how we are driven through success. And so, you know, I am always there for any of my athletes to be able to help them. And, you know, with the organizing committee from that perspective, right, we will eventually start to scale and bring more in. And the more athlete voices I think we have in this process, the better, quite honestly.
So that we can create that optimized feel to play for them. And that becomes a springboard for them later on as well.
SD: We can’t thank you enough. Cat, thank you so much for all you’ve done for sport, all you’ve done for sport in the state of Utah, all you’ve done for sport in the Olympics and in the Olympic movement. You have made and are making a real difference. And thanks so much for talking to us about it today.
The full list of 2026 NFL draft prospects who have been invited to this year's NFL combine has been revealed.
In total, 319 prospects received an invite.
When is the 2026 NFL combine?
This year's combine will take place from February 23rd through March 2nd. The event will again be held in Indianapolis.
How to watch the 2026 NFL combine?
Coverage of the combine will begin on Feb. 26th, and it will be aired on NFL Network and NFL+.
What is the NFL combine?
The NFL combine is held at Lucas Oil Stadium and is an opportunity for the top NFL draft prospects in this year’s class to go through measurements and various on-field drills, some of which are specific to their position group, and others measure the player’s overall athleticism.
For NFL teams, this event is another data point for them as they build out their draft profiles and big boards. However, it’s a significant data point, with players potentially flying up and down draft boards depending on how they perform.
In addition to the on-field drills, teams also get the opportunity to meet with players one-on-one as well, which is another important part of the evaluation process as they get to know them both on and off the field.
Which prospects were invited to the 2026 NFL combine?
We won't be listing out all 319 prospects, so instead, you can find a position-by-position breakdown here.
After trading for Sauce Gardner, the Colts do not have a first-round draft pick in 2026. So their first selection will come with the 47th overall pick, according to Tankathon.
In total, the Colts currently have five draft picks in 2026. Along with trading away their first-rounder, GM Chris Ballard also traded the Colts' sixth-round draft pick as part of the trade that brought Mekhi Blackmon over from Minnesota.
Round 2, pick 47
Round 3, pick 78
Round 4, pick 113
Round 5, pick 154
Round 7, pick 230
The Colts are projected to receive two compensatory picks in the sixth and seventh rounds. This would bring the Colts' total number of selections up to seven.
The Kansas City Current have acquired former NWSL Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune from the Washington Spirit for $1 million in transfer fees.
The deal, announced Wednesday, included $100,000 in allocation money and $900,000 in intra-league transfer funds. The 24-year-old midfielder's contract with the Current runs through the 2027 NWSL season.
Bethune has also played on the U.S. national team, appearing in seven matches. Named as an alternate for the gold medal-winning 2024 Olympic squad, she was elevated to the active roster because of Jaedyn Shaw's injury.
“Croix is an exceptional playmaker with limitless potential,” Current general manager Ryan Dell said in a statement. “Her elite creativity and passing ability combined with her tactical versatility – plus her resilience and passion – make her a great fit for our club, on and off the pitch."
The Current finished atop the NWSL standings last year, going 21-3-2 and winning the league's Shield, but got knocked out of the playoffs in the quarterfinals by eventual champion Gotham FC.
Bethune was the third pick in the 2024 NWSL draft. She had five goals and 10 assists for the Spirit that season before injuring her knee, earning both rookie and midfielder of the year honors.
She requested a trade in the offseason after the Spirit fell to Gotham FC in the NWSL championship game.
“We evaluate every situation on its individual merits, and in this case, the alignment of player goals and organizational value made sense for all parties," said Haley Carter, the Spirit’s president of soccer operations.
The two parties had reportedly been working towards finding a trade destination for the former lottery pick − Jared Weiss of The Athletic reported that the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns, among other teams, have all shown interest − but landed on a release instead after the deadline passed last week.
Now, the pending restricted free agent has been bought out and is free to choose his next destination.
The Spurs made the news official on social media with a graphic thanking Sochan, who they selected No. 9 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Sochan had represented San Antonio in the 2023 and '24 Rising Stars games.
Since then, however, Sochan's usage has declined in San Antonio. He averaged just 12.8 minutes in 28 games this season after starting 23 times the prior season, and he found himself out of the rotation completely after the emergence of rookie wing Carter Bryant.
According to Charania, Sochan "is expected to decide among multiple interested teams."
The Los Angeles Chargers, under Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert, are building something; it's just taking a little time.
In Harbaugh's two seasons, Herbert has led the Chargers to the postseason twice and has a 22-11 regular-season record, so that's not too bad.
But playoff failures, and bad ones, have hindered Herbert. So too have the injuries to his offensive line been crippling. Now, though, Mike McDaniel is Herbert's new offensive coordinator, and suddenly the good vibes are back.
How back? So much so that ESPN's Seth Walder has tipped the Chargers to make and win the Super Bowl next season.
"Chargers over Packers," Walder wrote. "Am I falling for the Chargers in the offseason, just like we all do every year? Sure. But this time will be different! The 2025 Chargers' biggest weakness -- the offensive line -- already has a built-in solution with their two excellent tackles (Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater) returning to health. Add McDaniel as offensive coordinator and I find myself truly believing."
Walder's prediction means career-first for Herbert
What is interesting about Walder's prediction is that, of course, it could come to fruition, but there's a bit to get through.
Herbert is 0-3 in the playoffs, which means that, depending on the Chargers' AFC seed, he will at least have to rattle off three wins to be a Super Bowl champion.
The fact that he hasn't won a playoff game yet and has played poorly in all three doesn't inspire confidence that he can lead a playoff run.
Will it be different with McDaniel in his ear in 2026? Chargers fans sure hope so.
A 2013 Baseball Magazine Sha Nippon Ham Fighters Shohei Ohtani card sold for $430,050 in a Goldin auction during the weekend.
The card, a 10th Season with Hokkaido Autograph parallel numbered /10, became the most expensive card of the two-way star before his move to MLB in 2018. Professional Sports Authenticator — the most trusted third-party authentication service for collectable cards — graded the card a Gem MT 10, the highest grade possible.
BBM is the most widely collected trading card brand in Japan, featuring players from NPB.
Nov 3, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) acknowledges the crowd during the World Series championship parade at downtown Los Angeles.
How Good was Shohei Ohtani in NPB?
Ohtani made his NPB debut for the Ham Fighters in 2013 aged just 18 years old, and instantly began as a two-way player in his debut season.
He had a 4.02 ERA and a .643 OPS in his first professional season, but instantly improved the following year. The star rose his OPS to .842 in 2014, and managed a 2.61 ERA though 155.1 innings pitched. He continued improving during his NPB career, with his best season coming in his final year in the league in 2017.
That season, Ohtani managed 22 home runs and 67 RBIs, posting a 1.004 OPS. On the mound, he had a career-low 1.86 ERA and struck out 174 batters in 140 innings.
Throughout his time in NPB, Ohtani had a .859 OPS through 403 games and hit 48 home runs as a batter, and had a 2.52 ERA across 85 starts as a pitcher.
Why are Shohei Ohtani Cards so Expensive?
Since his move to MLB, Ohtani has taken over as the best player in the league. He has won four MVP awards, the most of any player other than Barry Bonds, and has won both of the last two World Series.
With his continued dominance, it’s no wonder people would collect cards featuring the player who could potentially be the greatest of all time.
It’s not just baseball cards which have gotten expensive, though, as prices for some of his memorabilia have also gone through the roof.
The final home run ball he hit in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers hit auctions this winter as well, and fetched a price of $292,800.
Do you have a favorite piece of Shohei Ohtani memorabilia?
When Shane van Gisbergen stepped up to the NASCAR Cup Series from Xfinity last year, Connor Zilisch arrived to make his Xfinity debut and expressed his gratitude that he would not have to share a rookie season with SVG. At 19, Zilisch understood the standard SVG sets on road courses. However, in the handful of races where they did cross paths, neither man backed down, both going for glory against their competitor.
Walking the fine line of hard competition while giving each other enough respect, both drivers traded paint and yielded no ground during their battles in the now O’Reilly Series, especially at Chicago and Sonoma last year. From 2026, that rivalry will shift under one roof as both line up for Justin Marks’s Trackhouse Racing, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. sees value in that pairing. He believes the two will sharpen each other’s racing skills and grow from the exchange.
On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Junior said, “I think Connor is going to continue to push SVG at the ovals. I think they’re both good for each other. SVG will challenge Connor at the road courses. And they’re both very competitive at the road courses, and they’re probably coming into the Cup Series going to find themselves actually racing around each other a lot on the ovals.”
However, wondering, “Will Connor spring forward as the season goes and get really, really, really improve at the ovals?” Dale Jr. added, “I’m not sure he could. I think that’s going to push SVG to continue to get better at ovals, and they will both push each other at the road courses to succeed. And I think that’s good for both drivers. Be interesting to see how their relationship develops over the course of the year cuz they seem to get along great.”
Their O’Reilly Series clashes were actually a sight to behold. Zilisch ran full-time, SVG entered part-time with JR Motorsports, and they met at the front while wins kept changing hands. At the Chicago Street Course in July 2025, SVG held off Zilisch on a late run to seal the race.
One week later at Sonoma Raceway, Zilisch returned serve, fending off SVG to bag his third NASCAR win and halt SVG’s streak on road courses. In August 2025 at Watkins Glen, they tangled while fighting for the lead near the end. The contact spun SVG to the rear, and Zilisch drove on to victory.
Zilisch has made three Cup starts and recorded one top-20 finish, which came at Atlanta. And now, he faces the task of settling into the Next Gen car full time, even though he knows the tracks pretty well.
Meanwhile, SVG has spent a season in the same environment and brings experience with equipment akin to what he drove in Australia during his Supercars tenure. That background will put him in a position to guide Zilisch as they chart their course in the Cup garage.
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 08: Joshua Kimmich of FC Bayern Muenchen reacts after the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and TSG Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on February 08, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christina Pahnke - sampics/Corbis via Getty Images) | Corbis via Getty Images
Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is not easy to please, so even though his squad wrapped up a hard-fought 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig in the DFB-Pokal, the veteran was critical of the squad’s performance early in the match.
“In the first 20 minutes, we lacked control, and Leipzig were dangerous. We made too many mistakes in possession, and it was too easy for them to press us. After that, we got things under control. In the second half, we were dominant; we didn’t concede much, we were dangerous going forward, decided the game, and then saw it out well. The most important thing today was that we allowed very few chances in the end and kept them away from our goal,” Kimmich said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
Kimmich is correct, play was sloppy and mistake-filled early on, but it did get markedly better — especially in the second half. The team might be tired and certainly has lost focus at times, but it is digging down deep to secure victories when needed.
That resolve should serve the group well later this season.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 11: Jonathan Tah of FC Bayern Munich controls the ball during the DFB Cup Quarter Final match between FC Bayern München and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 11, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jonathan Tah and Bayern Munich managed to keep a rare clean sheet as the hosts beat Rasenballsport Leipzig 2-0 in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals. With this victory, Bayern pull into the semifinals of the competition for the first time in 6 years. Naturally, the players do not want the journey to end yet, with center back general Jonathan Tah chief among them. Though he enjoys the football, his main desire is to reach the cup final in Berlin:
“I’m enjoying every single moment being out on the pitch with the guys and also watching them play football, it’s just fun,” Tah explained, as captured by @iMiaSanMia. “My job is to make sure we don’t concede any goals at the back, and I want them to have fun up front. Going to Berlin would be special. It’s been a long time since we were there, and of course, that’s our goal. We want to win the cup. We showed today how hungry we are for it.”
Bayern know not to underestimate the unpredictability of the competition. But they will be confident to finally end their DFB-Pokal trophy drought.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
The Miami Dolphins signed former New England Patriots cornerback Miles Battle on Wednesday, one day after he became a free agent.
Battle, 26, appeared in five games with the Patriots during the 2025 season with 29 snaps on defense and 54 on special teams. But New England released Battle before the start of the postseason and re-signed him to the practice squad.
Two days after Super Bowl LX, the Patriots announced 11 of the players on their practice squad would be retained with futures contracts. Battle was not on that list, making him a free agent. The Dolphins didn't wait long to pounce.
Battle began his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, joining the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. He was waived at the end of his first training camp with the team and joined the Patriots later that year.
In six career games, Battle has recorded three pass deflections and five tackles.
The Dolphins have seven cornerbacks -- Rasul Douglas, Jack Jones, Kader Kohou, Artie Burns, Ethan Bonner, Kendall Sheffield, and AJ Green -- on expiring contracts.
Al Ahly: Aliou Dieng continues to shine amid club interest
Al Ahly: Aliou Dieng continues to shine amid club interest
Al Ahly secured a 2-0 victory over Ismaily in the 14th round of the Egyptian Premier League on February 11. Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng once again delivered a standout performance in this match.
Aliou Dieng was named Man of the Match after an exceptional display against Ismaily (2-0) in the 14th round of the Egyptian Premier League. Although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, the 28-year-old Malian was a dominant force and controlled the midfield throughout the contest.
MILAN ― What an awful message the sport of figure skating just sent to sexual abuse survivors and victims, and parents who want their children to participate in a safe sport.
Figure skating just put Olympic gold medals around the necks of a French ice dance team that exists only because of the investigation and subsequent suspension of an alleged sexual abuser, Nikolaj Sorensen, who has been consistently and publicly supported by that team of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron.
Fournier Beaudry, 33, who is Sorensen’s girlfriend, joined forces with Cizeron a year ago after Sorensen was banned for a minimum of six years for allegedly sexually assaulting a U.S. skater in 2012. His suspension was overturned last year but is being reviewed, meaning the ban could be put back into place. He was in the Olympic arena Wednesday night, and when the French team spotted him in the crowd, they joyously waved from the podium, and he whistled back.
Figure skating also just gave a second consecutive Olympic gold medal to Cizeron, 31, who was described by his former ice dance partner, 2022 Olympic gold medalist Gabriella Papadakis, as "often controlling, demanding and critical.” She said she would not skate with him unless a coach was present at practices.
During an interview with USA TODAY's podcast Milan Magic about her new memoir "To Not Disappear," Papadakis said her skating relationship with Cizeron "was a dynamic that was profoundly harmful and dangerous to me, that took me a very, very, very long time to understand.”
"I was trying to write about how these dynamics creep (into) a partnership and in a relationship,” Papadakis said, "how these dynamics can become incredibly dangerous.”
That guy now has a second gold medal.
Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron upset three-time reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States by nearly a point and a half, 225.82 points to 224.39, adding to the slight lead they held after Monday’s rhythm dance.
What a slap in the face this result is to Chock and Bates, four-time Olympians and seven-time national champions who had never won an individual Olympic medal until Wednesday’s silver. They have been the heart and soul of the American team for the past four years at least. At the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, they were the American team figure skating captains, tasked with consistently and calmly handling the most excruciatingly ridiculous series of events precipitated by yet another Russian doping scandal at the Olympics, this one the Kamila Valieva saga.
Their patience paid off when they stood in the sunshine at the base of the Eiffel Tower at the 2024 Summer Olympics, receiving their gold medals.
If you’re picking role models for your kids, you go with Chock and Bates 100 times out of 100.
And talk about taking one for the team: Their performance in the free dance Wednesday was their fourth program skated in six days. That’s a lot, especially for athletes who are not in their teens or 20s. Bates is almost 37. Chock is 33. That is not young in skating years.
But by winning both of their programs in the team competition, they put their teammates, especially Ilia Malinin, in position to win the gold medal, which they did Sunday night. So they have two team golds, which matter to them greatly, but not the gold they were most dreaming of.
It was a sad evening for them, and a sadder one for their sport.
Former NFL quarterback Jim Miller's long-time tenure at SiriusXM NFL Radio has ended.
Via Sam Neumann of AwfulAnnouncing.com, Miller's on-air partner, Pat Kirwan, announced Miller’s exit on Monday. He had last appeared on the network the Sunday before Super Bowl week. The prior week, Miller was broadcasting from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Miller was not part of the SiriusXM Radio Row coverage, even though it was announced that he'd participate.
“As most of you have noticed, Jim Miller was not with us last week at the Super Bowl,” Kirwan said, per Neumann. “We’re going to let all of you know, today, that Jim is no longer a member of the SiriusXM team. We’re grateful for all of Jim’s insights and contributions through his many years on SiriusXM, and I’m personally grateful to have him as my on-air teammate for a long time. I wish him the best going forward, as all of you will as well."
That part was fine. Normal and expected, in situations like this. Then came a comment from Kirwan that invites speculation as to what happend behind the scenes: “For the sake of Jim, we should leave this subject as it is and hope and pray that he gets on with his life and things go well.”
Miller, who co-hosted Movin' The Chains with Kirwan since 2013, last made waves a year ago. He was the only voter on the AP award panel who put Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson at fourth on his All-Pro ballot; the other 49 voters had Jackson at first or second.
A sixth-round pick in 1994, the 55-year-old Miller spent 12 seasons in the NFL, playing for the Steelers, Jaguars, Falcons, Bears, Buccaneers, and Patriots. He was a backup quarterback on the New England team that won Super Bowl XXXIX. Miller appeared in 37 regular-season games, with 27 starts.
On Monday, Feb. 9, prosecutors questioned the former MLB star and presented evidence in support of their request that the judge deny his motion for a new trial on grounds of insufficient counsel.
Serafini, who declined to testify in his defense at his first trial, spent much of the day being forced to answer questions about his character that placed him in a less-than-optimal light.
While under cross-examination on Monday, Serafini admitted that at one time he headed up a faction of inmates composed of “White guys“ while in jail, according to a KCRA reporter who was in the courtroom for the proceedings.
The athlete reportedly confirmed that he was “the keyholder” during the months he served in the South Placer County Jail, but said he lost that position when he was forced to transfer to a different facility.
A "keyholder" is a slang term used to describe an individual who heads up a faction of inmates inside a jail or prison.
Dan Serafini in 1999
Brian Bahr /Allsport
Serafini also claimed that he was tasked with disciplining individuals who ran afoul in his group, KCRA reported.
He reportedly denied ever assaulting or ordering an assault on any of these individuals, but did admit to other punishments, stating under oath that at least six inmates were forced to do exercises.
One individual was ordered to do 500 burpees on Serafini’s order, he reportedly confirmed when asked by the prosecutor.
The former pitcher, who played for the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Cubs in the late 1990s, added that he had done 500 burpees as well alongside the individual.
He could not recall the specific offense that man had committed, but reportedly said the six who received punishment had “got caught scheming.”
That was not all Serafini admitted on the stand during his testimony.
Dan Serafini, Wendy Wood, Gary Spohr and Erin Spohr
Courtesy Adrienne Spohr
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Serafini reportedly confirmed that he had committed insurance fraud and previously violated a restraining order filed by his first wife.
He also admitted to using a variety of illegal narcotics over the years, as well as his father-in-law‘s prescription medication after his death.
Serafini was arrested in October 2023 following a two-year investigation into the June 5, 2021, shooting, which killed his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, 70, and severely wounded his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, 68, PEOPLE previously reported.
It all happened inside the wealthy real estate investor's Lake Tahoe home just a few hours after his now-estranged wife Erin Spohr and their two sons had left after spending a day out on the water.
Wood survived but later took her own life two years after the shooting.
Serafini was found guilty after a six-week trial, which included testimony from dozens of witnesses, as well as physical, digital and forensic evidence that prosecutors said all pointed to the retired baseball player as the killer. During the trial, prosecutors alleged that Serafini wanted to kill his in-laws so that he could share his wife’s inheritance of their $23 million estate.
Mikaela Shiffrin details why she's missing half an eyebrow
Mikaela Shiffrin/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
Mikaela Shiffrin revealed why fans may notice that she’s missing half her eyebrow while competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
“It’s the Olympics … there's like cameras around and there's people around … I think it was a fully reasonable thing to do at the time,” the decorated skier joked of her decision to switch up her look
Shiffrin finished in fourth place in the women’s team combined event alongside teammate Breezy Johnson on Feb. 10
On Monday, Feb. 9, the Olympic skier, 30, revealed that she accidentally did “something not great” while performing “general maintenance” on her eyebrows just days before competing in her first race.
“If you see me in the next few weeks with half an eyebrow, no you didn’t,” Shiffrin began in a video shared to Instagram. “I have this scar from years and years ago when I was doing balance training. I fell off the balance thing, my bad! My eyebrow split open. A plastic surgeon put 30 stitches all in there.”
“I didn’t really know that you could get like thirty stitches in your brow bone, but you can,” she added. “It fits. Now I have this scar. So sometimes with the scar, my eyebrow hairs grow a little bit funky like a Truffula Tree.”
After determining that the natural direction of her eyebrow hairs resembled the multicolored trees from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Shiffrin decided to try embracing her scar by shaving “a little slash like the cool people who have slashy scars.”
“I think it's a really cool look and whatever,” she said. “How bad could it be? Because I have the scar already, there’s a map on my face. I will follow the map.”
Once she started going ham with the tweezers, however, it wasn’t long before the ski legend “went a little bit too far.”
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Mikaela Shiffrin on Feb. 10
Julian Finney/Getty
“It’s the Olympics... there's like cameras around and there's people around... I think it was a fully reasonable thing to do at the time,” Shiffrin quipped. “The thing is that with the makeup, it comes off when I sweat.”
“I sweat predominantly from my eyebrows and upper lip with goggles,” she continued, noting that there was a “high likelihood that I’m going to cross the finish line and I’ll just have half an eyebrow.”
The decorated skier then went on to remove all the makeup that was on her eyebrow, revealing a very noticeable bald patch underneath.
“The moral of this little story is that if you see me in the next few weeks while she grows back in … if you see me in the next few weeks at the Olympics with half an eyebrow, no you didn't," Shiffrin concluded. “You have the backstory now and it is what it is.”
Shiffrin won a gold medal in the slalom event at the 2014 Sochi Games and gold in the giant slalom and silver in the combined events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. The Colorado native has missed out on the podium during the 2026 Milano Cortina Games so far. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, teammate Breezy Johnson and Shiffrin finished fourth in the Alpine women's team combined.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.
Caleb Williams made big throw after big throw throughout the 2025 season while quarterbacking the Chicago Bears. Now we'll see if he can make just as many big shots on the basketball court.
The Bears signal caller will be part of the NBA's All-Star festivities this weekend in Los Angeles, competing in the State Farm celebrity 3-point contest, according to NBA reporter Daniel Bell. Williams is one of a number of celebrities and athletes taking part in the event, including comedian Druski, BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester, former NBA player and current analyst Richard Jefferson, and even Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain, among others.
Jared McCain is competing in the State Farm celebrity 3 point contest on Friday of Allstar Weekend pic.twitter.com/wXzpEoKcBG
While Williams wasn't a two-sport athlete in high school, he has proven he can make any play on the football field. Both in college and the NFL. Williams finished his second season with the Bears throwing for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading the team to an 11-6 record to capture the NFC North.
All throughout the year, Williams made tough throws, whether he was on the run, falling down, or leaping through the air. Perhaps those skills will translate to the 3-point contest. Williams will compete on Friday, February 13th, beginning at 9 p.m. CT from the Intuit Dome.
On the heels of their first-ever national championship for football, the Indiana Hoosiers will celebrate their best era of college basketball. According to USA Today, the Hoosiers plan to commission a bronze statue of Hall of Fame coach Bobby Knight.
Coach Knight was a college basketball staple until the turn of the century. He coached the Hoosiers from 1972 until 2000. Knight led the Hoosiers for 29 seasons. His 901 career wins still ranks in the top 5. Just behind Roy Williams, Rick Pitino, Jim Boeheim and Mike Krzyzewski.
Knight towers over every other coach who has graced the head basketball coach role at Indiana. His 29 seasons, 901 wins, 24 NCAA tournament appearances, five Final Fours, and 3 National Championships ranks No. 1 in program history.
The next best four Indiana coaches that comprise their top 5 have 14 NCAA tournament appearances combined. His five Final Fours are also more than the other four names combined. His winning percentage (73.1%) is second to only Kelvin Sampson (74.1%), who only held the job for two seasons.
The university announced the stature decision on Monday, Febr. 9, the same day that Indiana’s 1976 National Championship team was honored during Hoosiers’ 92-74 win against Oregon.
"Coach Knight's influence on the game of basketball is immeasurable, but his impact on this university and Hoosier basketball fans is even deeper," said Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson.
"On a personal level, having started my career here as a student manager under Coach Knight, I saw firsthand the unparalleled standard of excellence he demanded. He taught me, and countless others, that success is the result of meticulous preparation and unwavering discipline. This statue will be a well-deserved tribute to a man who didn't just win games; he changed how the sport is played."
Details about the project and its timeline, which is being funded by an anonymous longtime Indiana donor, will be released “in the coming months,” according to the program.
Beyond his work at Indiana, which also included 11 Big Ten championships and five Final Four appearances, he was the head coach of gold-medal-winning USA Basketball teams at the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1984 US Olympic team that included Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing.
Ryan Cochran-Siegle will compete in the Men's Super-G final at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Here's how to watch. (Guenther Iby/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
Guenther Iby via Getty Images
Medals have been awarded in the men's super-G skiing competition, with Team USA's Ryan Cochrane-Siegle taking home the silver, and now it's the women's turn. The women's super-G final will take place at the Tofane Ski Centre in Cortina this Thursday morning with coverage starting at 5:30 a.m. ET, and you can catch the live feed on Peacock and USA. You'll also be able to catch some coverage of the event on NBC's Primetime in Milan coverage at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Here's a complete schedule of all Team USA Alpine Skiing events at this year's games, along with a rundown of who is competing. (To see specific air times for all events, check out the official NBC Olympics broadcast schedule, and toggle your search to "TV Only.").
If you want to learn even more about every event at this year's Winter Games, here's a guide to everything you need to know about the Milan Cortina Games.
How to watch the women's super-G skiing final at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Where can I stream the women's super-G skiing final at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Where to watch the women's super-G skiing final on TV:
The women's super-G skiing final will be broadcast live on USA at 5:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 12. Portions of the competition will also be broadcast as part of NBC's Primetime in MIlan coverage at 8 p.m. ET. (To see specific air times, check out the official NBC Olympics broadcast schedule, and toggle your search to "TV Only."). You can stream these channels on DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV and more.
How to watch Olympic Skiing for free without cable:
Who is on the Team USA Alpine ski team?
These are the athletes on Team USA's Alpine ski team:
New Barcelona president reacts to Real Madrid leaving Superleague
On Thursday, Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid in their first match since Joan Laporta relinquished his position as club president ahead of next month’s elections. He has been replaced by his former number two Rafa Yuste, who has stepped up from the vice-president role.
Yuste is part of the Barcelona delegation that has travelled to Madrid for the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, with the club bringing forward their plans due to a weather warning that is in place for Thursday. Upon landing in the Spanish capital, he spoke to the media (via MD), where he was asked about Real Madrid’s decision to leave the Superleague project, which comes days after the Catalans did so.
“We have already given our version, nothing more to say. A defeat for Real Madrid? The good thing is that there is unity in Spanish football.”
Image via Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Barcelona hope to start Yuste’s mini-era with a win
Yuste, who had been close to leaving Barcelona last summer after interest was shown in his services from Saudi Arabia, will be in the director’s box on Thursday, and he will hope to oversee a positive result for Hans Flick’s side at the RiyadhAir Metropolitano. A win would leave the Catalans well-placed to reach a second Copa del Rey final in a row, with the second leg to come at the Spotify Camp Nou in a few weeks’ time.
It will be a strange feeling for Barcelona fans not to see Joan Laporta at the match, but he is focused on securing his fourth mandate. He is the favourite to be re-elected as president when the election takes place in mid-March, although the likes of Victor Font and Marc Ciria will be hoping that they can claim an unlikely victory when the club’s socios go to the polls.
Dave McMenamin: The Naismith Hall of Fame finalists have been announced: North American Committee Finalists (in alphabetical order): ⚫ Joey Crawford [Referee] • Mark Few [Coach] Blake Griffin [Player] ⚫ Kevin Johnson [Player] • Gary McKnight [Coach] • Dick Motta [Coach] • Doc Rivers [Coach] Kelvin Sampson [Coach] Amar'e Stoudemire [Player] ⚫ Jerry Welsh [Coach] • Buck Williams [Player] Women's Committee Finalists: 1996 United States Women's National Team ⚫ Jennifer Azzi [Player] ⚫ Elena Delle Donne [Player] • Chamique Holdsclaw [Player] ⚫ Candace Parker [Player] Women's Veterans Committee Finalist: • Molly Bolin-Kazmer [Player] International Committee Finalist: • Dušan Ivković [Coach] Contributors Committee Finalists: • Tal Brody • Mike D'Antoni Veterans Committee Finalists: • Marques Johnson
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 8: Devon Witherspoon #21 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a play during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LX football game against the New England Patriots, at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been used on blitzes from the minute he was drafted No. 5 overall in 2023. As part of his rookie season, Witherspoon recorded three sacks and was frequently used by Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt as an extra rusher.
A notable change for Witherspoon in 2025 was the lack of blitzing, perhaps in part because the Seahawks also drafted Nick Emmanwori. Either way, Spoon didn’t blitz at all in the NFC Divisional or Championship round. When it was time to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, the Seahawks broke their season-long trends and unleashed hell on Drake Maye and a befuddled offensive line.
Mike Macdonald this AM on @SeattleSports on Super Bowl blitz hero Devon Witherspoon, 19 blitzes in 14 regular-season games, before the coach turned the CB loose on Drake Maye Sunday:
“We probably should have pressured ‘Spoon’ more during the season.”
Witherspoon forced a throwaway on the first blitz of Maye, picked up a sack on the ensuing possession, and wrapped up the Lombardi Trophy with a QB hit that created the Uchenna Nwosu pick-six. He ended the night with four unblocked pressures and by far his season-high in rushing the passer.
Devon Witherspoon had 22% of his season's blitzes in the Super Bowl, and he made them count. Four unblocked pressures. Forced the game-ending pick. Absolute star. pic.twitter.com/20xD2HvW8z
The Seahawks don’t blitz frequently under Macdonald and didn’t blitz at a high rate in this game, either. Maye was only blitzed on 13% of his dropbacks but took a sack, threw a pick, and only one of his three completed passes went for a first down.
Witherspoon’s post-game interview with Sirius XM was revealing. The Seahawks saw some game-busting tells along New England’s offensive line, to which the Patriots neither adjusted nor seemingly acknowledged they had to adjust.
Devon Witherspoon told @SiriusXMNFL why he had so much success blitzing.
“We had a tell on their guards and their tackles, how they like to set. They’re going to overset on certain rushes. They’re going to fall for certain moves.”
Seattle blitzed early before backing off, then blitzed on the Nwosu pick-six to seal the deal. All other pressures and sacks on Maye came with a just a four-man rush.
This is the epitome of a Mike Macdonald defense (unless the Seahawks acquire or develop a truly elite 10+ sack pass rusher). Seattle dominates most offensive lines rushing only four guys while choosing to blitz judiciously but effectively. Macdonald will also crowd the line and show a blitz while ultimately rushing just four, using a non-traditional rusher (e.g. Witherspoon) on the rush while dropping a defensive lineman into coverage. The fact that the Seahawks have Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori are viable options on this front should terrify the rest of the NFL.
The Military World Games officially sent invites to 142 nations to compete in the U.S. next year.
The games will be played in the Carolinas with Charlotte as the home base.
The 2027 Military World Games Local Organizing Committee, in coordination with the International Military Sports Council, has issued official invitations to 142 nations, marking a major milestone in preparations for the 2027 Military World Games
When Burnley fans first heard the news that their team bus had been caught up in traffic on the way to Selhurst Park – and that their game at Crystal Palace would be delayed by 10 minutes as a result – they may have been fearing the worst.
After all, this was hardly ideal preparation for a team lying second bottom in the Premier League table, 11 points adrift of safety and without a win in their last 16 top-flight games.
With 12 minutes of the first half remaining, by which time Jorgen Strand Larsen's double had helped Palace breeze into a 2-0 first-half lead, the Clarets faithful will have been resigned to another bruising defeat, continuing their agonising slide back towards the Championship.
By the time referee Farai Hallam had blown his half-time whistle, however, they may have been joking to each other about holding up the team bus themselves before their trip to Chelsea in their next Premier League game.
Tuesday's encounter had been following a familiar script. Parker's team had not only given away two easy goals, they had failed to register a shot on target in the first 39 minutes of the contest.
The seven that followed had to be seen to be believed.
Hannibal Mejbri made it 2-1 with his first goal of the season, before Jaidon Anthony arrowed a low shot into the corner to bring Burnley level four minutes later.
Burnley's extraordinary comeback was complete in first-half stoppage time, when goalkeeper Dean Henderson parried Bashir Humphreys' header on to the foot of Jefferson Lerma and into the net to spark jubilant, almost disbelieving scenes in the away end.
This extraordinary result may prove too little, too late for the Clarets in their battle to avoid relegation.
But it was just the tonic for manager Scott Parker, who was subjected to chants of 'you don't know what you're doing' and 'you're getting sacked in the morning' by his own supporters during last weekend's defeat by West Ham at Turf Moor.
Having endured one of his toughest afternoons of his Burnley tenure on Saturday, Parker looked like he was trying to keep a lid on his emotions after Tuesday's astonishing victory.
But you could hear the fierce pride in Parker's voice as he spoke about his players' heroics in his post-match interview with TNT Sports.
"There aren't many teams who would come back here after going 2-0 down," he said. "It speaks absolute volumes for this group.
"If there was ever any question about how together this group is, how committed this group is, how resilient this group is – [tonight] said it all, really."
Parker's team remain nine points adrift of safety with only 12 matches of the 2025/26 season left to play.
But neither Parker, nor his players have given up hope of mounting a late survival charge.
"There has always been belief [that we can stay up]," he continued. "The results over the last few months probably haven't gone our way, but tonight that definitely was the case," he said.
"Coming off the back of an incredibly tough game for us at the weekend – for many reasons – that performance showed a group that is full of resilience, full of commitment.
"You don't get that result without proper resilience, standing up to certain battles and certain situations. The biggest lesson for any group is to keep coming back up.
"We certainly did that tonight."
First-half collapse 'not acceptable' - Glasner
So where does Tuesday's result leave Palace?
In stark contrast to his opposite number, Oliver Glasner looked ashen-faced when he addressed the media after the full-time whistle, which was greeted by loud boos from the Palace supporters.
Having watched his team arrest a 12-match winless run against arch rivals Brighton last time out, Glasner looked set to mark his 100th match in charge of the club with another morale-boosting win after Strand Larsen's double.
But Palace froze after Mejbri had pulled a goal back for Burnley, who took full advantage of the hosts' inertia to inflict one of the most painful defeats of the Austrian's Selhurst Park tenure.
"It's not acceptable," Glasner, who is leaving the club in the summer, told TNT Sports. "I can't explain it. Maybe [the first 39 minutes] were too easy.
"The start was very good. We controlled everything, [but] I've watched all the goals back and it's just not acceptable how we defended as a team – just jogging around, not in the duels, not in the second balls."
Another issue, according to Glasner, is the presence of a Marc Guehi-sized hole in the Palace defence.
The England defender left for Manchester City for an initial £20m last month in a move which incurred the wrath of Glasner, who announced his own departure not long afterwards.
"Right now, we don't have someone on the pitch who leads the team in these moments, who makes players calm and decides the meaning of the game," he said.
"I praise the boys very often for their effort. When you throw the game away like we did, you don't deserve to win."
Palace are still eight points above the bottom three – a sizeable cushion, but one not comfortable enough for a side with only one win in all competitions since 11 December.
Defeat at home to Wolves in their next league game really would set alarm bells ringing.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I learned a lot about the group in the last days, about their character and how they stick together.
"We showed a good performance and a performance that definitely deserved more than we got today.
"In the end we can't blame luck and we have to take responsibility.
"I was very pleased with how our supporters supported us for 90 minuted. They definitely deserved more today and therefore we apologise and I apologise but we have to keep pushing and trying to get the results we deserve in the next games."
Did you know?
Brighton and have won just one of their last 13 Premier League games (D6 L6). Since the start of that run in December, only Burnley (8) and Wolves (7) have picked up fewer points than the Seagulls (9).
No team have scored more own goals in the Premier League so far this season than the Seagulls, with four as many as they leaked in the previous two seasons combined (2 in both 2023-24 and 2024-25).
The Washington Commanders have had quite the first two seasons under Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn.
In Year 1, Daniels led Washington to the NFC Championship game, and many expected that to continue in 2025, but injuries and poor play led the Commanders to miss the playoffs altogether.
Now, looking ahead to 2026, what could we expect from Daniels and the Commanders? Playoffs? Or maybe something better?
For ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum, he's given his Super Bowl LXI prediction, and it's a doozy.
"Commanders over Bills," Tannenbaum wrote. "Quarterback Jayden Daniels stays healthy next season and bounces back in a big way. He plays in every game and finishes the season by outdueling Allen and the Bills in a 45-42 shootout in L.A."
But even before free agency has begun, it is hard to sit here and say the Commanders can do it.
After all, how healthy will Jayden be? Will he change his game style after getting so many injuries in Year 2?
Plus, with no Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, instead, David Blough will be tasked with getting this offense up and rolling. How good can Washington be?
An improved version of 2025? Sure. But winning the Super Bowl? That's a little far for me.
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State is set to pay its 12 assistant football coaches an annual total of just over $5.8 million for the next two years, according to contracts obtained by The Oklahoman.
All 12 coaches signed multi-year contracts, the majority of which are two-year deals.
Defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity agreed to a three-year deal that will pay him $1,102,275 per year. Additionally, OSU agreed to pay $291,496 for the buyout of Cassity’s contract at North Texas.
Drew Svoboda, whose titles include associate head coach, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, also received a three-year contract for $675,000 per year.
The other 10 assistants signed two-year deals that will pay them each no less than $250,000 per year. Offensive coordinator Sean Brophy tops that list at $550,000 a year, followed by run game coordinator and running backs coach Patrick Cobbs and offensive line coach Cody Crill, each earning $500,000 a year.
By comparison, OSU’s 12 assistant coaches were paid a combined salary of $5.55 million in 2025, with both coordinators earning over $1 million and no position coach making more than $400,000.
Here are the full contract details for the current assistant coaches:
The spring game will be the first opportunity for fans to see the '26 Sooners, after a run to the College Football Playoff in 2025. Additionally, with no spring transfer portal window this offseason, the spring game will be a pretty good look at what OU's final roster will look like come the fall.
Oklahoma did not have a spring football game in 2025, instead opting for the "Crimson Combine", which was essentially just a brief practice in front of fans. Many programs have gone away from traditional spring games in the transfer portal/NIL era of college football, but it looks like the Sooners are going back to the basics in 2026.
Head coach Brent Venables' team lost a lot from their '25 squad that made the CFP, but they also return a lot as well. Add in new recruits and portal additions, and there's plenty of promise for the Sooners in 2026.
The 2026 spring football game will take place on Owen Field at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and it will serve as the wrap-up for OU's spring ball practices to prepare for the 2026 season.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions.You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
The Winter Olympics bring sports we barely see outside of these few weeks. Many of them look exciting. Some of them look like a bad idea for normal people. A lot of these events mix speed, ice, height, and no room for mistakes. That is a perfect recipe for fear.
Here is every Winter Olympic sport at the 2026 Games, ranked by how scary it would be to try them yourself (via SB Nation).
16: Curling
Christopher Plys and Vicky Persinger (USA) in the curling mixed doubles round robin against Great Britain during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Aquatics Center. Credit: George Walker IV-Imagn Images
Curling is calm compared to the rest. You slide a heavy stone and sweep ice in front of it. Skill matters more than danger. The worst outcome is a sore shoulder or a slip on the ice. Nothing about this sport screams disaster.
15: Bobsled
General view of the bobsled track at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, New York. Lake Placid would play host to bobsled, luge and skeleton events for the 2026 Olympics. Credit: Olympic Regional Development Authority via Imagn Images
Bobsled is fast, but you are not alone. Two or four people share the sled. Only one person has to steer. Speed depends on how good the team is. Bad drivers go slower, which helps. Sitting inside the sled feels safer than most sliding sports.
14: Figure Skating
Maxim Naumov performs during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Figure skating does not look deadly, but it is mentally rough. Every move is judged. One mistake ends your routine. All eyes stay on you the whole time. Falling hurts, but embarrassment hurts more. Pressure makes this sport scary in a different way.
13: Cross Country Skiing
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway, Ben Ogden of United States and Oskar Opstad Vike of Norway in action in the men’s cross country skiing sprint classic final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Credit: Kacper Pempel/Reuters via Imagn Images
Distance makes this sport frightening. A 50 kilometer race is brutal. The body would fail long before the finish line. Injuries are not common, but exhaustion is guaranteed. Starting this race without training sounds like punishment.
12: Biathlon
A snowshoe runner passes the biathlon range at Ariens Nordic Center during the World Championship 10K Snowshoe Race at the 2025 World Snowshoe Championships.
Biathlon adds rifles to skiing. Shooting while tired sounds risky. Carrying a gun while moving on snow feels worse. Even with safety rules, the idea alone raises stress. One bad move could end very badly.
11: Ski Mountaineering
Skiers competing in the girls Slalom during the Section 1 skiing championships at Hunter Mountain. Credit: Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
This event is new to the Olympics. Athletes climb mountains on skis and race back down. Steep slopes and fatigue make a bad mix. Falling on a climb or descent could end the run fast. The sport feels like work and fear combined.
10: Snowboarding
Mia Brookes of Great Britain in the women’s snowboarding big air final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Snowboarding still hurts, but falls are easier to control. Riders face downhill with both feet locked in. That helps with balance. Events like halfpipe and big air look extreme, yet most beginners would fall before reaching danger speed.
9: Freestyle Skiing
Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland celebrates on her final run after winning the women’s freestyle skiing slopestyle final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Freestyle skiing adds flips and jumps. Aerials look especially scary. Landing wrong can break bones. Skis can cross or catch on snow. Wipeouts happen at bad angles. Snowboarding falls seem kinder by comparison.
8: Alpine Skiing
Lindsey Vonn of the United States in women’s downhill training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Olympic slopes are massive and steep. Athletes race at huge speeds. Crashes happen often. Trees, fences, and ice wait below. Stopping is not easy once you lose control. Trying this without training would be terrifying.
7: Speed Skating
Thomas Fitzgerald, left, and Matthew Salm, right, compete in the men’s 1,000 meters during the U.S. Olympic long track speed skating Olympic team trials. Credit: Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Normal ice skating feels safe. Speed skating does not. Racers hit over 35 miles per hour. Long blades cut into ice with little grip. One slip can send you sliding into others. The rink becomes a danger zone.
6: Short Track Speed Skating
Brandon Kim of the United States skates in a mixed team relay semifinal during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
Short track is worse. Skaters race in tight circles. Everyone crowds together. Falls send bodies sliding into sharp blades. Chaos is part of the race. Injuries are common because there is no space to escape.
5: Ice Hockey
Katerina Mrazova of Czech Republic faces off with Alina Muller of Switzerland in women’s ice hockey Group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Mandatory Credit: David W Cerny/Reuters via Imagn Images
Hockey mixes speed with hitting. Players slam into boards on purpose. Pucks fly at high speed. Skates and sticks add more risk. Anyone without elite skill would be crushed in seconds. Survival would be the main goal.
4: Luge
Ashley Farquharson of the United States in a luge women’s singles run during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Sliding Centre. Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Luge means lying on your back and flying downhill. Steering takes practice. Missing a turn could throw you off the track. Concrete walls sit just outside the ice. The course needs speed to stay safe. Slow runs can be dangerous too.
3: Ski Jumping
Abigail Strate of Canada during a women’s ski jumping normal hill training session during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium. Credit: Kacper Pempel-Reuters via Imagn Images
Ski jumping removes choice once you start. Deep tracks guide skis straight to the edge. Launching into the air happens whether you want it or not. Falling means tumbling down a huge slope. Fear has no exit here.
2: Nordic Combined
Anders Giese (USA) and Kai Mckinnon (USA) in action in the Nordic Combined Mixed Team Normal Hill/4×3.3km, Cross Country at the Alpensia Biathlon Centre. The Winter Youth Olympic Games. Credit: OIS/Jonathan Nackstrand-USA TODAY Sports
Nordic combined mixes ski jumping and cross country skiing. One sport is about flight. The other is about endless effort. Fear comes from the jump. Pain comes from the race. Together they make a brutal combo.
1: Skeleton
Austin Florian of United States during men’s skeleton training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Sliding Centre. Credit: Annegret Hilse-Reuters via Imagn Images
Skeleton wins easily. Athletes go headfirst down the track. Faces sit inches from the ice. Steering happens with small body moves. Crashing at high speed means slamming into walls. Choosing to race like this feels unexplainable.
Conclusion
Winter Olympic sports look beautiful on TV. Trying them would be another story. Some events scare the mind. Others threaten the body. A few do both at once. Skeleton stands alone at the top as the most frightening. Curling sits safely at the bottom. Between them lives a world of ice, speed, and danger. Watching from the couch has never felt smarter.
Star power hits the fairways in the upcoming AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with NFL star Travis Kelce, NBA Hall of Famer Pau Gasol, Train frontman Pat Monahan, country singer Jake Owen and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice teeing it up alongside the pros.
The iconic golf tournament will be held from Feb. 12-15 at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.
Other celebrities that will make the tournament include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former NFL quarterback Alex Smith and Lady A singer Charles Kelley.
The tournament has changed since it was known as the Bing Crosby Pro-Am, or the “Crosby Clambake." In the 1960s and 1970s, the celebrity-filled tournament even had a Salinas connection.
Golfers who did not make the final cut during the four-day tournament would travel to the "Little Crosby" tournament at the Salinas Golf and Country Club (now called The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch) on Saturday and Sunday. There, fans could see famous players like Arnold Palmer, Gene Littler and Don January, as detailed in a report by Club and Resport Business.
Now the celebrity amateurs play only the first two rounds at the Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course, as reported by Sports Illustrated, and the old Saturday broadcast with celebrities has been replaced by the pros playing Pebble Beach.
Returning 2025 tournament champion, Rory McIlroy will be joined by other superstars of the golfing world, including PGA star Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Tony Finau, Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Shane Lowry, Sahith Theegala, Viktor Hovland and one of the most recognizable names in golf, Rickie Fowler.
Also competing is World No. 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler, the first Japanese golfer to win a major men's golf championship Hideki Matsuyama and 2023 U.S. Open Champion Wyndham Clark.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images) | CameraSport via Getty Images
Liverpool actually did the thing, with a single goal from Virgil van Dijk the decider on the day in the win against Sunderland. It was not a perfect match, with the deluge of rain wreaking havoc on the players and the pitch, but a nice small bandage after the loss to Manchester City over the weekend. Sunderland maybe even deserved more from that match than to drop points, but the Reds were resilient in turning the screw to finally take the lead.
Now join us as we examine some of the narratives, tactics, reactions, and questions Liverpool will be dealing with and the fans will be talking about in the aftermath.
Winners and Losers
Winners: Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah
The defender scored the only goal of the day off of a corner from Mohamed Salah, with both players breaking records in the process. Van Dijk officially became the defender with the most goals in the Premier League for Liverpool, surpassing Sami Hyppia’s tally of 22. Salah himself tied Steven Gerrard’s record of most assists in the Premier League for Liverpool, with 92 moments of setting up goals for the Reds. Not a bad day out for our leadership, despite Salah being unable to find a goal himself.
Loser: The right-back position
Unfortunately for Endo, who got his second Premier League start of the season on Wednesday, the Japanese international went down with a significant ankle injury after slipping on the wet grass. The poor guy had to be stretchered off the pitch in another blow to the defensive roster for Liverpool, and another body part taken by what appears to be a curse on the right-back position. That is now three players that have gotten injured playing that position this season alone. At least Dominik Szoboszlai only has to serve the one suspension and Joe Gomez was fit enough to come in and fill that space after Endo came off, but it was a heartbreaking thing to see involving a well loved player.
Winner: Arne Slot
The win will take a little bit of pressure off the coach, but Liverpool are still in 6th and behind historic rivals Manchester United. There have been just two wins in the last ten Premier League matches, too, which isn’t a great record to think of it. Regardless of where we land in the battle for the Champions League places, we should be doing whatever we can to not finish behind our neighbors. We will surely hear about the pressure for the next few days until the coach is tested again on Saturday.
Loser: Sunderland
It may be the obvious pick, considering they lost the match, but they also lost their unbeaten home record and probably deserved more than 0 points. They sit in 11th place on the table so unless they fully implode they are almost assured Premier League football and wages again next year, and with the way they played today they will probably be fine for the rest of the season. They’ve just gotta be disappointed from today to not get anything out of a difficult match.
Dissecting the Narrative
The current narrative is, whether we like it or not, how much longer does Arne Slot have at the helm of Liverpool? As mentioned above, the win does buy him a little more time towards the end of the season, and this writer is definitely of the mind that if he does get sacked, it’ll be at the end of the season. The does still mean that every performance and result until then will be weighted for or against him, and so a scrappy 1-0 win away from home in the pouring rain, with a crisis in the right back position, may go a lot further than the frustrating loss to Manchester City on the weekend. It is of course still only February but it has been a year of the cracks first starting to appear for the coach.
What Happens Next
Liverpool play Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday, 14 February. We sit in sixth place, three points off of fourth place and the guaranteed Champions League spaces. Obviously there is still a lot of league to play for and a lot of time for other teams to drop points, so there is still a chance (disregarding any attempt to actually win the Champions League). There is no way we’ll win the league this year, so our sights have to be on those places, even if Slot seems to think Europa League isn’t that bad.
How The Players/Manager Reacted
Virgil van Dijk: “To come here, to play like we did today, [it’s] a well-deserved three points. A great game, so we’ll take it and move on. I think they showed this season how difficult it is to beat them. A lot of credit to them, it’s a very hard-working team. With their fans behind them, it makes it a good atmosphere over here. It’s good to come here and for us to win and keep the clean sheet. A good night for us.”
Arne Slot: “Very important. I think we dug deep, after only two days of rest. Then going to a difficult away game. We showed again how well we can play on the ball. The character we have shown throughout the whole game was very good and that is why we leave this place with a 1-0 win. Second half, we had so many good moments and so many moments where we had quality players in promising positions.
“The overall performance in terms of work rate was really good.”
American skier Breezy Johnson told CBS News she's been treating her replacement gold medal with care after the original, which she won in the women's downhill event at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy on Saturday, broke.
"I think that because they were so heavy, the ribbons couldn't really hold them," Johnson said, calling it "a little disappointing" that Olympic medal winners had to be careful about celebrating too enthusiastically, as it's "all anybody wants to do."
Johnson said she was initially told she wouldn't get her original medal back, but it has been fixed, and she plans to keep it and trade in the replacement. She also plans to knit a special pouch to keep it safe.
"I am an avid knitter," Johnson told CBS News correspondent Seth Doane on Wednesday. "I knit a new hat or headband for every race. It's a big superstition of mine."
She only wears her special handknit race accessories once, for their respective race, after which they are retired.
"They're piling up in my bags, but I've been wanting for a long time to, like, auction some of them off and, like, have people buy them and donate the proceeds to charity," she said. "I don't have anything else to do with them."
Johnson dedicated the gold medal to her father.
"He found out that he can never ski again," she told CBS News. "You know, he taught me to ski. I thought that the best thing that I could do was try to ski as fast as I could."
Asked about her views on representing the United States, given political debate around the Games, Johnson declined to go down that slope.
"There's been a lot of rhetoric. I personally prefer to focus on my skiing. I personally don't know anybody who has changed their political affiliation because of something that any celebrity or person said. So, I personally prefer to focus on my skiing and donate the money that I make to charities that I feel are actually doing the work that I support."
Despite winning the first gold medal for Team USA in Italy, the Milano-Cortina Winter Games haven't been a total success story for Johnson.
She failed to make the podium after skiing with teammate Mikaela Shiffrin in the team slalom event Tuesday. After the race, Johnson could be seen speaking with Shiffrin, delivering what looked like a pep talk.
"I said, 'I know you tried your best and it's gonna be OK,'" Johnson told CBS News of the private chat. "I don't, like, hold any of that against anyone because I know this sport. There's so many variables, and there were variables yesterday, too. They weren't necessarily in our favor, and we went out and we both gave it our all, and it didn't happen, but that's OK."
Johnson said she's generally pretty good at coping with the pressure of competing at the highest level of her sport — and she understands that such competition, and such extreme speeds, come with extreme danger.
After Team USA's Lindsay Vonn was injured in a fall in the downhill race Saturday, which Johnson went on to win, she said her 41-year-old world champion teammate texted her.
"She said, 'congratulations,'" Johnson said. "You know, I know what she's going through is hard, and I think she's dealing with a lot. So, we haven't spoken, like, on the phone or anything, but I wish her the best."
Johnson said she also understands what drove Vonn to compete in these Games just a week after rupturing her ACL.
"Part of what breaks your heart is that you're used to defying the odds. You're used to writing fairytale endings. And the reality is that those things get made into movies because they're so unlikely. And unfortunately, you can't always — it's not always like the movies," she said.
"It's difficult to understand what moves people to do it, but when you're doing it well, it's a pretty incredible feeling," Johnson said, describing the sport of downhill as "counterintuitive" and saying that spectators can share in the rush.
"Eighty-five miles an hour, nothing to protect you except spandex, combining in gigantic blades on your feet, which people sometimes seem to forget," she said. "It's like Formula One on ice, with giant knives, who doesn't want to watch that?"
After a successful run in Champaign, three Illini will likely be heading to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
The NFL announced Wednesday that QB Luke Altmyer, OLB Gabe Jacas, and OL JC Davis were invited to this month’s combine in Indianapolis.
Altmyer led Illinois to 19 wins since the start of the 2024 season and is one of the program’s best gunslingers in history. Fifteen QBs were invited to the combine.
Jacas finished with 27 career sacks, the second-most in program history.
Davis was named First Team All-Big Ten for his performance in 2025.
With all three being invited to the combine, expect all three to hear their names called in April’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
For a man who once ran through Big Ten defenses in Ann Arbor, the head coaching chapter never took off.
Former Michigan Wolverines star, and NFL running back, Tyrone Wheatley has resigned as head coach at Wayne State after three seasons, the university announced.
“As head football coach, I accept full responsibility for the program and the standards that come with this role,” Wheatley said in a statement released by the school. “After thoughtful reflection, I have decided to step down, believing this is the right decision for the student athletes and the university. I am sincerely grateful to our players, coaching and support staff, alumni, and supporters for their dedication and belief. It has been a privilege to serve this community.”
The numbers tell a tough story.
Wheatley went 5-28 at Wayne State, including an 0-11 season in 2025. Before that, he posted a 5-18 mark from 2019 to 2021 at Morgan State. The 2020 season was wiped out by COVID 19, but in the two seasons that were played, the Bears struggled to gain traction in conference play.
Wheatley likely finishes his college head coaching career with a 10-46 record.
“We thank Tyrone for his leadership and commitment to the success of our student athletes over the past three years,” Wayne State Director of Athletics Erika Wallace said. “We are fortunate to have someone of Terrence Isaac’s caliber to guide our program forward, while continuing to support our student athletes and the standards we expect at Wayne State.”
There is respect in the statements. But there is also reality. For a former NFL veteran and Michigan great, the transition from star player to program builder proved far more complicated than anyone hoped.
Thomas Tuchel emerges as favourite to replace Carrick
Manchester United kept their unbeaten streak alive in dramatic fashion as Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time equaliser ensured a share of the spoils from their away contest against West Ham on Tuesday.
However, the resilience shown will have pleased the fans, with plenty calling on INEOS to hand the former midfielder the permanent job.
However, as relayed by The Peoples Person, United are in no rush and despite steadying the ship since Ruben Amorim’s departure, Carrick does not figure high on the hierarchy’s wishlist.
Thomas Tuchel is the new frontrunner
The co-owners are eyeing a world-class manager, someone who has the experience of managing in the Premier League and is a serial winner.
As revealed by The Manchester Evening News, current England boss Thomas Tuchel is the new frontrunner for the top job in the summer.
The report mentions that his candidature has been boosted due to multiple other managerial targets dropping out of the race.
Luis Enrique looks to be staying at Paris Saint-Germain, while Carlo Ancelotti has no interest in returning to club management.
Other targets drop out of the race
Mauricio Pochettino is no longer the attractive proposition he once was, while Roberto de Zerbi looks to be on his way to take over from Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur.
“Thomas Tuchel is emerging as the preferred choice of Manchester United to become the club’s next permanent manager.
“Tuchel might be in pole position because of circumstances out of his control, as much as his managerial abilities. Luis Enrique is expected to sign a contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain.
“Carlo Ancelotti has no interest in managing United, despite the fact he once agreed to take charge of Everton. While Mauricio Pochettino has fallen down the pecking order.
Major gamble
“Michael Carrick is the current incumbent at Old Trafford, albeit on an interim basis. And he’s making quite a fist of it, too, having remained unbeaten in his first five games.
“But Ratcliffe & Co appear to want a superstar name. A manager with a proven history of success. Someone who will set tongues wagging and start egos throbbing. A coach who can challenge for the Premier League and Champions League titles. Tuchel fits the bill.”
Interestingly, Thomas Tuchel was among the candidates interviewed by INEOS after they sacked Erik ten Hag. They ended up choosing Ruben Amorim instead, a massive mistake.
Bringing in the former Chelsea coach will also be a major gamble, given his record of falling out with club bosses in the past. He is seen more as a short-term fix and it will be interesting to see INEOS’ final decision.
The Atlanta Falcons are expected to hire Chase Blackburn as their new assistant special teams coach, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday. Blackburn spent the last three seasons as the Los Angeles Rams special teams coordinator (2023-2025) but was fired after the team's Week 16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams gave up a 58-yard punt return touchdown to Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, which proved costly in the team's 38-37 overtime loss. That win gave Seattle home-field advantage in the playoffs. Los Angeles' special teams unit plagued the team all season long, even after Blackburn was fired.
Blackburn knows the NFC South well. He spent four seasons as the special teams coordinator for the Carolina Panthers (2018-2021), and one season with the Tennessee Titans as the assistant special teams coach in 2022.
The Falcons are hiring Chase Blackburn as their assistant special teams coach, per source. pic.twitter.com/3BLO8OpOXi
The Falcons introduced special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman on Wednesday afternoon, and now it appears another experienced special teams coach will join the staff. The team has hired a few other former coordinators as assistants.
Former New York Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand was hired as offensive passing-game coordinator, and former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was named quarterbacks coach.
Falcons president of football Matt Ryan also hired former Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn to work in the front office under new general manager Ian Cunningham.
The New England Patriots’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX did not just happen because of one or two missed opportunities or negative plays, but rather because of the eventual world champions simply being better across the board. Sure, some players such as Christian Gonzalez did all they could to keep the Patriots in contention, but at the end of the day it was not enough to secure the title.
Now heading into the offseason, the Patriots are about to remodel, as head coach Mike Vrabel called it. There are several areas in need of just the purpose of this survey, let’s keep things simple and focus on just one: the most glaring.
Which is it, though? A spot along the offensive line? Or maybe wide receiver? Or the defense? That is precisely what we want to know in this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey.
Make sure to participate in our poll, and to head down to the comment section to share and discuss your answers. As always, the results will be posted later this week.
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MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 11: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the DFB Cup Quarter Final match between FC Bayern München and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 11, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It happened again. Bayern Munich won a penalty and so Harry Kane stepped up to take responsibility. With over an hour gone in the match and the scores locked at 0-0 in a crucial DFB Pokal quarterfinal tie against Rasenballsport Leipzig, the England captain had to score. But those who know his penalty record at Bayern knew what would happen: Kane buried the ball into the back of the net and Bayern went on to win.
In general, Kane’s penalty record at Bayern has been utterly superb and this drew ESPN reporters to ask Kane after the match how he scores these penalties and what he did to bury this particular one.
“On this occasion, using the stutter step, I waited for the goalkeeper to move. He moved a little early and once he went one way, it would be hard for him to go the other way,” Kane explained. “I decided [to go for the other corner] in that moment. Sometimes, I make penalties look easy, but they are still a high pressure moment and you have to be able to step up and handle that. I practice to give myself the best chances and it is nice to see another go in today.”
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
A division rival has reportedly swooped up a former Carolina Panther.
According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Atlanta Falcons are hiring Chase Blackburn as their assistant special teams coach. The former linebacker both played and coached for the Panthers between 2013 and 2021.
Blackburn got his first shot in Carolina after beginning his playing career with the New York Giants, a tenure that lasted from 2005 to 2012. In two seasons with the Panthers, he amassed 39 combined tackles and nine starts over a total of 19 games.
Two years after retiring, Blackburn was hired as an assistant special teams coach by Carolina. He'd be promoted to special teams coordinator in 2018, a position he held through the 2021 campaign.
He's since picked up stops as the assistant special teams coach for the Tennessee Titans (2022) and the special teams coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams (2023 to 2025).
Cruzeiro fight back for draw at Mirassol, earn first Brasileirão point
Cruzeiro and Mirassol drew 2-2 this Wednesday (11) in a match for the third round of the Brasileirão.
With the result, the team from Minas scored for the first time in the championship. Meanwhile, Mirassol reached five points.
Nathan and Negueba scored the goals for the home team at Maião. Wanderson and Kaio Jorge, from a penalty, scored for Cruzeiro.
The game was lively and had good goal chances on both sides, especially in the first half.
Cruzeiro showed efficiency first and opened the scoring with Wanderson, after a play by Lucas Romero.
Cássio was very demanded in the match and made one of his best saves at 37 minutes of the first half, after a header by Eduardo.
On the rebound, Nathan shot and the veteran goalkeeper seemed to have made another miracle. But the ball had already crossed the goal line, giving the equalizer to Mirassol.
The home team's comeback came early in the second half, with a beautiful first-time finish by Negueba.
Cruzeiro had difficulties pressing for the second goal, but managed to equalize with a penalty kick.
The referee called the foul inside the area on Matheus Pereira after being called by the VAR. Kaio Jorge took the penalty and made it 2-2.
"The Knicks and Suns were among the teams who had trade discussions surrounding former Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan prior to the trade deadline," Scotto said. "Something to keep in mind as he becomes a free agent now and both teams have open roster spots."
Sochan was taken No. 9 overall by the Spurs in the 2022 NBA Draft. He had an impressive start to his career, averaging 11+ points in his first three seasons.
But his role in San Antonio significantly decreased this season. Sochan played just 12.8 minutes in 28 games, averaging 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds.
He could be an intriguing addition for a contending team. Sochan was named Second Team All-Rookie in 2023 after posting 11 points and 5.3 rebounds in his debut season. He had a decorated college career at Baylor and is known as a stout wing defender.
Injuries have been an issue for Sochan. He played less than 60 games in three of his first four seasons and has appeared in 82 games over the past two seasons.
It remains to be seen if the Knicks or Suns will sign him. Both teams have an open roster spot and could pursue Sochan if he wants a short-term deal. He's on a $7.1 million expiring contract and will be a restricted free agent if no team submits a waiver claim within 48 hours.
“He was definitely one of my favorite players growing up,” Durbin said of Pedroia. “A guy I definitely try to model my game around. Obviously long way to go, but he was a dude that I really enjoyed watching.”
Caleb Durbin says Dustin Pedroia was a player he looked up to growing up:
“He was definitely one of my favorite players growing up. A guy I definitely try to model my game around. Obviously long way to go, but he was a dude that I really enjoyed watching.” pic.twitter.com/RpnJnvYX1P
Durbin’s 2025 MLB season marked his successful transition to the big leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 25-year-old infielder made his debut on April 18, going 2-for-4 in his first game. He quickly established himself as a regular, appearing in 136 games and compiling 506 plate appearances.
In his rookie campaign, Durbin batted .256 with a .334 on-base percentage and .387 slugging percentage, for a .721 OPS. He collected 114 hits, including 25 doubles and 11 home runs, while driving in 53 runs and scoring 60 times.
On the bases, he added 18 stolen bases in 24 attempts, showcasing his speed and aggressiveness. Defensively, he primarily manned third base (starting 119 games there) with some time at second, posting solid metrics including plus-5 Defensive Runs Saved at the hot corner.
His consistent contact skills stood out, with a low 9.9% strikeout rate, and he contributed a 105 wRC+ (5% above league average offensively). These numbers helped him accumulate 2.6 fWAR (or 2.8 bWAR), earning him a third-place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
Durbin also played in the postseason, slashing .276/.364/.414 across limited at-bats. Following the season, he underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in late October, a procedure expected to address minor issues without major setbacks.
The Baltimore Orioles were one of the most aggressive teams during the winter break. They made multiple big splashes that should put them in a better spot for the 2026 season.
While the obvious big splash was when they signed Pete Alonso to a five-year deal, there are also some other moves the fans should be happy about.
They bolstered their bullpen by signing Ryan Helsley, re-signing Zach Eflin to help the starting rotation, and acquiring Shane Baz in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Orioles' Shane Baz considered a prime breakout candidate for the 2026 season
Baltimore paid quite the price to acquire Shane Baz. They sent prospects Slater de Brun, Caden Bodine, Michael Forret, Austin Overn, and a 2026 Competitive Balance Round A pick to the Rays.
They were fine with the loss, especially with the potential that Baz has. Across 166 1/3 innings, Baz put together a rather impressive 176 strikeouts.
MLB.com's David Adler tags him as one of the pitchers that fans will want to pay attention to during Spring Training.
"He's primed for a breakout in Baltimore -- and the O's sure hope that happens, considering the hefty prospect price they paid to get him. But they have good reason to be hopeful. Baz's 176 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings for Tampa Bay last season are a lot more encouraging than his 4.87 ERA, since they're built on a foundation of very good stuff, particularly Baz's upper-90s four-seamer and sharp knuckle-curve."
Despite a shaky ERA last season, Adler believes Baz has the stuff to be considered a breakout candidate for the 2026 season. He will likely not lead Baltimore's rotation, but he certainly has the arsenal to do so.
Don't be surprised if he gets it going early in Spring Training and carries that success into the regular season.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates claimed a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday following a stunning free dance routine, falling just 1.43 points behind Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, the controversial duo from France.
The Americans were 0.46 points behind Beaudry and Cizeron in the rhythm dance program on Monday. They performed Wednesday's free dance program to "Paint It Black" from the dystopian sci-fi show "Westworld", scoring 134.67, and waited for the French's turn on the ice. Beaudry and Cizeron scored 135.64, edging out the married American couple by 0.94 points in the free dance.
Chock and Bates have been skating together for 15 years. They got married in 2024.
In the team event, for which they helped Team USA win its second consecutive gold, Chock and Bates dominated the rhythm dance and the free dance in what is their fourth consecutive Winter Olympic Games together. While they have two golds together in the team event, Wednesday's silver is their first Olympic medal in ice dance.
Controversy behind French ice dance duo
Beaudry and Cizeron have been a pair for less than a year. Cizeron previously won gold in the ice dance event at the 2022 Winter Olympics with then partner Gabriella Papadakis.
Cizeron needed a new partner after Papadakis retired in 2024. She has since accused him of abusive behavior, alleging he was "controlling" and "demanding," CBS News partner BBC News reported. He countered that Papadakis had spread false information about him in a "smear campaign."
Beaudry was born in Montreal and has spent most of her career representing Canada, but she was granted French citizenship last November. She asked Cizeron to team up after her former partner, Nikolaj Sørensen, was suspended by Skate Canada after an American skater accused him of sexual assault.
The suspension was overturned in June on jurisdictional grounds, but the case is still pending, The Associated Press reported. Beaudry has also maintained his innocence, showing her support for her former partner as recently as earlier this month.
In the Netflix docuseries "Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing" — released on Feb. 1 and features Chock and Bate, Beaudry and Cizeron, and Canadian pair Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who placed third on Wednesday — Beaudry said "I never really publicly discuss about how much damage it's created."
"When they decided to suspend him, it meant that his career was over, which also meant that my career was over," she said in the three-episode docuseries.
New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes signed a three-year, $38 million contract in December 2024, taking him across town after four seasons — and two American League All-Star game appearances — with the New York Yankees.
Holmes was spotted at the Mets’ spring training camp Monday in Port St. Lucie, Florida with an accessory unlike any that belongs to his current teammates: an equipment bag with a New York Yankees logo.
The image of a Mets pitcher carrying a Yankees bag invites the question of whether Holmes even owns a Mets bag, didn’t notice the Yankees logo when he left home Monday morning, or didn’t care.
Michael Kay noticed — and cared.
The Yankees broadcaster said Monday on his eponymous radio show on ESPN New York that Holmes disrespected his current team by bringing a Yankees bag to Mets camp.
“Show a little respect to your new organization,” Kay said. “The Mets deserve better than that. They paid you a lot of money. All you had to do was call up the Mets at some point during the offseason and say, ‘Listen, can you send me an equipment bag, so that when I come to Port St. Lucie, I’m carrying a Met equipment bag with blue and orange rather than the Yankees midnight blue and white?’
“But he didn’t do that! It’s like, players don’t think the right thing to do. It’s not right! You owe it to the Met organization, you’re a Met now, you shouldn’t be carrying a Yankee bag.”
No word yet on what bag Holmes brought with him Tuesday or Wednesday.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn tells BBC Scotland: "Horrible night for watching football. The fans braved it tonight, the wind blowing the ball all over the place.
"But I thought the teams put on a good show. We got the all-important goal and we got a bit of fortune that Dundee missed the penalty right at the end. I said to the players before the game it might have been a toss of the coin."
On goalkeeper Scott Bain: "He picked up a bug, went out for the warm up and was feeling ill. Delighted for Nicky [Hogarth] to keep a clean sheet. He played a big part in that and did the job tonight.
"We felt 40 points this season would keep us up. Without getting carried away, I think we'll stay up.
"We're absolutely delighted with where we're at. It's beyond our expectations but we're enjoying it."
Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence North five-star receiver Monshun Sales has narrowed his list of offers to four schools.
Heading into the spring, the Rivals Industry’s No. 2 receiver is focused on Alabama, Indiana, Miami and Ohio State. He is the No. 1 player in the Hoosier State and No. 8 prospect regardless of position.
The favorite for Monshun Sales
Alabama is the Rivals Prediction Machine favorite for the 6-foot-5, 201-pound Sales. He returned to campus at the end of January.
“The visit was amazing,” Sales said. He’s a Alabama native. “Definitely felt different being back home as a top recruit. This is everything I dreamed of when I was playing little league ball back in Ensley.
“The biggest takeaways was how they’re focusing on developing the wide receivers and making sure it’s a priority to get the playmakers the ball. I love the coaching staff and overall a great visit.”
Sales stated “everything” stands out about Alabama.
“I spoke with the players that are on the team as well as all of the quarterbacks and the early-enrollees as well.”
Can the Hoosiers land a 5-star after winning a championship?
Sales kept a keen eye on Indiana all season and the Hoosiers are giving Sales plenty to think about. He attended two games during the fall and returned for the National Championship celebration in January.
“They win,” Sales said. “That’s what they’re about. They’re showing me they’re winning and competing with the top teams.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and assistant receivers coach Eddie Burks are leading the charge in recruiting Sales.
“I love Coach Shanahan and Coach Eddie,” Sales said. “Two great receiver coaches and offensive coordinator. Coach Shanahan is straight-up and they do what they have to do to be great.”
Indiana had four receivers this year that had terrific seasons led by fellow Lawrence North graduate Omar Cooper.
“They show they can get the ball around to their playmakers and show they’re going to give you a chance and you gotta go and make the play.
“I talked to Omar and he was telling me he seen it from the bottom and now he’s a National Champion. He feels I can be great and feels like I can be better than him. He was saying imagine what they can do with a player like me.”
Sales also got time with Cignetti.
“He stands on morales and he’s going to get you right and he’s a stand-up guy.”
Buckeyes have been a consistent front-runner
Ohio State got Sales to Columbus in early January to spend time with new receivers coach Cortez Hankton. He had already known him well from the time Hankton was pushing for him while at LSU.
The trip was highlighted by time spent with new receivers coach Cortez Hankton.
“It was good catching up with Hank now at Ohio State,” Sales said. “I got to spend a lot of time with him and Coach (Ryan) Day also. Me and Hank was close when he was at LSU the way he developed his receivers down there and is able to show it on film year after year excites me about being coached by him.
“And then Ohio State as a whole I always get treated great.”
Miami is more than a darkhorse
Sales visited Miami during the season and also spent time in South Florida last month. Kevin Beard is the lead recruiter. On Tuesday On3 reported that the Hurricanes were a team to watch in this recruitment and now Mario Cristobal and company are in the final four.
“The visit was different,” Sales said. “The game and the fans was a crazy environment and then the next morning we got to meet with the position coach and to see how he coach and develops. Then met with Coach Cristobal and had a real good meeting with him.”
Sales pointed towards a few things catching his eye about Miami.
“The coaches,” he said. “And I like how the school is private and away from everything. “And the whole history of Miami and how they develop.”
In 10 games as a junior Sales caught 37 passes for 794 yards and nine touchdowns averaging 21.5 yards per catch. He also started at safety and had 56 tackles.
A key addition out of the transfer portal heading into the 2025-26 women's college basketball season, Iowa sophomore Emely Rodriguez hasn't been on the court much for the Hawkeyes.
Rodriguez last played for Iowa on Nov. 22 in a 64-61 win over Miami. The 6-foot sophomore played just four minutes in that contest and has been sidelined with a back injury ever since.
On Tuesday, Iowa head women's basketball coach Jan Jensen was asked if Rodriguez was getting close to getting back into the lineup.
"Her back continues to be an issue, and so we're just doing the things that (can get her healthy), trying to progress her. It just is, that's the situation," Jensen said.
Sophomore guard Emely Rodriguez will miss her 18th consecutive game tonight with a back injury. @UW_WBB has nobody listed on their injury report outside of freshman forward Daniella McLean being out for the season. pic.twitter.com/l43fL0z51J
In the midst of a three-game losing streak on the heels of Taylor McCabe's season-ending injury, Iowa could use another scorer and player like Rodriguez that can go break down an opposing defense.
With just five games left in the regular season for No. 12 Iowa (18-5, 9-3 Big Ten) after Wednesday night's contest against Washington (18-6, 8-5 Big Ten), it's seemingly less and less likely that Rodriguez will make it back onto the court for the Hawkeyes this season.
In six games this season, Rodriguez is averaging 7.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game on 42.5% field goal shooting. Rodriguez transferred in from UCF, where she was an All-Big 12 Freshman Team selection.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnHawks
Lilah Fear said she could not believe the "costly and devastating" error she made which meant she and partner Lewis Gibson missed out on the ice dance medals at Milan-Cortina 2026.
Fear and Gibson finished seventh overall, meaning they failed to reach their goal of being the first British figure skaters in 32 years to win an Olympic medal.
Fear tripped on the second element of their free-dance routine, and despite skating cleanly for the remainder it proved too much of an obstacle to overcome.
It means the wait goes on for British skating since Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean won bronze at the Lillehammer Games in 1994.
And it continues Team GB's disappointing Games so far, with no medals won yet.
"I can't believe it happened," Fear said afterwards. "I am replaying it in my head and it's just such a shame. I don't really have the words yet. It will take me some time to process."
Gold went to France's Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry, who top scored across both rhythm and free dance. It is Cizeron's second successive Olympic gold after winning at Beijing 2022 with ex-partner Gabrielle Paparakis.
Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry have been at the centre of controversy in recent months, but have been the best couple in ice dance since partnering in November and outshone the competition in Milan.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates of USA won silver, with bronze going to Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Fear and Gibson finished seventh.
Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson were ranked number one in the world heading into the 2026 Olympic ice dance [Getty Images]
Fear, 26, and 31-year-old Gibson were fourth after the rhythm dance – the first section of the ice dance competition - leaving them work to do. They scored 85.47 in their rhythm dance to lie behind Gilles and Poirier in third.
It meant Fear and Gibson needed to deliver a showstopping performance in their Scottish-themed free dance to earn Britain's first medal of the 2026 Winter Games.
Resplendent in tartan, they danced to The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, Auld Lang Syne and The Proclaimers hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) – in a routine they had honed with highland dance experts to perfect the choreography.
And it started magnificently as they scored big on their complex opening, a multi-stage stationary lift.
But as they moved into their second element, sequential twizzles – a rotation while moving across the ice - Fear visibly wobbled. It meant they got a negative score on the grade of execution, a fatal blow in an Olympic final.
"It was just a really costly technical mistake, which was tough very early in the programme because I knew that we'd lost bronze at that point," Fear told BBC Sport.
"But I also really wanted to not let the Olympic experience just disappear because of that so it's this battle of taking it in and doing my best the rest of the way while also knowing what I'd just done.
"And it's not what we've trained, it was costly and devastating."
They skated clean thereafter and got good scores in their rousing finish – a series of Highland jigs combined with a dance lift - but the damage was done, as their overall technical score suffered greatly.
It was clear from their faces that they knew they had not been perfect. Fear had appeared nervous before the routine and looked devastated afterwards as it became clear that the pressure told.
"When you don't perform the way you want to, on any day, it's tough to take but at the Olympic Games, it's even harder," Gibson said.
"I think we'll look back at this one day and 100% learn from it. We do that at every single event that we go to and compete in. We'll just move forward."
The 'Disco Brits' are the darlings of British figure skating, and are popular internationally for their vibrant, skilful routines.
And they have had an impressive year in which they became the first Brits to win a medal at a World Championship for 40 years; they also got on the podium in Sheffield at their home European Championships. But there will be no Olympic medal to round it off.
Britain's other representatives Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez, who made the final stage on their Olympic debuts aged just 24 and 20 respectively, finished 17th after setting a season-best overall score of 179.45.
UFC welterweight Geoff Neal has opened up about his struggles to overcome addiction.
Neal (16-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) says he was in a dark place as drugs and alcohol took control of his life while still maintaining a spot in the UFC's rankings at 170 pounds. According to "Handz of Steel," it all started five years ago, around the time when he was admitted to the ICU for sepsis.
In order to get through it, Neal says he has recently completed a mix of the "75 Hard" and "75 Soft" wellness challenge, which is a program intended to help improve physical and mental health. The 75-day challenge includes a strict diet with no cheat meals, regular exercise, no alcohol, and more.
"I got done with probably like two, two and a half weeks ago," Neal told Home of Fight. "But I had a real issue for like five years, man. Like right around COVID, like right when I got sepsis, I fell in the hole. This is my first time even opening up about it, so it's kind of weird. I had a problem with addiction, you know what I mean? Drugs and alcohol. It was rough. It was five years of it.
"Within that five years, I don't think I was – like the longest I was sober within that five years was like two weeks, and those two weeks were usually before a fight. Like I'll only slow down two weeks before the fight, and I'm coming to the fights underprepared, out of shape – it was rough, man. It's crazy I stayed in the rankings the whole time. I don't know. It was five years of just ups and downs, just constant, constant – man. F*ck."
Neal was scheduled to face Neil Magny in August 2020, but withdrew due to sepsis. A few months later, he was back in the gym and competed in December against former title challenger Stephen Thompson, losing by decision. The fight against Magny came next, which was also a decision loss, but then Neal got back on track with a pair of wins over Santiago Ponzinibbio and Vicente Luque.
The rollercoaster of results continued, as he dropped his next two outings to Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry. An injury TKO win came next over former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anojs, but he couldn't keep the momentum going after losing by knockout to Carlos Prates last August.
All the while, Neal was not at his best outside of fighting, until one day he recently decided to give the 75-day challenge a go, and he stuck with it.
"It really feels like those past five years, like I wasn't living, you know?" Neal said. "Like, I was there, but I wasn't present, you know? Now everything is like, I'm here, you know? People who have went through addition, that go through addiction, they know what I'm talking about. It's like now, I'm actually living life.
"... It was a rough five years, but I'm past it, hopefully. It's to the point like whenever I see liquor, I get sick to my stomach.I don't think I'll ever drink again. Like '75 Hard,' after my fight, I'm not gonna pick up a bottle again. I think it's for the best for my family, for my kids, for my wife. For my career. I feel like I got a second chance. I don't want to waste it. I feel like I should have already been champ. I was riding a five-fight win streak after I beat Mike Perry, and then sh*t just went downhill."
During his time outside of fight camp, Neal works as a server. However, he has said he won't work at Moxie's anymore, a bar and grill in the Dallas area that focuses more on alcohol and a party atmosphere. Instead, he has returned to Texas Roadhouse, a family-friendly restaurant.
That decision is a part of removing himself from certain environments. Neal says he has cut off some friends and is locked in on his sobriety now. He doesn't want to keep track of the total number of days because he intends to maintain his new lifestyle going forward.
Neal anticipates his career will be in a much better place now. He gets the opportunity to prove that inside the octagon when he meets Uros Medic at UFC Fight Night 267 on Feb. 21 in Houston.
The PGA Tour's career earnings list in 2026 still shows Tiger Woods holding firm in the top spot with $120.99 million, but Rory McIlroy ($107.98 million) and Scottie Scheffler ($101.5 million) are closing in on him fast. Those are the only three to surpass the $100 million mark.
Dundee manager Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "Considering the conditions, the players attitude towards the game was amazing. We controlled long periods, found ourselves in really good areas, but it's been the story of late - we just need to find that final action.
"We had the penalty in the final minute but no criticism of Yan Dhanda - he's been an outstanding performer and gives so much to the team.
"The truth is, we've never thought we are out of this [relegation fight]. I've reminded the players constantly we have got so much hard work ahead of us.
"We have to get the end product which is the only thing missing from our performance."
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, for most, is a future Hall of Famer in the NFL after his long and illustrious career.
But it appears that not all was well behind the scenes in Pittsburgh when Big Ben was there.
Just asked former Steeler Joey Porter Sr.
He was a guest on current Steelers defensive player Cam Heyward's podcast, Not Just Football, and when the topic of Big Ben came up, Porter Sr. left no doubt on his thoughts about Roethlisberger as a teammate.
"Seven definitely broke the brotherhood," Porter said. "The s**t that seven did that we don't talk about is crazy. Out of anybody, he should never grab a microphone and really talk Steelers business, because if we're talking Steelers business, his a** is foul of all foul, like the s**t that he did is foul of all foul.
"He's not a good teammate. Won a Super Bowl with him, but the person, he's just not a good teammate. Like he knows that, anybody in the Steeler building knows that, but we protected him, because I've only won one Super Bowl, and that was my quarterback. So, do I love my quarterback? Yeah, but is he a good person? No."
The most obvious answer, at least right now, is Aaron Rodgers.
Reuniting with Mike McCarthy for some is a good move and might get Pittsburgh back to the playoffs, and at least give them a fighting chance in most games.
Others think allowing McCarthy to develop young quarterback Will Howard is the right move, since this Steelers team isn't close to Super Bowl contention.
So, McCarthy will have some decisions to make over the coming weeks and months as he figures out the best way forward in Year 1.
And who knows, McCarthy might choose to go in a completely different direction.
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m. ET
⛳ AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Key takeaways
Best early bet: Russell Henley to win outright (+3250 at Fanatics) – 10 straight Top 20s with true strokes gained on approach in each.
Best early value: Jason Day to win outright (+4500 at Fanatics) – Nine career Top 10s at Pebble and approach game is dialed.
Course: Tournamentexperience and strong iron play, both on approach and around the small greens, win this event.
Weather: Tuesday forecasts call for dry and quiet weather for the first two rounds, with the potential for a rainy and windy Round 4 on Sunday.
Expected cut: The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is a Signature Event on the PGA Tour and doesn't have a cut.
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am odds: favorites & full field
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am runs Feb. 12-15 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Below are the latest outright odds, followed by the picks and market-by-market best bets we like this week.
Check out the full AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am field here.
Best bets card
Outright: Si Woo Kim (+2800 at Fanatics): Elite tee-to-green play has returned an active T11-T6-T2-T3 heater.
Outright: Russell Henley (+3250 at Fanatics): 10 straight Top 20s with true strokes gained on approach in each.
Outright: Jason Day (+4500 at Fanatics): Nine career Top 10s at Pebble, and approach game is dialed.
Outright: Sepp Straka (+6000 at Fanatics): Tee-to-green game in top form and T7 here in 2025.
Top 20: Si Woo Kim (-110 at Fanatics): Gained true strokes across the board to finish solo 12th here in 2025.
Top 20: Wyndham Clark (+210 at Fanatics): 2024 winner played better than he finished at WM Phoenix Open.
Top 20: Ben Griffin (-110 at Fanatics): Complete game led to a fall win and solo second before T19-T24-T28 start to 2026.
Top 20: Jason Day (+165 at Fanatics): Long odds considering Day has a dozen Top 20s at Pebble.
72-Hole Matchup: Viktor Hovland over Xander Schauffele (+110 at Fanatics): Current ball-striking form favors Hovland.
72-Hole Matchup: Jason Day over Harris English (-105 at Fanatics): Day's knowledge of and track record at Pebble gives him a huge edge.
Course breakdown: What wins at Pebble Beach Golf Links?
Pebble Beach Golf Links features small Poa Annua greens that are protected by bunkers, and players need precision from tee-to-green in addition to a tidy shot game to score. The short 6,989-yard Par 72 track is a Jack Neville & Douglas Grant design with coastal views that also leave the players at the mercy of potential penal coastal weather conditions.
Players will all play one of their four rounds at Spyglass Hill Golf Course, which added ShotLink data ahead of the 2025 event. With just one round played at Spyglass and the similarities between the two tracks, I focus the majority of my handicap on the fit for Pebble.
Approach play wins, with 100-125 yards out a particularly key range
Small, bunker-protected Poa Annua green surfaces require a clean short game
Four reachable Par 5s, which are critical to capitalize on with birdies and eagles
Players to watch
Russell Henley: Accurate tee-to-green and a master on and around the putting surface.
Patrick Cantlay: Meticulous and diligent in every facet, and takes what the course gives him.
Si Woo Kim: Tee-to-green game is in elite form with particularly dialed approach play.
Key stats & player profiles to target
True strokes gained: approach: with the highlighted 120-125 yard range extending to 75-150 yards on the margins.
True strokes gained: around-the-green/scrambling: the small greens can lead to short-game stress
Par-5 scoring: There are four reachable Par 5s in each round, and winners have consistently put circles on the card
Driving distance: rarely an asset with the luxury of clubbing down from driver a frequent option.
Players to watch
Scottie Scheffler: Checks all the statistical boxes, including ranking second in Par-5 scoring in 2026 and 2025.
Jason Day: Has gained true strokes tee-to-green and around-the-green here in five of past six trips.
Rory McIlroy: Played Par 5s at -10 to win last year, and an outlier of overpowering Pebble from the tee.
Odds movement & market notes
An 80-player, no-cut event has a different outlook than a full field with a cut after two rounds, and having Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy headlining this Signature Event gives longer odds to players further down the board. Considering the "Without Scheffler" betting markets is an option if you're looking to take the World No. 1 out of the equation.
It’s also important to note the Signature Events have largely been won by top players, with Chris Kirk taking down the 2024 Sentry standing out as the only true longshot (+15000 to +20000 pretournament odds) to hoist the hardware.
As a result, my betting card doesn’t drift too far down the odds board in this loaded field.
Midweek odds moves
Xander Schauffele’s odds are in a free fall down to +2000 at Fanatics after he opened at +3250.
Patrick Cantlay has traded as low as +3500 at Fanatics, and the California native is now priced at a long +4500 Wednesday evening.
Jordan Spieth has seen his price climb at some sportsbooks, with the 2017 winner missing the cut last week and losing true strokes across the board in the WM Phoenix Open.
Outright picks: winners to bet
Pick 1: Si Woo Kim to win (+2800)
A tee-to-green heater has Si Woo Kim surging along a T11-T6-T2-T3 start to the 2026 season.
Course Fit: Gained true strokes in all five metrics for 2025 solo-12th
Recent Form: Scorching hot tee-to-green play led to consecutive Top 5s
Market Value: Odds reflective of recent world-class play and finishes
Risk: Will enough putts drop to win in a loaded field?
Pick 2: Russell Henley to win (+3250)
The five-time PGA Tour winner has 10 consecutive Top 20s while gaining true strokes on approach in each.
Course Fit: Accurate tee-to-green player with an excellent short game
Recent Form: 10 consecutive Top 20s while gaining true strokes across the board
Market Value: Priced below top tier despite top-tier statistics and results
Approach game is dialed, and Day has a dozen Top 20s in 16 trips to Pebble Beach.
Market Fit: Long odds considering Day’s 12 Top 20s at the track
Key Stat: 1.72 true strokes gained on field during career at Pebble
Risk: Short game was uncharacteristically poor in last event.
Matchup & head-to-head bets
Pick 1: Viktor Hovland over Xander Schauffele (+110 at Fanatics)
Xander Schauffele has scuffled with a MC-T41 start to the season, and Viktor Hovland is fourth in this field in true strokes gained on approach with four top 10s across his past seven events.
Matchup Advantage:Hovland’s ball-striking is dial, Schauffele’s isn’t
Key Stat: Schaufele is 61st in the field in true strokes gained around the green
Risk: Schauffele can flip the script, while Hovland is prone to shot-game yips.
Harris English has topped out with a T40 in this event all the way back in 2012, while Jason Day has been a consistent threat to win here throughout his career.
Matchup Advantage: Course knowledge and current form both favor Day
Key Stat: Jason Day has 12 Top 20s at Pebble, and English has none
Risk: English turned heads in three of four 2025 major championships.
Round 1 tee times for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am have been released, and can be found on the official PGA TOUR website.
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am betting FAQ
When is the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am?
The 2026 edition of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am runs Thursday, Feb. 12, to Sunday, Feb. 15.
Where will the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am be played?
Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California — 23 miles west of Salinas — is the site of the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Who is the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am favorite?
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the betting favorite to win the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
What are the most popular bets at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am?
Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Viktor Hovland and Si Woo Kim are among the most bet golfers for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am ahead of Round 1.
What are AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am FRL markets?
First Round Leader (FRL) markets center around which player(s) will be in the lead following the first 18 holes of the tournament.
How do AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am matchup bets work?
When betting Pebble Beach Pro-Am matchups, you're selecting which golfer will score better between the two players listed in that specific market.
What is the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am cut line?
The 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is a Signature Event, and there isn't a cut following Round 2.
Are AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am odds the same across all sportsbooks?
You'll see slight variations in odds across sportsbooks for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am; it's always good practice to check multiple sports betting sites for the best odds.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
TUCSON, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 04: Defensive back Dalton Johnson #43 of the Arizona Wildcats and defensive back Treydan Stukes #2 of the Arizona Wildcats react after a play during the second quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Arizona Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick Mulligan/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Arizona has not had a defensive back taken in the NFL Draft since 2018. There’s a good chance that drought will end this spring.
Ex-Wildcats Dalton Johnson, Genesis Smith and Treydan Stukes are among the 319 prospects formally invited to compete in the NFL Scouting Combine, set for Feb. 23-March 2 in Indianapolis. Getting a combine invite is usually a precursor to being drafted, with the 2026 NFL Draft set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Johnson, Smith and Stukes anchored a stellar secondary for Arizona in 2025, one that ranked 2nd in FBS in interceptions and 7th in defending the pass. Johnson was the UA leader in tackles, with 97, while Smith (77) and Stukes (52) were also in the top five.
The trio combined to start 86 games for the Wildcats between 2020-25.
Pro Football Focus ranks Smith as the No. 100 player on its 2026 draft board, with Stukes at No. 104.
The last UA defensive back drafted was Dane Cruikshank, who was selected in 5th round by the Tennessee Titans in 2018.
Marseille reject Medhi Benatia’s resignation as Director ot Football after Roberto De Zerbi’s exit
Olympique de Marseille Director of Football Medhi Benatia has handed in his resignation the day of Roberto De Zerbi’s exit as Les Phocéens’ head coach, RMC Sportunderstands. On Tuesday, the Italian manager was relieved of his duties in the aftermath of Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing against Ligue 1 arch-rivals PSG.
The outlet understands that Benatia felt that De Zerbi alone should not bear the responsability for Marseille’s current predicament, with the club also out of the Champions League after back-to-back 3-0 losses against Liverpool and Club Brugge. The former Morocco international centre-back also wished to stand in solidarity with De Zerbi and shoulder his responsability as head of Marseille’s sporting department.
The outlet adds that Marseille’s owner – American businessman Franck McCourt – and the club’s president Pablo Longoria have rejected Benatia’s resignation. The former Bayern Munich defender’s decision to resign comes as no surprise as he alluded to a departure last month. But for the time being, Benatia remains Marseille’s Director of Football.
Steven Nzonzi was one of four Stoke players booked in the second half against Charlton [Getty Images]
Stoke City's veteran midfielder Steven Nzonzi told BBC Radio Stoke the Potters are being held back by their inability to find the net after the 1-0 defeat at Charlton. It was their 13th Championship blank of the season.
"I don't think it was a bad game overall. We just conceded that goal and we couldn't score.
"Of course we have to do much better on the goal but then offensively as a team, we have to do much, much better. If you want to win games, you have to score goals.
"We are competitive players, we are a competitive team, we are a competitive club and obviously when you lose you have to be disappointed.
"But the season is not finished, you have to keep working hard and keep training hard and trying to get some points. We have to go and try and win as much as we can and try to play freely."
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Obviously, they are a good team and they played well. We struggled a bit in the first half to find the right distance against smart, agile players comfortable on the ball.
"I think we wasted a bit of energy at that time. We tried to be competitive, but the second half was better. We were more located on the pitch, and we had our opportunities, but small margins define this kind of game.
"In the final third they were good - the team spirit was excellent, once again. It is a question of details, but details make the difference. When you chase the game, it is not the easiest pitch because you have to be clean, recomposed with the ball and those small margins in the final third you can change the dynamic of the game.
"Now, we want to win points and the motivation of the squad is excellent. We have to be resilient. It is part of our journey."
Did you know?
Sunderland have lost their first home match across all competitions since May 2025 (0-1 v Queens Park Rangers), putting an end to a 14-match unbeaten run (W7 D7).
Liverpool attempted 23 shots tonight, the most that Sunderland have faced in a home league match since facing 24 against Chelsea in November 2014.
Last weekend, it was #9 Nebraska against #1, #1, #22, #22 and unranked. Starting Thursday, they face #1, #2, #10, #17 and #30.
There’s nowhere to hide, but at least the Huskers have extra motivation against #‘s 1 & 2, although #10 might have a motivation of their own. (See below.)
And although they will be playing 5 games again, the action will be spread out over four days, which will leave more rest for pitchers Jordy Frahm and Alexis Jensen after they likely split the starts against ranked SEC foes LSU and Georgia on Thursday. Both were solid on the opening weekend, and both have room for improvement.
Here’s some things we saw the opening weekend:
Frahm was 1-2 with a 3.20 ERA and struck out 20 batters in 15.1 innings while walking only 2. Jensen, in her debuts, was 1-0 with a 7.00 ERA striking out 21 in 10 innings and walking no one. Trouble finding the plate was obviously not an issue for either. Rather, they found too much of it at times – Frahm allowed 20 hits in 15.1 innings, 3 of them homers, and Jensen allowed 19 in 10 with 5 dingers. Keeping the ball down and working the corners more when deep in counts should solve that problem.
The staff combined to throw 12 wild pitches and catcher Jesse Farrell struggled to keep them in front of her. That needs to improved to hold runners in tight games. However, her arm was on display a few times pegging a runner stealing second and also catching a Washington Husky with a snap throw back to first. She’s not afraid to throw those and fear of being pegged will keep runners closer and save some runs this season.
Hannah Coor struggled hard at the plate hitting .111 on the opening weekend. A three-year reserve at Oklahoma, she may need to move down in the order until he settles into her new role as a starter. Coach Rhonda Revelle has shown great confidence in her – her numbers will rise.
Another tough weekend from someone else I expect to quickly bounce back was an 0-for-14 from Sammie Bland. She and Frahm were a lethal 1-2 combo down the stretch last season. Sammie will not be down for long.
Last season, the defense got off to a shaky start, but by the end, it had become one of the team’s biggest strengths. Problems early last season were mostly in the infield, but this season, the outfield seems on shaky ground. With the exception of Natalia Hill, they struggled with deeper balls and need to relax a little and talk more, it appears.
I had questioned whether there might be a little competition at second base from former 2-year starter Katelyn Caneda. For now, it appears Lauren Camenzind has the position locked down as she played all 5 games. She did not hit for average, but 2 of her 5 left the yard.
UNLV transfer Jessie Farrell announced her presence by hitting .429 with a pair of HR’s in her first action as a Husker. Ditto for Gretna’s redshirt freshman Carlie Muhlbach who got the start against UTSA and responded with her first hit, a home run.
UTSA INVITATIONAL WEEKEND: THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
Against this slate, going 3-2 once again wouldn’t be worst finish – it would mean at least one more win against a top 10 opponent.
Yes, we remember the 1-0 loss to Tennessee in the Super Regional leaving them just short of the big goal.
Yes, we remember turning a 5-0 lead into a 6-5 loss to eventual national runner-up Texas Tech in Clearwater last February.
It’s tough for LSU to thirst for revenge against the Huskers who won their regional as they only have themselves to blame for losing back-to-back games to SE Louisiana. Still, they may be looking to send a message.
There shouldn’t be any beefs or revenge scenarios against Georgia or UCF and holy cow, does anyone want to take bets on Scott Frost toddling over from Orlando, under two hours away, to cheer on his Knights against his Huskers?
HUSKER GAME INFO
Schedule: (All times CST)
Feb. 12 vs. #10 LSU 9am – ESPN2 Feb. 12 vs. #17 Georgia 3pm – ESPN+ Feb. 13 vs. #2 Tennessee 11am – ESPN2 Feb. 14 vs. #30 UCF 12:30pm – ESPN+ Feb. 15 vs. #1 Texas Tech 5pm – ESPN
Location: Eddie C. Moore Complex, Clearwater, FL
Surface: Clay Infield, grass outfield
TV/Streaming: All games will be broadcast on either ESPN2 0r the ESPN+ app (see above). Broadcast team TBD.
Weather: Thursday and Friday’s games should be in 60’s (the earlier, the cooler). Saturday’s will be in the low 70’s. All of those games should be under mostly sunny skies with low winds. Sunday’s game will be in the high 60’s with 50-80% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms and winds between 15-20mph
Look for Sunday’s game to be moved up or cancelled due to the possibility of inclement weather – please check cornnation.com or Corn Nation on Twitter/X for updates.
THE OPPONENTS
#10 LSU (6-0)
LSU is 6-0 this season and grabbed four run-rule wins in its opening weekend. The Tigers claimed victories over NC State, Nevada, Illinois and Lamar. Maci Bergeron, Tori Edwards and Jayden Heavener are on this year’s USA Softball Player of the Year Watchlist. Head coach Beth Torina is in her 15th season at the helm of LSU softball and has a 584-253 record with the Tigers. She is 713-364 in 19 years as a head coach.
Nebraska competed in the NCAA Tournament at LSU’s Baton Rouge Regional in 2025, but the two did not meet.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
In addition to the three above, Sierra Daniel has a team-high .471 batting average on the season with eight hits, eight runs, six RBIs, two doubles and a triple.
Tatum Clopton and Jayden Heavener are both 2-0 on the season. Clopton has an ERA of0.00 across 8.2 innings, while Heavener has thrown 11.0 innings and owns an ERA of 1.91.
#17 GEORGIA (4-1)
The Bulldogs went 4-1 in their opening weekend with wins against Missouri State, Fordham and Belmont. Their lone loss came in the second game against Belmont. Addisen Fisher represents Georgia on the USA Softball Player of the Year Watchlist. Head coach Tony Baldwin is in his fifth season with Georgia and overall. He has a 167-76 record.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sarah Gordon went 6-for-12 in opening weekend and added three doubles. Tyler Ellison and Emily Digby each contributed five hits and six RBIs.
Fisher threw 10.0 innings with a team-low ERA of 0.70 last weekend. She allowed only four hits and one earned run.
#2 TENNESSEE (5-0)
Tennessee went undefeated in their opening weekend, posting wins over BYU, then-No. 21 Liberty, Rutgers, Boston College and then-No. 5 Oregon. 2025 First-Team All-American Karlyn Pickens represents the Vols on the USA Softball Player of the Year Watchlist. Head Coach Karen Weekly is in her 25th season at Tennessee and has a 1,137-357-2 record with the Vols. She is 1,360-454-2 in 30 seasons of her career.
Nebraska lost to Tennessee 2 game to 1 in the Knoxville Super Regional last season, the final game by a score of 1-0.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sophia Knight and each hit above .400 last weekend. Knight had seven hits, including two doubles and Holley knocked a homer.
Pickens and Erin Nuwer each own an ERA of 0.00 with a record of 2-0 in the circle and Pickens struck out 22 batters last weekend across 14.0 innings.
#30 CENTRAL FLORIDA (5-1)
UCF is 5-1 following its opening weekend. The Knights picked up run-rule wins over Boston, CSU Bakersfield, Maryland and Buffalo. Their one loss came to then-No. 16 Duke. UCF is scoring 10.2 runs per game. Head coach Cindy Ball-Malone is in her eighth season at UCF and is 256-130-3 with the Knights. She is 355-246-3 in 12 career seasons.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sierra Humphreys leads the UCF offense with a .600 batting average, which includes six extra-base hits and nine RBIs
Hildie Dempsey threw a team-high 8.1 innings last weekend and has an ERA of 2.52. Overall, the Knights used nine pitchers in their opening weekend.
#1 TEXAS TECH (6-0)
Texas Tech boasts a 6-0 record with wins over McNeese State, North Texas, ULM, then-No. 11 Texas A&M, Providence and Bryant last weekend. TTU has four players on the USA Softball Player of the Year Watchlist in NiJaree Canady, Mihyia Davis, Taylor Pannell and Kaitlyn Terry. Head coach Gerry Glasco is in just his second season at Texas Tech after spending seven years at Louisiana Lafayette. Glasco has a 360-102 record in his career and led TTU to the Women’s College World Series final last year.
Nebraska lost to Tech last season in Clearwater after taking a 5-0 lead into the top of the 6th before losing 6-5.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mia Williams, Terry, Davis and Lagi Quiroga all boast batting averages over .500. Williams has 13 RBIs with three homers and six doubles and Davis boasts 10 runs with five RBIs. Taylor Pannell added nine RBIs on eight hits.
Canady, Terry and Samantha Lincoln are each 2-0 on the season. Terry owns a team-low ERA of 0.84, while Lincoln’s is 1.40 and Canady’s is 1.91. Terry also has contributed 16 strikeouts while allowing only three hits.
Based on the first weekend, Hannah Camenzind – the team’s best hitter – needs to move up, and Hannah Coor, hitting .111 in the 1st and 2nd spots in the order, needs to move down, perhaps needing time to settle in as a regular after 3 years as a reserve in Norman. Coor, Sammie Bland and Lauren Camenzind were a combined 5-for-46 – all, especially Bland, should look to bounce back in Florida.
Five-star wide receiver Monshun Sales of Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North High has narrowed his 30+ scholarship offers to four schools, he tells Rivals.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound standout is down to Alabama, Indiana, Miami, and Ohio State as he works toward a decision.
Sales broke down what stands out about each program.
Discussing the finalists
Alabama Crimson Tide
“Alabama has always been my dream school. I was raised in Alabama and have been a Crimson Tide fan my whole life.”
Indiana Hoosiers
“Indiana has been my second home,” the Hoosier State wideout tells Rivals. “Their coaching and how they’ve turned the program around to be national champions stands out.”
Ohio State Buckeyes
“Ohio State has been WRU over the last couple of years with their development of the wide receivers and getting them to the NFL.”
Miami Hurricanes
“Their offense with how they get the playmakers the ball and compete for national titles.”
Although he hasn’t locked in the dates yet, the blue chip wideout says he will take OVs to all four programs.
Sales, a top 10 recruit in the 2027 Rivals Industry Rankings, totaled 32 receptions for 967 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior in 2025.
In a tournament designed to showcase the world’s most expensive NHL superstars, it was a 21-year-old from the South Tyrol mountains who stole the spotlight on opening night in Milan.
Damian Clara, the first Italian-born player ever drafted into the NHL, delivered a performance for the ages against Sweden, single-handedly turning what many expected to be a blowout into a nerve-wracking goaltending masterclass. Clara’s 40 saves helped Italy — a roster with zero current NHL players — hang around with Sweden for most of the game.
Under a relentless barrage from the Swedes, Clara stopped 25 shots in a frantic first period alone — a historic feat that left a star-studded Swedish roster visibly frustrated and a raucous home crowd at the Santagiulia Arena believing, if only for a few hours, in a miracle of their own.
Here’s what you need to know about Clara, who took the hockey world by storm Wednesday.
Clara is a towering 6-foot-6 goaltender who has rapidly become the face of Italian hockey. At just 21 years old, he made history in 2023 by becoming the first Italian-born and raised player ever selected in the NHL Draft, taken 60th overall by the Anaheim Ducks.
Despite his youth, Clara has extensive international experience, having debuted for Italy's senior national team at age 16 — the youngest goalie to do so in modern history. He is widely praised for his big frame and mobility, traits that were on full display during his historic game against Sweden in the 2026 Olympic opener.
Clara was born in Brunico, Italy. The region is tucked away in the Dolomite mountains near the Austrian border.
His family owns and operates the Boutiquehotel Clara in his hometown. In interviews, he’s mentioned that he still helps out at the hotel during the off-season to stay grounded.
To pursue a professional career, he left home at age 14 to join the prestigious Red Bull Hockey Academy in Salzburg, Austria, before moving on to the Swedish leagues where he plays now.
Clara currently plays for Brynäs IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). In 30 games, he has a .888 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average (GAA).
While he is playing overseas, Clara is a member of the Anaheim Ducks system. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Anaheim in June 2024, but the Ducks have loaned him back to the SHL for the 2025–26 season to ensure he gets consistent starts as a primary goaltender before moving to North America full-time.
After the 2026 Olympics conclude, it is widely expected that Clara will finish the Swedish season and then join the San Diego Gulls (Anaheim's AHL affiliate) for their playoff push or start his North American career there in the fall of 2026.
Clara made history as the first Italian-born and raised player ever selected in the NHL Entry Draft. He was taken in the second round, 60th overall, by the Anaheim Ducks in 2023.
He was drafted from Färjestad BK J20. in Sweden. He spent the 2023-24 season with Brynäs IF, where he posted a dominant 25-8-0 record and led the team to a promotion into the SHL. In June 2024, the Ducks officially signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract, though they have kept him in Europe for the 2025-26 season to prepare for the Olympics.
While other players with Italian citizenship have been drafted before, they were almost all North American-born players who naturalized. Clara is a true product of the Italian hockey system, specifically from the South Tyrol region.
It's too far in advance to know when Clara will make his NHL debut, but he is expected to come overseas shortly after the Olympics and his European season.
When Clara does make the transition, he will probably start in the AHL as a member of the Gulls.
Antoine Semenyo has admitted he could not have dreamt of a better start to life at City after another goal and assist in our 3-0 Premier League victory over Fulham.
The Ghanaian now has five goals in eight appearances since his January move to the Etihad from Bournemouth, opening the scoring against the Cottagers in rainy Manchester with an instinctive poke from close-range after 24 minutes.
Semenyo’s blistering start in sky blue has caught the eye and the winger has praised the culture at the Club for helping him settle so seamlessly into a different environment.
“[There’s] no secrets! It’s just being part of a great team, a great environment, the coach has been great and they’ve made it easy for me to settle. It’s all a fairytale right now.
“[It was] very important [to win]. That was the message from when the game was done against Liverpool. Just backing up what we did on the weekend, it was a tough graft and we got the three points, today we did the same thing. I’m happy.
“He [O’Reilly] has got that in the locker. He’s a very technical player. When I slid him in I knew he was going to score.”
The victory means we move three points behind league-leaders Arsenal, who play on Thursday night away to Brentford.
Semenyo believes City have all the ammunition to mount a title charge, despite the pressure of the situation and the demands of competing for silverware across four different competitions.
“It’s new to me. I’m enjoying it. But obviously It comes with a lot of pressure and demands. We have the team to do it. We just need to keep going.
“Just going to sit tight and watch the game tomorrow and hopefully it goes our way so let’s see.”
Lee was denied bond during the Wednesday hearing because of testimony stating Lee had moved from Florida to Tennessee, which violated his probation terms stemming from an aggravated assault case. Lee was also on probation for pushing a woman and punching her in the face multiple times in 2023.
Lee's girlfriend was found dead in a rented home in Ooltewah, Tennessee, east of Chattanooga. Testimony from a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office detective Wednesday played a role in denying Lee bond.
Detective Brian Lockhart testified that Lee was in the rented home when Sheriff's Office deputies arrived and said that his girlfriend likely fell in the shower due to her narcolepsy. Investigators said the evidence did not match Lee's description.
Lockhart later stated that the microwave oven in the home was broken with glass scattered around the home. He testified that an autopsy showed Lee's girlfriend suffered “severe injuries, including severe brain trauma, a broken neck, bruising across her body, a large bite mark on her shoulder and thigh, stab wounds to her legs, and significant facial trauma.”
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said that the prosecution hasn't decided yet whether or not to pursue the death penalty but there are two factors that could qualify Lee for it.
“You walked in the door, there were boxes," Lockhart said, per NewsChannel9. "A lot of stuff in the living room. The deceased was in the floor lying on her back. There was blood going up the staircase, on the hand railing there was blood, on the walls there was blood, on the floor in the living room there was blood, in the floor on the hallway and the stairs."
Lee is charged with tampering with evidence because detectives found cleaning supplies upstairs in the Ooltewah residence. Those supplies included bleach wipes and a spray bottle.
Lee spent six years in the NFL after the New York Jets selected him No. 20 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He spent three seasons with the Jets before playing for the Kansas City Chiefs (2019), Buffalo Bills (2020) and Las Vegas Raiders (practice squad member in 2021).
Nathan Jones lasted nine months as Stoke City manager [Getty Images]
Charlton manager Nathan Jones told BBC Radio London that the 1-0 victory over Stoke, who sacked him in 2019, was extra special for him. Jones's decision to bring Tyreece Campbell off the bench in the second half proved inspired as the striker grabbed a late winner.
"It has been an emotional night for me so I wanted to get off the pitch as soon as possible or I'd have got myself in trouble.
"They (Stoke fans) have given me stick ever since I was there. I mean Stoke fans gave me stick when I was there. So I expect that.
"I wouldn't read too much into that. That's part and parcel of it. They give me a little bit. I give them a little bit. Surely they realise that's banter, especially when we have won the game.
"I thought we deserved it. I had a feeling about TC (Tyreece Campbell) tonight after last Friday night's game where I didn't feel he was at it. I gave him a little bit of a chat and I just had a feeling about him tonight.
"If he realises how good he is and gets his mental side of everything right, then the kid can go all the way.
"He moves like a Premier League player. How he controls things, how he shifts, how he runs - he has all the physical attributes to be that. It's just up to us to bring that together."
Manager: It was a wonder goal from a special player
For the second game in a row, it was a late, late show at Celtic Park.
On Saturday, it was a last-gasp equaliser which took the Scottish Cup tie against Dundee into extra-time and ultimately, victory.
Tonight, it was an added time wonder goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain which delivered a 2-1 victory over Livingston and three vital Premiership points.
Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, Martin O’Neill praised the goalscorer for producing a stunning finish to win the game.
“It was late again for us, but in all honesty, we should have been three or four up in the first 15 minutes of the game,” the Celtic manager said.
“We got one but it’s never enough and we allowed them back into the game with a penalty kick.
“Then we’re driving and driving and driving, and it looked as if it might not happen, but then Alex comes up with a wonder goal – a wonder goal from a special player – and even though it was later, it was great for us to win.
“Hopefully he’s just beginning and that was terrific. It was a class goal from a player who’s been class throughout his career.”
Fixtures
Celtic Vs. Livingston - Wed, Feb 11th 2026, 19:45 Final score: 2 - 1
Another northwest Indiana community is adding its pitch to try and lure the Chicago Bears, as northwest suburban Arlington Heights keeps the pressure on.
Leaders in Portage, Indiana, made a pitch for a new Bears stadium, "Halas Harbor," Wednesday.
The Bears have also explored a proposed site near Hammond, and Indiana lawmakers are moving full steam ahead before the end of their spring session in less than three weeks.
"That again for me shows how serious we are in Indiana, that we have a bill in place and structured about making sure those economic and financial things are taken care of," said Indiana state Rep. Earl Harris, who represents the state's 2nd District.
Supporters of the Bears' possible home in Arlington Heights plan to rally Wednesday evening
It's not just Indiana and Illinois towns getting involved.
A group of lawmakers in Iowa just filed legislation in the statehouse to try and lure the Bears west of the Mississippi River. They want to change state law to offer incentives to the Bears to build a future stadium in the Hawkeye State.
Sources tell ABC7 Chicago the Bears and legislative leaders have met weekly since December to discuss the state paying for infrastructure around the stadium while the team pays for the stadium itself.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Devon Witherspoon #21 of the Seattle Seahawks forces a fumble against Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Seahawks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
It’s time for the final Seahawks Reacts survey for the 2025 NFL season! The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions once again, having previously lifted the Lombardi Trophy in 2013. Both teams had elite defenses and special teams, along with offenses that could score at a high clip but had occasional issues with consistency. The big thing was that neither Russell Wilson nor Sam Darnold had to engage in weekly hero ball for the team to succeed.
Our first question is whether or not this year was officially the greatest season in Seahawks history. I did not say that the 2025 team was better than the 2013 one; this is all about the context of the season and how they won it all. The 2013 team will forever be special because it was the first Super Bowl winner in franchise history, plus we saw the Legion of Boom go through some heartbreak the year before in order to finish the job the following season. Only a select few analysts and fans could’ve possibly believed in this year’s Seahawks to be not just a playoff contender, but a Super Bowl champion. This year was also Seattle’s 50th season in existence, adding to the special flavor to this run. There’s certainly no denying that the 2013 Seahawks had a league-wide impact on recognizing Seattle as a force to be reckoned with, and tearing apart the legendary Peyton Manning and the record-setting Denver Broncos offense will live on forever.
