The Mac lineup will obtain a mammoth advantage over the competition because Apple has kept its prices in check, but this isn’t the only lineup the company is focused on. According to the latest rumor, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could become two of the most popular flagships on the planet because, where rivals are introducing price hikes left, right, and center, Apple is rumored to introduce a price freeze. However, there’s a catch, but not a terrible one, but those who are used to picking out their favorite color options might be left sorely disappointed. iPhone […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/iphone-18-pro-to-dominate-markets-with-prize-freeze-but-with-fewer-options/
MemoKee is a central memory hub that lets you save articles, videos, social posts, product pages, notes, and voice notes from any device and find them fast. It uses AI to auto-tag and categorize your saves and semantic search to retrieve what you remember without exact keywords. Group by topic, project, or tag to build a long-term personal knowledge library you can trust.
The more thinking you outsource to AI, the harder it gets to reason on your own.
Thessea reverses that with 10-minute daily sessions built around real articles, not brain games. Read actively, answer reasoning questions, and get structured feedback that shows exactly where your thinking held up and where it broke down. A six-axis skill profile tracks your progress over time, so you can see your reasoning sharpen week by week.
The post TAO Price Under Pressure: Bitcoin Dominance and Covenant Aftershocks Persist appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
TAO, the native token of AI infrastructure builder Bittensor, has lost an additional 7% in value over the past 24 hours, trading at $238.91.
Just a week ago, the coin traded slightly above $300, but has since dropped by 24.31% due to the recent Covenant drama and investor rotation into alternative coins.
On Friday, prominent subnet developer Covenant AI announced its exit from Bittensor and that of its subnets, citing “centralized control.” Within hours, the token had shed over 25% of its value, with massive liquidations of long positions further contributing to the downward cascade.
It did not help things much that investors were migrating to similar alternative tokens, such as NEAR Protocol’s NEAR.
Other top-performing competitors include Internet Computer (ICP), Render (RENDER), and Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET). In the last 24h, the three have posted considerably smaller price drops than TAO, with the largest at 3.35%.
Should token dumps persist, TAO could test the recent low of $230. Price stabilization would appear once the token reclaims $260.
Source: Trading View
As debate continues around the ecosystem’s decentralization nature, supporters have noted that the token has yet to crush all investor faith since it remains the top AI token by market cap (ranked 33rd).
Underpinning this narrative is the blockchain’s institutional appeal. In early April, the high-profile asset manager Grayscale increased the amount of its AI fund allotted to Bittensor to 43.06%. The company also filed to convert its Bittensor Trust into a spot ETF.
Even more, Bittensor is increasing its subnet capacity from 128 to 256 this month. This effectively increases the number of AI projects that can build on the network.
That said, the token is yet to recover above its $300 psychological level, which it broke past in March when Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised its accomplishments.
Key events to watch for are the network’s response to governance criticism, institutional uptake, and community reaction to upcoming upgrades.
Philippines Tourism Industry Faces Soaring Fuel Costs and Economic Strain Amid the Deepening Iran-Linked Energy Crisis and Disruptions Through the...
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Jakarta Emerges as Southeast Asia’s Travel Safety Powerhouse in Surge That Reshapes Tourism ConfidenceJakarta ranks 2nd safest in Southeast Asia...
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Australia Tourism Faces Grim Test as Sydney Airport Grinds to Halt – All You Need To KnowFlight chaos hits Australia...
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Spain Sees Tourism Growth in 2026: Shifting Global Travel Trends Amid Middle East Instability Boost Visitor NumbersSpain attracts more travellers...
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The Redmi K90 Max is going to be fully unveiled later this month, and today the brand has officially confirmed the exact date of the big event: April 21. Redmi has also revealed the device's main specs. As a recent Geekbench run already revealed, the phone is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 9500 SoC. The K90 Max has a screen with a 165Hz refresh rate which supports DC dimming, and an 8,550 mAh Silicon Carbon battery with ultra-high 16% silicon content. It supports 100W wired and 22.5W reverse wired charging. Redmi K90 Max teaser images The brand has previously revealed...
On Tuesday, the first two clubs secured their spots in the semifinals of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 to Barcelona but still advanced thanks to their first-leg victory, while Paris Saint-Germain extended their advantage against Liverpool. Both clubs will receive a substantial financial prize for progressing to the next round.
Simply for reaching the Champions League semifinals, UEFA awards each club €15 million — approximately $17.6 million. While that alone represents a major boost for Europe’s top four teams, it is only part of the total revenue clubs generate from a deep run in the competition.
UEFA’s distribution system is made up of several components: participation bonuses, performance-based rewards, and milestone payments. As a result, each club’s total earnings vary depending on how far they advance and how they perform throughout the tournament.
Each of the 36 clubs that participated in the UEFA Champions League league phase received a base payment of €18.62 million, roughly $22 million. From there, performance in that stage determines additional earnings.
Paris locked in for the semi-finals 🔒#UCL pic.twitter.com/O3eBTXtXCf
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 14, 2026
During the league phase, teams earn an extra $2.48 million for each win and $0.83 million for each draw. That is why the top-performing team in that stage — Arsenal — collected $19.8 million from eight wins, bringing their total to nearly $42 million when combined with the base payment.
Once in the knockout stages, teams also receive payments based on their position in the standings. On top of that, there are additional bonuses for advancing through each round: $13 million for reaching the Round of 16 and $14.7 million for making the quarterfinals.
As mentioned, the semifinals are worth an additional $17.6 million. Reaching the final brings in $21.8 million, and winning it adds another $7.6 million. That title also grants access to the UEFA Super Cup, which can be worth up to $5.9 million more.
Finally, each club receives a “value pillar” payment tied to broadcasting rights and other commercial revenues related to the UEFA Champions League. The amount varies by club, based on a coefficient that considers performances over the past 10 years.
Taking all these factors into account, the Champions League winner this season could earn around €150 million (approximately $175 million) in total, combining performance-based prizes and commercial revenue.
| WHO | Cruz Azul vs LAFC |
| WHAT | CONCACAF Champions Cup |
| WHEN | 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT • Tuesday, April 14, 2026 |
| WHERE | Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, FS1, TUDN and ViX |
| STREAM | WATCH NOW |
What was billed as a tightly contested matchup quickly turned one-sided in the opening leg, as Los Angeles FC capitalized on home-field advantage in dominant fashion, rolling to a convincing 3-0 win that gives the MLS side firm control of the series heading into the return leg.
Still, with everything to play for, LAFC will look to finish the job, while Cruz Azul head back home knowing they face a steep climb but holding onto hope that a spirited performance in front of their fans could spark an unlikely comeback and keep its tournament hopes alive.
has revealed who he views as his favourite ever fighter. Leonard comes to mind for many fans when they discuss their most-loved boxers, but the legendary figure had another popular choice in mind for his selection. That’s because he has named Muhammad Ali as his all-time favourite fighter – and it has nothing to do […]
The post Sugar Ray Leonard names his favourite fighter of all time appeared first on Boxing News.
PFDK'den Samsunspor teknik direktörü Thorsten Fink'e 3 maç men cezası geldi.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) Profesyonel Futbol Disiplin Kurulu (PFDK), Samsunspor Teknik Direktörü Thorsten Fink'e 3 müsabakadan men cezası verdi.
TFF'nin internet sitesinden yapılan açıklamaya göre, Fink'e, 4. hakeme yönelik fiili müdahalesi nedeniyle 3 müsabakadan men ve 80 bin lira para cezasına karar verildi.
Kurul ayrıca Galatasaray Kulübü'ne toplam 1 milyon 460 bin lira para cezası kararı aldı. Göztepe ile oynanan erteleme maçında sarı-kırmızılı kulübe taraftarlarının çirkin ve kötü tezahüratları nedeniyle 1 milyon 240 bin, saha olayları gerekçesiyle de 220 bin lira para cezası uygulanacak.
Açıklamada, Göztepe, Galatasaray, Çaykur Rizespor ve Samsunspor taraftarlarına da bilet cezası verildiği kaydedildi.
UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Liverpool ile PSG karşı karşıya geldi. Mücadeleyi 2-0 kazanan PSG, yarı finale yükselen taraf oldu.
UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Liverpool ile PSG karşı karşıya geldi. PSG, 2-0 kazandığı ilk maçın rövanşında deplasmanda Liverpool'yu bir kez daha 2-0 mağlup etti. Böylece PSG maçı 2-0 ve eşleşmeyi 4-0 kazanarak yarı finale yükselen taraf oldu.
Şampiyonlar Ligi çeyrek final rövanş maçında Atletico Madrid ile Barcelona karşılaştı. Atletico Madrid, Barcelona'ya 2-1 yenilmesine rağmen yarı finale yükselen taraf oldu.
Şampiyonlar Ligi çeyrek final rövanş maçında Atletico Madrid, Barcelona'yı konuk etti. Atletico Madrid, Barcelona'ya 2-1 yenilmesine rağmen ilk maçta alınan 2-0'lık galibiyetin avantajıyla yarı finale yükseldi.
İspanyol devinin rakibi Sporting-Arsenal eşleşmesinin galibi olacak.
Bu gün futbol üzrə UEFA Çempionlar Liqasında (ÇL) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün ilk yarımfinalçıları müəyyənləşiblər.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, buna 1/4 final mərhələsinin cavab görüşlərində aydınlıq gəlib.
İlk oyun günündə 2 qarşılaşma baş tutub. İspaniya klublarının duelində “Atletiko” öz meydanında “Barselona”nı sınağa çəkib. Madrid təmsilçisi səfərdəki ilk matçda rəqibini 2:0 hesabı ilə məğlub etmişdi. Cavab görüşü “Barselona”nın xeyrinə bitsə də, ümumi nəticə “Atletiko”nu yarımfinala çıxarıb.
Günün digər görüşündə isə İngiltərənin “Liverpul” komandası Fransa nəhəngi PSJ ilə üz-üzə gəlib. Parisdəki ilk oyunda Fransa təmsilçisi 2:0 hesablı qələbə qazanmışdı. PSJ cavab görüşündə də oxşar hesabla qalib gələrək yoluna davam edib.
Qeyd edək ki, ÇL-in 1/4 final mərhələsinə sabah yekun vurulacaq.
UEFA Çempionlar Liqası
1/4 finalın cavab oyunları
14 aprel
Atletiko (İspaniya) – Barselona (İspaniya) 1:2
Qollar: A.Lukman, 31 – L.Yamal, 4. F.Torres, 24.
İlk oyun – 2:0
Liverpul (İngiltərə) – PSJ (Fransa) 0:2
Qollar: U.Dembele, 72; 90+1.
İlk oyun – 0:2
Xavyer Maskerano Amerika Birləşmiş Ştatlarının “İnter Mayami” komandasının baş məşqçisi vəzifəsindən ayrılıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə MLS klubunun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
41 yaşlı məşqçi öz istəyi ilə vəzifəsindən gedib. O, bunun ailəvi məsələlərlə əlaqəli olduğunu vurğulayıb.
Xatırladaq ki, Maskerano 2025-ci ilin əvvəlindən bu komandanı çalışdırırdı. Argentinalı mütəxəssisin klubla müqaviləsi 2028-ci ilin dekabr ayına qədər qüvvədə idi.
“İnter Mayami” ötən mövsüm Maskeranonun rəhbərliyi altında MLS-in qalibi olsa da, cari mövsümdə Şərq Konfransında üçüncü pillədə qərarlaşıb. Mayami təmsilçisi argentinalı məşqçi ilə 67 oyun keçirib, 38 qələbə, 15 heç-heçə, 14 məğlubiyyət görüb.
Xavyer Maskerano daha öncə Argentinanın U-20 və U-23 yığmalarında da baş məşqçi kimi çalışıb.
Hakan Calhanoglu’s agent has moved to categorically dismiss speculation linking the Inter midfielder with a return to Turkey, insisting there has never been any concrete contact with Galatasaray and that his client remains fully focused on winning the Scudetto with the Nerazzurri.
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Gordon Stipic spoke to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano to set the record straight after reports of Galatasaray interest resurfaced in recent days, a story that has circulated periodically without ever materialising into anything concrete.
“He has a contract with Inter until 2027 and is very happy both in Italy and at Inter,” Stipic said, via TuttoMercatoWeb.
“Speculation about a possible transfer to Galatasaray has emerged several times in the past and is now being recycled.”
The agent was emphatic in his denial of any formal approach. “The facts are clear, there have been no negotiations with Galatasaray, neither last summer nor in January,” he said. “At no point was there any request or concrete enquiry. Calhanoglu remains completely focused on what truly matters at this stage, Inter, the title race and achieving success together with the team.”
Stipic also took the opportunity to highlight his client’s broader ambitions, pointing to the World Cup as a source of additional motivation for the Turkish international.
“Week after week, through his performances, his passion and his sense of responsibility on the pitch, he continues to demonstrate his quality and his importance to the team,” he said.
“He looks ahead to the World Cup with great pride and determination, where he will lead his national team as captain, a responsibility that is a special honour and means everything to him.”
While Italian football’s men’s team grapples with the fallout of a third consecutive World Cup absence, their female counterparts are doing everything in their power to ensure Italy has a presence at the 2027 tournament, and a commanding 6-0 demolition of Serbia has kept that dream very much alive.
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Andrea Soncin’s Azzurre were utterly dominant from start to finish, leading 3-0 at half-time through goals from Cristiana Girelli, Oliviero and Lenzini before a blistering second-half display completed the rout.
Caruso added a fourth before Cantore and Greggi wrapped up a thoroughly convincing victory that has breathed new life into Italy’s qualification hopes.
The context makes Saturday’s fixture against Denmark all the more significant.
With only the group winner qualifying automatically, the remaining sides dropping into the playoffs, the standings are finely poised. Denmark lead the group on seven points, with Italy and Sweden level on four in second and third respectively, and Serbia rooted to the bottom without a win.
A victory for Italy against the Danes on Saturday afternoon would leapfrog them into first place, while a draw could still be enough depending on the outcome of other results.
Then, in June, Italy face Serbia and Sweden, to determine the final standings, with head-to-head record and then goal difference in direct matches serving as the tiebreaker.
The prize at the end of this journey is a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, the first South American nation to host the tournament. For a group of players performing with growing confidence and conviction, Saturday represents the biggest match of their qualification campaign.
Liverpool have crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Anfield against PSG in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
After losing the first leg 2-0 away from home, they were hoping to overturn the deficit at home, but the defending European champions have managed to get the job done at Anfield, and they will head to the semifinals of the competition with a comprehensive result over the two legs.
While there is no doubt that Liverpool put on a strong performance against PSG tonight, they were simply missing the cutting edge in the final third. Despite putting the away side under tremendous pressure for most of the game, they failed to create too many opportunities and get on the score sheet.
Former Premier League star Alan Shearer has revealed that the extra bit of quality and brilliance on the edge of the box separates the two teams.
Despite struggling for most of the game, PSG opened the scoring in the second half through Ousmane Dembele, who found the back of the net with an effort from outside the box.
Shearer told the BBC: “That is exactly what Liverpool have been missing tonight and for large parts of this season; that bit of quality and brilliance, on the edge of the box. The way he shifts it is magnificent forward play from Ousmane Dembele. A wonderful finish.”
Dembele doubled the advantage for his team late in the game to secure a 2-0 victory in the second leg. They will now face Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals.
As for Liverpool, they will look to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League and qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. Hugo Ekitike picked up what looks like a season-ending injury earlier tonight, which will only make things harder for the team in the remaining games.
The post Shearer reveals “exactly what Liverpool have been missing” against PSG tonight appeared first on CaughtOffside.
PSG are 2-0 up against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
They picked up the convincing lead in the first leg at home, and they have done well to navigate the first half of the second leg, which is goalless so far. Liverpool had a glorious opportunity to cut down the deficit through Virgil van Dijk, but he was denied by an exceptional goal-line block from Marquinhos.
Liverpool decided to drop Mohamed Salah to the bench at the start of the game and opted to start with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. However, the French international picked up a serious injury in the first half, and he had to be stretchered off.
A huge concern as Hugo Ekitike is stretchered off during Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final against PSG. pic.twitter.com/X43BkmkIzV
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 14, 2026
While the true extent of the damage is yet to be determined, it does seem like Ekitike has picked up a serious blow, and his season could easily be over. With the World Cup coming up later this summer, there will be major question marks over his participation in the mega event as well.
Rumours suggest the Liverpool striker might have damaged his Achilles tendon, and he could be ruled out for 9 to 12 months.
اصابة هوغو ايكتيكي من طريقة الاصابة هي قطع في وتر اخيليس وغياب لنهاية الموسم
فترة الغياب : 9-12 شهر
pic.twitter.com/g3oF7espVN
— عبدالسلام الشمري (@alsllmii) April 14, 2026
With Isak just back from injury and Salah not at his best, the absence of their top scorer (17 goals) for the remainder of the season will be a huge blow for Liverpool. They have had a disappointing campaign so far, and they are fighting for Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign.
Ekitike has had a reasonably good debut campaign with Liverpool, and he could have been a very useful option for them in the attack for the remainder of the season.
The post Liverpool star faces rumoured 12-month layoff after shock injury vs PSG appeared first on CaughtOffside.
After reports surfaced on Monday, April 13 that Los Angeles Lakers stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are inching closer to their returns from injuries, head coach JJ Redick made it clear on Tuesday, April 14 that there will be no further updates in the near future.
"Look, they're out indefinitely," Redick told reporters during his media availability at Tuesday's practice. "I'm not gonna have an update for you this week. They're out indefinitely."
NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed an earlier report that Doncic is scheduled to return to the Lakers on Friday and will be re-evaluated after undergoing multiple injection procedures in Spain in hopes of accelerating his recovery from a grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Reaves, meanwhile, has been rehabbing a grade 2 left oblique muscle strain in Los Angeles. Both Reaves and Doncic sustained their injuries during a blowout loss in Oklahoma City on April 2 and missed the rest of the regular season and will likely be out through at least the first round of the playoffs, where the No. 4-seeded Lakers will take on the No. 5 seed Houston Rockets.
While they're considered out indefinitely, both injuries usually carry a standard recovery window of about four-to-six weeks, which would sideline Doncic and Reaves through the first week of May. It's currently unclear how effective the treatment Doncic got in Spain actually was or if it impacted his timeline at all, and it most likely won't be known until after his re-evaluation at the end of the week.
A Grade 2 hamstring strain is a “moderate injury that is typically a partial tear in the muscle; patients are likely to limp when walking and will have occasional twinges of pain during activity,” according to Mercy Health.
The injury could take close to a month to heal, but “returning to sports before the injury is fully healed can cause more severe injuries.”
A grade 2 oblique strain is another moderate strain in which "one of the abdominal muscles (internal or external oblique muscles) becomes frayed, torn or detached, often from the lower four ribs," according to Performance Place. The injury makes it painful for someone to breathe, cough and laugh and is common among baseball players and golfers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves injury updates, latest on Lakers stars
At a time when the backcourt is going through a deep transition period with many seniors graduating, Clemsonwomen's basketball made a crucial decision for the future by picking up Virginia Tech transfer Mackenzie Nelson from the portal.
This was a much-needed pickup for the Tigers because with Rachel Rose and Mia Moore graduating, you're losing control, leadership, and, to be honest, the feel of the offense in addition to production. They require a guard who can do more than just fill in the minutes. Nelson immediately checks all those boxes.
This past season, she started all 32 games for Virginia Tech and averaged 8.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals. She doesn't turn the ball over, reads correctly, and plays under control. Her 12-assist performance against Florida State demonstrates her ceiling as a distributor. Earlier in her career, she ranked among the top 10 in the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio. This skill is important when replacing players like Rose, who essentially maintained Clemson's stability.
NEWS: Virginia Tech transfer Mackenzie Nelson has committed to Clemson.
— Talia Goodman (@TaliaGoodmanWBB) April 14, 2026
The 5-8 sophomore averaged 8 ppg, 5.7 apg and 1.4 spg this season.
TRACKER: https://t.co/wYv1Ze6704pic.twitter.com/LoWKI32d20
She had 18 against Florida State and can pick her spots, but the bigger thing is she doesn’t need to force anything. Clemson doesn’t need her to be the leading scorer; they need her to keep everything organized, and she’s built for that. Defensively, she’s active and had a four-steal game against Georgia Tech.
Nelson's stats aren't the only thing that makes her certified as a baller; she is a Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year and a former top-65 ESPN HoopGurlz player.
Former Clemson forward Chauncey Wiggins is back in transfer portal
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) April 14, 2026
📸 Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports https://t.co/3OVOXK6kMRpic.twitter.com/5LpiZ3iKM2
If you're a Clemson basketball fan and need something to be excited about, this is the spark player that your eyes should be on for next season.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson basketball reloads at guard with Virginia Tech transfer
NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from her role at The Athletic after photos emerged last week of her holding hands and hugging New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at a luxury resort in Arizona.
Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50 — who are both married — shared statements denying any wrongdoing hours after the images were published by Page Six. The photos were reportedly taken March 28 at the Ambiente hotel in Sedona.
On Saturday, The New York Times, which acquired The Athletic as its sports outlet in 2022, confirmed that the nature of Russini’s relationship with Vrabel and her coverage were being reviewed. The Athletic’s editorial guidelines require that their journalists avoid any activities that pose a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict, so as not to call into question their credibility, The Times added.
Moments after Russini published her resignation letter, The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg shared a statement with Page Six saying the ongoing investigation sparked “new questions.”
“While I can’t share the details of our investigation into Dianna’s conduct, I want to emphasize that the leadership at The Athletic has taken this matter seriously from the moment that we learned about it,” Ginsberg’s statement read,
“When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter,” he continued.
However, “additional information emerged” and “new questions were raised that became part of our investigation,” he wrote.
In her resignation letter, Russini maintained that she covered the NFL “with professionalism and dedication.”
“I stand behind every story I have ever published,” she continued.
Russini wrote that when the photos were first published, The Athletic “supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful.”
“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” she continued. “Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete.
I submitted my letter of resignation to The Athletic. Everything I have to say about it is below. pic.twitter.com/401nrtbEsj
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 14, 2026
“It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”
Russini concluded that she will now step down from her position at The Athletic — having joined the publication in 2023 as “senior NFL insider” and host of the Scoop City: Inside the NFL podcast — ahead of her contract’s expiration date of June 30.
“I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode,” she wrote, “but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Russini shares two children with her husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt. A source close to the former ESPN anchor told Page Six she was staying at the Arizona hotel during a hiking trip with two female friends.
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues,” Russini said in a statement to Page Six in response to its report.
In a statement of his own, Vrabel, who celebrated his 26th anniversary with wife Jen Vrabel last year, said: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Vrabel and his wife share two children: Tyler (offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons), 25, and Carter, 24.
Former Patriots linebacker Vrabel, who spent eight seasons with the team, was appointed head coach in January 2025 and made an immediate impact, guiding the franchise to a surprise Super Bowl appearance this year and earning NFL Coach of the Year honors.
Ousmane Dembele's double guided Paris Saint-Germain into the Champions League semi-finals as a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday completed a 4-0 aggregate win for the holders.
To compound the English champions' woes, Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious-looking injury that could end his season and hinder Liverpool's chances of being back among Europe's elite next season.
Arne Slot's men sit fifth in the Premier League and will end the campaign trophyless after being kept at arm's reach by a PSG side that did not need to be at their brilliant best to reach a third consecutive semi-final.
Defeat means there will be no glorious goodbye for Mohamed Salah after nine memorable years on Merseyside.
Slot showed little sentiment as he dropped the Egyptian to the bench on his final Champions League appearance in red.
Alexander Isak was preferred up front as the most expensive player in Premier League history started for the first time since breaking his leg in December.
However, Salah was forced into action after just half an hour as Ekitike suffered a nasty-looking injury that could ruin his World Cup hopes with France.
The former PSG striker crumpled in a heap holding his lower right leg with a suspected ruptured Achilles.
Salah nearly made an immediate impact as from his cross Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Milos Kerkez before Marquinhos produced a remarkable block to deny Virgil van Dijk the opening goal.
PSG had plenty of chances to have put the tie to bed in the Parc des Princes last week and were profligate once more in the first half.
Giorgi Mamardashvili scrambled back towards his line to punch away Dembele's attempted chip before the Ballon d'Or winner blazed over from close range with just the Georgian to beat.
Slot admitted before kick-off that Isak could only last for 45 minutes due to a lack of match practice and the Swede made way for Cody Gakpo at half-time in a further blow to Liverpool's firepower up front.
- Dembele kills tie off -
Kerkez had the best chance to set up a grandstand finale when he sliced wide another inviting Salah delivery.
Liverpool thought they had been gifted a lifeline when Alexis Mac Allister was awarded a very generous penalty for minimal contact by Willian Pacho, but VAR intervened to instruct referee Maurizio Mariani to reverse his original decision.
But as Liverpool poured forward in desperation, they became a sitting duck for the rapid PSG counter-attack.
Dembele finally killed the tie off 18 minutes from time when he cut onto his left foot and curled into the bottom corner from outside the box.
The French international then inflicted the final blow with a cool finish from Bradley Barcola's cross in stoppage time.
PSG will face a tougher test against the in-form Bayern Munich or 15-time winners Real Madrid in the last four.
But after ending the Qatari-backed French champions' long wait to conquer Europe last season, Luis Enrique's men remain on course to become the only side other than Madrid to retain the competition in the Champions League era.
kca/nf
Cowboys trade rumor could lead to deal with Titans, Cardinals or Jets originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Cowboys have two first-round picks, picks 12 and 20, in the 2026 NFL Draft, but it sounds like the team could be gearing up to make a major move, with both selections potentially on the move.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, franchises believe the Cowboys are a team to watch in a potential trade-up.
Schultz adds that Dallas wants to select a player that their division rivals, the New York Giants, are also eyeing. The Giants are at pick five, meaning the Cowboys could be looking to break into the top four.
"There’s a belief among teams at the top of the draft that the Cowboys, who have picks at #12 and #20, are a team to watch in trade-up scenarios, according to multiple league sources," Schultz said.
"Several teams have said they believe Dallas is targeting a player the Giants also covet, and getting ahead of them would be ideal if the price makes sense," Schultz added.
The Las Vegas Raiders are most likely going to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick, so they aren't going to trade back.
However, the Tennessee Titans (pick 4), Arizona Cardinals (pick 3), and New York Jets (pick 2) could be possible trade partners for the Cowboys in their quest to move up and land their desired player.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported on Monday that the Titans and Cardinals have explored trading down, and the Jets could also be willing to move back for the right package, though it is less likely that New York does so.
"Count the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns and Commanders among those already looking at trying to drop down in the order to accumulate capital. The problem for those five is finding teams to move up," Breer said.
As for the player Dallas is targeting, it could be a defensive player, such as Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain, Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, or Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. There's also a chance the Cowboys could shock the world and leapfrog the Giants for Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Nevertheless, if Dallas moves up from 12, it must be for a player who will make an immediate impact in 2026 and be a long-term cornerstone.
More NFL News
Liverpool fell to a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg at Anfield on Tuesday evening, losing 4-0 on aggregate.
PSG created the game’s first chance when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s shot was saved by compatriot Giorgi Mamardashvili in the Liverpool goal.
Liverpool responded swiftly, threatening at the other end, with Alexander Isak heading straight at Matvey Safonov.
Ousmane Dembele came close to opening the scoring in the 10th minute, but Mamardashvili denied him.
Liverpool were forced to make a substitution on the half-hour mark, with Mohamed Salah replacing the injured Hugo Ekitike.
Moments later, Virgil van Dijk nearly put Liverpool ahead, only to be denied by Marquinhos’ last-ditch block.
PSG were also forced to make a substitution before half-time as Luca Hernandez replaced Nuno Mendes.
Liverpool started the second half the brighter side and almost broke the deadlock through substitute Cody Gakpo, whose effort was parried behind.
The Reds were given penalty in the 64th minute when Alexis McAllister was brought down in the area, but the VAR overturned it.
PSG opened the scoring in the 72nd minute against the run of play, with Dembele curling into the bottom-left corner.
The Ballon d’Or holder eventually sealed the victory in stoppage-time, guiding the ball home from Bradley Barcola’s cross.
The result sees PSG qualify for the Champions League semi-final for the second consecutive season, keeping their title defence hopes alive.
The Parisians will now face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.
São Paulo returns to the field this Tuesday (14), at 7 p.m. (Brasília time), when it hosts Chile’s O'Higgins at MorumBIS, in the second round of the 2026 Conmebol Sudamericana.
Like Tricolor Paulista, the Chilean club also won its opener.
That means the match is worth the top spot in Group C.
It is worth remembering that, unlike the Libertadores, only the first-place team in each group advances directly to the Sudamericana round of 16.
The team that finishes second must play a playoff against an opponent eliminated from the Libertadores group stage after finishing third in its group.
Compared with the last match (a 2-0 win for Vitória in the Brasileirão), coach Roger Machado opted to bring in Bobadilla, Luciano, Lucca and Calleri in place of Danielzinho, Cauly, Ferreirinha and André Silva, respectively, for São Paulo.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Jets have 55% chance to draft 6.5 sack edge No. 2 overall in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Jets own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and have a few different options they could go with at this spot.
However, with the draft date approaching, the Jets are seemingly down to two options with this top pick. Those two players have been widely discussed as Ohio State's Arvell Reese and Texas Tech's David Bailey.
Zack Rosenblatt for The Athletic revealed that one of those players had a 55% chance of being taken No. 2 overall, while the other was at just 40%. The edge with the higher chance of being the second overall pick is the 6.5 sack Ohio State edge in Reese.
"It is most likely down to two players if the Jets stick at No. 2," Rosenblatt writes. "Let's break it down by percentage: Who is going to be the Jets' pick if they stick at No. 2? 55 percent: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State. 40 percent: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech."
Rosenblatt predicts that the Jets have a 55% chance of taking Reese with the No. 2 overall pick, while Bailey, the prototypical edge rusher, is at just 40%.
For Jets fans, seeing Reese and Bailey make up 95% of the possible scenarios with the No. 2 pick isn't a surprise. It would be a major surprise if someone else were taken.
Sonny Styles, Carnell Tate, or Caleb Downs all could, in theory, be the No. 2 pick. But, it would be a major surprise if any of them ended up as this No. 2 overall pick.
Jeremiyah Love isn't an option with Breece Hall, and this is far too early to even consider Ty Simpson out of Alabama.
More: Jets ideal pick at No. 2 overall is Arvell Reese out of Ohio State
Reese, the 6.5 sack linebacker who is trying to transition to an edge rusher in the NFL, is the most likely pick with this top selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What is interesting is that this isn't a 50% to 45% comparison; it's a difference of 15% in favor of Reese over Bailey. Rosenblatt believes Reese is the pick, despite recent buzz leaning towards the 14.5 sack Texas Tech edge rusher.
While Reese might be in the lead, there's still plenty of time left for things to change. Bailey might be the pick still, or Darren Mougey could pull a stunner and take someone else entirely.
But, Reese, ironically, has the edge over Bailey for the No. 2 pick and for good reason. The upside is sky-high with Reese, and Rosenblatt believes the Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher is the most likely player to be taken No. 2 overall.
Spain will be sick of the sight of England. The Lionesses famously won Euro 2025 after only leading during the knockout stages of the tournament for four minutes and 52 minutes, including against Spain in the final where Hannah Hampton saved two penalties and Chloe Kelly stuck in the shoot-out to retain England’s crown. After surviving, it felt like the Lionesses kept standing for long enough to just pinch the trophy at the last.
So when Lauren Hemp swivelled in the box to fire the Lionesses ahead inside three minutes of their World Cup qualifier at Wembley, Sarina Wiegman’s side were faced with the complete opposite of what they managed to overcome in Switzerland last summer. Rather than chasing the game and requiring a comeback to get over the line, they would have to be more controlled and embrace facing elite opposition from ahead, while defending their lead for almost the entire match.
Turns out, the European champions got the same result in their rematch with the world champions, a crucial victory that leaves them in control of their qualifying group with three wins from three. Once again, when they needed her, Hampton stood up with another big moment against Spain as she denied Edna Imade’s late header. “A crucial save,” Wiegman said. The new centre-back pairing of Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan, with captain Leah Williamson injured and Jess Carter on the bench, were outstanding too. “They were ready,” Wiegman noted. “They haven’t played that much together but they showed up today. They should be proud of themselves and I am too.”
Spain were missing the ingenuity of the brilliant Aitana Bonmati, who has been absent since December with a broken leg. They tended to move sideways, but the world champions still possessed the technical quality and attacking talent to hurt an opposition like England from all angles. “Against Spain you need to defend as a team really well,” Wiegman said. “When it’s hard you have to fight and communicate and stick together - we did that. As a team we’ve really fought today.” The resilience of Euro 2025 from “proper England” was on display again.
But there was more to England’s performance than that. Wiegman had a plan to match Spain player-for-player when Cata Coll had the ball from goal-kicks. They signalled an intention to press Spain in their half but then drop deep once their opponents crossed the halfway line. It was a counter-attacking approach that meant England invited pressure and placed a lot of responsibility on Wubben-Moy and Morgan but it also allowed the Lionesses to enjoy one of their lesser-seen strengths and set up to hit Spain quickly on the break.
It made Spain “uncomfortable” in the moments Wiegman’s side got out, the manager said. In the in-form Alessia Russo, England have not just a threat leading the line but a forward whose all-round game has significantly improved and can play with her back to goal. They have pure speed and directness in Hemp and a flowing, confident dribbler in Lauren James who is able to carry for great distances on her own. Add in Lucy Bronze’s drive from right back and Hampton’s ability to chip diagonal passes out to the touchline and England had many options themselves in which they could suddenly play out from.
England had enough chances to avoid the nerves that would come and put Spain away they were unable to create a more convincing scoreline. Hemp hit the post in the first-half after a clever flick from Bronze, before Russo and James had chances to add a second on the counter-attack. The best opportunity of all fell to Lucia Kendall, the 21-year-old who was playing in her biggest game yet for England, but she fired over to leave Wiegman almost tearing her hair out on the touchline.
Wiegman knew how important a second goal could be. There was always the danger that England would drop too deep, too soon after taking the lead so early in the game and they had to survive a difficult period at the start of the second half where Olga Carmona’s shot deflected off Bronze onto the bar and Vicky Lopez curled against the post.
Carmona had struck against England before, in the World Cup final in Sydney, but this time the fine margins were on England’s side. The full-back’s shot bounced down but stayed out but only by a few inches and goal-line technology was required, not for the first time, just to be sure it hadn’t crossed. Hampton was then needed to make stops but, with Mary Earps watching on from Wembley after being warmly greeted onto the pitch for her retirement celebration, the goalkeeper was able to deny Spain just as she did in Basel during the Euro 2025 final. The best came in the 90th minute from a corner as she sprung to her right to keep out Imade’s header from six yards.
Wiegman had more tools at her disposal. In James, England could call up on her mercurial forward who was cruelly forced off, unfit, during the Euros final. James had been key to England’s previous win over Spain across 90 minutes in the Nations League last February, and she was deployed in the same position on the left wing that allowed her to control and decide England’s tempo. With such fluid and carefree movement on the ball, James toyed with Spain at times and led them on a merry dance. Behind her, Keira Walsh, captain on the night she won her 100th cap, and Georgia Stanway worked well with Kendall in hurrying Spain and bringing bite on the edge of their box.
By the end, Hemp’s goal felt like a distant memory. It came from a corner, a set-piece ultimately making the difference. Hemp was sharp in the box with an acrobatic finish after Russo’s flick from the ground kept the ball alive. The presence of goal-line technology ensured referee Tess Olofsson did not have a difficult decision to make while Spain’s protests fell on deaf ears when Alexia Putellas was unable to clear from the line. There was a scare, much later, when Alex Greenwood left Lopez open at the back post before Hampton was booked for time-wasting in stoppage time. As they did at Euros, England got it done.
The Miami Dolphins finished their 2025 campaign with a 7-10 record and in third place in the AFC East, leading to a regime change that landed Jon-Eric Sullivan as their general manager and Jeff Hafley as their head coach.
Their poor results in 2025 also gave the Dolphins pick No. 11 overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL, which should allow Miami to find a talented player to build around for years to come.
However, drafting isn't a perfect science, so let's take a look at who teams have picked No. 11 overall in the last 15 years.
Stats: 151 games in 12 seasons, 586 tackles, 317 quarterback hits, 114.5 sacks, 70 passes defensed, 27 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
Accomplishments: 7-time All-Pro, 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Stats: 128 games in nine seasons, 285 tackles, 49 quarterback hits, 20.5 sacks, 14 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Accomplishments: 2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro.
Stats: 108 games and 96 starts in eight seasons.
Stats: 105 games and 100 starts in nine seasons.
Accomplishments: 3-time Pro Bowler
Stats: 79 games and 57 starts in six seasons, 259 tackles, 43 passes defensed, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, one sack and one fumble recovery.
Stats: 69 games and 58 starts in six seasons, 290 tackles, 31 passes defensed, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Stats: 108 games in nine seasons (still active), 436 tackles, 98 passes defensed, 16 interceptions, six fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles.
Accomplishments: 4-time Pro Bowler, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Stats: 120 games in eight seasons (still active), 690 tackles, 60 passes defensed, 21 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, six forced fumbles and one sack.
Accomplishments: 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time All-Pro
Stats: 74 games in seven seasons (still active).
Stats: 61 games in six seasons (still active).
Accomplishments: 1-time Super Bowl champion
Stats: 59 games and 53 starts in five seasons (still active), 16-37 record, 61.4% completion percentage, 9,039 passing yards, 52 passing touchdowns, 32 interceptions, 2,892 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.
Accomplishments: NFL single-game record holder for rushing yards by a quarterback (178)
Stats: 55 games in four seasons (still active), 291 receptions, 3,728 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Accomplishments: 1-time All-Pro
Stats: 42 games in three seasons (still active).
Stats: 32 games and 24 starts in two seasons (still active).
Stats: 9 games in one season (still active), 20 tackles, three quarterback hits, one sack and one fumble recovery.
More Dolphins: 1 QB for the Dolphins to target in each round of the 2026 NFL draft
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL draft: Teams picking at No. 11 have had mixed results in recently
The Philadelphia Eagles must have liked what they saw from Nicholas Singleton during his time with the Penn State Nittany Lions. They interviewed him at the most recent NFL Combine, but they aren't done. It appears they'll be speaking with him again.
According to Sports Illustrated's Jeff Kerr, the expectation is that the Eagles will host him on Wednesday. That's when a local pro day will be held. This would not count towards Philadelphia's allotted top-30 visits. Eagles Wire previously mentioned him as a late-round prospect who would make sense from a roster standpoint.
The #Eagles will be hosting Nicholas Singleton on a pre-draft visit, I'm told.
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrPHL) April 13, 2026
Wednesday is the local pro day, so Singleton would not count toward the top-30 visits.
Eagles interviewed Singleton at the combine.
Singleton is a rarity in today's college football landscape, a star who spent all four seasons with the same program. In 2022, he was highly decorated. A 2022 Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree, he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American. He played his way to Third-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2023. The Eagles seem set at the running back position for now. Saqupn Barkley is the unquestioned leader and top man of the group. Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are the reserves. Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele are also on the roster and should provide some conversation this spring and summer.
It's always great to have insurance, though. The running back position is football's most punishing. An unexpected injury could change the complexion of the position group in a hurry. As most know, a visit won't give a prospect any guarantees, but Philadelphia tends to add players from the pool of players they spend time with before the draft. Meeting with Singleton at the combine and in before the draft certainly shows they have some interest.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Nicholas Singleton set for predraft meeting with the Eagles
Liverpool could not produce another famous European comeback at Anfield as they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain - but had their second-half penalty not been controversially overturned, things could have been very different.
The hosts were trailing 2-0 on aggregate but still had the second leg finely poised at 0-0, knowing the pendulum could swing heavily in their favour if they made PSG’s net bulge.
It looked like they had secured the golden opportunity to do just that as Alexis Mac Allister went down under the challenge of Willian Pacho to earn Liverpool a penalty on 64 minutes.
Former referee Mark Clattenburg said on Prime Video’s coverage of the match that he expected the call against what he branded a “clumsy challenge” to stand, but to his and the commentators’ surprise, match official Maurizio Mariani was ordered to the pitchside monitor and promptly overturned his decision.
“We talk about clear and obvious every time we talk about interventions,” Clattenburg, bemoaning the decision. “When we see the contact on Mac Allister, people will say it’s soft but it’s not wrong. There is contact. Once the referee gives it, I expect the penalty to be upheld.”
Alan Shearer then added: “I’m surprised as well because Mac Allister does ever so well to protect that ball, inviting the challenge in from Pacho and once he tries to get the ball and doesn’t, and does make contact with him and the referee gives it, I’m really, really surprised he’s overturned it.”
It proved the beginning of the end for Liverpool’s hopes of a fightback, with PSG going up the other end and scoring through Ousmane Dembele eight minutes later, taking the aggregate score to 3-0.
Dembele then doubled his tally and PSG’s lead on the night in stoppage time to compound Liverpool’s woes.
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said the defense has not met Baltimore's standard in recent seasons and noted that the new coaching staff, led by head coach Jesse Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, has been direct in addressing it during the early stages of the offseason program.
“Not yet. I don’t think we’re reinventing the wheel or anything, but we just kind of have to reestablish dominance, especially on defense. Offense, they have their own thing going on, and I’m sure they’ll be alright, but I think defensively, it’s been pretty disappointing just [with] some results that we’ve had. And we’ve had some good seasons, but we’ve also had some bad seasons, and those are inexcusable, especially here. So, I think confronting that, and him along with [defensive coordinator] Coach [Anthony] Weaver, they’ve both done a great job so far [of] just kind of laying out what’s been in the past and where we want to go in the future and how the standard has not been met and upheld, and we need to fix that.”
Hamilton said the staff has been upfront about where the defense needs to improve as Baltimore works through early offseason installs and installation of the new system. As Baltimore works through a critical transition, accountability appears to be setting the tone early. With a clear message from the coaching staff and buy-in from leaders like Hamilton, the Ravens are focused on restoring their defensive identity and returning to the level of consistency expected from one of the NFL’s most respected units.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Kyle Hamilton praises coaches for fixing Ravens defense
Entering the NBA playoffs as the title favorite, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 16 wins away from history. They hope to be the first squad since the Golden State Warriors to win back-to-back championships. It's a tall task, but this group feels like the best shot since those Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant days.
It took a little longer than last year, but the Thunder clinched the NBA's best record with a few days to spare. That means, for the third straight time, they will have homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. To understand the magnitude of that feat, reference back to last year's two Game 7 wins.
Awaiting to see who their Round 1 opponent is, the Thunder have a pretty clear path to the Western Conference Finals at a minimum. They should take care of business against the play-in tournament survivor. And then Round 2 will feature either the depleted Los Angeles Lakers or the depleted Houston Rockets.
But the Thunder aren't getting too ahead of themselves. Jalen Williams talked about their mindset as they enter the NBA playoffs playing their best basketball — which coincides with them being the healthiest they've been all year. He even revealed what OKC GM Sam Presti's message was to the group.
"It's something we talk about. Because I feel like when you try and avoid talking about things, it starts to creep into everybody's head. So we've talked about it," Williams said. "Sam made a really good point. You can play the Finals back last year six million times, and there's a lot of times we don't win it. Like, Memphis, somebody can get hurt. You just never know. I know Indiana feels the exact same way, too."
That's probably the right mindset to have. The Thunder have preached since Media Day that they're flipping the page from last year. You can't bring over last year's dominance or expect things to play out the same way. To win an NBA championship, you need as much luck as talent.
"That's our biggest motivators. We can't go back in time and replicate any of that. That's what makes this really special for us. It's like a zero and zero mindset kind of thing," Williams said. "Everybody hates me for saying it, but this playoff run is so unique and so different from the last one. We have to have the ability to understand that."
Let's see how Williams' wisdom ages in a couple of months. Unlike last year, the Thunder have experience to call back on at the highest stakes of professional basketball. It's now about applying that to the present. If they can do that, there's no real reason why they shouldn't go back-to-back and add another championship banner next October.
Jalen Williams on if they talked about going back-to-back: “We’ve talked about it. Sam made a really good point. You can play the Finals back last year 6 million times, and there's a lot of times we don't win it. Like, Memphis, somebody can get hurt. You just never know. I know… pic.twitter.com/b7zGUsTqqV
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 14, 2026
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Jalen Williams reveals Sam Presti's message to Thunder ahead of NBA playoffs
The Florida State Seminoles have turned up the heat in their efforts to land 2027 blue-chip linebacker Mikahi Allen over the last few months. After having him on campus in January for a Junior Day event, Allen returned last week for a spring practice.
Things have progressed in his recruitment to the point that Allen has narrowed his choices down to eight schools. He's now focused on Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, South Carolina, Syracuse, Illinois, Rutgers, and FSU.
With his standout schools identified, they'll certainly be factors that separate them in the end. Allen mentioned some of the aspects that will be key in helping him make his decision.
"Scheme, how the coach coaches," Allen told Brian Dohn of 247Sports. "Are the players understanding what the coach is teaching them? Are the coaches teaching them football? Do I see myself loving that school?"
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder specifically broke down why teams use linebackers in multiple ways.
"I look at scheme a lot because a lot of places are playing with two linebackers, but they are also putting their linebackers in multiple positions and that is what I am really looking for," Allen said. "If you want to get to that next level from what I've been hearing, you want to go to a college that can show your versatility to the scouts. That's what I've really been looking into."
Tony White’s 3-3-5 scheme should certainly be appealing to Allen in that regard. There's a Jack linebacker role within the scheme that serves as a hybrid edge-linebacker that rushes the passer and also drops into coverage.
Allen had a very good junior campaign at Don Bosco Prep High School. He amassed 58 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three interceptions, two pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked punt.
He's listed as the No. 213 player in the country and the No. 19 linebacker in the 247Sports composite rankings. He's also the No. 4 prospect in New Jersey.
Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience
This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU Football: Mikahi Allen names Florida State a top-eight school
Manchester United watch Premier League pair, Bayern Munich want Harry Kane's England team-mate, plus who is next for the Bournemouth job.
Manchester United are monitoring Bournemouth's French forward Junior Kroupi, 19, and Argentine defender Marcos Senesi, 28. (Mail - subscription needed)
Bayern Munich are interested in signing Newcastle and England winger Anthony Gordon, 25. (Talksport)
Aston Villa are the latest Premier League club to show an interest in England goalkeeper James Trafford. The 23-year-old was signed by Manchester City last summer but was immediately replaced by Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma, 27, and should be available. (Mail)
Liverpool want Bazoumana Toure in the summer. The 20-year-old Ivory Coast winger has excelled for Hoffenheim this season and could spark the Anfield club's attack back into life. (Teamtalk)
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is close to agreeing a new contract to stay at Anfield. The 26-year-old France international was expected to leave this summer but could now sign a four-year extension. (RMC - in French)
Borussia Dortmund and Germany centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, 26, has a release clause of about £43m-£52m which only applies to three clubs - including Liverpool and Real Madrid, but not Bayern Munich.(Bild - in German)
Napoli want to extend the contract of Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay before this summer's World Cup. The 29-year-old has become a huge favourite in Naples since joining from Manchester United in 2024. (Il Mattino - In Italian)
England winger Jadon Sancho, 26, will have to accept a significant drop in wages if he wants to rejoin Borussia Dortmund when his Manchester United contract expires this summer. (Mirror)
Bournemouth are considering Rayo Vallecano boss Inigo Perez, Coventry City manager Frank Lampard and Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna as they plan for life after Andoni Iraola, who has decided to leave at the end of the season. (i Sport)
Unattached German manager Marco Rose, whose last job was at RB Leipzig, is thought to be the leading contender to replace Iraola at Bournemouth. (Guardian)
Argentine defender Cristian Romero, 27, may have played his last game for Tottenham Hotspur, with the club planning a squad overhaul even if they stay up. (Talksport)
Coventry City are keen to bring Chelsea's 18-year-old forward Jesse Derry to the club next season. (Talksport)
Reds: N/A
Paris St-Germain: Somesportswashingprick 73’, 90’
I just hope this doesn’t go 120 minutes.
So after rolling out a 5-3-2 for the first time all season last week (and getting stomped), we’re rolling out a 4-4-2 for the first time this season. COOL.
And some asshole PSG fans made a commotion during the moment of silence for the commemoration of the Hillsborough disaster. OK, now I’m ready to twat these pricks.
The first quarter of an hour goes by fairly uneventfully, though the game is being played at a frenetic pace. Liverpool, obviously, are trying to make a hash of things, and PSG are trying to kill the contest. While neither have created much in these early stages, PSG look far likelier to score (no surprise there).
Welp, Hugo Ekitike went down in a heap without any contact, grabbing his ankle. Looks bad. Probably his Achilles. And he’s being stretchered off. Salah comes on for him. Probably not how Salah wanted to come on for what will likely be his last European night at Anfield.
Salah nearly gets an assist as soon as he comes on, but it leads to a goal line scramble that is somehow not bundled over the line. COME ON FOOTBALL GODS, GIVE US SOMETHING. Pricks.
The half ends 0-0. Unlike the first match, Liverpool are not getting completely run over by PSG. That said, they’re doing little to actually overturn the deficit from the first match, but I guess baby steps or something.
Gakpo and Gomez come on to start the second half for Isak and Frimpong. Might as well plant the white flag at the center circle while you’re at it. On the other hand:
Well, Liverpool have started this half on top, and nearly created a breakthrough from a Kerkez backpost run. Please make me eat my words for once this season, you pricks.
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER WINS A PENALTY FOR LIVERPOOL FOR REAL FOR REAL.
Wait? What the actual fuck?! VAR overturned what appeared to be a stonewall penalty. Mac Allister just got barged over in the box, and then he decides not to give it?! And if you really want to send your conspiracy brain into overdrive, they didn’t show the VAR replay that the ref was watching.
Then Joe Gomez goes off for Rio. And. What? What is even happening?
Ah, after an incredible 30 or so minutes from The Reds, PSG score completely against the run of play. What a sucker punch.
Anfield starting to clear out as the minutes tick down. The Anfield leaving early during a European knockout. Sickening. Not blaming the fans, by the way.
And the fans who left early were rewarded by not seeing PSG score a second in stoppage time.
If you play 25 minutes of good football out of 180, this is what happens. Plus, you know, it would’ve been nice to have scored a goal or two during those 25 good minutes. At least Hugo is out for the rest of the season. Wait. That’s also bad. Hmm. Well, I guess this was just a shit night all around.
Former SMU center Samet Yiğitoğlu has committed to transfer to Indiana, according to DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony.
This developing story will be updated.
We are now a little over a week away from finding out the landing spots for Alabama football players in the 2026 NFL draft, and according to the latest mock from USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, it might be a fairly quiet night one for the Crimson Tide.
According to his latest mock, Middlehurst-Schwartz projects only one Alabama player to be selected in the opening round of the 2026 NFL draft, and that is offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.
Middlehurst-Schwartz currently projects Proctor to come off the board at pick No. 17 overall, drafted by the Detroit Lions. Proctor's run-blocking ability is mentioned by Middlehurst-Schwartz as something that could intrigue Detroit and head coach Dan Campbell, while also pairing him with current standout tackle Penei Sewell.
"The 6-7, 352-pound blocker's penchant for displacing people in the run game should endear him to Campbell right away," Middlehurst-Schwartz said.
Elsewhere in the mock, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was not projected as a first round pick. Aside from Proctor and Simpson, wideout Germie Bernard is likely the lone other Alabama player in potential first round consideration.
The 2026 NFL draft is set to begin Thursday, April 23 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football's Kadyn Proctor projected to Lions in NFL mock draft
lA QUINTA, Calif. ― David McLay Kidd has designed and built famous courses on the coastline of Oregon, on an old potato field in St. Andrews in his native Scotland and in locations as diverse as Hawaii and South Africa.
Now Kidd says he’s excited about the chance to build a golf course in the flat, sandy soil of south La Quinta.
“Sandy material to a Scotsman, that’s the elixir of life,” said Kidd, whose design for the Coral Mountain Desert Club should be open by 2028 as the first new course in the desert since 2023 and just the second new course in the desert since 2008. “Every time I have worked in sand, the results have been pretty good. I’m like a stockbroker, I can guarantee the results of the future, but if you look at my track record, it is pretty good every time I am in the sand.”
A private residential and lifestyle community on 400 acres in La Quinta, construction at Coral Mountain Desert Club should begin in July, with the Kidd course being part of the first phase of construction. Graham Culp, a partner in development company Meriweather Companies, expects the golf course and other amenities to open in either late 2027 or early 2028.
“If we can bring that (lifestyle-centered) energy to this community and design the trail system and the clubhouse and the racquet sports, the golf course, where it is still exception golf but it is still not so much golf centric, then I believe we will be successful,” Culp said.
While Kidd brings a world-class resume to the project, including courses like popular Bandon Dunes in Oregon, the Castle Course at St Andrews in Scotland and the recently completed Streamsong Golf Resort in Florida, the chance to do his first course in the golf-rich Coachella Valley has him excited. Part of his excitement is the land in La Quinta, land that may look featureless but has great potential, he said.
“All of it is surrounded by amazing backdrops, Coral Mountain in particular,” Kidd said. “Instead of the backdrops being way back there at the coastal mountain range, you’ve got this Coral Mountain that’s right there. You are literally picking bits of coral out of the rock face that some of tihse holes are going to play up against.”
Kidd, now based in Bend, Ore., promises a different kind of golf courses from a design team he calls golf nerdy, enthusiastic creative guys. The course will be a link-style course that might not fit the widely accepted definition of links.
“Links to me and to most Scotsmen means you are playing the course on the ground. That’s the key element to what Americans, even sophisticated Americans, would consider links golf,” Kidd said. “Bounce and run and chase, do all sort of things after the ball lands, and that’s what I would hope to bring to Coral Mountain. I hope we can build a golf course that allows a golfer to read the ground and then play that shot in order to get the bounce and the roll that they desire.”
Coral Mountain will be the first course bult in the desert since the 2023 opening of exclusive Gil Hanse-designed Ladera Golf Club in Thermal, which itself was the first course in the desert since Eagle Falls at Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio opened in 2008. Course development slowed in the desert in the last 20 years with swings in the economy and demands for housing and a drop in golf participation. But golf has surged since the 2020 Covid pandemic, and that’s not all that has changed in that time, Culp said.
Meriweather acquired the land in 2019 but failed to get approval for a community based around a wave basin. The new project has moved the wave basin to Thermal while looking at a changing market for the La Quinta land.
“You had really a massive resurgence in buying homes and properties in the Coachella Valley (after COVID), so you really cleared out a bunch of the inventory,” Culp said. “We go back to work designing a community centered on the golf course that we felt would perform well in any market condition.”
Culp hopes to stay away from the traditional model of a private golf club, with the Meriweather Companies partners leading a new lifestyle-centered community, a community different than what previous generations have wanted.
“We (the partners) all want to live younger longer. And we want to do so in a casual environment surrounded by likeminded people who are passionate about more than golf,” said the 50-year-old Culp. “We are all passionate about golf, but we are also into surf. We are into padel sports, not just tennis but pickleball and padel (a kind of hybrid between tennis and squash) and we care about recovery and what we eat and we also like to have a ton of fun.”
“Based on what the developers are telling me, (the private club) is not going to be too stuffy,” Kidd said. “They are going to want the members to bring lots of guests and they are not going to get insanely difficult for guests to get out there. Their hope is they build a relaxed club that is more barefoot and long shorts.”
As for the course, Kidd admits designing a course in the Coachella Valley comes with the pitfalls of comparison to other desert courses.
“I feel a sense of pressure knowing that the best, most-creative, most-celebrated architects of my generation have already stepped into the canvas, and here I am doing the same,” Kidd said. “There is a necessity to raise my game into the same high bench mark that has already been set. You can’t mail it in, There is no mailing it in when you are in this location.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: David McLay Kidd's Coral Mountain Desert Club an architectural challenge
The Washington Huskies have had no problem throwing their trio of four-star freshmen wide receivers into the deep end immediately during spring practice, and they've all responded well to the challenge.
When looking at Jordan Clay, a product of San Antonio Madison High School in Texas, who wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings flipped away from Baylor hours before signing day, he's had the most significant challenge thrown at him. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound pass catcher, who was ranked as the No. 135 overall prospect and No. 20 wide receiver in the 2026 class by 247Sports, has been competing with the first team offense throughout most of spring practice and has fit right in.
During Washington's first practice inside Husky Stadium, Clay showed off his physicality and strong hands during a team period where he held onto a pass from Demond Williams Jr. over the middle of the field while getting crunched between linebackers Jacob Manu and Donovan Robinson. Then, during an extended scrimmage period on Saturday, Clay created a clean release off the line of scrimmage while working against cornerback Dylan Robinson, and elevated over the 6-foot-3 sophomore to haul in a 1-yard touchdown from Williams.
As the Huskies look to fill the shoes of projected first-round pick Denzel Boston, his early play has shown why the Huskies made such a heavy push to earn his commitment, and why he's gotten so much run early on.
"I think Jordan Clay is going to be awesome," Cummings said. "I think he's going to be amazing. I think his size, his physicality, is all there right now. He's learning so much that you don't see all of that talent, but he'll get there."
If these are the early returns on Clay, who is continuing to refine his route running after the Navy All-American Bowl Offensive Player of the Year was able to dominate thanks to his superior size, speed, and athleticism at the high school level, then the Huskies have a pass catcher with some promising potential on their hands.
Clay and fellow freshman Trez Davis have both put together several highlight plays so far as the Huskies continue to sort through their receiver room. With transfers Christian Moss and Bodpegn Miller in the mix, as well as sophomores Chris Lawson and Justice Williams pushing for spots in the rotation alongside Dezmen Roebuck and Rashid Williams, Clay and Davis have shown that while Washington may be short on experience at wide receiver, there's plenty of talent at the position.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Jordan Clay impressing early at Washington Huskies spring practice
BLOOMINGTON — Darian DeVries stayed true to his word about strengthening his Indiana basketball frontcourt options for next season on Tuesday, when he landed Turkish center Samet Yigitoglu out of the transfer portal.
A fixture at SMU across the last two seasons, Yigitoglu started all 66 games in which he appeared for the Mustangs. At 7 foot 2, 270 pounds, the Istanbul native proved an effective two-way rebounder and rim protector for Andy Enfield’s teams. He averaged double figures in scoring across each of the last two seasons as well.
Yigitoglu immediately infuses badly needed size into Indiana’s rotation. DeVries spoke openly in the final weeks of last season about recognizing he had not reinforced his lineup with enough size to compete in the Big Ten. The SMU center’s addition speaks directly to that need, giving Indiana a true five — Yigitoglu attempted just six 3s in two years in Dallas — to plug into its first five right away.
Follow along: Indiana basketball 2026 transfer portal tracker. Who's left?
The latest Hoosier joins a class already three strong, joining junior guards Markus Burton, Jaeden Mustaf and Darren Harris.
Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar's Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Samet Yigitoglu commits to Indiana basketball roster in transfer portal
There are a lot of positives when former players visit Texas Longhorns practice. The current players can see someone they hope to emulate and the former players can pass some knowledge down. Former Longhorns legends Brian Orakpo and Jamaal Charles visited Texas practice this morning and UT coach Steve Sarkisian says the team loves it.
"I think from our players perspective, they know the connection Orakpo has with Muschamp," Sarkisian said in Tuesday's post-spring practice press conference. "So when he can speak on Muschamp's behalf, that just instills more confidence in our players. ... Like, 'Hey, this guy's gonna get you right. Just keep trusting what he's doing. Whether it's Jamaal Charles talking to the running backs. Or whether it's just Mack (Brown) being out there and his presence. All our guys know who Mack Brown is. They walk by his picture every day."
Sarkisian also knows that former players are invested and want to see the current team compete hard in practice and in the games.
"There's been a lot of blood, sweat and tears from those guys on that grass up there," Sark continued. "I think they enjoy it. I think they've got a lot of pride Longhorn football, Longhorn Nation and to see this team and watch them compete, I think they enjoy that."
Coach Sark told us @rak98 & @jamaalcharles came out to practice today...
— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) April 14, 2026
I asked him what are the benefits of having alumni like that and also coach Brown show face around the team
"I think for those it probably gets them out of the house...Practice was hard today but when you… https://t.co/GdVHUwK6Bqpic.twitter.com/1yk2mNxDbF
Sark believes the team is inspired by former players and coaches taking time to check in on them.
"The fact that they know people are invested in them and this team," Sark said. "That they're behind them I think just serves as motivation to keep pushing through some of these tough days. Practice was hard today. But when you look over there and Brian Orakpo is standing there with his arms folded, he wants to see you keep pushing through."
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Former Texas Longhorns Brian Orakpo, Jamaal Charles visit practice
The Miami Dolphins had the most controversial pick in the first round of our 2026 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 11th overall pick. But POD commenter Xlgrev is back on the clock at 30, and hoping to build upon their 2026 class.
Before we get to the selection, head to our 2026 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft tracker. There you’ll find the previous 29 picks, along with links to each article and a grade for each pick, as decided by you, the readers. Don’t forget to cast your vote for each pick with the poll at the bottom of the articles.
Now, onto this pick:
With the 30th pick in the 2026 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Colton Hood, cornerback out of Tennessee.
Here’s Xlgrev explaining the pick:
Jon-Eric Sullivan had heard the local and national outcry about him selecting QB Ty Simpson with the 11th pick. And while he still felt good about that pick and the strategy behind it, what had transpired since did not sit well with him. He watched as every tackle and defensive edge he had a first round grade on went off the board. He was certain at least one of them would fall to him at 30. Such was not the case and as he looked at his board there was just one player remaining with a first round grade: Tennessee CB Colton Hood.
Hood has all the potential to be a day one starter with enough upside to eventually be an All-Pro. He plays with a tenacity to tackle violently and a nose to punch out balls after the catch. He can play run stop as well as cover in man to man schemes. He had an excellent interview and is the type of kid the Dolphins want to build around as they change the culture.
Sullivan would love for Hood to be a little taller and a little thicker through the shoulders. He saw on tape several times where he overplayed a route with his aggressiveness and got caught in a double move. It didn’t happen often with college athletes, but now he would be defending the best WRs in the world week in and week out who would exploit his aggressiveness if he didn’t learn to control it. Hood would also have to learn to anticipate what to do in zone coverages and not allow his eyes to get lost following specific receivers.
Sullivan really wanted a tackle or an edge with this pick, but he also knew the draft was loaded with second tier talent at those positions and he called in his highest rated remaining player, Hood, as the pick
Time to grade the pick. Vote in the poll below and share your expanded thoughts in the comment section:
Here are the lineups. For the Phillies:
Annnnnd we're back!#RingTheBellpic.twitter.com/wboap6XmdT
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 14, 2026
For the Cubs:
Night two in Philly.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 14, 2026
Watch the game live on @WatchMarquee. pic.twitter.com/O6bpAMSUaf
Let’s talk about it.
The NFL draft is fast approaching, and the Dallas Cowboys remain one of the most interesting teams ahead of night one with two first-round picks. There has been a ton of buzz among insiders and draft analysts alike, suggesting Dallas might be trying to make a splash and move up from the 12th overall pick.
It takes two to tango, and while the Cowboys might have all the ambition in the world to go up and get their guy, the asking price might be more than they are willing to pay. In the case where Dallas has to still stick and pick, there are a few names fans should familiarize themselves with before they’re on the clock.
During a recent mailbag with Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a fan asked which prospects we are not talking about who could be connected to the Cowboys. Harris shared his list of names.
Q: Who are some prospects we aren’t talking about enough? We’ve heard Dallas loves Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood, but anyone flying under the radar? — @BigPapaZimmer
A: This is a fun one. I think Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor, San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson and Miami cornerback Keionte Scott are all defenders whom Cowboys fans should monitor. Of course, the top four of LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, [Caleb] Downs, [Sonny] Styles and [Rueben] Bain are names to watch, too. And if the Cowboys get to No. 20 and still haven’t taken a defensive back, I would definitely pencil in Hood.
Outside of the usual suspects, the Cowboys have shown keen interest in cornerback prospects. Colton Hood, Chris Johnson, and Keionte Scott are three players who could go in the late first round to early second round. From Harris’ answer, it sounds like if all three were on the board at 20th overall, and Dallas didn’t trade out of the pick, then Hood would be the selection.
When Jermod McCoy missed the entirety of last season at Tennessee, Hood stepped up as CB1 for the Volunteers. According to Pro Football Focus, Hood had a defensive grade of 79.2, which ranks tied for 24th among cornerback prospects in this class. He finished the year with one interception and eight pass breakups. The two-time transfer had his highest graded season at Tennessee after spending time at Colorado and Auburn.
At just 21 years old, the redshirt sophomore certainly has room to grow as a player. If the Cowboys end up selecting Hood in the first round and we hear defensive coordinator Christian Parker talk about a player with untapped potential as an unfinished product, that should get fans very excited.
Parker is one of the best evaluators when it comes to secondary players, so his stamp of approval should speak volumes with whichever secondary player Dallas may take on draft weekend. Hood could become a plus starter with the right teacher, and Dallas certainly has one of the best, if not the best, teachers at the position in the league in their building.
The 2025–26 men’s college basketball season delivered one of the strongest TV runs in years. It built through the regular season, then reached its peak when the NCAA Tournament started on March 19 and carried through the Final Four and national championship. The tournament again showed why March Madness remains one of the biggest events in American sports. It brought together top programs, high-pressure games, and the kind of stage that helps shape future NBA players.
Michigan and UConn closed the season in the title game on April 6, and that matchup finished as the most-watched game of the year. Michigan’s win over UConn drew the biggest audience of the tournament and capped a postseason that also delivered strong numbers in the Final Four, Elite Eight, Sweet 16, and Round of 32. The year also had major regular-season draws, including high-profile nonconference games in November that pulled in millions of viewers.
MORE: Legendary basketball coach, broadcaster Dick Vitale reveals health status
This season was loaded with teams that carried national attention. Michigan, UConn, Duke, Kansas, Purdue, Arizona, Kentucky, St. John’s, Illinois, and Michigan State all helped drive ratings. The season had the kind of games that keep fans watching late, whether it was buzzer-beaters, comebacks, or win-or-go-home pressure. That is what makes men’s college basketball such a strong TV product every year, and 2025–26 was no different.
Below are the 10 most-watched games of the season, ranked in descending order.
Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) and guard L.J. Cason (2) wave to fans on Tuesday, April, 7, 2026, at Crisler Center after the team arrived home after winning the NCAA national championship, 69-63, against Connecticut.
This was the national championship game and the biggest audience of the college basketball season. Michigan beat UConn on April 6, 2026, in the title game that aired across TBS, TNT, and truTV. The game peaked at 20.4 million viewers and finished as the most-watched national championship since 2019. It was the final step in Michigan’s run to the program’s first national title since 1989.
Mar 25, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Bryce James (6) smiles during a practice session ahead of the west regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
This was a Final Four game played on April 4, 2026. Michigan controlled the matchup and moved on to the championship game. The game drew a large audience because it featured a top seed in a high-stakes semifinal setting. It also included a “Fab Five” alt-cast on truTV that added to the night’s attention.
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) talks with forward David Mirkovic (0) during the second half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
This was the other Final Four game, also played on April 4, 2026. UConn held off Illinois to reach the national championship. The game had strong late-game tension, which helped keep the audience high throughout the night. It was one of the most watched men’s college basketball games of the season.
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) has his shot tipped Saturday, April 4, 2026, by Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) during a Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
This Elite Eight game was played on March 29, 2026. UConn came back from 19 points down to beat Duke in one of the most dramatic games of the tournament. The finish was tight, and the game-winning shot came with 0.4 seconds left. It was one of the biggest draws of the postseason.
Mar 19, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White (3) and guard Darryn Peterson (22) during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
This Round of 32 game was played on March 22, 2026. St. John’s won on a buzzer-beating shot by Dylan Darling and became the most-watched game of the opening weekend. The matchup drew national attention because both teams had strong brand names. The late finish helped push the audience above 10 million.
Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) celebrates as his team scores against the Arizona Wildcats during a NCAA Tournament game Saturday, March 28, 2026 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Purdue fell to Arizona 79-64.
This Elite Eight game took place on March 28, 2026. Purdue led at halftime, but Arizona took over in the second half and secured a Final Four spot. The game mattered because it decided a trip to the national semifinals. The back-and-forth nature of the contest helped its viewership.
Jan 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) chest bumps forward Jayden Quaintance (21) before the game against the Missouri Tigers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
This Round of 32 game was played on March 22, 2026. Kentucky started well, but Iowa State pulled away and advanced to the Sweet 16. The game brought strong interest because Kentucky always draws a large audience. It was one of the most-watched second-round games of the tournament.
Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Brock Harding (2) drives to the basket during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
This Round of 32 game took place on March 21, 2026. Duke survived another upset scare and stayed alive in the bracket. The Blue Devils remained one of the biggest TV draws in the sport, even in a tense early-round game. The matchup delivered a strong audience in the afternoon window.
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) dribbles the ball past St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
This Sweet 16 game was played on March 27, 2026. Duke advanced again after a close game against St. John’s. The matchup kept the Blue Devils in the spotlight and helped lift the later rounds of the tournament. It was another game that benefited from two major national programs.
Louisville Cardinals guard Mikel Brown Jr. (0) was unfazed after he scored 45 points with 10-for-16 3-point shooting as the Cards roll past NC State 118-77 at the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville February 9, 2026.
This Round of 32 game was played on March 21, 2026. Michigan State won 77-69 and moved into the Sweet 16 for the second straight year. The game drew strong afternoon ratings because both schools have national followings. It rounded out the top 10 most-watched games of the season.
MORE: UGA basketball player Kareem Stagg arrested for speeding
Michigan’s title-game win over UConn closed a college basketball season that delivered strong ratings, dramatic March Madness moments, and audiences for the Final Four, Elite Eight, and early-round games. The 2025–26 men’s college basketball year showed how top programs and close finishes still drive national interest. With the tournament setting new viewership marks, the sport now moves into the next cycle with attention on future stars, teams, and season’s matchups.
It’s the regular season home finale, folks!
Believe it or not, this is not the most significant Bruins-Devils game of the past couple of weeks.
When searching for an image for a “Bruins Devils” image for this post, I got a bunch of results for the Duke Blue Devils vs. the UCLA Bruins in Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament, which was slightly more consequential than this game.
Still, there is something riding on this game, as a win guarantees the Bruins a date with Buffalo in the first round, while a loss leaves open the possibility of facing Carolina instead.
No knock on Buffalo, but I’d rather see them than Carolina, mostly because I’m sick of Carolina after the last few years.
Anyways, that’s getting ahead of things, as there’s still a game to play tonight.
