Major League Soccer has suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1, 2026 for violating the policies and standards of professional conduct required of league and club leadership.
According to a report by The Guardian, Tanner made use of sexist and anti-gay language in the workplace while also being reported for making racist comments about Black players, coaches and referees. The report revealed that the allegations were made in an MLS Player’s Association complaint to the league.
MLS previously conducted an investigation into the allegations but closed the case after failing to verify the initial claims. Since the release of The Guardian’s report, however, the league announced the investigation would be reopened.
Tanner was then placed on administrative leave on November 19, 2025, when MLS reopened its investigation into the allegations of inappropriate and insensitive comments made by the Union’s sporting director.
“Following the completion of an investigation conducted by the law firm Littler Mendelson, Major League Soccer has suspended Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1, 2026,” said the league in a news release.
“Based on new information obtained during outside counsel’s independent review, the investigation substantiated violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of League and Club leadership.”
MLS also revealed that Tanner must complete a league-approved restorative practices program before being reinstated into his position.
Tanner first joined the Philadelphia Union as a sporting director in 2018, before signing a contract extension with the club in 2021.
MLS suspends Philadelphia Union’s Ernst Tanner after misconduct probe
Philadelphia Union exec Ernst Tanner suspended after misconduct investigation
Major League Soccer suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1 following a months-long investigation after a November report alleged wide range of inappropriate workplace behavior.
The Guardian detailed several allegations of misconduct against Tanner and corroborated several claims mentioned in a previous MLS Players Association complaint involving multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior.
Following the Guardian report, MLS reopened its inquiry into Tanner with the law firm of Littler Mendelson leading the investigation.
“Based on new information obtained during outside counsel’s independent review, the investigation substantiated violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of League and Club leadership,” the league said in a statement to the outlet on Monday.
MLS did not provide details about specific allegations the league had substantiated.
The Union put Tanner on an administrative leave of absence after the league’s inquiry was announced in November.
His suspension of pay began on Monday, the Guardian reported, and it’s unknown whether he was paid during his leave.
Tanner will be required to complete an MLS-approved restorative practices program before he can be reinstated.
“Based on the findings from Major League Soccer’s investigation, the Philadelphia Union supports the league’s disciplinary action and restorative practices program for Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. The Union will evaluate the best and appropriate structure for the organization following the disciplinary process,” the Union said in a statement. “The Philadelphia Union remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone associated with our club.”
Tanner has denied the allegations against him and, in a statement of his own on Monday, said he regrets “the impact that this situation has had” on the club.
“I remain proud of my work with the Philadelphia Union and look forward to my return and future work with the team,” he said.
The inquiry was the second MLS has made involving Tanner.
The MLSPA made its initial complaint last year, but MLS said it was unable to substantiate the claims at the time.
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year learning new role: Soccer team owner
Stephon Castle had been playing for a professional sports team for only a few months last year when the then-20-year-old began considering owning a piece of another.
A 6-foot-6 guard, Castle was finishing his first season with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs last spring when his agent, Joe Smith, and parents, Quannette and Stacey, ran an investment opportunity past him. Such approaches are common for newly minted millionaires, such as NBA rookies. But this one felt different.
Andre Swanston, one of only a handful of Black majority team owners in all of North American professional sports, wanted Castle to join the ownership group for a new soccer franchise in Connecticut. Castle was raised in Georgia but had committed to play at the University of Connecticut before his junior year of high school, and in 2024 won an NCAA championship in his lone collegiate season. The state has become a “second home,” he said.
“Everything kind of happened fast from there,” Castle said.
By December, Castle’s Spurs teammates, many of them serious soccer fans, learned that their point guard was not only last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, but also one of several minority owners of CT United of Major League Soccer’s developmental second division, called Next Pro. CT United began its first season this month.
“We got a lot of soccer fans on our team,” Castle said, “so it started some trash talk, kind of instantly.”
He had become the latest basketball star to become an owner in another sport — and specifically soccer. LeBron James bought a minority stake in Liverpool of the Premier League in 2011. As MLS grew to 30 teams, James Harden joined the ownership of the Houston Dynamo in 2019, and Kevin Durant bought a piece of the Philadelphia Union in 2020. Five years later, Durant bought into Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain too.