The second question is about defensive MVP. Kenneth Walker III won Super Bowl MVP after posting 161 yards from scrimmage, and if not for a marginal Jalen Sundell holding penalty he would’ve cleared 200 yards with an exclamation point of a touchdown. Seattle’s defense was so dominant that it felt like you could’ve awarded a defensive player MVP like we saw in Super Bowl 48.
Our options listed here are Devon Witherspoon, who had four tackles, three QB hits, a sack, and basically the game-sealing hit that led to Uchenna Nwosu’s pick-six. If it was called a strip-sack fumble I bet that would’ve encouraged some more Witherspoon votes, because it’s not normal for corners to have those type of stat lines. Byron Murphy II was another great shout with his two sacks, excellent run defense, and a fumble recovery off of the Derick Hall strip-sack. Hall also had two sacks, doubling his regular season total, and that forced fumble was the catalyst for the blowout. The last name I have here is actually not Ernest Jones IV, who led the team in tackles, but Josh Jobe. Here’s why:
Seahawks CB (and former Eagle) Josh Jobe was targeted a team-high 10 times by the Patriots and gave up just 3 catches for 11 yards with a PBU, per @NextGenStats
The former UDFA from Alabama had a big-time performance in Super Bowl LX.
Angel Reese wasn’t supposed to be part of Unrivaled’s second season. After starring for Rose BC in Year 1, she initially opted to sit out, leaving a noticeable void for a team that had entered the new campaign with championship ambitions.
That absence became even more glaring when Rose completed a four-team trade that sent Azurá Stevens elsewhere without adding a player in return. The move raised eyebrows across the league. Almost immediately, fans began connecting the dots, speculating that Angel Reese could be on her way back.
Reese’s return arrives at a pivotal moment. Rose opened the season looking like a contender behind veteran guard Chelsea Gray, but momentum quickly shifted. The team dropped three of its last five games, including a loss to the league-worst Lunar Owls and decisive defeats against the Breeze and Mist. What once looked like a title push began to resemble a team searching for answers.
The most glaring issue has been rebounding. Last season, Rose dominated the glass. This year, it ranks last in the league at just 30 rebounds per game. That is precisely where Angel Reese changes the equation.
In her previous Unrivaled campaign, Reese averaged 13.3 points, 12.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. She led the league in rebounding, finished among the top 20 scorers and earned the league’s first Defensive Player of the Year honor. Even if it takes a game or two to settle back into the three-on-three rhythm, her production addresses Rose’s most urgent weakness.
Her return also reshapes the frontcourt rotation. Shakira Austin has earned consistent minutes, and now coach Nola Henry must balance two impactful bigs who can score, defend and control possessions. Between Reese and Austin, Rose suddenly looks deeper and more versatile.
The impact extends beyond the floor. Unrivaled, still establishing itself as a sustainable league, faced scrutiny early in the season over reported TV viewership figures. Those numbers did not include all streaming audiences on HBO Max or international viewers on YouTube, but they fueled conversation about the league’s long-term outlook. Adding Angel Reese back into the fold provides a clear boost in visibility.
The 2026 NFL offseason is well underway now with Super Bowl 60 in the rearview mirror with the Seattle Seahawks taking the title over the New England Patriots.
With the nature of every NFL offseason, changes made by teams such as the New York Jets will be the focus now. Can an injection of new talent and roster changes push the team toward a stronger 2026 season and future?
There is potential for that to be the case. But Pro Football Focus makes the case (and reminder) that players already on the Jets' roster have an opportunity to have a "breakout" in 2026.
PFF selected one of every such player for all 32 NFL teams. For New York, defensive tackle Jowon Briggs was the choice.
Briggs being a potential breakout candidate for the Jets in 2026 can mostly be questioned for one reason: Didn't he just have one of those last season?
Briggs was traded to by the Cleveland Browns to New York just before the start of last season for an exchange of late-round draft picks. That deal proved to be one of general manager Darren Mougey's first masterstroke as a GM. The trade proved to be a smart one as Briggs impressed in his first year with the Jets.
In terms of looking forward on Briggs, here his PFF's breakout on him as a potential "breakout" candidate:
Briggs experienced something of a breakout in 2025, which unexpectedly came in the form of pass-rush production. He earned an outstanding 85.6 PFF pass-rush grade this season while racking up 38 pressures. Briggs was known as more of a run stuffer in college and with the Cleveland Browns, but his PFF run-defense grade dipped to 55.5 this season. If he returns to form on the ground and maintains his excellent pass-rush numbers, he could quietly become a star in the Jets’ defense.
Things took a major turn when they lost star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending torn ACL on Dec. 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers — an injury that could potentially put his availability for the start of the 2026 season in question.
That has sparked debate about what the Chiefs might look like moving forward, especially with Travis Kelce contemplating retirement.
Still, earlier this week, NFL legend and Fox Sports analyst Terry Bradshaw came to their defense, delivering a harsh message to critics who have begun questioning the Chiefs and longtime head coach Andy Reid.
“I was reading this morning about Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs and, ‘Has he lost it?’ And I’m like, are you kidding me?” Bradshaw said during an appearance on Morning Mayhem on 103.7 The Buzz. “He went to five Super Bowls in six years and they’re going, ‘Has he lost it?’ Lost what? I’ll tell you what he lost — he lost a lot of players to injuries. Critics are just idiots. Idiots, man. They have no idea what they’re talking about.”
Kansas City is entering a crucial offseason — one focused on creating financial flexibility and addressing several holes on both sides of the ball.
Fortunately, for the first time in a long time, the Chiefs hold a top draft pick. They are set to select No. 9 overall, giving Andy Reid a prime opportunity to add a potential immediate contributor to the roster. Reid is reportedly “fired up” about the changes ahead.
“I’m fired up to get into this offseason and get going,” Reid said, via the team’s official transcript. “We didn’t do very well this past year, and that hasn’t been our M.O. I’m going to fix the problems that we had in all phases — this isn’t just offense, it’s all phases. There will be some guys that move on, there will be people that come in — players and a couple of quality control guys left and a couple of other guys left — and we’ll cover all of that down the road here. Change can be good sometimes for you, and that’s what I’m fired up about.”
Atletico Madrid players fume at “disrespectful” Ronald Araujo remarks ahead of Copa del Rey clash
On Thursday, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona face off at the RiyadhAir Metropolitano in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie. Ahead of the match, a fire has been ignited between the two sets of players, which has stemmed from recent comments made by defender Ronald Araujo.
Earlier in the week, Araujo spoke publicly for the first time since returning from a mental health break. During the interview with MD (via Marca), he was asked about Julian Alvarez, and he made it clear that he would welcome the Atleti striker to the Spotify Camp Nou.
“For me Julián is a great player. For me, one of the best strikers in the world, and the best have to be at the best club, which is us.”
Image via Reuters
However, Araujo’s comments have not gone down well at the Metropolitano. The report has revealed that the Atleti playing squad have been left unhappy by Araujo’s remarks, which they consider to be disrespectful. As such, they intend to use them as motivation when Barcelona come to town on Thursday, in a match that Alvarez will hope can see him finally end his goalscoring woes.
Alvarez hasn’t scored a domestic goal since Atleti’s 3-0 victory over Sevilla in early November. Since then, he has played 19 times across all competitions, and has only netted on three occasions (all in the Champions League). There has been a lot of scrutiny on his performances during this period, and both he and the club will be determined to get back to his best level in the coming weeks.
Alvarez’s future at Atleti also continues to attract attention
Araujo’s aforementioned comments on Alvarez comes at a time when there has been a lot of speculation on the Argentina international’s future. Barcelona are one of the clubs interested in signing him, although at this stage, a return to the Premier League would be much more likely, with Chelsea said to be working on a summer deal.
Post-match reaction from Callum McGregor and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
It was a night of late drama at Celtic Park tonight, with the Hoops digging deep and taking all three points against a resilient Livingston side who spent much of the match camped in their own penalty area.
The goal which gave Celtic a deserved 2-1 victory came in injury time at the end of the 90 minutes and made it a debut to remember for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who produced a moment of brilliance from the edge of the box to find the back of the net and spark wild celebrations at Paradise.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was named as Man of the Match on the back of that winning goal and, alongside Celtic captain Callum McGregor, he spoke to Celtic TV after the match and reflected on a big night for the Hoops and for himself.
“I was drawing that one up in the hotel room earlier.” Oxlade-Chamberlain said. “Those are the things you dream of.
“To be at this age, late on in my career, moments like that are why you play the game.
‘You never get bored of stuff like that. I’m just delighted that the club has given me the chance to be back on the pitch.’
“They’ve put faith in me to have moments like that. That’s my job, to try and add a bit of quality like that.
“It was great character from the boys, they stayed focused all the way through the game and we got the job done.”
On the character shown by his team-mates tonight and throughout the season so far, Callum McGregor said: “A huge three points. Alex gets an unbelievable goal, big quality, but the team are fighting right to the end.
“We should be out of sight by half time to be honest, but it’s a good sign that we keep going and scoring so any late goals is just testament to the mentality of the group.
“We have to keep trying to be better, score early goals and take away that nervy ending, but it’s a positive sign the amount of late goals the team have scored.”
Fixtures
Celtic Vs. Livingston - Wed, Feb 11th 2026, 19:45 Final score: 2 - 1
Major changes are here for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season as the playoff system is no more.
NASCAR is ditching the elimination-style playoff and returning to The Chase with slight tweaks to the format that was previously in place from 2003 to 2014.
NASCAR fans will be familiar with The Chase format with a few slight tweaks:
Top-16 drivers qualify for the The Chase and its all based on points. No longer will one win guarantee an automatic playoff spot.
Wins are now worth 55 points, a 15-point increase from the previous points system. Points for all other positions remain the same.
Points reset for the Chase field. Top seeds will start The Chase with 2,100 points, 2,075 for the second seed and 2,065 for the third, with a five-point drop for every seed thereafter.
The Chase is 10 races with the series champion determined by final points.\
The Daytona 500 is the first of 36 points races on the calendar. Defending Cup Series champion Kyle Larson — who finished just 20th in last year's Daytona 500 — is looking to become the first back-to-back champion since Jimmie Johnson won five straight titles from 2006 to 2010.
To make following the action and planning your weekends accordingly easier, we put together a handy printable one-page schedule with dates, times, TV channels and ticket information for every race on the 2024 calendar.
Here's everything you need to know about watching NASCAR in 2026.
NASCAR 2026 schedule
The season is split into two stages — regular season and The Chase.
The top 16 drivers will compete in The Chase with a champion crowned on November 8 at Homestead.
Here's a look at the full schedule starting with the season-opening Daytona 500.
NASCAR Cup Series races are broadcast by Fox and FS1 during the first half of the season, from Feb. 15 through May 17. Coverage then switches over the Prime Video for five races, starting with the Coca-Cola 600. TNT Sports then takes over starting on June 28 for a five-race stretch through the end of July.
NBC and USA pick up for the final four races of the regular season and all 10 races of The Chase.
Subscribers to HBO Max can stream all 36 races plus the All-Star Race.
Races on Fox and FS1 are available to stream on the Fox Sports app, and NBC and USA races are on Peacock.
With the college baseball season set to start this weekend, expectations are higher than ever for the Texas Longhorns. They have a roster full of talent that is already making national headlines. On Tuesday, Thomas Burns, Max Grubbs, and Cal Higgins were named to the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award.
Each year, the award is given to the best relief pitcher in the country. The Longhorns find themselves in a unique position as they are one of the three programs with three honorees. Joining them are Arkansas and Tennessee.
For many who have seen Burns pitch, his inclusion on the watch list comes as no surprise. Last season, he posted a team-best 13.5 K/9 in his first season in the burnt orange. He also struck out 40 batters in 26.2 innings while holding opponents to a .185 batting average.
While Burns frustrated opponents, the Longhorns had another weapon in Grubbs. The Texas native posted a 2.84 ERA in 57 innings last season. He also held opponents to a .238 batting average while adding a career-high 61 strikeouts to his resume. As the Longhorns won an SEC title, the Martin High Alum flashed the form that made him a 2024 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Thomas Burns: “Everyone knows that the goal is to win a national championship.” pic.twitter.com/9pykE3IQXZ
Rounding out the trio is Higgins, who Texas added through the transfer portal. During the 2025 campaign, Higgins posted a 1.87 ERA, which was the fourth-best mark in the nation. He also thrived in high-leverage situations, collecting six saves. With the Nebraska native in the mix, Texas has a formidable group in late innings to rely on.
As the Longhorns look to win a national title, they will be relying on Grubbs, Buns, and Higgins to replicate their excellence from the 2025 campaign. If they can do that, the Longhorns relievers will hear their names called when award season rolls around
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 08: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring the first goal of the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and TSG Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on February 08, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by F. Noever/FC Bayern via Getty Images) | FC Bayern via Getty Images
There was certainly a lot of consternation from footballers, fans and more as FIFA announced the creation of the Club World Cup. It replaced the FIFA Confederations Cup in a summer that is usually meant to be a break between the European Championship and the World Cup. Not anymore, though. Instead, teams like Bayern Munich were called to attend the tournament, which ran from mid-June until mid-July. Shorn of a summer break two years in a row, many were worried what the effect would be on players at top clubs as the games racked up for them.
But Bayern seems to have done fine so far. With 28 victories in 33 matches, the Bavarians seem to be flying. How has the club managed this?
Asked about this in an interview with ESPN reporters following a victory over Rasenballsport Leipzig in the DFB-Pokal, Bayern striker Harry Kane had this to say:
“Credit to the staff and to the way we train [for our form]. We spoke ahead of the season about getting to this stage of the season, getting to February and March with a fit and healthy squad with competition for places. We are pushing ourselves each day with every training session we have and the level is getting higher and higher. We know there is a long way to go but we are in all the competitions we need to be right now.”
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
The Longhorns are in the hunt for some elite defensive back prospects already in the 2027 class and have already received some good news for that position group so far today on the recruiting front.
Five-star safety Honor Fa’alave-Johnson announced this morning the Longhorns made the cut for him among his finalist and now another blue chip defensive back has done the same. Four-star Lewisville (TX) cornerback Taelyn Mayo announced this afternoon that his recruitment is now down to five finalists, and just like with Fa’alave-Johnson the Longhorns made the cut for Mayo.
NEWS: Four-Star CB Taelyn Mayo is down to 5 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals
The 6’4 185 CB is ranked as a Top 3 CB in Texas (per Rivals Industry)
The Longhorns have graduated some talented players from the secondary over the past couple seasons, with players like Jahdae Barron, Malik Muhammad, Michael Taaffe, and Jaylon Guilbeau all heading for the NFL or are already there in Barron’s case. There is already some talented, young players on campus that are slated to see significant snaps for Texas in 2026, so they are trying to continue restocking the position room and keeping the talent pipeline strong moving forward.
The Longhorns currently have one defensive back commit for the 2027 class in Manvel’s Karnell James, but they are working towards getting him some help back there moving forward.
The Los Angeles Chargers are slated to have $83 million in cap space this offseason, giving general manager Joe Hortiz a golden opportunity to bolster a roster that once again failed to win a playoff game.
One position Hortiz should look to upgrade is center, as Bradley Bozeman had a rough 2025 campaign and clearly isn't cut out to be the team's starting center in 2026.
Luckily for the Chargers, one of the best centers in football, Tyler Linderbaum, is set to hit the market, and CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones expects Los Angeles to pursue the Baltimore Ravens free agent offensive lineman.
"Sources expect he [Linderbaum] would be a top target for the Chargers if Baltimore can't retain him," Jones wrote.
Linderbaum is one of the best pass-protecting centers in football, allowing just five sacks in the first four seasons while playing over 1,000 snaps in each year as well.
Signing Linderbaum, who is projected to land a $70 million contract over four seasons according to Spotrac, would be a home run move by the Chargers. The 25-year-old would be a long-term starter for Los Angeles and protect the interior at a high level for quarterback Justin Herbert.
However, the Ravens will be first in line to retain Linderbaum. It would be wise for Baltimore to keep their star offensive lineman, as he's been one of the most consistent players on the team's offense over the last few years.
The franchise tag could also be an option for the Ravens, but Linderbaum has earned a lucrative contract after years of fantastic play. We'll see if he returns to Baltimore or goes elsewhere, like Los Angeles, to start a new chapter.
The running joke around college basketball is centered around Tom Izzo's mother, and if she is able to score on various players in the sport. Stemming from a comment Izzo made to Kur Teng, it has caught on to social media, and even drawing out a comment from Brad Underwood.
The culmination of the joke, using AI graphics, showed Izzo's mom hitting a cross over on Teng, and that poster has now made its way into the Izzo household.
In his midweek press conference, Izzo talked about his mother, and the fact that she had the poster put onto her wall in her home. He was very funny with how he reacted to the social media takeover.
"It's a hell of a poster! I'm usually pretty good at keeping people humble, although it's a little harder when it's your mother."
Watch the full video via X:
"It's a hell of a poster! I'm usually pretty good at keeping people humble, although it's a little harder when it's your mother."
Tom Izzo gave his response to his mom's new poster in her retirement home. @wilxTV
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 Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy
Another day of competition is in the books at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Athletes from more than 90 countries are battling in 116 events over 16 days, and USA TODAY is keeping a tally of every nation finishing on the podium. Here's a look at the latest medal standings after all the action wrapped up on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Find the upcoming medal event schedule below.
USA TODAY Sports has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.
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What is the medal count at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics?
All data accurate as of Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at 5:44 p.m.
Antoine Semenyo poked us ahead after 24 minutes, before O’Reilly grabbed his fourth goal of the season across all competitions with a clever dinked finish.
O’Reilly, who began the season as a left-back for Pep Guardiola’s side, has been deployed in recent weeks as an advanced midfielder and the Academy graduate admitted he is thoroughly enjoying himself in the middle of the pitch, especially alongside 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
“Rodri is so good. Everything he does is so clean,” he began in an interview after the game. “It’s an honour to play next to him. Playing next to him and learning from him everyday even in training helps me so much.
“I’m loving it. I love it in the middle, try to dictate the game and try to get in the box to score goals.
“He [Pep] is very big on second balls, duels, and dominating the midfield. I think I play a big part in that, using my body to win the ball back and counter. That’s what he’s trying to get across to me.
“It did [feel comfortable]. In the first half we were good, we dominated the game. Going into half time with three goals put us in a great position. I thought throughout the whole 90 minutes was good. We dictated the play and got the win.
“It was good. Antoine is very good one against one. I made it two against one running in behind, and it was a tight angle so I thought I’d chip the goalkeeper.”
The victory takes us three points behind league-leaders Arsenal who are scheduled to play on Thursday night away to Brentford.
Fulham boss Marco Silva, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We know normally in these types of games we have to be clinical.
"It was too easy for them to score the goals. At 1-0 we had a big chance and to equalise probably a different game.
"We have to be at our best level in these types of games and we weren't and that is why we lost the game."
Did you know?
Only Burnley and Wolves (9 each) have lost more away games than Fulham (8) in the Premier League this season, with their eight away defeats already more than they suffered in the 2024-25 campaign (7).
The New York Giants quarterback was challenged by his singer wife to answer a divisive question that he struggled with during their guest appearance on Hot Ones Versus, a spinoff of YouTuber Sean EvanHot Ones by First We Feast.
The premise of the show has the couple go head to head in answering "deeply personal" questions in front of a plate of hot wings. If they choose to plead the fifth on any of the prompts, they have to "suffer the wrath" of the Last Dab (the infamously spicy sauce on Hot Ones).
Ciara and Russel Wilson on 'Hot Ones Versus'
First We Feast/YouTube
"Which is more important? Your Super Bowl ring or your wedding ring?" Ciara asked Wilson.
The NFL quarterback, who won his first and only Super Bowl ring with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014 and wed the "Level Up" singer in 2016, shook his head in disbelief upon hearing the question while laughter could be heard off camera.
"Ya'll f----- up for his," he said, and disappointedly reached for a wing in defeat.
Ciara, physically amused and confident that she stumped her husband, erupted into laughter while hysterically looking on at Wilson, who continued to struggle with another spicy bite.
"That was really f----- up," he doubled down.
Ciara on 'Hot Ones Versus'
First We Feast/YouTube
Wilson, who just wrapped his 14th season in the NFL and first with the New York Giants, recently stepped out with Ciara during Super Bowl week in San Francisco, Calif.
They spoke with PEOPLE on the red carpet at The One Party by Uber on Friday, Feb. 6 about successfully playing matchmaker for their famous friends.
"We get excited when we get to help our friends find love, and it brings us joy," Ciara said.
Russell Wilson and Ciara at the 15th Annual NFL Honors on Feb. 5, 2026.
Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty
"We believe in love, and whenever we can set people up, it's always the best," added Wilson.
Ciara and Wilson initially introduced their friends Normani and DK Metcalf. The latter couple got engaged in March 2025. At the time, Ciara shared a screenshot from the FaceTime call during which she found out the good news.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
"[Russell] and I knew when we introed yall 3yrs ago .. love was truly in the air! Now yall gon be booed up for forever!!" she wrote in an Instagram caption. "This was the best news! [DK and Normani], we love yall so much!"
"It's kind of a fun game for us at this point, but it makes us happy when people can experience love," Ciara told PEOPLE. "So yes, any chance we get, we're going to do it."
Every four years, the greatest athletes in the world come together to compete at the highest possible level their sport has to offer: the Olympics. This year, thousands of athletes, from figure skaters to snowboarders to bobsledders, have poured into the Games' host city ready to compete for the gold, follow their dreams, and, apparently, have sex.
It's not exactly a secret that athletes in the Olympic Village are horny — in fact, they've admitted it themselves. Soccer player Hope Solo told ESPN in 2012 that "there's a lot of sex going on" at the Olympics. Josh Lakatos, a US trap shooter, even revealed that he's "never witnessed so much debauchery in [his] entire life," while swimmer Ryan Lochte added that he'd guess around 70 to 75 percent of Olympians partake in between-the-sheets activities. "Hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do," he said.
While the Olympic Games are thousands of years old, the infamous Olympic Village has only been around for 100 years — but the lore of what goes on inside the private, athletes-only residence halls runs deep. It's been said in GQ that someone once "woke up in the village one morning with nothing but a baguette on," and even Grindr allegedly crashed during the 2012 Games in London, according to The Daily Mirror.
Experts Featured in This Article
Kelly Campbell, PhD, is a psychology professor at California State University, San Bernardino who has studied the link between love and athletic performance.
And we get it: these athletes are young, hot, amped up on pre-competition energy and obviously at their athletic peak, meaning that getting down and dirty in the Village is pretty much unavoidable. Psychology professor Kelly Campbell, PhD, thinks so. She spent the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver interviewing Olympians inside the Village and studying the effects that love and romance have on athletic performance. Based on her interactions, Dr. Campbell says that the athletes (at least, some of them) are definitely having sex.
"You can attribute it to a lot of things. If you think about who's there, it's people who are relatively matched in age, they're all extremely physically fit, they have these characteristics that are already going to create this heightened environment," she tells PS.
She also interviewed people who worked in the Olympic Village, including cafeteria and food delivery workers to get the inside scoop. "As the Games progress and people are there longer, [the workers said] you start to see these little partnerships happening," she says.
Before attending the 2020 Tokyo Games (which were held in 2021 due to the pandemic), Ali Gibson, a basketball player representing Puerto Rico, tells PS that finding out what goes on in the Village was one of the things she was most looking forward to — besides competing, of course. "The Village is everything," she says. "Everyone's talking about how all of the athletes are going to interact and be around each other, so that was definitely something I was looking forward to."
After attending the Games, Gibson says that most athletes are super focused on competing — that is, until their event ends. "They let loose after that," she says.
Like, really let loose, according to Viktoria*, a Tokyo 2020 Olympic athlete who requested anonymity. "By the time my competition was over, I had only one thing on my mind — to hook up and release this pent up energy," she tells PS. "It's crazy in the Village. Athletes download Tinder just for those two weeks and set their location to the few [miles] radius of the Olympic Village, and both men and women are always on the lookout for a good catch."
"There's another mini Olympics happening — the hookup Olympics."
"Amongst your closest friends in your team, there's another mini Olympics happening — the hookup Olympics," she adds. In that iteration of the games, some events consisted of who can kiss the most people in one night, who can get a gold medalist into bed, and who can find out which sports team had the best performance off the field — and in the bedroom. "It's the most fun ever," she says.
"Because the Olympics comes around only once every four years, you almost feel like this is your one moment to go all in and experience the craziness," Viktoria adds. "We would have parties every night once we were done with the competition and I would always end up with someone new. It's definitely one of the craziest experiences of my life."
Both Viktoria and Gibson's first Olympics was Tokyo 2020, which came with a new rule: no leaving the Village. "Usually what happens is athletes throw parties," Gibson says. "[They] rent out penthouses or whatever and throw parties around town at restaurants at night, but you couldn't leave the Village because of COVID unless you were going to a game or practice, so all of the parties had to be handled in the Village."
And no, those "anti-sex beds" (which were debunked) didn't stop the athletes from fornicating, either. Viktoria says being forced to stay in one place made the athlete's quarters feel like the "Love Island" villa. "There was definitely still intimacy happening throughout that Village, for sure," Gibson says. (Fortunately for the 2026 Winter Olympics specifically, it seems the Olympics committee ditched these cardboard beds all together, according to a TikTok shared by Team Great Britain's ice dancer Phebe Bekker.)
On what surprised Viktoria most during her time in the Village, she recalls, "Some athletes who are married or in committed long term relationships decide that the rules don't apply in the Village." She adds, "Not all of them, but some. My friends and I always made sure we did a few background social media checks on the athletes to make sure we weren't hooking up with married athletes."
"People go wild. Australia always has the best parties after, and so does Great Britain," says Hannah*, a five-time paralympic swimmer who requested anonymity. "It's wild. You don't think that everyone is hooking up, but everyone is literally hooking up. And you come to find out after the Games that some people were hooking up with multiple people."
While Hannah says she didn't partake in the frenzy of Olympic hookups, she did get to bring in her boyfriend (now husband) to do the deed. "It was fun to bring [him] into the Village just to say I did that in the Village," she says.
While there are athletes who certainly have sex at the Olympics, the happenings in the Village aren't as salacious and scandalous as the media makes them seem. There are definitely opportunities to let your freak flag fly, like Viktoria says, but that's not the reality for what appears to be the majority of athletes. "It's not that crazy," Kyra Condie, a US climber, tells PS. "My expectations were that it was going to be totally insane, and I think, depending on how involved you are in it, it's not that crazy. I'm not walking around a corner and seeing people hook up."
The intrigue we have about the Olympic Village may have erupted into the obsession that it is today back when the condom program was first introduced in 1988. Although the aim was to bring awareness to HIV and AIDS, instead, the public became more interested in whether or not those thousands (and thousands!) of condoms were actually being used. And while there isn't a way to figure out exactly how many condoms end up in the trash, the 2000 Sydney Games had to have 20,000 extra condoms shuttled in after the first 50,000 wasn't enough. It's reported that this year, 10,000 rubbers — along with packets of lube — were sent to the Milan 2026 Winter Games.
Sex, in general, is a topic that's both taboo and a significant part of our everyday culture. "Americans have a very strange relationship with sex," Dr. Campbell says. "We shouldn't talk too much about it in school, but yet we can use it to sell hamburgers and plaster it all over billboards. It's partly that dichotomy that makes it interesting because if it weren't secretive, it wouldn't be as interesting."
But it's also the fact that we, the public, don't know what goes on in the Olympic Village that makes its intrigue all the more intense. "We see in the public what's going on with their sport, but we don't see anything else," Dr. Campbell says. "Everyone's wondering, what about the rest? We don't have that lens, it's private, so people are going to have an interest in it."
"What I'd like the public to understand is that when you're in an elite, high performance sport, there's many days, weeks, and months of the year when we're separated from normal life and everyday society," Viktoria says. "When you're in the competitive season, you don't get to meet anyone new or have a normal social life. For us, being in the Olympic Village is like having all of those missed out opportunities concentrated into two weeks. It's not like we're doing anything out of the ordinary!"
Elizabeth Gulino is a freelance journalist who specializes in topics relating to wellness, sex, relationships, work, money, lifestyle, and more. She spent four and a half years at Refinery29 as a senior writer and has worked for House Beautiful, Complex, and The Hollywood Reporter.
Liverpool suffer another major injury blow in defence
Arne Slot says he expects Wataru Endo be out for a while after being taken off on a stretcher in the win over Sunderland.
Endo, starting at right-back with Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong out injured, and makeshift right-back Dominik Szoboszlai suspended, was forced off in the second half.
“His injury doesn’t look good,” Slot said.
“I expect him, unfortunately, to be out for quite a long time again.
“But what a mentality for him that things really don’t look good and he defends one more set piece.”
Slot was full of praise for his side’s defensive efforts in the victory, however, as Liverpool became the first side to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this season thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s header.
“Almost all the things we had to do, we did really well,” the Reds boss said.
“The only thing I can be not so positive about is if you create so many chances, you should score more.
“But one goal was enough today because we defended really well.”
Pep Guardiola has once again hailed the efforts of City skipper Bernardo after a fairly comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham.
Our captain once again ran himself into the ground before his manager decided it was time to give him a rest on the hour-mark when he was replaced by Tijjani Reijnders.
And his manager was again delighted with his efforts.
“He’s irreplaceable. When Bernardo is not there we have to play another system,” said Guardiola.
“He presses to the keeper and then helps Rodri build up and then sometimes goes to the right like at Anfield to make crosses or passes to win the game. This is Bernardo.
“[Our performance was] really good. One of the best of the season, [especially] after Anfield for our experience there, in an important, emotional game.
“The next one is always tricky. We were lucky we were home, not away. In our first game there [at Fulham], we suffered incredibly.
“The second half, we didn’t run there. We ran today. We adjusted a few things in our pressing. In the second half they made a step up and were more aggressive.
“Bernardo was exhausted, Rodri was exhausted. He didn’t lose one ball and then in the second half he lost 10 balls. The back four was so solid.
“Matheus was tired in the second half, and he didn’t play the level he needed to in the last 10 minutes.
“Khusanov with his incredible focus brought stability. But in general we are incredibly pleased with all the guys, their performance and the result.”
Pep also praised another excellent display by 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly, who continues to blossom.
The youngster capped a man-of-the match performance with his fourth goal of the season in what was - already - his 37th appearance of the campaign.
Asked what he thought of O’Reilly’s latest stellar contribution, Pep said: “Top, top, top. We need physicality there because we are not incredibly composed with the ball and if we are not strong enough we will not compete.
“With Bernardo, Rodri and Nico in those positions we have a base. With Antoine, we have rhythm and pace in our pressing and that helps.
“We have to be close to each other. That is the only way to defend and in the first half that was outstanding and really good.
“I always say he has incredible pace going forward. Erling kept the ball and after that the pace for Nico and Antoine make the difference.
“Now we have Salford then we need to not see each other and rest. We have an incredibly tough schedule like Arsenal, and we will have a midweek off.
“It’s been so tough and with a lot of injuries. Salford and then we need two, three, four or five days off. We will try to prepare the next two games before we arrive in March.”
See City in the FA Cup!
There’s no membership needed to get up to four tickets per person for our FA Cup fourth round clash with neighbours Salford City*.
Priced from £17.50 for adults and £7.50 for children, it’s a fun day out for all the family on Saturday 14 February.
*Tickets are on sale to all fans who have purchased at least one home fixture. You must have had an active supporter number before Sunday 11 January and the previous purchase number excludes previous fixtures v Salford.
Utah forward Kendyl Sanders (13) lays the ball up past Houston center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) during an NCAA basketball game held at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Student-athletes are increasingly exploring name, image and likeness contracts to benefit from their emerging stardoms. But lawmakers want to make sure those deals don’t provide loopholes for foreign adversaries to exert their influence in the United States.
Utah Rep. Blake Moore introduced the No Foreign NIL Funds Act on Tuesday that would implement a number of restrictions banning foreign governments and adversarial entities from investing in U.S. college sports. The bill would mostly apply to NIL contracts, but it would also extend to sponsorships, media rights deals, hosting amateur athletic conferences, and other joint ventures.
“College sports are woven into American campus life, local communities, and family traditions. But allowing foreign entities to funnel money and sponsorships into college athletics through NIL deals risks undermining the integrity of the game and exposing universities to unintended foreign influence or national security concerns,” Moore, a former student-athlete himself, said in a statement. “NIL should be used to support college athletes, not as a backdoor for moving foreign money into American institutions.”
Since NIL contracts have been accepted in recent years, lawmakers have struggled to adopt comprehensive laws regulating those deals. As a result, there are no federal restrictions banning foreign governments from funding those contracts so long as the agreements are cleared through a list of requirements settled in the House vs. NCAA lawsuit in 2024.
That settlement now allows each school to pay its athletes up to $20.5 million per year, which works out to about 22% of the average athletic department revenue at Power Four schools.
However, many of the organizations that coordinate NIL contracts operate as limited liability companies, or LLCs, that do not require donor lists to be made public. That has raised national security concerns among some lawmakers who said adversarial countries could quietly pour money into a university’s sports program and try to build political influence or gain leverage.
The bill would go beyond those NIL contracts to also block foreign countries from investing in collegiate athletic streams, and it would prohibit entering into contracts with individual universities, media rights distributors, bowl games or postseason football organizations.
Bill would have exceptions for foreign NIL donations
The legislation would carve out some exceptions to allow members of NATO, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland to still participate in those contracts.
The bill has garnered the support of bipartisan lawmakers, and even has the backing of Utah State University’s athletic director, who said it’s crucial “to create a safe and sustainable future.”
“Utah State Athletics firmly supports our student-athletes and their ability to seek name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities through the appropriate channels,” USU athletic director Cameron Walker said. “However, the origin of these sources is critical for NIL to function effectively and operate in the best interest of our university, state, and student-athletes. We are thankful for Congressman Moore’s work in this area and support his efforts to create a safe and sustainable future.”
Nico O'Reilly scored in Man City's 3-0 win over Fulham (Paul ELLIS)
Manchester City beat Fulham 3-0 to close in on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday, as Liverpool inflicted Sunderland's first home defeat of the season to ease the pressure on Arne Slot.
Fresh from what could be a turning point in the title race with a late fightback to beat Liverpool on Sunday, City cruised to victory with three goals in 15 first-half minutes to cut the gap at the top of the table to three points.
Antoine Semenyo struck for the fifth time since joining from Bournemouth last month before he set up Nico O'Reilly to chip in a second.
"It's all a fairytale right now," said Semenyo of his fast start to his City career.
"It's just being part of a great team, a great environment, the coach has been great and they've made it easy for me to settle."
Erling Haaland then netted his first Premier League goal from open play for nearly two months before being handed a second-half rest by Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal can stretch their advantage back to six points when they visit Brentford on Thursday, but the Gunners are suddenly under pressure in their quest for a first title in 22 years.
- Liverpool breach Sunderland fortress -
Liverpool remain in sixth but did their chances of Champions League football next season a power of good with an impressive 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.
Virgil van Dijk's header from a Mohamed Salah corner early in the second half was enough to earn just the English champions' second league win of 2026.
"If you generate so many chances you should score more than one goal," said Slot. "But today this was enough because we defended very, very well in all phases of the game."
Slot admitted before the game that his job would be at risk should Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League, despite winning the title in his debut season.
A place in the top five is almost certain to be enough thanks to the strong performances of English sides in European competition this season.
The Reds close to within two points of fifth-placed Chelsea and three of Manchester United in fourth.
Defeat ended Sunderland's proud record of having the only unbeaten home record left in the Premier League this season as they slipped to 11th.
Third-placed Aston Villa moved closer to sealing their place in next season's Champions League thanks to a late own goal from Jack Hinshelwood to beat Brighton 1-0.
Brighton midfielder James Milner made history with his 653rd Premier League appearance to match the all-time record held by former Villa captain Gareth Barry.
The Seagulls are winless in six games but had held out comfortably until Hinshelwood turned a corner into his own net under pressure from Tyrone Mings.
Burnley ended a 16-game Premier League winless streak with a stunning comeback to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 and spoil Jorgen Strand Larsen's impressive home debut for the Eagles.
Strand Larsen struck twice in the opening 33 minutes on his first Selhurst Park appearance since joining for a club record £48 million ($66 million) from Wolves.
Hannibal Mejbri and Jaidon Anthony brought Burnley level before Jefferson Lerma's own goal completed the comeback.
Nottingham Forest could be set to sack a third manager this season after a 0-0 home draw against Wolves left them just three points above the relegation zone.
The BBC reported Sean Dyche's position is in serious peril. Forest dismissed Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou earlier in the campaign.
Editor's Note: The following story deals with sexual assault, and may be triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know is in need of support, in USA, please call 1-800-656-4673. More resources can be found here. In Canada, a list of resources can be found here.
French figure skating pair Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry are in the mix for a gold medal. Competing in the pairs figure skating competition, the duo formed just a year ago.
The skating pair has been making headlines for their partnership because of things that occurred off the ice.
That’s because the pair was newly formed after Laurence Fournier Beaudry’s former partner, Nikolaj Sorensen, was barred from skating for Canada following an investigation into sexual assault allegations against him.
As for Fournier Beaudry’s new partner, Guillaume Cizeron, he has been accused by his former skating partner of being controlling and demanding.
Fournier Beaudry is originally from Canada but earned French citizenship just a few months ago. Now, with her new partner Guillaume Cizeron, the two are skating for France.
Here’s everything you need to know about the controversy surrounding the pair.
In 2024, Canada banned Fournier Beaudry’s former skating partner, Sorensen, from the sport for six years. He was accused of sexually assaulting a skater in 2012. Fournier Beaudry defended her former partner at the time.
She had to find a new partner, however, and turned to Guillaume Cizeron, who had recently retired from skating with his longtime partner Gabriella Papadakis. Papadakis alleged that her former partner was controlling and demanding. Cizeron has denied those allegations.
Why did Guillaume Cizeron split with Gabriella Papadakis?
Initially, the duo announced they were retiring as a pair from professional skating. Together, they won gold at the 2022 Olympics and silver at the 2018 Olympics. They were five-time world champions and five-time consecutive European champions, as well as winners of several other titles.
But earlier in 2026, Papadakis levied new allegations against her former partner.
Gabriella Papadakis memoir
Early in 2026, Papadakis released her memoir “To Not Disappear." In the book, she wrote about the power imbalances that exist in the sport. She also described her former partner as "often controlling, demanding and critical,” and added that she would not skate with him without a coach present at practice.
"In the face of the smear campaign targeting me, I want to express my incomprehension and my disagreement with the labels being attributed to me," Cizeron said via The Associated Press in Jan 2026. "These allegations arise at a particularly sensitive time... thereby raising questions about the underlying intentions behind this campaign. I also wish to denounce the content of the book, which contains false information, attributing to me, among other things, statements I have never made and which I consider serious."
As for Papadakis, she was supposed to be an analyst for NBC's figure skating coverage in Milan. Following the book and Cizeron's comments, the network removed her from their coverage.
“We respect Gabriella’s right to tell the story of her life and career," NBC told Sportico in a statement. "At the same time, her new book creates a clear conflict of interest. Our responsibility is to deliver coverage that our audience can trust to be free of bias—whether actual or perceived—and we regret that is no longer possible given the circumstances.”
Cizeron had his lawyers file a cease and desist order against the "dissemination of defamatory statements" about him.
"To my knowledge, in reaction to Guillaume filing a formal notice, which was made public, they [NBC] considered that the perception of my neutrality was compromised and that I could not commentate on the Olympic Games," Papadakis told the French newspaper L'Équipe.
Papadakis network removed her from their Olympic coverage, citing a conflict of interestAccording to Papadakis,
Who is Laurence Fournier Beaudry's boyfriend?
Laurence Fournier's boyfriend is her former partner, Nikolaj Sorensen. The pair won 15 medals together, and represented Canada in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Nikolaj Sorensen sexual assault allegations
Sorenson was accused of sexually assaulting an American figure skater in April 2012. according to documents and emails obtained by USA TODAY Sports in 2023:
The documents said the woman, then 22, alleged Sorensen, then 23, held her down against her will on a bed and raped her after a party at a condominium near Hartford, Connecticut. The woman is not being identified because USA TODAY Sports does not publish the names of victims of alleged sexual abuse.
Fournier defended her boyfriend against the allegations during a Netflix documentary "Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing,"
"This was extremely difficult because it was not only about skating," she said via the newspaper. "It was about my integrity, it was about his integrity. I know my boyfriend 100%. I know him. And we (stood) strong together."
Sorenson has denied the allegations.
“When something like that comes out in the media, the damage is kind of done and I think that was the intention more than anything,” Sørensen said via USA Today in March 2024.
The victim's attorney, who Nancy Hogshead, who is an Olympic medalist and Title IX lawyer, said that the skater's public comments should be a violation o the OSIC statute 5.14.2 in the Code of Conduct which prevents retaliation during an investigation.
“Nikolaj Sorensen has no evidence of the victim’s motives," Hogshead said. "His statement is clearly designed to discredit the veracity of the victim, and is therefore retaliation for filing a complaint. He should not be able to compete in the world championships because he is violating the rules prohibiting retaliation when he defamed the victim for filing a claim.”
Jordan Stolz pictured this moment most of his life, ever since he was 5 years old, learning to skate on a frozen pond in his Wisconsin backyard after falling in love with speedskating during the 2010 Winter Olympics - and hoping to one day step atop the podium himself.
So what was the little hassle of a 10-or-so-minute wait to make sure this first speedskating gold medal would be his Wednesday?
Stolz needed to hold off on celebrating until another competitor got the chance for a re-skate, then soon enough was able to smile while leaning forward to receive his gold for winning the men's 1,000 meters at the Milan Cortina Games in an Olympic-record time.
Now Stolz will hope to keep going and add to his collection of trophies as he competes in three more events in Milan.
"I'm as much as rested as I can be," Stolz told CBS News ahead of the competition on Wednesday. "And it should be some of the best races I've had all year. That's what I'm looking for."
Skating in the next-to-last pairing at Milano Speed Skating Stadium, a temporary facility constructed for these Olympics that has been producing fast times so far, Stolz finished in 1 minute, 6.28 seconds.
The 21-year-old didn't threaten his world record of 1:05.37 but did better the Olympic standard of 1:07.18 that had stood since 2002 - before Stolz was born. All four long track speedskating races in Milan have been won in the fastest times ever turned in at an Olympics.
Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands was a half-second slower than Stolz and took the silver medal. No one else came within a full second of Stolz's time. Zhongyan Ning of China got the bronze.
Stolz's medal was his first at this level: As a 17-year-old at the 2022 Beijing Games, Stolz came in 14th in the 1,000 and 13th in the 500.
It also was the first medal of any sort in the men's 1,000 for the United States since the 2010 Vancouver Games. That's when Shani Davis - a mentor to Stolz - won his second consecutive gold in that event, and Chad Hedrick took the bronze. Dutch men had won the 1,000 at each of the past three Winter Games.
With Eric Heiden, the only speedskater to win five golds at one Olympics, sitting next to rapper Snoop Dogg in the stands, Stolz pulled ahead of de Boo by the time one full lap was done. Then de Boo moved in front. But Stolz took the lead at the final corner and crossed first with his hands on his knees.
He soon was celebrating with an understated pump of his right hand.
A full-on victory lap toting an American flag had to be put on hold for a bit, though: First, the day's last heat needed to be held. And then there was a 10-minute delay before Joep Wennermars of the Netherlands was given the chance at a re-skate because he had been bumped during his original heat.
But Wennermars didn't come close to beating Stolz, who entered the day as a big favorite - and came through in the clutch.
Stolz not only holds the 1,000 world record he set in January 2024 but is also a two-time world champion at the distance. Plus, he went 5-for-5 on the World Cup circuit this season in the event, confirming his status as the man to beat at the Winter Games.
In a surprising scene at the U.S. Olympic trials at Milwaukee in January, Stolz fell to the ice a few strides into the 1,000, then popped back up and ended up with the third-best time.
No such issue when it mattered the most Wednesday.
This race was Stolz's first of his four scheduled events in Milan - and it is not unrealistic to think he could leave Italy with four gold medals, given his track record and dominance of late. After two days off, he also is entered in the 500 meters on Saturday, the 1,500 on Feb. 19, and the mass start on Feb. 21, the final day of speedskating at these Olympics.
Stolz's name is often mentioned alongside that of Heiden, the superstar who is the only speedskater to claim five long-track gold medals at a single Winter Games. Heiden won five individual events at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics: the 500, 1,000, 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000.
Stolz says he's flattered to hear about such comparisons, but also is quick to note that what Heiden accomplished was remarkably different, given his participation at all five of those distances. Stolz might add the longer distances to his repertoire down the road; for now, he is the best there is in the sprints.
Dutch men had won the 1,000 at each of the past three Winter Games.
Stolz, 21, started skating on the pond behind his family's home after watching Apolo Ohno and Shani Davis in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, according to Team USA.
Ohno took to social media after the race, declaring that Stolz is "built different."
Holy sweet Mary Moses that last lap was destructive to the other competitors psyche. Built different. Stolz
Stolz also skates professionally for the Dutch team, Albert Heijn Zaanlander. Speedskating is a widely-followed sport in the Netherlands, and Stolz said he hopes to bring more awareness to speed skating in the U.S.
"It's obviously not going to be as much as it is in Holland. I wish it was but maybe someday it will be, but at least I can do a little bit," Stolz told CBS News before the Olympics.
LAKELAND, FL – Justin Verlander walked into the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse at the TigerTown complex wearing a tan-colored outfit, coffee in hand, and ready for the first day of pitcher and catcher workouts Wednesday, Feb. 11, in spring training.
He introduced himself to the unfamiliar faces nearby as he settled in, then eventually changed into his baseball gear.
The Old English "D" still looks good on him.
It didn't take long for Kenley Jansen to stroll by Verlander's locker. They're going to be in the Hall of Fame together one day. For now, Jansen is MLB's active saves leader, while Verlander is the active wins leader.
This is Verlander's first spring training in TigerTown since 2017. He pitched for the Tigers from 2005-17 before being traded to the Houston Astros on Aug. 31, 2017, which was one of the first moves in the Tigers' rebuild.
"I'm excited to see him here in this clubhouse, and I'm excited to be here for the first time," Jansen said. "It's going to be fun. I'm already feeling it. We're excited to get going."
But Verlander chose not to talk to any reporters – not yet. He shook hands and engaged in small talk, but he didn't share any insight about his decision to return to the Tigers after more than eight years away.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Verlander said.
Why not today?
Because Verlander didn't want to steal the spotlight from Valdez, whom the Tigers introduced after Wednesday's first workout in a family-filled press conference in the premium "34 Club" at Joker Marchant Stadium.
As Valdez's father, mother, brother, wife and children watched on, Verlander wanted him to have his moment.
Three minutes before the press conference, the fellow starters in the Tigers' rotation – Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Verlander, listed in order of their entrance – walked in, showing their support of Valdez joining the Tigers.
"It makes me feel great that they took time out of their day to be with me here," Valdez said in Spanish, interpreted by Octagon agent Ulises Cabrera. "I hope to be a contributing member of that group. A rising tide raises all boats. For them to be there, they're best in class."
There will be a press conference at 8:15 a.m. Thursday in the 34 Club – just like Wednesday's pageantry for Valdez.
"We know how he fits in this city and organization, but we wanted him to know how he fits on this team and how he can help us win," said president of baseball operations Scott Harris, who signed Verlander on Tuesday to a one-year, $13 million contract. "That's where I think we really hit it off. He has some unfinished business in Detroit. We want to win, too."
"That's a big addition in a lot of ways," said manager A.J. Hinch, who managed Verlander from 2017-19 with the Astros. "My focus with him was entirely on what he can do to help us win on the mound. When he gets in front of you guys tomorrow, he will share his emotions and feelings."
Justin Verlander plays catch
During Wednesday's workout, Verlander went through a series of drills that included stretches and pitcher fielding practice. He seemed comfortable around his new teammates.
The 20-year MLB veteran put his glove on and played catch with bullpen catcher Tim Remes, one of the few remaining holdovers from Verlander's first stint with the Tigers. He joined the Tigers as their bullpen catcher in 2018, less than one year after the Tigers traded Verlander on Aug. 31, 2017.
But Remes played in the Tigers' organization before joining the coaching staff, including with Verlander's brother, Ben Verlander, throughout the entire 2015 season in Low-A Lakeland.
Verlander and Remes discussed the cutting action on one of Verlander's pitch types as they played catch.
It was like two mechanics fine-tuning an engine.
Eventually, Verlander was joined by Skubal, Valdez and Flaherty.
All four played catch at the same time.
They talked like old friends afterward.
"We go back to 2017 in Houston," said Valdez, a teammate of Verlander from 2018-24 with the Astros. "When I was coming up, I used him as a role model. He was a guide for me on how to handle my time between starts with the seriousness that he takes to every start."
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
For (spring) openers: Yankees
Matchup: Tigers (87-75 in 2025) at N.Y. Yankees (94-68 in 2025), Grapefruit League opener.
First pitch: 1:10 p.m. Feb. 21; George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Florida.
TV/radio: None.
Regular-season opener: March 26, 4:10 p.m.; at San Diego Padres, Petco Park.
Nico Paz: Man United will not let Real Madrid stop transfer plan
Manchester United’s hopes of striking a deal for Nico Paz have been reignited despite Real Madrid’s intention to re-sign the 21-year-old magician this summer, according to a new report.
Lighting up Serie A
Paz has enjoyed a meteoric rise since leaving the Santiago Bernabeu to join Serie A hotshots Como 1907 in the summer of 2024 for €6 million.
The Argentina international has become one of Serie A’s most effective attacking midfielders under the tutelage of Cesc Fabregas, demonstrating a maturity on the ball which belies his years.
Six goals and nine assists in an excellent debut campaign have been followed up by the reverse – nine goals and six assists – in an even more impressive sophomore year, with a third of the season still to play.
But it is not simply Paz’s decisive contributions in the final third which have caught eye; rather, it’s his ability to dictate games for Como, purposely moving around the pitch as he helps effectively knit play, which has put him on the radar of Europe’s elite.
A Successor to Bruno?
United have been strongly linked with a move for the youngster as INEOS grapples with the prospect of life after club captain, Bruno Fernandes .
The 31-year-old midfielder was pursued by Al-Hilal last summer, with the Saudi Pro League side willing to offer eye-watering sums to lure him to the Middle East. Their interest was ultimately rebuffed, but is Caught Offside” target=”_blank”>expected to be renewed after the World Cup this summer.
Fernandes’ deal at Old Trafford expires next year, though the club can trigger an automatic one-year extension. His contract contains a £57m release clause to teams outside of England, however, which pours more fuel on the fire of an explosive exit from Old Trafford.
The Portuguese maestro remains United’s best, and most influential, player, on and off the pitch. It would be virtually impossible to replace his impact on the club.
But a raid on Italy for one of the next big No. 10s would certainly soften the blow – with reports earlier in the season of a €70m bid being prepared by the Red Devils after scouts delivered glowing reports.
Madrid make their move/h5>
While Paz was never going to get first-team opportunities in the Spanish capital, Madrid were well aware of the talent they had in their ranks.
Consequently, the Liga giant included a buy-back clause worth around €10m as insurance – and they plan to trigger it this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano, effectively ending United’s pursuit.
However, in an shock twist, Madrid are in fact bringing Paz back to then sell him for at an enormous profit to the Premier League, Real Madrid want €780m ” target=”_blank”>according to a report from Spain. They are understood to be demanding €80m for their academy graduate.
Caught Offside” target=”_blank”>Caught Offside confirms interest from England, with Chelsea also preparing to rival United for Paz’s signature.
Final Thoughts
If INEOS were willing to launch a €70m raid for the Argentine starlet before Christmas, the fact he will be available for just €10m more come the summer is likely to dissuade this intention.
There will undoubtedly be a sense of displeasure at rewarding Madrid so handsomely for a hostile move – but football is a business, there can be no room for personal feelings off the pitch in the pursuit of success on it.
Bayern pair rivalling Kane with seasons of all seasons 🏃♂️
Bayern Munich are cruising to a place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals.
The reigning Bundesliga champions could be in for another season of all seasons with another treble in the offing as they continue to dominate at home and in Europe.
Harry Kane continues to be the driving force for Vincent Kompany's side but two of his teammates at the Allianz Arena are looking to rival him for goals and assists.
The England captain notched his 39th goal of the campaign for the Bavarians from the penalty spot in Wednesday's quarter final encounter with RB Leipzig.
That was followed by Luis Díaz and Michael Olise combining to double the hosts' lead midway through the second half to take them to 36 goal involvements apiece.
In a strange quirk, Díaz has 21 goals and 15 assists to date while Olise has 15 and 21 respectively.
They are now just eight goals behind Kane, who also has five assists to keep him clear of the pair, but the mercurial wingers are fast coming on their free-scoring teammate.
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. (71) after a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Following the retirement of right tackle Rob Havenstein, the Los Angeles Rams will have a decision to make at right tackle. For a decade, Havenstein provided stability at right tackle and was a ‘set it and forget it’ type of player. He made 148 starts at offensive tackle in the regular season which trails only Orlando Pace, Charlie Cowan, and Jackie Slater in franchise history.
For the first time in a decade, the Rams will need to decide what they want to do going forward at the right tackle position. Despite having opportunities to draft a potential replacement in the early rounds over the past few years, the Rams approached Havenstein’s retirement differently than they handled Andrew Whitworth’s. With Whitworth, the Rams had a clear succession plan with Joe Noteboom that ultimately didn’t work out. In the case of Havenstein, the Rams never spent top draft capital on a potential replacement.
Havenstein’s retirement shouldn’t come as a surprise. He was on an expiring contract and dealt with injuries over the last two years. If anything, it was to be expected. Still, it adds question marks to a position that hasn’t had any for almost a decade. The Rams could opt to sign a veteran for experience, but the options are limited. Among right tackle free agents are Jonah Williams and Jermaine Eluemunor. Williams has limitations in pass protection and Eluemunor doesn’t move the needle. Signing a free agent right tackle seems like the least likely path forward.
This really comes down to whether or not Warren McClendon showed enough in 13 starts or is right tackle now a priority. While mock drafts may have the Rams selecting tackles such as Monroe Freeling, or Blake Miller, even that feels unlikely. Selecting someone like Josh Simons last year would have made sense. However, asking an unproven rookie to take the mantle at right tackle is asking a lot, especially in a Super Bowl season.
While grades from Pro Football Focus aren’t the end-all, be-all, it is a way to quantify offensive line play. From the time McClendon officially took over in Week 12 until Week 18, McClendon was the fifth-highest graded tackle in the NFL. His 83.1 run-blocking grade was tied for seventh and his 79.7 pass-blocking grade ranked ninth. McClendon’s 98.5 pass-blocking efficiency was second behind only Garrett Boles.
Still, after allowing four or more pressures once in 10 starts during the regular season, he did so twice in three postseason games. Two of his worst games via pass-blocking efficiency came in the Wild Card round against the Carolina Panthers and the Conference Championship against the Seattle Seahawks.
When the Rams moved from Whitworth to Noteboom in 2022, it was a clear succession. The Rams did draft Logan Bruss at 103 overall, but the plan initially was for him to play right guard. There was no backup plan in the case that Noteboom’s form at the end of 2021 was a fluke. That’s not a mistake that the Rams can make again.
To be clear, that’s not to say that McClendon isn’t the guy or can’t be the guy moving forward. However, all of the eggs can’t be put in that basket as they were in 2022. There’s no doubt that McClendon earned the opportunity to start at right tackle and take over for Havenstein. Ideally, the Rams give McClendon a chance and also draft a tackle with starting upside in the second or third round.
This allows the Rams to roll with McClendon in 2026 and give him the reins at right tackle. At the same time, if McClendon struggles, they have a backup plan and depth on the offensive line. With McClendon moving up into a starting role, the Rams are losing their swing tackle. They need a player that can slot in at left or right tackle in the case of injury. A player like Caleb Tiernan, Isaiah World, Max Iheanachor, or Drew Shelton could fill that role.
It’s also worth noting that McClendon is entering the final year of his rookie deal. In the case that McClendon plays himself into a large contract and the Rams are unable to re-sign him, they need a safety blanket in place. Adding a player that can develop as a rookie would protect them in that sense.
As it stands, McClendon is set to be the starting right tackle of the Rams in 2026 and that’s the way that it should be. It’s unlikely that they will sign a Havenstein replacement in free agency. Any mock draft that has the Rams taking an offensive tackle in the first round didn’t watch them down the stretch. McClendon showed enough over those 13 games to be given an opportunity. With that said, the Rams can still benefit by taking a tackle on Day 2 of the draft to develop and protect them moving forward.
The New England Patriots‘ 2025 season came to an end with a crushing 29-13 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, despite the best efforts of the team’s defense. One of the standout performers for the Pats in this game came from superstar cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
It was another standout campaign for Gonzalez, who solidified his standing as one of the top players at his position across the league. Gonzalez put together arguably his best game of the season in the Super Bowl, as he had three pass deflections, while also playing a key role in holding Jaxon Smith-Njigba to just four catches for 27 yards.
The loss was a tough pill for everyone in New England to swallow, especially Gonzalez, considering all he did to help his team come out on top. And while the loss of defeat stings, Gonzalez made it clear he’s not letting it take away from what the Patriots accomplished this season.
“Let It Sting, But Don’t Let It Take Away What WE Did,” Gonzalez said in a post on Instagram.
This figures to be an important offseason for Gonzalez, as he will almost certainly have the fifth-year option in his rookie contract exercised. Beyond that, though, Gonzalez is primed to earn a contract extension, potentially even as early this offseason.
Keeping Gonzalez around is obviously a key piece of business for the front office this offseason. Beyond that, though, the team needs to find a way to increase the talent level of its roster after it fell just short of winning a championship this season.
There will be a lot of speculation as to which teams will try to trade for disgruntled Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. While there haven't been any reports of interest from the Los Angeles Rams, that hasn't stopped some analysts from proposing hypothetical blockbuster trades between L.A. and the pass rusher.
However, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer wrote in his mailbag column that he doesn't think the Rams will trade for Crosby because of the presence of Byron Young, Jared Verse, their eventual contract extensions and other roster needs.
I’m not sure the Rams make sense. They have a decision to make on paying Byron Young this year. He had 12 sacks, is headed into his fourth year and he plays opposite star edge rusher Jared Verse, who’ll be eligible to do a massive second deal with the Rams in a year. So while you never say never, I’d guess the Rams have other areas (like corner) that they want to attack first.
Breer is pretty tapped into NFL front offices, so his perspective is important to consider when it comes to expectations. While general manager Les Snead mentioned that the Rams will try to capitalize on another season with Matthew Stafford, that doesn't mean the team will throw assets at a redundant position when other areas of need have to be addressed first.
Crosby would be an exciting addition to the team, but it would take a lot to acquire him (both financially and asset-wise) and would likely mean losing Young or another key player in the process.
Myles Garrett (L) and girlfriend Chloe Kim at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy
AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
NEED TO KNOW
Chloe Kim had a little support while competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy
The Team USA snowboarder soared to first place in the halfpipe qualifying round as her boyfriend, NFL star Myles Garrett, proudly looked on
The league's reigning defensive player of the year was heard gushing about Kim's skills
Chloe Kim has sailed through the qualifiers at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, and she did so with the support of her NFL boyfriend, Myles Garrett!
The Team USA snowboarder — who is aiming to become the first ever to "three-peat" and win her third gold in the halfpipe at the Olympics — was cheered on by the Cleveland Browns defensive end, as seen in a video and photos shared by the franchise and the NFL on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
In the images, the two-time NFL defensive player of the year, 30, poses with his 25-year-old girlfriend. A video captured her soaring up and down the halfpipe.
According to ESPN's SportsCenter, Garrett, toted a camera to take pictures of Kim’s historic run and repeatedly said “she’s so amazing, she’s so amazing,” as he watched from the stands in Livigno, Italy.
Kim was the only competitor to score above 90. She will be joined in the final round on Thursday, Feb. 12 by Team USA competitors Maddie Mastro and Bea Kim, who finished third and 10th in qualifying. Teammate Maddy Shaffrick did not advance to the final, finishing in 15th.
Chloe Kim competing for Team USA in Livigno, Italy on Feb. 11, 2026
Oliver Weiken/picture alliance via Getty
For the California native — who is competing with a torn labrum — the day went as planned.
"I'm honestly really happy with who I've become, and I feel like going into these Games, I just felt really at ease, calm. And I know what I'm here to do," Kim told reporters afterward, according to NPR.
For Garrett, flying to Italy after the NFL season wrapped and days after he was named the NFL's DPOY, was just payback for the support Kim has shown him.
Last month, after the Arlington, Texas native broke the NFL’s single-season record for sacks, Kim baked him a sweet treat as they basked in his historic feat.
“Proud of you!!!” Kim wrote alongside a photo of a smiling Garrett in her Instagram Stories. "Baking u all the cinnamon rolls your heart desires!!"
On Wednesday in Italy, the reunited pair smiled and sweetly interacted as others looked on.
They also had a fun back-and-forth, debating about who is the greatest athlete, according to ESPN.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.
Aston Villa ended their mini-skid with a win on a day former player James Milner made Premier League history for Brighton & Hove Albion in a 1-0 affair at Villa Park on Wednesday.
Unai Emery's side took the lead at Bournemouth on Saturday but drew 1-1 as injuries have hit Villa hard at precisely the moment they looked like challenging Arsenal and City for the title. Still, they look set for a top four finish if they can get back on track quickly and their new signings can settle in.
Brighton lost 1-0 at home to bitter rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday and some of the Seagulls faithful have turned on young manager Fabian Hurzeler. Brighton have won just once in their last 12 league games and with the players they have it's clear they should have more points on the board.
Aston Villa team news, focus
Morgan Rogers is their main star with John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara all missing through injury. He scored a beauty at the weekend and keeps on delivering. Villa need new signings Abraham and Luiz (both re-signing for Villa) and returning loanee Leon Bailey to deliver big performances straight away as Emery will rotate the lineup.
Brighton team news, focus
Adam Webster, Solly March, Stefanos Tzimas, Yasin Ayari and Mats Wieffer are out injured, while center back Jan Paul van Hecke remains a doubt. Brighton have so many wonderful attacking players but Hurzeler can't seem to find a way to get them all in the team at the same time and there's a real lack of fluidity and confidence in attack.
Aston Villa vs Brighton prediction
Expect Villa to get back to winning ways and score early to set the tone. Aston Villa 3-1 Brighton.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has completed his offensive coaching staff. After hiring Frank Reich as offensive coordinator, Glenn's attention shifted to his positional coaching vacancies. The Jets are hiring a veteran to their coaching staff.
Bill Musgrave is being hired as quarterbacks coach, multiple reports confirmed earlier this week. Musgrave will replace Charles London, who was the QB position coach throughout 2025. Musgrave brings a wealth of experience to the position.
The Jets hired Bill Musgrave as their QBs coach.
He's been an OC and QBs coach for a variety of teams over the last 20 years.
Musgrave spent last season as the Cleveland Browns' QB coach. It was a difficult job, with the Browns starting three different quarterbacks, including two rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Musgrave ultimately did a great job with Sanders, who was named to the Pro Bowl.
Musgrave has a lengthy resume as a quarterbacks coach and even as an offensive coordinator. Some of the quarterbacks he's coached include Deshaun Watson, Matt Ryan, Derek Carr, Nick Foles, Byron Leftwich, and Mark Brunell, among others.
The big question is which quarterbacks will Musgrave coach in 2026? Tyrod Taylor is a pending free agent and the Jets are expected to release Justin Fields from his contract. General manager Darren Mougey desperately needs to acquire some new quarterbacks for Musgrave to work with.
Aston Villa x Brighton & Hove Albion - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
15':
Opportunity wasted. Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area.
17':
Opportunity wasted. Jack Hinshelwood from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a header from the left side of the penalty area, but it sailed over the bar and to the left. The assist came from a cross by Pascal Groß.
20':
Missed opportunity. Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa attempted a left-footed shot from a challenging angle on the right but sent it wide to the left.
33':
Opportunity wasted. Amadou Onana from Aston Villa took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards out.
48':
Missed opportunity! Kaoru Mitoma from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area that narrowly missed the target. The assist came from Jack Hinshelwood after a quick counterattack.
49':
Missed opportunity! Amadou Onana from Aston Villa takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
63':
Opportunity wasted. Pascal Groß from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a shot with his right foot from the right side of the six-yard area.
65':
Missed opportunity! Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa attempted a header from the center of the penalty area following a corner kick, but couldn't convert.
70':
Opportunity wasted! Jack Hinshelwood from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area but couldn't find the target.
85':
Missed opportunity! Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to find the target. The cross was delivered by Ian Maatsen.
Aston Villa takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Brighton and Hove Albion. Tyrone Mings scores with a header from the right side of the six-yard box following a corner kick.
86':
GOAL Brighton & Hove Albion: Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton & Hove Albion) socres an own goal!
Man City 3-0 Fulham: City cruise to a statement win at the Etihad
Manchester City provisionally cut the gap to leaders Arsenal to just three points with an assured 3-0 win over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.
Antoine Semenyo maintained his fast start to life in Manchester with a fifth goal in eight games, with Nico O’Reilly adding a second with a deft chip being drafted into central midfield.
Erling Haaland added a third before half time, and his side cruised through the second half to extend their winning run against the Cottagers, who fell into the bottom half, to 16 Premier League matches.
As it happened
Fulham’s brave attempts to play out from the back were quelled by the hosts’ high press, but chances were few and far between for Pep Guardiola’s men inside an uneventful first quarter of an hour.
Mexican striker Raul Jiménez showed good strength holding up the ball and finding left winger Chukweze, before Alex Iwobi darted into the penalty area and forced Ruben Dias into a good block with 20 minutes gone.
City chose to go direct moments later through Matheus Nunes bending in a promising cross from the left, which came off of Sande Berge making a mess of the header away and fell invitingly for Semenyo.
The 26-year-old made no mistake poking home the opener on the slide, his fifth in eight games for the Citizens in what’s proven to be a seamless transition to Manchester.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action with a reaction save for the first time after half an hour, sweeping forward with Emil Smith Rowe who touched it onto the late-arriving Harry Wilson on the right hand side.
Marco Silva’s men would rue their first real opportunity as Man City broke away on the counter, Semenyo running at the Fulham defense on the left and shuffling the ball onto O’Reilly.
The teenager executed a delightful chip over Bernd Leno and into the top right corner of the net, putting the Premier League title hopefuls in cruise control.
He could’ve had a second in no time after the visitors cheaply gave possession away 30 yards out and Semenyo’s pass forward bounced his way off of Joachim Andersen, but the shot was blocked by a defender.
Haaland rolled in a third for his side and an eighth in as many games against the Cottagers after Rayan Ait-Nouri won it with a strong tackle on Berge and found the Norwegian’s provider, Phil Foden.
Fulham almost had a route back into the game when Marc Guéhi headed a high ball straight to Wilson 40 yards out.
He slotted Jiménez in behind to the right of goal, and his low ball flashed across just avoided the foot of Smith Rowe inside the penalty area.
Foden saw his shot from the edge of the box parried by Leno after Omar Marmousch made good progress on the left wing, and Gianluigi Donnarumma matched the German’s save in stoppage time to deny Josh King.
City continued their dominance over Fulham with a 16th league win in a row, marking the longest winning streak a side has had over another in English football history, and a statement to Arsenal ahead of tomorrow’s London derby.
Man City analysis: O’Reilly makes case for World Cup
Amid all the discussion as to whether Man City will catch Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title, the competition’s latest young revelation has had his eyes set on a certain competition over the pond.
Speaking to BBC Sport in November, Nico O’Reilly said: “It is an aim for me to try and get to the World Cup.
“There’s huge competition but I have got to just keep working hard, game by game and day by day.”
And tonight, his hard work on the pitch very much came to light. He scored a lovely goal, managed to get himself in smart positions in the final third, and was awarded man of the match over the public address system, all in his return to the more familiar box-to-box role.
His preference for a place in midfield, dating back to his days captaining the U18s to a youth league title, makes the majority of the time he has spent at left-back during his breakthrough all the more impressive.
Man City have more challenging games ahead as the fixture schedule only gets busier, but the caliber of players in O’Reilly’s position that only made the bench with the stakes as high as they are does speak volumes about the trust placed in the 20-year-old by one of football’s best managers.
The Englishman managed to break into Thomas Tuchel’s squad and earn his very first cap against Serbia in November, being picked over the more natural left-backs Myles Lewis-Skelly and Djed Spence. Showing off his versatility against Fulham this evening just adds to the case he is building for a place in the World Cup squad.
Tournament football requires either quality in depth or some level of flexibility in a nation’s 23-man squad, and O’Reilly is currently ticking both of those boxes. However unlikely some may think it is, a Premier League title would all but book his ticket on the plane to the United States in June.
Fulham analysis: Should Tete have seen red?
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has set a precedent this season for hair pulls leading to straight red cards. There was no hesitation when Michael Keane was guilty of pulling the hair of Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare, being suspended for three matches.
David Moyes’ appeal to reverse the decision, believing Keane was unjustly dismissed after challenging for a header, was waived away, with PGMOL backing the decision to send him off following the incident.
The organization stated: “The forceful pulling of a person’s hair can be said to fall outside the normal constituent elements of a challenge in football.”
Play between City and Fulham was halted to review footage of Kenny Tete grabbing at the hair of Antoine Semenyo as the visitors defended a corner, only for the incident to be cleared on the basis of insufficient evidence of violent conduct.
TNT Sports co-commentator and former Sky Blues goalkeeper Joe Hart was left scratching his head, pointing out that the officials – who couldn’t find enough justification to send Tete off – were the ones that spotted it in the first place.
Hart said: “I’d love to pretend I know what they mean by these rules.
“If the rule is ‘if you pull someone’s hair, you get sent off’, then of course that’s a red card, but I’d like to think there’s a little bit of wiggle room.”
It will certainly be interesting to see how PGMOL will respond to any claims from the City camp that the Fulham defender should have been sent off, particularly as the home side could’ve improved their goal difference.
It isn’t unprecedented for teams to win the Premier League on goal difference, with the Citizens having snatched their maiden title from the clutches of rivals Manchester United in 2011/12 by a narrow advantage of +8 goals.
Regardless of the inevitable debate, the home victory will do wonders for their bid for a 12th title this time around.
First half goals from Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland fired a dominant City to a 3-0 home win over Fulham as we narrowed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just three points.
Pep Guardiola’s side were in impressive control from the off at a rain-soaked Etihad and were two up inside half an hour.
First Semenyo was on target, claiming his fifth goal since joining us last month on 24 minutes.
O’Reilly then struck from Semenyo’s assist on the half hour to double the advantage before Haaland got in on the scoring act six minutes before the break.
The Norwegian struck to register his 153rd City career goal and so draw level with the great Colin Bell and go joint fourth in the all-time rankings.
Victory ensured we kept up momentum and maintained pressure on leaders Arsenal who play tomorrow evening away at Brentford.
The game in 250 words
It was a dank, damp backdrop to the game with rain enveloping the Etihad but the dour elements didn’t detract from City’s dominance right from the off.
Phil Foden, back in the starting line up alongside Ruden Dias, almost provided the perfect start with only a smart 11th minute save from Bernd Leno denying the England star with City laying virtual siege to the visitors’ goal.
GET IN: Antoine Semenyo wheels away after firing City ahead.
City weren’t to be denied though and it was Semenyo who made the breakthrough on 25 minutes, the Ghanaian plundering his fifth goal since joining the Blues last month.
Matheus Nunes was the architect, pinging in a fine cross from the right flank and though Sander Berge attempted to head clear he only succeeded in diverting the ball into the path of the waiting Semenyo who finished from close range.
That goal roused Fulham from their slumbers and it needed an excellent diving save from Gianluigi Donnarumma on the half hour to deny danger man Harry Wilson after he left fly from 18 yards.
City’s response was instant and deadly – the Blues immediately marching back upfield and doubling our tally through O’Reilly.
It was deliciously worked goal too. Semenyo was the provider this time, teeing up the onrushing O’Reilly who composed himself before firing home a terrific strike from the left edge of the box.
TWO'S COMPANY: Nico O'Reilly is all smiles after doubling our lead.
It was total control from City and nine minutes later Erling Haaland got in on the scoring act, the big man rifling home from Foden’s inviting assist to make it 3-0.
It was his eighth goal in eight appearances against the Londoners – and also took Haaland to 153 career goals for City, drawing him level with the Club legend Colin Bell.
With City in such control, some of our vim and intensity slightly subsided after the break though Foden was inches wide with a 59th minute drive.
Fulham huffed and puffed but the Blues held firm at the back to set the seal on another satisfactory night’s work.
THREE CHEERS: Erling Haaland leads the celebrations after further extending our advantage.
TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC: Bernardo Silva is captured centre stage.
Player of the match
There were no shortage of worthy candidates but Nico O’Reilly gets the nod after another superb all-action display in midfield.
Just as he was on Sunday at Anfield, the Academy graduate was at the heart of so much that was good about City’s work.
And he capped off another fine evening’s work with that superbly taken first half goal.
In what has been a stellar season for the youngster, he continues to go from strength to strength.
THE BOSS: Pep's expression summed up the Wednesday night mood!
Stat zone
Tonight’s win further extended City’s amazing home record against Fulham.
It’s now 20 consecutive home wins in all competitions and 17 in the Premier League – both not surprisingly representing the longest winning run one side has had against another in English football history.
Furthermore, City are now unbeaten in our last 56 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League home games (W48 D8).
It’s a remarkable record that goes all the way back to a 1-0 loss to Tottenham in May 2010.
Pep’s verdict
To follow
BACK IN BUSINESS: Ruben Dias pushes on for City.
Player verdict
To follow
What it means
Victory sees City narrow the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just three points, though the Gunners do have a game in hand.
The Blues now have 53 points from 26 games with our next league action now not until Saturday, February 21 when we play host to Newcastle.
Pep Guardiola’s men began well and took the lead after 24 minutes, as the lively Semenyo reacted quickest to poke in a loose ball from close-range, claiming his fifth goal in eight appearances.
Six minutes later we doubled our lead as Semenyo turned from scorer to provider, slipping the ball perfectly through for Nico O’Reilly, who confidently finished for his fourth goal of the season across all competitions.
The attacking momentum continued and shortly before the interval we made it 3-0, with Erling Haaland combining well with Phil Foden before accurately slotting into the bottom right corner for his eighth goal in eight appearances against the Cottagers.
Foden nearly added a fourth shortly before the hour mark but Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno sprung to his left to save well.
We remained in control and claimed a 20th successive victory over Fulham to move three points behind league-leaders Arsenal, who face Brentford on Thursday evening.
View the best images from the victory via our gallery below.
The No. 6 UConn Huskies travel to Indianapolis on Wednesday to take on the Butler Bulldogs.
UConn is coming off a loss at St. John’s that ended an 18-game winning streak, and while they’re still expected to win, my UConn vs. Butler predictions fade them on the first-half spread.
There's a narrative that you don't want to fade Dan Hurley after a loss but the data doesn't support that with the UConn Huskies 13-18 ATS in this spot since 2022.
The Butler Bulldogs are 4-9 in conference play and lost 79-60 in Storrs on December 16. That said, ShotQualityBets projected a much closer 76-74 UConn win.
Expect a better performance from the Bulldogs at home where they are 9-4 with an impressive 55.2 eFG%. Even in their defeats at home, they kept things close in the first half which they should do tonight.
UConn vs Butler same-game parlay
UConn ranks 314th in opponent free throw rate (41.5%) while Butler forward Michael Ayaji averages 15.8 ppg and is in the top 20th percentile of the country in FT rate (53.6%). His ability to get to the line will help him eclipse his points total.
Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. averages 14.0 ppg on 64 FG% and he should feast inside against Butler's poor interior defense.
UConn vs Butler SGP
Butler 1H +6.5
Michael Ayaji Over 13.5 points
Tarris Reed Jr. Over 13.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: Scrappy Bulldogs Cover
Let's also back Butler on the full game spread while betting UConn on the ML, to ramp this SGP payout to +1050.
UConn vs Butler SGP
Butler 1H +6.5
Butler +11
UConn ML
Michael Ayaji Over 13.5 points
Tarris Reed Jr. Over 13.5 points
UConn vs Butler odds
Spread: UConn -11 | Butler +11
Moneyline: UConn -750 | Butler +525
Over/Under: Over 144.5 | Under 144.5
UConn vs Butler betting trend to know
The Bulldogs have covered the first half spread in five of their last seven home games (+2.65 Units / 33% ROI) while the Huskies are 15-21 ATS in the first half in their previous 36 contests. Find more college basketball betting trends for UConn vs. Butler.
How to watch UConn vs Butler
Location
Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
TNT
UConn vs Butler key injuries
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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner continue to dominate the ATP Tour, but four other players born since 2000 join them on 150 career wins.
Sinner sits at the top of the list with 326 ATP wins, well ahead of his nearest rival Alcaraz in second on 287 wins.
The pair have been particularly ruthless at Grand Slam level, now combining to win each of the last nine major tournaments.
But there are other players in this new generation who are doing their utmost to keep up with the two superstars.
Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images
Sebastian Korda joins Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on 150 ATP wins
Following a breakthrough at this week’s Dallas Open, there are now six players who have reached 150 ATP wins.
Sebastian Korda is the latest player to join the exclusive club, hitting the milestone with his triumph over Michael Zheng.
Behind Sinner and Alcaraz is Felix Auger-Aliassime on 270, followed by Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune on 184 and 175 respectively.
Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner remain the ATP players to beat
While there are a number of players showing potential in the current generation, it’s clear that Alcaraz and Sinner remain a class above.
But this week provides different players with an excellent chance to prove themselves on the ATP Tour, with Alcaraz and Sinner not in action.
The likes of Korda, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton are involved in an American-heavy Dallas Open, while Alex de Minaur and Auger-Aliassime are among the top players at the Rotterdam Open.
There is also hope that players such as Rune and Jack Draper can challenge the current ATP dominance of the big two, but the former is injured and the latter is only just returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Rising stars Learner Tien and Joao Fonseca are two more players potentially capable of posing a threat to the leading duo.
Fittingly, they represent the two most recent Next Gen ATP Finals champions, a tournament that both Alcaraz and Sinner won in the early stages of their careers.
Semenyo scored in the 24th minute before setting up Nico O'Reilly's goal six minutes later, and Erling Haaland added his league-best 22nd goal of the season to complete the scoring.
City move three points back of Arsenal, who play Thursday, while Fulham stay 12th with 34 points
More to come...
Manchester City vs Fulham final score: 3-0
Antoine Semenyo 25', Nico O'Reilly 30', Erling Haaland 39'
Fulham make another move as game is crawling
Harrison Reed replaces Sander Berge with 10 minutes to go, and both teams really would love to get out of the rain and prepare for their next game.
Couple of subs
Ex-City talent Oscar Bobb gets a nice ovation as he enters for Harry Wilson.
Rayan Cherki replaces Phil Foden for City.
Loads of subs
City remove Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes into the game for Tijjani Reijnders and Abdukhodir Khusanov in the 60th minute.
Marc Silva removes Emile Smith Rowe, Samu Chukwueze, and Raul Jimenez for Josh King, Kevin, and Rodrigo Muniz.
Haaland a halftime sub
The three-goal lead gives Pep Guardiola reason to rest the league's leading goal scorer.
Omar Marmoush takes his spot.
Halftime — Manchester City 3-0 Fulham
City will be happy to get dry, while Fulham should be grateful to regroup.
Erling Haaland goal — Man City 3-0 Fulham
It's raining goals in aa downpour.
Rayan Ait-Nouri cuts inside from the left and finds Phil Foden, who quickly gets it to Erling Haaland.
The big man digs it out of his feet and squeezes the ball of the post and over the line.
Nico O’Reilly goal — Man City 2-0 Fulham
Oh, it's a good finish off a slick feed.
Semenyo is driving the left side with Kenny Tete marking his progress.
The Ghanaian slips the ball to an overlapping Nico O'Reilly, who spins the ball over Leno for 2-0.
Fulham find a moment
Harry Wilson has it on the counter and cuts to the middle.
Marc Guehi gets a touch on the ball but Wilson is able to step onto the rebound and have a shot.
Gianluigi Donnarumma gets to his right to slap the ball away.
Antoine Semenyo goal — Man City 1-0 Fulham
It was coming, and it's a reactive goal that makes it 1-0.
A cross is knocked back across goal by Sande Berge's defensive header, but a lunging Semenyo is there to push it past Leno.
Nico O’Reilly keeps chopping
The 20-year-old City man is in an attacking role tonight and relishing the chance to shoot, perhaps a bit too much.
He laces a second shot from outside of the box over the goal.
Another chance
Foden collects a blocked shot and cuts around Ryan Sessegnon to hit a low shot that Bernd Leno stoops to collect a yard in front of the line.
City living in Fulham’s end
Phil Foden sees a fine side-volley rocket off the side of Joachim Andersen for a ninth-minute corner kick, and it's all City early in Manchester.
Fulham surged into European contention with a six-match unbeaten run but have since lost three of four to drop into 10th place with 34 points.
Marco Silva's Cottagers are five points back of sixth place and have a winnable run of fixtures after this match. A win here would really fuel their hopes of European qualification.
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: Abdukodir Khusanov (concussion), Savinho (thigh), Jeremy Doku (calf), Josko Gvardiol (ankle), John Stones (unspecified), Mateo Kovacic (ankle)
Fulham team news, focus
OUT: Sasa Lukic (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Tom Cairney (calf)
Manchester City vs Fulham prediction
City are heavy favorites at home and have better depth than the Cottagers, but City also have one fewer day's rest and a beleaguered defensive corps even if Ruben Dias is back. Manchester City 2-0 Fulham.
How to watch Manchester City vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Rashford joined Barcelona last August after they missed on Nico Williams for the second summer in a row. He has thrived in Spanish football, despite having played second-fiddle to Raphinha in recent months, and he himself has also made it clear that he wants to sign permanently.
Man United, who now have Michael Carrick as their manager, would welcome Rashford back to Old Trafford at the end of the season, but given that neither Barcelona nor the player want this to happen, it is unlikely to come to fruition. As such, they have decided to take a hard-line stance on the matter.
Image via Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
As per Sport, Man United have informed Barcelona that they will not negotiate a reduced price for Rashford, meaning that a deal will only be done if the La Liga leaders decide to execute their €30m purchase option.
Barcelona have no qualms about paying €30m
Barcelona would like to reduce Rashford’s price, as they seek to save every penny possible amid their ongoing financial woes, but Man United’s stance is clear. It’s not a deal-breaker for the Catalans, who are reportedly prepared to pay the €30m if it is deemed necessary – which is likely to be the case.
Team USA captain Auston Matthews comes into the tournament having scored just once on 31 shots over his last eight games — a 3.2% shooting rate — despite leading the Toronto Maple Leafs with 3.78 expected goals and 18 high-danger scoring chances.
Look for Matthews to snap the scoring funk in the tournament opener against an outmatched Team Latvia.
Winger Tage Thompson will be a key addition to Team USA, having scored 188 goals over 360 games in his past five NHL seasons.
Thompson is expected to play a middle-six role and join the No. 2 power-play unit to start the tournament, giving him favorable even-strength matchups against Latvia’s shaky supporting cast.
Matt Boldy has already scored a career-high 32 goals for the Minnesota Wild this season, and his 1.71 goals per 60 minutes rank sixth in the NHL.
Boldy's set to start the tournament in a cushy gig alongside Auston Matthews and Jake Guentzel, and I’m anticipating the trio caving in Latvia and piling up oodles of high-danger scoring chances in the tournament opener.
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Man City 3-0 Fulham: Semenyo matches De Bruyne milestone as Citizens pile pressure on Arsenal
Manchester City claimed a 3-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Cityzens have now won their last 20 games against the Cottagers across all competitions.
Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, as the ball broke nicely to the Ghanaian and he guided the ball past the onrushing Bernd Leno.
Semenyo is now the first City player to score in his first two league home games, since Kevin De bruyne did the same in 2015.
City made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark as Semenyo slipped in Nico O’Reilly, who picked out the far corner with a brilliant chip.
Erling Haaland added a third in the 38th minute, cutting onto his left to slot into the bottom corner.
Fulham almost pulled one back when Raul Jimenez played Emile Smith Rowe through on goal, but he failed to connect cleanly with the ball with an open goal in front of him.
The visitors started the second-half brighter, with Smith Rowe racing behind to force Gianluigi Donnarumma to make a save.
Jimenez then headed wide from Ryan Sessegnon’s cross as Fulham continued to crank up the pressure.
Fulham were on the attack again in the 69th minute when Rodrigo Munoz shot towards goal, but Donnarumma was equal to the task.
Despite the Cottagers’ improvement, City held on to their three-goal cushion to claim the victory, cutting Arsenal’s advantage at the top of the table to three points.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 14: Brayden Burries #5 of the Arizona Wildcats scores as he drives to the lane between Tyler Bilodeau #34 and Eric Dailey Jr. #3 of the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Intuit Dome on November 14, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Get ready for another round of Arizona vs. UCLA, this time in Las Vegas to open the 2026-27 season.
The doubleheader will take place on Monday Nov. 2, the opening day of the season. The format will reportedly be similar to when Arizona faced Florida in Las Vegas to open the 2025-26 season.
“Arizona fans have a special relationship with Vegas, and we love coming here,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said after Arizona beat Florida. “Being the first game of the year, it’s really early. Never played a game on November 3 that counted. To see all our fans around and the excitement for this game, it just kind of helps remind us why we do this.”
The opening night matchup ensures Arizona will continue its series against longtime Pac-10/12 rival UCLA.
Arizona is 5-2 against UCLA in Las Vegas since the Pac-12 moved its conference tournament there. Arizona has won the last five meetings played in Las Vegas.
UCLA coach Mick Cronin all but confirmed the matchup after the Bruins lost to Arizona in Los Angeles in November, but it was unclear who else might be a part of the opening night tilt.
Gonzaga vs. Purdue will be a heavyweight matchup in its own right, as both programs are consistently among the best in the country.
More information on the official tip off times will come out at a later date.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Just two weeks before the start of spring training, Jeremy Zoll suddenly learned he'll be leading the entire baseball operations for the Minnesota Twins.
Zoll's elevation with president Derek Falvey's departure came less than two months after another major change, the appointment of Tom Pohlad as executive chair and controlling owner to replace his younger brother.
About six weeks before that, Derek Shelton was hired as the team's new manager. Last summer, ownership directed the front office to further slash a shrunken payroll with a trading spree the week of the deadline.
As a franchise that had long been a model of efficiency and stability within Major League Baseball, the Twins have been in their unsettled era for awhile. When pitchers and catchers take the fields at the Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Florida, for the first workout on Thursday, even the roster is probably due for a few more alterations considering the lack of depth in the bullpen and the excess of left-handed hitting outfielders.
Yet more uncertainty looms beyond this year, with the approaching expiration of the existing collective bargaining agreement between MLB and its players likely to create a labor dispute as the sport seeks to establish a more sustainable competitive balance between the biggest spenders and the rest of the clubs in smaller markets.
Despite all the shifting ground at the top of the organization, the current leadership from Zoll on down has been intact long enough to have a solid foundation to build on. If there's a lasting legacy that Falvey left behind after he and Pohlad agreed that a split would be the best long-term move for both parties, it might be the function and structure he helped create over his nine seasons.
“We’re going to take a team approach at this,” said Zoll, 35, who kept his title as executive vice president and general manager and is now the youngest baseball operations chief in MLB. “Obviously everyone was geared up for the season with a certain delineation of responsibilities, and I think as we look at what’s ahead and working through this transition, we’re all just going to roll up our sleeves and lean in a little bit further together.”
Falvey said as much in a news conference he held to discuss his departure last month.
“This is a group that’s resilient. They’ve been through a lot of the change and challenge of the last couple of years, and they just keep plowing,” said Falvey, who was hired by the Twins at age 33. “I think this is a group that’s going to have a lot of success going forward, because I think the foundation is really strong.”
While Pohlad has been searching for a new president of business operations, he decided not to recreate Falvey's original role on the baseball side before he took on the dual responsibility. Part of that was a belief in Zoll's ability to do the job.
“If Jeremy Zoll won the job to be the GM a year ago," Pohlad said, “that should tell you something about Jeremy Zoll. There was plenty of competition in this organization and outside this organization for that role. I’m 100% committed to him as being the right leader in this moment in time to assume all the responsibilities that Derek had with respect to baseball."
Zoll, who was hired by Falvey eight years ago as director of minor league operations, played baseball at Haverford College in Pennsylvania and broke into the major leagues in 2014 as a coordinator of advanced scouting for the Los Angeles Angels.
Though their payroll remains well behind where it was two years ago, having fallen into the bottom quartile of the major leagues, the Twins kept stars Byron Buxton, Pablo López and Joe Ryan in a signal they're serious about contending this season in the low-spending American League Central division despite trying to do so on the cheap.
“There was a strategic element to that to make sure we weren’t setting ourselves up for some massive rebuild and tearing it all the way down and knowing that there’s this way you can regenerate talent within the system much more quickly if you’re starting with upper-level or already-at-the-big-leagues talent," said Zoll, referring to the flurry of trades made last summer. "We’re doing our best to put all those pieces together.”
The Seahawks need a new offensive coordinator after losing Klint Kubiak to the Raiders.
They will begin the interview process in-house, with Andrew Janocko, Jake Peetz, Justin Outten and Mack Brown as candidates, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. The interviews will take place on Thursday and Friday.
Janocko is the team's quarterbacks coach and was with Kubiak in New Orleans as the quarterbacks coach in 2024. He began his NFL coaching career in 2012 as an offensive quality control coach for the Buccaneers. He also has coached with the Vikings (2015-21) and Bears (2022-23).
He was the quarterbacks coach in 2021 with the Vikings and in his two seasons with the Bears.
Peetz has spent the past two seasons as the passing game coordinator for the Seahawks. He spent five seasons with the Jaguars (2008-12), one season with Washington (2014), three seasons with the Raiders (2015-17), two seasons with the Panthers (2020) and two seasons with the Rams (2022-23). He served as the passing game specialist with the Rams in 2023.
He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at LSU in 2021.
Outten was the Seahawks' run game specialist and assistant offensive line coach in 2025. He has also worked for the Falcons (2016-18), Packers (2019-21), Broncos (2022) and Titans (2023-24).
Brown has served as the Seahawks' tight ends coach for the past two seasons. He previously spent five seasons with the Jets, three as an offensive assistant after two seasons as a defensive assistant.
BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 24: Adam Oumiddoch, #7 of U18 Overtime Elite in action during U18 FC Barcelona v U18 Overtime Elite during the EB Adidas Next Generation Tournament at Uber Eats Music Hall on May 24, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by David Grau/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
Four-star guard and former Villanova target Adam Oumiddoch is back on the market.
Oumiddoch announced on Tuesday that he will reopen his recruitment after decommitting from St. John’s.
“I’m thankful to Coach Pitino, Coach Masiello, and everyone at St. John’s for the opportunity and belief they showed in me,” Oumiddoch wrote on social media. New York City and the chance to play at Madison Square Garden is something every kid dreams about.“
“After a lot of reflection and conversations with my family, I’ve decided to step back and reopen my recruitment.”
Oumiddoch, who is ranked as the 49th player in the nation by 247Sports, originally committed to St. John’s in November. He chose the Red Storm over Villanova, Illinois, Oregon, and LSU.
The 6-foot-6 guard is currently a senior out of Overtime Elite in Georgia. During the regular season, Oumiddoch averaged 28.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 50% from the field. He was also one of the top performances on the Adidas 3SSB circuit last summer. He played for Wildcat Select, where he put up 17.4 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 44% from three-point range.
The Wildcats offered five-star sophomore Mason Collins last week after he was on campus to watch the team defeat Seton Hall. Head coach Kevin Willard remains active on the recruiting trail. As a former target, and eventual finalist, for Willard and the Wildcats, it would make sense for Villanova to throw its hat back in the ring for one of the top players in the nation.
This season alone, the superstar Seattle Seahawks receiver led the NFL in receiving yards, was a First-Team All-Pro, and captured 2025 Offensive Player of the Year honors. He also obviously won Super Bowl 60 with his Seahawks teammates (albeit in a game no one outside of the Seattle metropolitan area enjoyed).
In the immediate aftermath of the Seahawks' victory on Super Sunday, a new video from NFL Films captured Smith-Njigba sharing choice, consoling words with two defeated New England Patriots players: star cornerback Christian Gonzalez and running back TreVeyon Henderson.
With Gonzalez, Smith-Njigba mentioned how proud he was of him as a competitor. He assured him that he and the Patriots would be back on the biggest stage soon enough. Given that an elite player like Gonzalez closely guarded an elite player like Smith-Njigba during Super Bowl 60, and that both came into the league at the same time in 2023, this was clearly a matter of game respecting game.
How can you fault that? It's always good to remember the guy across from you is only competing with you between the lines and nothing else. There doesn't have to be any lingering animosity once the clock reads all zeroes.
With Henderson, it seemed to be a happy reunion of former Ohio State teammates. Smith-Njigba and Henderson were teammates in Columbus from 2021 to 2022. Henderson was so happy for Smith-Njigba in winning a Super Bowl while both former Buckeyes expressed earnest love and gratitude for one another. Their bond through football appears to be one that won't be broken:
This is the best kind of thing to see in the aftermath of the biggest game of the NFL season. In the end, even the Super Bowl is just a game. Kudos to Smith-Njigba, Gonzalez, and Henderson for this fantastic display of sportsmanship caught on camera.
Chelsea Green, holding her AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship belt, salutes and poses next to Alba Fyre in the ring before a match on "WWE SmackDown." - WWE
Former WWE Women's United States Champion Chelsea Green offered an unfortunate update about an injury she suffered during a match on "WWE SmackDown" on Friday. Green took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to announce, via an edition of the "Chelsea Chronicles," that she broke her ankle.
Before posting the photo of the bruising, Green alluded to her injury in another X post of the "Chelsea Chronicles" front page, alerting her "Patri-Hots," that she had survived a "near-fatal fall," but only suffered a "career-threatening injury." In her latest update, Green didn't reveal just how much time she may miss from the ring due to the break.
The now-former AAA World Mixed Tag Team Champion revealed she was unable to defend her gold alongside "WWE NXT's" Ethan Page at AAA's show on Saturday. La Hiedra stepped in to take her place, but she and Page lost the titles to Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana. Green lost the Women's United States Championship to Giulia on the January 2 edition of "SmackDown."
Green's name had most recently been in headlines due to a comment made by backstage producer Michael Hayes on "WWE Unreal." Hayes stated that Green was not world championship material. Following the release of "Unreal," WWE fans, and the "Patri-Hots," rallied around Green on social media.
The Buffalo Bills and head coach Joe Brady have been active in building his coaching staff since the former offensive coordinator won the job.
The coordinators for all three phases were introduced this past week: defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers.
As they met with the media, Leonhard in particular was of high interest as the Bills will aim to improve their overall defensive attack. While addressing the media, he indicated that “There’s gonna be change.”
“It’s been the same system for a long time here,” Leonhard said to the press. “It wasn’t all broken. It doesn’t all need to be thrown out. There’s elements that we’ll be able to build off of. There’s a comfort level from players that you want to maintain. And this is something that will continue to evolve. It might look a lot different in year two than year one, and that’s OK.”
The new OC is looking to create a defense that suits the skill sets of the players on the roster while also being able to adapt as needed schematically, which will require more versatility on the field.
His base defense projects as a 3-4, and the team hiring an outside linebackers coach and an inside linebackers coach supports that, as does the addition of outside linebackers coach Bobby April III, who exclusively works with pass-rushing outside linebackers.
“It is team defense, but we’re going to cause issues for offense, and we’re going to force them to react to us. I don’t want to counterpunch. We want to be a defense that is constantly evolving and growing throughout a game and throughout a season,” Leonhard continued. “I’m big on flexibility and being able to play to your best players and force offenses to try to find your issues and to have to deal with their own problems, not always being reactive.”
The Bills could see odd- and even-man fronts under Leonhard based on his track record, which could favor odd-man fronts and players whose overall skillset fits those positions.
“It is much more fluid than it used to be,” the coordinator added regarding 3-4 to 4-3. “I think the evolution of spread offense throughout high school, college football is very similar to the NBA, where it’s created a little bit more positionless type of player. There are unique skill sets all around the NFL where guys don’t quite fit in your traditional box of edge defender, defensive tackle, nickel, safety, and that’s where I’ve had the most success in my career as a coach was finding those guys that fit in a little bit of a different role. You have to be more creative in order to play to their strengths a little bit more often.”
The new defensive playcaller also recognizes that stopping the run key is key to making opposing offenses more one-dimensional, as is being "aggressive, but not reckless" in their playcalling. Leonhard joins the Bills after guiding a Denver Broncos defense that had the second-highest blitz rate in the NFL last season at 20.3.
He has coached in the NFL since 2024, spending the last two seasons in Denver Broncos after eight seasons coaching at the collegiate level. Six of those years were spent as Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator and a stint as their interim head coach (2022).
It will also be his third stint with Buffalo, spending his first two as a player and now as defensive coordinator.
All signees inked up futures deals, which reserved them a spot on the team when next season’s calendar year begins in March.
That group was headlined by guard Mehki Butler, defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr., and defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III, who made the game-winning field goal block against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
Wednesday afternoon, the team announced two new signings.
“The 6-foot-5, 308-pounder originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Denver Broncos out of Minot State on May 13, 2022,” the Patriots press release read. “He has spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts either in training camp or on the practice squad. He was elevated from the practice squad and played in one game for the Raiders in 2022 and one game for the 49ers in 2024.”
Mitchell, who is also 27, has enjoyed a little bit more success in the NFL.
He was drafted by the 49ers in 2021, where he played out his rookie contract. He spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs before being released on Dec. 20. He has played 28 games in his career, with 12 starts. He has 327 rushing attempts for 1,523 yards with nine touchdowns and 28 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown.
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 27: Claire Hutton #15 of the United States looks to control the ball during the second half of an international friendly match between the United States and Chile at Harder Stadium on January 27, 2026 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images) | Getty Images
USWNT and Kansas City Current midfielder Claire Hutton is headed to Bay FC.
“Claire is an important signing for us. She’s a top-quality player who is tight on the ball, and she has the mobility and physical presence to break up play,” said Head Coach Emma Coates. “Despite her age she brings experience and a strong mentality, and we believe she has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world. The most exciting part for us is her desire to keep getting better, and we’re excited to support her through the next stages of her career and even more excited to see the impact she will have at Bay FC.”
“Bay FC is a club with real ambition, and that is a big part of why this move feels right for me,” said Hutton. “It’s clear from Coach Coates how detailed her vision is and how much she values challenging players to keep improving. The standards she wants to set and the environment the club is building really resonated with me, and I’m excited to join a group that pushes each other every day as we compete at the highest level while winning championships”.
Internationally, the midfielder has earned 13 appearances for the USWNT and donned the captain’s armband in the win over Paraguay on January 24.
This move gives immediate firepower for new head coach Emma Coates.
Could Hutton bring Bay FC back into playoff picture?
The Cincinnati Reds officially reunited with Eugenio Suárez last week, adding the proven slugger to the lineup that the entire baseball world knew they needed. Whether or not he’ll play the position he’s played almost every day for the last ten years remains to be seen, but his bat will be in the lineup in some form or fashion most every time the Reds suit up.
The addition of Suárez wasn’t perfect, per se. Spencer Steer and Sal Stewart and Ke’Bryan Hayes and JJ Bleday will all see their paths to 700 PA impacted because of it, as this roster has beaucoup moving parts and nary a truly ‘established’ position player at one everyday spot outside of Elly De La Cruz. That’s perfectly fine, though, because a) said flexibility of the rest of the roster and b) the inevitability that some folks penciled-in now will miss some time for something.
The same can be said for the starting rotation at the moment, really. The impact of full seasons from Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder (and Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar) should, in theory, have every bit the boost of impact as bringing in Suárez offensively. That’s four starting options already, and that’s on top of Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer – a cadre that’s the envy of every franchise in the sport right now.
The old rule of chucking the ball from the mound still holds true, regardless – you can never have too much pitching depth. Just last year, for instance, the Reds had every single one of those names within the organization as well and still needed Nick Martinez to throw 165.2 IP (and make 26 starts). They still needed to trade for Zack Littell at the deadline and hand him 10 starts. Chase Petty and Carson Spiers each started twice, and the club nutured the return of veteran Wade Miley into a trio of appearances (and a pair of starts himself).
It’s Miley, in particular, that prompted this post. This time a year ago he was a veteran familiar with the staff and the club, a guy working his way through some things – injuries, age, rust – and leaned into signing with a club where there was both familiarity and upside. He was a bargain-bin veteran, a reclamation project, a potential ‘flip’ or ‘lightning in a bottle’ candidate – he was every single catch-phrase we’ve come to learn as Reds fans, though this time he was precisely that without being someone on who they had to lean.
For years, a guy like that would’ve been brought in and been thrust into a key role as soon as physically possible, even if that was despite not being physically capable. Though things didn’t go swimmingly for Wade last year, the fact is that the Reds got him for depth, didn’t need him in any real urgency, and spent their money on a little lottery ticket that didn’t have to hit big for them to have a chance at the postseason.
That’s the one real thing I do not yet see in Reds camp this year. They haven’t brought in anyone from outside the organization who has done it before, done it well, not done it recently, but maybe, just maybe, could be tweaked in a way that would unlock their ability to do it again. It wouldn’t need to be on Opening Day, per se. It wouldn’t need to be throwing 6 innings every fifth day right away, either. Ideally, it could be in a fashion akin to Martinez last year – a guy who can be a reliever and good at it, or slide into the rotation and chomp innings when the situation comes up.
Anyone who fits that role and is still on the market right now most definitely has their flaws. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be unsigned, nor would we be talking about them as if they were only really to be leaned upon in a break glass in case of emergency scenario – or, unless they came into camp and showed they’d figured out what had put them so down in the first place and threw their way right back into the discussion.
There is one name out there that has kept popping into my head that ticks a lot of these boxes, though.
He’s twice been an All Star, won a World Series, and twice finished in the Top 10 of Cy Young Award voting. He’s also had major elbow surgery, missed a year, and pitched to just a 5.10 ERA (5.62 FIP) with a trio of franchises in his most recent two seasons. Still just 31 years old, he also grew up a Reds fan in Reds Country, and even was part of Derek Johnson’s final recruiting class at Vanderbilt before Johnson moved to the pro ranks to coach – a class that included the likes of Carson Fulmer, Matt Olson, and Dansby Swanson, among others.
That guy is Lexington, Kentucky’s own Walker Buehler.
Now, I do not know if his camp is holding out for a guaranteed spot in some team’s starting rotation. I do not know if he and his agent have priced themselves out of what remains of Cincinnati’s budget. I do also realize those ugly stats I’ve mentioned since he had TJ and missed the 2023 season, and that his average fastball velocity in 2025 (94.1 mph) was down from the upper 96 mph territory it sat during his heyday before surgery.
I also do not know if he’s willing to wait into the season to see what teams get smashed by the injury bug and suddenly need him more than they do now.
What I do know, though, is that he’s pretty much exactly the kind of guy that would be nice to have around if, say, Williamson and Aguiar – both coming off their own Tommy John surgeries – don’t come back exactly the way they were before just yet. He’d be the kind of guy you’d like Johnson to work with and maybe, just maybe, rediscover enough form to take innings off Burns and Lowder to keep them fresh down the stretch. And while you hope he’d come in off the heap and land running the way Dan Straily did back in the day, he’d come into the team this time in a way more like Miley in that if it simply didn’t work out both sides could move on without denting the roster too badly at all.
We’ve reached the point of the offseason where some team is going to do it, and rightfully so. It sure does make a lot of sense for that club to be the Reds.
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 26: Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on November 26, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Steph Chambers via Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs have released former lottery pick and All-Rookie team selection Jeremy Sochan, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Denny Hamlin read all the social media comments and absorbed the warm words from NASCAR fans.
The ones who offered support — first after his defeat in a championship race, then through a wearying offseason that encompassed a federal trial against NASCAR and the death of his father in a house fire — for one of racing's most divisive drivers and wondered if perhaps his approval rating might be rocketing up.
“It made me feel like I was a champion,” Hamlin said, “even though I didn’t have the ring and the trophy.”
Hamlin might serve as a sympathetic figure to some — perhaps even a conquering hero to others in his fight against NASCAR. He most wants to be known as a winner and insisted he will dig deep to work through his grief and again find the drive to chase his first Cup Series championship, and his fourth Daytona 500 victory.
“I’d be lying if I said I was as highly motivated as I have been in years past,” Hamlin said Wednesday. “It would take some time. Every day at the racetrack is certainly getting there. I’m way too competitive to just go through the motions.”
For a driver taking life day by day, the 45-year-old Hamlin seemingly had a good one hours before NASCAR was ready to determine the pole winner for Daytona 500. He enjoyed the routine that settled him at the track. He was fitted for his Toyota. He practiced. He cracked jokes as he made the rounds at media day.
If the heavy subject matter affected Hamlin, it didn't show in his answers.
Hamlin certainly is at the right track to get right.
Hamlin has mastered Daytona International Speedway with wins for Joe Gibbs Racing in the 2016, 2019 and 2020 Daytona 500s. Cale Yarborough with four wins and Richard Petty with seven are the only drivers with more Daytona 500 victories.
Hamlin came oh-so-close to win No. 4 last season.
William Byron won last year’s event in overtime after Hamlin got spun as the race leader on the final lap, igniting a multicar crash. Byron ended up passing eight cars on the last lap to return to victory lane.
“The list is so small at that four number,” Hamlin said. “It certainly was on my mind on the last lap last year when we were leading that we were going to go get another one.”
Hamlin rebounded to win six races — a significant number that essentially became an afterthought when he collapsed again in the finale over the final three laps at Phoenix to win his first Cup title. The unofficial tag of greatest NASCAR driver to never win a championship has been affixed to him for more than a decade.
Then came the December federal antitrust trial in which Michael Jordan-led 23XI Racing, a team in which Hamlin is co-owner, joined with Front Row Motorsports to sue NASCAR. The bruising trial lasted nine days before NASCAR settled, with teams given the permanent charter status they fought over for more than two years.
The euphoria of that victory was short-lived for Hamlin: His father, Dennis, who mortgaged everything the Hamlin family owned to get his son to NASCAR’s top level, died in a late December house fire. Dennis Hamlin had been terminally ill at the time of the fire, and his son had been desperately trying to win a Cup title while his father was still alive.
“I feel good the last race my dad got to see, I was at my best,” Hamlin said. “He got to see as good as I’ll ever be.”
A man of deep faith, Gibbs served as an emotional bedrock for the family over the last year as Hamlin’s father fell ill. Hamlin noted that he was beat to the hospital by Gibbs after the fire. Hamlin took comfort that Gibbs and Dennis Hamlin had weekly visits last season, when they prayed together and shared life experiences.
“My dad, you know, was trying to get right with the Lord,” Hamlin said with a laugh.
Hamlin's mother, Mary Lou, suffered catastrophic injuries in the fire that leveled the two-story home. Hamlin brought his mother with his family to Florida.
Hamlin even aggravated an old right shoulder injury when he fell scouring the rubble at his parents’ house. The oldest full-time driver in the Cup Series, Hamlin said he'll race through injury and put off possible surgery until the “first day of the offseason.”
“I don’t feel like there will ever be a time where I’m holding the car back from performing,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin — who has 60 career Cup wins — has the support of his peers as he forges ahead in his dual role as team owner and driver.
“I think he’s doing the best that he can, right? We were all down at The Grove yesterday playing some golf, boy’s therapy, you know?” 23XI driver Bubba Wallace said.
Jordan even joined the boys on the course.
Play time was over the next day at Daytona. Hamlin insisted he's ready to get back to work — and ultimately persevere to find that path to that first NASCAR championship.
“I’ve got still got plenty of fire left, plenty of ability left,” Hamlin said. “It will happen more natural than you would think.”
Just maybe, he'll pick up a few more fans along the way.
“If the boos turn to cheers,” said Hamlin, “that will make me happy.”
According to MLB Network reporter Jon Heyman, the Milwaukee Brewers have reunited with catcher Gary Sánchez, signing the free-agent catcher to a one-year deal worth a reported $1.75 million.
Sánchez spent the 2024 season in Milwaukee, posting a .699 on-base plus slugging in 89 games, serving as a designated hitter in addition to the backup catcher. He played only 29 games last year in Baltimore, battling injuries to his wrist and knee.
Sánchez, 33, had a .715 OPS when he was healthy last year, with five home runs in 101 plate appearances. He had 11 homers with Milwaukee in 280 plate appearances in 2024, a decent right-handed power option off the bench. Eleven homers would have tied for seventh on the Brewers last year.
His arrival in camp means the Brewers now have added two veteran options as potential backup catchers; the club signed 30-year-old Reese McGuire, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, to a minor-league deal in January. Jeferson Quero, the Brewers' No. 4 prospect according to the Journal Sentinel, looked like the best bet to get the roster spot behind William Contreras by season's end last year, but Quero also missed all of the 2024 season and was limited to 294 plate appearances in the minors last year between Class AAA Nashville and rookie-league Arizona on rehab.
Quero hasn't yet made his big-league debut but is nonetheless on the 40-man roster. Adding Sánchez would bring the Brewers' current 40-man to 39 players.
Sánchez has made two career all-star teams, both with the New York Yankees in 2017 and 2019. He's also gotten big-league action with the Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Orioles in addition to the Brewers.
It's only the second free-agent signing of a major-leaguer that the Brewers have made this offseason, joining former Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo, who signed for $1.25 million in December. Pitcher Brandon Woodruff also re-signed with Milwaukee, taking the $22 million qualifying offer for a one-year deal.
🚨 Title race: Manchester City pile the pressure on Arsenal
The Skyblues continue to trail the Gunners in the race for the Premier League title.
While waiting for the Arsenal – Brentford derby on Thursday evening, Manchester City defeated Fulham this Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium (3-0, 26th matchday of the championship).
The 2023 European champions secured victory thanks to goals from Antoine Semenyo (24th), Nico O'Reilly (30th), and Erling Haaland (39th). The matter was already settled in the first half.
They temporarily come within three points of the leader Arsenal. This title race is far from over.
This season, the double encounter between City and Fulham has generated twelve goals!
Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa's performance will haunt Nottingham Forest and the City Ground faithful after an incredible display to blank the Tricky Trees in a 0-0 draw between Premier League strugglers.
Sa made 10 saves as Forest rattled off 35 shot attempts but could not find a way past the 20th-place Wolves.
Dyche will be wondering what it will take to get on the scoreboard.
Sa made six saves in the first half, while four Forest players have 3-plus shot attempts (Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson Odoi, and Neco Williams).
Lorenzo Lucca's come the closest to scoring and the gigantic forward is impressing early in his Forest tenure.
ALL Forest
Dyche's attack-first lineup has 14 attempts to Wolves' one and there have been some good, good looks from the Tricky Trees,
Lucca, Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, and Anderson make for an attacking unit, and Neco Williams and Ola Aina are no shrinking violets at fullback.
Jose Sa makes an early stop
Morgan Gibbs-White is not a favorite around his former club and he tries to underline that status by firing an early attempt that is well-saved by Jose Sa.
Sa, R. Gomez, S. Bueno, Krejic, Mosquera, H. Bueno, J. Gomes, A. Gomes, Mane, Armstrong, Arokodare
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
Sean Dyche's Nottingham Forest simply have to beat bottom club Wolves on Wednesday to give themselves a little bit of breathing space above the relegation zone.
Forest lost 3-1 at relegation rivals Leeds on Friday and given West Ham's win at Burnley on Saturday, all of a sudden they are just three points above the bottom three. Forest are going well in the Europa League but staying in the Premier League is Dyche's main aim and they just have to beat Wolves. If they do they then drag Spurs into the relegation scrap too.
Rob Edwards' side sit on eight points and are 18 points behind Forest, and safety, ahead of this game. They lost 3-1 at home to Chelsea on Saturday as they gave away two penalty kicks in the first half and were their own worst enemies once again. Wolves never give up but they're making too many big mistakes.
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
John Victor, Chris Wood and Nicolo Savona remain out injured, while Murillo and Matz Sels are struggling with injury. New signing Stefan Ortega will continue in goal, while Dyche has a lot of options in attack and another new signing, Lorenzo Lucca, scored at Leeds and could get the nod up top.
Wolves team news, focus
New signings Adam Armstrong and Angel Gomes gave Wolves a boost at the weekend and the duo of Tolu Arokodare and Matheus Mane have been buzzing around in attack. Center back Toti Gomes is out injured, while midfielder Andre is a doubt and South Korean star Hwang Hee-chan is out with a calf issue.
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves prediction
This feels like a comfortable home win for Forest as they will seize the opportunity to ease some pressure on themselves. Nottingham Forest 3-1 Wolves.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Nottingham Forest x Wolverhampton - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
In a match that saw Nottingham Forest take control of the game with a staggering 63% possession and an impressive tally of 35 shots, they were unable to convert their dominance into goals against Wolverhampton. The encounter, which took place at the City Ground on the evening of February 11, 2026, as part of the 26th fixture of the Premier League 25/26 season, ended in a goalless draw.
Nottingham Forest's offensive efforts were highlighted by their 10 shots on target and 8 corners, suggesting a relentless pursuit of a win. The team's expected goals (xG) stood at 3.55, reflecting the numerous high-quality chances they created. However, the Wolverhampton defence held firm, absorbing the pressure and keeping the scoreline level.