Along with the game, we’ll get the results of the NESN 7th Player Award and the rest of the end-of-regular-season festivities tonight.
Bruins! Devils! IN THE COMMONWEALTH!
Discuss.
The NFL Draft is almost here, and that means it’s time for an annual Bears Banter tradition! The phenomenal NFL Draft preview with EJ Snyder.
EJ, formerly of Windy City Gridiron, now part of Bootleg Football, joins the podcast every year to preview the draft from a Chicago Bears perspective. EJ watches film and has been studying these prospects for months, and he shares that knowledge with the viewers and listeners!
EJ discusses the draft in totality, discusses the options for the Bears at 25, some of the great players to target in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round, and even gives us some interesting names to look at with those 7th round picks!
If you would like to watch the podcast, you can do so on the 2nd City Gridiron YouTube page below:
If you would like to listen to the podcast, you can do so on the 2nd City Gridiron podcast feed (please like and subscribe!) wherever you get your podcasts, or use the player below:
Later tonight, the NBA Playoffs are set to begin. Well, somewhat. Tonight starts the Play-In Tournament that decides the final teams to make the playoffs, but either way, the march towards the NBA Finals begins over the next couple days. While UNC’s lack of a former player being a leading player on a championship-contending team has been well covered (and will hopefully change with Caleb Wilson’s ascendance), there are still a number of former Tar Heels around the bracket. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the former North Carolina players who will try and bring home the Larry O’Brien Trophy this year.
We’ll start with a Tar Heel who will quickly be in action this postseason, but will be up against it as far making a long stay is concerned.
After a midseason trade sent him to the Charlotte Hornets, Coby White has helped them back to the playoffs…somewhat. Later tonight, the Hornets will host the Heat in the 9/10 game in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament. In order to get into the main bracket, White and Charlotte will have to knockoff Miami tonight and then beat the loser of the 7/8 game between the 76ers and Magic. Even if they make it through that, the Hornets would then be tasked with facing the #1 seed and 60-win Pistons squad.
The Tar Heel with probably the most intriguing title chances this year is Harrison Barnes with the San Antonio Spurs. While Victor Wenbanyama is the key cog in the Spurs’ machine, Barnes has been a solid veteran presence as they’ve returned to the postseason this year. He’s put up 9.9 points per game and is knocking down a little under 40% of his three-point attempts as San Antonio cracked the 60-win mark. Barnes and the Spurs will go in as the #2 seed in the West, and will take on the winner of the Suns/Blazers play-in game. However, as a #2 seed, it’ll be hard for them not to hope for a deep playoff run.
Harrison Ingram is also on the Spurs’ roster, although he averages less than four minutes per game in only seven appearances this season, so he likely won’t be a key part of their playoff run.
Another Carolina player on a team hoping to make it far will be Cameron Johnson on the Denver Nuggets. He’s one of my favorite recent Tar Heels, so by no means do I say this to disparage him; by all accounts, he hasn’t been quite as good as what Denver was hoping for when they added him in on offseason trade. However, he’s still put up over double digits points per game and makes threes at a good clip. Denver will probably need him to be even better than that if they want to make another run at a championship, though. Their run will start with a series against the Timberwolves, which begins Saturday.
As mentioned, the Blazers will compete for one of the last couple places out West in the play-in tournament. He spent time in the G-League, as he’s on a two-way deal, but Caleb Love plays for Portland. When he’s been up with the NBA team, he’s averaged over 20 minutes a game in 49 appearances, so he’ll probably get some amount of run should the Blazers make the full playoffs — how much remains to be seen.
Best of luck to all the Tar Heels who will be competing over the coming weeks and months. My personal rooting interest does not have a former Carolina player, so I can’t say as of now that I’m rooting for one of them to win it all, but I certainly hope they all play well.
There is officially less than 10 days until the NFL Draft which means it’s time for one last Mock Draft version of the #PostPulpit Mailbag. Instead of submitting your usual questions, send in your personal favorite New England Patriots mock draft.
You can submit a written version of the selections down in the comments below or a screenshot of your finished picks on Twitter using #PostPulpit.
Stay tuned for Friday’s updated mailbag.
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said during his annual pre-draft press conference on Tuesday that the team has had “good conversation” with star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence about his contract. Schoen did not put a deadline on when the situation with Lawrence, who is not attending the voluntary offseason program, needs to be resolved.
“We’ve had good conversations with his representatives throughout the last five or six days,” Schoen said. Coach [John Harbaugh], Dawn [Aponte], myself, we’ve all been in communication trying to find some resolution.
“I’ll echo what Coach said last week. We’d like for Dexter to be here and at some point we’ll come to a resolution here. Whatever that may be, we’ll see.”
Lawrence has two years remaining on the four-year, $90 million extension he signed in 2024. There is, however, no guaranteed salary left on that contract. The 28-year-old Lawrence has requested a trade.
“Conversations have been really good. They’ve been productive,” Schoen said. “Again, we’ll see what happens here down the road.”
Schoen said he would listen to calls about the two-time All-Pro.
“I’m always gonna pick up the phone if a team calls,” Schoen said. “Maybe not to the effect that Coach said last week that everybody is tradable. That is my job as a general manager.
“If teams call, you take into account. It’s case-by-case basis and what the compensation may be. That’s my job to take into consideration what that looks like, what the compensation looks like, who the player is, how that affects the roster and then try to make the best decision off of that.”
Schoen was asked if next week’s draft provided a deadline of sorts so that, should the Giants need to trade Lawrence, they could get compensation that would benefit the 2026 roster.
“I’m not gonna get into it on if there’s a deadline or not. He’s under contract for two more years,” Schoen said. “We’re not gonna put any deadlines on anything.”
Below, more takeaways from Schoen’s press conference.
There is a belief in the draft community that the Giants are among a bevy of teams with early first-round picks that may be amenable to moving down in the draft order. There is also a belief that because of the lack of quarterbacks and premium edge defenders at the top of this class that there are few teams who want to move up.
“We’ve gotten a couple calls of teams sniffing around about potentially coming up,” Schoen said. “Again, we’ll just have to wait and see who’s there when we pick. I don’t really foresee us moving back before next Thursday night.”
The Giants have only seven picks, with three of those in Round 6, and do not possess a third-round pick after using that in the 2025 trade to draft quarterback Jaxson Dart.
“I would always like more picks but it’ll be situational,” Schoen said. “We’re not gonna walk away from an impact player or a good player that we’re convicted on that we like to pick up an extra pick or a couple extra picks. Case-by-case basis, if you move back three or four spots and there’s five guys you like and you need an extra pick, absolutely.
“If it’s a guy you’re convicted on and maybe there’s a big drop off from, let’s say it’s a corner and there’s a big drop off maybe two rounds to the next corner, you maybe don’t roll the dice in those situations. You just take the player so you don’t miss out. Certainly would like more picks, but don’t want to walk away from good players either.”
Harbaugh has been clear that need and positional value won’t drive the pick at No. 5. The chance to get a player who might have Hall of Fame potential regardless of position will.
That doesn’t necessarily coincide with Schoen’s positional value philosophy.
“Ideally they [value and need] line up,” Schoen said. “The best available player is also a position of need, but I would say last year if you look at what we did with Abdul [Carter], we had Kayvon [Thibodeaux] and we had [Brian} Burns here and we still took Abdul. We were really strong at outside backer when we added Abdul to the roster.
“Similar, we’re going through, we’re gonna stack the board and the best player available is the direction we’ll go.”
Schoen did admit this draft is different in that the top of the draft is not loaded with quarterbacks or players who generally cost the most money to acquire.
“You would like to have, again, those positions outside the building that you’re gonna pay a lot of money to get that surplus value but it just may not be the case this year, which is fine,” Schoen said. “We’re gonna evaluate every position, every player and obviously do what’s best for us.”
Schoen laughed when asked if he would consider “a 20-year-old running back who combines speed, power, and vision at number five?”
Schoen, of course, was at the forefront of the failed negotations with former Giants running back Saquon Barkley and has always seemed against the idea of selecting a running back high in the draft.
“We like our running back room now,” Schoen said. “Skat [Cam Skattebo] had a really good rookie year. Tyrone Tracy’s been a thousand yard all purpose guy the last two years. Devin’s back, Turbo, Eric Gray coming off the injuries. We’ll see what happens on draft night. I like the room the way it’s constructed right now.”
Schoen was asked if drafting Love at No. 5 would be admitting to a mistake in letting Barkley leave in free agency. The GM would not go there.
“I would say we’re in a different place,” Schoen said. “We have a quarterback on a rookie deal. At that time our offensive line was different. We didn’t have Jermaine Eluemunor. We didn’t have Jhn Runyan. We didn’t have Brian Burns. We didn’t have Malik Nabers. The roster was different.
“There’s a time and a place in terms of the roster construction. I like where we are right now from the young nucleus. That was a little part of the thought process is we need to build this thing and start it up front. Last year we were fifth in the league in rushing. We were fifth in the league in rushing a year ago. I think mission accomplished.”
Questions continue to be asked about the relationship between Schoen and Harbaugh. It is clear that Harbaugh, an 18-year head coach with a Super Bowl title and 15 playoff appearances, is the man with the final say. That, of course, is a change from Schoen’s four years working with Brian Daboll.
“The best way for this to work regardless of the organization of all 32 is there’d be a collaborative effort and be on the same page. The early returns on that it’s been great. We’ve had a lot of fun,” Schoen said. “Coach Harbaugh’s passionate about the draft. I’m passionate about the draft. My staff’s passionate about it. Just the ongoing football conversation, sitting in a film room with him whether it’s walking through the board or watching the film. It’s been a lot of fun.
“It’s going to be a collaborative effort. We’re going to be on the same page. We’re working towards that. By next Thursday when we get to the first round we’ll all be on the same page.”
Schoen said he and Harbaugh are aligned in one belief:
“It’s pretty simple. We joke around. Good football players. That’s not over complicated. We joke about that all the time. Just take good football players,” Schoen said.
Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is off to a blazing start to the season, and as is customary when he’s on a hot streak, the sports world is calling for him to be traded.
Following Trout’s two-homer game against the New York Yankees on Monday, First Take’s Stephen A. Smith became the latest pundit to advocate for the future Hall of Famer’s relocation.
“On behalf of myself and baseball lovers everywhere… Can we call Mike Trout out?” Smith said. “This is one of the greatest talents we have ever seen in the history of baseball. Yo, Mike Trout, we love you man. We can’t get enough of you when you’re healthy, which seems to be rare these days.
“Can you demand a trade? Can you get tired of giving the impression that you’re just chilling in Southern California? The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have not made the postseason since 2014. They haven’t had a winning record since 2015. …You’re gonna always get the money, you’re Mike Trout. Could you demand a trade, please?”
Trout has four homers to go with his 12 RBIs this season, and has a .883 OPS.
Since his debut for the Angels in 2011, Trout has become one of the most iconic players of the era and has set himself apart from the rest of MLB with a fantastic career. He has a career OPS of .975 and reached 400 home runs and 1,000 RBIs last season.
Trade rumors have surrounded Trout for several seasons, but the Angels seem to want to keep the face of their franchise going forward.
Trout and the Angels will look to bounce back after their ninth-inning loss to the Angels on Monday as they try to return to .500.
What would it take for the Angels to trade Mike Trout?
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Christian Yelich is expected to miss at least a month with an adductor strain.
Yelich left in the fifth inning of the Brewers’ 8-6 loss to the Washington Nationals on Sunday with what the team described as tightness in his left hamstring. The Brewers placed him on the injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Monday, and said he had a second-degree adductor strain.
The Brewers estimated he would return in mid-to-late May.
Milwaukee also selected infielder/outfielder Greg Jones from Triple-A Nashville and transferred left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny to the 60-day injured list.
Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP and a three-time All-Star, is hitting .314 with one home run, 10 RBIs and three steals in 15 games.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore received 18 months' probation and a $1,000 fine for an incident with a staff member after the school fired him for an inappropriate relationship with her.
Moore, 40, pleaded no contest last month to trespassing and malicious use of a telecom device in exchange for dropping more serious charges, and he faced a sentence of up to six months in jail for the two misdemeanors.
"I don't believe, when I look at the entirety of this situation, that incarceration should be appropriate," District Court Judge Cedric Simpson said during Tuesday's sentencing in Washtenaw County Court, via Dan Wetzel of ESPN. "I warn you Mr. Moore, should there be a violation, all bets are off. I don't like sending people to jail, but I don't have a problem doing it."
The Wolverines fired Moore on Dec. 10 after two seasons. He was accused of confronting staff member Paige Shiver in her apartment later that day, blaming her for his firing and threatening to kill himself with butter knives.
Shiver, who was not in court Tuesday, released a statement, saying the sentence "does not reflect the harm done to me."
"He broke into my apartment, crying, yelling, enraged, and came at me with knives," Shiver said, via Wetzel. "I was threatened, and I feared for my life."
Moore is prohibited from using drugs or alcohol, possessing firearms or having contact with Shiver. He was also ordered to continue counseling.
![Two footballs rest near the 10-yard line during a high school preseason football game between Fletcher and Creekside in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, on August 19, 2022. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]
081922 Creeksidefletcher25 Stock](https://media.zenfs.com/en/on3_recruiting_articles_521/b22258cce173367e2d9982de1427cbe7)
One of the more notable high school football programs in California has its new head football coach.
After two seasons at El Segundo, Rory Schoonmaker has been hired as the new head coach at Los Alamitos, according to High School on SI’s Tarek Fattal. Schoonmaker will replace Ray Fenton, who left the Griffins after six seasons to become the new head coach at Orange Lutheran.
Schoonmaker will take over a program that went 12-3, won the CIF-SS D2 title and finished as the No. 12 team in the Golden State last season, according to the Rivals Composite Rankings. Fenton went 80-33 during his time with the Griffins.
It’s another quick move for Schoonmaker, who landed a head coaching gig at Santa Ana three years ago. After one year with the Saints, he made the move to El Segundo and won 14 games across the last two seasons. In 2025, the Eagles went 8-3.
He’s now set to take over a competitive roster that will feature the likes of senior three-star wide receiver Kamden Tillis and senior three-star defensive lineman Hunter Eligon.
“Los Alamitos High School, located in Los Alamitos, California, is known for its strong academic programs and a highly competitive athletics department. The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a new athletic complex scheduled for completion in 2025. With a rich history of success in sports like football, basketball, and lacrosse, LAHS maintains a strong sense of community and school pride, symbolized by its Griffin mascot.”
For California high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Golden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across California.
MLB Analysts Name Pirates Most Surprising Team Of 2026 So Far originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Few teams are playing better baseball right now than the Pittsburgh Pirates.
They enter play on Tuesday with a 10-6 record, a plus-19 run differential and the second-best winning percentage in baseball. They've excelled both at the plate and on the mound, ranking seventh in runs per game and fifth in ERA.
While the Pirates were expected to be better this year after their impressive offseason, some didn't expect them to be this good, this quickly, including MLB Network analyst Mike Lowell.
On Tuesday, the former World Series champion third baseman explained why he picked Pittsburgh as his most surprising team of the season thus far.
"I think the pitching, we thought it was going to be good, but I didn't think the offense was gonna look that good," Lowell said on "MLB Central." "The Pirates brought in a lot of pieces. It seems like it's gelling, and we're in Week 2."
"Pittsburgh Pirates... the pitching, we thought it was going to be good, but I didn't think the offense was going to look THIS good."@mikelowell25 has been pleasantly surprised by the NL Central leaders so far this season! #MLBCentralpic.twitter.com/Rc996jojc2
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 14, 2026
The Pirates have been even better lately, winning nine of their last 12 games after a 1-3 start. After a brief road bump to begin the year, they've hit their stride.
"I like their lineup a lot. There's lefties, there's righties, there's talent, there's speed, there's youth, there's veterans, I like it," Lowell continued.
Bolstered by Oneil Cruz's hot start and the additions of Ryan O'Hearn and Brandon Lowe, Pittsburgh's lineup looks legit. It ranks seventh in runs per game, ninth in homers and seventh in OPS.
Fellow analyst Mark DeRosa agreed with Lowell, also picking the Pirates as this year's most surprising team.
"I hate to agree with him, but yeah. 100 percent, it's the Pittsburgh Pirates," DeRosa added. "And if Oneil Cruz is gonna play like an MVP candidate. They're gonna stick a guy on the mound with elite stuff every night. They really are."
Pittsburgh is firing on all cylinders, surging to the top of the NL Central. If the Pirates keep it up, they could be headed for their first division title in 34 years.
More MLB: Paul Skenes Finally Getting This Benefit From Pirates Teammates For First Time
The Brazil Women’s U-20 National Team returns to the field this Wednesday (15) at 4 p.m. Brasília time at Riverside Stadium in Kansas (USA) for its second friendly against the United States. For Elu, the friendlies against the Americans are an important opportunity to prepare for the U-20 World Cup.
“It’s really good for us to understand the level of football and our opponents’ strengths. We know the World Cup will be even tougher,” she says.
After the first meeting, goalkeeper Elu highlighted the main points the team has been working on in training and looked ahead to a matchup that will require even more commitment.
Goalkeeper Elu trains with the U-20 National Team for the second friendly against the USA in KansasCredits: Fabio Souza / CBF
According to the goalkeeper, the coaching staff led by Camilla Orlando has been emphasizing key aspects needed to face one of the strongest national teams in the world. In addition to intensity, Elu stressed the importance of being more strategic on the field.
“I think the main thing was intensity, because we know these friendlies will be very demanding, especially with the World Cup in mind. We also have to be a little more street-smart in the game. That will help a lot,” she says.
Another point highlighted by Elu was the analysis work on their opponents, with a focus on neutralizing the Americans’ main strengths. With the first match already played, expectations are for an even more balanced contest.
Goalkeeping coach Bruno Barbosa with players Morganti, Elu, and Josi during a Brazil Women’s U-20 National Team training sessionCredits: Fabio Souza / CBF
“We studied them a lot and worked on their biggest strengths so we can neutralize their game. Now that both teams already know each other, it’s going to be a more intense match. They may change their approach depending on our style, but we’re going in looking for the goal all the time,” she explains.
“I think the difference will be doing what we practice, staying committed, and always giving our all. That’s the secret,” she concludes.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
The Detroit Tigers have been waiting.
And Jahmai Jones has been waiting.
Finally, the Tigers matched up against a left-handed starting pitcher Tuesday, April 14, for the first time in the 2026 season, facing Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans – only Jones wasn't in the starting lineup despite his role as a weapon against lefties.
"He came up sick," manager A.J. Hinch said before Tuesday's game.
INJURY REPORT: Parker Meadows undergoes arm surgery, will return to Tigers in 2026
The Tigers matched up with right-handed starters in each of their first 16 games – the longest streak to start the season since the Tigers faced 18 righties in a row in 2019.
It's a missed opportunity for Jones to start.
But it's not his fault.
"He's had a rough 24 hours," Hinch said. "I had him in the original lineup and then got notified this morning that he's not feeling well. We're not going to put him out there with where he's at right now."
NEW ARM: Tigers claim strikeout machine Yoniel Curet off waivers from Phillies
Jones – a right-handed hitter – has appeared in seven of the 16 games for the Tigers, though he hasn't started any of them. The 28-year-old is hitting .000 (0-for-10) with zero walks and four strikeouts, receiving six plate appearances against left-handed relievers.
He remains in search of his first start – and his first hit.
The next chance?
The Tigers clash with Royals left-hander Kris Bubic in Thursday's series finale.
"He's going to be fine," Hinch said.
This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Jahmai Jones out with sickness vs Cole Ragans
Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.
GREEN BAY – Anterio Thompson didn’t produce big defensive numbers in his four college seasons, but his special-teams play and overall athleticism for a big man are interesting NFL teams.
The 6-foot-3, 306-pound Thompson, who grew up in Madison before moving to Davenport, Iowa, his senior year in high school, is making a pre-draft visit with the Green Bay Packers, a source confirmed. Packer Report was first to report the news.
Thompson played one season at Iowa Community College, where he was named all-conference and all-region during the team’s national junior college championship season.
He transferred to Iowa in 2023 and played in seven games, playing mostly special teams and blocking two punts. After not seeing much action on defense, he transferred to Western Michigan, where he started 12 games at defensive tackle and had 34 tackles and a sack. He also blocked another kick.
Thompson transferred to Washington and had a solid season with 30 tackles, 1½ sacks and two pass breakups.
He did not get an invitation to the NFL scouting combine and didn’t look like a draft pick until he ran a blazing 4.73 seconds in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times.
Thompson could have applied to the NCAA for another year at Washington, but he thought it was time to move on. He said he learned a lot on his college journey.
“I learned to trust the process,” Thompson told Huskies Wire. “Me being a guy that typically didn't trust the process and wanted to rush through things, I kind of got frustrated. I'd say that's big; it's just me taking coaching and being coachable.”
In the NFL, he projects to an inside pass-rushing position, but with his length and massive strength, he could be an end in a 3-4 defense. Given his NFL-ready body, he should be a late third-day pick.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Anterio Thompson took winding path making pre-draft visit with Packers
Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.
GREEN BAY – Anterio Thompson didn’t produce big defensive numbers in his four college seasons, but his special-teams play and overall athleticism for a big man are interesting NFL teams.
The 6-foot-3, 306-pound Thompson, who grew up in Madison before moving to Davenport, Iowa, his senior year in high school, is making a pre-draft visit with the Green Bay Packers, a source confirmed. Packer Report was first to report the news.
Thompson played one season at Iowa Community College, where he was named all-conference and all-region during the team’s national junior college championship season.
He transferred to Iowa in 2023 and played in seven games, playing mostly special teams and blocking two punts. After not seeing much action on defense, he transferred to Western Michigan, where he started 12 games at defensive tackle and had 34 tackles and a sack. He also blocked another kick.
Thompson transferred to Washington and had a solid season with 30 tackles, 1½ sacks and two pass breakups.
He did not get an invitation to the NFL scouting combine and didn’t look like a draft pick until he ran a blazing 4.73 seconds in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times.
Thompson could have applied to the NCAA for another year at Washington, but he thought it was time to move on. He said he learned a lot on his college journey.
“I learned to trust the process,” Thompson told Huskies Wire. “Me being a guy that typically didn't trust the process and wanted to rush through things, I kind of got frustrated. I'd say that's big; it's just me taking coaching and being coachable.”
In the NFL, he projects to an inside pass-rushing position, but with his length and massive strength, he could be an end in a 3-4 defense. Given his NFL-ready body, he should be a late third-day pick.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Anterio Thompson took winding path making pre-draft visit with Packers
After weeks of speculation about whether or not she and New England Patriots head coach are indeed involved, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini has decided to resign Tuesday afternoon.
She released a statement.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that, I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Russini is right that, since this has come to light, it has been the talk of the sports world, and it has only gotten worse with the surfacing of old videos of her speaking about her marriage and of her interviewing Vrabel.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: The Athletic’s star NFL reporter resigns amid Vrabel rumors
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — General manager Joe Schoen said Tuesday the New York Giants have had productive talks with Dexter Lawrence’s camp since the veteran defensive tackle’s request for a trade came to light last week.
At his pre-draft news conference, Schoen said he, coach John Harbaugh and senior VP of football operations and strategy Dawn Aponte have been in communication about the situation. Harbaugh at the start of offseason workouts called the prospects high of Lawrence remaining with the team.
“We’d like for Dexter to be here, and at some point we’ll come to a resolution here, whatever that may be,” Schoen said. “We’ll see. But conversations have been really good, they’ve been productive and we’ll see what happens here down the road.”
Schoen would not say whether the first round on April 23 represented a deadline because of the chance to recoup a pick to receive immediate help if Lawrence gets traded.
“He’s under contract for two more years,” Schoen said. “We’re not going to put any deadlines on anything.”
Lawrence, 28, is coming off a season in which he had a career-low 31 tackles and a half-sack for a defense that ranked 30th out of 32 teams in the NFL. He's currently set to make $19.5 million this year and $20 million in 2027.
As for whether New York is entertaining offers for Lawrence, Schoen said he's “always going to pick up the phone.”
“If teams call, you take into account it’s a case-by-case basis and what the compensation may be,” Schoen said. “That’s my job to take into consideration what that looks like, what the compensation looks like, who the player is, how that affects the roster and then try to make the best decision off of that.”
Schoen said Lawrence's trade request has not affected preparations for the draft. The Giants have the fifth pick and a bevvy of options on what to do with it, potentially including Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs.
The uncertainty surrounding Lawrence may have an impact on free agency. The team hosted experienced defensive lineman D.J. Reader, who started all 17 games for Detroit last season on a visit Monday.
“There’s still players that are on the street that were free agents this year that are available,” Schoen said, adding guard is also a position that could still be addressed.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
KC Concepcion might be the perfect wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills at the 2026 NFL draft, for both on and off the field reasons.
Concepcion had a standout college career, playing his first two seasons at North Carolina State before transferring to Texas A&M as a junior. Concepcion recorded 61 receptions for 919 yards and tied for an SEC-best nine touchdowns in 2025.
In terms of extracurriculars, Concepcion already has some Bills fandom built into him. Making the rounds on social media again this week is Concepcion discussing how his family has ties to being legitimate fans because he was born in the Rochester, NY, area.
"The Bills is actually my dad's favorite team," he admitted.
For more from Concepcion, see the attached clip below:
KC Concepcion was born in Rochester, NY and met with the #Bills here at the NFL Combine.
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) February 27, 2026
The Bills are his dad's favorite team and he's been watching them since he was a kid.
"Josh Allen is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. I would be grateful."#BillsMafia… pic.twitter.com/09Vp2xWTfo
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 2026 NFL draft WR has WNY connections, watched Bills as a kid (video)
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Although the Minnesota Twins have been red-hot at the plate, rookie pitcher Mick Abel has struggled.
That’s why my MLB picks are backing the “yes run first inning” market in tonight's matchup against the Boston Red Sox.
Check out what other bets I'm making in my free YRFI and NRFI bets for Tuesday, April 14.
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
 / - NRFI | +100 |
 / - YRFI | -115 |
 / - YRFI | +110 |
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Brady Singer has been awful this season, pitching to a 7.71 ERA through three starts. That said, the veteran posted a 3.96 FIP across 64 starts over the last two years, so expect improvement.
Singer is set to face a San Francisco Giants lineup that ranks 29th in the majors in runs per game (3.19) and 28th in OBP (.288).
The Giants will counter with lefty Robbie Ray and his 2.08 ERA. The veteran has great swing-and-miss stuff, and Cincinnati sits 28th in runs per game (3.38) and 29th in OPS (.623).
The New York Yankees will give the ball to lefty Ryan Weathers, whose 5.12 xERA and .299 xBA suggest he’s been very lucky. The southpaw will take on a Los Angeles Angels lineup that enters tonight seventh in the majors in OPS against southpaws (.726).
Meanwhile, the Yankees have been a bit inconsistent at the dish this year, but the analytics suggest positive regression. They rank first in the majors in barrel rate, third in hard-hit rate, and second in xwOBAcon (.403).
Sonny Gray has looked sharp in two of three starts this year. That said, the Boston Red Sox hurler had a 4.28 ERA last season, including sporting a 4.50 ERA and .256 OBA in the first inning.
Gray's strikeout rate has plummeted to just 15.2%, and the Minnesota Twins are also red-hot at the dish, having posted an OPS of .839 over the last week.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox have plated 6+ runs in three straight games. They face 24-year-old Mick Abel, who has failed to play up to his vast potential. Abel finished with a 6.23 ERA last year, and his xERA is at 7.17 through 13 1/3 frames this year.
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Path of Exile 2 is developer Grinding Gear Games' self-dubbed "next generation action RPG," and this round-up will take you through everything you need to know about the game between its early access launch, to 1.0, and beyond. After getting announced all the way back in 2019, Path of Exile 2 arrived in Early Access in December 2024 after it was delayed from its initial November 2024 release window. When it arrived a little more than a year after Diablo IV, comparisons between the two ARPGs were all over the place. But at least at the time of its early […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/roundup/path-of-exile-2-everything-we-know-about-grinding-gears-next-gen-arpg/
Boxlab is an online packaging design tool that turns your box dimensions into production-ready dielines and realistic 3D previews. Pick a template, set your sizes, upload artwork, and see the result fold and rotate in real time, complete with foil stamping, spot UV, and material effects. Place your packaging into photorealistic scenes using 100+ built-in studio and lifestyle presets, or generate a custom environment from a text prompt with AI. Lighting, shadows, and atmosphere adjust automatically. Export dielines in PDF, SVG, or DXF, download high-res renders, or embed an interactive 3D viewer on your site, no switching between apps.
I built PeopleBuild around a problem I’ve had for years: it’s hard to find the right people for your ideas and just as hard to find ideas where you can contribute. The layoff and job-transition angle was part of the starting point, but the problem feels broader. Many talented people want to keep building, but most platforms push them toward jobs, generic networking, or solo work. PeopleBuild aims to create a more direct place for collaboration and team formation.
Holland America Line is about to invest over $500 million in a new program they’re calling the most ambitious guest experience update in the company’s 153 year history. When all is said and done, older ships in the fleet will seem new again as a result of bow-to-stern renovations.
The changes will be implemented over the next few years, with the Oosterdam being the first to undergo the transformative (and appropriately named) Evolution program.
In the coming years, each of the remaining Vista-class ships (Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Noordam) as well as the two comprising the Signature-class (Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam) will get their turn in the Evolution spotlight.
But first, debuting in the fall of 2027, the updated Oosterdam will feature new stateroom categories as well as the addition of perhaps the line’s most popular venue, the Grand Dutch Cafe. (This particular spot was previously only available on Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ships.)
One of the biggest change being made is the addition of 30 staterooms specifically designed for solo travelers. Better still, these won’t be small, featureless interior staterooms but cabins offering private balconies and full amenities.
In all, over 70 staterooms will be added to the ship, although Holland America makes it clear that they will be preserving the “room at the rail” aspect that allows guests to soak in the environments through which the ships sail.
Bookings aboard the newly-refurbished ship will go on sale May 6.
Also new to the ship will be two Bridgeview Suites, offering panoramic windows, a wraparound balcony and, thanks to their location at the front of the ship, what might be called a captain’s-eye view!
Elsewhere, Oosterdam will feature a 1,550 square-foot reimagined Pinnacle Suite, making it the most expansive one ever featured on a Vista-class ship.
Speaking of first-in-their-class, Oosterdam will also debut 24 Vista Suites, long among the most popular for those sailing on Pinnacle-class ships.
One major addition coming to ships under the Evolution program? The addition of the previously-mentioned Grand Dutch Cafe. This European style spot, rooted in the line’s Dutch heritage, will welcome guests on Deck 3, just off the atrium.
Declaring that the line is “just getting started,” Holland America Line president Beth Bodensteiner offered an enthusiastic tease of what’s yet to be revealed. “Over the coming months, we’ll be unveiling several more exciting additions to Oosterdam as well as the other five ships that are part of this evolution.”
The company will also be investing in various ways to improve the energy efficiency of ships. This will involve an emphasis on smarter power management and making performance changes aimed at reducing energy demand and decreasing their overall carbon footprint in the future.
More details about not only Oosterdam’s renovations (and future itineraries) will be shared at hollandamerica.com/evolution, which will also offer real-time updates as plans are revealed.
Read Next: How a Holland America World Cruise changed me
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Last week, Samsung raised prices for its 512GB and 1TB variants of the Z Fold7 sold in the US, and it has now done the same for a bunch of smartphones and tablets across its official online store. The affected smartphones include the 512GB versions of the Galaxy Z Flip7 and S25 Edge, as well as the 256GB version of the Galaxy S25 FE. The Z Flip7 is now $80 more expensive, as is the S25 Edge. Galaxy S25 FE (256GB) is $40 costlier than before. A large number of Galaxy Tab devices were also affected by the price increase. The most notable example is the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra with 1TB...
Lamine Yamal continues to draw global attention as he delivers another historic UEFA Champions League performance for Barcelona. At the same time, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain the reference points for greatness in Europe’s elite competition. In a tense knockout clash against Atletico Madrid, Yamal’s influence once again stood out in a match that swung between control and chaos.
The teenager’s rise is now being measured not just in moments, but in records that place him ahead of soccer’s most iconic figures. At the same time, the discussion around Messi and Ronaldo has resurfaced, with their early Champions League milestones offering context for just how unusual Yamal’s trajectory has become.
The second leg at the Metropolitano began with intensity, as Barcelona tried to overturn a first-leg deficit against Atletico Madrid. Early pressure brought immediate danger, with Yamal creating the first real opening inside the opening minute, forcing an early save from Jan Oblak’s replacement.
The breakthrough arrived quickly when the Spaniard finished a flowing move after a defensive error, putting the club ahead on the night. It was the teen star who calmly finished through the goalkeeper’s legs to silence the stadium.
YAMAL WHAT A GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/Hprk6Rf3VN
— caramel_guy (@Tiffany_FongAOC) April 14, 2026
Amid the tension, Lamine Yamal reached a historic milestone by becoming the youngest player ever to record 20 Champions League goal contributions (11 goals and nine assists). According to Squawka, he achieved this at just 18 years and 275 days old, a record that places him in a category no other teenager has reached.
Even more striking is the context: he achieved this milestone in just 32 matches and before turning 19, a feat that places him in uncharted territory. He also became the youngest player to reach 10+ goal contributions in a single Champions League campaign. Even in a high-pressure knockout tie, his involvement remained decisive, as seen in his assist and attacking influence throughout the match.
Lamine Yamal is the youngest ever player to be directly involved in 10+ goals in a single Champions League campaign.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 14, 2026
18 years and 275 days old. 👑 pic.twitter.com/IqhwL8Zzd5
For Lionel Messi, the journey to similar numbers came later in his development at Barcelona. He reached 20 Champions League goals at 22 years and 266 days old, requiring around 40 appearances to hit that mark. At that stage, the Argentine was still transitioning into a central attacking role, gradually evolving into the defining figure of his era.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s progression in Europe followed a different path, taking longer in his early years at Manchester United before exploding at Real Madrid. He reached 20 Champions League goals at 24 years old, doing so in 56 matches.
Like Messi, Ronaldo’s early Champions League years were about adaptation and growth before his peak scoring phase arrived. His transformation into a record-breaking forward came later, after refining his role as a consistent goalscorer. That places the Barcelona teenager roughly three to five years ahead of two of the greatest players in Champions League history.
Barcelona took the pitch at the Metropolitano Stadium with the urgency needed to overturn the 2-0 deficit Atletico Madrid built in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Lamine Yamal scored the opener in the early minutes, and Ferran Torres added a second, but Ademola Lookman responded for the hosts.
Yamal capitalized on a mistake by Clement Lenglet in the 4th minute of the first half. The defender attempted a back pass to goalkeeper Juan Musso, but the young Spanish winger intercepted it. The loose ball fell to Ferran Torres, who set up Lamine for the game’s first goal.
With that early strike, Barcelona showed they are very much alive in the tie, cutting the deficit to just one goal with most of the match still to be played at the Metropolitano Stadium. That goal increased the tension and sloppiness from the hosts, who were far from the level they showed a week earlier at Camp Nou.
LAMINE YAMAL GETS THE FIRST GOAL OF THE NIGHT 🔵🔴#UCL pic.twitter.com/N12YVqAk8K
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) April 14, 2026
In the minutes following Yamal’s opener, Barcelona tightened their grip on the match, controlling possession and creating several chances to double their lead. It came in the 24th minute, when Dani Olmo set up Ferran Torres, who finished calmly with his left foot in a one-on-one against Musso.
Moments later, Hansi Flick’s side nearly found a third that would have put them ahead in the tie for the first time. Yamal delivered a superb pass to Fermin Lopez, whose header was tipped away by Musso, who then accidentally struck Lopez in the face on the follow-through.
GAME ON IN MADRID 😤🔥
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) April 14, 2026
Ferran Torres levels the tie as he scores FC Barcelona's second goal! 💥⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/mvkiafqSG9
Conceding twice early was a heavy blow for Atletico Madrid, but they responded in time to regain control of the tie. After Fermin Lopez’s chance, the hosts answered with a quick attack that ended in a surging run down the right flank by Marcos Llorente.
The Spanish defender drove into the box and delivered a precise cross that found Ademola Lookman arriving at the far post. Lookman met it in front of goalkeeper Joan Garcia and scored to make it 2-1, restoring Atletico Madrid’s cushion.
THIS. GAME. 🤯
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) April 14, 2026
Lookman pulls one back for Atlético de Madrid‼️#UCL pic.twitter.com/PST8DrBmWQ
Fermin Lopez was left at the center of attention during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals clash between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona after a tense and unusual moment involving goalkeeper Juan Musso. The incident unfolded in a fast-moving attacking sequence where Barcelona looked dangerous inside the box, but something went wrong during the aerial challenge.
Players immediately reacted, and concern spread as Fermin Lopez went down in visible discomfort. As the game briefly slowed, the atmosphere shifted inside the Atletico Madrid half, with medical attention required on the pitch. Early signs suggested a facial injury, but the full extent was still unclear at that stage.
The situation came at a crucial moment in a tightly contested match, with both sides fighting for control and momentum. Barcelona is already leading 2-1 at half-time, but the intensity of the encounter only increased after the stoppage.
The incident involving Fermin Lopez and Juan Musso occurred during a high ball into the Atletico Madrid penalty area, when an accidental collision led to a serious-looking injury. In the challenge, the Spaniard suffered a cut and suspected nasal impact, with immediate concern raised on the pitch.
Que barbaridad la patada en la cara de Musso a Fermín pic.twitter.com/XROEZ6awPK
— ️ٓ️ (@CocoExiliado) April 14, 2026
Medical staff rushed in as heavy bleeding from the face area was visible, forcing a brief stoppage in play while the situation was assessed. There were early suggestions of a possible substitution with Marcus Rashford ready to step in. Barcelona players surrounded the scene as tension grew, while Atletico defenders stepped back during the treatment.
Given the visible blood and impact, officials also urged caution, as the images from the moment may be sensitive for some viewers. Unofficial and early reports indicate he suffered a heavy blow to the face (including a possible nose injury), with blood streaming as he left the immediate action for treatment.
Fermín López s’est pris les crampons de Musso en plein visage. 😨😱 pic.twitter.com/EvfdVkejxS
— Vibes Foot (@VibesFoot) April 14, 2026
Despite the alarming nature of the clash, early indications pointed to an accidental contact rather than intentional foul play, with the focus now on Fermin Lopez’s condition and recovery after the incident. Eventually, he didn’t go off and continued playing.
🚨 FERMÍN IS A WARRIOR! pic.twitter.com/WA0APXE2so
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) April 14, 2026
| WHO | Boca Juniors vs Barcelona SC |
| WHAT | Copa Libertadores |
| WHEN | 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT • Tuesday, April 14, 2026 |
| WHERE | Fubo, Fanatiz, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español and beIN SPORTS Connect |
| FREE TRIAL | WATCH NOW |
Momentum is already building for Boca Juniors as they return home for Matchday 2 of the Copa Libertadores group stage, carrying confidence after a gritty 2-1 road victory over Universidad Catolica that delivered three key early points.
Their next challenge comes against Barcelona SC, a side eager to respond following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cruzeiro. With both clubs chasing a coveted spot in the round of 16, Boca will lean on their home crowd to keep the momentum rolling, while Barcelona SC arrive desperate to steady their campaign.
Anthony Joshua remained calm in front of tens of thousands of fans when he was urged by Tyson Fury to confirm their long-awaited fight. The two British heavyweights have been on parallel tracks for much of their careers, and now, with retirement fast approaching, this is the last chance to make the fight happen. After […]
The post Eddie Hearn confirms whether Joshua will face Tyson Fury next or take a warm up appeared first on Boxing News.
Google is rolling out Skills to Gemini in Chrome on desktop, letting users save prompts as reusable one-click tools and run them across selected tabs.
The post Google Chrome Skills Turn Gemini Prompts Into Reusable Workflows appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında lider Galatasaray'ı konuk edecek olan Gençlerbirliği'nden Nijeryalı kanat oyuncusu Henry Onyekuru için sürpriz bir karar çıktı.
Gençlerbirliği'nde gözler Galatasaray ile oynanacak maça çevrildi. Düşme hattının hemen üzerinde yer alan Gençlerbirliği Galatasaray ile oynayacağı maçı kazanarak nefes almak istiyor.
Öte yandan Gençlerbirliği Haber Ajansı'nın haberine göre, teknik direktör Volkan Demirel, saha içindeki verimsizliği ve disiplin sorunları nedeniyle yönetime rapor sundu ve Onyekuru kadro dışı bırakıldı.
Alanyaspor beraberliğiyle sarsılan Trabzonspor'da yönetim, Başakşehir maçı öncesi tribünleri doldurmak için tarihi bir hamleye hazırlanıyor. TFF'den beklenen ceza indirimi ihtimalinin düşük olması üzerine harekete geçen Ertuğrul Doğan yönetimi, stadyumu boş bırakmamak adına biletleri tamamen ücretsiz yapmayı veya tribünleri kadın ve çocuk taraftarlara tahsis ederek özel bir organizasyon düzenlemeyi planlıyor.
Alanyaspor beraberliğiyle şampiyonluk yolunda ağır bir yara alan Trabzonspor, hem matematiksel şansını zorlamak hem de kulüp üzerindeki ölü toprağını atmak için Başakşehir mesaisine odaklandı. Morallerin düşük olduğu camiada, hafta sonu oynanacak zorlu maç öncesi asıl gündem ise boş kalma tehlikesiyle karşı karşıya olan tribünler.
TFF tarafından verilen tribün kapatma cezasına yapılan itirazdan umutlu olmayan yönetim, stadyumun boş kalmaması için formül arayışına girdi. Geçmişte verilen cezaların geri dönme ihtimalinin düşük olması, kulübü iki seçenek üzerinde yoğunlaştırdı.
Cezalı olmayan blokların ve biletlerin taraftara ücretsiz açılarak doluluk oranının artırılması. Tribünlerin kadın ve çocuk taraftarlara tahsis edilerek stadyumun yeniden bir şölen alanına çevrilmesi. Bu kitle için şehirden stadyuma ulaşım dahil özel bir organizasyon yapılması gündemde.
OLMAZSA OLMAZ MAÇI KAZANMAK OLACAK
Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe arasındaki derbi, ligin kaderini belirleyecek bir dönüm noktası olarak görülse de; Trabzonspor için Başakşehir maçı, ligdeki konumunu netleştirmek adına hayati önem taşıyor. Alanya’da kaybedilen 2 puanın telafisi için bu maçın kazanılması "olmazsa olmaz" olarak nitelendiriliyor.
YÖNETİMİN HAMLELERİ BELİRLEYECEK
Trabzonspor, düşük morale ve tribün cezalarına rağmen Başakşehir maçını bir "diriliş" mücadelesine çevirmek istiyor. Yönetimin taraftarı maça çekmek için atacağı adımlar, cumartesi günkü atmosferin rengini belirleyecek.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) Profesyonel Futbol Disiplin Kurulu (PFDK) sevkleri açıklandı. Yaptığı açıklamalarla gündem olan teknik direktör Burak Yılmaz'ın durumu da netlik kazandı.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) Profesyonel Futbol Disiplin Kurulu (PFDK) sevkleri açıklandı.
PFDK sevkleri şöyle:
1- BEŞİKTAŞ A.Ş. Kulübü’nün 10.04.2026 tarihinde oynanan BEŞİKTAŞ A.Ş.-HESAP.COM ANTALYASPOR Trendyol Süper Lig Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Sezonu müsabakasındaki “çirkin ve kötü tezahüratı” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 53. maddesi uyarınca PFDK'ya sevkine karar verilmiştir.
2- CORENDON ALANYASPOR Kulübü’nün 11.04.2026 tarihinde oynanan CORENDON ALANYASPOR-TRABZONSPOR A.Ş. Trendyol Süper Lig Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Sezonu müsabakasındaki “çirkin ve kötü tezahüratı” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 53. maddesi uyarınca PFDK'ya sevkine karar verilmiştir.
3- TRABZONSPOR A.Ş. Kulübü’nün 11.04.2026 tarihinde oynanan CORENDON ALANYASPOR-TRABZONSPOR A.Ş. Trendyol Süper Lig Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Sezonu müsabakasındaki “çirkin ve kötü tezahüratı” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 53. maddesi uyarınca PFDK'ya sevkine karar verilmiştir.
4- ZECORNER KAYSERİSPOR Kulübü’nün 11.04.2026 tarihinde oynanan ZECORNER KAYSERİSPOR-FENERBAHÇE A.Ş. Trendyol Süper Lig Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Sezonu müsabakasındaki “çirkin ve kötü tezahüratı” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 53. maddesi uyarınca, “saha olayları” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 52. maddesi uyarınca, “usulsüz seyirci alınması” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 49. maddesi uyarınca ve “merdiven boşluklarının boş bırakılmaması” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 49. maddesi uyarınca PFDK'ya sevkine,
5- GÖZTEPE A.Ş. Kulübü kaleci antrenörü VANJA IVESA’nın 12.04.2026 tarihinde oynanan GÖZTEPE A.Ş.-KASIMPAŞA A.Ş. Trendyol Süper Lig Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Sezonu müsabakasındaki “sportmenliğe aykırı hareketi” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 36. maddesi uyarınca 13.04.2026 tarihinden itibaren tedbirli olarak PFDK'ya sevkine karar verilmiştir.
6- GALATASARAY A.Ş. Kulübü’nün 12.04.2026 tarihinde oynanan GALATASARAY A.Ş.-KOCAELİSPOR Trendyol Süper Lig Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Sezonu müsabakasındaki “çirkin ve kötü tezahüratı” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 53. maddesi uyarınca PFDK'ya sevkine,
GALATASARAY A.Ş. Kulübü görevlisi ALİ YİĞİT BURUK’un aynı müsabakadaki “sportmenliğe aykırı hareketi” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 36. maddesi uyarınca 14.04.2026 tarihinden itibaren tedbirli olarak PFDK'ya sevkine karar verilmiştir.
7- KOCAELİSPOR Kulübü’nün 12.04.2026 tarihinde oynanan GALATASARAY A.Ş.-KOCAELİSPOR Trendyol Süper Lig Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Sezonu müsabakasındaki “çirkin ve kötü tezahüratı” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 53. maddesi uyarınca ve “saha olayları” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 52. maddesi uyarınca PFDK'ya sevkine karar verilmiştir.
8- ÇAYKUR RİZESPOR A.Ş. Kulübü’nün 13.04.2026 tarihinde oynanan ÇAYKUR RİZESPOR A.Ş.-GAZİANTEP FUTBOL KULÜBÜ A.Ş. Trendyol Süper Lig Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Sezonu müsabakasındaki “çirkin ve kötü tezahüratı” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 53. maddesi uyarınca PFDK'ya sevkine karar verilmiştir.
BURAK YILMAZ AÇIKLAMASI
9- GAZİANTEP FUTBOL KULÜBÜ A.Ş. Kulübü teknik sorumlusu BURAK YILMAZ’ın 13.04.2026 tarihinde oynanan ÇAYKUR RİZESPOR A.Ş.-GAZİANTEP FUTBOL KULÜBÜ A.Ş. Trendyol Süper Lig Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Sezonu müsabakasındaki “sportmenliğe aykırı hareketleri” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 36. maddesi uyarınca, “hakareti” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 41. maddesi uyarınca ve müsabaka sonrası basın toplantısında yapmış olduğu açıklamalarında yer alan “kişilik haklarına saldırısı” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 41. maddesi uyarınca, “sportmenliğe aykırı hareketi” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 36. maddesi uyarınca ve “futbolun itibarını zedelemeye yönelik açıklamalar” nedeniyle Futbol Disiplin Talimatı’nın 38. maddesi uyarınca 14.04.2026 tarihinden itibaren tedbirli olarak PFDK'ya sevkine karar verilmiştir.
Beşiktaş'ın 25 milyar TL'lik dev borç batağından Rahmi Koç'un 1.6 milyar TL'lik 'peşin' desteğiyle çıkış bileti aldığı tarihi kongre, Türk futbolunda dayanışmanın zirvesini gösterdi. Ancak madalyonun öbür yüzünde dramatik bir yalnızlık var! 8 yıldır kulübün yükünü tek başına sırtlayan, basketboldan voleybola her branşta başarı kovalayan Trabzonspor Başkanı Ertuğrul Doğan, camianın ağır toplarından destek beklerken ters tepen iptallerle sarsıldı.
Türk futbolu İstanbul ve Trabzon ekseninde yaşanan iki farklı "dayanışma" örneğine sahne oluyor. Beşiktaş kongresinde açıklanan dudak uçuklatan borç tablosu, camianın kenetlenmesiyle bir nebze olsun dağılırken; Trabzonspor cephesinde Başkan Ertuğrul Doğan’ın yalnız kalışı dikkat çekiyor.
BEŞİKTAŞ'TA RAHMİ KOÇ ORTAYA ÇIKTI
Beşiktaş kongresine, kulübün 25 milyar TL seviyesine ulaşan devasa borcu damga vurdu. Bu rakam ilk bakışta "mücadele edilemez" görünse de, Başkan Serdal Adalı’nın iş dünyasına yaptığı çağrı tarihi bir karşılık buldu. Rahmi Koç, Adalı’nın çağrısına anında yanıt vererek kulübe toplamda 1 milyar 600 milyon TL’lik dev bir destek sağladı.
DOĞAN'IN ÇAĞRISI TERS TEPMİŞTİ
İstanbul’da yaşanan bu kenetlenmenin aksine, Trabzonspor cephesinde durum oldukça düşündürücü. Geçtiğimiz yıl benzer bir çağrı yapan Başkan Ertuğrul Doğan, camianın "ağır toplarından" beklediği desteği göremediği gibi, şaşırtıcı tepkilerle karşılaştı.
Camianın sözü geçen eski başkan ve yöneticilerinin destek olmak bir yana, mevcut localarını iptal etmesi camiada büyük tepki topladı.
EKONOMİK REFAH ÇOK DEĞERLİ
Sekiz yıldır kulübün ekonomik yükünü sırtlayan Doğan; basketbolda Avrupa yolculuğunun kesinleşmesi ve kadın voleyboluna giriş hazırlıkları gibi idari başarılara imza atsa da, sponsorluk desteği noktasında yalnız bırakıldı.
Trabzonspor’un mevcut yönetimi, teknik heyeti ve futbolcu kadrosu saha içinde başarılı bir grafik çizse de, bu başarının sürdürülebilirliği ekonomik refaha bağlı.
Beşiktaş'ın yeni gol makinesi Hyeon-gyu Oh, Süper Lig'e yaptığı fırtına gibi başlangıçla istatistikleri altüst etti. İlk 9 maçta penaltısız 6 gol ve 1 asiste imza atan Koreli, yalnızca 3.2 gol beklentisinden bu sayıya ulaştı. Oh; aynı süreçte çok daha fazla net pozisyon desteğiyle oynayan Victor Osimhen, Mauro Icardi ve Paul Onuachu gibi ligin en değerli forvetlerini bitiricilik kalitesinde geride bıraktı.
Beşiktaş’ın yeni golcüsü Hyeon-gyu Oh ilk 9 maçta sergilediği performansla sadece tabelayı değiştirmekle kalmadı, Süper Lig’in son dönemine damga vuran dev isimleri de geride bıraktı. Veriler, Güney Koreli golcünün verimlilik konusunda eşine az rastlanır bir başlangıç yaptığını ortaya koyuyor.
Koreli, siyah-beyazlı formayla çıktığı 9 Süper Lig maçında penaltısız 6 gol ve 1 asistlik bir katkı sağladı. Ancak asıl çarpıcı olan gol sayısından ziyade, bu gollerin vuruş kalitesi. İstatistiklere göre Oh, bu 6 golü toplamda sadece 3.2 gol beklentisinden (xG) çıkardı. Yani Koreli, yarım pozisyon diyebileceğimiz durumlardan bile skor üreterek beklentilerin iki katı bir performans sergiledi.
SÜPER LİGİN 3 GOLCÜSÜ İLE KIYASLAMA
Ligin son yıllarına damga vuran forvetlerin ilk 9 maçlık performanslarıyla kıyaslandığında, Oh’un yakaladığı bitiricilik oranı dikkat çekiyor:
Hyeon-gyu Oh 9 3.2 6 Penaltısız, yüksek verimlilik.
Victor Osimhen 9 6.15 7 1'i penaltıdan.
Mauro Icardi 9 4.92 6 1'i penaltıdan.
Paul Onuachu 9 5.73 7 2'si penaltıdan.
OSIMHEN VE ONUACHU'DAN DAHA İYİ
Tablo açıkça gösteriyor ki; Osimhen, Icardi ve Onuachu gibi isimler gollerini çok daha yüksek gol beklentisi yakaladıkları (daha net pozisyonlara girdikleri) maçlarda bulurken; Oh, çok daha az fırsatla aynı skor katkısını vermeyi başardı.
Beşiktaş kamuoyunda zaman zaman yükselen "daha kariyerli forvet" seslerini eleştiren analizler, eldeki değerin kıymetinin bilinmesi gerektiğini vurguluyor.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu, Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk'un oğlu Ali Yiğit Buruk'u Profesyonel Futbol Disiplin Kurulu'na sevk etti.
Trendyol Süper Lig'de 29. hafta sona ererken Türkiye futbol Federasyonu PFDK sevklerini açıkladı. Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk'un oğlu Yiğit Ali Buruk PFDK'ya sevk edilen isimler arasında yer aldı.
TFF, Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk'un oğlu Yiğit Ali Buruk'un sevk edildiğini duyurdu. Gerekçe olarak “sportmenliğe aykırı hareketi” nedeniyle olduğu belirtildi.
Fenerbahçe ve Galatasaray'ın uzun süre peşinden koştuğu ancak bitiremediği Yves Bissouma operasyonunda rota sürpriz bir şekilde Beşiktaş'a döndü. Menajerlerin siyah-beyazlı yönetime mesaj gönderdiği Malili yıldız, Asllani ile vedaya hazırlanan Sergen Yalçın'ın listesine girdi. Ancak asıl hedef yine de Gedson Fernandes!
Geçen yaz transfer döneminin en çok konuşulan isimlerinden biri Yves Bissouma yeniden hortladı. Hem Fenerbahçe hem de Galatasaray’ın kadrosuna katmak için yoğun çaba sarf ettiği ancak çeşitli nedenlerle bitiremediği operasyonda, oyuncunun menajeri rotayı Beşiktaş’a kırdı.
Tottenham ile sözleşme sonuna yaklaşan ve takımdan ayrılma planları yapan Malili yıldızın temsilcisi, Beşiktaş yönetimine haber göndererek oyuncusunun siyah-beyazlı formayı giymeye sıcak baktığını iletti.
ASLLANI KALMAYACAK
Orta sahadaki kurguyu değiştirmeye hazırlanan Sergen Yalçın'ın kiralık Kristjan Asllani ile ilgili kararı da netleşti. Teknik heyetin raporu doğrultusunda, beklentilerin altında kalan Arnavut oyuncunun bonservisinin alınmayacağı öğrenildi. Sezon sonunda takımdan ayrılacak olan Asllani’nin yerine çok daha tecrübeli ve oyunun her iki yönünü de domine edebilecek bir isim monte edilecek.
ANA HEDEF GEDSON
Bissouma ismi masada ciddi bir seçenek olarak dursa da Beşiktaş yönetiminin ve taraftarının gönlündeki asıl hedef değişmedi. Siyah-beyazlıların transfer listesinin birinci sırasında hala Gedson Fernandes'i geri getirmek var.
Portekizli yıldızın dinamizmini ve takıma kattığı enerjiyi arayan yönetim, tüm şartları zorlayarak Gedson'u yeniden yuvaya döndürmek için temaslarını sıklaştırdı.
Beşiktaş yönetiminin, Bissouma teklifini beklemeye aldığı bildirildi. Gedson transferindeki sürece göre son kararını verileceği ifade ediliyor.
Beşiktaş eski Başkanı Serdar Bilgi'nin kulübe 200 milyon dolar kaynak yaratma önerisi beraberinde tartışmaları da getirdi. Uzmanlar, işin sonunda UEFA'dan ceza alma ihtimalinin olabileceği uyarısında bulundu.
Eski başkan Serdar Bilgili tarafından gündeme getirilen, Beşiktaş'ın borçlarını sıfırlamak amacıyla 150-200 milyon dolarlık bir fon oluşturulması ve bu kaynağın sermaye artırımı yoluyla Futbol A.Ş.’ye aktarılması planı, spor kamuoyunda heyecan yaratsa da uzmanlar ve mevcut mevzuat "olamaz" diyor. Gazetemiz, Bilgili'nin bu fikrini 11 Aralık 2025'te "Bilgili Kurtuluş" başlığı ile haberleştirmişti.
KÜÇÜK YATIRIMCILAR ZARAR GÖRÜR
Ancak bu plana mesafeli yaklaşanlar var. Uzmanların uyarıları ise şöyle:
Beşiktaş Futbol A.Ş. halka açık bir şirket. Bilgili’nin önerdiği devasa sermaye artırımı, mevcut küçük yatırımcıların hisse paylarını hiçe sayan bir yapı barındırıyor. SPK, hakim ortağın (Dernek) veya dışarıdan bir grubun (Fon), mevcut küçük hissedarların paylarını dramatik şekilde değersizleştirecek "haksız" sermaye artırımlarına izin vermez.
200 milyon dolarlık bir giriş, piyasa fiyatının çok altında bir bedelle hisse alımı anlamına gelirse, SPK bu işlemi "örtülü kazanç aktarımı" veya "yatırımcının istismarı" olarak değerlendirip durdurur.
KULÜBÜN PAYI YÜZDE 50'NİN ALTINA DÜŞER
Sermaye artırımında mevcut ortakların "Rüçhan Hakkı" (yeni pay alma hakkı) bulunur. Eğer Beşiktaş Derneği, kurulacak olan bu fonun koyacağı 200 milyon dolara nakit olarak eşlik edemezse (ki borçlu bir yapıda bu imkansızdır), kulübün şirketteki payı %50'nin altına düşer.
Beşiktaş tüzüğü ve spor yasası, kulübün (derneğin) ana varlığı olan Futbol A.Ş.’deki hakimiyetini kaybetmesine veya bu denli büyük bir hisse devrine izin vermemektedir. Bu, kulübün fiilen "satılması" anlamına gelir ki bu da genel kurulda hukuki bir kaosa yol açar.
7405 SAYILI YASAYA DA AYKIRI
7405 Sayılı Spor Kulüpleri ve Spor Federasyonları Kanunu, bu tür dış kaynaklı fon modellerini oldukça kısıtlıyor. Yeni yasa, kulüplerin borçlanma limitlerini ve sermaye yapılarını sıkı denetim altına aldı. Bir fonun kulübe para sokup karşılığında yönetimde imtiyaz sahibi olması, yasada belirtilen "spor kulüplerinin şeffaflığı ve kamu yararı" ilkesiyle çelişebilir.
EN BÜYÜK ENGEL İSE UEFA'DAN
UEFA, Kulüp Finansal Kontrol Kurulu (CFCB) aracılığıyla kulübe giren her kuruşun kaynağını sorgular. UEFA, "Makul Değer" kuralı gereği, kulüp sahiplerinin veya onlarla doğrudan ilişkili iş insanlarının kulübe "piyasa değerinin üzerinde" para enjekte etmesini yasaklar.
200 milyon dolarlık bir fon girişi, UEFA tarafından "gerçek bir gelir" değil, "finansal doping" olarak görülürse; Beşiktaş borçtan kurtulsa bile Avrupa kupalarından men cezası alabilir.
200 MİLYON EURO HİBE OLAMAZ
Finans dünyasında hiçbir fon, 200 milyon doları "hibe" olarak vermez. Fonun bir noktada bu parayı karıyla birlikte geri alması gerekir. Beşiktaş’ın gelirleri zaten borçlara ve faizlere gidiyor. Fon bu parayı nasıl geri alacak? Eğer temlikler veya gayrimenkuller üzerinden bir geri dönüş planlanıyorsa, bu kulübün gelecekteki tüm gelirlerinin ipotek altına alınması demektir.
Galatasaray'ın üst üste yaşadığı puan kayıplarıyla şampiyonluk ateşinin yeniden yandığı Fenerbahçe'de, camia nefesini tuttu. Cuma akşamı Rizespor karşısında alınacak galibiyetle maç fazlasıyla liderlik koltuğuna oturma hesapları yapılırken, bu kritik eşik aynı zamanda kulüp siyasetindeki tüm dengeleri değiştiriyor. Daha önce sert tartışmalara gebe olması beklenen 18 Nisan'daki Yüksek Divan Kurulu öncesinde, saha içindeki başarı ihtimali muhalefeti susturdu.
Galatasaray’ın son 3 haftada yaşadığı 5 puanlık kayıp, Fenerbahçe camiasındaki dengeleri sarstı. Kısa süre öncesine kadar kulübün birinci gündem maddesi olan ve henüz tarihi dahi netleşmeyen seçimli genel kurul, puan farkının 2’ye inmesiyle birlikte rafa kalktı. Camia, uzun süredir hakim olan "seçim" atmosferinden sıyrılarak tamamen "şampiyonluk" moduna girdi.
Sarı-lacivertli camiada esen bu değişim rüzgarının en somut yansıması muhalefet kanadında görüldü. Cuma akşamı oynanacak Rizespor karşılaşmasından alınacak bir galibiyetle, maç fazlasıyla da olsa liderlik koltuğuna oturma ihtimali, eleştirel sesleri tamamen kesti. Şampiyonluk yarışında ibrenin yeniden dönmesi, camia içindeki siyasi tartışmaların yerini kenetlenmeye bıraktı.
Daha önce 18 Nisan’da gerçekleştirilecek Yüksek Divan Kurulu (YDK) toplantısının oldukça gergin geçmesi bekleniyordu. Ali Koç ve Aziz Yıldırım’ın karşılıklı sert açıklamalar yapacağı, Sadettin Saran’ın adaylık ve seçim konusundaki baskılara yanıt vereceği konuşuluyordu.
YDK'NİN ÇOK DAHA SÖNÜK GEÇMESİ MUHTEMEL
Ancak liderlik koltuğuna oturma fırsatının doğması, tüm bu beklentileri değiştirdi. Kulüp kulislerinde, YDK’nın beklenenden çok daha sönük geçeceği, hatta gerginliğin tırmanmaması adına Ali Koç veya Aziz Yıldırım’ın toplantıya katılmama ihtimali dahi ciddi şekilde değerlendiriliyor.
Süper Lig'de şampiyonluk düğümünün çözüleceği dev derbi öncesi Fenerbahçe yönetiminden 'sadakat' hamlesi geldi. RAMS Park deplasmanında tribünlerin anahtarı, bu sezon takımı dış sahada bir an olsun yalnız bırakmayan taraftarlara emanet edilecek. 'En az 3 deplasman' şartıyla bilet satışına sunulacak olan bu yeni sistem, sezon boyu Anadolu yollarında ter döken cefakar taraftarı ödüllendirilecek.
Süper Lig’in kaderini belirleyecek olan Galatasaray derbisi öncesinde, Fenerbahçe yönetimi taraftarı yakından ilgilendiren kritik bir hamle yaptı. RAMS Park’ta oynanacak derbi için deplasman tribünü bilet dağıtımında "sadakat ve tecrübe" kriteri uygulanacak.
PASSOLİG'TEN KONTROL YAPILACAK
Fenerbahçe kulübü tarafından alınan karara göre; bu sezon ligde oynanan dış saha maçlarının en az 3 tanesine gitmemiş olan taraftarlar, Galatasaray derbisi için bilet talebinde bulunamayacak. Passolig verileri üzerinden yapılacak kontrolle, kriteri karşılamayan taraftarlara bilet satışı gerçekleştirilmeyecek.
EN AZ 3 DEPLASAN ŞARTI ARANACAK
Kulüp kaynaklarından edinilen bilgilere göre, bu uygulamanın arkasında üç temel strateji yatıyor: Sezon boyunca Anadolu deplasmanlarında takımı yalnız bırakmayan, karda kışta tribünde olan taraftarlar ödüllendirilmiş olacak.
FİLTRELEMENİN KULLANILMA NEDENİ
Derbi atmosferinin yüksek gerilimine alışık, deplasman kültürünü bilen ve koordineli hareket edebilecek tecrübeli bir taraftar grubuyla tribün hakimiyetinin sağlanması hedefleniyor.
Biletlerin sadece ticari amaç güden kişilerin eline geçmesini engellemek ve gerçek hak sahiplerine ulaşmasını sağlamak adına bu filtreleme yöntemi kullanılacak.
2 BİN 500 FENERBAHÇELİ DERBİYE
İl Güvenlik Kurulu’ndan aksine bir karar çıkmadığı sürece, Fenerbahçe taraftarının RAMS Park’taki yerini yaklaşık 2 bin 500 kişilik tam kontenjanla alması bekleniyor. Ancak "3 deplasman" şartı nedeniyle biletlerin, satışa çıktığı anda çok dar ve belirli bir kitle arasında hızla tükenmesi öngörülüyor.
Fenerbahçe'de kritik viraj öncesi "taraftara açık idman" geleneği masaya yatırıldı. Yönetim, geçmişteki mektup, baklava ve meşaleli uğurlama gibi ritüellerin saha sonuçlarına beklenen katkıyı sağlamadığını düşünerek radikal bir değişime gitme kararı aldı. Tedesco'nun "aşırı motivasyon strese dönüşüyor" uyarısını dikkate alan sarı-lacivertli kurmaylar, taraftarın stadyum talebine şimdilik olumsuz yanıt verdi.
Fenerbahçe'de derbiler ya da kritik virajlar öncesi klasikleşen "taraftara açık antrenman" geleneğinde bu kez farklı bir yol izleniyor. Sarı-lacivertli yönetim, taraftardan gelen yoğun talebe rağmen stadyumda halka açık idman fikrine şimdilik mesafeli.
MOTİVASYON DEĞİL RUTİN GİBİ OLDU
Sadettin Saran yönetiminin bu kararı almasındaki temel nedenler ve sürecin perde arkası çok dikkat çekici. Yıllardır süregelen meşaleli uğurlamalar, tesis ziyaretleri, takıma baklava ikram edilmesi veya duygusal video izletilmesi gibi hamlelerin saha sonuçlarına pozitif bir katkı sağlamadığı görüşü yönetim kanadında hakim. "Eski usul" motivasyon yöntemlerinin takımı ateşlemekten ziyade bir rutin haline geldiği düşünülüyor.
TEDESCO'NUN KORKUSU AŞIRI İLGİ
Tedesco ve bazı yöneticiler, taraftar baskısının ve stadyum atmosferinin antrenman ciddiyetini bozabileceğine inanıyor. Yapılan değerlendirmelerde aşırı ilginin oyuncular üzerinde motivasyondan çok stres yarattığı, sakin kalması gereken hazırlık sürecinin bir "bayram yerine" dönüştüğü ve aktiksel odağın dağıldığı vurgulanıyor.
NİHAİ KARAR HENÜZ VERİLMEDİ
Yönetim, bu kritik süreçte takımı havaya sokma görevini tamamen Tedesco’ya bıraktı. Alman teknik adamın, motivasyon çalışmalarını saha dışı etkinliklerle değil, saha içi analizler ve profesyonel hazırlıklarla yürütmek istediği öğrenildi.
Yönetim her ne kadar şu an için bu çağrıya olumsuz yanıt verse de, nihai karar verilmedi. Taraftarın yoğun ısrarı sonrası küçük bir ihtimal de olsa kapıların açılması hala masada bekleyen bir seçenek.
Qadın futbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan millisi bu gün dünya çempionatının (DÇ-2027) seçmə mərhələsində 3-cü oyununa çıxıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, C Liqasının 3-cü qrupunda yer almış millimiz Andorra yığması ilə qarşılaşıb.
Andorra la Vella şəhərindəki Milli Stadionda təşkil edilmiş görüşü Ukraynadan olan hakimlər briqadası idarə edib. Üç qolun qeydə alındığı oyun millimizin əzmkar qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb. Hesabı 12-ci dəqiqədə meydan sahibləri açıblar. Amma komandamız əzmkarlıq göstərərək ardıcıl 3 qol vurmaqla yekunda inamlı qələbəyə sevinib – 3:1. Yığmamızın heyətində Sevinc Cəfərzadə dubla imza atıb. Esra Manya isə millimizin üçüncü qolunu vurub.
Xatırladaq ki, Siyasət Əsgərovun baş məşqçisi olduğu kollektiv daha əvvəl keçirdiyi oyunlarda Macarıstana (0:1) uduzmuş, Şimali Makedoniyanı (2:0) məğlub etmişdi.
Azərbaycan millisi hazırda C Liqasının 3-cü qrupunda 6 xalla ikinci pillədə qərarlaşıb. Lider Macarıstanın 7, üçüncü sıradakı Şimali Makedoniyanın 3, sonuncu pillədəki Andorranın 1 xalı var.
DÇ-2027-nin seçmə mərhələsi
C Liqası, 3-cü qrup
14 aprel
Andorra – Azərbaycan 1:3
Qollar: Tere Morato, 12 – Sevinc Cəfərzadə, 15; 50-pen. Esra Manya, 90+2.
Baş hakim: Kristina Kozorox
Baş hakimin köməkçiləri: İrina Çayka, İrina Xoliyak
Dördüncü hakim: Veronika Vasilçenko (Hakimlər briqadası Ukraynadandır).
Milli Stadion. Saat 21:00.
Bu gün Azərbaycan Basketbol Liqasında (ABL) 2025/2026 mövsümünün pley-off mərhələsinin növbəti oyunları keçirilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ikinci oyun günündə daha iki qarşılaşma baş tutub.
Hər iki oyun Bakı İdman Sarayında təşkil edilib. Öncə, “Abşeron Lions” “Şəki” ilə görüşüb. Abşeron təmsilçisi bu görüşdə 109:77 hesabı ilə qalib gəlib. Daha sonra son çempion “Sabah” “Naxçıvan”la üz-üzə gəlib. Matçın yekununda sevinən tərəf “bayquşlar” olublar – 106:74.
Xatırladaq ki, ilk oyun günündə NTD “Neftçi”yə, “Ordu” isə “Gəncə”yə qalib gəlmişdi.
ABL-in cari mövsümünün reqlamentinə əsasən, komandalar bu mərhələdə 2 qələbəyə qədər mübarizə aparacaqlar.
Yüksək Liqa
Pley-offun ilk oyunları
13 aprel
Neftçi – NTD 94:97
Ordu – Gəncə 108:106
14 aprel
Abşeron Lions – Şəki 109:77
Sabah – Naxçıvan 106:74
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İtaliya nəhəngi “Milan” hücum xəttini gücləndirmək üçün maraqlı bir transfer formulu üzərində işləyir.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “rossonerilər” “Fiorentina”nın qolçusu Mois Kini heyətinə qatmaq üçün “yaradıcı” həll yolu tapıb.