On the other side, Wolverhampton struggled to make an impact offensively, managing only 7 shots with 3 on target and winning just 2 corners throughout the match. Their possession was limited to 37%, and their expected goals were a mere 0.46, indicating the few opportunities they had to score.
The match lacked significant events or turning points as both teams failed to find the back of the net. The draw leaves both teams pondering what might have been, especially Nottingham Forest, who will feel they should have come away with all three points given their statistical advantage.
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
7':
Missed opportunity. Callum Hudson-Odoi from Nottingham Forest attempted a shot with his right foot from the left side of the penalty area.
14':
Opportunity wasted. Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest took a shot with his right foot from inside the six-yard box, aiming to the left side.
27':
Opportunity wasted. Lorenzo Lucca of Nottingham Forest attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left. The cross was delivered by Ola Aina.
31':
Opportunity wasted. Lorenzo Lucca from Nottingham Forest attempted a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right. The assist came from Callum Hudson-Odoi during a quick counterattack.
33':
Missed opportunity. Omari Hutchinson from Nottingham Forest took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the goal. The assist came from Neco Williams.
36':
Opportunity wasted! Lorenzo Lucca from Nottingham Forest took a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, but it didn't find the target.
52':
Missed opportunity. Morato of Nottingham Forest attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but couldn't convert.
61':
Missed opportunity. Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area but failed to score.
62':
Missed opportunity. Mateus Mané from Wolverhampton Wanderers took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the bar and to the right.
71':
Missed opportunity! Dan Ndoye from Nottingham Forest took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. The chance was set up by Neco Williams during a quick counterattack.
77':
Missed opportunity. Ola Aina from Nottingham Forest attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide. The assist came from Morgan Gibbs-White.
90':
Missed opportunity. Dan Ndoye from Nottingham Forest attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
Manchester City x Fulham - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
Manchester City takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Fulham. Antoine Semenyo scores with a right-footed shot from close range, sending the ball straight into the center of the net.Manchester City takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Fulham. Antoine Semenyo scores with a right-footed shot from just a few meters out, finding the center of the net.
24':
GOAL Manchester City: Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) scores!
Antoine Semenyo scores goal number 13 in the competition (25 matches)
Manchester City leads Fulham 2-0. Nico O'Reilly scores with a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, sending the ball into the top center of the net. The assist came from Antoine Semenyo, who delivered a perfectly timed through ball.
30':
GOAL Manchester City: Nico OReilly (Manchester City) scores!
Nico OReilly scores goal number 2 in the competition (25 matches)
Manchester City leads Fulham 3-0. Erling Haaland scores with a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area into the bottom right corner. The assist comes from Phil Foden after a quick counter-attack.
39':
GOAL Manchester City: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) scores!
Erling Haaland scores goal number 22 in the competition (26 matches) Erling Haaland scores goal number 153 for his team (183 matches)
42':
Missed opportunity! Raúl Jiménez from Fulham attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Harry Wilson, who delivered a well-placed through ball.
45':
Missed opportunity! Samuel Chukwueze from Fulham attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the left of the goal. The assist came from Emile Smith Rowe.
47':
Opportunity wasted. Emile Smith Rowe from Fulham took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it went just wide.
53':
Missed opportunity! Raúl Jiménez of Fulham attempted a header from the center of the penalty area, but it sailed over the bar and to the left. The assist came from Samuel Chukwueze, who delivered a cross into the box.
Real Madrid star called Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo during time away from football
Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. put rivalries firmly to the side, to provide his support to Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo during the latter’s recent personal problems.
Stopper Araújo of course recently spent an extended spell away from the pitch, and football as a whole.
As much came as the Uruguayan dealt with a serious bout of mental problems, brought on by heavy abuse in the aftermath of his costly red card in Barcelona’s Champions League defeat at the hands of Chelsea.
The Blaugrana, as a club, fully backed their struggling defender, giving him as much time off as he felt was needed.
And as alluded to above, joining his employers in aiding Araújo’s journey back to wellness was none other than Vinícius Jr.
As per a report from Diario AS, at the height of the former’s problems:
‘The Brazilian called the Barcelona player to check on him and offer his full support and encouragement.’
It is added that this gesture ‘changed everything’ for Araújo, who has since returned to the pitch with the rest of Hansi Flick’s Barca’s squad.
Leeds United Are Facing Stiff Competition For This Talented Defender: Good Choice For Farke?
In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey claimed that Leeds United are facing stiff competition for Union SG defender Ross Sykes as they look to bolster their defence later this year. It has been revealed that the Whites would have to rival Everton, Crystal Palace and Coventry City in the race to sign the English centre-half next summer.
Sykes’ Impressive Form In English Football
Sykes has produced a string of impressive performances for Union SG in this campaign so far. The English talent has scored two goals and secured one assist in 27 matches for the Belgian club this season in multiple competitions.
The 26-year-old is currently among the best central defenders in the Jupiler Pro League. Therefore, it won’t be easy for the Whites to win the race for his services this summer.
His current contract at Union SG will run out at the end of next season, which could open the door for Leeds United to sign him on the cheap later this year.
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 9: Ross McCrorie of Bristol City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Bristol City at Bramall Lane on August 9, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)
Is Sykes A Good Choice For Leeds United Boss Daniel Farke?
Sykes is a good tackler of the ball and can time his challenges well to earn the ball back for his team inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when needed and excels at playing his way out from the back.
Standing at 1.96m, the English sensation can use his strong frame to dominate the opposition attackers in the air. However, only time will tell whether he can adapt to the high intensity of the Premier League if the Whites manage to snap him up this summer.
Sykes would no doubt bring more bite and steel to Leeds boss Daniel Farke’s backline. He is good enough to challenge for a regular starting spot at the West Yorkshire club.
At 26, Sykes has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent choice for the Whites to pursue at the end of this campaign. The English defensive ace might even help Leeds compete across all fronts in the coming years. However, Farke has to give him some time to adjust to life in England before he can get the best out of the talented centre-back.
EAST LANSING – While Coen Carr might be known for his dazzling dunks, Tom Izzo has someone else close to him who has become famous for posterizing others.
Her grandson, Tom’s son Steven, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, posted a photo to his Instagram of his 99-year grandmother posing in front of a 24-by-36 inch poster of AI-generated, social media images of Dorothy Izzo putting on a scoring clinic against Teng.
Raining jumpers. Ripping crossover dribbles. Elevating for a slam.
“Even at 99,” Steven wrote, “she’s still a bucket.”
During his press conference Wednesday to preview No. 10 MSU’s game Friday at Wisconsin (8 p.m., Fox), Izzo was asked about the new wall decorations in his mother’s retirement home in Appleton, Wisconsin. He called it, “a hell of a poster.”
“When most of the people around you are 85, 95 and 100 years old – and she’s in a great place – that’s a conversation piece,” Izzo said with a grin. “They don’t care about who her son is, they care about who she is. The stance, the dunking, the dribbling, the shooting, it’s awesome, isn’t it? Awesome.”
Izzo added that hearing other coaches around the country use his mother as a benchmark for their own players has been fun as well. Illinois coach Brad Underwood complimented Dorothy Izzo’s game while talking about his player Ben Humrichous’ defense after a win over Washington on Jan. 29.
"Last year, I'm not sure Ben could guard a dead man," Underwood said. "Probably would give up 20 (points) to Izzo's mom last year."
“My mom owes me a lot, man,” Izzo joked. “She famous. She owes Kur a lot. And Kur’s been great about it. It’s one of the things that you can have fun with in this job. And it’s not insulting. You know why? Because you’ve all been at practice. That’s one of the cleaner things we can say about somebody. And every coach in the country has one of those – ‘You’re weaker than my mom,’ ‘You’re weaker than my 1-year-old child.’
“It just our way of trying to give motivation to somebody. It happens a lot of different ways.”
“I’m gonna call her and say, ‘Mom, you know Kur’s shooting it better now. Maybe you couldn’t guard him today,’” Izzo joked. “I talk to her every day about it. I’ll keep her humble. I’m usually pretty good at keeping people humble.
“Although it’s a little harder when it’s your mother.”
The first signature event of the PGA Tour season is here, and with it comes Rory McIlroy's 2026 debut.
McIlroy is making his first start of the new campaign this week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, an event he won last year over Shane Lowry, which marked his first win in a dominant season that also saw him win The Players Championship and the Masters a few months later to complete the career Grand Slam.
Though he's not been on Tour yet in 2026, he has made three starts on the DP World Tour. He finished T3 at the Dubai Invitational last month, and is coming off a T33 finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
McIlroy, however, is not the favorite this week. Not even close. While this elevated event field is the best of the season, Scottie Scheffler is listed as a massive +300 favorite to win on BetMGM. McIlroy is the second-favorite, though back at +1400. The top-ranked golfer in the world ran away with The American Express last month for his 20th career win, and he rallied late after a rough start to finish T3 at the WM Phoenix Open last week.
Si Woo Kim, Viktor Hovland, Farmers Insurance Open winner Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay are some of the biggest names in the field this week, too. There is no cut, and 700 FedExCup points available to the winner. The tournament also features a $20 million purse, with $3.6 million going to the winner on Sunday.
Here's everything you need to know to keep up with McIlroy, Scheffler and the rest of the field this week at Pebble Beach.
The 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Basics
Dates: Feb. 12-15 Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links | Pebble Beach, California 2025 Winner: Rory McIlroy FedExCup Points: 700 Purse: $20 million
AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Taylen Green #10 of the Arkansas Razorbacks passes the ball during the SEC football game between Texas Longhorns and Arkansas Razorbacks on November 22, 2025, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With Malik Willis likely leaving in free agency, the Green Bay Packers need to figure out what their next plan is at backup quarterback behind Jordan Love.
There’s a real chance that the Packers are content with their current situation, with Desmond Ridder returning, along with Kyle McCord being signed to a futures contract. However, neither of those players inspires the kind of confidence that Willis brought to the table when having to step in and run the offense.
The 2026 NFL Draft class is awfully thin at the top for quarterbacks. However, there are a handful of intriguing backup options in the later rounds of the draft class. In fact, Justis Mosqueda and I broke down the QB class in this week’s debut episode of Draft Talk, which can be watched on YouTube or listened to on Frozen Tundra Frequencies.
Here are a few backup QB options that could make sense for the Packers.
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Back in September, I tweeted out asking if Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson was the most slept on QB in this draft class and with a thinned out crop, he's probably going to be a Top 5 QB in this draft class for me when my big board drops.
If you told me that Sawyer Robertson had never had a proper QB coach, I would believe you.
That’s no knock against the Baylor quarterback, who oozes talent as a 6’4”, 220-pound gunslinger with the arm talent and athletic ability to make a ton of plays. His arm strength looks so effortless at times, and his core strength allows him to generate enough torque to generate zip on the football from awkward angles.
However, my biggest issue with Robertson is his overall accuracy. His lower-body mechanics are a mess, as he consistently plays backyard football and slings the ball from all kinds of awkward angles, instead of focusing on his footwork and stepping into throws.
The right QB coach could clean up a lot of Robertson’s deficiencies and unlock an eventual starter in this league. There’s just so much that needs to be worked on before he can get to that point, but that’s the kind of worthwhile flier the Packers could consider taking to develop and let him utilize his talent if he ever needed to fill in for Love.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Taylen Green is one of the most intriguing prospects in this Draft.
At 6'6", 230 pounds he's a legit force. Excellent scrambler, extends plays with his eyes downfield, and has an #NFL arm if you can clean up the mechanics.
What’s better than one silly body quarterback? Two of them.
Green is a 6’6” quarterback prospect with all kinds of athletic talent. He’s a legitimate dual-threat QB who brings tons of value as a runner, both with his size and play speed to generate explosives on the ground. At the same time, he has the arm strength to deliver shots downfield and deliver all kinds of passes with legitimate velocity.
The mechanics need a lot of work for Green. His throwing motion is funky, likely due to his unusual length and size as a QB prospect, which makes it difficult to tighten the throwing motion despite his long limbs. That throwing motion likely plays a factor in his accuracy issues.
The other concern for Green is his decision-making. There are times when he can be over-reliant on his athletic ability, resulting hin im dancing around for too long and taking some bad sacks that put his offense in difficult situations.
Still, if the Packers want a quarterback who can run a different kind of offense in a pinch, as Willis ran during his time in Green Bay, then Green could be a fun dual-threat project.
Drew Allar, Penn State
#Steelers Draft Profile: Drew Allar, QB Penn State
Pros: – Prototypical NFL size with a strong arm
– Excellent sack avoidance and pocket movement
– Low turnover-worthy play rate
– Displays good touch and ability to layer throws when his base is solid
I have no idea how early Drew Allar gets drafted, but if he slides into Day 3, the Packers might be awfully tempted to take a swing on the former Penn State QB.
The tools have been evident with Allar for years. He’s a giant quarterback at 6’5” and 240 pounds, and has the arm strength and athletic ability to take shots in a vertical passing attack or run the ball in condensed/jumbo packages.
Unfortunately, the Nittany Lions’ offense makes it awfully difficult to fully evaluate Allar as a prospect. The offense was heavily reliant on gadgets and gimmicks throughout James Franklin’s tenure, and that takes away a lot of tape to properly look at more NFL-adjacent offensive film with Allar.
Mechanically, he’s still a work in progress, but Allar made real strides and improved from 2023 to 2024 while in Happy Valley. The bigger questions remain about his consistency and mental toughness to bounce back from bad plays, because there are plenty of instances where he spiraled after making negative plays.
A team like the Los Angeles Rams might take a surprise swing on Allar in Day 2, but he’s still someone Packers fans should monitor if he drops into Day 3.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe has been one of the best of his class as he continues to grow as a young player in the league. He's averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 42.4% from the floor and 35.8% from deep in 49 games thus far.
His shot has kind of come and gone as he works his way through the season, but there is no mistake that Edgecombe has been one of the best players in his class and deserves the respect of his peers.
NBA.com put out their latest rookie ladder rankings and Edgecombe came in ranked No. 3 on the list behind only Dallas Mavericks phenom Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets shooter Kon Knueppel:
Edgecombe’s shot came and went on the Sixers’ just-completed five-game West Coast swing. But he continued to draw admirers, including Lakers coach JJ Redick, beyond their brotherhood of the initials fraternity. “It starts with just, he’s not afraid,” Redick told reporters. “He’s hit big shots all year for them. He takes on whatever challenge is in front of him and he’s a really good, highly skilled offensive player who also competes on the defensive end, crashes.”
As the season continues, Edgecombe will need to find his consistency again and give the Sixers a boost, but Philadelphia has to be happy with what the No. 3 overall pick in the draft has done for them thus far.
The Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t had a winning season since 2018, but that could be about to change.
The Pirates added a lot to their roster this offseason, acquiring former All-Stars such as Gregory Soto, Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna. They also added a possible breakout candidate in Jhostynxon Garcia.
Accordingly, the Pirates are expected to take a major leap this year after going 71-91 and finishing last in the NL Central last season. In their preseason projections, FanGraphs gives them the second-best playoff odds in the division behind the Chicago Cubs.
FanGraphs is also projecting a winning record for Pittsburgh, which would be the first for the franchise in eight years. Its Depth Charts model has the Pirates going 82-80 this season, same as the Milwaukee Brewers and three wins behind the Cubs.
An 11-win improvement certainly seems possible for Pittsburgh, which increased its payroll by over 20% this winter. The Pirates already had one of the best pitching staffs in baseball last year, and now they have a much deeper lineup to go with it.
Armed with its strongest roster in years, Pittsburgh should be much better this year. The only question is how much?
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA fined Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye and Timberwolves big man Naz Reid $35,000 apiece on Wednesday for their roles in a jersey-grabbing tussle.
Both players were given technical fouls and ejected with 11:52 left in the fourth quarter Monday after Gueye pushed Reid from behind, drawing a foul. Reid approached Gueye, the players grabbed each other’s jerseys and struggled before being separated by officials, coaches and teammates.
By all accounts, general manager Mike Borgonzi and the Tennessee Titans had an outstanding 2025 NFL draft, landing what many believe is a franchise quarterback along with some outstanding young depth pieces that flashed their potential during the season.
Although some may disagree with that assessment and dismiss the class's quality, their opinions don’t align with reality. Cam Ward started slow, but finished the season on an upswing and was playing above-average football down the stretch. Chimere Dike set a rookie record, leading the league in all-purpose yards, and is a threat to score any time he finds space. Elic Ayomanor, Kevin Winston Jr., Marcus Harris, and Gunnar Helm all look like future contributors. Not to mention Femi Oladejo, Jackson Slater, and Kalel Mullings, who had limited opportunities during the season.
If that isn’t enough to show the quality of the Titans’ 2025 class, maybe the NFL.com end-of-season draft grades by analyst Gennaro Filice will do the trick, where he has the Titans solidly in the top 10.
After C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels authored transcendent Offensive Rookie of the Year campaigns in consecutive seasons, we became accustomed to quarterbacks entering the league and immediately taking it by storm. That was not the case with Cam Ward. The No. 1 overall pick won just three of his 17 starts, posting unremarkable stats beyond his league-high 55 sacks taken. And yet, I couldn’t help but come away impressed with the former zero-star recruit’s breathtaking arm talent and dogged determination.
Despite operating in a destructive environment -- his head coach was fired 36 days into the season, and his offensive line was largely offensive -- Ward routinely exhibited the kind of ability that keeps me bullish on his NFL upside. And Tennessee’s decision to triple dip on targets in the fourth round of last year’s draft paid off in spades, as Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm and Elic Ayomanor each eclipsed 40 receptions, giving Ward a pass-catching core to grow with. Dike’s playmaking ability actually stood out most on special teams, as he earned first-team All-Pro honors as a punt return and led the entire league with 2,427 all-purpose yards (a rookie record). New head coach Robert Saleh has plenty of work to do in Nashville, but the cupboard isn’t bare. Brian Daboll has enticing pieces to coordinate in this offense.
Now, it will be up to Borgonzi and Saleh to put together another solid class and truly put the Titans on a path toward success.
As the Seattle Seahawks celebrate winning Super Bowl 60, Mike Macdonald and John Schneider have to get right back to work and replace a departing coach.
That coach would be offensive coordinator Klint Kubaik, who took the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job. Seattle needs a new offensive play caller and is looking to narrow down their field of candidates already.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Seahawks have four in-house candidates who are going to interview for the offensive coordinator and play-caller job in Seattle for the Super Bowl champions.
Seahawks identify 4 in-house OC candidates to replace Klint Kubiak
"The Seattle Seahawks are interviewing four in-house candidates - Andrew Janocko, Jake Peetz, Justin Outten, and Mack Brown - Thursday and Friday for the offensive coordinator job, per sources," Fowler reports. "Head coach Mike Macdonald taking hard look internally for Klint Kubiak's replacement."
Replacing Kubaik won't be easy, especially with how much he improved the offense this season for Seattle compared to years prior.
While they weren't the best offense in the league, Kubiak helped Jaxon Smith-Njigba put up a top-10 all-time receiving season with Offensive Player of the Year honors, got Sam Darnold a Pro Bowl invite, and put together an all-around great season.
These four in-house candidates are all on the offensive side of the ball and range from position coaches to assistants.
Mack Brown is the tight ends coach, a position group that saw AJ Barner turn in an impressive season, and rookie Elijah Arroyo flash at times during the year.
Andrew Janocko is the quarterbacks coach who helped Darnold turn in the best year of his career and finally put the "seeing ghosts" storyline behind him with a clean playoff run.
Justin Outten is the run game specialist/assistant offensive line coach. Seattle's run game got a lot better as the year went on, and the offensive line was also a huge step in the right direction after years of shaky play.
Lastly, Jake Peetz is the offensive passing game coordinator for Seattle. Darnold had a great year as a passer, while Smith-Njigba was the offensive player of the year, and the overall passing offense was one of the more potent units in the league this season.
All are strong candidates, and while there's no frontrunner for now, the Seahawks appear poised to promote from within, and one of these four candidates looks to be likely to land the offensive coordinator job to replace Kubiak.
A lot of teams and NFL fans have focused their attention to George Pickens after one of the most insane seasons for a wide receiver. However, those same individuals might be quick to forget that CeeDee Lamb has been consistently showing out for the Dallas Cowboys for the longest time. In fact, he is a few inches closer to usurping both Dez Bryant and Michael Irvin in the record books.
Steep climb to become a Dallas legend
As of the moment, Lamb has notched a total of 571 receptions throughout his whole stint with the Cowboys. This sits him at third behind Bryant and Jason Witten. Alongside that, the veteran wide receiver has also caught 68.2% of the passes that he was targeted in which has led him to accumulate 7,416 receiving yards. This clocks him in sixth place behind Bryant, Drew Pearson, Tony Hill, Michael Irvin, and Jason Witten.
With this knowledge in mind, he was quick to say that this was his new aim for the upcoming 2026 NFL season. He declared with a lot of burning passion on the Up & Adams Show.
"I’m grateful. Obviously, I’m blessed to even have my name on a list with these guys. I’m proud of myself, I’m proud of my work. Yet, my head is still down. It’s nothing but God, my family, my team, my teammates, my coaches. Everybody [is] involved. I want plenty of hardware, but we can start with one. I feel like once one gets down, I feel like that’s where the dominoes start to fall. For us, we’ve just got to cross that hump, get over the speed bump and enjoy this ride," he said.
How close is Lamb to breaking these records? For starters, it is likely that he moves up to fifth in the all-time Cowboys receiving yards list in just their first game of the season. He only needs 44 receiving yards to usurp Bryant.
However, the battle to beat out Irvin's receptions record is a bit more tough. Lamb will need the assistance of Dak Prescott, offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, and Brian Schottenheimer for it to happen. This is because the gap between him and the Cowboys legend is at 180 receptions. With Pickens getting a franchise tag and emerging as a star every week, becoming the second in that all-time Cowboys reception list will take time.
These numbers are obviously going to be secondary when it comes to urgency and concern. At the end of the day, Lamb helping the Cowboys notch a Super Bowl for the first time since Irvin won back in 1996 would count as a bigger win for him and Dallas.
Some are ugly, with one party still hanging on when everyone else knows it's over. Others are more mutual as the sides recognize that the spark is gone. Sam Darnold and the New York Jets fall into the latter, having gone through a breakup that didn't require a restraining order attached to it.
Darnold had to go elsewhere to find success, but that doesn't mean he doesn't still look back on his time with the Jets fondly. During an event at a Raising Canes in Seattle on Feb. 10, Darnold was asked about his message to the Jets fans who continue to support him.
"I always look at myself and feel like I could’ve done a lot more for that franchise.”
Darnold only lasted three seasons with the Jets after the team selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He led the team to a 13-25 record in 38 starts, tossing 45 touchdowns to 39 interceptions. Since New York owned the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jets opted to move on and select Zach Wilson.
It was a move that reset the rookie quarterback contract window and aligned Wilson with the team's new coaching staff, led by Robert Saleh.
Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers that offseason, where he spent two seasons before becoming a backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. After a breakout year for the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold signed with the Seahawks in free agency last offseason.
The quarterback proved the breakout was no fluke, leading Seattle to a 14-3 regular season record and a win in Super Bowl 60 – the second Super Bowl win in franchise history.
While Darnold is experiencing plenty of success with his new team, the Jets remain mired in mediocrity and searching for an answer at quarterback. Despite that reality, Jets fans still showed plenty of support for their former signal-caller in the Super Bowl.
“The fact that [Jets fans] are able to support me even through that means a lot,” Darnold said.
Before heading to the Seattle Seahawks’ championship ceremony and parade on Wednesday morning, outspoken linebacker Ernest Jones IV joined “Up & Adams” and had a message for all the doubters.
Here's what 2x Super Bowl Champ Ernest Jones and a bunch of guys are wearing to the parade in Seattle today.
Host Kay Adams noticed Jones' shirt during the interview and asked what he was wearing when he tilted his camera to give a full frontal view of Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold flipping the bird. Jones and a couple of other Seahawks wore the shirts to the ceremony with Darnold's blessing as F-U to all those who doubted the QB and the Seahawks all season.
Jones doubled down on his message on stage during the ceremony.
Ernest Jones is a LEGEND 🤣
“If you got anything to say about my QB, if you got anything to say about my defense, if you got anything to say about our O-line, and you got anything to say about the city of Seattle... I got two words for you... F*ck you!" pic.twitter.com/lJJmBO2sRT
“If you got anything to say about my QB, if you got anything to say about my defense, if you got anything to say about our O-line, and you got anything to say about the city of Seattle... I got two words for you... F**k you!"
Jones and the Seahawks feel like the only people who've believed in Darnold to this point. Even after leading the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins in 2024, they opted to let Darnold enter free agency, and then that's when the Seahawks swooped in to sign him, and the rest is history. Not only was Darnold an underdog, but this Seahawks team was an underdog all season.
Seattle capped off a 10-game winning streak to end the season on Sunday, defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, 29-13. Even as Seattle was in the midst of finishing the regular season on a seven-game winning streak, capturing the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the NFL playoffs, the Seahawks remained overlooked by many.
It wasn't until the Seattle beat San Francisco with a dominant defensive performance in Week 18 to lock up home field advantage that they began to open the eyes of pundits and fans on the national scene. For Darnold, this Super Bowl is vindication, a middle finger in the face of everyone who'd written his NFL career off as a bust.
England legend slams Donnarumma: ‘Over celebrates for routine saves’
Former England and Arsenal legend David Seaman has criticised modern goalkeeping celebrations, singling out Gianluigi Donnarumma for what he feels are exaggerated reactions to routine saves.
Speaking on the Beast Mode On podcast with Adebayo Akinfenwa, via Goal, the ex-Arsenal and England goalkeeper said he is not a fan of keepers celebrating every stop, even when the effort does not warrant it.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 08: Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma saves from Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“The ones that really celebrate shots… Donnarumma, who’s one of my favourites at the moment, was doing some massive celebrations after some half-decent saves,” Seaman said.
“When they do that, I’m like: ‘Come on, you’re better than that.’
“When I see goalkeepers who’ve just signed for a club and they’re giving it all that after a save, and it’s not even a really good one, I think: ‘What are you doing? Celebrate when it really means something.’ That really annoys me.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City celebrates his team’s second goal scored by teammate Jeremy Doku (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Seaman also discussed the evolution of the position and gave his thoughts on current David Raya, who is playing a key role as Arsenal chase Premier League success.
The former England No.1 suggested that while modern keepers are more involved with the ball at their feet, the fundamentals of the role, positioning, decision-making and composure, remain just as important as ever.
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 04: Tyler Warren #84 of the Indianapolis Colts carries the ball against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Indianapolis won eight of its first 10 games, becoming one of the biggest stories in the league. But after the Week 11 bye, the Colts didn’t record another victory, crashing out of the playoffs and into a second straight 8-9 finish. Tyler Warren’s debut season reflected the Colts’ campaign as a whole. Through Week 10, the rookie led all NFL tight ends in receiving yards, becoming one of the leading candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year. But after the Week 11 bye, Warren’s production fell off a cliff, ultimately precluding him from even being an OROY finalist. The decline is stark:
Warren’s rookie season Weeks 1-10 Weeks 12-18 Receptions 50 26 Receiving yards 617 200 Yards per reception 12.3 7.7 Yards after catch 373 101 Receiving TDs 3 1
Now, there’s important context here. Daniel Jones first popped up in the injury report in Week 12 — with NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport later reporting that the quarterback was playing through a fractured fibula — and then tore his Achilles in Week 14. Obviously, just like the rest of the Colts, Warren suffered without his QB1.
Having selected Warren with the 14th overall pick, Warren was as great as advertised, immediately making an impact. He brought sure hands, versatility, and overall physicality. The rookie caught 76 receptions for 817 total receiving yards and 4 touchdown receptions, as well as ran for another one on the ground along the goal line.
Unfortunately, season-ending injuries limited the Colts 2025 rookie class to some extent, as both cornerback Justin Walley and safety Hunter Wohler suffered season-ending injuries during training camp and preseason respectively.
That being said, there were some bright spots eeven outside of Warren, including promising rookie right tackle Jalen Travis, who made 4 starts in relief of veteran Braden Smith down the stretch, as well as first-year quarterback Riley Leonard who showed promise receiving his first career start in the Colts regular season finale against the Houston Texans vaunted defense.
It’s not really fair to put a final grade on a rookie class after just one season, but it’s also fair to point out that there’s room for improvement with this group.
In particular, the Colts will need to get more production from their 2nd round pick JT Tuimoloau, who was limited to 13 games and 0 sacks, as well as Walley, from Round 3, who of course suffered the devastating injury after such an impressive training camp performance. Hopefully, their best is still yet to come collectively!
Veteran catcher Gary Sánchez has agreed to terms on a $1.75 million, one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced. The New York Post first reported the deal.
Sánchez, 33, played for the Brewers in 2024 and batted .220 with a .307 on-base percentage, 11 homers and 37 RBIs in 89 games while backing up two-time All-Star catcher William Contreras and getting some playing time at designated hitter.
Sánchez, himself a two-time All-Star, spent last year with the Baltimore Orioles and hit .231 with a .297 on-base percentage, five homers and 24 RBIs in 29 games.
Sánchez has batted .224 with a .309 on-base percentage, 189 homers and 509 RBIs in 859 career regular-season games with the New York Yankees (2015-21), Minnesota Twins (2022), New York Mets (2023), San Diego Padres (2023), Brewers and Orioles.
He was second to Detroit's Michael Fulmer in the AL rookie of the year voting in 2016. Sánchez made AL All-Star teams with the Yankees in 2017 and '19.
Before this move, the only catchers on Milwaukee’s 40-man roster were Contreras and 23-year-old prospect Jeferson Quero, who hasn’t appeared in a major league game.
The Brewers also signed catcher Reese McGuire last month to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp. McGuire, who turns 31 on March 2, batted .226 with a .245 on-base percentage, nine homers and 24 RBIs in 44 games with the Chicago Cubs last season.
The status of one of Vanderbilt baseball's top relief pitchers is uncertain for opening weekend with the Commodores set to compete in the Shriner's Children's College Classic in Arlington, Texas.
When asked Feb. 11 whether left-hander Miller Green would be available for the tournament, Corbin said, "Don't know yet."
Green has been dealing with an undisclosed injury that led the Commodores to slow down his ramp-up. Two sources with knowledge of Vanderbilt's pitching plans for its scrimmages held Feb. 6-8 told The Tennessean that Green did not appear on the list of pitchers scheduled to appear. The sources were granted anonymity because the information had not been made public.
However, the issue is not expected to sideline Green long-term.
"We slowed him down at the beginning of the week, so we'll see how he unfolds the next couple of days, in terms of throwing," Corbin said. "So I think with not just Miller, but any of these guys, if there's any setback at all, then we're more precautionary than anything else. ... He'll be back."
Green, a Lipscomb Academy graduate, is one of just four left-handed pitchers on the 2026 roster. One of the other three, freshman Aiden Stillman, missed the fall and got off to a late start to his ramp-up due to an undisclosed injury. Green had a 3.80 ERA with five saves in 20 appearances a season ago. He started the 2025 season in the closer's role, but struggled midseason and lost the gig.
Matthew Stafford will be back as the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback in 2026, announcing his return during his MVP acceptance speech last week. That much we know.
What isn’t so clear is whether Stafford will play on his current contract.
The Rams tweaked his deal last offseason after allowing Stafford to explore the market with other teams. Despite getting offered $20 million more by the Raiders and Giants, who were willing to pay him $100 million for two years, Stafford returned to the Rams for $40 million per year.
Next season will be the last year of his contract and it’s reasonable to think he’ll be seeking another raise. After all, he did win MVP and lead the Rams to the NFC title game. Looking at the current landscape of quarterback contracts puts into perspective what a bargain Stafford is.
There are 10 quarterbacks set to earn more than Stafford’s $40 million in 2026. These are the cash earned figures next season, not average annual salaries (via Over The Cap).
Patrick Mahomes: $56.8 million
Tua Tagovailoa: $55.0 million
Josh Allen: $55.0 million
Jared Goff: $55.0 million
Lamar Jackson: $52.0 million
Jalen Hurts: $51.5 million
Jordan Love: $51.0 million
Brock Purdy: $47.0 million
Deshaun Watson: $46.0 million
Kyler Murray: $42.5 million
Baker Mayfield: $40.0 million
Dak Prescott: $40.0 million
Matthew Stafford: $40.0 million
Tagovailoa and Murray are both likely to be cut or traded this offseason. And Watson is, well, in his own category of bad quarterback contracts.
Still, it's easy to make the case that Stafford should be in the $50 million range instead of $40 million. That's what he was offered by the Giants and Raiders last year, so teams would be willing to pay him at least that much.
It's just a matter of whether Stafford wants to push for more money entering his 18th NFL season. He's already the highest-earning player in league history at more than $408 million. Maybe he's content with the money he's made and won't ask for a raise.
One thing's for sure: He deserves a bump in pay. He was the best quarterback in the NFL last season and $40 million is a steal for the Rams.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 3: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with Reed Blankenship #32 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field on November 3, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The week leading up to the Super Bowl is filled with more media opportunities than players know what to do with, which means more than a few opportunities for upcoming Eagles’ free agents to make a pitch to stay in Philly — or not. Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship were both asked about returning to Philadelphia next season, and their responses were very different — Dean felt like Zack Baun last season, and Blankenship gave Milton Williams vibes, when the now-New England Patriots defensive tackle wore a hoodie with his agent’s logo on locker clean out day.
Nakobe Dean
One man who without question wants to be back in Philadelphia is linebacker Nakobe Dean. He has said it to nearly anyone who would listen — he acknowledged that the NFL is a business, so he understands if it doesn’t work out, but returning to the Eagles is his preference. The LB has played with a handful of his teammates since college, and moving on would be a big adjustment.
Dean’s injury history could work to his benefit in this regard, but he’s someone who might not be as valued outside the building. The people within the Eagles organization know how important he is as a leader and what he can do for the linebacker group, and defense as a whole, even when he’s not on the field. And when he is on the field, he’s intelligent and instantly impactful.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Eagles LB Nakobe Dean joined the show to discuss his pending free agency, the atmosphere around the Philly, and Jalen Hurts' winnability. pic.twitter.com/E3JDXnjxK5
The safety talked about he and his wife moving out of Philadelphia and back to Tennessee — the couple previously announced they have a baby on the way — which is an interesting move if he expected to be back with the Eagles. DeJean tried to goad Blankenship into talking about wanting to be back in Philly, but the safety did little to offer any assurances, saying only: “We’ll see.”
There’s still several weeks before Dean, Blankenship, and the other Eagles free agents officially hit the market, so Howie Roseman has time to figure out how best to fill the roster, and how to allocate the salary cap among a young defense that will be very expensive over the next couple of seasons.
Which defensive upcoming free agents should the Eagles prioritize re-signing before they hit the market? Let us know in the comments!
Since the end of last season, the Red Sox lost Justin Wilson (48.1 innings) and Steven Matz (21.2 innings) while trading Brennan Bernardino (51.2 innings) and Chris Murphy (34.2 innings) from their left-handed relief mix. Aroldis Chapman is back, but as the closer, won’t be in the mix to be a specialist who can face pockets of left-handed hitters in key spots. While losing Matz, Bernardino, Murphy and Wilson (who remains a free agent as camps open), the Red Sox have done little to replenish that specific area of the roster. Of those on the 40-man roster, only Jovani Morán and newcomer Tyler Samaniego (acquired as part of the Johan Oviedo-Jhostynxon Garcia trade with Pittsburgh in December) profile as traditional left-handed bullpen options.
Despite the lack of certainty — Morán has pitched just four major league innings over the last two years due to injury and Samaniego has never pitched above Double-A — the Red Sox don’t seem to be prioritizing adding a bona fide left-hander to their roster as camp opens. While the club is open to free agent adds, Boston is (as of Tuesday) not expected to pursue Dodgers lefty Anthony Banda, who was recently designated for assignment, unless he clears waivers, according to a source. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow appears more comfortable with internal options than one might assume.
“We continue to explore opportunities. We also feel good about the group we have,” he said Wednesday. “Morán has been someone that has been highlighted, someone we really like coming off a really successful winter ball season in Puerto Rico. We brought in Tyler Samaniego and are excited to get a look at him. There’s also starting pitching depth and we’ll figure out over the course of the next month and a half or so who, if anyone, might contribute out of the ‘pen from that group.”
There are options, too, if the Red Sox decide to turn toward free agency. Danny Coulombe is an obvious fit who the club has been in touch with throughout the winter but would likely require a major league deal. Wilson remains unsigned but is rumored to be considering retirement. Former Oriole Cionel Pérez is of interest to the Sox, too, according to a source, and is unsigned. Veterans Andrew Chafin, Jalen Beeks, Joey Lucchesi, John King, Colin Poche, T.J. McFarland and Joe Mantiply are out there, too.
As Breslow noted, the Red Sox, at full strength, have too many starters for rotation spots and therefore might have to get creative with how they use starters earlier in the year. With Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello and Johan Oviedo seemingly locked into spots, the quartet of Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Connelly Early and Payton Tolle projects to be on the outside looking in. Early and Tolle will not be relief options in March or April and therefore seem likely to start in the Worcester rotation. The right-handed Crawford and the left-handed Sandoval could emerge as long relievers, depending on how things shake out.
“I think they’re both capable of being effective bullpen guys because they’ve been very effective major league starters. It’s premature to label either as such,” Breslow said, speaking about Crawford and Sandoval. “If I’ve learned anything in a short amount of time, it’s that talking about what your rotation might look like before anyone has thrown a spring training game pitch, that would be foolish.
“Most importantly, both Kutter and Patrick are making a ton of progress. Off the mound regularly, facing hitters soon, and we’ll evaluate. It’s been a while since they’ve been in games and we need to make sure we’ll bring them along in a way that makes sense.”
At times last season, the Red Sox had nearly half their bullpen consisting of left-handed options in order to provide balance and give opponents a different look late in games. This year, though, it remains possible that Cora will opt to carry just one southpaw in addition to Chapman. Having bona fide lefty starters like Crochet, Suárez and potentially Sandoval, Early and Tolle lessens the need to have short-burst left-handers available.
“Having the two lefties in the rotation changes, probably, the way we’ll build a roster. Do we need three lefties? I don’t know.
“We are in the business of getting people out and we need lefties to get righties out and righties to get lefties out.”
The PGA Tour continued its strong run of television ratings with another big week at the People's Open.
CBS reported the 2026 WM Phoenix Open drew its highest final-round viewership in seven years, up 32 percent from a year ago, with a peak of nearly 5 million viewers. The broadcast ran right up to the start of the Super Bowl, with Chris Gotterup defeating Hideki Matsuyama in a playoff to secure his second win of the season.
It wasn't just the weekend that drew eyes, either. Golf Channel saw a 9 percent increase in average viewership for the first two rounds, including its highest round one number for the WM Phoenix Open since 2013, with 819,000 tuning in to the second round, according to Josh Carpenter with Sports Business Journal.
These numbers are just the latest in a remarkable run for the Tour's viewership. Last week, Golf Channel boasted a 75 percent year-over-year increase in ratings for every round of the Farmers Insurance Open. The week before that, The American Express saw a 125 percent increase in total viewership compared to the previous year. And last fall, CBS said the 2025 season was its most-watched golf season since 2018.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf's season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, drew just 23,000 viewers on average over the four-day event, which Elvis Smylie won while holding off Jon Rahm in the closing stages in the second round.
The PGA Tour now goes back to California for the penultimate event of its west coast swing, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am — the first signature event of the 2026 season — while LIV Golf heads to Adelaide, Australia.
The PGA Tour continued its strong run of television ratings with another big week at the People's Open.
CBS reported the 2026 WM Phoenix Open drew its highest final-round viewership in seven years, up 32 percent from a year ago, with a peak of nearly 5 million viewers. The broadcast ran right up to the start of the Super Bowl, with Chris Gotterup defeating Hideki Matsuyama in a playoff to secure his second win of the season.
It wasn't just the weekend that drew eyes, either. Golf Channel saw a 9 percent increase in average viewership for the first two rounds, including its highest round one number for the WM Phoenix Open since 2013, with 819,000 tuning in to the second round, according to Josh Carpenter with Sports Business Journal.
These numbers are just the latest in a remarkable run for the Tour's viewership. Last week, Golf Channel boasted a 75 percent year-over-year increase in ratings for every round of the Farmers Insurance Open. The week before that, The American Express saw a 125 percent increase in total viewership compared to the previous year. And last fall, CBS said the 2025 season was its most-watched golf season since 2018.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf's season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, drew just 23,000 viewers on average over the four-day event, which Elvis Smylie won while holding off Jon Rahm in the closing stages in the second round.
The PGA Tour now goes back to California for the penultimate event of its west coast swing, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am — the first signature event of the 2026 season — while LIV Golf heads to Adelaide, Australia.
Feb. 11—Fairmont High School inducted three athletes, a coach and a longtime volunteer into its athletic hall of fame last weekend.
Here's a quick glance at the inductees:
Jim Siewe: He helped found the Fairmont Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and has served as chairperson for 26 inductions, including 155 athletes and other inductees. A 1965 graduate of Chaminade High School, Siewe was a head football coach at Alter and Wayne early in his career.
Sarah Vonderbrink: A 2009 Fairmont graduate, she earned four varsity letters in track and field and soccer and one in swimming and diving. She qualified for the state track meet in three events as a senior. She was an All-Ohio selection in soccer and played at Bowling Green from 2009-13.
Mark McCormick: A 1981 Fairmont East graduate, he earned two varsity letters in football, three in track and field and three in basketball. He scored 1,064 in basketball and played at Wright State, where was a key contributor on the 1983 NCAA Division II national championship team.
Abby Galbreath: A 2010 Fairmont graduate, she earned four letters in swimming and won a state championship in the 200 individual medley as a senior. In college, she swam at South Carolina.
Tim Voegeli: He began his coaching career at Fairmont East in 1974 in boys soccer. He later coached boys and girls tennis. He retired from coaching in 2018 after 44 years.
The Good: The Braulio Vazquez appreciation society
Osasuna’s Sporting Director Braulio Vazquez is not a name that has been heralded much in international media, but if he were laid back enough to watch football in such a fashion, he might have allowed a wry smile at Raul Garcia de Haro’s back-post winner against Celta Vigo. After the Jagoba Arrasate years, the second-most of successful run in the 21st century in Pamplona, Vicente Moreno was brought in to replace him. Osasuna were in the European race until the final day of the season, but Moreno and Los Rojillo parted ways all the same. Something hadn’t quite fit, there were two willing parties, but an undeniable lack of chemistry.
It’s hard to give call Braulio a visionary for the appointment of Alessio Lisci, who authored a Netflix miracle at Mirandes, but what he has done since does deserve credit. In the first half of the season, Osasuna struggled for consistency, and after some bad breaks, went on a run of eight matchdays where they slid from midtable to 18th, featuring a singular Liga win in 10 games. Just as consistent as gravity, pressure on Lisci began to build.
At that point, Braulio not only backed Lisci, but found a much more effective pressure valve, telling the press that he had left him short of resources. His business was as worthy of critique as Lisci’s management – and it would be addressed. In January, Braulio brought in Raul Moro for €5m from Ajax, and Javi Galan for €500k from Atletico Madrid. Against Celta, both started, as did summer additions Victor Munoz (€5m), one of the revelations of the season, and Valentin Rosier (free), making it four of Braulio’s five additions this year on the pitch.
Moro swirled a ball onto perhaps the most reliable head in La Liga, Ante Budimir, and it flew into top corner in the pouring rain in Vigo. With 10 minutes to go, Munoz found Alejandro Catena in the box and there was Garcia to prod home, right on time. A victory away at Balaidos, against one of the form teams in Spain, lifted Osasuna to 9th, four points behind Celta, and a potential European spot. Their third victory in four, extending a run of just one defeat in seven. Run the numbers, any which you like, they’re all coming up Braulio right now.
Image via CA Osasuna
The Bad: 17 days to wipe the smile off Manolo Gonzalez’s face
Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez and Sporting Director Fran Garagarza have done a fine job, and nothing can take away their first half of their season, but their start to 2026 is a good attempt at making people forget about it. Los Pericos were very much in the game against Villarreal, and arguably the more dangerous side with 10 minutes to go in the first half (0-0) on Monday night. With ten minutes gone in the second, they were 4-0 down.
Ahead of Espanyol’s 4th game of 2026 and as of the 23rd of January, Gonzalez was still in festive as his side prepared to take on Valencia. Asked about mounting pressure following a loss to Barcelona (0-2), a draw with Levante (1-1) and a loss to Girona (0-1), Gonzalez replied with a grin. “I told the players to win, otherwise I’ll be sacked. Please win. I think I might be out if we don’t win in Valencia. If not, I’m finished.”
“We’ve been soft in every aspect of our game, we’ve been talking about it for days. Every time they went for a 50/50 ball, they went all out, and we have to recover that urgently. Otherwise, we’ll have real problems; it’s very difficult to win matches. Either we reset quickly again or it won’t be enough.”
Gonzalez’s first answer was a fair response, the response of a manager who was in charge of a more limited team with much larger problems at the same time last year. Yet their point against Levante (19th) remains their only reward after six games in 2026. The sense of humour is gone, the problems are real.
The Beautiful: A Bad Bunny tribute
It’s a good week to have a Bad Bunny song dedicated to you, but Orri Oskarsson has been the lucky recipient of such an honour at Anoeta. Following his winner against Alaves in the Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad fans have repurposed ‘Cafe con Ron’ [Coffee with rum] to the lyrics In the morning coffee, in the afternoon rum, take me to Sevilla, Orri Oskarsson’ which rhymes wonderfully in Spanish.
The less said about his back-post blaze over the bar the better, but Real Sociedad fans were given an excuse to employ their vocal chords to the rhythm of Puerto Rico’s finest for a second week in a row. Gliding clear of the defence with seconds remaining in Pellegrino Matarazzo’s 6th win in eight games, Oskarsson’s finish was smooth and confident, movements out of an instruction manual. Just as he did against Alaves.
Oskarsson, who signed for €20m, has had a miserable time since arriving in Donostia-San Sebastian, struggling to settle, to score, to start, to look the part. For the first time in a while, he’s smiling again. The song is a sign the Txuri-Urdin are willing to make him one of their own. There is hope yet that he can be resurrected from Real Sociedad’s number nine graveyard.
Tottenham Hotspur Offered A Chance To Sign This Real Madrid Defender: Good Signing For Spurs?
In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed that Tottenham Hotspur have been offered a chance to sign Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger. It has been stated that Spurs will have to compete with Crystal Palace and West Ham United in the race to land the German talent next summer.
Rudiger’s Impressive Form In German Football
Rudiger has missed a lot of games this season due to injury, but has done well to serve as a good, rotational piece in Real Madrid’s squad. The Germany international has made just nine appearances for Los Blancos so far in this campaign across multiple competitions.
The 32-year-old can still be a decent contributor on the defensive end of the field when he is playing regularly and with confidence on the field. He has got a wealth of experience at the highest level, so Spurs would do well to bring him on board this summer.
His current contract at the Madrid club will run out at the end of this campaign, which could open the door for Tottenham to sign him on a free transfer later this year.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN – DECEMBER 14: Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid looks on during the warm up prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Mendizorroza on December 14, 2025 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Is Rudiger A Good Signing For Tottenham Hotspur?
Rudiger is a solid tackler of the ball and can time his challenges well to secure the ball back for his team inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the front foot and excels at playing his way out from the back.
Standing at 1.90m, the German sensation can use his strong frame to dominate the opposition attackers in the air. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League from his spell at Chelsea and won’t take much time to settle into life at Tottenham.
We can expect Rudiger to bring more bite and steel to the North London club’s defence. He is more than capable of earning a regular first-team place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the coming years.
At 32, Rudiger is past his prime but could still serve as an important squad player at a club like Tottenham. He has got the skill set and leadership qualities to be a success story at the London club in the short term. Furthermore, Rudiger will be available on a free transfer this summer, which makes him a decent signing for Spurs to pull off financially at the end of this season.
England confirm two more friendlies before start of World Cup
England will take on Costa Rica and New Zealand in friendlies ahead of the start of the 2026 World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will take on New Zealand on Saturday 6 June before facing Costa Rica on Wednesday 10 June in the USA, with the venues yet to be confirmed.
The FA have also confirmed that England’s training camp will be based at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri for the duration of the tournament.
Before that, England will take on Uruguay and Japan next month at Wembley as their preparations for the tournament continue.
"I know what I know and I am following my gut and my values," Wambach said in a post on Instagram. "I will not participate in any business arrangement under (Wasserman's) leadership."
Wambach, who retired in 2015, is not represented by Wasserman himself, and encouraged her agent to leave the 51-year-old's firm.
"I also need to say this: I'm grateful to my agent, who I've known for almost 20 years and trust.
"Casey should resign. He should leave, so more people like me don't have to."
Wambach, 45, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a World Cup champion and six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award. She is the USWNT's all-time leading scorer with 184 goals in 255 appearances.
“I hold my teams to the highest standards and have a duty to protect them as well," the musician said on Instagram. "No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.”
In emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice last month, a flirtatious correspondence between Wasserman and Epstein's longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell from 2003 was revealed. At the time, Wasserman was married with a young family.
Maxwell was convicted on sex trafficking charges in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison sentence for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
Wasserman also traveled with Epstein on his private jet during a 2002 trip to Africa on a humanitarian mission.
In a statement after the emails became public, Wasserman said: “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.
"I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. As is well documented, I went on a humanitarian trip as part of a delegation with the Clinton Foundation in 2002 on the Epstein plane. I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them."
Casey Wasserman to remain on LA Olympics committee despite Jeffrey Epstein links
Wasserman also serves as chairman for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Organizing Committee, which met on Wednesday, Feb. 11 to determine whether he would stay on. After an investigation, the committee said that Wasserman would remain in his position.
"We found Mr. Wasserman's relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented," the committee said in a statement.
"Twenty-three years ago, before Mr. Wasserman or the public knew of Epstein and Maxwell’s deplorable crimes, Mr. Wasserman and his then-wife flew on a humanitarian mission to Africa on Epstein’s plane at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation. This was his single interaction with Epstein. Shortly after, he traded the publicly known emails with Maxwell.
"The Executive Committee of the Board has determined that based on these facts, as well as the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past ten years, Mr. Wasserman should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful Games."
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 03: Gary Sánchez #99 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a double in the second inning against the New York Mets during Game Three of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 03, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers entered the offseason with a potential need at backup catcher. Danny Jansen was hitting free agency and was unlikely to return, ultimately signing with the Texas Rangers. That left just William Contreras and prospect Jeferson Quero as the only catchers on the 40 man roster.
While Quero is still viewed by many as the Brewers’ catcher of the future, it still seemed they needed additional catching depth to get through the season. Now, as pitchers and catchers officially report to spring training, the Brewers have finally made that addition at catcher.
Jon Heyman has reported that the Brewers have brought back 33 year old Gary Sanchez on a one year, $1.75MM deal.
Gary Sanchez returns to Brewers
The Brewers first signed Gary Sanchez for the 2024 season on a one year deal. He also saw time at DH and first base. That season he hit .220 with 11 homers and a .699 OPS in 89 games. During the final two months of the season, he was part of a three man weave at catcher and DH with Contreras and Eric Haase to help manage the loss of Christian Yelich to a back injury.
Last season the Brewers let Sanchez walk to roll with Eric Haase as the backup catcher. Sanchez signed with the Baltimore Orioles where he posted a .231 average with five homers and a .715 OPS in 29 games. Sanchez dealt with wrist, finger, and knee injuries last season that limited his time on the field.
Sanchez is now the favorite to be the backup catcher to William Contreras in 2026. Jeferson Quero is now likely to start the season back in Triple-A Nashville for some more seasoning and regular playing time. Contreras doesn’t come out of the lineup often so this may end up being better for Quero in the long run.
One big benefit to this signing is that Sanchez does have some familiarity with the Brewers pitching staff. Granted there has been a decent amount of new additions to this staff since Sanchez was here last, but still he knows the coaching staff and should be able to pick things up quickly.
Sanchez brings a veteran presence to the catching room and is comfortable in that backup role. The Brewers also have Reese McGuire on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training to have additional depth at that spot.
Italy's Emanuel Rieder (L) and Simon Kainzwaldner celebrate their victory after the men's doubles second round competition of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Cortina Sliding Center. Robert Michael/dpa
Italians Emanuel Rieder and Simon Kainzwaldner caused a surprise when they seized Olympic gold in the men's luge doubles on Wednesday, ending Germany's three Games-long hold on glory.
Italy also won the inaugural women's doubles earlier, bringing the host nation's tally to four golds across all sports so far in Milan/Cortina.
Six-times Olympic champions Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt could only finish with bronze in a tightly packed men's field. The German pair boasted three straight doubles golds and three successive team relay golds at Winter Games.
Austrian duo Thomas Steu and Wolfgang Kindl secured silver, 0.068 seconds adrift of the Italians. Steu had scooped bronze four years' ago in Beijing.
US duo Marcus Mueller and Ansel Haugsjaa took a shock lead after a track record in the first run but errors second time around left them sixth.
Italian duo Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer earlier zoomed to victory in the inaugural Olympic luge women's doubles.
While women could theoretically have competed in doubles at previous Winter Games given it was an open category, no female luger did.
A women's doubles was introduced to this year's Olympics to achieve equality, having already existed in world championships and World Cups. Eleven sleds all from different nations took part, with none of the women from Tuesday's individual final won by Germany's Julia Taubitz competing.
The Italians led after the first run thanks to a start record and ended up with a combined 1 minute 46.284 seconds after the second and final run.
German pair Dajana Eitberger and Magdalena Matschina took silver, 0.120 back, and Austrian world champions Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp placed third.
The sliding centre in Cortina was built quickly by Italian organizers after the International Olympic Committee had wanted to hold sliding events at these Games abroad for cost reasons.
Given the controversy, the track is holding up well and producing fast but so far safe races.
Italy's Andrea Voetter (L) and Marion Oberhofer celebrate their first place after the women's doubles second round competition of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Cortina Sliding Center. Robert Michael/dpa
Detroit's Isaiah Stewart was suspended for seven games by the NBA for his role in a brawl between the Pistons and Charlotte (Nick Cammett)
Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart was suspended seven games by the NBA and three others involved in a brawl between Detroit and Charlotte were also banned by the league on Wednesday.
Stewart's punishment came for leaving the bench area, aggressively entering an on-court altercation and fighting, with the length of the suspension in part based on his history of repeated unsportsmanlike acts.
Charlotte Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate were each suspended four games for fighting and escalating the altercation while Detroit center Jalen Duren was banned two games for initiating the altercation and fighting.
All four players were issued technical fouls and ejected from the contest with 7:09 remaining in the third quarter of Detroit's 110-104 victory over the Hornets on Monday at Charlotte.
The melee erupted when Diabate committed a defensive foul on Duren.
Stewart and Duren begin serving their suspensions later on Wednesday when the Pistons visit Toronto. Bridges and Diabate start serving their suspensions when Charlotte host Atlanta.
Stewart, who will lose more than $724,000 in salary, will not be able to return until Detroit's March 3 game at Cleveland. He is averaging 10.0 points and 5.1 rebounds a game this season.
Duren, named to this week's NBA All-Star Game, is expected to be able to play in Sunday's event at Los Angeles.
Duren has averaged 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds a game this season for the Pistons, who lead the Eastern Conference at 39-13.
Charlotte, 10th in the East at 25-29, can welcome back Bridges and Diabate on February 24 when the Hornets visit Chicago.
Bridges averages 18.2 points and 6.1 rebounds a game while Frenchman Diabate averages 8.2 points and 8.6 rebounds a game.
The NBA also announced $35,000 fines for Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid for their roles in an altercation in a different contest.
The incident came eight seconds into the fourth quarter of Minnesota's 138-116 home victory over Atlanta on Monday when Senegal's Gueye committed a defensive foul by pushing Reid from behind.
Both players grabbed each other's jerseys in an aggressive fashion and were issued technical fouls and ejected from the game.
The T-Wolves stand 33-22, sixth in the Western Conference, while the Hawks are 26-29, ninth in the East.
The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is just around the corner, and with the regular season winding down in less than a month, all eyes are on the road to the Final Four.
Arizona and Michigan top the March Madness odds, with both teams looking to punch their tickets to Indianapolis.
Led by five-star forward Koa Peat, the Wildcats boast a Top-10 defensive rating and field goal percentage, with their only slip-up being a road loss to Kansas.
Michigan Wolverines
Of Michigan’s 22 wins this season, 18 have come by double digits.
6-foot-9 phenom Yaxel Lendeborg is doing the heavy lifting for the Wolverines, as the power forward is averaging 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Maize & Blue.
Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils reached the Final Four under Jon Scheyer last year, and they’ll look to return this time around, buoyed by the nation’s second-best defensive rating.
Duke is 9-1 over its last 10 games and is led by freshman point guard Cameron Boozer, who is expected to be a top-five draft pick this summer.
The Philadelphia Phillies don't expect ace Zack Wheeler to be ready for Opening Day, but he told reporters Wednesday in Clearwater, Florida, that he's encouraged by the progress he's made in the nearly five months since his thoracic outlet decompression surgery.
He also revealed a humorous memento he received from that procedure.
The rib that was removed in order to prevent a vein under his collarbone from being crushed now lies in a small case.
"I just have it sitting it at the house," Wheeler said upon reporting for spring training, per OnPattison's Tim Kelly, drawing some laughter from reporters.
Naturally, a follow-up question was asked: "Where in the house?"
After a slight chuckle, Wheeler responded while smiling, "It's in my closet."
Zack Wheeler kept his rib that he had removed during thoracic outlet decompression surgery. It’s in his closet at his house.
Wheeler had to have his thoracic outlet surgically altered because of the compression of that vein, which was caused by what's known as venous thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
Wheeler's NL Cy Young Award candidacy was disrupted when he reported discomfort following an Aug. 15 start this past season. After feeling an abnormal heaviness in his shoulder, he received evaluations the following day. That's when his blood clot, officially in his "right upper extremity," was discovered.
Wheeler, who will turn 36 in May, was asked Wednesday if there was any part of him that was unsure he'd be able to pitch again when he navigated his rare type of TOS.
"No," Wheeler said, via OnPattison. "I think just any athlete, if you have a surgery, you're optimistic about it. You always have that good mindset of you're going to come back and be the same performer as you were. So that's kind of my mindset the whole time is, 'I'm going to be back to where I was.'
"I think that's the right mindset to have."
While the sample size isn't large for major-league pitchers and TOS, Wheeler isn't the first to make this kind of comeback. Arizona Diamondbacks righty Merrill Kelly did it in 2021.
The Phillies projected Wheeler's recovery to take 6-8 months. Even if he's not good to go by the start of the season, it's possible he won't need that much longer.
Wheeler threw this past weekend, and, according to Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson, it "went very good," as reported by MLB.com.
Phillies Ace Zack Wheeler is throwing on the first day of pitchers and catchers workouts pic.twitter.com/UsSdKeuSIJ
Across his first six seasons with the Phillies, Wheeler has registered a 2.91 ERA. He's piled up 1,094 strikeouts in 979 innings along the way.
Philadelphia's hoping he returns to form.
"It is encouraging, the progress so far," Wheeler said Wednesday, via OnPattison. "You kind of don't know what to expect as you're moving along. I'm sure there's speed bumps that you're going to hit along the way, as with any surgery or recovery. You just take it day-by-day, things as they come and go. Just trying to hit my checkmarks. ... So far, so good with that. I'm really just trying to make sure the arm strength is there every phase that we get to and then move on to the next one."
The three-time All-Star repeated: "So far, so good."
NBCUniversal has issued an apology after Olympic commentators repeatedly misgendered transgender skier Elis Lundholm during a livestream this week.
Lundholm, a trans man and the first trans skier to compete in the Winter Olympics, competed in the women’s moguls first qualifying round on February 10. International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) rules currently require trans athletes to participate in events corresponding to their “registered sex” with the governing body, as Newsweek noted.
During a live stream of the qualifiers on NBC’s platform Peacock, one of the two commentators — whose name was not stated during the broadcast — repeatedly referred to Lundholm as “she” during his first run, Outsports first reported on Tuesday. The other member of the team, identified as professional skier Sam Smoothy, used “they” rather than “he” in reference to Lundholm throughout the run. Lundholm uses he/him pronouns, rather than “they,” in English. (The announcer at the moguls event itself gendered Lundholm correctly, per Attitude.)
“She’s going to hop up and go around to make sure she does not DNF [Did Not Finish] as she continues down the line here,” the unidentified member of the commentary team said of Lundholm, after the Swedish skier skidded out near a gate early in his run.
An NBCUniversal representative apologized for streaming the misgendering comments in a statement to Outsports on Tuesday.
“NBC Sports takes this matter seriously,” the representative said. “Today we streamed an international feed with non-NBCUniversal commentators who misgendered Olympian Elis Lundholm. We apologize to Elis and our viewers, and we have removed the replay of that feed.” (The feed was still available to view directly through NBC’s website on Wednesday, but has been removed from the network’s Olympic replay lineup.)
“I did anticipate this but I am disappointed by it,” Glenn wrote on Instagram.
NBC’s 2026 Olympic commentary team for women’s moguls includes former Olympians Trace Worthington and Hannah Kearney, neither of whom appear to have been involved in the commentary streamed on Peacock. The stream may have been produced by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), which handles international broadcasting on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). During the 2021 Olympics, NBC issued a similar apology after commentators repeatedly misgendered nonbinary skater Alana Smith during an OBS-produced commentary stream. Them emailed NBC Sports for further clarification, but did not immediately receive a reply.
This year’s Winter Olympics take place in the midst of international conflict over rules for trans athletes in elite competition. IOC president Kirsty Coventry, who took charge of the organization last year, has signaled that she will move to ban trans women from women’s competitions across the board, and will likely re-adopt “sex testing” for future Olympic events nearly three decades after the practice was phased out.
Lundholm finished 25th in the qualifiers and did not advance to the moguls’ final round. “I’m happy to put down a run today. It wasn’t the best run,” he told reporters in Milan, per the Associated Press. “There are some things to fix, but I’m happy.” Regarding eligibility rules, Lundholm said only that he wants “everyone to be able to compete fairly against each other.”
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Credit: Impaulsive Podcast
Tom Brady is a legend, and while he gained plenty of enemies and critics in the NFL world on his way to seven Super Bowl wins, I'm not sure he's used to a ton of disrespect. Unfortunately for him, Logan Paul has shown he's not afraid to challenge legends, having previously boxed Floyd Mayweather, and he might've poked the bear a little too much in a recent interview. ("Poked the GOAT," while applicable, isn't sounding quite right.)
Brady and Paul are both set to play against each other in a flag football event in Saudi Arabia on March 21st. I'm now more invested in watching this anti-spectacle than I was previously, especially after the former quarterback-turned-sports commentator looks determined to humble the WWE superstar.
Tom Brady Took Offense To Logan Paul Comparing Himself To NFL Athletes
The Impaulsive podcast did an episode on the Fanatics Super Bowl Party red carpet, and interviewed a number of stars as they made their way through the line. When it came time for Tom Brady to have a seat, Logan Paul went into their upcoming game in Saudi Arabia, and it feels as though things went south pretty quick. Take a listen by watching this quick exchange below:
Tom Brady TALKS TRASH to Logan Paul 🤬 pic.twitter.com/whA0hYlgPn
Logan Paul asserting he was on the same level athletically as Saquon Barkley, who won the NFL MVP last year, is a comment that most sports analysts would laugh at. That said, I think there's something unspoken here in Paul's words, and maybe Brady felt he was poking at he was more athletic than him, which is why I think the former Super Bowl champ called Paul's WWE career "cute."
I think there's some good-natured jawing going on, and I think it'd be foolish to dismiss Logan Paul's talent for hyping up the internet with viral clips. Still, I can't help but feel like he got under Tom Brady's skin a bit here, and I feel doubly so after seeing how the former quarterback responded on social media afterward.
Brady Had More To Say Online After The Interview
Tom Brady shared the clip on X, perhaps, because it made rounds on the internet. Brady didn't directly talk about any sleight he felt on behalf of Paul, but did stress he wants the flag football event to be taken seriously:
I hope people understand the level of competition this game is going to be. If you’re on my team you’re going to be locked in, all out, and we’re going to not just win... but dominate.I do think @loganpaulhas the right attitude and the effort will be there. How far that gets him will remain to be seen...I was having a great morning and now I'm mad.
Brady is known for his competitive nature, and he takes a lot of pride in his fitness. Plus, Flag Football is primed to be an Olympic event in 2028, so I'm sure there is some pressure for this event to have a competitive edge to it.
Does this mean that Logan Paul is going to get embarrassed by former and current NFL superstars when he takes the field in Saudi Arabia? Well, I guess it depends on how well he can play flag football, though I doubt he'll be upset either way. In the end, he's still going to make a ton of money from YouTube content, and it's not like anyone expects him to outperform any of the NFL players. I am certainly more invested in seeing how Brady does, though, and can't wait to watch these two meet on the flag football field.
As mentioned, we're going to see these two play flag football on March 21st as part of the 2026 TV schedule. Those interested will be able to see it on Fox Sports or Tubi, and see who comes out on top in this feud between Tom Brady and Logan Paul.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals takes a swing during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at the Nationals Park on September 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Any intriguing potential Nats storyline emerged earlier today. It was reported that Corbin Carroll broke his Hamate bone in batting practice and will be missing the WBC. That means Team USA will have to find a replacement. Nationals star left fielder James Wood is reportedly on the shortlist of names according to Jon Morosi.
USA Baseball officials are working through possible injury replacements for Corbin Carroll.
Steven Kwan, Tyler Soderstrom, Riley Greene, Roman Anthony, James Wood, Wyatt Langford and Kyle Stowers are under consideration, per source.@MLBNetworkRadio@MLB
This is an exciting and potentially impactful development. While Wood is far from a lock to be the man Team USA picks, I think he is one of the top candidates. With Carroll out of the picture, Team USA’s outfielders are now Byron Buxton, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge. Wood would be a nice complement to those three. He brings an element of left handed power that this trio misses.
Clearly, that is what the folks running Team USA are looking for. Wyatt Langford is the only right handed bat in the mix. If Team USA wanted a contact oriented profile, Steven Kwan is the obvious pick, but the other options are power bats. However, none of the other names have quite as much raw power as Wood.
I think Wood has the most upside of anyone in that group. We know what he can do when he gets hot. It would also be a great experience for him as well. He would be able to take in knowledge from some of the game’s best players. Fellow giant outfielder Aaron Judge would be a great person for him to learn from. Judge had strikeout issues when he entered the league, but has fixed those.
When Wood gets a hold of a baseball, it looks like a left handed Aaron Judge at times. The raw power is totally jaw dropping. I remember his home run against the Orioles early in the season so well. It was the one of the first flyballs he pulled all season and he sent it 460 feet and hit the ball about 117 MPH.
While his Home Run Derby appearance did not go according to plan, the fact he got the invite shows he is highly thought of. You have to think people at Team USA may view Wood as a potential successor to Judge for the future. Bringing him to this event would be a great opportunity for him and Team USA.
It is easy to forget just how young James Wood is. He is entering his age 23 season and still has so much ahead of him. In his first full season as a big leaguer, Wood hit 31 homers and posted an .825 OPS. The second half and all the strikeouts left a sour taste, but that is still one heck of a season for a guy who was 22 for most of the year.
However, sending Wood to the WBC would not be without some risks. He would obviously be away from the team for a couple weeks. That could be time spent working with the Nats new coaches where he can refine his swing. There is also some injury risk, but that also exists in regular Spring Training games.
I think the reward far outweighs the risk though and it would be a good opportunity for Wood himself. He is not around any veteran stars in DC, so being with some of the best in the game at the WBC would be great for him. Wood is likely to learn a thing or two from the future Hall of Famers he is playing with. The chance to represent your country is always an honor as well.
Given he would be a replacement player, Wood probably won’t start the biggest games. However, he will still get playing time and would be a strong piece. If Team USA needed a big hit late in a game, Wood would be a great pinch hitter for a guy like Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Again, it is far from a guarantee that he will make the team, but James Wood is in the mix for Team USA. The Nats only have two players at the WBC right now, which is fewer than most teams. Hopefully James Wood can add a third Nat to the mix at this great competition.
The Atlanta Falcons held a press conference for their three coordinators on Wednesday, allowing offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman to share their philosophies ahead of the 2026 NFL offseason.
While all three coaches addressed the media, there was very little said about rookie James Pearce Jr.'s recent arrest. The Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist is facing five felony charges stemming from an incident in which he stalked his ex-girlfriend and crashed into her car before attempting to evade police.
Ulbrich was asked about the Pearce situation at Wednesday's press conference and while he wouldn't get into details, he expressed his disappointment in the former first-round selection.
"I was obviously disappointed, you know," answered Ulbrich before moving on to another question.
The Falcons defensive coordinator was asked if he's planning to be without Pearce in 2026 but did not want to speculate on the situation.
"It's still so early," Ulbrich stated about the team having Pearce back next season. "You know, we're not there yet, either way."
Even if Pearce is beats his charges, which doesn't seem likely, he will certainly face discipline from the NFL. According to ESPN's Marc Raimondi, Pearce's ex-girlfriend is prepared to testify in court.
WNBA’s Rickea Jackson “willing to testify” against James Pearce Jr. in domestic violence case https://t.co/J92y0GjeMV
Head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the Pearce situation at the start of Wednesday's press conference.
"On the James Pearce situation, there's really nothing to add," said Stefanski. "I'll defer to the statement that was put out. I understand there are questions, but we don't have much to add there."
We'll have to wait and see how the situation plays out over the next few weeks.
The Toronto Raptors host the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, with both teams playing well.
My Pistons vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks break down this East battle and explain why Detroit presents more problems for the home team.
Pistons vs Raptors prediction
Pistons vs Raptors best bet: Pistons moneyline (-110)
The Toronto Raptors are fifth in the conference and 7-3 in their last 10. However, those losses came against Minnesota, Orlando, and New York, all of which featured double-digit second-half collapses.
The Detroit Pistons will present similar problems. They have the best record in the East and are the only team with a better net rating than Oklahoma City.
This is a matchup of Top 10 defensive teams, but Detroit also has a Top 10 offense, while Toronto lacks efficiency, ranking 18th in effective field goal percentage.
Pistons vs Raptors same-game parlay
Defensive battles usually mean lots of rebounds, and the Pistons are one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA. But with Jalen Duren getting a two-game suspension, that could mean more work from Ausar Thompson.
Thompson averages 6.6 rebounds over his last 13 games, topping 6.5 eight times.
No Duren means Raptors center Sandro Mamukelashvili should have some more room to work in the paint. Mamukelashvili is averaging 15.5 points over his last 12 games, going Over 12.5 points nine times in that stretch.
Pistons vs Raptors SGP
Pistons moneyline
Ausar Thompson Over 6.5 rebounds
Sandro Mamukelashvili Over 12.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Battle on the boards
Good defensive battles usually mean rebounds. These four guys could have a big night cleaning the glass.
Pistons vs Raptors SGP
Ausar Thompson Over 6.5 rebounds
Cade Cunningham Over 5.5 rebounds
Scottie Barnes Over 8.5 rebounds
RJ Barrett Over 5.5 rebounds
Pistons vs Raptors odds
Spread: Pistons -1 | Raptors +1
Moneyline: Pistons -110 | Raptors -110
Over/Under: Over 223 | Under 223
Pistons vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Pistons have covered the first-half spread in 26 of their last 40 games for +11.05 units and a 24% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Raptors.
How to watch Pistons vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Detroit, TSN
Pistons vs Raptors latest injuries
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Karl-Anthony Towns is the NBA's active leader for fouling out of games. The New York Knicks center fouled out of Tuesday night's contest against the Indiana Pacers, his 45th game in his career with six fouls.
That's 14 more than the player with the second most offensive fouls in the league, center Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Utah Jazz, with 34.
Towns' tendency to commit offensive fouls
Towns is one of the best three-point shooting big men in NBA history, but he runs into trouble when he drives to the rim.
He has a tendency to hook his arm around the defender's back or arm to create space, resulting in an offensive foul.
"For the life of me, I don't understand why KAT won't stop hooking," Stefan Bondy, who covers the Knicks for the New York Post, wrote on X during Tuesday night's game against the Pacers.
Towns is having one of the worst offensive seasons of his career, shooting 46% from the field while averaging 19.8 points per game, the lowest mark of his time in the NBA since his rookie year in 2015-16 with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rickea Jackson #2 of the Los Angeles Sparks reacts during the game against the Indiana Fever at Crypto.com Arena on August 5, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
MIAMI -- Last Saturday, Sparks forward Rickea Jackson was involved in a very scary incident with ex-boyfriend and Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce, Jr. According to a document, Jackson's attorneys has since said that she's willing to testify if the domestic violence case goes to trial.
"Pearce was arrested Saturday and is facing five felony charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking. A pretrial conditional stay-away order was filed against Pearce by the court with regard to Jackson.
The victims' rights notice points out that Jackson has the rights under Florida law to be notified of updates in the case and be present at all public proceedings, as well as a "right to be heard in any public proceeding." In addition, it notes that Jackson has the right to confer with prosecutors about any plea deal and provide information about the impact the defendant has had on her and her family.
Jackson "remains cooperative and willing to testify at trial, if one is necessary," the attorneys wrote. Jackson is being represented by Gary F. Celetti and Wendy A.L. Beswick.
"The victim is pleading with the Court and the State to conclude this matter promptly without hindering the efficacy of the prosecution's case," the attorneys wrote."
ESPN also had additional details from what took place on Saturday.
"Jackson told police that Pearce, her ex-boyfriend for almost three years, followed her in his vehicle Saturday morning, tried to open her car door at a stop and then later rammed her car with his vehicle multiple times when she tried to enter into the Doral Police Department, according to an affidavit. Police responded after Jackson called.
According to the affidavit, officers saw Pearce standing on the outside of his SUV on the driver's side with the door open. An officer pulled a gun on Pearce and ordered him to get on the floor. Pearce got back into his car and closed the door. The officer opened the door, but Pearce shut it again, locked it and drove away.
While Pearce was driving away, the SUV struck an officer in his left knee. The affidavit describes it as "intentionally in an attempt to evade arrest."
Police followed Pearce's vehicle in cars until Pearce crashed at an intersection. Pearce then got out of his car and fled on foot. Officers were able to catch up with him, although Pearce "began to resist arrest by tensing his arms and not allowing officers to apprehend him."
Pearce, 22, was released on $20,500 bond Sunday evening. In addition to the domestic violence charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (two counts) and aggravated stalking, Pearce is also being accused of felony aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, felony fleeing and deluding police officers and resisting an officer without violence to his person, a misdemeanor."
The Falcons released a statement last Saturday that they were "gathering more information."
Jackson, who has spent two years with the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA thus far, was scheduled to compete in the one-on-one tournament for Unrivaled. There's also no word on whether she'll continue to compete in the women's three-on-three basketball league.
On Tuesday's "Busted Open Radio," two-time Hall of Famer Bully Ray attempted to find some silver linings for Breakker's situation. While admitting that there is never a good time to suffer an injury, especially when one is on the main event trajectory Breakker appeared to be on, Bully was able to find one positive that should benefit Breakker when he is ready to return.
"If there's one thing that I have seen in wrestling...when guys do get injured, and they go on the shelf for a period of time, sometimes it works out really, really well," Bully said. "It actually works out most times really, really well. Because absence makes the heart grow fonder. You're away from the product, and they bring you back as a surprise.
"They bring you back, and people are like 'Holy s**t! He's back! She's back!' And you wind up doing better than where you were in the first place. Now, I don't know how much better you can do than where Bron is right now. But this could work out for him. Maybe the wrestling gods were saying 'You know what kid? This is not the right time. We have a better time planned out for you.'"
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Busted Open Radio" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription
Oregon tennis delivered a two-win weekend at the UO Student Tennis Center, with the men surviving a 4-3 thriller against Utah State on Friday and the women cruising to a 6-1 victory over in-state rival Portland on Saturday. Both squads stayed unbeaten at home this spring behind strong doubles play and key singles performances.
Men’s Tennis: Oregon 4, Utah State 3
Oregon battled through a back-and-forth match Friday night, clinching a 4-3 win over Utah State to remain undefeated at home. The Ducks (7-2) grabbed momentum early by taking the doubles point, earning wins on courts two and three. Vlad Breazu and Declan Galligan earned a 6-2 victory, while Cameron Burton and Lachlan Robertson secured the point with a 6-4 win. The top doubles match was left unfinished with Oregon leading 5-3.
In singles, Breazu extended Oregon’s lead with a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 1, and Russell Soohoo followed with a 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 6 to push the Ducks within a point of winning the match. Utah State responded with singles wins on courts two, three, and four to tie the score at 3-3, setting up a deciding point.
Robertson delivered the clincher at No. 5, outlasting Jakub Medved in a three-set battle, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, to seal the 4-3 decision.
Women’s Tennis: Oregon 6, Portland 1
The Oregon women followed Saturday with a dominant showing, defeating Portland 6-1 to stay unbeaten at the Student Tennis Center this spring. The Ducks (5-1) improved to 4-0 at home after securing the doubles point and winning five singles matches.
Tilde Jagare and Olivia Symons started the day with a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles, and freshmen Hadley Appling and Virginia Crocker completed a 6-3 victory on court three to put Oregon up 1-0. Appling and Crocker remained perfect together, moving to 3-0 when paired this season.
Oregon then won the first five singles matches to clinch the dual. Jagare rebounded after dropping the first set at No. 1, rallying for a three-set win (2-6, 6-4, 6-1). Sophomores Patsy Daughters (No. 4) and Bridget Mihulka (No. 6) added points in straight sets, with Mihulka picking up her fifth straight win and staying unbeaten in the spring at the sixth position. Crocker earned a 7-5, 6-1 win at No. 3 to improve to 4-1 in dual play, and freshman Hinata Furutani battled to a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory at No. 5 to move to 3-0.
Saturday’s match marked the 40th all-time meeting between Oregon and Portland, with the Ducks improving to 39-1 in the series.
Up Next
Oregon men’s tennis hosts Liberty on Friday at 5 pm while women’s tennis returns to the UO Student Tennis Center next Saturday for a doubleheader, hosting UC Riverside at 10 a.m. followed by Seattle U at 5 pm.
Jordan Stolz won his first gold medal of these Olympics in the 1000m.Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Jordan Stolz had to wait a little longer than expected on Wednesday night. But when confirmation finally came, the 21-year-old American could celebrate his first Olympic gold medal – and the opening chapter of what could become one of the defining campaigns of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Skating in the second-to-last group, Stolz set an Olympic record time of 1min 6.28sec in the men’s 1000m on the strength of a stunning final lap, delivering in his signature event to launch his pursuit of a potential four-gold haul across these Games.
His time ultimately stood after a brief period of uncertainty triggered by a late-race judging decision that allowed a reskate to Joep Wennemars – who had beaten Stolz at the distance at last year’s world championships – after it was ruled that the Dutch skater was hindered earlier in the competition. The delay forced Stolz, Jenning de Boo and the rest of the field to wait while officials confirmed the final standings – a wrinkle in what had otherwise looked like a decisive victory.
The crowd chanted “Joep! Joep! Joep!” as Wennemars returned to the ice, but skating alone he never threatened Stolz’s mark. When he crossed the line more than two seconds off the pace, Stolz could finally celebrate, gliding through a slow victory lap while holding the US flag aloft before posing for photos with his longtime coach, Bob Corby.
Skating head-to-head with De Boo in the penultimate heat, Stolz did not threaten his own world record of 1:05.37, but comfortably lowered the Olympic mark of 1:07.18, which had stood for 24 years.
At least 90% of the packed arena wore Dutch orange, turning the venue into a rolling wall of sound as the final heats unfolded. Stolz responded with the same controlled, clinical skating that has defined his rise over the past three seasons.
The win immediately established him as one of the central figures of these Games and kept alive the possibility of a medal run rarely seen in Winter Olympic history.
With Iowa women's basketball (18-5, 9-3 Big Ten) looking to end its three-game losing streak in its Wednesday matchup against Washington (18-6, 8-5 Big Ten) from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, freshman guard Addie Deal and freshman center Layla Hays spoke on their preparation for the Huskies during the Hawkeyes' six-day break.
When asked how the team spent the five-day break between games, Deal said the Hawkeyes used it to work on themselves and viewed it as a mental reset.
"I feel like we've just been working on ourselves a lot, which has been really good," Deal said. "You know, we've had a couple extra practices with this being the bye week, so just focusing on ourselves, knowing what we need to do out there. I think it was a good little quick reset and just got us right back on track."
Hays added to Deal's comment, saying they have definitely used the off time to make necessary adjustments, especially with each game vital in the final stretch of the regular season.
"Especially focusing on the things that I really know I need to work on, and I feel like these past couple days have been really important, and I think that we've seen some growth in just how we've been playing," Hays said.
With Iowa's Feb. 11 matchup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against Washington carrying tremendous weight due to the Hawkeyes' recent skid, Hays, Deal, and the rest of the program hope the time off will prove fruitful against the Huskies and moving forward.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur is going with familiarity to replace a key position on his offensive coaching staff.
Rather than hiring someone from outside, LaFleur is shuffling his staff around, moving senior offensive assistant Luke Getsy to quarterbacks coach to fill the spot Sean Mannion vacated for a promotion to offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL Network.
The move wasn’t a big surprise given Getsy had served as LaFleur’s quarterbacks coach from 2019-21 before leaving to be Chicago’s offensive coordinator. Getsy returned to the Packers in ’24 as a defensive consultant after serving two years with the Bears and part of a season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
He was moved to senior offensive assistant in ’25.
Getsy was originally hired by coach Mike McCarthy as a quality control assistant in 2014. He was promoted to receivers coach in 2016, left to be offensive coordinator at Mississippi State in 2018 and returned to be LaFleur’s quarterbacks coach the next season.
LaFleur reportedly interviewed West Allis native and former Arizona Cardinals passing game coordinator Conor Senger for a position on his staff, but it’s unclear how strongly he was considered for the quarterbacks position.
By moving Getsy to Mannion’s former spot, LaFleur will be essentially running it back with his offensive staff.
Though he has yet to announce any hirings or firings, it appears the only move he made is to let receivers coach Ryan Mahaffey go. Mahaffey will join Mannion in Philadelphia and serve as run game coordinator and tight ends coach.
The only new position coach or coordinator he’ll be adding is former Iowa State receivers coach Noah Pauley, who will replace Mahaffey, according to multiple reports.
Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, offensive line coach Luke Butkus, tight ends coach John Dunn, passing game coordinator Jason Vrable and running backs coach Ben Sirmans appear to be returning. There have been no reports about any of them or assistant line coach Eddie Gordon, pass game specialist/game management Connor Lewis and quality control coach Rob Grosso leaving.
Carlos Baleba: United to make move for Brighton star on one condition
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is the latest talent to emerge on Manchester United’s radar ahead of a midfield revamp in the summer.
According to Teamtalk, United have a genuine interest in Tonali, who will consider leaving Newcastle at the end of the season, as per his agent.
United are keen on signing Premier League-proven midfielders, with plans to sign two players to feature in the middle of the park.
Manchester United expand their midfield shortlist
Apart from Tonali, United have been strongly linked with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. Both Tonali and Anderson have firmly established themselves as key figures at Newcastle and Forest respectively.
The same cannot be said for Carlos Baleba, who is enduring a difficult campaign. The Cameroon international has made 17 starts in the Premier League this term, but has completed 90 minutes just twice.
Baleba was considered former United head coach Ruben Amorim’s dream transfer target, owing to his exceptional athleticism and front-footed defending.
The Red Devils even agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old last summer and it is believed he is hoping to play alongside fellow countryman Bryan Mbeumo at Old Trafford.
Manchester United remain interested in Carlos Baleba
Baleba’s stock has seemingly plummeted this season, but Brighton are still hoping to fetch around £100 million for the Cameroonian.
Teamtalk claims Baleba “could still become an option” for United if the Seagulls lower their valuation closer to the £70m mark at the end of the campaign.
Such is Baleba’s profile that, despite his struggles at Brighton, he continues to attract interest from Europe’s biggest clubs.
Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming United are joined by Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the race for the dynamic midfielder.
As such, Brighton are unlikely to significantly reduce their asking price.
Borussia Dortmund have picked up 48 points and currently lie in 2nd position. Last time out, Niko Kovac's team triumphed 1-2 against Wolfsburg (1. Bundesliga 2025/26).
Mainz have won 21 points to date and are placed in 14th position. In their last fixture, Urs Fischer's team won 2-0 against FC Augsburg (1. Bundesliga 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Borussia Dortmund winning 2-0.
A moment from the 2026 Winter Olympics has unexpectedly captured the attention of a former NFL star.
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Chase Daniel has reacted strongly after seeing a statistic circulate on social media.
The comment quickly sparked debate among fans across multiple sports. It centered on Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo’s gold medal performance.
Chase Daniel reacts to viral Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo statistic
During the 2026 Winter Olympics, a social media post claimed Klaebo was running uphill at a sub-six-minute mile pace during his cross-country ski sprint.
The statistic stunned many who are more familiar with track or football than winter endurance racing.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Chase Daniel did not hold back in his reaction.
“I’m telling you, this may be the greatest athletic feat of all time,” he wrote. “I can’t run a sub-six-minute mile on flat earth.
“This guy is going up the hill, and he’s on skis. If you want to talk about the coolest and greatest feat of all time…”
His comment quickly gained traction as fans debated whether his performance deserved that title.
What Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo actually achieved in his 2026 gold medal run
Klaebo completed the sprint in 3 minutes, 39.8 seconds to secure gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
While the claim focused on uphill pace, the course was not entirely uphill, though it did include a demanding climb that tested both endurance and power.
Cross-country ski sprint events require explosive acceleration, sustained strength, and precise technique across varied terrain.
Even with added context around the course profile, Klaebo’s display remained remarkable and was clearly strong enough to draw admiration from elite athletes outside winter sport.
Casey Wasserman will continue serving as chair of the committee overseeing the 2028 Summer Games after the LA28 board reviewed his inclusion in recently released Jeffrey Epstein files.
The files from the Justice Department revealed email exchanges between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell dating back to 2003.
The LA28 board released a statement Wednesday morning, saying that Wasserman's relationship with Epstein and Maxwell "did not go beyond what was documented."
Read the full statement below:
"LA28 takes allegations of misconduct seriously, and our Board is committed to thoroughly reviewing any concerns related to the organization's leadership."
"With the assistance of outside counsel at O'Melveny & Myers LLP, a review was conducted of Mr. Wasserman's past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Mr. Wasserman fully cooperated with the review."
"We found Mr. Wasserman's relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented."
"Twenty-three years ago, before Mr. Wasserman or the public knew of Epstein and Maxwell's deplorable crimes, Mr. Wasserman and his then-wife flew on a humanitarian mission to Africa on Epstein's plane at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation. This was his single interaction with Epstein. Shortly after, he traded the publicly-known emails with Maxwell. "
"The Executive Committee of the Board has determined that based on these facts, as well as the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past ten years, Mr. Wasserman should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful Games."
The committee offered no additional details about the review but reiterated that it had examined the matter and concluded Wasserman should stay in place.
Wasserman's name appeared several times in the latest batch of documents connected to Epstein.
The emails were exchanged between Wasserman and Maxwell at a time when Maxwell was trafficking young women.
In the messages, Wasserman - who was married at the time - asked to see Maxwell in a tight leather outfit and requested a massage.
He has since apologized for his association with both Maxwell and Epstein. Some local officials say that apology does not go far enough.
Three Los Angeles city councilmembers, two county supervisors, and a state senator are among those now urging Wasserman to resign.
Meantime, Grammy-winning singer Chappell Roan announced on Monday that she has left the talent agency led by Wasserman.
"If LA28 is very proud of women being in record numbers at the Olympic and Paralympic Games as they've been talking about, they need to have a leader who maybe isn't affiliated with a convicted human trafficker," said L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
"Either the Epstein files matter in terms of leadership or they don't," she added. "I think our survivors want there to be accountability, and they want people of conscience to take action."
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn and L.A. City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez are also calling for Wasserman's resignation, saying his continued role undermines ongoing efforts to ensure the 2028 Games reflect the city's values.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, however, has not joined those calls.
"As Los Angeles prepares to take the world stage and welcome the world for the Olympic Games for the third time and the Paralympics for the first, it is critical to be 100% focused on making our city shine and ensuring the 2028 Games are the best in Los Angeles' history," she said in a previous statement. "Ultimately, any decision on the LA28 leadership must be made by the LA28 Board. As you know, they are a separate and independent nonprofit organization."
The LA28 Summer Olympics are scheduled to begin in two years, with global attention already turning toward L.A. as preparations intensify.
Nov 16, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) celebrates Josh Allen’s first quarter touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Bills are in a bit of a soft reset this offseason, firing head coach Sean McDermott and promoting Joe Brady to the top job. It’s not a full reset and they have Josh Allen, but they are pretty close to the salary cap right now for 2026.
There’s been some chatter that one way they can create cap space and save cash is by trading Dion Dawkins. I can understand the argument.
Why would the Bills trade Dion Dawkins?
Dawkins is about to turn 32, he has the second-biggest cap hit on the team, and the third-biggest cash allotment in 2026. He had a good-not-great season and missed a game with a concussion (not exactly a sign of age catching up to him). When Dawkins was out, Ryan Van Demark came in and played pretty solidly and RVD is a lot cheaper. They could also move Spencer Brown over there full-time as he has cross-trained there and bring along a new right tackle in an easier assignment.
How much would the Bills save by trading Dion Dawkins?
Dawkins is set to make $16.8 million in 2026 in cash, with the majority coming in base salary so they don’t have to rush any moves. Part of that overall number is a $500,000 roster bonus in March and a $500,000 workout bonus prior to training camp. The remainder is paid during the season.
None of that money is guaranteed right now, so if they release him or trade him before the fifth day of the league year in March, they will owe him nothing. It would also be low-risk for the team trading for him, theoretically.
A chunk of it fully guarantees when the roster bonus hits, but the new team would pay that guaranteed salary after Buffalo paid the roster bonus, so this can go all the way to the draft if they want it to.
How would a Dion Dawkins trade impact the Bills’ cap space?
Buffalo has roughly -$10 million in cap space for 2026 right now. They will need to make moves to get under the cap. (It’s a relatively simple process.)
If he is on the team, Dawkins’ cap hit will be $24.8 million in 2026. Because none of his money is guaranteed, the entire $16.8 million in compensation would be removed if he was traded before the fifth day of the league year in March.
That would be offset by the acceleration of his dead cap money. That is money already paid to Dawkins in bonuses — signing and option bonuses — that has been spread out on the cap by the Bills over multiple years. Add the $6.6 million in dead cap from his 2024 contract extension to the $7.8 million dead cap from the 2025 restructure and $4.8 million from his 2025 option bonus, and the dead cap adds up quickly.
His dead cap hit would be $22 million, so Buffalo would only save roughly $2.85 million in cap space in 2026 BUT they wouldn’t be paying the $16.8 million and prolonging those dead cap hits to 2027 or 2028.
The mathematical logic makes sense to me, especially for 2027 and 2028. It’s a move similar to what they did with center Mitch Morse a couple offseason ago. It isn’t necessarily for 2026, it would be for the future years.
Trading Dion Dawkins would be really risky
General manager Brandon Beane stated in January that the number one goal he has is to protect Josh Allen, pointing to the offensive line investment they’ve made. So turning around and trading Dawkins doesn’t feel like part of the plan.
Adding to that is the status of left guard David Edwards and center Connor McGovern. Both of them are free agents heading into the 2026 offseason, and the cash for McGovern+Edwards is going to be significant. Spotrac estimates $16 million per season for McGovern and $20 million per season for Edwards. So they are already replacing a chunk of their OL interior.
So do you really want to trade a beloved locker room leader, the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year, the most recognizable face outside of Josh Allen, the man who just earned the key to the city of Buffalo? It seems like a long shot.
With the white flag already raised on this season and a retool underway, the New York Rangers must diligently prepare for the 2026 NHL Draft, where they should have one of the top selections.
The Rangers (22-29-6) are 30th overall in the NHL standings at the Olympic break, with an 11.6 percent chance of winning the NHL Draft lottery to secure the No. 1 overall pick, per Tankathon.
Of course, a lot can change the final six weeks of the regular season. But it’s fair to say that the Rangers will be in line for at least a Top-10 pick for the first time since selecting Alexis Lafreniere first overall in 2020.
The first step for the Rangers is identifying what they need most, then finding the prospects who can fill those gaps. While most experts already penciled in Penn State forward Gavin McKenna as the top pick in this year’s draft, the rebuilding Rangers could consider a different direction.
Every scout that mentored me over the years preached the same philosophy: build from the blue line out. That approach becomes even more important when a cornerstone NHL player like Adam Fox misses nearly half the season due to injury, as happened this season, and there’s no adequate replacement on the roster to fill his skates.
That’s why the Rangers should target defenseman Chase Reid from the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League with their first-round pick in June. Reid is the best two-way defenseman in his draft class. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, and as a right-handed shot, he’s be a nice fit behind Fox one day in the Rangers lineup, and then, perhaps, as his successor on the top pair.
Through 42 games, Reid has 47 points (18 goals, 29 assists) with a plus-30 rating, though he’s currently day to day with an upper-body injury. Reid, who had 40 points in 39 games with the Soo last season, also represented the United States at the 2026 World Junior Championship and totaled four points (two goals, two assists) in five games.
Offensively, Reid is a mobile, creative puck-mover who generates chances with both his skating and passing. He projects as a strong power-play quarterback thanks to his vision and awareness. He’s also confident shooting the puck and has a knack for getting shots through traffic, creating rebounds even when he doesn’t score. Reid has signed a letter of intent to play at Michigan State in 2026–27, but a top-three selection could change that timeline.
Defensively, he closes quickly, shows excellent footwork, and consistently makes smart reads. His ability to anticipate plays is elite — he processes the game like a chess grandmaster.
Chase Reid among defensemen Rangers could consider at 2026 NHL Draft
Chase Reid — photo courtesy Terry Wilson, OHL Images
Reid, No. 4 on NHL Central Scouting’s latest list of North American skaters for the 2026 draft, signed a letter of intent to attend Michigan State University next season. Of course, if he’s selected within the top few picks of the draft, perhaps he’d consider turning pro right away. Assuming Fox, Will Borgen, Braden Schenider, and Scott Morrow remain on the NHL roster, there’d be no reason for the Rangers to rush Reid to the NHL, if they chose him in the draft.
New York’s 2024 first-round pick, EJ Emery, is also a right-shot defenseman, currently playing his sophomore season at North Dakota. So, again, no reason to rush Reid should the Rangers land him in the draft.
Plus the 18-year-old sounds pretty enthused about heading to Michigan State.
“I wanted to play close to home,” Reid told The Hockey News. “The coaches were unbelievable, and everything about the facilities and the fans, seeing the environment the guys play in, it was pretty much a no-brainer. My aunt played volleyball for the Spartans, and I always wanted to go there – we’re a Spartan family.”
As for which NHL defenseman he compares his game to, Reid chose Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“He’s a big, strong defenseman who does all the little things right,” Reid explained. “He plays fast in transition, he’s got a bomb for a shot, and he uses his size to his advantage.”
Another strong option on the blue line is Keaton Verhoeff, a teammate of Emery at North Dakota. Verhoeff is even bigger than Reid at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds. His offensive upside is solid, though he may not produce big NHL numbers. Still, if Reid is off the board, Verhoeff would be hard to pass up. He is calm under pressure, thrives in difficult situations, and rarely misreads a play. For a 17-year-old, his maturity stands out. Among the top 16 scouting services, his lowest ranking is sixth—Reid, by comparison, has a few nines and tens.
A third option is Albert Smits from Latvia. As a left-handed defenseman, he’s a possible fit behind Vladisalv Gavrikov one day. Smits is a reliable shutdown defender with excellent passing ability. He plays a physical, punishing style, and opponents need to keep their heads up when he’s on the ice. Smits is widely expected to become the first Latvian player drafted inside the top 10.
For a team in the Rangers position, the 2026 draft is an opportunity to reset the foundation, especially with a lottery pick and another later in the first round from the Carolina Hurricanes. And if they follow the long-proven blueprint of building from the back end out, Reid — and to a lesser extent Verhoeff or Smits — is the right place to start.
No one was impacted by the Minnesota Vikings' inconsistency at quarterback in 2025 more than Justin Jefferson. Despite starting all 17 games, he caught only 84 passes for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns.
Jefferson only eclipsed the 100-yard mark three times in 2025. He failed to get over 30 yards in four of five games from Weeks 12 through 16.
Although Jefferson still ranked 12th in receiving yards, many were ready to start crowning other receivers, such as Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, above him. But Jefferson isn't ready to concede that he's not still the best receiver in the league.
"How [am I] not?" Jefferson said when asked if he believes he's the best receiver in the league on FS1's First Things First. "A lot of people base it off the quarterback play."
Jefferson alluded to J.J. McCarthy's struggles as a first-year starter.
"If I don’t have an elite quarterback throwing me the ball the entire year, then it’s a little bit difficult to be in those conversations. Having a young quarterback that's still learning the game and his potential, you have those difficult seasons, which I had this past year. I still think I'm No. 1."
The Vikings will likely bring in competition for McCarthy this offseason. Even if that quarterback can't beat McCarthy out, he can provide better backup play than Max Brosmer provided in 2025.
If Minnesota can figure that position out, we should become accustomed to seeing Jefferson catching touchdowns and having 100-yard games again. That should put him right near the top of everyone's receiver rankings.
From the icy chutes of the bobsled track to the steep descents of the Alpine slopes, the 2026 Winter Olympics have been defined by a constant, high-pitched hum as a new generation of first-person-view (FPV) drones replaces static cameras with high-speed perspectives.
This fleet of over 25 specialized aircraft, capable of tailing athletes at speeds up to 140 kph, has offered viewers an unprecedented look at the elite competition, while simultaneously sparking a debate among purists over the intrusive buzz now echoing through the mountain valleys of Italy.
Here's more on how drones are taking the 2026 Winter Games by storm.
Drones are being used in Milan to fundamentally change how audiences experience speed. While drones have been used in previous Olympics for scenery or light shows, this year marks the official debut of First-Person View (FPV), chasing athletes in real-time during live competition.
The Olympic drone pilots are the best thing that happened the games, unsung heroes, period.
The coverage this year is officially on another level. We can finally feel so much closer to the action, it's pure magic, unreal.
Traditional fixed cameras often fail to convey the sheer velocity of winter sports. Drones instead provide a parallel perspective rather than a perpendicular one.
An FPV (First-Person View) drone is a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that allows the pilot to see exactly what the drone sees in real-time.
Unlike standard drones where the pilot looks at a screen on a controller or a smartphone, an FPV pilot wears video goggles that provide an immersive, cockpit-style view.
The drones that NBC is using for its Olympic coverage weigh just 250 grams and can travel at speeds up to 75 miles per hour. These drones have been a great addition to the broadcast — it really helps you appreciate the speed of some of these events.pic.twitter.com/E20e90Yury
What other sports have used drones in broadcasts before?
Extreme sports were the first to embrace drones because their athletes often move through terrain that is impossible for traditional camera cranes or helicopters to navigate.
ESPN was one of the first major broadcasters to use drones during the 2015 Winter X Games in Aspen. They tracked snowboarders and snowmobile racers, providing the first real chase footage seen on television.
Traditional field sports were slower to adopt drones due to safety concerns over flying above massive crowds, but several leagues have broken the barrier, including MLB, where teams now use drones for pre-game coverage and to capture cinematic sweeps of the stadium during home runs.
Lastly, drones have become a staple of PGA Tour and LIV Golf broadcasts. Instead of just showing a graphic of the hole, drones fly the entire length of the fairway at "ball height," giving viewers a literal "bird's eye" view of the hazards and green undulations before the players tee off.
Here's a table of when drones made their debuts for respective sports:
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talks to players during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Mike Vrabel stood in front of his Patriots’ team for the final time on Tuesday.
Two days after a magical season ended in disappointment in Super Bowl LX, Vrabel delivered a simple message.
“I just talked about a disappointing finish to a phenomenal, exciting, enjoyable year. It’s unfortunate,” he shared. “Talked to them about the foundation I think that we’ve built.
“We built a foundation, but we aren’t done remodeling,” rookie Will Campbell echoed. “We did some great things this year, and there’s obviously a lot of area for improvement and that’s up to us to do.”
After back-to-back four win seasons, few expected the Patriots to even be playing on Sunday’s biggest stage entering the season.
But a reshaped roster and new culture established by Vrabel that created a tight bond in the locker room, New England exceeded expectations — something the coach acknowledged on Tuesday.
As the Patriots now look to clear the final hump, this offseason will likely look different from the last. It won’t include a major spending spree, and it won’t include a top draft pick, with New England slated to select 31st overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Instead, the focus will be on upgrading and remodeling the roster rather than rebuilding it.
“Much like a home, you build a home and then run out of things to do, so you continue to add on to it, you finish the basement, you make additions to it, and we’ll try to do that to this football team,” Vrabel said. “I like the foundation of it, and we’ll try to improve on it.”
For a team that wore custom blue, collared work shirts throughout the year, the construction analogy resonated throughout the team auditorium.
“I think that was a great analogy,” upcoming free agent K’Lavon Chaisson said. “We set a good foundation for what we want this new era of the franchise to be.”
Vrabel, the AP Coach of the Year, is central to that foundation. So is 23-year-old quarterback Drake Maye, who emerged as one of the league’s top players this season despite a rocky stretch in the playoffs.
Together, they represent the biggest reason for optimism that the Patriots can return to this stage — and finish the job.
“You got Drake Maye. You got Coach Vrabel. That’s a great start to any organization,” cornerback Carlton Davis said. “So from there on, we just keep building. We just keep putting the right pieces together, keep meshing together and keep working. And you guys will see us soon.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers are doing well this season, sitting at 33-21 and fourth place in the Eastern Conference. However, if their playoff luck is the same as the past few seasons, something worrisome could happen.
According to Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, that worrisome thing regards Cleveland’s franchise star, Donovan Mitchell. Hughes predicts if the Cavs are early playoff exits, Mitchell could ask for a trade.
“Mitchell didn't choose Cleveland; he was traded there. And his decision to sign a two-year extension with a player option on the third in 2024 wasn't necessarily a display of undying loyalty. That deal was designed to put him back on the market with 10 years of service, when he could agree to a new contract worth up to $380 million. It was also a concession that other teams—some of which he's been rumored to prefer all along, like the New York Knicks—simply couldn't pay him more than the Cavs could at that time. If Cleveland goes belly-up in the postseason, Mitchell will immediately become a hot commodity. Realistically, anything short of a competitive run that ends in the conference finals will trigger whispers of an impending move,” Hughes wrote.
So far this season, Mitchell is averaging 29 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals in 33.8 minutes per game. To lose Mitchell would be a devastating blow to Cleveland’s offense and defense, as they would be losing their main superstar.
However there is a chance Mitchell could stay anyways. It was reported that he and James Harden are already trying to recruit future Hall-of-Famer LeBron James to play for his hometown one last time, and if that happens, Mitchell has no reason to leave.
Here’s hoping the latter is true, as a Big Three of James, Harden, and Mitchell could bring Cleveland back to the promised land for the first time in a decade.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs and Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts embrace after the game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Unfortunately, neither quarterback was able to finish out the 2025 campaign, as Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 14, while Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15.
Prior to his devastating injury, having paired with Colts head coach Shan Steichen, Jones was in the middle of a career year. He had completed 261 of 384 total pass attempts (68.0%) for 3,101 total passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and 8 interceptions during his first 13 starts, before his debut campaign in Indy was cut short.
He also had 5 rushing touchdowns.
Jones was well on his way to earning legitimate Pro Bowl honors, where he was named an alternate, even after the season-ending injury.
With Jones behind center, the Colts once boasted a historic, league-leading offense before his injuries struck—having also fractured his fibula during/after Indianapolis’ win at Berlin in Week 10.
Even though Jones is a pending free agent, and remains currently rehabbing from his torn Achilles, both sides appear eager to get a multi-year contract extension inked sooner rather than later. It was reported earlier this past weekend that those contract negotiations are expected to begin between both sides very soon.
It would be very surprising if the Colts’ nearly fringe Top 10 NFL starting quarterback from last year isn’t back in Indianapolis for at least the next few seasons.
For what it’s worth, Colts replacement quarterbacks Philip Rivers (3 starts) and rookie Riley Leonard (1 start) were ranked 36th and 47th overall from 2025 respectively.
ETIHAD STADIUM, MANCHESTER — Antoine Semenyo inspired a dominant first-half showing from Manchester City against Fulham as a 3-0 win moved Pep Guardiola's men to within three points of Arsenal at the Premier League summit.
Semenyo, a £62.5m January buy from Bournemouth, poached his fifth goal in City colours after Sander Berge inadvertently diverted Matheus Nunes' 24th-minute cross into his path.
The Ghana forward turned provider shortly afterwards, storming forward on the break and feeding Nico O'Reilly for a delicate finish.
Erling Haaland took a whack from Joachim Andersen in the build-up to City's second and was substituted at halftime, but not before he had arrowed home a 22nd Premier League goal of the season from Phil Foden's pass.
Fulham's top scorer Harry Wilson drew a fine save from Gianluigi Donnarumma when the score was 1-0, while Emile Smith Rowe came agonisingly close to pulling one back before the break.
At that stage, it felt prudent to note that City had also been 3-0 up at the midway point in early December before their eventual 5-4 win at Craven Cottage descended into chaos. There was nothing so untoward or entertaining as the Manchester rain teemed down over a listless second period.
The focus now moves back to league leaders Arsenal, who play their game in hand at in-form Brentford tomorrow.
Location: Etihad Stadium (Manchester, UK) Referee: Paul Tierney
Keep track of every game and every goal via SN's live Premier League scoreboard.
Starting lineups:
Man City (4-3-1-2, right to left): 25. Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) — 27. Matheus Nunes (45. Abdukodir Khusanov), 3. Ruben Dias, 15. Marc Guehi, 21. Rayan Ait-Nouri — 20. Bernardo Silva (4. Tijjani Reijnders), 16. Rodri (14. Nico Gonzalez), 33. Nico O'Reilly — 47. Phil Foden (10. Rayan Cherki) — 9. Erling Haaland (7. Omar Marmoush), 42. Antoine Semenyo
Fulham (4-2-3-1 right to left): 1. Bernd Leno (GK) — 2. Kenny Tete, 5. Joachim Andersen, 3. Calvin Bassey, 30. Ryan Sessegnon — 17. Alex Iwobi, 16. Sander Berge — 8. Harry Wilson (14. Oscar Bobb), 32. Emile Smith Rowe (24. Josh King), 19. Samuel Chukwueze (22 Kevin) — 7. Raul Jimenez (9. Rodrigo Muniz)
Man City vs. Fulham talking points and analysis
City ready for the run-in?
A regular conversation around this season's title race, which since the turn of the year has largely amounted to a haphazard City trying to hold onto the coattails of a more sure-footed Arsenal, has referred back to Pep Guardiola's previous title-winning sides.
"Will City go on one of those runs? It's a question to both fuel and prey upon Emirates Stadium anxieties, but the short answer is no, because it's not the same team. Phil Foden and Ruben Dias returning to a starting XI where the midfield was anchored by Bernardo Silva and Rodri gave Wednesday's team a core of hard-bitten winners. But the players who broke the first half open, Antoine Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly, do not have a Premier League medal between them. Nor do any of the second-half substitutes Omar Marmoush, Tijjani Reijnders, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rayan Cherki or Nico Gonazlez – all of whom have arrived since last January.
This is a City squad that has experienced an unprecedented amount of turnover for the Guardiola era. However, amid the shiny new things, the Catalan tactician will have spotted some pleasingly familiar patterns ahead of two rare free midweeks to further hone things on the training ground.
City's defenders have had to deal in heroism far too often this season, with the team ahead of them too often skittish in possession and exposed in transition. Harry Wilson and Emile Smith Rowe each had a good chance for Fulham during the first half, but neither came from a straight ball over the top or the visitors storming through City. With Rodri and Silva setting a tempo, this looked like the perfect blend of City old and new, as Semenyo and hard-running full-backs Matheus Nunes and Rayan Ait-Nouri found joy. One of those runs? No, but enough of a run to keep Arsenal honest? Perhaps.
Second-half slumbers continue
Now, it's hardly as if City let the second half of this game run as far away from them as the absurd reverse fixture, when 5-1 became 5-4 and Josko Gvardiol had to hack off his own goalline deep into stoppage time. Also, the way Guardiola's men pulled the weekend game at Liverpool out of the fire late on showed they are capable of finishing strongly.
However, this was another second half from City this winter that felt loose, drifting and sloppy. Perhaps being 3-0 up at the break, as they were against Newcastle in last week's Carabao Cup semifinal, contributed to a drop in standards, but this is now an unhelpfully established pattern. The Anfield comeback was only needed before City went completely into their shells from around 50 minutes until Dominik Szoboszlai's rip-roaring free-kick.
When you're 3-0 up at the break, these things don't feel like much of an issue, but title-winning campaigns are built on good habits and this is a very bad one for Guardiola's team to be carrying around.
Man City vs. Fulham key moments, talking points, analysis
39 mins: GOAL! Erling Haaland! Always quiet until he isn't. City's No. 9 gets the ball out of his feet from Phil Foden's pass to drill his 22nd Premier League goal of the season into the bottom corner. City went 3-0 up before halftime in that 5-4 game too, you know.
30 mins: GOAL! Nico O'Reilly double's City's advantage! Just after Gianluigi Donnarumma denies the in-form Harry Wilson with a superb save, City rip through the gears to make it 2-0. Semenyo turns provider with a storming run to find O'Reilly, who clip an assured finish beyond Bernd Leno.
25 mins: GOAL! Antoine Semenyo gives City the lead! Matheus Nunes aims in a teasing cross from the right, Erling Haaland entirely misses his header, but the jump leaves Sander Berge unsighted and the ball riccochets off the Fulham midfielder for Semenyo to snaffle a poacher's finish.
Pep Guardiola mades two changes from the team that beat Liverpool at Anfield, as Ruben Dias and Phil Foden came in for Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush.
John Stones was in a City matchday squad for the first time since the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage in December.
Fulham team news
Fulham also made a couple of alterations following the 2-1 loss to Everton. Kenny Tete and Calvin Bassey come into the backline in place of Timothy Castagne and Jorge Cuenca, who each drop to the bench.
England will take on New Zealand on June 6 before facing Costa Rica four days later (Ben STANSALL)
England will face New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida friendlies in their final preparations for the World Cup in June.
Thomas Tuchel's men will take on New Zealand on June 6 before facing Costa Rica four days later.
Venues for both matches are yet to be confirmed but will reportedly be in Tampa, Miami or Orlando to allow the squad to acclimatise to what are expected to be sweltering conditions.
England will then head to Kansas City, where they will be based at the Soccer Swope Village for the duration of the tournament.
The Missouri city was the English Football Association's preferred location, despite two of their group games and several potential knockout matches being on the east coast of the United States.
England begin their quest for a first major tournament win since 1966 against Croatia in Dallas on June 17.
The side ranked fourth in the world then face Ghana in Boston and Panama in New Jersey.
After qualifying with a perfect record of eight wins from eight games without conceding a goal, England face Uruguay and Japan in friendlies on home soil next month.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Neal Shipley of The Bay Golf Club reacts with teammates after making a hole-in-one on the fifth hole during a match against Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center on February 09, 2026 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images) | TGL Golf via Getty Images
Everything changed on Monday night.
With the Super Bowl and football season at large now officially behind us, the sports world was ready to give its whole heart to something. Just one day after the Seattle Seahawks won it all, Neal Shipley and The Bay Golf Club made sure that TGL was that thing.
The Bay took on Los Angeles Golf Club on Monday night in a TGL match that was available on ESPN. Things transcended even the worldwide leader though thanks to Neal specifically as he recorded the first ace in the league’s young history and went all kinds of viral.
It was perfect: The wait, the anticipation, the moment… Luke Clanton represented everyone watching by jumping all over Neal to celebrate. He may have been a little bit more excited as he had called it by asking Shipley to hoop one right before he actually did.
TGL has become this thing and found this spot that works so well in the overall sports landscape. It sits in between standard PGA Tour action so keeps golf fans involved with the game they all know during the work week. Factor in superstars and huge moments like Neal’s ace and everything is working together in a harmony that is simply perfect.
Shipley spoke to this overall effect and his TGL experience, Monday was his first night teeing it up at the SoFi Center in the league, in a chat with SB Nation less than 48 hours after the action unfolded. It was a great bit of insight into his own experience and energy that TGL is bringing to the sporting world.
You can watch our conversation below.
There is so much positive momentum and energy surrounding golf at large and TGL is a big reason for that. It is the game we all know and love (and have work to do towards!) in a way that allows our imaginations to run wild. The team aspect of TGL gives us a rooting interest absent from most events… it is exactly what has been needed for quite some time now.
Shout out to Neal Shipley for helping so many more people realize that.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - AUGUST 09: Sebastian Walcott #1 of the Frisco Rough Riders blows a bubble during the game between the Frisco RoughRiders and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Saturday, August 9, 2025 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Braeden Botts/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rangers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Folks, there’s a guy in the Texas Rangers’ organization from the Bahamas that you may have heard of. His name is Sebastian Walcott. He is 19 years old and plays shortstop.
Now, you may be saying to yourself, a baseball player from the Bahamas? Get out of here with your crazy self. They don’t play baseball in the Bahamas!
However, you’d be wrong. They do play baseball there! Granted, there’s not a lot of players in MLB history from the Bahamas — just nine of them, in fact. Someone named Andre Rodgers is the player from the Bahamas with the longest career, playing 854 games from 1957-67. Jazz Chisholm, Jr. is second, at 579 games.