İtaliyadan gələn xəbərlərə görə, növbəti mövsüm “Milan”ın sükanı arxasına keçəcəyi gözlənilən Massimiliano Alleqri “Yuventus”da birlikdə çalışdığı 26 yaşlı Kin ilə yenidən bir araya gəlmək istəyir. Təcrübəli mütəxəssis italyan forvardın fiziki və texniki gücünün “San Siro” üçün ideal olduğunu düşünür.
Kinin müqaviləsində 52 milyon avroluq sərbəstqalma bəndi olsa da, “Milan” rəhbərliyi bu məbləği tam nağd şəkildə ödəməyə isti baxmır. Bunun əvəzinə klub “Fiorentina”ya cəlbedici bir paket təklif edəcək.
Plan Santiaqo Ximenesi rəqibə təklif etmək və transfer üçün 10-15 milyon aralığında puldan keçməkdir.
“Fiorentina”nın Avrokuboklarda, xüsusən də Konfrans Liqasında “Kristal Pelas”a qarşı uğursuzluq ehtimalı Kinin Florensiyadakı gələcəyini sual altına salıb.
“Qalatasaray”da son həftələrin ən çox müzakirə olunan mövzusu Mauro İkardinin gözlənilmədən ehtiyat oyunçular skamyasına məhkum edilməsidir.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, argetinalı ulduz artıq komandanın hücum xəttində əsas seçim hesab olunmur.
Viktor Osimhenin heyətə qayıtması “Qalatasaray”ın hücum planlarını tamamilə dəyişib. Bu rəqabətdə geri düşən İkardi “Göztepe” və “Kocaelispor”la keçirilən son iki rəsmi matçda cəmi 15 dəqiqə meydanda qala bilib.
Xüsusilə “Kocaelispor” matçında buraxılan qoldan sonra Okan Burukun İkardini meydana daxil etmək üçün xeyli gözləməsi diqqətdən qaçmayıb. İnsayderlər bunu baş məşqçinin ulduz futbolçuya olan baxış bucağının dəyişməsi və ona artıq “toxunulmaz” kimi baxmaması kimi qiymətləndirirlər.
Mövsümün sonunda müqaviləsi başa çatacaq 33 yaşlı qolçunun gələcəyi dumanlıdır. Klub rəhbərliyi hazırda İkardi ilə yeni müqavilə imzalamağı planlaşdırmır. Texniki heyətin mövsümün qalan hissəsində yalnız məcburi hallarda ona şans verəcəyi iddia olunur.
Bütün bu baş verənlər “Qalatasaray” və İkardi eşqinin mövsüm sonunda rəsmən bitəcəyi ehtimalını maksimuma çatdırıb.
Qadın futbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan millisi dünya çempionatının seçmə mərhələsində növbəti oyununu keçirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, səfərdə Andorra ilə üz-üzə gələn komandamız 3:1 hesablı qələbəyə sevinib.
“Andorra la Vella” stadionunda keçirilən qarşılaşmada Sevinc Cəfərzadə iki, Esra Maniya bir qol vurmağı bacarıb.
Daha əvvəl Macarıstana uduzan yığmamız (0:1) Şimali Makedoniyanı 2:0 hesabı ilə məğlub etmişdi.
Azərbaycan millisi hazırda C Liqasının 3-cü qrupunda 6 xalla ikinci pillədə qərarlaşıb. Lider Macarıstanın 7, üçüncü sıradakı Şimali Makedoniyanın 3, sonuncu pillədəki Andorranın isə 1 xalı var.
“Barselona”nın polşalı qol maşını Robert Levandovski “Beşiktaş”a təklif olunub.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, insayder Ertan Süzgünun verdiyi məlumata görə, 37 yaşlı ulduzun adı “qara qartallar”ın masasındadır.
Lakin klubun texniki heyəti həm futbolçunun yüksək maliyyə xərcləri, həm də yaşı səbəbindən bu transferə hələlik isti baxmır.
Hazırda bazar dəyəri 8 milyon avro olan 37 yaşlı forvardın “Barselona” ilə müqaviləsi bu il başa çatır.
Kişi voleybolçular arasında Yüksək Liqada finalçılar müəyyənləşib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, yarımfinalda “Xilasedici” “Murov Az Terminal”ı 3:0 hesabı ilə məğlub edərək adını finala yazdırıb.
“Ordu” isə “Neftçi”ni məğlub edib – 3:2.
Oyunlar Fövqəladə Hallar Nazirliyinin idman zalında təşkil olunub.
Azərbaycan Basketbol Liqasında 1/4 final mərhələsinin ilk oyunlarına yekun vurulub.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Bakı İdman Sarayında “Naxçıvan”la qarşılaşan “Sabah” qələbəyə sevinib – 106:74
Raundun əvvəlki görüşlərində NTD “Neftçi”ni (97:94), “Ordu” “Gəncə”ni (108:106), “Abşeron Lions” isə “Şəki”ni (109:78) məğlub edib.
1/4 finalın ikinci oyunları aprelin 16-17-də keçiriləcək.
Red Bull Salzburg sporting director Marcus Mann has revealed that Lazio’s January approach for Petar Ratkov caught him completely off guard, arriving just two days into his tenure at the Austrian club and forcing him to make one of his first major decisions under significant time pressure.
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Ratkov had been Salzburg’s top scorer when Lazio came calling in January, offering a replacement for Taty Castellanos who had just departed for West Ham. The timing of the approach, and the speed at which Mann was required to respond, made the decision particularly challenging.
“The offer from Lazio for Ratkov took me a little by surprise, the call came when I had only been here two days,” Mann told Austrian television, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.
“I had to weigh up both the financial and the sporting aspects. From a sporting perspective, I was already aware that losing your top scorer is always a difficult choice, but in the end we prioritised the financial side. Obviously, though, every now and then you find yourself wondering: ‘How would things have gone if he had stayed?'”
Mann was careful not to use Ratkov’s departure as an excuse for Salzburg’s subsequent struggles in front of goal, pointing to the return of Konaté from injury as a factor that kept the attacking numbers broadly balanced on paper.
“Using this sale as an alibi for the few goals we are scoring would be too simple,” he said.
“But the fact remains that Ratkov, with his physicality in the air, would have been very useful to us in certain situations.”
For Lazio, meanwhile, the Serbian striker has found his own adaptation to Serie A a slow process, making his former club’s occasional regrets all the more poignant.
The Serbian forward has made just seven appearances for the Biancocelesti since his arrival in January, scoring zero goals and mainly being used off the bench.
Head coach Maurizio Sarri has claimed language issues are currently the biggest hurdle, as the forward continues to learn Italian.
Jack Harrison has dropped a strong hint about his desire to stay at Fiorentina beyond his current loan spell, telling reporters after the win over Lazio that any player would be happy to represent the club, while stopping short of confirming a permanent deal is imminent.
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The Leeds winger has grown into an increasingly important figure under Paolo Vanoli, delivering his third Serie A assist of the season against Lazio, a left-footed cross that set up Robin Gosens in the first half.
His deployment on the right flank, not his natural side, has raised eyebrows at times, but Vanoli’s faith in the Englishman has been repaid with reliable, intelligent performances that have made him a key cog in the Viola system. The absence of other wide options through injury has contributed to his prominence, but Harrison has earned his minutes rather than simply inherited them.
“I am very happy in Florence, the city is incredible and so is the club,” Harrison told reporters, via FirenzeViola.
“As for the future, any player would obviously be happy to play here. We will see what happens.”
The financial picture, however, is complex. Harrison is on loan from Leeds with a purchase option set at €7 million, a fee that is manageable in isolation but must be viewed alongside a series of other potential obligations Fiorentina are already navigating this summer.
Compulsory buyouts for Fabbian (€13 million) and Brescianini (€10 million) are already in the pipeline, with Rugani and Manor Solomon adding further potential expenditure.
Of all these deals, Harrison’s future is arguably the least certain, though one factor could change the calculation significantly. If Vanoli, who is a significant admirer of the player, continues as head coach, the chances of Harrison remaining in Florence increase considerably. The manager’s stance may ultimately prove the decisive variable in what is shaping up to be a fascinating summer for the club.
The numbers make for uncomfortable reading at Milan headquarters as a damning statistical breakdown published by TMW has laid bare the extent to which the club’s two most significant recent attacking investments have failed to justify their price tags, and the figures are stark.
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Santiago Gimenez arrived from Feyenoord for €28.5 million plus €6.5 million in bonuses, while Christopher Nkunku cost €37 million plus €5 million in bonuses and a ten percent sell-on clause from Chelsea.
Combined, Milan have committed a potential €77 million on the two forwards, and the return has been deeply underwhelming, as noted by TMW, via MilanNews.
Gimenez has scored seven goals in 32 appearances, though lengthy injury absences have hampered his campaign. Nkunku has managed six in 29 matches.
Together, 13 goals from 61 appearances represents a return that falls well short of what Milan needed from their marquee attacking signings.
The cost-per-goal breakdown is even more sobering, at over €5 million per goal between them, and approaching €1 million per appearance for Gimenez alone.
The summer will force difficult decisions. Selling either player without incurring a significant loss on the books will be challenging, and Milan have made clear they are not prepared to accept a financial hit.
Yet retaining two forwards who have collectively failed to fire raises its own uncomfortable questions about the direction of the club’s transfer strategy heading into what promises to be a pivotal window.
Issa Doumbia has emerged as one of Serie B’s most coveted players this season, with Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma all understood to be monitoring the Venezia midfielder, though Italian clubs face competition from abroad in the race to sign the 22-year-old.
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The Italy Under-21 international has caught the eye with a series of impressive performances for Venezia, building on the form he showed during his time at AlbinoLeffe.
Across his career he has accumulated 82 appearances and four goals with the Bergamo club and 59 outings and eight goals with Venezia, numbers that, while modest, understate the quality and dynamism he has shown in midfield this season.
His profile is attractive to clubs for multiple reasons beyond pure football, as noted by TuttoMercatoWeb.
Born in 2003, Doumbia qualifies as a homegrown player under Italian regulations, making him a cost-effective and practically valuable signing for Serie A clubs navigating squad list requirements.
His contract runs until June 2029, giving Venezia a strong negotiating position, one they would look to strengthen further if the club secures promotion to the top flight, which would inevitably push his valuation higher.
Adding urgency to any potential deal is the interest from Sporting CP, who according to Portuguese newspaper Record are considering Doumbia as a potential replacement for Hidemasa Morita should the Japanese international depart this summer. With Champions League football on offer in Lisbon, the Portuguese giants represent a serious rival for the Italian clubs.
The message for Inter, Milan and Napoli is clear, move quickly or risk missing out.
Tottenham Hotspur have had a disappointing season so far, and they are 18th in the Premier League table.
They are fighting the relegation battle, and multiple players from the London club have been linked with potential exits. According to reports from Spain, Mohammed Kudus is now a target for Manchester United and Chelsea.
The 25-year-old African joined Tottenham from West Ham United at the start of the season, and he was quite impressive for them before his injury blow. Manchester United and Chelsea are now looking to secure his signature in the summer, and it remains to be seen whether Tottenham can hold onto him. They must secure safety in the Premier League in order to keep quality players like him. The Ghana International will not want to compete in the second division of English football next season.
Kudus could prove to be a very handy option for Manchester United. They need more quality on the flanks, and the 25-year-old is capable of operating on either wing. He will add goals and creativity to the team. He is a reliable performer in the Premier League, and he could settle in quickly at Old Trafford and make an immediate impact.
Kudus has 22 goals and 19 assists since the move to England (for West Ham and Spurs).
Manchester United values versatility and technical liability in the final third. It remains to be seen whether they come forward with an official proposal in the summer.
Similarly, Chelsea needs more quality on the flanks as well. They have invested in Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens at the start of the season. However, both players have been underwhelming. The Tottenham attacker could be a very useful option for them in the attack.
He can operate on either flank as well as centrally. He could transform both teams’ attacks.
The post Man United and Chelsea plot raid on relegation-threatened PL club for 22-goal star appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Ruud Nijstad is already being linked with a move to the Premier League, and Chelsea are keen on signing him.
The 18-year-old defender has impressed with FC Twente, and the Blues are interested in securing his signature. It remains to be seen whether they decide to make a concrete move for him at the end of the season. Chelsea will face competition from Spanish champions Barcelona.
Journalist Geert-Jan Jakobs told Voetbal International: “If you believe the reports, the entire European elite is vying for him. Even before he had made his debut for FC Twente, the top Dutch clubs already wanted him.”
“No clubs have contacted FC Twente themselves, but I did hear through the grapevine that Chelsea is interested. And that FC Barcelona has been pursuing him for some time. The question is what he wants for himself. A good agent would say that he should stay at Twente longer. Get some experience there before you end up in the second team of a big club.”
Nijstad is a talented young defender with a bright future, and he needs to focus on his development for now. He will have plenty of chances to play for elite clubs in future. Sitting on the bench at a big club would be detrimental to his development. He should look to join a club that offers regular opportunities. If Chelsea can provide him with the necessary assurances, the move would make sense for him.
It remains to be seen how the situation develops. Meanwhile, the Dutch will not want to lose the player easily. He has a long-term contract with them, and they are under no pressure to sell Nijstad. Chelsea might have to make a lucrative proposal to convince them. It is no secret that they need more quality at the back, but they should invest in someone who can make an immediate impact. An experienced defender would be ideal for them.
Similarly, Barcelona will need more experience within the team. Nijstad could be a good investment for the future, and it remains to be seen what they decide.
The post “Chelsea is interested…”: Journalist confirms Blues interest in 18-year-old Barcelona target appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi will be a free agent at the end of the season, and he is a target for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
According to a report from talkSPORT, the Premier League clubs are keen on signing a 28-year-old on a bargain, and the player is hoping to sort out his future quickly.
There has been interest from clubs in Italy, and it remains to be seen whether they decide to come forward with an official proposal at the end of the season.
Manchester United are looking to add more quality and depth to the defensive unit despite agreeing on a new deal with Harry Maguire. They need to build for the future, and the 28-year-old could be a handy option. The South American has shown his quality in the Premier League, and he is at the peak of his career. This is the right time for him to take on a new challenge and move to Manchester United.
It would be a step up in his career, and he would get to play for one of the biggest clubs in the country. Manchester United are pushing for a top-three finish in the Premier League this season, and they are likely to compete in the UEFA Champions League next season. That would make them an attractive destination for players.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are also interested in the Argentine defender. However, they are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and the defender is not keen on dropping down to the second division. For the move to go through, Tottenham will need to secure Premier League safety.
Whoever ends up signing the 28-year-old on a free transfer could have a major bargain on their hands.
The post Man United lead race for 28-year-old South American as Spurs face major hurdle appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Despite suffering a shocking defeat at home against Bournemouth on Saturday, Arsenal still lead the Premier League title race and they’re close to securing a place in the Champions League semifinals. This could be the greatest season the club has ever had in its 140-year history, so the excitement the players, the fans, as well […]
The post “I have zero fear” – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ahead of potentially historic season run-in (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.
The post “I have zero fear” – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ahead of potentially historic season run-in (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.
According to The Times, Bayern Munich have made signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle a top priority for the upcoming summer transfer window. They have already contacted the player’s camp to see if he would be open to the idea, and if he is, they will open talks with Newcastle. The Bundesliga champions are looking to […]
The post Bayern Munich move for Anthony Gordon appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Bayern Munich move for Anthony Gordon appeared first on Soccer News.
Crowned EFL Cup champions just 13 months ago following a famous 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Wembley as they claimed a first piece of silverware in 70 years, Newcastle opened up the 2025/26 campaign with a real spring in their step. However, despite getting proceedings underway back in August with their sights firmly set on […]
The post Newcastle brace themselves as European giants circle over St. James’ Park appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Newcastle brace themselves as European giants circle over St. James’ Park appeared first on Soccer News.
According to The Times, Bayern Munich have made signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle a top priority for the upcoming summer transfer window. They have already contacted the player’s camp to see if he would be open to the idea, and if he is, they will open talks with Newcastle. The Bundesliga champions are looking to […]
The post Bayern Munich move for Anthony Gordon appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Bayern Munich move for Anthony Gordon appeared first on Soccer News.
Crowned EFL Cup champions just 13 months ago following a famous 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Wembley as they claimed a first piece of silverware in 70 years, Newcastle opened up the 2025/26 campaign with a real spring in their step. However, despite getting proceedings underway back in August with their sights firmly set on […]
The post Newcastle brace themselves as European giants circle over St. James’ Park appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Newcastle brace themselves as European giants circle over St. James’ Park appeared first on Soccer News.
Red Sox Reportedly Option Reliever, Make Johan Oviedo IL Move originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It was reported on Tuesday morning that the Boston Red Sox were promoting relief pitcher Jack Anderson from Triple-A Worcester ahead of what could be his MLB debut.
The team's corresponding moves were revealed on Tuesday afternoon, with Boston sending down left-handed reliever Tyler Samaniego to Triple-A and moving Johan Oviedo to the 60-day injured list, according to multiple reports.
MassLive's Chris Cotillo and Christopher Smith, as well as Mac Cerullo of The Boston Herald were among those to report the news.
The Red Sox called up Samaniego on April 8 and the southpaw made his MLB debut that day.
Samaniego shined in his three Boston outings prior to Tuesday's decision, pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing no hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
Oviedo was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 3 with a right elbow strain after just one appearance with the Red Sox.
More MLB: Former MLB Ace Rips Red Sox, Garrett Crochet After Embarrassing Loss Vs. Twins
The Florida Gators are looking to get the sour taste of a second-round exit out of their mouths, and the transfer portal may give them just what they're looking for.
Todd Golden's squad is rumored to be a favorite for the No. 2 player in the transfer portal, Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic. The Second Team All-Big 12 selection reportedly decided to enter the NBA draft as well as the transfer portal on Monday, and on Tuesday, he officially entered the portal with a do-not-contact tag.
That would indicate that Momcilovic has a pretty good idea where he's heading, should he choose to return to college for his senior season.
Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic has officially entered the transfer portal with a do-not-contact tag, @On3 has learned. https://t.co/uOWMfDRMryhttps://t.co/X4Nx4Vl0Af
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) April 14, 2026
Florida makes a ton of sense for Milan Momcilovic if he bypasses the draft. https://t.co/eccdEilZVz
— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) April 12, 2026
The Pewaukee, Wisconsin, native earned All-Big 12 Freshman honors in 2024, and he averaged 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds this past season. He averaged in double figures offensively in each of his three seasons with the Cyclones.
The 6-foot-8 Momcilovic would be a natural replacement for Thomas Haugh, a Second Team All-American this past season who is widely projected as a first-round and potential lottery pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Adding Momcilovic to a frontcourt that could return two starters from last season in two-time All-SEC forward Alex Condon and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu would give the Gators a dominant group of bigs once again.
Momcilovic is currently projected to be a second-round pick in the draft, and if he opts to come back to college, Florida could be the perfect fit.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Florida Basketball: Transfer Milan Momcilovic could be perfect fit
Before Cori Close saw six of her UCLA Bruins selected in Monday night’s WNBA Draft, Close landed a recruit to help ease the pain of the Bruins lost experience. UCLA got a commitment from former TCU guard Donovyn Hunter, who has experience playing on the West Coast.
Hunter began her collegiate career in the Pac-12, with the Oregon State Beavers. The Medford, Oregon native played just one season with the Beavers before joining Mark Campbell at TCU for the past two seasons.
All of UCLA’s 2026 WNBA draft picks played in the old Pac-12 against Hunter. UCLA forward Timea Gardiner was teammates with Hunter in 2023-2024 season for the 27-8 Oregon State squad, a team that defeated Close and the Bruins in February of 2024.
Back to the West Coast💙💛 #committedpic.twitter.com/wzkOGjORLL
— donovyn hunter (@DonovynHunter) April 13, 2026
For her college career, Hunter has put up 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Hunter put up a career-high 10.2 points per game this past season with TCU, helping the team reach the Elite Eight.
Even if Hunter’s scoring stats don’t jump off the page, she’s been entrusted as a starter since her freshman season, starting 93 of her 111 career games. At 6’0”, Hunter gives UCLA some size that they will be in need of after losing their lengthy senior class.
Hunter, along with fellow transfer additions Bonnie Deas and Elina Aarnisalo, will help fill out the Bruins backcourt after seeing Charlisse Leger-Walker, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens and Gabriela Jaquez all head to the WNBA.
There’s still much work to be done for the defending national champions, but UCLA has done a good job of finding experienced guards in the portal to help raise their floor in the 2026-2027 season.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Another Pac-12 player with UCLA: Donovyn Hunter commits to the Bruins
NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from The Athletic less than a week after published photos of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort prompted an internal investigation at the New York Times-owned sports outlet.
The New York Post last week published the photos of Vrabel and Russini at the Sedona hotel and said they were taken before the NFL owners meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” Russini said in a letter sent Tuesday to Athletic Executive Editor Steven Ginsberg and obtained by The Associated Press.
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, where she held various roles, including SportsCenter anchor, NFL analyst and insider. She hosted a podcast for The Athletic and made appearances on their video platform
Vrabel and Russini, who are both married, released statements to the Post after publication of the photos downplaying what the photos depict.
Russini said they “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.”
Vrabel told the newspaper: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”
Vrabel didn’t attend New England’s pre-draft news conference on Monday.
The New York Times reported Saturday that the digital outlet was investigating Russini’s conduct.
That decision came after Ginsberg previously told the Post that the photos “lacked essential context” and lauded her work with The Athletic.
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a player with New England, is preparing for his second season as coach of the Patriots. He was the AP NFL Coach of the Year after leading the team to a 14-3 finish last season, which ended with a Super Bowl loss to Seattle. Vrabel previously won the AP NFL Coach of the Year award with Tennessee in 2021.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
The pitching wasn’t pretty, but the Yankees survived an 11-10 slugfest with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night in the opener of their four-game set. They did, however, decide that they needed relief reinforcements before they played another game.
Immediately after the marathon on Monday, the Yanks demoted right-handed pitcher Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Initially acquired from the Colorado Rockies before the 2025 Trade Deadline with the hopes that his ERA wasn’t indicative of the stuff he could provide, Bird unfortunately has yet to take flight.
Bird was quickly demoted last year following three bad games, and though he made the Opening Day roster, 2026 hasn’t gone much better. Memories of a few solid outings in San Francisco and Seattle were quickly tarnished in a blown loss to the Marlins on April 5th where he failed to record an out and allowed three runs. He was then a bit shaky against the A’s and Rays before getting roughed up by the Angels—particularly Mike Trout. In seven innings on the season, he has a 7.71 ERA, and blowing multiple leads in last night’s game appeared to be the last straw.
In his place, the Yankees called up another bullpen contender from spring training: Yerry De los Santos. The righty pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2022-23 and has spent the last few seasons as a Yankees Triple-A depth option, primarily sticking in Scranton. Last season though, De los Santos did make it into 25 games for the Bombers and did yeoman’s work as a middle reliever, racking up 35.2 innings across 25 games and separate call-ups between April 27th through August 25th. De los Santos notched 28 strikeouts, a 3.38 ERA (81 ERA-), and a 3.44 FIP (coincidentally, an 81 FIP-).
The Yankees elected to go with Bird and Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest as the last men in their 2026 bullpen on Opening Day, but with Winquest returned to the Cardinals upon Luis Gil’s activation and Bird demoted, an opening was there for De los Santos. The 28-year-old did his part to make a case for it, as in 9.1 innings early on for the RailRiders, he’d allowed just two runs on six hits, fanning 13 with a 1.93 ERA and 0.964 WHIP. The Yankees preferred to select someone already on the larger 40-man roster, and De los Santos got the nod over Angel Chivilli and Kervin Castro. The offseason trade pickup Chivilli had actually pitched a little better, but he is seen as someone who is more of a post-Rockies project like Bird, so it’s understandable to take the safer pick in De los Santos.
The Yankees’ bullpen to this point has been a bit of a concern, and De los Santos—while only having pitched in limited innings for the club to this point—has been a decent option to turn to when things get tight for Aaron Boone and his staff. The best-case, of course, is that the Yankees get into a blowout victory situation and De los Santos can soak up some innings for his 2026 debut. Regardless, he’ll be ready and waiting.
British teenager Stan Moody secured his place at the World Snooker Championship for the first time, a day after discharging himself from hospital.
Moody, 19, had been struggling with tonsillitis but managed to beat China's Jiang Jun 10-9 on Tuesday, with a break of 104 in the deciding frame to qualify for the Crucible.
"I was in hospital yesterday," said Moody. "They said 'we know you're going to say no, but we want you to stay in', but I said 'no, I have a match to play tomorrow', so it was never really in question.
"I've been given a load of antibiotics so I'm on the mend. I couldn't talk yesterday or eat or drink, so I've come a long way. They said if it gets worse, come back.
"I'm normally good under pressure but in that last frame I've never felt pressure so much in my life, I'm so happy."
Yorkshireman Moody, who hails from Halifax, will become the first British teenager to make his Crucible debut since a 17-year-old Judd Trump in 2007.
Moody will not be the only young player from Yorkshire making his debut in Sheffield as 20-year-old Liam Pullen from York also booked his place, beating Thailand's Noppon Saengkham 10-8.
Pullen had earlier been on course for a maximum 147, but after potting 14 reds he missed the 14th black, with the break ending on 105.
If he had made a 147 he would have earned £147,000 - for making two maximums across the major events in one season - something China's Chang Bingyu did on Monday after his 147 in his loss to former world champion Luca Brecel.
"It is a bit of a shame about the max," said Pullen, who had to win four matches to qualify.
"I'm very proud I'm still in the tournament and I'm going to go to the Crucible and try my best."
Former world champion Stuart Bingham failed to qualify as he lost 10-7 against two-time runner-up Matthew Stevens.
Bingham, 49, won the title in 2015 but is 17th in the world rankings, with only the top 16 qualifying automatically, meaning he had to go through two qualifying rounds.
But 48-year-old Welshman Stevens, who lost in the final in 2000 and 2005, claimed his place in the main tournament at the Crucible for the first time since 2022.
"I can still play a little bit, which I proved today and I'm really happy," said Stevens, who is 48th in the rankings. "It's nice to be back, I'm nearly 50 and I don't play as much as I used to.
"I was relaxed and Stuart didn't play at his our best, otherwise he would've beaten me."
England's David Gilbert, a semi-finalist in 2019 and 2024, was another British qualifier after winning 10-6 against Aaron Hill of the Republic of Ireland.
Iran's Hossein Vafaei qualified for a fifth successive year thanks to a 10-4 win over Gao Yang of China.
"This morning I was not well at all," said Vafaei. "It wasn't a great match, my opponent is hungry and young and he is my practice partner - every day I practise with him and he's such a great talent, but we didn't play that well.
"I'm fighting as well for my country, for my family and I'm trying my best and will give it my all. The Crucible is a fantastic place for snooker and we love to play in front of snooker lovers, especially at the Crucible."
Antoni Kowalski, 22, will be the first player from Poland to play at the finals after he beat Wales' Jamie Jones 10-8.
Kowalski, who would have lost his tour card with defeat, was in tears after the victory.
"I never cry, so that's the perfect explanation of what it means to me," he said. "I'm going to realise one of my biggest dreams and play at the 'Theatre of Dreams'.
"I'm not based in the UK so it is more special, and my girlfriend and my parents will come to the Crucible. At the end of the first session and beginning of the second I was absolutely gone, then I stopped thinking, turned off my brain and just played."
Elsewhere, Chinese duo Zhou Yuelong and Pang Junxu qualified, defeating England's Michael Holt 10-4 and Wales' Jackson Page 10-8 respectively.
The final eight places will be decided on Wednesday. Belgium's Brecel, the 2023 champion, plays 2024 runner-up Jak Jones of Wales in the pick of the matches.
Two-time Crucible finalist Ali Carter is also in action, as is Jack Lisowski, who won his first ranking tournament in October with victory at the Northern Ireland Open.
The first round begins on Saturday, with the final starting on Sunday, 3 May and concluding the next day - with full coverage of the tournament live on the BBC.
The draw will feature the top 16 and 16 qualifiers, and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live at 08:45 BST on Thursday.
Tuesday's results (first to 10)
Wednesday's fixtures
NEW YORK (AP) — NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigns from The Athletic.
John Blackwell, the top guard currently in the transfer portal, has finalized his final six schools, and Duke is among them, according to Jon Rothstein.
"John Blackwell announced last week that he was considering six schools: Duke, UCLA, Illinois, Arizona, Alabama, and Louisville," Rothstein said via Inside College Basketball.
"According to a lot of people close to the situation, Duke and Illinois were the two schools that had the best chance to secure the services of Blackwell."
As a junior for Wisconsin this past season, Blackwell finished second on the Badgers in scoring, putting up 19.1 points while coming down with 5.1 rebounds and dishing out 2.3 assists per game.
The only problem for Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils is where Blackwell would fit in the rotation.
"Duke has Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Deron Rippey," Rothstein said. "That's three guys who will want to play with the ball. I'm curious how Blackwell would fit into that equation if he explored a route to Duke."
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Duke a leader for top guard in transfer portal
Sherrone Moore sentencing, explained: What to know about fired Michigan coach facing misdemeanors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Former Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore was sentenced to 18 months of probation and various court fines on Tuesday for his charges related to a confrontation with his assistant soon after the former coach was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with her.
Moore, who was fired for cause by the Wolverines in December 2025, was then arrested that same day after allegedly confronting the woman with whom he had been having a relationship with.
In March 2025, Moore entered a plea deal that led to his felony charge being dropped, but pleading no contest to a pair of misdemeanors.
Here's what to know about Moore's sentencing, charges and the known details from his arrest.
MORE: Michigan football's full timeline of dysfunction since Jim Harbaugh's hiring
On Tuesday, Moore was sentenced to 18 months of probation and court fines totaling around $1,000, per Tony Garcia, for his misdemeanors related to his confrontation with a Michigan assistant following his firing from the team on Dec. 10, 2025.
The maximum possible penalty for his charges was six months in jail. His punishment came at the discretion of 14A Ann Arbor District Court Judge Cedric Simpson, who also said that Moore is to have no contact with the alleged victim, cannot use alcohol or recreational marijuana, must continue mental health treatment and may not have possession of any weapons.
During his court appearance for the sentencing, Moore made a brief statement, saying he has "taken this process very seriously."
Former Michigan HC Sherrone Moore address the court during his sentencing hearing pic.twitter.com/hAdPvxHLyR
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) April 14, 2026
Additionally, Simpson said that Moore's wife, Kelli, wrote a letter to the court that had the "biggest impact" on the punishment to hand down to the former coach, per Tony Garcia.
Judge Cedric Simpson spent time praising Kelli Moore for her handling of the situation Sherrone Moore put her and her family in. pic.twitter.com/nhqZt8wo8M
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) April 14, 2026
Hours after being fired for cause by Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel on Dec. 10, 2025, Moore was detained by police and later booked into the Washtenaw County Jail.
Moore was fired by the Wolverines for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. That evening, he allegedly drove to the woman's home and confronted her, blamed her for his firing, and threatened to kill himself with butter knives in her apartment. Authorities also later said that the woman had ended the affair and spoken to Michigan officials about it. Moore did not harm himself, and he was arrested in a parking lot away from the woman's apartment.
MORE: Everything to know about Sherrone Moore's firing and arrest
Originally, Moore was charged with felony home invasion, misdemeanor breaking and entering and misdemeanor stalking. Those charges were able to lead to up to six years in prison if Moore was convicted on all of them.
However, the felony charge was later dropped as part of a plea agreement. On Tuesday, Moore was sentenced to 18 months of probation and court fines for his two misdemeanor charges.
On March 6, Moore agreed to a deal that resulted in him pleading no contest to two new misdemeanor charges in exchange for the dropping of the previous felony count and two separate misdemeanors.
Moore's new misdemeanor charges are for malicious use of a telecommunication device in a domestic relationship and trespassing, per ESPN.
"All the [initial] charges against Mr. Moore were not supported by facts of law," Moore's attorney, Ellen Michaels, said after the March hearing, per ESPN. "The dismissal of those charges validates the concerns we raised about the investigation from the very beginning. Mr. Moore is pleased to put this behind him and move forward."
MORE: Revisiting Michigan's sign-stealing scandal
Moore was fired by Michigan after the university found "credible evidence" that he had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The woman who had allegedly been in a relationship with Moore was Paige Shiver, a former executive assistant under the coach.
Additionally, multiple reports have surfaced that Moore was investigated for "at least" two additional incidents during his time as head coach. The Athletic reported that Moore had contact with at least five women on social media while at Michigan. One woman showed the outlet that Moore had asked to fly her to come see him.
Moore has been married to Kelli Moore since 2015, with whom he has three daughters.
Shiver was the staff member who came forward as Moore's alleged victim.
Shiver, through an attorney, told the Detroit News in March that the coach "took advantage of a younger, female employee [Shiver]. Leadership knew and failed to act to protect her.”
The statement alleged that the conduct took place over a “long period of time.”
“It raises urgent and troubling questions about how a powerful figure within a major university athletic program was able to engage in years of inappropriate conduct toward a subordinate without meaningful intervention or oversight,” the statement said.
Additionally, per People, Shiver alleged that she faced years of “manipulation, harassment, and exploitation” from Moore, who "held enormous power over her professional life as the head football coach of one of the nation’s most prominent college football programs."
"The power imbalance between a powerful head coach and a subordinate employee created an environment where our client felt pressured, intimidated, and unable to escape conduct that should never occur in any workplace—let alone at a public university," Shiver's statement said in March, per People.
Shiver's statements did not provide any details about Moore's alleged conduct.
A Division I Committee on Infractions hearing panel determined that Iowa will have to vacate four wins from its 10-win 2023 season, the NCAA announced Tuesday. The penalty stems from the Cade McNamara tampering case, for which Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and assistant coach Jon Budmayr already served self-imposed one-game suspensions at the beginning of the 2024 season.
While Ferentz previously took ownership of the misstep, and Iowa agreed on the violations in the case — the program contacted McNamara and his father in 2022, while McNamara was at Michigan and before he entered the transfer portal — the tampering case was ultimately resolved through an infractions hearing because Iowa didn't agree with the vacation of records penalty.
In its release Tuesday, the NCAA outlined the full list of prescribed penalties as such:
One year of probation
A fine of $25,000 (self-imposed by the school)
A two-week ban on all football recruiting communication during the 2026 calendar year (self-imposed by the school)
A 24-day reduction in recruiting person days, including two weeks during which Ferentz was prohibited from off-campus recruiting activity in 2025, as well as four days during which Budmayr was prohibited from recruiting during the 2025 spring evaluation period (self-imposed by the school)
A vacation of all records in which the student-athlete competed while ineligible
A one-game suspension for Ferentz and Budmayr during the 2024 football season (self-imposed by the school)
Throughout November 2022, when McNamara was backing up J.J. McCarthy at Michigan, Budmayr had 13 phone calls with McNamara and/or his father, in addition to sending two text messages, per the NCAA.
Budmayr, then an offensive analyst and now entering his third season as Iowa’s wide receivers coach, set up a phone call between McNamara and Ferentz, who, according to the NCAA’s findings, assured McNamara he’d have a home at Iowa.
Near the end of the month, McNamara put his name in the transfer portal. A few days after that, he committed to Iowa.
When a student-athlete transfers to a school that tampered, that student-athlete becomes ineligible until they’re reinstated, per current NCAA rules. In this case, according to the NCAA’s findings, McNamara participated in the 2023 season before being reinstated.
McNamara started the first five games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear against Michigan State. The Hawkeyes went 4-1 along the way, hence the vacation of four of their wins that season.
Deacon Hill replaced McNamara as Iowa’s QB1, and defense and special teams carried the program to its eighth 10-plus-win season in Ferentz’s soon-to-be 28-season tenure.
But, due to Tuesday’s decision, Ferentz technically now has only seven of those campaigns to his name.
Ferentz was dismayed by the ruling.
"I am disappointed by the NCAA's decision today," Ferentz said in a statement, via ESPN. "Throughout the process, our program has been open and honest about my mistake — contacting a potential player in the hours before it was permissible by NCAA rules.
"I felt it was important to make amends for the issue, which is why I voluntarily served a one-game suspension to start the 2023 season. I believe today's decision by the NCAA vacating four wins in our 2023 season is overly harsh and inconsistent with the violation.
"As I tell our team and staff, it is how you respond and move forward that defines you. Our focus is on the 2026 season and that is how we are moving forward."
Ferentz has the support of his higher-ups, as both university president Barb Wilson and athletic director Beth Goetz communicated similar feelings in a joint statement.
"We are very disappointed in today's ruling by the Committee on Infractions," the statement said, per ESPN. "Throughout this nearly two-and-a-half-year process, the University has fully cooperated with the NCAA enforcement staff. More importantly, when the facts revealed that violations had taken place, the institution and the head coach publicly accepted full responsibility and self-imposed several significant sanctions, something few others have done.
“We believe the decision of adding the penalty of the forfeiture of wins is unwarranted. The matter is now closed, and we have moved forward."
Former Michigan coach Sherrone Moore avoided a jail sentence and was sentenced to probation after previously agreeing to a plea deal over his actions after his firing from Michigan.
As part of the deal, Moore pled no contest to misdemeanor malicious use of a telecommunications device involving a domestic relationship and misdemeanor trespassing. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation, is subject to random alcohol and drug testing and cannot have a weapon while also continuing mental health treatment.
Moore was fired with cause from Michigan in December after an investigation into his romantic relationship with a now-former staffer. Moore, who is married with three children, then went to the staffer’s house after he was fired, and allegedly threatened to take his own life after grabbing butter knives and kitchen scissors from her residence.
Moore was initially charged with third-degree home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering or entering without breaking. The home invasion charge was a felony. Moore had pled no contest to the misdemeanor charges as part of a plea deal he reached with prosecutors in March.
Judge Cedric Simpson said in his statements that Moore had previously been given the code to the door for the staffer’s apartment. He also said that Moore “had no right to spread your pain to her” for what he did that day.
Simpson also noted that what Moore’s wife Kelli had to deal with that day was “an incredible burden” and spoke glowingly of her. Moore and his wife hugged each other after Simpson read his sentence.
Moore’s attorney said ahead of his sentencing that he had “reset himself around his family” and had been in counseling before recommending probation and a deferred sentence for her client.
In his own brief statement, Moore said he had “taken this process very seriously.” He cannot have contact with the former staffer as part of his probation.
Michigan went 18-8 in Moore’s two-season tenure and had three seasons left on his five-year contract at the time of his firing. He had served a two-game suspension at the start of the 2025 season as part of punishments stemming from Michigan’s advance-scouting scandal.
The school first started investigating the relationship between Moore and the staffer in October. Shortly before his firing, the woman came forward to school officials and admitted that the two had been in a relationship.
NFL owners want to hear more about where things stand with the Bears getting a new stadium.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the NFL’s stadium committee will meet after the draft for an update from the Bears on the status of the ongoing effort to build a new stadium, either in Arlington Heights, Illinois, or Hammond, Indiana.
Vikings owner Mark Wilf chairs the committee. Bears owner George McCaskey is on the committee, as are Steelers owner Art Rooney II, 49ers owner Jed York, Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones, Ravens President Sashi Brown and Rams President Kevin Demoff.
The Bears say they hope to know for sure where their next stadium will be by this summer.
Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam reckons the three-way title race is too close to call and will come down to who can "hold their nerve the most" in the sprint to the finishing line.
With long-time leaders Hearts a point ahead of Rangers and three above stuttering champions Celtic, there are now just five rounds of fixtures remaining as the Premiership season enters the split.
Adam, who began his career Rangers, could make a case for any of the three sides going on to clinch what would be a momentous achievement.
"If you'd asked six weeks ago, there was an obvious winner, but now I think it's a flip of a coin," said the 40-year-old.
"I think it's week by week, game by game, and I think there's a lot of swings still to go in the title race.
"I didn't see Hearts being there at the start of the season and then I said I thought Hearts could win it and then they dropped points.
"Then Celtic were coming with a run, probably not playing as well as they feel they can, but they were picking up wins.
"And Rangers have just motored since Danny Rohl's came in, so I don't think you can really call anything.
"What a good thing it is for Scottish football that there's a bit of drama from now to the end of the season, and it's about who can hold their nerve the most."
With Celtic in Scottish Cup semi-final action against St Mirren this Sunday, Hearts and Rangers have both opted to go to abroad this week for their warm-weather training camps.
"I think it's good, it's an opportunity," said Adam.
"Hearts were looking to do that a few weeks ago and go to Dubai, but obviously, there was a problem to go there (with hostilities in the Middle East).
"And now both clubs have managed to do it. What I would say is I think they'd rather be playing here at Hampden in a semi-final.
"They've now got a chance to get the lads together, letting them relax a little bit, maybe a game of golf, a bit of dinner, just keeping them together.
"Because when you're in the training ground you don't spend as much time and you're going home and you're coming back.
"But when you're in there for four or five days, you're with everybody 24 hours a day, and it's a great way to keep camaraderie, get good team spirit and focus on the split."
Colorado football is off to a slow start on the class of 2027 recruiting trail, but it added an elite prospect on Tuesday, April 14, which drastically changed its outlook.
After a 2026 recruiting class that lacked a truly elite top-200 player, Deion Sanders' program made a splash to bring in four-star quarterback Andre Adams, giving a shot of momentum to a class that hopefully sees several commitments over the next several weeks.
Adams joins just one other prospect, three-star defensive back Devon Dericho. The dual-threat quarterback headlines Colorado's two-person class ranking as the No. 165 overall player and the No. 15 quarterback per Rivals Industry rankings.
With spring camp finished and several visits concluded, Colorado's recruiting department will hope for commitments to stack up as we head into the summer months.
After an elite blue-chip recruit joining the fold, here is where Colorado's class of 2027 ranks nationally and in the Big 12.
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football recruiting 2027 team national ranking update
On Tuesday morning, Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan held court for one last time before the 2026 NFL Draft. But did he leave us with any worthwhile hints before next week's selection process?
Here are our four biggest takeaways from Morgan's pre-draft presser:
The Panthers set out to set themselves up for the draft through free agency—signing the likes of ascending pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, Pro Bowl inside linebacker Devin Lloyd and presumptive starting left tackle Rasheed Walker. And Morgan believes that work, which also included the returns of 14 of their own free agents, will allow them to pick the best available player in the first round.
"If anything, I think it opens us up to a lot of possibilities at Pick 19," Morgan replied when asked if those additions will narrow down their focus. "I think all positions are on the table. And like I said before, you never know who's gonna fall down to us.
"So I think we're definitely in the best-player-available mindset. So, yeah, I think what we did in free agency set us up to do that."
Even after selecting a receiver in both of his first two first rounds at the helm, Morgan didn't discount a third.
"I think, with anything, we're gonna take the best player," Morgan said when asked about the possibility of using a third straight first-rounder on a receiver. "So if the the best player we feel is at 19, I wouldn't hesitate to draft another wideout.
"I don't think there's a rule that says you can't draft a receiver three years in a row. I'm not gonna box us in and say we're not gonna draft one."
The Panthers drafted Xavier Legette with the 32nd overall pick in 2024 and Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick in 2025.
Two weeks ago at the NFL Annual League Meeting, head coach Dave Canales had stated that he isn't looking to draft depth with the 19th pick. Morgan, however, may slightly disagree.
"I understand what Coach is saying in terms of—obviously, you want your first-round pick to be able to come in and contribute immediately. So, yeah, I'm kinda with him on that," Morgan stated when asked of Canales' comments.
"You want your first-round pick to play, but there's different scenarios to where maybe it takes a guy a little longer to develop, and he may not contribute right away. With some of the picks at different positions, it may take a little longer for those guys to develop, for sure."
Those positions could include either offensive tackle spot—where the 2027 outlooks for Walker, Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton aren't exactly solidified. Cornerback may also be a spot to add to with starter Mike Jackson entering the final year of his contract.
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq has felt like the odds-on favorite at that 19th overall selection for quite some time. But Morgan made some intriguing comments on the current state of the team's tight end room that may have us second-guessing this potential pairing.
"I think we have some guys on our roster that are big targets," Morgan said. "In general, we have guys in our tight end room that we feel are good players and guys that have the skill set to be able to do that.
"Whether it's opportunity or whether guys are still developing, I think we have the pieces in that room to be able to do that."
Tommy Tremble led all Panthers tight ends with 249 receiving yards in 2025.
Carolina has not had a tight end record at least 500 receiving yards since 2019.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 4 biggest takeaways from Panthers GM Dan Morgan's pre-draft presser
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Ex-Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore gets probation, no jail, for confrontation with woman after his firing.
Ray Longo is not buying Jiri Prochazka's excuse for his UFC 327 loss to Carlos Ulberg.
Prochazka (32-6-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) was knocked out in the first round of his vacant light heavyweight title fight against Ulberg (14-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) in Saturday's main event at Kaseya Center in Miami.
Ulberg hurt his knee during the fight, which prompted Prochazka to stalk him. Prochazka initially threw numerous leg kicks before claiming to show "mercy" by pulling back. Just moments later, he was clipped by an Ulberg left hook that put him out.
"We have to discuss mental illness in MMA because some things – it's all funny when the guy is praying up on Mount Olympus and standing on his head, drinking his own piss, but this is what happens, man," Longo said on "The Anik & Florian Podcast."
"That poor guy was confused. 'Mercy.' Mercy, what the f*ck? You blew the f*cking fight. You blew it! You f*cking blew it! Holy sh*t, you've got to be kidding me. First of all, his first training is to go back and watch 'The Karate Kid' 1. You've got to be f*cking kidding me."
Ulberg isn't thrilled with Prochazka's mercy claim either. He denied Prochazka's call for a rematch and said he doesn't see him in the title picture right now.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Coach goes off on Jiri Prochazka: 'You f*cking blew it' at UFC 327
According to former W Series driver and Sky Sports Formula 1 analyst Naomi Schiff, the mental load placed on the current F1 drivers is "probably higher than it ever has been".
During an episode of the Up To Speed podcast, Schiff discussed the myriad of distractions and sheer volume of information that the drivers have to process from within the cockpit.
"Besides the fact that you've got so much going on, let alone braking points, turning in points, trying to be as quick as possible, trying to get closer to your competitor or get away from someone who's chasing you down, in F1 there's so many other things going on," she explained.
"Pitstop strategy, the list goes on and on of the mental load, and if anything, this year the mental load is probably higher than it ever has been.
"I always saw straights as a mental rest, not only mental, but also physical. You'd get to the straight and be like, 'Thank God.' OK, breathe, take it all in before you get to turn one and then go again."
The 2026 F1 season has introduced a new wave of regulations to the championship, which feature an almost 50:50 split between internal combustion and electric power, active aerodynamics, Overtake Mode and the use of a boost button. Multiple drivers have opened up about mental exhaustion following grands prix.
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson revealed he was left "mentally drained" after the Japanese Grand Prix. After crossing the line in ninth place at the Suzuka circuit, the New Zealander told F1 TV: "Good, a little bit mentally drained. It's very intense this year. You have a lot more that you're thinking about when you're driving. So, it was actually quite a tough race."
He added: "Well, you're learning a lot through the race. And to be honest, at the start, like Gabi [Gabriel Bortoleto] passed me and I didn't even see it coming, before Turn 13, and I was like, 'Brilliant, I've lost a place'.
"But then he had no battery going into 16, so I just passed him back without even doing it on purpose. So, we're sort of all figuring out through the race, OK, if we use our deployment here, we don't have it the next straight.
"And that's what was happening to everybody. I was watching the guys in front. One would overtake before the last chicane, then get overtaken before Turn 1. And in the end, I had Esteban [Ocon] behind me, and I think he realised this as well, and we just both stayed quite sustainable in similar modes, and I was able to keep him behind."
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
Jack Harrison has dropped a strong hint about his desire to stay at Fiorentina beyond his current loan spell, telling reporters after the win over Lazio that any player would be happy to represent the club, while stopping short of confirming a permanent deal is imminent.
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The Leeds winger has grown into an increasingly important figure under Paolo Vanoli, delivering his third Serie A assist of the season against Lazio, a left-footed cross that set up Robin Gosens in the first half.
His deployment on the right flank, not his natural side, has raised eyebrows at times, but Vanoli’s faith in the Englishman has been repaid with reliable, intelligent performances that have made him a key cog in the Viola system. The absence of other wide options through injury has contributed to his prominence, but Harrison has earned his minutes rather than simply inherited them.
“I am very happy in Florence, the city is incredible and so is the club,” Harrison told reporters, via FirenzeViola.
“As for the future, any player would obviously be happy to play here. We will see what happens.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 24: Jack Harrison of ACF Fiorentina in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Cagliari Calcio at Artemio Franchi on January 24, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The financial picture, however, is complex. Harrison is on loan from Leeds with a purchase option set at €7 million, a fee that is manageable in isolation but must be viewed alongside a series of other potential obligations Fiorentina are already navigating this summer.
Compulsory buyouts for Fabbian (€13 million) and Brescianini (€10 million) are already in the pipeline, with Rugani and Manor Solomon adding further potential expenditure.
Of all these deals, Harrison’s future is arguably the least certain, though one factor could change the calculation significantly. If Vanoli, who is a significant admirer of the player, continues as head coach, the chances of Harrison remaining in Florence increase considerably. The manager’s stance may ultimately prove the decisive variable in what is shaping up to be a fascinating summer for the club.
From the moment that three-year defensive coordinator Jay Hill decided to leave BYU and take the same position on Kyle Whittingham’s staff at Michigan, fears that one of the Cougars’ best defenders from the 2025 group that was one of the best in the Big 12 would follow Hill to Ann Arbor raged throughout Cougar Nation.
But safety Faletau Satuala, who emerged as one of BYU’s best players — on either side of the football — during his sophomore season says he never really thought long and hard about making the move. He also stressed, humbly, that because he never entered the transfer portal, he never heard from Hill or anyone else at Michigan and doesn’t know if the Big Ten’s Wolverines even wanted him.
“I just kind of got with my parents and talked to them about it, and tried to weigh out the pros and cons (of going into the portal),” Satuala told the Deseret News on April 3 after spring practices concluded in Provo. “… Knowing how good of a dude coach Hill is, there was a lure (to follow him). But yeah, I didn’t really get to talk to him at all once he left.”
On Jan. 2, the day the football transfer portal window opened, Satuala announced on X that he would “run it back” and return to BYU this season. And all of Provo breathed a huge sigh of relief, after the former three-star recruit in 2023 who had chosen BYU over Utah due to Hill’s recruiting and a coin flip — more on that later — said he was staying.
😁🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/vRgVpaQuQj
— Faletau Satuala (@faletausatuala) January 2, 2026
The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder was not a full-time starter in 2025 until the seventh game of the season — the 24-21 win over Utah — but still led BYU in tackles with 83 and recorded three interceptions. He also forced two fumbles, had one sack, and made a pick-six in the 41-27 win over Iowa State that went a long way in earning him second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America.
Satuala said Hill “was actually really good about it” and told BYU’s defenders before he left that he loved them, but was going to follow the rules and not tamper with any of them.
“He just wanted us to know that he was always going to be there for us, and left it at that,” Satuala said. “He’s still probably one of the greatest mentors I will ever have in my life.”
The only BYU player who followed Hill to Michigan was backup linebacker Max Alford, whose uncle, Tony Alford, is Michigan’s running backs coach.
So what kept Satuala — teammates and coaches call him “Fally” — out of the portal, where he probably could have commanded more revenue sharing money?
“The culture here, and coach Kalani (Sitake),” he said. “Then, obviously, all the defensive players coming back and having all my teammates still here was a really big thing. Coming back with all of them and knowing they were going to be here and we have a chance to be really good was a really big thing for me.”
Not that Satuala isn’t being well compensated via revenue sharing and NIL earnings at BYU. He recently purchased a Tesla, which he uses to zoom up and down Interstate 15 to visit his parents and family back in Bountiful.
“This year I definitely had a way bigger NIL check than I did the last couple of years,” he said. “As this year goes on, I will start to get a lot more of that money and understand how good it is. It is definitely a blessing to be able to be here in this time of college. Some dudes missed out by just one or two years, so I am just super grateful that the timing worked out exactly how it did.”
What about next year? Will Satuala be that rare star college athlete in this day and age of rampant transferring who stays at one school all four years?
The kid who told his father, Ului, that one day he would play in the NFL said he will try to have a good enough season to increase all of his options. Coincidentally, one of Satuala’s uncles, Jeff Holtry, played football at Michigan and BYU but sustained a career-ending knee injury in 2000 against Florida State and never got the chance to play in the NFL.
“Once you have a chance to reach your dreams, it is hard to say no to that,” Satuala said, while acknowledging that some guys can now make more money in college than they can in professional sports. “It is a decision I will make when it comes. The big thing now is to focus on this season and be the best I can be, so I have a chance of going to the NFL, if that ends up happening.”
When he picked BYU over Utah and UCLA in December 2023 and signed with the Cougars in February 2024, Satuala said Hill was a big reason why. Recently, however, he said there was more to the story of how he arrived at BYU.
He told Center Street Media’s Hinckley Ropati, the former BYU running back, that after a Bountiful High basketball game that year, his parents told him it was time to make a decision — BYU or Utah — after he had narrowed his choices to those two in-state schools.
Satuala said he went downstairs to his bedroom to pray about it, and was prompted to follow the admonition of his mother, Corin.
“It landed on BYU. I came upstairs and told my parents, BYU it is,” he said. “I felt at peace with it then.”
On April 3, he confirmed the coin flip story to several reporters in the press box at LaVell Edwards Stadium before the annual alumni game.
“It is 100% true, actually,” he said. “I don’t know if that is a good way to put my future, but I had no other option. … My mom jokingly told me to flip a coin on it. I was like, shoot, I don’t really got anything else to decide on. So it was true, yeah.”
When he was asked if it was the right decision, Satuala nodded his head.
“I mean, we are 2-0 against (Utah), so I am pretty happy with it, yeah.”
Still, the family remains split between blue and red. His older sister, Emrie Satuala Moea’i, played volleyball for Utah, while his younger sister, Milika, who was recently named Deseret News 2026 Ms. Basketball after leading Bountiful to another state championship, has signed to play basketball for the Utes.
BYU recently offered his younger brother, Lakepa, who will be a senior safety and receiver for the Redhawks this fall, a scholarship for the class of 2027. Lakepa was on campus in Provo two weeks ago.
“He loves it down here and he’s starting to get big and fast,” Satuala said. “I think he’s going to be really good.”
After Hill departed, Kelly Poppinga was promoted to defensive coordinator and Demario Warren and Lewis Walker were brought in to coach the safeties (Warren) and cornerbacks (Walker). Satuala said he was originally “kind of nervous” about who Poppinga would hire to coach the safeties, but after working with Warren in the spring, he’s confident that the right choice was made.
“Coach (Warren) reached out to me first and I think I was a little skeptical at first, because I love coach Hill, and he was a great coach for BYU,” Satuala said. “But over the course of spring ball, coach D-Mo was there and showed a lot of love, and he’s also really smart. He’s going to help us a lot.”
Satuala said the new coaches have brought some added elements to the secondary, such as the playing of “Cover 4” in the red zone.
Satuala will be the starting strong safety, while senior Raider Damuni will be the starting free safety. Sophomores Tommy Prassas and Jarinn Kalama are in the mix to be the primary backups. Other safeties in the room include sophomores Payton VanSteenkiste and Joseph Douglas, redshirt freshman Crew Clark and true freshman Kennan Pula, a four-star athlete from Lone Peak High.
“There are a lot of high expectations,” Satuala said. “But you can’t let up and just get content with being a starter. We have some really good dudes, especially young guys coming in who are competing and pushing us for spot. I think that will push our whole room to be really good.”
Poppinga said he will rely on the veteran safeties to bring the entire secondary up to speed as the Cougars go about replacing starters Tanner Wall and Mory Bamba in the defensive backfield.
“We have a ton of returning starters on this defense,” Poppinga said. “We are not dealing with a bunch of freshmen coming in. We’re good there. I feel really good with three safeties right now, with Tommy Prassas and Faletau and Raider. I am excited about where we are at right now.”
Especially that Satuala is in Provo, and not Ann Arbor.
When the Nats traded MacKenzie Gore, the piece people talked about the most was Gavin Fien. It makes sense, Fien was the 12th pick in the 2025 draft and has been a famous name for a while. However, I think there is a solid chance that Devin Fitz-Gerald ends up being the real prize of the return.
The early signs are sure pointing in that direction. Fien struggled in his first four games in Low-A, and then missed the last week for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, Fitz-Gerald has taken to High-A like a duck to water as a 20 year old with limited professional experience.
It is way too early to make any real declarations, and I am not giving up any of my Gavin Fien stock after just four rough games. For Fitz-Gerald though, he seems like he is on the road to being a top 100 prospect. After the graduation of Astros prospect Brice Matthews, Fitz-Gerald is now one of the top 10 second base prospects in all of baseball.
Devin Fitz-Gerald enters the Top 10 2B Prospects list upon the graduation of Brice Matthews.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 13, 2026
More on the #Nats prospect acquired from the Rangers this past winter as part of the package for MacKenzie Gore: https://t.co/shlm2YfesDpic.twitter.com/2LHCbeT6jf
I anticipate that his stock will continue to rise, and there is a chance he will become a top 100 prospect. It was a slight surprise to see Fitz-Gerald assigned to High-A Wilmington. He only played 41 games last year in his first pro season, which was cut short by injuries. Fitz-Gerald spent 31 of those games in rookie ball and just 10 in Low-A.
Despite only playing 10 Low-A games, the Nationals were comfortable assigning him to High-A Wilmington, which is not only a level higher, but also a ball park that is notoriously tough on hitters. The Nats stockpile of young infield talent forced their hand a bit, but the fact they were comfortable sending Fitz-Gerald to High-A shows their confidence level in him.
So far, their faith is being rewarded. Through his first 30 at bats, Fitz-Gerald is hitting .333 with a .944 OPS. He also has five walks to just five strikeouts. The switch hitting infielder is showing his advanced hitting chops despite being assigned to a tough level.
Fitz-Gerald has a nice combination of pure hitting ability and power. In high school, Fitz-Gerald was seen as a contact first player, but showed surprising pull side power in his pro debut. We saw that pull side power on display when he hit his first High-A home run last week against Yankees prospect and former Nats farm hand Sean Paul Linan.
a leadoff tank for devin fitz-gerald (nats @MLBPipeline #9 prospect) pic.twitter.com/pTMtCLrg9j
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) April 12, 2026
That home run was a real thing of beauty. His left handed set up and toe tap kind of remind me of Tigers young phenom Kevin McGonigle. Fitz-Gerald has some similarities to McGonigle with his advanced hitting ability and surprising power. However, the 20 year old has a long way to go if he wants to reach McGonigle’s level.
When you watch Fitz-Gerald play, you can tell he is a gamer who has been around baseball his whole life. His dad Todd is one of the most prominent high school baseball coaches in Florida. He coaches at Stoneman Douglas High School, which has produced players such as Roman Anthony, Jesus Luzardo, Anthony Rizzo and Coby Mayo. Fitz-Gerald hopes to be the next great product of his dad’s program.
There was a podcast recently that had Todd Fitz-Gerald on, which I really enjoyed. They talked about Devin’s development among other things. Todd was not worried about his son’s aggressive assignment because of his confidence in his hitting ability.
New @TalkNats Podcast with one of the best high school baseball coaches in the country, Todd Fitz-Gerald, who also happens to be the father of Nats IF prospect Devin Fitz-Gerald… links below!https://t.co/yeIb4DAnqIhttps://t.co/H5j7ozXix7https://t.co/zxmJIkSRkepic.twitter.com/95kxah0x0V
— The Talk Nats Podcast (@TalkNatsPodcast) April 10, 2026
That is not just a father hyping up his son, it is just true. Wherever Devin Fitz-Gerald has been, he has hit. None of the concerns about him as a player come from his hitting ability. The questions about Fitz-Gerald come from his average athleticism and defensive home.
Fitz-Gerald played shortstop in high school and with the Rangers, but he is likely to settle in as a second baseman. He is not the twitchiest player, but he has great instincts and enough athleticism to be a good second baseman. In the past, Fitz-Gerald’s power upside was questioned, but those doubts have been answered for the most part. He now projects to be at least a 15 homer bat with the potential for more due to his ability to pull the ball in the air.
Of all the prospects in the Nats system, Devin Fitz-Gerald has one of the fewest question marks. He may not have the athletic upside of some other players in the system, but man can he hit. Fitz-Gerald also gets the most out of his tools due to his baseball IQ.
He has average speed, but already has 7 stolen bases thanks to his great instincts. There could be 15 SB upside here even without great speed due to his ability to make good reads. This is truly your prototypical coaches kid and I think he is the hidden gem of the MacKenzie Gore return. If he is the best player of the five guys the Nats got back from the Rangers, I would not be at all surprised.
After a winless week, including getting swept by Georgia Tech on the road, Florida State (24-11, 9-6) returns home to face off against Stetson (14-21, 5-9) to try to snap a four-game losing streak.
It has been a long 72 hours for FSU since they last played, and the bus ride back from Atlanta was certainly not a pleasant one for the Seminoles. On Saturday, the Noles were run ruled for the first time this season, en route to a largely uncompetitive three-game sweep at the hands of Georgia Tech. While there is little shame to losing to a GT team that is one of the best in the country, the lack of game management, both at the plate, on the mound, and on the bases, is cause for concern. Head coach Link Jarrett has tried to pull as many levers as he can to spark his group, but he still lacks the solutions for how to get the best out of them. The good news for the Seminoles is they are 4-1 in ACC weekend series, and their schedule is about to get a lot easier down the stretch. Hopefully, Jarrett can find the answers to the test against what should be weaker competition before the end of May.
Turning the attention to tonight, the Noles should be in good shape on the mound with the resurgence of LHP Cooper Whited. After LHP Payton Manca went down, there was a vacuum at the mid-week starter spot that Whited took over and ran with. Against Florida, Whited made his longest appearance of the season, 4.1 IP on 69 pitches, while allowing two runs and not walking a batter. Behind Whited, the Seminoles bullpen should be fresh with the extra off day on Sunday after playing Thursday-Friday-Saturday last week.
Florida State will also benefit from playing a reeling Stetson team. The Hatters lost their weekend series, though they won on Sunday, and are 1-4 in their first five ASUN series on the year. In the first matchup between FSU and Stetson, Jarrett’s club pulled away after being tied 2-2 through five with a two-run homer from Noah Sheffield in the sixth and two runs in the seventh to take the midweek matchup, 6-3.
Hatter hitters to know
Rory McIlroy has been told that he has still got work to do to catch up with Scottie Scheffler, despite winning The Masters for a second consecutive year this past week.
McIlroy was at least tied for the lead after each round at Augusta National. The Northern Irishman ended up winning by one shot over Scheffler to secure his sixth major title.
Scheffler remains well out in front at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings. But McIlroy has closed the gap with his second Masters title.
This year’s Masters was the first time since the 2002 US Open that the top two players in the world have finished first and second in a major.
McIlroy and Scheffler have also won four of the last five Masters, and four of the last five majors between them. With that, it is inevitable that fans will start dreaming of further battles between the pair on the biggest stages.
Interestingly, when asked about the rivalry between the two, Andrew Coltart told the Sky Sports Golf Podcast that McIlroy has needed to do a lot more.
“No, Scottie has separated himself from the rest. We’ve been waiting for Rory to step up and he’s a long way away from it,” he said.
“Scottie’s been world number one for 152 consecutive weeks now. There needs to be a jostling of positions for it to be called a rivalry. He’s separated himself from the pack in the last couple of years, and it’s been really disappointing from Rory’s point of view that he’s not been able to close the gap, get the gap close and really get in there. Hopefully that’s about to change.
“Hopefully that gap is going to decrease and they are going to start jostling for that number one position. I don’t believe Rory’s happy being number two.”
While McIlroy did wobble over the weekend at Augusta National, it was remarkable just how comfortable his victory this year was in comparison with 12 months ago.
It was particularly impressive because McIlroy seemed to be nowhere near his best. McIlroy became the first Masters champion to lose strokes to the field over the weekend.
But Coltart suggested that his performance makes this past week potentially his greatest major victory.
“I do think, and this was great, all his majors he’s won playing well. This to me was a much better performance because you can’t have your A game all the time, and he did with his B game, not being detrimental to anybody else in the field, this to me was one of his best ever major wins because he managed his game a hell of a lot better,” he said.
McIlroy needed some time to reset after his win at Augusta National this time last year. It knocked him off his stride for several months, it seemed.
This year saw McIlroy provide a glimpse of what could be to come now that he has removed the burden of trying to complete the Career Grand Slam and win a first major in more than a decade.
It is going to be fascinating to see what he can now go on to achieve.
Strasbourg and Mainz go head-to-head at this Thursday in the Europa Conference League. The match will be broadcast live at 20:00 on TNT Sports.
In their last fixture, Strasbourg suffered a 2-0 reverse against Mainz (UEFA Conference League 2025/26). In their last game, Mainz lost 0-1 against SC Freiburg (1. Bundesliga 2025/26).
Strasbourg ( vs Mainz 2026-04-09): Mike Penders, Guela Doué, Andrew Omobamidele, Ismaël Doukouré, Ben Chilwell, Martial Godo, Valentín Barco, Maxi Oyedele, Gessime Yassine, Samir El Mourabet, Julio Enciso
Mainz ( vs SC Freiburg 2026-04-12): Daniel Batz, Danny da Costa, Stefan Posch, Dominik Kohr, Kaishu Sano, Nikolas Veratschnig, Sota Kawasaki, Paul Nebel, Phillipp Mwene, Phillip Tietz, Sheraldo Becker
Rangers sat 13 points off league leaders Hearts when Danny Rohl was appointed in October. They're now one point back with five games to go and have the title in their own hands.
Rohl, whose side came back from two goals down to thrash Falkirk 6-3 on Sunday, says "months of development" is the key to their form.
The 36-year-old said: "I think you see now the group is growing and growing and this is not just the result from one week. I think this is a result of three or four months of development.
"We are still not at the end, and this is also good, but I like to see that we understand more and more. We can also switch the shapes now more quickly. This is what we have.
"The final five games are about tactics, but the most important thing is to have the right emotion."
Rangers host Motherwell in their first post-split fixture on 26 April, with the squad using their free weekend for a warm-weather training camp in Spain.
Rohl added: "It's good to have the group together, the players together. To have a little bit of time for recovery, but also to work on some small details and it's also good to refresh the mind.
"I see a lot of benefits. I will have time with the board to speak about topics for the future. This is also nice to have and I think it goes in a good direction. The players should do something together as well. This is crucial.
"Motherwell will come and they want to play football with a lot of passes. It's a demanding game.
"We are growing with the belief, and you see in some moments in the pressing, if you go with belief in the pressing you have the chance to win balls.
"If you stay half-and-half and you don't know really, then you come too late and then you are not connected. This is what we have to improve on and we will and we did so far, but let's do the next game and this is an important one."
The Seattle Seahawks are bringing in Iowa offensive guard Beau Stephens in for a 30 visit, marking the first reported formal visit with an offensive lineman this year.
A top 30 visit is a formal in-person meeting the NFL teams get to have with draft prospects. Each NFL team gets 30 of these visits (which is where the name comes from) and consists of NFL teams bringing in these prospects to their facilities for interviews and physicals. These visits allow a team like the Seahawks to conduct further interviews and conduct physicals with the players. Local prospects like Washington running back Jonah Coleman do not count against a team’s limit of thirty visits.
Stephens is projected to get drafted on day two or three of the 2026 NFL Draft. Stephens was a first-team AP All-America selection in his last season at Iowa. Seattle could look to add to the guard position to compete with Anthony Bradford at the right guard spot. It is also worth noting that Bradford is entering his final year of his contract, while 2024 third-round pick Christian Haynes has struggled for playing time.
Here’s a snippet on Stephens from Dane Brugler’s The Beast:
A three-year starter at Iowa, Stephens lined up at left guard in offensive coordinator Tim Lester’s zone-blocking scheme. After struggling and losing his starting job as an underclassman, he fought through that adversity, got healthy and developed into an All-Big Ten player as a senior. He didn’t allow a sack over the past three seasons and helped the Hawkeyes earn the 2025 Joe Moore Award as the nation’s top offensive line.
Stephens embraces the physicality of the position and delivers pop at contact in all phases. In the run game, he can generate movement blocking down and has a feel for how lanes develop. His stubborn hands help him sustain, but his edges leak and marginal body control makes it tough for him to get out of compromised positions.
The other prominent Iowa offensive lineman in this year’s class is Gennings Dunker, who is projected to be a second or third-round pick and is otherwise expected to slide from tackle to guard at an NFL level.
The NFL has named Brian Flinn the Senior Vice President, Global Flag Football, a newly created senior role.
The league announced Tuesday that Flinn will lead the NFL’s global flag football strategy and execution, driving international expansion, strengthening partnerships and overseeing the growth and development of the game from youth participation through the professional level. He will be based in New York.
“Flag football is experiencing extraordinary growth across the globe, from youth participation to elite international competition,” Troy Vincent Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, said in a statement. “This is a pivotal moment for the game. Brian’s vision, leadership and proven ability to build and scale sports properties position him to accelerate our momentum, expand our reach, and elevate flag football on the global stage.”
Flinn has more than 30 years of leadership experience across sports, entertainment and media, with deep expertise in operations, strategic planning, revenue generation, brand building, and communications. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer of the Pro Padel League, a hybrid of tennis and squash played in doubles on an enclosed court.
Flinn previously was Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Isos Capital Management, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at WWE and held senior leadership roles at the NBA and the New York Knicks.
“It is an honor to join the NFL at such a transformative time for flag football,” Flinn said. “The sport has a unique ability to engage new audiences, create global pathways and inspire the next generation of athletes. I am looking forward to working with the league’s leadership and partners around the world to continue to fuel the game’s rapid growth and build a sustainable, impactful future for flag football.”
The NFL recently announced that it is partnering with TMRW Sports to develop and operate a professional flag football league for women and men. Flag football will also make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Daniel Nieminen to a three-year, entry-level contract starting in the 2026-27 season.
Nieminen, 20, just completed his second season playing for the Pelicans in Liiga, Finland's highest professional hockey league. He scored five goals and 12 assists in 47 games, giving him nine goals and 19 assists in 86 games over two seasons. He also played 20 international games for Finland, recording nine assists.
A 6-foot, 187-pound left-handed player, Nieminen is an excellent skater and uses that skill to his advantage on both defense and offense. The Predators have a good track record of drafting and developing mobile, two-way defenseman - Roman Josi, Spencer Stastney, and Ryan Ufko are all examples - so it's no wonder Nashville had their eye on him.
The Predators drafted Nieminen in the sixth round (No. 163 overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. He's now the second player from their 2025 class to sign an entry-level contract, joining Brady Martin.
PREDS OUT: Nashville Predators 'gutted' after chance at playoffs slips away
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators sign defenseman Daniel Nieminen to entry-level contract
Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 pick of the 2026 WNBA Draft, is set to make big money in Big D.
When the former UConn standout joins girlfriend Paige Bueckers, 24, on the Dallas Wings for the upcoming season, Fudd, 23, will take home $500,000 thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed by players last month.
Fudd’s salary is roughly $424,000 more than the $76,832 that Caitlin Clark earned in 2024, her first year in the league.
Bueckers, last season’s rookie of the year, made $78,831 in 2025.
Still, as the third No. 1 WNBA/NBA draft pick to go to Dallas in the last two years, Fudd’s compensation pales in comparison to Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg’s paycheck.
Flagg, 19, earned nearly $14 million for his freshman campaign — in which he’s in the running for rookie of the year — with the Mavericks.
Before the new CBA went into effect, players across the league clamored for equal pay, given that the league’s popularity has soared since Clark’s arrival on the scene.
Previous to the new agreement, the average WNBA base salary was around $102,000, while the NBA average is about $13 million, according to Spotrac's data analyzed by SI and Basketball Reference.
In July 2025, WNBA players sent a message to the league ahead of playing in the WNBA All-Star Game by wearing warm-up shirts that read "Pay us what you owe us."
"That’s one of the things we're in the room fighting for," Clark, who was a team captain, told USA Today of the plea at the time. "We should be paid more and hopefully that’s the case moving forward as the league continues to grow."
As far as Fudd’s concerned, she’s excited to earn her keep.
"I can't wait. Obviously, Paige [Bueckers], Arike [Ogunbowale], getting to watch them and then seeing their new pieces,” she told reporters on Monday. “I'm so excited. I can't wait to get there. I can't wait to learn how to play with them, learn how they play, their style of play and how I can contribute.”
Read the original article on People
What $1 million will buy in today's college basketball NIL market originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With the transfer portal window open for college basketball, there's always the question of who's available on the market and what a certain player is demanding. For example, the top portal talent this cycle was Kansas center Flory Bidunga, who came with a pretty heavy cost.
After one good season under coach Bill Self, the big man was reportedly asking around $5 million for his services, and apparently signed, sealed and delivered himself to Louisville. This is the rare exception or outlier for the current market, according to basketball analytics guru Evan Miyakawa. However, the five positions are one programs are overpaying for right now.
"To obtain a center or a point guard who are equivalent in talent level, it would cost $1.3 million for the center, while only $813,000 for the point guard," Miyakawa wrote. "That means, in this market, it costs 61% more NIL dollars to get a center of the same caliber as a point guard."
As for $1 million overall, some programs can't compete with the rising costs of trying to maintain a top-tier roster. Look at Kentucky's spending last year, which was reportedly over $20 million for 15 players. Yet, the blue-chips Mark Pope brought to Lexington might've been a bargain under Miyakawa's figures. A top-450 player in the nation will run programs roughly $1 million-plus right now.
"Let’s pretend that a team had $1,000,000 to spend on an extra player. For the sake of this example, let’s assume they already have rotation pieces figured out and are willing to either get a starter-level PG or C to add to the mix," Miyakawa added.
"Based on the high demand for centers, they could reasonably get a big with a projected Bayesian Performance Rating next season of 3.9. A player of that caliber would be a borderline top 450 player in college basketball next season. If they were to spend that same $1 million on a point guard instead, they could get a better player, with a projected BPR of about 5.1, due to lower demand in the guard market. A player of that caliber would be around a top 250 player next season."
More:Flory Bidunga projected to make twice as much at Louisville than the NBA
This is a perfect March Madness poaching situation at play. A lower-division has a good year with solid talent, goes to the NCAA Tournament and finds themselves with an empty roster after Power Four schools with resources are right there with a golden ticket to offer.
With such a stark upswing in the NIL market, expect this to only get worse before the correction comes. You have to spend money to make money, but you have to have it first.
Blue Jays consider new-age pitching plan to combat injuries originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Blue Jays entered this season with starting pitching depth looking like a strength.
The injury bug has changed that vibe.
Right now, the Blue Jays are missing Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Jose Berrios and Cody Ponce due to injury, and they're being forced to navigate things in a way they wouldn't have planned on when the season was approaching.
It could also lead to a new-age pitching strategy in a game soon.
MLB insider Jon Morosi reports that the Blue Jays are considering using an opener in the days ahead:
Pete Walker tells @FAN590 that the Jays will consider utilizing an opener to start a game during the next week or so, if circumstances of the rotation warrant. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 14, 2026
MORE:Blue Jays' Ernie Clement is a battle between old-school and new-age baseball
Some teams have made openers quite popular, but not the Blue Jays.
An opener is a relief pitcher who starts a game with the intention of going one or, at the most, two innings.
They are then usually followed by a "bulk" pitcher who will chew up another 3-5 frames, depending on effectiveness.
The idea is to allow a solid relief pitcher with strong stuff to try to get through the tough top of an opponent's order once before the more stretched-out pitcher comes in -- and it prevents the bulk guy from having to face those best hitters too many times.
On some level, it just rearranges the order of pitchers in a game -- but that does create different rhythms for multiple arms, so some teams don't love doing it.
The Blue Jays might have to try it soon. It's not how they planned on their pitching working out this season.
PHOENIX (AP) — There was a time in the not-so-distant past that many Major League Baseball teams looked at their college baseball counterparts with a degree of skepticism. There were the metal bats, the shorter schedule and a sense that nothing could replace the seasoning that came with years of grinding through professional baseball's minor leagues.
Not anymore.
Thanks to a variety of factors — especially money and technology — the MLB and NCAA versions of baseball have never been more similar. There's also been more movement between the two versions of the sport in recent years.
It's part of the reason Tony Vitello is now the manager of the San Francisco Giants despite never working or playing for a professional organization before he was hired — a first in MLB history. It's also a factor in why Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2025 barely one year after finishing a decorated college career at Wake Forest.
“The college game has definitely taken a bigger step toward the pro game — mainly because of the almighty dollar,” said Arizona State coach Willie Bloomquist, who played 14 big league seasons.
“Essentially what’s happened, the Power 4 Conferences are basically the minor leagues."
Athletics general manager David Forst — who selected Kurtz with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft — said the first baseman's quick rise through the minors made him realize how good college baseball had become. Kurtz needed just 210 plate appearances in the minors before dominating MLB pitching, batting .290 with 36 homers and 86 RBIs over 117 games in 2025.
“There’s no doubt that top-level college baseball is High-A or Double-A now. It’s really close,” Forst said. “I never would have imagined a player like Nick Kurtz coming to the big leagues for us 11 months after he was drafted.
“That was unthinkable when I first started doing this. The timeline is squashed because these guys are coming out of college so ready, so physically advanced. Some of them — frankly — don’t need the minor league at-bats they used to need.”
One reason the college game has improved so much is an influx of cash. Coaching salaries have exploded over the past few decades: LSU's Jay Johnson is at the top of the scale at more than $3 million per year while Mississippi State's Brian O'Connor is second at $2.9 million.
Those are outliers, but it's not uncommon for power conference coaches to make more than $1 million.
The highest paid MLB managers make around $8 million per season, but top assistants like pitching and hitting coaches usually make six figures.
The advent of NIL money has also made playing college baseball more lucrative, even if payouts lag well behind their football and basketball counterparts. There's also the fact that top-level NCAA programs are investing in technology.
“We have one of the better pitching labs on the West Coast,” Bloomquist said. “I think it would rival a lot of professional organizations. From a data standpoint, it’s all trickled down to the college level.”
After retiring as a player, Bloomquist worked in the Arizona Diamondbacks' front office before getting hired by the Sun Devils. His pitching coach — Jeremy Accardo — spent 18 years in professional baseball as a player and coach.
Bloomquist said that MLB teams have become more comfortable trusting NCAA programs to develop professional talent instead of taking the risk of drafting an unproven 18-year-old straight out of high school. He added that it's probably one of the reasons that MLB felt comfortable cutting 40 minor league affiliates back in 2020.
In the 2025 MLB draft, 56 college players were selected in the top 90 picks.
“These guys trust (college) programs,” Bloomquist said. “They say, ‘We’ll just watch them in college in three years at a Power 4 program, see how they development and then we'll go get them.’"
Georgia baseball coach Wes Johnson is another coach who has bounced between MLB and NCAA with success at both levels. He was hired as the pitching coach for the Minnesota Twins and had a strong 3 1/2-year run between 2019 and 2022 before going back to the college game. He helped develop 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes as LSU's pitching coach before landing the head job with the Bulldogs.
Johnson said there's little doubt that the college and pro games have never been more similar, but added that there are still real differences for players and coaches. The biggest is the schedule.
In college, the condensed schedule makes all 56 regular-season games feel huge. A three-game losing streak is the end of the world. In professional baseball, it's just a small bump in the road.
“With the Twins, we played 33 spring games, then played 162 in the season and then made the playoffs,” Johnson said. “It’s every day there. That's the hardest challenge you have when you go from college to the big leagues. We won 101 games in 2019 (in the regular season). That means we only lost 61 games.
"But that’s the most I’ve ever lost in my life in one year.”
Bloomquist agreed that the schedule is much different. He said age is a factor as well.
“There’s a different style in college than there is in professional baseball — to an extent that’s accurate," Bloomquist said. “There’s an intensity in college, motivating 18 to 20 year olds, as opposed to guys who are making $20 million. Can you relate to those guys in pro ball?”
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman played in college at Cal State Fullerton before becoming a five-time Gold Glove winner the big leagues. Even though there are some differences — like many more native Spanish speakers in professional baseball — he wasn't worried about Vitello's transition.
“Winning baseball looks the same," Chapman said. "It’s pitching and defense, knowing how to run the bases and then managing personalities. He has a lot of experience with that.
“There will be a learning curve in some areas. You just can’t fully know how to run a Major League clubhouse unless you’ve been in one. But it’s not foreign to him. He’s a baseball guy.”
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Ted Ginn Jr. was back at work as the head coach of the UFL's Columbus Aviators on Tuesday.
The team shared a video of Ginn addressing the team after practice. Ginn was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Tarrant County, Texas early on Saturday morning and he did not coach in the team's loss to the Dallas Renegades on Sunday.
Offensive coordinator Todd Haley served as the head coach in Ginn's place.
"I made a serious mistake and take full responsibility for my actions," Ginn wrote on X.com on Sunday. "I've always believed in accountability and now it's my turn to live that standard."
The Aviators have a rematch with the Renegades in Columbus on Friday and the team told ESPN that Ginn will be back on the sideline.
Preston Copeland, a 6-foot-9 forward who played his freshman season for the Ball State Cardinals, has committed to the Miami University RedHawks, according to a report via Twitter/X from Sam Kayser.
Kayser cited Copeland's agent, Tre Campbell.
Copeland averaged 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game in the 30 games in which he played at the RedHawks' Mid-American Conference rival, making 24 starts.
Copeland played in high school at Combine Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Earlier in the day, forward Brant Byers, the RedHawks' second-leading scorer during the 2025-26 season, reportedly committed to Penn State.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ball State transfer Preston Copeland commits to Miami RedHawks
Detroit — It wasn't that long ago that Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores released a letter expressing his sadness over the team's lengthy, disappointing play, which had left the franchise in disarray amid a 28-game losing streak during the 2023-24 season.
On Tuesday morning, more than two years later, Gores released a letter to fans on the team's website, expressing his gratitude and excitement ahead of the Pistons' opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, which begins Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.
In a letter titled, "Thank You, Detroit — Let’s Keep Going," Gores writes:
"Dear Pistons fans,
More: Pistons reach 60 wins for third time. Here are 3 big reasons why
What we’re building here is a story for the ages. One of the great comeback stories in sports, and not just because of where we are today but because of how we got here. The Pistons clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference and are headed to the playoffs. I couldn’t be prouder or more thankful.
We won 60 games this season for only the third time in franchise history. But this season has been about more than winning. It’s been about building something real, something that reflects who we are and what we stand for. What makes this season special is that it’s not just happening on the court. It’s happening across our entire Pistons family.
Our players. Our coaches. Our front office and staff. Our community. And especially you, our fans.
Your energy, your belief, and your support have lifted this team and reminded everyone how powerful Detroit Basketball can be. Along the way, there were doubters. There always are. But this team never lived by other people’s expectations. They showed up every day, put in the work, and believed in each other.
They may be young, but they’ve been through a lot together. Nothing has been handed to them. They’ve earned this. They’ve been forged through difficulty and came out stronger because of it. And we did it the right way: No shortcuts. No quick fixes. Just belief, patience, and work.
There were moments when others might have lost faith and moved away from the core. We didn’t. We stayed with it. We believed in those young men and they believed in us. Today, they are the cornerstone of this franchise. And what stands out most isn’t just their talent, it’s who they are as people. That’s what makes this special.
More: As Detroit Pistons enter 2026 NBA Playoffs, here are 5 things to know
As an organization, we’ve grown together. We’ve trusted each other. We’ve done things our way, refusing to let outside noise define us. Trajan and J.B. shared my belief in this team from the beginning. The progress has come quickly, but the mindset hasn’t changed.
I told the team recently that this isn’t a dream. This is real. And this story isn’t done. We have a lot more to do. The NBA Playoffs are the stage every team works for, and we’re excited for what’s in front of us. We know it won’t be easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. But we’re ready.Together. All of us.
Tom
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores thanks fans ahead of NBA playoffs
Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has warned the club they have lost their fear factor and could be playing Conference League football next season.
Celtic have won 13 of the past 14 top-flight titles but are third in the league, three points behind leaders Hearts, with just five matches remaining.
Just over a year ago Celtic threatened a Champions League upset against Bayern Munich but have since suffered issues on and off the park, with three managers taking charge of the side this season.
Having lost their past two finals to Aberdeen and St Mirren, McAvennie wouldn't be surprised if Celtic are defeated by the Buddies again at Hampden in this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final.
McAvennie, who played for both clubs, said: "Nobody's scared of Celtic any more, that's the biggest problem.
"Every team's having a go at them. The last 13, 14 years, it's been trophy after trophy after trophy. These young boys (among the support) have never seen Celtic where they are, and it's hurting them.
"People say to me, 'would you be surprised if St Mirren beat Celtic on Sunday?' No, I don't think anybody would. It wouldn't be a surprise the way it would be a couple of years ago.
"I don't get it, a year ago, we went and drew with Bayern Munich, great team - what's happened? Very quickly it's turned into the show it is at the moment, and it's not the best show in town."
A finish inside the top two would guarantee Celtic a chance at Champions League qualification, while Scottish Cup success would secure a Europa League third qualifying round spot.
"They could finish third this year, and if they finish third and don't win the cup, they'll be in the Conference League," McAvennie added.
"I don't think even boys like Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney have been under pressure the way Celtic are at the moment.
"These boys know what it's like to win games, and to win leagues, but not coming from behind when, by all accounts, they're the third best team in Scotland at the moment."
Jennie Baranczyk and the Oklahoma Sooners have added their second transfer portal commitment in the last couple of days with the addition of Kansas State guard Jordan Speiser. Speiser announced her commitment on Instagram.
As a freshman with the Wildcats, Speiser averaged 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. She shot 38% from the field and 34.9% from three last season and averaged 22.9 minutes per game. She had 19 games with more than 10 points last season and finished the season with seven double-digit scoring efforts in Kansas State's final nine games. That included a pair of 20-point efforts in wins over Cincinnati and Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament. Speiser led Kansas State in scoring in their Big 12 tournament semifinal loss to TCU.
Speiser was a five-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports composite. She was the No. 17 player overall and the No. 3 shooting guard in the cycle.
Speiser joins another former five-star shooting guard, Keeley Parks, who signed with the Sooners on Monday.
Oklahoma Sooners earn a commitment from former 247Sports composite 5-star prospect Jordan Speiser out of the transfer portal.
— John Williams (@john9williams) April 14, 2026
She finished the 2025-2026 season on a tear, including a pair of 20-point efforts in the Big 12 tourney and led the Wildcats in scoring against TCU in… pic.twitter.com/zhj0g79yIw
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma adds former 5-star prospect Jordan Speiser
AEK and Rayo Vallecano go head-to-head at OPAP Arena this Thursday in the Europa Conference League. The match will be broadcast live at 20:00 on TNT Sports.
In their last encounter, AEK were beaten 3-0 by Rayo Vallecano (UEFA Conference League 2025/26). Last time out, Rayo Vallecano slipped to a 3-0 defeat against Mallorca (La Liga 2025/26).
AEK ( vs Rayo Vallecano 2026-04-09): Thomas Strakosha, Lazaros Rota, Harold Moukoudi, Filipe Relvas, Stavros Pilios, Aboubakary Koita, Orbelín Pineda, Petros Mantalos, Roberto Pereyra, Barnabás Varga, Luka Jovic
Rayo Vallecano ( vs Mallorca 2026-04-12): Dani Cárdenas, Andrei Ratiu, Florian Lejeune, Nobel Mendy, Pacha Espino, Gerard Gumbau, Óscar Valentín, Pedro Díaz, Ilias Akhomach, Randy Nteka, Álvaro García
Athletics could prioritize pure talent over health with their first-round pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Athletics are one team that understands more than most the importance of good draft picks. They have a history of relying on their prospects, being a small-market team, and all.
Lately, it has paid off, as many of these first-round picks are key contributors on the roster right now. Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Max Muncy, and Tyler Soderstrom are all making an impact.
So, expect the front office to be more than ready when it's their turn to be on the clock, picking eighth overall.
MORE: Athletics 2027 ballpark plans revealed amid construction being ahead of schedule
There will be plenty of talent still around by the time the A's get on the clock. They could go the pitcher route or take a position player. They could go with a high school player or pick a college player.
Over the last four years, the club has picked a college player, and according to Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter, that trend will continue as he projects them to take Coastal Carolina pitcher Cameron Flukey.
"Flukey is dealing with a stress fracture in his rib, and he has made just one start this spring as a result. The 6'6" right-hander logged a 3.19 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 101.2 innings as a sophomore while helping Coastal Carolina reach the College World Series final. He has the talent to be the top arm in this class, though with some obvious risk now that he's not building off that strong 2025 campaign."
A stress fracture in his rib has caused him to slip a bit in the mock drafts, as he has made just one start so far this season, but the talent is undeniable. This could be an excellent pick that falls to the A's, or it could be quite a risky one that may not pay off.
It's taken Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal less than five minutes to open the scoring in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against La Liga rivals Atleti.
Hansi Flick's side trailed Atleti by two goals after the first leg at the Nou Camp last week, but the comeback is already on inside the opening few minutes in Madrid.
The teenager found himself in space, received a through ball and then found the back of the net to cut the deficit in half.
In doing so, Yamal becomes the youngest-ever player to be directly involved in 10 or more goals in a single Champions League campaign.
La Remontada is well and truly on for Barcelona as Ferran Torres has now but Barcelona 2-0 up on the night and back level on aggregate with less than half an hour played.
Or so they thought before Ademola Lookman pulled one back and put Atleti back in front on aggregate.
Puka Nacua biting allegations, explained: What to know about reported incident that landed Rams WR in rehab originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Puka Nacua has once again been anti-semitic allegations, this time in an alleged incident that also included potential harassment.
The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver was at the center of a temporary restraining order filing that highlighted his behavior from a New Year's Eve incident in Los Angeles. The alleged victim claimed that Nacua used anti-semitic language at a group party that later led to him biting her in the left shoulder.
TMZ later reported that Nacua was also being sued for assault and battery for the incident, and in April, The California Post reported that Nacua checked into a rehab facility in Malibu.
Additionally, TMZ reported in April that the restraining order filing was initially denied, then officially dismissed at the accuser's request, while the lawsuit remains active.
Late in 2025, Nacua faced controversy for his actions on a livestream with internet personality Adin Ross, which has only put more of a spotlight on this case. Here's a breakdown of the report.
According to TMZ, a woman filed a temporary restraining order against Puka Nacua over an incident that occurred on New Year's Eve. The report claimed that the two were part of a group party at which Nacua at one point screamed "f--- all the Jews" during dinner, after which Nacua inhabited "rude or vulgar, threatening, violent, and harassing conduct."
The woman then claimed that the group moved the party to a sprinter van, which is when Nacua became "touchy-feely," which included when he "dropped his head into [her] girlfriend's lap and crotch area and bit her thumb so forcefully that she screamed in acute pain." The woman argued that Nacua bit her left shoulder and left a bite mark.
TMZ also reported that the two sides met at a mediation conference in March that also included attorneys and a PR team. The woman said that Nacua's side threatened to distribute "false, inaccurate, and/or deliberately exaggerated public statements" to the media regarding the incident.
TMZ later reported that the attorney of the alleged victim had also filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against Nacua, "citing gender violence, assault and battery, and negligence." The woman claimed she's "suffered actual damages, including physical injury, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and severe emotional distress" due to the incident with Nacua, per TMZ.
Nacua's side has denied the allegations and argued that the bite mark did not break skin and was only temporary. TMZ reports there is a hearing scheduled for April 14; the outlet also reported that Nacua's lawyer said they plan to file a defamation claim.
On March 27, the alleged victim's attorney, Joseph Kar, told The California Post that he and his client were pulling their request for their restraining order so they could better “focus our efforts” on the lawsuit.
TMZ reported on Apr. 14 that the temporary restraining order had officially been dismissed at the accuser's request, while the lawsuit remained open.
The request for a temporary restraining order against Puka Nacua has officially been dismissed, at his accuser's request.
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) April 14, 2026
Madison Atiabi accused Puka of making an antisemitic remark and later biting her on New Year's Eve.
The TRO was denied (a hearing was set for this month)… pic.twitter.com/6QMFO6RorZ
Part of the allegations made against Nacua was that he bit the alleged victim's left shoulder, leaving a mark that "broke her skin," per TMZ. Nacua allegedly "dropped his head into [the alleged victim] girlfriend's lap and crotch area and bit her thumb so forcefully that she screamed in acute pain," before turning to the alleged victim and "biting her left shoulder and breaking skin, leaving a circular imprint of his teeth."
The woman included a photo of the alleged injury in her TRO application, per TMZ. Nacua's attorney, Levi McCathern, accused the woman of a "shakedown attempt," per TMZ, but did admit that there was "horseplay," with the bite leaving "nothing more than a temporary mark."
On April 1, The California Post reported that Nacua recently checked into a rehab facility. His attorney told the outlet that the Rams receiver has been "at a luxury treatment center in Malibu," although the move was not directly in response to the biting allegations.
“He was in there a substantial period of time before any of these allegations broke with Madison,” attorney Levi McCathern told The California Post. “And he’s scheduled to be there for a while longer.”
McCathern also said Nacua's goal in rehab was to "improve his overall behavior in every aspect of his life that he can do it," adding that Nacua is "in great spirits" and "doing absolutely fabulous."
Nacua is expected to be out of the facility in "plenty of time" to make it to Rams OTAs in May, per TMZ.
Here is a statement from Nacua's attorney about the player checking into rehab.
A statement from attorney Levi McCathern, who represents #Rams star WR Puka Nacua — who is currently at a recovery center. pic.twitter.com/KomTpkIAWh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 1, 2026
The NFL has acknowledged the Nacua situation and provided a brief comment. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told USA Today that "the matter is under review." McCarthy did not expand on whether the NFL was looking into the antisemitic comments or the biting allegations or both.
As part of the allegations against Nacua, the alleged victim claimed that the wide receiver said "f*** all the Jews" during dinner before escalating his behavior later in the night. The woman alleges the incident came just weeks after Nacua was in hot water for doing an anti-semitic action on internet personality Adin Ross' live stream in December 2025.
Ahead of the accusation, Nacua's attorney, Levi McCathern, released a statement denying the receiver's actions at the New Year's Eve event. McCathern went as far as calling the accuser's actions "blackmail." Nacua and his legal team are currently working to file a defamation suit against the accuser in response. Here is the official statement released by Nacua's attorney.
Puka Nacua’s attorney goes scorched earth on the woman who claims he made an antisemitic comment, and bit her on NYE.
— michael j. babcock (@mikejbabcock) March 25, 2026
Nacua’s attorney tells me the accuser is attempting to blackmail Puka, and they’re vowing to file a defamation lawsuit.
(See attached) pic.twitter.com/4XYKTAjmpx
Puka Nacua is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract with the Rams and is set to earn just over $5 million next season. The wide receiver is due for an extension if Los Angeles wants to keep him around long term.
The NFL will likely review the case to determine if Nacua's action warrant a suspension under the league's personal conduct policy. However, the NFL frequently takes its time with theses kinds of cases.
Opponents are running out of ways to try to guard Nikola Jokic.
Defenses have even begun experimenting with unconventional approaches, including using smaller and quicker defenders to disrupt his rhythm.
While this strategy may seem counterintuitive given Jokić’s size, it has become an increasingly common tactic across the league. At times, it has even created moments of frustration for the three-time MVP.
So, this newfound tactic raises an important question: Does it actually work?
Despite missing 17 games, the 31-year-old has averaged 27.7 points per game this season on 57/38/83 shooting splits. He is also leading the league in rebounds with 12.9 a game and assists with 10.7.
He has averaged a triple-double for the entirety of a season for the second time, joining only Russell Westbrook in doing so in back-to-back seasons.
Nikola Jokic is really out here doing something we’ve never seen before
With just 3 games left, he’s leading the entire league in BOTH rebounds and assists per game.
A center running the offense like this while also cleaning the glass every night just doesn’t make sense…… pic.twitter.com/2lwUNvggPf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 9, 2026
His ability to dominate the game in nearly every imaginable way is what makes him so difficult to defend. His offensive versatility often forces opponents to abandon traditional matchups altogether.
More than ever, the eight-time All-Star has had to face smaller defenders this season. This approach has put Jokić in uncomfortable situations by applying constant pressure and limiting his space to operate.
The Jazz are having Elijah Harkless guard Nikola Jokic and it's kind of… working pic.twitter.com/02OnT6oi8a
— Eric Spyropoulos (@EricSpyroNBA) March 3, 2026
When smaller defenders guard Jokić, they often apply physical pressure to his lower body. This prevents him from establishing positioning, making it more difficult to receive the ball. By denying him easy entry passes and forcing him further away from his preferred spots, defenders are able to disrupt the flow of Denver’s offense early in possessions.
Smaller defenders, such as Keyonte George, play with a higher level of physicality towards Jokić. In many cases, that physical style is not consistently called. This allows defenders to stay aggressive on Jokić without picking up fouls.
This technique has forced the 2023 Finals MVP to respond with more physicality of his own. However, by being physical, Jokic can lose his usual rhythm, which can lead to more contested shots. Additionally, he can become focused on trying to draw fouls and or complaining to referees when they do not get called.
I broke down the value of guarding Jokic with a guard and why he doesn't handle the physicality well from a psychological standpoint, including the piggy back ride on Keyonte George. Link to full video below
pic.twitter.com/jqwBvJxuRn
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) March 4, 2026
Even with this strategy used against Jokić, he continues to produce at an elite, historic level. As such, the tactic does not fully limit his overall impact. While smaller defenders can occasionally force tougher possessions, Jokić’s overall skillset allows him to adjust and still control the game in many different ways.
However, it has been a worry for the Denver Nuggets’ organization due to potential injuries from smaller defenders playing into his legs.
Marc Spears on Jokic:
"I'm actually hearing that the Nuggets are a little concerned about how he's being defended of late. Teams are guarding him 18 feet from the basket, leaning on his legs, fronting him, putting their arms around him but he's still figuring out a way to ball… pic.twitter.com/UI3CKZjDXv
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) March 23, 2026
Jokić has had a slight dip in scoring from 29.6 points per game last season to 27.7 this season. This reflects that the smaller guard matchups may have some short-term effect, though it has not significantly reduced his dominance.
In fact, his career-high in assists proves his continued ability to adapt, as he can create for his teammates when the scoring opportunities do not present themselves.
Ultimately, while smaller defenders can disrupt possessions at times and cause frustration, teams have yet to provide a reliable solution to slowing down Jokić. And who knows if they ever will.
The post Why Are Smaller Defenders Guarding Nikola Jokić? appeared first on The Lead.
The Red Storm made a huge splash with their first signing of the offseason, bringing in one of the top point guards from Europe.
Quinn Ellis is coming stateside and has committed to St. John’s on Tuesday afternoon. The news was first reported by The New York Post’s Zach Braziller. Other schools that showed interest in Ellis were Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, BYU, and Houston.
A combo guard from Sheffield, England, Ellis brings a wealth of professional experience to the Johnnies, having spent the last seven years competing in Italy. Ellis most recently played for top-flight club Olimpia Milano, helping them win the last two Italian Cups and earning Italian Cup MVP honors in 2025. The 23-year-old broke out in his debut EuroLeague season this year, averaging 8.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 35 games, while shooting 49.3% from the field and 37.7% from three against the best competition Europe has to offer.
Ellis played his best basketball for his home country, averaging 11.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game in eight appearances representing Great Britain. During this year’s 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, Ellis posted 17.5 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds on 50% shooting over two games.
Prior to joining Olimpia Milano, Ellis also played in three contests for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2024 NBA Summer League.
The jumbo-sized floor general brings nimble ball-handling and great floor vision to a Red Storm team that struggled with playmaking at the guard position last season. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Ellis has the frame to withstand contact and the athleticism that fits in well with Rick Pitino’s defensive identity. Adding Ellis allows Ian Jackson to move back to his natural position as a two-guard and moves Dylan Darling to the bench to become one of the best backup point guards in the country.
After Ellis’s commitment, St. John’s has eight scholarship players on their roster for the 2026-27 season. The Red Storm are hosting transfers Mouhamed Dioubate from Kentucky, Abdi Bashir from Kansas State, Leroy Blyden from Toledo, and DeSean Goode from Robert Morris on campus visits this week.
CAMDEN, N.J. -- It's important for a rookie to be around a number of helpful veterans who will help him and show him the ropes of what it's like to be in the NBA. That's what happened for Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe as he has soaked in all the wisdom of his vets on the team.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft has been terrific all season long as he has passed every test with flying colors. He will have another one on Wednesday as he prepares to play in his first postseason game against the Orlando Magic in a play-in situation. Luckily for Edgecombe, he has some veterans around him who have been in both playoff and play-in situations to help him through it all.
One of those vets is 14-year man Andre Drummond. Their lockers are not too far away from each other and the big man has constantly been in Edgecombe's ear in terms of helping him prepare for each moment.
"Man, Drum, that’s my dawg," Edgecombe said on Friday. "To be honest. That’s my dawg. He helped me a lot. Especially, even when things aren’t flowing my way, he helps me keep me poised. He comes in, plays hard. He’s a professional. He’s really professional. He’s really good at what he do."
Drummond has stepped up and played well for Philadelphia in recent weeks with the Sixers missing Joel Embiid due to an appendectomy. He has given them a real presence in the paint with his ability to rebound the basketball and use his size and strength to help make a difference on either end of the floor. He's also added a 3-point shot to his game.
"He’s been knocking down corner 3s," smiled Edgecombe. "My first time ever seeing him shoot the ball, to be honest. I know Drum as a rebounder and a dunker, but good to see him out there, you know? Doing what he do best, but I’m very happy for him. He’s been very impactful for us. Especially, with big fella being out."
Drummond's ability to also step in and set a good screen before rolling to the basket is a big asset as well. It makes life easier for Edgecombe and the guards when it comes to making sure they get easy looks within the offense.
"It’s great, man," Edgecombe said of his chemistry with Drummond. "Drum is gonna roll right in the pocket and I’m able to either hit him or get a good shot out of it or just create an advantage for someone else. Credit to him. He sets really good screens. That’s something people don’t really talk about much, but he sets really good screens which allows us to get open and get really good shots."
As the Sixers begin the play-in on Wednesday, there will be a lot of pressure on Drummond to step in and give the Sixers a presence in the paint.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe singles out veteran big man Andre Drummond
UCLA unveiled a new retro baseball uniform on Monday, April 13 that will be worn throughout a weeklong celebration in honor of Jackie Robinson.
The throwbacks were revealed to the media and the No. 1-ranked team in the nation in a presentation by Sonya Pankey, Robinson’s eldest granddaughter and executive vice president of brand development for The Jackie Robinson Estate.
The uniforms feature a navy blue hat with the UCLA script B logo and cream-colored jerseys and pants with navy piping and a "Bruins" block wordmark across the chest. While players will have their own last names across the back, each jersey will have Robinson's iconic No. 42.
"His legacy 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 today."
— UCLA Baseball (@UCLABaseball) April 14, 2026
Jackie Robinson’s granddaughter, Sonya Pankey Robinson, stepped into unveil UCLA’s new Jackie Robinson‑inspired uniforms.#GoBruinspic.twitter.com/2QYWgRahko
“Jackie Robinson was a true visionary, an advocate for social justice, a progressive change agent and not just a number on a jersey,” Pankey told reporters. “He was a pioneer, he used his platform to challenge injustice, inspire change and open doors for generations to come.”
Robinson broke MLB's color barrier as its first Black player on April 15, 1947. The anniversary of that day is commemorated every year as Jackie Robinson Day, with No. 42 worn by players across the big leagues. Robinson, who grew up in Pasadena, California, lettered in baseball, basketball, football and track at UCLA from 1939-41.
The Bruins have honored one of their most important alumni in several ways over the years, including with a No. 42 monument in front of the John Wooden Recreation Center and christening their baseball stadium in his name.
Pankey will throw out the first pitch of Tuesday night's game against UC Santa Barbara following a pregame ceremony. UCLA is also rolling out promotions for each of its four home games this week, including raffles, prizes for fans wearing Jackie Robinson jerseys, legacy hat giveaways and $1 hot dogs for the first 142 fans in attendance.
“The story doesn’t end here,” Pankey told the UCLA players, many of whom wore navy blue "42" hoodies. “You guys are the future and I hope you use his story as a guide for your future mission. To the Bruins, wishing you guys continued success to the season, I hope you wear the jersey with pride and let it inspire you to build your own legacy that opens doors and creates opportunities for others to follow.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UCLA baseball honors Jackie Robinson with throwback uniforms
The Cardinals are taking a closer look at a quarterback prospect for this year's draft.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar took a pre-draft visit with Arizona on Tuesday.
Before the start of the 2025 season, Allar was a co-favorite to go No. 1 overall with LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. But the year did not go as planned for either QB, with Aller suffering a season-ending ankle injury midway through the year.
He said at the scouting combine in February that his ankle was on the mend and felt like he could play if he had to at that time.
Allar also reportedly worked out for the Jets in March.
A Northeast Ohio native, Allar started 35 games for Penn State with 45 total appearances over four seasons. In 2025, Allar completed 64.8 percent of his throws for 1,100 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. In 2024, Allar completed 66.5 percent of his throws for 3,327 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 16 games.
The Cardinals currently have Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and Kedon Slovis on their roster at quarterback.
Mariners select contract of former Cubs 28 home run slugger to replace .158 OPS outfielder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Seattle Mariners made a notable roster move before Tuesday night's matchup against the San Diego Padres.
Outfielder Rob Refsnyder, who has no hits with five strikeouts and three walks in 19 trips to the plate in his first season with Seattle, was placed on the paternity list.
Taking Refsnyder's place on the roster is 34-year-old infielder Patrick Wisdom, the Mariners announced today. Wisdom last made a Major League appearance in 2024 with the Chicago Cubs, with whom he hit a career high of 28 home runs in 2021.
In 2025, Wisdom hit 35 homers and struck out in 29.2% of his plate appearances with the Korea Baseball Organization's Kia Tigers. He had already connected for nine roundtrippers in 15 games at Triple-A Tacoma after signing a minor league deal with the AL West club in January.
More: Marlins suggested to sign Max Kepler after Phillies’ OF was suspended for 80 games
Hopefully, Wisdom's power brings a surge of offense to Seattle's lineup, even if it's just for a few days. Their .658 team OPS ranks 24th in MLB, and they've hit just 16 home runs thanks to slow starts from Josh Naylor, Julio Rodriguez, and last year's AL MVP runner-up, Cal Raleigh.
In a corresponding move for Wisdom's promotion, right-hander Blas Castano was designated for assignment.
Arsenal will entertain Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday night as they look to secure a good result at home in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash. The Gunners suffered a tough 2-1 loss at the hands of Bournemouth recently, so they would be eager to put in a much-improved showing in midweek.
Mikel Arteta will probably opt for the 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make some changes to his first team for this game. Eberechi Eze, Christian Norgaard and Piero Hincapie could all play from the start of this clash.
David Raya will operate in between the sticks for the Gunners after conceding two goals in his last appearance. William Saliba will play alongside Gabriel at the centre of the Arsenal backline as they focus on keeping a solid shape on the defensive end of the field.
Piero Hincapie will try to prove his worth as the left-back, while Ben White looks to give a good account of himself on the other side as the right-back. Both of them will have to pick and choose their moments to join in on the attack.
Cristhian Mosquera will be named on the bench as he offers cover for the centre-back postions.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 11: Declan Rice of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Declan Rice and Christian Norgaard will anchor the midfield for Arsenal as they try to dictate the tempo of the game at the centre of the park.
The gifted trio of Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke will play just ahead of them as part of Arteta’s attack. All three of them need to be at their best if the Gunners are to secure a positive result in midweek.
Martin Zubimendi and Max Dowman will have to be content with a place on the bench as they await their chance to make an impact in the second 45 minutes if required.
Viktor Gyokeres will spearhead Arsenal‘s attack up top. He has to find a way to be a constant menace in the final third.
Gabriel Jesus will be named on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the latter stages of the game if the Gunners are in need of a goal by then.
Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill reacts during the Scottish Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has answered Celtic’s distress call twice already this season after Brendan Rodgers was chased for daring to point out that the squad was in dire need of quality additions over the summer. And rather than replace Kyogo last summer, Michael Nicholson decided to sell Adam Idah instead.
The veteran Celtic boss is currently preparing for this Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren at Hampden before turning his attention to the final five post split fixtures in the Scottish Premiership. If all goes to plan he’s have consecutive weekends of silverware and glory before calling it a day or making Scott Brown’s by signing on for another season.
Speaking to Daily Record Broony said: “I would love Martin to stay for another season. Look, it’s obviously hard for Martin – he’s no spring chicken anymore! But he still has great enthusiasm for the club and, to be honest, that’s half the battle.”
He also reckons that Callum McGregor playing through injury is perfectly fine as Celtic would miss his presence if the calls to avoid playing an injured player were to be listened to by Martin O’Neill.
“I’m telling you now, never write Cal off because he’s the main man and he keeps that club ticking. He keeps the team together on the pitch and he’s the driving force off it,” Broony said.
“His mentality is next to none – he wants to play every game whether he’s injured or not. He’ll fight for the cause for the good of the football club rather than worrying about what’s best for himself.”
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Pragmata is drawing positive early reviews thanks to its inventive mix of third-person shooting and real-time hacking mechanics alongside striking futuristic visuals. The dynamic between its lead characters and the game's strategic combat depth stand out as key strengths.
Starfield finally made its (somewhat inevitable) arrival on PS5 last week, alongside the launch of its Free Lanes update and the Terran Armada DLC expansion, and in its first week on PlayStation, according to a new report from Alinea Analytics, the game has managed to sell 140K copies. Not a bad start when you look at it on the surface, but Alinea's report seemingly proves that Starfield is mid. Or at least its PS5 launch sales are, compared to other Xbox Game Studios-published games that have arrived on PS5 within the last six months. Compared to The Outer Worlds 2, […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/starfield-ps5-launch-estimated-140k-copies-sold/
Today's exclusive interview is a bit different from the usual because it is focused on a company called Wolfjaw Studios that is probably unknown to most gamers but still powers many of the most played online games, including the likes of NBA 2K, WWE 2K, Destiny 2, Marathon, Among Us, and Magic: The Gathering Arena. Founded in 2019 by Mitchell Patterson (following a conversation at TwitchCon 2018), Wolfjaw was built from scratch around a single, focused ambition: to establish backend development as a distinct, mission-critical discipline within game development, rather than an afterthought bolted on after the "real" work was […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/wolfjaw-ceo-live-service-craze-fortnite-pubg-lol/
Even though Samsung has now ended the production of its triple-folding Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone, its successor might already be in the works, and would like bear a wide form factor popularized by the upcoming iPhone Ultra, as per the insights gleaned from Samsung's patents. Samsung's patents hint at an upcoming successor to the now-defunct Galaxy Z TriFold, albeit in a wide form factor We already know that Samsung has been working on a Galaxy Z TriFold 2, which is expected to sport a more refined hinge mechanism, one that is lightweight and ultra-thin, allowing the South Korean behemoth to […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/samsung-is-likely-working-on-a-successor-to-the-galaxy-z-trifold-that-bears-a-wide-form-factor/
Digital Dashboard Hub unifies 255+ interactive dashboard tools for managing finance, productivity, and wellness in one place. Explore three collections—Career & Skills Lab, Vision & Values Suite, and Tools That Work—to budget, invest, plan your career, set goals, and build healthy habits. Start with a free 14-day trial and choose from Starter, Pro, Premium, or a one-time Lifetime Deal to unlock unlimited views, saves, exports, and priority support.
Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/new-zealand-to-transform-travel-with-air-new-zealands-digital-id-trial-for-seamless-journeys/
New Zealand to Transform Travel with Air New Zealand’s Digital ID Trial for Seamless JourneysAir New Zealand trials digital ID technology to reduce passport checks...
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Texas Joins New York, California, Florida, Nevada, Illinois, Arkansas, Hawaii and Other US States Split Tourism Sector, International Travel Hammering...
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Ultimate Germany Travel Planner 2026: What Every Visitor Should Know About Culture, Attractions, Transport, Airports, Food and Best TimingPlan your...
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A Galaxy S26 Ultra user reported having a glitch with the ultrawide camera. Upon checking the log files, Samsung’s moderator advised replacement, but the service center staff is reportedly refusing to replace the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera.
A fresh report from the Samsung Community highlights a frustrating gap between what users are told online and what they hear at official service centers.
The case revolves around a Galaxy S26 Ultra owner who started facing camera issues just days after purchase. According to the report, the camera app throws an error the moment it is opened, warning that some features may not work.
Only limited zoom ranges show up, and even those fail with a “lens cannot be used” message. That alone would be concerning on a premium smartphone; what makes this case stand out is what happened next.
The user did what any reasonable customer would do. They visited an official service center, not once, but twice, and each time, they were told there was no hardware fault.
A Samsung Community moderator, reportedly from the camera team, reviewed the logs submitted through the Samsung Members app. Their conclusion directly contradicted the service center’s assessment.
According to the moderator, the ultra-wide lens module likely needs replacement, and the user should visit a service center for inspection. That leaves the customer in an absurd situation.
The digital side of Samsung says there is a hardware problem. The physical service center says everything is fine. It will be interesting to see whether Samsung steps in to resolve this specific case.
The post Galaxy S26 Ultra camera crisis? User stuck between ‘replace lens’ and ‘no fault’ advice appeared first on Sammy Fans.
OnePlus China President Li Jie has revealed the rear design of the upcoming Ace 6 Ultra today. The device will join the Ace 6 that launched in October and the Ace 6T which was announced in December. We assume the Ultra is coming very soon, but the company hasn't made its unveiling date official yet. The Ace 6 Ultra will have a 165Hz refresh rate on its screen, which was jointly developed by OnePlus with BOE. The colorway you see in these images is being referred to as Ace Awakening, and it is made with a new 3D stereoscopic lithography process, "etching light into the phone" (machine...
Liverpool face PSG in the second leg of the 2025–26 Champions League quarterfinals. Due to the emphatic victory by the French side in the first leg, the Reds are forced to adopt a highly offensive approach, moving away from a five-at-the-back system. In addition, coach Arne Slot will look to Mohamed Salah to lead the Reds’ comeback. However, coach Luis Enrique will not make things easy, as his side arrives in top form.
Far from relying on their two-goal advantage, Paris Saint-Germain come into the match determined to secure another victory, this time at Anfield. Coach Luis Enrique has acknowledged the difficulty of the game, so they are expected to rely on a high press and ball control to slow down Liverpool’s attacking progression. In addition, Désiré Doué remains in top form, serving as the French side’s main attacking threat.
Unlike the first leg, head coach Arne Slot will be forced to opt for a more aggressive attacking approach. Not only will they look to hurt PSG on the counterattack through Mohamed Salah, but they will also need to control the midfield with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai. However, the presence of Jeremie Frimpong remains a key factor, as his physicality and attacking quality could create chances for Hugo Ekitike up front.
Both the Reds and PSG will engage in a battle that could define the outcome of the match: The midfield. In the first leg, the French side managed to neutralize the opposition’s attack with a brilliant performance from Vitinha and João Neves. As a result, Liverpool will look to restore control through Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in order to dominate the game and create more opportunities for Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike.
Atletico Madrid hosted FC Barcelona on Tuesday in the decisive second leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Despite the Blaugrana claiming a 2-1 victory on the night, Ademola Lookman‘s goal proved to be the decisive blow, sending the Colchoneros through to the semifinals on aggregate.
Needing to overturn a two-goal deficit from the start, Barcelona hit the ground running when Ferran Torres pounced on a mistake from Clément Lenglet and laid the ball into the path of Lamine Yamal, who slotted it through Juan Musso’s legs to open the scoring in the fourth minute. Torres then added a second in the 24th minute, bringing down Dani Olmo’s pass with a deft first touch before finishing to give the Blaugrana a 2-0 lead on the night and level the tie on aggregate.
With the game heading for extra time, Barcelona‘s hopes were dashed in the 31st minute when Marcos Llorente delivered a cross from the right and Lookman met it first time, restoring Atletico’s aggregate advantage with a sharp finish. The Blaugrana were unable to find another breakthrough in the second half, and their cause was dealt a further blow when Eric Garcia was shown a red card in the 79th minute, leaving Barcelona to exit the competition 3-2 on aggregate.
It marks Atletico’s first Champions League semifinal appearance since the 2016-17 season, when they faced Real Madrid at that stage. Diego Simeone’s side will now await the winner of the tie between Arsenal and Sporting CP, with the Gunners holding a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg of their quarterfinal.
Despite not being a coach with extensive experience, Cesc Fabregas is thriving in Serie A, leading Como 1907 into one of the most exciting teams in the league. Without signing world-class stars, he has managed to build a highly competitive squad, developing young players along the way. Given his strong impact, the Spaniard was linked as a potential candidate to become Italy’s head coach, but he firmly turned down the opportunity.
“Being the head coach of a national team (Italy), I think that right now for me it would be a bit… I wouldn’t say boring, but there is quite a lot of free time between international breaks… I understand the criticism as well, also because it comes at a moment where, due to many circumstances, Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup three times. So that probably has a stronger influence,” Cesc Fabregas said, via EFE.
At just 38 years old, Cesc is already one of the most promising coaches. Not only does he implement an attractive style of play, but he also promotes young talent. With Italy seeking a generational overhaul, Fabregas emerged as the strongest option, as he knows Italian soccer very well, which would represent a major boost for young talents like Francesco Camarda and could even help convince Nicolò Tresoldi, who currently plays for Germany’s youth setup.
Far from pursuing a similar profile to Fàbregas, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) reportedly continues to prioritize Massimiliano Allegri, Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte. While they are world-class coaches, they tend not to favor young players, but rather experienced veterans. As a result, Italy may face challenges in achieving a generational transition—something they urgently need after failing to qualify for the World Cup for three consecutive tournaments.
Cesc Fàbregas has managed to push Como 1907 into contention for a place in European competitions. In addition, he is a shareholder in the club, which means he maintains a very close connection to the project. Amid uncertainty surrounding Mikel Arteta, Arsenal had reportedly set their sights on him as a potential replacement. However, the 38-year-old coach has admitted that he is very happy at the Italian side.
“I see it as difficult, honestly. I repeat, you never know in soccer. I’m very happy at Como, I hope to stay at Como, and I’ve lived soccer life as a player. When you start thinking too much about tomorrow, something is not right… I’m very attached to this project, to this city, to everything we are building… So, absolute calm, I’m very happy,” Fàbregas said, via EFE.
Looking ahead to the 2026–27 season, Cesc could face a major challenge, as Real Madrid are reportedly aiming to bring back Nico Paz, the cornerstone of Como 1907. As a result, they may need to reshape their squad, seeking greater impact for the following season in European competitions. However, the Italian side appears well positioned to retain the Spanish coach, their greatest asset.
has revealed how he thinks a vs. fight would play out after ‘The Gypsy King’ returned over the weekend. Fury was back in action for the first time in 16 months as he claimed a unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Some fans believe it was a below-par […]
The post Usyk predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua after Makhmudov victory: “He’ll win” appeared first on Boxing News.
Fenerbahçe tribünlerinde 'tiyatro' devri kapanıyor. Sarı-lacivertli camia, Kerem Aktürkoğlu'nun 'Kulaklarımın ağrıdığı o eski Kadıköy ruhunu özledim' çağrısıyla tarihi bir operasyon için düğmeye bastı. Rizespor ve Başakşehir maçları öncesi Başkan Sadettin Saran yönetiminin tartışılan 'E Blok' hamlesi stratejik bir merkez üssüne dönüşürken, tüm taraftar grupları telefonları bırakıp yalnızca takıma ve hakeme odaklanacak 'saf baskı' dönemi için dev bir koalisyon kurdu.
Fenerbahçe’de şampiyonluk yolunda kritik Rizespor ve Başakşehir maçları öncesi tribünlerde devrim niteliğinde bir hazırlık başladı. Kerem Aktürkoğlu’nun çocukluk anılarına dayanan sitem dolu çağrısı, camiayı harekete geçirdi. Kerem, Kadıköy’ün eski atmosferine duyduğu özlemi şu sözlerle dile getirmişti:
- Eski Kadıköy ruhunu artık geri getirelim. Ben çocukken stadyuma geldiğimde taraftarın coşkusu beni çok etkiliyordu. Maçtan sonra kulaklarım ağrıyordu, tüylerim diken diken olurdu.
SARAN'DAN BEKLENEN E BLOK HAMLESİ
Bu açıklama, son yıllarda "tiyatro atmosferi" eleştirilerine maruz kalan tribünler için kıvılcım etkisi yarattı.
Kerem’in fitilini ateşlediği çağrıya yönetim ve taraftar grupları da kayıtsız kalmadı. Başkan Sadettin Saran’ın daha önce "tek projesi burayı kapatmak" sözleriyle eleştiri konusu olan E Blok için özel bir planlama yapılıyor. Tribünlerin merkez üssü haline getirilmesi planlanan E blok son iki maçta coşacak.
KADIKÖY CEHENNEMİ GERİ GELECEK
Taraftar grupları, son dönemde tribünlerin sadece görsel şova ve "etkisiz bestelere" odaklanmasından rahatsız. Yeni planlamalar hazırlandı:
- Kritik hakem kararlarında ve oyunun sıkıştığı anlarda tribünler ıslık ve baskıyla hakemi ve rakibi baskı altına alacak.
- Maç esnasında telefonla uğraşan veya maça odaklanmayan taraftarlar, diğer taraftarlarca sert bir şekilde uyarılacak.
- Başta GFB ve diğer tüm gruplar, Kadıköy’ü yeniden "cehenneme" çevirmek adına güç birliği yapacak.
TARAFTAR GRUPLARI GÜÇ BİRLİĞİ YAPACAK
Maç öncesinde taraftar gruplarının ortak bir bildiri yayınlamaya hazırlandığı da gelen bilgiler arasında. Bildirinin ana temasının "Takımına destek vermeyecek, 90 dakika boyunca susacak taraftar stada gelmesin" şeklinde sert bir ultimatom olacağı konuşuluyor.
Fenerbahçe taraftarı, Rizespor maçıyla birlikte sadece tribün şovu değil, skora doğrudan etki edecek bir "12. Adam" performansıyla sahalara dönmeyi hedefliyor.
Euroleague'de normal sezonun sonuna gelinirken Fenerbahçe Beko, play-off biletini cebine koymasına rağmen saha içindeki performansıyla alarm veriyor. Son Real Madrid mağlubiyetiyle 5 maça çıkan yenilgi serisi moralleri bozarken, 5. sırayı korumak ve özgüven tazelemek için tek yol Cuma akşamı oynanacak Lyon deplasmanından zaferle dönmek. Ancak play-off'ta bile Fenerbahçe, Hapoel Tel Aviv veya Real Madrid'le karşılaşacak.
Euroleague’de normal sezonun sonuna gelindi. Fenerbahçe Beko, kağıt üzerinde play-off biletini cebine koydu. Ancak son şampiyonun saha içindeki tablosu endişe veriyor. Üst üste gelen 5 mağlubiyetin ardından gözler, normal sezonun kapanış maçı olan LDLC ASVEL deplasmanına çevrildi.
REAL MADRİD MAÇI UMUT VERMEDİ
Fenerbahçe Beko, sezonun büyük bölümünü domine etmesine rağmen son 5 haftada galibiyete hasret kaldı.
Bayern Münih, Hapoel Tel Aviv ve son olarak Real Madrid karşısında alınan yenilgiler, takımı hem mental hem de sıralama avantajı açısından zor bir noktaya taşıdı.
Özellikle son Real Madrid maçında (69-74) görüldü ki; sarı-lacivertliler savunmada direnç gösterse de skor üretiminde ve maçın karar anlarında ciddi bir tıkanıklık yaşıyor.
LYON'DA KAZANIP 5. SIRAYI GARANTİLEMEK ÖNEMLİ
Cuma akşamı Lyon deplasmanında oynanacak olan LDLC ASVEL maçı, artık bir prestij mücadelesinden çok daha fazlası. Lyon ligin son sırasında (20. sırada) yer alıyor. Bu seviyedeki bir rakibe karşı alınacak olası bir mağlubiyet, play-off serisi öncesi takım içi moralleri tamamen bozabilir.
Fenerbahçe şu an 23 galibiyetle 5. sırada. Eğer Lyon'u mağlup ederse, rakiplerinin (Zalgiris ve Monaco) durumuna bakmaksızın 5. sıradaki yerini büyük ölçüde sağlama alacak.
KAZANMA ALIŞKANLIĞI İÇİN ÖNEMLİ
Her ne kadar yönetici Cem Ciritci "EuroLeague'de kim gelirsen gelsin play-off'ta iyi sonuç alıp hak ettiğimiz dörtlü finalde yer alacağımızı düşünüyorum. Takımımıza güveniyoruz" dese de Fenerbahçe Beko'nun işi hiç de kolay değil.
Mevcut puan durumu itibarıyla Fenerbahçe Beko'yu play-off'ta (ilk 6 takım doğrudan giriyor) zorlu bir eşleşme bekliyor. Eğer Fenerbahçe 5. sırada kalırsa, ligi 4. bitiren ekiple (Şu anki tabloya göre Hapoel Tel Aviv veya Real Madrid) eşleşecek.
İlk 4 takım saha avantajına sahip olduğu için sarı-lacivertliler seriye her halükarda deplasmanda başlayacak. Bu yüzden Lyon maçında alınacak bir galibiyetle "kazanma alışkanlığını" hatırlamak hayati önem taşıyor.
Victor Osimhen'in sahalara dönüşü ilk kez gazetemizin gündeme getirdiği "teknolojik zırh" yüzünden çıkmaza girdi. Nijeryalı yıldızın kolundaki çelikten 5 kat sert karbon fiber ateli "yaralayıcı silah" olarak nitelendiren Gençlerbirliği, Perşembe günü yapılacak eşgüdüm toplantısında IFAB'ın meşhur "Kural 4" maddesini masaya koymaya hazırlanıyor. TFF'den onay çıksa dahi son sözü hakem söyleyecek.
Galatasaray’ın yıldızı Victor Osimhen, sakatlığının ardından Gençlerbirliği maçıyla sahalara dönmeye hazırlanıyor. Nijeryalı oyuncunun kolundaki ilk kez gazetemizin gündeme getirdiği "çelikten 5 kart sert" atel ise tartışmaları ateşledi. Maçın geniş kadrosuna dahil edilmesi beklenen ve süre alacağı tahmin edilen Nijeryalı golcü için Gençlerbirliği cephesinden "itiraz" geldi.
EŞGÜDÜM TOPLANTISINDA İTİRAZ
Gençlerbirliği cephesinde, atelin dış yüzeyinin sertliği nedeniyle ikili mücadelelerde rakip futbolcular için bir "yaralayıcı silaha" dönüşebileceği endişesi var. Ankara ekibinin TFF'ye başvurmak için hazırlıklarını tamamladığı iddia edildi.
Gelen haberlere göre Ankara ekibinin yönetimi, maç öncesi perşembe günü eşgüdüm toplantısında IFAB ve TFF’nin "Kural 4 - Oyuncu Ekipmanları" maddesini hatırlatarak resmi itirazda bulunacak. TFF'den izin çıksa bile maçın hakeminin de Osimhen'in oynamasına izin vermeme ihtimali var.
TFF'DEN İZİN ÇIKSA BİLE HAKEM
TFF talimatlarına göre, bir ekipmanın sahada yer alabilmesi için sadece oyuncuyu koruması yeterli değil; aynı zamanda rakibe zarar vermemesi de gerekiyor.
KURALLAR NE DİYOR?
- Sertlik Kriteri:
Atelin dış yüzeyi karbon fiber gibi sert bir maddeden yapıldığı için, eğer dışı yumuşak bir katmanla (neopren veya bandaj) tamamen izole edilmemişse hakem "tehlikeli" bularak geçit vermeyebilir.
-Hakemin Kanaati:
Kulüp doktorları "oynayabilir" dese dahi, TFF kuralları gereği son söz maçın hakeminde. Hakem, kontrol sırasında atelin rakipler için fiziksel risk taşıdığına hükmederse Osimhen’e izin vermeyecek.
Galatasaray'da Mayıs ayı yaklaştıkça seçim atmosferi nefes kesen bir hal alıyor. Dursun Özbek, şampiyonluk ve derbi zaferiyle sandığa "tek aday" olarak gitme planları yaparken, muhalefet cephesi asrın hamlesini yaparak rotayı Fatih Terim'e kırdı. Trabzonspor ve Kocaelispor maçlarının ardından düğmeye basan güçlü isimlerin, efsane teknik adama "Camia inancını yitirdi, şampiyonluk gelse bile bu yönetimle yürümez; gel aday ol, seni başkan seçelim" diyerek tarihi bir çağrıda bulunduğu iddia edildi.
Galatasaray’da Mayıs ayında yapılacak olağan seçimli genel kurul öncesi kulisler hareketlendi. Mevcut Başkan Dursun Özbek’in seçim stratejisine karşılık, muhalefetin çok konuşulacak bir hamle hazırlığında olduğu iddia ediliyor.
Başkan Dursun Özbek, seçim takvimini açıklamak için stratejik bir tarih olan Fenerbahçe derbisini bekliyor. İddialara göre Özbek’in temel hedefi; derbi galibiyeti ve hemen ardından gelecek üst üste 4. şampiyonluğun yaratacağı rüzgarla seçime girmekti. Başkan bu zafer sarhoşluğu içinde karşısına güçlü bir rakip çıkmayacağını ve sandığa tek aday olarak giderek elini güçlendirmeyi planladığı konuşuluyor.
MUHALEFET ORTALIĞI KARIŞTIRDI
Ancak sahadaki planlar kulislerdeki havayı tam olarak dindirmedi. Özellikle Trabzonspor ve Kocaelispor maçlarının ardından camiadaki muhalif sesler yükselmeye başladı. Daha önce teklif götürülen ancak adaylığa sıcak bakmayan isimler yeniden markaja alınırken, muhalefetin asıl "bomba" hamlesi gün yüzüne çıktı.
TERİM'E BAŞKANLIK TEKLİFİ YAPILDI
Galatasaray kulislerini sarsan en büyük iddia ise muhalefetin güçlü isimlerinin rotayı Fatih Terim’e kırması oldu. Gönlünde bir gün Galatasaray başkanlığı yattığı bilinen Terim ile bir görüşme gerçekleştiren muhalif kanadın, tecrübeli isme çarpıcı bir teklifte bulunduğu ileri sürüldü:
- Şampiyonluk gelse bile bu yönetim anlayışıyla işler yürümez. Camia mevcut başkana olan inancını kaybetti. Gel aday ol, seni başkan seçelim.
Muhalefetin bu teklifiyle Fatih Terim’i ikna etmeye çalıştığı belirtilirken, Özbek yönetiminin bu hamleye karşı nasıl bir duruş sergileyeceği ve Terim’in bu tarihi çağrıya ne yanıt vereceği camiada büyük bir merak konusu haline geldi.
Galatasaray'da üst üste gelen puan kayıpları sonrası Kemerburgaz'daki sessizlik, yerini fırtınaya bıraktı. Teknik direktör Okan Buruk, rehavete kapılan oyuncularına daha önce görülmemiş bir tonda rest çekerek adeta terör estirdi. Takımdaki konsantrasyon kaybına tahammülü kalmayan başarılı çalıştırıcının, "Şampiyonluk giderse ne ben kalırım ne başkan, ama şunu bilin ki siz de burada kalamazsınız" sözleriyle verdiği "Kellemi verirsem, kellenizi de alırım" mesajı deprem etkisi yarattı.
Galatasaray’da üst üste yaşanan sürpriz puan kayıpları, Kemerburgaz’daki sessizliği yerini sert bir rüzgara bıraktı. Camia içinde yükselen çatlak sesler ve taraftarın eleştiri oklarının hedefi haline gelen sarı-kırmızılılarda, teknik direktör Okan Buruk ipleri tamamen eline aldı.
TAKIMLA BİR TOPLANTI YAPTI
Kemerburgaz Tesisleri’nde gerçekleştirilen antrenman öncesi oyuncularıyla bir araya gelen Buruk’un, daha önce görülmemiş bir sertlikte toplantı yaptığı öğrenildi. Takımdaki rehavet ve konsantrasyon kaybından duyduğu rahatsızlığı gizlemeyen başarılı teknik adam, oyuncularına adeta ültimatom verdi.
YÖNETİMİ BİLE GÖZ ÖNÜNE KOYDU
Toplantıda ses tonunu yükselten ve sorumluluk vurgusu yapan Buruk’un, oyuncularına yönelik şu ifadeleri kullandığı kaydedildi:
- Buradan şampiyonluk verirsek ortalık toz duman olur. Böyle bir durumda ne ben kalırım ne başkan kalır belki ama şunu iyi bilin ki siz de burada kalamazsınız.
Buruk bu sözleriyle bir nevi, "benim kellem gidersesizin kellenizi de alırım" mesajı verdi.
DİSİPLİNSİZLİK UYARISI DA GELDİ
Okan Buruk, özellikle son haftalarda sahaya yansıyan "maç seçme" ve "oyundan erken kopma" emarelerine karşı tahammülünün kalmadığını net bir şekilde ortaya koydu.
Gelen bilgilere göre, tecrübeli çalıştırıcı sadece saha içindeki performansla değil, oyuncuların saha dışındaki disipliniyle de yakından ilgilenme kararı aldı.
BURUK'UN FIRÇALARI İŞE YARAR MI?
Camiadaki huzursuzluğun takıma sirayet etmesini engellemek isteyen Okan Buruk, bu sert çıkışıyla hem oyuncuları uyandırdı hem de yönetime "durum kontrolüm altında" mesajı verdi.
Galatasaray’ın önündeki kritik viraj öncesi, Kemerburgaz’da başlayan bu "terör estirme" havasının sahaya nasıl yansıyacağı ise merak konusu.
UEFA vizesi için 45 milyon Euro'luk dev ödemeyle geçmiş borçları temizleyen Galatasaray'da, ödenmeyen ve düşürülen primler saha sonuçlarını vurdu. Trabzonspor yenilgisi ve Kocaelispor beraberliğiyle 3 haftada uçup giden 5 puan, Fenerbahçe ile farkı 2'ye indirerek şampiyonluk yolunda tarihi bir krizin kapısını araladı.
Galatasaray yönetimi "Avrupa vizesi" için kritik olan borçsuzluk belgelerini 31 Mart'ta UEFA'ya teslim etti. 45 milyon Euro’luk dev bir operasyonla geçmişe dönük alacakları sıfırlayan yönetim, ödemelerin yapıldığı günden bu yana şampiyonluk yolunda ağır yaralar almaya başladı.
Gazetemizin gündeme getirdiği; Galatasaray yönetimi UEFA'ya paraları ödedi ama maaş ve alacaklar konusunda gösterdiği hassasiyeti primler noktasında sergilemedi haberi akıllara geldi.
Galatasaray sıfırladı: UEFA'nın kapısına bıraktı
O habere göre Juventus ve Beşiktaş galibiyetleri için vaat edilen primlerin ödenmedi iddiası yer almıştı. Ayrıca bir iddia daha vardı... Kritik Trabzonspor derbisi öncesi konuşulan 2 milyon Euro’luk primin, yönetim tarafından 1 milyon Euro olarak güncellendiğiydi. Bu bilgiyi galibiyet sonrası bizzat Trabzonspor Başkanı Ertuğtul Doğan teyit etti.
PRİMLERİN ÖDENMEMESİ Mİ ETKİLİ OLDU
Borçsuzluk kağıtlarının UEFA’ya gönderildiği tarihten sonra şampiyonluk yarışında büyük avantajı olan Cimbom, bir anda tökezlemeye başladı. Önce Trabzonspor karşısında mağlubiyet geldi. Ardından Kocaelispor ile 1-1 berabere kalarak puanları paylaştı. Son 3 haftada kaybedilen 5 puan, Fenerbahçe ile olan puan farkının 2’ye kadar inmesine neden oldu. Bu durum, "primler ödenmedi motivasyonu sıfırlandı" iddialarını artırdı.
ÖZBEK VE KAVUKÇU BU HABERLERİ YALANLADI
Daha önce de Galatasaray'da ödemelerin geciktiği iddiaları gündeme gelmiş ve hemen ardından gelen Konyaspor mağlubiyeti camiayı sarsmıştı. O dönemde Başkan Dursun Özbek ve yönetici Abdullah Kavukçu, bu tarz haberlerin "Galatasaray’ı karıştırmak için kasıtlı yapıldığını" savunmuştu.
Ancak gelinen noktada, ödemeler yapılmasına rağmen gelen puan kayıpları ve "ödenmeyen primler" tartışması, krizin sadece ekonomik değil, psikolojik boyutları da olduğunu düşündürüyor.
Süper Lig'de şampiyonluk düğümünün çözülmesine 5 hafta kaldı. Galatasaray'da işler bir anda karıştı. Son dönemde yaşanan puan kayıplarıyla sarsılan sarı-kırmızılı yönetim, disiplini tesis etmek adına akla zarar bir çözüm önerdi. Başkan Dursun Özbek'in teknik direktör Okan Buruk'a, aralarında kaptan Mauro Icardi ve Asprilla'nın da bulunduğu isimler için "Kadro dışı bırak" ültimatomu verdiği iddia edildi.
Galatasaray’da son dönemde gelen Trabzonspor yenilgisi ve Kocaelispor beraberliği deprem etkisi yarattı. Zirve yolunda kaybedilen kritik 5 puan sonrası yönetim ile teknik heyet arasında ipler gerildi. İddialara göre yaşananlar camiayı sarsacak cinsten.
YÖNETİM, BURUK'TAN İSİM İSTEDİ
Alınan başarısız sonuçların ardından Başkan Dursun Özbek ve futbolun patronu Abdullah Kavukçu, faturayı futbolculara kesmek için harekete geçti. Takımdaki disiplinsizliğe ve performans düşüklüğüne dikkat çeken ikili, Okan Buruk ile bir araya gelerek sert önlemler alınmasını istediği iddia edildi.
Yönetimin, takıma çekidüzen vermek amacıyla kadro dışı ve ağır para cezaları uygulanması için Buruk’tan kelle istediği belirtildi. Kadro dışı bırakılması için listenin ilk sırasına "gülücük" kriziyle oturan Asprilla yer aldı. Toplantıda asıl bombanın Mauro Icardi konusunda patladığı, Arjantinli yıldızın bile kadro dışı bırakılmasının masaya yatırıldığı iddia edildi.
BURUK KELLE VERMEYİ REDDETTİ
Yönetimin bu radikal taleplerine karşın Okan Buruk, dik bir duruş sergileyerek oyuncularını ateşe atmadı. Tecrübeli teknik adamın, yönetimin bu talebini şu sözlerle geri çevirdiği belirtildi:
- Ligin bitimine sadece 5 hafta kalmışken kadro dışı kararları almak kimseye fayda sağlamaz, aksine takımı tamamen dağıtır.
Kritik şampiyonluk virajında kaos istemeyen Buruk, "kelle" vermeyi reddederek sorumluluğu üzerine aldı. Şimdi gözler, hocasının arkasında durduğu futbolcuların sahada nasıl bir reaksiyon vereceğine çevrildi.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu, Trendyol Süper Lig'de 29. haftanın VAR kayıtlarını yayımladı.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu, Trendyol Süper Lig'de 29. haftanın VAR kayıtlarını yayımladı.
Açıklanan kayıtlarda Alanyaspor'un Trabzonspor karşısında kazandığı penaltı pozisyonunun diyalogları açıklandı.
Kişi voleybolçular arasında təşkil edilmiş Azərbaycan çempionatında (Yüksək Liqa) 2025/26 mövsümünün finalçıları bəlli olub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu gün Fövqəladə Hallar Nazirliyinin (FHN) idman zalında yarımfinal mərhələsinin son oyunları keçirilib.
Günün ilk qarşılaşmasında “Xilasedici” və “Murov” komandaları üz-üzə gəliblər. İlk oyunda 3:0 hesabı ilə qalib gəlmiş “Xilasedici” bu görüşdə də eyni hesabla rəqibini məğlub edib.
Növbəti görüş “Neftçi” və “Ordu” komandaları arasında baş tutub. Gərginliyi ilə yadda qalan oyun “Ordu”nun 3:2 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb. İlk yarımfinal oyununda da qalib gəlmiş “Ordu” 2 qələbədən sonra adını finala yazdırıb.
Beləliklə, kişilərin mübarizəsində üçüncü yer uğrunda oyunda “Murov” və “Neftçi” komandaları qarşılaşacaqlar. Finalda isə “Xilasedici” və “Ordu” komandaları üz-üzə gələcəklər.