Third is Ed Armbrister. He is best known for a World Series bunt where he maybe should have been called for interfering with Carlton Fisk, but wasn’t, in the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 3 in 1975. It led to Joe Morgan hitting a walkoff single off of Roger Moret for a Reds victory. Had he been called for interference, maybe the Reds don’t score that inning, the Red Sox end up winning, and Carlton Fisk’s legendary Game 6 home run would have won the series for Boston and spared us 30+ years of “Curse of the Bambino” nonsense and a terrible Jimmy Fallon movie.
Anyway, Sebastian Walcott will almost certainly be the tenth. A consensus top 20 prospect in MLB who was solid if unspectacular at AA last year (though solid if unspectacular at AA at age 19 is pretty damn good), Walcott likely will be starting the season at AAA Round Rock. He played some third base as well as shortstop at AA last year, and I expect him to do the same in 2026 for the Express, with maybe some corner outfield mixed in.
Which leads us to today’s question…when do you believe Sebastian Walcott will make his major league debut?
The Philadelphia 76ers are set to host the New York Knicks as the two teams meet for the fourth time this season.
Re-invigorated at home and playing with a rest advantage, my Knicks vs. 76ers predictions call for Tyrese Maxey to get teammates involved as the home team covers a small spread.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference tilt on Wednesday, February 11.
Knicks vs 76ers prediction
Knicks vs 76ers best bet: Tyrese Maxey Over 6.5 assists (-115)
Tyrese Maxey’s playmaking will be on full display against the New York Knicks, who are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. The Knicks have surrendered 115 points per game without rest, giving up at least 124 points on four occasions.
With OG Anunoby out and four of five starters logging at least 38 minutes last night, the Knicks' defense is extremely vulnerable. Maxey has recorded 7+ assists in seven of his last eight home games, with the Philadelphia 76ers' point guard averaging 8.0 assists in those contests.
Knicks vs 76ers same-game parlay
New York fell to the Indiana Pacers in overtime last night as 11.5-point home favorites, giving the Sixers a rest advantage after returning home from a five-game road trip.
Joel Embiid has averaged 33.1 points over his last 10 games, reaching 30+ points in eight of them. He’s poised for a big night against a fatigued Knicks defense.
Knicks vs 76ers SGP
Tyrese Maxey Over 7.5 assists
76ers -2.5
Joel Embiid Over 29.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Next Man Up
Considering Anunoby and Miles McBride are sidelined for New York, forward Mohamed Diawara is set for increased playing time.
In seven games where he’s logged 15+ minutes, Diawara has averaged 7.9 points, reaching at least five points in five of those contests.
Knicks vs 76ers SGP
Tyrese Maxey Over 7.5 assists
76ers -2.5
Joel Embiid Over 29.5 points
Mohamed Diawara Over 4.5 points
Knicks vs 76ers odds
Spread: Knicks +2.5 (-115) | 76ers -2.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Knicks +115 | 76ers -135
Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-110) | Under 224.5 (-110)
Knicks vs 76ers betting trend to know
Philadelphia has covered the 2Q spread in 33 of its last 50 games (+15.35 Units / 26% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. 76ers.
How to watch Knicks vs 76ers
Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Knicks vs 76ers latest injuries
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CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Lindsey Vonn had a “successful” third surgery on her broken left leg following her downhill crash at the Olympics, the American skier said Wednesday
Vonn posted an update on Instagram that included photos of her giving a thumbs up sign in her hospital bed with a metal frame attached to her leg.
“I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago,” Vonn said. “I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.”
“Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family, who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world,” Vonn added. “Also, huge congrats to my teammates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for.”
After the Super Bowl, the NFL has seen a lot of topics fly following the Seattle Seahawks dismantling of the New England Patriots. Among those, Patriots 2025 first-round pick Will Campbell’s struggles on the biggest stage. Many analysts immediately point to his below-average arm length as the main struggle. However, two NFL legends have chimed in–giving Campbell some advice.
First, longtime Cincinnati Bengals’ legend Willie Anderson gave his thoughts on the struggles of Campbell. Specifically, he gave a player to model his game after.
Look no further than @T_Armstead72 I believe is who Will Campbell should mirror his game off of! His feet and hands were always together. He had a really really good jump set and he wasn’t the 330 pound tackle OG my era . If I trained Will this is who we would take some gems from…
Anderson, who finished as a 2026 Hall of Fame finalist, pointed to another legend in Terron Armstead. Armstead played 12 seasons in the NFL and became one of the faces of stability at offensive tackle.
Anderson believes Campbell’s footwork and hand placement could be key in turning the page of these struggles. Armstead had a chance to also chime in when Cameron Wolfe spoke to him about the former LSU Tiger’s struggles.
A convo about Patriots LT Will Campbell Super Bowl struggles including my chat with former Pro Bowl LT Terron Armstead on why arm length isn’t the issue, what is the problem + @T_Armstead72 offer to help Will in Dallas this offseason.
It will ultimately be up to Campbell to bounce back and accept their offers. However, one thing is clear: two NFL legends believe his improvements rest in the refinement of the basics–not measurables.
Shane Van Gisbergen didn’t come to America to keep racing on road courses, he could have remained in Supercars to do that, so the decrease in road courses and a key NASCAR rule change doesn’t bother him any.
Maybe more important to his success is that NASCAR reverted to the Chase for the Championship format this season, meaning ‘SVG’ can no longer simply win his way into the playoffs. He won five times last year, all on road and street courses in his full-time rookie season but otherwise would have finished outside the top-20 in a straight-up points battle.
However, he also started to acclimate to ovals at the end of the year and still finished 12th in the final playoff standings. The purist in him won’t miss the Playoffs.
“Not the real racer in me,” said Van Gisbergen on Wednesday during Daytona 500 Media Day. “I think we can make it in on merit as well if we get everything right. I think it loses some excitement in some ways but as a racing championship, I think this is a better way to do it, yeah.”
What about NASCAR taking away two road courses with the loss of Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL?
“I didn’t join the series to do road courses,” Van Gisbergen said. “Obviously, it’s a bonus and yeah, I would love more road courses than less but it is what it is and thankfully we are getting better on the ovals, so that’s good.”
The 2025 season was only the second of any kind that ‘SVG’ raced primarily on ovals, first in the Xfinity Series and then Cup, and even that transition forced him to adapt to two drastically different cars too.
With that said, there were some highlights on ovals, like ripping the fence at Richmond. He was highly competitive at Kansas and New Hampshire in the fall too. There were moments where it started to visibly click for the three-time Supercars champion.
“It's still an evolving thing, you know, so I don't feel like as much of a deer in headlights anymore, which is cool,” Van Gisbergen said. “I sort of feel like I fit in more and can go with the rhythm of the race more over the weekends.
“But I'm still learning a lot. I didn’t know where to start with the driving, the set-ups, the cars and the racing dynamic like how the surface changes. There are so many different things. It’s a completely different discipline to any other driving.”
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
How about the short tracks, specifically?
“No, I don't think so,” he said. “I still struggle on them, like Bristol for example and Phoenix, they've been probably my toughest tracks. So those are the ones I'm focused on more to try to get better at.”
So all told, ‘SVG’ wants to just keep progressing.
“I've never really been a goal person,” he said. “Making the playoffs would be nice but I just need to keep getting better and keep learning, I guess.”
Nate Oats' Alabama Crimson Tide head into Wednesday's matchup against the Ole Miss Rebels with back-to-back impressive wins under their belts in SEC basketball play.
Alabama (16-7 overall, 6-4 conference) picked up a 100-97 win over Texas A&M at Coleman Coliseum before going to Neville Arena and beating rival Auburn for the second straight year on the Tigers' home court.
Labaron Philon had 25 points to go with five rebounds and six assists in a 96-92 win over Auburn on Saturday. Alabama trailed by 10 points at one point but used an 11-2 near the end of the first half and outscored the Tigers 59-51 in the second half.
Amari Allen had 17 points and Aden Holloway added 15. Moreover, Alabama was much improved at the charity stripe; the Tide made 87 percent of its foul shots and were 18 of 20 from the free-throw line in the second half.
Alabama remained unranked in Monday's USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 poll, but the Crimson Tide received the most votes (72) for top 25 consideration in the AP poll.
Here's a look at where Alabama basketball sits in the updated NET rankings and KenPom ratings ahead of its matchup with Ole Miss.
After beating Auburn, Alabama remains No. 23 overall in the NET rankings, the same spot as last week.
However, two of Alabama's victories this season were upgraded to Quadrant 1 wins: the Tide's 83-81 win at Oklahoma on Jan. 17, and their 90-84 win over the Clemson Tigers (20-4) in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Dec. 3 in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama's win at Auburn was a Quadrant 1 win, as well. The Tide's three other Quad 1 victories include theirs wins over St. John's, Illinois and Kentucky.
Here's a breakdown of Alabama's résumé.
vs. Quad 1 opponents: 6-6
vs. Quad 2 opponents: 5-1
vs. Quad 3 opponents: 3-0
vs. Quad 4 opponents: 2-0
A win over Ole Miss in Oxford on Wednesday would rate as a Quad 2 victory.
Alabama rises in KenPom ratings after beating Auburn
Alabama is No. 20 in Wednesday's updated KenPom ratings after Saturday's win at Auburn. That's up one spot from before the win at Neville Arena.
The Crimson Tide have an overall rating of +24.95 (up from +24.47), including a 127.8 rating on offense that's No. 2 nationally in KenPom behind only Illinois. The Tide's 102.9 defensive rating is 65th nationally.
In the overall team rankings, Alabama is one spot below No. 19 Iowa and one spot ahead of No. 21 BYU.
Alabama basketball schedule 2026: Are the Crimson Tide playing today?
Alabama faces the Ole Miss Rebels (11-12, 3-7) Wednesday at SJB Pavilion in Oxford. Tipoff for Alabama-Ole Miss is 6 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
Here's a game by game look at Alabama's 2025-26 men's basketball schedule.
Noah Dalzell: Celtics Injury Report Update vs. Chicago (2/11): Sam Hauser - AVAILABLE Neemias Queta - AVAILABLE Jayson Tatum - Right Achilles Repair - OUT
It was almost immediately into Thomas Frank’s brief time in charge that certain figures at Tottenham Hotspur realised that the adjustment might be more difficult than anticipated. The Dane had asked a casual and understandable question about squad “discipline”, and how it was taken care of.
At Brentford, after all, the club was so meticulously structured that staff members were assigned to such responsibilities.
At Spurs, this was the manager’s job.
The difference offers one of many reasons that explain why Frank failed - and that more spectacularly than anyone could have imagined - but also why Spurs still have so much to fix.
The identity of the head coach is only the most immediate of their problems, to say nothing of survival.
Frank walked into “a basket case of a club”, multiple sources tell the Independent, but also created many big problems of his own.
On that issue of discipline, Frank’s control over the group is understood to have been “loose”, which eventually gave way to total collapse.
Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence and Dominic Solanke look dejected after defeat to Newcastle (REUTERS)
Although an expensive squad, it was not one primed and focused for success in the way Arsenal are, to use an example ill-advisedly repeated by Frank on a regular basis. Tactical messages weren’t sinking in, partly because they weren’t convincing. So many messages were geared toward defensive protection rather than taking the game to the opposition. The best performances seemed to come when the squad took matches into their own hands, which some sources maintain was a continuation of last season’s Europa League campaign. The same injury issues also persisted.
The 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United just proved the football nadir that no one could go beyond. It was like something had finally gone. Players were now losing almost every duel. Newcastle, a team going through real struggles themselves, were enjoying a rare amount of space.
This has been coming.
It’s all why some of the Spurs leadership felt they should sack Frank as long ago as four months ago, the Independent understands. They could see this. Certain figures in the hierarchy then pushed that again just before Christmas, until it became a repeated subject of debate every Saturday over January.
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario shows his frustration (PA Wire)
Figures close to the board were even complaining about “Groundhog Day” as it felt like they were having the same discussion every weekend.
The 2-1 home defeat to West Ham proved especially painful, which really should have been the point of no return. The atmosphere in the stadium was toxic. This was a licence to act.
As it was, a core of the hierarchy - led by chief executive Vinai Venkatesham - pointed to multiple bigger issues around Frank; precisely these issues of “structure” that the new leadership now realised they had to solve. Sources say Venkatesham and others gestured to Frank’s adaptation, the ongoing injury crisis and the more important idea of taking the long view.
The short term - in other words, every single match - just kept making that stance untenable. To repeat a phrase used about Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, you can appeal all the extraneous reasons you want, but performances were unwatchable and results unjustifiable. As with Amorim, Spurs were performing to a level which just shouldn’t be possible with their wage bill. It was chronic underperformance.
Thomas Frank’s reign unravelled at Spurs (AP)
This ongoing split in the hierarchy nevertheless points to this bigger problem, which is not just how the next manager is decided on, but how such decisions are taken at Spurs at all.
Such was Daniel Levy’s control that there has been an obvious vacuum since he left in September. The primary authorities now are the family of former owner Joe Lewis, who now runs the club through a trust. Daughter Vivienne Lewis is the most involved of those, with son-in-law Nick Beucher also influential. They are still very much getting to grips with the football industry, though. And while there is considerable respect for Venkatesham in the game, he is seen as someone who tries to come to consensus conclusions rather than assertively make decisions.
Noise about a prospective takeover only adds to the uncertainty. This is repeatedly denied, but the point is that this is not how you acquire stability.
Thomas Frank gestures on the touchline (PA Wire)
None of this would be a problem, however, if Spurs had a functioning football structure. They’ve instead lost a director of football and now another manager in the space of a few months, as they work to build something that an elite modern club should have. Too much had been built towards Levy for far too long.
Hence, as more than one former coach has pointed out, they have constantly seemed to shift from one profile of coach to the opposite. An ill-fitting squad is a product of that. Worse, “that squad has multiple football scars,” to quote one source. The majority have mostly experienced dysfunction while at the club.
From that, it should be acknowledged that there was a logic to appointing Frank. On that, it should still be stressed that there was a logic to appointing Frank. The analytics gave a persuasive case, ultimately convincing Levy, and the Dane had repeatedly spoken of wanting to play a more expansive game with better resources - including in interviews to Manchester United and Chelsea.
The core problem was that Frank couldn’t work to the same level without the structure around him, and quickly found himself overwhelmed. That became seen in media interviews, where the Dane had previously cut such a rounded figure. The extra scrutiny of a club like Spurs weighed on him. Unlike at Brentford, you couldn’t go three months without winning a game while being allowed to find your feet.
Thomas Frank embraces Pedro Porro (Getty Images)
The noise around the club, as was heard in the stands, became too much. Once it got so toxic during that West Ham defeat, there was really no recovery.
That’s why there was an even greater logic in dispensing with Frank long before. The signs were clear.
The Spurs hierarchy is now so conscious of this “toxicity” among the fanbase that they realise they need a “unity candidate”. That has led to the obvious and ideal choice of Mauricio Pochettino. Some on the board are pushing to make it happen now.
It is understood that there has repeatedly been informal contact over 2026.
The feeling is nevertheless that Pochettino won’t leave the US job before the World Cup. Spurs would consider an interim until then, but there aren’t too many viable candidates. Johnny Heitinga may step up.
Mauricio Pochettino could emerge as an option to succeed Thomas Frank (Reuters)
As multiple sources argue, “this sums it up - outside Pochettino, it looks like they don’t currently have a proper plan”. That’s partly why some just hoped that Frank would work out, even for a time. They were hoping for space. That’s also why they could go in a total opposition direction, and seek to get Roberto De Zerbi in. Again, it’s one extreme to another.
Spurs at least have another 11 days before their next game to figure this out. On the other side of that, though, it’s a north London derby against the league leaders. If Arsenal win, as they should, it will only show that Spurs are very much running out of time in another way.
They’re in a relegation battle. That puts them in another unenviable situation, in that they have to think about the short-term, medium-term and long-term all at once.
Like so many of Frank’s performances, it is one big mess.
Tuesday the Raiders officially introduced former Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak as the new head coach in Las Vegas. Among the questions for Kubiak was asked about the Raiders pick at number one overall and his thoughts on consensus top pick QB Fernando Mendoza. And he wasn't biting.
"We've got a lot of tape to watch before we determine who that's going to be, but I'm excited to get into that process," said Kubiak.
That likely garnered a lot of side eye from those watching because few picks have looked like more of a no-brainer than a QB starved team taking the Heisman winning reigning National champion QB who is the top overall prospect in the draft and the only QB even deemed worthy of a high pick in this draft.
But while Kubiak, and John Spytek as well, have been doing their best to keep their plans for the top pick, the twinkle in Mark Davis's eye tells a different story. Shortly after Kubiak spoke to the media, Mark was asked about what went into the decision to go with Kubiak. And it seemed pretty clear based on his answer it was because the team will be taking Mendoza at No. 1 overall.
#Raiders owner Mark Davis explaining their process in the head coaching search & ultimately landing on Klint Kubiak
“It came down to where we are this year, having the first pick in the draft and everything and understanding that there’s a good chance we’ll go on the offensive… pic.twitter.com/BY5PlnqKPI
— Jesse Merrick - Silver & Black Sports Network (@JesseSBSN) February 10, 2026
“It came down to where we are this year," Davis said. "Having the first pick in the draft and everything and understanding that there’s a good chance we’ll go on the offensive side of the ball so it might be a good chance that we would want a young offensive mind that could grow with somebody.”
Note the smirk Davis gets when he says "good chance we'll go on the offensive side of the ball". Then note the idea that Kubiak would "grow" with said player. You don't say that about any other position but quarterback. You just don't. People don't talk about coaches growing with wide receivers or offensive linemen. There also isn't anyone at those positions even ranked in the top five overall prospects.
Davis has to smile because though he can't just blurt it out, he knows it is quite obvious who the Raiders are taking. To the point that they chose their next head coach -- and likely why chose them -- because they are taking Mendoza with the top pick.
The 27-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery Jan. 28 on his right elbow, which has limited his workload as pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday, Feb. 11, to spring training. He expects to return to full health soon, so his status for Opening Day on March 26 isn't in jeopardy.
"He will be limited, but he's not shut down," manager A.J. Hinch said.
"I'm two weeks in now," Dingler said. "It's just going to cost me a little bit of spring."
He is working closely with rehab coordinator Duncan Evans.
"I'm doing a lot of things – throwing, hitting," Dingler said. "I'm working back into the progression of everything, but it feels good. Of everything that goes wrong with baseball players, it's a minor thing. I'm happy for that."
In 2025, Dingler won the American League Gold Glove Award for his performance behind the plate – joining Iván Rodríguez, Lance Parrish and Bill Freehan as the only Tigers catchers to win the award. Dingler hit .278 with 13 home runs, 23 walks and 110 strikeouts across 126 games in the regular season, and hit the go-ahead home run against Cleveland in Game 3 of the wild-card series.
The 23-year-old is playing catch at 90 feet, doing so three times per week.
Eventually, Jobe will begin throwing bullpens, but he has a long way to go.
"We'll have to balance reality of where he's at," Hinch said. "We'll want to include him a little bit [in team drills, such as pitcher fielding practice], but we'll be careful with his throwing. Just the throwing right now, he's in a good place."
Tigers injury report
Here are more medical updates from the Tigers:
• Three pitchers underwent minor surgeries, similar to Dingler's procedure: left-handed reliever Bailey Horn with left elbow arthroscopy, right-handed reliever Tyler Owens with right hip arthroscopy and right-hander Troy Watson with right elbow arthroscopy. Owens is the furthest along in the rehab process after completing a bullpen session Tuesday, while Horn is beginning a throwing progression in the coming days and Watson is set for plyometric drills in the near future.
• Right-handed reliever Dugan Darnell (left hip labral repair) is playing catch four times per week, along with partaking in a return-to-play running progression; left-hander Jake Miller (left and right hip labral repairs) is playing catch at 60 feet three times per week.
• Right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long has a left oblique strain. Catcher Eduardo Valencia is working through a return-to-play running progression after suffering a left quad strain, but he is doing all other baseball activities.
#Tigers medical update: Dillon Dingler underwent right elbow arthroscopy, but he expects to be fully healthy soon. pic.twitter.com/o20VUodmdj
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Barcelona confirm Marcus Rashford injury blow in newly released statement
Barcelona have confirmed that Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has suffered an injury ahead of their upcoming meeting with Atletico Madrid.
Rashford enjoying life in Barcelona
Rashford has enjoyed dramatically improved fortunes since he parted ways with United in the summer to seal a season-long loan move to Barcelona.
He fell out of favour under now-sacked head coach Ruben Amorim, who named him in the infamous ‘bomb squad.’ Rashford has been a key player for the Blaugrana in their bid to retain their La Liga crown.
The England international has made 21 top-flight appearances, contributing four goals and eight assists. He has notched 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.
Barcelona retain the option of making his stay a permanent one for £26million and there have already been rumours that they are seriously weighing it up. Rashford has made no secret of his desire to continue playing under Hansi Flick, who has repeatedly declared his admiration for the player.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Catalan giants released a statement announcing that Rashford will not be available for selection during the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final encounter on Thursday against Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona release Rashford statement
The statement reads, “First-team player Marcus Rashford is experiencing discomfort in his left knee due to a blow received during the match against Mallorca.”
“He will sit out tomorrow’s match against Atlético de Madrid as a precautionary measure.”
Speaking at a press conference, Flick told reporters [as quoted by Barca Blaugranes], “We’ve had some problems. Rashford isn’t ready; he took a knock. It’s not good news, but I believe in my team. The situation isn’t easy.”
“We’re playing against a fantastic team. I saw the Cup match against Betis, and it was impressive. Cholo is doing a great job at Atlético. I really appreciate what I saw. It will be a tough match tomorrow.”
Flick added, “Step by step. We have to take care of him. He’s a player who gives his all, with great intensity. If he feels something, we have to be careful.”
“This is the situation. I’m not happy because we need him, like Pedri, Gavi, Andreas, or Marcus.”
Meanwhile, United return to action on 23 February when they go away to Everton.
'Excellent' manager on Liverpool shortlist suddenly becomes available
Liverpool are experiencing a tough second season under Arne Slot.
The Dutchman arrived from Feyenoord following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp. And Slot could not have got his Anfield career off to a better start - winning the Premier League title in his first season in charge.
Sporting director Richard Hughes then backed the tactician with £450m worth of new signings in the summer transfer window.
British record deals were concluded for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak - while big money also went on Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike and others.
But this season hasn’t gone as expected.
Liverpool struggling under Arne Slot this season
The Premier League champions are in a fight just to requalify for the Champions League and Slot has been unable to integrate his new signings with any kind of style or consistency.
Only a handful of top-flight matches have been won since September - leading to speculation that Richard Hughes and his FSG paymasters may make a change in the dugout.
Slot, 47, is only contracted until 2027 - meaning the club would not have to pay a fortune in compensation.
While the Reds remain in the hunt for a Champions League place it’s unlikely they will sack Slot - but expect his position to come under review in the off-season.
Roberto De Zerbi, 46, won the plaudits at Brighton before departing for Marseille in Ligue 1.
The Italian guided l’OM to second place in the French top flight last season - behind only Paris Saint-Germain but saw his tenure come to an end on Tuesday after 19 months in charge.
A lot of the tactician’s good work has been unravelled in the last few weeks - owing to a calamitous elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Club Brugge and a 5-0 hammering by PSG in Le Classique at the weekend.
It was reported back in 2024 by James Pearce that RDZ was under consideration by FSG’s decision-makers before Slot was given the task of replacing Klopp.
Moreover in a report by Melissa Reddy it was revealed that Liverpool higher-ups considered De Zerbi an "excellent" manager. The trusted Liverpool reporter also posted on X that Richard Hughes was a fan of the former Milan midfielder.
Concerns over his playing style - and compatibility with Liverpool - scuppered any chance of his appointment according to Pearce. But his body of work stands up to scrutiny - even if his spell at Marseille ended in disappointment.
He won’t come with a compensation package to be agreed and therefore could work as a successor without any financial baggage attached.
It’s clear Liverpool liked De Zerbi once upon a time and now - like fellow contenders Alonso and Ruben Amorim - he is unexpectedly back on the market.
Photo: Real Madrid star organises team dinner for Álvaro Arbeloa’s squad
A photo of the first-team squad at La Liga giants Real Madrid has gone viral online this week.
This comes after Vinícius Jr. organised a team bonding dinner for the rest of Álvaro Arbeloa’s ranks.
The likes of Kylian Mbappé, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rodrygo were all in attendance at the get-together, which took place at a restaurant in Spain’s capital:
Vinícius’ gesture of course comes amid nothing short of a crucial stretch of the season for Real Madrid at present.
After putting Valencia to the sword by two goals to nil this past weekend, Los Merengues remain just a solitary point behind arch rivals Barcelona atop the La Liga table.
Next up, this weekend, comes another league outing, on this occasion against Real Sociedad, before Arbeloa and co. make the trip to Lisbon early next week to kick their Champions League playoff showdown with Benfica into gear at the Estádio da Luz.
PREVIEW | Rennes vs PSG - team news, lineups, predictions
Rennes host PSG this Friday at the Roazhon Park for matchweek 22 of the Ligue 1.
Rennes have 31 points to their name this season and occupy 6th position in the table. In their last game, Habib Beye's team lost 3-1 against Lens (Ligue 1 2025/26).
PSG have won 51 points to date and are placed in 1st position. In their last fixture, Luis Enrique's team won 5-0 against Marseille (Ligue 1 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with PSG winning 5-0.
The deal for Pavard was made up of a season-long loan deal for €2.5m and an option to buy for an additional €15m, however, recent reports in France and Italy claim that the Frenchman is increasingly likely to return to Inter at the end of the season.
This is not the case for Weah, however, whose loan deal to Marseille includes a potential obligation to buy. According to Calciomercato.com, Marseille will trigger that obligation to buy once they secure mathematical safety in Ligue 1 this season.
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 16: Timothy Weah of Olympique de Marseille celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Olympique de Marseille at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
Marseille are currently in fourth place in the Ligue 1 table, 25 points clear of the relegation zone with 13 games of the season left to play.
It is a case of when, rather than if Marseille trigger their obligation to buy. Once that happens, Juventus will be entitled to a fee of €15.4m plus up to €4.1m in add-ons. The Bianconeri have already received €1m for Weah’s season-long loan deal.
This criticism of Tomlin's coaching approach, who didn't have a single losing season in 19 years on the Pittsburgh sideline while winning over 200 games, did not sit well with former teammate Joey Porter. Roethlisberger and Porter were both members of the Steelers' Super Bowl 40 championship team. Porter played eight seasons in Pittsburgh and retired from the NFL after the 2011 season. His son is notably Joey Porter Jr., one of the Steelers' current starting cornerbacks.
In response to Roethlisberger's Tomlin critique, Porter didn't hold back. In an appearance on active Steelers star Cameron Heyward's podcast, Porter aired all of his former quarterback's dirty laundry out to dry. Truly, by saying Roethlisberger was a bad teammate and a bad person, Porter cut loose. He also maintained "we protected him [Roethlisberger]" (a.k.a. the Steelers organization) despite knowing who he was when he didn't have a helmet and shoulder pads on.
Oh, man ... PHEW:
OMG: Joey Porter absolutely DESTROYS Big Ben on Cam Heyward’s podcast. Says he wasn’t a good teammate. He’s not a good person. And has no right to talk about the Steelers business on his podcast. Holy crap. Watch. pic.twitter.com/nMZQ92hlgi
Even with Roethlisberger's comments about Tomlin out in the open, Porter sounds like he's felt this way about "Seven" for a while. It stands to reason that Porter was just waiting for a moment like this to make his true feelings known. That, to me, speaks volumes about how other former prominent Steelers figures may have also felt about Roethlisberger on and off the field.
"Seven [Roethlisberger] definitely broke the brotherhood because, the [expletive] that Seven do, that did, that we don't talk about is crazy," said Porter. "Out of anybody that should talk, he should never grab a microphone and really talk Steeler business. Because if we talking Steeler business, his [expletive] is foul of all foul. Like the [expletive] that he did is foul of all foul. He's not a good teammate. Won a Super Bowl with him, but a person? He's just not a good teammate. Like, he knows that. Anybody in the Steeler building knows that. But we [the Steelers] protected him. Because I've only won one Super Bowl and that was my quarterback. So do I love my quarterback? Yeah, but is he a good person? No."
As for the distinction in Porter saying "we" about the Steelers "protecting" Roethlisberger because he was a good quarterback, I don't think Porter necessarily means to lump himself into that group. It is relatively well-established that many non-quarterbacks tend to think of the franchise quarterback, so to speak, as an extension of the front office and ownership. You know, because quarterbacks are generally treated differently because of how important they are to their respective franchise's on-field success. When Porter talks about Roethlisberger being shielded from consequences for any potential crimes, he's almost certainly referring to the Steelers' leadership doing so.
With that said, even if he probably has a point, it's kind of amusing for Porter to attack Roethlisberger's character only to turn around and say he still loves him because they won a Lombardi Trophy together. Pick a lane, man. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth.
Wayne Madsen replaced former Australia batter Joe Burns as Italy captain before the start of the T20 World Cup [Getty Images]
Italy captain Wayne Madsen says he is "optimistic" he will still play a part in the T20 World Cup despite dislocating his left shoulder in his country's opening game against Scotland.
The 42-year-old Derbyshire batter was hurt in the field early in Italy's debut World Cup match against Scotland in Kolkata on Monday.
"It wasn't the start I, or the team, was looking for," he told BBC Radio Derby.
"I went for the ball in the fourth over and landed on the edge of the practice nets and popped my shoulder out.
"It's the first time I've dislocated my left shoulder. I have injured my right shoulder and had to have surgery a few years ago but the dislocation was different."
Madsen said scans on the injury had been "fairly positive" and confirmed he did not need an operation.
"It's just a case of managing it now over the next 48-72 hours and it's already improved," he added.
Madsen, a former South Africa hockey international, said he was "hugely proud and honoured" to be leading Italy at their first World Cup, adding it "didn't get any bigger" than being part of a major tournament in India.
Italy take on Nepal on Thursday in Mumbai in their next game before returning to Kolkata to face England on Monday and the West Indies, in their final group match, on Thursday, 19 February.
"I want to try to give myself as good an opportunity as possible to play in one or both games next week," Madsen said.
"I'm still optimistic that will happen but I'll be guided by pain and the body. I'd love to play in the England game but we'll see how things progress."
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — Lindsey Vonn had a third surgery and gave a promising update on her recovery.
In an Instagram post, Vonn said she is making progress, even though it is slow. She included three photos, including one that shows her injured left in a gruesome-looking device likely meant to stabilize her leg.
Vonn has a complex tibial fracture in her left leg.
"I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago," Vonn wrote. "I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok."
Vonn thanked supporters for the encouragement and well wishes. She also thanked her U.S. Olympic teammates for "giving me something to cheer for." She clearly has been monitoring results at the Games. Within hours, she had congratulated Jackie Wiles and Paula Moltzan for their bronze in the team combined on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and Ryan Cochran-Siegle for his silver in the super-G on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
What happened to Lindsey Vonn?
Vonn hooked the fourth gate with her right arm, and it spun her off-balance. She fought to regain control, but her legs had already splayed and her weight quickly shifted to the back of her skis, pulling her backward. She fell to her right and then tumbled headfirst in the snow.
"Things just happen so quick in this sport," U.S. teammate Bella Wright said after the race. "It looked like Lindsey had incredible speed out of that turn, and she hooked her arm and it's just over just like that."
The three-time Olympic medalist remained prone in the snow, and she could be heard wailing in pain. The gasps and groans from fans faded into shocked silence as medics worked on her. Vonn remained on the course for approximately 13 minutes before being loaded into a helicopter.
What is Lindsey Vonn's injury?
In an Instagram post on Monday, Vonn shared the devastating news that she suffered a complex tibia fracture that will require multiple surgeries.
A tibia fracture is a break in the shin bone that is an emergency needing immediate treatment. "Your tibias are some of the strongest bones in your body. It usually takes a lot of force to break one," according to the Cleveland Clinic. "You probably won't be able to stand, walk or put weight on your leg if you have a broken shin bone."
A complex fracture involves multiple breaks in a bone and damaged soft tissue, according Yale Medicine. Symptoms include extreme pain, numbness and, sometimes, a bone that protrudes through the skin. Treatment involves stabilization and surgery.
Vonn was in obvious pain after the crash, but she was moving her arms, head and neck.
About 18 minutes after the crash, the helicopter slowly began flying toward Cortina. "Let's let Lindsey Vonn hear us!" the American announcer said as the chopper flew away with her, and the crowd cheered and applauded.
Vonn's sister Karin Kildow was at the course today for the downhill and spoke to NBC reporters during their live broadcast:
"I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you're just immediately hoping she's okay. And it was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it's not a good sign," Kildow said. "But she really ... She just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it's really hard to see, but we just really hope she's okay.
"She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I'm sure they'll give us a report and we'll meet her at whatever hospital she's at."
Vonn is also skiing with a partial replacement of her right knee. She had dominated the sport before the crash, making the podium in all five downhill races this season and winning two of them.
One could argue that no single living person has done more to shape the rules and officiating of mixed martial arts than John McCarthy, the man who began his career as an MMA referee all the way back at UFC 2 in 1994.
One could also argue — as McCarthy himself would — that he had no idea what he was getting himself into back then, and might have reconsidered if he had.
The first fight he refereed ended in less than 30 seconds. The second was only slightly longer than that.
What he means is, there were some bumps in the road. Obstacles, you might say. Mistakes from which everyone must learn and grow. You set up a cage and organize some fights around the promise that there will be (almost) no rules, and then something happens that makes everyone think, 'Well, actually maybe there should be a rule about that.'
Like how there was a time when no one in the UFC thought twice about letting fighters grab and cling to the chainlink fence of the cage. Then, McCarthy said, “Jerry Bohlander grabbed it so hard he bent the metal.”
Next thing you know, the UFC had a rule against grabbing the fence. It’s still there today, along with a bunch of others that arose through a process of trial and error. After UFC 14 in 1997, for instance, McCarthy and other officials sat down and created 18 new rules. This gradual and sometimes painful process is how the modern version of MMA took shape — and McCarthy was there for it all. Through both his advocacy and his example, he formed the basis for how MMA should be officiated.
It’s a little strange for him now, at age 63, to look back on his place in the history of this sport. He initially accepted a role as referee for UFC 2 mostly as a favor to Rorion Gracie, whom he met through his own martial arts training. (Fun bit of trivia: Many people mistakenly think McCarthy began refereeing at UFC 1. In fact, he was present at the event, but he stuck close to Gracie with a gun concealed on his person, just in case family squabbles among the Gracie clan caused trouble.)
The instructions he was first given as a referee were simple: Don’t stop the fight until someone taps out or gets knocked unconscious. This is actually how he came to be hired for that second event. A referee named João Barreto disobeyed those instructions when he stopped a fight at UFC 1 after seeing blood and teeth sprayed across the canvas, so Gracie went looking for a replacement.
According to McCarthy, he didn’t think those instructions were practical or smart. If he was going to referee, he told Gracie, he needed to be able to stop a fight once one of the fighters could no longer intelligently defend himself. Gracie resisted for a while.
Finally, McCarthy said, Gracie told him: OK, you can stop a fight if … whatever you said. And so it began. Rules. Guidelines. The vague shape of an actual sport forming. The process was, according to McCarthy, a “real pain in the ass.” But he believed in it, so he kept at it.
That was a few decades ago. He never thought this would be his life. Certainly not this long, or to this extent. Now there’s a whole generation of referees and other officials who’ve come up under his guidance, seeking out his advice. He’s happy to give it. He sees it as his primary way to contribute to the future of the sport at this point, doling out wisdom and warnings in that gruff big brother way he has, where it almost feels like he’s bullying you in a weirdly positive way.
According to longtime commentator and Uncrowned contributor Sean Wheelock, who helped organize this summit, McCarthy is the kind of person who, when you meet him, turns out to be “exactly who you want him to be.”
McCarthy will gladly admit that he’s a person of strong opinions, never one to sit back quietly and watch others screw up. That helps explain why he’s stuck around so long in this sport, and also why he’s been such an important part of shaping it. As much of a pain as it might have been to fight against the current for so long with this sport, he didn’t have it in him to just give in and float downstream.
“I have a big mouth and it's gotten me in a lot of trouble,” McCarthy said. “Throughout my time in the sport, I've pissed a lot of people off and that's OK. I accept it. I accept that I'm not going to make everyone happy. I accept that not everyone's going to like me, and I'm OK with that. But I would rather be honest and tell you, ‘Hey, this is my opinion and this is why.’ And if you don't like it, that's OK.”
Not unlike the fighters who stick around in this sport across multiple eras, McCarthy has lived many lives in MMA. From those wild early days to the growing pains of the modern era, all the way to a later period that came with difficult questions about how to manage his own physical decline, McCarthy has had to repeatedly reassess his role in MMA.
The biggest change for him came after a neck injury suffered on the mats about a decade ago.
“I got hurt,” McCarthy said. “I got hurt bad. I got paralyzed. … It got to the point where I couldn’t lift my arm. … I couldn’t put my backpack, even though that’s all I had, into the upper tray of an airplane.
"I couldn’t take a potato chip and lift it to my mouth. So that was a concern. I was like, 'S***, I’m not safe to go in there and do this job.'”
Sept. 9, 1994: John McCarthy has been there from the very beginning.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
When he realized he needed to step away was after UFC 217 in 2017, McCarthy said. He was working a title fight between Rose Namajunas and Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but when he went to stop the bout he realized his physical limitations were impacting how he did it.
“In the older days, I would [have] just grabbed [Namajunas], pick her up away from [Jedrzejczyk], and stop the fight,” McCarthy said. “And I realized at that moment, I’m not sure I can pick her up.
"In my mind, I looked at it and went, ‘I can’t do this. I’m going to end up being the cause of someone getting hurt, because I’m not 100%.’”
Around this time, McCarthy got offered a job doing on-air commentary for Bellator broadcasts. It was a fine job, one he never felt entirely comfortable in, McCarthy said, but it wasn’t the same as officiating. As a ref, he reminded the attendees of the officials summit, you have a team. You have the other refs, the judges and the athletic commission officials, a community of people to support and help and guide you.
When he took the commentary gig, McCarthy said, his old team was gone. “You have no idea how much you miss it until it’s gone,” he added.
In 2025, McCarthy got back in the cage as a referee. Neck surgery helped — first a disc replacement, then a fusion, making him the rare person to get both. His schedule isn’t nearly as packed these days, and he’s fine with that. What means more to him, he said, are these opportunities to help the next generation of officials.
Some of them — guys like Chris Leben and Frank Trigg — he first got to know when they were fighters. He watched them make a difficult transition from that life to this one, learning all new ways to be a part of the sport. Some of the people he’s mentored are mentors themselves now. It’s a satisfying feeling, and one he never expected when he first said yes to this gig.
“I'll tell you, I got a text from one of these [referees]," McCarthy said. "I'm not going to say who, but I got a text from him today where he did fights yesterday and said, ‘Hey man, I want you to know that in my head, I was repeating the words that you told me the last time that we worked together.’
"And I was just like, ‘Dude, you know how good that makes me feel?’ I mean, that's like hitting a home run. That's like me having a great fight where everything goes right. The fact that, you know what, he went out and he used that little bit that I gave him and now he's able to put that into his toolbox and make the right decision on a fight and feel good about it? Dude, there's nothing better for me.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 28: Eric Stokes #22 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on in the second quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium against the New York Giants on December 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Recently, PFF released their current top 250 players set to hit free agency this off-season, and numerous Raiders made the list. The Raiders currently have 25 players set to be free agents which incudes 4 exclusive rights free agents and two restricted free agents making 19 players unrestricted free agents. The following players made the cuts for PFF:
G Dylan Parham – 92nd
Market Value: 3 years, 21 million
Parham, just 26 years old has spent time bouncing around between left guard, center, and right guard in his career and he’s logged 3803 career snaps. In his time, Parham has allowed 18 sacks and 145 pressures including 6 sacks and 28 pressures in 2025 in a regression season though majority of the Raiders offensive line saw regression in 2025 under OL coach Brennan Carroll. Parham’s had his best play at right guard in his career and the Raiders or his new team should look to move him back there instead of sticking him at left guard where he’s been very up and down in his career. Additionally, Parham has seen some struggles with injuries as well in his career missing time in 2023, 2024, and 2025 with minor injuries.
EDGE Malcolm Koonce – 112th
Market Value: 1 year, 5.8 million
Koonce flashed in 2023 with 43 tackles, 8 TFL, 17 QB Hits, 8 sacks, 3 FF, 52 pressures, a 15.7% pass rush win rate, and 27 run stops. After missing all of 2024 with a torn ACL, Koonce signed a one year deal in 2025 and struggled at times but did finish the year strong and posted 30 tackles, 7 TFL, 13 QB hits, a forced fumble, 4.5 sacks, 35 pressures, 18 stops, and a 15.9% pass rush win rate. Koonce overall did struggle but also saw success at the back end of the year and showed the flashes of his 2023 self in weeks 16-18 along with parts of the beginning of the season. A year removed from a torn ACL should go a long way for him to get back to his form in 2023 and the flashes and talent hasn’t gone anywhere. Koonce will be an interesting option for the Raiders to bring back as a depth pass rusher or if he walks another team taking a swing on the potential.
HB Raheem Mostert – 137th
Market Value: 1 year, 2.4 million
Mostert signed with the Raiders as a veteran runningback option and he’s likely towards the back end of his career, if not played his final season in 2025. Mostert logged 22 attempts for 104 yards and 12 receptions for 70 yards. Overall, Mostert did his job as a depth runningback but Las Vegas will need more from the room behind Jeanty to help compliment his playstyle. The Raiders should go a different direction and add more depth and youth to the room.
QB Kenny Pickett – 152nd
Market Value: 2 years, 8.5 million
The former first round pick, Pickett will be an interesting option for teams as a depth quarterback or in a rare circumstance a possible starter (though very unlikely). Pickett has started a career 27 games and has tossed 4953 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in his career. The veteran quarterback is nearly 28 and does have the experience to help a room as a cheap solid veteran backup. The Raiders will be bringing in rookie Fernando Mendoza with the first overall selection and likely need to pair him with a backup quarterback option, and ideally someone with more experience then Mendoza. The Raiders could retain Pickett, but it will fully depend on what the staff’s looking for in their veteran backup/mentor option to Mendoza.
CB Eric Stokes – 156th
Market Value: 3 years, 33 million
The most interesting ranking for a Raiders free agent, Stokes was a standout in 2025 ranking top 25 in EPA/target, separation allowed, yards allowed, and QBR allowed. The former first rounder is just 26 years old and will turn 27 in March. At 6’1, 195 Stokes started all 16 games he appeared in this season totaling 53 tackles, 3 TFL, and 5 pass breakups. Additionally, Stokes allowed just 28 receptions for 261 yards, a touchdown, and a 77.2 QBR this season. The Raiders saw development from rookie Darien Porter and could look to keep their CB duo in tact while adding to it as well through the draft and free agency. Stokes has struggled with injuries in his career logging just 477 snaps in 2022 and 110 in 2023 but has back to back seasons at essentially full health. The Raiders should look to retain Stokes, but if they can upgrade they shouldn’t pass on that opportunity.
— Pro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador (@PFHOFAmbassador) January 28, 2026
ILB Jamal Adams – 217th
Market Value: 1 year, 1.8 million
Adams in his return season shifted down to linebacker full time playing 304 snaps at linebacker and 125 at a nickel linebacker role. Adams was successful logging 45 tackles, 5 TFL, a sack, a forced fumble, 7 pressures, 23 stops, and performing below average in coverage. Adams also missed 12 tackles for a 21.4 missed tackle rate but that has been his massive issue since he entered the NFL. In coverage Adams allowed 36 receptions for 211 yards, a touchdown, and a 98.6 QBR on 38 targets. Adams at 30 years old does still have a career path as a depth linebacker in the NFL but the Raiders should look to move off him towards an alternative option or retain Adams just for a minor linebacker position and special teams player.
LAS VEGAS — In the middle of a debate over the differences between a 10-8 round and a 10-9 round on boxing scorecards, California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster stands up to put an end to the argument.
“Let’s not make boxing into MMA,” Foster tells the room full of experienced judges, referees and other officials. “Because MMA is hard to score.”
This gets a laugh out of the attendees at the 2026 Combat Sports Officials Summit, where both judges and referees have gathered to sharpen their skills. They recognize the truth of the statement.
Boxing is a relatively simple sport for judges. Two fighters. Each with two fists. All they’re permitted to do is punch each other above the waist throughout a series of three-minute rounds. A knockdown means a 10-8. Most other outcomes result in a 10-9 in one direction or the other. That makes it easy on the judges. There’s only so much to watch for.
But MMA? Over the course of any five-minute round you might see the full spectrum of the combat sports rainbow. One guy lands some good leg kicks. The other takes him down and punches him a few times before getting snared in a submission attempt that forces him to go from offense to defense. One guy bloodies the other’s nose. The other keeps kicking that lead leg until it’s bright red and its owner limps off to his corner at the end of the round.
Quickly now, who won? And by what score? You have a few seconds to mark it down on that card and sign your name. The name part is important because, if your score differs from those of the people scoring (in their own heads, at their own leisure) from home, they need to know who to yell at. Maybe you cost their favorite fighter a win. Maybe you cost them actual money they bet on the other guy.
They would now like to question your qualifications, your intelligence, your entire existence. They know your name and your judging history and they have questions, you see. These questions include “how did you ever get this job,” but also “what is wrong with you,” and let us not forget the classic “are you stupid or something?”
Between them, the people in this room have scored hundreds if not thousands of rounds of MMA and boxing. In the eyes of the public, they have sinned and been forgiven and then sinned again. One will later recount, almost fondly, the guy who still occasionally sends him Facebook messages about a 29-28 score he turned in for a UFC prelim fight four years ago. (The guy thought it should have been 29-28 the other way, and is apparently still heated about it.) One tells me that judging MMA fights is the way he learned, through necessity, how to turn off the messaging function on Instagram. Another will recall the hardest round he ever had to score, an entire frame in which neither party landed a single strike.
When the fans on the internet learn your name, things are about to get rough. Any judge who sits in that chair long enough is going to find out eventually. You turn in a scorecard the masses disagree with and suddenly "you're the flavor of the week," veteran referee “Big” John McCarthy says. They'll tell you that you're the worst ever. They'll ask you: Do you even know what MMA means?
"It gets worse than that," says judge and referee Nick Berens, and the whole room chuckles.
To call judging a thankless task is to understate the situation considerably. It is, as longtime boxing referee and judge Jack Reiss says, “a part-time job with a full-time commitment.”
He means this more literally than you might think. He means that judges ought to be doing it even when someone else is getting paid for it. And they should make sure they're doing it well even then.
Make the wrong call as an MMA judge — or what people perceive to be the wrong call — and you may hear about it for the rest of your life.
Chris Unger via Getty Images
That's because judging fights is, as famed MMA official McCarthy will say more than once this weekend, “a perishable skill.” If you don’t use it — and use it regularly, whether you’re technically on the job or not — you’ll lose it.
“The best people who do this,” McCarthy says, “they’re judging fights online with other judges, they’re on group texts, they’re always watching fights.”
This isn’t exactly a rule for judges, though there are plenty of those. There are also strong suggestions, best practices, tips for staying gainfully employed. For example, never talk to the media unless your commission gives you the go-ahead. There’s one rule. Don’t write down a running a score of a round; keep it in your head and remember that the scorecard is a legal document. Don’t give “sympathy rounds,” awarding a round to one fighter simply for doing better than he did in previous rounds.
Don’t be seen chewing gum during a fight. Don’t wear earbuds or take notes, since both can distract you from the action. Matter of fact, go to even greater lengths to avoid distractions. Any urgent news from home that can wait until the day after the event? Best to avoid it until then, so as not to have it weighing on your mind.
Don’t give 10-10 scores unless it is absolutely impossible to avoid. If you can watch an entire round of fighting and still conclude that you can’t pick a winner, Foster says, “We’ll find someone who can.”
The best people who do this, they’re judging fights online with other judges, they’re on group texts, they’re always watching fights.John McCarthy
And while he’s doling out advice, Foster adds another that he didn’t think he’d ever have to come out and say.
“You know how on a can of paint it’ll say, 'Do not eat?’” he says. Yeah, this is one of those. Obvious to some but apparently not all: Don’t get into a backstage argument with a fighter trying to explain why he lost.
One reason why, Foster says, is because “people have phones.” The video of your altercation will end up on the internet, and your local commission head will end up talking to high-ranking state officials about you, which is never good.
But the judging fights with peers thing? It’s not quite a rule. But yes, when you start talking to the judges gathered here for this summit, you find out it’s something they adhere to. Often, in fact. Many will tell you that if fights are on it means their phones are buzzing with constant message alerts. This is a conversation that starts with the first prelim and runs through the last fight of the card.
“Ask my wife,” McCarthy says, referring to how often his own phone lights up when there are fights happening anywhere in the world. “It’s constant.”
But it’s not just about watching fights on TV and coming up with hypothetical scores for each round. For the exercise to serve its purpose, judges need to be offering that score to others who will push back when needed. They need someone on the other end of the exchange who’s willing to hold them accountable.
“You have to have people you can count on to tell you when you’re wrong,” McCarthy says. But the circle should be small and dependable — never random strangers on the internet.
The introduction of widespread sports betting has only raised the stakes for an already difficult job.
Chris Unger via Getty Images
Dan Furse, a longtime judge with the state athletic commission in Utah, says his colleagues use the Marco Polo app for these conversations. There they offer up for group discussions a “round of the week” to score and discuss and debate. The thinking is, if you can’t sit on the hot seat and explain yourself to fellow judges, you don’t have any business judging actual fights.
How Furse got roped into this world was, from the early days of local MMA in the state of Utah, he attended as many fights as he could. He also fought a couple times — Tapology confirms that “Tabasco Dan” went 2-0 in the span of one month back in 2005 — and eventually got asked to be a judge when a promoter needed someone to fill in on extremely short-notice.
“I figured, as a fair-minded person who’s reasonably intelligent and knows this sport, I could do about as well as anyone,” he says. “I think the things all these other judges share is that they love this sport but they also want to continue to learn. They have a thirst for knowledge.”
This gets at some questions we don’t often bother to ask about MMA’s judges. What kind of person wants to perform this essential but much-maligned task — and why? The pay isn’t great. No one thanks you when you get it right. Most of the time no one except other judges even notice when you get it right. But when you get it wrong, or at least are widely perceived to have done so? Then everybody hates you. Who would sign up for that?
Answers may vary, but the core commonalities seem to be this: These are people who genuinely love this sport and can’t stand to see others mess it up. They’ve gotten as frustrated as you have by fights that resulted in baffling scorecards. They believe there is a right way to go about this. They also are not content to sit at home and shout at the TV about it. That’s why they’re here, trying to sharpen their skills further.
I think the things all these other judges share is that they love this sport but they also want to continue to learn. They have a thirst for knowledge.Dan Furse
It’s stuff like this that gives McCarthy a sense of optimism about the future of this aspect of MMA officiating.
“People that are judging right now are doing a better job at this moment in the sport than it's ever been done,” McCarthy says. “They're doing an outstanding job, and it is a difficult, difficult job. And I'm telling you, when you're here and you're putting your score and your name on a thing, it's enough to where there's pressure because I could pull it out and say, ‘What the hell, Ben? What were you thinking?’ It's a whole lot more when it's a real one that affects someone's livelihood. And everyone takes it super serious.”
It’s never going to be the kind of thing that’s appreciated by all. If you can’t stand being the bad guy sometimes, this is not the job for you.
But somebody has to do it, don’t they? And here those people are, on a rare weekend that’s free of all combat sports, gathered together in a hotel conference room to try to get better at it. That alone ought to give us some hope.
This gets at something essential about the judging experience. From the outside, this doesn’t seem like a difficult job. You’ve watched a lot of fights, right? You can tell the winner from the loser. Your math skills are competent enough to handle the 10-point must system. You could totally do this better than a lot of these idiots who apparently end up cageside at UFC events, messing up entire careers — not to mention parlays — with their incompetence.
But it starts to feel very different the moment there’s any hint of accountability. For instance, when you’re sitting there in a room full of judges, watching and scoring rounds from past MMA bouts, and then you have to mark your scorecard and sign your name on it before handing it in. You don’t get to sit there and think about it, either. You better have your score ready as soon as the round ends, because McCarthy will be coming around to collect them immediately, just like the commission does at an actual MMA event.
And if your scorecard puts you out of alignment with the other judges in the room? Then McCarthy is going to hold it up, call out your name, and ask you to explain yourself. At various points during this summit, everyone from retired UFC fighter Chris Leben to longtime boxing and MMA judge Adelaide Byrd will be asked to explain their scores. And they’ll do it, just as they have become used to doing it in their own group chats and text threads.
Thrust into the captain’s role for LIV Golf’s Smash GC after Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour, Talor Gooch is already putting his stamp on the team — starting with chemistry.
And when that team happens to be halfway around the world in Australia with the Super Bowl on the schedule, the solution is simple: host a little soiree.
Gooch, whose first LIV victory came at Adelaide back in 2023, said he joined new Smash GC member Harold Varner III and others in preparing for this week's tournament by watching the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots battle. Varner and Gooch previously played together on the RangeGoats GC.
"We might have had a little fun with the Super Bowl and watching some football and maybe a couple of adult beverages," Gooch said. "The four of us get along so well. Obviously, anybody who knows Harold, he is a lightning rod of energy. It's easy to smile when you're with him and be in a good mood. He's the one that when things are tough and golf is not good, he's going to be able to keep us smiling and enjoying ourselves."
Gooch, who is the only player to celebrate team tournament titles with three different teams (4Aces GC, RangeGoats GC and Smash GC), has a total of 13 LIV Golf trophies, either as an individual or with a team.
While he won at the Grange Golf Club on Australia's southern coast during his magical 2023 season, he finished 10 over at the same venue last year, making him nearly dead last (Matthew Wolff held that honor).
And now, with some Official World Golf Ranking points on the table and the Oklahoma native slipping all the way from a high of 37th in the world to his current place at 1,579, Gooch has a very simple, if tongue-in-cheek philosophy moving forward.
"I'm just going to win the rest of them," he said sarcastically in advance of today's opening round. "I'm just going to win the next 13, 12 events, whatever we've got left. I'm going to win them all.
"Winning is so hard out here. Look at the guy who's probably played the best golf out here the last couple years, Jon Rahm. He's played unbelievably well but he hasn't won a whole lot. I think that really exemplifies how hard winning is. At this level, when you win, you just need some luck. You need things to go your way. When you win, you need to cherish it because you never know when the next one is going to come.
"I would love to get a win here this week and kind of rekindle some of the 2023 good vibes, and that would be amazing."
Of course, if he does that, his ranking will improve and he can potentially play his way back into majors. Gooch has only played in two of the last 10 majors, missing the cut in one and finishing T-60 at the 2024 PGA Championship.
"I mean, for us, obviously the majors are the driving factor. Like, how do we get into the majors, and the OWGR is one of those routes," he said. "I have to go play great golf, plain and simple. We all have to go play great golf to get into the majors and then hopefully to play great in the majors.
"At the end of the day it doesn't really change things. I'm still working my butt off. I'm still trying to play great golf. It's just now there's another opportunity to get into the majors, which is great, and hopefully those opportunities and pathways continue to expand and become more ample for us."
Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) defeated Lopes for a second consecutive time by unanimous decision last month at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Both Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) and Lerone Murphy were vying for a title shot but got passed up for Lopes (27-8 MMA, 6-3 UFC).
Volkanovski arguably had an even more definitive performance at UFC 325 than he did at UFC 314, which doesn't sit well with Evloev.
"Murphy won by good performance, then he's supposed to fight for the title then they gave the title shot to Diego again, and OK, no problem," Evloev told MMA Junkie. "I will wait. Then he showed us nothing changes from the first title fight with Volk. It was no reason to give him that title shot again. But now we know, and everybody knows, also the UFC knows. So now me and Murphy will share the place for No. 1 contender for the title."
Evloev will take on Murphy (17-0-1 MMA, 9-0-1 UFC) in a presumed No. 1 contender bout in the UFC Fight Night 270 headliner March 21 from The O2 in London (Paramount+). Evloev admits he thought Murphy would get the next title shot after knocking out Aaron Pico at UFC 319.
"I was surprised," Evloev said. "I just thought he just took a short-notice fight with a good fighter, which is Pico, and he took a big risk. Then he won by good knockout, and he's supposed to fight, but for some reason, they didn't give him a title shot.
"But, good for me because I will have one of the best featherweights right now to fight and to deserve the title shot. To deserve the title shot, you have to beat somebody good, which is Lerone: 17-0, undefeated, strong, big. We will see."
Tennessee is recruiting toward its 2027 football signing class.
Four-star Miami wide receiver commit Ah'Mari Stevens named Tennessee in his top five schools, along with Miami, LSU, Texas and Georgia.
The 5-foot-11, 160-pound prospect is from Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 31 wide receiver in the class and No. 25 player in Florida.
Tennessee offered Stevens a scholarship on March 5, 2025 and has not visited the Vols.
Miami offered him a scholarship on April 2, 2024. Two days after an unofficial visit, he announced his commitment to the Hurricanes on Jan. 13, 2025.
Pittsburgh was the first school to offer Stevens a scholarship on Dec. 4, 2023. Other schools to offer him scholarships include Missouri, South Florida, Florida International, Kentucky, Florida State, Indiana, West Virginia, Ole Miss, Tulane, Auburn, Penn State, Purdue, North Carolina State, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Florida, Elon, Marshall, Arkansas, Illinois, Western Kentucky, Temple, Old Dominion, Bowling Green and North Carolina Central.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 31: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Louisville Cardinals brings the ball up court during the game against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs at KFC YUM! Center on January 31, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you were hoping to hear how Paul Rogers and Bob Valvano handled Mikel Brown Jr.’s historic 45-point performance on Monday night, you’re in luck.
Thanks to U of L for making this available.
Mikel Brown Jr.'s historic night as heard on the Louisville Sports Radio Network.
His 45 points and 10 3s against NC State tie two single-game program records. Brown also broke the ACC single-game freshman scoring record.
The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2026 offseason with a prime chance to remake several position groups, including the running back room. Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco and Dameon Pierce are unrestricted free agents. None of those players needs to return to the team next season. It’s time for the Chiefs to add youth to their backfield again.
This past season, the Indiana Hoosiers featured two running backs who have the chance to hear their names called in the 2026 NFL Draft. Roman Hemby is the more explosive option, but College Football Playoff standout Kaelon Black offers excellent physicality to create between the tackles and keep offensive drives on schedule.
Black enters the NFL with extensive special teams experience to contribute in multiple ways. He is a sharp one-cut runner who patiently waits for the run lane to develop before slamming on the accelerator. His quick footwork helps him execute sharp cuts upfield, and he lowers his pads to meet defenders in the hole.
Kaelon Black | RB | IU
Downhill, no nonsense runner w/ + footwork a strong lower half. Runs behind his pads w/ good forward lean to pick up yards after contact. Patience + lateral agility to press LoS & alter rush gap.
Black is a violent runner who drives his legs through tackle attempts to finish plays falling forward. His contact balance allows him to step out of arm tackles and find some hidden yardage. Unfortunately, he takes short strides and lacks the burst and top speed to threaten pursuit angles.
Black lacks the athletic traits to become a workhorse in the NFL, but he offers value as a short-yardage running back and pass protector. His power profile is solid, but his average size prevents him from running over defenders in one-on-one situations. Black is not an elusive runner and prefers to take on defenders rather than juke them.
The Chiefs could select Black with a late pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and might even luck into adding him as a priority undrafted free agent. Some other late round or undrafted options in this class could include Clemson’s Adam Randall, South Carolina’s Rahsul Faison, Toledo’s Chip Trayanum and UTSA’s Robert Henry Jr.
The Los Angeles Rams lost a great veteran player this winter after offensive tackle Rob Havenstein announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons. The decision caps off an illustrious career for Havenstein that included 148 starts with the Rams and a Super Bowl victory.
The team unveiled a heartwarming tribute video for Havenstein, featuring some of the veteran's top moments and quotes alongside commentary from head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford.
"The epitome of a pro's pro. A man's man," McVay said. He represents everything that's right about the Rams"
"Rob is such an unbelievable person, a leader up front," Stafford said. "He really makes that group go."
Check it out:
"The epitome of a pro's pro... He represents everything that's right about the Rams" pic.twitter.com/EaKA4P0K7T
Losing Havenstein is tough, but the Rams seemingly have his replacement already on the roster in Warren McClendon, who started 10 games for L.A. this season when Havenstein was on injured reserve. McClendon ended up being one of the better offensive linemen on the Rams this year and should go into the 2026 offseason as the leader to officially take on Havenstein's starting role on the right side.
Havenstein was also one of the last players from the team when they were in St. Louis. He even predated McVay becoming head coach. And now, his legacy lives on with a Rams offensive line that looked dominant at times this year even without Havenstein in the lineup.
England will play New Zealand and Costa Rica in their final two friendlies before the 2026 World Cup.
The Three Lions will play both games during a pre-tournament warm-up camp in south Florida. Thomas Tuchel’s side will face New Zealand on Saturday 6 June and then Costa Rica on Wednesday 10 June, a week before their opening match against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday 17 June.
England have not played New Zealand since 1991, with the All Whites qualifying for the expanded 48-team World Cup this year. Costa Rica did not qualify for the tournament, but will act as important preparation for Tuchel’s side, who also play Panama and Ghana in Group L.
England’s final friendlies on home soil will be played next month when they host Uruguay and Japan at Wembley, on Friday 27 March and Tuesday 31 March respectively, with Tuchel set to name his squad before in advance of the June warm-up matches.
The Three Lions will be based in Kansas City, Missouri throughout the World Cup and will travel there following the pre-tournament camp in south Florida. They will head to Dallas, Boston and New York for their three group games.
NORTH PORT, FL - MARCH 16: John Gil #97 of the Atlanta Braves runs to first base during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park on Sunday, March 16, 2025 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
For best tools when it comes to pitchers, click here.
Best Hitter – John Gil
It was quite the first full season for John Gil, as he was the catalyst at the top of a young and exciting Augusta GreenJackets lineup and showed advanced ability at the plate at just 19 years old. Early in the season he showed struggles despite high contact rates, hitting the ball into the ground far too often and struggling to produce any sort of pop, but throughout the season swing and approach adjustments paid major dividends. He began hitting the ball harder with more line drives but without sacrificing walks or ever going through a stretch where he had swing-and-miss issues. These adjustments combined with his advanced feel for the strike zone and recognition of spin made him a contact beast and allowed him to post a 132 wRC+ and more walks than strikeouts over his final 300 plate appearances. Gil has all of the tools to be a plus major league hitter, though he is going to go through the same struggles many young hitters do. To make a recent comparison to a Braves prospect, Gil has similar issues with consistently lifting the ball to his pull side and keeping the ball off of the ground as Nacho Alvarez did coming through, and though his barrel feel is behind Alvarez at the same level Gil was younger and has a bit more upside at the plate. Gil has a looser, more explosive swing and gets to better top end exit velocities, meaning there are much fewer mechanical adjustments needed for him to tap into pull side power. He also has better bat speed and isn’t going to be beat by velocity, giving him a relatively high contact floor for a player his age. His barrel rates need to improve for him to get to a starter outcome, but he is in a phenomenal place at the moment and has shown the ability to adjust and improve rapidly.
Best Power – Diego Tornes
Tornes is a name that is going to catch a lot of attention around the league for his raw tool set, and his power potential is the attribute that should most excite Braves fans. While there are other players in the system who are in the debate with Tornes for raw power (such as Juan Espinal), Tornes is the one who has been able to consistently put the bat on the ball and produce the coveted high exit velocities of a premium power hitter. That’s not to say there is no question about his hit tool, as he certainly has as much need for growth as any teenager, but of the players in the Braves system who can boast plus or better raw power he is the only one who currently projects to have the hit tool necessary to tap into it. Tornes has explosive hands, especially from the left side of the plate, and has the power to fit into the middle of a major league lineup with the ceiling of a player who can reach 25+ home runs consistently. Tornes still needs to prove himself against quality competition, but it says a lot even in a system weak on hitters that a player who is 17 years old and hasn’t even matriculated to the United States yet gets our highest regard for his power. There is significant hype within the Braves organization surrounding Tornes’s future, and his power puts him in elite company and makes him a top five player in the system.
Best Speed – John Gil
John Gil has elite footspeed to go along with his contact ability, turning in 80 grade times down the first base line and showing the ability to consistently beat out grounders on the infield. Anything hit slowly to the left side typically gave the defenders no chance on Gil, and he has recently done better about making use of that speed on the defensive end. Gil has the range to be an elite shortstop, but at times his footwork and instincts held him back from making every play on that side of the ball. 2025 saw him steadily improve and get better with his first step and positioning, and he has matured from a guy with some questions about whether he would stick to one who seems like a solid fit for the shortstop position long term. If he is pushed off of the dirt due to the competition in the system his speed could make him a plus center fielder, as his top end speed would allow him to track down balls in the gap with the best of them. It’s his best defensive attribute, but he does need to do a bit better job on the bases. Gil did put pressure on defenses with 54 stolen bases last season, and he did so with above average efficiency but not the elite efficiency or volume that his raw foot speed would suggest. His speed makes him an above average baserunner, but if he can improve his jumps or timing he could reach the next level and add even more value to his game.
Best Arm – Conor Essenburg
There aren’t many players in Atlanta’s system with standout arms at the moment, and Essenburg is a pretty clear top guy here given his pitching background and how much value his arm could add to his profile. Essenburg doesn’t have the athleticism to stick up the middle, but his plus arm strength makes him a fit in right field which will slightly ease the burden on his bat compared to if he had to play left or first base. He is a plus thrower who should produce significant excess value with his arm out in right field.
Best Infield Defense – Ambioris Tavarez
For a stretch in 2024 Ambioris Tavarez seemed to be making strides to turn his career around, but after a broken hand he struggled down the stretch and then had a disappointing season in 2025. With that, the emergence of Gil, and the two shortstops Atlanta added in the draft he seems unlikely to ever carve out any sort of significant role in the Braves system, but his claim to the best glove in the system still goes unchallenged. Tavarez has just average speed, but every one of his other traits is above average or better and it leads to a profile of a player whose defensive acumen should give him some sort of professional role as long as he wants it, even if that’s just as minor league depth. He has an elite first step and is always in the right position to make plays, and he has smooth glove work and great hands allowing him to avoid errors. He had a tough time with his footwork and throwing in 2023, but after significant work (and getting further away from his TOS surgery) he always has a solid base and can make throws from multiple angles with ease.
Best Outfield Defense – Isaiah Drake
2025 was a massive year for Isaiah Drake, as he re-established himself as a legitimate prospect in the Braves system and at times was the best of a solid outfield in Augusta. Defensively the Braves have a number of talented outfielders in the system – notably Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., Luis Guanipa, Patrick Clohisy, and Owen Carey – but Drake’s combination of top end speed and first step quickness gives him a unique ceiling among that group. He isn’t quite as efficient with his route-taking as Kilpatrick Jr. is, but with double-plus speed, the ability to get up to top speed quickly, and solid routes he can make just about any play look easy. Drake has improved his reads and angles year-over-year since joining the system, and it’s important to remember he is still in the early stages of playing baseball full time. He has the potential to be a 65 defender in center fielder and could make a huge impact with his glove, and so far he hasn’t had to sacrifice any speed as he has added strength to his frame to help him on the offensive end.
Highest Ceiling – Diego Tornes
The Braves have had a run of their high value, high ceiling position players failing to live up to expectations, but as mentioned above Diego Tornes seems to be the real deal. His defensive potential is lower than players like Tate Southisene, Isaiah Drake, or Luis Guanipa given the near certainty he is going to end up in a corner, with a real chance that corner is left field. Thus it should make it clear how bullish we are on his offensive projections given that we still see him as a step above that group. Tornes has the chance to be a true impact bat in the middle of a lineup, something the Braves have struggled to produce in the Alex Anthopoulos era. Tornes has commonly gotten Anthony Santander comps – high praise for a player that young – and with elite bat speed there is still a ceiling to reach for his hit tool. Tornes has all star talent and the early returns back up a measure of confidence.
Pascal Simba, 25, is leaving Gefle IF to join FK Jerv in Norway. The Congolese striker has signed a contract with the Norwegian club until the end of the 2027 season, Jerv confirmed on its official website.
Signed this summer by Gefle IF from Ariana FC, Simba quickly made his mark in Ettan Norra, netting seven goals and providing two assists in just eleven matches. "I had a very good conversation with Arne. It just felt natural to come here," Simba explained:
He laid out the club's ambitions, how they see me, and how they plan to use me. I found that very motivating.
FK Jerv, currently playing in Norway's third division, hopes Simba's experience and attacking flair will help the team climb up the league standings.
CORAL GABLES — Miami coach Jai Lucas had just secured the biggest win in his UM tenure and walked over to shake UNC coach Hubert Davis’ hand.
Behind him, the Hurricanes fans who filled the Watsco Center stormed onto the court to celebrate Miami’s 75-66 win over No. 11 North Carolina. It was the first ranked win for the Hurricanes since Lucas took over the program, as well as the first ranked win for UM since they beat Clemson on Jan. 3, 2024. The victory shows a sharp change of fortune following UM’s seven-win season last year.
“I think (the team is) resilient and I feel like they’ve shown that all season,” Lucas said. “All the close games that we’ve been in — the Pitt game, we were down and had to come back. Wake Forest. I think about all these games on the road where we’re battling, competing, and to finally get one over a ranked opponent — I think it’s our fourth one we’ve played — to finally get one over a ranked opponent feels good.”
Lucas and his players credited the fans for helping create a tough environment for the visiting Tar Heels. UM announced student tickets sold out on Monday, and the announced attendance was 7,355 — Miami’s highest-attended home game this season.
“I thought the student section was electric,” Lucas said. “This is what I envisioned this building being and what we have to make it moving forward.”
“The fans are everything,” Miami center Ernest Udeh Jr. said. “You hear them screaming, whether it (is) the first bucket, the last bucket, we get a stop, a turnover, making a free throw — all of it plays into our success on the court. So we’re always grateful for that.”
In addition to building enthusiasm for this year’s team, the win also builds Miami’s NCAA Tournament resume. It is another Quad 1 victory for the Hurricanes, who are 3-3 against Quad 1 opponents. UM is now 36th in the NET rankings, which ranks eighth in the ACC. Miami has four upcoming games against conference opponents currently ranked ahead of them in the NET rankings.
The victory earned the Hurricanes national attention from college basketball analysts. ESPN’s Dick Vitale called Miami the “team of the night” and said Lucas is a “rising star.” CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein said he believed the Hurricanes are a tournament team.
Lucas said he hopes Tuesday’s win over UNC can help vault the Hurricanes into another gear in the final month of the regular season.
“Hopefully the guys feel like they got over a hump a little bit, a quality win or whatever — a resume-(builder),” Lucas said. “But like I was saying, we have six more Quad 1 games on the schedule. So it’s not like the schedule gets any easier.”
Lucas also made sure to note that while the victory over the Tar Heels was a big step for the team, they still have tough opponents to play. Miami has two games against ranked opponents — a road game against No. 15 Virginia on Feb. 21 and a home game in the season finale against No. 24 Louisville — but there are also tough games against N.C. State, SMU and Virginia Tech coming up.
“It’s not over,” Lucas said. “This ain’t the championship or anything, but this, hopefully, will get us down this stretch because we got a tough stretch coming up.”
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 18: Case Keenum #11 embraces quarterback Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears prior to the NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Heading into year two of the Ben Johnson era, the Chicago Bears’ offense is coming off top ten production in points scored and yards, and every returning starter is under contract. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any changes, but continuity will be a key for the offense to take another step.
Chicago’s defense, however, needs some work.
In my 13-part roster turnover series, I’ll look at each position group with an eye toward the 2026 season, and I’ll kick things off with the quarterbacks. In this series, I’ll spotlight each player’s current contract length, their place on the roster next season, and some possible free-agent or draft additions the Bears could make at the position group.
Here’s how Chicago’s QB room currently shapes up.
Caleb Williams – Signed through 2027* – The Bears have a franchise quarterback who is pushing for top ten status at the position in the NFL — is a sentence I’ve ever typed in my life.
Williams, who turned 24 three months ago, just had one of the most exciting and prolific years any quarterback has ever had in Chicago, and there’s so much room to grow in the offense.
He had a solid rookie season but had a few glaring holes in his game, most notably his deep-ball accuracy and his tendency to take sacks. In year two, those two areas of his game improved drastically. Heading into year three, and the second in Ben Johnson’s offense, Caleb has highlighted his accuracy and footwork as two areas he wants to work on this offseason.
“Being able to be in the offense for a year, being able to be comfortable in the offense now, being able to go back and look at things I could have done better,” Williams said last month via ESPN. “Was I too far forward? Was I too far back? Was I not consistent enough with my footwork? Did I lean off and fall off the mound is what we call it. It’s just super small things to be able to be more consistent for the guys, for the team. Be able to keep the offense on the field as long as possible and be as efficient as possible.”
*The fifth-year option is available for the 2028 season.
Tyson Bagent – Signed through 2027 – The Bears signed Bagent to a two-year contract extension back in August, worth $10 million and up to a possible $16 million with incentives. Chicago could have allowed him to play out his deal and tendered him an offer as a restricted free agent this offseason, but they valued their homegrown UDFA and wanted to ensure a quality backup plan past his RFA deal.
Case Keenum – Free agent – Ben Johnson understood the importance of a veteran quarterback in the room, and Keenum fit right in. Keenum, who turns 38 in a few days, may not want to keep playing, but if he wants to stay in the game, a transition to coaching makes sense. He’s played for nine franchises, so his rolodex of contacts is pretty big, and if he and his family enjoyed their year in the Windy City, sticking around Johnson would do wonders for a potential coaching career.
2026 OUTLOOK – The Bears have their guy at quarterback and a QB2 they are very comfortable with, but if Ben wants a similar room, he’ll get a savvy veteran.
If Keenum wants to keep playing, and he can physically still go, bringing him back on another one-year deal makes sense, but if not, they’ll need to find a veteran content with being the QB3, because money dictates they intend to have Bagent as the number two.
Josh Johnson (40 years old) or Brandon Allen (34) could fit as the veteran number three, and depending on his market, 37-year-old Tyrod Taylor could be looking for a gig to close out his career.
Considering they had four last offseason, the Bears could add a fourth quarterback for camp as a UDFA or a younger street free agent. Last offseason’s number four, Austin Reed, recently signed with the Dallas Renegades of the UFL.
What do you think will happen at QB this offseason?
Feb 17, 2018; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Franklyn Kilome's (66) glove and shoes sit on the field as players warm up during the workout at Carpenter Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Oh man, first I had to brush up on my low level catchers. Now, I have to research a guy that, prior to this prospecting season, I hadn’t really heard much of.
It isn’t hard to see the highlights and frame and dream he is a future impact player with plus tools everywhere, but he has an enormous distance to go and there are a lot of pitfalls he hasn’t faced yet.
Listen, it’s always fun to dream on a prospect when he really, really young and Espinosa will likely make us do that. Choosing a young player and following his progress as he moves up the chain is a time honored tradition of many fans, so get used to hearing Espinosa’s name a lot as time moves on.
This is an aggressive evaluation of Espinosa meant to illustrate his ceiling. He presents a rare combination of present contact feel and long-term power projection for an up-the-middle prospect. Espinosa’s build comps to Elly De La Cruz at the same age: endless limbs on a broad-shouldered 6-foot-4 frame, with the room to add big strength while remaining sufficiently lithe and agile for shortstop. The 2025 DSL season began a few days before Espinosa’s 17th birthday, and he managed to slash .282/.363/.430 there while posting a 77% contact rate (a shade better than the big league average). That’s a very positive contact-hitting origin point for a shortstop prospect built like this, as long-levered hitters like Espinosa are often still uncoordinated at this age… [l]et’s see how his chase rate trends in year two. He’s one of the more exciting and tumultuous prospects in all of rookie ball.
With each new post, we’ll reveal who won the voting for that particular slot, then post new players for you to vote on, adding another one to the list each time until we get to our final tally of 20. Once we get to 20 top prospects, we’ll do an honorable mention post at the end. If a player gets traded to another team, we’ll just chuck him right on outta here and all the players will move up a spot. If a prospect gets acquired, we’ll ask where he should go on the list.
Probably the most important thing about this whole process – please vote. Give us a few minutes of your time, just click a button and then we can discuss other players and things in the comment section, but don’t forget – VOTE!
Earlier, we completed the first half of our proposed Dallas Cowboys offseason roadmap with some restructures, releases and inside free agent signings. You can review all of that here.
Now we are moving on to adding players, either through free agency or the draft. That will gives us our projected new lineups for both offense and defense.
Part II
Outside Free Agent Signings:
Here is where things get interesting. As aggressive as the Cowboys are at signing their own, they are just as passive signing outside free agents. We have seen and heard a few things recently that may suggest this could change this offseason, so we will be a little more aggressive targeting outside free agents than the Cowboys typically do.
DL John Franklin-Myers – two year, $16M contract
2026 Cap Hit: $6.5M
Franklin-Myers is a hybrid defensive lineman having the ability to play defensive end or defensive tackle in multiple fronts. With Christian Parker expected to play more odd-fronts in Dallas, Franklin-Myers makes a lot of sense. Franklin-Myers size gives him the versatility to play left defensive end in 3-4 or 4-3 fronts, while also having the ability to play the five-technique or three-technique in 3-4 or 4-3 fronts. His position flexibility, pass rush ability, and his recent resurgence as a run defender makes him a prime candidate to land in Dallas this offseason on a respectable deal. Spotrac.com has his market value listed at just under $8M and the deal offered comes in right at that figure for two years.
S Alohi Gilman – two year, $9.5M contract
2026 Cap Hit: $4.5M
With Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson now out based on earlier moves, enter Alohi Gilman. Gilman had an up-and-down career with the Chargers before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens last season. Gilman was tremendous in Baltimore since arriving and proved to be one of the more versatile safeties in the league to close out the season. Gilman would give Parker a guy that has experience and versatility to play deep (314 snaps in 2025), in the box (314 snaps in 2025), or cover out of the slot (106 snaps in 2025) when needed.
LB Quincy Williams – one year, $5.5M contract
2026 Cap Hit: $5,5M
Quincy Williams is also a pretty easy target for the Cowboys, after trading for his brother (Quinnen Williams) last season. Williams had a down year in 2025, like a lot of the New York Jets defenders, but has been graded out as one of the better linebackers in the NFL over the last three-to-four seasons.
S Reed Blankenship – three year, $21M contract
2026 Cap Hit: $8M
With Christian Parker as the Cowboys new defensive coordinator, you should expect him have a loud voice in bringing in some of his guys this offseason. With Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship highlighting the Philadelphia Eagles pending free agents, it’s a wise bet to assume the Cowboys may target one of the two this offseason. With a bigger need at free safety, Blankenship could slide into Malik Hooker’s role as the Cowboys free safety and have a good understanding of what Parker is looking to do on defense.
OT Yosh Nijman – Nijman signs a one year, $2M contract
2026 Cap Hit: $1.2M
There has been a lot of talk about Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton’s jobs so far this offseason. With both players proving their struggles the last two years, it should not surprise anyone if neither player has a starting job in 2026, but with so many holes on defense, it’s tough to imagine creating another massive need on the offensive line who did hold their own in 2025. Yosh Nijman is the ideal fit for the Cowboys. One, because he’ll be somewhat cheap and two, because he has experience playing both left and right tackle at a starting level in the NFL.
Cap Space Remaining After Free Agency:
$14.3M
2026 7-Round Mock Draft
Now to the fun stuff.
Round 1, 12th Overall
The Pick: LSU CB Mansoor Delane
After filling needs in free agency at safety and the defensive line, the Cowboys can now turn their focus to the cornerback position in the first round. Mansoor Delane is a top-graded cornerback heading into the NFL Scouting Combine and it’s tough to imagine that changing. Delane is a pure cover cornerback that lacks ideal size and arm length, but his ability to cover in man or zone and his football IQ is off the charts.
Delane is likely to come out from a physical tool comparison to Philadelphia Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell, making his fit in Christian Parker’s defense and familiarly with Cowboys’ secondary coach Ryan Smith dating back to Smith’s time with Virginia Tech ideal for Dallas with the 12th overall pick.
TRADE
DAL trades pick 1:20 & 6:215 to DEN for pick 1:30 & 2:61
Round 1, 30th Overall
The Pick: Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas
After trading their second-rounder in 2026 for Quinnen Williams and their third-rounder in 2026 for George Pickens, the Cowboys will be somewhat desperate to pickup a day two pick in the 2026 draft. Trading back 10 spots in round one is a bit of a jump, but picking up Denver’s second-round pick and throwing in our 2026 sixth-round picks to get the deal done is well worth it.
After retaining Jadeveon Clowney and signing John Franklin-Myers in free agency, the Cowboys need for a dominant edge rusher has decreased, but it’s still near the top of the list. Oklahoma’s R Mason Smith is a super fun prospect that still is not getting enough love.
Unlike previous defensive coordinators, Thomas fits the mold as a rush outside linebacker in a Christian Parker defense. Listed at 6’2” 250-lbs, Thomas is a twitched up and explosive pass rusher that has “quick wins” littered throughout his tape. Thomas’ ability to get after quarterbacks is much needed in Dallas after the departure of Micah Parsons, and he can fill the role as designated pass rusher and rotational edge as he continues to fill out and hold up versus the run.
Round 2, 62nd Overall
The Pick: Missouri LB, Josiah Trotter
After adding Quincy Williams in free agency, the Cowboys should see their linebacker play improve in 2026 with Williams and a healthy DeMarvion Overshown. But due to Overshown’s inability to stay healthy and Williams down year in 2025, adding another linebacker to the mix that lacks depth would be wise.
Josiah Trotter has toughness, physicality, and IQ at the linebacker position. Trotter should be mentioned at the top of the list for each of those categories in this draft class.
Round 4, 112th Overall
The Pick: TCU S Bud Clark
After being active in free agency at the safety position, the Cowboys go back to the well in the fourth round to land TCU safety Bud Clark. But Clark is a bit different than Blankenship and Gilman. Clark, a senior from TCU, is known for his ability to play the nickel at a high level, and he proved that all week at the Senior Bowl.
Clark played 313 snaps out of the slot in 2025 and was one of the better coverage safeties in college football in 2025. Clark is tough, physical, and feisty in coverage. With the Cowboys having a need at slot cornerback with Delane and Bland on the outside, Clark would be an excellent addition on day three and has a legit chance to start from day one for the Cowboys.
Round 5, 150th Overall
The Pick: Texas A&M OT Dametrious Crownover
The addition of Yosh Nijman gives the Cowboys a veteran option to push for starting time or be a reliable swing tackle, but adding youth to the room is needed. Nathan Thomas was disappointing in his time on the field in 2025 and Ajani Cornelius was unable to get on the field in his rookie season.
Dametrious Crownover had an up-and-down 2025 season for Texas A&M, but showed some nice signs of improvement at the Senior Bowl. Crownover is a massive man at 6’7”, 330+ pounds, but he moves relatively well for such a big guy and has elite arm length. Crownover has 1,800 snaps played at the right tackle position over the last three years, and could be a potential replacement for Steele down the road if he continues to develop.
Round 5, 175th Overall
The Pick: Oregon CB Jadon Canady
Do you get the theme of this mock offseason yet? We are completely rebuilding the Cowboys secondary. After adding Alohi Gilman, Reed Blankenship, Mansoor Delane, and Bud Clark, the Cowboys add slot cornerback Jadon Canady in the fifth round.
Canady was one of the better cover cornerbacks in college football in 2025 and his ability to cover in the slot would give the Cowboys multiple options at the nickel cornerback spot in 2026.
Round 7, 221st Overall
The Pick: Michigan DL Rayshaun Benny
The defensive line room is pretty crowded, but late on day three the Cowboys address a position of weakness over the last decade plus. The Cowboys inability to stop the run has reared its ugly head for a long time. Michigan’s Rayshaun Benny is a run stuffer from Michigan that brings very little pass rush to the table at the NFL level. Benny could compete with Jay Toia and Perrion Winfrey for the final roster spot in the defensive tackle room, but this late on day three, taking a chance to improve a long-time weakness is a wise idea.
Round 7, 225th Overall
The Pick: Wisconsin EDGE Mason Reiger
Wisconsin’s Mason Reiger is a day three wildcard in this draft class. Reiger is eerily similar to the many Wisconsin edge rushers in the NFL. While lacking elite athletic traits, Reiger plays through the whistle, with great hand technique, and has a variety of ways to win off the edge. Reiger’s tall frame has some tightness, but with his fast hands and clean footwork he showed the ability to generate consistent pressure at Wisconsin.
Projected Offense heading into training camp:
QB: Dak Prescott
RB: Javonte Williams
WR: CeeDee Lamb
WR: George Pickens
WR: Ryan Flournoy
TE: Jake Ferguson
LT: Tyler Guyton (Yosh Nijman competition)
LG: Tyler Smith
OC: Cooper Beebe
RG: Tyler Booker
RT: Terence Steele (Nathan Thomas competition)
Projected Defense heading into training camp:
LDE: John Franklin-Myers (Jadeveon Clowney rotation)
DL: Quinnen Williams (Kenny Clark rotation)
DL: Osa Odighizuwa (John Franklin-Myers rotation)
RDE: Donovan Ezeiruaku (Mason Thomas rotation)
LB: Quincy Williams (Josiah Trotter rotation)
LB: DeMarvion Overshown
CB: Mansoor Delane
CB: DaRon Bland
NCB: Bud Clark
S: Reed Blankenship
S: Alohi Gilman
There you have it, a complete makeover for the Cowboys on defense with some added competition on offense. Would this starting lineup please you? Where would you make improvements on the plan?
They just won their first Olympic gold medal on the US Olympic Skating team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and Evan Bates and Madison Chock are so close to winning a second one for Ice Dance: Free Dance as a duo.
Bates and Chock became skating partners in 2011 after Chock’s longtime partner, Greg Zuerlein, retired, and Bates parted ways with Emily Samuelson. It wasn’t until five years later that they developed romantic feelings for each other (even though they did go on a couple of dates together when they were teenagers). Now, they’ve taken all that they’ve learned about each other and put those experiences in their passionate ice dance routines.
Gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of Team United States on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Tang Xinyu/VCG via Getty Images
Evan Bates and Madison Chock are still happily married and are relishing all their accomplishments at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
The two tied the knot in Chock’s home island of Kauai in Hawaii in 2024, and the ceremony was officiated by their skating mentor and performance coach Steffany Hanlen. “Getting married means I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend,” Chock told People about the wedding. “We will face the future and share all of life’s moments together, supporting and celebrating each other.”
“I think we’ve changed so much as people over the years that our experience will undoubtedly be different this time,” Chock told the Associated Press. “Just what we’ve learned, how we’ll handle ourselves under pressure, how we’ll enjoy the moment — there’s a lot to look forward to but a lot of experience to guide us as well.”
The couple has immensely prepared for their upcoming competition. “Our perspective has shifted over the four Olympic cycles we’ve been through,” Bates said at the recent U.S. Olympic Committee media summit in New York City in Nov. 2025. “There’s more of an appreciation for the difficult times than what we’ve had in the past. We recognize the value of each and every moment, the good ones and the bad ones alike.”
In an interview with Us Weekly before the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, Bates recounted the evolution of their relationship. “We skated together for five years and it was just a friendship, but the friendship was good,” Bates said. “From day one, we always had a connection. We were laughing, we enjoyed our time together. It made skating so fun. Over the five years, we had success, but also didn’t have success. We had a lot of trying times. In those trying times, I really realized how much I relied on Maddie and really felt connected to her in a way that went beyond just as a skating partner.”
He continued, “I remember thinking, ‘I can’t really imagine one day walking out of the rink and going our separate ways, being friends and just not seeing each other anymore.’ I made the realization, I shared the realization and, luckily, the realization was reciprocated. That changed everything in our relationship and our partnership.”
“Skating was always the main focus, but as we’ve gotten older, I think the relationship has become the main focus,” Bates said in an interview with People in January. “Skating obviously is still the main focus, but skating is kind of like our means of strengthening ourselves and our relationship and going through all the experiences of life together, and so the appreciation for the partnership has grown.”
In an interview with Today, Bates, 36, and Chock, 32, talked about their future after their figure skating careers. “We don’t know what the future holds for us, but we know that we’ll be riding through it and supporting each other,” Bates said. As for options, Chock is an experienced designer and has designed costumes for the Spain and Georgia national teams, while Bates loves to golf.
Tunisia: Sabri Lamouchi speaks about his attachment to the national team
Tunisia: Sabri Lamouchi speaks about his attachment to the national team
Appointed as the new head coach of Tunisia a few weeks ago, Sabri Lamouchi opened up about his passion for the Carthage Eagles.
Following AFCON 2025, Tunisia chose Sabri Lamouchi as their new manager—a decision met with criticism from Tunisian supporters who questioned the former Rennes coach's connection to the country. Lamouchi had previously opted to represent the French national team, earning 12 caps.
At a press conference, Sabri Lamouchi made a point to clear the air regarding his commitment to the national side. "In 1993, I was playing in Division 2 in France. The federation didn’t come for me, that’s not true. My cousin pushed for it. I was called up, I went, and you all know I didn’t play. If I hadn’t wanted to go, I wouldn’t have gone. I went and the welcome was what it was. And if you ask me if I had a conversation with the coach, I don’t remember one. Why did I warm up for 30 minutes without coming on? My opinion on dual nationals probably won’t please you. I was made to understand that the Tunisian player was better than the one playing in Tunisia. And they were right. Later, when I arrived at Auxerre, nobody came back to me. Then France called me up, along with many dual nationals. Our France. And that’s when people started talking. I can accept anything, but don’t come and question the love I have for Tunisia and the man I am." he declared.
OFFICIAL: Magesi sack John Maduka, announce successor
Magesi announce Maduka departure and confirm new coach
Photo: Phillip Maeta/ Gallo Images
Betway Premiership side Magesi FC have announced the departure of head coach John Maduka following a string of poor results.
The Malawian tactician was placed on recess as he watched from the stands when the Limpopo-based outfit lost to Orlando Pirates in the league a fortnight ago.
Maduka was also absent on the bench when Magesi were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup in the Round of 32 by Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit Upington City at the weekend.
The former Royal AM mentor leaves the club at the bottom of the log standings, with 11 points picked up from 15 league outings.
Meanwhile, Magesi moved swiftly to appoint veteran tactician Allan Freese as Maduka's successor in the hot seat.
The 69-year-old mentor was last in charge of a PSL team in 2022, where he was at the helm of All Stars in the South African second-tier.
However, Freese recently had a spell with Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club, serving as the Technical Director to Rulani Mokwena.
It remains to be seen whether his vast amount of experience can steer Magesi away from the relegation zone, as the club achieved the feat under Owen Da Gama last season.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 4: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward sparked speculation on his football future this week with a post on X. The All-Pro defensive lineman posted a GIF of someone closing a book, making it seem as if he was closing the book on his career – at least that’s what many assumed.
Considering he is 36, and that his long-time head coach, Mike Tomlin, stepped down, no one would be truly surprised if Heyward decided to hang up his cleats. However, that isn’t the case.
Speaking on Not Just Football, Heyward says that he was signalling the NFL season coming to an end.
“We’re gonna close the book on the season,” Heyward said. “I closed the book on the season, as well.”
Heyward will be entering his 16th season in the NFL, should he return in 2026. He was named an All-Pro for the sixth time in 2025.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
Jan 24, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Nate Kingz (4) shoots during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
What new drama awaits us tonight as the Syracuse Orange (13-11, 4-7) host the California Golden Bears (17-7, 5-6). Tip-off is at 7:00 on ESPNU with Jay Alter and Randolph Childress on the call. This is the third time the programs have met in New York, but the first time in Syracuse.
Here’s what we’re predicting:
Kevin: California 79, Syracuse 78
Tyler Betsey gets hot in the first half and Adrian Autry starts him in the second. Betsey’s shooting opens up the lane for the Orange guards and William Kyle benefits with some lobs and offensive rebounds. Cal runs a play in the final minute to get Chris Bell a look and because we can’t have nice things it hits the back rim, front rim and drops in to give Cal the win. Fans flood the comments to bemoan Autry letting Bell leave.
Dom:Syracuse 77, California 70
The Golden Bears are very much a hot and cold team. In just the last few weeks, they upset UNC, then lost to Florida State two games later, then narrowly beat Miami before barely squeaking by Georgia Tech. The hope, and my prediction, is ‘Cuse gets Cal on the right day for the Orange. Cal’s lack of frontcourt defense allows Donnie Freeman to bounce back while William Kyle has a strong performance, while the Orange’s guards play 85% as well as it did against UVA to match what the Golden Bears have on the perimeter.
Szuba: Syracuse 78, Cal 77
Cal has been competitive on the road this season. The Golden Bears shoot it well from three and the defense is fair to good. But, Cal is a perimeter-oriented team that wants to shoot outside the paint and doesn’t rebound well. I’ll take the Orange to get back on track (against a limited frontcourt) as Freeman and Kyle do the same.
Max:Syracuse 72, California 66
A common trend across the major sports holds true for Cal as well: it struggles when traveling to the East Coast (1-3). On top of that, this is a very favorable matchup for the Orange, whose defense and rebounding advantage should keep the Golden Bears off the scoreboard more often than not. Unless Chris Bell goes nuclear from three, which is definitely a possibility given the way this season is going, I like SU to snap its two-game skid in front of the Dome crowd.
Hansi Flick head coach of Barcelona gives instructions to Jules Kounde centre-back of Barcelona and France during the Spanish Super Cup final match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Jules Kounde’s season has been a cause for concern at Barcelona, but his coach still has complete belief in the full-back’s ability to play at his best ahead of the biggest games of the season for the club.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Hansi Flick was asked about Kounde’s poor form in what has been a subpar season for the Frenchman, especially compared to his otherworldly performances last season. Hansi admitted that Jules hasn’t had his best days lately but praised the Frenchman’s mentality and fighting spirit, and believes Kounde will show his best version against Atlético Madrid in their Copa del Rey semi-final tie on Thursday.
“Jules is a fighter. He’s always focused. We’re all human, and sometimes you don’t have your best day, but he’s always fighting. Even when things don’t start well. I appreciate what he’s doing. He has a top-notch mentality. He’ll show that tomorrow. It will be a tough match for everyone. I like what I see from Atlético, with a clear philosophy.”
Kounde played an incredible amount of minutes at the highest level for Barça last season, so it was perhaps unreasonable to expect him to carry that form over to a new season, especially when the demands for full-backs in Hansi Flick’s system are so high. But if Flick believes he can regain his best form, then I’ll believe too. Hansi Flick knows stuff.
Saints achieve three-goal deficit win for only the THIRD time in the Championship
With an hour gone at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night, Southampton were three goals down however after incredible fightback, the Saints roared back before Shea Charles sealed a 4-3 in stoppage time.
Of course, Southampton's fightback was equally Leicester City's collapse. The Foxes defence is the second worst in the Championship this season having shipped 51 goals in just 32 matches with only Sheffield Wednesday having conceded more (62).
Incredibly, overturning a three-goal deficit to go on to win a game has only happened twice in the Championship since its rebrand early in the 2000s.
Paul Butler scored what may have felt like a consolation at the time with Robbie Blake, David Healy from the spot, and an 86th-minute goal from Liam Miller completing a remarkable turnaround with his only goal for the club in his loan spell.
Like Southampton, Leeds were also on both sides of a three-goal collapse as we flash forward to September 2010.
Admittedly, the Whites' three-goal cushion didn't last quite as long against Preston North End that day. No sooner had Davide Somma made it 4-1 with his second of the game in a frantic first half had Preston pulled it back to 4-2 through Jon Parkin's second.
The Lancashire team scored four unanswered goals in the second half to make the score 4-6 in a ten goal thriller with Parkin completing his hat-trick. However, Leeds eventually finished seventh that year while Preston ended up in League One.
Kasey Kane of Iowa State in action against Butler on Sunday (Feb. 8). | Iowa State Athletics
CEDAR FALLS – The Iowa State softball team began their season last weekend at the Doc Halverson Invitational in Cedar Falls. The indoor games were spread out over three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the UNI-Dome.
Friday, the Cyclones opened with a loss to Omaha 13-5 in 6 innings. Saturday, the Cyclones beat Kansas City 16-2 in 5 innings for their first win of the year, but fell again to Omaha 5-4 later in the day. Sunday was the best day for the Cyclones, winning twice over Butler 16-4 in 5 innings and getting a 5-3 win over UNI.
Iowa State will play again this weekend at the Dream City Invitational in Arlington, Texas. Foes waiting for the Cyclones are Tulsa, Wisconsin, and the University of Texas-Arlington. Iowa State will play five games at the event.
Iowa State, who placed third in the Big 12 last year, returns all but two starters. Key players back are 2025 All-Big 12 Team members Tatum Johnson, Karlee Ford, and Jessie Clemons. Clemons was a 1st Team and All-Freshman selection, Johnson was a 2nd Team member, and Ford was on the All-Freshman team. The Cyclones appearance in the Doc Halverson Invite was their fourth ever, and first time since 2023. They will also play in another indoor tournament this month at the University of Minnesota. As a team, the Cyclones reached the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament last year and the third place finish in league play was their highest conference finish as members of the Big 12 Conference. Iowa State had 31 wins last year. The Cyclones 3-2 record to start the season is the first time they have had a winning record after the opening weekend since the 2022 season.
Game 1 – Omaha 13, Iowa State 5 – 6 Innings
The Cyclones fell to the University of Omaha 13-5 in six innings in their season opening game for the 2026 season. The Mavericks are ranked No. 3 in the D1 week 1 softball mid-major poll and three-time defending Summit League tournament champs.
Iowa State faced Maddia Groff, the reigning Summit League Pitcher of the Year. Groff struck out seven ISU batters in six innings to get the win. She gave up five runs, all earned and faced 23 batters. Iowa State’s Lauren Schurman took the loss after giving up seven runs, all earned, over two and a thirds innings. Schurman struck out two, walked six and faced ten batters. Ava Mullen and Jaiden Ralston also pitched.
Bradley transfer Bailey Sample smashed a two-run home run in the first inning to give Omaha a 2-0 lead. The Cyclones would tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the third inning. Sydney Malott blasted a solo home run to cut the Maverick lead to 2-1. Jessie Clemons hit a two-out double who would score on a bloop single by Tatum Johnson to tie the game.
Omaha answered the Cyclones’ runs in the third with five runs to take a 7-2 lead. The big hits were a two-run single by Sammy Schmidt and a RBI hit by Ava Rongish. Iowa State scored twice in the top of the fourth to cut the lead to 7-4. A sac fly by Isabelle Norsan, scoring Karlee Ford was followed by a solo homer by Kadence Shepherd to score the second run.
Omaha second baseman Katherine Johnson led off the fifth inning with a solo home run part of a three-run fifth to take a 10-4 lead. Reaggan Bartholomew hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth to cut the Omaha lead to 10-5. In the bottom of the sixth, a three-run home run by Sammy Schmidt walked off the win for the Mavericks.
Iowa State was out hit 10 to 6. Five of the six Cyclone hits were of the extra base variety. The Cyclones hit three solo home runs from Reaggan Bartholomew, Kadence Shepherd, and Sydney Malott. Karlee Ford had a triple and Jessie Clemons a double. The other hit was from Tatum Johnson. Five different Cyclones had a RBI in the game.
Doc Halverson Invitational
Friday, February 6-Sunday, February 8
At Cedar Falls
Friday, February 6
Game 1 – Omaha 13, Iowa State 5 – 6 Innings
1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Iowa State 0 0 2 2 0 1 5 6 1
Omaha 2 0 5 0 3 3 13 10 0
WP – M. Groff (1-0); LP – Lauren Schurman (0-1)
Batting – 2b – Jessie Clemons (1); 3b – Karlee Ford (1); HR – Reaggan Bartholomew (1), Kadence Shepherd (1), Sydney Malott (1). Sac – Isabelle Nasan (1). RBI’s – Tatum Johnson (1), Reaggan Bartholomew (1), Isabelle Norsan (1), Kadence Shepherd (1), Sydney Malott (1).
Game 2 – Iowa State 16, Kansas City 2 – 5 innings
The Cyclones won their first game of the season in grand fashion, routing Kansas City 16-2 in five innings. The Cyclone offense exploded for 16 runs on 13 hits. The top of Iowa State’s batting order of Jessie Clemons, Tatum Johnson, and Reaggan Bartholomew combined for eight of the 13 Cyclone hits. Clemons and Bartholomew each had three hits. All three had two RBI’s while Kadence Shepherd had a team high three RBI’s. Tiana Poole also had a multi-hit game. Bartholomew hit her second home run of the season in the game.
Liv Palumbo was the winning pitcher for the Cyclones after pitching all five innings in her first collegiate start. She gave up six hits, two runs, walked four, and struck out three.
Iowa State led 1-0 after the first inning and 2-0 going to the bottom of the second inning. A RBI single by Tatum Johnson scored Jessie Clemons who led off the game with an infield single. Iowa State’s second run on a Clemons sac fly scored Tiana Poole who led off the second with an infield single.
In the Roos second, Kansas City tied the game at 2-2 after two innings. Iowa State took the lead in the top of the third, 3-2. Over the fourth and fifth innings, Iowa State combined to score 13 of their runs with six in the fourth and seven in the top of the fifth. In the fourth, Iowa State scored six runs on two hits, however, the Cyclones took advantage of five walks and a wild pitch to take a 9-2 lead. In the fifth, the Cyclones scored seven runs on six hits Clemons, Bartholomew, and Malott all had RBI singles and Poole had an RBI double. McKenna Andrews had a RBI on a sac fly and Kadence Shepherd drove in two on a fielder’s choice.
Saturday, February 7
Game 2 – Iowa State 16, Kansas City 2 – 5 innings
1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Iowa State 1 1 1 6 7 16 13 0
Kansas City 0 2 0 0 0 2 6 1
WP – Liv Palumbo (1-0); LP – B. Seppi (0-1)
Batting: ISU – 2b – Tatum Johnson (1), Karlee Ford (1), Tiana Poole (1). 3b – Karlee Ford (1); HR – Reaggan Bartholomew (1). Sac Hit – McKenna Andrews (1). Sac. Fly – Jessie Clemons (1), McKenna Andrews (1). RBI’s – Kadence Shepherd (3), J. Clemons (2), Tatum Johnson (2), Reaggan Bartholomew (2), Sydney Malott (1), Isabelle Nosan (1), Kasey Kane (1), Tiana Poole (1), McKenna Andrews (1). BB – Karlee Ford (2), Kadence Sheperd (1), Reaggan Bartholomew (1), Isabelle Nosan (1), McKenna Andrews (1). Stolen Bases – Jessie Clemons (1), McKenna Andrews (1).
Game 3 – Omaha 5, Iowa State 4
The Cyclones played the Mavericks for the second time in two days. Though the result was the same, a loss, Iowa State played better, falling 5-4. The loss set the Cyclones record at 1-2. Omaha never trailed in the game and led 3-0 through two innings. The big hit was an Emma Durr two-run home run in the top of the second inning.
Iowa State would cut the Maverick lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Back-to-back singles from Reaggan Bartholomew and Karlee Ford led off the inning. Kasey Kane scorched a two-out double, her first college hit, scoring both Bartholomew and Ford.
The Mavericks would take a 5-2 lead with a two-run top of the fifth inning. Iowa State wasn’t done yet, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth to get within 5-4. A pair of one-out singles led to the eventual ISU runs. The Cyclones left the bases loaded in the inning.
Iowa State’s defense committed three errors in the game while the offense stranded nine runners in the game. Iowa State had runners in scoring positions in each of the final four innings, but could not score more than the four runs they had.
Ava Mullen was the starting Iowa State pitcher and allowed three runs in two and a third innings of work while taking the loss. Jaiden Ralson pitched the final four and a third innings in relief.
Alexis Wiggins relieved starting Omaha winning pitcher Grace Hornbuckle in the sixth inning to get the last five outs for the save.
Iowa State would out-hit Omaha 8 to 5. Kadence Shepherd, Kasey Kane, and Tiana Poole all had doubles in the game.
Saturday, February 7
Game 3 – Omaha 5, Iowa State 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Omaha 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 5 5 0
Iowa State 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 4 8 3
WP – Grace Hornbuckle (1-0); LP – Ava Mullen (0-1)
The Cyclones evened their overall record at 2-2 in their first four games with a 16-4 win over Butler in five innings. The 16 runs was the second time in four games that ISU scored that many runs.
Ava Paulsen got the start for Iowa State, her second. She worked into the second inning before giving way to Lauren Schurman who would pitch two and a third innings in relief to get the win.
Six Iowa State players had multi-hit games and the Cyclones had 17 hits in the game. Jessie Clemons and McKenna Andrews each had three hits. Reaggan Bartholomew, Kadence Shepherd, Sydney Malott, and Kasey Kane each had two hits. Tatum Johnson had four RBI’s, Shepherd had three RBI’s, and three other ISU players had two RBI’s.
Iowa State led 3-0 after the first inning, but Butler scored two in the top of the second inning to set the score at 3-2. Iowa State would take control of the game in the bottom of the second inning, putting up seven runs to take a 10-2 lead. Two more runs scored in the bottom of the third and four came home in the bottom of the fourth to give the Cyclones a 16-2 lead. Butler scored the final runs of the game in the top of the fifth inning.
Sunday, February 8
Game 4 – Iowa State 16, Butler 4 – 5 innings
1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Butler 0 2 0 0 2 4 6 1
Iowa State 3 7 2 4 X 16 17 0
WP – Lauren Schurman (1-1); LP – K. Petran (0-2)
Batting: ISU – 2b – Reaggan Bartholomew (2), Jessie Clemons (1), Kadence Shepherd (1); 3b – none; HR – Tatum Johnson (1); RBI’s – Tatum Johnson (4), Kadence Shepherd (3), Sydney Malott (2), Reaggan Bartholomew (2), Ava Wilmes (2), Karlee Ford (1). SB – McKenna Andrews (1), Sydney Malott (1), Kadence Shepherd (1). BB’s – Reaggan Bartholomew (2), Karlee Ford (1), Kadence Shepherd (1).
Game 5 – Iowa State 5, UNI 4
The Cyclones got their third win in their first five outings with a big 5-3 win over in-state foe UNI. The Cyclones had to fight back after a 3-1 deficit after the fourth inning to get the win. Liv Palumbo was the starting pitcher, but would give way to Ava Mullen, who would yield to Lauren Schurman who would get the win, her second on the year. Palumbo went three and a third innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits. Mullen finished the fourth and Schurman pitched the final three innings.
Offensively, Reaggan Bartholomew stayed white hot, collecting three hits for the second straight game. Karlee Ford, Tiana Poole, and McKenna Andrews each had two hits. Five of the 13 Iowa State hits were for extra bases.
Iowa State scored the first run of the game in the top of the first inning. A two-out double by Reaggan Bartholomew set the stage. Karlee Ford then drove her in on a RBI single and a 1-0 lead. After the Panthers scored three times to take the lead in the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead, Iowa State answered in the top of the fifth inning.
In the inning, Bartholomew led off with a single and went to third on a Ford double. Kadence Shepherd scored Bartholomew on a sac fly for a 3-2 score. Sydney Malott tied the game with an RBI single, scoring Ford. Kasey Kane doubled, sending Malott to third. Tiana Poole then singled in Malott and a wild pitch would score Kane to get the Cyclones a 5-3 lead.
Sunday, February 8
Game 5 – Iowa State 5, UNI 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Iowa State 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 5 13 1
UNI 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 7 0
WP – Lauren Schurman (2-1); LP – M. McDermott (0-1)
England will complete their World Cup preparations with matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida in June.
The Three Lions will be based in Kansas City, Missouri for the tournament, which will take place across Canada, Mexico and the United States between 11 June and 19 July.
Thomas Tuchel's side will hold their pre-tournament training camp in Florida and face New Zealand on Saturday, 6 June before taking on Costa Rica on Wednesday, 10 June at venues yet to be announced.
England's training base for the tournament will be the state-of-the-art Swope Soccer Village, after the Football Association (FA) identified Kansas City as its preferred location in January 2025.
Swope Soccer Village is a training facility of Major League Soccer (MLS) club Sporting Kansas City, located in Kansas City's Swope Park.
England will play their three World Cup group games in the United States, contesting matches against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June, Ghana in Boston on 23 June, and Panama in New Jersey on 27 June.
Tuchel's squad will travel to each location from their Kansas City base and return after each game.
England's final fixtures on home soil before they travel to the United States will take place at Wembley next month, with matches against Uruguay on Friday, 27 March and Japan on Tuesday, 31 March.
England have not met New Zealand since 1991, when the nations played two matches in Auckland and Wellington.
The Three Lions previously faced Costa Rica in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, when they played out a goalless draw, and won a warm-up match for the 2018 tournament 2-0.
England completed a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign in November, achieving eight wins from eight without conceding a goal.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Miguel Andujar and the San Diego Padres on Wednesday finalized their $4 million, one-year contract, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $2.2 million.
Andujar gets a $1.5 million salary, and the deal includes an $8 million mutual option for 2027 with a $2.5 million buyout.
His buyout can escalate based on plate appearances: $200,000 each for 200 and 250, $250,000 apiece for 300 and 350, $300,000 for 400, and $500,000 each for 500 and 600.
A nine-year major league veteran, Andujar has a .282 batting average with 53 homers and 223 RBIs for the New York Yankees (2017-22), Pittsburgh (2022-23), the Athletics (2024-25) and Reds.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Eric McAlister #1 of the TCU Horned Frogs carries the ball against the SMU Mustangs before scoring a touchdown against the SMU Mustangs during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NFL announced its 319 invitees to the 2026 Scouting Combine, which will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from Feb. 26 through March 1. Five TCU Horned Frogs have been invited to participate in the event, which serves as a primer for the 2026 NFL Draft later this spring. WR Eric McAlister, FS Bud Clark, LB Namdi Obiazor, LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr and TE DJ Rogers are the TCU athletes who’ve received combine invitations.
The Horned Frogs have sent players to the combine in each of the last six years. Jack Bech and Savion Williams represented TCU last year, while Josh Newton, Jared Wiley and Brandon Coleman were three of the six Horned Frogs invited in 2024. TCU had nine players at the combine in 2023: Max Duggan, Kendre Miller, Derius Davis, Quentin Johnston, Steve Avila, Alan Ali, Dee Winters, Dylan Horton and Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson.
McAlister and Elarms-Orr were both named All-Big 12 First Team selections in 2025. McAlister led the Horned Frogs in receiving, catching 72 passes for 1,190 yards and 10 touchdowns. Elarms-Orr was TCU’s leading tackler on defense, finishing with 130 total tackles (60 solo stops) while adding four sacks and two pass breakups.
Clark was named an All-Big 12 Second Team player in each of his last two years at TCU. The sixth-year safety concluded his collegiate career with 214 tackles, 35 pass breakups and 15 interceptions. Obiazor, who was also a six-year college player, was a one-time All-Big 12 Honorable Mention who ended his time in Fort Worth with 302 total tackles (166 solo stops), 17 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, nine pass breakups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Rogers had a career season at tight end in 2025, finishing with 34 receptions for 319 yards and two touchdowns. A former four-star prospect, Rogers ended his time at TCU with 53 catches for 539 yards and five touchdowns.
Tanking in the NBA is getting out of hand. Jaren Jackson Jr. made his debut with the Utah Jazz and had 22 points through three quarters. Then he sat down and watched a 15-point lead disappear. So did Lauri Markkanen. And so did Jusuf Nurkic. Utah lost. That was the point.
Every year, tanking happens. But the scale of it this season is staggering, and it's undermining the product. The Jazz are not alone in their mission to intentionally lose. The Grizzlies traded away Jackson and aren't rushing back Zach Edey or Ja Morant. The Pacers rested six veterans in a loss against the Jazz last week. The Bucks are keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo away from the court for as long as possible. Trae Young and Anthony Davis haven't played yet for the Wizards. The Bulls flipped half the team for a nonsensical roster with eight guards on it. The Nets and Kings aren't trying to win. Neither are the Mavericks. Even the team that just hit the jackpot is back in the tank.
That’s nine teams. We’re not even at the All-Star break. This is happening despite a 2019 lottery reform that flattened the odds so the three worst teams share a 14% chance at the top pick. That was supposed to fix things. It hasn't. No team is tanking to the extremes of the Process Sixers. But more teams are tanking into the top 10, because odds in the middle of the lottery now have a real chance of jumping into the top four like the Mavericks did one year ago, leaping from 11th to first to take Cooper Flagg. Since the 2019 reform, 11 of the 28 top-four picks have gone to teams with seventh-or-worse odds. Under the new rules, the NBA has matched decades of lottery chaos in just seven years.
(Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports Illustration)
That's one reason tanking has reached this scale. The other? An absolutely stacked 2026 draft class. There are at least three players worthy of the first pick: Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, and Duke big Cam Boozer. Even beyond them, the rest of the top 10 is stacked. Executives believe this draft has a chance to be historic.
“What’s happening is largely a byproduct of this draft class,” said one general manager of a playoff team. “But that doesn’t make it right. The league office needs to make an example out of someone. That's how you send a message.”
Adam Silver could punish a tanking team if he wanted with a massive fine or by stripping a pick. But tanking lives in gray areas. Is Utah resting stars in the fourth quarter more punishable than Washington keeping its new acquisitions in street clothes? The Jazz got fined $100,000 last year for resting Markkanen. In 2023, the Mavericks got hit for $750,000 for tanking out of the play-in and into the lottery. But teams treat those fines as a tax for better draft odds. The NBA's draft system directly rewards losing, and as long as that incentive exists, front offices will exploit it. Enforcement becomes whack-a-mole.