Yüksək Liqa
Yarımfinalın ikinci oyunları
14 aprel
“Xilasedici” – “Murov” 3:0 (25:19, 25:19, 25:22)
“Neftçi” – “Ordu” 2:3 (25:22, 24:26, 25:23, 26:28, 14:16)
Aprelin 20-dən 26-na qədər Albaniyanın paytaxtı Tirana şəhərində böyüklər arasında güləş üzrə Avropa çempionatı keçiriləcək.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu gün Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyasının (AGF) təlim-məşq bazasında məsul yarışda iştirak edəcək milli komandalarımızla görüş keçirilib.
AGF rəhbərliyinin iştirak etdiyi tədbirdə bütün yarış iştirakçılarına uğurlar arzulanıb. AGF-nin baş katibi Pərvin Piriyev, vitse-prezidentlər Namiq Abdullayev və Fərid Mansurov, eləcə də sərbəst güləş üzrə koordinator Hacı Əliyev çıxış edərək millinin hər bir üzvünə inandıqlarını, görüşün nəticəsindən asılı olmayaraq son nəfəsədək mübarizə aparmağın vacibliyini dilə gətiriblər.
Daha sonra qitə birinciliyində iştirak edəcək heyət açıqlanıb. Yunan-Roma güləşi üzrə millimiz yarışın ilk günlərində mübarizə aparacaq. Baş məşqçi Məhəmməd Bəna, böyük məşqçi Nurəddin Rəcəbov, məşqçilər Rövşən Bayramov, Bəhruz Həzrətipur, Rəsul Cəzini və Sabah Şəriətinin rəhbərliyi altında Rəşad Məmmədov (55 kq), Nihat Məmmədli (60 kq), Ziya Babaşov (63 kq), Həsrət Cəfərov (67 kq), Ruslan Nurullayev (72 kq), Sənan Süleymanov (77 kq), Qurban Qurbanov (82 kq), İslam Abbasov (87 kq), Murad Əhmədiyev (97 kq) və Beka Kandelaki (130 kq) çıxış edəcək.
Daha sonra qadın güləşinə keçəcək. Baş məşqçi əvəzi Toğrul Əsgərov və böyük məşqçi Ağahüseyn Mustafayevin rəhbərliyi altında Elnurə Məmmədova (50 kq), Jalə Əliyeva (57 kq), Günay Qurbanova (59 kq), Ruzanna Məmmədova (62 kq) və Birgül Soltanova (65 kq) ölkəmizi təmsil edəcək.
Yarışın son günlərində isə sərbəst güləş üzrə mübarizə baş tutacaq. Baş məşqçi Xetaq Qazyumov, böyük məşqçi Cəbrayıl Həsənov, məşqçilər Taymuraz Kokoyevlə Şərif Şərifovun rəhbərliyi altında İslam Bazarqanov (57 kq), Nürəddin Novruzov (61 kq), Rəşid Babazadə (65 kq), Kənan Heybətov (70 kq), Turan Bayramov (74 kq), Cəbrayıl Hacıyev (79 kq), Arseniy Djioyev (86 kq), Ali Tsokoyev (92 kq), Osman Nurmaqomedov (97 kq) və Giorgi Meşvildişvili (125 kq) uğur qazanmağa çalışacaq.
Avropa çempionatında ədaləti I-S dərəcəli hakimlərimiz – Asif Şirəliyev, Sədi Quliyev və Bəşir İsazadə qoruyacaq.
Bu gün Azərbaycan Basketbol Liqasında (ABL) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün pley-off mərhələsinə start verilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ilk oyun günündə iki qarşılaşma baş tutub.
Hər iki oyun Bakı İdman Sarayında təşkil edilib. Öncə, “Neftçi” NTD ilə görüşüb. “Ağ-qaralar” bu görüşdə 94:97 hesabı ilə məğlub olublar. Daha sonra “Ordu” “Gəncə” ilə üz-üzə gəlib. Overtayma qədər davam etmiş matçın yekununda sevinən tərəf “Ordu” olub – 108:106.
Sabah daha iki oyun keçiriləcək. Son çempion “Sabah” “Naxçıvan”ı, “Absheron Lions” “Şəki”ni sınağa çəkəcək. Hər iki görüş Bakı İdman Sarayında baş tutacaq.
Xatırladaq ki, ABL-in cari mövsümünün reqlamentinə əsasən, komandalar bu mərhələdə 2 qələbəyə qədər mübarizə aparacaqlar
Yüksək Liqa
Pley-offun ilk oyunları
13 aprel
Neftçi – NTD 94:97
Ordu – Gəncə 108:106
Skills in Chrome let you discover, save and remix AI workflows — and repeat them instantly.
A major shift is underway in digital advertising: Meta Platforms is projected to generate more ad revenue than Google in 2026, signaling how marketers are increasingly favoring automated, performance-driven platforms.
Driving the news. According to Emarketer, Meta is expected to bring in $243.46 billion in global ad revenue this year, narrowly topping Google’s projected $239.54 billion.
Why we care. Meta’s growth suggests brands are getting more value from automated, performance-focused tools, which could influence how they split budgets between Meta and Google. It’s also a reminder that platform dynamics are changing fast, so media strategies need to stay flexible.
Catch up quick: Google has long dominated digital advertising through Search ads, Display ads across the web, and YouTube.
But its core ad business is growing more slowly than in previous years.
Meanwhile, Meta has benefited from AI-powered ad automation, stronger performance measurement tools, and continued scale across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Why Meta is winning now. Advertisers are increasingly prioritizing platforms that can deliver both reach and measurable return.
Meta’s advantage has been its ability to automate creative and targeting faster, optimize campaigns with less manual input, and make it easier for brands to prove ROI.
That’s especially appealing in a tighter economic environment where marketers are under pressure to do more with less.
Yes, but. Google is still enormous — and still growing.
Its search business remains one of the most profitable ad engines in the world, and YouTube continues to attract brand budgets. But the company faces more pressure from, AI search disruption, antitrust scrutiny, and slowing growth in traditional search advertising.
The bottom line. Meta passing Google in ad revenue would mark more than a symbolic milestone — it reflects a broader power shift toward platforms that make advertising easier to automate, measure, and scale.
A growing number of advertisers say their Google Ads campaigns were suddenly hit with mass disapprovals tied to DNS and 500 server errors — even when their sites appeared to be working normally. The issue is raising fresh concerns about platform reliability and the risk of sudden performance disruptions.
Driving the news. PPC advertisers began flagging widespread problems this week across Google Ads accounts, with multiple agency leaders saying clients were affected at the same time.
Why we care. Sudden mass disapprovals can instantly pause traffic, leads, and revenue — even if nothing is actually wrong with their website. If Google’s systems are incorrectly flagging DNS or server errors, brands could lose performance and spend valuable time troubleshooting an issue they didn’t cause. It also highlights the need for closer monitoring and faster escalation when platform glitches happen.
What advertisers are seeing:
Google Ads trainer, Charlotte Osborne said she saw two separate cases this week — one tied to a DNS error and another to a 500 error — with no issues found on the client side.
Google Advertising specialist Joshua Barr said he received “lots of emails overnight” about disapproved ads and has been dealing with similar problems for weeks.
Several Paid Search experts also said they were seeing the same issue across accounts.
What’s likely happening. Google’s ad review systems use automated crawlers to test landing pages. If Googlebot encounters temporary server issues, DNS lookup failures, redirects, or timeout errors, ads can be automatically disapproved under the platform’s “destination not working” policy.
That means advertisers can be penalized even if:
What to do now:
The bottom line. For advertisers, this is a reminder that campaign performance can be derailed by platform glitches as much as by strategy — and when Google’s systems misfire, spend and leads can disappear fast.
First spotted. The errors were first spotted by Ryan Berry in the UK and Founder Anthony Higman also spotted issues in the US.
”Liverpul” “Borussiya Dortmund”un ulduz müdafiəçisi Niko Şlotterbeki heyətinə qatmaq üçün hərəkətə keçib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, transferin reallaşması üçün İngiltərə təmsilçisinin vaxtı olduqca məhduddur.
Almaniya mətbuatının yaydığı məlumata görə, Şlotterbekin müqaviləsində xüsusi bir sərbəstqalma maddəsi var. Lakin bu maddə bütün yay boyu qüvvədə olmayacaq. Sözügedən bəndin iyulun ortalarında — tam olaraq 19 iyulda keçiriləcək Dünya Çempionatının finalı ilə eyni vaxtda başa çatacağı bildirilir.
Bu o deməkdir ki, “Liverpul” və ya Şlotterbeklə maraqlanan digər iki klub transferi bitirmək istəyirsə, yay transfer pəncərəsinin ilk həftələrində qəti addım atmalıdır. Əks halda, iyulun ortasından sonra “Dortmund”un istədiyi qiyməti diqtə etmək hüququ olacaq.
Əgər ulduz futbolçu 50 milyon avrodan baha olan sərbəstqalma məbləği ilə satılarsa, klubun yeni müdafiəçi tapmaq üçün təxminən 6 həftə vaxtı və ciddi büdcəsi olacaq.
”Bornmut” klubunun baş məşqçisi Andoni İraola mövsümün sonunda vəzifəsindən ayrılacağını rəsmən elan edib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, 43 yaşlı ispaniyalı mütəxəssisin “Bornmut”la olan müqaviləsi bu mövsümün sonunda başa çatır.
Klub tərəfindən verilən rəsmi bəyanatda tərəflərin yeni müqavilə imzalanmayacağı və İraolanın yayda komanda ilə vidalaşacağı bildirilib.
Məlumata görə, təcrübəli məşqçi karyerasını Avropanın daha iddialı klublarından birində davam etdirmək niyyətindədir.
İraolanın rəhbərliyi altında “Bornmut” cari mövsümdə keçirdiyi 32 matçda 45 xal toplayaraq Premyer Liqada 11-ci pillədə qərarlaşıb.
“İnter Mayami”nin baş məşqçisi Xaviyer Maskerano vəzifəsindən ayrılıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə klub rəhbərliyi rəsmi açıqlama yayıb.
Açıqlamada onun bu qərarı özünün verdiyi, şəxsi səbəbləri əsas gətirdiyi bildirilir.
Klubu müvəqqəti olaraq Gilyermo Hoyos çalışdıracaq.
Türkiyə Süper Liqasında çempionluğa fokuslanan “Qalatasaray”da gələn mövsümün heyət planlaması artıq start götürüb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, baş məşqçi Okan Burukun siyahısı əsasında hərəkətə keçən klub rəhbərliyi Yaser Asprilla ilə bağlı qəti qərarını verib.
“Sport” nəşrinin yaydığı məlumata görə, “cim-bom” qış fasiləsində “Jirona”dan icarəyə götürdüyü 23 yaşlı kolumbiyalı oyunçunun transfer hüquqlarını almamağa qərar verib. Bu qərara əsas səbəb futbolçunun “Göztepe” ilə matçda yaşadığı zədə olub.
Xəbərin detallarında qeyd olunur ki, “Qalatasaray” rəhbərliyi zədə riskini və maliyyə şərtlərini nəzərə alaraq, Asprilla üçün nəzərdə tutulan 20 milyon avroluq satınalma maddəsindən istifadə etməyəcək.
Beləliklə, gənc vinger mövsümün sonunda İspaniyaya geri dönəcək.
Milan are plotting a creative approach to sign Moise Kean from Fiorentina this summer, with the club exploring the possibility of using Santiago Gimenez as part of a package deal to bring down the cost of a transfer that would otherwise prove prohibitively expensive.
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Kean has long been admired by Massimiliano Allegri, who worked with the Italy international during his time at Juventus and considers him the ideal profile to strengthen Milan’s attack for 2026/27.
The feeling is mutual, Kean has previously been linked with a move to San Siro, and with Fiorentina’s European ambitions in serious doubt following their expected Conference League exit at the hands of Crystal Palace, his departure from Florence now looks increasingly likely.
The obstacle, as ever, is financial.
Kean’s release clause is set at €52 million, a figure Milan have no intention of paying in cash, particularly after a difficult season in which the striker’s value has not appreciably risen.
According to Calciomercato.it, via MilanNews, the solution being considered involves offering Gimenez, whose own debut season at Milan has been underwhelming, plus a cash adjustment of between €10 and €15 million to make up the difference.
For Fiorentina, Gimenez could represent an attractive option as they look to rebuild their squad, while the Mexican striker himself would relish the opportunity for a fresh start after failing to establish himself under Allegri.
The deal is far from straightforward, however, with Gimenez’s high wages and interest from Premier League clubs adding further complexity to negotiations that are still at an early stage.
Simone Inzaghi has moved to quash speculation about a potential return to Italian football, insisting he remains fully committed to Al-Hilal despite the Saudi club’s elimination from the Asian Champions League on penalties at the hands of Roberto Mancini’s Al-Sadd.
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The former Inter head coach, whose name has been linked with the Italy national team vacancy and various Serie A positions following the turbulence of recent weeks, was unequivocal when asked about his future.
“I am staying at Al-Hilal because I am doing my job to the best of my abilities and I am giving everything of myself,” he said, with quotes via FCInter1908.
The defeat to Al-Sadd on penalties will have stung, particularly given the circumstances.
Inzaghi felt his side were the superior team on the night, taking the lead on three separate occasions only to be pegged back each time before ultimately losing the shootout.
“I was aiming to reach the quarter-finals but fortune was not on our side,” he said. “We tried with all our strength and created several chances. Al-Sadd held firm and scored three goals, but Al-Hilal were the stronger team and took the lead three times.”
It is a result that will do little to ease the pressure on Inzaghi at a club where expectations remain extraordinarily high. However, his public declaration of commitment to the project suggests he has no intention of using the setback as a reason to seek an exit, at least for now.
Edon Zhegrova’s time at Juventus looks increasingly likely to end after just one season, with Turkish club Besiktas having already made contact with the Kosovo winger’s agent about a potential summer move.
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According to Turkish newspaper Fanatik, via IlBianconero, the Kosovar international has been a significant disappointment since joining from Lille for a potential outlay of up to €18.5 million, comprising a base fee of €14.3 million, €1.2 million in additional costs and €3 million in bonuses, on a contract running until June 2030.
The numbers from his debut season make for grim reading: zero goals, zero assists and just 447 minutes of football across 21 appearances.
Injuries have played a part, but so too has a fundamental failure to convince Luciano Spalletti, who has given him just three outings in the past 11 matches totalling a mere 65 minutes on the pitch.
His most damaging moment came in the Champions League second leg against Galatasaray, where his errors drew considerable criticism at a time when the tie was still alive. It encapsulated a debut season that has simply never found its footing.
Besiktas are looking to make a statement signing this summer following the expected departure of winger Milot Rashica, and view Zhegrova as an attainable and high-profile addition. Initial contact has been made with his representatives to gauge his interest and availability.
Juventus, who have already secured Spalletti’s renewal until 2028 as they look to build a title-challenging squad, would listen to offers for Zhegrova rather than persist with a player who has clearly not adapted to the demands of the club. Recouping anything close to their original investment, however, will prove challenging given the season he has endured.
Noah Sadiki has impressed with Sunderland in the Premier League since joining the club, and top clubs are now monitoring his situation.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester United have been tracking the player closely, and they could look to make a move for the 21-year-old in the summer. They need a quality defensive midfielder, especially with Casemiro leaving the club in the summer. Manuel Ugarte has been quite underwhelming, and they need to replace them. The Sunderland midfielder could be the ideal acquisition for them. Joining one of the biggest clubs in the country will be exciting for Sadiki as well.
However, it will not be a straightforward transfer for Manchester United. Chelsea are keen on the player as well, and they are ramping up their efforts to sign the player. They have identified him as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez.
On the other hand, clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham are also monitoring him. It is clear that the 21-year-old could be a player in demand this summer.
It remains to be seen whether Sunderland is prepared to sanction his departure. They will not want to lose a key player like him. They have done well since promotion, and they are likely to stay up in the Premier League. They will want to establish themselves as regulars in the top flight. Selling their key players will not only weaken the team but also send the wrong message about the club’s ambitions.
That said, the 21-year-old could fancy a move to a bigger club in the summer. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. He joined Sunderland for £15 million last summer, and they are likely to demand a lot of money if they are forced to sell him.
The post Chelsea ramp up pursuit of 21-year-old dynamic midfielder amid fierce Man United interest appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Arsenal are looking to sign Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid at the end of the season.
According to reports from Spain, they are hoping to sign the 22-year-old as a replacement for Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian International has struggled for regular opportunities, and he is likely to leave the club in order to play more often.
They will need to replace him properly, and Garcia would be a superb addition. He is highly rated in La Liga, but he has struggled for regular opportunities at the Spanish club. It will be difficult for him to play every week at Real Madrid, and moving in the summer could be ideal.
Garcia has six goals and two assists in all competitions.
He has been linked with multiple clubs, but Arsenal are showing serious interest in signing him. The opportunity to join the north London outfit could be exciting for him. He could compete with Viktor Gyokeres for the starting spot next season.
Even though the Swedish international has scored 18 goals in all competitions, he has been inconsistent. Arsenal need a prolific goalscorer. Garcia has shown his potential at Real Madrid during his cameos, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. Arsenal could nurture him into a future star.
However, Real Madrid could demand a buy-back clause or a substantial sell-on fee in his contract if they decide to sell him. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. Arsenal needs more quality in the attack if they want to regularly fight for major trophies. Signing a talented young attacker like Garcia could be a wise move for them.
The post Arsenal ready to sign 22-year-old La Liga ace as club sets strict terms for transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Liverpool will take on PSG in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals tonight, and Mohamed Salah will be on the bench for the Premier League champions.
The Egyptian International was dropped in the first leg as well, and the decision to keep him on the bench for the return leg will not go down well with the fans.
Fabrice Hawkins from RMC Sport has revealed on X: “Mohamed Salah is on the bench for the 2nd leg quarterfinal against PSG. It might be his last match with Liverpool in the Champions League”.
Mohamed Salah sur le banc pour le 1/4 retour contre le PSG. C’est peut-etre son dernier match avec Liverpool en Ligue des Champions @RMCsport pic.twitter.com/MTJj9OnZEx
— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) April 14, 2026
Liverpool need their best attackers on the pitch in order to overturn the 2-0 deficit from the first leg. Salah was on the score sheet at the weekend against Fulham, and he did quite well in the game. They could have used his experience, creativity, and goal-scoring ability in the final third.
Apart from his quality as a player, his leadership, skills, and experience would have been invaluable for Liverpool.
Liverpool have had a disappointing season so far, and they are fifth in the Premier League table. They will be desperate to progress in the UEFA Champions League and to overturn the deficit against PSG without one of the best players in their history could prove difficult.
Slot has faced tremendous criticism this season for his team selections and tactics. If Liverpool crashes out of the UEFA Champions League with Salah on the bench, this decision could worsen his relationship with the fans.
The post Slot risks major backlash: Key star dropped as Liverpool chase PSG comeback appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Ibrahima Konate has been linked with the move away from Liverpool at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old defender will be a free agent in the summer, and Liverpool has yet to agree on a new deal with him. However, a report from RMC Sport claims that Liverpool is now closing on an agreement with the defender. The talks between the two parties are progressing well, and only a few details remain. The player could sign a five-year contract with Liverpool.
The defender has established himself as a key player for Liverpool since joining them for a fee of €40 million, and they simply cannot afford to lose a player of his quality and experience for free.
Konate has been linked with clubs like Real Madrid in recent months, but it seems that the Spanish giants have cooled their interest.
Liverpool have looked quite vulnerable at the back this season, and they need to keep their best players and improve the team in the summer. Konate is certainly one of the best defenders at the club, and keeping him would be a huge boost for the club.
Meanwhile, the defender will be looking to sort out his long-term future quickly and focus on his football. He has been quite inconsistent this season, and he has faced his fair share of criticism as well. However, he is very much at the peak of his career, and there is no reason why he cannot discover his peak form once again.
It remains to be seen whether the two parties can wrap up the agreement quickly. Meanwhile, Liverpool will look to finish the season strongly and secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign.
The post From France: Deal progressing well as Liverpool close in on key agreement appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Despite suffering a shocking defeat at home against Bournemouth on Saturday, Arsenal still lead the Premier League title race and they’re close to securing a place in the Champions League semifinals. This could be the greatest season the club has ever had in its 140-year history, so the excitement the players, the fans, as well […]
The post “I have zero fear” – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ahead of potentially historic season run-in (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.
The post “I have zero fear” – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ahead of potentially historic season run-in (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.
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Spring practice churns on for the Ohio State football team as the Buckeyes prepare to make another title run in the fall. With 51 new players added to the roster this past winter, Ryan Day and the coaching staff have a great deal of work to do to get everyone acclimated to the culture and style of play. Earlier this week, two more players took another step towards helping this team reach its goals next season by shedding their black stripes.
First up, safety Terry Moore becomes the newest member of BIA. Moore made his way to Columbus from the transfer portal out of Duke. Although he missed the entire 2025 season with an ACL tear, the Blue Devil defensive back broke out in 2024, where he recorded 71 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four interceptions, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a sack. The stats were good enough to earn him second-team All-ACC honors. Moore is a redshirt senior and is battling with Leroy Roker III for a starting spot in the secondary.
🚨 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 🚨
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 13, 2026
Talk about a Ball Hawk in the secondary, BIA just got a whole lot better 📌 Welcome, @TerryMoore02 🌰 pic.twitter.com/PxO4N9F9Jb
The next player welcomed to the Brotherhood was transfer tight end Hunter Welcing. Another seasoned veteran, Welcing brings a great deal of experience after spending six seasons with Northwestern. This was another move that doesn't look all that flashy on paper, but Welcing is the type of tight end Ryan Day loves in his offense. Essentially, an extra offensive lineman who can sneak out into the flats with a great set of hands as a check-down for the quarterback. In 2026, Welcing earned All-Big Ten honorable mention while hauling in 28 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns.
🚨 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 🚨
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 13, 2026
Physicality, Toughness and Talent are making waves in the TE room with the newest addition ‼️ Welcome, @hunter_welcing 🌰 pic.twitter.com/tDQerItYHK
The duo makes twelve players to be officially welcomed to the Brotherhood by losing their black stripe. There will be more to come, and we'll fill you in as they happen.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: The Ohio State football team sees two more players lose black stripe
Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia has apologised after smashing his driver in anger during the final round at Augusta on Sunday.
Paired with fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm, Garcia slammed his club into the turf twice after hitting a shot that ended up in a bunker on the par-five second hole.
The 2017 champion then hit a nearby cooler, which snapped the head off his club.
"I want to apologise for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament," Garcia said in a statement posted on X.
"I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to golf.
"I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn't reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world."
Because the club was damaged out of anger, Garcia was unable to replace it, leaving him without a driver for the rest of the round.
Geoff Yang, chairman of the Masters competitions committee, issued a code-of-conduct warning to Garcia on the fourth tee.
The Spaniard went on to post a three-over-par 75 to finish the week at eight over, third from last among the 54 players who made the cut.
When asked after his round what the issue was, the 46-year-old said: "Bad golf."
The tournament was won by Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who became only the fourth man to win successive Masters titles.
Anfield wants to feel the thrill today like on its greatest European nights, and for that Liverpool must overturn the 2-0 defeat suffered against PSG in Paris.
Today, a place in the Champions League semi-finals will be decided with these line-ups:
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Isak, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitiké.
PSG: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, João Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
Atlético de Madrid are 90 minutes from returning to the UEFA Champions League semifinals for the first time in nine years.
After securing a 2-0 win at Camp Nou last Wednesday, Atlético are back at the Metropolitano, where Diego Simeone’s side never has lost a knockout game in the Champions League. In fact, Atleti have not lost at home in a Champions League knockout match since Ajax put the Rojiblancos out of the competition in 1997.
This marks the sixth and final meeting this season between Atlético and Barcelona. Barça have won three of the previous five, including both showdowns in LaLiga. But Atleti landed a knockout blow against Barça in a 4-0 victory to begin the Copa del Rey semifinals in February prior to last week’s victory in Catalonia — a result that marked the Blaugrana’s first home loss since they moved back in to their renovated home ground.
XI 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/wUimuk9bVG
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) April 14, 2026
𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐔𝐏 🔵🔴#AtletiBarça | @ChampionsLeaguepic.twitter.com/7ah1mJtYUh
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 14, 2026
UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg: Club Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona
Date Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Location Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid
Kickoff time 9:00 p.m. CEST (ESP), 8:00 p.m. BST (UK), 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT (US)
Referee Clément Turpin
VAR official Jérôme Brisard
Spain Movistar+, Movistar Liga de Campeones
United States Paramount+
United Kingdom TNT Sports, HBO Max
Click here for more listings.
Aúpa Atleti!!!
Reds' Elly De La Cruz makes baseball history not done since 1900 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Elly De La Cruz stands all alone in MLB history.
The Cincinnati Reds' superstar shortstop has begun the season in a way no shortstop ever has dating back to 1900 (when most data like this first becomes available).
The feat: Elly has five home runs and five stolen bases through the Reds' first 16 games of the season.
Elly De La Cruz is the first MLB SS since 1900 with at least 5 HR & 5 SB through his team's first 16 games of a season. pic.twitter.com/yrbqcxqQST
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 14, 2026
MORE:Blue Jays' Ernie Clement is a battle between old-school and new-age baseball
Elly has begun the season hitting .281 with those five home runs along with three doubles. He's 5-for-6 stealing bases.
He has also scored 13 runs and driven in 10 runs. His OPS is .924, which would be by far a career-high (previous .809). He's been 50% better than a league average hitter, according to OPS+.
De La Cruz hasn't cut down on his strikeout rate, which is always a pretty high one, but he's making the most of his contact and of his time on base.
When you consider that 16 games is about one-tenth of the season, you can extrapolate and say that De La Cruz is on pace for a 50/50 season -- of which only Shohei Ohtani has ever had one.
Obviously, it would be quite the feat for De La Cruz to keep this up the whole season. But he's already off to a start never done before by a shortstop. Why stop now?
The Avalanche are likely still getting into the swing of the day after their SO victory in Edmonton last night. Still, the NHL schedule is relentless, even for game 81, as they will face the Flames tonight in Calgary on the second of a back-to-back.
Tune in tonight 📺📻 pic.twitter.com/QDdhgqE3zK
— P – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 14, 2026
That means MacKenzie Blackwood in the net, but will we see the Avalanche rest more key fixtures in the lineup, or are they going with the pedal-to-the-metal approach?
The @Avalanche won their 53rd game, the 2nd most victories in a single season in franchise history. Colorado's 117 points are now just 2 shy of tying the 2021-22 team (119) for the highest total in a single season in franchise history pic.twitter.com/vtpjJ2cIS2
— Brendan McNicholas (@bmcnich) April 14, 2026
The Flames didn’t realize the typical revenge victory last time and have lost to the Avalanche twice in the last 10 days.
Will they face defeat a third time and be swept altogether?
The Opponent: Calgary Flames (33-38-9)
Time: 7:00 p.m. MT
Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, ESPN+
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Brock Nelson’s 1,000th game played out as a bit of a snoozer, that is, until the end.
A 2-1 SO victory is nothing to scoff at when you consider all that was on the line for the Oilers on home ice.
Sam Malinski is still on fire, having scored as many goals in the last 11 games (5) as he did in all of his 2024-25 campaign.
Jack Achan and Nick Blankenburg did just fine against McDavid and the Oilers and should stay in the lineup tonight as well to avoid rushing any of the key and injured guys (like Makar) back before there’s something to play for.
I’m hoping this game marks Martin Necas’ crossing of the 100-point mark, and would love it even more if he also reached 40 goals.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see Marty Necas get to both 100 points and 40 goals tonight? #GoAvsGo
— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) April 14, 2026
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Gabriel Landeskog
Valeri Nichushkin — Brock Nelson — Martin Necas
Ross Colton — Nicolas Roy — Joel Kiviranta
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor
Devon Toews — Sam Malinski
Brett Kulak — Brent Burns
Nick Blankenburg — Jack Ahcan
Note: Still no update on Josh Manson. We did see Cale Makar skating yesterday morning, but he did not play. I’m not even certain Nazem Kadri is on the road trip.
MacKenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
If the Flames were to topple the Avalanche this season, tonight’s game might be the night.
Colorado should be pretty worn out from the SO victory over Edmonton, and will go without Cale Makar, Nazem Kadri, or Josh Manson yet again.
We meet again 👀#Flames | @TELUS
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) April 14, 2026
🔗: https://t.co/rFay8AfNpQpic.twitter.com/2N7EE1BytI
When your season has been over for quite some time, as is the case in Calgary, it’s about the little things and moral victories/habits you can take into next season. Let’s see what shows up for the Flames.
Joel Farabee — Mikael Backlund — Blake Coleman
Victor Olofsson — Morgan Frost — Matt Coronato
Connor Zary — Ryan Strome — Adam Klapka
Aydar Suniev — Tyson Gross — Yegor Sharangovich
Zayne Parekh — Zach Whitecloud
Olli Maatta — Hunter Brzustewicz
Abram Wiebe — Brayden Pachal
Dustin Wolf
Devin Cooley
Sergio Garcia issued an apology on Tuesday for his outburst during the final round of the Masters, which saw him damage the turf after a poor drive on the second hole and subsequently break his driver against a bench.
The incident prompted Geoff Yang, chairman of the Masters competitions committee, to issue a code-of-conduct warning to Garcia on the fourth tee. This conduct policy was a new addition to the Masters this year.
"I want to apologize for my actions Sunday at The Masters tournament," Garcia stated in a social media post. "I respect and value everything that The Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to golf. I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn't reflect the respect and appreciation I have for The Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world."
The 2017 champion began his round with a bogey before hitting a weak fade on the par-5 second hole, sending his ball towards a bunker.
In frustration, he recoiled his driver onto the tee, then turned and slammed the club into the turf. Without repairing the damage, Garcia then struck his driver against a wooden bench holding a water cooler, leaving the club's head dangling from its shaft.
Garcia had initially declined to discuss the official's warning, stating after his round, "I’m not going to tell you." When pressed further, he responded, "Next question." He also did not apologize for his behavior immediately after his closing 75, which placed him 52nd among the 54 players who made the cut. "Just obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens," Garcia remarked.
Since his playoff victory over Justin Rose at Augusta National in 2017, Garcia has not secured a top-10 finish in the 29 majors he has played. He has missed the cut in six of his eight Masters appearances since his win. When asked about his performance record, Garcia simply said, "Bad golf," and when prompted for more specifics, he added, "Bad shots."
This is not Garcia’s first brush with controversy; he was disqualified in 2019 at the Saudi International for damaging greens in frustration. His past antics include angrily kicking off his shoe after slipping during a tee shot at the 2001 World Match Play, an incident that nearly saw the shoe strike an official. He also once spat into a cup during a World Golf Championship at Doral following a three-putt.
The PGA Tour has been developing its code-of-conduct policy over recent years, with the Masters being the first tournament to implement it. The PGA Championship is also set to use the policy next month at Aronimink Golf Club. Under the new rules, a second violation during a tournament incurs a two-shot penalty, while a third violation results in disqualification.
With the odds against them, FC Barcelona will be gunning for a remontada as they take on Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
The Catalans suffered a 0-2 loss at home in the first leg of their quarter-final tie, leaving them with everything to do in the second leg tonight at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
And, with kick-off a little over an hour away, manager Hansi Flick has announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Diego Simeone’s side.
Despite all the chat surrounding the possibility of Frenkie de Jong returning to the starting XI, Flick has decided not to rush the Dutchman.
Instead, it is Gavi who starts in midfield once again, pairing up with close friend Pedri.
Meanwhile, in attack, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres both retain their places after top displays over the weekend against RCD Espanyol.
Marcus Rashford, who was expected to start on the left flank, has been left out as Flick has opted to go with both Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez, meaning Barcelona will have four midfielders on the pitch.
Moving to the defensive line, Eric Garcia replaces the suspended Pau Cubarsi at centre-back, after featuring in midfield in the past few matches. Gerard Martin continues in the lineup after shaking off an injury scare from the weekend clash.
Joao Cancelo returns at left-back, replacing Alejandro Balde, while Jules Kounde starts on the right side. Joan Garcia continues in goal as usual.
There is something quietly compelling about a player who refuses to drift gently into the background. According to Sky Sports, Georginio Wijnaldum is preparing for precisely the opposite, a return, a reassertion, perhaps even a final statement in the Premier League.
The Dutch midfielder, now 35, has spent the past three seasons with Al Ettifaq, yet the numbers suggest a player still engaged with the game’s demands. Fourteen goals and six assists this season is not the output of someone winding down. It is the contribution of a footballer who still believes he belongs.
Photo: IMAGO
Wijnaldum’s time at Liverpool remains his defining chapter. Across 237 appearances, he became emblematic of a side that conquered both England and Europe. His goals often arrived at moments of consequence, his influence stretching beyond statistics into rhythm and control.
His departure in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain felt abrupt, a move that promised glamour but ultimately lacked the coherence of his Anfield years. Since then, his career has taken a quieter path in Saudi Arabia, though not an unproductive one.
As Sky Sports reports, “Former Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is keen to make a return to the Premier League next season when his contract in the Saudi Pro League expires this summer.”
There is a temptation to frame this as nostalgia, a veteran chasing echoes of former glories. Yet Wijnaldum’s own stance suggests otherwise. “The 35-year-old has no plans to retire and still feels he has a lot to offer,” a line that speaks to ambition rather than sentimentality.
Modern football has grown more accepting of longevity, provided performance justifies presence. Wijnaldum’s recent output suggests he may still meet that threshold. His game has never relied on pace alone, instead built on intelligence, positioning, and an ability to arrive unnoticed before it matters most.
A return to England would place him in a league that has evolved since his departure. The tempo is quicker, the tactical demands more intricate. Yet there remains space for players who understand structure and responsibility.
Sky Sports notes, “As things stand, his priority is a return to playing in England, although no decision has yet been made about his future.” That uncertainty leaves room for intrigue. Would a mid-table side benefit from his experience, or could he serve as a rotational figure within a squad chasing honours?
What seems clear is that Wijnaldum does not view this as an epilogue. It is, in his mind, another chapter waiting to be written.
From a Liverpool perspective, this development invites both curiosity and reflection.
A romantic return to Anfield feels unlikely, yet the idea cannot be dismissed entirely. Liverpool’s midfield rebuild has focused on youth and dynamism, but there have been moments where control has slipped, particularly in high tempo fixtures. A player like Wijnaldum, even in a reduced role, could offer tactical balance.
More realistically, his return to the Premier League would serve as a reminder of what Liverpool once had in abundance. Reliability, intelligence, and an understated excellence that rarely drew headlines but often dictated outcomes.
For supporters, there is also a sense of unfinished appreciation. Wijnaldum’s contributions during the title winning era were immense, yet often underplayed. His potential return to England provides an opportunity to re-evaluate that legacy in real time.
If nothing else, it underlines a broader truth. Elite mentality does not fade easily. Wijnaldum’s desire to compete again at the highest level reflects a mindset that Liverpool once thrived upon, and perhaps still seeks to rediscover.
WELCOME TO THE ESTADIO METROPOLITANO!!! The impressive home of Atlético Madrid in the Spanish capital is the site of the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie between the hosts and Barcelona, with Barça looking to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg to book a spot in the semi-finals. This should be all kinds of fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!
BARCELONA
Starting XI: Joan; Kounde, Eric, Martín, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Fermín; Ferran (4-2-3-1)
Substitutes: Szczesny (GK), Kochen (GK), Araujo, Cortés, Espart, Balde, Casadó, De Jong, Tommy, Roony, Rashford, Lewandowski
ATLÉTICO MADRID
Starting XI: Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez (4-4-2)
Substitutes: Oblak (GK), Esquivel (GK), Mendoza, Johnny, Sorloth, Baena, Almada, Obed, Nico, Martínez, Boñar, Díaz
Competition/Round: 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, Quarter-Finals, 2nd Leg
First Leg Result: Barcelona 0-2 Atlético Madrid
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 9pm CET (Barcelona), 8pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 12.30am IST (India, Wednesday)
Venue: Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
Referee: Clément Turpin (FRA)
VAR: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
On TV: TUDN (USA), TNT Sports 1 (UK), SONY TEN 2 (India), SuperSport (Nigeria), Movistar (Spain), others
Online: Paramount+ (USA), HBO Max (UK), Sony LIV (India), Movistar+ (Spain), others
We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:
Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.
Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: (L-R) Coby White #3, Ryan Kalkbrenner #11, Grant Williams #2 and LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets look on in the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Spectrum Center on March 24, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesSince the city’s return to the NBA in 2004, Charlotte has experienced some difficulties..
The Bobcats had just two winning seasons from 2004-14, and were swept out of the playoffs both times.
In the years after re-assuming the Hornets identity for the 2014-15 campaign, the club notched just two winning seasons (2015-16, 2021-22), zero playoff series wins and couple play-in tournament losses.
And while 2025-26 saw Charlotte achieve its highest win total (44) in a decade, the club doesn’t appear ready to call the season a success just yet.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons anointed the Hornets as an NBA League Pass team worth tuning into all the way back in October, and Charlotte picked up a slew of national fans en route to this year’s play-in appearance and near-miss on a division title.
That’s all well and good. But the real work started with the Hornets’ front office and players putting in the work to reengage with the Charlotte community and its fans, as it recommits to building a winner in the Queen City.
“Between the team temporarily leaving the city and a stretch without consistent success on the court, that connection (with fans) was strained,” Charlotte Hornets President of Business Operations Shelly Cayette-Weston recently told Forbes.
“Our primary mission now is to reconnect with that passionate base, while also engaging new fans across the Carolinas, because the fans are the lifeblood of our organization. We are building a winning culture – on and off the court – they can be proud of.”
The Hornets were No. 13 in total attendance this season, at over 767,000. That figure was Charlotte’s highest this century, and the team even drew more than the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Cayette-Weston notes that the Hornets had 25 sellouts this year, including the final 15 home contests.
“That’s real progress, and something we haven’t experienced in recent years,” she said. “The fans have bought into our vision and joined us on this journey, and we’re now seeing the results: winning and fun basketball.”
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Charlotte Hornets fans look on during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Spectrum Center on March 24, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesIt’s been a purposeful build for Charlotte since the new ownership group, led by Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, took over in 2023.
The team has moved to hire talented and experienced people to execute on the new vision, including President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson (from the Brooklyn Nets), Head Coach Charles Lee (from the Boston Celtics) and Cayette-Weston (from the Cleveland Cavaliers).
Charlotte’s braintrust also oversaw a $245 million investment into Spectrum Center renovations, including new seats, concession improvements and more technological advancements to modernize and improve the in-arena experience.
“In five years, when people think of the Charlotte Hornets, I want the first thing that comes to mind to be that we are a premier NBA franchise where our organization is synonymous with a winning culture and a fan experience that is second to none,” said Cayette-Weston.
As the team invests in fan culture and facilities, the part that really brings it all together – and gets both new and old supporters excited – is the talent on the court.
Charlotte aims to build something unique to its city and the Carolinas as a whole, but also acknowledges taking notes from around the league. Franchises like Golden State and Cleveland have built winning cultures that excite fans thanks in part to business savvy. But crucially, these were also smart and methodical roster builds in the early going.
That exciting step is where the Hornets find themselves now, thanks in part to one rookie from Duke.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets gestures after a play during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2026 in New York City. 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 Jordan Bank/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesRookie of the year frontrunner Kon Knueppel has been an electric addition to this Hornets roster – and one that the existing face of the franchise LaMelo Ball reportedly pushed to add in advance of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Knueppel led the league with 273 three-pointers made (one more than Ball) and scored 18.5 points per game, while also averaging 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists. During one particularly hot month for Charlotte in February, Kon averaged 21.5 points and 4.5 made threes per game en route to the Hornets going 8-3; right on the back of stretch where the team won six straight to finish up January.
Impressively, he’s not even the only standout rookie on this team, either.
The Hornets saw significant contributions from Sion James and Kalkbrenner all season, and the three young standouts also helped open up things for Charlotte’s returning veterans to break out as well.
Third-year forward Brandon Miller led the team in points-per-game scoring, and set new career highs for total points, total rebounds and three-point percentage. LaMelo Ball made nearly 100 more threes than last year, and hit them at a higher percentage too, while also becoming a bigger factor as a facilitator and rebounder than in previous years.
These are all home-grown players for the Hornets who can be – and already are – foundational pieces for a longer run of success.
While the comparison to the Steph Curry-led Warriors are premature, it’s easy to forget that his early years with Golden State were plagued by injuries and losing.
During Curry’s first three seasons, the Warriors went 85-145. Over the next two years, the team finished sixth in the West both times, but won just one playoff series.
What happened after, once Steve Kerr came in, became one of the most impressive runs of success in league history. But it started with Golden State building the foundation around electric guard play, exciting basketball and acquiring young talent that fit the larger organizational idea.
Whether Tuesday night’s play-in game against the Miami Heat is a win or not, Charlotte could be in the early stages of writing a similar story for their franchise.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
2026 NFL Draft: Panthers GM Dan Morgan speaks on 'a lot of possibilities' at pick 19 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers emerged as one of the NFL's free-agent winners.
On the first day of the legal tampering period, May 9, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan finalized deals with two of their top targets, top pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and Pro Bowl inside linebacker Devin Lloyd. The Panthers later added two potential starters along the offensive line, left tackle Rasheed Walker and center Luke Fortner.
Along with the signings of several depth players, Morgan's attention has turned completely to the 2026 NFL Draft.
"We're nine days away," Morgan said during Tuesday's pre-draft press conference at Bank of America Stadium.
Beginning the process several weeks ago with nearly 600 names on a chart of potential prospects, Morgan didn't want to reveal how many players remained on the list, adding, "we're in a good spot."
By filling in so many roster holes during free agency, Morgan said his draft team is "ready for all scenarios."
The Panthers are scheduled to pick No. 19 when the three-day showcase event opens April 2325 in Pittsburgh. Don't be surprised if Morgan moves out of the position, likely moving down to add more draft capital.
When asked if the free-agent moves helped narrow his pre-draft focus, Morgan pivoted and said they created additional avenues to explore.
"If anything, I think it opens up a lot of possibilities," Morgan said. "I think all positions are on the table. And like I said before, you never know who's gonna fall down to us."
Among the Panthers' potential first-round picks, Morgan said he will target a pass-rush specialist, a playmaking target for quarterback Bryce Young or possibly a top offensive tackle prospect.
"So I think we're definitely in the best-player available mindset," Morgan said. "So, yeah, I think what we did in free agency set us up to do that."
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore faces a sentencing hearing Tuesday for misdemeanors related to a confrontation with his executive assistant soon after Moore’s firing for having an inappropriate relationship with her.
Moore pleaded no contest in March to trespassing and malicious use of a telecom device. The maximum possible penalty is six months in jail, though he has no previous criminal record and the judge will have much discretion to keep him out of custody.
Moore, 40, was fired on Dec. 10 after leading the Wolverines for two seasons, following Jim Harbaugh’s move to the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. It was a stunning dismissal at one of college football’s most prestigious programs.
Moore was accused that same day of confronting the woman with whom he had been having an affair and blaming her for his firing, even threatening to kill himself with butter knives in her apartment. Authorities said the woman had ended the affair and spoken to school officials about it.
Moore was charged with felony home invasion and two additional charges. But Washtenaw County prosecutors agreed to a deal in which he pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors. The felony charge was dropped.
The agreement came after defense lawyer Ellen Michaels planned to aggressively challenge how police gathered information to get an arrest warrant.
Moore did not harm himself and was peacefully arrested in a parking lot away from the woman’s apartment.
CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers will play host to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday in the 7 vs. 8 play-in tournament game. The Sixers will be looking to clinch their spot to the playoffs and advance as the No. 7 seed to then take on the Boston Celtics in Round 1 of the playoffs. If the Sixers lose, they will have to host the winner of the 9 vs. 10 matchup to decide their season.
The Sixers took two of the three matchups with the Magic on the regular season, and Orlando is coming into this one a bit off after an embarrassing loss in the season finale to Boston's third stringers, but the postseason is always a different beast. Therefore, Philadelphia will have to prepare for what Orlando brings to the table.
On a practice day on Tuesday, there were three aspects about the Magic that coach Nick Nurse addressed heading into this contest:
The Magic don't have a huge sample size with Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, and Desmond Bane all on the floor together due to a variety of injuries, but those three represent Orlando's best units. Per Cleaning the Glass, with those three on the floor, the Magic outscore teams by 13.9 points in 667 possessions. For the Sixers, when they went to lineups with Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes, they outscore teams by 6.9 points in 1,115 possessions per Cleaning the Glass. Those 3-guard lineups by both teams are something the Sixers and the Magic will turn to in this matchup.
"All six of the guys, I think, are really good players," Nurse said after practice. "Black had a really great year going until his injury; he’s had a real step up in play. So I think all six of those guys are very good, which is probably why both teams end up with (those) lineups."
Banchero isn't the most efficient player in the world, but he can get to the foul line when he puts head down and attacks. He averages 8.2 free-throw attempts per game and will put pressure on the rim whenever he can. He shot 11 free throws in an Oct. 27 matchup between these teams and the Sixers will have to find a way to slow him down and force him into jumpers. He shoots 45.9% from the floor and overall and 30.5% from deep. If the Sixers can force Banchero into a jump shooter, the Sixers should win the game rather easily.
Nurse on slowing Banchero:
"He is physical. He gets a lot done with his strength and size, just carving space, attacking with his shoulder hits and things like that. You’ve got to stand in there and be able to use your own physicality. We’ve got to have multiple coverages ready for him. I think showing him multiple bodies, especially in certain matchups, will be important for us. And even going as far as having three or different schemes and three or four different guys that’ll guard him. I think trying to keep him off balance with some of that stuff is important, too. But a lot of it’s just going to come down to somebody standing in there and using their force against his."
The Magic will turn to Wendell Carter Jr. at the center spot to give them some production in a number of areas. He averages 2.1 offensive rebounds per game so the Sixers will have to be aware of that and he can knock down a corner 3-pointer. Behind him is Goga Bitadze who is a physical, defensive-minded big man, and also a terrific passer, before Moe Wagner can step in and cause havoc. With the Sixers missing Joel Embiid, more responsibility is placed upon Adem Bona and Andre Drummond.
"I think both of those guys are good players," Nurse said of Orlando's centers. "Carter’s a roller, short-pocket guy. He’s athletic, a rebounder. They’ll also park him on the perimeter in the corners. Good shooter. They’ll play through Bitadze a little bit more in some of their trail actions, cutting and things like that. Very good passer. Also a very good offensive rebounder. I think there’s probably some of the matchups we like better, but I think it’s probably a read of how things are going. I’ll say it again: We’re going to play Drum, we’re going to play Bona and we’ve got to figure out what it looks like as the game is going on."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Nick Nurse addresses 3 key aspects for Sixers vs. Magic play-in game
Time to finish the job!
This Tuesday evening, PSG travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
After winning the first leg 2-0, PSG now need to finish the job at Anfield.
For this second meeting, Luis Enrique is making no changes to his starting XI and continues to rely on his attacking trio of Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, and Doué.
On the other side, Arne Slot is changing everything but leaving Mohamed Salah on the bench! The Reds will line up with an Ekitike-Isak strike partnership! Check out the team line-ups below.
Liverpool : Mamardashvili - Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk (capt), Kerkez - Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz - Isak, Ekitike.
PSG : Safonov - Hakimi, Marquinhos (capt), Pacho, N. Mendes - Vitinha, J. Neves, Zaïre-Emery - Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Doué.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.
A retrial into the death of the football legend Diego Maradona began on Tuesday, a year after the first case collapsed in a mistrial.
Seven members of his medical team are charged with negligent homicide after he died from a heart attack, aged 60.They have denied the allegations.If convicted, they face between eight and 25 years in prison.
The first trial collapsed last May when one of its three judges resigned after allegedly allowing unauthorised filming in court for a documentary.
Maradona died in 2020 at his home in Tigre, Buenos Aires province, while he was recuperating from surgery to remove a brain blood clot.
Investigators classified the case as culpable homicide - a crime similar to involuntary manslaughter - because they said the accused were aware of the seriousness of Maradona's health condition but did not take the necessary measures to save him.
The heart failure caused him to suffer acute pulmonary oedema, when fluid builds up in the lungs, the preliminary autopsy confirmed.
A panel of medical experts, asked by prosecutors to investigate Maradona's medical team, said the treatment he received at his home was "deficient and reckless".
It concluded that the footballer "would have had a better chance of survival" with adequate treatment in an appropriate medical facility.
The seven people on trial include his main medical adviser, Leopoldo Luque, and his psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov. His former nurse, Dahiana Gisela Madrid, will stand in a separate trial.
Around 100 people are set to testify in front of a new set of judges at a court in San Isidro, including Maradona's daughters. The trial is expected to last until July.
When the footballer died on 25 November 2020, then President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning.
"Thank you for having existed, Diego. We're going to miss you all our lives," he said.
Maradona started his career with Argentinos Juniors. He went on to represent Argentina in four World Cups, scoring 34 goals, including the infamous "Hand of God" goal against England in 1986.
During the second half of his career, he struggled with cocaine addiction. He was banned for 15 months after testing positive for the drug in 1991.
He retired from professional football in 1997, on his 37th birthday, during his second stint at Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
Maradona was appointed head coach of the national team in 2008 and left after the 2010 World Cup, where his side were beaten by Germany in the quarter-finals.
He subsequently managed teams in the United Arab Emirates and Mexico and was in charge of Argentinian club Gimnasia y Esgrima at the time of his death.
Xavier freshman Kason Westphal will return to the Musketeers, the school announced on Tuesday, April 14.
Westphal, a 7-foot center, redshirted this season. He was the only high school recruit on Xavier's roster after he committed to the Musketeers in April.
A native of Salida, Colorado, Westphal left his hometown to play for Fear of God Athletics, an affiliate of Overtime Elite located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2025.
More: Xavier Musketeers transfer portal tracker | News, rumors, commitments
He played 11.6 minutes per game off the bench with Overtime Elite and averaged 3 points and 4.1 rebounds.
Before that, he averaged 15.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for Salida High School during the 2023-24 season.
Xavier's 2026-27 roster is now up to nine scholarship players. There are three returns with Westphal joining Jovan Milicevic and Gabriel Pozzato. As of now, Xavier has three incoming transfers in Rubén Dominguez, Tru Washington and Mike Nwoko. There's also the three-person Class of 2026 in Kalek House, Asher Elson and Gedeon Basson.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kason Westphal returning for Xavier basketball
North Carolina landed its first commitment of the transfer portal period by securing dynamic playmaker Neoklis Avdalas on Monday.
Avdalas is the No. 3 shooting guard and the No. 20 overall player in 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings. He chose the Tar Heels after drawing interest from Arkansas, Florida State, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma State, St. John’s and Texas.
The 6-foot-9 wing averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 38.6% from the field and 31.4% from 3-point range for Virginia Tech last season.
Here’s a look at his skillset, the good and the bad.
Avdalas is a matchup problem at 6-foot-9, moving with the fluidity and skill of a point guard. He handles the ball well, gets downhill to the rim and uses his height to see and pass over defenders.
He averaged 4.6 assists per game, which ranked eighth in the conference, and his 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio was 12th. In conference play, he ranked 10th with a 26.7 percent assist rate. He recorded four conference games with seven or more assists.
One of the biggest issues was his shooting issues as well as his inconsistent scoring outputs. Avdalas only shot 38.6% from the field and 31.4% from 3-point range on five attempts per game.
He opened the season strong, averaging 14.1 points on 44.4% shooting from the field and 37% from 3 in nonconference play. Two of his best games were a 33-point outing against Providence and a 30-point performance against Western Carolina.
However, his production dipped in ACC play. While his assist and rebounding numbers stayed steady, he struggled to score, averaging 10.8 points on 35.1% shooting from the field and 28.1% from beyond the arc. Avdalas had nine single-digit scoring games in ACC play, including nine points and 5 points in his last two.
From UNC’s perspective, Avdalas is a player you turn loose, not one you ease in. At 6-9 with an unconventional but impactful style, he fits the mold of the long, versatile playmakers coaches like Michael Malone have maximized with players such as Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. In the right structure at North Carolina, he has the tools to grow into his ceiling.
Avdalas can complement a score-first point guard or a dominant wing by handling secondary playmaking duties and initiating offense. If his development stays on track, he has the upside to anchor a perimeter core and perform at an all-ACC level.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: The strength and weaknesses of Neoklis Avdalas
The Boston Red Sox have promoted a right-handed pitcher from Triple-A Worcester.
MassLive’s Sean McAdam confirmed a report from 7News’ Ari Alexander Tuesday morning that Jack Anderson was called up to join the Red Sox. The corresponding move is lefty Tyler Samaniego being optioned to Triple-A, according to a source. Anderson is en route to Minnesota ahead of Tuesday’s 7:40 p.m. ET first pitch.
If Anderson makes it into a game, it will mark his MLB debut. The Red Sox needed an arm after using three relievers (Jovani Morán, Samaniego and Ryan Watson) for more than two innings Monday in relief of ace Garrett Crochet, who was tagged for 11 runs (10 earned) while only recording five outs in the worst start of his career.
Anderson, who started Thursday’s game for Worcester and pitched six innings, will be able to give Alex Cora’s bullpen some length, if needed. The 26-year-old was drafted by the Tigers in 2021 and spent his time in the Detroit farm system as a reliever. Boston acquired Anderson during the minor league portion of the 2024 Rule 5 draft and he spent last season as both a reliever and starter.
During the 2025 season, Anderson had four starts and 19 relief appearances for Double-A Portland before making three starts with the WooSox.
Anderson has gone 1-0 in two starts with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP for the WooSox this spring. He struck out nine batters in 9.2 innings on the mound after not being an invite to major league spring training. He appeared in the World Baseball Classic as a member of Team Great Britain.
SoxProspects does not have Anderson ranked among the top 60 prospects in Boston’s system.
Two injured players (Triston Casas and Johan Oviedo) are candidates to be placed on the 60-day IL to clear a spot for Anderson, who is not on the 40-man roster.
Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NCAA released the news today that the Iowa Hawkeyes would be forced to vacate wins for violations surrounding the acquisition of former quarterback Cade McNamara via the transfer portal.
The news comes after the NCAA deemed there was illegal contact by Kirk Ferentz and Jon Budmayr with a quarterback via the transfer portal, which is believed to have been Cade McNamara. Ferentz has released a statement regarding the ruling from the NCAA.
“I am disappointed by the NCAA’s decision today. Throughout the process, our program has been open and honest about my mistake – contacting a potential player in the hours before it was permissible by NCAA rules.
"I felt it was important to make amends for the issue, which is why I voluntarily served a one-game suspension to start the 2023 season. I believe today’s decision by the NCAA vacating four wins in our 2023 season is overly harsh and inconsistent with the violation.
Kirk Ferentz statement on the NCAA ruling:
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) April 14, 2026
“I am disappointed by the NCAA’s decision today. Throughout the process, our program has been open and honest about my mistake – contacting a potential player in the hours before it was permissible by NCAA rules.
I felt it was…
"As I tell our team and staff, it is how you respond and move forward that defines you. Our focus is on the 2026 season and that is how we are moving forward.”
It is believed that the Hawkeyes will be forced to vacate wins from the games in which Cade McNamara appeared in during the 2023 season, which is four victories.
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 Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Kirk Ferentz's statement on NCAA vacating wins from Iowa football
Most MLB teams, including the Cubs, have gone to all-digital ticketing. You can get a paper Cubs ticket… sometimes… depending on the circumstances.
This began after the pandemic shut ballparks to fans in 2020. The last year the Cubs issued paper season tickets to fans was 2019, and Wrigley Field — plus most other MLB parks — went cashless in 2021 when parks re-opened to fans.
This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Cashless was better for teams, who didn’t have to handle cash (and anecdotally, I heard reports that some rogue employees were stealing cash), and for fans, as long as you have your phone, you can’t forget your ticket.
There have been some glitches. Last September, as I reported here, the MLB Ballpark app got hacked and quite a number of fans, including Cubs fans, lost tickets as a result. Most, though not all, of those tickets were recovered, but as I suggested in that September 2025 article, MLB revamped the Ballpark app and began 2-factor authentication. That’s a must when you have apps with payment information and potentially thousands of dollars worth of tickets stored (as a season ticket holder would).
But here’s the thing. A game ticket isn’t just something that admits you to a stadium. It’s a tangible souvenir of your visit to the ballpark. I have literally thousands of game ticket stubs (and beginning in 2005, when the Cubs put barcodes on the tickets, full tickets) which create memories. Many Cubs season tickets over the years had really nice artistic designs, such as these from the Wrigley Field centennial year in 2014. Those are art, and well worth keeping.
Instead, your digital ticket disappears from the app after the game, so all you have is a record within the Ballpark app that you attended the game. True, you can put photos in the app for each game, but to me at least, a digital record isn’t quite the same as having an actual piece of paper, issued by the team, that you can keep in a scrapbook (people still do those, right?) or elsewhere. I actually had someone suggest that I “print a screenshot” of my digital ticket and… well, no, that’s not the same thing at all.
I bring all this up because of this article on this topic in The Athletic today. The article cites Montreal Expos fan Josée Tellier, who has kept binders of tickets from Expos games she attended, many from decades ago. One of them is from her first game, signed by Andre Dawson:
“Today, when people go to shows or games or whatever, they use their phones to take pictures and to get a memory of that moment, but at the time, who is going to the stadium with that camera? It wasn’t something we were doing at the time,” Tellier said. “So the ticket was the proof that you were there, that you felt the moment, that you saw that magic play.”
That 1986 ticket is her most cherished — not because it was from a championship or record-breaking game, but because it was her first. In 2022, she met Dawson, who signed the card.
“At the time, we didn’t have any money, and this ticket was proof that we were there,” Tellier said. “This little booklet with the ticket inside and my mom’s picture is my most prized possession.”
That’s exactly what I am talking about. These aren’t just pieces of paper that get you into a game, they create memories that can last a lifetime.
The Cubs will sell you a commemorative paper “ticket” for any game you want for $9, which is not unreasonable. I bought one for the combined no-hitter thrown by Shōta Imanaga, Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge in 2024. Here’s what that looks like:
It’s a tangible souvenir, but not quite the same thing as if I had an actual paper ticket that I had used to get into the game.
I was also fortunate enough to get a printed ticket at the Tokyo Dome last year. This one is for the exhibition game the Cubs played against the Yomiuri Giants. (There are two times listed — one is for the gates opening, the other for the start of the game.) This is a great souvenir of my trip to Japan last year.
Teams are getting really stingy about printing souvenir tickets for games now. I did manage to get one in Milwaukee for Game 5 of the Division Series last year — the Brewers will do it for $10.
But the Dodgers wouldn’t even do it for a 50-year season ticket holder:
Errol Segal, who’s been a Dodger fan for 50 years, said he received a notice before the season began that he can no longer get printed tickets.
Segal, 81, owns a recycling center in South LA and said he’ll likely be spending more time there now that the Dodgers have gone fully digital.
“I enjoy working,” Segal said. “I don’t feel my age.”
He said he went to Dodger Stadium Thursday and was able to buy paper tickets, but the team won’t let him get them for the entire season.
“If I had the tickets one year, five years, 10 years, that’s another story,” Segal said. “50 years I’ve had these tickets. They threw me under the bus.”
Segal doesn’t use a smartphone, and I would think you wouldn’t have to buy a smartphone just to go to a sporting event. Apparently the Dodgers disagree.
I get why teams want to do this. Saves printing costs. Makes it easy to have tickets in one place. Oh, and by putting them in the Ballpark app, where you have to log in, teams now know exactly who is using every ticket to every game — data that is useful to them when (for example) setting dynamic pricing.
Incidentally, there is one way for you to create memories for yourself within the Ballpark app, if you don’t mind those memories being digital. The app has a database of games going back to 1901. To find this, click on “Profile” at the bottom of the app, it should show “My History,” all the games you have checked into via the app. Click on the arrow at the right, it will take you to a page showing all your games. Hit the + and you’ll see a screen where you can “Add Past Games.” It took me a while, but I got all my past games in there. Fun and interesting… but still not quite the same as having a paper ticket.
As for Josée Tellier?
In Montreal, with no Expos tickets, print or digital, Tellier goes to Montreal Canadiens games, QR code in hand.
“I really wish we would go back to paper tickets,” she said. Tellier recalled how once, she asked a stadium for the printed version.
They gave her an 8 x 11 printed sheet of paper of her digital ticket.
Like I said… that’s not quite the same. How do you feel about all-electronic ticketing?
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Despite injury concerns to two starters, the Los Angeles Lakers have quickly become an incredibly popular bet to win the NBA championship.
Heading into this week’s playoffs, FanDuel reported on Tuesday that the LeBron James-led Western Conference four seed has received the most wagers over the last 24 hours to capture the league title.
The most bet team to win the NBA Finals over the last 24 hours:
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) April 13, 2026
👑 THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS (+25000)
No Luka, no Reaves ... THE PUBLIC IS RIDING WITH LEBRON 😤 pic.twitter.com/GSID1T9JcS
FanDuel has since shortened L.A.’s odds from +25000 to +15000. Still, the Lakers have the 12th-shortest odds on FanDuel’s NBA champion market, right behind the Atlanta Hawks at +10000.
Five teams in the West, including first-round opponent and five-seed Houston (+5500), are listed ahead of the Lakers. Oklahoma City is a +115 favorite at FanDuel to win back-to-back championships, followed by the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics at +550 each.
The Lakers are +10000 to win the West and make the best-of-seven Finals.
Los Angeles heads into the series with an unknown status on star Luka Doncic and without guard Austin Reaves until May. Doncic left the team last week to receive treatment on a hamstring strain in Spain.
He’s set to return to the Lakers on Friday, but when he’ll return to the court is uncertain. The team has not announced Doncic’s timeline.
Reaves suffered an oblique strain that will sideline him for multiple weeks, but none of that is stopping bettors, who are backing James to keep the team afloat until everyone is healthy.
BetMGM reported this week that, at +25000 to win it all, the Lakers have received 7.9% of the championship market’s tickets and 7.4% of the handle. That’s enough, combined with the massive odds, to make L.A. the operator’s biggest liability entering the NBA postseason.
BetMGM lists the Lakers at +500 to win the series against the Rockets, who are -700 to advance.
Meanwhile, the Spurs lead all teams in the NBA championship market with 11.9% of the bets and over 20% of the handle. The Thunder are second with 15.3% of the money, but with the shortest odds, that’s the team BetMGM is rooting for in the playoffs.
“Among the true contenders, OKC is the best result on the futures market,” BetMGM sports trader Anthony Parenti said.
“The sportsbook is in the enviable position of getting to cheer for the favorite to win it all.”
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Florida football is expected to make a quick turnaround under its new head coach, at least according to one national outlet.
CBS Sports included the Gators in its bold SEC predictions for the 2026 season this week, forecasting that head coach Jon Sumrall will lead the Orange and Blue to a bowl game in his first year on the job.
Marcello pointed to Sumrall's history of winning as the primary reason for optimism in Gainesville. The first-year Florida head coach has won at least nine games every season as a head coach and carries a combined 21-7 record in debut seasons at his previous stops. He is rebuilding a program for the third time in five years and has consistently shown the ability to get the best out of his roster, regardless of circumstances.
The piece also acknowledged the uncertainty at quarterback, noting the position battle between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. as the most obvious talking point for skeptics heading into the season. But Marcello pushed back on that narrative, suggesting that Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner actually thrive in situations where they are forced to build from the ground up.
Sumrall talked about the starting quarterback situation after the spring game on Saturday, saying, "Nothing’s decided yet. I do think sometimes we can make too much about the quarterback deal. It's like, hey, we've got to figure out who our O-line is, which tight ends can do what, which backs are certain types of runners. But the quarterbacks have done some good things."
Here is everything CBS Sports said about Florida football and why it can make a bowl game this season.
Gators go bowling
"Jon Sumrall will take Florida to a bowl game in his debut season. Honestly, this is the least-bold prediction on the list. Sumrall has won at least nine games every season, and he always gets the best out of his roster. He's rebuilding a third program in five years. He's a combined 21-7 in debut seasons.
"The critics will point to the underwhelming quarterback battle between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. to justify their lowered expectations, but Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner thrive when forced to build from the ground up."
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: CBS Sports has this bold prediction for Florida football in 2026
While the assumption was that merging WWE and the UFC under one umbrella would lead to even more growth for the two companies, more bits of evidence continue to emerge about the negative effect their parent company is having on their products.
There is a surprising amount of crossover between WWE and the UFC. Many of the fans for both brands watch both products. Several wrestlers tried their hand at mixed martial arts, and quite a few former UFC stars have made the jump to pro wrestling.
That is why when the two global giants merged in 2023 under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings and went public, it seemed like a perfect business match. However, while the companies are posting strong numbers again in 2026, there are also obvious signs that meddling from TKO and some of the strategies the parent company has tried to institute are hurting WWE and UFC’s potential.
Over the last couple of years, WWE fans have grown frustrated with TKO decision makers like CEO Ari Emanuel sticking their nose into the company’s creative process.
Emanuel has been supportive of board member Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s inconsistent and confusing appearances on WWE content in 2024 and 2025. He was reportedly behind Travis Scott being used in the lead-up to WrestleMania 41, then the rapper flaked out and never appeared again. And this year, he is allegedly the driving force for why Pat McAfee was thrust into the storyline for the Night 1 WrestleMania main event between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.
WrestleMania Saturday
— WrestleTix (@WrestleTix) April 11, 2026
Sat • Apr 18, 2026 • 3:30 PM
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Available Tickets: 3,850
Available Combo Tickets: 1,307
Current Setup: 45,767
Tickets Distributed: 40,610
📈 +1,265 since the last update (3 days ago)
📅 Days until show: 8
🔢 Total # of seats… pic.twitter.com/UvepGrZEUC
However, the biggest frustration since the merger for WWE is the price-gauging from the company for tickets and merchandise. That has very much been an initiative of TKO, and it is set to have a huge effect on the biggest event of the year.
There have been reports for weeks about the slow sales for this month’s WrestleMania 42 card. Well, with the event set to go down this weekend, it looks like it will significantly underperform last year’s show in the same building. According to X account Wrestle Tix, 40,610 tickets have been sold for Night 1 of the event in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, and 42,769 for Night 2. The arena is set up for 45,767 seats this year.
However, last year in the same building, 58,538 were sold for Night 1, and 60,103 for Night 2. It is a huge difference despite this year’s event having a better card. It seems that doing the event in Las Vegas for a second straight year was a terrible idea, and the cost makes it far less appealing for those in the region this time around.
Yet, WWE isn’t the only one affected by TKO’s negative influence. Fans of UFC have grown annoyed with how watered-down events have become as the promotion looks to have cards almost every weekend. Furthermore, the talent pool in the company has also diminished.
A major reason for the lack of star power in the UFC is the company’s shift away from pay-per-view to a $7.7 billion streaming deal with Paramount. Their business model for 20 years was built on PPVs and giving top fighters points off buys. With that no longer being an option, the company is unwilling to pay flat rates for elite stars.
It’s why Jon Jones isn’t going to return to the company. Conor McGregor still doesn’t have a fight set for 2026, and Ronda Rousey is making her MMA return on Netflix for Most Valuable Promotions instead of inside the Octagon.
UFC 327 was a complete disaster bc the product has been watered down.
— MMA Joey (@MMAJOEYC) April 13, 2026
Dana White only cares about saving money since they’re guaranteed 7.7 billion dollars from Paramount
1.UFC 299 — $14M
2.UFC 287 — $12M
3.UFC 314 — $11M+
4.UFC 327 — $6.5M
The gate is an embarrassment https://t.co/iOdtgcO7Hr
Well, it looks like the UFC’s weakened product due to the changes from the TKO merger has made fans in Florida lose interest in shelling out big bucks to go to an event in person. According to X account MMA Joey, the gate for last weekend’s UFC 327 at Miami’s Kaseya Center was $6.5 million.
The promotion reportedly earned over $11 million for UFC 314, $12 million for UFC 287, and $14 million for UFC 299 at the same venue. So the drop in return for UFC 327 this year was massive.
This week brought two more big pieces of evidence that TKO continues to be bad for WWE and the UFC.
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If it felt as though the transfer portal was off to a slow start, blame the stealth like approach Dennis Gates has taken each of the last two years. But the tremors of noise around Mizzou’s interest in Providence transfer wing Jamier Jones has been the one constant.
A report from On3 confirmed Jones will be a Tigers, and he became the second commitment the Tigers received out of the transfer portal, after scoring a pledge from Tennessee transfer forward Jaylen Carey last night.
BREAKING: Providence transfer forward Jamier Jones has signed with Missouri, @PeteNakos reports🐯https://t.co/0Ov6BewUMepic.twitter.com/NYZT07pv2s
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) April 14, 2026
Jones is a former 4-star recruit out of Sarasota, Florida, by way of high school in Orlando at Oak Ridge. In his lone season in college at Providence, he averaged 11.9 points per game, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Jones is on the market because Providence fired former Mizzou Tiger Kim English as its head coach following a 15-18 season.
Jones automatically becomes the most likely starter at either the wing or combo forward position, with Trent Pierce back. And his scoring consistency is something that should complement the scoring of Jason Crowe, Jr.
| %Min | ORtg | %Poss | %Shots | eFG% | ORB% | DRB% | Ast% | TOR% | FCp40 | FDp40 | FTRate | 2FG% | 3FG% | FT% |
| 59.0% | 114.1 | 21.2% | 19.7% | 59.5% | 5.9% | 13.1% | 9.6% | 17.6% | 3.6 | 4.8 | 55.3% | 66.4% | 38.7% | 66.4% |
Jones is known for being a bully driver, from 247sports.com’s Adam Finkelstein:
Jones is a powerful and rugged 6-foot-6 forward who can thrive with his overlap of physicality, athleticism, and basketball IQ when his motor is running at full throttle. He’s most efficient when he embraces that junkyard dog mentality. He plays with energy, runs the floor, and is a lob threat on offense Jones can elevate in traffic and is a physical driver who seeks out contact. He has an athletic live body on the glass. Jones shows some real signs of being a good cutter off the ball and flashes a passing instinct at times.
We will have a full scout on Jones in the coming days, there’s a bit of a tease Matt Harris worked up before leaving for vacation. But he has all the details, the good the bad and the in between. Jones is a forceful driver, and his three point volume is very low. Because of this the Tigers are likely still looking for a combo guard/wing type who can shoot it at volume.
Next up, Bryson Tiller anyone?
Gloucestershire have appointed former Bangladesh coach Shane Jurgensen as a bowling consultant.
The 49-year-old Australian has had two stints as bowling coach of New Zealand and has also been in charge of the Fijian national team.
After a year as bowling coach of Bangladesh, Jurgensen stepped in as interim head coach following Stuart Law's departure - leading the side to a 3-2 One Day International (ODI) series victory against the West Indies in 2012.