Plenty of half-measures have been floated over the years — wins-based odds, multi-year standings formulas, tournaments for lottery teams — but every one of them still ties record to draft position, which means every one of them can be gamed.
Is tanking inevitable? What if you could design a system that completely severs the link between losing and draft position? Here’s an idea: I call it the Lottery Wheel.
The basics of the Lottery Wheel
The premise is simple: remove a team’s record from the draft equation entirely. Use predetermined lottery odds assigned years in advance to every team. Those odds rotate annually. This system retains randomness through a lottery draw, and those odds would remain tradable, which would create an entirely new market for teams to rebuild without needing to lose on purpose.
The Lottery Wheel works by dividing the NBA's 30 teams into five tiers of six teams each. Every tier is assigned a percentage of the total lottery odds, and those odds are distributed equally among the six teams within that tier.
The Jazz are sitting their top players in fourth quarters in an attempt to tank games ... in February. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Rich Storry via Getty Images
All 30 teams would be eligible for the lottery, not just the 14 teams that miss the playoffs. Why? Because if only non-playoff teams are eligible, you recreate a tanking incentive at the margins. Under any 14-team lottery in which all playoff teams are excluded, a team on the bubble has a genuine reason to lose its way out of the playoffs to retain lottery position.
Before the system launches, the NBA would seed every team into its starting position on the wheel based on cumulative record, with the worst teams selecting first. Once every team has its spot, the wheel locks in and rotates automatically.
The tiers would rotate on a five-year cycle, meaning every team passes through every tier exactly once over five years. The rotation is staggered — Tier 1, then Tier 3, then Tier 5, then Tier 2, then Tier 4 — so that no team ever has back-to-back premium years. Everyone knows where they'll be. Records are irrelevant. Odds are determined solely by which tier the wheel assigned to you that year. There is literally zero incentive to lose.
The Lottery Wheel’s odds
The NBA’s current lottery implementation talks about odds in the context of 1,000 combinations assigned to teams. For simplicity, the Lottery Wheel could use 600 combinations to evenly distribute odds within each tier:
Tier 1: 40 combinations per team (240 total)
Tier 2: 25 combinations per team (150 total)
Tier 3: 18 combinations per team (108 total)
Tier 4: 11 combinations per team (66 total)
Tier 5: 6 combinations per team (36 total)
A Tier 1 team has roughly a 6.7% chance at the No. 1 pick. That's the best seat at the table, but it's less than half of the 14% the current system gives the worst team. Even Tier 5 teams carry a 1% chance, which is comparable to what the 13th-worst team gets under today's rules. No tier is a dead year.
Every team would receive 40, 25, 18, 11, and six combinations over the five-year cycle. That's exactly 100 per team. The system is perfectly equitable by design. No franchise is advantaged or disadvantaged over time. The only variable is which years your premium odds fall.
How the order is determined
The top six picks are determined by a weighted lottery draw. All 30 teams are in the pool, and their odds are based on their tier assignment, plus whatever odds were acquired via trade. Each pick is drawn individually.
Here’s how those odds look:
Tier
Combos
#1 Odds
Top 3 Odds
Top 6 Odds
Tier 1
40
6.7%
19.5%
37.5%
Tier 2
25
4.2%
12.6%
25.2%
Tier 3
18
3%
9.1%
18.8%
Tier 4
11
1.8%
5.7%
11.8%
Tier 5
6
1%
3.1%
6.6%
Picks seven through 30 are slotted by tier. After the lottery draws the top six, the remaining teams fill in by tier order: all remaining Tier 1 teams go first, then Tier 2, then Tier 3, and so on. Those picks could be determined by randomizing their placement with a mini-lottery, similar to a reform idea presented by Boston Celtics executive Mike Zarren, which helped inspire my first Wheel concept published over a decade ago.
The second round would follow the same tier-based structure for every pick in the round, with placement randomized within each tier.
You might be thinking: A 6.7% chance seems kinda low for Tier 1 teams. True. But because of how slotting works, a Tier 1 team's floor is the 7-12 range. That's a lottery pick in today's system.
Owners of bad teams will ask: “Why would I vote for a system that stops rewarding me for being terrible?” But the Lottery Wheel shifts the rebuilding engine from losing games to winning trades.
The trade market would change
Under the current system, teams trade future draft picks. With the Lottery Wheel, odds would also be tradable. And that changes everything. Draft capital would also have a known, quantifiable value attached to it. It turns draft capital into a liquid currency. That's a fundamentally different rebuilding engine for teams trading away or acquiring odds.
Here's an example: It's the 2036 trade deadline. Toronto is at the top of the standings and in its Tier 2 year for the draft. That means Toronto has 25 combinations, a 4.2% shot at the first pick and a 25.2% chance at a top-six pick. In today’s NBA, a contender’s first is usually a pick in the 20s and rarely the centerpiece of a rebuild trade. But under the Lottery Wheel, suddenly a contender's pick has value. And New Orleans, a non-contender in its Tier 5 year, has a player that Toronto desires. So the Pelicans acquire that pick from the Raptors to increase their odds, and the Raptors get a player to compete for a title.
That's an approach that doesn't exist in the current system, and it's the kind of transaction that would replace tanking as the primary engine of rebuilding.
The honest problems
I’m not going to pretend this system is flawless. It isn’t. Let me address the biggest concerns head-on.
1. Chronically bad teams lose their safety net
This is the most legitimate objection. Under the current system, if you’re terrible for seven straight years, you get seven straight years of great odds. There at least appears to be a path out for terrible teams. Whereas, with the Lottery Wheel, you get one Tier 1 year, and in my proposal those odds are only 6.7%.
“You’re asking bad teams to give up the one thing that makes being bad tolerable,” said an executive who heard my proposal.
Fair point. But the current system doesn't necessarily help chronically bad teams either. Only one team with under 20 wins (Minnesota in 2020) has actually secured the top overall pick since the rules were changed in 2019. The most common outcome for the teams with the best odds? The fifth pick. This has happened seven times for the 21 teams that have had 14% odds. In other words, the NBA has already effectively removed the safety net. And unlike today, a bad team doesn't have to stay bad to improve its position. It can acquire better odds through trades at any point in the cycle, or simply get lucky in any given year. Even Tier 5 teams have a shot at the top six.
2. A contender could win the first pick
Yup. It's possible. But that's already possible under the current system, with the Thunder holding the rights to an unprotected first courtesy of the Clippers. In 2017, we saw the Celtics land the first pick with a pick they acquired from the Nets.
The lottery is inherently unpredictable. And so is the draft. Great players can be found anywhere. The Lottery Wheel makes it more of a regular thing for good teams to get high picks, but the question is whether it's better for randomness to exist within a system that incentivizes winning or one that incentivizes losing. If the price of eliminating tanking is that sometimes a great team lucks into a great player, that's a price worth paying.
The modern day draft is no longer “compensation for being bad.” It's simply how new talent enters the league. But losing is still rewarded because of the probability of moving up. That needs to change. And if a contender landing in Tier 1 feels like too much of an advantage — between the lottery odds and the guaranteed slotting floor of picks seven through 12 — the league could simply expand the weighted draw beyond six picks to soften that edge.
3. The known draft class problem
Everyone in the basketball world has a rough sense of which draft classes are loaded three to four years out. It’s not an exact science, of course. But a team whose Tier 1 year falls in a weak class gets unlucky through no fault of its own.
This was one of the classic criticisms of the Zarren “wheel” idea: if teams know in advance when they’ll be positioned well, elite prospects can time their draft entry to land in preferred situations. With modern NIL and two-year college stays on the horizon, that dynamic becomes even more plausible.
4. Expansion breaks the math
The NBA is almost certainly expanding to 32 teams at some point in the 2030s. Thirty divides cleanly into five tiers of six, but 32 doesn’t. The league would need to adjust to either four tiers of eight, or vice versa, or have tiers with uneven group sizes.
5. Some teams are still going to stink
Even if draft incentive disappears, teams will still protect assets with load management and minutes limits, and still prioritize development over short-term wins, and still make financially motivated choices by ducking the tax and dumping salaries. So yes, the Lottery Wheel removes draft-driven tanking, but it does not magically create 30 teams playing like it’s Game 7 every night.
Every one of those problems is an edge case, an optics concern, or something patchable with rules tweaks. But the numbers and percentages are adjustable. The structure is the point. The core mechanic is simple: your record has nothing to do with your draft position.
Realistically, a system like this couldn’t take effect until the 2030s. Teams have already traded picks over the next seven years under the existing rules. This is around the time when expansion is expected. Restructuring the draft alongside expansion would give the league a natural window to start from scratch with enormous benefits.
The benefits of the Lottery Wheel
With all 30 teams in the pool, you'd see teams on the playoff bubble like the Bucks, Bulls, Grizzlies, and Mavericks all still competing for a spot this year if their odds weren’t tied to being in the lottery.
More games would have meaning, making the regular season matter more. You would not see teams throwing out idiotic lineups or coaches installing bad game plans meant to increase their chances of losing. Instead, the focus shifts to winning games and developing players.
The Lottery Wheel also changes the conversation around resting players. The league's player participation policy would still exist since stars should play in marquee games. But the league would no longer have to guess whether a team is resting a player or tanking. That suspicion disappears. This is important not just for optics but for the genuine integrity of the league. The NBA has fully embraced sports betting and is making money off fans betting on games. Games that some teams are intentionally losing. The league can’t partner with sportsbooks and profit off fan engagement while allowing teams to deliberately lose.
The on-court product improves, and so does the off-court spectacle. This is a bigger, better TV product than the current four-pick drawing involving only non-playoff teams. With the Lottery Wheel system, every fan base in the league is watching because their team has skin in the game. Drawing only the top six picks keeps the truly franchise-altering picks subject to chance, while letting the tier structure do its work from pick seven onward.
No system is perfect. The Lottery Wheel has edge cases and implementation questions that would need to be worked through. But the question facing the NBA isn't whether a new system would be flawless. It's whether it would be better than what we have.
Fans are paying the price. Buying tickets days in advance is a gamble when you don’t know if the stars you’re paying to see will actually play. The league knows this is an issue, which is one reason why they created the NBA Cup (to give the early part of the season more meaning) and the play-in tournament (to make the playoffs more attainable for more teams). The NBA is an entertainment product, and it’s not just competing with other sports leagues anymore. It’s competing with everything: Netflix, YouTube, every other piece of content fighting for attention. The games need to matter.
The league’s open-mindedness for experimentation to improve that product is admirable. But the flattened odds have failed at influencing teams to care more about putting the best team on the floor every night of the long season. Nine teams are tanking before the All-Star break. Others will join them in the weeks ahead. The problem isn’t going away. The league needs to stop tinkering and start reimagining.
"You won't see that this year," Jazz general manager Austin Ainge said in June when asked about Utah’s tanking approach. He lied. And until the NBA stops rewarding teams for losing, they all will.
MILAN (AP) — Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland looks like a breakout star of the Milan Cortina Olympics after winning his third gold medal. Chloe Kim and a bunch of NHL stars are just getting started.
Von Allmen won the super-G in Bormio on Wednesday to become the third man with three victories in Alpine skiing at one Winter Games. It hadn't been done since 1968.
That's not a priority for von Allmen, though. He said he's just staying in the moment. As for history, “maybe in a few years it will be important for me,” he added.
Later Wednesday, Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. seek gold in the ice dance competition, and medals will be awarded in luge and speedskating.
NHL stars back on Olympic ice
The puck dropped on men's hockey on Wednesday, marking the return of NHL players to the Games for the first time since 2014.
Defending champion Finland got the action underway against Slovakia at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in the first game of the preliminary round.
It's an Olympic return for Slovakia's Juraj Slafkovsky of the Montreal Canadiens, who won bronze as a 17-year-old in 2022, and promptly scored the first goal of the men's tournament.
The NHL opted not to participate in the Pyeongchang Olympics of 2018 and pandemic-related scheduling issues prompted the league to skip the Beijing Games in 2022.
Chloe Kim off to a flying start
The halfpipe three-peat attempt began promisingly for Chloe Kim on Wednesday as she finished first in qualifying while competing with a shoulder brace.
After a shoulder injury disrupted her buildup to the Games, Kim credited her muscle memory and a “very well-behaved” shoulder for getting her through to the 12-athlete final on Thursday.
Elsewhere in the mountains, Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf won gold and silver for the United States in women’s freestyle moguls skiing. Jens Luraas Oftebro of Norway overtook rivals and plowed through deep, slushy snow for gold in the Nordic combined normal hill event. And in the women's 15-kilometer individual biathlon, Julia Simon became the first Frenchwoman to win gold and teammate Lou Jeanmonnot took silver.
“Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, those who are injured, and the entire Tumbler Ridge community,” the statement said.
A standoff between Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych and the International Olympic Committee rumbled on as he again trained in a helmet decorated with portraits of Ukrainians killed in Russian attacks, many of them athletes. The IOC says it won't allow the helmet in competition.
As the case against Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. continues to unfold, the alleged victim has made it clear that she is willing to fully and complete cooperate.
Via Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com, lawyers representing WNBA player Rickea Jackson filed an official notice on Tuesday indicating that she is "willing to testify" against Pearce, if/when the domestic violence charges against him go to trial.
Jackson's attorneys also asked the court to devote "all possible resources and personnel" to the case to "conclude it as soon as practicable and bring justice to her and the people of the State of Florida."
Pearce faces five felony charges and one misdemeanor account arising from a Saturday incident during which he allegedly rammed Jackson's car multiple times before allegedly evading and resisting arrest.
Pearce, through his lawyers, has proclaimed his innocence as to all allegations. The NFL has said it will review the case under the Personal Conduct Policy.
Mar 2, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota offensive lineman Airentae Ersery (OL13) participates in the vertical leap during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is set to run from February 23, 2026 through March 2, 2026. As NFL fans, its a great opportunity for us to get a first look at potential 2026 NFL Draft prospects and begin identifying potential targets for the Denver Broncos.
The NFL announced its invite list on Wednesday, which I’ve parsed out into a table at the end of this post. From a position standpoint, it is heavy on the trenches and outside boundary positions. Here is a breakdown of each position group and the number of invited prospects:
Quarterbacks (15)
Running Backs (21)
Wide Receivers (46)
Tight Ends (27)
Offensive Linemen (57)
Defensive Linemen (62)
Linebackers (29)
Defensive Backs (53)
Specialists (7)
For me, I’ll be paying close attention to offensive and defensive linemen, linebackers, running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers. You can always add to the trenches, but they definitely need to figure out options at running back, tight end, and linebacker. We’ll see how they address the needs in free agency too, but that’s where my focus will be come NFL Combine time.
What players or position groups will you be focused on during the combine?
France’s Perrine Laffont took third with a score of 78.00.
Team USA now has 10 medals so far in the Winter Games, which puts them third overall — behind Norway’s 13 medals and Italy’s 11. Click here to find the latest medal count.
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday will have surgery on Thursday to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand and will miss opening day.
Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias announced Wednesday that Holliday sustained the injury while taking batting practice last week.
Holliday, 22, hit .242 with 17 home runs, 55 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 2025. He was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2022.
Elias also said Wednesday that third baseman Jordan Westburg is recovering from a right oblique injury that could delay his participation in spring training games.
Could Roberto de Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino or Harry Redknapp be options for Tottenham? [Getty Images]
Tottenham are searching for another manager after sacking Thomas Frank - and they want his immediate successor in place before the players return to training on Monday.
Frank had only been in charge since June, but, with the club 16th in the Premier League and just five points above the relegation zone, Spurs have ended his reign.
BBC Sport looks at the possible contenders - and you can have your say on who you think should replace Frank.
Mauricio Pochettino
[Getty Images]
Age: 53
Current status: United States manager
Major honours: Coupe de France (2020-21), Ligue 1 title (2021-22)
Tottenham fans still have a lot of affection for Pochettino, who managed them from 2014 to 2019.
The Argentine guided Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019, where they lost 2-0 to Liverpool, and also led them to second and third-placed finishes in the Premier League during his tenure.
Since his departure from Spurs in 2019, the London club have had Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte, Ange Postecoglou and Frank as permanent managers.
Pochettino has said he "would like one day to come back" to Tottenham, although a return appears unlikely unless Spurs are willing to wait.
He has had stints at Chelsea and Paris St-Germain, leading the French giants to the Ligue 1 title.
Pochettino is currently in charge of the United States and is set to lead them at the upcoming World Cup coming up, which the USA is co-hosting.
In addition, the US soccer federation would be owed what has been described by a well-placed source as "one of the biggest financial compensation fees in football history" if Pochettino left for another club before the World Cup.
Roberto de Zerbi
[Getty Images]
Age: 46
Current status: Unattached
Roberto de Zerbi parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent on Wednesday morning.
The Italian led the French club to second in Ligue 1 last season but, after recently being knocked out of the Champions League and a 5-0 top-flight defeat by Paris St-Germain, he is back on the market.
De Zerbi has Premier League experience, having spent nearly two years at Brighton.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk coach led the Seagulls to sixth at the end of the 2022-23 season - the club's highest top-flight finish - and secured European qualification for the first time in their history.
Iraola has won plenty of admirers for his work as Bournemouth manager.
He was appointed by the Cherries in summer 2023 and finished 12th in the Premier League in his first season in England, before the south-coast side ended last season in ninth, with a club record top-flight points tally of 56.
Despite Bournemouth selling the likes of Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi in the summer, they are currently ninth in the Premier League.
Iraola will be out of contract at the end of the season and, having been linked with Spurs before Frank's appointment, he could be another option.
The Spaniard was sacked from his first managerial job at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus before he took over at Spanish second-tier side Mirandes.
He then joined Rayo Vallecano prior to becoming Bournemouth boss, implementing an eye-catching high-pressing and high-energy style.
Oliver Glasner
[Getty Images]
Age: 51
Current status: Crystal Palace manager
Major honours: Europa League (2021-22), FA Cup (2024-25)
Glasner is another manager who will soon be out of contract, having already said he will not sign a new deal with Crystal Palace and leave the club in the summer.
The Austrian will leave as an Eagles legend, having led them to their first major trophy with victory over Manchester City in last season's FA Cup final.
The win secured Palace a place in the Conference League - their first experience of a major European competition.
Glasner, who lost key player Eberechi Eze to Arsenal in the summer, also guided Palace to a victory on penalties against Liverpool in the Community Shield before the start of this season.
He started his managerial career at Austrian side SV Reid before stints at LASK, Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Glasner won the Europa League with Frankfurt in 2022 when his side beat Rangers on penalties in the final.
Marco Silva
[Getty Images]
Age: 48
Current status: Fulham manager
Major honours: Portuguese Cup (2014-15), Greek league title (2015-16), EFL Championship title (2021-22)
The Portuguese led Fulham, where he took over in July 2021, back into the top flight in 2022 and has helped them maintain their status since.
Silva started his managerial career in charge of Estoril, guiding them into the Portuguese top flight and the Europa League.
In his single season at Sporting he won the Portuguese Cup, and in his year at Olympiakos, who he also managed in the Champions League, he took them to the Greek league title.
Silva then had stints at Hull City and Watford before being appointed by Everton in May 2018 and, despite being sacked after 18 months in charge, has gone some way to rebuilding his standing at Fulham.
Xavi
[Getty Images]
Age: 46
Current status: Unattached
Major honours: La Liga (2022-23)
The former Spain midfielder has been out of work since being sacked by Barcelona at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Having taken over at the Nou Camp in November 2021, he guided Barca to the La Liga title in 2022-23 in the season prior to his departure.
Who are the interim options?
[Getty Images]
Tottenham may choose to wait until the summer to appoint a permanent manager and - like Manchester United - opt for an interim boss until the end of the season.
Former Netherlands defender John Heitinga joined Spurs as an assistant coach on 15 January and was previously part of Arne Slot's Premier League title-winning coaching staff at Liverpool.
Ryan Mason previously took temporary charge of Spurs after the sackings of Mourinho in 2021 and Conte in 2023 - and is out of work after being dismissed by West Brom in January.
Harry Redknapp, meanwhile, has said he would "love" to take over at Tottenham until the end of the season.
The 78-year-old, who managed Spurs between 2008 and 2012, told BBC Sport in January: "Confidence is key - [you have to] make them feel confident [and] put them in the right position.
"Tell them to start performing. You've got to be strong with them at the same time.
"They've got some good players, they just need to start performing, don't they?"
The NBA announced punishments stemming from the brawl during the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets game on Monday night, when four players were ejected from the game.
Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges of the Hornets were sent to the showers early, along with Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart of the Pistons, because of the fight. The league handed down suspensions for all four players on Wednesday.
Diabate and Bridges have both been suspended for four games, while Duren will sit for two games and Stewart receives seven games for his involvement.
Detroit currently holds the top spot in the Eastern Conference at 39-13 and has the second-best record in the NBA. Duren has become a large part of what’s been built in Detroit as the team’s starting center. He’s averaging 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and has been a walking double-double. Duren is posting a double-double average for the third consecutive season.
NFL player Keion White, a defensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers, is recovering from surgery after he was shot in the ankle at a private party hosted at the San Francisco nightclub Dahlia’s. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out with their prayers and concerns on my behalf,” White wrote on Instagram. “I’ve undergone successful surgery.”
According to the SF Standard, which reviewed the police report regarding the shooting, a witness reports having witnessed White engage in a verbal altercation with Lil Baby before he was shot. The rapper was in town for an appearance at a Super Bowl event at the Grand Nightclub, and White was hosting a private event at Dahlia’s. It is currently unclear who shot White.
Representatives for Lil Baby did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone‘s request for comment.
“For those who know me, ya’ll know this won’t stop me from spreading peace and joy to the world,” White continued in his statement. “Full steam ahead. I’m in great spirits and ready to make the most of this off-season.” Keion was also in attendance at the Super Bowl LX, where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie issued a statement on X, writing, “Any violent incident in our city is unacceptable, and I’m hoping Keion recovers quickly. I’ve spoken with SFPD and 49ers leadership — we are all grateful to our SFPD officers for their quick response. As always, I will continue working with San Francisco law enforcement to ensure our neighborhoods and our residents are safe.”
San Francisco Police Department spokesman Evan Sernoffsky told The New York Timesthat an investigation is underway. “Our officers are working diligently on this investigation,” he said, “and we’re following multiple leads.”
WNBA star Rickea Jackson is willing to come forward and tell her story, following frightening allegations against Atlanta Falcons star James Pearce Jr. Pearce was arrested for a domestic violence incident just days after appearing at the NFL Honors ceremony as a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist.
Pearce is facing five felony charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking, after allegedly intentionally crashing into Jackson’s car after she ended a three-year relationship and asked her to no longer contact him.
He was also accused of striking a police officer with his vehicle as he attempted to evade arrest.
Now, Jackson said she is “willing to testify” against Pearce, and her representation requested the court use “all possible resources and personnel” in the case to “conclude it as soon as practicable and bring justice to her and the people of the State of Florida.”
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Pearce, who was released after posting $20,500 bond on Sunday, received a pre-trial stay-away order from Jackson after his arrest. The two had been dating since their time as star athletes at the University of Tennessee.
Jackson, who stars for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, was in Miami, where she plays in the Unrivaled women’s 3×3 basketball league. She has withdrawn from the league’s one-on-one tournament.
Falcons aware of incident
The Falcons addressed Pearce’s arrest and the incident with a very brief statement over the weekend.
“We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time,” the statement read.
Sep 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson (2) against the Phoenix Mercury during a WNBA game at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
While the Penn State Nittany Lions have certainly got back on track in terms of the recruiting trail, they just received a big blow from a five-star in the 2027 class.
In-state offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller revealed his final four schools and unfortunately, did not end up including the Nittany Lions. His final list of schools comes down to Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, and Penn State's Big Ten rival Ohio State. He has already set up several visits in the summer for his top three. This news comes almost a week after Penn State lost out on five star running back Kemon Spell, who chose to commit to Georgia over the Nittany Lions.
While Penn State aren't out of it, they still have very few opportunities to secure Hiller's signature. After all, the last offer Penn State had for Hiller came when James Franklin was still the head coach. Matt Campbell has not yet given any indication that he holds the same opinion of Hiller as his predecessor.
Still, during Hiller's time in South Carolina, where he is set to meet with the Gamecocks on June 19th, Campbell could also try to maneuver his way into the conversation, given his plans to head to South Carolina as well. Considering the fact that Penn State has already missed on a big five star recruit in-state with Spell, Campbell may not want to take any chances with Hiller.
Hiller is the No. 10 overall recruit nationally and the No. 2 player in the state of Pennsylvania.
For most of us, the dream of playing professional football as a Philadelphia Eagles star died in high school. We all remembered how much that hurt, so imagine giving 15 years or more to something. Brandon Graham told us before the 2024 NFL season that it would be his last ride with the Birds.
He and his teammates won the Super Bowl, his second. It seemed the perfect walk-away act. Something happened, though. When it came time to hang up the cleats and officially call it a career, Graham seemed to waffle.
Trust us. We get it.
It's a game he played as a youth and one he was still playing in his mid-thirties. Think about that for a few. Every spring and summer, the body begins preparing for the next offseason and training camp.
"If Howie (Roseman) makes that call, I’m coming back! One more!"
That settles that. Now, let's talk about the particulars.
Graham is one of 20 Eagles whose contracts expire at the start of the new league year. They all become free agents if Philadelphia doesn't offer them an extension.
If Graham plays anywhere, it will be in Philadelphia. No one can imagine him in another jersey at this point. He certainly won't play anywhere else, but if we haven't learned anything else, we've discovered that there is plenty of tread left on his tires.
Graham won't play forever, even if it seems as though he could if he wanted to. Will Howie Roseman's first-ever draft choice return for one more run? He's open to it. We'll see if the Eagles grant him that opportunity.
Los Angeles Rams veteran offensive tackle Rob Havenstein announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday in an Instagram post. Havenstein was the Rams’ longest-tenured player and a four-time team captain after the franchise (then-based in St. Louis) drafted him with the No. 57 overall pick in 2015.
“11 years, 150+ starts, 4 time captain, 4 NFC West Championships, 2 NFC Championships and 1x Super Bowl Champion. What a ride it’s been! I can look back on my career and smile knowing I have given everything I had and more to the game I love,” Havenstein wrote on Instagram. “In saying that, I am officially retiring from the NFL.”
Havenstein played for the Rams for all 11 seasons of his NFL career and started in all 148 regular season games he played with the team. He was also the starting right tackle for Los Angeles when the Rams won Super Bowl LVI.
The 33-year-old started in seven games for Los Angeles this season but missed multiple games with an ankle injury. The Rams placed him on the injured reserve, and he was expected to return in time for the playoffs but was ultimately ruled out of the NFC Championship game.
Who Will Start in Havenstein’s Position Next Season?
The Rams have already had the opportunity to test out some younger players in the offensive line when Havenstein was out with the ankle injury this season.
Third-year offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. impressed Rams head coach Sean McVay with his performance this season. McVay told reporters earlier this month that McClendon has earned a starting spot next season if Havenstein retires.
“No question,” McVay said, per ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. “He has. He’s done great. He played really well.”
McClendon is signed to a four-year, $4.08 million rookie contract and will return to the Rams next season.
Manchester City announce new £5 million per year Automative Partner
Premier League giants Manchester City have confirmed a deal to appoint a brand new Official Automative Partner at the Etihad Stadium and City Football Academy.
The latest sponsorship agreement and partnership represents another significant commercial step for the English giants as they continue to expand their global portfolio of partners while placing a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability.
The new partnership also aligns with Manchester City’s wider strategy of working with forward-thinking brands that reflect the club’s long-term environmental and technological ambitions.
Now, as confirmed by Manchester City on Wednesday morning, the club have unveiled a brand new partnership with BYD to become the Official Automotive Partner of the club, covering both its men’s and women’s first teams.
It has been detailed that BYD and DENZA cars and other vehicles will be supplied to the club, while BYD Group will also be responsible for vehicle charging and energy-storage batteries at City Football Academy.
BYD will feature on Manchester City’s training kit sleeve of the men’s first team, and from next season the women’s first team, while there will also be brand presence across the Etihad Stadium with LED advertising and the logo on headrests of the dug-out area.
Supporters can also expect to see one of the company’s cars lead the official Manchester City men’s first team bus into the Etihad Stadium for Premier League and domestic-cup home fixtures, the statement confirmed, while BYD will also support future global community initiatives working closely with City Football Foundation.
Chief Executive Officer at City Football Group, Ferran Soriano said as part of the statement confirming the agreement, “BYD are global leaders within their field. Leaders in delivering excellence through technology and innovation.
“Leaders with purpose, to make the world a better place. All values that Manchester City share. As a Club, we are driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation.
“We partner with industry leaders to create a more environmentally sustainable future, starting with our facilities.
“This is why we are so proud to be BYD’s chosen partner and commit to work together for a better and more sustainable future for the duration of this multi-year partnership.”
According to the report of Łukasz Bączek, BYD Group’s deal with Manchester City will be worth over £5 million per year.
The partnership further underlines City’s commercial strength and global appeal, with BYD becoming the latest high-profile brand to associate itself with the club’s on-pitch success and off-pitch vision.
For supporters, the deal will be most visible through branding at the Etihad Stadium and on training wear, while behind the scenes it marks another step towards greener infrastructure at City Football Academy.
With the agreement described as a multi-year partnership, both parties will be hoping the collaboration delivers long-term value, reinforcing Manchester City’s position at the forefront of modern football both commercially and environmentally.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 10: Romeo Doubs #87 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a touchdown during an NFL wild card playoff game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers bringing Deebo Samuel back a year after he requested a trade would feel like a “vibes” move. The San Francisco 49ers bringing in Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs this offseason would feel like a move to address some of the issues the offense had in 2025.
The 49ers need a wide receiver who thrives at the intermediate level but can also excel at the short and deep levels. Doubs is 6’2″ and turns 26 in April. He caught 55 passes last season with an average depth of 12.9 yards. Doubs was a first-down machine, as 76.4 percent of his receptions moved the chains.
The 49ers didn’t have an isolation receiver last year. It was telling that when the team needed someone to go to, Kyle Shanahan drew up plays for Jauan Jennings rather than Ricky Pearsall. Nobody would argue that Pearsall brings more to the table as a whole, but situationally, you can’t ignore that.
Through the first half of the season, Doubs aligned isolated on a career-high 34.8 percent of his snaps, which was the 9th-highest in the NFL up to that point. Doubs being productive in that role should be another reason the Niners interest is piqued. Watching Doubs have 124 yards on eight receptions in a playoff setting shouldn’t hurt, either.
Doubs would be a little different from the “YAC bro” type of receivers the 49ers are accustomed to using. He only broke five tackles last season and only had one game with over 20 yards after the catch. It’s also not something to view negatively.
One could argue it’s time for the Niners to evolve from the early Shanahan days and move on from the “Deebo types” and rely on the 6’2″ wideouts who can make plays down the field. Doubs had five receptions of over 20 yards last season. On 32 targets from the 10-19 (intermediate) range, he had 16 receptions, averaging 17.2 yards per reception with an average separation of 2.3 yards.
Doubs could take over the “Third and Jauan” role as well. Doubs caught 13 of his 24 targets on third down, 12 resulting in a first down, for an average of 14.38 yards per reception. How Doubs was used on third downs would make him a good fit. Here are a handful of examples:
Green Bay would isolate him on 3rd & 3, and Doubs would win on a slant for a first down.
3rd & 6 as the isolated receiver, Doubs catches a 6-yard curl after separating underneath and gains 10 yards after the catch.
3rd & 2 from the slot, runs by the cornerback for a 33-yard touchdown
3rd & 1 as the isolated wide receiver, runs a corner route for a 33-yard gain
3rd & 8 as the isolated receiver, wins on an out route for a first down
That’s Doubs winning on five different routes, all on third down and to different areas of the field.
Jennings and Deebo’s route tree was somewhat predictable. You could sit on specific routes because you knew the odds of Deebo running anything to the sideline or Jennings beyond 12 yards were slim. That’s not the case with Doubs.
I don’t want to make it seem like Doubs is the next Terrell Owens. His frame makes it difficult to win in contested situations. On 25 targets last year, there was a “tight window,” or the separation was under a yard, and Doubs only caught five of those passes. It’s worth pointing out that some of those were jump balls that didn’t have a chance, and most were down the field — the average was 16.8 air yards per target. Still, Doubs didn’t finish the play.
Spotrac’s market valuation predicts that Doubs will command $12 million per season. Pearsall, on one side, with Doubs on the other, at that price in this offense would make everybody better. Adding Doubs would allow the 49ers not to feel like they’re forced to select a receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft, too.
The 49ers would still be missing their Brandon Aiyuk or true WR1, but the offense would be in a much better position with Doubs on the roster heading into the draft.
Ronald Araujo received call from Real Madrid star during mental health battle
Barcelona star Ronald Araujo appears to be on the right track after battling anixety and subsequently depression over the past 18 months. The Uruguayan has stated that ‘the worst is behind me’, following his return to football in January. He took a leave of absence in December in order to recover.
The imposing central defender had lost his starting place for Barcelona, and when sent off against Chelsea in late November decided to stop. Araujo returned to action in January, and made his first start last week against Albacete. During an in-depth interview on Tuesday, Araujo opened up about his battles, and explained that he felt he was on an upward trajectory.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior called Araujo
While the rivalry between clubs is often fierce, first and foremost, players relate to players. Diario AS explain that during Araujo’s battle, he received a call from Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, with whom he has gone to battle on a number of occasions. Towards the end of 2025, during his leave of absence, the Brazilian asked how he was doing and offered his support and encouragement.
Image via Movistar+
After the Spanish Supercup final, Araujo and Vinicius could be seen embracing, as was the case with Dani Ceballos and Dani Carvajal, who asked how he was.
Araujo: ‘I’m not going to give names, but in encouraged me’
During his interview with MD, Araujo was also asked about the support he had received from players at other clubs.
“That really surprised me. When I decided to stop, I didn’t imagine it causing so much reaction, but, of course, we’re at Barca. Players from other teams in Italy, Germany… They appreciated what I had done. Some told me they had gone through the same thing but had kept quiet because maybe they were getting paid, they were afraid to stop, afraid of how people would react… Many praised what I had done.”
“They told me not to be ashamed, that what I had done was incredible. Some told me it was what they wanted to do but hadn’t had the courage. I’m not going to name names. But that gave me a little encouragement.”
Araujo was also highly complementary of Barcelona Director of Football Deco, and manager Hansi Flick with their handling of the matter, as well as his teammates. Araujo is not the first footballer and won’t be the last to struggle with his mental health, but it remains infrequent that players will address it in public.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 9: Kyle Allen #8 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass during the NFL 2025 game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on November 9, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been a while since the Detroit Lions have had a staple at backup quarterback. The longest-tenured backup (not third string) the team has had under coach Dan Campbell was Teddy Bridgewater who was on the team for two seasons, granted he didn’t come back for year two until he was done coaching his high school football team. Before Campbell was the coach, the Lions were in a similar situation at backup quarterback, a revolving door of players coming in and stepping out.
I had to go back from 2014-16 where the team had Dan Orlovsky as the backup quarterback for three-straight seasons, and before him, the team had Shaun Hill from 2010-13. What I’m getting at is the team could use some consistency at its backup quarterback spot, someone who will be here during the whole season and continue to stick around for a while. The team could finally have that in Kyle Allen.
Let’s discuss whether the Lions should keep Allen around for another year, or if they should keep that revolving door swinging.
The Lions were looking to give former third-round pick Hendon Hooker some competition for the backup job with Bridgewater signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team believed Hooker could win the backup job, but wanted to make him earn it instead of handing it over. Detroit signed Allen to a one-year deal for $1.27 million.
With Allen’s past, he was looked down upon as the obvious third-string option and the job would be something Hooker should win. While Hooker wasn’t impressing greatly, he was in his third year in the league and second training camp after missing a majority of his rookie year in 2023. The team drafted him to be a potential backup so it was understandable that they had that confidence in him before the season began. By September, Allen was projected to be an afterthought or practice squad guy.
Actual role in 2025
Note: PFF grades reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position. Allen didn’t hit this threshold
Season stats — 3 games (0 starts): 0-for-2 for 0 yards, three carries for -3 yards. 16 offensive snaps
Despite all of the slander Allen got from multiple people (myself included), he impressed in training camp and the preseason and defeated Hooker for the backup job. While it looked close in practice, Allen was clearly the better gamer, and he took care of the football in the preseason, unlike Hooker. With that, not only did the Lions give him the backup quarterback job, they ended up cutting Hooker from the roster, leaving the team with only two quarterbacks. They would later add C.J. Beathard to the practice squad as the clear QB3.
Allen didn’t see much playing time, only appearing in garbage time in three games and while he never completed a pass, it didn’t matter overall.
Outlook for 2026
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Pros of re-signing
Allen returning would be a cheap and easy decision for the team. He could be the next version of Hill or Orlovsky where he could stick around for a few years, learn, and help Goff out during film sessions and practice. While Goff is a veteran himself, having another quarterback who has been in the league for a while helps offer a second pair of seasoned eyes. That could be especially helpful as Detroit installs their new offense under Drew Petzing.
Who knows? Maybe Allen has another strong showing in the preseason, and if Detroit likes their third-string option, they could trade Allen for some draft capital in 2027.
Cons of re-signing
The team could find a better backup than Allen. Someone like Joe Flacco would be an option. Upgrading the backup would cost some extra money, but that could be worth it to provide some insurance at the most important position. Outside of that, there really isn’t a downside.
Is there interest from both sides?
I don’t see why not. Detroit saw the value in Allen and believed he was better than someone they drafted. So the Lions clearly like him.
I would lean towards Allen liking Detroit for seeing his skills and trusting him. He isn’t going to win any starting jobs around the NFL, so he’s a career backup at this point. Unless he wants to go somewhere else that would offer him more money, another year in Detroit makes sense for both sides.
Cost?
Allen deserves a little bit of a pay bump for winning the backup job last year. He’s earned roughly the same amount of money the past three years, with his biggest deal being for $2.5 million with the Houston Texans back in 2022. I don’t think he gets that much of a pay bump, but I could see him warranting $1.5 to $1.75 million on another one-year deal unless the team wants to commit to him longer. The max I could see is a two-year deal for $3 million.
Conclusion
Overall, I see it as a slam dunk decision to bring back Allen in 2026. While the offensive coordinator has changed, he will be right alongside Goff in that adjustment, whatever it may be. He knows the roster and coaching staff, and I don’t think the team would sign someone to try and uproot Allen out of Detroit. The team needs to have better consistency at the backup quarterback spot and Allen is the best fit for that.
What do you think the Lions should do with Kyle Allen? Vote in the poll below and let us know in the comments.
Oct 5, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Detroit Lions guard Tate Ratledge (69) spikes the football while celebrating a touchdown during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The Detroit Lions 2025 NFL Draft class is still very much a work in progress, but the team did get some contributions from a few rookies. It’s far too early to judge an entire draft class after one season, but we can certainly congratulate and celebrate specific individuals who showed a lot of promise in their first NFL season.
Here are our nominations for 2025 Detroit Lions Rookie of the Year. Your vote at the bottom of the page will determine the winner, so don’t forget to use the poll!
Despite the offensive line’s overall struggles, Ratledge stepped in as a first-year starter, worked through typical rookie growing pains, and finished the second half of the season looking like one of the best rookie offensive linemen in football. An imposing presence in the run game, he led the team with nearly 1,100 snaps while starting every game and paving the way for several explosive runs by Jahmyr Gibbs. He more than lived up to the value Brad Holmes found in him as a second-round pick.
Erik Schlitt: Tate Ratledge
Ratledge earned a starting job in training camp and then went on to take 99% of the team’s offensive snaps in 2025. According to PFF, Ratledge only gave up two sacks on the season, earned a 70.3 overall grade from PFF, which ranked him 20th amongst all NFL guards (who played at least half their team’s offensive snaps), while his 73.5 run blocking grade was among the top 10. Ratledge should be a fixture on the offensive line for several years to come.
Jeremy Reisman: Tate Ratledge
While there was no real competitor for Ratledge this year, he’s fully deserving of the award. When many rookies are hitting a wall come November or December, Ratledge was playing some of his best football. From Weeks 12-18, Ratledge posted a 73.1 PFF grade, good for 15th among all NFL guards over that span and just behind All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson (73.6). He will enter 2026 with expectations of being a good, if not great, starter.
Meko Scott: Tate Ratledge
The 2025 rookie class may not have wowed anyone like previous years, but the play from Tate Ratledge gave me a lot of hope for the future. We saw Ratledge start in all 17 games and truly have to learn on the fly as that offensive line went through a lot of change and poor play. However, in spite of that we saw, Ratledge displayed his grittiness by playing through injuries and his improvement throughout the season in the run game, where he received a 73.5 run blocking grade from PFF. There will need to be improvement in his pass protection, but I think we saw enough from the Lions second-round pick to believe he can be a quality piece to this offensive front for years to come.
John Whiticar: Tate Ratledge
I’m expecting a sweep for Ratledge, as there was nobody else in the conversation. I wouldn’t say that Tyleik Williams had a bad season, but I was hoping he would have a larger role by the end of the year. Elsewhere, your candidates are Isaac TeSlaa and his acrobatic-yet-limited catches or Miles Frazier and his 46 snaps. Ratledge not only gets the award by virtue of starting, but he was genuinely good. For a rookie campaign, it was a good starting point.
Ryan Mathews: Tate Ratledge
The Lions’ second-round pick gets the nod for his steadily improving play throughout the season. Ratledge finished the season t-15th among guards in PFF’s EFF metric (97.9)–a PFF signature stat measuring pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with weighting toward sacks allowed–and from Week 12 through the end of the season, he finished t-third (99.0) in that same statistic, allowing just six pressures and zero sacks over the final seven games of 2025.
Brandon Knapp: Tate Ratledge
The only rookie who was considered a starter for the entire season, Ratledge is the clear and obvious choice. He wasn’t perfect but he showed he was just what this team needed on the offensive line and has a bright future ahead of himself.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Mason Barnett #63 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 26, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
*In an effort to make the nomination voting easier for everyone, I will comment, “NOMINATIONS”, and you may reply to that with your picks and upvote the player you’d like to see on the next nominee list.
After just barely losing last round to outfielder Devin Taylor, right-handed starter prospect Mason Barnett was the clear winner for the 11th-best prospect in the A’s system as voted on by A’s fans. Barnett, the headline return piece from Kansas City the A’s got back in exchange for Lucas Erceg, made his big league debut this past season, getting a quick cup of coffee in the big leagues. The righty didn’t look all that great in Triple-A this past season, his first at that level, and he predictably struggled against higher competition in the big leagues. The team will continue letting him develop in Triple-A to open the year but he’s likely one of the first callups when an injury inevitably pops up. We’ll all be hoping he takes advantage of that chance when it comes.
The next nominee joining the remaining four is right-handed pitcher Gunnar Hoglund. Another far ago top trade return, Hoglund’s professional career has been dogged by seemingly never-ending injuries. After four years climbing the minor league ladder he finally made it to the big leagues this past season after dominating at Triple-A to open the year. And he looked good over his first couple of starts in the big leagues. Unfortunately the injury bug seemed to crop up again as he struggled hard in his final few starts with the A’s, The righty would undergo hip surgery in mid-June, prematurely ending his rookie season. There haven’t been any reports of any sort of setbacks but we’ll be finding out soon if there have been since everyone is reporting in for duty.
The process for this public vote is explained below. Please take a moment to read this before participating:
Please only vote for one. The player with the most votes at the end of voting will win the ranked spot. The remaining four players move on to the next ballot where they are joined by a new nominee.
In the comments, below the official voting, the community will nominate players to be put onto the ballot for the next round. The format for your comment should be “Nomination: Player Name”.
If a prospect is traded, his name will be crossed out, and all other players will be moved up a space. If a prospect is acquired, a special vote will be put up to determine where that player should rank.
The voting continues! Who will be voted as the 12th-best prospect in the A’s system? Here’s a quick rundown on each nominee— the scouting grades (on a 20-to-80 scale) and scouting reports come from MLB Pipeline.
White’s right-handed power is legitimate and he can hit the ball a long way to all fields thanks to his strength and bat speed. He might be known for his home run totals but he’s a better overall hitter than people think, finding the barrel consistently and limiting strikeouts. His knack for contact can lead to him expanding his strike zone, but he doesn’t swing and miss very often.
It will be White’s bat that carries him to the big leagues. He’s a well-below-average runner who likely lacks the range and tools to stick at third base, where he toiled as a sophomore and junior, earning praise for playing through a shoulder injury at LSU in 2023. He’s likely headed to first base long term, which could give the A’s a glut of serious offensive talent between him and first-rounder Nick Kurtz.
At the plate, Morii features a smooth left-handed swing with tremendous balance. His power stands out, as he clubbed 45 home runs as a high schooler. He is considered an advanced hitter with good barrel control. On the mound, his fastball has been clocked as high as 95 mph and sits around 92-93. He also brings a splitter with nasty movement, a true 12-to-6 curveball and a tighter slider with solid bite and depth, though that offering will probably require some fine-tuning. Having only been pitching with regularity for less than two years, Morii’s arm is relatively fresh as he enters the organization.
Morii’s high-octane throwing arm plays well at shortstop, but some evaluators see a possibility of moving to third base as his 6-foot-1 frame fills out. While scouts see Morii’s long-term future in the batter’s box, the A’s plan on giving him every opportunity to succeed as a two-way player, with excitement already building over his impressive physical traits and desire to become one of the next great players out of Japan.
The 6-foot-3 right-hander has gained velocity steadily in his years as a pro and has touched as high as 99 mph this season. He typically sits around 94 mph, working north-south with the pitch while getting most of his whiffs up and to the armside. He played off that with a 76-79 mph curveball that could have more slurvish tendencies, but at its best, it snapped downward to fool batters sitting on the high heat and it had produced a 47 percent miss rate at the time of the trade. He also utilizes an 83-86 mph split-change to miss bats, but it stands out more for its separation than movement profile.
Baez took a major jump in workload but didn’t let his control improvements suffer. That certainly helps his starting chances, as does his 50.1 percent ground-ball rate from 2024. He’s still only 22, but with his place on the roster now set, the A’s (never afraid to move guys quickly) could try to see what it looks like in the big leagues in a relief role to ease him in.
Though Hoglund may never get back the electric stuff he possessed earlier in his career, the A’s were encouraged to see his fastball velocity tick back up to the low-90s. He has also experimented with adding a two-seamer and cutter. His low-80s slider now features more sweeping action and works as his main secondary pitch. He has also improved his low-80s changeup, creating a solid three-pitch mix that is enhanced by a strong ability to consistently throw strikes.
Now three years removed from Tommy John, the A’s are hopeful that Hoglund can develop into a solid back-end rotation piece, especially if he can successfully develop a fourth pitch. The Florida native was regularly going deep into starts in his big league cameo (6.40 ERA with 23 strikeouts to 11 walks across 32 1/3 innings) before going down with the injury and is expected to make a full recovery before the 2026 season.
The A’s were working on some mechanical adjustments with Miller prior to his injury. His electric fastball ticked up to 96 mph in high school and displayed excellent movement down in the zone. The mid-80s slider is a hard breaker and was showing signs of improvement. His low-80s changeup showed some potential as an average third pitch.
There was real excitement within the organization for Miller’s professional debut. His three-pitch mix and large 6-foot-6 frame give off the potential of a workhorse-type starting pitcher in the big leagues. The A’s also loved the competitiveness they saw from him on the mound while scouting him. After an unfortunate delay, he finally got his first opportunity to make an impression this summer.
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Head coach Brian Smith made it clear where the mentality of No. 20 Mizzou wrestling is at with two duals remaining in the regular season – “It’s Big 12 time.” The Tigers advanced to 11-7 after a win against the, at the time, No. 16 West Virginia Mountaineers. The victory was one of their most complete performances of the season against a quality opponent as they extended their win streak to three.
Tiger Style’s lineup from 165lbs to 285lbs swept West Virginia, continuing to be the team’s biggest strength. When you include 157lbs wrestler Teague Travis, who lost by an 8-0 major decision to No. 4 Ty Watters, the top half of the lineup only looks stronger.
The penultimate dual of the regular season is also the final home meet for Mizzou, which means it will be senior night. There are two seniors in the starting lineup in No. 15 Teague Travis (157lbs) and No. 12 Evan Bates (197lbs), who Smith will try to send off in style against the No. 18-ranked Oklahoma Sooners on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
All individual rankings are according to InterMat.
Oklahoma Overview
The Sooners are led by head coach Roger Kish, who is in his third season with the program. In those three seasons, Oklahoma has gone 23-15 overall and 9-13 in Big 12 play. Kish led them to back-to-back seventh-place finishes in the conference in his first two seasons.
This season has a chance to be the Sooners’ best yet in the Kish era, as they’re currently 10-4 overall and 3-3 in Big 12 matches. Oklahoma is 2-1 in its last three duals, the one loss coming against No. 3 Iowa State and one of the wins was an upset against No. 13 Northern Iowa.
In shared matchups with teams that the Tigers have wrestled this season, there were mixed results. Most recently, the Sooners took down Arizona State 31-9, a dual that Mizzou only won 22-17. As mentioned above, Oklahoma downed Northern Iowa 23-18 while the Tigers fell to the Panthers 22-14 on Dec. 14. From those two duals, it would appear that the rivals down south have the advantage, but their respective results against West Virginia skews the data.
Mizzou dominated the Mountaineers in its last dual to a 26-13 win, but suffered a narrow 19-17 defeat against them on Jan. 18. Teams change so much throughout this season because of health and hot stretches, but it appears that both programs are wrestling their best at this very moment in the season.
Looking at the Sooners’ lineup, their strengths benefit the Tigers. Mizzou has one of the best stretches from 157lbs to 285lbs, which is also where the bulk of Oklahoma’s talent is at. The Sooners have seven ranked wrestlers, two in the top 10 of their respective divisions.
The top wrestlers are No. 8 redshirt sophomore Carter Schubert (174lbs), No. 10 senior Brian Soldano (184lbs) and No. 11 senior DJ Parker (197lbs). The strengths of their lineup align with the Tigers.
Key Matches
Regarding injury updates, the 165lbs starter will still be No. 26 redshirt junior J Conway, as it appears graduate Max Mayfield could be out for the rest of the season. It is unclear if the 149lbs starter, No. 22 redshirt senior Joshua Edmond, will wrestle or not. Oklahoma is expected to be with its usual rotation.
With that background information laid out, let’s get into some of the swing matches that could decide the dual result.
174lbs: No. 9 R-JR Cam Steed (MIZ) vs No. 8 R-SO Carter Schubert (OU)
This matchup has already occurred once this season. It was the first tournament of the season, the Tiger Style Invite, where Steed lost to Schubert by a 6-5 decision. Steed struggled mightily in what was his season debut, ending with a 2-2 record. He’s not the same wrestler at this point in the campaign, but neither is Schubert.
Steed is 3-0 in his last three matches, including a victory by fall against No. 14 Brody Conley (WVU) last Friday. Schubert is also undefeated in his last three matches, including decision wins over No. 12 Jared Simma (UNI) and No. 13 MJ Gaitan (ISU).
197lbs: No. 12 R-SR Evan Bates (MIZ) vs No. 11 SR DJ Parker (OU)
Parker didn’t wrestle at the Tiger Style Invite, so this will be the first time the two will wrestle against each other this season. This is a prime opportunity for Bates to earn a marquee win, as he is putting forth some of his best wrestling of late.
Both come into this match undefeated in their team’s last three matches, but Bates has seen tougher competition. He defeated No. 14 Rune Lawrence (WVU) by a 7-4 decision last Friday. Parker hasn’t seen a ranked opponent in a while, but has taken three straight major decision wins.
285: No. 25 R-SO Jarrett Stoner (MIZ) vs No. 21 SR Juan Mora (OU)
These two faced off in the heavyweight championship at the Tiger Style Invite. Mora took that bout by an 11-5 decision.
It’s going to be an uphill battle for Stoner, but this is undoubtedly his last chance to make a statement before the conference tournament. Mora is 2-0 in Oklahoma’s last three duals, both wins coming via tech fall. This is a dual that will likely be decided by single digits, and Stoner could be put in a must-win situation.
Since both rosters have similar strengths, gaining some insurance wins in the lighter weight classes could be a deciding factor in the match’s outcome.
Mizzou trails in the all-time dual history 16-33, and will look for revenge after losing 23-13 in Norman last season.
Report – Oaktree Ready To Make Exception To Inter Milan New Policy To Extend Veteran Midfielder’s Contract
Inter Milan owners Oaktree are reportedly ready to let the club management offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan a new contract.
According to Corriere dello Sport via FCInter1908, the American fund is ready to make an exception to the club’s new policy.
Furthermore, the Armenian midfielder turned 37 in January.
As such, Inter had little interest in offering him a new deal until recently.
However, things have changed.
Inter Milan Owners Oaktree to Offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan New Contract
MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 04: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Oaktree’s new policy focuses on lowering the squad’s average age.
Additionally, they’re reducing long-term commitments to players in the twilight of their careers.
Therefore, players like Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi, Yann Sommer, and Stefan de Vrij are likely to leave San Siro.
Indeed, they’ll all be out of contract in June, with Inter reluctant to renew their deals.
Yet, that doesn’t apply to Mkhitaryan, who has played a prominent role in Cristian Chivu’s system this season.
Biathlete Julia Simon was triumphant again, winning a gold medal in the 15km individual biathlon race at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Simon missed only once during her time on the shooting range and rebounded from a penalty in the first standing stage. Her teammate, Lou Jeanmonnot, took home the silver, and Bulgaria’s Lora Hristova won bronze.
But Simon, who also won gold in biathlon mixed relay for France, is fortunate that she was able to compete in the Olympics at all.
Last October, Simon was charged and found guilty of theft and credit card fraud, accused of using the bank card of France teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet.
Simon racked up more than €2,000 ($2,300 USD) in online purchases and was given a three-month suspended sentence and fined €15,000 ($17,781.60 USD) by a French court.
"I can't explain it. I don't remember doing it. I can't make sense of it," Simon said during her trial.
The 29-year-old Simon admitted to the crime and apologized for her actions.
She was allowed to compete in Italy after the French ski federation handed her a six-month ban, including a five-month suspension. Simon received a 30,000-euro ($34,600) fine, with 15,000 euros suspended by the ski federation.
Simon won an Olympic silver medal for France in the mixed relay at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed his third consecutive game for Al-Nassr as the Saudi Arabian club defeated Arkadag FC of Turkmenistan 1-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of the round of 16 in the AFC Champions League Two.
Abdullah Al-Hamdan scored the only goal of the game in Asia’s second-tier competition to put Al-Nassr in control ahead of next week’s return match in Riyadh.
Ronaldo — who has yet to win a major trophy since joining Al-Nassr in December 2022 — has been absent amid reports that he is unhappy with how the club is being run by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which also owns Riyadh rival Al-Hilal and Jeddah clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.
In the AFC Champions League Elite, Asia’s premier club tournament, Algeria international Houssem Aouar scored a hat trick as Al-Ittihad routed Al-Gharafa of Qatar 7-0 in the penultimate round of group stage games. The result ensured the two-time champion joined Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal in the round of 16.
The top eight teams from each of the two 12-team groups — based in the west and east regions of Asia — advance to the knockout stage. Al-Wahda of the United Arab Emirates and Iran’s Tractor SC have also secured qualification with a game to spare.
In the East Zone, Australia’s Melbourne City advanced with a 2-1 win at Ulsan HD in South Korea to join Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Vissel Kobe and Machida Zelvia in the second round.
BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions as Gregor Townsend's men prepare to host England after losing their Six Nations opener in Italy.
Graeme asked: Do you think the SRU see what we fans see with Gregor Townsend and Sean Everitt? And if they don't, what are they seeing that we aren't?
Andy answered: It's hard to know what those at the top of Scottish Rugby are seeing because they engage very little with the media, either on or off the record.
When chief executive Alex Williamson did a briefing after Scotland's disappointing autumn, he said "nothing has changed" in terms of the plan to have Townsend leading Scotland into the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Performance director David Nucifora is coming to the end of his contract and seems to have little appetite to make significant changes, as was demonstrated by the baffling contract extension for Edinburgh coach Everitt.
If the SRU bosses cannot now see the strength of feeling among the fans for a change then they either are not paying attention, or they do not care.
Perhaps having given Townsend an extension less than six months ago, Williamson and Nucifora are unwilling to admit they made the wrong call.
A win over England on Saturday will take a little sting out of the situation, but a bad defeat and those fans may well make their feelings clear at Murrayfield.
Liam asked: Where do we go from here? After the two losses in the autumn and in Rome, all these teams know we have no stubbornness about us. First time in a while I have no faith in this team. All that talk after November, to produce that? It's shameful.
Andy answered: Where do Scotland go from here? How many times have we asked that question?
Another loss to England and the fear is this could turn into a disastrous Six Nations. A trip to Cardiff follows in round three and while Wales are poor right now, Steve Tandy will have them fired up and I can't help but feel they have one big performance in them in this championship.
Conversely, wins over England and Wales puts them back in the hunt and restores a bit of positivity.
The problem with this Scotland team is even if they do end England's 12-game winning run, would you be confident they will back it up with three strong performances? No.
The team looks a little lost after the capitulation against Argentina and last weekend's poor showing in Rome.
If they can't muster a bit of fire and ferocity against England then it will only confirm that this coaching regime has run its course.
AC Milan received a major boost on Wednesday, Feb. 11 as Christian Pulisic returned to full team training.
Pulisic has dealt with a number of minor injuries of late, most recently missing Milan's 3-0 win at Bologna on Tuesday, Feb. 3 due to bursitis.
But with his return to group training, the American star now appears on track to return for a match at Pisa on Friday, Feb. 13.
In addition to his recent bout with bursitis, Pulisic has also dealt with a hamstring injury for several months. The Pennsylvania native has started three of the Rossoneri's last seven league matches.
Pulisic is Milan's leading scorer with 10 goals in all competitions, but he hasn't scored or assisted a goal yet in 2026.
The match at Pisa is massive for Milan's title hopes. Max Allegri's men enter the match in second place, trailing Inter by eight points with a game in hand.
With Pisa currently in the relegation zone, picking up full points will be a must for the Rossoneri.
[BBC]Eric Ramsay has lost three and drawn three in his six games in charge of West Brom [Shutterstock]
There is no denying that the start of Eric Ramsay's reign as Albion boss was nothing short of a disaster.
The Baggies picked up one point from the Welshman's first four matches in charge, and the key reason was the volume of goals they were shipping.
In that quartet they conceded a whopping 12 goals, dropping Albion into the relegation zone and decimating their goal difference.
Something had to change, and it has.
Ramsay has taken Albion back to basics in so many ways over the past week.
First, the team has reverted to the more familiar shape the club has largely deployed over the past few seasons under a variety of managers.
The reversion to a familiar 4-2-3-1 has seemed to breed confidence, and the players look far more at home. There has also been a strong focus on stemming the tide of goals against.
Albion were dire defensively away at Portsmouth, conceding 20 shots on goal, an xG against of 2.57 (their worst of the season) and subsequently let in three goals.
However, this has been followed by back-to-back clean sheets against Stoke and Birmingham - the first time Albion have achieved such a feat since September 2024.
Blues created chances, but through sheer will and determination, Albion kept their clean sheet intact.
This effort, desire and determination was all too sadly lacking in the defeats by Norwich and Portsmouth, but there has been a clear shift in mentality and total buy-in from the players since the switch back to a back four.
All of this gives Albion a clear foundation to build on as they go into a massive run of games after the FA Cup weekend.
The Baggies face Coventry at The Hawthorns, and then their next three fixtures are against teams currently sitting in 18th, 23rd and 17th places respectively.
It is a vital run of games against relegation rivals which will likely go a long way to determining their fate.
Of course 0-0s are not going to carry Albion to safety, and it is worth acknowledging the elephant in the room which is they have scored just once in their past five fixtures.
Ramsay's next task is to resolve the issues at the top end of the field so Albion can turn one point into three.
But the first job was to stop the defeats. Albion had lost nine of their past 12 games prior to last Saturday.
Now he has done that, Ramsay has given the players confidence, belief and a platform to go and hopefully win some big games.
As the new league year rapidly approaches, mock drafts are flying left and right, with the Pittsburgh Steelers predicted to go signal-caller in ESPN's latest mock draft.
According to the new mock draft created by ESPN's Field Yates, the Steelers will attempt to find their quarterback of the future with the 21st overall pick in Round 1 — Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
"…The pros for Simpson? He can throw with pristine accuracy, improvises in the pocket and has enough arm strength to drive the ball downfield," Yates wrote. "The cons? His decision-making waned down the stretch, as he had four interceptions and a combined 62.6% completion percentage in Alabama's final six games.
Regardless, I think the Steelers could take a chance on him here. They might bring back quarterback Aaron Rodgers if he doesn't retire, but that is far from a certainty. And while new head coach Mike McCarthy has praised Will Howard, he was a sixth-round pick last year. It feels unlikely Pittsburgh would completely anchor its future around him."
While it's difficult to fault Yates for predicting the Steelers to address such an important position, there are other, more pressing roster needs that could be filled at Pick No. 21 — such as a top wide receiver.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general overall view of large helmets at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine Experience at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Seven Texas Longhorns will be among the more than 300 NFL Draft hopefuls in Indianapolis later this month for the 2026 NFL Combine after the invitations were announced on Wednesday.
Guard DJ Campbell, tight end Jack Endries, linebacker Trey Moore, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., cornerback Malik Muhammad, and safety Michael Taaffe were the seven former Texas players invited to the combine, leaving defensive end Ethan Burke as the notable exclusion.
It wasn’t immediately clear why Burke wasn’t invited after recording 26.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown, two forced fumbles, and three blocked kicks across 52 games in his Texas career.
The Oklahoma Sooners have a chance to put together one of the largest classes in the 2026 NFL draft after a 10-2 season and College Football Playoff berth. As announced by the NFL on Tuesday morning, 10 Oklahoma Sooners were invited to the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis from February 23 through March 2.
The players invited:
Deion Burks, WR
Jaren Kanak, TE
Febechi Nwaiwu, OL
R Mason Thomas, EDGE
Marvin Jones, Jr. EDGE
Gracen Halton, DT
Damonic Williams, DT
Owen Heinecke, LB
Kendal Daniels, LB
Robert Spears-Jennings, S
This year has a chance to surpass the seven players drafted in 2022. Since then, Oklahoma's draft classes have trended downward while Brent Venables and his staff rebuilt the roster. All 10 players invited to the combine have a chance to be selected. So do players like Jaydn Ott and Derek Simmons.
R Mason Thomas and Gracen Halton are the Sooners likely to be selected the highest due to their athletic traits and production at the collegiate level. Thomas was projected to go at the end of the first round in a recent mock draft from NFL.com. Halton's ability to penetrate and create pass rush pressure from the interior will be incredibly valuable at the NFL level.
Owen Heinecke's eligibility remains a question to monitor. His petition for another season was denied by the NCAA as expected, but there were plans to appeal that decision. As Heinecke awaits the NCAA's decision, he also has to prepare for the NFL draft.
The NFL draft looks like it will be a big weekend for the Oklahoma Sooners, led by these 10 invitees to the Senior Bowl. The NFL draft takes place from April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter didn’t hold back against former teammate Ben Roethlisberger. The retired quarterback launched his podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger,” while Porter has been commonly featured on Cam Heyward’s “Not Just Football” show.
Porter used the platform to call out Roethlisberger. He sent a strong message to the two-time Super Bowl champion, saying he needed to stop talking about “Steelers business.”
“The sht that [Roethlisberger did]… that we don’t talk about is crazy,” Porter said. “Like, out of anybody that should talk, he should never grab a microphone and really talk Steelers business. Because if we’re talking Steeler business, his a** is foul of all foul. Like, the sht that he did is foul of all foul. He’s not a good teammate.
“[I] won a Super Bowl with him. But the person? He’s just not a good teammate. Like, he knows that. Anybody in the Steeler building knows that. But we protected him. Because I’ve only won one Super Bowl, and that was my quarterback. So do I love my quarterback? Yeah, but is he a good person? No.”
Ben Roethlisberger was one of the best quarterbacks of his generation, but as great as he was on the field, controversy followed him off of it. He was accused of sexual assault on two separate occasions in 2009 and 2010. He was not criminally charged for either accusation.
Porter and Roethlisberger played together from 2004-07. They won Super Bowl XL together, but outside of that, it seems that Porter didn’t have the best experience with Roethlisberger outside the facility.
Ben Roethlisberger urged Steelers to hire a external coach after Mike Tomlin’s exit
In the wake of Mike Tomlin’s exit as the Steelers head coach, Ben Roethlisberger exhorted the team not to hire from within. Instead, he wanted them to sign a external coach. The Steelers ended up landing Mike McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native.
They still have questions to answer, especially at the quarterback position. Aaron Rodgers would be open to a return, but just like last season, we might have to wait a couple of months for his decision.
TORONTO — The Detroit Pistons were involved in a brawl with the Charlotte Hornets. A day later on Tuesday, Feb. 10, the NBA handed out suspensions.
The Pistons' top-two centers have been suspended for fighting: Isaiah Stewart is suspended seven games, and Jalen Duren is suspended two games, the league announced Wednesday, hours before the Pistons' final game before the All-Star break against the Toronto Raptors.
On the Hornets' side, Moussa Diabate, a Michigan alumnus, gets a four-game suspension, and Miles Bridges, a Michigan State alumnus, must also sit four games.
All four players were ejected from Monday's game − a 110-104 Pistons win − in middle of the third quarter.
Moussa Diabaté LOST it 😳 Swung on Jalen Duren after the face shove bodies flying, whistles screaming, 4 EJECTIONS. Pure chaos. Pure hoops. pic.twitter.com/OKWeI1SI5V
With 7:09 remaining in the third, Diabate and Duren exchanged words after Diabate delivered a hard foul. Duren shoved Diabate in the face, and Bridges responded by shoving Duren. Diabate then threw a punch at Duren and had to be held back by coaches and teammates as he continued pursuing Duren.
A few moments later, Bridges broke free and swung at Duren. That's when Stewart ran from the bench onto the court to fight Bridges, throwing punches at his head.
The fight happened as the Pistons were pulling away, leading 70-62. The Pistons were on a 23-7 run, dating to the second quarter, to eliminate an eight-point deficit.
"When you go back and watch the film, they ran multiple guys at JD," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the win. "JD and Stew consider themselves to be brothers, and if you run two guys at one guy and you’ve already crossed the line, human instinct tells him to protect his little brother. I hate to see it, again, but that’s the nature of what happened. I hate it for Stew because of the things that are gonna follow, but again, we weren’t the ones that crossed the line tonight and initiated this."
Isaiah Stewart suspension: How many games will he miss?
Stewart has been suspended seven games. Stewart has been the Pistons' top rim protector and is having a career season, averaging 10 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Month for January.
Stewart has been ejected eight times in his NBA career, second-most on the Pistons since 1997-98 behind only Richard Hamilton (11), according to ESPN. Duren's five ejections are fourth-most.
Jalen Duren suspension: How many games will he miss?
Duren has been suspended two games. He is averaging a career-best 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. He was selected as a first-time All-Star for Sunday's exhibition showcase game in Inglewood, California.
Pistons schedule: Which games will Isaiah Stewart miss?
The Pistons will be shorthanded Wednesday when they visit the Toronto Raptors in their final game before the All-Star break. Here's their upcoming schedule, including the next 12 games over the next month:
All times Eastern.
Wednesday: at Raptors, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19: at Knicks, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21: at Bulls, 8 p.m. (Duren eligible)
Feb. 23: vs. Spurs, 7 p.m.
Feb. 25: vs. Thunder, 7 p.m.
Feb. 27: vs. Cavaliers, 7 p.m.
March 1: at Magic, 6 p.m.
March 3: at Cavaliers, 7 p.m. (Stewart eligible)
March 5: at Spurs, 8 p.m.
March 7: vs. Nets, 6 p.m.
March 8: at Heat, 6 p.m.
March 10: at Nets, 7:30 p.m.
Pistons depth chart at center
Duren is the starter and Stewart is the backup, leaving Paul Reed as the lone center on the 15-man roster. Tolu Smith is on a two-way contract and at 6 feet 11, would be primed to see playing time behind Reed.
Paul Reed stats
Reed, 26, is undersized at 6 feet 9 and 210 pounds. He is in his sixth NBA season after being the third-to-last pick, No. 58 overall, in the 2020 NBA Draft out of DePaul by the Philadelphia 76ers.
He's known by the nickname "BBall Paul" thanks to his X account handle.
Reed averages 5.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 12.2 minutes per game in 37 games this season for the Pistons. He shoots 59.1% from the field, and has made 9 for 24 3-point attempts (37.5%) this season.
In six starts in 2025-26, Reed averages 26.6 minutes and scores 11.8 points on 57.4% shooting with 8.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists, plus 13 total steals and seven blocks.
Reed's career numbers in the NBA:
297 games.
34 starts.
12.5 minutes per game.
Five points per game.
55.4% field-goal shooting.
68.6 free-throw shooting.
Four rebounds per game.
0.9 assists per game.
0.8 steals per game.
0.7 blocks per game.
0.7 turnovers per game.
Paul Reed stats in playoffs
Reed has appeared in 37 playoff games in the NBA, making two starts in 2023 replacing an injured Joel Embiid. Reed has averaged 3.3 points on 54.7% shooting and 3.9 rebounds over 10.9 minutes per playoff appearance.
Last season, Reed played in Games 2-6 in the Pistons' first-round series against the New York Knicks, after Stewart was unable to play. Reed averaged 2.8 points (5-for-8 shooting, 4-for-6 on free throws), three rebounds and a steal in 10.6 minutes in the series.
Paul Reed contract with Pistons
Reed signed a two-year, $10.9 million contract with the Pistons last summer. He makes $5.3 million for 2025-26. The second year at $5.6 million is nonguaranteed until Jan. 10, 2027, according to the sports salary website Spotrac.
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TORONTO — The Detroit Pistons were involved in a brawl with the Charlotte Hornets. A day later on Tuesday, Feb. 10, the NBA handed out suspensions.
The Pistons' top-two centers have been suspended for fighting: Isaiah Stewart is suspended seven games, and Jalen Duren is suspended two games, the league announced Wednesday, hours before the Pistons' final game before the All-Star break against the Toronto Raptors.
On the Hornets' side, Moussa Diabate, a Michigan alumnus, gets a four-game suspension, and Miles Bridges, a Michigan State alumnus, must also sit four games.
All four players were ejected from Monday's game − a 110-104 Pistons win − in middle of the third quarter.
Moussa Diabaté LOST it 😳 Swung on Jalen Duren after the face shove bodies flying, whistles screaming, 4 EJECTIONS. Pure chaos. Pure hoops. pic.twitter.com/OKWeI1SI5V
With 7:09 remaining in the third, Diabate and Duren exchanged words after Diabate delivered a hard foul. Duren shoved Diabate in the face, and Bridges responded by shoving Duren. Diabate then threw a punch at Duren and had to be held back by coaches and teammates as he continued pursuing Duren.
A few moments later, Bridges broke free and swung at Duren. That's when Stewart ran from the bench onto the court to fight Bridges, throwing punches at his head.
The fight happened as the Pistons were pulling away, leading 70-62. The Pistons were on a 23-7 run, dating to the second quarter, to eliminate an eight-point deficit.
"When you go back and watch the film, they ran multiple guys at JD," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the win. "JD and Stew consider themselves to be brothers, and if you run two guys at one guy and you’ve already crossed the line, human instinct tells him to protect his little brother. I hate to see it, again, but that’s the nature of what happened. I hate it for Stew because of the things that are gonna follow, but again, we weren’t the ones that crossed the line tonight and initiated this."
Isaiah Stewart suspension: How many games will he miss?
Stewart has been suspended seven games. Stewart has been the Pistons' top rim protector and is having a career season, averaging 10 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Month for January.
Stewart has been ejected eight times in his NBA career, second-most on the Pistons since 1997-98 behind only Richard Hamilton (11), according to ESPN. Duren's five ejections are fourth-most.
Jalen Duren suspension: How many games will he miss?
Duren has been suspended two games. He is averaging a career-best 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. He was selected as a first-time All-Star for Sunday's exhibition showcase game in Inglewood, California.
Pistons schedule: Which games will Isaiah Stewart miss?
The Pistons will be shorthanded Wednesday when they visit the Toronto Raptors in their final game before the All-Star break. Here's their upcoming schedule, including the next 12 games over the next month:
All times Eastern.
Wednesday: at Raptors, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19: at Knicks, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21: at Bulls, 8 p.m. (Duren eligible)
Feb. 23: vs. Spurs, 7 p.m.
Feb. 25: vs. Thunder, 7 p.m.
Feb. 27: vs. Cavaliers, 7 p.m.
March 1: at Magic, 6 p.m.
March 3: at Cavaliers, 7 p.m. (Stewart eligible)
March 5: at Spurs, 8 p.m.
March 7: vs. Nets, 6 p.m.
March 8: at Heat, 6 p.m.
March 10: at Nets, 7:30 p.m.
Pistons depth chart at center
Duren is the starter and Stewart is the backup, leaving Paul Reed as the lone center on the 15-man roster. Tolu Smith is on a two-way contract and at 6 feet 11, is primed to see playing time behind Reed.
Paul Reed stats
Reed, 26, takes over as the starting center for the next two games with Duren suspended. Reed is undersized for the position at 6-9 and 210 pounds. He is in his sixth NBA season after being the third-to-last pick, No. 58 overall, in the 2020 NBA Draft out of DePaul by the Philadelphia 76ers.
He's known by the nickname "BBall Paul" thanks to his X account handle.
Reed averages 5.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 12.2 minutes per game in 37 games this season for the Pistons. He shoots 59.1% from the field, and has made 9 for 24 3-point attempts (37.5%) this season.
In six starts in 2025-26, Reed averages 26.6 minutes and scores 11.8 points on 57.4% shooting with 8.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists, plus 13 total steals and seven blocks.
Reed's career numbers in the NBA:
297 games.
34 starts.
12.5 minutes per game.
Five points per game.
55.4% field-goal shooting.
68.6 free-throw shooting.
Four rebounds per game.
0.9 assists per game.
0.8 steals per game.
0.7 blocks per game.
0.7 turnovers per game.
Paul Reed stats in playoffs
Reed has appeared in 37 playoff games in the NBA, making two starts in 2023 replacing an injured Joel Embiid. Reed has averaged 3.3 points on 54.7% shooting and 3.9 rebounds over 10.9 minutes per playoff appearance.
Last season, Reed played in Games 2-6 in the Pistons' first-round series against the New York Knicks, after Stewart was unable to play. Reed averaged 2.8 points (5-for-8 shooting, 4-for-6 on free throws), three rebounds and a steal in 10.6 minutes in the series.
Paul Reed contract with Pistons
Reed signed a two-year, $10.9 million contract with the Pistons last summer. He makes $5.3 million for 2025-26. The second year at $5.6 million is nonguaranteed until Jan. 10, 2027, according to the sports salary website Spotrac.
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NBA All-Star Weekend is here, and fans can tune in to all their favorite events on NBC and Peacock. The festivities tip off on Friday with the Rising Stars Challenge at 9:00 PM ET and HBCU Classic at 11:00 PM ET.
NBA All-Star Saturday features the State Farm 3-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars and the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest all tipping off at 5:00 PM ET.
The weekend closes with the 75th All-Star Game on Sunday, broken into four mini-games beginning at 5:00 PM ET.
See below for additional information on the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest and how to watch all of the other exciting events featured on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season NBA games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
The second-year man out of Arizona has averaged 7.6 minutes per game across 21 appearances for the Heat this season. He's seen most of his playing time with the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic
The rookie first-rounder has logged 12.2 minutes per game, and he scored a career-best 20 points against the Washington Wizards on January 6. Richardson is the son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson.
Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
The first-year man from Arizona is averaging 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds across 9.3 minutes per game, but he had the best game of his career in Tuesday's win over the Lakers, going for 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and three three-pointers across 27 minutes.
Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
Hayes is a regular part of LA's rotation, logging 17.3 minutes per game with six starts. A lethal lob threat, he ranks 19th in the Association with 75 dunks this season.
Youngest Dunk Contest winner: Kobe Bryant, 18 years old (1997)
Notable Slam Dunk Contests
1986 - Spud Webb Elevates
Webb was a late sub for Michael Jordan, and the 5'7 guard answered the call with a shocking display of bounce to claim the win over teammate Dominique Wilkins.
1988 - His Airness Takes Flight
The most famous dunk of Jordan's illustrious career came at the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest when he took down Dominique Wilkins with a slam from the free throw line that earned him a perfect 50.
2000 - Vinsanity Unleashes
Widely regarded as the best Dunk Contest of all time, Vince Carter unleashed a series of jaw-dropping jams to defeat Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis. After nailing a between-the-legs windmill, he famously declared, "it's over."
2008 - Superman and the Cupcake
Dwight Howard donned his Superman cape for one of the Dunk Contest's most iconic finishes. He defeated Gerald Green, who blew out the candle on a cupcake placed on the rim.
2016 - LaVine vs. Gordon
The only contest that can hold a candle to the 2000 event featured a barrage of spectacular dunks from two of the NBA's most athletic finishers. LaVine narrowly won after a remarkable back-and-forth with Gordon.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
The Philadelphia Phillies have turned their franchise around in the last few years, making the postseason for the first time in a while during the 2022 season, and since then, continually made the postseason year after year.
But, while they've made the postseason, have gotten incredible pitching performances and MVP-type offensive seasons during that time, the Phillies have also had some bad defense, especially in the outfield.
According to Baseball Savant's Fielding Run Value, the Phillies have two players on their roster who, since the 2018 season, are the worst two fielders in all of Major League Baseball.
Phillies have 2 worst fielders in MLB on roster in same outfield
Nick Castellanos, the Phillies' long-time right fielder, has a -90 Fielding Run Value. It's a staggeringly terrible number, as Castellanos, since 2018, has been the worst fielder in Major League Baseball by a wide margin.
The second worst FRV? Only a -57 FRV. The difference between the two is -33 Fielding Run Value, which is the same difference as the 2nd-worst fielder to the 40th-worst fielder in MLB since 2018.
Speaking of that 2nd-worst fielding in Major League Baseball since 2018, according to Fielding Run Value, who is it? None other than Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies newly minted $150 million designated hitter.
If fans ever wondered why Schwarber is a designated hitter-only, this statistic should make it clear. His defense is behind only Castellanos for worst in MLB over the last eight years.
Fielding Run Value is only one metric, but even Baseball Savant's Outs Above Average doesn't favor either. Castellanos is still last with -75 OAA, while Kyle Schwarber is at a -65 OAA, the bottom two marks for all outfielders since 2016.
The Phillies had signed the two worst fielders in Major League Baseball history since Statcast came into play. While they both were tasked with outfield work, that's changing.
Schwarber is a DH only now, and his incredible offense more than makes up for the poor defense if he needs to play the outfield for a game or two.
Castellanos is going to be traded or cut before the 2026 regular season begins. He won't be on the roster this upcoming season, and the Phillies will, instead, get much better defensive play in right field from Adolis Garcia.
It only took two games, but I’ve seen enough. Where do I sign the petition to do away with court storming?
Three days after UNC fans embarrassingly stormed the court (twice!) after beating Duke -- their most hated rival who they should always expect to beat at home -- Miami fans stormed the court Tuesday after beating UNC, an ACC foe who was only favored by one point and now sits behind the Hurricanes in the standings.
If you think I'm here this morning to laugh at the Tar Heels for how quickly karma caught up to them... well, you're right, I am laughing. But I'll get to them later. I'm also here to say court storming needs to end. Technically, the practice is already against ACC rules. But the schools need to do more to stop it. We just saw three of them in four days between three teams separated by 3.5 games in the same conference. I know I’ve been in a football-induced coma the last three months since the start of college basketball season, but is this the standard now?
Forget about court storming being dangerous for a moment, or a Duke staffer getting bloodied during UNC's bum rush Saturday — though both things are true — court storming needs to end because it apparently doesn't hold much meaning anymore. Forgive my ignorance, but I thought these things were reserved for the unlikeliest of wins. Games where the home team has close to no chance, which wasn't remotely the case in either of these games.
I didn’t think UNC was even allowed to court-storm, what with 21 Final Four appearances and six national championships to the school’s name. I know times have been rough the last few years, but that was embarrassing behavior for a blue blood. UNC earned every bit of that $50,000 fine. This is like when the dab went viral about 10 years ago and older people started doing it. Suddenly, it wasn't cool anymore. At least Kansas still has shame, restraining from rushing the court after handing No. 1 Arizona its first loss of the season Monday.
Call me old school, but court stormings don't hit the way they used to. Let’s get ahead of the inevitable catastrophic injury from a storming that never should've happened and end it now.
Cheating Olympian's ex breaks silence
You've surely heard by now of the Norwegian Olympian who confessed to cheating on his girlfriend after winning bronze in the biathlon. If not, Charles Curtis has a good recap here of the stunning and unnecessary admission by Sturla Holm Laegreid.
Today, it's time to hear from the girlfriend... or ex-girlfriend to be more accurate.
Manchester United's winning streak was snapped at four games yesterday, meaning the fan refusing to get a haircut until they win five straight will have to wait a little longer, though the team is very aware of the fan's pledge.
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Lacrosse season is back, folks. After a busy first few days of the season, not much has shifted in the rankings yet, although that will certainly change in a hurry given certain developments in Evanston on Monday night. For now, let’s take a look at where things stand in the first in-season IWLCA Coaches Poll, which was released after Sunday’s contests.
1. North Carolina (1-0, 0-0 ACC)
Movement: none
Last Week: 19-11 win at No. 21 James Madison
This Week: at No. 13 Syracuse
The reigning national champions are back, and they look as scary as ever. The loss of Ashley Humphrey will certainly dampen the Tar Heels’ prospects this season, but they can take solace in the fact that reigning Tewaaraton Award winner Chloe Humphrey has plenty of time remaining in Chapel Hill. The younger Humphrey had seven points in the season opener against JMU, and UNC cruised to a victory, leading 16-6 after three quarters of play.
2. Northwestern (1-1, 0-0 B1G)
Movement: none
Last Week: 20-12 win at No. 3 Boston College, 10-9 loss vs. Colorado
This Week: vs. No. 20 Army, vs. Central Michigan
Well, that was quite the two-game stretch to open the Wildcats’ season. NU began by looking every bit like its national-championship contending self in its season opener, blowing out Boston College on the road behind huge offensive performances from Madison Taylor, Aditi Foster and others. Then, the ‘Cats mystifyingly lost their home opener to unranked Colorado, committing a whopping 18 turnovers and simply playing out of sync despite the incredible offensive talent they possess. Lots of blame can go around for a shocking upset defeat, but most of all, reigning Tewaaraton finalist Maddie Epke really struggled on Monday, committing four turnovers and failing to record a single shot. Epke is extremely talented and certainly has better days in front of her, but regardless, the Wildcats’ loss will hurt their Week Two ranking, serving as a wake-up call for this squad going forward.
3. Boston College (0-1, 0-0 ACC)
Movement: none
Last Week: 20-12 loss vs. No. 2 Northwestern
This Week: vs. No. 16 Notre Dame
After the losses of Rachel Clark and others, the Eagles have had to retool quickly, and they weren’t able to find their footing against an elite Wildcat squad in their season opener. BC couldn’t contain the multi-pronged Northwestern attack, suffering a tough loss to begin its season against the same NU team that ended its 2025 year with a dramatic Final Four comeback win. Boston College will certainly remain as a top contender this season, but improvement in its next contest against a ranked Notre Dame squad is paramount.
4. Stanford (1-0, 0-0 ACC)
Movement: up one spot
Last Week: 23-7 win at UC Davis
This Week: at No. 9 Clemson, at Vanderbilt
The Cardinal managed to leapfrog Florida in the latest edition of the IWLCA coaches poll, making a statement with a blowout victory over UC Davis on Saturday. Stanford had a whopping four players put up hat tricks, showcasing its depth against an Aggies team that let up 10 goals in the second quarter alone. The Cardinal are looking dangerous, and if they can manage to take down Clemson this week, they should be well-positioned as the biggest threat among teams that did not qualify for the Final Four a year ago.
5. Florida (0-0, 0-0 Big 12)
Movement: down one spot
Last Week: none
This Week: vs. No. 17 Michigan, at No. 19 Loyola Maryland
Florida got docked through no fault of its own in the coaches poll after Stanford’s blowout victory over UC Davis, as the Gators’ expected season opener against Loyola Maryland was postponed until Feb. 17. Now, Florida has a tough week ahead, facing off against two ranked teams. The Gators will certainly enter 2026 with a vengeance after 2025’s blowout 20-4 Final Four loss at the hands of the Tar Heels.
6. Maryland (1-0, 0-0 B1G)
Movement: up one spot
Last Week: 9-5 win at No. 13 Syracuse
This Week: vs. No. 12 Virginia
The Terrapins won in a dogfight at the JMA Wireless Dome on Friday, holding onto a 6-1 halftime advantage to come through with a massive road win. Five goals from junior attacker Lauren LaPointe proved huge, but junior goalkeeper JJ Suriano was the MVP of Maryland’s season-opening victory. Suriano dominated to the tune of a whopping 16 saves, putting up a stellar .762 save percentage against a ranked foe. UVA poses another tough ACC test for the Terps, who will look to get some more offensive variety going to reduce their reliance on LaPointe and stellar goalie play.
7. Princeton (0-0, 0-0 Ivy League)
Movement: down one spot
Last Week: none
This Week: none
Similarly to Florida, Princeton dropped a spot in the rankings through no fault of its own, as the Tigers did not play a game in the season’s opening days. Unlike the Gators, Princeton doesn’t have a game this week either, as its season opener doesn’t come until a matchup against Loyola Maryland on Feb. 21. The Tigers will look to build on an impressive Ivy League championship and Elite Eight run from a season ago.
8. Johns Hopkins (1-0, 0-0 B1G)
Movement: none
Last Week: 17-7 win at Liberty
This Week: at No. 19 Loyola Maryland, at No. 14 Duke
The Blue Jays took care of business in their season opener behind eight goals from Ava Angello, who tied her best career single-game scoring mark and single-handedly outscored the Flames. Two goals apiece from Taylor Hoss, Laurel Gonzalez and Lacey Downey were key, and Johns Hopkins’ defense was also stellar, holding Liberty to 19 shots and 10 shots on goal. The Blue Jays are looking like they could be dangerous in the Big Ten, and if they can win their three upcoming ranked road matchups against Loyola Maryland, Duke and Penn, they’ll have a truly stacked early-season resume.
9. Clemson (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
Movement: up three spots
Last Week: 20-5 win vs. Vanderbilt, 18-1 win vs. Furman
This Week: vs. No. 4 Stanford, at Queens
The Tigers surged into the top 10 after obliterating Vanderbilt with 13 first-half goals and 20 tallies in all, including five from Brooke Goldstein. The coaches poll gave Clemson major credit for its dominance, but the Tigers weren’t satisfied. They nearly shut out Furman on Tuesday, allowing just eight total shots all game alongside big offensive performances from Alexa Spallina (six goals) and Regan Byrne (four goals). Clemson looked scary (albeit against lighter competition) in its first two games, and now, the question becomes whether the Tigers can survive their first true test in an early-season ACC opener against the Cardinal.
10. Navy (1-0, 0-0 Patriot League)
Movement: up six spots
Last Week: 12-10 win at No. 12 Virginia
This Week: vs. Villanova
How about the Midshipmen with an early-season upset? On Friday, Navy marched into Charlottesville, Va., and pulled out a gritty 12-10 victory over the Cavaliers, riding the momentum established by its 16-7 draw control advantage. The Midshipmen also outshot UVA 33-21, generating multi-goal games from four different players as a result. Navy is a balanced team, and although its next three games are all against unranked opponents, its Feb. 28 home tilt against Florida should be an electric watch where the Gators could very well be on upset alert.
Just missed the cut: Penn (opens season on Feb. 14 vs. Drexel), Virginia (lost to Navy), Syracuse (lost to Maryland)
Myles Garrett made the trip to Italy to support his girlfriend, Chloe Kim, in the women's halfpipe Olympic competition.
Action got underway for the gold medalist with qualifying runs on Wednesday. Naturally, Kim put up the top score, and the Cleveland Browns superstar was there cheering her on.
In fact, Garrett had an incredible view, which he shared on his Instagram story:
Myles Garrett had a great view of @ChloeKim’s top qualifying run on the halfpipe in Livigno.
Kim will go for gold on Thursday. The final will get underway at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Garrett will surely be there again, of course. He's coming off a season in which he set the NFL's single-season sacks record, so he knows what big achievements feel like.
For Kim, who is also the reigning world champion, she'll try to prove that she remains the absolute best at what she does, and Garrett will be right alongside her, with a great view, cheering her on.
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A prominent NFL mock draft brings a “curveball” pick by the New York Giants with their first-round selection that the organization should seriously consider.
The 2025 NY Giants campaign was another miserable one. After 18 weeks, the team finished with a 4-13 record, a year after ending their previous season with a 3-14 mark. It is why head coach Brian Daboll was fired in November, and the organization was very aggressive to hire one-time Super Bowl winner John Harbaugh to replace him.
Although the Baltimore Ravens fired Harbaugh last month, he is still one of the most-respected coaches in the league after posting a 180-113 record during his 18 years in Baltimore. His arrival has created a huge amount of excitement about what the NY Giants can do in 2026 and beyond. However, if they are going to succeed in the Harbaugh era, they must start hitting on NFL Draft picks.
The franchise has another big opportunity in April when they are on the clock at No. 5 in Round 1 of the event. Furthermore, they don’t need to use the selection on a quarterback since they think they have a long-term option in 2025 first-rounder Jaxson Dart. Meaning the NY Giants can take the best player available.
Since the season ended, most mock drafts have the G-Men taking a wide receiver, an offensive tackle, and even top cornerbacks in Round 1. However, ESPN NFL expert Field Yates offered a different option in his brand new mock draft for the outlet.
“This is my first curveball, as many early mock drafts have linked the Giants to a wide receiver or offensive tackle in this spot,” Yates wrote. “Those are completely understandable, especially if Wan’Dale Robinson and/or Jermaine Eluemunor depart in free agency. But Downs has my attention as the first pick of the John Harbaugh era.”
Why the NY Giants should use their first pick in 2026 on Caleb Downs
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Many football experts believe the Ohio State star is the most NFL-ready player among the top prospects this year. He was the undisputed top star and leader of a defense many felt was the best in the country in 2025. What makes him special beyond his physical gifts is his very high football IQ and his unique versatility at the position.
The NY Giants defense, despite some high-level talent, was not good last season. Bringing in a stabilizing figure in the secondary who can be used in multiple ways could be a great help to the talented pass rushers the team has up front, including Brian Burns.
However, if that doesn’t sway you, let Yates explain why Downs is a very likely pick for a head coach who built his success in Baltimore off of consistently good defenses.
“Perhaps no current coach better understands the value of top-flight safety play, as Harbaugh coached Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore,” he wrote. “While the Giants have starters in Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, Downs has the upside to change an entire defense as a force multiplier with his deep range and in-the-box skills.”
There are now three names seemingly in the running to succeed Roberto De Zerbi as manager of Olympique de Marseille, as per a report from L’Équipe.
De Zerbi’s fate was decided in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with the Italian’s 18-month stint at OM coming to an end by mutual consent. He leaves the club fourth in Ligue 1 and still in the Coupe de France, although a 3-0 defeat against Club Brugge put an abrupt end to their UEFA Champions League campaign.
Habib Beye and Sergio Conceicao are two names being considered by Marseille, whilst L’Équipe understands that Éric Chelle is also in the mix. The Malian national, who played professionally in France, has been offered to OM, the publication understands.
He most recently lead Nigeria to a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), beating Egypt on penalties in the third-place play-off, following their elimination at the hands of Morocco, also on penalties.
Manchester City boss Andree Jeglertz has called for the introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) technology in the Women's Super League
WSL leaders City saw their 13-game winning streak ended by a 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday, but remain eight points clear at the top of the table.
City felt Gunners midfielder Mariona Caldentey should have been sent off in the second half for bringing down Lauren Hemp just outside the penalty area with only goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar to beat.
Referee Abigail Byrne judged Caldentey won the ball and waved play on.
"I've seen pictures from different angles and for me, it's very clear it is the wrong decision," Jeglertz said before his side's WSL match against Leicester City on Friday (13 February, 19:00 GMT).
"We can't do anything about it now. As long as the players are working to develop, I'm pretty sure the referees are working to develop. I'm sure in the future we will develop the game in that way.
"I think VAR should be [introduced]. I know there are some challenges with that, but it should be in our league because it's the most fair way for these situations."
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers called for the introduction of VAR in November after her side had an equaliser against Chelsea incorrectly disallowed for handball.
Swerve Strickland at a Super Bowl party - Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images
AEW has never lacked for stables during its short history, especially these days when the Don Callis Family has enough members to spin-off into another stable. Last week on "AEW Dynamite," the promotion seemed to hint that a stable could be making a return, when Prince Nana was spotted carrying an Embassy towel while he and Swerve Strickland were being interviewed backstage.
During a Fightful Select Answers Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp was asked whether the Embassy towel was simply a nod to Nana's past, or if it was a sign that he and Strickland could be bringing the stable back. While he had no definitive information, Sapp strongly believes it is a sign that the stable could be returning, citing the pride Nana and Strickland had in the Embassy's history and the Embassy robe originally worn by the late Jimmy Rave (and later adopted by Strickland), as well as previous statements from Nana regarding the group's importance.
First founded by Nana in early 2004, the Embassy quickly became one of the top heel factions in Ring of Honor; though initially disbanding in 2006, Nana would revive the group on a few occasions, most notably in 2009 and 2011. Among the names to make up The Embassy over its several incarnations are Rave, Alex Shelley, Abyss, Angelina Love, Jade Chung, Xavier, Claudio Castagnoli, Shawn Daivari, Erick Stevens, Necro Butcher, Rhino, Michin, and newest AEW signee Tommaso Ciampa.
After seemingly disbanding for good in 2017, Nana revived the stable again at ROH Death Before 2022, building the stable around Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona; nearly a year later, the group merged with Strickland's Mogul Affiliates to form the Mogul Embassy. The group would continue on for another year before Cage, Kaun, and Liona turned on Strickland and Nana, effectively ending the group.
Expectations have a way of sharpening disappointment. Few teams felt that edge more acutely in 2025 than the Baltimore Ravens. A season that opened with Super Bowl aspirations ended not with a playoff run, but with unease. Questions lingered about direction, durability, and how a roster built to contend somehow finished on the outside looking in.
This is typically the time of year when franchises recalibrate. They take stock, compare themselves to teams that rose and teams that fell, and try to locate where they truly stand. After all, only one of the NFL's 32 teams achieves its ultimate goal. Fourteen make the postseason. Eighteen stay home. Baltimore, painfully, landed in the latter group.
"Baltimore's priority is reaching a new contract with Lamar Jackson and getting the two-time NFL MVP back on track on the field. The first issue is reducing Jackson's $74.5 million salary cap number, and owner Steve Bisciotti spoke to Jackson about the urgency to create more cap room before the start of free agency in March. Then, Baltimore's new coaching staff will look to build a scheme around Jackson, who is coming off 2,549 passing yards and 21 touchdowns -- both of which are his lowest since 2022. The good news: Jackson has won NFL MVP the past two times Baltimore hired a new offensive coordinator."
It's a sober assessment, one that seems respectful of the talent, but it's also one that is shaped by results. The Ravens aren't being dismissed, but they're no longer being presumed either. A ranking of fourteenth reflects where Baltimore lives right now. They're caught between what they believe they should be and what they have actually proven.
We all remember how the season ended. Tyler Loop’s final field-goal attempt sailed wide right, and with it went every remaining hope of a playoff run, a hope that was drowned out by the cheers of a satisfied Pittsburgh Steelers fan base.
Pittsburgh, of course, would go on to lose in the Wild Card Round... again. That offered some consolation, though nothing close to what a deep Ravens run would have meant.
Yes, this roster felt capable of postseason noise. Yes, the arrival of a new coaching staff has injected fresh optimism. But Lamar Jackson’s contract situation remains unresolved, and redemption has been deferred, not delivered.
The Ravens' 30th anniversary season didn't go according to plan. Now, they face a familiar but urgent truth: there’s nowhere to go but up in 2026. And for what it's worth, if you're looking for perspective, the Cincinnati Bengals, Steelers, and Cleveland Browns ranked 16th, 21st, and dead last, respectively.
The Ravens may have fallen short, but they're still very much in the fight. Fourteenth isn't a ceiling or a condemnation. In this sense, it’s more of a challenge, and in Baltimore, challenges are supposed to serve as motivation.
The Jaguars will be without a first-round pick in this year's draft after moving up for Travis Hunter last April.
However, GM James Gladstone still maintains quite a bit of flexibility entering the 2026 NFL draft. In total, the Jaguars have 11 picks, giving Gladstone the ability to move around the draft board.
In addition to that, four of those picks are in the top 100, providing the Jaguars with the opportunity to add some immediate impact players.
Given the current construction of the roster, this feels like an offseason where the Jaguars could focus more heavily on the defensive side of the football.
With help from Pro Football Focus' 2026 NFL draft big board, here are the top draft prospects from Indiana.
First, it was Francisco Lindor. Then, it was Jackson Holliday. And then? It was Corbin Carroll. All three big names suffered hamate injuries as MLB spring training kicked off in Florida and Arizona.
So... what's going on here? Is it time for "HamateGate" headlines?
Let's start with the answer to the question you have: What is a hamate bone? It's small bone in the wrist that's got a hook near the pinky finger. There have been plenty of hamate injuries in the past that were fixed by surgery... but three in the first couple of days of spring training? Huh?
For those unfamiliar, the hamate bone — which could cause Corbin Carroll, Francisco Lindor and Jackson Holliday to miss Opening Day — is a small, hook-shaped bone on the palm, just underneath the pinky, that is particularly susceptible to breaking. While the recovery is typically…
What could be going on here? There's no official word, but could it be related to something these players worked on in the offseason? Specifically with swinging the bat?
The Royals picked up a fantastic 2-1 away victory against Wigan Athletic to move us up to six points off the playoffs.
Goals through Jeriel Dorsett and a late Paudie O’Connor winner secured the three points. With a big game against Wycombe Wanderers at the weekend, it moves us ever closer to the playoffs.
Royals boss Leam Richardson was very happy with the points. Here is what he had to say, he spoke to Royals TV.
Richardson on the victory
“It is a big three points. It is never easy coming away on Tuesday night with the weather like it is, off the back of what has been going on at this club with the loss of a manager and big loss at the weekend.
“It was always a dangerous game for us, but we thought that if we could manage the first 20 minutes then we would get a positive result and we did that.
“We had to be patient and keep the ball, not risk it as much and wait until we get five in the top line. I felt we would get that because at times we played some really good football and played through them at times.
“We will get better at that. We are missing Daniel [Kyerewaa], Randell Williams, Derrick Williams, [Will Keane].
“The lads did great at times. I thought we put in some really positive performances – Benn Ward’s debut was excellent, away at Wigan on a Tuesday night with the weather like it is, it had all the makings of a result, but I thought he was excellent tonight.”
Richardson on Dorsett and the response from the weekend
“Jeriel’s made a fantastic action to score but he will be disappointed with the goal against.
“I thought he was excellent tonight – his performance was very good, and his levels of performance are really good at the minute so we will take it on the chin. The response from the weekend and goal tonight, going away from home and scoring another two goals, is very pleasing.
“It is what we demand. I thought everyone on the pitch – and the subs coming on – maintained and lifted the level. We could have possibly gone and scored again to finish the game, but I am pleased with the result.
“It will make my night better. When we win, it is the same problem just with less opinions and when we lose there are the same problems but more opinions.
“Everybody will be pleased with that tonight. To go away at any ground and get a result is pleasing and the lads deserve full credit tonight.”
Shakur Stevenson has just opened the door to boxing for Ilia Topuria, in a move that follows the UFC star’s growing interest in a future inside the ring.
That path hasn’t become any clearer since then, but on 13th June, Stevenson (21-0) appeared on DAZN’s Jabs podcast and explained how he’s very open to a potential fight with ‘El Matador’, should he follow through on his ambitions to switch sports.
Stevenson seemed genuinely interested in the idea:
If it ever does happen, Topuria would be walking into a fight against an elite fighter. Stevenson is undefeated in his career and currently holds the WBC super lightweight title. He previously held championships at both featherweight and super featherweight before moving up divisions.
Shakur Stevenson offers Topuria a route into boxing
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Back in November, Topuria made the decision to step away from the UFC for a while to deal with personal matters at home.
During his absence, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett met for the interim lightweight belt. Gaethje’s convincing win set up an inevitable clash with Topuria upon his return.
Topuria’s next fight could take place on a massive stage as he eyes a return at UFC White House, which would be another major step forward in terms of exposure.
The super lightweight champion Stevenson has now thrown his name into the mix, offering a potential matchup down the line.
“The skill level (between MMA boxing and boxing) is different,” Stevenson said during a livestream with Adin Ross.
“Tell (Topuria) to come and fight me. I don’t care (if he’s a crazy boxer) tell him to come and fight me.”
Does Topuria have the skillset to compete for a boxing title?
While Topuria doesn’t come from a traditional boxing background, he’s often praised as one of the best strikers within the UFC.
That said, there’s a clear gap between MMA striking and pure boxing. It’s still uncertain how well his skills would translate if he ever made the move into the ring.
Baker is a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder at Milton (Georgia) High. He is a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports Composite.
Baker is a dual-threat quarterback with a thick frame, a physical running style and a strong arm. He missed most of his 2025 junior season due to injury, so he's somewhat of an unknown on the recruiting trail.
Tennessee got an early look at Baker when he visited campus for camp last summer. Georgia, Florida State and Indiana have shown increased interest in recent months. He also has scholarship offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Ole Miss in the SEC.
Baker is UT’s fifth commitment of the 2027 class. He joins four-star offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo (Murfreesboro), three-star defensive lineman Kadin Fife (Chattanooga), three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitefield (Orlando) and three-star linebacker JP Peace (Maryville).
Baker could sign as early as December. Meanwhile, Tennessee's quarterback situation is in flux for the 2026 season.
Joey Aguilar, the 2025 starter, sued the NCAA over its eligibility rules in hopes of playing one more season. His preliminary injunction hearing is set for Feb. 12.
If Aguilar regains his eligibility, he'll remain UT's starting quarterback. If he remains ineligible, redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, five-star freshman Faizon Brandon and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub will compete for the starting job in the 2026 season.
Baker would join the mix in 2027, when the quarterback group could look quite different.
MEDLEY, FLORIDA - JANUARY 31: Angel Reese #5 of Rose reacts during the third quarter of the game against the Phantom at Wayfair Arena on January 31, 2025 in Medley, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Send the fax. She’s back.
Angel Reese, the reigning Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year, is rejoining Rose for the stretch run.
Reese, who also was a 2025 All-Unrivaled Second Team selection, has signed a rest-of-season contract, situating her to suit up for Rose as they continue their title defense. The club has three remaining regular-season games, plus a presumed playoff run.
Reese also fills the roster spot vacated in the recent three-player trade, where Rose sent Azurá Stevens to Hive but did not receive a player in return.
Last season, Reese played 14 games for Rose, averaging a double-double of just under 12 points and almost 11 rebounds per game. She missed Rose’s final two regular-season games, as well as the playoffs, due to injury.
Rose is back in action on Friday, Feb. 20. Mark your calendars for the Reese return!
Bundesliga Team Check | Wolfsburg’s path out of the relegation race
In today’s Get German Football News Bundesliga feature, we’ll be checking in with VfL Wolfsburg. Unlike in some of our other recent Bundesliga check-ups (Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen), the German Wolves aren’t operating under a brand new head coach. Daniel Bauer coached the Lower Saxon Autostädter on an interim basis through four matches in November and December before receiving his permanent trainer appointment shortly before Christmas.
Bauer’s appointment led to some chuckles within German footballing circles as he was considered a nondescript character without an especially inventive personality. The fact that Bauer stabilized this notoriously (and congenitally) unbalanced squad in a simple and somewhat bland 4-2-3-1 system nevertheless did count as something a plus.
Predecessors Niko Kovac and Ralph Hasenhüttl did horrendous jobs exacerbating the squad’s imbalance with egregious over tinkering. Poor Paul Simonis simply had to clue what to do with all the high-priced talent square-pegs that didn’t come anywhere close to fitting into the round holes he inherited. Bauer at least got the team into a reasonable rhythm.
While Bauer faced all of these problems, the VfL front office fought desperately to address the squads needs throughout the January transfer window. As GGFN noted in our extensive Wolfsburg Transfer Primer section, finances currently play much more of a role than one might think for this non 50+1 side.
Germany’s green company team, at present, isn’t bankrolled by the most stable of corporate entities. A serious issue facing current sporting director Pirmin Schwegler and his predecessor Sebastian Schindzielorz in the last two transfer windows concerns the fact that most clubs still assume that they are.
Schwegler and Schindzielorz fought hard to negotiate the price of new additions down to reasonable rates. As the January transfer deadline loomed, Schwegler and his staff fought through many failed transfers while Wolfsburg went three league fixtures without a win.
The VfL administrative team were able to recoup some modest loan fees for Andreas Skov Olsen (Rangers) and Mathys Angely (Anderlecht), but such six-figure fees barely lodge a dent in the club’s estimated €30m 2025/26 transfer deficit.
Wolfsburg are now the most over leveraged club in the Bundesliga. With a roster of 33 active professionals, the club also largest on-payroll squad in the German top division. A huge gamble has been undertaken here. Relegation could seriously sink this project.
Will there still be administrative changes at Wolfsburg?
Rumors are beginning to circulate that the supervisory board is preparing to sack managing director Peter Christiansen. The Dane stands as the last lone survivor of this season’s housecleaning that saw head coach Simonis and sporting director Schindzielorz dismissed.
Christiansen himself has declared that he’s ready to depart and it makes little sense for him to stay. Current sporting director Schwegler may feel more comfortable working with his old boss Alexander Rosen of Hoffenheim, who has been without a job since getting the controversial TSG sack 18 months ago.
Re-uniting Rosen with Schwegler makes perfect sense. Christiansen may be the last man standing, but that also renders him the last figure to take the fall if history repeats itself. It well might. Christiansen probably finishes out the season, getting cut at the end with one full year salary as severance.
Can Wolfsburg be relegated from the Bundesliga?
Probably the worst case scenario will see Wolfsburg have to contest the promotion-relegation playoff, just as they did at the end of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 campaign. Bundesliga enthusiasts recall these two playoffs as the most disappointing ones (apart from Hoffenheim’s defeat of Kaiserslautern at the end of the 2012/13 season). If Wolfsburg finish the season in 16th place, there doesn’t appear a 2. Bundesliga side apart from Schalke that could truly compete with them.
What will ultimately save Bauer’s team?
To answer this, we’ll take a look at Bauer’s latest set of tactics. Former VfL trainer Niko Kovac’s words of encouragement for his old club weren’t mere lip service. Quite of encouragement can be divined from the latest league loss. Bauer continues to roll out a 4-2-3-1. We’ll take a look at what works, what doesn’t, and what lessons can be learned.
Lineup—WOB (Round 21)
The team responded reasonably well to early to the loss of Kilian Fischer. Vavro kept the defensive ranks organized and did a particularly good job taking Fischer’s replacement Jan Bürger under his aegis. Konstantinos Koulierakis headed home the 1-2 after another one of captain Maximilian Arnold’s brilliant set-piece services. Adam Daghim played a very strong match up front.
Rust meant that Mohamed Amoura’s touch often failed him, but the Algerian international should be back in goal-scoring form soon. VfL substitute Lovro Majer was denied a late equalizer only by the crossbar. Arnold too struck the goal frame late. One also liked what one saw from Jesper Lindstrøm, Mattias Svanberg, and Pejcinovic off the bench late.
What looks to work
Belocian’s excellent tour of duty at left-back counts as immensely important good news. With some luck, Belocian may be able to bracket the defense alongside his old French youth international Kumbedi. This could maybe even allow Aaron Zehnter to move higher up into midfield as part of a 4-3-3, placing Maximilian Arnold on a more comfortable solo axis in midfield.
The steady improvement of hard-luck injury case Kevin Paredes gives one ground for some cautious optimism. Ideally, the 22-year-old will gradually gain confidence on the left before moving over to the right. One can also foresee Paredes maybe eventually filling in as a fullback on either side. The Virginia native, when healthy, certainly possesses the pace to make an impact from a deeper position.
What needs work
Amoura – assuming he can get his act together – typically functions better as a left lane attacker. If Pecjinovic isn’t capable of leading the line, Daghim may be the better option at center forward. Shiogai’s debut in the ten slot simply didn’t work out. The 20-year-old looked lost on the attack charges and turned the ball over far too many times. Bauer possesses many more players who could fill the position better.
What should Wolfsburg’s XI look like?
We’ll attempt to set it up for Bauer, making only one personnel change (Zehnter for Shiogai) and moving a bunch of pieces around. The resulting 4-3-3 lends more variability and quality to the attack. Re-organizing the top axis remains the most important thing. Bauer’s top priority should be drilling Daghim and Paredes in different positions.
Lineup—WOB (Projected)
Off the ball, this can function as a 4-1-4-1 that might be somewhat vulnerable absorbing faster attack builds, yet maintains brutal potential on the counter. Despite the prevalence of attack-minded players on the third axis, one trusts the defending competence of actors like Eriksen and Zehnter. Bauer can even get the team’s muscle memory working to the extent that the over and under laps are exceptionally hard to predict and defend against.
Aug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh (left) and general manager Joe Hortiz react during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
LIVIGNO, Italy — Elizabeth Lemley was certainly a medal contender entering the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
But gold? You had to see it to believe it.
So "The Star Spangled Banner” played for the first time at the snow sports cluster in Livigno and Lemley took the top spot on the podium with teammate Jaelin Kauf, who won silver in the event for the second straight year, by her side.
Lemley’s blistering and technical final run resulted in a 82.30 and Kauf finished at 80.77. Australia’s Jakara Anthony, the defending Olympic champion, made a bad turn in the middle of the first run to clinch the top two podium spots for the USA. France's Perrine Laffont took the bronze medal home with a 78.00.
As Kauf and Lemley made their way to the friends and family section, there were more than enough tears of joy and hugs and cries of “Oh my god!” Kauf’s family held up homemade cutouts of the letter “J” and Lemley’s friends from Colorado hoisted her up on their shoulders.
Lemley, 20, is the youngest member of the U.S. moguls team at the 2026 Winter Olympics and a first-time Olympian, but put up a veteran performance.
Four years ago, Kauf also won the silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in women’s moguls. The official Team USA bio for Kauf states she is the fastest woman in moguls skiing, and she has maintained that the skiing portion of her event – rather than the aerial-trick component – is her strength.
Kauf reached 14 consecutive podiums (eight victories) during the 2025 season, which ended with a dual moguls world title. At 29 years old, Kauf talked last year about being one of her event’s older competitors.
"That doesn’t define what I can do or accomplish in this sport. I truly think age is just a number. My mom showed me that my whole life,” she said. "You can do whatever you want to do.”
Both of Kauf’s parents were on the Pro Moguls Tour when she was a child, but it was her mother Patti who had the most significant effect on her. In a childhood during which most of her ski and soccer teammates were boys, Patti was her daughter’s biggest role model. Jaelin has distinct memories of watching Patti – who also raced while pregnant with her daughter – compete at the X Games and try to qualify for Olympics at age 40.
Moguls has become a different sport than what her parents experienced over the past two decades. Her parents nonetheless understand the tribulations of being an Olympic athlete.
"They understand competing at an elite level and I don't know if I bounce anything like technically or anything like that off of them, but definitely, they're always there as a shoulder to cry on, to celebrate with, whatever it is," Kauf told USA TODAY Sports. "And I know that they understand my emotions and feelings and the heartbreak, the upsets and the triumphs of the sport too.”
For the Kaufs on Wednesday, there was no heartbreak, no upsets. Just celebration and triumph.
Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan takes questions after their 41-20 loss against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Former Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan has a new job. He is joining John Harbaugh’s staff with the New York Giants as the quarterbacks coach, according to Ian Rapoport. It’s Callahan’s third stop as a quarterback coach. That is probably the job for which he is the most suited.
Callahan is probably a good football coach, but it was painfully obvious here that the job of being a head coach is too big for him, at least at this point in his career. He has worked with some really good quarterbacks in his time. Now, he will be tasked with helping develop Jasxon Dart.
This move also means that Amy Adams Strunk will be off the hook for some of the money that she owes Callahan. Whatever money he is making with the Giants will count against what he is owed by the Titans.
Callahan seems like a good guy, so I wish him nothing but success going forward.
Sunderland beat Sheffield United 2-1 in last season's Championship play-off final [Getty Images]
EFL clubs will vote on expanding play-offs in the Championship from four to six teams at a meeting on 5 March.
The proposal, which has been under consideration for a number of seasons, would mean the teams finishing from third to eighth compete for a place in the Premier League.
It would mirror the format used in the National League.
The teams finishing in third and fourth would automatically move through to the semi-finals.
The quarter-finals, or eliminator round, would feature one-legged ties, with fifth hosting eighth and sixth at home to seventh.
In the two-legged semi-finals, third place would take on the lowest-ranked team remaining, with fourth facing the highest.
The final would still take place at Wembley at the end of May.
The change has been approved by the EFL board and the Football Association.
It requires a majority of clubs in the EFL (at least 37 of 72) and also in the Championship (at least 13 of 24) to vote in favour of the change at the extraordinary general meeting.
The Championship has what could be described as a master share in any vote to alter the regulations.
If passed, the new play-off system would be in place for the 2026-27 season.
It is seen as giving greater opportunities to clubs with fewer resources, perhaps without parachute payments, to compete for promotion to the Premier League.
At present there are no plans to expand the play-offs in League One or League Two, but its success will be assessed.
Four teams are currently relegated from League One. Because of that, seventh in League Two gets a play-off place.
The EFL will also discuss proposals to change promotion and relegation to three up, three down between League Two and the National League.
At present two teams are relegated, while only the National League champions are guaranteed a place in the EFL. The second place is filled through the play-off system.
Some of the athletes depicted on Vladyslav Heraskevych's helmet were his friends [Getty Images]
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych says he will wear his helmet of remembrance on race days "because these athletes deserve to be on the track" - despite the International Olympic Committee banning him from doing so.
Heraskevych wore the helmet, which features images of athletes killed during Russia's invasion of his home country, during a training session on Wednesday after being told it was not allowed.
The IOC says the helmet breaks the rules laid down in the Olympic Charter and suggests he could instead wear a black armband to pay tribute.
Heraskevych says he does not believe the IOC will impose sanctions on him for continuing to wear it, adding: "I believe we have all the rights to wear this helmet in competition because it is fully compliant with the rules.
"I believe the IOC doesn't have enough black bands to honour all of the athletes."
The IOC has not confirmed whether it would disqualify Heraskevych for continuing to wear the helmet, saying it is "not helpful to look at hypotheticals".
Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter states "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas".
Mark Adams, a spokesperson for the IOC, said they will contact Heraskevych on Thursday to "reiterate his many opportunities to express his grief".
The men's skeleton heats begin on Wednesday with the final runs on Friday and Adams says he can show the helmet in mixed zones and on social media but "the field of play is sacrosanct".
"We really want him to compete, we want all athletes to have their moment," Adams said.
"[It's] not helpful to look at hypotheticals. It's not helpful to speculate now, but there are rules and regulations the athletes want us to enforce. In the end it would be an IOC matter.
"We don't want to prosecute this issue in public - the way we hope we can deal with this is on a human level. It is in everyone's interest for him to compete."
Heraskevych said that many of those pictured on his helmet were athletes, including teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, and some of them were his friends.
"With this helmet we keep memories about these athletes," he said.
"Some of them were part of the Olympic movement - they were part of the Olympic family. I believe they deserve to be here."
The IOC has previously disqualified athletes for displaying political messages.
Afghan breakdancer Manizha Talash, who represented the Refugee Olympic Team at the 2024 Paris Games, was disqualified for displaying a 'Free Afghan Women' slogan on her cape during a pre-qualifier dance battle.
'They didn't get punished and neither should I'
American figure skater Maxim Naumov, whose parents were among 67 people killed in a plane crash in Washington DC last month, held up a photograph of them after completing his men's singles routine on Thursday while waiting for the score.
Heraskevych says he does not understand the difference between this and his helmet tribute.
"I believe I have all the rights - these athletes didn't get any punishment and neither should I," he said.
"We have the same rules. They showed photos when they were waiting for the scores. So it was still [in a] venue of participation, it wasn't a mixed zone. It's the same, it's equal. I don't see any difference."
In relation to Naumov, Adams said: "This is very emotional, very human emotion. It highlights what we are saying - this Ukrainian athlete can do the same. He can show his helmet, walk through the mixed zone and talk to people.
"We have loosened the rules, we have allowed him to use a black armband. Naumov strengthens our argument - he competed, then expressed human emotion."
Heraskevych, Ukraine's first skeleton athlete, held up a 'No War in Ukraine' sign at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, days before Russia's invasion of the country.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Heraskevych "for reminding the world of the price of our struggle" in a post on X.
New England Patriots rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell earned the brunt of the blame for his team's loss in the Super Bowl to the Seattle Seahawks. He gave up 14 pressures in the game, per NFL Next Gen Stats, and was criticized for his poor play following New England's loss.
A lot of the criticism stems from Campbell's frame, which some have said is too small to play tackle — especially his arms.
Andrew Whitworth disagrees with that notion, though. The former Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle said on his podcast with ex-NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick that Campbell needs to be more aggressive at the point of attack and use his skillset to offset whatever disadvantages he has physically. Whitworth advised Campbell to watch and learn from how ex-New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins tackle Terron Armstead plays.
"Will plays a little bit like me and a little bit like Lane Johnson, but he doesn't have that frame at all when he tries to get set," Whitworth said. "So I'd love to see him go get aggressive, learn how to jump guys.
"It has nothing to do with his arm length. This is a combination of knowing who you are and using your skillset to being good at football. That’s like saying a wide receiver has to be the fastest guy on the field to be good at wideout. It makes zero sense. Davante Adams is not the fastest guy on the field, but that dude can separate like nobody else."
"Will plays a little bit like me and a little bit like Lane Johnson, but he doesn't have that frame at all ... I'd love to see him go get aggressive."
Campbell is right between Whitworth and Armstead in terms of frame: The Patriots' rookie is 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds, while Whitworth played at 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds and Armstead played at 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds. Campbell was the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, so he clearly has the goods to play at a high level in the NFL. But it's good to see one of the greats offering up support for a fellow offensive tackle.
Now, he just needs to put it all together after a poor rookie year that included a significant knee injury in the middle of the season.
Whitworth played a long 16-year career in the NFL: He played 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before finishing with the Rams for five seasons, culminating in a Super Bowl win in 2021.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams made himself a household name following a breakout 2025 season, where he established himself as one of the NFL's most clutch and exciting players.
Williams set the franchise single-season passing record (3,942 yards) while orchestrating an NFL-record seven fourth-quarter comebacks, including a thrilling 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card playoffs. While Williams had one of the worst completion percentages (58.1), that doesn't tell the whole story (although it's something that needs to be cleaned up). But with the game on the line, Williams made some incredible throws to lead his team to multiple victories.
Williams has garnered praise from around the league, and he also has a stamp of approval from Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, who called the young signal-caller "frickin' phenomenal" during a recent interview with the Sun-Times at the Super Bowl.
“He’s a badass,” Urlacher said. “When things go bad, he’s at his best. When [stuff] breaks down, that dude shows up. He can make every throw, just like he said. I was just so impressed. Unbelievable, and I’m so excited for the future. He could be there the next 20 years. He should be.”
Williams certainly has that clutch gene that the greats possess. But there's still plenty of room for him to grow, especially in the short passing game, under head coach Ben Johnson. But there's no denying that the future is incredibly bright with Williams at the helm. And even a Hall of Famer can see that.
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUG 13: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jake Irvin (27) and Washington Nationals catcher Drew Millas (81) walk to the dugout after warming up before a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Kansas City Royals on August 13, 2025, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The day has finally arrived. Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers are officially reporting to camp today. After a long winter, the baseball season is finally here. While the weather is still chilly in DC, the first sign of spring is here. The expectations for this team are not very high, but it is still exciting to see the Nats back in action.
We made it.
Pitchers and catchers report today and baseball is officially back. The long winter is over and Nationals season starts now.
This is one of the best days on the baseball calendar. I can’t help but feel so alive when I hear the crack of the bat or the pop of the catchers mitt. This Spring Training is going to be different for the Nats. It is the first camp without Davey Martinez and Mike Rizzo running the show for a long time. Instead, we have the youthful duo of Paul Toboni and Blake Butera.
Pitchers and catchers are the only ones who officially report today. However, there are plenty of early arrivals to Nats camp. The Nats social media pages put out plenty of content yesterday, and a lot of players were already in West Palm Beach. Brady House, Luis Garcia Jr., Dylan Crews and more were spotted in West Palm yesterday.
This does not surprise me one bit. The Nationals are a young roster and these players have a lot to prove. They are also going to want to impress their new bosses. Paul Toboni is not as directly tied to these players as Mike Rizzo was, which makes them more disposable. Toboni was not the person who drafted or signed most of these players. That means these players will want to make a strong first impression.
For guys like Garcia, House and Crews, 2026 will be a major year for their careers. All of them had disappointing 2025 seasons, at least at the MLB level. Garcia is looking to bounce back, while House and Crews are looking to establish themselves. The new bosses seem very open to competition, and these guys want to prove themselves.
Speaking of the new bosses, both Toboni and Butera did a press conference before setting sail for West Palm Beach. There was nothing overly newsworthy in it, but both men talked about what they wanted to see this spring, as well as their philosophies. I also got to ask a question to Butera, which was fun.
I attended a virtual press conference with Blake Butera and Paul Toboni. Here are my takeaways and what I asked Butera https://t.co/efeYrPCJrJ
Speaking of those philosophies, they will be meaningfully different from the last regime. There is going to be more of a focus on analytics and using technology. For the first time, the Nats will have a Trajekt Arc machine at their Spring Training facility. I am sure that is not the only new piece of technology we see.
It will be interesting to see what kind of changes these players make based on the new data. I would not be surprised if a bunch of Nationals pitchers add new pitches or tweak their arsenals. A potential big storyline this spring will be Nats pitchers throwing fewer fastballs.
The Red Sox have been leading the way on cutting fastball usage, and that is where Toboni comes from. A lot of Nats pitchers were throwing mediocre fastballs too much. That should change in 2026, and we will see the first signs of that this spring.
It is so exciting to see baseball back. The clips the Nats media team puts out of the boys in action will just warm my heart. Sure, the team may not be good, but a bad baseball team is better than no baseball team. There are also going to be plenty of great storylines to follow in the drama that is the baseball season. Buckle up, because the boys are back in town.
Report: Liverpool lead chase for young Bournemouth attacker
Liverpool Tracking Eli Junior Kroupi as Premier League Interest Grows
Liverpool are watching one of the Premier League’s most intriguing young attackers, with Caught Offside reporting that Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi has emerged as a potential summer target.
At 19, Kroupi has already shown the kind of sharpness and ambition that turn promise into value. Eight goals in 20 Premier League appearances underline a breakout campaign built on pace, movement and a willingness to take responsibility in decisive moments. For a teenager adapting to English football, that return carries weight.
Breakout Season Turns Heads
Bournemouth acted quickly in February 2025, paying around £10 million to sign Kroupi from FC Lorient. They moved ahead of West Ham United, Tottenham and RB Leipzig, a decision now widely regarded as astute recruitment.
Since arriving on the south coast, he has demonstrated maturity beyond his years. Comfortable across the front line, he presses with intent and carries composure in front of goal. He has been “likened to Mbappé and Agüero”, a comparison that reflects the excitement around his profile rather than an expectation he must immediately replicate that level.
Photo IMAGO
Interest is not limited to Liverpool. Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are all monitoring him. Scouts from Madrid and Chelsea have been regular observers at Bournemouth matches, while PSG’s attention predates his Premier League emergence.
Liverpool Strategy Under Arne Slot
Liverpool’s approach under Arne Slot has been clear, identify high ceiling talents and develop them within a competitive framework. Kroupi fits that mould. Explosive, technically gifted and still learning, he offers scope rather than instant certainty.
Internally, he is seen as a forward who could grow into a long term option rather than a guaranteed starter from day one. That perspective aligns with Liverpool’s broader squad planning, blending youth with experience as they navigate the demands of the Premier League and European football.
Bournemouth, however, hold strong cards. Kroupi is contracted until 2030. Club insiders believe he could become the Cherries’ first £70-80 million sale, a figure shaped by both his trajectory and the scarcity of young, productive attackers in today’s market.
Liverpool’s presence among the suitors elevates the narrative, but extracting him from the south coast will require conviction and significant investment.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
Liverpool has thrived when identifying emerging talent before the rest of the market catches fire. If Kroupi is genuinely “likened to Mbappé and Agüero”, that label demands scrutiny, but it also signals rare attributes.
Eight goals in 20 league games at 19 suggests resilience and adaptability. Supporters will appreciate his work rate as much as his flair. Slot’s system demands forwards who press intelligently and rotate positions, and Kroupi appears suited to that structure.
The question is financial. A £70-80 million valuation is significant for a player still developing. Yet Liverpool have paid similar sums when convinced by long term upside. If the recruitment team believe he can become central to the next attacking cycle, backing that judgement would reflect ambition rather than excess.
Fans will trust the process, but they will also expect clarity. Investment of that scale must come with a pathway and patience.
Friendlies: Morocco to take on Paraguay (official)
Friendlies: Morocco to take on Paraguay (official)
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has just made official the upcoming fixtures for the Atlas Lions.
This Wednesday, the FRMF announced Morocco’s final two warm-up matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup. These games will take place during the last international break next March. As previously reported in recent days, the Atlas Lions will face Ecuador in Madrid at the Estadio Metropolitano (home of Atlético de Madrid) on March 27.
Just like in 2022, Morocco will once again play against Paraguay. This time, the match will be held in France. Achraf Hakimi and his teammates will take to the pitch in Lens, at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, with the clash scheduled for March 31.
That’s the phrase that kept coming up Monday night.
Nolan Traoré still plays faster than just about anyone on the floor. He still lives in the paint. The blur remains, yet the feel around it has evolved. With improved pacing and patience, defenses are beginning to adjust to him instead of him adjusting to them.
If there was any doubt, the rookie answered it in the Nets’ 123-115 win over the Chicago Bulls, finishing with 13 points, 13 assists and three turnovers. It was the first double-double of his career, tied for the most assists by a rookie in the NBA this season and the fourth most by a first-year player in franchise history. Only Terrence Williams and Darwin Cook have hit the 13-and-13 combination in a Nets uniform.
Ryan Nembhard is the only other rookie to do it anywhere in the league this year, and he’s three years older than Traoré.
“Outstanding,” head coach Jordi Fernández said. “Thirteen assists… He touched the paint constantly. Speed is a factor, but he was under control, kept his dribble alive and made the right play over and over. His teammates benefited from it. That’s part of development and we’ve got to keep growing.”
For a young guard, that’s the job description. Touch the paint, force help, make the simple read. Repeat it until the defense breaks.”
“Just making the read and understanding his superpower is his speed,” Noah Clowney said. “Using it, not forcing anything, taking what the defense gives him. If they open up the wrong way, just go, break off the play, do what you need to do to touch the paint. And defensively he’s challenging a lot of shots at the rim.”
Traoré, the 19th overall pick in last summer’s draft, has always been able to get there. But now he’s finding greater balance. His dribble stays alive longer. The weak side corner is coming into view quicker. Skip passes are leaving his hand earlier.
Brooklyn scored 1.68 points per direct on-ball pick set for the 19-year-old Monday, the most efficient game any player has produced this season when receiving at least 25 screens, according to the All-NBA Podcast. When he turns the corner, good things are happening for the Nets offensively.
“There’s more space in the NBA,” Traoré said. “With more space and good shooters, it’s easier to take advantage.”
The season averages still reflect the learning curve. In 30 appearances, he’s at 7.0 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 38.8% from the field and 32.6% from 3-point range. Look at his recent stretch, though, and it’s a different conversation.
Over his last 11 games, Traoré’s up to 11.3 points and 4.5 assists with just 1.9 turnovers, good for a 2.37 assist-to-turnover ratio, while shooting 46.8% overall and 41.2% from deep. Over his last three, he’s averaging 16.3 points and 8.0 assists on 69% true shooting.
He’s reading the floor faster because the game is finally slowing to a speed he recognizes.
“A bit slower with experience,” Traoré said. “You get used to the speed. It’s getting better and I hope it continues.”
Teammates see it in how he’s managing tempo. Nic Claxton has watched him learn when to hit the gas and when to keep the group organized.
“He’s figuring out how to use his speed and knowing when to go and when to slow down,” Claxton said. “He’s extremely fast and can touch the paint almost every play, but he’s figuring it out. He’s gaining confidence and we’re going to need it going forward.”
The trust is growing, too. Fernández doesn’t have to orchestrate every call. Traoré is doing more of it himself, pointing, directing, owning possessions.
“He trusts me a lot with the ball and that’s important for me,” Traoré said. “Sometimes I can call the plays, sometimes he does, and we build that relationship and it will be even better.”
Among rookies with at least 500 minutes, his 8.1 assists per 100 possessions rank third, behind Nembhard and Walter Clayton Jr. Production is catching up to the flashes.
The next step is doing it again, then again after that. The French guard understands that part as well as anyone.
“I know it won’t be good every game,” Traoré said. “So, I just keep going, keep working, and next game I try my best again.”
It's nearly time for the kick-off of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, and following the fanfare-filled launch of the Cadillac team's new car during the Super Bowl, plus a fanfare-free launch of the McLaren MCL40 on Monday, all of the teams are now accounted for. At least visually, that is. With just a private test session to go from, which didn't even feature all of the teams, the performance of an all-new chassis with an all-new set of engine regulations is kind of a crap shoot until they hit qualifying in Melbourne next month.
A full ten years ago a new American team was added to the grid, increasing the number of teams from 10 to 11. Back then it was Haas, but this year the same thing is happening with Cadillac. It's like poetry, it rhymes.
One could argue that Formula 1 has never been stronger, with new manufacturer superpowers being added in the form of Cadillac and Audi, plus the return of Ford and Honda as engine suppliers with the Red Bull teams and Aston Martin respectively, and Toyota doubling down on its relationship with Haas. All of that, and Ferrari and Mercedes look stronger than perhaps they ever have. It's going to be a season for the ages.
Since we can't judge these cars based on their performance just yet, we're going to have to settle for judging them on their appearance. With all of the 2026 liveries now accounted for, here's how we would rank them.
I had high hopes for Cadillac in its first year on the Formula 1 grid. The Cadillac sports cars look absolutely resplendent in a variety of bold colorways, and I had hoped perhaps the gold livery would work its way over to F1. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will be driving around at the back of the pack in the most boring-looking black and white cars to ever grace the F1 grid.
The Cadillac script is a nice touch just in front of the driver, and I like that the livery is asymmetrical with the right side of the car showing the negative of the left. That said, the team couldn't even find a title sponsor, and has to be saddled with TWG AI. In case you didn't know, TWG Global is the holdings company that owns TWG Motorsport, which itself owns Andretti Global and the Cadillac Formula 1 Team.
The sponsor on the sidepod, TWG AI, is a partnership between TWG Global and Palantir Technologies, created with the intent of developing commercial AI tools for financial services companies. To muddy the waters even more, TWG Global owns Group 1001 insurance, whose CEO Dan Towriss, is also the CEO of TWG Motorsport. The company's logo should just be one hand with nine fingers washing the other with six.
#10 - Racing Bulls
Racing Bulls VCARB 03 - Racing Bulls
The Visa Cash App Racing Bulls haven't exactly gone far afield with the livery work in 2026, as it looks more or less exactly as it has for the last several seasons. It's not ugly, I guess, despite being a bit cluttered. I just wish it weren't white. White is such a boring color for a race car. Red Bull is supposed to be an action sports brand in the fastest motorsport on the planet, so why does it look so bland?
Liam Lawson is keeping his spot for 2026, now joined by rookie Arvid Lindblad, so at least the team has a somewhat exciting lineup. Assuming Red Bull got its sums right, the junior team will probably be a bit further behind the "senior" RB team this year than it was last year. Time will tell where it shakes out, but I'd bet on the back half of the field, for sure.
#9 - Red Bull
RB22 livery - Red Bull Racing
Red Bull has four cars on the grid, so why can't they manage to put together a livery that offers something interesting on any of them? Slightly better than the Racing Bulls, the big brother RB at least eschews white for black/carbon fiber, and leans heavier into the blue. There are so many better ways to do this, but this is what they chose, so here it is. I wish I had better news.
Max Verstappen will be joined by Isack Hadjar in 2026, and you can probably expect a bit more of the same from Red Bull this year. The car will be built to suit Max, the team will blame Isack for not being faster, and they'll lose ground in the championship across the season. With all of the turmoil of 2025 behind them, hopefully the new team can put together a valiant effort and keep Ferrari and Mercedes from running away with it all.
#8 - Ferrari
SF-26 in testing - Scuderia Ferrari
It's just testing, but Ferrari managed to top the time sheets during the first five-day test at Barcelona. Maybe if the team had put together a more impressive livery, it could convince me that it's a front runner in 2026. I've fallen for that bit a few too many times in the last decade, so I'm not ready to believe that Ferrari have pace until at least a few races into the season. I want to see Sir Lewis Hamilton do well again, but this year, in addition to Horse Team shenanigans, he'll also be facing downthe Kardashian Curse.
Ferrari has, in recent years, used a darker and more luxurious shade of red for its livery, but that seems to be gone now with a return to the violent and bright version of Rosso Corsa. Now outfitted with a big white airbox, clad with the bright blue Hewlett-Packard logo, the car at least has a splash of another color onboard. It's certainly better integrated than last year's car, with the white giving a bit of the Schumacher-era Marlboro look, or reminiscent of the white cockpit area of Niki Lauda's 312T2 of fifty years prior.
It could be better, but it's definitely been worse.
#7 - Mercedes
F1 W17 launch - Mercedes-AMG
Mercedes is largely keeping everything the same as it was in 2026, from the driver lineup to team management, a rarity on the grid this year. Considering the team found two wins and twelve podiums in 2025, firmly cementing itself as the "best of the rest" it makes sense to keep as much the same as possible, especially while the chassis and engine rulebook got blown up and completely replaced. Mercedes allegedly has an engine advantage that none of the other manufacturers could replicate, so maybe 2026 already belongs to Brackley?
Mercedes is keeping things relatively the same in the livery department for this year, too. The black, silver, and teal livery is back. I'd be putting this way further down the list if it didn't have the well-defined Petronas teal swoop on it. A bold color choice to split up the greyscale makes this a bit better ranked than it likely should be. What can I say, I'm a sucker for teal.
#6 - Aston Martin
AMR26 launch - Aston Martin
Aston Martin has made some missteps with its livery in the past, going with a British Racing Green that was too dark on television to be differentiated from black. It appears that for 2026 that has changed. Not only is the green a brighter shade, but the team has incorporated more of the bright green/yellow accent that Aston Martin Racing has leaned into on its sports car efforts.
The baby blue rear wing element for its Aramco title sponsor, however, doesn't fit the scheme. It'll be instantly recognizable on television, though, so for that I'm thankful. Also, putting Glenfiddich on the front wing endplates is just so delightfully James Bond Aston Martin Core.
Sadly, Aston has probably the worst driver pairing on the grid. It hurts me to say this as a devout Fernando Alonso fan, but he's past his World Championship days unless Adrian Newey has put together a real rocketship for him. Teammate Lance Stroll, meanwhile, is a nepo baby billionaire who never had the makings of a World Drivers' Champion anyway, and wouldn't know what to do with a Newey chassis if it bit him.
#5 - Haas
VF-26 in testing - Haas F1
Another horrible boring red/black/white livery, but this time a bit more exciting with a giant Gazoo Racing logo adorning the airbox and sharkfin area of the car. Toyota Gazoo Racing joined up with Haas, acting as something of a consultant role in 2025. For 2026, however, the Japanese brand's racing arm has come onboard as title sponsor and technical partner.
Haas has now completed ten tumultuous seasons in F1. Thus far the team has not managed to even luck their way onto a single podium. Across all ten of the seasons Haas has existed, the team has scored a scant 386 points in total. If the team had been allowed to bank all of its points for ten seasons and put them all down on the 2025 season, it would have finished fifth in the world constructor's championship, behind McLaren (833 points), Mercedes (469 points), Red Bull Racing (451 points) and Ferrari (398 points).
Here's hoping Toyota bring an extra level of competence to Haas in 2026 and the team starts racking up some podiums.
#4 - Williams
FW48 - WIlliams
Yo listen up, here's a story: It's about a little team that lives in a blue world. And all day and all night and everything the team sees is just blue. Like itself. Inside and outside.
Once again, I am in love with a team that chooses to use some color in its livery. There's a dark blue, a pale blue, an even bolder dark blue, and some purple, which is kind of like blue. And, because I always appreciate some whimsy to a design, the Duracell battery air intake box is back for 2026. I loved it last year, I love it even more this year.
Williams has had a rough start to the 2026 season, missing the initial test in Barcelona because the car wasn't done yet. The new FW48, as it sits, is about 10 pounds over the minimum weight requirements of the rulebook, so it's probably a bit too heavy to be seriously competitive, but stranger things have happened. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon are a talented-if-unlucky driver pairing, and Sainz even managed to grab two podium finishes in 2025. If the car is even close to being there this year, expect these two to extract more out of it.
#3 Audi
Audi R26 launch - Audi
Much like Mercedes using teal to break up the silver and black, German counterpart Audi has gone for a silver and black livery with a whole lot of bright red/orange accents and wide swatches of the same red/orange toward the rear of the car. Somehow Audi have gone for a more eye-catching shade of silver than Mercedes as well. This is a rather fetching race car. I wish there was more of the bold color than just a swoop and some accents, but I'll be damned if it doesn't look as classy as they're trying to make it look.
Title sponsor Revolut is the most valuable fin-tech company in Europe. It's more or less a digital bank, offering all of the typical features of a bank, including interest-bearing accounts, without any of the branches. It's looking to expand to the U.S. market in 2026, and being the title sponsor of an F1 team will probably do wonders for brand recognition in America.
#2 - McLaren
McLaren MCL40 in Papaya livery - McLaren
The 2025 World Champions haven't really changed much about the look of their livery for 2026. Obviously, if it ain't broke, there's no sense in fixing it. The Papaya looks good on a McLaren and I'm always going to be in favor of a bright color like this one on the grid. There's a bit too much black in this for it to be the best on the grid, though. As with previous years, the Google Chrome rainbow on the wheel covers is inspired and should never go away. Gemini, Google's AI brand, however can pound sand.
The driver pairing of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri provided most of the drama in 2025, and if these two can't agree on when and where they should be scrapping for points, it could lead to disappointment in 2026. Team Boss Zak Brown is committing many of the same errors his predecessor, Ron Dennis did. All of the best teams have a solid number one driver and a compliant number two driver. McLaren has two number ones.
#1 - Alpine
Alpine A526 in BWT livery - Alpine F1 Team
Come on, it had to be Alpine. Any team that can brilliantly pair blue and pink is going to get my vote. BWT is the best thing to happen to F1 in a decade, because that corporate pink just looks so great on anything built to go this fast. Tack on the six-legged fire-breathing dog that makes up oil company Eni's logo, and you've got a real winner here. It's the best livery on the grid by a mile. I love it so much.
Alpine is stepping away from its uncompetitive Renault powertrains for 2026, deciding instead to purchase Mercedes-AMG powertrains. With the Mercedes already proving quick and reliable, Alpine was fifth fastest, just a tick behind Max Verstappen and Red Bull on the fifth day of running. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto have their work cut out for them if they want to join the proper front of the grid in 2026, though. The team only managed five points-paying finishes last season, and hasn't seen a race victory since Hungary in 2021.
Feb 10, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Gicarri Harris (24), center Oscar Cluff (45) and guard C.J. Cox (0) celebrate after a foul by the Nebraska Cornhuskers during overtime at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Hopefully we all made it through the night after last night’s game quickly went from joyful blowout to full-on panic. I am simultaneously stunned that we won the game and stunned that we didn’t blow them out given how well Purdue played for most of the game. The important thing is that it counts as a win.
Despite everything, I am encouraged that Purdue finally looked like the team we have expected, even if it was only for 30 minutes or so. The opening 14-1 stretch was the best basketball Purdue has played in a long time, so if it is a sign we’re coming out of the slump just as we hit the meat of the schedule that’s good.
The biggest thing from last night is that the win probably pushed Purdue closer to a 2 seed in March, whereas a loss might have closed the door to that. With seven games left Purdue probably has to go at least 6-1 to be in the discussion for a top seed. All seven could end up being tier 1 as well. The weakest team left on the schedule is Northwestern at 77, and 75 is the cutoff for a tier 1 road win. Indiana is also at 31, and the cutoff for home tier 1 wins is 30.
Despite everything, Purdue got its bet win of the season last night, and its toughest remaining games are at home. Thanks to Wisconsin upsetting Illinois in Champaign last night the Big Ten title is still possible as long as Michigan drops at least one other game outside of the Purdue game.
Tier 2: Home 31-75 (NET) Neutral 51-100; Away 76-135: 52 Washington (Home), 56 Akron (Home), 61 Washington (Home)
Bad Losses (Sub-100 NET or KenPom): None
Evansville Purple Aces (6-19, 1-12 MVC) – NET 282, KenPom 290 – Not much to say about Evansville. They lost in OT at Valpo on Friday 70-63, but picked up a surprising 88-80 win over Illinois State Monday night, just their second in the MVC.
Oakland Golden Grizzlies (14-11, 10-4 Horizon) – NET 136, KenPom 129 – Only one game in the last week for Oakland, and it was a 91-78 loss at Cleveland State. They are still in second place in the Horizon League a game behind Wright State.
Alabama Crimson Tide (16-7, 6-4 SEC) – NET 23, KenPom 20 – The Tide picked up two nice wins over Texas A&M (100-97) and at Auburn (96-92) in the Iron Basketbowl. They are in a very crowded SEC field.
Akron Zips (19-5, 10-1 MAC) – NET 54, KenPom 64 – Akron is doing well in the MAC after a narrow 66-64 win at Eastern Michigan, but they fell 79-69 at Troy in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
Memphis Tigers (12-11, 7-4 American) – NET 104, KenPom 93 – The Tigers are getting close to moving up to tier 2 in terms of our win. Last week they won at UAB 90-80 and home against Charlotte 77-54. They are not an NCAA team, but it is almost a quality non-conference win.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (17-6, 7-3 Big 12) – NET 20, KenPom 22 – Sunday the Red Raiders nabbed a 70-63 win at West Virginia. This Saturday they travel to No. 1 Arizona for a chance to really boost the value of this win.
Eastern Illinois Panthers (10-16, 6-9 Ohio Valley) – NET 319, KenPom 322 – Like Evansville, there is not a lot here in terms of value. The Panthers had a three game road trip since the last update and it included losses to Tennessee State (77-68), and a dismal Western Illinois team (79-70), but they did get a win over Tennessee Tech (60-54).
Iowa State Cyclones (21-3, 8-3 Big 12) – NET 7, KenPom 7 – Iowa State handled Baylor at home 72-69, but suffered an upset at TCU last night 62-55 to fall off the pace in the Big 12. They missed a great chance on catching up with Arizona, and now they have three straight games against ranked teams coming up.
Marquette Golden Eagles (9-16, 4-10 Big East) – NET 111, KenPom 103 – Marquette got a home win over Butler 70-55, but then suffered a tough loss at Villanova 77-74.
Auburn Tigers (14-10, 5-6 SEC) – NET 32, KenPom 31 – Auburn is this year’s team that played a difficult schedule and will ride a near .500 season to an NCAA berth. They have now lost three in a row after falling to Alabama (as mentioned above) and at home to Vanderbilt 84-76. They could still fall out of the tourney.
Kent State Golden Flashes (17-7, 8-3 MAC) – NET 144, KenPom 143 – The only game the Flashes have played in the last week was a narrow 66-65 loss in the MAC-Sun Belt challenge.
There’s never a shortage of high-profile offensive tackle prospects and the 2027 cycle is no different.
Early on in the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies, there are a quartet of five-star tackles. There are currently 30 blue-chip OTs, as of Feb. 11.
Of those 30, six are already committed. Oklahoma has a pair of elite trench monsters in its backyard and it has landed both pledges. All six commits are in the SEC so far.
Below is a look at the top committed tackles in the 2027 cycle as we head into spring visit season:
On his commitment: “It’s always felt like home,” Hackett told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “I’ve been there the last two games, the environment, the locker room, it’s really a place I can feel at home. I love Coach (Brent) Venables. (Offensive line) Coach (Bill) Bedenbaugh has proven he can get me to the NFL that’s a big thing. I really want to play in the SEC. Watching (Michael) Fasusi start against Michigan is also crazy. That’s big time. You don’t get to see a lot of players do that.”
About: A quintessential Oklahoma target, Penny has had the Sooners at the top of his board for a while and opted to pull the trigger on an early pledge last week — the same day that OU flipped elite four-star OT Cooper Hackett from Texas Tech. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder will be in the mix to finish as a five-star prospect when it’s all said and done and looks to be another strong get for vaunted Sooners OL coach Bill Bedenbaugh.
About: The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder had already named a top 10 list in August and has been on the road taking game visits this fall. He told Rivals’ Chad Simmons that UGA was among the schools recruiting him the hardest heading into the season and that was met with a commitment to the Dawgs on Sept. 27. “My favorite thing about Georgia is how they put players in the league. If you play there, you have a chance to make it out. They coach their players up,” Adams told Simmons in August.
On Tennessee: “The energy at Tennessee is great,” Uwaifo told Rivals’ Chad Simmons in September. “I like the campus and the coaches too. I saw practice and they went at a really high tempo — that stood out to me as well. Multiple coaches recruit me at Tennessee. They all reach out — call, text, just stay in touch a lot. I love the way they recruit me.”
School: San Antonio Roosevelt (Texas) Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 234 NATL. (No. 21 OT)
On his commitment: “I love the way they treat me compared to a lot of other places,” Scott told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman. “That’s always appreciated. Coach Cush (Adam Cushing) is a great guy. Since the first time we met, we clicked.”
On his commitment: “It just always felt like home,” Johnson told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “Ever since I stepped foot on campus. I saw everything they had to offer. Nothing came close. I researched a lot of colleges. Nothing came close to A&M … “No. 1 the strength coach. I love the strength coach. He’s been to LSU, he’s been everywhere. He’s been at A&M the last four years. Every time I hear something about the strength coach its amazing.”
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 25: K'lavon Chaisson #44 of the New England Patriots takes the field prior to the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New England Patriots’ season came crashing down in Super Bowl LX, but there is little reason to be disappointed nor is there much time to do so. Not only did the team of first-year head coach Mike Vrabel exceed expectations, after all, it also will need a quick turnaround considering the shortened nature of its offseason.
Despite starting the offseason five weeks later than last year, the Patriots are in decent shape yet again. They are the owners of 11 draft picks, including three in the top-100, and are again among the most financially flexible teams in football.
According to cap expert Miguel Benzan, the team is currently $41.82 million under a projected salary cap of $303.45 million — top-12 in the NFL as of today. That gives the Patriots some opportunity to fine-tune their roster by adding quality from the outside, possibly locking up one of the most important players on the team long-term, and re-signing their own class of free agents if they so choose.
The latter will likely not put a lot of financial strain on the team either: a lack of star power is the defining feature of a Patriots free agency class that stands at 18 players deep.
Patriots offensive free agents
QB Tommy DeVito (RFA): The Patriots claimed DeVito after he was waived by the Giants in late August, and he spent the entirety of the season as the No. 3 quarterback behind Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs. Mike Vrabel spoke highly of the 27-year-old and his contributions ahead of the Super Bowl, but considering the projected cost associated with even the lowest restricted free agency tender ($3.5M), it seems unlikely the team will go that route to retain DeVito.
RB Deneric Prince (ERFA): Prince spent two days in mid-August with the Patriots before being waived with an injury designation and reverting to injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Nonetheless, using the exclusive rights tender on him seems like a relatively easy and cost-effective way to bolster the running back depth heading into the offseason. That said, he seems like the least-likely of the three ERFAs to be kept around.
FB Jack Westover (ERFA): Unlike Deneric Prince, fellow exclusive rights free agent Westover feels like a lock to re-sign with the Patriots this offseason. He served as their fullback throughout the season and finished with a 23.3% playing time share on offense as well as 43.4% on special teams. And while he touched the ball just two times all year for 8 total yards, he would at least bring some in-game experience to what is shaping up as a competition with sophomore fullback Brock Lampe.
TE Austin Hooper (UFA): The Patriots and Hooper were in the same position last spring, and he ultimately came back on a one-year, $5 million contract. He finished his second season on the team with 46.3% of offensive snaps as well as a combined 24 catches for 287 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Mostly a blocking tight end, he can be a useful piece of the puzzle but the club will likely not go out of its way to bring him back either. If he is re-signed, it will be on another affordable short-term deal.
OT Thayer Munford Jr. (UFA): After spending time on the practice squad early in the regular season, Munford Jr. returned in November and quickly began making an impact as a jumbo tight end. He ended up playing 95 snaps in that role over nine games, and also provided depth as a backup tackle behind Will Campbell and Morgan Moses. While his lack of Super Bowl snaps raised some questions, he seems like a low-cost re-sign candidate to keep depth stable.
OT Vederian Lowe (UFA): Lowe filled in for Will Campbell during his absence from a torn MCL, and actually did a decent job protecting Drake Maye’s blindside in his four starts. He would not compete for a starting spot, but like Thayer Munford Jr. would be able to provide somewhat established depth at a reasonable cost. The 26-year-old therefore also appears to be a re-sign candidate.
OT Yasir Durant (RFA): As with the aforementioned Tommy DeVito, Durant getting tendered even at the lowest level seems unlikely; the cost is simply too high for a player who missed all of 2025 due to injury and who has played just 188 total offensive snaps in six seasons in the NFL. That does not rule out a return, but it will not come via a restricted free agency tender.
In addition, three players from the Patriots’ final practice squad remain unaccounted for as of Wednesday: RB D’Ernest Johnson, WR Trent Sherfield Sr. and OL Brenden Jaimes were not among the 11 signed to futures contracts since the season ended. Furthermore, RB Craig Reynolds and TE Thomas Odukoya, who finished the year on the practice squad injured reserve, have yet to be re-signed either.
Patriots defensive free agents
DT Khyiris Tonga (UFA): New England’s free agency class may lack real star power, but it does not lack quality. Tonga is a good example; he is a player who filled a valuable, multi-faceted role during his first season as a Patriot. A commanding early-down presence along the interior defensive line as well as a part-time fullback, he should be one of the team’s priority free agents this year. Unless his asking price reaches levels the team is not comfortable with, a return seems to be in the best interest for both parties.
DT Jaquelin Roy (RFA): Roy played some solid football for the Patriots in 2024, but his 2025 campaign never got off the ground; he was placed on injured reserve in August and missed the entire season. The 25-year-old is in the same boat as the team’s other restricted free agents. A tender offer seems unlikely, and would have to be re-signed in a different fashion.
ED Isaiah Iton (ERFA): Unlike the restricted tender, the exclusive one comes with a fraction of the cost. It is why Iton, despite getting placed on injured reserve in training camp, can be expected back. If so, he would only command a salary cap number of $885,000.
ED K’Lavon Chaisson (UFA): Probably the biggest name on the Patriots’ free agency list this year, Chaisson played the best football of his career in his first season in New England. Starting on the edge and playing 20 games with a final snap count share of 64.9%, he notched 10.5 sacks and recovered a pair of fumbles, including one for a touchdown. While still not the most consistent pass rusher or edge setting versus the run, he does enough things well to be a definitive re-sign candidate. The question is how. other teams view him and whether or not he might price himself out of the Patriots’ comfort zone.
LB Jack Gibbens (RFA): “Dr. Gibby” proved his worth to the Patriots on both defense and special teams during the 2025 season, and is a clear frontrunner to be kept around for 2026 and beyond. How that will happen is the bigger question. The restricted free agency tender is one tool New England has available, but it is relatively cost-intensive. More realistically, the team will try to re-sign him to a multi-year deal and possibly use the appropriate RFA tender as the base cost point for an extension.
CB Alex Austin (RFA): Finishing the season as the Patriots’ fifth cornerback, Austin getting an RFA tender offer also seems unlikely. Instead, he might be in a similar situation as Jack Gibbens: a contract extension low on overall cost and no long-term investment could allow him to be brought back and compete for a role on the team in 2026. While his outlook as a starter is not favorable, he could very well end up pushing Charles Woods for the CB4 role on the depth chart.
S Jaylinn Hawkins (UFA): Hawkins signed a one-year, $1.8 million deal last offseason to stay in New England. The investment paid off: he established himself as a starter in training camp and never looked back, ending the season playing 91.3% of defensive snaps and catching four interceptions, tied for the most on the team. At 28 and likely in position for a first true pay-day, he might explore the market to maximize his value but at the end of the day should be in a position to come back to New England under the right circumstances.
Also not yet under contract for 2026 are four players who ended last season on the practice squad (LB Patrick Johnson, CB Miles Battle, S Richie Grant) or practice squad IR (LB Darius Harris). Like the players mentioned above, they too have yet to sign reserve/futures pacts to stay with the Patriots heading into the offseason.
Adding it all up, we can see that the Patriots currently have 61 players signed for 2026. Not including roster exceptions or similar arrangements, NFL teams can carry up to 90 players on their offseason rosters.
Free agency and the new league year are set to begin March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
LIVIGNO, Italy — United States women’s snowboarder Maddie Mastro comforted a competitor in the mixed zone following women’s halfpipe qualifying Wednesday at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
"How’d you go?" the 25-year-old California native asked Canada’s Brooke D’Hondt.
"Eh," D’Hondt responded.
"How are you feeling?" Mastro followed.
"I’m better," said D’Hondt, who did not make it into the top 12 to move into Thursday night’s finals. "Sad, but."
It was important for Mastro to do this because, well, she’s been there before. At her first Olympics eight years ago, Mastro made finals but came in 12th of 12 finalists. Four years later, she finished 13th after qualifying and missed finals.
"I think it’s hard – when you’re that person, and you’re not in the finals, it doesn’t really matter what anyone’s saying around you," Mastro told USA TODAY Sports. "So it’s harder to convey. I obviously know how they feel and I’ll express that to them and let them know they’re not alone in that space. But it’s definitely not a fun space to be in."
The memory of watching her competitions’ scores post on the video board and her name sliding down the leaders’ list is something she’ll never forget.
"That feeling of wanting to transport out of my body and float into another world, far, far away from where I was," Mastro said. "I’m going to cry thinking about it. And then to be here, and be so content and happy in myself and my performance, and not wanting to float away from my body, was really, really nice."
Mastro, going third overall and the first of four Americans competing in women’s halfpipe qualifiers, threw down a tasty first run that put her fourth (81.00) entering Run 2. She improved in her second run with an 86.00 to finish third in qualifying behind USA teammate Chloe Kim and Japan’s Sara Shimizu.
Mastro broke out her signature "double-crippler" trick that revolutionized the sport years ago. She also threw a backside 900 on her second run.
"That was awesome to see," said USA teammate Bea Kim, who finished 10th and made finals in her Olympic debut, "she’s been working on that."
The goal wasn’t to improve her score during her second run, Mastro said, but to keep building on her riding – the tricks she wanted to execute and how she wanted to feel at the end of the run.
"I feel like I accomplished that," she said.
Mastro wouldn’t say that the qualifying success gave her extra confidence. The performance washed away her anxiety and qualifying demons, however.
"I definitely was very, very nervous today. I haven’t always had the best Olympic performances," she said.
Those past Olympic performances were hard to digest, Mastro said during a pre-Games news conference. Over the past four years, she worked hard to change her mindset about those missed chances and refocused how she mentally wanted to show up at the Olympics.
"Less on the finish and place I get, and more about what my snowboarding can look like," she explained. "That’s been a shift in my mindset that I’m grateful for, and it’s helped my relationship with snowboarding immensely."
Now Mastro can finally eat. She forced liquids down for the necessary carbohydrates to compete the morning of qualifiers.
"It was a very peckish breakfast," she admitted.
The bolognese in the athlete lounge was on her mind after she was done competing Wednesday.
The 2021 halfpipe world championship silver-medalist planned on spending a good portion laying down after three consecutive days of practice, which means she’ll also have some physical-therapy sessions.
Mastro was the top followed athlete on TikTok throughout the 2022 Games, according to her Team USA bio. The main character of her content, other than her peppy personality, is her pup named Pippy, a a chihuahua-Pomeranian-pitbull mix that has been to more competitions than she can count (because dogs can’t count, Mastro said).
Pippy is with Mastro in the Livigno-cluster athletes’ village.
"Having her around is great," Mastro said. "I rescued her with the intent of travelling with her. She makes my days a lot better. She doesn’t care what place I get. She’s still wagging her tail and happy to see me, and I love having Pippy on tour with us."
Asked if Pippy would be proud of her, Mastro said yes. But then she paused.
"Pippy doesn’t know," she said. "Pippy really don’t care, honest to God."
Before Mastro dropped into the halfpipe, she did her pre-run ritual which involves deep breathing and some substantive twists and back cracks. She enjoys taking in scene and feeling gratitude. It puts her in the moment and centers her.
After her second run, though, Mastro’s instincts took over with two primal chest thumps upon stomping her final jump.
"I don’t know. I can’t even explain it," she said. "It just makes you feel powerful."
Spring training officially arrives this week in Lakeland, and for the Detroit Tigers, one of the most closely watched storylines centers on catcher Dillon Dingler as preparations for the 2026 season begin.
Pitchers and catchers reported to camp on Wednesday, marking the first real step toward Opening Day, and Dingler will be among those easing into action. According to reports, the Tigers plan to manage his workload early after he underwent a scope on his throwing elbow, opting for a measured ramp-up rather than rushing him into full activity.
Dillon Dingler will be easing into camp. He had a scope on his throwing elbow
That cautious approach makes sense given Dingler’s importance to Detroit’s long-term plans. The 27-year-old catcher emerged as a key contributor in 2025, combining steady offensive production with elite defensive value behind the plate. He finished the season with a .278 batting average, 13 home runs, and 57 RBIs while earning Gold Glove recognition, a rare accomplishment for a young catcher still establishing himself at the major league level.
Detroit’s full squad is scheduled for its first workout on Sunday, Feb. 15, though players involved in the World Baseball Classic are expected to arrive no later than Thursday. Even with a lighter early workload, Dingler remains a central figure in camp as the Tigers begin sorting out roles and rotations for the upcoming season.
As the Tigers look to build momentum in 2026, Dingler’s health and development loom large. If he progresses smoothly through spring training, Detroit could once again rely on him as a foundational piece of both its pitching staff and lineup, making his presence in Lakeland one of the most important storylines of the spring.
Lewis Hamilton says "you need a degree to understand" the impact of the new rules [Getty Images]
Lewis Hamilton says that the new rules this year make Formula 1 "ridiculously complex" and that "none of the fans are going to understand it".
The seven-time champion was referring to the increased degree of energy management required by the new engines, which have a near 50-50 power split between internal combustion engine and electrical components.
Briton Hamilton, speaking after driving the Ferrari on the first morning of this week's pre-season test in Bahrain, said: "I sat in a meeting the other day and they're taking us through it. And yeah, it's like you need a degree to fully understand it all."
The rules have set up a situation where the engines are energy starved most of the time, and teams and drivers have to maximise the amount of energy recovery they do.
This has led to unusual technical strategies and driving techniques.
These will include not going flat out exiting a corner before starting a qualifying lap, and backing off on the straights to conserve energy.
Regenerative braking, where the motor recovers energy while slowing for a corner
Part-throttle overload, where the battery takes power from the engine in parts of the track where the driver does not need full throttle, such as cornering, where engines may run at high revs when a driver is not on the power
Lift and coast - lifting off before corners so the electric motor can run against the engine
'Superclip' - the electronic control unit diverts energy to the battery when the driver is still at full throttle on the straight
These are all complicated by the fact that the drivers can operate a 'boost' button for extra power to facilitate an overtake, but then risk being short of power and vulnerable to being re-passed on the following straight.
Hamilton said: "If you look at Barcelona, for example, we're doing 600 metres lift and coast on a qualifying lap. That's not what racing is about. Here (in Bahrain), we're not having to do that because there's lots of braking zones."
Drivers will also have to use lower gears than they would like to help with energy recovery.
Hamilton added: "The low gears that we have to go down into is just because we can't recover enough battery power.
"We can't recover enough battery power, so that's why we have to go and rev the engines very, very, very high. So we're going down to second and first in some places just to try to recover that extra bit of power."
Hamilton's comments should be seen in the context that the teams are just beginning to learn about their new cars, and they will not be seen in anger until the start of the season.
It is also the case that some of these energy management strategies, such as lift and coast, were already being used last year, with the previous engines.
Rulemakers are likely to give the rules some time to settle down before jumping to conclusions or making knee-jerk reactions.
Hamilton also addressed the question of having a new race engineer after Riccardo Adami, who worked with him last year, was moved to a new role running the driver development programme.
The 41-year-old had a poor first season with Ferrari, failing to finish on the podium in any of the 24 races.
Hamilton said that splitting with Adami was "a very difficult decision to make", and added that that he would be working with a temporary engineer for the first part of the season.
"It's actually quite a difficult period because it's not long-term," Hamilton said. "The solution that I currently have is only going to be a few races. Early on into the season, it's going to be switching up again.
"I'll have to learn to work with someone new. That's detrimental to me, too. A season where you want to arrive with people that have done multiple seasons, that have been through thick and thin and calm.
"It is the situation that I'm faced with and I'll try to do the best I can. The team is trying to do the best they can to help make it as seamless as possible."
Hamilton's new engineer is Carlo Santi, who performed the same role for Kimi Raikkonen in his second stint at Ferrari, which ended in 2018.
A Ferrari spokesperson said Hamilton was "in good hands". They added that they were "looking for the right person", but insisted the 41-year-old was "not being put at a disadvantage".
Photo by Jordan McKean - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
The pre-season test is underway, and 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has shared which driver he’ll be backing when the lights go out in Melbourne.
George Russell is already being talked about as an early favourite, even though this year’s cars have yet to put in any meaningful laps. However, there are still plenty of top drivers on the grid who’ll want to challenge him.
The likes of Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Russell’s new Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli will certainly fancy their chances.
2026 brings a fresh set of regulations and plenty of unknowns. Teams are expected to roll out upgrades as they try to find their footing in the new era.
In the meantime, Button has said he’ll be pulling for one of his old teammates who hasn’t had much luck recently.
Jenson Button backs Lewis Hamilton for comeback after challenging first season at Ferrari
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Button was asked if Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari could realistically challenge for the title this season, following a disappointing debut year with the team.
The former McLaren driver responded: “It was tough, I have to say, watching Lewis in 2025. You know, we were teammates for three years. I understand how good he is.
“So it was really tough to see him struggle with the team, and you could see in his face how much it was hurting. You kind of forget everything else he’s achieved at that moment in time because you just see the pain.”
Button also pointed out that the new regulations could be just what Hamilton needs to get back on track, echoing similar comments recently made by Nigel Mansell.
He added: “I think with the new regulation changes, we will see Lewis Hamilton back to his best.
“I really do because he’s going to have input in how the car is designed and have confidence in him taking it in a direction that works for him.”
When asked about Ferrari’s prospects under the new rules, Button said: “I’ll tell you after the first race whether it’s possible or not. But with the way the reg changes are, anything is possible.
The second pre-season test continues tomorrow at Silverstone ahead of Round 1 of Formula 1 World Championship which begins later this month at Albert Park Circuit in Australia.
Jenson Button predicts whether Lewis Hamilton could retire at the end of 2026
Button was also asked about the future of his former McLaren teammate and his opinion on whether the 41-year-old will call it quits on his F1 career at the conclusion of the 2026 term.
It was previously reported that Hamilton was ‘hurt’ by his former rivals suggesting that he should retire following the difficult campaign he endured last season, but Button has looked at the more human side of the Briton’s decision.
He answered, “With Lewis, it’s possible. I mean, he’s still young, he’s 40 years old. I class that as young. I’m 46 now, and Fernando’s still racing.
“But yeah, I think it’s important for us to understand as sportsmen that there’s a life outside of sport, and it’s fun, you know. And I think as long as he has something that he wants to achieve in life outside of F1, he should jump.
“If he feels that it isn’t right anymore for him, go and do something else because he has the skill set and obviously the way that he works with a group of people is very positive.
“So I think he could go and do something else and be very productive and very successful in it.”
The Toronto Blue Jays brought in some interesting faces in the offseason.
They also failed to land Bo Bichette, or Kyle Tucker, or Cody Bellinger, or Alex Bregman.
The departure of Bichette in particular means the lineup might be weaker on paper than it was when last year's team reached Game 7 of the World Series.
That's going to put a lot of pressure on the new hitter they did get. That's Kazuma Okamoto, who signed for four years and $60 million from Japan.
Okamoto likely slots in at third base, and he's a good hitter, but there's always that question: How will it translate?
The answer to the question could determine how good the Blue Jays are this season.
"Okamoto put up a .355 on-base percentage in his 11 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball and also reached the 30-homer threshold six of the past eight years," ESPN's Alden Gonzalez writes in a new article on Wednesday. "How much of that on-base and slugging ability translates against the higher velocities in the majors, though, is an open question. And for a Blue Jays team that did not make another meaningful offensive addition this winter, it's a crucial one."
Toronto's lineup did take a hit earlier this week when it was announced Anthony Santander is looking at an extended absence due to injury. That might not be as big a loss as it seems, though, because Santander was a non-factor due to injuries and ineffectiveness in 2025.
Still, Okamoto will be a pivot point in this lineup. If he's a legitimate contributor, it'll soften the blow of Bichette leaving and of not getting any other big name hitters in free agency.
If Okamoto struggles, though, it could be a season of regression in Toronto, and that's not something any Blue Jays fan would want.
Will Madison Chock and Evan Bates win gold in ice dance finals 2026 today, Wednesday, Feb. 11? The Winter Olympics schedule is set American eyes on Chock and Bates today in the Olympics ice dance finals, where the married couple face off against controversial French ice dancers Beaudry and Cizeron.
The Olympic ice dance gold medal today will be decided as Team USA's Madison Chock and Evan Bates enter the final ice dancing skate today in 2nd place in the ice dance standings at the Olympics in Milano Cortino 2026. Leaders Laurence Fournier and Guillaume Cizeron, facing controversy over their prior ice dance partners, led by less than a half point over Chock and Bates after the rhythm dance going today's free dance ice dance finals.
Chock and Bates, married in 2024 in Hawaii and engaged since late 2022, have been to four consecutive Winter Olympics. Chock and Bates won an Olympic gold medal in 2022 for the US team event in figure skating; however, the ice dance duo have never won a gold medal individually. Will Chock and Bates win gold today? Here's what time they skate and how to watch.
When do Chock and Bates skate next? Ice Dance finals 2026
According to the Olympic schedule today, Chock and Bates skate today, Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the Ice Dance finals 2026 in the 2026 Winter Olympics at Milan Cortino. Chock and Bates, married since 2024, are one half point behind French ice dancers Fournier and Cizeron, facing a slew of controversy over their prior partners.
Will Chock and Bates win gold today? Chock and Bates skated Monday in the rhythm dance event but fell just shy of first place behind Leaders Laurence Fournier and Guillaume Cizeron. Chock and Bates have never won an Olympic gold medal individually; however, the ice dance couple won gold in the figure skating team event in these 2026 Milan Games and at the 2022 Winter Olympics, and they won world titles in 2023 and 2024.
What time do Chock and Bates skate today?
Chock and Bates skate next in the Ice Dance finals today, Wednesday, Feb. 11, which start at 1:30 p.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock. Then, tune in to NBC to watch Chock and Bates skate today likely after 2:15 p.m. ET, when Groups 2 through 4 air on TV. Since Since Chock and Bates are in 2nd place behind Fournier and Cizeron, both will skate in the final Group 4.
A figure skating pre-show airs at 1:15 p.m. ET on USA.
How to watch Ice Dance finals 2026 today; Where to stream Chock and Bates today
To watch the Ice Dance finals today, Wednesday, Feb. 11, and see if Chock and Bates win gold today in the Olympics ice dance final 2026, you can tune to TV channel NBC around 2 p.m. ET, or stream the Olympics ice dance final on Peacock, or stream the ice dance finals today free on DirecTV (free trial). The ice dance finals start at 1:30 p.m. on USA Network and stream on Peacock; however, Chock and Bates will likely skate closer to 2:15 p.m. ET or later, since they are in the final Group 4, set to skate this afternoon.
Odds Chock and Bates win the gold medal in the ice dance finals 2026 today looks good: Chock and Bates haven't lost a competition in three years, and they have a slew of trophies including an Olympic gold medal in team events at these 2026 Milan Cortino Winter Olympics and in 2022 Beijing Games. They haven't won an individual award, but they can easily squeeze out a win in what could be Chock and Bates final Olympic Games. The married couple have skated in the past four Winter Olympics.
What is the Fournier-Cizeron controversy?
French ice dancers Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron could win gold in the Ice Dance finals today, but the gold-medal favorites face a slew of controversy coming into the 2026 Winter Olympics: Cizeron's former dance partner Gabriella Papadakis accused Cizeron of being "controlling" and "demanding." This followed sexual assault allegations against Fournier Beaudry's former partner and boyfriend, Nikolaj Sorensen.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
The San Antonio Spurs dominated the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, thanks in large part to a historic performance from Victor Wembanyama.
San Antonio put up 47 points in the opening quarter and led by as many as 41 on their way to a 136-108 win. Wembanyama scored 25 points in the first quarter and 37 points in the first half on his way to amassing 40 for the game.
Wembanyama is the first player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 12 rebounds in 26 or fewer minutes. That is a stat line that none of LeBron James, Michael Jordan or Wilt Chamberlain ever produced.
In those 26 minutes, Wembanyama made more field goals (13) than any Lakers player attempted. Rui Hachimura's 12 shot attempts were the most on the shorthanded Lakers, who played without James (left foot arthritis) and Luka Doncic (hamstring) on the second night of a back-to-back.
Players to record at least 40 PTS and 12 REB in 26 or fewer minutes, all-time:
Former Ravens WR Miles Boykin Announces NFL Retirement
Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Miles Boykin announced his retirement from the NFL in an Instagram post. Drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Boykin spent his first three seasons in Baltimore and was used heavily on special teams.
Boykin later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his final NFL season came in 2023. In three seasons with the Ravens, he totaled 33 receptions for 470 yards and seven touchdowns.
In his Instagram post, Boykin wrote, “I'm beyond grateful for the sport of football! Thanks to my coaches, teammates, and fans for their support. My family and friends, I appreciate your constant encouragement. This sport has taught me so many lessons and I don't know where I would be without it! I'm excited for this new chapter in my life and can't wait to see where it takes me!”
Boykin was never a high-volume target in Baltimore, but he carved out a role as a dependable special teams contributor and a red-zone option during his time with the Ravens. Now, he steps away from the game and into the next chapter of his life.
Over the Super Bowl weekend, there was plenty of talk regarding the Minnesota Vikings. Sadly, for Vikings fans, it wasn’t because their team was playing. It revolved around the now-infamous decision not go all in on Sam Darnold after a 14-win debut season in Minnesota.
The NFL’s Eyes Are on the Vikings’ Next Move
Darnold’s success throughout the 2025 season has drawn ridicule from some quarters, and that was rubber-stamped when Darnold hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after the Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah bet big on his first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2025, and it cost him his job as the Vikings general manager. Opinion was mixed after Darnold melted down in the final two games of the 2024 season, but with the benefit of hindsight, the Vikings should have done everything possible to keep Darnold.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy warms up before kickoff during pregame routines on Dec. 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The rookie passer went through timing drills and footwork as Minnesota finalized preparations ahead of a late-season road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
I don’t think Minnesota would have won the Super Bowl if they’d kept Darnold. However, on the back of Brian Flores’ strong defense, the team finished just half a game out of the playoffs despite historically bad QB play. McCarthy ranked last in the NFL in completion percentage (58%), touchdown-interception (11-12), and passer rating (72.6). He also struggled with injury again, meaning Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer started seven games. A Darnold-led Vikings probably makes the playoffs.
The pressure mounted on McCarthy and the decision-makers in Minnesota when veteran players like Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones spoke to the media during Super Bowl week and suggested that letting Darnold leave was a mistake. It will be particularly important to keep Jefferson happy, who had career lows in receiving yards (1,048) and receiving touchdowns (2). The national media doesn’t need an excuse to try to push a Jefferson trade agenda.
The NFL World is Watching
CBS Sports ranked the Vikings No. 1 on its list of teams to watch this offseason — the others were the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans. The big talking point surrounding the Vikings, of course, is what the team will do at QB. With Adofo-Mensah gone, all options remain open.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell speaks during a media session held at the Sport Ireland Campus on Sep. 26, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. The appearance came ahead of Minnesota’s international slate, with O’Connell outlining preparation details and roster updates while fielding questions in a setting far removed from the usual Twin Cities routine. The event marked another stop on the franchise’s global tour. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The focus will be on head coach Kevin O’Connell. With Minnesota not beginning its search for a new general manager until after the draft, this will be viewed as O’Connell’s show. His future in Minnesota likely lives or dies on the upcoming QB decision. Another season where the Vikings are relying on the defense, and they might want to think twice about letting Flores go into the next head coaching cycle.
So how will the Vikings address the quarterback position this offseason? Even if it’s just for the morale of their offensive players, like Jefferson. Minnesota has to bring in a veteran quarterback this offseason to compete with and/or mentor McCarthy. Aaron Rodgers and former Viking Kirk Cousins would meet that mentor role in the final years of their playing days.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray takes off on a scramble as pressure collapses during the second half of a divisional matchup at SoFi Stadium, showcasing his trademark mobility and acceleration. The sequence unfolded on Dec. 28, 2024, in Inglewood, where Murray extended the drive with his legs against the Los Angeles Rams, stressing the defense horizontally and vertically in a moment that highlighted his dual-threat value. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
Bringing in one of those would give the Vikings a chance to let McCarthy step back and maybe come back. Alternatively, someone like Kyler Murray or Mac Jones would be competition for the long-term role.
Onlookers are fascinated by what Minnesota’s offseason approach will be. It will be one of the league’s big storylines this offseason.
The Indiana Pacers will be looking to build on a big win over the New York Knicks as they visit the Brooklyn Nets tonight at the Barclays Center, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Pascal Siakam is making his presence felt as a playmaker lately, and my Pacers vs. Nets predictions expect him to do so again.
Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, February 11.
Pacers vs Nets prediction
Pacers vs Nets best bet: Pascal Siakam Over 3.5 assists (-115)
Andrew Nembhard serves as the top facilitator on the Indiana Pacers, but Pascal Siakam is no pushover as a passer. He’s averaging 3.9 dimes per game.
The Cameroonian has hit the Over in assists in three of his last four outings.
Siakam is averaging 3.8 dimes on the road this season, and he registered a whopping 10 assists against the Brooklyn Nets already this year.
Pacers vs Nets same-game parlay
Noah Clowney has been a key piece for the Nets this season, averaging 13 points per game. He’s eclipsed his point total in back-to-back games.
The Pacers will be rolling in with confidence after taking down a very good Knicks team in overtime. That will carry them to another victory tonight
Nembhard is averaging 7.5 dimes this season, and he just had 10 assists against the Knicks. The Canadian has cashed the Over in assists in seven of his last eight outings.
Pacers vs Nets SGP
Noah Clowney Over 13.5 points
Pacers moneyline
Andrew Nembhard Over 6.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Threes get degrees
Jay Huff is averaging 1.4 makes from deep on 4.3 attempts per game, and he’s hit the Over in three of his last five.
Nolan Traore doesn’t shoot a ton of treys, but he’s cashed the Over in two of his previous three.
Danny Wolf is averaging only 4.6 rebounds, and he’s hit the Under in three of his last four games.
Egor Demin is averaging 2.9 makes from long range at a 39% clip. He’s cashed the Over in two of his last three.
Pacers vs Nets SGP
Jay Huff Over 1.5 threes
Nolan Traore Over 1.5 threes
Danny Wolf Under 6.5 rebounds
Egor Demin Over 2.5 threes
Pacers vs Nets odds
Spread: Pacers +5 | Nets -5
Moneyline: Pacers +160 | Nets -190
Over/Under: Over 216.5 | Under 216.5
Pacers vs Nets betting trend to know
The Indiana Pacers have hit the moneyline in 16 of their last 45 away games (+9.65 Units / 16% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Nets.
How to watch Pacers vs Nets
Location
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Date
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Indiana, YES
Pacers vs Nets latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The Baltimore Ravens hired Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker as safeties coach on Jesse Minter's defensive staff. And if you ask Navy head coach Brian Newberry, Baltimore is getting more than a great coach — they're getting 'no better person' than Volker.”
Newberry called Volker' one of my very best friends' and said there wasn't a better person on his staff. Here's what he said about Volker's character and coaching ability.
"Honestly, hard to lose him, professionally... He did such a good job as coordinator...there's no better person on our staff than P.J. Volker. Phenomenal football coach, hard working, detailed, family man, and that's where his priority is, but just a phenomenal human being, one of my very best friends, which makes it very hard to lose him. Fortunately, he's not moving across the country. They are going to stay roughly close, and the opportunity is unique for him. It's a great opportunity for him to work for Jesse Minter. I think he may know and is one of his best friends, went to school together, coached together at previous stops, but him to not have to move his girls out of the schools that they are in. It's going to be a little bit of a commute for P.J., but the Ravens are getting a great one. He's a guy that the players are going to love; he's going to pour into those guys, he's a servant leader. Just a phenomenal coach and person.
New Ravens safeties coach P.J. Volker joins the team after being the Defensive Coordinator at the Naval Academy for the past 3 seasons.
Navy Head Football Coach Brian Newberry talked about the type of person the Ravens are getting: pic.twitter.com/oHG0RPSGN4
Volker's coaching résumé is impressive, but Newberry made it clear that his character is what truly sets him apart. Now, Volker gets his chance on the NFL stage, and Baltimore is getting someone his former program didn't want to lose.
Ranked by many as the No. 1 running back in the 2026 recruiting class, Derrek Cooper is brimming with confidence. There are a lot of lofty expectations for the Florida product and Cooper is embracing them by picking a high profile number. Cooper will wear No. 5 is freshman year, Bijan Robinson's old number.
Bijan famously wore the number on route to the 2022 Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back. Robinson finished his Longhorns career as the No. 4 rusher in UT history with 3,410 rushing yards and 41 total touchdowns.
Robinson was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons No. 8 in the 2023 NFL Draft and is now arguably the best running back in the NFL. He has passed Christian McCaffery and Barry Sanders for the most total career yards from scrimmage by any player under the age of 24.
Cooper, who never took an official visit to the 40 Acres, picked Texas over Florida State, Miami, and Ohio State. The Hollywood, FL native bonded with former Longhorns running back coach Chad Scott. But after a poor running game in 2025, Scott was let go back Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and replaced him with Jabbar Juluke.
Cooper's father said after the Chaminade-Madonna back committed to Texas they see Derrek in a similar role as Bijan had at UT.
"They've talked about his skill set and compared his build to [former UT running back] Bijan Robinson," Corey Cooper told ESPN. "They don't have a running back like Derrek right now. They feel like they can do a lot with him. He wants to run, he wants to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, he wants to line up at wide receiver. He wants to show he has all the skills to play at the next level, and they're going to let him do that at Texas."
Dan Ige finds himself an underdog against a surging featherweight contender in the UFC Fight Night 267 co-headliner.
Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa preview
Ige (19-10 MMA, 11-9 UFC) has lost three of his past four fights. After finishing Sean Woodson by TKO at UFC 314, the Xtreme Couture fighter lost a decision to former two-division Bellator champion Patricio Freire at UFC 318 in July.
Officials from Milwaukee Public Schools issued statements in the past week expressing disapproval of a non-football conference realignment proposal being considered that would move two Milwaukee City Conference schools to the Southeast Conference.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Conference Realignment Task Force Committee in January advanced an amended proposal impacting six Milwaukee area conferences by a 10-6 vote. The task force meets again Feb. 19 to hear appeals from impacted schools, before the proposal is recommended for inclusion on the agenda at a WIAA Board of Control meeting March 10. The Board of Control can then approve, deny or remand it back to the realignment task force.
Among the realignments in the proposed plan is moving Milwaukee Reagan and Carmen South & Carmen Southeast to the Southeast Conference, where they would join existing members Kenosha Bradford, Kenosha Indian Trail, Kenosha Tremper, Racine Case, Racine Horlick and Racine Park.
Milwaukee Recreation senior director Anne Kubes said MPS has filed four formal appeals with the realignment task force throughout this process on behalf of Milwaukee Reagan, including the one that will be heard Feb. 19. Kubes said the latest appeal is based on community feedback from concerned Reagan district families.
"The district is particularly concerned about the negative impacts this realignment could have on access for families and fans, increased transportation demands and related costs, staffing challenges for athletics programs, and student safety – especially for students traveling later in the evening," a Kubes statement to the Journal Sentinel read in part. "The proposal would have broader implications for co-op teams, other MPS schools, and the overall stability and competitiveness of the Milwaukee City Conference as a whole."
Megan O'Halloran, MPS school board director representing District 8 which includes Reagan among its member schools, also issued a statement Feb. 6 after holding a community feedback session earlier in the week. In expressing her opposition to the proposed plan, she said it would "fail students, families, and staff" while undermining the district's "responsibility to ensure equitable access to education and extracurricular opportunities."
Her statement went on to list three specific areas of concern, pointing first to the impact on education due to varying schedules between MPS, Racine and Kenosha schools.
"Because of school start times, travel distances, and block scheduling, students and staff would frequently be forced to miss the last period of the school day to attend athletic events. With rigorous academic expectations and extended class periods, missing even one block can set students significantly behind," O'Halloran's statement read in part.
Her statement also asserted that for teachers who serve as coaches on various athletic programs, their early departure to travel to athletic events would disrupt education as well, creating inequities for students with their peers.
"Many parents work multiple jobs, care for multiple student-athletes, or lack access to reliable transportation. Requiring frequent travel outside the city makes it far more difficult for families to support their children through attendance and engagement – support that we know is critical to student success," her statement continued.
O'Halloran also criticized the proposal on the basis that it "ignores current transportation realities" for the district.
"Our region is facing a bus driver shortage, which already impacts athletics. Milwaukee Public Schools often relies on Milwaukee County Transit to transport students to nearby venues. That option would not be available for events outside the county, leading to higher transportation costs at a time when we are being asked to stretch every dollar," O'Halloran said.
Her statement concluded by asking the task force to reject the proposal, which she claimed has advanced in "an inherently unfair process" without families having a meaningful opportunity to provide feedback on how it would impact them.
Carmen South and Carmen Southeast officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Realignment proposal a response to area school requests
The realignment task force is considering this latest iteration of a proposal crafted as a response to requests made by a dozen Milwaukee area schools. Schools can make requests for realignment from Oct. 1 through Nov. 1. WIAA records indicate requests filed by Brookfield East, Divine Savior Holy Angels, Franklin, Germantown, Grafton, Sussex Hamilton, Kenosha Tremper, Marquette University High School, Menomonee Falls, Oak Creek, Wauwatosa East and Wauwatosa West were combined into what has become the modified Milwaukee area proposal impacting six conferences that was pushed forward in January. When considering each request, realignment task force co-chair and Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln superintendent Ronald Rasmussen said the committee looks at school enrollment and geography.
"Generally geography is considered if you are within an hour of each other, that is considered to be pretty much normal geography," Rasmussen said. "Now that varies a little bit in each part of the state, such as in Milwaukee, in an hour you can go by a lot of schools. When you're up in my part of the state or even further north, your closest conference opponent may be 35 minutes away."
Rasmussen said the committee also looks at different levels of play at each school in a proposed conference, in order to maintain schedules that support junior varsity levels offered at each school. He added that the goal is to get schools across the state in conferences of eight teams or more that meet the aforementioned criteria, though exceptions can occur on a case-by-case basis.
"One of the difficulties in the Southeast part of the state is you only have two directions to move because of the lake and the border, so when you're looking at schools and similar enrollments within that hour of geography, you can't go east and you can't go south really, so you're looking really at two directions at that point when you're looking at schools that might be similar, that offer similar levels of play within that hour of geography and have similar enrollment," Rasmussen said.
The original Milwaukee area proposal based on school requests included Milwaukee Rufus King and Reagan as the schools moving to the Southeast Conference, but was modified in response to an MPS appeal to remove King and replace it with Carmen South & Carmen Southeast.
"We attempt to get to eight [teams in a conference], although the committee is generally OK with seven. So that was really an attempt as well to try and get a conference to seven schools, knowing that some of the Kenosha and Racine schools co-op some of their athletic programs when it comes to all sports," Rasmussen said.
He also maintained that impacted schools have the right to file appeals and be heard at various stages of the realignment process, up to and including the March 10 Board of Control meeting.
"The task force really takes every proposal very seriously moving forward, understand and realize that we know we're not going to please every school district or every school," Rasmussen said. "That's why we do the appeal process, and that's why the committee, between December and January, did make changes, because we listened to those appeals and take those appeals very seriously. That will continue in February."
The New York Giants moved on from Brian Daboll after he led the team to a 20-40-1 record across four seasons. They’ve since made arguably the best head coaching hire of the offseason by getting John Harbaugh under contract.
The Giants have since been busy building the best coaching staff possible around Harbaugh. New York previously hired two-time Super Bowl winner Matt Nagy as their new offensive coordinator/playcaller. Now, they’ve added another former NFL head coach to their staff.
On Wednesday, the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Giants hired former Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan as their new quarterback coach and passing game coordinator. The Giants just interviewed Callahan for the position on Tuesday, a day later, and he’s been hired.
Callahan may not have excelled in his first opportunity to be an NFL head coach, but he brings three seasons of experience as a QB coach. He has also spent five seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator, helping lead the Cincinnati Bengals to two Super Bowl appearances.
Callahan has had a chance to help develop a pair of former No. 1 overall picks in Joe Burrow and Cam Ward. Now, he’ll get an opportunity to work with 2025 first-round pick Jaxson Dart in New York.
Like Harbaugh and Nagy, Callahan also brings a Super Bowl ring to the Giants, having won a championship with the Denver Broncos as a coaching assistant back in 2010.
Twelve years later, the 12s will be out in full force for another parade to celebrate a Seahawks' victory in Super Bowl LX.
Via Christine Clarridge of Axios.com, Seattle officials expect up to one million fans for Wednesday's Super Bowl parade.
A 10:00 a.m. PT trophy celebration at Lumen Field will be followed by a two-hour parade, starting at 11:00 a.m. PT. (The placement of the trophy celebration before the parade decreases the likelihood of speeches delivered with slurred speech.)
In February 2014, 700,000 fans lined the streets on a cold day for the celebration of the first Super Bowl win in franchise history. This time around, it will be in the upper 40s — with (somewhat surprisingly) no rain.
As Charean Williams noted last night, Seattle Public Schools will remain open on Wednesday, with no excused absences for parade attendance. Which means there will be plenty of unexcused absences. These moments of shared civic pride and joy are too few and far between for the children of Seattle to not experience in full. School will be there, for at least 12 years. Super Bowl parades are far more rare.
Indeed, local kids who were in kindergarten the last time this happened are now high-school seniors. The parade experience will be far more valuable than anything they'd learn in school today.
Hull City Ladies player Sophie Haywood said she previously had to choose between playing sport and getting an education [BBC / Amanda White]
A football club is working with a college to offer young women the opportunity to play full-time sport alongside their higher education studies.
The partnership between Hull City Ladies and Bishop Burton College has created an under 21s academy which will be open to females aged 16 and over.
The college already runs a female football academy programme, and hoped the arrangement would encourage more players to stay in the area.
Chris Hames, Hull City Ladies manager and the women and girls programme lead at the college, said: "This is the first opportunity for young female footballers to approach football on a full-time basis in our region."
He added: "It's giving players the key educational skills and tools alongside access to training and games, so neither has to be compromised in pursuit of their career.
"This is a huge step for the area, the football club and the college."
The college said it would also create a development squad to help players progress from grassroots sport to the professional game.
Players will primarily study sport or business, but students on other courses would still be able to take part, the college confirmed.
Chris Hames, first team manager at Hull City Ladies, said the programme was a "huge step" for the region [BBC / Amanda White]
Sophie Haywood, the head of medical at the college, who played professionally for the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle United said the programme would be "really valuable."
The current Hull City Ladies player added: "I had to go to America to get an education alongside playing in a full-time capacity, so to be able to offer that locally is so important.
"As a professional player I've had to choose between education or football on many occasions.
"Being able to go somewhere which offers first-class education and football training means players don't have to be put in that position."
Trials to join the programme will take place at the college on 18 February. Further trial dates will be announced for Easter, July and August, the college added.
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Qinwen Zheng has reached the last 16 of the Qatar Open after a three-set win over Alycia Parks, setting up a rematch with Elena Rybakina.
Zheng needed two hours and 20 minutes to get past the American, with the final score reading 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.
The match was Zheng’s first main-draw appearance since January, following time away from the court due to an elbow injury.
The world No.7 now faces another big test against an in-form Rybakina, who comes into this event fresh off her Australian Open title and ranked world No.4.
Qinwen Zheng shares promising update on her elbow injury
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
Speaking after the match, Zheng told reporters: “Not bad. I feel the same as yesterday when I finished.”
“The elbow didn’t get worse, so I think it’s good news. Because after such a long match, especially two times [playing] three sets, my elbow can stay really healthy and I’m pretty happy about that.”
Zheng also looked ahead to her match against Rybakina, who many believe is closing in on the world number one ranking.
“It’s going to be a very difficult match because she has her confidence and I’m just starting to build my game up,” Zheng said.
“But I will fight through every point and let’s see what happens in the next round.”
The winner between Zheng and Rybakina will take on either Victoria Mboko or Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals. Mboko beat Vera Zvonareva earlier this week, while Andreeva got past Magda Linette.
The quarter-final winner will then meet one of Jelena Ostapenko, Ann Li, Elisabetta Cocciaretto or Camila Osorio; who recently defeated Alexandra Eala on her way to the Philippine Women’s Open title.
How Qinwen Zheng has fared against Elena Rybakina
Zheng holds a 1-2 record against Rybakina, with their rivalry going back to Wimbledon 2022.
Rybakina, who later won her first major title at that tournament, edged out Zheng in the third round 7-6, 7-5.
Their next meeting came at the China Open in 2023, where Rybakina again had the upper hand, winning comfortably 6-1, 6-2.
Zheng earned her first win over Rybakina at the 2024 WTA Finals. In the group stage, she came through a tight contest with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 victory.
After that match, Zheng reflected on how she managed to turn things around in the deciding set:
“I was the one to make the first break, and then I let her back in the first.
“Then it happened again in second. But in the third set I talked to myself. I broke her first and I stayed focused.
“Finally in the third set I start to play my tennis again. So I’m really happy to win the match.”
With the Senior Bowl in the rearview mirror, NFL draft season is officially here — and the Philadelphia Eagles will be on the clock soon enough.
PennLive was in Mobile, Ala., watching all three days of practice and interviewing many of the top prospects in attendance.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’re rolling out a series of stories on Senior Bowl standouts who would make sense for the Eagles in the 2026 NFL draft.
Howie Roseman has a reputation for plucking the best from powerhouse programs. In the last five drafts, the Eagles have selected 10 players from Alabama and Georgia. So that’s a trend that exists.
But Roseman has also hit on small-school standouts recently. Louisiana Tech’s Milton Williams was a key cog in the Super Bowl LIX run. Houston Christian’s Jalyx Hunt led the team in sacks this past season. Both were far from household names, taken in the third round.
The Eagles are listed at +1400 to win Super Bowl LXI over on BetMGM. Our complete BetMGM Sportsbook review shows you how to sign up and use their platform. If you’re interested in learning more about how to bet on NFL futures, be sure to check out our NFL futures betting guide.
Perhaps Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst will be the next under-the-radar, mid-round pick to make a name for himself in Philadelphia.
Four years ago, Hurst was a zero-star recruit out of high school. Now, he’s one of the most intriguing wide receivers in the 2026 NFL draft class.
“This is something you don’t take for granted,” Hurst told PennLive at the Senior Bowl, minutes after making a jaw-dropping play in front of NFL scouts, coaches and executives. “Everyone’s trying to achieve this dream, man. And to be here, it’s really a blessing.”
Hurst’s story is an easy one to get behind. The Savannah, Ga., native didn’t have any college interest as a high schooler until his brother started calling around on his behalf. He got through to Valdosta State, the coaches loved his tape, and Hurst went to the Division II program.
Hurst transferred to Georgia State after two seasons, and he established himself as a Sun Belt star. In 2024, Hurst had 56 catches for 961 yards and a program-record nine touchdowns. He entered the portal, looking to spend his final season at a power conference program. But he decided to return to Georgia State, where he was once again a force.
In the preseason, Hurst was named to Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List,” highlighting his rare combination of 4.51-second 40-yard dash speed and 6-foot-3 frame. Hurst backed up that hype with another stellar season, catching 71 passes for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns.
“I’m a playmaker,” Hurst said. “I can get the ball quick at the line of scrimmage and go for 70 yards. I’m also a deep threat and can make plays that’s going to excite everybody. I can make plays that’s going to get the team rowdy.”
Hurst got everyone at Hancock Whitney Stadium rowdy during the first practice of the Senior Bowl. Hurst beat Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal down the sideline on a go route and somehow came down with a one-handed catch against the 6-foot-1 corner.
The play drew an audible reaction from both sidelines and everyone in the stands — and it gave NFL coaches and scouts in attendance a glimpse of what he can do.
A lot of people are going to learn about Georgia St. WR Ted Hurst this week
- 6032, 207, 33 1/4" arms, 10" hands - Glides to top speed and creates catching windows - Really productive for a team that went 1-11 in 2025 - 34 catches of 20+ yards over the last 2 yrs (No. 1 in FBS) pic.twitter.com/QdsBzlYZuR
A.J. Brown might get traded, which would create a vacuum on the outside. But even if Brown isn’t dealt, the Eagles’ depth at receiver is a concern. Beyond Brown and DeVonta Smith, there isn’t much there.
In a sneaky good draft class of receivers, the Eagles will have options. There’s a chance five receivers — Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, USC’s Makai Lemon, Washington’s Denzel Boston and Texas A&M’s Kevin Concepcion — go in the first round.
Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Louisville’s Chris Bell and Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields are fringe first-rounders while Alabama’s Germie Bernard, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell, Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. are all possible second or third-rounders.
But Hurst, who is currently ranked as the No. 89 overall prospect by NFL Mock Draft Database, would be a sensible selection for the Eagles in the third or fourth round.
Hurst’s mother is a Dallas Cowboys fan, so that might be a knock against him in the pre-draft process. But jokes aside, Hurst said he grew up watching Michael Vick and liking the Eagles.
Maybe he’ll bring his jaw-dropping plays (and a feel-good story) to south Philadelphia.
“Coming from a smaller school, it’s about having the opportunity to compete against guys from the Power 5, showing that we’ve got talent, too,” Hurst said. “I’m a competitor. And I can compete with the best in the world.”
Harlequins Women's captain Jade Konkel, the former Scotland forward, will end her playing career at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
The 32-year-old - who won 74 caps for her country and played in two Rugby World Cups - joined Quins in 2018 and was made captain in 2023.
The back row made history in 2016 when she became the first woman to sign a professional contract with Scottish Rugby.
Konkel, who has balanced her playing career with a job as a firefighter in London, was named Women's Player of the Season at Quins in 2022-23 and 2024-25.
She made her Scotland debut as a 19-year-old against England in the 2013 Six Nations and stepped down from international duty after the 2025 World Cup.
"When I arrived at Harlequins in 2018, I didn't come with a plan for how long I'd stay. I came with a love for rugby and a hope that I'd find a place where I could grow," she said.
"Very quickly, this club became my home: a place that held me through every version of myself over the years and I could never have imagined how much this club would come to mean to me.
"But the season isn't over yet. This is just my last chapter. I'm here for this season, all in, chasing standards and chasing success with this group. When it's over, I want to know the tank is well and truly empty."
Port Vale boss Jon Brady says his side's performance in their EFL Vertu Trophy quarter-final defeat by Stockport County was "unacceptable" and "nowhere near good enough".
Vale, bottom of League One, were hammered 4-0 by their fellow third-tier opponents with County scoring with all four of their shots on target.
Brady made nine changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Burton in their most recent league game and was left frustrated by what he saw.
"To crumble like we did - they had four shots on goal and score four goals - it's way too easy," he told BBC Radio Stoke.
"I can coach the players but in those moments they have to be better and it's nowhere near good enough.
"It's all right doing it on the training pitch when they free themselves up and play but to go out there, you've got to roll your sleeves up, win the battle and then try to play.
"It's almost as if we freeze at times and it's something we need to eradicate out of this team."
Brady, who replaced Darren Moore as boss in early January, started his tenure at Vale with two wins - in the FA Cup and the last 16 of the Vertu Trophy - and has delivered one victory in his five league games so far.
Despite being pleased with what he has seen in his time working with the squad, he said he was at a loss to explain what sometimes happens during a match.
"The way they work and play on the training ground is sometimes totally different, at times, to what they represent out there - that's unacceptable," he said.
"I've got to find the best solution to get performances - forget results, you need performances.
"We're not giving teams loads of chances but it's the one, two, three chances we are giving they [opponents] are being so clinical because it's moments that are so poor.
"They are basics you probably learn in the academy. Sometimes I'm in shock at some of the things we do.
"If the level's above you, you do silly things in the moment and I'm seeing some of them, maybe the level is above them because this is the position we're in."
Vale have another home game, their fourth in a row, in the FA Cup against Championship side Bristol City on Saturday before they turn their attention back to League One survival.
Brady remains hopeful they can close the 11-point gap to safety over the remaining 18 games but knows he has to "find solutions".
"Other teams are being clinical against us and we're not being clinical in those moments," he said.
"If we can pull that together and start to fight better, which we had done in the previous games, I will still be optimistic."
Despite it already feeling like it has been a long winter here in Detroit, it’s sadly still only the middle of February. However, warmer days are on the horizon, as is the 2026 NFL Draft in April. In a few short weeks, the NFL’s annual NFL Combine will kick off in Indianapolis, and before we know it, free agency will be here, too.
So to set the table a bit ahead of all the chaos to come, we were lucky enough to have one of our own on the Pride of Detroit YouTube Channel. Joining myself and Meko Scott this week is none other than The Machine, Erik Schlitt, to discuss some of his favorite prospects from the 2026 class.
We start off by reminiscing on the 2023 NFL Draft, and how many assume Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes was forced to pivot once the Seattle Seahawks drafted defensive back Devon Witherspoon with the fifth overall selection. Looking back now, it certainly appears to have worked out well for both teams. From there, we get into some of Erik’s favorite prospects at several different positions, including offensive tackle and guard, edge, as well as linebackers and safeties. It is a really interesting conversation that does a nice job of organizing players into tiers ahead of the combine later in February.
Would you be okay with the Lions drafting a linebacker or safety at 17 if the board falls that way? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
As always, please be sure to like and subscribe to the Pride of Detroit YouTube Channel. Your support helps us to continue to grow and reach more Lions fans!
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Jordan Davis #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes the line of scrimmage against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Garrett isn’t the lone talent on Cleveland’s defensive front anymore. LB Carson Schwesinger won Rookie of the Year, DT Mason Graham had a very good first season, DTs Maliek Collins and Mike Hall Jr. helped push the pocket from the inside while DEs Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, and Cameron Thomas provided pressure from the other defensive end spot.
The strong defensive line mimics the two previous Super Bowl champions: the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. Defense can still win championship (games). Seattle and Philadelphia controlled games through their defensive lines while having much more support from their respective offenses.
Interestingly, the Browns are setup well for the big games because of Garrett and company. The problem is that they do not have the offense to help get them there. GM Andrew Berry has made it clear that an offensive upgrade, starting with the hiring of Monken, is the team’s priority this offseason. If Cleveland can get good play on offense, the defense is ready to win at a high level.
As discussed previously, the Browns were the eighth best defense in the NFL last year but that number was impacted by poor play from Cleveland’s offense and special teams. As discussed by fans in the comment section of that article, the Houston Texans could be a model for the Browns being successful next year. The Texans had the second best defense and the 19th best offense, leading to a 12 win season.
Houston, like the two previous Super Bowl champions, was also led by a dynamic defensive line.
Cleveland’s roster needs a lot of help on the offensive side of the ball but they at least have setup the kind of defensive presence needed to win the biggest games, if they can get there. That is a big if but enjoyable for Browns fans to think about.
Boston, MA - August 31: Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman smiles after earning the save against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Good morning! MLB Network’s ongoing project to determine the 10 best players at each position continued yesterday, as they finally made it to the bullpen. And if you’re a Red Sox fan, this is what you want to see:
Two Sox relievers on the list, with Aroldis Chapman taking the top spot. Not too shabby.
It’s hard to argue with MLB Network. Chapman was a blizzard of dominance in 2025. Already one of the greatest closers of his generation, Chapman posted career bests in ERA+, walk rate, strikeout-to-walk ratio, and WHIP, while posting the second-best hits-per-nine-innings rate of his career. He was outstanding.
And yet… I’m not completely sold on him as we enter 2026. I was skeptical of him last year and he shoved it in my face, so feel free to ignore me. But the reason why I was skeptical in 2025 — he was an aging pitcher with poor control whose performance had been trending downward for years — still gives me cause for concern this season.
Chapman was a completely different pitcher in 2025 than he had been in the three prior years, seemingly fixing his life-long control issues over night. He says that there was a reason for this, and that it wasn’t just statistical noise:
That’s right: if Chapman is to be believed, the reason why he suddenly was able to control his fastball after 15 years in the big leagues was that… last year was the first time he tried to control his fastball?
I don’t know, I’m not really buying that.
Chapman will be 38-years-old this year and everything I know about baseball tells me that last season will prove to be a statistical fluke. Granted, Chapman could come back down to Earth this season and still be perfectly effective in the ninth inning this year. But I’m worried about the back-end of the bullpen. Are you?
Talk about the closer’s role and whatever else you want, and, as always, be good to one another.
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Jai Opetaia poses during a World Title fight announcement at HOTA on October 02, 2025 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Zuffa Boxing will host its first ever title fight on March 8 in Las Vegas as IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia is formally scheduled to face Brandon Glanton with Zuffa’s cruiserweight belt on the line, with no mention of the IBF belt being in the balance at this time. The fight will be held at the Meta Apex.
Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) recently signed with Zuffa last month, which was its first big signing, and says he intends to pursue the undisputed cruiserweight crown, including Zuffa’s new hardware. He most recently stopped Huseyin Cinkara in eight rounds this past December.
Glanton (21-3, 18 KOs) is a relatively unheralded opponent but is coming off a stoppage win over Marcus Browne last October, which got him back in the win column after losing a unanimous decision to Chris Billam-Smith earlier in 2025. Opetaia will be a clear step up in competition for Glanton, obviously, but he’ll have the chance to make a name for himself.
The Seattle Mariners won't look exactly like their usual arrangement for most of the spring.
Outfielders Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena will both be leaving camp to go play in the World Baseball Classic.
That does create opportunity, though. And one youngster who is set to take advantage is Jonny Farmelo.
The 21-year old Farmelo was named by ESPN's Alden Gonzalez as the player to watch during the spring for the Mariners. It's a pretty notable spot for a guy like Farmelo to be recognized.
"Farmelo, a 21-year-old outfielder drafted out of high school at No. 29 in 2023," Gonzalez writes. "They're excited to see him. Former center fielder and current special assignment coach Mike Cameron calls him 'Ferrari' because of his speed and strength. His tools, a team source said, 'are huge,' though he has yet to put them on display for a prolonged stretch."
So far in his professional career, Farmelo has been held back by injuries.
"Farmelo tore an ACL in 2024 and spent most of 2025 sidelined by a rib injury," Gonzalez writes. "But he's healthy now and expected to make big strides through their system in 2026."
Farmelo won't begin the year in the majors, so any kind of time he gets during the spring with the big club is mostly a bonus, a chance for him to show the staff what he can do so he's on their minds down the road when it becomes his time for real.
It's also a chance to prove he can stay healthy and be steady through the ups and downs of moving up the baseball ladder.
Eventually, the kid they call "Ferrari" will likely get his full chance. In the meantime, he'll do what he can to seize this opportunity for however long it lasts.
UEFA and Real Madrid come to agreement over European Super League legal action
The final nail has been put into the coffin of the proposed European Super League after the only remaining club, Real Madrid, made an agreement with UEFA.
The Spanish giants and the ESL's management company, A22, has sued UEFA for around €4 billion in damages over compensation due to UEFA's conduct.
Indeed, the club's president Florentino Pérez had told his club's members that he was confident of victory as recently as November 2025.
However, a statement published by UEFA, Real Madrid, and A22 has suggested an end to the project" "UEFA, European Football Clubs and Real Madrid CF reach agreement for the good of European club football.
"Following months of discussions conducted in the best interests of European football, UEFA, European Football Clubs (EFC), and Real Madrid CF announce that they have reached an agreement of principles for the well-being of European club football, respecting the principle of sporting merit with emphasis on long-term club sustainability and the enhancement of fan experience through the use of technology.
"This agreement of principles will also serve to resolve their legal disputes related to the European Super League, once such principles are executed and implemented."
Juventus, Barcelona, and Real Madrid were the final clubs in the project with Juve dropping out in 2024 and Barça officially exiting earlier this month.
The Texas Rangers have been making some interesting moves this offseason, and no part of the roster has been more fascinating than what they've done in the starting rotation.
Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom, Jack Leiter and Jacob Latz are joined by MacKenzie Gore in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Nationals. With depth in Kumar Rocker, the Rangers' rotation looks to be very strong for 2026.
But, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, the Rangers aren't done adding to their rotation. The Rangers and former 2023 World Series champion Jordan Montgomery are in agreement on a one-year, $1.25 million contract.
Rangers agree to terms on $1.25M contract with Jordan Montgomery
"The Rangers are acquiring left-hander Jordan Montgomery with the idea he'll be a useful second-half member of the pitching staff," Grant writes. "Montgomery, 33, is expected to earn $1.25 million in base salary with the ability to add more via performance bonuses."
Montgomery was with the Rangers for just one season, but it happened to be at the perfect time. He helped them win the 2023 World Series after being traded to Texas mid-season by the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 11 starts, Montgomery had a 2.79 ERA for the Rangers, and in six appearances (5 starts, 31 innings), he had a 2.90 ERA with a 3-1 record in their postseason run.
There was plenty of optimism with Montgomery, but his free agent deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks didn't go well at all. He put up a 6.23 ERA in 25 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2024, posting -1.4 bWAR for his worst year in the Majors.
Then, last season, he was out for the entire year due to an elbow injury that he had surgery on before the season began. He missed all of 2025.
Now, a free agent, Montgomery is returning to the Rangers, signing a small $1.25 million deal to be a factor in their rotation for the second half of the season.
Rangers fans won't see Montgomery in the rotation for a while, but he will act as a pseudo trade deadline addition for the Rangers once he does return later this season.
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🚨 Headlines
🇺🇸 Team USA's historic day: For the first time ever at the Winter Olympics, Team USA won five medals in five different sports on the same day, capturing three silvers (curling, freeskiing, cross-country skiing) and two bronzes (luge, alpine skiing).
🏈 SB ratings down slightly: This year's Super Bowl averaged 124.9 million viewers, which was down from last year's record number (127.7 million). But it did set a new high for peak viewership, with 137.8 million tuning in during the second quarter.
⚾️ Verlander comes home: Justin Verlander is returning to the Tigers on a one-year, $13 million deal, coming back for his 21st season to the team that drafted him all the way back in 2004.
🏀 All-Star replacements: Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (for Stephen Curry) and Rockets center Alperen Şengün (for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) have been named as injury replacements for this weekend's All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
⛳️ Woods to FSU: Rising high school senior Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, has committed to play golf at Florida State. The 17-year-old from The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, is the ninth-ranked golfer in the Class of 2027.
🇺🇸 Snapshots: Yesterday in Milan
(Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images)
Tesero — Ben Ogden captured a historic silver in Tuesday's sprint classic, becoming the first American man in 50 years to win an Olympic medal in cross country skiing. Bill Koch, a 1976 silver medalist, was the only other one to do so. And in a bit of kismet, Ogden grew up in the Bill Koch Youth Ski League and has skied with Koch, a fellow Vermonter.
As for the winner? That would be Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who's won two golds at these Games and seven in his career, just one shy of the record. With four events left, the 29-year-old is almost certain to leave Milan as the winningest Winter Olympian ever. Look at this speed!
(Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images)
Cortina d'Ampezzo — Mikaela Shiffrin's Olympic struggles continued at the team combined, where she and Breezy Johnson finished one spot off the podium after an uncharacteristically poor slalom in which she placed 15th (of the 18 finishers). Americans Jackie Wiles and Paula Moltzan took bronze behind duos from Austria and Germany.
Olympic yips? It's hard to comprehend what we're witnessing with Shiffrin, who remains an all-time great in her prime but just can't seem to perform at the Olympics. She went 0-for-6 in Beijing and is now 0-for-1 in Milan, despite dominating the World Cup circuit in between. Shiffrin has two events left in Milan (slalom, giant slalom) to end her Olympic drought.
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Milan — The U.S. wasn't supposed to dominate Canada the way they did their other opponents, but they put the hammer down anyway in a 5-0 rout to clinch the No. 1 seed in the knockouts. Next up? Italy in the quarterfinals.
O no, Canada: The five-time gold medalists (in just seven tournaments) entered this game with a 37-3 record in the Olympics and had never been shutout. The Americans are just on another level at the moment… and have now won seven straight games against their rivals to the north.
(Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Cortina d'Ampezzo — Ashley Farquharson rallied to claim bronze in singles luge, joining Erin Hamlin in 2014 as the only American women to medal in a sport that continues to be dominated by one country: Germany.
Second to none: No country has won a higher percentage of the Winter Olympics medals in any one sport than Germany has in luge, with 89 of 163 all-time (55%). They're even more dominant in women's singles, having won 36 of 51 medals (71%) and 13 of 17 golds, including this year's.
More highlights: Defending slopestyle gold medalist Alex Hall was dethroned but still took silver; curling duo Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse lost a heartbreaker to Sweden to take silver; Ilia Malinin landed another backflip in the short program and will enter Friday's free skate final in first place.
We'll be spotlighting America's best athletes throughout the Games. Follow Team USA's progress on their homepage, and for in-depth Olympics coverage, go to ours.
Michigan is the only team with a top five offense and defense. (Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)
Since 2002, all but one* NCAA men's basketball champion ranked among the top 25 teams nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency, per KenPom.
This year's list: With just under five weeks until Selection Sunday, only 10 teams currently fit that criteria:
No. 1 Arizona
No. 2 Michigan
No. 3 Houston
No. 4 Duke
No. 5 Iowa State
No. 12 Gonzaga
No. 13 Purdue
No. 14 Florida
No. 19 Vanderbilt
Unranked Iowa
Notably absent: Miami (Ohio), the nation's only remaining undefeated team, is nowhere near joining that group, with the 63rd-ranked offense and 146th-ranked defense.
*Odd man out: 2014 UConn was the only team to buck the trend. They finished the season with the 10th-best defense but just the 39th-best offense.
Looking ahead:Is Seattle on the brink of a dynasty? They have a strong roster with a fantastic coach, not many pending free agents, and the fifth-most projected cap space in the league. But they also just lost their offensive coordinator, and it's never easy to climb back up the mountain.
📚 Good reads
LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel high five after a recent Hornets victory. (Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Hornets, who were a bleak 11-22 at the beginning of 2026, have turned the page rather quickly, winning 14 of 21 games since then. But it's what they've been able to accomplish in the past couple weeks that is truly remarkable. Since Jan. 22, Charlotte is second in the league in point differential, scoring 121 points per 100 possessions, and is allowing just 108.8 points per 100 possessions — giving them the league's No. 2 unit at both ends of the floor.
Banks, 19, celebrates after scoring a goal for FC Augsburg. (Harry Langer/picture alliance via Getty Images)
With the World Cup just four months away, much of coach Mauricio Pochettino's U.S. roster has fallen into place. There is, however, an intriguing candidate without any senior international matches on his portfolio — a Hawaiian-born, German American teenager standing 6-foot-4 and starting at center back in the Bundesliga.
Chuck Wepner is draped on the ropes after Andre the Giant picked him up and tossed him in their forgotten match at Shea Stadium. (Bettmann Archive via Getty Images)
In a new Uncrowned series, combat sports television commentator, historian, officials trainer and regulator Sean Wheelock takes an in-depth and analytical look at infamous matches from MMA, boxing, pro wrestling, bare-knuckle, and the long and confused history of mixed-match fighting to determine whether controversial bouts were Shoots (legitimate competition) or Works (predetermined results).
📺 Watchlist: Wednesday, Feb. 11
(Henk Jan Dijks/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
⛸️ Speed Skating, Men's 1000m
American phenom Jordan Stolz, the world record holder in the 1000m, headlines the field for today's speed skating final (12:30pm ET, NBC) as the 21-year-old Wisconsin native begins his quest for Olympic history.
4-for-4? This is the first of four events Stolz will compete in, and he's favored in all of them. If he leaves Milan with four golds, he'd be second only to fellow American speed skater Eric Heiden, who won a record five golds at the 1980 Lake Placid Games.
🏒 Men's Hockey
The first Olympic hockey tournament since 2014 to feature NHL players gets underway today, with Slovakia vs. Finland in the opener (10:40am, USA) and Italy vs. Sweden later in the day (3:10pm, Peacock).
NHL representation: 147 NHL players are in Milan, including at least one from all 32 teams. The U.S., Canada and Sweden all have full 25-man rosters of NHL players and Finland is right behind them with 24. The rest: Czechia (11), Switzerland (10), Germany (7), Slovakia (7), Latvia (6), Denmark (6), France (1) and Italy (0).
⛸️ Figure Skating, Free Dance
The ice dance champions will be crowned today in Milan (1:15pm, USA), where three-time defending world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates go for their second gold of these Games after helping the U.S. win the team event on Sunday.
Where it stands: Chock and Bates finished Monday's rhythm dance segment in second place, just 0.46 points behind France's Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron. They'll need to make up that gap in today's longer free dance routine.
🎯 Biathlon, Women's 15km Individual
Did you know: Biathlon is the only Winter Olympics sport in which the U.S. has never won a medal? Four American women will try to change that today (8:15am, Peacock), led by Michigan Tech grad Deedra Irwin, who finished seventh in Beijing.
How it works: Racers take five laps around a 3km cross-country skiing track, stopping four times to shoot targets with a rifle. The shooting sections, which alternate between standing and prone, each include five targets. Every missed target incurs a one-minute penalty.
🥇 Medal events
⛷️ Nordic Combined: Men's Normal Hill (7:45am, Peacock)
Kiki Rice drives to the basket during Sunday's win over Michigan. (Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)
More to watch:
🏀 NCAAW: No. 2 UCLA at No. 13 Michigan State (8pm, Peacock) … The Bruins' 17-game winning streak is the third-longest in the nation behind UConn (41) and NDSU (20).
🏀 NBA: Knicks at 76ers (7:30pm, ESPN); Spurs at Warriors (10pm, ESPN) … Elite scorers Tyrese Maxey (28.8 ppg) and Jalen Brunson (27.4 ppg) go head-to-head in Philly.
⚽️ EPL: Manchester City vs. Fulham (2:30pm, Peacock) … City (15-5-5) are six points behind league-leading Arsenal (17-5-3) with one-third of the season left to play.
🏀 Unrivaled: 1-on-1 Tournament (7pm, truTV) … Kelsey Mitchell, Paige Bueckers, Allisha Gray and Breanna Stewart are the top seeds in the 32-player mid-season event.
Got plans tonight? Gametime is the best place to score last-minute tickets to the events happening in your city. Get tickets now!
⚾️ MLB trivia
Verlander in 2014. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Justin Verlander is returning to the Tigers, where he was famously part of a 2014 pitching staff that had five past or future Cy Young winners.
Question: Who were the other four?
Hint: Their first initials are M, D, R, R.
Answer at the bottom.
⚾️ Yahoo Fantasy: Play ball
(Yahoo Sports)
Yahoo Fantasy Baseball is back, and playing is easier and more fun than ever. Get your crew together and launch a league today.
New features:
Upgraded Commissioner Tools: Everything you need to manage your draft and your league is now all in the app, all in one place.
Easier Roster Management: With the new pitcher calendar, you can view which games your pitchers are starting weekly to make smarter lineup decisions.
Social-First Community: With Fantasy Feed, you can join the conversation, follow live plays and connect with millions of fans.
Trivia answer: Max Scherzer, David Price, Rick Porcello, Robbie Ray
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MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 28: Head coach Greg Gard of the Wisconsin Badgers talks to his players during a timeout in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kohl Center on January 28, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Greg Gard: Silent Assassin.
Also, Greg Gard: Troll.
After the Badgers upset No. 8 Illinois 92-90 in overtime Tuesday night, video shows Gard stroll into Wisconsin’s locker room wearing a blonde wig.
The wigs were part of a giveaway for Jake Davis night at State Farm Center.
An underrated element of the Los Angeles Rams' offseason will be what they do at the kicker position.
The Rams trotted out two kickers in 2025: Joshua Karty and Harrison Mevis. Karty flamed out in his second season in L.A. after missing several kicks and having a few more blocked, while Mevis stepped in and played admirably during the Rams' long playoff run.
Fansided's Adam Fromal introduced a way to evaluate kickers, though: Kick Value Added (KVA), which "measures how much value a kicker actually adds (or costs) relative to league expectations from the same distances across the field."
Here's a full breakdown of how it's measured:
A score of 0.0 serves as the breakeven point (pure averageness), with positive numbers indicating value added and negative numbers indicating value lost. Each miss drags someone further down, while each make (aside from the true chip shots) pushes them toward higher numbers
Karty and Mevis were both on opposite sides of the 43-player list. Karty finished No. 42 with a -11.0817 KVA, while Mevis ranked No. 8 with a 7.2249 KVA.
Karty's rank makes sense: He went 10-for-15 on field goals and also missed three extra points. Mevis, meanwhile, went 12-for-13 on field goals and hit all 39 of his extra points after he took over for Karty in Week 10. Mevis wasn't a prolific kicker during his limited time in L.A. but proved to be effective enough to deliver conversions for the Rams.
The next question will be whether or not the Rams should bring Mevis back or find a new kicker. Considering how well he played, Mevis has a great case for another contract win L.A.
The 2026 Winter Olympics are in full swing and for the first time in 12 years, the NHL has sent its players to the biggest international stage.
That's right, hockey fans, best-on-best action is back! The NHL gave us a taste of international competition last year with the 4 Nations Face-Off where Canada took home the top prize, but the Olympics are on a whole different level.
Though the big hockey powers such as Canada and the United States will make the most noise, in a tournament setting like this, anything can happen. Which is why we've narrowed the field of 12 competitors to the seven-ish we think could compete for a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
Let's take a look at the top medal contenders in our 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey power rankings.
Honorable mentions: Switzerland, Germany
Switzerland and Germany are definitely outsiders to the top medal contenders, but I wanted to highlight them here as potential dark horses. Switzerland has 10 NHL players on the roster, including Roman Josi, Nico Hischier and Kevin Fiala. They're in a tough Group A with Canada and Czechia but could play for an upset if things break right.
Germany has six NHLers on its roster with the electric Leon Draisaitl at its head and Moritz Seider on defense. They'll likely be the biggest competitors to the United States in Group C and will certainly play the Americans hard when they meet in the round robin.
5. Czechia
Competing in Group A with Canada is going to be a tough task, but Czechia does have the talent to be a surprise medal contender. David Pastrnak leads the way on offense for Czechia, with other notable names including Radek Faksa, David Kampf, Martin Necas and Ondrej Palat.
4. Finland
Finland and Sweden are set to duke it out for the top honors of Group B at these Olympics. Mikko Rantanen, who went off on a tear during the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs after some wild trade drama, will lead an offense that consists of Roope Hintz, Sebastian Aho, Artturi Lehkonen and others. Finland's roster isn't nearly as airtight as the rest of the teams on this list, but they're always in the medal hunt due to their overall strength as a team.
3. United States
I'm not convinced that Team USA's grit-focused approach will work out in their favor here. Yes, the United States are a talented team and will compete for a medal, but leaving off young blood like Jason Robertson in favor of veterans like J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck is certainly a choice. We'll just have to see how the United States' smash and bash style — headlined by the Tkachuk brothers — fares in this tournament, but for now I'm wondering if a few more tweaks could have made this roster even better.
2. Sweden
Sweden's bread and butter has been their defensive production across all ends of the ice and they definitely boast one of the best ones here in this tournament with Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin and Erik Karlsson. Not only that, there's some real offensive firepower on this Swedish team that could let them go toe to toe with Canada and the United States in the big moments.
1. Canada
As expected, Canada takes the top spot here. There's just a murderers' row of talent up and down Team Canada's roster, which includes a great mix of veterans like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid and young up-and-comers like Macklin Celebrini. There's a reason Canada is so hard to beat in men's hockey and it's because their skill is second-to-none.
Wayne Rooney fumes over attention-seeking distraction at Manchester United
Wayne Rooney has taken aim at the viral Manchester United supporter known as “The United Strand”, suggesting that the attention surrounding the fan’s haircut challenge has become a distraction.
According to the Metro, Rooney has been unimpressed by the coverage surrounding the supporter, with the legendary forward urging that the focus should remain on the team’s results rather than social media stunts.
The ‘United Strand’ is the online persona of Frank Illett, who has built a huge following by vowing not to cut his hair until the Red Devils win five matches in a row.
United went into Tuesday night’s Premier League trip to West Ham United chasing a fifth consecutive win, only for the run to stall in a 1-1 draw in east London. West Ham led after Thomas Soucek opened proceedings, but Benjamin Sesko struck a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a point for Michael Carrick’s side.
Rooney’s gripe with the spotlight
Rooney said the saga is “doing [his] head in”, arguing that United’s push for momentum should be the headline rather than whether a fan finally gets a trim.
The former striker also joked he would send Illett “to the other side of the country”, while stressing the discussion should be about Carrick and the football.
Rooney’s remarks arrived amid heightened interest in United’s recent run, with the club still battling near the top end of the table and points at a premium in the weeks ahead.
Haircut challenge rolls on
Illett’s pledge dates back to October 2024 and has continued to snowball, with the supporter frequently livestreaming games and reactions as the streak target remains unmet.
Reports elsewhere have noted the challenge is tied to charitable aims, with Illett having spoken about donating his hair when the time eventually comes.
The draw at West Ham United means United will now need to build another sequence if the milestone is to be reached, keeping the viral storyline alive for a while longer.
The next Premier League assignment is an away trip to Everton on Monday 23 February, before Crystal Palace visit Old Trafford in March.
For Carrick, the priority remains turning performances into wins. Meanwhile, this latest internet fad highlights just how much modern football’s noise can sometimes rival the action on the pitch.
As the NBA season pushes toward its defining stretch, SportsLine’s championship projections offer a data-driven snapshot of the title race. These percentages blend advanced simulations, team performance trends, and roster strength to estimate each contender’s path to the Larry O’Brien Trophy. While favorites have separated themselves from the pack, the numbers also reveal just how unpredictable the postseason can be.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) celebrates with guard Alex Caruso (9) after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 119-110 at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 36.51% Oklahoma City stands clearly above the field, holding more than a one-in-three chance to win it all. Their combination of elite guard play, depth, and defensive versatility has translated into consistent dominance on both ends of the floor. They play with pace, confidence, and discipline well beyond their years. If they stay healthy, they enter the postseason as the team everyone else is chasing.
2. Detroit Pistons (DET)
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) brings the ball up court during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 17.54% Detroit’s rise into serious contention signals a breakthrough season fueled by balance and physicality. They’ve built a roster that can score efficiently while also defending at a high level in half-court playoff settings. Their ability to control tempo and win close games makes them especially dangerous in a seven-game series. While they aren’t the favorites, their odds reflect a legitimate path to a Finals run.
3. Boston Celtics (BOS)
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) congratulates guard Payton Pritchard (11) after making a basket during the second half against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 16.65% Boston remains firmly in the title conversation thanks to its playoff-tested core and elite two-way wings. Their spacing, defensive switching, and late-game execution make them built for deep postseason basketball. The Celtics thrive in high-pressure situations and rarely beat themselves. With their experience and talent, they remain a serious threat to overtake the top spot.
4. San Antonio Spurs (SA)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) on the bench during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 5.83% San Antonio’s odds suggest they’re a dangerous dark horse rather than a frontrunner. Their disciplined system, combined with emerging star power, gives them matchup advantages against less structured teams. They rely on smart shot selection and strong interior presence to control games. If their young core rises to the moment, they could outperform expectations.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (MIN)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) laugh after a timeout against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 5.57% Minnesota’s championship hopes rest heavily on their defensive identity and frontcourt strength. They excel at protecting the rim and limiting second-chance opportunities, which becomes crucial in playoff series. Offensively, when their stars are efficient, they can overwhelm opponents quickly. Their odds reflect a team capable of a deep run if consistency holds.
6. New York Knicks (NY)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) introduced before the start of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 5.27% The Knicks’ physical style and half-court execution give them a puncher’s chance in the postseason. They grind out possessions, rebound aggressively, and thrive in tight defensive battles. While they may lack the firepower of the top-tier favorites, their resilience makes them difficult to eliminate. If their offense finds another gear, they could surprise the field.
7. Houston Rockets (HOU)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) talks with guard Reed Sheppard (15) after a play during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 3.97% Houston’s odds reflect a team that has grown rapidly but still faces uphill battles against more experienced contenders. Their athleticism and transition scoring can swing momentum quickly in a series. Defensively, when locked in, they create turnovers that lead to easy points. For them to make a true title push, sustained execution will be key.
8. Denver Nuggets (DEN)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Ball Arena. Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 1.82% Denver may be lower in probability, but their championship pedigree keeps them relevant. With elite offensive orchestration and playoff experience, they know how to manage high-pressure possessions. Their challenge lies in consistency and depth against younger, faster teams. Still, counting them out entirely would be a mistake.
9. Golden State Warriors (GS)
Golden State Warriors forward/center De’Anthony Melton (8) celebrates with guard Gary Payton II (0) as a timeout is called against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 1.54% Golden State’s odds reflect a team fighting against time but still dangerous. Their championship DNA and perimeter shooting can tilt any series if they catch rhythm. However, depth and defensive durability remain concerns. They’ll need near-perfect execution to make another deep run.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers (CLE)
Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (3) reacts from the bench in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 1.24% Cleveland has the defensive foundation to compete, especially with strong rim protection and guard play. Their ability to slow games down and force tough shots gives them a chance against higher-seeded teams. Offensively, consistency will determine how far they go. Their odds suggest an outside shot—but one built on legitimate strengths.