Two months later, Jurgensen became Bangladesh head coach on a full-time basis, and under his leadership the Tigers completed a 3-0 ODI series whitewash of New Zealand as well as securing a Test win against Zimbabwe, their first in four years. He resigned in April 2014.
He has now signed a deal with the County Championship Division Two's bottom club until the end of June, after they went down to an innings and 225 run defeat at the hands of Durham inside three days at the weekend.
"We're really pleased to have Shane Jurgensen with us for the next three months," Gloucestershire's director of cricket Jon Lewis told the club website.
"Shane is an outstanding fast-bowling coach with real leadership experience and qualities. He has worked with some of the best players in the world, and we hope he can impart that knowledge onto our playing group."
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira said he is unaware of any official offer for Neymar’s departure.
In an interview given this Tuesday (31), the executive stressed that the star still has a valid contract with the club and that the expectation is for the agreement to be fully honored, running through the end of 2026.
The statement comes amid speculation about the future of the No. 10, who is reportedly being targeted by FC Cincinnati of MLS.
Teixeira pointed out that, so far, no club or agent has presented formal offers to take the forward away from Vila Belmiro, reiterating confidence in the continuity of the project.
We have a project on the field and off the field, with the projects with NR. Naturally, Santos is currently doing work to help prepare Neymar to represent Brazil at the World Cup
Marcelo Teixeira, Santos president
In addition to denying the inquiries, the chairman explained details of the financial agreement with NR Sports, the player’s family company. Santos acknowledges a debt of R$ 90.5 million, a figure that has been discussed as part of a “successful partnership” between the parties.
To guarantee payment of that amount, the club offered the Meninos da Vila training center as legal collateral.
According to Teixeira, the measure is common practice in contracts of this magnitude and serves to provide mutual security for both the club and the player’s representatives.
The executive also pushed back against criticism of the agreement, calling it essential to Santos’ restructuring.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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I bet the Orlando Magic wish the “Back to the Future” ride was still running at Universal Studios.
That would be their best chance to reverse time and erase the embarrassment of last Sunday, while avoiding this road matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Orlando was the laughingstock of the league in the season finale. It botched a scheduling layup as 13-point favorites to a makeshift Boston squad and faceplanted to the No. 8 seed in the East.
Our Magic vs. 76ers predictions feel the pressure on Paolo Banchero to pick up the pieces in Philly and my NBA picks are taking Orlando's star to top his points prop.
Paolo Banchero was one of the best scorers in the NBA for most of March but seemed to hit a wall in the home stretch.
After tallying 105 points in a span of three games, his usage went from season rate of 27.8% to 24.9% over the final nine contest. Banchero averaged less than 18 points per game in that period and attempted less than 16 field goals in seven of those outings.
That dip in production did coincide with Franz Wagner’s return to the lineup, taking touches away from Banchero. However, we saw an aggressive approach in Sunday’s finale, with Paolo taking 22 shots – tying his second highest FGA mark of the season.
Banchero made just 7 of those 22 attempts, including whiffing on all five 3-pointers, yet was able to go 9 for 11 from the foul line and salvaged a 23-point performance in the loss.
Banchero took the blame for the flop in the finale, despite finishing with a triple-double in the loss. The versatile 6-foot-10 forward has a great opportunity to exploit Embiid’s absence against a smaller Philadelphia 76ers lineup.
Banchero’s two meetings with Philadelphia tell the story: With Embiid in, he finished with 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting and scored only two FTMs. Without him, Banchero hung 32 points (10 for 18) with 11 of those coming from the stripe.
Player projections for Wednesday sit between 23.3 and 25 points from Banchero. I’m leaning toward the high end of those forecasts, as Philadelphia doesn’t have anyone who can handle his combo of speed and size.
The Sixers are a tough challenge at home and even with Embiid out, this defense can still pack the paint due to the Orlando Magic’s awful 3-point shooting. Philadelphia is 19-8 SU as home chalk this season.
While Banchero headlines the Magic attack, Tyrese Maxey takes center stage for the 76ers. The kinetic guard is an inside-out threat, with projections calling for 3+ makes from beyond the arc. Maxey made three or more triples in two of his three matchups with Orlando this year.
Banchero stuffed the stat sheet Sunday and still fell short, taking responsibility for the Magic’s egg in the season finale. Projections are all very positive for the superstar, who should also do some damage on defense against a smaller 76ers lineup.
Play-In favorites of three points or less are 8-3 SU and ATS since the league introduced the current tournament format in 2021. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. 76ers.
| Location | Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA |
| Date | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video |
Not intended for use in MA.
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Javier Mascherano has unexpectedly stepped down as head coach of Inter Miami, a mere four months after guiding Lionel Messi’s team to MLS Cup glory.
The team confirmed that Mascherano, who previously played alongside Messi at Barcelona and for the Argentine national team before their reunion in Miami, is departing due to personal reasons.
In a statement released by the club, Mascherano expressed his gratitude: "I would like to thank the club for the trust they placed in me, every employee who is part of the organization for the collective effort, but especially the players, who made it possible for us to experience unforgettable moments."
This surprising announcement comes less than two weeks after Inter Miami opened its new stadium near Miami International Airport.
The club has drawn both of its initial two fixtures played at the new venue.
Mascherano took charge of 67 Inter Miami matches in total after joining the club at the start of 2025.
He won 38 games, as well as coaching his team to 15 draws and 14 losses.
Inter Miami are now looking for a new head coach after a mixed start to the 2026 season.
They have collected 12 points from their opening seven matches to sit third in the Eastern Conference table, but they have been held to three draws already this season.
The team’s star player, Messi, has been in sparkling form, though, scoring six goals in eight matches across all competitions.
The 38-year-old is still yet to confirm whether he will play in this summer’s World Cup that is due to be hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Argentina are the defending champions after winning a thrilling final in Qatar four years ago when they beat France in a penalty shootout.
The match had finished 3-3 after extra time, with Messi scoring twice for Argentina and Kylian Mbappe netting a hat-trick for France.
Floyd Mayweather given 24-hour ultimatum to rescue boxing comeback
Floyd Mayweather has been given 24 hours to save his money-spinning return to boxing.
The 50-0 ring legend hasn’t fought professionally since stopping UFC superstar Conor McGregor in August 2017.
Since then, Floyd Mayweather has made money by facing the likes of Logan Paul in exhibition bouts.
Back in 2015, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao faced off in what became the highest-grossing fight in boxing history.
This past February, news broke that the two would meet again, this time under the Netflix banner.
The rematch is set for September 19 at the Las Vegas Sphere, but there’s already uncertainty surrounding the event after Mayweather described it as an exhibition rather than a professional bout.
Pacquiao has since given Mayweather a 24-hour deadline to clarify the situation.
Speaking to Inside the Ring, Pacquiao said: “That’s not what we signed.”
“We signed a real fight. He’s got his event, he’s announcing this exhibition, blah, blah, blah.
“I think he’s scared of losing because that’s his leverage to go around and have exhibitions. If that record was ruined, what else can he leverage?
The CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, Jas Mathur added: “All I can say is we are making headway on it, there is a contract in place, and I think better sense will prevail here. I hope it will.”
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With the NFL Draft kicking off next week, teams and players are hard at work getting their meetings and workouts in as they round out their due diligence for the draft. While Michigan State football doesn't have anyone expected to go in the first round this year, they do have a handful of players who will, at the very least, find a landing spot at the next level in some capacity.
One of those players is Malik Spencer, the veteran safety who started for three seasons at MSU and had 52 tackles, five pass breakups, and two sacks last season for the Spartans. According to Jordan Schultz, Spencer met with the New England Patriots this week for a 30-visit.
30-visits are a mechanism for NFL teams to invite 30 players to their facility as part of the pre-draft process to engage in workouts and interviews. They are usually reserved for late-draft or undrafted free agent targets for the teams.
Source: Michigan State S Malik Spencer concluded a 30-visit with the #Patriots.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 14, 2026
A projected Day 3 pick, Spencer — a three-year starter — had 52 tackles, 5 PBUs and 2 sacks last season for the Spartans. pic.twitter.com/o09GafUxMd
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Malik Spencer visits with New England Patriots before NFL Draft
Manchester United have reportedly decided to appeal against Lisandro Martinez’s red card against Leeds United.
The Argentine was controversially sent off in the second half of Monday’s home encounter for tugging on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
The referee missed the incident and VAR sent him to the pitchside monitor. Following a review, the official decided to dismiss Martinez.
Manager Michael Carrick was unhappy with the red card, describing it as ‘absolutely shocking’.
Carrick also hinted after the match that United would appeal the decision.
The Telegraph report the club have now reached that conclusion.
Martinez’s red card means he will miss the next three fixtures against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool.
Harry Maguire is also at risk of missing Saturday’s home game against the Blues after being hit with an FA charge alleging improper conduct.
United have seen a revival under Carrick, who made an immediate impact after taking over as interim head coach.
The English boss has led the Red Devils to seven wins from 11 Premier League matches.
They are on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League, as they sit third in the standings with six games remaining.
But recent results have been less encouraging for the Old Trafford supporters.
United suffered a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth last month before falling to a shocking 2-1 defeat at home to Leeds on Monday.
Martinez’s dismissal was a blow, but the reason they lost was their awful first-half display when they conceded twice.
The NBA playoffs are finally here! Though the play-in tournament results will determine the final draft lottery odds, we’ve got a pretty good idea about how things will fall. Last mock, I played out the scenario in which Darryn Peterson tumbled out of the top three due to medical concerns. Today, we're doing the opposite now that the order is mostly set with a clean board and standard order. Let’s get to it with both the first and second rounds.
Congratulations to the Wizards for their hard work tanking their way to only 17 wins, ending the year on a high note with a 10-game losing streak! At worst, the Wizards can end up with the fifth pick. But we’ll save that nightmare scenario for a future mock. For now, the Wizards stick with the first pick and land Dybantsa, who led the nation in scoring as a freshman by averaging 25.5 points for a top-25 team. At 6-foot-9, players his size are not supposed to move with the herky-jerky elasticity that Dybantsa does. He can dunk over defenders. He can stop on a dime and fade away from midrange. And he can catch fire from behind the line too. BYU head coach Kevin Young said Dybantsa’s scoring talent is “in rare air with some of the greats.” Over the course of his freshman year, he began to make dramatic progress as a passer, too, as shown with his cross-court, bull’s-eye passes to find shooters.
If the Wizards land him with the top pick, they could be getting the face of the franchise they need to headline a young roster with some appealing talents, such as center Alex Sarr, wing Kyshawn George, and guard Tre Johnson. And perhaps Trae Young and Anthony Davis could return next season and help Dybantsa win as a rookie.
Tyrese Haliburton told Pacers fans not to get used to no games being played in April, May and June. Odds are, he’s right. Indiana has a lot of talent on the roster, and as long as Haliburton can return to his All-NBA level, whomever gets picked will be the cherry on top. With Dybantsa off the board, the Pacers could take a look at Cam Boozer with this pick — that’s who I had in my last mock — but would Indiana become too big with Ivica Zubac, Pascal Siakam and Boozer? Is there enough perimeter defense with that group? Maybe Boozer would be more of a successor to Siakam.
But if there's one thing the Pacers are definitely missing, it's some scoring juice. Andrew Nembhard is very talented, but he doesn't have star upside. Neither do young investments like Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard, Kam Jones, Jarace Walker and Johnny Furphy. That’s why Peterson would make total sense. The shot-making is real. He can pull up from anywhere and get to his spots. Plus he is 6-6 and plays with a fluidity that just screams superstar. Not to mention he’s a defensive playmaker with the tools to guard multiple positions and the approach to impact the game even if he’s not scoring.
Between the cramping saga, the missed time, the lack of apparent athletic pop and the stretches where he played heavy minutes but struggled to produce offensively, there’s a lot to be concerned about. But the pre-draft period could answer many questions. And for the Pacers, he could be worth the swing anyway. Because if he’s a hit, Haliburton-Peterson would have the upside to be the NBA’s best backcourt for the next decade.
The Nets need a leader. Boozer fits the bill. He’s a do-it-all offensive talent who can post up, run pick-and-rolls, set screens, spot up and crash the boards. He doesn’t need to rely on bully ball to make an impact as a scorer or passer. Defensively, some of the questions about him popped up in Duke’s heartbreaking Elite 8 loss to UConn: He wasn’t big enough to defend Tarris Reed, and he got smoked by Alex Karaban on a key 3-pointer on the perimeter. But he plays hard and has improved at every weakness in his game so far. That approach is exactly the type of player Brooklyn needs.
Between Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler, the Jazz already have a lot of bigs. But adding arguably the most gifted athlete in the draft class in Wilson would add a player with star upside to the mix. He's 6-10 with springs for legs, and when he's flying above the rim, finishing through contact and chasing down everything in his area code, he looks like a future cornerstone.
But the case against Wilson is pretty clear too. Despite all his positives, he hasn’t shown consistency as a shooter at any level. Then a broken left hand in February and a fractured right thumb in March ended his season before he could prove himself on the biggest stage. There are plenty of guards who should intrigue the Jazz too — especially Illinois’ Keaton Wagler — that could fit alongside Keyonte George for years to come. But for this mock, let’s pretend Utah builds a jumbo team.
The Kings need an engine. Someone who can put butts in seats again. That player could be Acuff, who entered college with a scoring reputation, but has emerged as a skilled, low-turnover playmaker who also displayed leadership qualities. Still, getting buckets is what he does best. He is a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle, and a feel for manipulating defenses. He can thrive off-ball, too, as a shooter and cutter, giving him the flexibility to play with and without the ball.
Even though he has his defensive shortcomings, he looks like a future All-Star who can toggle between a score-first or pass-first approach. There are “safer” picks on the board, but Acuff offers a sky-high ceiling that Sacramento needs.
After staying stagnant most of the year with the eighth-best odds, Dallas and New Orleans picked up some late wins to help the Grizzlies slip into the sixth spot, which comes with 3% better odds at the first pick and 11% better odds at the top four. This difference better positions the Grizzlies to find their replacement for Ja Morant. And the answer could be Wagler, who was never expected to be a one-and-done, and yet he led Illinois all the way to the Final Four. And in the loss to UConn, he ultimately felt like their only hope for any shot creation.
Wagler isn’t an elite vertical athlete, as evidenced by his zero dunks on the year. But he is 6-6 with a long wingspan, has elite footwork, can decelerate on drives and has an excellent feel for the game. He could be a perfect fit for head coach Tuomas Iisalo’s pick-and-roll offense. There’s a chance Wagler goes much higher than this, but if he lands with Memphis, he could grow alongside a center like Zach Edey, a wing like Cedric Coward and a long list of young talents still under 25 years old.
It really is quite sad that the Pelicans couldn’t dig their way out of the NBA's garbage can division. But good for the Hawks. They’ve been one of the best teams in basketball for months. And now they have a 9.8% chance of ending up with the top pick, thanks to the Pelicans/Bucks pick swap. If they stay put in this range, drafting a guard could make sense. CJ McCollum is 34, but his versatile style playing with and without the ball fits perfectly in the Atlanta backcourt. Someone who could grow into that role is Brown.
When Brown is in the zone, he has an unstoppable pull-up jumper, shows an ambidextrous finishing ability and makes quick reads to rifle passes before the defense has time to react. He had a 45-point breakout performance in February, but a back injury dogged him throughout his freshman year. If Brown had stayed healthy, he might be going much higher. And maybe he’ll play his way into that through pre-draft workouts. But for now, the absences muddy the evaluation and leave real questions about his consistency that may not get answered until he’s fully healthy.
Beating the Blazers, Lakers and Bulls over the last nine games of the season has to sting, at least if you’re a Mavericks fan who was rooting for better lottery odds. Maybe falling from sixth to eighth will work out though. It only took the 11th-best odds to grab Cooper Flagg one year ago. And even in this slot, the Mavericks could find their point guard of the future. And why not stay in Texas?
Flemings entered the season as the least-heralded of Houston's stacked freshman class, but he played his way into the top-10 conversation while his higher-ranked teammates played their way out of it. He’s a 6-4 ball-handler who can get to his spots, make advanced passes and limit turnovers in a way that resembles a veteran guard. If he lands with Dallas, it’s hard to imagine a better situation. Kyrie Irving could serve as a mentor, and Flemings could grow alongside a future MVP candidate in Flagg.
Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley got fired. But what really changes? The team felt no different under them than it did with Gar Forman and John Paxson leading the front office. The common denominator: The Reinsdorf family is still in charge. But maybe they just need to hire the right guy. And maybe the right guy can fix this middling organization. And every good team in the NBA has a reliable center. The Bulls don’t. That’s why Mara could fit after he helped lead Michigan to a national championship, raising his draft stock in the process.
Mara reads the floor like a guard, finishes with both hands and swats shots with elite timing. The sequences that Mara could have with skilled passers like Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis could be breathtaking. The complication is he doesn't shoot well from outside, he makes below 60% of his free throws, and opponents are going to attack him on the perimeter. But size matters.
It would be on brand for Bucks general manager Jon Horst to take a raw prospect with theoretically high upside. Sometimes that player turns into Giannis Antetokounmpo. Other times he turns into Thon Maker. But the logic is the same with Ament, who severely struggled at finishing due to his undeveloped frame and didn’t shoot 3s as well as anticipated after entering the college year with the hopes if turning this draft class into a Big Four.
Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble and stand 6-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March. But the Bucks, no matter what happens with Giannis, may want to take a huge swing.
Lopez is a forward out of Mexico who spent two seasons in the NBL's Next Stars program, averaging nearly 12 points and six rebounds. He's a smart cutter who finds scoring lanes within the flow of the offense, a solid shooter, and a versatile defender. That two-way versatility would work well with the Warriors, who need to replenish the roster with some upside.
Draymond Green could actually be quite a good mentor for Lopez, given they’re both hard-nosed players who make a winning effort at all times on the court. But the Warriors may not even end up with a lottery pick if they win their way out of the play-in. I know what I’d rather have if I’m a Warriors fan though: Give me the lottery odds.
The Clippers face off against the Warriors in Wednesday night’s play-in game. I just can’t imagine the reaction if they actually lose, because whoever does will end up with the 11th-best odds. The same spot that Dallas had moving up to the top pick last year. Can you imagine?
Well, if this Clippers pick stays put here, there’s still plenty of talent available for the Thunder. Lendeborg comes to mind, and there’s a chance he goes even higher than this despite the fact he’ll be 24 as a rookie. The heart he showed playing through injury to help lead Michigan to a national championship cannot be understated. And despite his age, he offers do-it-all upside. He fills the stat sheet with points, boards and everything else, he can play multiple positions, and he has a 7-foot-4 wingspan at 240 pounds with a genuine handle.
Lendeborg got better every year as a shooter in college and ended up making 37.2% of his 3-pointers on 4.5 per game as a senior. The Thunder have actually fallen to the middle of the pack in 3-point shooting, so adding a knockdown guy who can play right away on a rookie-scale contract could add additional value.
Erik Spoelstra just doesn’t have any trust in Kel’el Ware. Even if things work out, it wouldn’t hurt making another investment in the frontcourt with the type of player that has all the qualities that Spo admires. Steinbach played professionally in Germany before enrolling at Washington, and he’ll enter the NBA with some ready-made skills as an interior scorer and rebounder. He has massive hands that he uses to grab every possible rebound and finish effectively around the basket.
He also showed legitimate touch on 3-pointers in flashes, which would turn him into a very different player if it becomes real. Given how successful the Heat were at helping Bam Adebayo develop his 3-pointer, Steinbach could see the same trajectory in Miami. Additionally, Steinbach probably needs a Bam type next to him in the frontcourt since he’s a bit of a modern tweener himself. Steinbach is not a true 7-footer, and there are specific matchups where he gets targeted in space. He needs to be the right kind of center for the right team. That could be Miami.
Burries struggled in Arizona’s final NCAA tournament games against Purdue and Michigan, but he looked like a star against Arkansas. With Arizona up 13 with only 3:20 to go in the Elite 8, Burries dove head first for a loose ball, grabbed it, then flipped it to his teammate for an open layup. Some players would’ve relaxed with the big lead, but Burries stays pedal to the metal. Hustle plays like that, and the flashes of stardom as a shot creator, helped him earn his spot as a potential lottery pick.
He plays with physicality and can beat you from all three levels. He's a methodical creator rather than an explosive one, but that could work in Charlotte with LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel already absorbing so many touches. It would allow Burries to slide in as a Swiss Army Knife in the backcourt that fills different needs depending on what the matchup demands.
This pick will belong to the Blazers if they lose in the play-in. So all Bulls fans should be rooting hard for Portland to win on Tuesday (then Friday). After selecting a center in Mara with their first pick, let’s go with a shooter here. Mullins hit one of the greatest buzzer-beaters in college basketball history to send Connecticut to the Final Four, and he hit a ton of big-time shots off movement actions against stout defense by Illinois and Michigan, too.
Mullins shot only 33.5% on the season, but he’s a way better shooter than the number indicates. And though he needs others to generate looks at this stage of his career, he’s more than just a specialist with his nose for the ball and his defensive IQ, which led to so many little gritty moments that helped UConn stay competitive all the way to the final buzzer.
OH MY GOODNESS 😱
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026
UCONN LEADSSSS UNBELIEVABLE #MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/IPX2JWiw0b
Swain would be another upside play for Memphis. He played two competent seasons at Xavier, transferred to Texas, and somehow became the most efficient isolation scorer in the entire country. He's relentless getting to the rim, creative as a finisher and active enough defensively to project as a switchable wing.
But the reason he lives at the rim is because his jump shot is genuinely ugly. He has stiff mechanics, bad percentages and a reluctance to even attempt it that goes all the way back to high school. Until his shooting becomes a credible threat, defenses are going to pack the paint and dare him to beat them from the outside. With Coward, Wagler and tons of other shooters on the roster, there’d be plenty of space for Swain to operate inside the arc, though, providing a balance with his downhill attacking.
Florida won the national title one year ago, and Haugh was the guy doing all the work by diving on the floor, taking charges, screening hard, cutting through traffic and running the break. Then this season he did all of that on top of becoming the team's offensive engine. But Florida wasn’t as dominant and flamed out in the Sweet 16 for a reason.
Haugh hasn’t proven he can drive left or shoot off the dribble at any meaningful clip, and even the spot-up jumper is still a work in progress. Haugh’s work ethic is elite, though, which is exactly what the Hornets would be betting on and would fit the spirit of so many of their picks from last year too.
Philon is a shifty, score-first point guard who turned into one of the best guards in college basketball as a sophomore. He doubled his scoring output with buttery floaters, a deceptive handle and a feel for running an offense, while also beginning to shore up the shooting questions that once clouded his projection.
There probably wouldn’t be a better place for him to learn slowly than Oklahoma City, because he still needs time in the weight room after playing last season at only 180 pounds. With Cason Wallace's deal up after next season, and Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, Nikola Topić and Isaiah Joe the following year, some minutes could open soon.
Stirtz feels the game at a different frequency than everyone else on the floor, and yet still makes scouts squint because he doesn't look the part athletically. At age 24 for a rookie, he’s also on the older end. The question isn't whether he can play though.
After transferring from Drake to Iowa, he kept cooking with bull’s-eye passes, pump-fakes and shooting touch off the dribble from NBA range. The odds are that’ll carry over to the next level, especially if he lands on a team like the Raptors that can surround him with size, length and versatility. And Toronto needs another engine to the offense; if Stirtz adjusts to the physicality and speed of the NBA, he could thrive as both a floor general or off-ball connector.
The Spurs could go so many different directions with this pick. That’s the benefit of having Victor Wembanyama as the centerpiece. With plenty of downhill attacking, thanks to their point guard trio, adding another role player to help someday succeed Harrison Barnes could be a wise move.
Carr shot nearly 40% from 3 on high volume, and looked like a 3-and-D role player who also has tantalizing skills off the dribble. With NBA genes in his blood as the son of former player Chris Carr, Cameron has the skills to make it. But at 175 pounds with not a ton of games under his belt, he's going to get introduced to the NBA's physicality in a way that might limit his ability to get to his spots as a scorer. So he’ll need patience, and fortunately the Spurs are deep enough that they can provide it.
Evans is a legitimate sharpshooter with the off-ball chops to thrive without even running any offense for himself, which is a perfect fit in Detroit, where Cade Cunningham needs live targets in the corners. The Pistons were 29th in 3-point attempts and 17th in 3-point percentage this season, so more shooters like Evans are needed who can spot up and run around screens. As a sophomore, Evans made great progress on-ball as well, so in the long term he could have higher upside as a shot-creator.
Good grief. Could this season have ended any more horribly for the Sixers? Joel Embiid returns from injury, plays five games, dominates more than he has all season. And then he gets sidelined because of ... an appendectomy. The odds are he’ll be out for the play-in tournament, but if the Sixers escape and end up in the playoffs there's a chance he returns. Still, the Sixers would be wise to target a big who can back up Embiid.
Krivas is a 7-2 Lithuanian center who does the old-school things by rebounding, protecting the rim and scoring in the post. But he also brings a modern flair with his ability to make good reads as a passer and the flashes he shows as a shooter. Krivas could anchor bench units when Embiid is healthy, and potentially play a bigger role when he’s not. No matter what happens with Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are both young pieces who need a big man to support them. Krivas has all the tools needed.
If Cenac gets feedback that he’ll be a late first-round pick, he very well might just go back to Houston for his sophomore year. There’s a reason why he might end up in this range though. He checks every box on paper as a superb athlete who moves like a wing, has the length to alter shots and has a habit for shooting from the perimeter. But the Cougars fell short again, in part because Cenac struggled to stay out of foul trouble, couldn’t score efficiently and was overeager to play on the perimeter despite having the body of a bruiser. If the Hawks draft him, he’s more of a developmental project. But there’s no harm in taking a swing when the roster has roles already occupied, especially after grabbing a guard in Brown in the lottery.
The Lakers are finding out how good Deandre Ayton can look when he’s hustling. But there’s no guarantee it’ll be sustained, and they need a better long-term answer anyway. Ngongba does the dirty work without complaining about it: set screens, run the floor, make the right read, protect the rim, and do it all again the next play and the one after that. Ngongba did it as the backbone of one of the best teams in the country before a foot issue derailed the end of his season, which played a factor in Duke’s inability to reach the Final Four. He had two screws placed in his right foot during high school, then had lingering issues in his left foot as a freshman before his right foot became an issue again as a sophomore. Those injuries are why Ngongba could be available at the end of the first round.
Karaban sprinted off a curl, caught the ball while moving away from the basket, turned, and then fired a massive 3-pointer in the closing minute of UConn’s epic comeback over Duke in the Elite 8. The moment is emblematic of his shooting ability, which would be a positive addition to the Knicks. Karaban will be 24 as a rookie, but he’s just a winner. He cuts. He passes. He’s a high-IQ defender who’s always in the right position. He doesn’t create his own shots, but the Knicks have plenty of guys who can do that. What Karaban would add is winning intangibles to a team trying to take the next step.
Peat's bloodline is so loaded with offensive linemen that it's almost funny he ended up playing basketball. His father played nine NFL seasons. His uncle was a Pro Bowl tackle. Two brothers played college ball on the line. And you can absolutely see it in how he plays: powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. But he also shoots like a football player, taking only 20 shots from 3 and making just 62.3% of his free throws.
Scouts question how well he’ll fit in the NBA. But the Nuggets have a way of making everyone fit with Nikola Jokić. And with Peyton Watson entering free agency this summer, the Nuggets may need to fortify the forward spot. The Nuggets can afford to be patient, deciding to bet on his development, with the hopes that he someday becomes a reliable shooter. Just like Watson.
Michigan is filled with so much star power that Johnson is the guy who often gets overlooked nationally. He’s a 250-pound wrecking ball with surprisingly soft hands and the defensive IQ to guard 1 through 5 in a switch-heavy scheme. And he makes constant plays beyond the box score with bone-crushing screens, full-court sprints and high-IQ rotations that blow up the opponent’s action. The Celtics have targeted team-first guys like Johnson in recent years, so he’d fit the profile here after proving himself as the connective tissue of the best team in the country. He isn’t quite big enough to be a true center and not yet proven enough as a shooter to guarantee he spaces the floor. But the Celtics can be patient and are proving to have a strong developmental program to help resolve any concerns.
Anderson showed up at Texas Tech as the 101st-ranked recruit and has played his way into the first round behind dynamic pick-and-roll creation and knockdown perimeter shooting. Mike Conley isn’t getting any younger in Minnesota, Rob Dillingham is gone, and Bones Hyland is no guarantee to stay next season. That’s where Anderson could help right away with his ability to thrive with and without the ball. At his small stature, he hasn’t shown a consistent ability to get to the rim with any regularity, though, and he struggled to create his own shot when Texas Tech lost in the tournament. Any small guard will always be a target on defense, too, so there’s a lot of pressure on his shot translating to the next level. But at least he’d have long-armed wings and bigs around him as support in Minnesota.
Quaintance is going to get drafted based almost entirely on what he looked like before his knee exploded. As a freshman at Arizona State, he was blocking everything in sight, showing defensive instincts and mobility that players with his 6-10 frame aren't supposed to have, and he was 17 years old doing it. Then came the ACL, the meniscus, the fractured knee, the transfer to Kentucky, persistent swelling, and a shutdown for the remainder of his sophomore season. Now teams have to make a decision after 28 games of great defense and eyesore offense. He might not fall this far. But if he does, it’d make perfect sense for the Cavaliers to scoop him up since he could operate as a backup to Jarrett Allen and as a small-ball center next to Evan Mobley.
After landing Flemings in the lottery as their point guard of the future, the Mavericks can use this pick to double down on the backcourt with a different kind of bet. Okorie spent his freshman year at Stanford proving he belonged in the first-round conversation. He's a live-wire guard with a tight handle, the burst to turn the corner, and the pull-up range to keep defenders honest. Where Flemings is the steady, low-turnover table-setter, Okorie is the shot-maker who can come off the bench and generate offense when the starters need a breather.
He can fall in love with the step-back and settle for tough shots, but that was partially his role at Stanford and he flashed enough playmaking to suggest he could become a lead guard too. At 6-2 with an average wingspan, he's going to get hunted on defense, and that's the kind of thing that could scare teams off in the lottery. But at the end of the first round, it starts to look like a bargain. With Kyrie aging, pairing Flemings and Okorie gives Dallas two young guards to bet on, and hope that one or both of them end up as Flagg’s co-star for years to come.
31. New York Knicks: Alex Condon, Florida junior big
Condon is a high-octane Aussie big with a relentless motor, versatile defense and the playmaking pizzazz for no-look dimes. With Mitchell Robinson entering free agency this summer, the Knicks may need another big.
32. Memphis Grizzlies: Juke Harris, Wake Forest sophomore wing
Harris reportedly has some lucrative NIL offers to stay in college, meaning he may not even end up in this draft class after averaging 21.4 points last season as a highly versatile shooter with a 6-foot-7 frame. But if he does stay, he’d make perfect sense as another investment in Memphis’ backcourt.
33. Brooklyn Nets: Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt sophomore guard
Tanner can probably make himself a lot more money if he stays in school. But as a high-flying, sweet-stroking small guard he finds himself still in the late first-round conversation, and the early second at worst.
34. Sacramento Kings: Amari Allen, Alabama freshman forward
As a 6-7 wing, Allen does a little bit of everything without needing touches, rebounds like a big and displays incredible defensive versatility. The concern is purely about his upside, since he hasn’t shown many star flashes.
35. San Antonio Spurs: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas freshman guard
It’s not like the Spurs need another guard. But how could you pass up Thomas at this point? He's a talented shotmaker who can provide microwave offense. And he’s an active defender too.
36. Los Angeles Clippers: Henri Veesaar, North Carolina junior big
Veesaar is an agile big with real shooting touch, connective playmaking, and baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs. He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. Brook Lopez won’t start forever, so the Clippers need to make more investments in the future.
37. Oklahoma City Thunder: Dame Sarr, Duke freshman wing
Sarr is exactly the type of player who will probably return to school. But for now, we’ll keep him in the mock. The Thunder could stash him, only to see Sarr turn into the new Lu Dort three years from now.
38. Chicago Bulls: Sergio De Larrea, Valencia guard
De Larrea is a tall playmaking guard with a major feel and a knockdown jumper who thrives within team concepts. With size, smarts and defensive versatility, he could carve out a rotation role if his limited sample proves scalable.
39. Houston Rockets: Tarris Reed, UConn senior center
Reed is an interior bruiser, rebounder and shot-blocker. Steven Adams is getting old and injury prone. Reed is an investment in a future without him.
40. Boston Celtics: Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor freshman wing
Yessoufou entered Baylor as a projected lottery pick with freakish athleticism, a relentless motor and the kind of physicality that makes scouts dream. But Baylor missed the tournament, he’s still a shaky shooter, and he needs to improve his passing feel. There would be no better culture to learn in than the Celtics’.
41. Miami Heat: Allen Graves, Santa Clara freshman forward
The analytics love Graves. He came off the bench and scored only 11.8 points, but he filled the stat sheet, hit over 40% of his 3s, and could find himself in the first round if he decides not to stay in college.
42. San Antonio Spurs: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State senior forward
Jefferson can pass out of the post, make connective reads and guard multiple positions. He just needs his shooting progress to prove to be real, and right now there's not enough of a sample to be sure it is. The Spurs can help him there.
43. Brooklyn Nets: Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s senior big
Ejiofor brings an edge to the floor that could help instill a winning culture in Brooklyn, especially as a partner next to Boozer for years to come.
44. San Antonio Spurs: Luigi Suigo, Mega center
It’s hard to imagine the Spurs would keep all of these picks. But if they do, there’d have to be at least one stash in there. Why not a 7-2 mammoth who displays mobility and hits some 3s? You never know what those guys can turn into.
45. Sacramento Kings: Alijah Arenas, USC freshman guard
Arenas would be better served returning to school to improve his draft stock. But staying in California to hone his scoring talents at the professional level could have appeal too.
46. Phoenix Suns: Keyshawn Hall, Auburn senior forward
Hall became a do-it-all weapon for Auburn, and in the NBA his 6-7 frame and reliable stroke from 3 give him 3-and-D potential. He’d fit like a glove in the Phoenix rotation.
47. Dallas Mavericks: Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State junior forward
At 6-8, Momcilovic made 48.7% of his 7.5 3-pointers per game. That's all you gotta know about what he's capable of as a shooter.
48. Orlando Magic: Joseph Tugler, Houston junior forward
Tugler is a defensive force with freaky length and an insatiable motor that lets him guard anyone. The Magic need a tone-setter like him.
49. Toronto Raptors: Ryan Conwell, Louisville senior guard
Conwell has shotmaking skill as a high-volume shooting guard, which could eventually earn him some minutes in Toronto’s rotation.
50. Denver Nuggets: Milos Uzan, Houston senior guard
Uzan is a high-IQ combo guard who knits teams together with his playmaking skills and defensive hustle. The Nuggets tend to value guys in that mold.
51. Washington Wizards: Michael Ružić, Joventut forward
Ružić is a raw Croatian forward who was born in France and now plays in Spain. He projects as a quality shooter with passing feel, though he’s incredibly raw.
52. Houston Rockets: Braden Smith, Purdue senior point guard
Smith was one of the best point guards in college basketball, but he projects as a rotation guy in the NBA. The Rockets could potentially use his creation off the bench.
53. Los Angeles Clippers: Jaden Bradley, Arizona senior guard
Arizona looked hopeless any time Bradley wasn't on the floor. He's a stabilizing guard, he hits big shots, and he makes plays on defense. He might be a senior, but he has the tools to get drafted.
54. Golden State Warriors: Trevon Brazile, Arkansas senior forward
Brazile once had some believers that he could end up a first-round pick in the NBA before injuries set him back. But as a senior, he finally looked like the bouncy, versatile forward that put him back on draft boards.
55. New York Knicks: Mouhamed Faye, Paris center
Faye would be another big man for the Knicks, but he’d likely be a draft-and-stash to develop overseas.
56. Chicago Bulls: Baba Miller, Cincinnati senior forward
Miller has long been a fascination of scouts as a 6-11 guy who can handle the ball. But he never really put it together as a shooter. Maybe the Bulls could have better luck than any of the three schools he went to.
57. Atlanta Hawks: Dash Daniels, Melbourne guard
Hey, why not draft Dyson’s brother? Dash can’t really dribble right now but, much like his brother, he’s a fantastic defender. He could be worth the investment for Atlanta.
58. New Orleans Pelicans: Rueben Chinyelu, Florida junior big
Chinyelu is an elite rebounder and rim protector. It might be important to pair Derik Queen with a guy like that for the long term.
59. Minnesota Timberwolves: Richie Saunders, BYU senior wing
Saunders is a hard-nosed, two-way wing who plays with manic energy and a quick trigger jumper. But he tore his ACL and is already 25 years old.
60. Washington Wizards: JT Toppin, Texas Tech junior forward
Toppin is a defensive stalwart with elite athleticism, quick hands, and the motor of someone who genuinely cannot stop competing. The issue is he’s limited offensively and tore his ACL, which puts him in a tough spot of deciding whether to stay another year in school or go recover in the NBA.
A new list from On3 lists the top projected 'Breakout Players' for 2026. The No. 1 name on the list? New Texas football wide receiver Cam Coleman, who transferred to UT from Auburn.
Coleman was one of the top names in this year's NCAA Transfer Portal, and with good reason. Coleman has been the Tigers primary playmaker for two season with 93 receptions for 1,306 yards, 13 touchdowns and stellar 14 yards per catch. In 2025, Coleman had 56 grabs for 708 yards, five touchdowns and averaged 12.6 yards per catch.
Is Coleman too big already to be a breakout star? Ari Wasserman of One3 says his ranking is about becoming a household name. As he says, players "who have a chance to break out as stars recognized from coast to coast during the 2026 season."
NEW: College Football Players with Breakout Potential in 2026⭐️
— On3 (@On3) April 14, 2026
(via @AriWasserman)https://t.co/JMfMcyYJg9pic.twitter.com/TmLiRHgrcx
While Coleman is good, he's not a household name yet. That should change now that he's a Longhorn.
"Last season at Auburn, Coleman had 56 receptions for 708 yards and five touchdowns. He’s a semi-established player, but was certainly hurt by inconsistent quarterback play while he was a Tiger. What most of the country doesn’t realize is that the former five-star prospect has the athletic profile of an NFL Draft first-round pick and has yet to reach his ceiling. Now he’s teaming up with Manning at Texas behind a wizard of an offensive play-caller in Steve Sarkisian. He has the potential to go to the moon in the fall." - Ari Wasserman of On3
Trevor Goosby also made the list. While the offensive line struggled in 2025, Goosby didn't. The lineman holds down a key position in protecting Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
"What stands out about Texas’ 2025 season? It’s the offensive line struggles. But guess who didn’t struggle? Goosby. The 6-foot-7, 312-pounder was a former three-star prospect from Melissa (Texas) High in the 2023 class, and his development is likely part of why the Longhorns weren’t as aggressive as they needed to be in the portal for offensive linemen last offseason. When it comes to Texas, it’s easy to fall in love with Manning, Coleman and Colin Simmons, but having a stud tackle will be make-or-break for the Longhorns in 2026. Goosby could be that guy." - Ari Wasserman of On3
Both Coleman and Goosby will be key if Texas is to go on an win that coveted national championship.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: New projection of 2026 'Breakout Players topped by two Texas Longhorns
Down to No. 4 in this week’s D1 Baseball poll after two losses to the rival Texas A&M Aggies, the Texas Longhorns (27-7) are back at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Tuesday looking to continue to team’s two-game midweek winning streak with a matchup against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (16-20).
Ranked No. 178 in the RPI, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is finishing up a six-game road trip. Longtime head coach Scott Malone and his team have faced some common opponents with Texas, suffering midweek losses to Texas A&M and UTSA, dropping a home conference series to Lamar, and winning a road conference series against UTRGV.
TAMU-CC only bats .260 as a team and doesn’t feature much power with second baseman Cade Sanchez leading the team with a .366 batting average. The team leader in home runs, right fielder Isaiah Afework, only has five on the season. The pitching staff for the Islanders does hold opponents to a .266 batting average, but has a 6.21 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, Texas hasn’t officially announced the starter against TAMU-CC, but a social media post features freshman right-hander Michael Winter.
“I really want to get Michael Winter going,” Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle said on Monday.
The 6’5, 240-pounder made his return to the mound during Saturday’s loss to Texas A&M after missing a month due to illness. The longest outing by Winter was his final appearance before getting sick, throwing 32 pitches and striking out three batters in 2.1 scoreless innings against USC Upstate. On the season, Winter is 1-0 in six appearances and has yet to allow a run in 7.2 innings, striking out nine.
Junior left-hander Kade Bing has also moved into the midweek pitching rotation over the last month, allowing one run over three innings in the win against Texas State and getting the start last week against Incarnate Word, allowing three runs, one earned, over 2.1 innings.
At the plate, junior center fielder Aiden Robbins enters the game swinging a hot bat with four home runs in eight plate appearances against the Aggies. With a team-leading 15 home runs this season, Robbins has exceeded his career production of 12 home runs over two seasons at Seton Hall. It’s a power surge that Schlossnagle and his staff anticipated when they signed Robbins out of the portal, as a focus on strength and nutrition combined with Troy Tulowitzki working with Robbins on pulling the ball without top spin has unlocked the tremendous power potential of the 6’2, 205-pounder.
First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. Central on SEC Network+. Texas leads the all-time series 26-6, but did suffer a disappointing 4-1 loss to TAMU-CC two years ago.
Real Madrid put forward midfielder Jude Bellingham to face the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich as he said: “We’re aware of our situation and we’re ready. We’re mentally prepared. Tomorrow’s match is a final for us; ultimately, our season is on the line. And we’re going to try to give our very best.”
“I feel fine. It’s been a frustrating season; I’ve had some bad luck and missed matches through injury, both at the start and over the last couple of months. The hardest part is coming back, mentally, and getting ready for those matches. The more you play, the better. I played against Mallorca, against Atleti, against Bayern… Your confidence grows and you keep improving.”
“Any defeat in the Champions League is a disaster; given the situation we’re in, it’s a final. We’ve got a lot at stake and we must play well. It’s all or nothing; that’s our mindset. We’re not going to hide. We want to believe; we don’t have any more chances. We have to play and win.”
“There’s been a change, from my first season to now. Before, I played further forward, in that central midfield in a diamond formation. Last year I played further to the left. And with Arbeloa, a bit deeper. I can play in various positions. It’s a mixed blessing; there’s no set position, but you have to adapt. When I score goals I want to score more, but we have to defend; we have to find that balance. And if I don’t score, I have to help the team. And I must do whatever the manager asks.”
“It’s difficult to answer; there have been matches where we’ve played very well. You have to look at each one individually. Perhaps we crowd the left too much; if I go down the other flank, we might have better balance. Perhaps people are seeing the glass as half empty. We play freely; I hope that’s evident tomorrow and we can play with fluidity.
“I think I’ve already spoken about this; you can’t mix your private life with your life as a player. Things came out that weren’t true, that I liked to drink more than I should, that I went out a lot. But none of that is true. I’m very professional, every day. It was a joke.”
“Whether he can win the Ballon d’Or depends on what the team does. He’s a fantastic player; I think they’re going to win the Bundesliga, even though it pains me for my brother’s sake. I’m proud to have him in the national team; he’s shown just how good he is. It’s a pleasure to watch him play. Let’s see if he can carry this form into the World Cup. I hope he doesn’t turn up tomorrow, or that we manage to stop him.”
“It’s complicated; it’s not the right time or place to discuss it. In the league, at least at home, we’ve dropped too many points. You can’t win the league by dropping so many points when you compete against Barcelona. And away from home too. It’s just not possible. I don’t think the fight is over. We’re behind, but we have to focus on tomorrow. It’s a big day.”
“I want to see him play well; it’s been painful to see him sidelined. I’m very happy to see him playing again.”
“Nobody wants a penalty shoot-out; if you can win in 90 minutes, all the better. We must put the first-leg result behind us. And if it comes down to penalties, we must be ready. But it’s better to get through before that.”
The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to play their 2026 spring game this Saturday, April 18, at noon ET inside Ohio Stadium in Columbus. It has been an eventful spring session for the Buckeyes as new players have been shedding their black stripes daily, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith continues to get comfortable with the college game, and a wave of freshmen and newcomers are working to make a name for themselves.
With the spring showcase quickly approaching, we have identified five players to watch ahead of Ohio State’s spring game on Saturday afternoon.
Both Williams and Welcing have made noise throughout spring camp and should factor into Arthur Smith’s offense this season, a scheme that has historically leaned on 12 and 13 personnel and features tight ends heavily. Williams transferred from Ohio, while Welcing came over from Northwestern. Both bring solid size at 6’3 and 6’5, around 250 pounds.
Their 2025 numbers may not jump off the page, but both have the tools to help fill the void left by Max Klare’s production. Head coach Ryan Day was asked last week about players who have stood out recently and mentioned both Williams and Welcing, which carries weight. It will be interesting to see how they are used on Saturday with Smith calling plays.
Little Jr. was the No. 3 overall safety in the transfer portal according to 247Sports, and Ohio State was thrilled to land him. The Florida State transfer totaled 76 tackles, two forced fumbles, and four interceptions in 2025. He projects as a versatile piece in Matt Patricia’s defense, capable of lining up at safety or sliding into a nickel role.
Both Ryan Day and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri have praised Little Jr. for his leadership, competitiveness, and physicality. Day had this to say on the FSU transfer: “How do you replace Caleb Downs? You can't. But Earl (Little Jr.) has been doing a great job of really communicating back there.”
It will be fun to watch how Patricia deploys Little Jr., especially given his reputation for delivering big hits on receivers and tight ends.
Chris Henry Jr. is one of the most intriguing storylines this spring and a major focus heading into the spring game. The five-star freshman ranks as a top 25 player and the No. 2 wide receiver in the 2026 class according to 247Sports. He has the hype, the size, and the pedigree, with his father having played five years in the NFL. Whether he starts right away depends on how quickly he can seize the opportunity.
Late in March, Ryan Day spoke about what he has seen from the 6’5 receiver and set the bar high.
“He has all the traits. He has all the skills,” Day said. “Everything we thought he would be in recruiting, we've seen on the field, so that's exciting.”
On paper, pairing Henry Jr. with Jeremiah Smith and likely Brandon Innis in the slot creates a nightmare for opposing defenses, given the size and speed on the outside. Henry Jr. can be a Day 1 starter, but it will not come easily with heavy competition in the room. Freshman Brock Boyd has been turning heads, while transfers Devin McCuin from UTSA and Kyle Parker from LSU add even more depth.
Another key storyline this spring has been the edge and defensive line room, particularly who will line up alongside Kenyatta Jackson. Zion Grady, a rising sophomore, saw limited action last season and recorded 13 tackles and a sack. The former four-star recruit stands 6’4 and 258 pounds and already has familiarity with Matt Patricia’s system.
Russaw brings more uncertainty but also high upside. The Alabama transfer was a former five-star recruit whose time in Tuscaloosa was impacted by injuries. Ohio State brought him in through the portal, hoping to unlock his potential and help reload a pass rush unit that lost Arvell Reese and Caden Curry to the NFL.
Grady may have the early edge in the starting race, but Russaw will push him throughout the spring game and into the summer. The competition should bring out the best in both as they battle for a key role up front.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Five names to know for Ohio State’s spring showcase
Kylian Mbappé is part of Real Madrid's squad for their Champions League quarter-final return leg at Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The France striker suffered a head injury in Real's 1-1 LaLiga draw with Girona on Friday which required stitches to his eyebrow.
But he returned to training on Monday and was on Tuesday named in the 23-player squad for the trip to Germany.
Mbappé scored the lone goal as Madrid lost the home leg 2-1 against Bayern last week.
The record winners have won the last four knock-out ties against Bayern, winning three games in Munich and drawing the other.
Bayern have not beaten Real at home since the 2012 semi-finals when they went on to win on penalties in Spain.
Coach Alvaro Arbeloa told a news conference: "We don't need a miracle here. We've had some good games. Their goalkeeper was excellent in the first leg. But everyone who knows Real Madrid knows that we don't need a miracle.
"Real is a club steeped in history. We're ready to fight, to keep making history and produce a comeback. We're prepared for the atmosphere. We need to enjoy playing in a stadium like this."
Not part of the Real squad are suspended midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and still injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Midfielder Jude Bellingham said: "It's almost like a final for us. We all know what tomorrow's about. Every defeat in the Champions League feels like a disaster. It's a final. We need to put everything into this game. It's all or nothing."
Deion Sanders has landed another big fish at Colorado. Four-star high school quarterback recruit Andre Adams announced April 14 he has committed to play for Sanders in 2027, making him the newest quarterback of the future in Boulder.
Adams chose Colorado over Florida State, Virginia Tech, Kentucky and Oregon. The dual-threat quarterback played at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, where he had 71 passing touchdowns and 35 rushing touchdowns in 33 games. He visited the Boulder campus and met with Sanders on April 3.
More: Deion Sanders’ quietest spring yet at Colorado — and why that might be the point
"For my next three to four years, I will be committed to the University of Colorado," Adams said at a news conference in Tennessee, where he wore a Colorado T-shirt and hat as he streamed the announcement on social media.
The 6-2 Adams ranks as the No. 15 national quarterback prospect out of high school for 2027, according to 247Sports Composite, behind Baton Rouge high school quarterback recruit Elijah Haven at No. 1.
Adams’ commitment to Colorado gives the Buffaloes some options for the future at the most important position on the field, especially considering how so many quarterbacks change schools through the transfer portal. Highly regarded redshirt freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis is expected to be the starter at Colorado in 2026 but is one of only three quarterbacks on scholarship right now after the death of walk-on quarterback Dominiq Ponder on March 1.
Here is a look at who they are and how many years of eligibility they have left as the Buffs try to regroup after a 3-9 season in 2025:
∎ Lewis, 18, has four seasons of eligibility remaining after playing in four games in 2025, including two starts. He also was a four-star recruit out of high school in Georgia and chose Colorado over Southern California.
∎ Utah transfer quarterback Isaac Wilson has three years to play three more seasons. He started seven games for the Utes in 2024 as a freshman.
∎ Freshman Kaneal Sweetwyne has five years to play four seasons. He is a dual-threat high school recruit out of Utah and was the No. 1 overall pick in his team’s internal spring player draft.
Sanders just concluded his fourth spring practice season in Boulder and is trying to bounce back from a subpar year at the quarterback position after the departure of his quarterback son Shedeur Sanders to the NFL. The Buffs open the season Sept. 3 at Georgia Tech.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deion Sanders reels in another big fish with QB recruit Andre Adams
Maple Leafs get eye-catching $20 million Connor McDavid prognosis originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the team that most often comes up when Connor McDavid speculation arises.
McDavid is under contract with the Edmonton Oilers for two seasons after this one, but that doesn't stop such musings.
The Athletic recently took a poll of hockey agents about the future of the sport, and a couple of topics point to what McDavid's future might look like.
The first was simple the question: Who will be the highest-paid player in hockey by 2028-29?
McDavid got 13 of the 21 votes, including a suggestion that he'll be making $20 million per year.
"McDavid will get whatever he wants," one agent said, adding that he doesn't think the Sharks will have given Macklin Celebrini that kind of money just yet.
MORE: Red Wings take over Sabres' depressing playoff status
And an agent threw out two possible destinations: the Maple Leafs or the New York Rangers.
This McDavid discussion was nearly one that had to happen a lot sooner. Heading into the 2025-26 season, he was in the final year of his contract.
Before the campaign, though, McDavid signed a two-year, $25 million contract to give the Oilers quite the discount and keep him in town through 2027-28.
So at this rate, McDavid's potential free agency is in the summer of 2028, and if he actually reaches that point, the bidding war will likely be immense.
Yep, he'll probably set a new NHL record. And whether it happens or not at the end of the process, it's safe to expect the Maple Leafs to be one of the most heavily discussed teams throughout the negotiations.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh next week, a city where the Bucs could select the next star they add to their roster in hopes of righting the proverbial ship.
Before then, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft. While the team is selecting at 15, they will have to wait and see who falls to them.
But also, they will have to see if the player they are targeting will walk the stage in Pittsburgh in front of Acrisure Stadium. At the very least, we now know who will be in attendance for the event after the league announced the players who will attend.
The list is as follows:
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Draft: 16 players set to attend the event in Pittsburgh this year
Everything you used to handicap last week’s tournament, throw it out the window! The contrast is stark when looking at Augusta National and Harbour Town Golf Links. ANGC allowed for distance, power, and accuracy wasn’t much of a concern. Harbour Town, however, will be the opposite. With narrow fairways that are effectively more narrow thanks to overhanging trees, accuracy will be required off-the-tee.
Then, players will take aim at some of the smallest greens on the TOUR schedule which will reward great wedge players and those who can scramble when they do inevitably miss the putting surfaces. The Signature Event presents another stellar field with four guaranteed rounds for every player.
Winner: Jacob Bridgeman (+4500)
The PGA TOUR’s best putter lost strokes putting last week at Augusta – and I don’t care! As a debutant to the Masters, he lacked the requisite experience to succeed on those putting surfaces but that won’t be a problem this week at Harbour Town. Bridgeman was excellent from tee-to-green last week and will be able to lean into his strengths once again at the RBC Heritage.
Winner: Russell Henley (+2150)
When it comes to short golf courses that reward precision over power, Russell Henley’s name should be the first to pop into your mind. Since 2021, Henley has gained +1.43 strokes per round on “short courses” which is the fourth best mark in this field. During that stretch, Henley has earned four top-20 finishes here at Harbour Town with two of those being top-10 finishes. He’s still looking for that first win of 2026 and this seems like the best place for him to break through.
Top 5: Maverick McNealy (+570)
McNealy has his fair share of chances at the RBC Heritage, two top-4 finishes in his career – including a T3 last year. He’s been diabolical on these putting surfaces, gaining over 16 strokes putting in his 18 career rounds at Harbour Town. He’s the third best putter in this field at Harbour Town and he’s gained strokes from tee-to-green in seven of his eight TOUR starts this year. This is a really great convergence of trends to go along with course fit for McNealy.
Top 5: Ryo Hisatsune (+1175)
Hisastsune didn’t qualify for the Masters last week, which I could argue is a positive. He’ll be well-rested when he arrives in Hilton Head and still on an excellent run of golf. Over his last nine starts, he’s earned five top-15 finishes and is proving to be one of the better tee-to-green players on TOUR. He’s inside the top-25 in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee, despite being 85th in driving distance. That means he is hitting a significant number of fairways which will increase in value around Harbour Town. He played here last year, finishing T18, and he’s a much better player now.
Top 10: Gary Woodland (+800)
Woodland is one of the longest players on TOUR, which wouldn’t be super beneficial off-the-tee, but it’ll show itself on approach shots as he’s hitting shorter clubs in than many of his peers. Woodland has gained nearly ten strokes to the field on approach alone in his last eight rounds and has gained strokes putting in five of his last six starts. He’s brimming with confidence and is ready to contend again.
Top 20: Ricky Castillo (+265)
Castillo is quietly putting together an impressive season. He’s played eight times in 2026 and hasn’t missed a cut yet. He won in Puerto Rico and notched a 5th place finish at the Cognizant Classic. I do worry about his driving accuracy but he’s an accomplished putter who makes a ton of birdies. In a small field like this, Castillo is certainly capable of finishing inside the top-20.
Former Providence forward Jamier Jones has committed to Missouri out of the NCAA Transfer Portal.
The 6’6, 220-pound wing was a Big East All-Freshman Team selection this season after averaging 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game for the Friars. But Jones, a Florida native, opted to enter the portal after head coach Kim English was fired and replaced by USF’s Bryan Hodgson.
He was quickly connected to the Tigers, who hired former Providence assistant Tim Fuller as the team’s general manager last offseason. Missouri hosted him for an official visit over the weekend of April 12, and now has locked in one of the top available forwards in the portal.
Jones shot an impressive 57% from the field in his lone year with the Friars, also knocking down 39% of his 3-pointers — albeit only on 31 attempts. He’ll give the Tigers a big-bodied presence who can slash and score from the wing, and he is a menace in transition for opposing defenses. Jones finished in the top-20 in the Big East in free throw attempts and free throw makes, as well as offensive rebound percentage and player efficiency rating.
And he did all of that while occupying a loaded starting lineup that included new Illinois wing Stefan Vaaks, Creighton transfer-in Oswin Erhunmwunse, All-Big East guard Jaylin Sellers and 16 PPG scorer Jason Edwards.
The former top-50 national recruit out of high school will now be a major centerpiece for the Tigers as they look for a fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five seasons under Dennis Gates.
Missouri will be replacing a heavy portion of its production last season at the forward spot with All-SEC honoree Mark Mitchell graduating. But they do return fellow starter Trent Pierce, who averaged better than 11 points per game in SEC play.
Gates and Co. also landed Tennessee transfer big Jaylen Carey on Monday, adding some significant beef to their frontcourt. Along with Mitchell graduating, so is starting center Shawn Phillips Jr., a key physical force who was one of the league’s better rebounders.
The 6-foot-8, 265-pounder is one of the nation’s premier offensive rebounders and is coming off a season with the Vols where he averaged 7.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in just over 18 minutes per contest. His offensive rebounding percentage of 14.8% ranks in the top-20 all-time in SEC play, something the Tigers very much need heading into next season.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet is the true definition of an ace: dependable, dominant, and downright terrifying to step into the box against.
So… what the hell is going on?
Crochet has been unusually shaky to kickstart the season, allowing nearly as many runs (18) as strikeouts recorded (22) — with those aggressively poor numbers being fueled by an all-time poor outing against the Minnesota Twins on Monday.
Crochet got absolutely rocked by one of the least intimidating yet surprisingly productive lineups in baseball, allowing 11 runs in only 1 2/3 innings pitched at Target Field. The Red Sox — who have been around for as long as crayons, airplanes, cellophane, and Australia — have never had someone give up as many runs in so few innings.
It’s not like he’s going to ever be this bad again, but check out his pitching summaries on the season:
March 26 @ CIN
6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 R, 8 K
April 1 @ HOU
5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 5 R, 7 K
April 7 vs. MIL
6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 R, 7 K
April 13 @ MIN
1.2 IP, 9 H, 10 ER, 11 R, 0 K
Good. Eh. Good. Nuked.
So… back to our original question. What the hell is going on?
I’ve decided to look at this start through two lenses, which will hopefully tell us whether or not we should be freaking out.
Paul Skenes did, indeed, biff one a couple of weeks back, allowing five earned runs in 2/3 inning back on Opening Day against the New York Mets. Randy Johnson gave up 11 in 2 1/3 back in 1994. Greg Maddux allowed eight in the same amount of time in 1988. Roger Clemens allowed eight in 1 1/3 in 1995.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora came out after the game and shut down the idea that his ace was injured:
“He’s healthy, and that’s the most important thing,” he said, as seen on NESN.
Crochet backed that statement up:
“I don’t think there’s anything to fret over,” he said.
It’s just something that happens, even to the best of us.
If you take a closer look at the stuff, you would know that everything was down… across the board.
Crochet threw one of the slowest four-seam fastballs of his career (92.7 MPH) and gave up some of the hardest exit velocities of his career (108.9 MPH, 106.5 MPH, 106.0 MPH) — with those three hits coming in the form of two home runs and a terrifying single. Crochet couldn’t even pinpoint exactly why this particular start went so poorly, as he gave away more free passes (four) than whiffs induced (three).
“It’s tough to say,” Crochet said. “I mean, command as a whole has been spotty. I’d gotten away with it a little this early in the year, but tonight they made me pay. It was weak contact, hard contact, walks, hit by pitch, a little bit of everything.”
If he can’t see what went wrong, how is he going to fix it?
We have never seen him pitch this poorly, and with two of his last four starts being among the four worst he has ever had…
It’s probably fine.
The Red Sox have seen something like this before, with one very important statistic coming from our pal Jake Roy: Crochet threw 102 pitches in his second start of 2025, leading to his average velocity dipping 1.5 mph in his third start. It’s the same thing here, as the velocity drop came after his 107 pitch performance against the Milwaukee Brewers.
If he can’t get the velocity back to normal on regular rest, there’s no reason to think the results won’t follow.
If he can’t, we’ll revisit this conversation.
The 32nd annual St. Paul Area Athena Awards ceremony is set for Wednesday at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.
Wild in-arena host Kirsten Krull will serve as the event’s emcee, while sports reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer is the keynote speaker. The event will also feature a special tribute to the late Jessi Pierce and her family.
The Athena Awards “honor female athletes for their dedication and excellence in sports.”
Here are the honorees, with highlights of their athletic achievements.
School: Apple Valley
Sport: Wrestling
Accolades: Four-time state champion, 98-0 career high school record, U17 world team member
School: Centennial
Sport: Volleyball
Accolades: Miss Baden winner, All-State, All-State tournament team.
College: Minnesota
School: Central
Sports: Soccer, track and field, gymnastics, basketball
Accolades: Soccer – two-time conference player of the year. Track and field – All-conference. Gymnastics – All-conference.
College: Virginia State
School: Chatfield
Sports: Volleyball, basketball, trap
Accolades: Basketball – All-conference. Trap – Top female shooter of the year.
School: Chisago Lakes
Sports: Volleyball, basketball, softball
Accolades: Volleyball – state entrant. Basketball – second in program history in steals. Softball – state entrant.
College: St. Mary’s in Winona
School: Como Park
Sports: Soccer, golf, basketball
Accolades: Soccer – All-conference. Golf – All-conference.
School: Cretin-Derham Hall
Sports: Basketball, softball
Accolades: Basketball – All-State honorable mention.
College: Bethel
School: Eagan
Sports: Cross country, basketball, track and field, softball
Accolades: Cross county – All-State. Track and Field – All-conference.
College: Iowa
School: East Ridge
Sports: Volleyball, golf
Accolades: Volleyball – Two-time state entrant. Golf – State entrant, All-conference.
College: St. Olaf
School: Eastview
Sports: Dance, track and field, softball
Accolades: Dance – State champion, All-State, All-State tournament team
College: Minnesota
School: Farmington
Sports: Softball, volleyball, basketball
Accolades: Softball – All-State, state entrant. Volleyball – Third in school history in set assists.
College: Wisconsin
School: Forest Lake
Sports: Track and Field, wrestling
Accolades: Track and field – Two-time state champion, conference record holder. Wrestling – All-conference, team duals state champion.
College: Notre Dame
School: Gentry Academy
Sports: Lacrosse, basketball, tennis
Accolades: Lacrosse – All-American, 2025 state scoring leader. Basketball – All-conference.
College: Clemson
School: Harding
Sports: Wrestling, track and field, cross country
Accolades: Wrestling – All-state, third place at state. Track and Field – All-conference.
School: Hastings
Sports: Soccer, basketball, track and field
Accolades: Soccer – All-conference. Track and field – All-state, conference champion, school record holder.
College: South Dakota
School: Highland Park
Sports: Cross country, nordic skiing, track and field
Accolades: Cross county – All conference, two-time team state champion. Nordic skiing – All-state, state participant. Track and field – All state.
School: Hill-Murray
Sports: Tennis, alpine skiing
Accolades – Tennis – state participant. Alpine skiing – Two-time individual state champion, three-time team state champion.
College: St. Thomas
School: Humboldt
Sports: Soccer, track and field
Accolades: Soccer – All-state.
College: Dakota County Community College
School: Irondale
Sports: Cross county, nordic skiing, track and field
Accolades: Nordic skiing: All-state, state participant. Track and field – All-state.
College: St. Benedict
School: Johnson
Sports: Soccer, track and field, unified soccer
Accolades: Soccer – All-state. Unified soccer – State champion.
College: Northern Iowa
School: Lakeville North
Sports: Track and field, cross county, hockey
Accolades: Track and field – All-conference, state participant.
College: Butler
School: Lakeville South
Sports: Track and field, tennis
Accolades: Track and field – All-state, state champion, national runner up. Tennis – All-conference, state entrant.
College: Duke
School: Mahtomedi
Sports: Soccer, football, track and field
Accolades: Soccer – Ms. Soccer finalist, All-American, two-time state champion. Football – Conference champion. Track and field – All-State.
College: North Dakota State
School: Math and Science Academy
Sports: Cross county, nordic skiing, track and field
Accolades: Track and Field – state entrant.
School: Mounds View
Sport: Swimming
Accolades: Swimming – All-American, state champion.
College: Notre Dame
School: North Branch
Sports: Volleyball, gymnastics, track and field
Accolades: Volleyball – All-conference. Track and Field – All-conference, state entrant.
School: North St. Paul
Sports: Tennis, basketball, softball
Accolades: Basketball – All-conference.
School: Northfield
Sports: Cross country, wrestling
Accolades: Cross country – All-State. Wrestling – Three-time state champion, three-time national champion, 2026 Ms. Minnesota Wrestler.
College: McKendree
School: Nova Classical Academy
Sports: Soccer, track and field
Accolades: Soccer – All-conference. Track and Field – All-State.
School: Park
Sport: Gymnastics
Accolades: All-State, State entrant.
School: Randolph
Sports: Basketball, softball
Accolades: Basketball – All-conference, program records in steals, assists. Softball – State champion, All-conference, All-State tournament team.
College: North Iowa Area Community College
School: Red Wing
Sports: Basketball, volleyball, softball, golf
Accolades: Basketball – All-conference. Volleyball – All-conference. Softball – All-conference.
College: Northern State
School: Rosemount
Sports: Soccer, track and field
Accolades: Track and Field – All-State, state entrant.
School: Roseville
Sports: Volleyball, track and field
Accolades: Volleyball: State participant. Track and Field: Two-time state champion, All-State.
College: Minnesota
School: St. Agnes
Sports: Softball, weight lifting, soccer
Accolades: Softball – All-State, All-State tournament team.
College: Mary (North Dakota)
School: St. Paul Academy
Sports: Cross country, nordic skiing, track and field
Accolades: Cross country: State entrant, All-conference, team section champion. Nordic Skiing – Team state champion, All-State. Track and Field – All-conference, state entrant.
School: Simley
Sports: Lacrosse, soccer, nordic skiing
Accolades: Lacrosse – All-conference. Soccer – All-conference. Nordic Skiing – All-conference.
College: Minnesota State-Mankato
School: South St. Paul
Sports: Soccer, track and field, weight lifting
Accolades: Soccer – All-State. Track and Field – All-State.
College: Wisconsin-La Crosse
School: Stillwater
Sports: Soccer
Accolades: Ms. Soccer finalist, All-American, All-State tournament team.
College: North Dakota
School: Tartan
Sports: Volleyball, track and field, flag football
Accolades: Volleyball – All-conference.
School: Trinity School at River Ridge
Sports: Cross country, track and field
Accolades: Cross County – All-State. Track and Field – All-State.
College: St. Thomas
School: Two Rivers
Sports: Cross country, dance, track and field
Accolades: Cross Country: All-conference, state entrant. Dance – All-State, state entrant. Track and Field – All-conference, state entrant, school record holder.
College: Louisiana State
School: Visitation
Sports: Softball, hockey
Accolades: Softball – All-conference.
School: Washington
Sports: Volleyball, basketball, track and field
Accolades: Volleyball – All-conference.
School: White Bear Lake
Sports: Alpine skiing, tennis.
Accolades: Alpine Skiing – All-conference, state entrant. Tennis – All-conference.
School: Woodbury
Sports: Soccer, hockey, track and field
Accolades: Hockey – conference champion. Track and Field – All-State, state entrant.
College: North Dakota
Apple's smart investment in Globalstar now stands to yield a sizable return, while allowing for a significant expansion in the iPhone's satellite-based connectivity features further down the line, courtesy of the $11.5 billion acquisition deal between Amazon and Globalstar. Apple will not only recoup its investments in Globalstar and then some, but also benefit from the upcoming expansion in Amazon's Leo-branded constellation of satellites For the benefit of those who might not be aware, Apple acquired a 20 percent stake in Globalstar back in 2023 for $400 million, while also committing to inject $1.1 billion in cash-based liquidity to expand […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-is-an-unequivocal-winner-in-the-11-5-billion-amazon-globalstar-satellite-constellation-deal/
EA and Full Circle have revealed a new Nike SB collab for Skate, as one of the most highly anticipated collabs finally joins the game. It also comes with a complete Nike-themed makeover to the Isle of Grom skatepark, and the introduction of Grom at night. The Nike event will be on from April 14 to May 5, during which all players will have access to the Isle of Grom. Afterwards, it's back to having to either buy a day pass to the island, or buy the premium Skate pass to access it. Which was the bit of the Isle […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/hands-on-with-ea-skate-x-nike-sb-collab-full-circle-defends-controversial-paywall/
A new report published today by market analyst firm Newzoo suggests a structural shift in the PC and console gaming market: while the biggest AAA titles still dominate, a growing share of both playtime and revenue is flowing to games ranked outside the Top 20, with the trend most pronounced on the PC platform. The headline figure is striking. In Western markets (US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain), titles ranked 21st and below accounted for 56% of total PC gaming revenue in 2025, up from 48% in 2022. That means the majority of money spent on PC games now goes […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/aaa-dominance-eroding-pc-gaming-revenue-top-20/
LogDB is a developer-first observability platform for modern teams that need speed, privacy, and control. It lets you search, analyze, and investigate logs, metrics, and threats in one unified environment with local control, encrypted storage, and AI-assisted workflows. Built for engineering, DevOps, and security teams, LogDB helps you turn complex telemetry into fast answers without sacrificing data ownership or trust.
The post Is $0.800 the True Bottom for SUI Price or Not? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
SUI price is currently annoyingly hovering, stalling, teasing a move… but not committing. After defending the $0.800 support from the lower boundary of a falling wedge, the asset has slipped into a tight consolidation phase. And honestly, it’s starting to feel like the market is just waiting for a reason to pick a direction.
March gave bulls a shot. They tried pushing SUI price toward $1.0 but got rejected. Now April rolls in, and here we are again slow grind upward, same level, same question: is this the real breakout attempt or just another fakeout?
Right now, SUI price is boxed in. The $0.800 level has proven to be a reliable floor for sometime now. It’s been tested, respected, and defended. But let’s not get too comfortable.
On the upside, $1.0 remains the psychological and technical barrier. Price is creeping toward it again, but without strong momentum, it’s just another test waiting to fail. If bulls can finally flip this level, things could get interesting. If not? Well, we’ve seen this movie before another retest of $0.800 is awaiting then in that scenario. And it usually doesn’t end well for late buyers as it will put them in red.
Here’s where it gets even more… uninspiring. The indicators aren’t screaming bullish they’re barely whispering anything at all.
MACD is flat. No momentum, no conviction. AO histogram? Sitting at 0.0037 basically glued to the zero line. RSI is hovering around 50, right in the middle, which is trader-speak for “we’ve got no clue.”