11. Los Angeles Lakers (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) guard Bronny James (9) and forward Rui Hachimura (28) watch game action during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Championship chances: 1.11% The Lakers remain in the conversation largely due to star power and playoff experience. When their top players are healthy and clicking, they can elevate their performance to contender level. Depth and defensive cohesion, however, will determine their ceiling. Their chances are slim, but their pedigree makes them a team no contender wants to face early.
Conclusion
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and guard Payton Pritchard (11) talk during a break against the New York Knicks in the second half at TD Garden. Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Ultimately, championship odds tell a story of probability—not certainty. Injuries, matchups, and playoff momentum can quickly reshape the landscape once the games truly matter most. Still, SportsLine’s projections give fans a compelling look at who holds the strongest statistical edge as the road to the NBA Finals unfolds.
Speaking in his press conference on Tuesday morning, Arne Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez will be back in training this week. In fact, he revealed that the defender was expected to train with the first-team for the first time since his injury on Tuesday.
This is incredible news. Gomez coming back from his injury is a massive boost for Liverpool. The kind of boost that could give a huge lift for the team for the rest of the season.
Someone of Gomez's experience and pedigree is not only an important presence in the dressing room, or a useful substitute off the bench but in this situation right now he's the ideal starter in the right-back role.
Liverpool are desperately missing Szoboszlai in the midfield. They need the Hungarian to play in his best role and cannot continue to ask him to play as a right-back.
Gomez thankfully has plenty of experience playing as a right-back so while the Sunderland game may come a bit too early for him, if he can be back for the weekend or even next week, that's going to be a massive boost for Liverpool.
This season every time he has played there, Gomez has done really well and the Reds have looked better.
Szoboszlai makes the Reds' counterpress more effective when he plays further forward. Meanwhile, Gomez brings more stability playing at the back with his calm demeanour and excellent reading of the game.
Liverpool now just have to hope that they can keep him fit for the rest of the campaign. The club's entire season could rest on Gomez's fitness.
That's not ideal. But the fact that he is back training with the team is amazing to hear.
Chelsea in strongest position to sign experienced striker as a free agent this summer
According to a report today, Chelsea are in the strongest position to sign striker Dusan Vlahovic as a free agent this summer.
Vlahovic is increasingly drawn to a move to the Premier League as his Juventus chapter nears its end, with Tottenham and Chelsea showing interest, and a report from TEAMtalk this morning suggests that the Blues are in the strongest position to land him at this stage.
EXCLUSIVE! The 25 players on Chelsea’s summer shortlist for transfer targets and scouting REVEALED!!
Tottenham are in a spot of bother right now having just sacked another manager and are genuinely in a relegation battling position. So I’m not sure why any player would even look at joining them right now. So if it’s only between those two as the main candidates, you are probably choosing Chelsea all day long, right?
Vlahovic’s contract at Juventus ends at the end of this season and so far, there are no indications that he is going to renew there.
Chelsea in strong position
Dusan Vlahovic with a Chelsea news logo. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Tottenham are monitoring his situation alongside Chelsea, per the report.
They claim that Chelsea are considering a move for a new striker this summer amid uncertainty surrounding Liam Delap.
The write up concludes, ‘with Chelsea in with a chance of Champions League qualification and side showing interest in Vlahovic, they appear to be his most likely destination at this stage – but things could still change.’
In other news today
After the Leeds draw last night, Liam Rosenior spoke about Joao Pedro, and was able to be a lot more positive about the striker, who he said was a “top player” and perfect for his style of play. The Brazilian certainly has been superb in the last month, and seems to love playing under the new manager.
Before this press conference, Rosenior had spoken to TNT Sport in a pretty similar fashion. There he lamented the lack of concentration in a short period which led to Leeds coming from what looked a pretty hopeless 2-0 to make it 2-2. It’s the first time we’ve really heard him get angry, such has been the success of the start of his Chelsea reign.
Naomi Osaka’s struggles at the start of 2026 have continued, with the Japanese star pulling out of another tournament.
Last month, Osaka advanced to the third round of the Australian Open after a tight win over Sorana Cirstea.
However, she hasn’t played since then. Osaka withdrew from her third-round match due to a recurring abdominal injury.
Osaka has also withdrawn from the Qatar Open and has now confirmed that she will miss another tournament.
Naomi Osaka withdraws from another WTA event
Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images
Following her decision to skip the Qatar Open, Osaka remained listed for another event in the region.
That tournament was the Dubai Tennis Championships, but she has since pulled out of that WTA 1000 event as well.
This means we won’t see her back on court until March at the earliest, with both Indian Wells and Miami Open on her schedule for then.
With her fitness still in question ahead of Indian Wells, there’s growing concern around how prepared she’ll be when she does return.
However, it is worth noting that Osaka hasn’t played Dubai since 2019, so this particular withdrawal may not carry as much weight as others.
Madison Keys among several withdrawals from Dubai Tennis Championships
Naomi Osaka isn’t the only notable absence from this year’s Dubai Tennis Championships, with four other players also pulling out of the tournament.
Madison Keys, who fell short in her title defence at the Australian Open, has since withdrawn from both Doha and Dubai. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise though, as she hasn’t played in the Middle East swing since 2023.
The three other confirmed withdrawals seem to be more injury-related. Veronika Kudermetova had surgery late last year and isn’t expected to return any time soon.
Eva Lys and Marta Kostyuk have also pulled out after picking up injuries early in the 2026 season. Lys suffered a knee issue during the United Cup that affected her performance at the Australian Open, while Kostyuk tore a ligament after rolling her ankle during her first-round match in Melbourne.
It remains to be seen if there will be further withdrawals before the tournament gets underway, with doubts still lingering over Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula.
Barrow manager Paul Gallagher has challenged his players to tap into their nasty side in an effort to turn around a season that is hurtling towards relegation.
A 2-1 defeat at fellow League Two strugglers Shrewsbury on Tuesday made it five losses from five for the under-pressure boss since taking over early last month and left Barrow just three points above the relegation zone in 22nd place.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria at Croud Meadow, Gallagher called for everyone associated with the club to "stand up and be counted" as they scrap to maintain their Football League status.
"First and foremost you have to compete in games of football and at the moment I feel we are just too nice," said Gallagher. "We are in an absolute battle now and we need people to stand up and be counted."
The club parted company with former manager Andy Whing in December and appointed Gallagher early last month but the change has failed to arrest a tailspin since which started in early October.
Barrow have taken seven points from a possible 48 in 16 league outings since beating Crawley in late September. Gallagher's side are also without a win at home since beating Crewe on 20 September.
Last week chairman Paul Hornby issued a call for calm heads but the pressure has continued to mount with Tuesday's defeat leaving Barrow looking nervously at the League Two table.
"I am not naive I understand football and you need to win," added Gallagher. "You need to do your best for everybody.
"Individually you want to do well but collectively too because you have to care about the supporters and the people that work at the stadium.
"I understand where we are but we need to find a way to get out of it.
"We had a gruelling away fixture at Shrewsbury who are fighting for their lives and we need to do that at our home place. People talk about this record but we need to be positive.
"We need to make Holker Street a fortress. Get away from the fact we haven't won at home for so long and change that mentality."
Barrow, who face Colchester next up on Saturday (15:00 GMT), have spent five seasons in League Two since returning to the Football League after 48 seasons away between 1972-2020.
Their eighth-placed finish in 2023-24 remains their high-water mark.
With the team navigating a new coaching era under John Harbaugh and seeking to fortify both sides of the ball, Reuter's projections emphasize smart, high-impact selections across the early rounds. This approach prioritizes premium talent to address vulnerabilities in the secondary while bolstering protection and other key areas, setting the stage for meaningful roster improvement.
The mock highlights how the Giants could efficiently build depth and competition in a class loaded with defensive promise and offensive line depth.
With their first pick, No. 5 overall, the Giants pass on safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Carnell Tate in favor of LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
New head coach John Harbaugh played defensive back at Miami of Ohio and coached the position for one season with the Eagles -- and the Ravens selected DBs Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks and Nate Wiggins in the first round during his time with the team. Safety Caleb Downs, who functions like a quarterback in the secondary, is surely tempting, but in this scenario, Harbaugh chooses Delane, an elite coverage corner.
With their second pick, No. 37 overall, the Giants return to the offensive side of the ball and select Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling.
NFL Network's Lance Zierlein believes the 6-foot-7 Freeling is a 50-50 prospect who could become dominant in the NFL or could follow in the footsteps of Evan Neal.
Freeling offers coveted length and athleticism at right tackle. With only 16 career starts, filling out his frame and improving his technique should be early priorities. His quickness brings first-phase positioning advantages, but he needs more play strength to carry that over to block sustain and finish. Lunging and deadening feet post-punch must be coached out of his muscle memory in pass protection so his athleticism and length can do their jobs. Independent hand usage and a reliable “snatch and trap” could instantly bolster his success rate. There is some buyer beware on tape, but if smoothed out, he has the ceiling of a quality NFL starter.
The Giants and general manager Joe Schoen are in no position to miss on another offensive tackle, so they'd have to be certain about Freeling's professional potential before pulling the trigger on this selection.
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers' 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
Mario Bennett was a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds a game during three seasons at Arizona State University while earning First-team All-Pac-10 honors twice. The Phoenix Suns took him with the No. 27 pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, and after spending his rookie year with them, he went to the Continental Basketball Association for the 1996-97 campaign.
The Lakers brought in Bennett just prior to the 1997-98 season, and he appeared in 45 games with them that season while averaging 3.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 7.9 minutes a game. He had short stints with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers afterward, and he ended his NBA career after the 1999-2000 season with lifetime averages of four points and 2.7 rebounds in 8.9 minutes a game.
Once he was done playing in the NBA, Bennett continued his pro basketball career with stints in the American Basketball Association and foreign leagues in countries such as Spain, the Philippines, France and Russia.
In 2025 in the Big Ten, the strongest teams had the strongest running back rooms. The Indiana Hoosiers had a two-man committee of Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, the Ohio State Buckeyes were powered by true freshman running back Bo Jackson and the Oregon Ducks had a trio of contributors in Noah Whittington and true freshman Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr.
Expect nothing different in 2026, though some of the characters will change.
Both Hemby and Black have exhausted their eligibility, leaving a vacancy in Bloomington. Whittington is gone as well, but Davison and Hill have high expectations of carrying the load in his absence. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are happy to have another season with Jackson as their No. 1 guy.
Aside from the three top teams, there are several elite backs across the Big Ten.
Minnesota's Darius Taylor is a legit NFL draft prospect, while Rutgers' Antwan Raymon and USC's King Miller starred in 2025 and will be back. Northwestern's Caleb Komolafe started the season as the backup but produced over 1,000 total yards when pressed into action.
All told, the running back position is strong in the Big Ten. We ranked each team's projected starting running back ahead of the 2026 season, beginning with several little-known backs and finishing off with a handful of bona-fide stars.
Analysis: Just a three-star recruit in the 2024 class, Mekhi Nelson emerged a the No. 2 back last season behind Emmett Johnson, who recorded 251 carries. It's likely to be a running back-by-committee approach for Nebraska with Nelson as the lead back next fall.
No. 17 — Jordan Washington, Washington Huskies
Career Stats: 30 rushes, 240 yards, 1 TD
Analysis: Having averaged 8.6 yards per carry last season as the Huskies' third back, expect explosive plays from Jordan Washington in 2026. He was a standout sprinter in high school and certainly could show it off with more opportunities. But with just 30 career carries, it's hard to put Washington — albeit talented as a four-star in 2024 — any higher.
Analysis: Transferring in from Minnesota, Fame Ijeboi hit the portal once Darius Taylor announced his return to the Golden Gophers. Now, Ijeboi will look to claim the starting job with the Boilermakers, a role that he filled admirably when Taylor was injured. His top game was an 108-yard, one-touchdown performance against Michigan State, proving that he can be a lead back in the Big Ten.
Analysis: Though he managed just over 500 yards, DeJuan Williams was the Terrapins' top rusher last season. He more than doubled the next closest rusher in terms of carries and should be expected to be the No. 1 option once again. He wasn't special, but Maryland being down so often in conference games delegated Williams to a lesser role. If they can be more competitive, the redshirt sophomore-to-be should have a better season.
Analysis: The entire Badgers offense was underwhelming in 2025, as was Dilin Jones' season. He missed the final five games of the season, limiting the face value of his production. Returning for his third season at Wisconsin, he — and the team — hope that they're better this fall.
Analysis: Ca'Lil Valentine was forced into action as Illinois' No. 1 back after some post-spring transfers in the running back and he was solid, recording 4.7 yards per carry. The No. 15 spot feels right for him, as he may improve and have an 800-yard season but I don't see much more than that from Valentine.
Analysis: Khobie Martin oozes talent. He's an absolute speedster who has the requisite size (6-foot, 207 pounds) to hold up at the running back position while having the home run-like burst to break games open. He was behind two veterans last season but should step into a feature role. He's at No. 12 only because of his lack of experience, but Martin could have a meteoric rise during the season.
Analysis: Solid and reliable are two good words to use for Makhi Frazer in 2025. He, like the Spartans offense, was fine. They struggled as a collective, but Frazier was always there for four- or five-yard gains. He scored just two touchdowns and wasn't much of a factor in the run game, but Frazier being on the lower edge of the middle of these rankings feels right.
Analysis: Considering his numbers, Wayne Knight should be much higher. But that came at James Madison in the Sun Belt with the help of several 60-yard scampers. Knight then followed his coach to UCLA, where he's set to step into the starting role. At 5-foot-7, defenses struggle to find Knight, allowing him to burst through the hole and away from tacklers before they even know it.
Analysis: Though Kamari Moulton, at 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds, doesn't quite embody the physical, rough running back style of previous Hawkeyes, he got the job done in 2025. He was aided by a strong quarterback run game, something that may not be in the picture next season, thus leading to more carries for Moulton. If he sees one crack, Moulton has the speed to burn defenses.
Analysis: Following head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State, Carson Hansen is one of the more reliable backs in the conference. He started for two seasons for the Cyclones, racking up nearly 1,800 yards and scoring over 20 touchdowns. The Big Ten is different than the Big 12 however, but expect Hansen to be solid for the Nittany Lions.
Analysis: An early-season injury to Justice Haynes led to a heavy workload for Jordan Marshall, who had a stretch of four straight 100-yard games with seven touchdowns in October and November before going down with an injury of his own. With Haynes gone, Marshall will be the undoubted RB1 for Michigan, a team that isn't shy with forcing the football down the defenses' throat.
Analysis: Caleb Komolafe wasn't expected to have. abig role with Northwestern, but an injury to Cam Porter pushed him right into a feature role in the backfield. He more than capitalized, turning in a 941-yard, 11-touchdown season with four 100-yard performances. Having shown that he can produce at a high level, expect the Wildcats to feed Komolafe in 2026.
Analysis: With the Ducks likely to use both Hill and Davison rather equally, I'd slot Hill right alongside Komolafe in terms of where he'd rank in the Big Ten if he were considered the starter. Hill was downright explosive with limited reps last season, averaging a staggering 8.7 yards per carry and 8.6 yards per catch. When he gets the ball, you better contain the edges or else Hill is taking it to the house.
Analysis: Davison had about as good of a true freshman season that the Ducks could've expected, especially in a rotational role. He was a sure thing around the goal-line, scoring 15 touchdowns while showing more ability between the 20's as the season progressed thanks to his elite contact balance. He should enter 2026 as the lead back for the Ducks with Hill as a strong option alongside him.
Analysis: Though it may have been quieted by a 5-7 season, all Antwan Raymond did was produce to the tune of 1,241 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He had a couple of big performances but was mostly a steady presence in the Scarlet Knights' backfield. Though Rutgers isn't expected to be very good once again, Raymond should produce at a high level once again and put himself in a position to be selected in the 2027 draft.
Analysis: Another running back pressed into action with the injury to Waymond Jordan, King Miller was explosive and ready once his number was called. He finished with 6.2 yards per carry and had four 100-yard games, a precursor to next season in which he'll enter as the undisputed top back for the Trojans.
Analysis: If not for injuries, Darius Taylor would be No. 1 on this list. Check that, if not for injuries, Taylor would be one of the top running back prospects in the 2026 draft. But he decided to return to boost his stock and hopefully stay healthy for a full season, something that has alluded him. Taylor has the full package: speed, size, physicality and versatility with his reliability in the pass game.
Analysis: Having burst onto the scene the way that he did and with the strong offensive line that the Buckeyes will have in 2026, Bo Jackson is the pick for the No. 1 running back in the Big Ten. He should put up monster numbers in a star-studded offense alongside quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith — all options to end up in New York for the Heisman Trophy Ceremony at the conclusion of next season.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes and opinions.
Texas A&M's kicking situation heading into the 2026 offseason was a major question mark after last season's struggles, as senior kicker Randy Bond, once highly dependable, couldn't keep his starting job after missing several early kicks, finishing 12-19 on field goals, including 5-8 from 40-49 yards, and 0-3 from 50-plus.
Backup kicker and kickoff specialist Jared Zirkel wasn't any better, as the Kerrville, Texas native finished 4-7 on field goals, while missing a short field goal against Miami in the College Football Playoff. For most college football teams, the kicker is the last position on the priority list once the transfer portal opens, but given the position's importance in close games, coach Mike Elko was desperate for a reliable leg.
After it was revealed that veteran Illinois kicker David Olano would enter the portal, Elko and special teams coach Patrick Dougherty jumped on the opportunity to land the Big Ten standout, who, combined with hitting the game-winning field goal over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl, hit 87% of his field goals, 100% of his extra points, and finishied 7-8 on 30-39 and 40-49-yard field goals last season.
After committing and signing with the Aggies, Olano will contend with incoming freshman kicker Asher Murray, who, by recruiting standards, was considered a five-star at his position due to his elite leg strength, which he showed off during an offseason training video. What looks like a 50-plus-yard field goal, Murray nails his attempts through the uprights.
Texas A&M is finally in good hands at kicker for the first time under Mike Elko, which has become an underrated storyline that should pay off next season and give the offense an edge. Even if Olano serves as the starter, Murray could be used in 50-plus-yard attempts.
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.
It’s pencils down for this MLB offseason, as nearly every notable free agent has found a home and players begin to arrive at spring training sites in Florida and Arizona. As we hear the pop of mitts and the crack of bats again, it’s time to take stock of what transpired during MLB’s Hot Stove.
The defining theme of this offseason wasn’t who spent the most money, but which teams acted with urgency and which ones didn’t. There are plenty of reasons for that divide, something which will loom large as the league approaches the expiration of the current CBA, but this is an assessment of the here and now. Who pushed themselves forward? Who set themselves back? Who doesn’t fit neatly into a category as the league heads toward the 2026 season? Let's break it down.
⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
Stay up to date with the MLB free agent market this offseason, including player signings, contract details, and team fits as the 2025-26 Hot Stove heats up.
D.J. Short
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Offseason Winners
Blue Jays
After coming up heartbreakingly short against the Dodgers in the World Series, the Blue Jays kept their foot on the gas with an active offseason. This approach was highlighted by Dylan Cease’s seven-year, $210 million contract with the club. While the Jays said goodbye to longtime shortstop Bo Bichette and came up short on Kyle Tucker, they added Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto on a four-year, $60 million deal, along with veteran reliever Tyler Rogers (three years, $37 million) and KBO breakout pitcher Cody Ponce (three years, $40 million). Even with a growing list of injury concerns this spring, the Blue Jays appear set on finishing the job in 2026.
Dodgers
The big, bad Dodgers did big, bad things this offseason, at least according to every fanbase outside of Los Angeles. First, they solved their late-inning issue by luring Edwin Díaz away from the Mets with a three-year, $69 million contract. From there, they handed out the richest AAV (average annual value) of all time as part of a stunning four-year, $240 million deal with free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker. Under a microscope heading into a looming CBA battle next offseason, Los Angeles is paying to put an elite team on the field and fully exploit its championship window with Shohei Ohtani and company.
Orioles
2025 was a bitterly disappointing step back for the Orioles, so they had to come out swinging this offseason; they mostly stuck the landing. That effort was highlighted by the signing of Pete Alonso to a massive five-year, $155 million contract. The O’s also swung trades for Shane Baz and Taylor Ward while picking up Ryan Helsley (two years, $28 million) to serve as their closer with Félix Bautista set to miss the 2026 season following shoulder surgery. The fresh look includes new manager Craig Albernaz, who joins the Orioles by way of the Guardians.
Mets
Change was expected after the Mets won just 83 games and missed the playoffs last season, but David Stearns’ sweeping makeover touched both the roster and the coaching staff. Stearns drew sharp criticism from fans and media after Edwin Díaz and Pete Alonso signed elsewhere in December, but redemption followed with the high-profile moves for Bo Bichette and Freddy Peralta. The Mets signed Bichette away from division rival Philadelphia, while Peralta gives the club the front-end arm it desperately needed. The new-look team also includes Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams, and Luke Weaver. The pieces don't fit perfectly yet, but the roster is clearly formidable.
Cubs
Kyle Tucker may be a Dodger, but the Cubs made a big statement of their own by adding Alex Bregman on a five-year, $175 million contract, as well as bolstering their rotation with a trade for Edward Cabrera. Chicago also overhauled their bullpen corps with the acquisitions of Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Jacob Webb, and Hoby Milner. While the Brewers are piecing it together, the Cubs have positioned themselves as the favorites in the NL Central.
Tigers
The Tigers are a late winner here. A couple of weeks ago, they might have fallen into the offseason loser category, especially with the wide gap in arbitration numbers with Tarik Skubal. Since then, Detroit has taken advantage of their one-year window with Skubal by signing both Framber Valdez and Tigers legend Justin Verlander. The rotation depth is necessary with Reese Olson expected to miss the season following shoulder surgery. The lineup is essentially unchanged, but prospect Kevin McGonigle looms as an impact player. The Tigers enter 2026 as the clear favorite in the AL Central.
Honorable Mention: Pirates
The Pirates finished last in the majors in runs scored last season, so adding Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna can only help in that regard. It might not be enough to move them into contention, but at least they are trying to improve while they still have Paul Skenes on their roster.
The trio will appear as pregame analysts for the Wild Card round of the MLB postseason as well as select Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts.
D.J. Short
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Offseason Losers
Phillies
It’s slightly unfair to put the Phillies here after they were able to keep Kyle Schwarber, but they’ll no longer have Ranger Suárez in their rotation after he signed with the Red Sox and the club also missed out on free-agent target Bo Bichette. Making matters worse, Bichette landed with the Mets, something Phillies president Dave Dombrowski described as a “gut punch.” J.T. Realmuto will also return this season, but the only real notable outside additions were Adolis García and Brad Keller. Getting a full year out of Jhoan Duran should help, and the Phillies also have a handful of intriguing young players who could make an impact. Even though the Phillies are in the offseason "losers" category, they should be considered the favorites in the NL East.
Twins
Go hug a Twins fan. Coming off a demoralizing sell-off at the trade deadline last summer, the Twins did very little in the way of spending this offseason as Tom Pohlad and the ownership group attempted to keep their heads above water. The drama continued at the end of January, when the Twins and general manager Derek Falvey parted ways. Josh Bell was the biggest expenditure, while Victor Caratini gives the club another option behind the plate and Taylor Rogers returns to the team’s bullpen. It’s a tenuous situation for Derek Shelton to step into as manager.
Brewers
I’m fully prepared to look silly here if the Brewers win the NL Central once again, but how long can they possibly get away with this? In what feels like an annual tradition, the Brewers traded another big star this offseason, this time with Freddy Peralta going to the Mets. But they were active in other ways as well, trading two top-four finishers in the NL Rookie of the Year voting (Isaac Collins, Caleb Durbin) to address other areas of their roster. It’s a big plus that Brandon Woodruff will return for another season, but the margin for error for this team appears razor thin.
Stuck in Neutral
Red Sox
On one hand, the Red Sox did an impressive job strengthening their rotation with the additions of Ranger Suárez and Sonny Gray, but they failed in pursuits of Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber, then watched Alex Bregman sign with the Cubs. A healthy Roman Anthony for a full season should help, but Willson Contreras and Caleb Durbin aren’t exactly the power infusion Red Sox fans had in mind entering the offseason.
Yankees
Can you blame Yankees fans for feeling underwhelmed? Keeping Cody Bellinger was a major win, but that also underscores that Brian Cashman is mostly running it back with the same group as last year. The Yankees won 94 games last season, so maybe that’s not the worst thing. Ryan Weathers gives the club another rotation option, and Gerrit Cole should return at some point as well. It’s not exciting, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work.
Padres
The Padres are still built to compete this season with Michael King returning and Joe Musgrove back from Tommy John surgery, but payroll has remained flat while the ownership situation remains unresolved. The club is largely locked in with their future commitments and there’s not much help on the farm due to A.J. Preller’s aggressive trading. Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song and Miguel Andujar were the only notable outside additions this offseason and trade conversations failed to provide meaningful payroll relief.
Too Soon to Say
Cardinals
The Cardinals continued to trade away veterans this offseason, including Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Brendan Donovan. The Cardinals are adjusting to a new reality, not just with Chaim Bloom leading baseball operations, but also a changing television landscape that the team asserts has reduced their revenue. Bloom is doing the right thing by turning the page on an aging and flawed roster, but it will take time for those changes to bear fruit.
Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso will remain without her top lieutenant for the foreseeable future.
OU pitching coach Jennifer Rocha has yet to join the team this season as she deals with medical issues and it's unclear when she will be able to. Head coach Patty Gasso promoted former Sooners pitcher Karlie Keeney to Rocha's post in the interim and on Tuesday, Gasso provided an update on Rocha's status.
“She’s definitely struggling with some health issues right now,” Gasso said. “Pretty severe. But she’s OK, waiting for more information and when that happens it’ll be delivered. We’re trying to bring her as much comfort as we can through our play. So she’s resting at home and has a lot of help and a lot of love.”
Rocha was one of the first players Gasso recruited to Norman in the mid-1990s. Gasso began her stint with the Sooners in 1995 and brought Rocha over from Long Beach City College in 1996. After Rocha finished her playing career at Oklahoma, she joined Gasso's staff as a graduate assistant through 2001. Rocha then went to Oregon, Wichita State and spent the 2006-2018 seasons as a head assistant at Florida before re-joining her former coach in 2019.
Oklahoma made five straight Women's College World Series championship series and won four in row from 2021-24 with Rocha handling the pitching staff.
"Needed another procedure to continue to explore her health," Gasso said of Rocha. "So it kind of backed her up another six weeks, but we’re just kind of playing it and waiting it and waiting for results and doctor’s voices and praying for healing and praying for her to get back here. But whatever comes our way, we’re ready for.”
Oklahoma is 3-1 after four games in Arizona during the season's opening weekend. The Sooners are next set to play four games - two Friday, two Saturday - on the weekend in Las Cruces, N.M.
Hangover or not, the UNC basketball team largely struggled from opening tip on Tuesday night, losing 75-66 to a resurgent Miami (FL) squad. North Carolina (19-5, 7-4 ACC) kept the game close throughout and had several chances to take their first lead, but never took advantage of its opportunities.
The Hurricanes (19-5, 8-3 ACC) bullied the Tar Heels down low, earning themselves a 46-28 paint points advantage. Miami got way too many second-chance point opportunities, collecting 12 offensive rebounds against a UNC team that struggled boxing out.
Caleb Wilson only made four shots from the field and turned the ball over twice, but he recorded three blocks. Henri Veesaar had just two second-half points, not able to make his usual dominant impact. Jarin Stevenson delivered with a 13-point, 6-rebound night, while North Carolina's bench kept it within fighting distance, led by eight points from backup point guard Kyan Evans.
Malik Reneau and Ernest Udeh Jr. each registered double-doubles for the Hurricanes, who picked up a needed win for their NCAA Tournament chances. Miami travels to NC State on Valentine's Day, while the Tar Heels look to respond against Pitt.
You shouldn't be too concerned about this loss, mainly due to the fact UNC suffered a post-Duke-win hangover. If North Carolina faces the Hurricanes in ACC Tournament action, expect a different result.
As you prepare for Saturday's game, take a look at several social media reactions. Fans aren't as happy as the neutral tone in this story.
Caleb Wilson's face says it all
When you beat Kentucky, Kansas & Duke but lose to Stanford, California & Miami. pic.twitter.com/2iYnrIzGL4
General Wilson is always here to cheer Tar Heel Nation up
Dearest Mother,
My conquest south to Miami has ended in defeat. Our ships were met with unfavorable seas fit for no man nor mast. My heart is full with disappointment but I know I must remain steadfast. For no crown is won on an easy march.
-poor shot selection doomed any chance at winning this game -couldn’t keep Miami out of the paint all game long -lack of toughness and sense of urgency was apparent from the very beginning. Team never moved on from the Duke win -quiet night for…
You can't always blame Hubert Davis for lack of on-court success.
Tonight’s loss isn’t a reflection of Hubert Davis lol. He can’t help his team didn’t want to rebound or take quality shots or not commit live ball turnovers https://t.co/q6JqAs14mu
Carolina’s offense was #1 in efficiency since the start of January according to Bart Torvik. Was that the case when Kyan was playing the point? No https://t.co/4xVpXdKob7
Miami just got the biggest win of the Jai Lucas era. Canes down North Carolina in Coral Gables just three days after the Tar Heels beat Duke. NCAA Tournament team.
Mocking Jon Scheyer will never stop being funny. Violence isn't cool though.
It’s hard to talk about the game when I’m most concerned for the safety of our players. And I don’t want to make it about that, because Miami played a great game to win. But I have staff members that got punched in the face. https://t.co/1RzgUvDLOK
Before every Ohio State men’s basketball game, Connor Lemons gets you ready for that day’s action with key stats, players to know, and prevalent storylines for that day’s game on the “Good Hoops Morning” podcast.
Ohio State Buckeyes (-7.5) vs. USC Trojans| over/under 151.5
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. ET Location: Columbus, Ohio TV: Big Ten Network Radio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com
For the first time all season, we’ll see how Ohio State (15-8, 7-6) bounces back from getting their rear ends handed to them. After a 21-point shellacking at the hands of No. 2 Michigan Sunday afternoon, the Buckeyes have no choice but to pick themselves up and lock back in with another NCAA Tournament team — USC — heading to town.
The Trojans (18-6, 7-6) have mostly won the games they’ve needed to win to position themselves to make the NCAA Tournament. Currently a projected 10-seed, a few more wins would make the Trojans feel a bit more secure about their spot in the bracket.
USC is already out their leading scorer, Rodney Rice, and may also be without their second leading scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara, who is day-to-day with an MCL sprain in his knee.
As they continue to move toward building a new stadium at Burnham Yard, the Denver Broncos are set to host a Community Information Meeting at La Alma Recreation Center on Thursday evening.
“So far, the process has been terrific," Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner said during his end-of-season press conference when asked about feedback on the early stadium plans. "Damani Leech, our team president, has been leading that outreach with a number of others, including Tim Aragon, my wife Carrie [Walton Penner] and I. The feedback [has been] lots of questions and lots of interest. We’re listening. That is what this period is about, taking in that input and thinking how that is going to impact what our plans are as we come up with a Community Benefits Agreement.
"There are also lots of conversations with [Denver] City Council members. We think that we will create something that is going to be special for the city of Denver and the state of Colorado. We also understand that when you take on a project of this scale, there is going to be a lot of different opinions, and we have to take those in and then come up with the right solution.”
Leech and other members of the organization will attend Thursday's meeting, which will "allow residents and key stakeholders to learn more about the Broncos’ plans for the development" while also giving opportunities to ask questions and participate in live polling, according to the team.
Community members can RSVP for the event at DenverGov.org.
LAS VEGAS – Ketlen Souza met the media Saturday after her win over Bruna Brasil at UFC Fight Night 266.
Souza (16-6 MMA, 3-3 UFC) outpointed Brasil (11-6-1 MMA, 4-4 UFC) for a unanimous decision on the prelims at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The win snapped a two-fight skid of split decision losses for Souza.
Although she's had just one stoppage win in the past five years – a bonus-winning submission of Yazmin Jauregui at UFC 306 – she said she's always trying to finish fights, and doesn't think anyone should take particular umbrage with the scores in her decision win.
"The plan was to get a knockout or a finish – to actually have a stoppage," Souza said through a translator at her post-fight news conference. "People know I like to do that, and that's what you come in for. But at the end of the day, in some fights against me, the girls were stalling and putting me against the fence. So why can't I do that with someone else, too, and just try to explore that?
"(I wanted to) push her against the fence all the time, to try to damage her. There was a time when I got to take her down, she got to take me down. I was always working her on the fence, and I was the one pushing through. I was forceful with my strikes. My strikes were more significant than the ones she did. … Push against the fence and strike when possible. I thought that was the path to win."
Check out Souza's post-fight interview in the video above.
NFL Free Agency will soon get this offseason underway, and the Kansas City Chiefs have impactful personnel decisions to make. One of the pressing positions will be in the secondary as the team hopes to fortify the defensive unit.
"I think (Chiefs) are going to bring me back," Johnson said. "I can test the market and see how much I'm valued, but the Chiefs know what I can do. We can't have communication right now because of the (free agency regulations), but I have a good understanding with them. They know my talent level."
A 2022 seventh-round pick, Johnson made significant strides in 2024 after returning from a torn ACL before the start of his second season. The former Marshall standout emerged from being a top-tier special teams player for Dave Toub to becoming a starter opposite All-Pro Trent McDuffie in multiple games following the injury to Jaylen Watson.
Johnson didn't play any defensive snaps last season. He has appeared in 29 games with a lone sack and 66 career tackles.
The Boston Celtics have had players suiting up in a total of 68 different jersey numbers (and have three others not part of any numerical series) since their founding at the dawn of the Basketball Association of America (BAA – the league that would become today's NBA), worn by well over 500 players in the course of Celtics history.
To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Celtics Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.
With 25 of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Celtics to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.
And for today's article, we will continue with the first of one person to wear the No. 70, forward alum Gigi Datome. After starting his pro career abroad, Datome went unselected in the 2009 NBA Draft, later signing with the Detroit Pistons instead.
The Montebelluna, Italy native played parts of the first two seasons of his pro career with Detroit, coming to an end when he was dealt to Boston in in 2015, leaving the league as a player afterward.
During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Datome wore only jersey No. 70 and put up 5.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: U.S. President Donald Trump attends the UFC 314 event alongside UFC President and CEO Dana White at Kaseya Center on April 12, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Dana White has big belief in the UFC White House card.
On June 14, the UFC will host a once-in-a-lifetime event, a fight card on the White House South Lawn as part of the America 250 celebration. Since the event was first announced last year, it’s been the biggest talking point in MMA, and come this summer, UFC CEO Dana White believes it will be the biggest event in the history of the promotion.
“We’re going to figure that all out this week. But when you look at — this is like a one-of-one event,” White told UFC on Paramount. “Something that will never happen again. Building this card — we had this video rendering of what it looks like. We literally have the trees that are on the South Lawn. We’ll know exactly where the sun is until it sets. So all the logistics are done, and now it’s time to — we believe that this is going to be the most-watched UFC event ever.”
On Wednesday, White revealed that he and the UFC matchmakers will begin booking the event this week, with the plan being to have things solidified by this weekend. There’s been rampant speculation about what the card will ultimately look like, with nearly every major MMA star lobbying to be on the card, and some suggesting the event will host a record-breaking number of title fights. And while White was still short on details, he insists that this will be the most spectacular outing in UFC history for all involved and bring in a whole new segment of fans.
“It’s going to introduce a lot of people to it that have never seen it before,” White said. “And when you talk about me, my executive team, the staff that works here, the media that covers us, and the fighters, this is going to be the most unique, amazing night of our entire careers. The fighters are walking from the Oval Office. I bet a lot of the people that cover the sport and are fans of the sport probably have never been to the White House before. And obviously the fighters.
“So, this is a really special, one-of-one night. And you know, when we go to do something, I like to deliver, and I like to deliver big. So, it’s going to be special.”
Communication.‘I never talked to Dana’: Matt Brown reacts to Dana White saying he no longer handles fighter contracts or UFC matchmaking after Endeavor sale.
Challenge.‘Come fight me’: Shakur Stevenson challenges Ilia Topuria to boxing match.
After an apparently "revolt" by Ali Abdelaziz, Dominance MMA is refusing to comply with discovery requests in Johnson v Zuffa. Plaintiffs are asking court to hold Dominance in contempt, compel production, and order Dominance to pay legal fees. pic.twitter.com/YLdycI2H9X
I think it’s adorable that Chael Sonnen just really loves poetry.
Hey Mr Olympics We got your opinion That don't mean nothin' To me or my Minions What I'd do to you on the mat Some would call criminal First-order reality Nothin' subliminal You've had your time You've had your fun We settle it at R.A.F. You'll be DONE, Son
Frankly, I will be STUNNED if UFC White House isn’t the biggest UFC event ever, and I struggle to see how anything would eclipse it. For even the most casual sports fans, this is going to be the kind of outlandish spectacle that you have to tune in for, and even for non-sports fans, by the summer, this is going to be one of the biggest stories in the world, full stop.
Cagefighting is going to happen on the White House lawn, almost exactly 30 years after Senator John McCain called the sport human cockfighting and tried to get it banned. What a wild time we live in.
College football is a sport of neverending change, and there’s plenty of change fans have been forced to adapt to over the years. One of the more reliable constants the sport offered usually fell the day after Christmas at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. In most years dating back to 1997, Dec. 26 served as the date of Detroit’s annual bowl game — one college football fans could set their watch to.
However, that bowl game is no more.
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Ford Field confirmed the GameAbove Sports Bowl — with former names including the Quick Lane Bowl (2014-23), Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl (2009-13), and Motor City Bowl (1997-08) — will no longer be in the bowl rotation as of 2026. This concludes a 29-year run for Detroit’s bowl game, which debuted at the old Pontiac Silverdome in 1997 and moved to Ford Field in 2002.
The GameAbove Sports Bowl (and its previous naming iterations) was renowned for its affiliation with the Mid-American Conference. In 28 editions of the game, the MAC participated 25 times and produced a 9-16 record, typically drawing an opponent from the Big Ten or ACC in recent years. As one of the rare bowl games with a footprint in the Northern United States, it typically received strong attendance, and oftentimes paired two regional teams — as evidenced in the 2025 matchup between Central Michigan and Northwestern.
In the 2000s, Detroit’s bowl game regularly saw over 40,000 spectators, peaking with 60,624 for Purdue’s 51-48 shootout victory over MAC champion Central Michigan in 2007. Over 20,000 flocked in for every single installment of the bowl (except the 2016 matchup between Boston College and Maryland), with 27,857 as the official attendance metric for 2025. That being said, with its unique Midwest/Northern location in a Southern-dominated Bowl Season, the GameAbove Sports Bowl was an important fixture in the December of many Rust Belt area college football fans.
There were dozens of iconic matchups over the years, but none stood out more than the record-breaking showdown in 2024 between Toledo and Pittsburgh. The Rockets outlasted the Panthers in the first-ever 6-overtime bowl game, 48-46, in a game forever stored in the annals of college football history.
Northwestern holds the bragging rights as the final champion of an iconic bowl game, which originated in the 1997 campaign — a year limited to a 20-bowl lineup. There is no replacement for the GameAbove Sports Bowl, and this marks the continuation of the growing and concerning trend of canceled bowl games. The Bahamas Bowl (also a bowl with frequent MAC tie-ins) was axed prior to the 2025 postseason, while the LA Bowl confirmed earlier this month it will cease operations after a 5-year run.
College football will continue as usual, but the afternoon on Dec. 26 will never be the same.
MAC Team
Detroit bowl record
Wins
Losses
Akron
0-1
2005 (Memphis)
Bowling Green
1-3
2003 (Northwestern)
2013 (Pitt), 2022 (New Mexico State), 2023 (Minnesota)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Jackson Chourio #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers takes batting practice during a spring training workout at American Family Fields of Phoenix on February 22, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It has been a long winter—and who are we kidding, most of us are in Wisconsin, where it may yet feel like winter for another two months—but we’ve finally made it to the first real day on the 2026 baseball calendar. Brewers pitchers and catchers report to spring training today, and tomorrow will be the first day when we can hear the sweet sound of baseballs being fired into catchers’ mitts.
It is a World Baseball Classic year, so the Brewers’ spring training will be a little different than usual, but everyone the Brewers are expecting in camp will be there for at least a couple of weeks. WBC participants (you can see all 14 Brewers players on WBC rosters here) will then report to their respective national teams at the beginning of March, and tournament play begins on March 5th. WBC players will then trickle back into camp as their teams are eliminated; half the field is out after group play ends on March 11, and the rest of the tournament goes quickly, as the championship game is on March 17.
Even without some of the team’s biggest stars with the spring Brewers, there will be plenty of intrigue at American Family Family Fields of Phoenix. The biggest question rose out of the ashes of Monday’s big trade, which left Milwaukee without an obvious third baseman. While an outside move is certainly possible, there will be extra attention on the well-regarded Brewers infield prospects who we all thought were about a year away but could now get thrust into the spotlight: Brock Wilken, Andrew Fischer, Cooper Pratt, and others.
But all of those things will get figured out with time. For now, it’s just nice to have baseball again, to see green grass again, to see people comfortably wearing short sleeves. The season has unofficially begun.
The Winter Games are never just about speed or height. It is a high-stakes environment governed by a thick rulebook that can be incredibly precise and sometimes a little strange. While we cheer for the big jumps, the real story often hides in the fine print that can strip a medal in seconds. Here is a look at the unique regulations defining the playing field in Milan-Cortina.
8. Hockey stick curve limits
Feb 10, 2026; Milan, Italy; Britta Curl (17) of the United States juggles a puck on her stick against Canada in women’s ice hockey group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Stat: Max blade curvature: 1.5 cm
You might think a player’s stick looks like it has a wicked hook, but there is a hard ceiling on that curve. The federation mandates that the blade cannot bend more than 1.5 centimeters to prevent unfair velocity on shots. Officials measure this with a specialized gauge, and getting caught with an illegal stick kills the power play immediately.
7. Skeleton runner temperature
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 9, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Austin Florian of the United States during men’s skeleton training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Sliding Centre. Mandatory Credit: Annegret Hilse-Reuters via Imagn Images
Stat: Tolerance: Within 4°C of reference blade
In a sport where athletes slide face-first down an ice chute, friction is the ultimate enemy. Teams cannot superheat their steel runners to melt the ice for extra speed because officials check the temperature right before the run. The steel must stay within 4 degrees of a reference runner exposed to the air to ensure gravity does the work rather than a hidden heater.
6. Biathlon relay spare rounds
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 10, 2026; Antholz, Italy; Fabien Claude of France and Sean Doherty of the United States in action in the men’s biathlon 20km individual competition during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Anterselva Biathlon Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Childs/Reuters via Imagn Images
Stat: Allowance: 3 spare bullets per shooting bout
Individual events punish a miss with an instant penalty loop, but the relay offers a tiny lifeline that is agonizing to watch. Athletes get three spare rounds to clear their targets, but they cannot fire them from the magazine. They have to hand-load each bullet one by one into the chamber, and a fumble with frozen fingers can destroy a lead instantly.
5. Snowboarding big air spin diversity
Feb 9, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Xiaonan Zhang of the People’s Republic of China reacts in the women’s snowboarding big air final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Stat: Requirement: 2 different spin directions (frontside/backside/switch frontside/cab/switch backside)
You cannot be a one-trick pony to take home gold in Big Air anymore. Riders get three runs in the finals, and the result combines their best two scores only if those two scores come from tricks in different directions. If a rider’s two highest-scoring landings are in the same direction, only one of them can count, so they need a second high score in a different direction to post a top total.
4. Ski jumping suit measurements
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 6, 2026; Predazzo, Italy; Selina Freitag of Germany during a women’s ski jumping normal hill training session during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kacper Pempel-Reuters via Imagn Images
Stat: Tolerance: Suit must fit body dimensions exactly
This sport has a long history of athletes using baggy suits to catch more wind and fly farther. To stop this, officials measure crotch height and fabric permeability rigorously before and after jumps. If the suit is even a fraction of an inch too big, the jumper is disqualified on the spot, regardless of how far they flew.
3. Curling hog line sensors
Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Isabella Wranaa of Sweden celebrates after winning the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Stat: Distance: 21 feet from the tee line
The hog line is the point of no return where you have to release the stone. Olympic stones have heat and touch sensors built into the handles to eliminate human error from the call. If a player’s skin is still touching the handle when it crosses the magnetic strip in the ice, red lights flash, and the shot is dead immediately.
2. Figure skating Zagitova rule
Jan 9, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Amber Glenn competes in the championship women’s free skate competition during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images
Stat: Limit: Max 3 jumping passes in the second half
This rule came about after Alina Zagitova backloaded every single jump to the second half of her program in 2018 to game the scoring system. Skaters now only get that fatigue bonus for their final three jumping passes. It forces programs to remain balanced artistic performances rather than turning into frantic math equations at the very end.
1. Figure skating backflips
Jan 26, 2025; Wichita, Kansas, USA; Ilia Malinin performs a backflip during the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at INTRUST Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Stat: Status: Fully legal as of 2024
The backflip was the forbidden fruit of figure skating for nearly fifty years because it was deemed too dangerous. The International Skating Union finally lifted the ban in 2024 to modernize the sport and increase excitement. We are now seeing athletes throw legal backflips in competition, turning a move that once cost Surya Bonaly a medal into the sport’s biggest asset.
The fine print of victory
Feb 9, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Xiaonan Zhang of the People’s Republic of China reacts in the women’s snowboarding big air final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Elite performance is never just about physical prowess because you also have to master the constraints of the game. These rules remind us that the difference between gold and nothing often comes down to a few degrees of temperature or a single centimeter of fabric. Keep an eye on the technicalities as the drama unfolds in Milan-Cortina.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 15: A general view of the Coca Cola bottle and glove at Oracle Park before a MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the San Francisco Giants on August 15, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
As we approach Spring Training and the beginning of the season, we’re going to be doing some questions for y’all about your thoughts about the San Francisco Giants and baseball in general!
Today’s question: How would you rank the 2026 NL West?
The Giants have the misfortune of being in one of the most difficult divisions in baseball at the moment. Aside from the outlier that was the 2021 season, they have not taken the division since 2012 and the last time they even managed second place was 2016.
So let’s do our best to see if we can rank the NL West teams for the 2026 season. You can rank them in a way that makes sense, or not. I’m not the boss of you, and I’m pro-manifesting success through sheer delusion.
Here’s my ranking:
5. Colorado Rockies
This is an obvious ranking, of course. The Rockies have not been competitive in the division or otherwise since 2018 and at this point I’m not sure if they’re even still an actual team, or a group of LARP-ers who show up to take the field when the Giants are in town.
4. San Francisco Giants
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. But this feels realistic to me. The only reason they didn’t end up in fourth place last season, in my opinion, is the hot start to the season that they had. And while I think the 2026 team might be slightly better than the 2025 team, I don’t think it’s significant enough. Though I’d love to be wrong! I often am.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
I struggled with this one, because I think the Diamondbacks are basically the Giants at this point so it could go either way. The Diamondbacks have been trending downward over the last couple of seasons after their World Series loss in 2023. However, I’m giving them an edge over the Giants because their ballpark is hitter friendly, and the Giants’ is where offense goes to die a slow painful death.
2.) San Diego Padres
The Padres are tough to predict, but they’ve been pretty consistent over the last few years, cementing themselves as the given second place team in the division after having done so in four of the last six seasons. So I think this one is a fairly safe bet as well.
1.) Los Angeles Dodgers
I hate typing this. I know you hate reading it. But it’s the reality we live in. Unless something catastrophic happens, I think it’s a very safe bet that the Dodgers will take the division once again. Just like they’ve done for 11 of the last 12 seasons. What a joy.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Isaiah World #76 of the Oregon Ducks lines up against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the final whistle blown on the 2025–26 NFL season, we have reached one of my favorite times of the year: Mock draft season has officially arrived.
Welcome, Atlanta Falcons fans, to the Kevin Stefanski experience.
Expect the field to shrink, heavier personnel, and an offense built to dictate terms instead of reacting to them. Under Stefanski, expect condensed formations designed to support a physical, efficient run game. With the hiring of Bill Callahan, one of the most respected offensive line coaches in football, that unit isn’t expected to be a passable unit. It’s expected to be a key component of the team’s future success.
Still, the Falcons enter the offseason with no shortage of questions.
On defense, who lines up opposite A.J. Terrell, and how does Atlanta replace the production of James Pearce Jr.? Up front, can Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary hold up for another season? On offense, is Tyler Allgeier going to be here next year? Does the receiver room require Darnell Mooney insurance? And is Kyle Pitts part of the long-term plan?
Then there’s the elephant in the room: if Michael Penix Jr. isn’t ready to go, who’s under center in Week 1?
This first mock draft is an attempt to get Stefanski and company started in the right direction, with a monumental emphasis on the interior of both lines. If this year’s Super Bowl, highlighted by relentless pressure and a game-sealing strip sack, taught us anything, it’s that championships are still won in the trenches.
So, let’s bring on the beef.
Round 2, Pick 48: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 318
Year: RS Senior
One of the benefits of having a tackle as consistent as Jake Matthews, and a world-class offensive line coach, is that you can take some shots that other teams with more pressing, immediate needs along the offensive line cannot. And with the first pick of the Stefanski-Ryan-Cunningham regime, you better believe I’m getting the toolsiest offensive lineman that I can find.
Isaiah World entered the 2025 NCAA season as perhaps the best transfer player, let alone offensive lineman, after spending four years at Nevada. As an Oregon Duck, he had the pleasure of going against Matayo Uiagalelei every day in practice, helping World with the fundamentals of playing the tackle position. His basketball background lends to his stellar athleticism and quick feet.
With Callahan in tow, Stefanski and company can take a shot on developing World into, at worst, a useful piece in the offensive line rotation, and at best, a Jake Matthews replacement, so the Ironman can finally ride off in the sunset.
Oregon LT Isaiah World is 6-8, 318 & will make me (6-5, 210) look like a little kid in Senior Bowl interviews.
🦆45 starts between Nevada & Oregon 🦆Freak wingspan; rushers running the arc are ☠️ 🦆Better knee bend &🦶than expected 🦆Picks up stunts & blitzers
Other names considered: Iowa OT Gennings Dunker, Northwestern OT Caleb Tiernan
Round 3, Pick 79: Florida State DT Darell Jackson, Jr.
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 337
Year: RS Senior
I want you to close your eyes and picture your perfect nose tackle.
He’s probably a guy with a massive frame, roughly 6’4” to 6’6”, and pushing the scale well over 300 pounds, probably getting closer to 330 to 340. Now, he probably moves really well in a phone booth, but also has the strength to bench-press an interior offensive lineman when necessary. Especially in the run game.
Okay. Now, open your eyes.
The power from Florida State IDL Darrell Jackson Jr has been felt through this entire circuit of All-Star games. From the Shrine Bowl to the Senior Bowl, the combination of power and length he possesses is worth a day-two pick. pic.twitter.com/Xoax8XuAqW
Darrell Jackson, Jr., along with the rest of this impressive defensive tackle group, may still be there at 79 because of the lack of pass-rush juice he possesses. But make no mistake, this man is a load to deal with in the middle, and will immediately bring some fire to a Falcons run defense that has been sorely lacking it lately.
Other names considered: Cincinnati DT Dontay Corleone, Iowa State DT Domonique Orange, Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
Round 4, Pick 114: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 305
Year: RS Senior
All of those things that I said about Bill Callahan when it comes to Isaiah World? Go ahead and copy-paste that with Jake Slaughter. With Ryan Neuzil still getting paid through 2026, Slaughter has a chance to develop into the center that Stefanski and company need for the future of this team.
Slaughter is a smart football player who allowed one…one sack in over 800 snaps in 2024 and was a Rimington Trophy finalist in 2025.
Jake Slaughter (6’4 305) Florida
+ Over 2,100 snaps played + Allowed just 4 pressures in 2025 + Stays active and seeks contact + Great student-athlete that has multiple academic awards + 84.1 pass block grade in 2025 + 80.2 run blocking grade + 2x team captain
Other names considered: LSU LB Harold Perkins, Washington CB Tacario Davis, North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance
Round 6, Pick 195: Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 265
Year: RS Senior
It’s everyone’s favorite time: Special teams guys!
Sure, you can squint and tilt and figure out a way for Mikail Kamara to get on the field for your defense; he did lead the Big Ten in quarterback pressures on Indiana’s magical National Championship run last season. But, if you’re a serious franchise, and we’re hoping the Falcons are building to that, you’re looking at Kamara and seeing his explosiveness and straight-line speed, and thinking about what he can offer you in the third phase of the game.
From 0 star recruit to JMU to blocking a punt for 6 in the natty
Other names considered: Penn State QB Drew Allar, Illinois QB Luke Altmyer, Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart
Round 7, Pick 231: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 195
Year: Senior
The length that Ephesians Prysock can bring to your CB room is just too much for me to ignore. His arms are so long, his size is a tremendous asset, I don’t see him dropping further than maybe early day-three when all things are said and done.
Someone is going to see his ability in man coverage and fall in love with the thought of potentially developing him into a Great Value Tariq Woolen.
Awesome job by Ephesians Prysock of sticking in Ted Hurst's back pocket and maintaining great positioning at the end of the rep pic.twitter.com/hmXWlSmiLz
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 16: Atlanta running back Tyler Allgeier (25) reacts during the NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons on November 16th, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
We all witnessed how important having a quality running game is late in the regular season and postseason. For the past two years, the Denver Broncos have struggled to concoct a formidable rushing attack down the stretch when it matters most. That’s one reason I believe they will be aggressive in pursuing one of the top backs available in a stellar free agency class.
So far, we have covered Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker as potential options for the Broncos could consider in free agency to upgrade their running back stable. A third option, who I happen to like a lot, is Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier. Let’s talk about him and why he would be a good player to help revitalize Denver’s ground game in 2026.
Tyler Allgeier was criminally underutilized by the Atlanta Falcons for the last three years. His rookie contract is now done.
It’s time for the BYU legend to find a new home as a bell cow, 1,000-plus yard RB…https://t.co/qkvmohVbZj
2025 stats: 143 carries for 514 yards, 8 touchdowns. 96 receiving yards on 14 catches. 610 all-purpose yards.
Should the Broncos sign running back Tyler Allgeier?
A fifth-round pick by the Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft, Allgeier put together a quality rookie season and came in fifth in the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. He gained 1,035 yards on 210 carries for three touchdowns whilst adding 139 receiving yards on 16 receptions. However, the franchise opted to select Bijan Robinson early on with their first-round pick in the subsequent draft, relegating the promising BYU standout to backup duty for the past three years.
In 67 games with 12 starts, Allgeier has rushed for 2,876 yards and 18 touchdowns sporting a 4.3 yard per carry average. He has also added 516 receiving yards on 61 receptions with two touchdowns. What’s impressive about Allgeier is his ability to generate first downs. Over the past four seasons, one out of every four rushes of his moves the chains.
Additionally, Allgeier has excelled off-tackle (4.9 yards per carry) and sports solid marks on outside runs (4.3 yard per carry). He also has a penchant for broken tackles amassing 112 to date and boasts a career average of 3.0 yards after contact per carry. Those are all great marks that would certainly help out Denver’s rushing attack. Last but not least, ball security is a plus for him, having zero fumbles on 737 career touches in the NFL.
At 5’10” and 225 pounds, he has the size and physicality that nobody currently on Denver’s roster possesses. He has also been incredibly durable and missed very little time over the course of his rookie contract. Availability matters, at Allgeier has shown to make the most of the opportunities he has been given.
Tyler Allgeier is the all-time NFL leader for most career touches without a single fumble per the fine folks at Pro Football Reference pic.twitter.com/sMfo2M1ZeH
Why the Broncos will not sign Tyler Allgeier in free agency.
One cause for concern with Allgeier is his drastic falloff on interior runs this past season. While a strength of his previously, the fourth-year pro averaged only 2.2 yards per carry this past season hammering it on the inside. I’m not sure if that had a lot to do with the Falcons’ offensive line or perhaps defenses bringing an extra defender up in the box, but that mark is troublesome. It doesn’t necessarily matter too much, especially with RJ Harvey in the fold, but he doesn’t offer much as a receiver. Perhaps the Broncos are interested in a back who offers a bit more in that regard.
Final Thoughts
While Hall and Walker may be superior players at this point in time, the price point they come in at on the open market will likely be significantly higher than Allgeier. I am confident the Broncos will spend on a running back in free agency, but there may be a limit to how much they are willing to allocate at a position that historically hasn’t needed major investment to make an impact.
All things considered, Allgeier seems to be a relatively safe option in free agency that offers a lot of upside. He has a lot less wear and tear compared to some of the other names available. In my opinion, he be a solid starter for Denver who can help their rushing efficiency on early downs, as well as in the redzone and a perfect complement to Harvey.
What do you think, Broncos Country? Would you like to see Denver add Allgeier to their running back group? Or would you prefer they target someone with more upside and productivity? Sound off in the comments section and let me know.
MEDLEY, FLORIDA - JANUARY 25: Chelsea Gray #12 of the Rose dribbles the ball against Natasha Cloud #15 of the Phantom during the first quarter of the game at Sephora Arena on January 25, 2026 in Medley, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The second edition of Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 Tournament tips off on Wednesday night, which, after a few late-breaking adjustments, will feature 12 first-round matchups. The action begins at 7 p.m. ET on truTV.
As a quick reminder, the first player to score 11 points wins. If no player reaches 11 points after the 10-minute running clock expires, the leading player gets the win. The shot clock is seven seconds.
Here’s our analysis and predictions of all 12 first-round matchups, plus two already-set second-round showdowns. Share your predictions in the comments below. (To do so, make sure you have an account.)
Rachel Banham can get hot from 3. Kelsey Mitchell can get hot from 3, and get to the basket whenever she wants. The widely-agreed upon toughest cover in women’s pro basketball, Mitchell should quickly make it clear why she was the No. 1 seed in Pod A, and is a favorite to capture the $200K.
Prediction: Kelsey Mitchell
No. 4-seed Courtney Williams vs. No. 5-seed Veronica Burton (9:30 p.m. ET)
Veronica Burton is underrated as a No. 5 seed. While Courtney Williams will try to get to her spots, rise up and cash in on middies, Burton, an All-WNBA defender, can prevent her from executing her preferred process. Burton also can apply her physicality when she has the ball, bullying Williams as she drives to basket.
After the elimination of the first-round matchup between No. 3-seed Skylar Diggins and No. 6-seed Jordin Canada, Kelsey Plum and Natisha Hiedeman will now receive first-round byes and meet on Friday night during the second round.
Like the other Kelsey, Plum is the heavy favorite. Hiedeman does have some sizzle, with crafty handles and the ability to drain difficult 3s. Plum, however, has the full arsenal of pull-ups, stop-and-pop middies and dynamic drives. Plus, KP can also use her strength advantage to pound T in the post.
Prediction: Kelsey Plum
Pod B
No. 1-seed Paige Bueckers vs. No. 8-seed Kate Martin (8:45 p.m. ET)
This might not be a total breeze for Paige Bueckers, but it would be surprising if her Breeze teammate, Kate Martin, makes PB sweat for the first-round win. A masterful scorer at all three levels, Paige’s bag is too deep for Martin.
This is one of the tougher calls of the first round. It’s the physicality of Brittney Sykes vs. the craftiness of Arike Ogunbowale. On defense, Slim surely will try to make Arike as uncomfortable as possible; however, Arike’s history includes enough evidence to suggest that she might just make the shots anyways. Although not a noted defender, Ogunbowale’s also not going to be overwhelmed by Sykes, who likely will try to bully her way to the basket.
Prediction: Arike Ogunbowale
No. 3-seed Jackie Young vs. No. 6-seed Aziaha James (9:15 p.m. ET)
Originally scheduled to face off against former Las Vegas Aces teammate Tiffany Hayes, Jackie Young is now up against development pool player Aziaha James.
James got of her first official action of the season last Friday night, showing off some of her scoring craft for Lunar Owls. But, Zaza likely will have a hard time evading Jackie, who has the combined strength and quickness necessary to stymy James’ smoothest moves. Those attributes also will advantage Young on the offensive end, allowing her punish James around the basket. An excellent shooter, Young can also just drop in middies or triples on demand.
Prediction: Jackie Young
No. 2-seed Chelsea Gray vs. No. 7-seed Natasha Cloud (7 p.m. ET)
Upset alert! Yes, Chelsea Gray is the Point Gawd. But, she’s earned that moniker because of how she expertly balances her playmaking and shotmaking abilities. In this setting, the passing threat is eliminated, allowing Natasha Cloud to hound Gray into tough shots. Chelsea certainly can make them anyways. Yet, Tash can too!
With the first-round matchup between No. 4-seed Kahleah Copper and No. 5-seed Rickea Jackson cancelled, Allisha Gray and Saniya Rivers will both advance to the second round, setting them up for a Friday night face off.
Gray has not been shy about letting everyone know she’s motivated by the money. With a $200K bonus in her sights, expect her to be ready to apply all her talents on the way to victory. She’ll put her head down for strong drives to the basket. She’ll pull up and drain 3s. She’ll defend with aggression. She’ll crash the glass for critical rebounds. Saniya Rivers, however, is a tough No. 8-seed. With elite defensive tools, Niya can make Lish work for every single point. And if her jumper is falling, an upset could be in order.
It’s an all-Irish affair between Notre Dame alums Marina Mabrey and Sonia Citron. Outside of their shared collegiate ties, differences define to the two. Marina will step on the court smoldering, ready to deploy her deep bag of handles and shotmaking diversity. Soni, in contrast, will exude a quiet cam. But, the younger Irish shouldn’t be underestimated. Although less dynamic with the ball in her hands, Citron is a three-level scoring threat. She’s also the superior defender, capable of causing a crashout or two from Mabrey.
Prediction: Sonia Citron
No. 2-seed Rhyne Howard vs. No. 7-seed Rae Burrell (8:30 p.m. ET)
Similar to the Irish-vs.-Irish matchup, the head-to-head between two-season Vinyl teammates is, otherwise, about their differences. Rae Burrell is chaos; Rhyne Howard is cool. Don’t be shocked it Sweet Baby Rae’s excess of energy—from bold shots to wild drives to skying rebounds—takes her to an early lead before Rhyne turns up her intensity, applying the full extent of her talent to pull away for the win.
Prediction: Rhyne Howard
Pod D
No. 1-seed Breanna Stewart vs. No. 8-seed Li Yueru (7:15 p.m. ET)
It would be quite funny if Breanna Stewart, widely considered one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history, once again fell in the first round . And Lisa Leslie calls Li Yueru “Li Buckets” for a reason; Li certainly could swish a couple of 3s and have Stewart on the ropes. However, Stewie is likely unamused by the idea of a repeat of last season’s stunner. She’s out for revenge.
Prediction: Breanna Stewart
No. 4-seed Aliyah Boston vs. No. 5-seed Alyssa Thomas (9:45 p.m. ET)
The originally-schedule Royal Rumble between Aliyah Boston and Alyssa Thomas instead has become a South Carolina showdown, with development pool player Laeticia Amihere assuming Thomas’ spot.
Amihere, yet to see any 3×3 action, consistently impresses with her athleticism and effort, but Boston is just better, and she should exit this matchup with fewer battle scars than she would have accumulated against AT. Offensively, Boston can score in a multitude of ways, besting Amihere with power in the post or skill from the perimeter. On defense, AB’s length, smarts and discipline will eliminate any easy opportunities for LA.
Prediction: Aliyah Boston
No. 3-seed Dearica Hamby vs. No. 6-seed Shakira Austin (9 p.m. ET)
After beating now-Rose teammate Chelsea Gray in the first round of last year’s 1-on-1 Tournament, Shakira Austin declared herself a “shifty big.” Kira with the shifts should score another first-round upset, this time over Dearica Hamby. Last Saturday’s game between Rose and Vinyl already showed that Austin’s length can give Hamby tons of trouble, as Shakira swatted Dearica’s shot five times! Unless Hamby can find her stroke from the midrange or behind the arc, Austin’s size and athleticism will prove too overwhelming.
Is it disrespectful to predict that the defending runner-up is going down in the first round? Last year, Aaliyah Edwards benefitted from a size advantage over most of her opponents as she advanced to the final. (In her epic opening win over Stewie, she enjoyed an outlier 3-point shooting performance.) Her superior size made her high-effort, physical style of play more effective.
Dominique Malonga, of course, is 6-foot-6. She not only can reject Edwards’ around-the-basket attempts, but Dom also can prevent AE from even getting there by using her length to deny drives. On offense, Malonga’s long strides can take her right to the basket, plus she can stroke it from behind the arc.
Adam’s son enjoys his first Arizona basketball game | Adam Green
Arizona basketball could be in the midst of a historic season, one that we will remember for the rest of our lives. Even with Monday’s loss at Kansas the Cats are clearly one of the very best teams in the sport, and have as good a chance as anyone to reach the Final Four and win the national championship.
As exciting as this is, there is no doubt that the expectations of success in the postseason can in a way dampen the enjoyment of the regular season. After all, what good are all these wins if the season doesn’t end with more banners going up in the McKale Center rafters?
For many, the Wildcats being as good as they are is actually a source of stress or even angst, which is not ideal. Even when championship aspirations (or expectations) exist it’s never a bad idea to, as a fan, take a step back and enjoy the moment.
I was able to do just that last weekend when Arizona hosted Oklahoma State, as I had the opportunity to take my 3-year-old son to his first Arizona basketball game.
That meant taking him to the bookstore, where he saved me money by only wanting a red Arizona shirt and a stuffed Wilbur doll. It involved walking across campus to the arena, where I got to point out certain things that mean plenty to me but at this point absolutely nothing to him.
We had a stop at a Starbucks so he could get a snack, and then we made our way up the ramp and into McKale Center.
And let me tell you all, watching him take those first steps into a place where I have experienced so much joy as well as a little heartbreak was pretty dang cool. The same can be said about walking around the concourse. Being able to take it all in — that is, everything but the game itself — was a real treat.
The opponent being Oklahoma State surely helped, as there wasn’t the kind of intensity that you’d have with say maybe a Kansas or Iowa State. But still, this was the No. 1 team in the country looking to remain undefeated and set a conference record for start to a season.
But that’s just it.
At the time Arizona was the No. 1 team in the country, was undefeated and was on the precipice of making some history. This late in the season, that’s something to appreciate.
My son didn’t care about any of that.
He was pumped to see Wilbur on the court, enjoyed the fire plumes during the lineup introduction and took his cues from the rest of the crowd when it came to when to clap. In the interest of full transparency there were a couple of times where his cheers followed an Oklahoma State bucket. I’m sorry.
However we do have “Bear Down Arizona, Go Cats!” and parts of the fight song down, along with a love of Wilbur. And yet, there’s still plenty to work on before I can say my kid is fully indoctrinated into Wildcat fandom.
Having a consistently good and maybe even great basketball team will help.
Arizona looked like a great team that afternoon as the Cats overwhelmed a spunky Oklahoma State team in such a manner to where the game wasn’t even remotely competitive by halftime. That’s always nice as a fan, but it was everything I could have hoped for as a dad.
Because while I got to enjoy the game, I was largely able to focus my attention on making sure my son was having a great time. That involved a short break in the Hall of Champions (where we got a picture with the Territorial Cup) and some laps around the place, along with a bag of popcorn.
As a parent you do what you gotta do.
I realized early on though that to my son it did not matter how well Arizona played. For obvious reasons he doesn’t understand the game or even really what he was watching. He didn’t realize that the Arizona team he was watching has the expectations and hopes of an entire city and fan base on its shoulders, that this expertly constructed roster might be the one to finally get the program back to where many believe it should be.
My son certainly didn’t watch the dominant performance and say “that’s nice, but none of it matters until March” or say anything about how a February win over Oklahoma State means nothing if Arizona doesn’t reach the Final Four.
He simply enjoyed what he got to watch and experience.
Maybe we can learn from him?
Yes I, like many of you, really want to see Arizona make it to Indianapolis this year. And I, like many of you, understand that regular season wins don’t guarantee postseason success, and that with a record like the one Arizona has accumulated anything short of the Final Four would be seen as a disappointment.
That thought shouldn’t cheapen what the team has accomplished or blind you from truly seeing what we’re witnessing.
Remember Arizona cannot win an NCAA tournament game for another month, and the hope, stress and worry that comes with March Madness will have its time. Until then, let’s all just enjoy the ride because none of us know when it is going to end.
The Panthers hired Dan Morgan as president of football operations and general manager on January 22, 2024. Morgan is a Panthers “lifer” after spending his seven-year NFL career in Charlotte from 2001 through 2007 then spending years in the Panthers front office. Let’s take a look back on Morgan’s second season as GM. We’ve previously evaluated his performance with trades and with free agents.
Let’s now assess Morgan’s 2025 draft day performance. Today we will focus on draft day trades plus first three rounds, will focus on players drafted in Rounds 3-7.
Draft day performance
It’s a bit of a fool’s errand to evaluate a draft class after just one season because we still don’t know what type of player these guys will be in three or four years, but one season is all the data we have.
When grading draft picks it’s important to measure their performance relative to rookie expectations. My general criteria for rookies is this:
Round 1 – Average contributing starter
Round 2 – Spot starter and key rotational piece
Rounds 3-4 – Capable rotational depth
Rounds 5-6 – Special teams
Round 7 – Any contributions is a borderline miracle
The University of Arizona star was a home run pick. He was named by the Pro Football Writers of America as the rookie of the year, offensive rookie of the year, and a member of the all-rookie team. A rookie exceeding 1,000 receiving yards on a team with an inconsistent passing attack like the Panthers and no true WR2 to take the heat off him is remarkable.
At 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds he can overpower smaller defenders. With his crisp routes and athleticism he quickly separates from linebackers and safeties. He has All-Pro potential and could develop into one of the best receivers in the league for the next decade.
Grade relative to expectations: A+
2nd Round, No. 51 – Nic Scourton, outside linebacker
2025 stats: 17 games (8 starts), 47 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 9 QB hits, 15 pressures
The Panthers defense struggled all season to get to the quarterback, and Scourton’s five sacks tied Derrick Brown for the most on the team. His 15 pressures also tied Brown for most on the team. In other words, the two most disruptive players on the Panthers defense are a previous Pro Bowler in Derrick Brown and a second round rookie in Nic Scourton.
After starting the season somewhat slowly with 11 tackles through the Panthers first seven games, over the next 10 games he racked up 46 tackles and 3.5 sacks. The progress he made as the season progressed was evident, which is exactly what teams want to see from second round picks. He had a solid rookie season and could develop into an impact player.
2025 stats: 16 games (0 starts), 24 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 5 pressures
The former Florida and Ole Miss star generally met expectations for a third round pick. He played 222 defensive snaps over 16 games, or about 14 snaps per game, making him a consistent rotational piece. Carolina traded up eight spots in the third round to land Umanmielen so the front office was definitely targeting him given his skillset and the team’s needs.
Realistic expectations for a third round pick is to provide capable rotational depth, and Princely did just that. That said, Panthers fans were probably hoping for more impact from his rookie season given the team’s massive need for more pressure off the edge, but that will have to come in future years.
Grade relative to expectations: B-
Rounds 1-3 summary
In all, Dan Morgan and his front office talent evaluators had a strong first three rounds of the 2025 draft. Tetairoa McMillan will give the Panthers their first legit WR1 since DJ Moore left Carolina after the 2022 season. Nic Scourton flashed potential to develop into a capable full-time starter. Princely Umanmielen was fine for a third round pick and gained some valuable experience in his rookie season.
In assessing Dan Morgan’s performance in the draft, he gets extra credit for knocking it out of the part with Tet McMillan.
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 04: A young fan of the Colorado Avalanche cheers against the San Jose Sharks at Ball Arena on February 04, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
THIS IS A GUEST ROCKPILE BY EVAN LIU (@evanliu.bsky.social)
Unfortunately, the Colorado Rockies have been an afterthought in MLB in terms of competitiveness. The only way they garnered national attention was by going on massive losing streaks and contending for the worst record in MLB history.
Just one mile down Blake Street at Ball Arena, the Colorado Avalanche went through a similar rebuild and scenario around a decade ago.
There have been some striking similarities in the Rockies’ path to today.
A surprising playoff run leading to nothing
In the 2013-14 season, the Avs made a surprising push for the Stanley Cup. With team legend Patrick Roy making his coaching debut, he shocked and stunned several folks around the NHL with his wild style.
A 52-22-8 record led Colorado to the top of the Central Division in dramatic fashion, which no one expected. Ultimately, they were bounced in the first round in heartbreaking fashion in overtime at home in Game 7 against the Minnesota Wild.
Similarly, the Rockies made the playoffs in two straight seasons in 2017 and 2018. An 87-75 record in 2017 saw them play in the then-one-game Wild Card Game on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They battled hard, coming out on the losing side of an offensive battle 11-8.
The next year, Colorado took the Los Angeles Dodgers to Game 163 for the NL West. While they fell in LA, the next night at the Friendly Confines saw them win a playoff game for the first time in nearly a decade. Tony Wolters’ historic single in the 13th inning gave the Rockies the 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.
While they were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, there was hope about going further in the coming years. The same was said about the Avalanche in 2014. Both teams had capable players to build around and push for another chance at the chip. But the following years would not be pretty for either group.
The awkwardly-timed departure of a coach
At Ball Arena, Roy’s tenure came to an abrupt end. Just a month before the 2016-17 season, the Avs announced his resignation as head coach. Colorado was left scrambling for a new man at the helm, who would eventually be Jared Bednar.
Meanwhile, at Coors Field, last season saw Bud Black finally be on the chopping block. His departure would come a month into the start of the new season, though. Both of the coaches leaving at the times they did just made things that much harder for each team.
The Rockies announce they have relieved Bud Black of duties as manager. Third base coach Warren Schaeffer has been named interim manager, hitting coach Clint Hurdle has been named bench coach. pic.twitter.com/Yb8XVpcW1A
Bednar had less than a month to prepare for the 2016-17 season for the Avalanche. It showed, as they scored only 48 points with a record of 22-56-4. It marked the worst season in franchise history since they moved from Quebec City.
While they did not make history as the Chicago White Sox did just a year before, the Colorado Rockies dropped over 100 games in three straight seasons. The latter of the three smashed the franchise record for most losses in a single season.
A -424 run differential was made up by the worst 50-game start to a season, with an 8-42 record. Even after Warren Schaeffer was made interim manager, it didn’t get much better. The Rox rebounded but were still in the basement of the league by season’s end.
Big-name moves to change the team
Both the Avalanche and the Rockies made big moves to change course.
The Avs traded away Matt Duchene, a fan favorite and third-overall pick in 2009, at the start of the 2017-18 season after voicing his displeasure with the team and their trajectory. The move actually heavily benefited the Avs, as young defenseman Samuel Girard blossomed into a nice addition on the blue line, still to this day.
Meanwhile, the Rockies let go of another fan favorite recently: Ryan McMahon. The Rox only got two prospect relievers in the form of Josh Grosz and Griffin Herring. Grosz was dealt for Jake McCarthy last month, but Herring could blossom into a nice addition in the coming years.
The Avalanche were able to bounce back from their worst season on record to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs the next year. Since then, they haven’t missed the postseason and took home the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Meanwhile, should the Rockies continue following a similar pattern to their neighbors down the street, a first World Series ring is coming in 2031! All jokes aside, the purple pinstripes have some work ahead of them to follow a similar trajectory to the Avalanche and their striking similarities thus far.
The Rockies got a new arm in the rotation with the surprising signing of Tomoyuki Sugano. He’s the first Japanese player joining Colorado since 2007 – conincidentally the last time the Rox made it to the World Series. The former Baltimore Orioles starter has joined for one year at $5.1 million, sure to bring an interesting spin to the rotation. In a corresponding move, Kris Bryant was added to the 60-day IL.
The Rox released a beautiful spring training hat to kick off pitchers and catchers reporting to Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. There are several Arizona-desert themes alongside the typical purple ‘C’ and ‘R’ like a flowery cactus. In just over a week’s time, the hats will be in action for all to see – and perhaps flying off the shelves.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report put out a spicy trade the Colorado Rockies could make before the regular season begins. It involves a major name from the Phiadelphia Phillies: Nick Castellanos. With his fallout with the Phillies organization and the Rockies looking to add another right-handed man, perhaps they could take a chance on him in hopes of either sticking in the side or becoming trade bait come July.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and Garrett Crochet #35 of the Boston Red Sox look on in the bullpen during a Spring Training workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 19, 2025 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Friday night, just a few days before the New England Patriots attempt to assume their rightful position as the class of the NFL (narrator: they did not), I was doing what any 28-year-old man does on a Friday night: talking about relief pitching. As I was scrolling Twitter, I ran into a tweet from Sammy James, a co-host of the Play Tessie Podcast. Sammy is always thinking outside the box when it comes to roster moves, and pitched old friend Jalen Beeks as a potential fit for the left-handed relief role in the bullpen.
I wonder if the Red Sox could have any interest in a reunion with FA Jalen Beeks. His changeup was elite in 2025—opponents hit .067 with an .080 SLG off of that pitch. Fastball sits between 94-95 MPH, pretty solid. Plenty for the pitching lab to work with. Red Sox need a LHP. pic.twitter.com/BQfQb441x7
He highlighted Beeks’ changeup, noting the remarkably low batting average and slugging percentage against it. If you look at those numbers and nothing else, it appears to be an elite pitch. I dug in a little bit further, and while I found that the pitch was solid, I wouldn’t place it among the league’s best changeups.
Not that the changeup is a bad pitch, but I’d be careful using BAA and SLG at the pitch type level here. 30% zone rate and almost never throwing it behind in the count is doing a lot of work there. A 55% strike rate and fairly average movement means probably can’t throw it much…
None of this is a knock on Sammy. He’s got great insights and has as many ideas on how to improve the roster as anyone. At the same time, I’ve written what feels like 1,500 pitcher evaluations, and don’t think I’ve ever broken down my methodology.
The Red Sox could use a left-handed reliever. Last season, Justin Wilson, Brennan Bernardino, and Chris Murphy were the first lefties out of the pen for the Red Sox. As it stands, none of those three is on the 40-man roster. Outside of Aroldis Chapman, there aren’t many left-handed relievers with major league experience on the team, making an addition to the group before the season begins likely.
There’s not necessarily a rush to acquire a reliever. While it’s definitely a hole, as teams cut down their rosters, there will be opportunities to find a lefty, and they won’t need much time to stretch out before the season. Still, having bodies in camp to see what you have is a good thing. So, with all that being said, let’s look at one option and see what he might bring to the table for Boston.
Jalen Beeks
The bulk of my analysis is done with three websites: Pitcher List, Baseball Savant, and FanGraphs. Baseball Savant is always a decent starting point, just for their dashboard information.
I focus on the left and right panels, although the middle panel is probably the most popular among people who pretend that they know what they’re talking about (that’s another rant for another day). On the left, we see the pitch usage chart, broken out by handedness. Handedness is everything. Garrett Crochet throws his sinker 16% of the time, which makes it appear to be a secondary offering. When we split it, we see it’s his most thrown pitch by a wide margin to lefties at 37%. For Beeks, we can see he’s a pretty fastball-heavy pitcher, using a changeup most often as a change of pace, and mixing in a cutter against lefties. On the right, I like to see the arm angle, because it provides some context about pitch usages. Beeks is more over the top, which means he’ll likely have a harder time generating East-West movement. The movement chart helps see how much of the plate a pitcher can cover, but it’s hard to draw conclusions from movement alone.
Pitching is about getting outs. The best way to get outs is to throw strikes. That’s what we look for next: what pitches does he throw for strikes, and how does he end at-bats? Beeks is a left-handed reliever, and while the three-batter minimum rule means he’ll have to get righties out as well, I’m mostly concerned with what he does in same-handed matchups.
Going over to Pitcher List, we can filter by handedness and see when Beeks is throwing each pitch.
The right side of the Counts tab is categorized into three sections: Early, Behind, and Two-Strike. Early consists of the first two pitches of an at-bat as well as 1-1 pitches, behind consists of 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, and 3-1 counts, and two-strike is any two-strike count (duh). If it were up to me, I’d have an additional view showing the percentage of each bucket by pitch type, but we can use Baseball Savant’s search function to find that. Beeks, for example, throws a four-seam fastball 58.3% of the time in “early” counts. Putting all of this together, it looks like he uses his four-seam fastball and cutter to get strikes, and his changeup to put hitters away.
Now that we understand what Beeks is trying to do, we can assess his effectiveness. The overview tab on Pitcher List is great for this.
Paring it down to one pitch, we get nice percentiles and averages, although sometimes I’m skeptical of how accurate the percentiles are (They’re based on total stats and don’t change based on the handedness filter, for example). Regardless, strike rate is always the first place I look, and Beeks fastball has a huge number. It also comes with a massive 60% zone rate, as well as a mediocre 9.5% swinging strike rate and 15.2% called strike rate. A 70% strike rate with swinging and called strike numbers that low likely means the ball is in play a lot. So how’s the contact?
Here’s where you might be tempted to look at batting average or slugging percentage, but those can lead you astray because they’re only considering the final pitch of an at-bat. A pitch that’s thrown only in two-strike counts out of the zone is going to have a low batting average, because it will result in strikeouts, weak contact, or be taken for a ball. I like to use Ideal Contact Rate (ICR) because the denominator is total batted ball events, removing strikeouts from the equation. For a fastball, we want to see a number below 40%. In Beeks’ case, the 53.5% mark against lefties is high. That’s in part because the pitch is in the zone so often, but also because the shape isn’t much of an outlier.
Beeks also throws the majority of his cutters early in counts, although 34% usage in two-strike counts is fairly high as well. A look at the metrics shows a 15.8% swinging strike rate and a 17.1% called strike rate. The strike rate is incredibly low at 51%, while the zone rate is also fairly low at 38%. Because it’s able to return both called strikes and swinging strikes, my assumption is he’s deploying it more as a slider in two-strike counts. Looking at the heatmaps (below) that appears to be the case. Further, if you look at the movements, he throws some cutters as hard as 88 mph with less vertical drop, while others are as slow as 82 mph.
The pitch returned a 44.4% ideal contact rate, which is high for an off-speed pitch that isn’t in the zone much. It didn’t induce many chases either. It was able to generate whiffs at a decent rate, but it was a pitch that lefties handled well for the most part. Overall, when looking at the pitches designed to be strike-getters, both are hit fairly hard, and only the four-seam returns consistent strikes.
We’ll circle back to the strike-getting pitches, but let’s jump ahead to the changeup. Same-handed changeups are controversial. Some people hate them, some people are fine with them. I think it depends on the changeup, but that’s a discussion for another day.
Beeks throws his changeup 26.6% of the time to lefites, most of which are in two-strike counts. He throws it primarily down and inside to lefties, which always gives me pause, but it appears to work for him. While it’s only in the zone 35% of the time, the 42% chase rate and 20% swinging strike rate are both excellent. The ICR rate was 0%, but the sample was incredibly small. It’s been a solid pitch throughout his career, though, so it’s safe to say that hitters will continue to struggle with it.
While his changeup is a good pitch, I’ll again caution against using plate appearance level stats such as batting average against as your barometer. Take Jojo Romero, for example. He throws his changeup 22.3% of the time, and opponents hit just .167 against it. At the same time, it was never in the zone and only returned a 14% swinging strike rate and 50% called strike rate. While the pitch wasn’t getting punished, it also wasn’t doing its job by generating whiffs; batters were just letting it go for a ball. A .167 batting average might make you think it’s one of the best changeups in baseball, but it’s wildly inefficient.
So now that we’ve looked at all three of his pitches against lefties, what I see is a pitcher with a good putaway pitch, but one who needs to find a way to get ahead in counts. While his four-seam returns strikes, it gets hit too hard for him to throw it 50% of the time. His 2025 cutter shows some promise in its swinging and called strike numbers, but it doesn’t get enough chase to support a 38% zone rate.
He was very successful against lefties in 2025, so there isn’t necessarily a need to make changes, but there’s room for improvement early in counts. I’m speculating at this point, but a return to his 2024 cutter, which featured more vertical lift and was slightly harder, could pay dividends. He used the pitch more often, and while it wasn’t returning strikes at a high rate, the contact against it was poor. High cutters can often drop back into the zone for called strikes, which would play well off his four-seam fastball. Again, Beeks was great against lefties in 2025, but the contact stats against his fastball suggest some regression there if he doesn’t make changes.
I’ve written 1,500 words about Jalen Beeks so far, so I won’t repeat the process, but you should. Use Pitcher List and Baseball Savant, and tell me what you think about Beeks against righties. It’s fun. I promise.
There’s one more part I haven’t mentioned, and it’s arguably the most important. Watch the pitcher pitch. While a huge swinging strike rate can’t be faked, you might see a pitcher who’s missing spots over and over again and posit that they won’t have the same success consistently. In the case of Beeks, you’ll find an unorthodox delivery that looks to be deceptive. It reminds me of Kutter Crawford, but the ball is hidden at his hip rather than his ear. Nerds (like myself) run baseball (not me), but the game is still played on the field. There’s a lot to learn by watching.
Steve Kerr’s latest comments about the Golden State Warriors’ rotation have intensified speculation that Draymond Green’s starting role may no longer be guaranteed.
With the Warriors searching for scoring balance, Kerr’s emphasis on lineup flexibility has shifted focus toward Al Horford’s growing importance.
Steve Kerr hints at shift in Golden State Warriors’ frontcourt
Photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
In remarks shared by 95.7 The Game, Kerr acknowledged the team’s current offensive struggles and why certain lineup adjustments are being made.
“Without Steph and Jimmy, we’re struggling to score at times and we’re just finding that we’re better off playing one big,” Kerr said.
He added: “And if Al is playing like he did last night then we’re going to stay with Al and stay smaller around him… So it’s just the way it is right now.”
The statement was direct. With Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler absent, Kerr admitted the Warriors need more offensive flexibility, which has pushed him toward smaller lineups anchored by Horford.
Draymond Green has traditionally been central to Golden State’s defensive identity, but recent rotations tell a different story. Kerr has already benched Green late in the Warriors’ last two wins, opting for spacing and scoring balance instead.
Draymond Green’s role could remain fluid
Kerr also made it clear that nothing is set in stone when discussing the evolving lineup decisions.
“Everything could be completely different next week so you just have to kind of roll with it,” Kerr explained.
The comment suggests experimentation rather than finality, but context matters. When a coach publicly acknowledges that performance dictates minutes, the message reaches the locker room.
Green’s late-game benchings signal that Kerr is willing to prioritize matchup advantages over reputation. In tight contests, results outweigh sentiment.
Horford’s ability to stretch the floor and operate as the lone big has given the Warriors a different offensive rhythm, particularly when scoring options are limited.
While Green’s leadership and defensive instincts remain valuable, the current strategy favors spacing and versatility. If the smaller alignment continues to produce wins, the adjustment may extend beyond a temporary fix.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Avery Hayes #85 of the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing in his first NHL game, is congratulated by Rutger McGroarty #2 after scoring his first goal during a game against the Buffalo Sabres on February 05, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Olympic break gives a chance to pause and look at the top prospects within the Penguins’ organization. Here’s a quick refresher based off last summer’s rankings for how things are going for the prospects.
Tier 7: #22 – honorable mentions; Long-term prospects with some upside
The biggest story in this group is the great season that Lucius is off to at Arizona State. The Penguins have a decision coming up to sign him, being as this is his last year of NCAA eligibility. As of now he’s definitely looking like a player that should be brought in on an AHL PTO and eventually signed to a pro contract. Otherwise this list about is what it is for some longer-term prospects, including honorable mention and 2025 fifth round pick Ryan Miller who is playing as well as anyone in this tier (53 points in 49 games for WHL Portland).
Tier 6: #15 – 21; Slightly more developed prospects still a ways away
This has been one of the more interesting tiers, albeit dogged by injuries. Tanner Howe has made an early splash in his debut in the AHL following a lengthy rehab from a torn ACL in 2025. Unfortunately Joona Vaisanen, one of the top players on last year’s Western Michigan NCAA championship team, was lost for the season early on with an injury. Emil Pieniniemi balked at going to the ECHL, eventually relented and got his season off to a delayed start (with a few AHL callups along the way). Broz and Hayes have been chugging along as some of the team’s best AHL players but still looking for traction at making the leap to the NHL. Hayes with two goals in an almost accidental one-game cameo (that only happened due to an illness, a childbirth and an injury) will put him on the radar for more as it opens.
Tier 5: #12 – 14; Intrigue, but patience required
Patience was required and patience will be tested here. Kettles, a 2025 second round pick, was lost early in the season with a shoulder injury, in what could be a tough obstacle to overcome for a young player and career. Fernstrom struggled in Sweden, getting demoted a league before the Penguins decided they wanted him to work in the minor leagues. To his credit, he’s made the most of the chance with a strong opening impression. Ilyin remains a very productive player in Russia. The picture, overall, in this tier is remains muddled, but still with some hope and promise.
Tier 4: #9 -11; The wildcards
Wildcards indeed. Tomasino quickly went bust, surprising since he had a few very nice moments in Pittsburgh last season before falling out of grace quickly and getting moved on (the Flyers have yet to recall him to the NHL after the trade). Other wildcards have been more promising, Silovs’s play has been a bit all over the map — sometimes it’s worth remembering he technically is an NHL rookie. At time he’s been pretty good for the Penguins, at other times it’s been a struggle. Overall for a first time goalie, he’s having a pretty nice year. The other player in this tier, Sergei Murashov, didn’t have as many skill or pressing age-related questions, and still looks like he’s handling every challenge thrown his way. The future remains bright and promising there.
Tier 3: #7-8; Older, near ready players
Pickering, as a draft+4 first round pick, hasn’t managed a call-up to the NHL this season putting him at risk of going into troubling territory historically for this stage of his career. Blomqvist was unfortunately hurt when Pittsburgh needed an NHL replacement the most earlier in the season but has been strong in the AHL again (8-4-3 record, .916 save%, 2.43 GAA). It can be strange to think of either as ‘older’ as far as anything but for NHL prospect time the clock is starting to tick loudly in both of these cases.
Tier 2: #4-6; Recent first round picks
What a haul the first round the 2025 draft is turning out to be for the Penguins. Zonnon came back from a pair of injuries to recently look like one of the top forwards in the QMJHL, Horcoff exploded to become one of the NCAA’s top goal scorers and Kindel is off to a history-making season for a player to produce in the NHL despite not even being a top-10 pick. There’s still a lot of time to go in all of these cases, so far the Penguins must be thrilled at the talent they’ve gotten out of that draft.
Tier 1: #1 -3; Cream of the crop
Progress not being a straight line is a lesson in all of these cases. Brunicke, especially, had to endure some bumps along the way – but joins a select club of teenaged NHL defensemen. Kouvinen has been unable to gain a lot of traction in the NHL this season but continues to be one of the top players at the AHL level and inspire some hope, though his 0.38 P/60 and skating deficiencies have taken a lot of the wind out of the sails for a possible long-term future. McGroarty has been in and out with injuries and up and down between the NHL and AHL. His NHL boxcars (2G+3A in 20 games, 1.14 P/60) suggest a less impressive impact than he’s been able to make at times with his energy and ability to get to the net.
There could be some questions for all at this midway point between the 2025 T25U25 and 2026 list about the ceilings for all — could Brunicke now come into focus as a more likely a 4/5 defender instead of a 2 or 3? Maybe McGroarty is more bottom-six than mid-six and Koivunen’s end point a lot more variable and troubling in terms of improvements needed to become an NHL regular. The good news is the talent involved makes the targets fluid and potentially prone to positive progressions in the near future with stronger second halves to the season than to this point.
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Overall on this list, Kindel would rise with his showing this season. Impressive doesn’t sound like a strong word, but at this point I’m not sure there is one. There’s good reason to be excited about the futures of Murashov and Hayes, the latter in a smaller role but both getting close to making good on NHL futures. Silovs has become an NHL caliber goalie. Down range, Zonnon, Horcoff, Brunicke and Lucius have done well in their respective leagues and unfortunately injury concerns have popped up for others like Kettles and Vaisanen. The next few months will potentially be big proving grounds for players like McGroarty, Koivunen, Broz, Hayes, Pickering and Blomqvist to pick up momentum heading into next year — all of those players getting into a range where you’d really like to see progress sooner than later given their age and the typical developmental curves.
The best news of all is the team’s system is improving and only getting better. Egor Chinakhov (who turned 25 earlier this month) will not be T25U25 eligible but is still adding youth, speed and skill to the NHL team. The Penguins, as of the moment anyways, still possess three of the first 57 and five of the top 89 picks in the draft and figure to add even more talent by the time the 2026 Pensburgh list comes out over the summer. The 2025 list was incredibly young (only Silovs will age out, though Tomasino and Sam Poulin have departed the organization), making this list something of a starting point and base for the years that follow to build upon.
The movement that the team has underwent in the past two years to stock the system and organization with the next wave of talent is just starting and figures to have the opportunity to swell the talent pool much further in the coming months and years.
Familiar face, Erick Fedde, is returning to the White Sox for another stint on the South Side. | Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images
White Sox pitchers and catchers officially reported to camp yesterday, beginning their Spring Training preparations for the 2026 season at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. There, they’ll ease into throwing routines and conditioning ahead of full-squad workouts later this month with their first Cactus League game scheduled on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs.
For South Side fans, camp is more than just formality. It’s the first chance to see how the pitching staff comes together, with both new and returning faces. Veterans like Erick Fedde, who just signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract to compete for a rotation spot, and Anthony Kay, looking to make his MLB comeback, will join young arm prospects Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith. Don’t forget about some of last year’s most consistent performers in Shane Smith, Davis Martin and Mike Vasil. Meanwhile, there are injury recovery stories to follow for hurlers Prelander Berroa, Mason Adams and Drew Thorpe as they work back from Tommy John surgery. Lastly, there are two Rule 5 Draft picks, Jedixson Paez and Alexander Alberto, in the mix. All will build up their innings and look to prove themselves to new pitching coach Zach Bove and his staff.
From the backstop perspective, there’s a plethora of depth at the position. Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero are one of the most fascinating young catching duos in baseball. Teel flashed plenty of bat with plus hit tools during his rookie campaign. He hit .273 with eight home runs and 35 RBI at just 23 years old and is considered a high ceiling OBP bat behind the dish. Teaming him up with fellow-year catching prospect Quero has allowed Chicago to have one of the deepest young tandems in the league. The 22-year-old Cuban rookie also stood his ground at the MLB level in 2025. Having posted a .268 batting average with five home runs and 36 RBI as a switch-hitter in his first year, Quero provides Chicago with a nice complementary catching profile. While having two solid catchers is a good problem to have, juggling playing time will be a significant challenge for second-year manager Will Venable.
Then there’s also still the issue of Korey Lee, and it’s doubtful that the Sox head into the season carrying three catchers. Lee is out of minor league options, so while three catchers certainly allows for flexibility, it just doesn’t seem like a very sensible roster move. It’s possible that GM Chris Getz is waiting to showcase Lee’s ability in Spring Training and working behind the scenes to get a trade done before the season starts.
Overall, Spring Training feels a bit more significant this year. There’s real arm competition in the starting rotation and meaningful decisions to be made behind the plate. These first few weeks in Glendale won’t just be about loosening up those arms and knocking off the rust. They’ll be about answering questions about who fits where, what players can be expected to do, and which guys will be factors as we look to upgrade on last year’s squad. Of course, these things will start to sort themselves out as camp progresses and games start getting put on the schedule. But for now, pitchers and catchers reporting gets us one step closer to baseball and Opening Day!
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 02: New Head Football Coach Kyle Whittingham of the Michigan Wolverines speaks to the crowd during a break in the first half of a college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Southern California Trojans at Crisler Arena on January 02, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the bitter cold of the Michigan winter continues, recruits from across the country are setting up spring visits to Ann Arbor. In this edition of the Recruiting Roundup, let’s kick things off with a 4-star defensive back set to visit next month.
4-star 2027 safety sets spring visit at Michigan
It’s always good to own the Chicago area on the recruiting trail, and that’s what the new staff is trying to do with the recruitment of 2027 four-star 2027 safety Tavares Harrington. Harrington is ranked 137th in his class and sixth among players from Illinois on the 247Sports composite. He’s a highly coveted prospect, with more than 40 offers to his name.
The young safety told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong ($) he’s set to visit Ann Arbor from March 17-19. Wiltfong asked him what stood out about Michigan.
“The program,” Harrington said. “Their production. They are a powerhouse with great coaches and the way they run their program.”
Harrington is also set to officially visit Georgia the weekend of June 5 and Alabama two weekends later. Besides those two schools and Michigan, Harrington said another priority school for him is Nebraska. Unless Nebraska swoops in, Michigan has the advantage of being the first visit of the group, and hopefully the coaching staff can convince him to lock in an official visit for June as well.
2027 linebacker speaks on recent Michigan offer
New head coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff have been busy extending offers to recruits, including 2027 linebacker Bryce Breeden. Whittingham and linebackers coach Alex Whittingham paid a visit to the Texas linebacker this past weekend, extending an offer on Saturday.
Breeden told Sam Spiegelman with Rivals ($) he plans to visit Michigan in the spring, then return for an official visit in June.
“They’re going to be really strong contender as it gets closer to June,” Breeden said.
The Whittingham’s reassured Breeden they bring stability and development to the program, and it sounds like the Wolverines are making him a priority.
“Michigan has always been a powerhouse football team,” Breeden said. “The style of defense they run is a big run-stopping defense ,and I would fit right in. What makes this offer a big deal is that I have always looked up to Michigan football. Playing for the Wolverines would put me closer to my dad.”
While he is not yet ranked on the composite, Breeden does have more than two dozen offers, including some pretty good ones from Houston, Michigan State, Northwestern, Texas Tech, and others.
2026 TE commit excited to get started at Michigan
It’s always an encouraging sign for the future when a Michigan commit is voted as a captain by his high school teammates, and that was exactly the case for 2026 tight end signee Mason Bonner. Bonner — who committed to Michigan in late May and signed in December, received a vote from every one of his teammates, his high school coach, Jeremy Bennett, told The Wolverine’s Ethan McDowell ($).
“We all know he’s big and long and runs routes like a 5-9 slot receiver,” Bennett said. “He does all those things, but it was his leadership this year. It was him not letting our team fall to the wayside when there was adversity…His leadership and the example he set, not only verbally but by his actions, I think that was tremendous for our program this year and helped us turn the corner and make a run into the quarterfinals.”
McDowell also reported that offensive line coach Jim Harding paid Bonner a visit last month and said Bonner will join the program in June after he wraps up his senior season of basketball.
“He has not stepped foot as a student on the Michigan campus, but his comment to me was, ‘Coach, I’m a Michigan man,’” Bennett said. “He’s chomping at the bit to get there and get with his teammates.”
-Quick shifting gears to basketball, as Devin Cleveland, a top-30 recruit and one of the top shooting guards in the 2027 class, is set to take an unofficial visit to Michigan for the Michigan State game on March 8.
2027 Top-30 overall recruit Devin Cleveland will take an unofficial visit to Michigan on March 8th to watch the Wolverines take on Michigan State, he told @Rivals.
Marshawn Lynch advised current and future Seahawks to “take care y’all’s chicken” as his NFL exit a half dozen years ago.
Six years later, Sam Darnold took him up on that. Literally.
One day after being honored with his teammate and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Kenneth Walker at Disneyland, the Seahawks’ newly minted Super Bowl-champion quarterback got more rock-star treatment Tuesday in the University District of Seattle. Darnold starred as the celebrity chicken-finger cooker, server, cashier and presenter at a “soft opening” for a new Raising Cane’s fast-food chicken joint two blocks west of the University of Washington.
The clamoring for him showed Sam Darnold is the Pacific Northwest’s, and football nation’s, newest superstar.
Two days after Darnold led his Seahawks to a 29-13 domination of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California, fans began lining up along Northeast 45th Street starting at University Avenue in Seattle at 9 a.m.
Darnold did not arrive until 3.
By the time he did, the roaring crowd chanting “SEA! HAWKS!” snaked down blocks west and south along Brooklyn Avenue, plus on both sides of NE 45th and both sides of “The Ave.” Officers from the Seattle Police Department, the Washington State Patrol and a private security company kept the estimated 1,000 people behind ropes and out of the Raising Cane’s.
The line of #Seahawks fans stretches blocks down NE 45th awaiting Super Bowl-winning QB Sam Darnold, just back from Disneyland, ceremonially open a new @raisingcanes spot in Seattle’s U District. Queue started 5hrs ago
Some waited seven hours outside on the 50-degree day for Darnold to talk to them for about 3 minutes. That was from a makeshift platform just outside the Raising Cane’s, along the sidewalk.
Darnold pumped his right first as college-aged kids screamed and chanted “SEA! HAWKS!” some more.
“I’m going to try to talk here a little bit,” Darnold shouted into a microphone, trying to be heard over the noise.
“YOU WON ME A HUNDRED DOLLARS!” a young man on the edge of the street yelled back. A guy in a white Seahawks number-55 Brian Bosworth throwback jersey nodded his approval as he filmed Darnold with his smart phone from just in front of the QB.
“You guys waiting out here — I know some of you have been waiting out here since 9 a.m. waiting to see us and see me here at this Raising Cane’s — I appreciate you, man,” Darnold said, wearing a Raising Cane’s shirt and cap. “I appreciate you!”
More roars.
“Thank you all for showing so much love. Not just right now, but throughout the entire season. On behalf of me, on behalf of myself and the entire team, man, we just want to thank you guys
“Oh, man, to be a Super Bowl champion for this city, for this franchise, for this organization, it means the world, man. Wouldn’t want it any, other way.”
An executive from Raising Cane’s, headquartered in Baton Rogue, Louisiana, asked Darnold about being on his fifth team in eight NFL seasons. The Jets, Panthers and Vikings gave up on him. The 49ers had him a backup to Brock Purdy for the 2023 season.
“Just stay close to the ones that believe in you,” Darnold said.
They cheered him eating--through a window
Inside, Darnold did more than an hour of promotional spots. He staged cooking and serving of chicken fingers and Texas toast from behind the counter. He ate chicken and pointed to the roaring fans out on the street. They were climbing light poles, bus signs and electric boxes—to watch him eat. “I love Raising Cane’s,” Darnold said at one point. “It’s my cheat meal on the weekend.”
He claimed he ate Raising Cane’s on Seahawks road trips. Those include catered meals—and, for some players, late-night DoorDash orders to the team hotel.
#Seahawks Super Bowl-champion QB Sam Darnold munching on Raising Cane’s and egging on the fans lining U District streets watching him through glass is a different kind of funny.
Some players from the University of Washington’s football team joined Darnold Tuesday for a group photo. Darnold introduced himself to each of them, giving each Husky a bro hug.
The newest Raising Cane’s will open in Seattle’s U District in about 10 days.
When it ended, Darnold walked out to The Ave., to more cheers. He walked around the back of and into the back, drivers-side seat of a matte-black Audi RSQ8, list price: $140,000, stripped.
“MOVE!” the security officers yelled to the fans shoving their camera phones into the windshield and side windows of the luxury SUV.
“MOVE!”
#Seahawks Super Bowl-winning quarterback Sam Darnold soft-opening a new @raisingcanes in Seattle’s University District—in an promotional spot as a cashier and food-deliverer behind the counter with a headset on.
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White was shot after an argument with rapper Lil Baby at a San Francisco nightclub, according to a police report.
The report states the incident occurred during a private party hosted by White at Dahlia’s, a nightclub on Mission Street.
The shooting is now under investigation as authorities work to establish exactly what happened. No arrests have been announced.
Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images for Dante's Inferno – Don't look Down: The Warm-Up Party
Police report details confrontation before gunfire
According to the report, Lil Baby, whose real name is Dominique Jones, and members of his entourage attempted to enter White’s private downstairs event. An argument then broke out between White and the rapper.
A witness told officers he went upstairs to seek assistance from management in an effort to defuse the situation. Moments later, two gunshots were heard.
When the witness returned downstairs, White had been shot in the left leg. Officers recovered a 9mm shell casing and a .45-caliber shell casing near the scene.
White undergoes surgery as case remains open
White was taken for medical treatment and underwent successful surgery after being shot in the ankle area. The 49ers have not issued an update on his recovery timetable.
The police report also states that White was uncooperative when asked who shot him. Authorities have not named a suspect.
Initial accounts suggested White was not involved in the dispute that led to the gunfire. However, the police report indicates that an argument between White and Lil Baby occurred before the shooting.
As the offseason continues, attention now turns to both the progress of the investigation and White’s recovery. For now, the situation remains active and unresolved.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Manager Thomas Frank of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning TSFers and happy Hump Day! I hope this post finds you in better shape than Thomas Frank, who was shown the door at our North London rivals. Spurs sacked Thomas Frank after yesterdays 2-1 loss to Newcastle at home. It’s a real shame that we didn’t get to face his Spurs team one more time. I thoroughly enjoyed the 4-1 in November. Ebere Eze did, too.
Spurs sit 16th, 5 points above West Ham for the final relegation spot with Nottingham Forest in between them. Manchester United’s late tying goal against the Hammers spared Spurs from being only 3 points clear of the drop zone. They’re dreadful and significantly hampered by injury. At last check, it was something like 10 first team players, and Wilson Odobert was forced off yesterday.
They’ve already starting briefing the media to smear Thomas Frank, although I think his record at the club does more than enough of that on it’s own. Reportedly, he irked people around the building with how much he’d talk about Arsenal and how good we are. Thomas Frank is definitely a Gooner.
Spurs’ next match is against Arsenal in 11 days. Yay, new manager bounce! On the other hand, it’s always nice to introduce a new Tottenham manager to the way of things quickly. It would be nice to spoil a new guy’s debut, interim or not. The Gunners will have played three matches between now and the NLD in 11 days too, so that’s not great. 4 matches in 10 days, with the 4th match against Spurs and a new manager. Very annoying.
We have five Premier League matches today:
Nottingham Forest vs. Wolves, 2:30 pm ET Aston Villa vs. Brighton, 2:30 pm ET Manchester City vs. Fulham, 2:30 pm ET Crystal Palace vs. Burnley, 2:30 pm ET Sunderland vs. Liverpool, 3:15 pm ET
The Seattle Seahawks squashed the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Sunday, Feb. 8, clinching their second NFL title. Now, all of Washington state is reveling in the team’s success.
Up to a million fans are expected to attend the Seahawks World Champions Parade on Wednesday morning, resulting in widespread road closures.
Visitors may face obstacles getting to and from the festivities.
Here’s what you need to know if you plan on joining in:
When is Seahawks World Champions parade? Where?
The Seahawks World Champions Parade will begin at 11 a.m Wednesday at the corner of south Fourth Avenue and Washington Street in downtown Seattle.
The parade route starts near Lumen Field and winds up at the Space Needle in Seattle Center.
What roads will be closed in downtown Seattle?
“There will be significant delays traveling through downtown Seattle” on Wednesday due to the Seattle Seahawks World Champions Parade, organizers said.
Streets that intersect with Fourth Avenue will be closed between Lumen Field and the Seattle Center between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., the release said, “with congestion along surrounding side streets.”
Interstate 5 and Interstate 90 on-ramps and off ramps will close briefly “at the start of the parade but will open shortly after,” organizers said.
Can I take the bus to Seahawks victory parade? Light rail?
“Parade and rally attendees are encouraged to take public transportation to and from the events,” organizers said, noting that Link light rail will “operate as normal.”
The Sound Transit 1 Line, that goes from the Lynnwood City Center station to the Federal Way Downtown station, will begin running at 4:59 a.m., according to Sound Transit.
Bus times vary throughout Washington, to find which route will bring you to Lumen field and the parade route the fastest, visit the Sound Transit website for schedules and maps.
Happy Wednesday, everyone! Tigers fans got an unexpected surprise yesterday when the team announced a one-year deal with Justin Verlander. Verlander, who began his career in Detroit, was a beloved former ace for the club, and the reunion—that might be more of a farewell tour—feels like an appropriate next chapter for both Verlander and the club.
In today’s news bites we’ll also look at Paul Goldschmidt’s reunion with the Yankees, plus the lockout-proof contract Cody Bellinger signed with the Bronx Bombers. We’ll also explore how the World Baseball Classic managed to help form some of the best pitching we’ve seen in MLB, and also puzzle out precisely how we’re all supposed to watch baseball this season.
We loved Kris here, but this is starting to look like it wasn’t the best signing for the Rockies…
The Rockies placed Kris Bryant on the 60-Day IL. Bryant did not play after April 12th last season, and has only played in 170 games since signing his seven-year, $182M contract with Colorado in 2022. pic.twitter.com/9MLFViuSjX
Now is prime time for the first stab at a Kansas City Royals roster projection. David Lesky started his take over at Inside the Crown with a good layout of the process.
Every year at the start of spring, I like to take stock of where the Royals roster is at that moment. What we see on February 10 (or whatever day I’ve started in the past) is generally a good chunk of what we’ll see on Opening Day, but there are always some surprise entrants. This year’s Royals roster is filled with some guaranteed spots, but there are still roster battles, both on the bench and among starters. Some of those battles may be more ceremonial than anything, but sometimes those become very real.
Today I’m going to start with the position players and tomorrow I’ll shift to the pitchers. Today, I’m going to include last year’s stats with each player. In another round, I’ll shift to some projections, including maybe even my own if I ever get those done. I look at this as a running piece that I’ll do every couple of weeks or when there’s a reason to make a shift and I’ll run it right up to probably around March 19 or so.
The offense should make a significant leap in 2026. That is due to both the new additions and the club’s decision to move the outfield fences in at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals expect an influx of extra-base hits as the changes are tailored to their lineup.
In the same vein, the pitchers welcome the new challenge. “I’m not even thinking about it really,” Wacha said. “As a pitcher, at least for me, you know, I’m going to stick to what’s worked for me. I tend to be more of a flyball pitcher, but I feel like I’m able to get weak contact at times as well. Hopefully, rely on that weak contact and get a bit more swing and miss than I did last year. I’m not too worried about it though.”
With an influx of teams being available through mlb.tv adjacent services, there is rightfully a flood of questions with few answers. How do you prefer your explanation? Perhaps from the source itself, MLB.com.
“We are proud of the award-winning production MLB has offered clubs while increasing the reach of the games, enhancing production features, and offering greater access to the players and game,” MLB Deputy Commissioner for business and media Noah Garden said in a release. “Additionally, we are listening to our fans who want blackouts eliminated. MLB’s in-market streaming option allows us to remove a point of friction for the fans.”
For the 15 non-RSN teams, MLB.TV subscription prices will be the same as last year — $99.99 per season or $19.99 per month. Fans can bundle a club’s local streaming service with an MLB.TV out-of-market subscription — giving them access to the entire league’s local games — for $199.99 per season or $39.99 per month, a 20% savings off individual pricing of the two services.
Those who subscribe to Spectrum, DirecTV, Fubo TV, Hulu Live TV and Verizon Fios have access to ESPN Unlimited subscription as a part of their TV plan. The rest, including cord-cutters, pay $29.25 per month for all of the ESPN networks. The local in-market streaming products for 14 teams whose games are produced by MLB will be available on the MLB site and through the teams. So far those teams are the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, San Dieg
Technically There’s No Double-Dip Subscription Required There has been some reporting that, under this new agreement, customers are locked into a dual-subscription model to access MLB.TV. Users may choose to retain ESPN Unlimited and access the wide range of other sports options available there, but there’s no requirement. Again, you have the option to opt out at any time.
As with Rogers, this is an aggressive rank that Bubic will have to earn — with both quality and quantity. He’s thrown 162 innings total at the big-league level over the last three seasons, with nearly three-quarters of those coming in 2025. Bubic was sensational when he was healthy, but he had his campaign end prematurely on account of a strained rotator cuff. Stay tuned.
For the Royals, a name like Durbin would’ve given even more cover at second over their questionable duo of Jonathan India and Michael Massey and Monasterio and his 111 wRC+ in 2025 provided a versatile infield upgrade over current utility options like Nick Loftin and Tyler Tolbert.
And while the Royals top trade piece from their starting pitching surplus, Kris Bubic, may not exactly match the Brewers return of Harrison – given the latter’s remaining team control and prior prospect pedigree – it’s not as if Bubic is their only tradeable starter.
An encouraging trend is that Jensen has bounced back in minimizing passed balls in his repeat of a level the following season. He improved by 15 points in High-A from 2023 to 2024. He improved by 16 points from 2024 to 2025 in Double-A. An encouraging part of his trend was that, while he had some regression in Omaha, he kept it below 0.20 (unlike his first stints in High-A and Double-A in 2023 and 2024, respectively).
Thus, while Jensen has some work to do, he will have plenty of time to improve his blocking skills during Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona. Thus, he should see some improved blocking metrics at the MLB level as a result, especially as he gets a bigger sample of innings behind the plate for the Royals in 2026.
Is he an old friend if he never pitched for the big-league club?
Kyle Wright to the Cubs. Minors deal with MLB camp invite. Wright is the majors’ last 20-game winner.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — In the gear world, there is often a massive chasm between a "good number" on a launch monitor and the "right feel" when a tournament card is in your hand. Rory McIlroy highlighted that distinction this week ahead of his 2026 PGA Tour debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, pulling the plug on a brief, high-profile flirtation with TaylorMade’s P7CB cavity-back irons that began in January.
TaylorMade's Rors Proto blades—a set he used when winning at Pebble Beach a year ago and while securing the career Grand Slam with his Masters victory last April—are officially returning to the bag for the tournament’s defending champion.