So yeah, this isn’t a trending market. It’s a waiting game.
But not everything is neutral. it’s the CMF and it’s not subtle about it. Currently sitting at -0.16, CMF suggests capital outflow is still in play. More importantly, it has room to drop further into the -0.25 to -0.35 zone. That’s where things could get uncomfortable.
Because if SUI price loses $0.800 support while CMF dives deeper, the next logical move isn’t sideways but it’s practically down.
So, what happens if $0.800 cracks? Liquidity. There’s a pool sitting below that level, and markets love liquidity. A sweep toward $0.600 wouldn’t be surprising in fact, it might be necessary. That zone previously acted as a base back in August 2024, and history has a funny way of repeating itself in crypto.
But let’s flip it. If SUI price finally breaks above $1.0 and holds, this entire consolidation could transform into a base rather than a short-term top. Big difference.
So, what’s next? Honestly either a breakout above $1 confirms strength, or a breakdown below $0.800 exposes the real bottom. Until then, SUI price remains stuck in limbo… and the market hates uncertainty.
Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/dubai-and-india-face-flight-caps-as-travel-restrictions-until-may-2026-disrupting-tourism-all-you-need-to-know/
Dubai and India Face Flight Caps As Travel Restrictions Until May 2026 Disrupting Tourism: All You Need to KnowDubai limits...
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Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/angola-heartbeat-halts-floods-devastate-the-historic-lobito-railway-and-tourism-all-you-need-to-know/
Angola Heartbeat Halts: Floods Devastate the Historic Lobito Railway and Tourism – All You Need To KnowAngola scenic Lobito Railway...
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Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/ftans-role-in-unlocking-katsinas-tourism-potential-a-gateway-to-nigerias-untapped-travel-destinations/
FTAN’s Role in Unlocking Katsina’s Tourism Potential: A Gateway to Nigeria’s Untapped Travel DestinationsExplore how FTAN’s partnership with Katsina is...
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JW Marriott Welcomes Balachandar K with Diverse Culinary Experience in the Hospitality Industry as the New Executive Sous Chef for...
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Samsung has already expanded the AirDrop file transfer support for Quick Share in top-tier Galaxy devices, but there’s an issue that we just uncovered about the image metadata.
The phone maker is enjoying applause from the Galaxy users for this native hack. You need to select the file, change the device’s visibility, and that’s it. That file transfer speed is also good, removing a big hurdle for users who own devices from both ecosystems.
I’ve been trying the Quick Share to AirDrop every day. And recently noticed that the images and videos shared from Galaxy S26 Ultra to the iPhone are missing image metadata.
Just to give you a brief overview, the metadata stores information about the camera settings, such as aperture, zoom, and megapixels. The same goes for the videos. Users can also enable or disable the location where the image/video is captured.
The images from the Galaxy S26 Ultra were showing camera data but missing lens and location tags. A cross verification with Galaxy S25 Ultra created the same outcome.
iPhone (left), Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)
Next, I sent a video to the iPhone, and it had no metadata except for the resolution and HDR details. The camera and the location details were missing together. Finally, I transferred images and videos from Galaxy S26 Ultra to the S25 Ultra, and those have the details preserved as they should be.
iPhone (left), Galaxy S26 Ultra (right)
Does the same issue appear for the other way around?
No, images and videos shared from an iPhone to Galaxy S26 Ultra or S25 Ultra aren’t missing any metadata information. That confirms that the issue is part of the Quick Share.
To sum up the findings, I transferred the images from the iPhone back to the Galaxy device, and it had metadata. However, it was missing these details for videos.
Based on these transfer experiments. We can conclude that the Quick Share is either deleting the metadata or it’s not packaging the missing information during transfers. Since these files have preserved some metadata, it appears that the second scenario is most likely to be true.
Quick Share to AirDrop is a good approach, and missing metadata may not be a big deal for many users, but it’s an issue, and Samsung should bring a fix.
The post Samsung’s Quick Share to AirDrop feature is deleting Image metadata appeared first on Sammy Fans.
Today Amazon has announced that it's acquiring Globalstar, which is the company that enables Apple's satellite connectivity features. Basically, Globalstar provides the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation that iPhones and Apple Watches connect to when they're outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, and Apple uses up most of Globalstar's network capacity. Amazon wants to use Globalstar's satellites to add direct-to-device services to future generations of its LEO network. Globalstar's satellites will expand the Amazon Leo (Amazon Leo is Amazon's LEO satellite company, hence the...
This Tuesday, Inter Miami were hit with news that shakes their stability and raises questions about the future: Javier Mascherano has stepped down as head coach, leaving a void to fill for Lionel Messi and his teammates for the remainder of the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
“Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano announced today his decision to step down as the Club’s head coach for personal reasons,” the club announced in a statement on its official website. “Mascherano departs the Club along with the coaching staff that arrived with him in January 2024.”
Mascherano’s departure comes as a surprise given the timing. Fewer than three months have passed since the start of the 2026 season, and there is still plenty left to play for, with Inter Miami still competing in MLS—currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference—and with the Leagues Cup yet to be played.
However, the Herons’ performances and results at the start of this year have fallen short of those in 2025. The early elimination against Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup was a major blow for the club, and their recent showings in league play have also been underwhelming.
Javier Mascherano has decided to bring his tenure as Head Coach to an end. A champion who, together with his staff, will always be part of the @InterMiamiCF family and forever linked to our first star.
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 14, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/fHUABSFBhp pic.twitter.com/LFJ61zB6y3
Even so, Mascherano’s tenure at Inter Miami remains extremely positive overall. He led the club to its first MLS title last year, an achievement that had eluded them during Messi’s early years in the United States. In addition, they advanced to the knockout stages of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after defeating European giants Porto, in what stands as the most important victory in club history.
In the same statement published on the club’s official website, Inter Miami shared comments from Javier Mascherano explaining the reasons behind his decision to leave the club in the middle of the 2026 season.
“I want to let everyone know that, for personal reasons, I have decided to end my tenure as head coach of Inter Miami CF,” began the Argentine coach. “I would like to thank the Club for the trust they placed in me… I also want to thank the fans and La Familia, because none of this would have been possible without them.”
On the impact Inter Miami have had on his life and career, he added: “I will always carry with me the memory of our first star, and wherever I am, I will continue to wish the Club all the best moving forward. I have no doubt that the Club will continue to achieve success in the future. Sending you all a big hug, and thank you for everything.”
With Mascherano’s departure confirmed, Inter Miami’s priority now is to refocus on their MLS campaign. Regarding the team’s immediate future, the Herons provided details on the steps they will take to replace the Argentine coach.
“Guillermo Hoyos will assume the role of First Team head coach for the upcoming matches,” the club announced in the same statement. “Hoyos is a former professional footballer with more than 20 years of playing experience, as well as a coach and sporting director with extensive international experience in the football world.”
Hoyos was already part of the Florida side’s sporting structure: “Since joining Inter Miami CF, he has been responsible for overseeing and advancing the Club’s professional pathway development structure, while also serving as sporting director up to now.” For now, his first challenge will be an away match against Colorado Rapids on Saturday in MLS.
Barcelona travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in search of a comeback against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie. With the Colchoneros holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, the Blaugrana must produce a specific result to pull off one of the more memorable reversals in the club’s recent history.
The stunning 2-0 defeat at Camp Nou sent shockwaves through the Barcelona fanbase, and the Blaugrana will be without Pau Cubarsi for the second leg after his red card in the 45th minute of the first leg. Atletico have also taken steps to gain any available edge at their own ground, with the state of the Metropolitano pitch already drawing a complaint from Barca coach Hansi Flick ahead of the match.
Barcelona head into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 4-1 win over Espanyol in the Catalan derby, while Atletico come in off a 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Sevilla, a result that carried little concern given Diego Simeone rested most of his first-choice starters ahead of Tuesday’s European clash.
A victory for Barcelona on Tuesday would not automatically guarantee their passage to the next round. With Atletico holding a two-goal cushion from the first leg, a narrow one-goal win for the Blaugrana would still see the Colchoneros advance on aggregate.
For Barcelona to advance directly, they would need to win by a margin of three or more goals to overcome the deficit in regulation. If they do manage to complete the comeback, the Blaugrana would face the winner of the other quarterfinal between Sporting CP and Arsenal in the semifinals, with the Gunners currently holding a 1-0 advantage heading into their second leg.
A draw in Tuesday’s match would see Barcelona eliminated from the 2025-26 Champions League, as the two-goal deficit from the first leg would prove insurmountable under a straightforward aggregate calculation.
However, if Barcelona were erase the two-goal deficit and draw in the average scoreline, the situation changes entirely. A 2-0 scoreline in favor of Barcelona, for example, would level the aggregate and send the tie to extra time, with a penalty shootout to follow if the teams remained deadlocked.
If Barcelona were to lose on Tuesday, they would be eliminated from the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, falling short of the semifinals once again. Their last appearance at that stage came in the 2018-19 season against Liverpool, while a victory for Atletico would see the Colchoneros reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign.
Neymar is not only one of the biggest soccer stars of this century, but also an athlete who regularly shows admiration for other greats. This time, he spoke highly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kobe Bryant.
In a video posted on his official YouTube account, Ney showed his private collection of jerseys and trophies gathered throughout his professional career. The collection includes, of course, items he wore with the different clubs he has played for, as well as with the Brazil national team, along with pieces from athletes he admires.
One of the standout items in the collection is a Real Madrid jersey from the 2017-18 season with the number 7 on the back. “Cristiano Ronaldo… He is a beast!” Neymar said while showing that particular piece, alongside others such as a Zlatan Ibrahimovic jersey from AC Milan.
This is not the first time the Brazilian forward has expressed his admiration for Ronaldo. In fact, in a 2020 interview Neymar said: “I respect him a lot for the history he has made. He is the mirror I look into… He has been at the top for 10 years, like Messi, and we all want to be like them.”
Neymar’s admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo dates back to when he was a child watching him shine at Manchester United, and getting the chance to face him on the pitch has not changed that opinion.
Over the course of his professional career, Ney faced Cristiano Ronaldo eight times, all at club level. The first seven came in Clasicos between Barcelona and Real Madrid from 2013 to 2017, with four wins for Neymar, two for Ronaldo and one draw. The most recent meeting came in 2018, when Real Madrid defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Soccer is not the only sport that interests Neymar. He has often shown his passion for basketball, particularly for several NBA stars. In his personal collection, the Santos forward owns jerseys from multiple American players.
“This is a Kobe Bryant jersey. The day he sadly passed away, I wore it as a tribute to him,” Neymar explained in the same video, about a Paris Saint-Germain jersey with the number 24 and Bryant’s name. “I’m a big fan of him—I even have a tattoo of him. He’s an inspiration to me, so this was a tribute.”
In addition, among his Kobe memorabilia, Ney also keeps a Los Angeles Lakers jersey with the number 24. Alongside that, he also owns one from another legend of the Purple and Gold: “The Man, LeBron James,” the forward said while showing a No. 23 jersey. Finally, he also displayed a Golden State Warriors item: “I’m going to put this jersey up here too. Curry. A jersey he wore that I managed to get.”
Cristiano Ronaldo once again found himself at the center of attention as Al-Nassr secured a vital victory last weekend in the Saudi Pro League. The league leader continued its strong push toward the title, but the night also carried a deeper narrative surrounding Ronaldo’s pursuit of history.
The match against Al-Okhdood was more than just another step in the title race for Al-Nassr. It presented a chance for Ronaldo to etch his name into yet another record, adding extra tension to an already significant fixture. While the team delivered, the individual milestone remained just out of reach.
Al-Nassr entered the match in commanding form, carrying a long winning streak that had placed it firmly at the top of the standings. The contrast between the two sides was clear, with Al-Okhdood fighting to avoid relegation while the visitor aimed to strengthen its grip on the title.
Despite the pressure, Jorge Jesus’ players delivered a 2-0 victory, extending their remarkable run and opening a five-point lead at the top of the table. The result reinforced the club’s consistency and highlighted its ability to maintain focus during the most critical phase of the season.
The spotlight before kickoff had been firmly on Ronaldo’s chase for another historic achievement. Heading into the match, he had already amassed 97 goals in 100 Saudi Pro League appearances, putting him within touching distance of a remarkable milestone. The target was clear: match the fastest run to 100 league goals, a record held by Abderrazak Hamdallah, who reached the mark in 101 matches.
Ronaldo needed a hat-trick to equal that feat, a challenge that added urgency to every attacking move. However, despite scoring and playing a decisive role, Ronaldo did not reach the required tally. The record remains intact, leaving his pursuit unfinished but still very much alive as the season continues.
Even without breaking the record, the Portuguese superstar made his impact felt early in the game. He opened the scoring with a composed finish in the 15th minute, setting the tone for another confident Al-Nassr performance.
While one record slipped away, another moved significantly closer. Ronaldo’s latest goal took him to 98 league goals in just 101 appearances, placing him within striking distance of becoming Al-Nassr’s all-time top scorer in the Saudi Pro League.
The milestone he now chases belongs to Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, who leads the club’s scoring charts with 103 goals. Ronaldo’s rapid rise through the rankings highlights both his consistency and efficiency since arriving in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Nassr’s leading scorers in the Saudi Pro League history:
— King Woss 👑 (@Rm_umar2) April 11, 2026
🥇 103 — Mohammed Al-Sahlawi 🇸🇦
🥈 98 — Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹 🆕
🥉 77 — Abderrazak Hamdallah 🇲🇦
Closing in fast 👀🐐♑️ pic.twitter.com/hhUididNQW
The 41-year-old veteran needs six more goals to surpass Al-Sahlawi and become Al-Nassr’s all-time top scorer in the Saudi Pro League, as confirmed by Transfermarkt. Given his current form, that target feels well within reach before the season concludes.
Robert Lewandowski steps into one of the most decisive matches of his Barcelona career with history within reach, while Luis Suarez remains a benchmark in the club’s European legacy. Barcelona arrives in Madrid knowing that both the team and its veteran striker are chasing something significant under immense pressure. The club prepares for a high-stakes encounter that could shape its Champions League journey and individual legacies alike.
The stage is set as Barcelona faces Atletico Madrid in a crucial second leg, with the Spanish side holding a strong advantage from the first meeting. The Catalan club must respond with urgency, while their striker carries the added narrative of closing in on a historic milestone. The Blaugrana’s 2-0 defeat in the first leg has left the club with a daunting task heading into the return fixture.
A red card to Pau Cubarsi disrupted their rhythm, allowing Atletico Madrid to capitalize through clinical finishing and disciplined defending. Despite that setback, Barca responded domestically with a 4-1 victory over Espanyol, regaining confidence at a crucial moment. That result has helped restore belief within the squad, but the challenge in Madrid remains steep, especially against a side known for its defensive resilience.
Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Barcelona has shown strong form overall, yet inconsistency in Europe has raised concerns. The club leads La Liga comfortably, but its Champions League ambitions now hang in the balance.
For the Rojiblancos, the situation is far more controlled, with the team able to focus entirely on protecting its lead. Their home record in Europe adds another layer of difficulty for Barcelona, making any comeback effort even more demanding.
In the middle of this high-pressure clash lies a personal milestone for Lewandowski, one that could elevate his status in Barcelona’s European history. According to Transfermarkt, the Polish striker has scored 23 Champions League goals for Barcelona, placing him within touching distance of Suarez’s tally of 25.
To match that number, Lewandowski needs two goals, while three would see him surpass Suarez and claim second place in the club’s all-time Champions League scoring list. The symmetry between personal ambition and team necessity creates a compelling narrative heading into the match.
The veteran’s numbers underline his impact since arriving at Barcelona. He has reached his 23 goals in just 37 appearances, averaging 0.62 goals per game, compared to Suarez’s 25 goals in 55 matches at a rate of 0.45.
His recent form offers encouragement, with four goals in his last five Champions League matches, suggesting he remains capable of delivering on the biggest stage. The club will rely heavily on his experience and composure as they attempt to overturn the deficit.
Trabzonspor'da Başakşehir maçının bilet fiyatlarına "temsili" düzenleme yapıldı.
Trabzonspor Kulübü Genel Sekreteri Sami Karaman, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında Papara Park'ta oynanacak Başakşehir maçında, bilet fiyatlarını "temsili" düzenlediklerini belirtti.
Başakşehir karşılaşmasında, Trabzonspor'un inancını, birlik ruhunu ve sarsılmaz duruşunu hep birlikte göstereceklerini ifade eden Karaman, açıklamasında "Bu özel karşılaşma öncesinde, taraftarımıza uygulanan yaptırıma karşılık biz de bilet fiyatlarımızı temsili olacak şekilde düzenledik. Amacımız, bu büyük camianın her ferdinin, yediden yetmişe, kadınıyla erkeğiyle Papara Park'ta yerini almasını sağlamaktır. Şimdi Trabzonspor'un büyüklüğünü bir kez daha gösterme zamanıdır." ifadelerini kullandı.
Bordo-mavili kulüp, Papara Park'taki karşılaşmada bilet fiyatlarını, VIP Platinum - B için 12 bin 500, VIP Platinum-A/C için 10 bin, VIP Gold için 7 bin 500, VIP Silver için 5 bin, batı tribünler için 200, doğu tribünler için 10, Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi Tribünü için 10, güney-kuzey kale arkası tribünler için ise 5 lira olarak duyurdu.
Biletler, bugün saat 21.00'de satışa sunulacak.
Çaykur Rizespor'da Fenerbahçe maçının hazırlıkları başladı.
Çaykur Rizespor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında 17 Nisan Cuma günü deplasmanda oynayacağı Fenerbahçe maçının hazırlıklarına başladı.
Mehmet Cengiz Tesisleri'nde, teknik direktör Recep Uçar yönetimindeki antrenman, kondisyon merkezinde yenilenme çalışmasıyla başladı. Sahada ısınma, pas çalışması, geçiş ve sonuçlandırma uygulamalarıyla devam eden idman, dar alanda çift kale maçla tamamlandı.
Karadeniz ekibi, hazırlıklarına yarın devam edecek.
Teknik direktör Ertuğrul Sağlam katıldığı bir etkinlikte milli takımın Dünya Kupası mücadelesine dair açıklama yaptı.
Teknik direktör Ertuğrul Sağlam A Milli Futbol Takımının Dünya Kupası mücadelesindeki başarısıyla ilgili değerlendirmelerde bulundu.
Bolu Valiliği koordinesinde, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi, Bolu Belediyesi, Gençlik ve Spor İl Müdürlüğü, Kültür ve Turizm İl Müdürlüğü, Bolu Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası ile kentte faaliyet gösteren turizm işletmelerinin katkılarıyla üniversitenin Mavi Salonu’nda düzenlenen "Spor Turizmi Çalıştay ve Paneli"ne katılan Ertuğrul Sağlam program çıkışında gazetecilerin sorularını yanıtladı.
Teknik direktör Ertuğrul Sağlam, milli takımın ülkeye büyük bir sevinç yaşattığını dile getirdi.
Sağlam, "Takımın potansiyeli Dünya Kupası'nda aslında çok büyük işler yapacak seviyede. Dolayısıyla beklentimiz de yüksek. En azından bir çeyrek final olabilme şansını görüyorum, daha ilerisinde de bir beklentim var. Hakikaten çok yetenekli, güçlü bir jenerasyon var. Bu jenerasyon, birbiriyle oynayarak artık iyi bir takım olma seviyesine de ulaştı. O yüzden zaten ilk grubu hiç düşünmüyorum ama sonrasında da inşallah çeyrek final, yarı finalle bu işi bence bu şekilde götürmelerini bekliyorum. Hepsine başarılar diliyorum. Dualarımız, yüreğimiz onlarla beraber olacak." dedi.
Milli takımın genç yetenekleri Arda Güler ve Kenan Yıldız ile ilgili de konuşan Sağlam, şu ifadeleri kullandı:
"Arda ve Kenan, çok özellikli oyuncularımız. Bu bir takım oyunu sonuçta, bireysel bir oyun değil. Arda’yla Kenan iyi oynayacak, yanındaki arkadaşları Orkun’du, Hakan’dı, Barış’tı onlara yardım edecek. Takım savunmasına destek verecekler, takım gol yemeyecek. Arkadaki arkadaşlarımız ofansif anlamda onlara destek verecek, onlar gol atacak ya da attıracak. Dolayısıyla bu işi hep birlikte başaracaklar. O yüzden tabi biz bireyleri ön plana çıkarmaktansa takımı biraz daha böyle konuşup, bu işin hep birlikte yapılacağıyla alakalı hepsine farklı sorumluluklar yüklememiz gerekiyor. O yüzden ben takımımızdan çok umutluyum."
"Süper ligde şampiyonluk için 4-5 takım yarışmalı"
Sağlam, Trendyol Süper Ligdeki şampiyonluk için fazla sayıda takımın yarışması gerektiğini dile getirdi.
"Türk futbolunun biz kalitesini arttırmak istiyorsak bu rekabet ortamını da fazla takımlı hale getirmemiz gerekir" diyen Sağlam, şu değerlendirmeleri yaptı:
"Aslında istediğimiz bu. Keşke iki takım değil de 4-5 takımlı bir şey olsaydı yani şampiyonluk yarışı. Seyir zevkini, rekabeti biraz daha arttıracaktı. Ama maalesef birkaç sezondur şampiyonluğu kovalayan ligin sonlarına doğru iki takım kalıyor. Diğer takımlarımız da ne kadar güçlü olursa, özellikle Anadolu takımları, ligin kalitesi artacak, rekabet seviyesi üst düzeye çıkacak ve bunun sonucunda da Türk futbolu kazanacak. Bunu yapmamız lazım. Yani artık iki takımlı şampiyonluk yarışı izlemeyelim."
Teknik direktör Şenol Güneş katıldığı bir etkinlikte milli takımın Dünya Kupası mücadelesi hakkında açıklama yaptı.
Teknik direktör Şenol Güneş A Milli Futbol Takımının Dünya Kupası mücadelesindeki başarısıyla ilgili değerlendirmelerde bulundu.
Bolu Valiliği koordinesinde, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi, Bolu Belediyesi, Gençlik ve Spor İl Müdürlüğü, Kültür ve Turizm İl Müdürlüğü, Bolu Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası ile kentte faaliyet gösteren turizm işletmelerinin katkılarıyla üniversitenin Mavi Salonu’nda düzenlenen "Spor Turizmi Çalıştay ve Paneli"ne katılan Şenol Güneş program çıkışında gazetecilerin sorularını yanıtladı.
Türkiye Milli Takımının dünya üçüncüsü olmasındaki başarıyı sağlayan tüm yönetimi, başkanı, teknik heyeti, oyuncuları kutladığını anlatan Güneş, "Taraftarıyla, milletiyle beraber birlikte o sonucu aldığımızda hem mutlu hem gururlu olduk. Ama artık o geride kaldı. Yeni bir dönem, yeni bir heyecan, genç bir kadromuz var." diye konuştu.
Güneş, 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası'na katılmaya hak kazanan milli takım yönetimi, teknik heyeti ve oyunculara ilişkin de "Hepsine başarılar diliyorum. Daha hem genç, daha hem tecrübeli, daha üst seviye takımlarda oynayan şu andaki oyuncularımızın orada aldığı o tecrübeyle başarılı olmasını bekliyorum." ifadelerini kullandı.
Dünya Kupası'nın 2002 yılında 32 takımla oynandığını hatırlatan Güneş, "Şimdi ise 48 takımın katıldığı bir Dünya Kupası var. Gönlümden geçen odur ki umarım öyle olur; gruptan çıkmamız, 32 veya 16'yı geçmemizin daha kolay olacağını düşünüyorum. Yani 8'e, yarı finale kadar. Yarı finale çıkmamız ve inşallah kupayı almamız temennimizdir ama çeyrek finale kadar rahat gelebilecek bir görüntüsü var şu an kağıt üzerinde." değerlendirmesinde bulundu.
Milli takım oyuncuları Arda Güler ve Kenan Yıldız'ın performansına da değinen Güneş, "İkisi de çok üst seviye takımda oynuyorlar hem de milli takımımızda oynuyorlar. Çok büyük avantaj bizim için Türkiye için. Genç yaşta hem yetenek hem karakter olarak üst seviyede." dedi.
Trendyol Süper Lig'de 4 takımın şu anda iddialı durumda olduğunu anlatan Güneş, "Bunlardan ilk üçü daha avantajlı. Galatasaray önde olduğu için bir avantajı var ama futbolda her sonuç var. Kim hak ediyorsa o olsun. Futbol güzel oynansın, rekabet yapılsın, kavga edilmesin." değerlenidrmesini yaparken hakemlerle ilgili de "Ama hakemlerimizin iki yıldan beri, üç yıldan beri ders alması gerekiyor. Hakemlere görev verenlerin de biraz sorumluluk alması gerekiyor. Çünkü ülke futbolunda adaleti sarsan bir kaosa getirdiler bizi." yorumunu yaptı.
Gençlerbirliği Kulübü Basın Sözcüsü Ertuğrul Beray Ardıç, Trendyol Süper Lig'de Galatasaray'ı konuk edecekleri maç öncesi açıklama yaptı.
Gençlerbirliği Kulübü Basın Sözcüsü Ertuğrul Beray Ardıç, Trendyol Süper Lig'de Galatasaray'ı konuk edecekleri maç öncesi, "Gençlerbirliği, İstanbul kulüpleri arasındaki sahanın dışına taşmış çekişmenin kurbanı edilemez." ifadelerini kullandı.
Ardıç, hafta sonu oynanacak kritik maç öncesi Gençlerbirliği'yle ilgili yapılan açıklamaları doğru bulmadığını belirterek sadece kendi takımlarının başarısı için çabaladıklarını vurguladı.
Ertuğrul Beray Ardıç, kulüp başkanı Arda Çakmak'ın daha önce yaptığı açıklamaların kayıtlardan bulunabileceğini işaret ederek şunları kaydetti:
"Başkanımız Arda Çakmak, Gençlerbirliği’nin finansal durumuna dair gayet net açıklamalarda bulundu. Başkanımız, eski başkanlara olan borçlar hariç, kulübün mayıs ayı sonu itibarıyla ödemekle yükümlü olduğu rakamı açıkladı. Burada, alacaklının söylemediğini, bu eski asbaşkanın dile getirmesindeki garabet bir yana, kendisinin Gençlerbirliği olmadığını da bütün camiaya bir kez daha göstermiş oluyor. Kulübümüzle ilgili açıklama yapan eski yöneticimizin, hangi takımın taraftarı olduğunu ve bu hafta Ankara'da kiminle oynayacağımızı düşününce, bu demeçlerin motivasyonumuzu düşürmek için yapılan dedikodular olduğu anlaşılıyor. Herkes bilmeli ki Gençlerbirliği, İstanbul kulüpleri arasındaki sahanın dışına taşmış çekişmenin kurbanı edilemez. Şu an itibarıyla Gençlerbirliği’nde üçe bölünmüş bir yönetim kurulu yok, çünkü aramızda bu şahsa benzeyen hiç kimse yok."
"Gençlerbirliği, kulüp ruhuna uymayan isimleri kısa sürede kendiliğinden dışarı atacak kadar organik bir kulüptür." diyen Ardıç, "Kendi ismini parlatmak, duyurmak için camiayı kullanan bu gibi eski yöneticilerin de şurada birkaç aylık zamanları kaldı. İstiyorlar ki Gençlerbirliği başarısız olsun, kaos çıksın, yine göreve gelelim, yaptığımız saçma sapan işleri bir daha yapalım. Seçildiği başkanın istifa etmesi için elinden geleni ardına koymayan bir ismin, şimdi ortaya çıkıp yönetimimiz hakkında söylediklerini ciddiye almıyorum. Her gün kulüpteyiz, Gençler diye nefes alıyor Birliği diye veriyoruz. Taraftarımız ne derse başımız üstünde ama bu gibi isimlerin söyledikleri dediğim gibi eleştiri değil sadece dedikodudur." görüşlerine yer verdi.
Kulüp başkanı Arda Çakmak ile takımın eski teknik direktörü Metin Diyadin arasında yaşandığı belirtilen iddialara da açıklık getiren Ardıç, "Her ikisi de Gençlerbirliği ailesinin üyeleri. Birbirleri hakkında sadece onlar konuşabilir. Biz, kimin bu büyük aile için ne yaptığının farkındayız." değerlendirmesinde bulundu.
Google app for desktop is now available for Windows users around the world in English
Google’s legal troubles over its search and ad tech businesses are entering a new phase — one that could expose the company to billions in payouts from advertisers seeking damages after U.S. courts found it illegally monopolized key digital ad markets.
Driving the news. A growing group of advertisers is preparing to file mass arbitration claims against Google, according to attorney Ashley Keller, who said the first filings are expected this week.
Catch up quick. Courts in 2024 dealt Google major antitrust blows.
Why we care. This case could open a path to recover money advertisers believe they overpaid for search and display ads due to Google’s alleged monopoly power. Mass arbitration may give businesses more leverage than individual claims and could pressure Google into settlements.
It also signals growing legal scrutiny of the digital ad market, which could eventually lead to more competition and lower costs.
Why arbitration matters. Most advertisers can’t simply sue Google in court because their contracts require disputes to go through arbitration.
That usually favors large companies when claims are handled one by one. But mass arbitration — which bundles 25 or more similar claims — can shift leverage back toward claimants.
What’s new. This case could break new ground because most mass arbitrations to date have involved consumers or workers — not corporate plaintiffs.
A large-scale advertiser action against Google would be among the first major efforts to use the strategy for business-to-business claims.
What Google says. In a recent filing, Google said it faces private damages claims tied to global antitrust cases but cannot yet estimate potential losses.
The company said it believes it has “strong arguments” and plans to defend itself aggressively.
The bottom line. Google’s antitrust losses are no longer just a regulatory problem — they are becoming a direct financial threat, with advertisers now testing whether mass arbitration can turn monopoly rulings into real payouts.
”İnter”in ulduz futbolçusu Hakan Çalhanoğlunun meneceri Qordon Stipic son günlər yayılan transfer şayiələrinə son qoyub.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, o, türkiyəli yarımmüdafiəçinin gələcəyi ilə bağlı faktları rəsmən açıqlayıb.
Menecer bildirib ki, 32 yaşlı futbolçunun Milan təmsilçisi ilə 2027-ci ilə qədər müqaviləsi var və o, həm klubundan, həm də İtaliyadakı həyatından olduqca məmnundur.
Transfer spekulyasiyalarına aydınlıq gətirən Stipic “cim-bom”la heç bir təmasın olmadığını vurğulayıb:
”Gerçəklər çox sadədir: Nə keçən yay, nə də yanvar ayında ‘Qalatasaray’la hər hansı bir görüş keçirilməyib. Heç bir nöqtədə konkret təşəbbüs və ya tələb olmayıb”.
Hakanın hazırda yalnız uğura fokuslandığını deyən agent futbolçunun “İnter”lə A Seriyasının çempionluq mübarizəsinə və Türkiyə millisinin kapitanı kimi Dünya Çempionatına hazırlaşdığını qeyd edib.
Cari mövsümdə “İnter” forması ilə 28 rəsmi matça çıxan təcrübəli yarımmüdafiəçi 10 qol və 6 asistlə komandasının liderlərindən biri olduğunu bir daha sübut edib.
Nigeriya millisinin sabiq üzvü Efan Ekoku, “Qalatasaray”da forma geyinən həmyerlisi Viktor Osimhen haqqında kəskin fikirlər səsləndirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, o, Osimhenin hələ “ən yüksək səviyyəyə” çatmadığını iddia edib.
58 yaşlı Ekoku Osimhenin adının dünyanın ən yaxşı hücumçuları ilə eyni sırada çəkilməsinə qarşı çıxıb:
”Osimhenin yüksək səviyyəli oyunçular arasında olduğunu düşünmürəm. Levandovski, Benzema və Ronaldo kimi simalar 15 ildir zirvədədirlər. Mbappe, Keyn və Haaland da həmçinin. Məncə, Osimhen onlardan bir pillə aşağıdadır”.
Ekoku gənc forvardın xarakterini də tənqid edərək, onun emosiyalarını idarə edə bilmədiyini vurğulayıb:
“O, duyğularını gizlədə bilmir və çox tez əsəbiləşir. Son Afrika Millətlər Kubokunda bəzi komanda yoldaşlarına qarşı komanda ruhuna zərər verə biləcək şəkildə danışdığını gördük. Onun yenidən Avropanın böyük klublarına qayıdıb-qayıtmayacağını görmək maraqlı olacaq”.
Karyerası ərzində “Norviç”, “Uimbldon” və “Qrasshopper” kimi klublarda çıxış edən Ekoku Nigeriya millisi ilə 1994-cü ildə Afrika Millətlər Kubokunun qalibi olub.
”Napoli” klubunun qalmaqallı prezidenti Aurelio De Laurentiis futbolun mövcud sistemini “darıxdırıcı” adlandıraraq, dünyanı şoka salacaq dəyişikliklər təklif edib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, De Laurentiisin ən diqqətçəkən təklifi oyun müddəti ilə bağlı olub.
O, 90 dəqiqəlik sistemin artıq tamaşaçı itirdiyini iddia edərək, matçların hər biri 25 dəqiqə olmaqla, cəmi 50 dəqiqə davam etməsini istəyir. Prezidentin fikrincə, bu, oyunu daha intensiv və aksiyonla dolu edəcək.
Futbolun simvolu olan kartların ədalətsizliyə yol açdığını müdafiə edən klub rəhbəri, basketbol və buz hokeyindəki kimi dəqiqəlik cəza sistemini təklif edib.
İtaliyalı futbol adamı bu tədbirlərin qaçılmaz olduğunu bildirib. O, gənc nəslin uzunmüddətli oyunlardan sıxıldığını və futbolun digər əyləncə sektorları ilə rəqabət apara bilməsi üçün bu dəyişikliklərin vacib olduğunu vurğulayıb.
20 yaşadək cüdoçular arasında ne-vaza üzrə ACF Kuboku keçirilib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Abşeron Olimpiya İdman Kompleksində təşkil olunan turnirdə 32 klub və idman cəmiyyətindən 145 idmançı (113 oğlan, 32 qız) ümumilikdə 13 çəki dərəcəsində qüvvəsini sınayıb.
Cüdoda ne-vaza bacarıqları idmançıların görüş zamanı yer (parter) texnikalarını inkişaf etdirməsinə və təkmilləşdirməsinə şərait yaradır. Bu bacarıqlar həm fəndlərdən yayınmaq, həm də rəqibi daha effektiv şəkildə məğlub etmək üçün vacib taktiki yanaşmaların formalaşmasında mühüm rol oynayır.
Qalib və mükafatçıları təqdim edirik:
Oğlanlar
-60 kq
1. Kərim Kərimli (Neftçi İK)
2. Bahadır Feyzullayev (Neftçi İK)
3. Nicat Şıxızadə (JC 2012 Qobustan)
3. Fərid Qasımzadə (Azəri-Cüdo İKİB)
-66 kq
1. Nihad Rəhimov (RKİM)
2. Əli Cəfərov (Judo Club 2012)
3. Kənan Məmmədov (Bakı şəhəri 1 nömrəli RİOEUGİM PHŞ)
3. Zeyd Ələsgərov (Sərhədçi İM)
-73 kq
1. Fəqan Məmmədli (Judo Club 2012)
2. Tunar Məmmədli (Sərhədçi İM)
3. Rəsul Əmirzadə (Neftçi İK)
3. Ümüd Əbdülov (Bakı şəhəri 1 nömrəli RİOEUGİM PHŞ)
-81 kq
1. Məhəmməd Ağakişiyev (Sərhədçi İM)
2. Cahandar Haqverdiyev (Atilla İK)
3. Kənan Məmmədli (Judo Club 2012)
3. Həşim Abbasov (Atilla İK)
-90 kq
1. Qəzənfər Kazımlı (Bakı şəhəri 13 nömrəli İOEUGİM PHŞ)
2. Amir Xəzriyev (Bakı şəhəri 13 nömrəli İOEUGİM PHŞ)
3. Akif Zeydquliyev (Atilla İK)
-100 kq
1. Elşən Fərzəliyev (Judo Club 2012)
2. Fərid İsmayılov (Judo Club 2012)
+100 kq
1. Oqtay Məmmədov (Bakı şəhəri 8 nömrəli İOEUGİM PHŞ)
Qızlar
-52 kq
1. Sevil Abdulzadə (Neftçi İK)
2. Leyla Əliyeva (Judo Club 2012)
3. Gülay Haqverdiyeva (Neftçi İK)
-57 kq
1. Zeynəb Şərbətova (Naftalan UGİM)
2. Esmira Bayramova (Xəzri İK)
3. Zəhra Əliyeva (AHİTA)
3. Yasəmən Əkbəri (RKİM)
-63 kq
1. Zəhra Hüseynzadə (Xəzri İK)
2. Leyla Məcidova (Bakı şəhəri 13 nömrəli İOEUGİM PHŞ)
3. İlahə Əzizzadə (Neftçi İK)
-70 kq
1. Mələk Bayramlı (DİN İC)
2. Aynur Mirzağayeva (Neftçi İK)
-78 kq
1. Arzu Rəşidova (Sumqayıt şəhəri İOEUGİM)
2. Əsmər Əliyeva (Neftçi İK)
3. Zəhra İbadova (Neftçi İK)
+78 kq
1. Ceyran Vijehdolatabad (Fərid İK Sumqayıt)
2. Aysel Mustafazadə (İmişli)
3. Nərgiz Vəlizadə (Judo Club 2012)
Leonardo Spinazzola’s future at Napoli is looking increasingly uncertain, with the experienced left-back yet to receive any indication from the club that they wish to extend his contract beyond its June expiry – and his representatives have begun exploring alternatives, with Milan making contact in recent weeks.
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Spinazzola was a key figure in Napoli’s Scudetto triumph last season, offering versatility and energy under Antonio Conte across multiple positions.
This season he has continued to contribute, registering three goals and three assists in 28 appearances. Despite that, the silence from Naples has grown deafening as the weeks pass, with De Laurentiis understood to be keen on rejuvenating the squad, and at 33, Spinazzola does not fit that profile.
His agent has moved proactively in response, approaching Milan about the possibility of signing the Italy international on a free transfer this summer, as per CalcioMercato reports.
The timing is logical from Milan’s perspective, with Pervis Estupiñán’s brief time at the club expected to end, they will need a left-back option.
However, while Milan have noted the terms being offered, they have not moved further and Spinazzola is not currently considered a priority target.
A more intriguing possibility is a return to Juventus, where Spinazzola came through the youth system before moving on without ever truly establishing himself. Giorgio Chiellini, a close personal friend, has been in contact with the player’s camp in recent days, though at this stage it amounts to nothing more than an exploratory conversation rather than a concrete approach.
Spinazzola himself would prefer to stay at Napoli, particularly if Conte remains in charge. That decision, however, appears increasingly unlikely to be his to make.
Francesco Totti’s long-awaited return to Roma in an official capacity has been put on hold, with the friction between Claudio Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini emerging as an unexpected obstacle in what had appeared to be an imminent homecoming for the club’s greatest icon.
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As recently as mid-February, a deal seemed close. Totti had publicly acknowledged that talks were underway, “It’s all true, we are talking and evaluating a few situations, we’ll see what can be done,” and Ranieri had given his blessing to the idea of the former captain taking on an ambassadorial role, particularly fitting given Roma are approaching their centenary celebrations.
The mood was cautiously optimistic and a formal announcement felt like a matter of weeks away.
Then things went quiet, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Approximately 40 days have passed since Totti had dinner with Gasperini and former Roma defender Vincent Candela at a well-known restaurant in central Rome, a meeting that Roma’s hierarchy were not informed about in advance.
Since that evening, no further calls have come from Trigoria and the process has effectively ground to a halt. Totti, who has been on holiday in the Bahamas in recent days, has been left waiting for a signal from the Friedkin family that has not yet arrived.
The broader instability at the club, with Gasperini and Ranieri’s relationship now under public scrutiny following last week’s press conference exchanges, has created an atmosphere in which major decisions are being deferred rather than made.
Any resumption of contact with Totti is now expected to wait until the end of the season, when Roma’s sporting and organisational structure becomes clearer. Whether the club’s centenary will ultimately be celebrated with their greatest son back inside the building remains, for now, an open question.
Serginho has urged Milan not to panic in the wake of Saturday’s humbling defeat to Udinese, insisting the club have more than enough quality to secure a top-four finish, and that the next two fixtures against Verona and Juventus will be the defining moments of their season.
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The former Brazilian left-back, who spent seven years at San Siro and remains one of the club’s most popular figures, was measured but optimistic in his assessment of a side that has seen their Champions League cushion shrink at an uncomfortable moment.
The loss to Udinese reduced Milan’s lead over fifth-placed Como to just five points, with six games remaining. “Not much that is strange or abnormal happened on Saturday,” Serginho said, via Gazzetta.
“This season the team has performed well against the big clubs but struggled against mid-table and smaller opposition. When Milan have to take the initiative and build play, they find it more difficult, it happened against Parma too.”
His confidence in the broader picture, however, remains unshaken.
“Milan have their destiny in their own hands and depend only on themselves,” he said. “I don’t look at the calendar, I believe this squad has the potential to finish second or third if they return to the balance and solidity that kept them unbeaten for 24 league games. From Sunday I hope to see that team again.”
On the Leão situation, the Portuguese winger was loudly booed by the San Siro crowd, Serginho acknowledged the friction while offering a characteristically optimistic take. “San Siro is a demanding stadium that has applauded him many times when he has scored and delivered important performances,” he said. “Perhaps the whistles on Saturday will be an extra stimulus for him to show his worth in this final stretch. Sometimes one goal is enough to rekindle the love. If he scored the decisive goal against Juventus, for example…”
He was equally clear about the stakes involved. “Milan must play in the Champions League, for its history, for the club it is and for the fans it has. I am optimistic and I don’t even want to think about not being in the top four after the final day. I believe in Allegri and his players. Against Verona and Juventus we will see the real Milan. I am convinced of it.”
Massimo Taibi’s journey to professional football began not with ambition but with necessity, a missing goalkeeper at a youth game in Palermo that prompted someone to ask the forward if he fancied going between the posts. He never came back out.
That accidental beginning launched a career that took him to AC Milan, Man Utd and across the length and breadth of Serie A, and now the 56-year-old is channelling those experiences as sporting director at Pistoiese.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Taibi was warm and candid about the giants he encountered along the way. At Milan, he arrived to find Ruud Gullit alone in the dining room having a coffee on his first day. Marco van Basten left an even more lasting impression. “Marco was a gazelle,” Taibi recalled. “I often stayed behind with him after training. He had a unique elegance in everything he did.”
It was at Manchester United, however, where perhaps the most memorable chapter of his career unfolded, however briefly. Sir Alex Ferguson personally collected him from the airport when he arrived from Venezia in 1999, a gesture that immediately set the tone.
“They had initially wanted to sign Toldo, then they bought me instead,” Taibi said. “Sir Alex came to the airport himself and introduced me to the entire board at eight in the evening. It was not something you could take for granted.”
David Beckham proved equally impressive up close. “I often stayed behind with him after training, he surprised me with the way he struck the ball, but above all with his attitude,” Taibi said. “From the outside he seems like a tabloid character, but in reality he was the first to arrive and the last to leave.”
His departure from Old Trafford remains his greatest regret. Despite Ferguson urging him to stay, learn the language and fight for his place, a family situation in Italy prompted a hasty exit.
“I had four years on my contract,” he said. “Ferguson told me to stay and play my cards. I was wrong to be impulsive.” At least, as he reflects with a smile, many people remember him for a headed goal he scored for Reggina rather than the mistakes, and that, he suggests, will do just fine.
Bazoumana Toure has been linked with a move away from Hoffenheim at the end of the season, and Liverpool is keen on him.
According to Sky Germany, Liverpool have become the first Premier League club to express interest in the 20-year-old, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done. The German club will not sanction his departure unless they receive a club record offer.
They received €43.5 million from the departure of Joelinton to Newcastle United, and they will be holding out for more than that in the summer. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool is prepared to pay.
Sporting director Andreas Schicker confirmed to Sky Sport last Friday: “Bazou has developed very well. We brought him in from Sweden a year and a half ago. You can see week after week what qualities he brings. With him, it’s like this: if there’s interest – which you can tell because he delivers week after week – then it has to be in a league that Hoffenheim hasn’t seen before.”
They need more quality on the flanks. The 20-year-old will add explosive pace and flair to the team. Toure has 14 goal contributions this season.
The opportunity to play in England will be exciting for Toure. He is a young player with a lot of potential, and Liverpool could groom him into a future star. Mohamed Salah has announced that he will leave the club in the summer, and they need to replace him properly. The 20-year-old could be a long-term replacement for the Egyptian International.
Liverpool have the financial muscle to be a premium for him, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to break the Bank in the summer. They need to improve multiple areas of the squad. It has been a disappointing season for them, and they are currently fifth in the league table. They were expected to defend their league title after spending nearly half a billion on new signings at the start of the season.
The post Liverpool lead race for 14-G/A forward who “delivers week after week”, face club-record transfer hurdle appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Maghnes Akliouche could be on his way to the Premier League during the summer transfer window, and Manchester United are keeping tabs on him.
According to a report from Football Insider, they are looking to bring in a right-sided attacker, and a 24-year-old fits the profile. He has been in impressive form for AS Monaco, registering 15 goal contributions across all competitions.
He will add pace, flair and technical ability in the final third for Manchester United. They are pushing for a top-three finish in the Premier League, and they will be hoping to fight for trophies next year. They need to keep improving the team in order to compete with elite clubs in the UEFA Champions League next season. Adding more creativity in the final third would be a wise decision.
The report claims that the player could cost around £40 million. It seems reasonable for a player of his potential, and Manchester United should be able to afford him. The 24-year-old has the attributes to justify the outlay in the near future.
Pete O’Rourke explained: “I’m sure there’ll be a number of clubs who’ll be keeping tabs on Akliouche this summer.
“He’s under contract at Monaco until 2029, so they would demand a decent fee for him, probably around £40m plus.”
The opportunity to move to Manchester United could be exciting for him. It would be the ideal next step for him, and he would get to prove himself at a higher level. Manchester United have done well to groom young players in the past, and they could play a key role in the development of the International. Regular football in England could help him improve further and establish himself as a key player for club and country.
The post Man United closely watching 24-year-old creative force, learn asking price appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Looking to officially punch their Champions League semi-final ticket with another heavyweight statement, Bayern Munich will welcome Real Madrid to the Allianz on Wednesday night. Embarking on what has been a record-breaking European romp this season, Vincent Kompany’s squad return to Munich holding a slender advantage following their famous 2-1 win on foreign soil last […]
The post Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid Bet Builder Tips – 4/1 Champions League Special, Analysis & Predictions appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid Bet Builder Tips – 4/1 Champions League Special, Analysis & Predictions appeared first on Soccer News.
Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal team to play with “no fear” and “pure fire” in their quest to reach the Champions League semi-finals. Arsenal lead their last-eight tie 1-0 against Sporting CP ahead of Wednesday’s clash at Emirates Stadium thanks to Kai Havertz’s 91st-minute finish. The Gunners have won 10 of their 11 games […]
The post Arteta: Arsenal must play with ´no fear´ and ´pure fire´ against Sporting appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Arteta: Arsenal must play with ´no fear´ and ´pure fire´ against Sporting appeared first on Soccer News.
Manager John McGlynn says leading Falkirk out at a Scottish Cup final would represent the "pinnacle" of his career as the club prepare for a crucial last-four tie against Dunfermline Athletic this weekend.
The Scottish Premiership side face Neil Lennon's men at Hampden on Saturday at 12:30 BST - live on the BBC - with a place in May's showpiece at stake.
McGlynn has already led Falkirk to a top-six finish in the Premiership this term after securing back-to-back promotions from the third tier of Scottish football.
However, the 64-year-old is determined to cap a stunning season with the first major silverware of his managerial career.
"It would be a great honour to take the team out in a Scottish Cup final," McGlynn told BBC Scotland. "For myself, [assistant coaches] Paul Smith and Steven McGinn, and all the backroom staff, it would reflect all the work that's been put in.
"To take the team into the Premiership, be in a strong position and reach a Scottish Cup final - that would be the pinnacle of our careers.
"We know we'll have to work extremely hard to get there and maybe need a bit of luck along the way, but walking out at Hampden for a final would be a very proud moment.
"We can't look beyond Dunfermline. If we get through, then anything can happen."
Falkirk go into the semi-final on the back of a heavy 6-3 home defeat by Rangers - a match in which they led 2-0.
McGlynn, whose side remain sixth in the Premiership following the loss, admitted the game was a harsh lesson for his players.
Meanwhile, Championship side Dunfermline, who have beaten Premiership pair Hibernian and Aberdeen to reach this stage, had an eight-game unbeaten run ended by title-chasing Partick Thistle at the weekend.
"It was going so smoothly for us," McGlynn said of Sunday's loss. "We were playing very well and everything was going to plan.
"But when you get yourselves 2-0 up, you've got to take that opportunity and we didn't. When teams like Rangers and Celtic get into that rhythm, they can be very difficult to stop.
"We struggled defensively as a team and were punished. It wasn't nice to look back on - it was painful. But we've dusted ourselves down and focused on what's ahead.
"We've got so much to play for, especially this week. This is a huge game, and we've got to learn from what happened."
The San Francisco Giants have, somewhat unconventionally, only used 27 players this year, which means they’ve only made one move involving the Major League roster. That move was forced on them, after reliever José Buttó was placed on the Injured List, and replaced by Blade Tidwell.
It’s the time of the year where teams start to tinker with their rosters. Like the Giants, the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers have also used just one additional player; but the Colorado Rockies have used three, and the Arizona Diamondbacks four.
The Giants will likely make another pitching move before long, as relievers Sam Hentges (a lefty) and Joel Peguero (a righty) have both started rehab assignments after beginning the year on the IL. But where they really could use a move is on the offensive front. The Giants are, somewhat surprisingly, ninth in the Majors in batting average, but that’s where the good times end. San Francisco is 28th in on-base percentage, 24th in slugging percentage, dead last in walk rate, dead last in home runs, dead last in stolen bases, 29th in runs, 27th in OPS, and 27th in wRC+.
But the issue, of course, is that the Giants don’t have any quick fixes. The obvious solution to boost the offense would be to promote their top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, but even if the Giants thought he were ready (which I doubt they do), it still doesn’t really help things. Their best hitter this year has been Casey Schmitt, who has primarily been used as the DH, which is where Eldridge would need to slot in. Schmitt’s not going to displace Matt Chapman or Rafael Devers for obvious reasons, and Luis Arráez has been one of the team’s only good hitters this year, so he’s not getting displaced, either. Which means there’s no place for Eldridge.
Jesús Rodríguez is the other bat who could help the team, but similar concerns arise. The contact-heavy utility player is not going to take starts from Patrick Bailey or Arráez, and replacing Daniel “greatest hitter of all time” Susac isn’t something that needs doing.
The outfield is where the Giants really need some help, but it probably needs to come from Heliot Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee, and Harrison Bader remembering how to hit. The reinforcements there don’t seem likely to do much better: AAA Sacramento’s outfield is Grant McCray (who is in an awful slump), Will Brennan (a veteran with a large track record of being a below-average hitter in the Majors), Drew Gilbert (who isn’t lighting up the box scores and has been a very bad hitter in the Majors) and Victor Bericoto (who is still adjusting to the level).
So while most people are likely hoping for a move to come soon, it’s probably still a ways away for the Giants. But that won’t stop me from asking for your prediction of when it will occur, and who it will be.
England Test captain Ben Stokes has sought to play down speculation regarding a potential rift with head coach Brendon McCullum, though he conceded their working relationship is set to “look a little bit different” this summer.
The comments come after reports of tension following England's humbling Ashes defeat in Australia over the winter.
The dynamic duo, who have spearheaded England's ‘Bazball’ revolution since taking charge in 2022, appeared to diverge in their tactical approaches during the recent Ashes series.
While Stokes adopted a more conservative and gritty stance as the tour progressed, delivering some stern words to his squad, McCullum maintained his unwavering commitment to ultra-attacking cricket.
Despite public displays of mutual support after the 4-1 loss, a post-Ashes review reportedly highlighted signs of underlying tension.
Rob Key, managing director of men’s cricket, previously dismissed talk of a ‘big bust-up’ between the influential pair last month.
Now, Stokes has offered his own perspective, telling the England and Wales Cricket Board in an in-house interview: “Saying we weren’t aligned, I think, is a massive overstatement.”
He elaborated on the nature of leadership: “When you’re in a position of leadership along with someone else, if anyone thinks that you’re always going to agree on everything, then it’s just impossible.”
Stokes emphasised the importance of constructive disagreement.
“To me, that isn’t a healthy environment for sport, in particular. You need debate. You need discussions. Then you end up getting to the place you both want to end up getting to," he explained.
He acknowledged their differences: “As similar as me and Brendon are, we’re also dissimilar in other areas as well. We agree 95 per cent of the time on things, but those five per cent things that we might have different views on, we talk about it between each other and then we end up getting to the place where we want to get to.”
With Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan on the horizon this summer, and the prospect of reclaiming the Ashes on home soil in 2027, Stokes expressed confidence in their continued collaboration.
He hinted at an evolution in their methods: “I’m very confident in mine and Brendon’s ability to be able to work together, because we’ve done it for such a long period of time now, but work together in a slightly different way.”
The England captain reiterated their shared objective.
“The main point of me and Brendon is our alignment towards winning things and making this team as good as they can be. That’s always been the thing since we started. It might just look a little bit different now to how that operates – on the back of four years working together,” he stated, adding, “hopefully we’ll still be together at the end of 2027, winning what we want to win.”
Stokes is currently recovering from a facial injury sustained during pre-season training with Durham and is expected to return to lead England for their first Test of the summer at Lord’s on 4 June.
PA
The 2026 MLB season is through three weeks. Numerous players are off to hot starts, while others are still working on timing and rhythm. The biggest stories are the players that come out of nowhere and have tremendous starts to their season. Here are the top 10 third basemen rankings in MLB heading into week four.
MORE: MLB catcher power rankings in week 4
Donovan is off to a fast start in his first season with Seattle. He finished 2025 with a high on-base percentage. He will be one of the top offensive producers for a Mariners team looking for a deep playoff run.
Muncy is known to be a force against right-handed pitching. He’s staying healthy and doing damage early in 2026. It’s a long shot, but he can be among the NL home run leaders in 2026.
Underrated, Garcia made a name for himself last season. He finished with career highs across the board. He’s a safe bet to take another leap in 2026.
House had modest success in his 2025 rookie season. He showed glimpses of potential but suffered growing pains. He’s off to a hot start in 2026.
Caminero is heating up. After last season’s breakout, it’s only a matter of time before Caminero goes on a tear. He will be among the league’s best third basemen for the foreseeable future.
The young third baseman has started strong this season. He’s making consistent contact for a young Athletics team. He can have many opportunities to drive in runs.
Bregman is searching for a rhythm and is close. He’s poised to be a clubhouse leader in his first season with Chicago. It’s only a matter of time before he heats up.
The game’s best third baseman is heating up. He does it with power and stolen bases. By season’s end, he will be the top-ranked third baseman.
Machado is the epitome of consistency. Year after year, season after season, Machado is among the league leaders at his position. He will be a top-five third baseman by the end of the season.
Gorman has struggled to stay on the field following his breakout 2023 season. He’s failed to play in more than 111 games in back-to-back years. If he’s healthy, he can reach 30 home runs.
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Dodgers predicted to trade for $32M 2-time Cy Young winner to pair with Shohei Ohtani originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Tigers are in a difficult position with Tarik Skubal, who is in the final year of his contract. Skubal, a two-time Cy Young winner, is seeking a deal that the franchise appears unwilling to meet. In fact, there is a significant gap between what he is asking for and what the team is willing to offer.
“The Tigers and superstar pitcher Tarik Skubal have a lot of work to do if they’re going to bridge quite possibly the biggest gap in MLB negotiating history: an estimated quarter of a billion dollars. Yep, that’s not a misprint. It’s close to $250 million,” New York Post’s Jon Heyman wrote.
During the offseason, it appeared Detroit was preparing for the possibility of Skubal’s departure by signing left-hander Framber Valdez.
“The Tigers on Tuesday announced that they have signed left-hander Framber Valdez to a three-year deal worth $115 million,” MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins wrote.
Now, with the Tigers off to a slow start, FanSided’s Christopher Kline believes Detroit should consider trading Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“If the Tigers can't climb the standings expeditiously, keeping Skubal beyond the trade deadline — when he's virtually guaranteed to walk as a free agent next winter — would be malpractice. As much as it would sting, Detroit cannot get left holding the bag. If the Tigers aren't going to meaningfully contend in the American League, trading Skubal and recouping value is a must. There's no way around it. As for where Skubal might end up, it's probably a team with a high financial threshold and a deep farm system. Unfortunately for the rest of MLB, no club meets those criteria better than the Dodgers,” Kline wrote.
Adding Skubal would give Los Angeles an overwhelming advantage and likely make them clear favorites. A rotation featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Skubal would be among the most dominant in baseball.
Skubal is earning $32 million this season, which is modest compared to some of the league’s largest contracts. The Dodgers could also explore extending him before the season ends, making it even easier to justify a blockbuster move.
More MLB news:
The Carolina Hurricanes visit the New York Islanders tonight to play in the “Mother of all Meaningless Games” at UBS Arena.
The Canes have already clinched the Eastern Conference while the Islanders have officially been eliminated from playoff contention.
Of course, the game does hold meaning for the players trying to impress their respective coaches, newbie Peter DeBoer for the New Yorkers and coach Brind’Amour of Carolina.
Look for a prospect laden lineup for Carolina as they will look to rest as many regulars as possible.
Felix Unger Sorum was recalled recently and should make his NHL debut tonight. The player that the Canes drafted 62nd overall in 2023 leads the Wolves this season with 63 points in 66 games.
He will join Chicago teammates Skyler Brind’Amour, Bradly Nadeau, and Charles Alexis Legault who were previously recalled. (Josiah Slavin was returned to Chicago.)
Ronan Seeley and Joel Nystrom were also just recalled and will draw in.
Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov has been returned to the Hurricanes after a successful rehab stint for Chicago. Will he play in this game? One of many questions to be answered tonight.
The Canes did not have a morning skate so lineup decisions will be released closer to puck drop.
There is no word on the status of Jalen Chatfield, who was banged up a bit last night.
Here is how to catch the action:
Time: 7 PM
TV: FanDuel Sports Network in the Carolinas. Mike Maniscalco will handle play-by-play alongside Tripp Tracy doing color. Hanna Yates and Shane Willis will provide off-ice reports.
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network App for fans in the Carolinas. Outside the Carolinas, the game will be available on the ESPN app for any ESPN+/ESPN Unlimited subscribers.
Radio: The pregame on 99.9 The Fan starts at 6:30. At 5PM the Hurricanes Radio Network (consisting of 99.9, 730 The Game in Charlotte, ESPN New Bern 107.5/1490, and ESPN Greenville 107.5/1570) picks up the FDSN feed. You can also stream the call on the Hurricanes app.
Philadelphia Eagles urged to trade up in first round of 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Eagles possess the No. 23 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, but with needs to address, especially on offense, they’ve been urged to try to trade up in the draft by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell.
Barnwell thinks that in order to secure a solid prospect on the offensive line or at wide receiver, the Eagles would be wise to try to make a move.
“Roseman has to start thinking about what the future looks like on offense now. At No. 23, he's stuck behind teams that could be thinking offensive tackle, including the Panthers at 19, Cowboys at 20 and Steelers at 21. Moving up ahead of them might be necessary to get Johnson's long-term replacement on the right side,” Barnwell wrote.
“There isn't the same sort of hunger for a wide receiver immediately ahead of the Eagles, but the teams right behind Philly (the Browns, Bears, Bills and 49ers) could try to jump Roseman to get that wideout, which might necessitate the longtime general manager beating his rivals to the punch. “
This story will be updated.
More Philadelphia Eagles news:
After completing a visit in Evanston, Bellarmine forward Jack Karasinski announced that he’s committing to play for the ‘Cats and Chris Collins during the 2026-27 season.
The 6-foot-7-inch graduate transfer from just around the lake in Grand Rapids, Michigan started in all 30 games for the Atlantic Sun’s 7th place Bellarmine Knights last year while averaging 21.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. That points per game clip put him in the top five for forwards and top 12 in the country last season with numbers just behind former-Wildcat Nick Martinelli. His excellent senior season earned him first-team All-ASUN honors. He spent his first four years split between William & Mary and Bellarmine before choosing Northwestern for the fifth and final stop of his journey.
Karasinski slots in as the fourth official member of next year’s roster, alongside returners Jake West, Phoenix Gill and Angelo Ciaravino.
The Florida Gators have emerged as a college basketball blue blood since the turn of the millennium, winning three national championships, playing in the title game a fourth time, and making five total Final Four appearances. What was once considered a football school has become a dual threat in two of North America's biggest sports.
Now that the dust has settled from the Michigan Wolverines' second-ever NCAA Tournament triumph, ESPN's Myron Medcalf took on the task of ranking every champion of this century — bearing in mind that there was no champion crowned during the 2020 COVID campaign — beginning with the 1999-2000 season.
The author employed "a combination of real data and the eye test" in making his assessment, so these rankings are anything but scientific. Take a look at where the Orange and Blue's three trophy-winning teams landed on the list.
"The Gators ended the season as one of the hottest teams in the country after losing just one game after Feb. 1, finishing a game behind the NCAA tournament's No. 1 overall seed Auburn in the SEC standings while securing the conference tournament title. They also ranked second in adjusted offensive efficiency and sixth in adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom," Medcalf begins.
"It was Clayton's rise — he scored 23 or more points in four NCAA tournament games — that helped lift the Gators through close calls in multiple games. They had to fight through sizable deficits in multiple games and managed to launch successful comebacks in each, but they were a great story more than an all-time great team."
"Billy Donovan's two-peat began with a Florida team that won its first 17-0 games and then struggled through a 5-6 stretch. There were mitigating circumstances, though. Lee Humphrey, the starting point guard, had to overcome a shoulder injury and Corey Brewer needed time to recover from mono," Medcalf notes.
"On March 1, 2006, however, Noah scored 37 points in a 77-66 win over Georgia that snapped a three-game losing streak. Florida never lost another game. Noah had 30 blocks in the NCAA tournament, as the Gators — whose roster also included Al Horford — ended 2-seed UCLA's 12-game winning streak. Plus, their NCAA tournament opponents averaged only 56.6 PPG."
"Between March 21, 2006, and Feb. 17, 2007, these Gators lost only two games. Their first national title run in 2006 established a new standard for a program that won its second title in a row a year later. How? They thrived on a concept that's almost impossible to achieve in today's game: continuity," Medcalf offers.
"The same starters from the 2006 title game — Lee Humphrey, Taurean Green, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Noah — also started in the 2007 championship win over an Ohio State squad led by freshman Greg Oden (an AP first-team All-American) and Mike Conley Jr. (18 years in the NBA). These Gators didn't dominate the NCAA tournament, but they were more consistent than the 2006 team and one of the better squads we've witnessed over the past 25 years."
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball's 3 national championships this century ranked
The email that PokerStars — ahem, PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel — sent to players Monday afternoon started with the words, “The fuse is lit.”
As far as online poker tournament play in the U.S. goes, those four words do appear to apply. We’re still a very long way from the poker boom days of two decades ago, of course, but the tournament scene is suddenly experiencing a spark not seen since before 2011’s Black Friday.
PokerStars announced in that email to users a major 17-day tournament festival called the PokerStars Ignite Series. And that came less than a week after WSOP Online announced the schedule for its 2026 Online Bracelet series.
Both series are able to offer attractive prize guarantees thanks to interstate pooling among several of the U.S. jurisdictions that have legalized online poker. PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel now combines players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, and WSOP Online pools the same three states plus Nevada — the latter of which plays host to the in-person World Series of Poker that will run concurrently to the Online Bracelet series.
The WSOP is still the biggest brand in poker, and its online bracelets carry a prestige no other poker site can match.
The Online Bracelet series will run from May 30 to July 14, the same as the brick-and-mortar World Series (except for the delayed WSOP Main Event final table). The series features 30 bracelet events and $7 million in total guarantees.
Buy-ins range from $215 for a couple of non-bracelet “scramble” events that will award seats in the WSOP Main Event to $5,300 for the no-limit hold’em High Roller 6-Max Championship on June 27.
The WSOP is also establishing a points leaderboard and adding $50,000 in prizes to top finishers there.
The PokerStars Ignite Series can’t quite equal the WSOP’s $7 million in guarantees, but it’s coming close with a $5 million guarantee across the series.
This one starts this Saturday, April 18, and runs through May 4, with 90 events on the schedule.
The main event, beginning Sunday, May 3, costs $300 and features a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool. There is also a $1,500 high roller the same day with a $250K guarantee, plus there will be an assortment of tournaments with buy-ins as low as $20.
Get fired up for a new tournament series on PokerStars exclusively on @FanDuel starting this weekend.
— PokerStarsUSonFanDuel (@PokerStarsUSA) April 13, 2026
🔥 The Ignite Series
🔥 April 18-May 4
🔥 $5m Guaranteed series, 90 events
🔥 $500,000 Main Event for $300
🔥 Championship events from $20 to $1000 running daily
See… pic.twitter.com/iRrGk8TWYz
The revamped PokerStars’ first major tournament effort arrived this past Sunday and concluded Monday, with the Sunday Million brand brought back to life — even if it took two tournaments to produce a combined $1 million in guaranteed prize money.
And the house was on the hook for some of that, as neither tournament quite hit its guarantee.
The $1,000 buy-in event fell well short, with 449 entries (112 of which were re-entries). That field played down to 23 competitors when Day 1 play concluded at 1:45 a.m. ET on Monday, and it took about another four hours Monday evening to crown a champion. In the end, the first-place payout of $71,180.50 went to “HailMaryJerry,” and the top 10 finishers each won five figures. The tournament paid out 63 places.
The $100 tournament fared better, but it still ended up with only the promised $500K prize pool — not to mention, hundreds of the seats were awarded in promotional freerolls.
In the end, there were 5,075 entries (including 1,469 re-entries), and the top 750 made the money. They played down to 254 on the first day, resumed Monday at 6 p.m., and wrapped up at 11:46 p.m., with the top six each winning five figures and “FoldItFrank” prevailing for $55,588.
Fulham are ninth in the Premier League table, with seven games to play at the time of writing. How would you summarise their season to date?
It has been a really interesting season where 13 wins, 13 defeats and five draws mean the fanbase is either very high after a win or very low after a defeat.
And when they have drawn games, they have usually come in batches of two, so they drew two at the beginning of the season and two at the beginning of 2026, and there was a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest recently.
Other than that, it has been very inconsistent with a win here, a defeat, a win, and a lot of those games have had late drama in them, with lots of late goals that have decided them, which has caused a dramatic swing in the fanbase in terms of positivity or negativity.
In terms of individual performances and stability, and what they want to do in terms of staying in the Premier League, it has been very successful.
To get to that next level and get into Europe, there is one final push to try and do it. It is just about whether they can get over the line now after a couple of failed attempts.
It has been a good season and people will look back on it that way, but everyone is focused on Europe now, and it feels like, in some people's eyes, the season might be a failure if Fulham do not qualify. I see it as another progressive season in the Premier League.
The Whites are one of a number of teams in a packed midtable with eyes on qualifying for European football of some kind next season. What has Marco Silva said on that topic, if anything?
He has said they are fighting very, very hard for it and that is the position they want to end up in at the end of the season.
At the end of last season, he put the aim out to the players about bettering the points tally from last season, which was a club record, and if that was to be the case, it meant Fulham would have a pretty successful season and a good shot at Europe. They are on a good path towards it.
There have been a couple of results that have been a little bit detrimental to their hopes, but when they beat Burnley before the international break, that put them right back on track. Silva has been pretty clear in what he wants, and the expectation from him to the players is that Fulham can do it and the players believe it as well.
It is all on these last six games now. They have to focus on themselves, not try to rely on other teams, and just do the business.
'It is all on these last six games now. They have to focus on themselves, not try to rely on other teams, and just do the business'
On top of that, 11 more points would set a new club record for the second season running. Qualifying for Europe is the aim, of course, but would that be seen as a decent consolation?
I think so. Fulham are a club who have had to come up and stabilise themselves in the Premier League in quite a difficult climate, so to beat the points record in back-to-back seasons, given the competitive nature of the division, would be a massive success.
Given there was not a massive change in the squad in the summer, bar a couple of signings, it means the continuity has kept going, and the manager is still there, too. Fulham are on the right track and delivering results and consistent performances across the season.
They can be very inconsistent with their league form, and there is definitely a feeling they could have had more points, which was said around the same stage last season as well, but when they have lost games, they have managed to bounce back pretty well.
It would be seen as a massive success if they were able to reach 55+ points this season because it is difficult in this league; there are loads of teams vying for European places, and then teams trying to beat their own individual records as well.
Having players like Harry Wilson, Alex Iwobi and Raúl Jiménez has really helped them this season.
Which player should Brentford be keeping an eye out for on Saturday?
Josh King came on against Brentford in the game at the Gtech last season and made a decoy run, which set up the space for Wilson to score. He also made the mistake of giving the ball away, from which Brentford scored, earlier in the season, too.
But his second-half performance against Burnley was the best I have seen from him in the first team.
Of course, Wilson is the dangerman and I would expect him to start. There are a lot of players that could hurt Brentford, but he is the main one.
What should Keith Andrews’ side expect in terms of shape and style?
It will be a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, however you want to see it. A goalkeeper, a back four, a holding midfielder, one more advanced, a no.10, maybe Wilson on the right-hand side, Samuel Chukwueze or Oscar Bobb on the left - given Kevin is likely still injured – then Jiménez or Rodrigo Muniz up top.
Out of possession, they like to press in a 4-4-2, with the no.10 pressing from the front with the striker, then trying to win the ball high up the pitch. They play with high intensity and are always trying to win games.
Maybe it is reflective of only five draws that Silva says they do not play for draws, which can be detrimental at times, because the desire to win can sometimes cause them to go on and lose.
Fulham are very expansive in the way they play and brave in the way they play, but given this is a derby, they will be giving it that extra 10 per cent.
What’s your score prediction?
Right now, I think this is going to be a game where both teams score.
I am very wary of Igor Thiago, whose form is incredible, and the fact that Brentford seem to create chances and score goals in nearly every game they play.
There will be goals, so I am going to go for a 2-2 draw.
Atletico Madrid host Barcelona on Tuesday in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal and they have a healthy lead to protect.
MORE — Champions League scores & semifinal matchups
Diego Simeone’s side secured a shock 2-0 win at the Nou Camp in the first leg, which was helped by a red card to Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi just before half time. Still, Atleti were clinical when their big chances arrived and even though they sit fourth in La Liga (22 points behind leaders Barcelona) they have really stepped things up in the Champions League this season and remain a proper cup team.
Barcelona look certain to win a second-straight La Liga title under Hansi Flick, but they have a mountain to climb in Madrid if they want to reach consecutive Champions League semifinals. Still, if any team in Europe can quickly erase a 2-0 deficit it's this Barca side. Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Co. can score in bunches but they know how tough Atleti will make this.
For live updates and highlights throughout Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona, check out PST's live blog coverage below.
Kick off time:3pm ET Tuesday (April 14)
Venue:Riyadh Air Metropolitano — Madrid
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
Goalkeeper and legend Jan Oblak has returned to training ahead of this game, which is a huge boost, and USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso is also back in training after his injury. David Hancko, Jose Gimenez and Pablo Barrios are all doubts, while Marc Pubill is suspended. Atletico will make this very scrappy and press high in moments and they have the quality of Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sorloth to hurt Barca on the break.
Raphinha and Andreas Christensen remain out injured, with the former a massive loss in attack. Cubarsi is suspended after his red card in the first leg, while Marc Bernal and Gerard Martin are pushing to feature. Lewandowski will lead the line with Yamal on the right and then the likes of Marcus Rashford, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres will all be pushing to start as Barca aim to score early and make this very uncomfortable for Atletico.
This feels like it could be another memorable European night for Barcelona, but Atletico will dig in and just get over the line. Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona (Atletico Madrid win 3-2 on aggregate).
Coming off a Super Bowl berth, the New England Patriots have a clear plan in mind for the 2026 offseason: it’s about remodeling, not rebuilding, as head coach Mike Vrabel said after the season.
The NFL Draft naturally is a major part of this process. Until the event in late April, the Patriots — led by Vrabel and EVP of player personnel Eliot Wolf — will be conducting interviews, working out prospects, inviting them for a finite number of pre-draft visits, and in general try to get as complete a picture as possible. It remains to be seen what this process eventually leads to, but there will be plenty of news to report.
In order to find out who the Patriots have already spoken to or worked out thus far, please make sure to bookmark this regularly-updated pre-draft tracker. We will have all contact listed to the best of our knowledge.
(Note: Please scroll down for a meeting-by-meeting breakdown)
Jalon Daniels (Kansas): 30 visit
Joe Fagnano (UConn): Local visit
Haynes King (Georgia Tech): Pro Day
Behren Morton (Texas Tech): 30 visit
Brady Olson (Central Connecticut State): Local Pro Day
Cole Payton (North Dakota State): Pro Day
Sawyer Robertson (Baylor): Virtual meeting
Kaelon Black (Indiana): 30 visit
Greg Desrosiers (Memphis): Local Pro Day
Cash Jones (Georgia): Pro Day
Jordan McDonald (Boston College): Local Pro Day
Kejon Owens (Florida International): Senior Bowl
Adam Randall (Clemson): 30 visit
Jordon Vaughn (Abilene Christian): College Gridiron Showcase
Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas): Combine + Pro Day
Cyrus Allen (Cincinnati): 30 visit
Lewis Bond (Boston College): Senior Bowl
Camden Brown (Georgia Southern): Hula Bowl
K.C. Concepcion (Texas A&M): 30 visit
Eamonn Dennis (Ohio): Local Pro Day
Gage Florence (North Dakota State): Pro Day
Emmanuel Henderson (Kansas): East-West Shrine Bowl
Jordan Hudson (SMU): Senior Bowl
Solomon Miller (Brown): Local Pro Day
Jack Morvan (Nichols): Local Pro Day
Ben Patterson (Texas Permian): Pro Day
Ty Pezza (Brown): Local Pro Day
Noah Short (Army): Local Pro Day
De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss): 30 visit
J. Michael Sturdivant (Florida): East-West Shrine Bowl
Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M): Combine
Jed Castles (Abilene Christian): Pro Day
Oscar Delp (Georgia): 30 visit
Enyi Falayi (Wake Forest): Local Pro Day
Ademola Faleye (Washington State): Local Pro Day
Jeremiah Franklin (Boston College): Local Pro Day
John Michael Gyllenborg (Wyoming): Senior Bowl
Louis Hansen (UConn): Local Pro Day
Eli Raridon (Notre Dame): Senior Bowl
D.J. Rogers (TCU): Senior Bowl
Dan Villari (Syracuse): Hula Bowl + Senior Bowl
Chris Adams (Memphis): Pro Day
Markel Bell (Miami): Virtual meeting
Jude Bowry (Boston College): Pro Day + Local visit
Travis Burke (Memphis): Pro Day + 30 visit
Kevin Cline (Boston College): Local Pro Day
Max Iheanachor (Arizona State): Combine + 30 visit
Kamar Missouri (UTSA): College Gridiron Showcase
Ryan Mosesso (UMass): Pro Day + Local Pro Day
Jake Pope (Illinois State): Pro Day
Jayden Williams (Mississippi): Pro Day
Kage Casey (Boise State): Senior Bowl
Greg Crippen (Michigan): Pro Day + Local Pro Day
Desmond Daniels (Alabama State): FCS Showcase
Nick Dawkins (Penn State): American Bowl
Jalen Farmer (Kentucky): Combine
Ashton Grable (Florida A&M): HBCU Legacy Bowl
Delby Lemieux (Dartmouth): Senior Bowl + Local Pro Day
Peter Nygra (Louisville): East-West Shrine Bowl
Brian Parker II (Duke): East-West Shrine Bowl
Walker Parks (Clemson): Pro Day
Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon): 30 visit
Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech): Senior Bowl
Logan Taylor (Boston College): Pro Day + Local Pro Day
Connor Tollison (Missouri): American Bowl
Jeremiah Wright (Auburn): Pro Day + 30 visit
Nick Barrett (South Carolina): Combine
Rayshaun Benny (Michigan): Senior Bowl
Gracen Halton (Oklahoma): Pro Day
Kody Huisman (Virginia Tech): American Bowl
Kevin Jobity Jr. (Syracuse): Pro Day
Sedarius McConnell (Boston College): Local Pro Day
Kayden McDonald (Ohio State): 30 visit
Noah Miles (Howard): HBCU Legacy Bow
Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M): Combine + Pro Day
Michael Otty (Bryant): Local Pro Day
Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana): Combine
Landon Robinson (Navy): East-West Shrine Bowl + Pro Day
Jernias Tafia (Colorado State): Pro Day
Noah Barrett (St. Olaf): Pro Day
Keyron Crawford (Auburn): Combine + 30 visit
Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State): Senior Bowl
George Gumbs Jr. (Florida): 30 visit
T.J. Guy (Michigan): Local Pro Day
Dayon Hayes (Texas A&M): American Bowl
Michael Heldman (Central Michigan): Hula Bowl
Romello Height (Texas A&M): 30 visit
Cashius Howell (Texas A&M): Combine
Quintayvious Hutchins (Boston College): Local Pro Day
Michael Lunz II (South Carolina State): HBCU Legacy Bowl
Akheem Mesidor (Miami): Combine
T.J. Parker (Clemson): Senior Bowl
Kaghen Roach (Abilene Christian): Pro Day
Tyreak Sapp (Florida): Pro Day
Bryan Thomas (South Carolina): Pro Day
R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma): 30 visit
Dion Wilson Jr. (Syracuse): Pro Day
Chris Wright (Abilene Christian): Pro Day
Zion Young (Missouri): Combine + 30 visit
Shad Banks Jr. (UTSA): Hula Bowl
Ernest Hausmann (Michigan): Pro Day
Khalil Jacobs (Missouri): Pro Day + Virtual meeting + 30 visit
Bryun Parham (UConn): Local Pro Day
Jimmy Rolder (Michigan): Pro Day
Steven Ward (Pittsburgh State): Pro Day
Wade Woodaz (Clemson): Pro Day
Javin Wright (Nebraska): American Bowl
Caleb Anderson (Michigan): College Gridiron Showcase
Elias Archie (Brown): Local Pro Day
Shahid Barros (Iowa): Local Pro Day
Rashad Battle (Pittsburgh): American Bowl
Nasir Bowers (Toledo): Pro Day
Jadon Canady (Oregon): East-West Shrine Bowl
Elijah Culp (James Madison): American Bowl
Michael Dansby (Arizona): American Bowl
Andre Fuller (Toledo): East-West Shrine Bowl + Pro Day
Malcolm Greene (UMass): Local Pro Day
Al’Zillion Hamilton (Fresno State): American Bowl
Devon Marshall (N.C. State): Virtual meeting + Local Pro Day
Karon Prunty (Wake Forest): Pro Day + 30 visit
Jaden Rios (Texas State): Hula Bowl
Keionte Scott (Miami): Combine
Avery Smith (Toledo): Combine + Pro Day
Dathan Hickey (Youngstown State): College Gridiron Showcase
Jalen Huskey (Maryland): Private meeting
Cam Smith (Marshall): Hula Bowl
Gavin Gibson (North Carolina): Hula Bowl
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo): 30 visit
Kamari Ramsey (USC): Combine
Robert Spears-Jennings (Oklahoma): Pro Day
Jalen Stroman (Notre Dame): Senior Bowl
Zakee Wheatley (Penn State): 30 visit
Sean Williams (Dartmouth): Pro Day
Malik Spencer (Michigan State): 30 visit
Garrison Grimes (LS | BYU): East-West Shrine Bowl
Ben Mann (LS | Boston College): Local Pro Day
Laith Merjan (K | Kansas): Hula Bowl
Whereas the list above gives an overview over the prospects the Patriots have been in contact with before the draft, the following overview is a breakdown by meeting opportunity plus the source of each report.
OL Desmond Daniels (Alabama State) | Source
WR Camden Brown (Georgia Southern) | Source
TE Dan Villari (Syracuse) | Source
ED Michael Heldman (Central Michigan) | Source
LB Shad Banks Jr. (UTSA) | Source
CB Jaden Rios (Texas State) | Source
S Cam Smith (Marshall) | Source
S Gavin Gibson (North Carolina) | Source
K Laith Merjan (Kansas) | Source
RB Jordon Vaughn (Abilene Christian) | Source
OT Kamar Missouri (UTSA) | Source
CB Caleb Anderson (Michigan) | Source
S Dathan Hickey (Youngstown State) | Source
OL Nick Dawkins (Penn State) | Source
OL Connor Tollison (Missouri) | Source
DT Kody Huisman (Virginia Tech) | Source
ED Dayon Hayes (Texas A&M) | Source
LB Javin Wright (Nebraska) | Source
CB Rashad Battle (Pittsburgh) | Source
CB Elijah Culp (James Madison) | Source
CB Michael Dansby (Arizona) | Source
CB Al’Zillion Hamilton (Fresno State) | Source
WR Emmanuel Henderson (Kansas) | Source
OL Brian Parker II (Duke) | Source
OL Peter Nygra (Louisville) | Source
DT Landon Robinson (Navy) | Source
CB Andre Fuller (Toledo) | Source
LS Garrison Grimes (BYU) | Source
WR J. Michael Sturdivant (Florida) | Source
CB Jadon Canady (Oregon) | Source
RB Kejon Owens (Florida International) | Source
WR Lewis Bond (Boston College) | Source
TE John Michael Gyllenborg (Wyoming) | Source
TE D.J. Rogers (TCU) | Source
TE Dan Villari (Syracuse) | Source
OL Kage Casey (Boise State) | Source
OL Delby Lemieux (Dartmouth) | Source
DT Rayshaun Benny (Michigan) | Source
ED Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State) | Source
ED T.J. Parker (Clemson) | Source
S Jalen Stroman (Notre Dame) | Source
TE Eli Raridon (Notre Dame) | Source
WR Jordan Hudson (SMU) | Source
OL Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech) | Source
OL Ashton Grable (Florida A&M) | Source
DT Noah Miles (Howard) | Source
ED Michael Lunz II (South Carolina State) | Source
TE Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M) | Source
OL Jalen Farmer (Kentucky) | Source
DT Nick Barrett (South Carolina) | Source
DT Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana) | Source
DT Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M) | Source
ED Keyron Crawford (Auburn) | Source
ED Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) | Source
ED Akheem Mesidor (Miami) | Source
ED Zion Young (Missouri) | Source
CB Avery Smith (Toledo) | Source
S Kamari Ramsey (USC) | Source
RB Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas) | Source
CB Keionte Scott (Miami) | Source
OT Max Iheanachor (Arizona State) | Source
OT Travis Burke (Memphis) | Source
OT Jake Pope (Illinois State) | Source
LB Khalil Jacobs (Missouri) | Source
DT Gracen Halton (Oklahoma) | Source
S Robert Spears-Jennings (Oklahoma) | Source
RB Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas) | Source
QB Haynes King (Georgia Tech) | Source
LB Steven Ward (Pittsburgh State) | Source
DT Kevin Jobity Jr. (Syracuse) | Source
CB Andre Fuller (Toledo) | Source
DT Jernias Tafia (Colorado State) | Source
TE Jed Castles (Abilene Christian) | Source
OL Walker Parks (Clemson) | Source
ED Chris Wright (Abilene Christian) | Source
WR Ben Patterson (Texas Permian) | Source
ED Kaghen Roach (Abilene Christian) | Source
RB Cash Jones (Georgia) | Source
QB Cole Payton (North Dakota State) | Source
LB Ernest Hausmann (Michigan) | Source
ED Bryan Thomas (South Carolina) | Source
OT Jayden Williams (Mississippi) | Source
DT Landon Robinson (Navy) | Source
LB Jimmy Rolder (Michigan) | Source
WR Gage Florence (North Dakota State) | Source
ED Dion Wilson Jr. (Syracuse) | Source
LB Wade Woodaz (Clemson) | Source
OL Jeremiah Wright (Auburn) | Source
OT Ryan Mosesso (UMass) | Source
OL Greg Crippen (Michigan) | Source
S Sean Williams (Dartmouth) | Source
ED Noah Barrett (St. Olaf) | Source
CB Nasir Bowers (Toledo) | Source
CB Avery Smith (Toledo) | Source
CB Karon Prunty (Wake Forest) | Source
OT Chris Adams (Memphis) | Source
OT Jude Bowry (Boston College) | Source
OL Logan Taylor (Boston College) | Source
DT Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M) | Source
ED Tyreak Sapp (Florida) | Source
LB Khalil Jacobs (Missouri) | Source
QB Sawyer Robertson (Baylor) | Source
CB Devon Marshall (N.C. State) | Source
OT Markel Bell (Miami) | Source
S Jalen Huskey (Maryland) | Source
QB Brady Olson (Central Connecticut State) | Source
OT Ryan Mosesso (UMass) | Source
OL Greg Crippen (Michigan) | Source
CB Devon Marshall (N.C. State) | Source
WR Ty Pezza (Brown) | Source
CB Elias Archie (Brown) | Source
RB Greg Desrosiers (Memphis) | Source
RB Jordan McDonald (Boston College) | Source
WR Eamonn Dennis (Ohio) | Source
WR Solomon Miller (Brown) | Source
WR Jack Morvan (Nichols) | Source
WR Noah Short (Army) | Source
TE Enyi Falayi (Wake Forest) | Source
TE Ademola Faleye (Washington State) | Source
TE Jeremiah Franklin (Boston College) | Source
TE Louis Hansen (UConn) | Source
OT Kevin Cline (Boston College) | Source
OL Delby Lemieux (Dartmouth) | Source
OL Logan Taylor (Boston College) | Source
DT Sedarius McConnell (Boston College) | Source
DT Michael Otty (Bryant) | Source
ED T.J. Guy (Michigan) | Source
ED Quintayvious Hutchins (Boston College) | Source
LB Bryun Parham (UConn) | Source
CB Shahid Barros (Iowa) | Source
CB Malcolm Greene (UMass) | Source
LS Ben Mann (Boston College) | Source
OT Jude Bowry (Boston College) | Source
QB Joe Fagnano (UConn) | Source
ED R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma) | Source
ED Romello Height (Texas Tech) | Source
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo) | Source
OT Travis Burke (Memphis) | Source
RB Adam Randall (Clemson) | Source
S Zakee Wheatley (Penn State) | Source
WR De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) | Source
TE Oscar Delp (Georgia) | Source
WR K.C. Concepcion (Texas A&M) | Source
DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) | Source
ED Zion Young (Missouri) | Source
OL Jeremiah Wright (Auburn) | Source
OT Max Iheanachor (Arizona State) | Source
ED George Gumbs Jr. (Florida) | Source
CB Karon Prunty (Wake Forest) | Source
RB Kaelon Black (Indiana) | Source
WR Cyrus Allen (Cincinnati) | Source
LB Khalil Jacobs (Missouri) | Source
QB Jalon Daniels (Kansas) | Source
OL Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon) | Source
QB Behren Morton (Texas Tech) | Source
ED Keyron Crawford (Auburn) | Source
S Malik Spencer (Michigan State) | Source
It is one thing to find an MLB hitter struggling. It is another thing to find them injured and not playing at all. The injury report will be important from start to finish throughout the entire 2026 season. As of now, these key players are battling injuries and are included in the Week 3 Injury Report.
The Orioles will have to wait on Holliday's return. He will not be back this week as previously hoped, and Holliday's return will now be expected by May 1st.
The Orioles were happy with Rutschman's MRI results. He remains on the IR, but with a return hopefully over the next 1-2 weeks (ankle).
The Astros continue their injury woes with Pena. He works through a knee injury and is held out of the lineup on the 10-day IL. Pena's time spent out should not be overly long.
Fantasy baseball owners have gotten promising news on Betts: he feels symptom-free. Betts is on the 10-day IL and will not return until at least April 24th.
The Marlins' star outfielder is going through his rehab games in Triple-A. The Marlins expect his return as soon as next week, fueling a run that we view as having breakout potential.
The Brewers removed Yelich from Sunday's game with hamstring tightness. He remains off the IL, thus hoping to return as soon as Tuesday night.
Chourio is still not cleared with his hand fracture. Luckily, once it heals, he will be full strength. The return is unknown, but likely over the next 1-2 weeks.
Arraez has a wrist injury of low-concern, avoiding the IL and hoping for a Tuesday lineup return.
The Rangers' breakout candidate avoided anything major with a quadricep injury. He will be back in the Tuesday night lineup as a must-start.
Barger has left his walking boot, and the teams expect his return to be right after the 10-day IL window closes.
Springer deals with a toe injury, forcing a 10-day IL stint. Springer is expected to be out for the minimum time.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/fantasy as Week 3 Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Must-Know Updates on Key Hitters.
Dustin Poirier had high praise for Josh Hokit following his performance at UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday.
Hokit spent fight week taunting top-ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes and even went after headliners Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka, drawing mixed reactions from UFC fans.
When the time came to perform, however, Hokit delivered, outlasting Blaydes in an all-out war on the main card at Kaseya Center and walking away $200,000 richer with two performance bonuses.
The lightweight legend addressed the performance on About Last Fight, drawing a direct line between Hokit’s willingness to back up his words and the rise of some of the sport’s biggest stars.
“When stars start to align, you’ve seen it in Conor McGregor, when you talk the talk, and you walk the walk,” Poirier said. “You’ve seen it in ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley. You’ve seen Chael Sonnen. We’ve seen it time and time again where guys talk the talk and walk the walk, and Hokit just did it this week.
“He talked a big game, and he went out there and put on one of the best heavyweight fights we’ve seen and got his hand raised. Good things happen, you become a star.”
Hokit, now 9-0 in MMA and 3-0 in the UFC, was immediately rewarded with a high-profile next assignment. He has been booked to face Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House, a booking that reflects how seriously the promotion is taking his early momentum inside the octagon.
Related Headlines
Liverpool's UEFA Champions League run came to an unceremonious end on Tuesday, as the Reds were again beaten 2-0 by reigning European champions PSG and star forward Hugo Ekitike suffered a potentially serious injury in the process.
MORE — Champions League scores & semifinal matchups
Arne Slot's side trailed 2-0 heading into the second leg and Ekitike’s non-contact injury only made life more difficult — on the night and in the future. Alexander Isak made his first start since breaking his leg in December, but the Swede was only available for 45 minutes. Mohamed Salah replaced Ekitike just after the half-hour mark and Cody Gakpo did the same for Isak at halftime.
PSG played with Liverpool at arm's length for most of the night, protecting their 2-0 lead rather sensible before Ousmane Dembele bagged a brace in the final 20 minutes and put the exclamation point on a resounding quarterfinal victory. Dembele curled a beauty past Giorgi Mamardashvili in the 71st minute and slammed home Bradley Barcola's cross in the 91st.
Up next, PSG will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the semifinals, just 270 minutes from defending their crown and becoming the first side to win back-to-back Champions Leagues since Real Madrid won three in a row in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Bayern lead that tie 2-1 with the second leg at home on Wednesday.
Goalscorers: Ousmane Dembele (73', 90'+1)
PSG LEAD AT ANFIELD
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 14, 2026
Ousmane Dembele beautifully curls in from the edge of the area to put the away side 3-0 up in the tie pic.twitter.com/p0WDCe3bEA
Liverpool think they have a penalty, but the referee Maurizio Mariani overturns it after reviewing the pitch side monitor ❌ pic.twitter.com/njo901ILRw
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 14, 2026
Latest details, as more information becomes available
Terrible news for Liverpool, who only expect Alexander Isak to play 45 minutes, and for Ekitike, whose World Cup could now be in doubt this summer.
Mamardashvili - Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez - Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz - Szoboszlai, Ekitike, Isak
Safonov - Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes - Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Neves - Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele
Kick off time:3pm ET Tuesday (April 14)
Venue:Anfield — Liverpool
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
Arne Slot's side need to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Paris against the reigning European champions, which is no small feat, but the aura of Anfield will help them. Liverpool beat Fulham 2-0 at the weekend to showcase some improved defensive solidity and that was much-needed after a poor run. They have the upper-hand in an almighty scrap for a top five finish in the Premier League and are looking good for Champions League qualification for next season.
PSG are well rested for this game as their huge league encounter against Lens was postponed by Ligue 1. Luis Enrique will set his side up to counter clinically, as they always seem to do. PSG will aim to get to half time with the score level and they then know the likes of Doue, Dembele and Kvaratskhelia can pick Liverpool off on the break.
Rio Ngumoha is pushing hard to start after his goal, and brilliant solo display, against Fulham at the weekend. Liverpool likely won't deploy a back three like they did against PSG in the first leg and Arne Slot will hope Hugo Ekitike and Co. can grab an early goal to really turn up the heat. Alisson, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Wataru Endo all remain out injured.
Fabian Ruiz and Quentin Ndjantou are PSG's only injury issues, while Bradley Barcola has returned to training which is a boost. PSG have struggled at times defensively this season but going forward they are pretty unstoppable once they pin teams back and set the tempo.
This feels like it is going to be a special night at Anfield and Liverpool will go ahead early, but PSG have enough quality to just get over the line. Liverpool 2-1 PSG (PSG win 3-2 on aggregate).
The Minnesota Vikings are doing their homework on rookie backs for next week, and they’ll probably leave the draft with one. That’s the good news. The bad news? Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price may not be available.
Price’s draft momentum may force Minnesota to pivot at running back.
Price is increasingly being discussed as a late 1st-Rounder, and if so, he’d work his way out of Minnesota’s draft range.
It might be time to cross Price off the purple bingo board.
Price as a 1st-Rounder
Bleacher Report‘s Moe Moton sized up five players who could sneak into Round 1 this week, and Price was the one running back to get the nod.
He wrote, “NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes Jadarian Price will be the second tailback off the board and may sneak into the first round within a shallow class of ball-carriers.”
“Jeremiyah Love, a projected first-rounder, and Price played together through three terms with the Fighting Irish. The former took on the featured role after Audric Estime’s departure to the NFL, while the latter served in a complementary role.”
Until recently, Price has been considered a safe Round 2 or 3 pick.
“Although Price didn’t rack up more than 746 yards in a single collegiate term, he averaged at least six yards per carry and scored 18 touchdowns over the last two years. After a couple of seasons as Notre Dame’s No. 2 running back, Price may have more to offer a team that wants a decisive early-down ball-carrier who can also contribute on special teams,” Moton continued.
“He returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in college. Most of the league’s clubs featured multiple running backs, so don’t discount one of them taking Price on Day 1.”
Others, like Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers and Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, got shoutouts from Moton, too.
Then What for the Vikings?
Suppose Price indeed slips into the bottom of Round 1 or the top of Round 2, disqualifying him from the Vikings’ grasp. It’s not doomsday. The club would just have to pivot and explore an alternative rookie running back.
Per the current Consensus Big Board, the options would look like this:
Washington Jr. has speed that kills, along with size. And Minnesota has met with Coleman, Johnson, and Claiborne.
Price’s Landing Spots
Regarding Price, if the late-Round-1 or early-Round-2 steam comes to fruition, the list of his suitors might look like this:
Pick No. 25: Chicago Bears
Pick No. 29: Kansas City Chiefs
Pick No. 32: Seattle Seahawks
Pick No. 41: Cincinnati Bengals
All the Round 1 chatter for Price that has emerged might be code for the Seahawks. The Super Bowl champions have the luxury of a deep roster, and picking a running back like Price might be fair game after Kenneth Walker III left in free agency for the Chiefs.
SI.com‘s Michael Hanich on Price to Seattle: “The Seahawks could find a way to trade back into the second round for more picks and still find a way to get Price. He might be one of the most undervalued players in this draft. In the last two seasons, Price has rushed for 1,420 yards and 18 touchdowns on 233 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per carry.”
“In the receiving game, he also caught 10 receptions for 97 yards for two touchdowns. Price is also a serious threat on special teams by taking two kickoff returns for a touchdown. Price would come in and immediately be the favorite for the starting running back. He has a much higher ceiling than George Holani and newly signed Emanuel Wilson. The Seahawks could have Price be a main contributor until Zach Charbonnet returns from his injury, but even then, he could be the main back.”
Time for a Rookie RB
While the Vikings’ ground game has improved gradually under Kevin O’Connell, it has yet to become a dominant strength. Here’s their rushing DVOA and NFL ranking during his tenure:
Vikings Rushing DVOA
NFL Ranking in O’Connell Era:
The significant jump in 2025 is encouraging. However, the play-calling reveals another aspect of the story. Minnesota ran the ball on 43% of its plays, ranking 19th in the league. This indicates that while their rushing production improved to a Top 13 ranking, their commitment to the run still ranked in the bottom half of the league.
Meanwhile, the Vikings have no running backs scheduled under contract next offseason. Aaron Jones will be a free agent; so will RB2 Jordan Mason. Jones will be 32 at that time, Mason 27.
Beyond the shadow of a doubt, it’s time for a young running back to enter the mix for Minnesota. While that may not be Price, Washington Jr., Johnson, and Coleman make sense.
The New York Jets have the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and the need is clear – a game-changing defender who can wreck a game plan. The problem is the Jets are acting like there’s a clean answer when the board is messy, and the fanbase is split. The latest Jets link roundup is blunt about where the rumors are drifting. There’s real chatter that the Jets will go defense at No. 2, specifically Texas Tech edge David Bailey. The debate is basically this – take a premium pass rusher and fix the most obvious hole, or get cute and start reaching for a non-blue-chip skill player and pretend it’s genius.
MORE: Top 10 running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft
The market noise is loud, too. The markets have pushed Ohio State LB Arvell Reese as the favorite at No. 2 – with Kalshi at 65% and Polymarket at 75%. That’s not the gospel, mind you, but it tells you where the rumor ecosystem is.
If you don’t pressure quarterbacks in the NFL, you have a hell of a hard time winning football games. Period. And the Jets have to realize the pass rush depth chart is thinner than people want to admit. The New York Post reporting has framed No. 2 as likely targeting the edge group, naming Reese and Bailey (noting Bailey’s production at 14.5 sacks last season) as top options.
Gang Green Nation also flagged that the Jets have to be smart about the class itself. There isn’t a slam-dunk quarterback in this draft, which makes trading down a live topic, but also a painful one because teams may not want to pay market rate to move up in a perceived weak class. Therein lay the trap – stay at No. 2 and get criticized for the pick, trade down and get criticized for the return.
The Jets should draft defense unless they’re sure a specific offensive player is a true difference-maker. If they’re choosing between a good player and a premium position, the answer is premium position. And if they miss at No. 2, the excuses won’t matter. The tape will.
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There hasn’t been much change in United’s underlying numbers between Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick this season. The magical secret to Carrick’s success has mostly been he’s put his best players out on the pitch and used them in their most effective roles.
Well, what happens if those players suddenly aren’t available? Monday night against Leeds happens.
Carrick named an unchanged XI in his first two games in charge. Seeing as pretty much everyone was available and those matches were against Manchester City and Arsenal we can deduce that this was his first choice XI. Five of the players from that starting XI were not in the team against Leeds, whether because of injury, suspension, illness, or carrying a knock. The gap between those five players and their replacements range from pretty substantial to catastrophic.
The result was a hodgepodge of players thrown together that didn’t complement each other and couldn’t cover each other’s weaknesses. The absence of Kobbie Mainoo brought in Manuel Ugarte, a player who has no on-ball qualities and isn’t great defensively because he rarely holds his position. Benjamin Sesko’s game is more suited to coming off the bench. He doesn’t offer you much outside of the box, making it more difficult to advance the ball to the final third. You need to accommodate that in your buildup play, but that’s made more difficult with Ugarte’s lack of ball-playing ability and that Noussair Mazraoui doesn’t do much to support his winger. At the back United were missing Harry Maguire, a key player not just in terms of winning headers in the box but for communication and keeping the defense organized.
The result was a front three that was always going to be isolated from each other and struggle to create chances from open play (half of United’s shots came from corners, only two open-play shots had an xG of 0.1 or higher). Deeper on the pitch they were starting a weak back line with an even weaker midfield tasked with protecting it.
United struggled from the start. Their midfield was carved open as Ugarte and Casemiro struggled to keep up or just stay in position. Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, and Mazraoui all had their various (known) defensive weaknesses exposed. A team with no progressive passers struggled to move the ball up the pitch and create chances.
This wasn’t an injury crisis hitting Old Trafford. Five changes is a lot but these weren’t fifth choice players. Each of these players were second choice in their position. It’s alarming that outside of United’s first choice players the rest of the squad is not up to Premier League standard. Monday night really put into perspective just how big INEOS’ task is over the next few years because this issue is not going to be fixed in one summer.
Manchester United’s big money striker move from the summer took a minute to turn on, but became a big goalscorer for United as soon as a change in manager was made. It wasn’t by accident either, Sesko became the focus of the attack when on the pitch under both interims in Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick. Even when he was used as a second half substitute, he kept his cool to find the net in some big spots for United.
That hasn’t necessarily been the case as a starter recently, and the weaknesses in his game were on further display against Leeds on Monday.
Sesko’s touch/heat map is staggered and his opportunities to get on the end of crosses or balls into the box were limited. He sent his best chance right at the keeper in the second half, but he should have had two even better opportunities earlier in the match.
He was wasteful with just one man to beat in the first half, controlling a through ball from Amad and failing to get a real effort off after slowing down play and doing very little to make his marker work.
It isn’t just getting him on the ball though. Sesko has to put himself in the game more and he has to be better at playing the ball with his feet, contributing to buildup, and engaging in interplay rather than just waiting for the play to come to him. He makes good runs, he is good in the air and he is certainly one of the few options to shake up the attack in a thin squad, but he has to do more if he wants to be more than a big lad goalscorer.
Pirates trade idea lands fun $34 million slugger from White Sox originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have seemingly found their groove, and they're 10-6 on the year and look to be a very serious postseason contender.
But there is still room to improve. One of the ways the Pirates could do so is at the MLB trade deadline, and specifically, finding a trade with a team for some more offensive upside at either designated hitter or first base.
Christopher Kline of Fansided.com proposed one trade idea for the Pirates that would resolve this issue with a very fun trade pickup of $34 million slugger from the Chicago White Sox, Munetaka Murakami.
"The Pirates shouldn't balk at the opportunity to add another young slugger if the opportunity arises, however," Kline writes. "Murakami fits their budget, and it's easy enough to plug him into the DH spot in place of a struggling Marcell Ozuna, if it comes to that."
With the Pirates not getting nearly enough production from their designated hitter spot, adding a new slugger to the offense would not be a surprise at all.
Murakami is hitting only .157 in 16 games and 51 at-bats this season, but he has four home runs, 13 walks, and a .715 OPS. His offensive numbers are a lot better than what Ozuna has put out this year.
More: Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award
Ozuna is hitting .070 across 43 at-bats with a terrible .237 OPS. The Pirates cannot rely on Ozuna this season, and with their team looking like a legitimate postseason contender, trading for someone to replace Ozuna in the DH spot would make sense.
That's why Murakami, a slugger for the White Sox, would be such a great trade option. Kline's idea would give the Pirates a new DH in Murakami, who would be exactly what the offense needs in place of Ozuna in the lineup.
And beyond the simple team fit, adding Murakami, a power hitter with plenty of upside, would simply be a fun addition for the Pirates' offense.
Things are looking up in Pittsburgh, and adding Murakami would be a fun way to add more firepower to the offense.
I have a friend named David who lives in Southern California. He’s a lifelong Dodgers fan, so it’s been a good run for him. He knows my New England roots, and how I pull for all the Boston-area teams (in addition to my adopted Michigan teams).
A few days ago, David dropped the text.
What’s wrong with the Red Sox?
Of course, I played it all down. It’s early. MLB is only a couple of weeks into the season, the equivalent of one week of NFL play. Nobody has separated in the American League yet. Most of the records look the same. A few guys aren’t hitting for Boston yet, but they’ll hit.
And then Monday happens. Red Sox at Twins. And Garrett Crochet, ace, first-round fantasy pick, has this line:
1.2 IP, 9 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 2 HR
This wasn’t the 1927 Yankees (or the 2026 Yankees) doing it to Crochet. This is an ordinary Minnesota lineup. Victor Caratini and Ryan Kreidler hammered home runs off the Boston ace. These aren’t guys on the fantasy radar, although I guess you could consider Caratini in a deeper pool if two catchers are required. We should also note the quick start of Josh Bell (two RBI), who’s carrying a .900 OPS for the year. With three homers and 14 RBI, Bell has chased up to 37% rostered in Yahoo leagues.
Crochet’s velocity was down a tick, nothing alarming. Zero strikeouts is a concern, but it’s hard to know if this start means anything. Crochet admitted his command hasn’t been sharp this month. Both Crochet and Boston manager Alex Cora said there’s not an injury at play.
There’s no fantasy-actionable item here. I’d still start Crochet this weekend against the Tigers. He had a 3.27 ERA before Monday’s game, a little raised but nothing crazy. And everyone had the odd game where they don’t have it. Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes didn’t make it out of the first inning for his opening day start. We shrug. We move along. (Skenes has won his last three starts, including Monday’s turn against Washington.)
Minnesota’s explosion was part of the best MLB offensive day of the year. Scoring has been down for a few weeks, but the runs were flowing Monday, the homers were flying. We saw 144 runs scored and 37 homers over 10 games, and as my friend Joe Sheehan pointed out in his Newsletter, the league OPS jumped from .693 to .701 in one day (that’s a lot, kids). Sometimes some warm weather goes a long way.
The Boston lineup could use some warm weather, and maybe a hanging slider or two. Helium pick Roman Anthony is still walking a bunch, but he’s only batting .211. Chad Durbin was moved up the lineup despite a .135 average. Jarren Duran is batting .196, Trevor Story .188 (one walk, 22 strikeouts). I’m not worried about Anthony and Duran, and I still think Durbin might be useful. The Story start does have me concerned (don’t tell my front-running L.A. friend).
New York’s thrilling comeback win over the Angels might have some fantasy signal. Trent Grisham was the late-game hero with two home runs, despite not starting. He’s been a screaming buy-low all season, a .167 average and .354 slugging that’s been comically unlucky (Statcast data suggests a .251 average and .482 slugging). Grisham’s roster tag is 43% in Yahoo leagues; maybe take up the case.
New York’s rally came against Los Angeles closer Jordan Romano, who entered the night with three saves and a spotless ERA. Five batters later, he had a blown save and a 5.40 ERA attached to his name. Romano had two walks and a wild pitch in this bumpy ride, in addition to the Grisham homer. Given that Romano is closing in part because other teammates are currently hurt — it’s a temp-to-perm situation — his next appearance takes on some fantasy intrigue.
Another temp-to-perm guy could be Baltimore’s Jeremiah Jackson. He clocked a couple of homers in Monday’s keg tapper against Arizona, giving him three homers in three games. He’s batting .318 and slugging .545 for the Orioles, good stuff over 44 at-bats.
Jackson Holliday (hand) isn’t ready to come back yet, so Jackson will get some extra time to prove his worth. The Orioles are using him at second base; Yahoo managers can plug Jackson at second, third or the outfield. The recent hot stretch has moved him up to 9% rostered in Yahoo.
Later this week, I’ll have a scouting screen on Tampa Bay veteran lefty Steven Matz. He has a 3.94 ERA through three turns, but he’s pitched better than that. His FIP settles in at 3.00, and his WHIP is under 1.00. We always like to say, when ERA and WHIP tell different stories, trust the WHIP.
Matz draws the White Sox on Thursday, which explains why he was liberally added the last day or so. He’s still ready to go in about 83% of Yahoo leagues, and he qualifies at both the SP and RP slots. Keep an open mind here.
The Oklahoma Sooners jumped to No. 1 in the nation in Softball America's top 25 released on Monday, and the Sooners are also No. 1 in the updated D1Softball poll. Oklahoma took the top spot from Alabama, despite the Crimson Tide earning a sweep of Auburn over the weekend.
Alabama dropped to No. 2 while Texas Tech, Texas, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Florida stayed in their spots from a week ago.
Continuing their rise are the Tennessee Volunteers, who are now up to No. 8 in the nation, having won six in a row, including a sweep of Kentucky.
Six of the top 10 teams in D1Softball's top 25 are from the SEC, along with 10 in the top 25.
The Sooners take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Wednesday night at Devon Park in a top-25 nonconference showdown and then host Arkansas at Love's Field for three games this weekend.
After the series win over the Longhorns over the weekend, the Sooners have put themselves in a position for a strong finish to the season against quality competition. If OU can win series against Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas A&M to close the regular season, they should go into the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed.
Released 4/14/2026
| Rank | Team | Ovr. Record | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 40-4 | 2 |
| 2 | Alabama | 39-3 | 1 |
| 3 | Texas Tech | 41-3 | 3 |
| 4 | Texas | 33-6 | 4 |
| 5 | Nebraska | 33-6 | 5 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 35-6 | 6 |
| 7 | Florida | 40-5 | 7 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 37-6 | 9 |
| 9 | UCLA | 37-5 | 10 |
| 10 | Virginia Tech | 36-6 | 11 |
| 11 | Florida State | 36-7 | 8 |
| 12 | Georgia | 31-11 | 13 |
| 13 | Texas A&M | 30-12 | 14 |
| 14 | Mississippi State | 34-11 | 15 |
| 15 | Duke | 31-12 | 16 |
| 16 | Arizona | 30-11 | 12 |
| 17 | Oregon | 32-9 | 17 |
| 18 | LSU | 28-14 | 20 |
| 19 | Oklahoma State | 27-11 | 18 |
| 20 | Washington | 34-9 | 22 |
| 21 | UCF | 32-11-1 | 21 |
| 22 | Stanford | 26-12 | NR |
| 23 | Virginia | 33-8 | 19 |
| 24 | Grand Canyon | 41-4 | 23 |
| 25 | Marshall | 32-10 | NR |
Also receiving votes: Boston, Kansas, Belmont, Louisville, Arizona State, Nevada, North Carolina, Omaha
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners No. 1 in D1Softball poll, 10 SEC team in top 25
The WNBA is an exclusive club. Only a select few people get a chance to play in it. Even fewer get an opportunity to attend the league’s draft and have their name called in the first round.
Naturally, to join a group with that type of exclusivity, a hazing ritual comes first: walk on this stage with all your nerves and emotions and do this awkward television interview in front of a silent auditorium of people listening closely to every word.
Welcome to the W!
Listen, the draft is a special moment for every player who gets dressed up to hear their name called. So players power through to make the best of it no matter what. With family and friends in attendance, it even presents as a cozy environment on TV.
But that same intimacy that gives the draft its charm also makes for some incredibly uncomfortable moments. And it was never more obvious how awkward the whole production can be than it was Monday night, from the very beginning of the 2026 draft.
ORANGE CARPET:14 stunning photos from the WNBA draft
With the The Shed in New York City piping in ESPN broadcast audio, Azzi Fudd and Awa Fam Thiam presumably could hear the announcers speculate over which would be the No. 1 pick while sitting at their tables. And after Fudd was the pick by the Dallas Wings, she fumbled through her interview with Holly Rowe upon hearing her own voice over the PA system.
“Oh my God, I don’t like hearing myself,” Fudd said. Then, Rowe stumbled through an awkward question about Fudd teaming up with girlfriend Paige Bueckers again — with Paige Bueckers in the crowd listening.
FREE AGENTS:10 best WNBA players still available
No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles tripped over her first few words too. “That is so weird,” she said to agreement from Rowe. Yup, welcome to the club! Hopefully it’s a warm welcome after Miles also told the room “I have the highest IQ as a guard” before realizing how that might’ve sounded. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that in a harmful way.”
Oh, then there was the Flau’jae Johnson trade that was apparently agreed to before she was picked No. 8 by the Golden State Valkyries but not announced until 40 minutes later, after she had already done post-draft interviews as a Valkyrie. Hey, maybe announce the trade at the time of the pick next time?
I haven’t attended a draft for any league, so maybe they’re all a bit awkward in person. Or maybe this one wasn't as awkward as it seemed. But I've watched plenty on TV, and from an in-home viewing experience, the WNBA took the cake with this one.
Which teams nailed their picks and which team whiffed? Let Cory Woodroof and Mary Clarke answer that with grades for all three rounds of the draft.
The Lynx were the only team to come out of the first round with less than a B grade:
"To be honest, we feel like the Lynx missed the boat here to replenish its frontcourt after losing Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard and Bridget Carleton earlier this month. Cheryl Reeve is a great coach, so we're sure she's got a clear vision for what she wants out of Miles. However, the team's issue wasn't at guard, at least in the starting lineup."
Fair points. Miles' potential to have an immediate impact might've been too much for Minnesota to pass on.
This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The WNBA draft is so awkward
The 2026 Masters tournament was one for the ages. Rory McIlroy took home his second consecutive green jacket with Scottie Scheffler nipping at his heels. The leaderboard and drama surpassed most golf fans’ wildest dreams, but those who hoped for carnage were left a little disappointed. The burnt, oil-slick greens from the hot and dry forecast never materialized as we watched shot after shot stick hole high and the leaderboard surge to double digits under par.
The reality is, the Augusta National we sickos yearned for doesn’t exist in April. As this incredible summer flyover of August National reveals, however, the year’s hottest months are when Augusta National truly bears its teeth.
RELATED: Original Augusta National gnome sells for … nearly $30k?!
If you’re fan of fried-to-a-crisp links golf, this is like looking upon the face of God himself … and equally unattainable. Augusta National is closed annually between May and October, meaning that we like almost certainly never see the Masters played in conditions even closely resembling those shown in this 2015 video. It took a once-in-century global pandemic to see what fall foliage at ANGC looks like, so we don’t suggest holding your breath.
Still though, the brief clip provides a basically unprecedented look at the world’s best-kept, and most secretive, golf course. For the rest, you’ll simply have to use your imagination.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The top supervisor of college football officials and lead expert in rules interpretation and implementation will retire Sept. 1, the NCAA announced Tuesday.
Steve Shaw has been the NCAA's secretary-rules editor for football since 2017 and coordinator of officials since 2020.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve and work in college football,” Shaw said. “The relationships and friendships with commissioners, coaches, players, media and most of all my fellow officials are the memories I will always cherish.
“There are many issues and challenges for college football today,” he added, "but on the field between the lines, we have a masterpiece of a game. I look forward to working hard through the summer supporting everyone as we get ready for a great 2026 season and then look ahead to starting my next chapter.”
Shaw previously was coordinator of officials in the Southeastern Conference and Sun Belt Conference. He worked 22 years as an on-field official, including 15 in the SEC and six at the Division II level. He officiated Bowl Championship Series title games in 2000 and 2005 and six other BCS bowl games.
___
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Cody Rhodes has singled out Gunther vs. Seth Rollins as the WrestleMania 42 match he is most looking forward to watching as a fan.
Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday morning, Rhodes was asked to identify which bout on the card excites him most outside of his own, and he pointed to the Night 1 clash between the two without hesitation.
“There’s always a little bit of that split between the sports entertainment and the wrestling. The sports and the entertainment,” Rhodes said. “And the one that’s old-school sports style that I really like, just good, old-fashioned wrestling: Gunther vs. Seth Rollins. I’m all about that. That’s a wrestler’s wrestling match.”
Cody Rhodes does some word association with these WWE stars 🍿
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 14, 2026
Stream both nights of #WrestleMania on April 18–19 on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan. pic.twitter.com/6d8FbXhGwd
Rollins has been out of action since suffering a shoulder injury during his match against Rhodes at WWE Crown Jewel in October 2025. WWE reportedly considered multiple opponents for his return before landing on Gunther, and the matchup has drawn considerable anticipation given both performers’ in-ring credentials. For Rhodes, the appeal is straightforward — it is a match built around wrestling rather than spectacle, which is the kind of bout he clearly has a deep appreciation for.
Rhodes also addressed the Pat McAfee situation during the ESPN appearance, describing the broadcaster as a “rat” who is surrounded by people who do not tell him “no” enough. McAfee has inserted himself into the build toward Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship defense against Randy Orton and will be in Orton’s corner for the match on Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18.
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Just as they had hoped, the Carolina Panthers feel like they have allowed themselves to take the best available player next Thursday night.
On Tuesday morning, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan chatted with reporters for his annual pre-draft press conference. And after taking an aggressive and successful path through free agency, he was asked if the team's newest additions will narrow the focus of their first-round selection.
"No. If anything, I think it opens us up to a lot of possibilities at Pick 19," Morgan replied. "I think all positions are on the table. And like I said before, you never know who's gonna fall down to us.
"So I think we're definitely in the best-player-available mindset. So, yeah, I think what we did in free agency set us up to do that."
Morgan and company attacked the open market as soon as they could last month, reeling in pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and Pro Bowl inside linebacker Devin Lloyd on the first day of the legal tampering period. Carolina also added left tackle Rasheed Walker and center Luke Fortner, both of whom seem likely to start come Week 1, and brought back 14 of their own free agents.
The Panthers' biggest remaining needs—at least according the consensus from around the league—sit at wide receiver, tight end, linebacker, cornerback and safety.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Panthers GM Dan Morgan to 'all positions' at Pick 19
Manchester United are reportedly braced for a battle with Europe’s elite to secure Lewis Hall’s signature this summer, as the Red Devils hunt for a long-term successor to Luke Shaw.
Despite starting all 32 Premier League matches this season, Shaw‘s injury history means that the 30-year-old Englishman cannot be relied upon to play every week next year.
The reduced schedule, due to a lack of European football and dismal runs in the domestic cups, will be ramped up as United look likely to secure a return to the Champions League, even after yesterday’s shock defeat to Leeds at Old Trafford.
Patrick Dorgu, who was signed with the intention of being a wing-back last year, is yet to be consistently trialled as a traditional left-back in a red shirt. The 21-year-old Denmark international played there for his previous club, Lecce, but it remains a question mark whether he can provide competition to Shaw in this deeper role.
As such, United are understood to be exploring options on the left-hand side of defence – with Hall, Newcastle United and England’s first-choice left-back, emerging as a primary target.
Other options under consideration are Arsenal starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly and Eintracht Frankfurt’s touchline terror, Nathaniel Brown. However, it is Hall who is the most accomplished of the three, having established himself as one of the finest fullbacks in Europe this season at St James’ Park.
Naturally, Newcastle United are reluctant to lose one of their prized assets, particularly as a host of their best players – Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, among others – are being linked with exits this summer.
Eddie Howe’s side have endured a difficult campaign, currently languishing in 12th in the table and having already exited all cup competitions. The economic situation off the pitch is similarly strained, leading to the prospect of big-money departures at the end of the season.
Caught Offside reveals Newcastle United consider Hall a “vital part of their long-term vision” and have “no intention of letting him leave easily.” He arrived on Tyneside from Chelsea in 2023 on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy worth £35 million.
Consequently, an opening bid in the region of £50-55m would be required to kickstart negotiations, though the Magpies would “likely demand significantly more if multiple clubs entered a bidding contest.”
United are understood to be joined in this red-hot race by elite clubs both inside and outside of England, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City set to rival them. Further afield, Spanish giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are also “tracking” the defender’s progress – a testament to just how highly regarded the Cobham graduate is across the continent.
Hall is undoubtedly one of the finest defenders operating in the Premier League at present. His profile – a homegrown 21-year-old talent with experience of Champions League and international football – is the textbook definition of what INEOS want to add to the ranks at Old Trafford.
If an opening offer in the region of £50m quickly climbs to the £60-65m mark, it would still prove an astute signing in a position which has the potential to destabilise United next season. They must move quickly, however, as Hall is primed to play a key role for England at the World Cup, which could drive his price up even higher.
It would constitute an explosive raid to capture a defensive jewel from one of the club’s bitter rival, particularly given the recent bad blood between United and Newcastle. But football is a zero sum game and your enemies’ loss counts as your own win – and Hall arriving at Old Trafford this summer would be as big a boost for the Red Devils as it would a blow for the Magpies.
Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Stefon Diggs Signing With This Patriots Rival Actually Makes Plenty Of Sense originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots released Stefon Diggs this offseason to create some cap space and attempted to replace him by signing Romeo Doubs.
Diggs remains unsigned, and he could be a great addition to plenty of contenders. He was the Patriots' leading receiver last season, posting over 1,000 yards. Coming off a torn ACL, he proved he is capable of still being a No. 1 receiver. However, he may have to settle for less money at this stage in his career.
The NFL Draft is coming up, and after that, teams could look at their wide receiver situation and make a move for Diggs, but which teams make the most sense? Well, the Buffalo Bills actually make a ton of sense for Diggs. Things between the Bills and Diggs did not end in the best way, but before last season's Super Bowl, he spoke highly of the organization, fans and Josh Allen.
“I love you guys. I know I’m far gone, but I do miss you all. I built a great relationship with you all," Diggs said to reporters of Buffalo. “Keep hanging your head on that quarterback. That quarterback is a Hall of Famer. Parts of me do wish things were different because I do have a lot of love and respect for that team.”
Well, the Bills desperately need help at receiver, and even if they draft one early, Diggs could be a great asset. The Bills added DJ Moore this offseason, but have not made any other big moves to help Allen in the passing game.
Diggs and Allen put up monster numbers together. All four of Diggs' Pro Bowl nods have come with Allen as his trigger man. Diggs was also a First-Team All-Pro with Allen, leading the league in receptions and receiving yards in 2020. Diggs may not be that player anymore, but on a cheaper deal, he could be an elite player to pair with Moore. Those two leading the receiving corps would be a massive upgrade from last season.
Things between Allen and Diggs were reportedly shaky toward the end of his time with the Bills, but Diggs seems to have great admiration for Allen. He even cleared the air on a viral picture of him side-eyeing Allen.
“They had that picture, right? Of me side-eyeing him,” Diggs said of Allen last season. “They just caught it at the wrong time and I’ve always wanted to speak on that photo because I was staring at him in the moment because it was like, ‘Damn, that was my brother.’ We won in Houston, but that’s my brother.”
Right now, Diggs needs a team, and Allen needs a No. 1 receiver. Diggs returning to Buffalo could be a great move for both sides.
The Montreal Canadiens enter the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with renewed belief, and analyst Craig Button believes that mindset could make them a dangerous opponent.
Montreal currently holds the third place in the Atlantic Division with 106 points, and has one game remaining. They are going to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round.
Speaking during a segment of “Jay on SC,” Button said the Canadiens are no longer a team hoping to compete but one expecting to win. He pointed to their balanced play across all areas, including improved defense and reliable goaltending.
MORE: Canadiens star Cole Caufield celebrates 50th goal with dad in crowd ‘wiping tears’
“It’s going to be a difficult matchup because the Montreal Canadiens are playing so well, and they’re not just playing well in one area of their game,” Button said. “Their defensive play has improved, their goaltending has been really good, obviously up front offensively, and you look at how their defense [has improved].
“And I really think Kaiden Guhle coming back healthy has really helped that blue line. It’s taken some of the … heavy minutes away from some other players and he’s filled that in, and he’s that type of player.”
Offensively, Montreal continues to deliver. Cole Caufield has crossed the 50-goal mark, while captain Nick Suzuki has passed 100 points. Button also praised contributions from players like Juraj Slafkovsky (73 points), who scored a recent game-winner, and Lane Hutson (78 points), who matched a franchise record for assists by a defenseman, earlier held by Larry Robinson.
The Canadiens’ depth has also improved. A strong second line featuring emerging players has added scoring support, while the return of key names like Kirby Dach could boost their lineup further.
“They have the grind down deeper in their lineup, and you start to see them getting healthy players coming back into the lineup,” Button said. “Kirby Dach and Alexander Carrier coming back, which would be good. Hopefully, Noah Dobson, the week’s rest, gets them ready for the playoffs.”
This depth allows Montreal to handle different game situations effectively.
Recent performances underline their confidence. The Canadiens have recorded big wins on the road, including victories against Tampa Bay (4-1) and Carolina (3-1). They have even defeated Tampa Bay at home with a 2-1 score. These results have reinforced their belief that they can compete with any team.
“This is a really good team, and more than that, about talking about them as a really good team, they’re a team that sees themselves as a really good team,” Buttons said. “They’re not going out on the ice saying, ‘Well, you know what, let’s hope we win, let’s try to survive the period, let’s weather the storm.’ One of the great cliches that I absolutely hate. They go out there with the idea that ‘We got a chance to win because we’re good enough and we’re good enough to beat anybody anywhere.’
“They have shown that. They’ve shown that in the last number of weeks, that five-game winning streak on the road, … that hey we need to be taken seriously and if anybody’s not taking them seriously, do it at your peril because they’re a team that should be reckoned with.”
MORE: Kent Hughes explains how Nick Suzuki became Montreal Canadiens captain
Montreal’s season reflects clear progress. With a 48-23-10 record and one of the league’s top-scoring offenses, they have developed into a well-rounded side. Their ability to combine scoring with improved defensive structure has been the best thing about them.
As the playoffs approach, the Canadiens carry momentum and belief. And as Button said, that confidence could be the difference, making Montreal a serious threat in the postseason.
Birmingham City striker Marvin Ducksch has been charged with drink driving following a three-vehicle collision on Easter Monday.
Warwickshire Police have confirmed the German was arrested after officers attended the scene on the A3400 near Henley-in-Arden, close to where the club's training ground is based, at around 22:30 BST.
He was charged with the offence on Monday, 13 April.
The striker, 32, is on bail and will appear before Warwickshire Magistrates' Court in Leamington Spa on Wednesday, 20 May.
"Marvin wishes to apologise to his team-mates, staff and supporters of the club and accepts full responsibility for his actions," the club said in a statement.
"The matter has been dealt with internally and no further comment will be made at this time."
Ducksch did feature in Blues' 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town on the day of the incident but was dropped from the squad for their game against Wrexham on Sunday.
Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.
GREEN BAY – Depending on your tastes, Louisiana-Monroe defensive back D’Arco Perkins-McAllister is big enough to play safety or fast enough to play cornerback.
Perkins played both in four college seasons, starting with two years at strong safety for TCU and one year each of cornerback at Tennessee-Chattanooga and Louisiana-Monroe.
The Green Bay Packers may see Perkins-McAllister as a safety who can play man coverage. They are bringing him in on a pre-draft visit, a source confirmed. KPRC 2-TV in Houston reported it first.
McAllister, who projects as an undrafted free agent, is getting notice because at 5-11½, 200 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds and had a 35½-inch vertical. He was a top Division 1 recruit coming out of high school, but didn’t shine until his senior year.
Last year, he started 10 games and totaled 33 tackles, four sacks, seven pass breakups and a blocked kick.
The former four-star prospect played in a total of 20 games at TCU in 2021 and 2022, with seven tackles and one pass breakup during that span. He transferred to New Mexico in 2023, then to Chattanooga for 2024, where he started 12 games for the FCS school and intercepted three passes.
The Packers have been paying attention to a lot of cornerbacks and versatile safeties, many of whom will be drafted late or wind up free agents.
40-yard dash: 4.44 seconds.
Vertical jump: 35½ inches.
Broad jump: 9 feet, 7 inches.
Shuttle time: DNP.
Three-cone: DNP.
Bench press: 14.
Arms: 32 inches.
Hands: 9¼ inches.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Louisiana-Monroe cornerback D'Arco Perkins-McAllister to visit Packers
Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.
GREEN BAY – Depending on your tastes, Louisiana-Monroe defensive back D’Arco Perkins-McAllister is big enough to play safety or fast enough to play cornerback.
Perkins played both in four college seasons, starting with two years at strong safety for TCU and one year each of cornerback at Tennessee-Chattanooga and Louisiana-Monroe.
The Green Bay Packers may see Perkins-McAllister as a safety who can play man coverage. They are bringing him in on a pre-draft visit, a source confirmed. KPRC 2-TV in Houston reported it first.
McAllister, who projects as an undrafted free agent, is getting notice because at 5-11½, 200 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds and had a 35½-inch vertical. He was a top Division 1 recruit coming out of high school, but didn’t shine until his senior year.
Last year, he started 10 games and totaled 33 tackles, four sacks, seven pass breakups and a blocked kick.
The former four-star prospect played in a total of 20 games at TCU in 2021 and 2022, with seven tackles and one pass breakup during that span. He transferred to New Mexico in 2023, then to Chattanooga for 2024, where he started 12 games for the FCS school and intercepted three passes.
The Packers have been paying attention to a lot of cornerbacks and versatile safeties, many of whom will be drafted late or wind up free agents.
40-yard dash: 4.44 seconds.
Vertical jump: 35½ inches.
Broad jump: 9 feet, 7 inches.
Shuttle time: DNP.
Three-cone: DNP.
Bench press: 14.
Arms: 32 inches.
Hands: 9¼ inches.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Louisiana-Monroe cornerback D'Arco Perkins-McAllister to visit Packers
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The chase for the Larry O’Brien Trophy is officially on! Every night of the 2026 NBA Playoffs brings fresh drama, from superstar takeovers to bracket-busting upsets that can flip the postseason picture in a heartbeat.
Whether you're tracking every first-round matchup, checking the latest results, or looking ahead to what's next, our NBA bracket hub has you covered.
Follow along for live scores, updated schedules, and playoff format details to help guide your NBA picks.
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) TBD
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) TBD
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) TBD
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) TBD
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NBA Play-In Tournament | April 14-17 |
| NBA Playoffs begin | April 18 |
| NBA Conference Semifinals | TBD |
| NBA Conference Finals | TBD |
| NBA Finals Game 1 | June 3 |
| NBA Finals Game 2 | June 5 |
| NBA Finals Game 3 | June 8 |
| NBA Finals Game 4 | June 10 |
| NBA Finals Game 5 (if necessary) | June 13 |
| NBA Finals Game 6 (if necessary) | June 16 |
| NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 19 |
The NBA playoffs adopt a format designed to favor successful teams while giving underdogs a shot at the championship. Here's a brief look at the structure:
Looking for more intel? Our NBA Championship odds breaks down the clubs with the best odds of winning the NBA Finals. And be sure to check out our NBA Finals MVP odds page to see which player is most likely to hoist the Bill Russell Trophy when the dust settles.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Monday was a big day for the Kentucky Wildcats and coach Mark Pope. No. 1 2026 recruit Tyran Stokes was in town on a visit, as was Rob Wright III, the top point guard available in the transfer portal. Both would be huge wins for the program, but Tuesday's visitor is also a big one. Forward Donnie Freeman will be in Lexington to meet with the staff.
Freeman is a 6'9", 205 power forward who was a former five-star recruit in the 2024 class. He committed to Syracuse as the 15th ranked player in the group, and he immediately became a key player. Last season, he was an impact player, averaging 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He's also a capable shooter, and knocked down 30% from three-point range, making him a valuable stretch forward who can help spread defenses out.
Injuries have been an issue, and it does make Freeman a bit riskier. He missed nearly 30 games across his two seasons with foot injuries. There was no word on whether or not the two injuries were related, which is something Pope will want to know.
Even with the injury questions, Freeman ranks as a top 20 player available in the portal. Fans may have some injury flashbacks, but if Pope is satisfied with his health, he could be an elite player, and a great fit in the offense. We will continue to update his recruitment.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky basketball hosts transfer portal forward Donnie Freeman
The race to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is reaching its final, chaotic stretch. Entering the final week of the regular season, the playoff picture is taking shape, while teams fight out for the last spot in the Metro Division and the Wild Card in the Western Conference.
Here’s a look at the latest projected Stanley Cup Playoff bracket, plus updated division standings and Wild Card races across the NHL.
Updated April 14 – Standings and bracket reflect games played on April 13.
Projected 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff bracket after the NHL games on Monday, April 13.
X = clinched playoff spot
1. Sabres (X) — 108 pts
2. Lightning (X) — 106 pts
3. Canadiens (X)— 106 pts
1. Hurricanes (X) — 111 pts
2. Penguins (X) — 98 pts
3. Flyers (X) — 96 pts
Bruins (X) — 98 pts
Senators (X) — 97 pts
X = clinched playoff spot
1. Avalanche (X) — 117 pts
2. Stars (X) — 110 pts
3. Wild (X) — 102 pts
1. Golden Knights (X) — 93 pts
2. Oilers (X) — 91 pts
3. Ducks (X) — 90 pts
Mammoth (X) — 90 pts
Kings (X) — 89 pts
The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will start on Saturday, April 18, two days after the conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL regular season.
Read More: First 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Series Announced – Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars
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Flau'jae Johnson has an all-star team both on and off the court.
The 22-year-old guard from Louisiana State University had her family by her side when she was selected eighth overall by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA Draft — and then immediately traded to the Seattle Storm — on Monday, April 13.
The monumental moment quickly went viral when her younger brother, Aydin, jumped into her post-selection interview after the cameras caught his adorable reaction to his big sister's achievement.
Johnson was being interviewed by ESPN's Holly Rowe, who asked her about shouting out her hometown in Savannah, Ga.
"Ah, man, I'm the first-ever WNBA Draft pick from Savannah, Georgia, so this means to much to me," the athlete said, prompting a roar from the crowd.
The cameras then pointed at Aydin, who wore a black suit that he had quickly topped off with a purple Valkyries hat after his big sister's selection. Beaming from ear to ear, he was seen clapping before then removing his cap to salute Johnson during her interview.
"Flex for me now, come on!" Rowe said to Johnson's little brother, as he made cute gestures from the crowd. "I really wanted to bring him up for the interview, but I didn't know if your mom would allow me," the reporter added.
"Come on over! Come on over!" Rowe then said, inviting the younger Johnson to join the broadcast, with the basketball player excitedly encouraging Aydin to come forward from the audience.
Aydin stood up from his seat and briskly walked toward his sister as the crowd cheered.
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"We are definitely having a 'woah' moment," Rowe said alongside Johnson and Aydin. "Congratulations," she added.
Johnson, who also has a Hannah Montana-style double life as a rapper under the wing of Lil Wayne, has been open about having her family by her side as she chases her dreams. Ahead of the WNBA Draft, the recording artist spoke with PEOPLE about her mom uplifting her confidence since the beginning.
"She told me everyday I was beautiful. That I was the most beautiful girl in the world," Johnson shared with PEOPLE exclusively. "So, I really started believing it, which was big for my confidence."
Johnson knows that having a mom who hypes her up and pushes her to chase her dreams is not something to take for granted.
"For the girls that can and do have that confidence, make sure you walk around with that, with that swag," Johnson said. "Because you're allowing somebody else to believe in themselves just by looking at you."
Looking ahead to making the transition from college to pro, she said: "I'm really excited to just go into this next chapter and this next part of my life."
Read the original article on People
Braves' Walt Weiss reveals what makes working with GM Alex Anthopoulos unique in Atlanta originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves said goodbye to longtime manager Brian Snitker at the end of last season after he announced his retirement. Following an extensive search, GM Alex Anthopoulos ultimately chose bench coach Walt Weiss as the team’s next manager.
“The Atlanta Braves hired Walt Weiss as manager Monday, turning to their longtime bench coach in hopes of a turnaround after they missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Weiss, 61, managed the Colorado Rockies from 2013 to 2016, going 283-365 and never finishing higher than third place. He inherits a talented Braves team that finished 76-86 and was ravaged by injuries,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.
Early on, it became clear that Weiss brings a different managerial philosophy than Snitker. One example is his willingness to give starters more frequent rest days.
“I'm going to pick spots to get these guys off their feet, and they're still going to play a lot. If they're healthy, 150+ games,” Weiss said on Foul Territory.
Weiss is off to a strong start as Braves manager, and it appears he maintains a no-nonsense approach. His style leans more old school, and he has benefited from strong organizational support during his first season.
“It’s just such a different scenario, here," Weiss said. “Here, the GM picked me, and has been nothing but supportive. Alex is a pleasure to work for. He just has an unbelievable feel, man. An unbelievable feel for situations. A great ability to read the room, to read people. It’s almost uncanny."
There is a strong sense of momentum building in Atlanta. The pitching staff has performed well to start the season, while the offense has been equally impressive.
Weiss landed one of the most sought-after managerial jobs in the offseason, and with the backing of his general manager, he is beginning to establish an old-school culture that could position the Braves for long-term success.
More MLB news:
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Gunnar Henderson and Yordan Alvarez were two of the best hitters in the majors in 2024 before underperforming last season.
Both have rediscovered that form to start the year, creating strong value on their props in favorable matchups tonight.
Here are my best free MLB player props for Tuesday, April 14.
| Player | Pick | Odds |
|---|---|---|
 Gunnar Henderson | Over 1.5 total bases | +100 |
 Drake Baldwin | Over 0.5 RBI | +165 |
 Yordan Alvarez | Over 1.5 total bases | -105 |
After finishing fourth in the AL MVP race in 2024, Gunnar Henderson took a step back in 2025.
However, the Baltimore Orioles shortstop is swinging the bat well again, which is why my MLB picks are hammering his total bases prop. Henderson ranks in the 97th percentile in overall offensive talent according to THE BAT X, and he is slugging .691 over the last two weeks.
Henderson will have the platoon advantage at home against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly, with a stiff 13 mph breeze blowing out to the outfield at hitter-friendly Camden Yards.
Kelly is making his season debut after dealing with a back ailment, and he logged a 4.16 xERA across 32 starts last year. The D-backs also have one of the worst bullpens in the majors waiting in the wings.
Drake Baldwin won the NL Rookie of the Year Award last season and has been even better this year.
The Atlanta Braves catcher ranks in the 95th percentile in xSLG (.586) and the 88th percentile in barrel rate. Baldwin leads the Braves with 17 RBI, and he’s driven in a run in nine of his last 14 games.
Baldwin will have the platoon advantage against Miami Marlins right-hander Max Meyer tonight.
Meyer owns a 3.68 ERA through three starts, though his xERA sits significantly higher at 5.42. The right-hander posted a 4.73 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP in 12 starts last season, struggling particularly on the road.
After an injury-plagued campaign in 2025, Yordan Alvarez is healthy and playing like an MVP candidate. The Houston Astros slugger is fourth in the majors in slugging percentage (.714), and his expected xSLG is even higher at an incredible .821.
He'll have the platoon advantage against struggling Colorado Rockies hurler Michael Lorenzen, who sports an ugly 6.09 xERA through three starts, ranking in the 11th percentile in hard-hit rate and the sixth percentile in xBA (.323).
Alvarez will also benefit from 15 mph winds blowing out to the outfield at Daikin Park.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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In a few years, NFL fans are going to watch cornerback Jadon Canady and just assume he was a high draft pick.
They would be wrong.
Canady has a big chance of being your typical "mid-round steal" that occurs every single NFL season. In just one season at Oregon, Canady made a huge impression and made himself an NFL prospect. He had 39 tackles and two interceptions for the Ducks, one coming against USC and one at Washington in the next week.
At the NFL level, Canady could play either corner, safety, or at a rover position. He would provide depth for a team, but don't be surprised if Canady moves up someone's depth chart fairly quickly, first as a third-down specialist and then receives more time on the field after that.
In most seasons, a talent such as Canady would be a mid-rounder, but this draft is deep in the secondary spot, so he is projected to be a late-rounder instead. Whoever picks him, expect Canady to make a splash and play sooner rather than later.
Here are some fits that we like best at the NFL level for Canady.
Draft Selection: Round 6, Pick 8
Cincinnati struggled in the secondary last season, so expect the Bengals to go heavy on the defense in the draft this year, including at corner, and this is where Canady would fit. They will also draft fairly early in each round, and they could go after a star such as Caleb Downs, if available, then go for depth with Canady later in the selection process.
Draft Selection: Round 7, Pick 11 or 22
The Dolphins are also a team that struggled in the secondary, but they already have young talent back there that just needs more experience. Drafting Canady would add to that depth, but it's a place where he could rise up on the depth chart if he has a good fall camp. The opportunity is there for Canady to seize.
Draft Selection: Round 6, Pick 20
Green Bay could be another place where Canady could play quickly. Their two corners, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, aren't exactly going to keep opposing quarterbacks up at night or spend extra time in the film room. We already know Canady looks good in the green and yellow (gold), so going to the Packers with their last selection in the draft would be a nice landing place.
Draft Selection: Round 6, Pick 19
Green Bay might have a chance to select Canady if the Panthers don't take him first, however. Carolina is thin at several different spots on the defense, including corner. Starting right away might be a stretch, but Canady would definitely be on the field early on for the Panthers. They have Jaycee Horn at one corner and the other side of the field is up for grabs if Canady wants to take it.
Draft Selection: Round 6, Pick 29
One wouldn't think the Chiefs would have such a glaring hole, but they do need help in the secondary after losing such players as Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Would it be a shocker to see Canady helping out the backend of the defense at Arrowhead? Probably not. Kansas City is a place where it is usually greater than the sum of its parts and Canady would be a nice piece to that puzzle. And he might meet Taylor Swift. Not a bad gig if he can get it.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Best NFL fits for Oregon Ducks DB Jadon Canady in 2026 draft
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![Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Nohl Williams (20) deflects a pass intended for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett (17)] in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images](https://media.zenfs.com/en/ducks_wire_usa_today_articles_200/7e13fccfb4ae3fb11d406ac1a8dd4fea)