The search for a change originally began as a quest for improved heel-toe forgiveness. Even for a player of McIlroy’s caliber, the long irons can occasionally be a source of frustration; he admitted in Dubai that if there was "help" to be had, he’d take it.
McIlroy noted that a slightly mis-struck 5-iron with his blades was occasionally falling 10-15 yards short instead of five. The P7CBs, with their compact but forgiving co-forged construction, seemed like the perfect compromise—offering a stabilizing cushion on off-center strikes without sacrificing the profile he preferred to see at address.
While the data suggested the P7CBs were doing exactly what they were designed to do, the subjective feedback started to tell a different story. For a player who has spent his entire professional life manipulating a blade, the cavity-backs introduced a variable he didn't expect: a persistent drift to the right with his shots.
"I felt like the cavity backs just had a little bit of a right bias in them," McIlroy said during his pre-tournament press conference. "So whatever way the weight of the head was or whether it was the blade length, I would hit shots … I'd make swings that I feel like I'd make with my blades that would be a very neutral ball flight. And then with the cavity backs, they would just start to tail off to the right."
For McIlroy, it created a mechanical conflict. The added stability of the cavity-back meant the clubhead wasn't "releasing" at the rate he expected.
"I felt like in a way it’s not a bad thing because I don’t like seeing the ball go left," McIlroy said. "So it made me feel like I could fully release my iron shots, which is great in theory and great in practice, but then once you get on the course with a card in your hand, for so many years I'm used to feeling that like held-off position through impact."
The breaking point ultimately came during the heat of competition. In the controlled environment of a practice round, a player can adjust his timing to a new piece of gear. But during a competitive round, muscle memory takes over. McIlroy realized that trying to force a full release rather than relying on his natural, "held-off" feel wasn't working under pressure.
"It just didn't feel as familiar as I wanted it to," he admitted.
With the experiment officially in the rearview mirror, one of the most scrutinized bags in professional golf returns to a familiar state at Pebble Beach. The Rors Protos are back in the starting lineup, proving once again that in the battle between more forgiveness and decades of feel, familiarity usually wins out.
INDIANAPOLIS — Drury baseball standouts Connor Bain and Coleman Morrison earned a clean sweep of the Athletic Solutions Great Lakes Valley Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week honors after leading the Panthers to a series sweep of UAH over the weekend.
Bain kicked off his senior campaign with a dominant effort at the plate to lead Drury to its first 3-0 start to a season since 2022. The Troy, Illinois, native went a combined 7-for-9 at the plate in DU's season-opening doubleheader sweep of UAH on Friday, Feb. 6, including a 4-for-5 effort in a 10-7 win in which he homered, drove in three runs and scored three more. Bain added a 3-for-4 performance with a steal and another run scored in an 8-5 DU win in the nightcap, before driving in a run in the Saturday, Feb. 7 series finale, a 14-7 Panthers victory.
In all, Bain batted .571 (8-for-14) and slugged a team-leading .786 with a home run, four RBIs, four runs scored and a steal in Drury's three contests in Huntsville.
Morrison logged an impressive outing in his Drury debut, picking up the mound victory in the Panthers' season-opening win in the first game Feb. 6. A junior right-hander, he worked 5.0 hitless and scoreless frames, striking out six hitters and walking just two in a 79-pitch outing. Morrison fanned two hitters to escape the home half of the first inning, then retired nine-straight Charger hitters and allowed just two more UAH batters to reach base.
Feb 10, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Killyan Toure (27) and forward Blake Buchanan (23) reach for the loose ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the second half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
FORT WORTH, Texas – If you like beautiful, flowing basketball, hopefully you were watching literally anything else on Tuesday night. In a game that felt more like a 40-minute wrestling match than a Top 25 showdown, No. 5 Iowa State saw its momentum evaporate in a hail of whistles and missed opportunities, falling 62-55 to TCU.
The Stats of a Snail Fight
Let’s get the math out of the way, even if it hurts. Both teams played like they were trying to lose, but the Cyclones seemingly put in more effort to make it happen. ISU coughed up 17 turnovers and handed the Horned Frogs 19 points off those giveaways.
The “physicality” the announcers touted early turned into a slog where nobody could find the bottom of the net. While the Cyclones only got to the line eight times, going 2-of-8 (25%) at the charity stripe is the kind of stat that makes T.J. Otzelberger’s hair turn gray in real-time. Even a perfect night from the line would have left ISU a point short, which speaks volumes about an offense that looked uncharacteristically lackadaisical for long stretches.
Glitch in the Matrix
The weirdness peaked midway through the second half. With 10:48 remaining, a ball headed out of bounds was miraculously saved by TCU’s David Punch. He blindly chucked it back onto the court, where it fell perfectly into the lap of a wide-open Tanner Toolson for an uncontested layup. It was the kind of “lucky bounce” play that defined the night—TCU was just in the right place to benefit from the chaos, while ISU stood by and watched it happen.
The Final Collapse
Despite the sloppiness, the Cyclones actually had this one in their grasp. Iowa State fought out to a 55-50 lead with just 2:40 to play. Then, the lights went out.
The Cyclones failed to score another point for the rest of the game, watching TCU close on a 12-0 run. Between the points off turnovers and the late-game defensive lapses, this was a rare night where the “Cyclones Identity” went missing when the stakes were highest. They’ll need to find it quickly before they return home to the friendly (and loud) confines of Hilton Coliseum.
Up Next: The Cyclones return to Hilton Coliseum to host 9 Kansas on Saturday, Feb. 14. Tip off is scheduled for noon.
Sweden's Rasmus Wranaa and Isabella Wranaa celebrate with their gold medals after winning the Curling Mixed Doubles Gold Medal Game against USA's Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, as part of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/dpa
Domen Prevc thanked his parents after he and sister Nika helped Slovenia win Olympic mixed team ski jumping gold in the latest big success for the soaring family.
Along with Swedish siblings Rasmus and Isabella Wranå, who won curling mixed doubles gold an hour earlier on Tuesday, the Prevcs are believed to be the first brother and sister to take gold in the same Olympic event as a team.
“It means a lot, first of all because a brother and sister winning a medal together in an individual sport is something special and will go down in history. The feeling is amazing, it’s awesome, I had some goosebumps," Domen Prevc said.
Nika added: “Since I was a kid, I dreamed about a moment of winning an Olympic medal, but I never thought about winning it with my brother and this is much more special, one of the best moments in my life.”
Nika and Domen Prevc join older siblings Peter and Cene who won five Olympic medals in the sport in 2014 and 2022.
No wonder Domen Prevc found kind words for their parents, saying: "“For me this is the greatest thing I can give back to my parents.
"They put so much time and effort into giving us the privilege of being able to do this sport. I am super happy we can bring them a lot of joy and satisfaction," he said.
"They never really put pressure on us. They are always behind us regardless of how we fare. They always urge us on."
Nika and Domen Prevc have ruled the women's and men's World Cups this season and now hope that the team gold boosts them for the large hill events on Saturday and Sunday after Nika had to settle for silver and Domen only managed sixth on the normal hill.
"It’s really promising for me now what happens on the bigger hill. My focus is on how I perform on that,” Domen Prevc said.
(L-R) Slovenia's gold medallists Anze Lanisek, Nika Vodan, Nika Prevc and Domen Prevc celebrate victory after the Ski Jumping Mixed team competition of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milan-Cortina. Daniel Karmann/dpa
There’s never a dull moment when it comes to BKFC, and this weekend’s KnuckleMania VI event in Philly was no exception. You have all the gruesome action in the ring, where fighters are slicing and dicing each other up with their wrapped ‘bare’ knuckles. And then there’s usually at least two or three notable brawls going down in the crowd over the evening.
One of those brawls at KnuckleMania was between “Platinum” Mike Perry and former opponent Eddie Alvarez, whom Perry beat up so bad at BKFC 56 in 2023 that Alvarez’s corner stopped the fight after the second round. Video footage of the moment shows Perry talking to Alvarez’s son and then Alvarez giving Perry a big shove that put “Platinum” on the ground. And then the pummeling from all sides began.
“They welcomed me to Philly as one of their own,” Perry joked about the situation on X (formerly Twitter). “And that floor was slippery as heck & his wife fell on her face, and I laughed at her looks like I was just down underneath everybody slipping for the first minute.”
Mike Perry details what led up to the brawl with Eddie Alvarez at BKFC over the weekend! 👀 pic.twitter.com/1YIBXO74Nc
Asked what started the fight, Perry tweeted “Vodka.”
Now “Platinum” has gone on his Overdogs Podcast to shed more light on exactly what caused the fracas with Eddie Alvarez’s family.
“I got bumped from behind,” Perry explained. “I was in the front row. I turned around like, ‘Hey, excuse me.’ It was Eddie Alvarez’s son’s girlfriend. I said, ‘Excuse me, watch out,’ or something. And then the son kinda leans in and I was like, ‘I was talking to her,’ but that pissed him off. He was talking, then the wife just keeps screaming and yelling at me. And I was like, ‘Look, I’m sorry.'”
“So then the son gets on me about my family, and he’s saying, ‘Look, little hotheads can say some s–t.’ I’m looking at Eddie with a side eye, like, ‘Are you gonna get either one of them before I start cussing at them and stuff?’ I’m getting mad. I’m lit. I was lit when I got there. So when the kid said that to me, I got a little heated. He got to me. I said, ‘You’re gonna have to get used to that. People gonna speak to her,’ or something.”
“That’s when Eddie got up and pushed me really hard, and it’s like I just slipped,” Perry continued. “None of them started throwing punches until I fell down. I didn’t know who any of these people were. I didn’t even realize that many people was doing that. I wasn’t really getting hit. And then this one guy comes tries to knock him out, almost knocks out the girlfriend.”
So apparently Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez got in a fight in the stands this past weekend at Bare knuckle boxing 👊🏼#MMATwitterpic.twitter.com/kmQMVE25xT
Perry sounded more amused than angry about the situation.
“You know, I said something to his son to disrespect his son or whatever because he pissed me off. Eddie was doing what a dad should do, and he wasn’t really trying to get me on the ground. I don’t think from angles I saw, he wasn’t really trying to get in there … I be solo. I was next to my manager. At first, he was like [protecting me], but then he kinda just got body pushed out. And it’s okay, because I’m the fighter, you know? I’m used to it.”
Perry will hopefully return to the BKFC ring soon for an official fight, which will be just his second fight since a July 2024 loss to Jake Paul. According to BKFC president David Feldman, “Platinum’s” next opponent is “the biggest name that he ever fought times five. Huge name.”
“I am excited and I hope it does come together, [it] would be an honor,” Perry said of the match-up. “He’s definitely a legend. He’s done some legendary s–t, and we’re gonna probably get mean.”
Besides mock drafts, NFL analysts love to create power rankings as a way to break down the league.
Now, with the Super Bowl in the books and the league in the middle of a lull before the NFL Scouting Combine, there is no better time for outlets to drop their latest set of power rankings. Eric Edholm of NFL.com is the latest to drop his analysis, and he has the Tennessee Titans near the bottom of the pack.
Rank 27 - Tennessee Titans - 3-14
With the No. 4 overall pick in the draft and more than $100 million in projected salary-cap space, the Titans are geared up to provide a better work environment for Cam Ward. 2025, No. 1 overall pick struggled at times but also won over observers with his toughness and gradual improvement over the course of a long rookie season. He could use a true go-to receiver to complement his young targets, another tight end, and further reinforcements up front, and the Titans appear poised to spend in order to address those needs. But they've also struggled to maximize their big money-investments from recent years (e.g., Calvin Ridley, L'Jarius Sneed, Dan Moore Jr.), and there’s no guarantee that the best wideouts will even hit the market this offseason. As for the defense, Robert Saleh might eventually be able to put together a strong unit, but there are several holes on that side of the ball right now, too.
The Titans have moved up slightly after the hiring of Robert Saleh, after spending most of 2025 in the cellar, and a bit of a buzz is starting to percolate in Nashville. Erdholm is spot on that the team must make better investments with its salary cap dollars, though there is a chance that both Ridley and Moore can still pay off under new coaching and a different philosophy.
The Titans have multiple needs to address this offseason, and if they do so, they should be able to move up in the next set of power rankings.
At the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, Ryan Cochran-Siegle missed out on a gold medal by just .04 seconds. While he didn't come that close in 2026, Cochran-Siegle once again took home the silver medal in the super-G.
His performance this time around, however, was arguably more impressive. Cochran-Siegle was the third skier to make his run Wednesday, posting a time of 1:25.45.
While he briefly led the competition, a number of threats — including Switzerland's Marco Odermatt — threatened to knock Cochran-Siegle off the podium.
It didn't take long for the American to drop, as Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen hopped into first with a time of 1:25.32. With Odermatt looming, though, Cochran-Siegle's position was tenuous. Odermatt, who won the super-G at the World Cup in three straight years, was a massive favorite heading into the competition Wednesday. If he skied the way everyone expected, Cochran-Siegle would drop to third with standouts like Austria's Raphael Haaser and Norway's Adrian Smiseth Sejersted still to go.
But Odermatt took a slightly awkward turn about halfway through the race that knocked him off the gold-medal pace. That seemed to throw Odermatt off his game. After a blazing first portion of the race, Odermatt lost even more time after his midway stumble, finishing with a time of 1:25.60, putting him in line to take home the bronze.
That performance put Cochran-Siegle in a much better spot with a number of racers still left. With Odermatt failing to surpass Cochran-Siegle's time, two other skiers would need to finish ahead of Cochran-Siegle to knock him off the podium.
That wasn't a guarantee. In addition to Haaser and Smiseth Sejersted, there were three other skiers — Austria's Vincent Kriechmayr and Stefan Babinsky and Italy's Dominik Paris — in the event who finished ahead of Cochran-Siegle at the 2025 World Championships in the super-G.
Of that group, Haaser was already out of the medal conversation. He took the course just before Odermatt, posting a time of 1:25.89, which wasn't good enough for a medal.
With Haaser out of the picture,Cochran-Siegle slowly watched the other major threats fell short. Smiseth Sejersted, Babinsky and Paris didn't come close to the podium and Kriechmayr wasn't a major threat there either, despite posting a time in the top-10.
As the field quickly whittled down, it became apparent Cochran-Siegle's spot on the podium was secure.
Allmen's position was secure too. His time held up, giving him the gold in the super-G. It's his third gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics, as Allmen finished first in the downhill and helped Switzerland win gold in the team combined event.
The medal is Cochran-Siegle's second in the Olympics. He also took home the silver medal in the super-G in 2022, barely losing to Matthias Mayer in Beijing. Mayer shockingly retired later that year, and did not take part in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Iga Swiatek has made a strong start to her campaign at the Qatar Open, easing past Janice Tjen 6-0, 6-3 in her opening match.
Tjen had just pulled off a similar surprise against Beatriz Haddad Maia, dominating 6-0, 6-1 after Sorana Cirstea withdrew from their scheduled first-round clash.
But the Indonesian had no answer for Swiatek’s consistency and shot-making, with the match wrapping up in just over an hour.
The Polish star holds an impressive record at this event and is looking to add a fourth Doha title to her collection this week.
It was a convincing way to begin that pursuit, with Swiatek later reflecting on how she set the tone early against Tjen.
Iga Swiatek stays focused after opening set sweep in Qatar
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
After the match, Swiatek was asked by reporters about her remarkable record of 36 WTA 1000 sets won by a 6-0 scoreline, more than any other player. The question was whether she ever felt compelled to ease off and give away a game.
Swiatek responded: “I think when I was younger, I felt that way. But later on, you just want to win it.
“It’s sport so it doesn’t make sense to stop or play at 80%. I’m here to perform my best.
“I also always felt it wouldn’t be respectful towards the opponent to give them something because we’re here to play our best.”
With her latest win, Swiatek advances to the next round where she’ll face either Sorana Cirstea or Donna Vekic.
Swiatek eyes fourth Qatar Open title with clear path ahead
Swiatek’s consistency in handing out 6-0 sets has been remarkable, and she’ll look to continue that trend against Daria Kasatkina, who has already claimed two of her own in this tournament.
Swiatek goes into the match as a clear favourite, not just for this round but also to take home the title.
The Pole hasn’t played since her Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Elena Rybakina, who is also competing in Doha this week.
Rybakina faces a tough challenge against Qinwen Zheng, who has returned strongly from injury. Zheng has already taken down Sofia Kenin and Alycia Parks since returning to the tour.
This quarter of the draw also features a meeting between Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko, while Swiatek’s section no longer includes big names like Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova or Jasmine Paolini—all three have already been knocked out.
However, Jelena Ostapenko is still in contention. The Latvian defeated Swiatek in last year’s semifinal before falling to Anisimova in the final.
US snowboard star Chloe Kim is aiming for her third Olympic gold in women's halfpipe at the Milan-Cortina Olympics (Jeff PACHOUD)
US snowboard superstar Chloe Kim began her bid for a historic women's Olympic halfpipe hat-trick in style on Wednesday, dominating qualifying at Livigno Snow Park.
Kim, who had an injury-disrupted build-up to the Milan-Cortina Games, shot to the top of the qualifying times with a score of 90.25 on her first run.
Japan's Sara Shimizu, who won silver at last year's world championships, was second on the charts after posting 87.50 in the second of her two runs.
America's Maddie Mastro was in third spot with a score of 86.00, followed by another Japanese athlete, Rise Kudo (84.75).
Chinese veteran Liu Jiayu, the silver medallist at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, landed heavily towards the end of her second run, lying motionless on her back in the snow.
Officials raced towards her and she received lengthy medical treatment before being towed away on a stretcher, with her condition unknown.
Two-time defending champion Kim, 25, has dominated women's halfpipe since the 2022 Beijing Games, winning X Games gold in 2024 and 2025 and claiming her third world championship title last year.
But her build-up to the Games in Italy were badly disrupted by injury, including a dislocated shoulder last month while training in Switzerland.
Ester Ledecka, from the Czech Republic, and Austria's Anna Gasser both blew their chances of becoming the first snowboarders in Olympic history to win three titles in a row earlier in the Milan-Cortina Games.
But Kim will be favourite to make history in Thursday's final.
In the halfpipe, competitors perform a series of tricks while snowboarding down a slope with a semi-cylindrical shape. They are scored on the breadth and difficulty of the jumps.
The top 12 qualifiers advanced to the final based on their better run of their two runs.
The Olympics truly stand out as the most exciting and lively time on the sports calendar.
As the NHL pauses for intermission at the end of the first half of its season, players have the opportunity to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Hockey is one of the most captivating sports at the Winter Olympics. A key factor in attracting viewers and attendees, particularly when NHL players are involved.
The Sporting News has everything that you need to know about the upcoming hockey schedule at the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics.
Every 2026 Olympics men's hockey game will be streamed live on Peacock, with many also set to air on USA Network, CNBC or NBC. See the full game schedule below.
Peacock will carry every event of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics live. The NBC-owned streaming service's sports programming features live coverage of NFL Sunday Night Football, the NBA, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Premier League soccer, Big Ten football and basketball, Notre Dame football, Big East and Big 12 basketball, PGA Tour golf, and more.
John Heitinga among the options being considered to replace Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur
John Heitinga is among the options being considered to replace Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur, according to The Times. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club sacked Frank this morning and are looking at replacements ahead of the North London derby against Arsenal on February 22. Spurs could give Heitinga the job on a short-term basis, and the Dutchman took first-team training this morning.
The 42-year-old became Tottenham assistant head coach in January and has much-needed managerial experience having twice been in charge at Ajax. He was an interim manager at the Eredivisie club for the second half of the 2022-23 season before becoming permanent head coach ahead of 2025-26. Heitinga was sacked last November, returning to the Premier League to work with Tottenham having worked as assistant manager at West Ham United in 2023-24 and at Liverpool last season.
It remains to be seen whether he will get the job as Spurs are expected to make an interim appointment until the end of the season.
Arne Slot must bring star with one Premier League start into Liverpool XI tonight
Liverpool face Sunderland in the Premier League tonight. One star must be brought into the team.
Liverpool hope to get back to winning ways tonight as they travel to take on Sunderland in the Premier League. Though, 'back to winning ways' is something we've wanted for months now.
But the Reds just can't find any consistency. Their win over Newcastle United last week was their only Premier League win in 2026 and while it gave them confidence against Manchester City, they were simply outplayed by Pep Guardiola's team.
And for the same old reasons, too. Liverpool were far too easy to play against, with their press failing to trouble City. That's been the case against nearly every Premier League opponent this season.
That simply has to change or Liverpool aren't going to string together results at the rate they desperately need. One way to change that is to actually use one of the club's many forgotten players.
Wataru Endo can help Liverpool
Let's go back to last season. Wataru Endo was not a regular starter for Liverpool, in fact he started just once in the Premier League. Despite that, he did appear 20 times across the season.
It was how Arne Slot used Endo that was particularly notable. He'd throw him on at the end of games when Liverpool typically led and opponents felt they had to go for it.
Endo, the squad's only defensive midfielder, could sit behind the midfield press and sweep up anything that got past it. That made Liverpool secure enough to consistently see out the last periods of matches and seal the points.
It worked. Of Endo's 20 appearances, Liverpool won 16 of them. They won 16 of the 17 he made before May, when the title had officially been won and Slot started rotating his team.
That one non-win was a 2-2 draw at the Emirates, with Endo coming on for stoppage time to see it out.
The point is that Liverpool were more secure with Endo behind the press. That was a tactic Slot used and it worked wonderfully - but it's not happened this season.
For one, Liverpool do not typically face that sudden desperation from teams late on as they're not typically winning late on. Instead, they face a fight-back against the press from the very start.
The solution to that feels like actually starting Endo as a defensive midfielder. Having him sit behind the press and stop teams getting out that way.
It comes with the sacrifice of an attacking player but at this point, making Liverpool difficult to play against and backing the forwards to make it work feels like the sensible move. The team has failed time and time again to make the press work this season. Endo was the 'fix' last season late on in games and he's almost certainly the 'fix' right now, too.
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - DECEMBER 16: Braylon Mullins #24 of the Connecticut Huskies shoots against Drayton Jones #13 of the Butler Bulldogs during the first half of an NCAA men's basketball game at PeoplesBank Arena on December 16, 2025 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) | Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images
UConn men’s basketball (22-2, 12-1) looks for some redemption after losing its 18-game winning streak on Friday against St. John’s, as the Huskies travel to Indianapolis for a game against Butler (13-11, 4-9) at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs rank No. 78 in KenPom, with the No. 73 offense in the country, No. 107 defense and rank 97th in the NET. The team had high expectations coming into the conference season after a strong non-con, but have had two separate four-game losing streaks in Big East play, including an active one. Thad Matta’s group has been hurt by a combination of injuries and players not playing to the potential that everyone expected entering the year. In its last game, Butler lost to Marquette on the road in Milwaukee 70-55.
As for UConn, it sits at No. 6 in the AP Poll and No. 8 in both KenPom and NET. They have the fifth-most efficient defense in the country and peaked as high as second in that category. The Huskies had their biggest loss of the year by margin last time out, falling to St. John’s 82-71 at Madison Square Garden. They had 15 turnovers and shot 42% from the free throw line in the loss, surrendering a big second half run to the Red Storm that they weren’t able to overcome.
The Huskies are looking to keep pace with the Red Storm as both squads are 12-1 and seeking a regular season title with less than a month to go in the regular season.
Last time UConn played Butler, the Huskies handled business in their conference opener in Hartford back in December. Can UConn sweep the season series?
The Huskies and Bulldogs have played 12 times in their history with eleven of those times coming in Big East play. UConn has won all 12 matchups including the 2011 National Championship game. They last faced off on Dec. 16, 2025 when the Huskies beat Butler, 79-60 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford in UConn’s Big East opener this year. Solo Ball led four double figure scorers with a career-high 26 points, while Jayden Ross had a season-high 13.
Availability report
As of now, everyone should be available for the Huskies. The Big East availability report comes out three hours before tip-off.
What to Watch For
Now what?
For the past few months, even with winning some pretty close games it felt like the Huskies were invincible to everything and anything in their path. Was it realistic that they’d finish the season unbeaten in league play? Probably not, but each and every game made it feel more and more possible.
The 18-game winning streak, 12 of which came in the Big East, is gone, so now what? There isn’t time to pout or be upset if you’re UConn — it’s time to right the wrongs. The Huskies had 15 turnovers against St. John’s, nine of which were from Silas Demary Jr., and really struggled against the pressure the Red Storm brought for nearly the entire 40 minutes. They missed some big free throws down the stretch. These were big mistakes against St. John’s, but are fixable in the long run.
Dominant Duo
Solo Ball and Jayden Ross had arguably their best games in Husky uniforms against Butler earlier this year in the conference opener. Ball dropped a career-best 26 points on efficient shooting splits across the board, while Ross had 13 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench, his second highest point total in his career behind 14 against New Hampshire last season. While both scored the ball at a great clip, the defense they played was just as sharp.
“I kind of just went into the game just not trying to focus on scoring. I mean, the first thing I really did was get a block… I was really just trying to focus on my defense today,” Ball said after the win over Butler. “And when I took my mind off scoring, I just focused on that. I mean, I didn’t have to worry about how many points I’m putting on the board. I was just out there playing and having fun.”
Even though they’ve had solid nights here and there since, that game against the Bulldogs was really the peak of the season for both Ball and Ross, so it will be interesting to see how they play in their second game against them this year.
Breakout Star in Indy
When scouting Butler, Finley Bizjack stands out as a key player on the Bulldogs. The junior guard has been a budding star in the conference over the past few weeks and is taking advantage of a depleted Butler backcourt. In his first game against UConn this year, Bizjack scored just seven points in 32 minutes. That game remains the only one in league play this year he failed to reach double figures.
Since the calendar turned to 2026, Bizjack is averaging 20.8 points per game headlined by a career-high 30 last Wednesday in a double overtime loss to Providence. His splits are fascinating as well. In wins he’s averaging 19.5 PPG and in losses, 16 PPG on the dot. He also leads the Big East amongst qualifiers in 3-point percentage this year. In Butler’s four league wins, he’s scored at least 24 points in each game.
The Huskies are one of three teams to hold Bizjack to single digits this year (Northwestern and Southern Indiana did so as well), so it will be intriguing to see if the gameplan remains the same from December or if it changes seeing how he’s exploded as of late.
Back to the bench…
It felt like the talks and concerns about the bench for the Huskies was over after three straight phenomenal performances against Providence, Creighton and Xavier, but boy were we tricked. With everything that went wrong against the Red Storm, you could probably point to Malachi Smith’s minus-12 in four minutes and Eric Reibe’s minus-9 in five minutes as key parts of the loss. The minutes that the bench was in was when St. John’s built separation and extended its lead.
“I thought the bench was skittish a little bit. We looked sharp, and there was an immediate 7-0 run,” Dan Hurley said after the loss. “In games like this, your best players are gonna have to go 35-36 minutes.”
Things probably have to go pretty south for guys like Silas Demary Jr., Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. to all play that many minutes against Butler. Wednesday is a big opportunity for the bench to bounce back and give a better performance, and it may be necessary for UConn fans to see.
Starters are consistent, though.
Even with those bench struggles, the five regular Husky starters have all been very consistent in Big East play. All five – Demary, Ball, Mullins, Karaban & Reed – average between 12.8 and 13.8 points a night in conference action, one of the most balanced starting units in the nation. In the past four UConn wins, four different players were leading scorers.
Get used to the flight?
If UConn reaches its ultimate goals set at the beginning of the season, this week won’t be the only time that they’re flying to Indianapolis. If you haven’t caught my drift, the 2026 Final Four is going to be at Lucas Oil Stadium. The path to get there? That feels up in the air. As of right now, most bracketology projections have the Huskies as either the No. 1 seed in the South Region with the regional being played in Houston (most of which with the Houston Cougars as the No. 2 seed) or as the No. 2 seed in the East Region with Duke as the No. 1.
Derek McInnes joked "his mother and father have got a taser for me" after he celebrated Hearts' dramatic Edinburgh derby winner with a ball boy.
Substitute Tomas Magnusson's 88th-minute goal prompted Jambo euphoria on the Tynecastle pitch, in the stands and on the touchline as McInnes raced to embrace the ball boy and salute the supporters.
It wasn't the first time the youngster has been involved in McInnes' celebrations - the 54-year-old did the same thing last month when Hearts beat St Mirren with 10 men.
"I think his mother and father have got a taser for me," McInnes joked.
"I really need to leave him alone. There was fear in his eyes when I ran towards him.
"We're all the same, we just have that sheer elation.
"I actually thought it was still a wee bit longer to go. I was a bit delighted when I realised there was only a few minutes left, I thought there was still about seven or eight minutes and then I still wanted to navigate the extra time.
"So it was a bit different to Craig Halkett's goal [in the 1-0 win derby in October], but thankfully we managed to keep the danger away from the goal and get the all-important three points."
Sep 16, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders assistant special teams coach Byron Storer before the game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Browns are rounding out their coaching staff. Head coach Todd Monken has hired Byron Storer as his special teams coordinator, according to multiple reports. Also reported, Browns RB coach Duce Staley will be retained from Kevin Stefanski’s staff.
Storer came from the Green Bay Packers where he was the special teams coach for four years under respected coordinator Rich Bisaccia. He played three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2007-2009 as a fullback and a special teams demon after going undrafted in the 2007 NFL draft out of Cal.
In 2010, Storer latched on with the Bucs as their Assistant special teams coach for two seasons. He then moved on to the San Diego Chargers in the same capacity before being promoted to their Assistant LB coach in 2013. Storer left the coaching world from 2014-17 to assist with his family’s transportation business.
From 2018, he returned to the NFL to become the Special teams assistant with the Oakland, then Las Vegas Raiders for four years between 2018 and 2021 under Jon Gruden and then Rich Bisaccia.
After Bisaccia was fired, in 2022, Storer landed the Packers gig.
Staley played 10 years in the NFL as a running back, mainly with the Philadelphia Eagles, before a three-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He gained 5,785 yards with 24 touchdowns and a 4.0 average yards per carry. He was known for his soft hands as he caught 287 passes for 2,587 yards with another 10 scores.
He was instrumental in the development of both rookie running backs last year for the Browns in Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. Cleveland also had veteran Jerome Ford and Rocket Sanders on the roster. Ahmani Marshall was a practice squad member.
Thomas Frank took over at Tottenham in June 2025 after Ange Postecoglou was sacked (Adrian Dennis)
Tottenham Hotspur have sacked head coach Thomas Frank after less than eight months in charge following a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle on Tuesday, which left them a mere five points above the Premier League relegation zone.
The north London side are 16th in the table and without a win in their past eight Premier League games -- their worst such run since October 2008.
Spurs have won just two of their past 17 league matches and collected only 12 points in that time.
Frank, 52, replaced Ange Postecoglou, who was dismissed in June just over two weeks after leading Spurs to victory in the Europa League final.
The club hailed the former Brentford boss as "one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game" when they announced the Dane's appointment on a three-year deal.
But a Tottenham statement issued on Wednesday said: "The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men's head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.
"Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.
"However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary."
The statement also thanked Frank for his "unwavering commitment" and whished him "every success" in the future.
Frank led Spurs to automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League by finishing fourth in the group stage.
But that was offset by a Premier League record of seven wins, eight draws and 11 defeats this season, with Spurs also knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero described Spurs' predicament as a "disaster" following their 2-1 loss to London rivals West Ham last month but Frank insisted he had "the trust of everyone".
- Dour game plan -
Frank spent seven years in charge of Brentford, guiding the club from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021 and keeping the west London side in the top division despite relatively meagre resources.
Spurs finished 17th last season but qualified for the Champions League after beating Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao -- their first major trophy for 17 years.
Despite their struggles in the league under Postecoglou, the Australian's attacking style at least provided entertainment for long-suffering fans, in contrast to Frank's dour defensive game plan.
Frank said earlier this month that he shared the frustrations of supporters but he has also been hampered by a long list of injuries to creative players including James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus.
Although considered a member of the Premier League's "Big Six", Tottenham have not been crowned champions of England since winning the old First Division title in the 1960/61 season -- when they also did 'The Double' by lifting the FA Cup.
Frank is the seventh manager to part ways with a Premier League club this season.
Getting anything by former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly always proved to be an extremely difficult task. So maybe that's why the plan behind his "knock" into football immortality had to be quite elaborate.
Kuechly joined Panthers play-by-play announcer and broadcast partner Anish Shroff this week to chat and reflect upon his upcoming induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The franchise great would detail exactly how he, with the help of quarterback Andy Dalton and long snapper JJ Jansen, learned of his well-deserved election . . .
As Kuechly described, fellow Panthers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers was waiting inside his home to spring the news on him. Take a look . . .
Kuechly finished his decorated eight-year career with the 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Award, five first-team All-Pro nods, two second-team All-Pro nods and seven Pro Bowl selections.
He'll be enshrined into Canton this summer—along with Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Vinatieri.
The broadcast coverage of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics continues on Wednesday, Feb. 11 with NBC airing a number of replays featuring Team USA's athletes and the day's biggest moments. The games are exclusively airing across NBC's suite of networks with many competitions airing live on its streaming service, Peacock, which you can sign up for here .
USA TODAY Sports has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.
NBC Primetime schedule for Feb. 11
NBC's Primetime coverage kicks off at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday night with a recap of multiple sports from earlier in the day. Here's which sports will be featured, according to NBC's latest schedule:
All times Eastern and accurate as of Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at 2:02 p.m.
8:00 PM - PRIMETIME IN MILAN (REPLAY) Snowboarding, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, and more NBC, PEACOCK on NBC, PEACOCK
8:00 PM - ICE HOCKEY: Slovakia vs Finland (REPLAY) Men's Preliminary Round USA NETWORK, PEACOCK on USA NETWORK, PEACOCK
9:30 PM - CURLING: China vs Great Britain (REPLAY) Men's Preliminary Round USA NETWORK on USA NETWORK
11:00 PM - BIATHLON (REPLAY)(MEDAL EVENT) Women's 15km Individual USA NETWORK on USA NETWORK
11:35 PM - OLYMPIC LATE NIGHT (REPLAY) Freestyle Skiing, Snowboarding, and more NBC, PEACOCK on NBC, PEACOCK
COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 08: Michigan Wolverines guard Trey McKenney (1) dribbles while being guard by Ohio State Buckeyes guard John Mobley Jr. (0) and Ohio State Buckeyes forward Amare Bynum (1) during the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
On episode 190 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back to recap a disappointing loss to Michigan and preview two possibly must-win games over USC and Virginia.
To open the episode, the Buckeyes went 1-1 last week, with a win over a struggling Maryland team and a blowout loss to No. 2 Michigan. What went wrong in the second half against the Wolverines, and what should the takeaway be?
This week, the Buckeyes have USC and Virginia on the schedule. What do they have to do to bounce back, and how must win are these two games? We close the episode with that discussion.
Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning.
Texas A&M's 2025 football season ended with the program's first appearance in the College Football Playoff at 11-2, as then second-year head coach Mike Elko led the Aggies to their best start since 1993 after cruising to 11-0, but back-to-back losses to Texas and Miami in the first round of the CFP simply wasn't good enough heading into the 2026 offseason.
Yes, making it to the postseason for the first time was certainly an achievement, but Texas A&M's position from an NIL standpoint demands better results, especially after Indiana won its first National Championship under veteran head coach Curt Cignetti after years of being the proverbial doormat of the Big Ten. After losing more than a dozen players to the 2026 NFL Draft, Elko and his staff landed 17 players from the transfer portal, led by Alabama star wide receiver Isaiah Horton and Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka.
With starting quarterback Marcel Reed and ascending wide receiver Mario Craver leading the offense for the second consecutive year, plenty of questions surround the Aggies' ability to get back to the CFP after losing five offensive linemen and several defensive starters to the NFL Draft, but combined with the 17 transfer additions, Texas A&M's 2025 and 2026 signing class features a handful of young players who could earning key starting or rotational spots.
Among all 12 teams that made up the 2025-2026 College Football Playoff, Pro Football Focus writer Max Chadwick discussed the likelihood for every team's chances of making it back to the CFP next season, stating that, with everything I listed above, it gives Texas A&M a "medium" chance to earn its way back to the tournament.
"There are certainly reasons to feel optimistic about Texas A&M’s chances of making it back to the playoff. Wide receiver Mario Craver is a rising star at the position and leading rusher Rueben Owens is back as well. The defense lost plenty of pieces, but head coach Mike Elko has proven to be an excellent coach on that side of the ball.
"The biggest question surrounds quarterback Marcel Reed and how he develops as a passer with a new offensive coordinator in Holmon Wiggins. He was only on target for 53% of his passes in 2025, which was just 124th in the FBS."
Quarterback play will determine nearly every team's chances of making it back to the postseason, and for Marcel Reed, new QB coach Joey Lynch, Holmon Wiggins, and new offensive assistant Drew Hollingshead will be the coaches who will either receive praise or blame for Reed's performance in what could be his final season at the helm.
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.
Sam Darnold has admitted he wishes he had done more for the New York Jets after winning Super Bowl LX.
Sam Darnold reflected on his time with the franchise that selected him third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft while thanking New York Jets fans for their continued support.
His comments came after leading the Seattle Seahawks to a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images
Sam Darnold thanks Jets fans after Super Bowl LX victory
Sam Darnold explained what that support meant to him as a young quarterback finding his footing in the league.
Following the Super Bowl win, he made clear that Jets supporters had not been forgotten. He said, “Thank you.”
“That’s all you can ask for as a player, is to feel supported. Especially by the team that drafted you.”
Darnold began his NFL career in New York before spells with the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, and Minnesota Vikings.
He later signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with Seattle and delivered a championship in his first season with the franchise.
Darnold admits he could have done more for New York
The 28-year-old quarterback spent three seasons with the Jets after being selected in 2018. His tenure included multiple coaching changes and a 2-14 campaign in 2020 before the organisation chose to move in a different direction.
Despite lifting the Lombardi Trophy elsewhere, Darnold acknowledged lingering regret about his time in New York.
“I always look at myself and feel like I could’ve done a lot more for that franchise when I was there. The fact that [Jets fans] are able to support me even through that means a lot.”
Darnold’s journey from early struggles in New York to a Super Bowl title in Seattle marks one of the more notable turnarounds in recent NFL history.
His latest comments suggest that while the ring now sits in Seattle, appreciation for the Jets fanbase remains firmly intact.
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 10: Nicolas Jackson of FC Bayern Muenchen during a training session at Säbener Straße on February 10, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images) | FC Bayern via Getty Images
Jackson will reportedly not dress for Bayern Munich’s DFB-Pokal match vs. RB Leipzig later today:
According to Absolut Bayern, Nicolas Jackson has now been sidelined. The Senegalese player will have to watch Wednesday evening’s DFB Cup quarter-final against RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena from the sidelines.
At Tuesday’s press conference, coach Vincent Kompany announced that he would have to disappoint another star player . The reason for this is actually quite positive: all the players of the German record champions are currently fit.
If all the professionals remain fit, Kompany plans to rotate players in the stands over the coming weeks . Most recently, Kim was the one who missed out, as Bayern Munich have defenders like Josip Stanisic and Hiroki Ito available, who can play both center-back and full-back.
It would not be shocking for Jackson to be the next player left out based on his performances, but as the only other true striker on the squad aside of Harry Kane, it was thought that Jackson might have a leg up in sticking on the game day roster. If this report is true, that is clearly not the case.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
AC Milan announces that Primavera player Andrea Di Siena underwent surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament of his left-knee.
The operation, which took place at IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio in Milan was a success. Di Siena will begin his rehabilitation within the next 15 days.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic blocks out Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo for a rebound during a game earlier this season. The two were the leading NBA All-Star vote-getters in each conference. (Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place Sunday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Each year there are new twists to the game and activities during the three-day celebration of the best basketball players in the world. This year is no exception.
Here's what you need to know:
All-Star Game
When: Sunday, 2 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)
Where: Intuit Dome
For the first time the All-Star Game will become a four-game tournament between three teams — two with eight players each from the U.S. and one with nine international players. The top five vote-getters (50% fan voting, 25% NBA player voting and 25% media voting) in each conference qualified for the game while reserves were selected by NBA coaches. Since there was an imbalance of foreign players, Kawhi Leonard was added to a U.S. team.
Each game will be 12 minutes. If all three teams go 1-1 in round-robin play, a tiebreaker based on point differential will be used to determine the two finalists.
Team USA Stars
Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Devin Booker (Suns), Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Jalen Duren (Pistons), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Jalen Johnson (Hawks), Tyrese Maxey (76ers)
Team USA Stripes
Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Stephen Curry* (Warriors), Kevin Durant (Rockets), Brandon Ingram (Raptors), LeBron James (Lakers), Kawhi Leonard (Clippers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Norman Powell (Heat)
Team World
Luka Doncic (Lakers), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander* (Thunder), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Alperen Sengun (Rockets), Pascal Siakam (Pacers), Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
*-injured
Showing their skills
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome
The skills challenge is out this year, replaced by the shooting stars competition, which features four teams of three players. The shooting stars was last featured during All-Star Weekend in 2015. It's a two-round format, with the top two teams advancing to the final. Teams have 70 seconds to score points while rotating through seven designated shooting locations, with all three players on a team shooting at each spot in a set order. Competing are: Team Knicks (Jalen Brunson, Allan Houston, Karl-Anthony Towns); Team Harper (Ron Harper Sr., Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr.); Team All-Star (Richard Hamilton, Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren); Team Cameron (Corey Maggette, Kon Knueppel, Jalen Johnson).
The three-point contest has eight competitors and features five racks of five balls, four of them containing one “money ball” worth two points instead of one, and one rack of five money balls positioned at the player’s choice. There are also two “Starry ball” pedestals behind the third rack, to the left and right, worth three points. The top three shooters advance to the final round. Competing are: Devin Booker (Suns), Kon Knueppel (Hornets), DAmian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Bobby Portis Jr. (Bucks), Norman Powell (Heat).
The slam dunk contest, with a two-round format featuring four contestants, will cap Saturday’s festivities. Each of the four competitors are given 90 seconds to complete two dunks — with three attempts per dunk — for a judging panel. At the end of their time, they’ll be given one last attempt. The top two scorers advance to the final under the same format. Fans can score each dunk via the NBA ID app. In case of a tie, fan voting will be the tiebreaker. Competing are: Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat), Jase Richardson (Magic).
Rising Stars tournament
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome
A trio of Hall of Famers — Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady — will join not-long-retired Austin Rivers as honorary coaches in the four-team tournament. Three teams have been drafted from rookies and second-year players while a fourth team will be comprised of G League players. The semifinals will be decided by the first team to reach 40 points, while the championship game will be played to 25.
Kon Knueppel (Raptors), Kel’el Ware (Heat), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Alex Sarr (Wizards), Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks), Ajay Mitchell# (Thunder), Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers), Cam Spencer (Grizzlies)
Sean East II (Salt Lake City), Ron Harper Jr. (Maine), David Jones Garcia (Austin), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (San Diego), Alijah Martin (Raptors 905), Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley ), Yang Hansen (Rip City)
#-injured
G League Next Up
When: Sunday, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Convention Center
The G League Next Up game will feature four teams of seven players. It's a three-game tournament, similar to the Rising Stars and All-Star contests. The first team to 30 points will be the winner in each game. The top 10 players in fan voting received automatic invitations to the game, while the G League selected the next 18. They were then drafted onto four teams.
Full schedule
(at Intuit Dome unless noted)
Friday
10 a.m.: Rising Stars practice (NBA app)
4 p.m.: Celebrity Game at Kia Forum (ESPN)
6 p.m.: Rising Stars Game (Peacock)
8 p.m.: HBCU Classic, Hampton vs. North Carolina A&T, at Kia Forum (Peacock)
Saturday
10:30 a.m.: NBA All-Star media session (NBA TV)
1 p.m.: Commissioner Adam Silver news conference (NBA TV)
(Video): “We cannot drop points like this” – Chelsea’s most in form star blames “concentration”
Joao Pedro is Chelsea’s form player right now, and he did his part last night.
He scored one, assisted one, and while he did miss one chance to win it late on with a header, nobody is blaming him for that.
JP on Chelsea’s disappointing result
Joao Pedro scored his lovely chip against Leeds. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“We are very frustrated. We started well, controlled the game. 1-0, 2-0, in the end we conceded. This season has been like this. We have to be more consistent and focused to kill the game. Tomorrow we have to look at ourselves and improve,” the striker said.
“We need to clear the ball [for the second goal]. If you wait, what happened will happen. We need to be more focused and not concede like this. I think when things like this happens then you could win the game, I had a chance and Cole had a chance. It was not our day. We need to concentrate.”
“Of course. It’s a missed opportunity. Not only today, other games at home we dropped points. We had a lot of chances. Second half started good. We need more consistency. We cannot drop points like this.”
“I try to improve every day in training. I’m showing on the pitch what I’m capable of but I have a lot to improve..”
You can see the striker speaking in the clip embedded here:
In other news…
More bad news from the game came on the subject of Marc Cucurella. The defender hurt his hamstring, and right now we’re just hoping it’s not too serious. Rosenior gave his update, which you can see here.
In the same presser, the link up between Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro was mentioned. Rosenior chose to spread the praise out to the whole team, who had played some great football at times in the game.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 22: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs watch game action in the fourth quarter during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With Patrick Mahomes already headlong into his rehab and the Chiefs angling for Travis Kelce to lace ’em up for one more season, the vibes appear to be slightly back on the upswing in Kansas City. There are still plenty of issues to iron out beyond that, with tackle Jawaan Taylor’s contract (set to cost $27.4 million against the cap) and cornerback Jaylen Watson’s free-agent status being pretty pressing ones. The Chiefs have let defensive backs walk in past offseasons and could opt to do so again, but it would leave a void. There’s also a need to upgrade the pass rush, as reflected by GM Brett Veach camping out in front of the defensive line group for two straight days of the Senior Bowl. The Chiefs have the ninth overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, which would be their highest pick in more than a decade, and adding another pass rusher to go along with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis would make a lot of sense.
Two years ago, Evans admitted that he had seriously considered the Kansas City Chiefs the last time he hit free agency before signing a two-year, $41 million deal to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also admitted the Houston Texans were in the running, but that familial concerns led him to stay with the team that drafted him instead of making a move to a new market.
Evans is now two years older, which will make him 33 years old in August. He’s also coming off an injury-plagued year in which he missed half the season with a concussion and clavicle issue. Evans ended the year with only 30 catches for 368 yards and 3 touchdowns. Such signs might bring up “buyer beware” concerns, but anyone who watched Evans late last season knows he’s still an incredibly productive receiver.
Free agency is now in Evans’ future once again, and while it’s possible he’ll decide to call it a career after putting up Hall of Fame-worthy numbers over the last 12 years, his agent’s (Deryk Gilmore) most recent statement makes it seem like he’s going to be back next season.
That was the advice of Ben Solak on Tuesday, now that Jennings is preparing for free agency. The ESPN analyst sees Jennings and the Chiefs fitting very well next month, but not for Jennings’ ability to help Kansas City in the pass game.
“The Chiefs need to be more willing to block with their receivers in the running game,” Solak told Kay Adams on Tuesday’s edition of Up and Adams. “It’s the No. 1 limiting factor in their running game right now.
“Jauan Jennings with the 49ers, man, tough on third down, makes hands catches, physical. But he is an extremely willing blocker. He would bring a degree of physicality that the Chiefs desperately need at the position.”
The Chiefs’ video production company is called 65 Toss Power Trap because of the famous play the team ran in their Super Bowl IV win over the Vikings.
Coach Hank Stram was mic’d-up for the game and NFL Films hit the jackpot. Stram talking about 65 Toss Power Trap and matriculating the ball down field was gold.
“11 years, 150+ starts, 4 time captain, 4 NFC West Championships, 2 NFC Championships and 1x Super Bowl Champion. What a ride it’s been! I can look back on my career and smile knowing I have given everything I had and more to the game I love,” he wrote on Instagram. “In saying that, I am officially retiring from the NFL.”
Havenstein, a 2015 second-round pick, was the longest-tenured Rams player, spending all 11 seasons of his NFL career with the team.
Havenstein, a team captain for the past four seasons, started at right tackle for the Rams’ victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Havenstein, 33, started seven games for the Rams during the 2025 season, missing time with an ankle injury. He was designated to return from injured reserve during the playoffs but was ruled out before the NFC Championship Game.
During locker room clean-out after the Rams’ season-ending loss in Seattle, Havenstein said his ankle “was hurt enough to probably play but hurt enough not to play well.”
“It’s now been three years since I left the NFL, and I am extremely happy with my development,” Adderley wrote. “Health, family, and entrepreneurship were my top priorities, and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish. The freedom to manage my own schedule was very important to me, but what I didn’t realize was how much I’d miss having football in my life. The competition, the brotherhood, and just being involved in the game that means so much to me and my family. Therefore, I am officially announcing my intention to return to the NFL.”
The 28-year-old Adderley was a second-round pick of the Chargers in 2019 and had just finished his rookie contract when he announced his retirement. He is now a free agent and can sign with any team. Adderley was a starter for the Chargers, and a cornerback with the talent to start in the NFL will undoubtedly receive plenty of interest, even if he hasn’t played in three years.
“Keion White was a victim of a shooting and sustained a bullet wound to his ankle this morning in San Francisco,” the team statement read. “He is currently undergoing surgery at a local hospital. We will provide further updates when appropriate.”
White’s injuries are not life-threatening, according to a San Francisco Police report obtained by NFL Media.
No arrests have been made. The SFPD’s Strategic Investigation Unit (SIU) is handling the ongoing investigation.
SFPD officers responded on Monday just after 4 a.m. PT to a business on the 1700 block of Mission Street regarding a shooting, per the report. The officers located a victim who had sustained an apparent gunshot wound. The victim received aid and requested paramedics before being transported to a local hospital.
SFPD’s preliminary investigation disclosed that a verbal altercation took place between two groups inside a business prior to shots being fired by an unknown suspect.
Former NFL player Tracy Scroggins, who spent all 10 seasons of his career as a member of the Detroit Lions, has died at the age of 56.
Scroggins, who filed a lawsuit against the NFL in 2016, was described as a ‘a kind-hearted and generous man’ by his family in a statement confirming his death on Monday. No cause of death has yet been given he had been struggling with memory issues and depression for over 10 years.
‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tracy Scroggins,’ the Scroggins family said, via TMZ.
If Kelce doesn’t return, the Chiefs could splurge at tight end. Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is definitely the best receiving option, but he’s not a helpful blocker, and he will be expensive. Kansas City may not be able to be the top bid.
Isaiah Likely from the Baltimore Ravens is also an option for a receiving tight end, and an exciting one at that. Likely doesn’t bring blocking talent to the Chiefs, but he’s a smooth route runner who can make absurd catches.
A couple of veteran options are Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku or Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. Goedert doesn’t excite me as much with his injury history, but he is a true Y-tight end that can block. Njoku has more playmaking ability, but he could be expensive at 29 years old still.
With the Super Bowl officially behind us, it is time to look towards the 2026 season, and it is the most important year in Cincinnati Bengals history.
It is no secret that this offseason is crucial to the franchise’s future, and the front office will need to hit in free agency and the NFL draft to get this team back on track.
The Bengals have managed to miss the postseason in three straight seasons and now must do everything they can to break that incredibly frustrating streak in 2026.
ESPN NFL Nation recently shared their early 2026 power rankings going into the offseason, and the Bengals aren’t exactly getting much love, but it’s actually in a reasonable spot, all things considered.
The Zac Taylor-led squad comes in at No. 16 with the three offseason words stating, ‘improve the defense.’
“Cincinnati failed in its attempt to fix the defense. After a rough 2024 season, it actually got worse in 2025. The Bengals finished 27th in points allowed per drive (down from 26th the previous season). The Bengals need playmakers at each level, and defensive coordinator Al Golden needs to continue developing ascending players, such as defensive end Myles Murphy and cornerback DJ Turner II. Cincinnati cannot be passive in free agency when it comes to adding impactful players to the defense,“ Ben Baby wrote.
The front office has its work cut out for it with serious needs on the defensive side in almost every position, including DT, DE, LB, S, and CB.
On the flip side, nearly the entire offense will be returning in 2026, led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.
Fresh claims suggest that Texas politics, rather than basketball performance, may be driving Patrick Dumont and the Adelson family toward a potential Dallas Mavericks sale.
At the center of the argument is Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and the future of gambling legislation in the state.
Dan Patrick’s stance seen as a roadblock to Texas gambling
Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
A widely circulated claim by Texas litigator Christopher Kratovil argues that the political landscape under Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick effectively blocks casino expansion for years to come.
“Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is overwhelmingly likely to be reelected this November, and gambling will not pass the Texas Senate so long as he leads it.
“That means the earliest gambling could be legalized in Texas is the January-May 2031 Legislative session,” Kratovil wrote on X.
The statement frames Patrick’s leadership as a decisive factor in the timeline. As presiding officer of the Texas Senate, the lieutenant governor wields significant control over which bills advance.
If gambling expansion remains stalled until at least 2031, any development project built around a casino resort concept faces a lengthy delay.
The Adelson family, long associated with casino development, reportedly envisioned a large-scale resort arena anchored by the Mavericks franchise. Without legislative approval, that vision cannot move forward on schedule.
The timeline becomes more problematic when arena logistics are factored in.
“But what needs to happen by September 2031? The Mavs’ new arena to replace the AAC, needs to open.
“In other words, the timing just doesn’t work for the Adelsons’ casino-resort-arena plan, so they are now open to selling the team,” Kratovil added.
The American Airlines Center will eventually require replacement, and large-scale arena projects demand years of planning, financing, and construction.
If gambling legislation cannot realistically pass until 2031 at the earliest, it compresses the window for building a fully integrated casino resort arena before the projected opening deadline.
From a business standpoint, the misalignment is significant. A development strategy dependent on both legislative change and construction timelines cannot operate on uncertainty.
That is why political reality in Texas may be shaping ownership decisions more than on-court results.
Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mike Vrabel delivered a classy gesture to the media and New England Patriots staff in the days following Super Bowl LX.
Mike Vrabel addressed reporters after New England’s 29-13 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks and made a point of thanking those who covered the team throughout the season.
His remarks came as the Patriots processed a Super Bowl loss that ended their campaign in Santa Clara. The head coach chose to close his press conference with gratitude rather than frustration.
Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Mike Vrabel thanks media after Super Bowl LX defeat
The Patriots were beaten 29-13 by Seattle in Super Bowl LX, a result that ended their postseason run. Despite the disappointment, Mike Vrabel maintained a composed tone when he faced the media on Tuesday.
He expressed appreciation to reporters who followed the team across the season. He then recognised the role of the press in evaluating the organisation.
“I appreciate you guys, I don’t know how many people I got to see after the game but I want to thank you.”
“Thank you for covering us, thank you for the care that you gave a lot of these stories. We fully understand that we are judged, we are questioned.”
“That’s your job, that’s what you guys are here for. But [I] appreciate the respect that you gave us, gave me, gave our team, gave our organization.”
Vrabel’s tone marks shift from Bill Belichick era
Vrabel’s comments contrasted with the reputation New England developed during the Bill Belichick years, when press conferences were often blunt and guarded. His approach reflected a noticeably different tone as he closed out the season.
“Look forward to seeing you guys in April, maybe, or whenever I have to talk to you again. I know it is at the [NFL Scouting Combine], I’m just kidding.”
Vrabel also wished a happy birthday to Stacey James, the team’s vice president of communications. The gesture reinforced his appreciation for both the media and the staff supporting the organisation behind the scenes.
While the Patriots fell short on the field, Vrabel ensured the closing message of their Super Bowl campaign centred on respect and gratitude.
Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson set to be left out of Bayern squad to face RB Leipzig
With Bayern Munich’s entire squad currently fit, Vincent Kompany faces the difficult task of leaving one of the senior professionals out for Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal clash with RB Leipzig – just as he did for Sunday’s 5-1 win over Hoffenheim, when Kim Minjae was omitted.
According to TZ, it has been decided that Nicolas Jackson will not be in the squad this time.
The 24-year-old Senegalese striker has mostly featured as a substitute since joining Bayern on loan from Chelsea last summer.
So far, he has appeared 21 times across all competitions, making seven starts and scoring five goals.
Wednesday's quarter-final at the Allianz Arena will be kicked off at 20:45 CET.
Chloe Kim immediately launched to the top of the leaderboard in her first qualifying run. (Photo by Oliver Weiken/picture alliance via Getty Images)
picture alliance via Getty Images
LIVIGNO, Italy — Torn labrum and all, there’s no slowing down Chloe Kim when there’s an Olympic halfpipe in sight.
The American superstar snowboarder showed it’s all systems go for her third consecutive gold medal Wednesday, putting down a clean qualifying run that scored 90.25 — nearly three points clear of the rest of the field.
Though scores reset for Thursday’s final, when riders get three attempts to show their best, Kim’s almost effortless trick execution and noticeably elite amplitude on her first qualifying attempt answered every question about her mental and physical preparation coming into her third Olympics.
Two-time Gold medalist Chloe Kim WOWS with a huge first run in halfpipe qualifying. 😮💨🇺🇸
In January, Kim slammed her left shoulder into the top of the pipe on a training run in Switzerland, limiting much of her preparation for these Games. She spoke Monday about the brace she has to wear to compete, joking that it might actually make her better. Kim was also anxious because she hadn’t taken part in serious competition in nearly a year.
“Shoulder’s feeling good,” she said on Monday. “I have a shoulder brace, and it’s very securely taped, which kind of sucks at the end of riding because I have to rip the tape off and it’s awful. But it’s worth it.”
All it took was one run to prove her again that she’s just better than everyone else in women’s halfpipe.
Kim will attempt to make history Thursday, becoming the first snowboarder to win three consecutive golds. Shaun White won three halfpipe gold medals but in 2006, 2010 and 2018.
Brandel Chamblee is no stranger to taking shots at LIV Golf, having criticised the tour on more than one occasion since it first started.
There aren’t many voices in golf louder than Chamblee’s, and he’s never been shy about sharing his feelings on LIV Golf.
So when he actually backed the OWGR’s call to give LIV world ranking points, it raised a few eyebrows across the sport.
A few days after showing rare support for something involving LIV, Chamblee returned to a more familiar stance. He argued that The Players Championship should be considered a major, pointing to its strong field as justification.
It’s quite an opinion given that players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau haven’t taken part in years. If you take their absence into account, it isn’t as strong of an argument as it might have been otherwise.
Brandel Chamblee claims youngsters joined LIV because they weren’t confident enough
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
LIV undoubtedly have some of the most talented golfers in the world among their ranks, including the likes of David Puig, his fellow Spaniard Jose Luis Ballester, Michael La Sasso and Tom McKibbin.
Still, there’s a question about whether they truly match up to the hype that surrounds them. The always-outspoken Chamblee was recently a guest on The Sky Sports Golf Podcast.
It didn’t take long for the conversation to shift towards LIV Golf. Chamblee was asked why he believes certain young players decided to join LIV Golf in the first place.
Chamblee questions the reasons behind LIV’s appeal to young golfers
LIV has managed to attract some very good young players like Puig, Ballester, La Sasso and McKibbin. However, Chamblee is correct in questioning why those guys would opt for a league that doesn’t have the same history or reputation as the PGA Tour.
It’s hard not to see financial motivation playing a role in that decision. There’s also the possibility that they didn’t back themselves enough to break through at the top level without that early security.
The challenge now for those names mentioned above will be to prove Chamblee, and the golfing world in general, wrong.
With world ranking points now available to LIV players who finish inside the top 10, it should give them a fair shot at qualifying for majors more regularly.
In terms of raw ability, Puig and Ballester look well-equipped to make an impact in professional golf. The question is whether LIV’s structure will allow them to fully develop or end up limiting their progress.
Chamblee has made it clear he thinks these players lacked confidence in their own potential. We’ll have to wait and see if his assessment holds up over time.
Indeed, his contract expires in June, with the Nerazzurri yet to decide whether to offer him a new deal.
However, his exit would force the club to sign an adequate replacement, with Weston McKennie emerging as a potential target.
Inter Milan to Undergo Midfield Overhaul in the Summer
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
In addition to Mkhitaryan, Inter could reluctantly sever ties with star playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu.
Heavily linked with a move to Galatasaray, Calhanoglu has yet to pen a new contract, with his current one running out in 2027.
Needless to say, the 32-year-old’s potential departure would leave a sizeable gap in the engine room.
Meanwhile, Inter had identified Roma’s Manu Kone and Atalanta’s Ederson as Calhanonglu’s successors last summer.
However, they’re now considering swooping for Sassuolo’s rising star, Ismael Kone, who has impressed this season.
The South African club Mamelodi Sundowns has decided to provisionally suspend its performance analyst, Mario Masha, who is suspected of leaking sensitive internal information related to the first team.
A long-standing figure in the technical staff, Masha joined the club during the era of coach Pitso Mosimane and had been considered a trusted member within the sports management team.
Despite his denials, club management opted to temporarily remove him from his duties while a thorough investigation is carried out to shed full light on the matter.
Mamelodi Sundowns suspend their analyst ahead of the showdown with MC Alger
According to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the investigation focuses on the possible transmission of tactical plans, data from training sessions, and passwords granting access to analysis platforms used by the technical staff.
This delicate situation arises just days before a crucial encounter against MC Alger, now coached by Rulani Mokwena, the former Sundowns boss.
In the CAF Champions League group standings, Sundowns are currently third with 6 points, trailing Al-Hilal (8 points) and MC Alger (7 points), with the final matchday of the group stage approaching.
Napoli is weathering a worrying storm, and the defeat against Como in the Coppa Italia has only deepened an already profound sense of unease. Not long ago crowned champions, the Neapolitan club now appears fragile, undermined by injuries, poor performances, and an instability that can no longer be hidden.
"Let’s not always talk about the referees, because there’s always someone complaining after every match. This season has not been good for the referees or for VAR, because everyone is complaining."
The coach even called out the head of Italian refereeing directly:
"I think Rocchi needs to improve the quality of his referees, and I need to improve VAR."
But beyond VAR, Conte truly unleashed his frustrations about the club’s sporting situation:
"What an absurd question! How can you predict injuries to Di Lorenzo, Lukaku, or De Bruyne?"
He wrapped up, stinging:
"From now on, I’ll always use the number 2 at every press conference… they have zero titles."
A statement that perfectly sums up the tension of a Napoli side on the brink.
Tottenham Hotspur have fired manager Thomas Frank as the north London giants sit just five points above the relegation zone with 12 games of the season to go.
Frank, who was hired from Brentford in the summer, has led Spurs to just seven Premier League wins this season as they've been on an awful run of just two wins in their last 17 league games.
Yes, injuries have hit them hard but results and performances just haven't been good enough under Frank and Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle was the end. Spurs fans in the stands on Tuesday sung "you're getting sacked in the morning!" to Frank and it turns out they were right.
In a real Jekyll and Hyde season, Spurs finished fourth in the UEFA Champions League league phase to secure automatic progress through to the last 16. But that wasn't enough to save Frank as his tactics and style of football were never embraced by the Spurs faithful.
Below is the statement from Spurs on Frank's firing.
Tottenham Hotspur statement on Thomas Frank sacking
"The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men’s head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today. Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.
"However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary. Throughout his time at the club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the club forward. We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future."
What now for relegation-threatened Spurs?
This is an extremely worrying situation for Spurs but is this that much of a surprise? Nope.
They finished just above the relegation zone last season as Ange Postecoglou prioritized winning the UEFA Europa League and even though Spurs have flourished in European action once again this season, it underlines the main issue: motivating the players to perform week in, week out.
Injuries aside, this is a massive problem for whoever comes in next to sort out.
Even with injuries Spurs have the quality to be in the top 10, at the very least, with this squad. Their results in Europe, and against some of the Premier League big boys this season, prove it.
With Mauricio Pochettino's name sung loud and proud by the Spurs faithful last night, plus the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva also set to be available for nothing this summer, there will be plenty of options for Spurs.
But they need help now. Will there be a short-term hire to get them going and stay up in the Premier League? Or will Spurs try and go all-out to hire their new long-term manager now who will immediately be under pressure and in a perilous situation?
Whatever the Spurs hierarchy decide, they have to get it right. They haven't with the last few managers and Spurs are slowly becoming a cautionary tale of how not to run a football cub, at least on the actual footballing side of things.
Lewis Hamilton locks a wheel in the new Ferrari in the early stages of testing, with the car running aerodynamic rakes to measure the airflow across the bodywork [Getty Images]
Red Bull's Max Verstappen ended the first morning of the first Bahrain test with the fastest time.
The test, which runs until Friday, is the first of six days at the Bahrain International Circuit this week and next as the Formula 1 teams seek to understand their new cars before the start of the championship next month.
Verstappen's fastest time of one minute 35.433 seconds, set on the medium compound tyre, was 0.169secs quicker than McLaren's Oscar Piastri, using the soft.
Headline lap times in testing are notoriously unreliable as indicators of form as the specification in which the cars are running is not made public.
That is even more the case this year after the biggest rules reset in F1 history, with new regulations for chassis, power-units, tyres and fuel coming into force.
Energy management will be a key facet of the new season, and the teams and drivers are beginning their explorations of the best way to manage the hybrid engines and their electrical components for optimum lap time.
That said, the four teams expected to be closest to the front were in the top positions, with pre-season favourite George Russell of Mercedes third fastest ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.
Williams, who are having their first serious run with their car after delays forced them to miss the week-long 'shakedown' in Spain last month, were seventh fastest with Carlos Sainz.
The Spaniard was behind the Haas of Esteban Ocon and 18-year-old British rookie Arvid Lindblad for Racing Bulls.
The Aston Martin team, the centre of a great deal of interest with their first Adrian Newey-designed car at the start of their engine partnership with Honda were towards the back - Lance Stroll, who is driving all day on Wednesday, was more than four seconds off the pace.
Each team ran one driver in the morning session with the others drivers, including world champion Lando Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, taking over in the afternoon session from 12:00 GMT.
England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that he underwent successful surgery after suffering a nasty facial injury when he was struck by a cricket ball during a nets session.
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The 34-year-old all-rounder shared images of his swollen and bruised face on social media last week, showing a heavily blackened eye, a graze across his cheek and lip, and a bandage in his nose. Adding a touch of humour to the worrying incident, Stokes captioned one of his posts: “You should see the state of the cricket ball.”
On Tuesday, Stokes updated fans from the hospital with another photograph, confirming that the procedure had gone well.
“May not look like it but the surgery was a success,” he wrote, reassuring supporters while also highlighting the seriousness of the injury. Reports suggest that the England skipper was not batting or bowling at the time and was instead standing beside the nets when the ball struck him.
The surgery comes at a challenging time for Stokes, who has just returned to England following a disappointing Ashes tour that ended in a 4-1 series defeat to Australia. While he has reiterated his desire to continue leading the Test side, his long-term captaincy remains under scrutiny as the England and Wales Cricket Board conducts a review.
Stokes has been absent from England’s white-ball setup since the 2023 World Cup and is not part of the ongoing T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. His next appearance could come in county cricket for Durham before England’s home Test season begins against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4 — a match that coincides with his 35th birthday.
"West Ham look transformed at the moment," according to ex-Hammers winger Matt Jarvis.
The 39-year-old was speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast following West Ham's 1-1 home draw with Manchester United.
West Ham have picked up 10 points in their last five games, after 14 points in their opening 21 games.
"They look an attacking threat and solid at the back. It's been a good period of time for West Ham," said Jarvis.
"It [the belief] wasn't [there a few weeks]. It's there now. You look at the performances and atmosphere. A really great response."
Speaking about forward Crysencio Summerville, Jarvis said: "He's been outstanding. He was out for a long time with injuries and now he's in such good form. He's electric when he gets the ball. He's working back like everyone else.
"Taty [Castellanos] up front is running all day long. He's making sure the opposition defence don't have enough time on the ball to do what they want.
"Now they're a squad who are together. The crowd, the atmosphere last night was a massive difference to what it has been."
Tottenham Hotspur announced the sacking of manager Thomas Frank earlier today with the club 16th in the Premier League.
Spurs are now in a precarious position ahead of the upcoming North London derby that could see them edge even closer to the relegation zone.
A look at the various bookies is always a good barometer of who would be considered the next permanent manager and who is an outside choice.
For some, John Heitinga is the most likely to be named next permanent manager. Brought in midway through this season as an assistant after managing Ajax, the former defender is tipped to take over in the interim and perhaps a turn of fortunes could see that being made permanent.
With the news of Roberto De Zerbi leaving Marseille by 'mutual consent', the Italian seems like a likely appointment especially having Premier League experience in charge of Brighton & Hove Albion.
On a similar note, Marco Silva is yet to sign a new Fulham contract which expires this summer meaning that Spurs wouldn't even need to pay the Cottagers any compensation.
Familiar faces often appear as front runners. After recent league seasons, some fans surely have nostalgia for Mauricio Pochettino who is currently in charge of the USA national team but could potentially be an option after the World Cup. Surprisingly, one bookie has Ryan Mason with odds of 12/1 despite his short stint in charge of West Bromwich Albion this season.
Former Spurs striker Robbie Keane currently has his Ferencváros side second in the Hungarian top flight, level on points with league leaders ETO and may wish to return closer to home having also coached in India and Israel. Moving back to midfield Scott Parker and Michael Carrick are named by some bookies but the odds suggest such an appointment is unlikely to happen. Indeed, Carrick is either 80/1 or 25/1 depending on where you look.
Of the recently-departed or soon-to-depart managers of this season Oliver Glasner, Ruben Amorim, and Enzo Maresca are all high on the bookies' lists although they all come with their own specific risks.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder and Former England U21 international Carney Chukwuemeka open to playing for Austria
Sky Germanyand Bild report that Borussia Dortmund midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka could make a switch in his national allegiances.
Chukwuemeka is said to be considering switching from England to Austria when it comes to his international football future.
Ahead of the World Cup this summer, head coach Ralf Rangnick and the Austrian football association have made another attempt to get Chukwuemeka to represent Austria at the international level. This would be the second attempt of the OFB and Rangnick, as they made a previous attempt in 2023, with no success:
“As far as we know, he is a player who wants to play for England and not for Austria.”
The 22-year-old is eligible to play for Austria, having been born in Vienna, but chose to represent England, playing a role in the under-19 Euros winning side in 2022.
Chukwuemeka’s international options:
Away from playing for Austria, the midfielder is also able to play for Ghana as well as the England senior side, but it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will be able to play for the England senior side due to the quality in their team, unless he can drastically turn around his form.
At the World Cup in the summer, Austria plays Jordan, Argentina and Algeria. While Chukwuemeka could also feature in the friendlies against Ghana and South Korea as early as March.
Jamie Greenwood stepped in as interim academy director after Torpey’s exit, while Brentford scoured the market for a permanent successor.
The Bees carried out interviews in January before deciding that Rainford was the right man to lead their academy into its next phase.
Greenwood is expected to remain at Brentford in a full-time position once Rainford officially begins his role in the spring, with the club keen to maintain their set-up.
Rainford arrives in West London with plenty of experience in youth development. Since 2020, he has worked at the Premier League as head of education and academy player care.
In that role, he supported academies across the country, helping young players carve out clear pathways from the grassroots level to professional football.
Even as an academy director, Rainford brings a diverse background to the job, having experienced the game from inside as a former midfielder.
While turning out for Dagenham & Redbridge in 2008, he was also teaching at a local school in Barking.
He was the only semi-professional player in the Football League at some point, balancing life in the classroom with life on the pitch.
Earlier in his career, he also served as assistant manager at Chelmsford City during the 2012/13 season.
With Rainford’s experience in player development and education, Brentford will hope he can guide the academy forward and help produce the next generation of talent for the club.
Speaking on Rainford’s appointment, director of football Phil Giles said: “On behalf of everyone at Brentford, I’d like to welcome Dave to the club.
“Everyone I spoke to during the recruitment process spoke extremely highly of Dave and his work at the Premier League over recent years – he is an extremely impressive person.”
David Rainford added: “I’m incredibly proud and excited to be joining Brentford.
“The club’s culture, ambition and values strongly resonate with me, and I’m highly motivated by the opportunity to lead an Academy that embodies that identity, both on and off the pitch.”
Cadillac Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas was quick to get a call from Netflix's Drive to Survive producers after he secured a contract with the American outfit for the 2026 season.
Cadillac will join the F1 grid as the 11th team in 2026 with the experienced driver line-up of Bottas and former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez. Graeme Lowdon serves as the team principal, and Zhou Guanyu has taken the role of reserve driver alongside Colton Herta as the team's third driver.
The eighth season of Drive to Survive will follow the on and off-track events of the 2025 season, so it is reasonable to assume an episode will be centred around the highly anticipated team.
"Yes, they have [been in touch]. They want to start planning, but it's how it always goes, they always want to have time with every driver. Will they use it or not? That's what they decide later on," the former Mercedes driver explained to F1 photographer Kym Illman.
While Bottas confirmed that the feature had been filmed, there is no guarantee that it will be part of the final cut.
"I would be surprised if they don't do anything with the new team joining the sport," he continued. "So, I'm kind of hopeful that they will feature the team and their drivers."
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
Drive to Survive Season 8 will be released on 27 February 2026 on Netflix. Further information is yet to be revealed about the upcoming season, but it is likely going to comprise 10 episodes.
Looking back at the 2025 season, the docuseries is likely to include episodes focused on McLaren's intra-team battle, Christian Horner's Red Bull exit, Lando Norris's maiden drivers' championship title, Lewis Hamilton's first year at Ferrari, Nico Hulkenberg's first F1 podium, Red Bull's second driver, Max Verstappen's comeback and Cadillac's debut preparations.
We asked for your views on who Tottenham should appoint after sacking Thomas Frank. Here is a selection of your thoughts...
Colin: Harry Redknapp and Jermain Defoe until the end of the season. Then get Mauricio Pochettino back... but the owners need to sell.
Anthony: I think someone like Redknapp or Ryan Mason until the end of the season to try to keep us up. If we go down, a lot of players will leave.
Richard: Robbie Keane.
Nathan: Something had to happen before things got any worse. Frank was never the right man for the job. I feel for him with all the injuries, and we have to question why there are so many, but he should still be able to get more out of the players available. Put an interim in place, get Mikey Moore back from loan and appoint Oliver Glasner in the summer.
Dave: Get Big Sam! He'll save them from relegation!
Theo: Frank seems like a genuinely good bloke and has been dealt a tough hand, but ultimately the style of football was never good enough and we're stuck in a rut that demands change. My vote is for Roberto de Zerbi. He's a loose cannon but his teams play the way we want and he'll always be entertaining. He'll never be a long-term appointment but it will be a lot more fun along the way!
Amit: Redknapp for now, I hope. Steady the ship. Then Poch with some money to recruit after the World Cup. Our recruiting has been awful. As for Frank, there's probably a good manager in there somewhere but the stats don't lie. He had to go.
OMAHA, Neb. — On a cold Friday night in January, the volleyball attracted more than 15,000 fans.
It featured U.S. Olympians and international stars, top-level coaches and intense competition that stretched over most of three hours. Among rosters filled with recent college All-Americans, several former Nebraska and Creighton standouts delivered local flavor and excitement.
Dignitaries sat courtside. A USA Volleyball representative took a chair behind the service line.
The environment offered a snapshot of volleyball bliss — something of a pipe dream three years ago for spectators, participants and leaders in the sport. Booming at the youth and collegiate levels in the United States, women’s volleyball has found footing on the pro scene.
“I don’t know that there’s any easy way to quantify it. But it’s huge,” said Erik Sullivan, coach of the U.S. national team. “This is the final piece of the puzzle to get this thing going where it needs to go.”
With key markets ripe to foster growth as the United States prepares to host the FIVB World Championship with Canada in 2027 and the Olympic Games in 2028, a question remains: Is volleyball positioned to showcase its best product while the window is open?
For decades, professional opportunities existed exclusively overseas. Now backed by big-name investors, TV contracts, sponsorship dollars and ownership groups tied to top American pro sports, two bona fide pro leagues have emerged since 2023: Major League Volleyball and League One Volleyball.
The organizations jostle for top players, fans and recognition. Ultimately, they’re fighting for viability.
“I hope they don’t cannibalize each other,” Sullivan said.
In Omaha, hailed as the “Mecca of volleyball,” the aforementioned 15,000-plus gathered not at one venue — but at two, simultaneously, on Jan. 30.
LOVB matched its Nebraska squad against the team from Madison, Wis., at Baxter Arena. The home team won 16-14 in the decisive fifth set, powered by Nebraska native Jordan Larson, the four-time U.S Olympian, and Brazilian icon Ana Carolina da Silva.
Eight miles away, downtown at the CHI Health Center, the Omaha Supernovas of MLV defeated the San Diego Mojo 21-19 in the fifth set, a thriller played before a crowd of 11,608. In starring roles for Omaha were Kiara Reinhardt, Reagan Cooper, Brooke Nuneviller, Merritt Beason, Sydney Hilley and Morgan Hentz, former All-Americans from Creighton, Kansas, Oregon, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Stanford, respectively.
Sarah (Wilhite) Parsons, a veteran outside hitter for the Supernovas, played seven seasons in Europe, Asia and South America. In the past year, she has had a taste of LOVB and MLV.
“I’m just blown away every time I think about the fact that I get to play in the States,” Parsons said. “My job is to be grateful for where I’m at, where my feet are. I have a lot of friends in both leagues who are having amazing experiences. So there’s really nothing bad to say about the situation.”
But the pro structure could function more efficiently.
The Supernovas compete as one of eight teams in MLV, rebranded last August after two seasons as the Pro Volleyball Federation. LOVB (pronounced “love”) operates independently as a six-team league with a different organizational model than MLV.
“You have two entities that are spending significant resources to get this thing going,” Sullivan said. “Part of me wants to think, ‘Wow, what if we had all of that combined into one?’ That seems like it would be more beneficial.”
Competition creates discomfort, Sullivan said, which breeds growth.
What stands in the way of a merger? It’s complicated.
Sullivan himself has chosen a side. He coaches LOVB Austin, which won in Omaha against LOVB Nebraska on Feb. 1, two days after the crosstown head-to-head between leagues. A group of Sullivan’s LOVB Austin players attended the MLV match as the Nebraska-Madison contest was played that Friday night.
“You think and you hope that the end result is a great and really strong professional league,” Sullivan said. “On the national side of things, it’s just created more opportunity for more people.”
With that, everyone agrees.
“More volleyball is a good thing,” said Sandra Idehen, the recently appointed first commissioner of LOVB Pro. “For so many years, our best and brightest, most talented players weren’t visible to the domestic audience.
LOVB, in addition to Omaha, Austin and Madison, plays in Salt Lake City, Atlanta and Houston. MLV teams are based in Omaha, San Diego, Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, Indianapolis, Columbus, Ohio, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Both leagues plan to expand into three new markets in 2027. Both are backed by multiple rounds of fundraising. MLV announced $100 million in committed support last year. LOVB received a $100 million investment in 2024, led by private equity firm Atwater Capital, in addition to an initial stake of $60 million.
Both leagues have TV deals. MLV partners with CBS, the Roku Channel and ION. ESPN platforms and the USA Network air LOVB matches.
Players in both are paid base salaries of $60,000 to slightly less than $200,000.
Their pay compares favorably to many overseas options; however, top players in the Italian and Turkish leagues can earn seven-figure contracts.
“This gives young kids something to dream about, something aspirational,” said Jaime Gordon, CEO of the American Volleyball Coaches Association. “Prior to this, the majority of them were dreaming about playing in the Olympics.
“That still exists, but now you give them something else.”
Something more attainable.
“I think this is a defining moment,” said John Cook, the former University of Nebraska coach who amended his retirement plans last summer to buy a piece of the Supernovas and serve as their general manager. “There’s a golden opportunity for volleyball to take off. It’s one of the reasons I got involved.
“We’re sitting on something that can really go.”
A third pro organization in the United States, Athletes Unlimited, has operated since 2021 with a monthlong fall schedule to provide additional training. Its rosters mix players from MLV and LOVB — the primary competitors in this volleyball race.
An icy kind of recognition exists between two leagues.
“Their product is just different,” said Jen Spicher, the CEO of MLV. “Their business model is different. Personally, I don’t — and I know our board of directors and our owners don’t — believe it’s sustainable.”
LOVB leans into a grassroots ecosystem, connecting with club programs at the youth levels to build brand value and equity with athletes. The organization was founded in 2020, more than four years before its first pro match in 2025.
Affiliations with current and former college stars paid off in allowing LOVB to sign the top American talent. Ten of 13 players from the silver medal-winning 2024 U.S. Olympic team have competed for LOVB squads.
Consequently, its level of play more resembles the Olympic style than in MLV.
“We’re focused on what differentiates us — the caliber of play, Olympic athletes and top international athletes,” said Idehen, the LOVB commissioner. “We’re making sure this is the gold standard.”
A higher percentage of international players fill out LOVB teams. MLV teams feature a heavy mix of former college stars.
MLV holds a draft annually in November and aims for a traditional, pro-league structure. Its 2025 champion, the Orlando Valkyries, made history in December as the first American team to compete in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship.
“That was a monumental moment,” Spicher said.
“Our league is about rising stars. Our league is about connecting with those people that don’t even know volleyball exists.”
For Parsons, the Supernovas’ outside hitter who played professionally on three continents, the milestones are more personal. She kept an eye on volleyball in America in 2024 as the first full-fledged pro season began.
Parsons played at the time for Kuzeyboru in the top Turkish league.
“It felt far away,” she said. “But even the fact that people were talking about playing in their home cities and having the chance for family and friends to sit in the stands, I don’t want to say I was jealous.”
But she was a bit jealous.
Parsons and her husband, Jameson, wanted to have a child — but not while Sarah lived overseas. She planned to play for LOVB Madison in 2025. Parsons was pregnant as the season approached. Her son Ezra was born early in the year. She required a C-section and did not compete in the LOVB season, which spans January to April.
When Parsons, the 2016 AVCA Division I National Player of the Year at Minnesota, began to train again last summer, she connected with Hentz, the former Stanford All-American. They served together as alternates on the 2024 U.S. Olympic team. Hentz played for the MLV’s Atlanta Vibe in 2024 and 2025. She had signed for 2026 with the Supernovas, coached by ex-Team USA assistant Luka Slabe.
The decision was that simple for Parsons, who joined Hentz in Omaha in the MLV. At age 30, Parsons, with her son and husband alongside, doesn’t give a moment of thought to the rivalry between American leagues — and what might be lost amid a fractured landscape.
“To me, it’s more opportunity for volleyball,” Parsons said. “Women’s volleyball is growing. Women’s sports are growing. And so I think at this point, it is a positive thing.”
Players who enter the pro leagues straight from college occasionally face more painstaking choices. In some cases, they negotiate with both leagues.
Eva Hudson, the former Kentucky and Purdue All-American, was drafted in the third round two months ago by Atlanta of the MLV. She would have slotted higher, but Hudson made it known before the draft that she planned to sign with LOVB.
She debuted this month with LOVB Atlanta. The Vibe retain her MLV rights for two years.
“It’s an added stress,” Hudson said. “It was hard picking between the two, because both are great leagues. I’d like to see one league. It would be easier. We’d have all the talent in one place.”
Crossover is inevitable.
Former Penn State libero Gillian Grimes signed before this season with MLV’s San Diego Mojo as a second-round pick. She was waived in early January and added to LOVB Madison’s roster three weeks later.
Meanwhile, Pitt star Olivia Babcock is set to enter pro volleyball in 2027 as the most talented American rookie since the U.S. leagues began play.
Babcock has twice won the AVCA player of the year and the Honda Award for volleyball. She returns as a senior opposite hitter for the Panthers in 2026, seeking a fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four. When her time comes this year to pick a professional path, she holds more cards than most.
“I still have absolutely no idea,” Babcock said.
The landscape can appear confusing — to fans and to players. Babcock said she studies the moves of 28-year-old Team USA opposite hitter Jordan Thompson, who plays for LOVB Houston. Babcock, 20, also watched last year as Pitt teammates Brooke Mosher and Bre Kelley were drafted and signed with MLV teams.
“I’ve had a few introductions,” Babcock said. “But I haven’t entertained any of it. Just based off what I’ve heard, it’s similar to the recruiting process out of high school. But even more exciting. This is your career.”
The NFL and the NBA achieved their current structure after competing leagues merged.
It’s a fact not lost on leaders in volleyball. But executives in LOVB and MLV remain bullish about their prospects to succeed without joining forces.
No merger is imminent.
“It doesn’t mean that it won’t be in a year or two,” Spicher said. “You never say never.”
Sullivan, the U.S. national team coach, said he hopes it happens, but he’s not fearful that the window for success will close anytime soon.
“I think there’s enough surge and growth behind the sport that someone’s going to come out on top, or a combination of the two,” he said. “Eventually, we’ll get to whatever that model is.”
In Omaha, the Supernovas play in the larger arena with more resources devoted to event management and staffing. Market to market, the fan experience — and the process to produce it — varies.
Both leagues plan expansion next year in Minnesota and the Bay Area in California. LOVB is adding Los Angeles, while MLV will expand to Washington, D.C.
The moves allow MLV to align with groups that own stakes in the Minnesota Wild, Sacramento Kings, Buffalo Bills and DC United. Likewise, LOVB has identified ownership groups for three of its six original clubs and two of its three expansion teams for 2027, said Rosie Spaulding, the former COO and president of LOVB.
“It’s accelerated far faster than what I would have imagined when we started this,” Spaulding said.
Friday through Sunday in Kansas City, the midseason LOVB Classic features one match involving each of the league’s six teams.
The race is assuredly on.
In the boardrooms, it plays out in the form of competition for celebrity influence and investors. The initial list of LOVB backers featured Kevin Durant, Candace Parker and Jayson Tatum. MLV got Joe Burrow, Kerri Walsh Jennings and those deep-pocketed pro sports owners — Dan DeVos, Craig Leipold, Viveke Ranadive, Theresia Gouw and Jason Levien.
Colleen Craig, owner of the Atlanta Vibe, said she saw an opportunity in pro volleyball a decade ago. But the market was not yet primed. It is now.
“You don’t have to re-invent the wheel sometimes,” Craig said. “(MLV is) focused on professional sports. We are building a model that sustains.”
ESPN reported a one-year viewership increase for volleyball of 36 percent during the 2025 collegiate regular season. Two NCAA semifinal matches and the national championship drew audiences of more than 1 million viewers. The Dec. 21 final, a Texas A&M sweep against Kentucky, peaked at 1.7 million.
Attendance records in college have fallen repeatedly since August 2023, when Nebraska drew 92,003 for a match inside its football stadium.
The MLV commissioner said she fields weekly requests from parties interested in bringing a team to “this city or that city.”
“People believe in the product that we’re putting on the floor,” Spicher said. “And they believe in what we’re doing. They understand that this sport is pretty special, that these athletes are obviously very special.
Feb 4, 2026; WInston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece (60) celebrates his win during the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium | Credits- Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
For much of his NASCAR Cup Series career, Ryan Preece bounced from team to team, often blending into the background and posing little threat to the sport’s top contenders. That narrative shifted the moment he signed on as the third piece of the RFK Racing lineup alongside Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher.
After a fantastic maiden season in 2025, he began 2026 on a highly promising note by winning the Cook Out Clash on February 4. He has now built on that already hyped momentum by winning once again.
Preececaptured victory in the Tour-Type Modified division during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway on Tuesday night. It marked his 14th win in that division.
Completely elated after the successful run, he said, “I’m just having a lot of fun. These past seven days have been a lot of fun, racing with my dad, racing with my friends. To go from Bowman Gray, drive down here, race the Late Model, and then race this Modified and get back to victory lane, it was really cool.”
Preece went on to declare that he hated losing more than he loved winning. The best competitors in sports would agree.
That’s also a statement that will work wonders for the RFK Racing driver’s marketing team if and when he scores a bullseye mark in the Cup Series. The endurance that he has displayed in all this ought not to be ignored. He was able to race and win again, in such proximity to the 2026 Daytona 500, despite the delay caused by the Clash. Such commitment is exactly what he will need over the course of the year.
Preece has high hopes for the Daytona 500
Any NASCAR driver will have dreamt of holding the Harley J. Early trophy at least once in their career. Preece has the same ambition. His attempt at the Great American Race will be starkly different from the ones in the past. He and his No. 60 team are refuelled with a mindbending level of confidence and belief, all coming from his performance in the Clash.
He said, “I don’t know if they’ve experienced winning like this, and what I know from my own experience is when you win, it’ll create this monster in you where you want to win again.”
“I know I had that burning desire, and my team had it, but now they’re going to want it even more, and yeah, I believe in momentum, and I believe our team is going to go into the Daytona 500 and we’re going to be ready.”
Newcastle fully deserved their 2-1 win at Tottenham but it was a concern that they did not win more comfortably, says ex-Magpies defender John Anderson.
Malick Thiaw put Newcastle ahead with Archie Gray equalising before Jacob Ramsey netted the winner.
"They made hard work of it," said BBC Radio Newcastle summariser Anderson at full-time.
"It should have been more comfortable. Against better sides you won't get away with it. We dominated.
"Spurs were so open and so stretched. We didn't take advantage of it and then gave a bad equaliser away. That's a problem, that'll be a concern. For a side who were on top that length of time and Spurs created nothing, they get a goal out of nothing.
"Then we had to go chasing the game again. There will be tougher games to come.
"It was important win. A deserved win."
On seeing boss Eddie Howe come over to celebrate with the away fans at full-time, Irishman Anderson added: "You can see what it means to Eddie Howe.
"He knows how important this was. If we hadn't won then the pressure would have been really on and mounted up. It's a really big win."
New Washington defensive coordinator Daronte Jones spoke in a mild, enthusiastic tone; he didn't seek to fire up the fan base.
Jones spoke Tuesday at his introductory press conference, becoming the new defensive coordinator for the Commanders, replacing Joe Whitt Jr., who held the position the last two seasons (2024-25). One of the most noticeable elements from Jones was how he did not speak. There was no big talk of how this defense will punish people, arrive violently, get to the quarterback, etc.
When asked what his defense will look like, Jones interestingly replied, "I'm not going to say, you know, all the typical coaching buzzwords, but I will say that when you turn on the tape, joy would be one, all right? That would be the number one thing that if you turn on the tape or you watching TV from wherever you may be watching from, to see the joy that these players have when they step on the field, the joy that they have when they're playing with one another, the comradery. That's the number one thing that we want to have on the defense."
#Commanders DC Daronte Jones touched on how he had to sleep in his car early on in his coaching career. Not only did he touch on that experience but he shared what kept him going and the renewed mindset he gained from that: pic.twitter.com/Wr5cwVf95d
Nobody had in mind that Jones would say the number one thing he wants to see out of his defense is "joy". Nobody, not a single person. Why would Jones want to see joy, first? " I think when you see joy out there, guys are playing selflessly, and you're seeing a team defense, and you're seeing guys who they don't care who makes the play long as someone makes the play, and they're willing to take on a double team or take this pick so that you can kind of clear up."
We also learned that Jones wants his defensive personnel to view 'sacrifice' as a very positive thing. "They're going to learn that the word sacrifice, although it has a negative connotation, will be seen in a different light. Meaning it's not what I'm willing to give up. It's what I'm willing to do for (the defense)?
Jones did reference his personnel being expected to play intelligently, not selfishly for themselves. "You want to see guys playing with some type of, some high IQ, some type of intelligence out there and communicating. So, the joy is the number one thing that you want to see. I'm not going to use any other buzz words that, you know, trigger things, but joy would be the collective unit."
'Joy' is not synonymous with happiness. Jones use of 'joy', Tuesday, left me thinking he might actually understand this important distinction. Happiness is most often a result of our human circumstances. Thus, it is not unusual to hear people talk of how they are not happy, are looking for happiness, want to find someone who will make them happy...
In addition, joy is much deeper than happiness. Therefore, when circumstances are not going well, one may not be happy or giddy; yet, one very much possesses a deep and profound sense of joy. This person may be enduring a tough trial, yet they carry a joy that finds peace in knowing they are part of something much greater than themselves.
More than a sunny disposition, Jones might be looking for men who have a peace, an endurance, and delight that persists through tough times, far beyond mere happiness.
No. 8 Nebraska (21-3, 10-3) returned home to face No. 12 Purdue (20-4, 10-3) on Tuesday night. In a Big Ten thriller, the Huskers came up short in overtime, falling to the Boilermakers 80-77.
Nebraska forced overtime following an immaculate comeback in the second half, erasing a 22-point deficit that occurred due to a lopsided first half. Purdue throttled Nebraska out of the gate, opening up the first on a 14-1 run before heading into halftime up 40-24. But the Huskers outscored the Boilermakers 44-28 in the second.
Purdue started hot, shooting 16-of-37 in total in the first half, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Nebraska slowed the Boilermakers down from there, allowing just 12-of-39 in the final 25 minutes. But in overtime, Purdue hit 2-of-8 from beyond and 4-of-7 from the free throw line. The Husker shot just 1-of-2 and 2-of-2, respectively.
Nebraska finished 26-of-59 from the floor, 12-of-32 from 3-point range and 13-of-20 from the line. The Boilermakers, however, shot 28-of-76, 13-of-46 and 11-of-20, respectively. Purdue also controlled the boards, outrebounding the Huskers 54-37.
Rienk Mast led the Huskers on the night, scoring 18 points after shooting 6-of-13 in total, 4-of-7 from three and 2-of-4 from the free throw line. He also led Nebraska with six rebounds and seven assists.
Jamarques Lawrence scored 16 in the loss, finishing 6-of-9 from the floor, 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and 2-of-2 from the foul line. Pryce Sandfort shot 4-of-12 in total, 2-of-9 from the 3-point range and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
The Huskers remain at home for their next game, welcoming in Northwestern for a Saturday matchup. Tipoff is set for noon CT on the Big Ten Network.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
Tom Wagner became Birmingham chairman in 2023 [Rex Features]
Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner has suffered a stroke, the Championship club have revealed.
The 56-year-old American, who took control of the Blues in 2023, is recovering and will step back from his daily responsibilities "for a period of time".
A club statement said: "Thanks to rapid medical intervention, he received immediate treatment and is now receiving excellent care. We are pleased to share that he is making a good recovery.
"Tom remains closely connected to the club, and we all look forward to welcoming him back.
"Birmingham City Football Club is incredibly important to Tom and to the entire Knighthead team. Their commitment to the club is unchanged, and our plans and operations continue as normal under strong leadership."
SCL, a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management that was co-founded by Wagner, bought a 45.98% stake in Birmingham in 2023 and last November increased it to 96.64%.
Saudi Arabia becomes likely option for Barcelona midfielder facing uncertain future
Barcelona could face an unexpected decision regarding the future of Marc Casado, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a possible destination if his role at the club becomes limited next season.
According to a recent report from AS, the young midfielder’s continuity is not guaranteed, mainly because of the growing competition in Hansi Flick’s squad.
While the coach wants Casado to stay, he cannot promise the same level of involvement the player enjoyed during large parts of the previous campaign.
Since the 2024/25 season, the situation in midfield has changed quickly, as Frenkie de Jong and Pedri remain key figures in the team, while Marc Bernal is starting to make a strong impression.
Gavi is also expected to return soon, which will further increase competition for places. On top of that, new names are beginning to appear, such as Tommy Marques, who recently made his debut with the first team.
For now, Casado’s priority is still Barcelona, but he is aware of the reality around him and the fact that his role could change.
Options to explore
If he does decide to explore a new challenge, Saudi Arabia is one of the options on the table.
Since November, the player has been represented by Jorge Mendes, an agent with strong connections in the Saudi market.
Casado could move to Saudi Arabia in the summer. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
With the financial strength of the Middle East, the possibility cannot be ignored, especially if a major offer arrives.
However, at 22 years of age, Casado is not expected to make a permanent step away from Europe unless the conditions suit his sporting ambitions.
Any potential move would likely be considered only if it includes a clear route back to European football, similar to deals seen with other players in recent seasons.
Not a new proposition
For what it is worth, interest from Saudi clubs is not new, as teams from the region showed interest in Casado during 2024.
Meanwhile, within the dressing room, Casado is a respected figure. He is seen as an important presence within the group and has built a close connection with several teammates.
Those relationships, along with his attachment to the club, could still play a key role in his final decision.
For now, everything remains open. At the end of the season, both the player and the club are expected to assess the situation carefully.
While Barcelona remain his preferred option, the doors to both the Saudi Pro League and the Premier League are open if his role becomes uncertain.
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 24: Jayden Quaintance #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats looks on from the bench in the second half against the Ole Miss Rebels at Rupp Arena on January 24, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Will Stein has been a head coach for just a few months, but he moves like a veteran executive. From the moment he arrived in Lexington, Stein understood that the job was too big for one man.
To succeed in the SEC, he knew he needed an elite front office. He didn’t hesitate. He brought in Pat Biondo from Oregon as his General Manager and Pete Nochta from Louisville as assistant GM to help build the roster. The result? A strong portal haul and a roster that makes sense.
Mark Pope is in Year 2, and he has taken a different approach. He has leaned on his coaching staff to double as his front office, trying to close out recruitments while also scouting opponents and developing players. The results have been mixed at best.
The ‘do no harm’ trap
Pope has been open about his hesitation to hand over the keys. “We’ve seen places around the country where it’s been an epic disaster, and we’ve seen places where it’s been functional,” Pope said back in December. “When it lands right, we’ll do it. But it’s not something that we want to rush into, because it can be really costly. There’s the do-no-harm vibe.”
That “do no harm” vibe is understandable, but in 2026, inaction is harm. While Pope is worrying about disrupting the culture, Will Stein is adapting to reality. “That’s why I’m hiring a general manager… To help us through this,” Stein said. “You just gotta be adaptable. You know? You gotta be able to change with the times. It is what it is.”
I love the coach’s “I can do it all” approach, but sometimes less is more. Hire someone you can trust, who shares your vision of success, and let them do their job.
The Jayden Quaintance case study
You don’t have to look far to see where a GM could have saved Kentucky basketball a major headache this season. Look at the Jayden Quaintance situation. Pope bet big on the young big man, despite the fact that he was coming off an ACL injury.
This is not to shade Quaintance; when healthy, he is a unicorn. But betting a significant portion of your NIL budget and a roster spot on a teenage giant transitioning from a major knee surgery is a massive risk. A General Manager’s job is to mitigate risk. A GM would have been on the phone with doctors and surgeons. A GM would have likely advised Pope that the risk was too high and pointed him toward a safer, more productive option.
A GM could have made the business case: Save the money on the gamble, buy the sure thing.
Instead, Pope made the emotional choice to bet on talent; he isn’t the only person to do that. If he had been healthy, I think probably 90% of college coaches would want Quaintance.
But he isn’t, and the roster may end up paying the price if he can’t get back on the court.
Looking ahead to 2026 yields more questions than answers
It seemed like Kentucky was in a really good spot to land a couple of difference makers out of the high school ranks. Tyran Stokes was rumored to commit before Halloween, and that kind of faded away. Now, most people believe he is a Kansas lean if not Kansas-bound.
Then you have Christian Collins. The number 2 player in the class of 2026 seemed to be ready to sign, until he wasn’t. There are some real complexities to this relationship. First, a kid from California wants to stay in California more often than not. You can go back to Johnny Juzang, who came to Kentucky for Cali, only to transfer back to UCLA. Whatever the case may be, Collins is now most likely heading to USC.
Mark Pope said he was excited about where recruiting was heading for 2026, but it is tough to see where the momentum is coming from. Caleb Holt recently spoke on where he was going; most people have it down to Arizona or Alabama. That seems to be the most likely situation.
Then you have Jordan Smith, but he is almost certainly heading to John Calipari. While Brandon McCoy is focusing on Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas, and Miami (FL).
So, who is left?
Miikka Muurinen is a player that Pope has been in contact with, and he recently confirmed his goal was to play in the NCAA. However, he is currently playing professionally in Serbia, and with the Charles Bediako case taking center stage, the NCAA may make some changes to eligibility rules.
So, the whole class likely hinges on 2 guys who may not get cleared by the NCAA. That is not where you want to be with all the resources that have been dedicated to closing the deal. Of course, high school recruiting can flip on a dime, but there is not a lot for fans to get excited about.
The CEO needs a CFO
A GM could have identified the roster imbalance at point guard. They could be fielding calls from agents during recruiting and portal season. They could be building a list of targets for next season, so Pope doesn’t have to waste time scrolling through text messages. The head coach should always have the final say on who plays and who gets on the team. But he shouldn’t be the one negotiating the contracts, checking the medicals, and vetting the agents. That is just too much for a one-man job in today’s NIL world.
Will Stein figured that out before he coached his first game, impressive. Mark Pope is a brilliant basketball mind, but he needs to stop trying to be the GM, too. It’s time to hire help so he can get back to doing what he does best: Coaching the team.
Drew Holbrook has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time, he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion
KALYANI: Bengal thumped Andhra by an innings and 90 runs in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals at the Bengal Cricket Academy (BCA) ground here on Tuesday to complete the last-four lineup.
The Abhimanyu Easwaran-led side will now play Jammu and Kashmir at the same venue from Sunday, while Karnataka will face Uttarakhand in the other semifinal in Lucknow.
Bengal, already assured of semifinal berth by virtue of taking the first-innings lead, decided to settle for no less as they bowled out Andhra for 244 to wrap up things half-anhour before the tea interval on the fifth day.
Bengal last played the Ranji semifinals in the 2022-23 season.
Former India middle-order batter Nitish Kumar Reddy played a lone hand, scoring 90 as Andhra lost four wickets in the first session and two after the lunch interval. The injured KS Bharat did not bat.
Resuming at overnight 64 for three, Andhra lost three wickets in consecutive overs to cave in early, with Shahbaz Ahmed acting as the destroyer in chief, claiming four for 72. Easwaran said, “Not everyone will have a good day. But when you play as a team, the ones who click will carry the side on their shoulders.”
Brief scores: Andhra Pradesh 295 & 244 (Nitish Kumar Reddy 90, Ricky Bhui 30; Shahbaz Ahmed 4-72, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal 2-42) lost to Bengal 629 by an innings and 90 runs.
Semifinals: Feb 15
Bengal vs J&K in Kalyani Karnataka vs Uttarakhand in Lucknow
Huw Jones can't remember how many touches of the ball he got in the rain in Rome last Saturday, but he knows it wasn't many.
He's sure he had a few in the closing minutes - the 29 phases that ultimately amounted to nothing - but beyond that, the day passed him by.
A Scotland backline built to attack managed the grand total of zero line breaks against Italy - the only nation to draw a blank in this respect on the opening weekend and the first time in many, many years the Scotland attack was so hopelessly blunt.
Zero line breaks is an absolute rarity. Even in the Calcutta Cup monsoon in Edinburgh in 2020 Scotland managed three. The weather was a major factor in Rome, of course, but it didn't stop Italy making six line breaks of their own. They found a way. Jones doesn't hide from it. He can't.
The Calcutta Cup, he says, is the "perfect game" now. Be careful what you wish for and all of that, but you get his point. A heaving Murrayfield, the Scots with their backs to the wall, England on a mighty roll, a shot at redemption. We've all seen this kind of ambush before.
Jones has played in seven Calcutta Cups, winning four, losing three while scoring six tries. It's a fine record, but he concedes that the England coming to Edinburgh this weekend is possibly the strongest of all the England sides he has faced, including the one that did Scotland in cold blood at Twickenham in 2017. Jones scored two tries that day but England won 60-21.
"After a loss when everyone's hurting and when we didn't really get to play, we all have that pent-up frustration and energy," says Jones.
"Even if we'd won I would have come away knowing I didn't get to do anything. I'm really angry about that and this week adds to the fuel of just wanting to go out and show what we can do. It's the perfect one for us to come back to."
Jones drew the short straw on Tuesday. Media duty.
And inevitably more questions about Rome. Just when he thought he was out, we pull him back in. He said the changing room after the 18-15 defeat was one of the toughest he's ever been in. Not a revelation, but he did his best to explain the angst they all felt.
"We've all experienced losses but everyone was really dejected after that," he said.
Then he went through the various stages of defeat - tiredness, confusion, frustration, anger.
"The anger probably comes on the Sunday," he says. "Then you do the review and you have to be very clinical about your review. You try not to let emotions get in the way of that process.
"No-one's hiding. It's horrible and what's tough for the public is that you don't get to be in those conversations, so you're seeing the loss and stewing over it for the whole week but not getting answers because you're not in our meetings.
"Part of being a professional rugby player is you have to get back to work immediately and you have to park those emotions - but you use that as fuel."
The loss has been analysed but not exorcised is his gist.
He speaks about the team battling their way downfield and getting good field position. A penalty to Scotland and a chance of points, then a reversal on account of poor discipline and they're back to where they started. That happened twice, on top of all their other woes.
"Those are really difficult to take. You've got to get up and go again. I felt that we kept doing that - wrestling that momentum to get downfield but we kept letting ourselves down when we got there.
"I don't think that's a psychological thing, I think that's execution. Once you get down there we just have to be better. The first 20 minutes was where the game was lost.
"They got two chances off launches and scored within three phases. We also got down their end early on and did nothing with it," added Jones, with the two attacking lineouts that were lost in Italy's 22 coming to mind.
Part of the job this week is locking out the negativity that is banging on their door. He knows that England have suffered at Scotland's hands many times in recent years and that they'll be playing on that.
There is no Scottish monopoly on edge just because they're fighting to right some wrongs from Rome.
"They're on a big run of victories at the moment and they've got a great squad," Jones said.
"They've developed almost an all-court game where they've got their big pack expecting to be dominant in most games but they've also got brilliant athletes and good ball-players as well. It's a tough prospect."
For Jones and his salvation army it's a day to gird the loins and fight back. In front of their own people, if they have anything about them, there's surely some thunder coming on Saturday.
Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd during his weekly general audience, at Paul-VI hall in The Vatican on February 4, 2026. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
When you get an American Pope from Chicago that is a known lover of sports… you get really cool things. On Tuesday, Matt Norlander with CBS Sports reported that Notra Dame and Villanova will have both of their Men’s and Women’s basketball teams open the 2026-2027 season with a game in Rome.
BREAKING: Villanova & Notre Dame's basketball teams are lined up to tip CBB's 2026-27 season in Rome, sources told @CBSSports.
The NCAA has given special clearance.
Pope Leo XIV is famously a Villanova alum. Holy hoops!
The two universities are prominent private Catholic schools with connections to the Pope. For Villanova, an obvious one: Robert Francis Prevost is a 1977 alumnus. The Notre Dame piece is tied to the school’s massive global brand. Notre Dame is regarded as the most prominent Catholic institution of higher learning in the world. It also has an outpost in Rome. An avowed sports fan, the Pope also grew up in Chicago, which has a significant Notre Dame fan presence given its proximity to nearby South Bend, Indiana. (Soon after Prevost was named the most powerful man in the Catholic Church, online detectives went back and found he appeared on television during the White Sox’s 2005 World Series run.)
The teams will play the doubleheader at the Palazzetto dello Sport, known more colloquially as the PalaTiziano. The arena seats 3,500 people for basketball games and has existed since the late 1950s. It was built in the lead-up to Rome’s hosting of the 1960 Olympics. The PalaTiziano underwent significant renovations from 2018-2023 and is approximately 30 minutes from the Pope’s residence in Vatican City.
The article also state that it’s unknown if Pope Leo will be at the games, but… you know he absolutely is going to be in attendance.
The broadcast will be on FOX and will be the lead in for the NFL action that day.
There has been all kinds of talk about more international games across different sports and different leagues as of late, and this is the kind of thing a lot of Notre Dame fans have hoped for in those discussions. I think most of them wanted a Notre Dame vs Boston College football game in Rome, and all I can say is that this basketball event could be a good precursor for something like that in the future.
After the Indiana Pacers acquired Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, I was measured, analytical. Restrained, you’d call what I wrote.
Now that the Pacers have plugged their hole at center with a double-double machine in Zubac, let’s look ahead to next season, when star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will be back and the Pacers will have most of the team that reached Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. This roster now has only one gap: a high-scoring wing, and not just to replace Bennedict Mathurin – sent to the Clippers in the Zubac deal – but to improve on him.
And the Pacers have a solid path toward getting that wing: Losing enough the rest of this season to finish in the bottom three of the NBA standings, giving them a 50-50 shot at a top-four pick in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery. That would mean getting one of the following wings: Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer or North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson.
Sign. Me. Up.
I wrote it that way – duh – and couldn’t wait to see the response from my IndyStar text message group, agreeing with me and celebrating with me.
Pacers land Ivica Zubac at 2026 NBA trade deadline!
OK, so there are details to the trade. In addition to Mathurin, the Pacers also sent the Clippers their first-round pick in 2029 and a protected first-rounder in the 2026 NBA Draft. What it means:
If the 2026 NBA Draft lottery Ping Pong balls are cooperative and bounce the Pacers somewhere into the 1-4 range – or the 10-30 range – the Pacers get to keep the pick and would draft one of those wings while sending the Clippers their first-rounder in 2031. But if the Ping Pong balls are cruel, and the Pacers land in the 5-9 zone, that pick is unprotected … and the Clippers get it.
Details. Meh.
From: Ron D.
This is the worst trade since Kawhi Leonard for George Hill. A massive overpay – no way the Clippers should have gotten two first-round picks plus Mathurin. Unfortunately with a decent center – and that's all Zubac is – the Pacers are going to win more games this year.
Honestly, this is stupid-squared.
No you are! I mean, you bring up good points. But there’s always one naysayer in the bunch. Let’s get to all the yay-sayers!
From: David H.
Do you question whether they gave too much for Zubac? Seems like a heck of a load for a center with good not great numbers.
No you are! Wait, sorry. No, I do not. Zubac gives the Pacers a rebounder – and low-post scorer – they’ve lacked since trading Domantas Sabonis to the Kings for Haliburton in 2022. And that worked out fine. This one will work out fine, as long as the Ping Pong balls cooperate.
From: Justin H.
Hoping this pans out, but my gut says the Pacers overpaid here. Not sure Zubac will be as good a fit with Haliburton as Myles Turner was, but at least they got something for Mathurin. He was gone after this season, and will get to shine out west.
Listen to me: If the Pacers get that top-four pick – and they appear to be in full tank mode to get it – this deal will be the best of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
From: William S.
In Kevin Pritchard we trust (and GM Chad Buchanan).
I don’t know, Wild Bill. Don’t you wonder if they paid too much for … never mind.
In other countries, where they’re wrong about us, they’ve discussed boycotting the 2026 World Cup. That would mean boycotting the good ol’ U-S-A, so clearly other countries are wrong about us.
Because it's us!
Right?
When our president openly mused about taking Greenland, by force if necessary – hey, who hasn’t coveted that big chunk of ice? You know Sweden was thinking the same thing.
When our president goes back and forth on his support of Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, well … what do you want the American leader to do? Focus on America first?
But when our government declared war on immigrants, you know what? The countries wondering if it’s safe to send their soccer fans here – they’re not wrong.
So I wrote that. This time, I wasn’t in a hurry to see Indiana’s response.
You have just precipitated a truckload of bricks to be thrown at you! How do you look wearing armor? I agree with you completely and appreciate your courage speaking out.
Strange times, Keith.
From: Ron O.
The only thing I care less about than Europe is soccer.
Translation: You can’t defend the U.S activity that has upset Europe. You and me, we agree there Ron.
From: Larry M
Can so many people seeing the USA as wrong, ALL be wrong? It is a difficult conundrum to support our country while disagreeing with so much of "our" policy.
Sad times, Larry.
From: Lindsey L.
The majority of Americans don't care for soccer or the World Cup – and we will remain the envy of rest of world.
Remain the envy of the rest of the world? The greater we get, the less the world seems to envy us.
From: Mark P.
Doyel, have you personally met the hundreds, maybe thousands of ICE agents (yes, agents) who are Latinos? And how about going to the root of the problem, namely sanctuary cities sheltering murderous illegals or Blue State governors and mayors who could simply hand ICE the murderous illegals they hold in their jails instead of releasing them back incognito into the streets you and I and our defenseless wives walk in.
And, right! Let Russia or China take over Greenland. About Venezuela, how many personal Latino friends do you have who could rectify your distorted image of the Caribbean Basin situation? I am married to a beautiful Colombian and we know from direct experience how GRATEFUL Latinos are to President Donald Trump for attempting to rescue those countries from the horrors and victimization of international narco-terrorism. Shame on you, Doyel, for your cruel partisan one-sidedness; you are too smart and kind-hearted to be that blind.
You seem to believe every word you wrote. That makes one of us.
More on possible boycott of 2026 World Cup in USA
From: Patricia W.
I never thought I would see the day that the USA would turn on our allies.
But how many PERSONAL Latino friends do you have, Patricia? As for me, some of my best friends are... never mind.
From: Jerry M.
This column is one of the few times that I wasn’t offended by the mixing of politics and sports. Generally I want sports to stay what they are – entertainment and a release from "the real world.”
Thank you for using your voice to point out what those of us caught between the partisan left and partisan right have seen since the return of this president.
Sad times, Jerry. Strange times.
From: Martin B.
Just wondering whether you still support Russian athletes participating in the Olympics even though not under the Russian banner. Some time ago you argued they shouldn't be punished for what their country does. wondering?
I do support Russian athletes, yes –they didn’t invade Ukraine. Fans at the Olympics in Italy have booed Vice President JD Vance but supported U.S. athletes because they believe the same thing: Our athletes shouldn’t pay for the sins made by those well above their paygrade.
I've been a fan of your writing for some time. Now I'm a fan of your courage.
Thanks Mark. Folks like to get on Twitter or Facebook and yell into an algorithm that reaches only people who agree with them. And they think they’re tough? Sad times.
From: Gary S.
Q: What's the difference between Gregg Doyel and Congress?
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"Drive to Survive" season 8: Release date and what we know so far
OMAHA, Neb. — On a cold Friday night in January, the volleyball attracted more than 15,000 fans.