Athletes are increasingly interested in owning equity in teams or brands, said Smith, Castle’s agent, yet he described Castle as an outlier. At the time James, Harden and Durant purchased their stakes, each was already an NBA veteran on a lucrative contract. Castle was only 21 and a rising star still on his rookie contract when his minority ownership in CT United — he declined to say the percentage of his ownership stake — became official in December.
The decision was not out of character for Castle, Smith said. The two met when Castle was still in high school, and Smith said he was struck by how much the teenager was already considering his “legacy,” Smith said. Castle never switched high schools or flipped his college commitment, both rarities among top prospects.
“I feel like that’s just the way me and all my siblings were raised, just to think smart, think ahead and try and not to skip steps,” Castle said.
As he founded CT United from scratch, the 44-year-old Swanston also wasn’t looking to skip steps, understanding the soccer club would need to prove to MLS leaders that it was worthy of inclusion in the sport’s top domestic league.
“To show that we can be the first team to actually grow from within the Major League Soccer ecosystem from an academy team to a minor league team to major league team is, I think, earning it in a way that no one else can say they’ve ever done,” he said.
United’s placement in Connecticut is no accident.
Raised in the Bronx, Swanston attended boarding school in Connecticut and later went to the University of Connecticut, where he was a triple jumper on the school’s track team. While there, he learned that UConn’s wildly successful men’s and women’s basketball programs weren’t the only uber-popular teams on campus. The women’s soccer team played for a national championship in 2003, while the men won the title in 2000 and regularly topped NCAA attendance rankings.
“On a Friday night, thousands of people, everybody, went to soccer matches,” Swanston said.
As recently as last fall, the men still drew the fifth-highest attendance average in the NCAA. Such a built-in fan base was part of Swanston’s calculus for wanting a team in the state, an idea he said first took hold in 2018 and became more possible in 2020, when the data company he founded sold for nine figures, he said.
Not long after, he heard that MLS was starting a second division as part of a plan to develop younger players, staffers, executives and even test on-field rules in markets where there weren’t already MLS teams, like Chattanooga, Tennessee, and High Point, North Carolina.
“Connecticut is the most densely populated, affluent market in America with none of the top five major sporting leagues, right?” Swanston said. “A billion dollars a year pretty much goes to subsidize New York and Boston out of Connecticut.”
In 2021, Swanston met with Ali Curtis, the president of MLS Next Pro. Curtis had started as the general manager of Toronto, making him the first Black general manager in league history, before rising through the ranks. Swanston can talk at length about soccer prospects and playing styles, and believes that knowledge helped MLS officials take him seriously.
Curtis was impressed by Swanston’s ambition and confidence. And, “as a person of color,” Curtis added, “you don’t always meet a prospect that is also a person of color that is going to be a potential owner within the league.”
MLS does not keep demographic data on its teams’ ownership groups, a spokeswoman said. The league describes Swanston as “one of only a few Black majority team owners in the history of U.S. pro sports.” There are currently no Black majority owners of MLB, NBA, NHL or NFL teams.
MLS has league rules for vetting potential team owners, who are the league’s de facto business partners, Curtis said, calling it “probably the first and the last point that you focus on. What’s the ownership group going to be? Who are they? What are their values? What are their principles?”
As valuations of U.S. pro teams have spiked over the last decade, there is also the question of how many individuals have enough money to buy teams. Leagues carefully review the wealth of a controlling owner, but Swanston believes minority representation could grow if more value were placed on an ownership group’s combined wealth.
“If you talk about four groups or four families worth $2 billion instead of one [family], you’ve dramatically increased the potential for minority ownership and female ownership,” Swanston said. “I think in the meantime, where we’re gonna see diversity and ownership is in minority positions, with people owning 1% to 10% of clubs, and I think we have seen a huge jump in that over the last decade.”
Swanston and his wife, Michelle, the team’s co-owner, have intentionally kept CT United’s identity local. They started a free youth academy. Eight wolf’s tails in the team logo represent one for each of Connecticut’s counties. The sponsor on the front of the jersey is headquartered in Stamford; the jersey was designed by a Bridgeport-based company. As the team waits to build a stadium in Bridgeport, its home games this season will be held around the state in a barnstorming tour.
And to fill out his ownership group, he began talking with Smith and Castle’s father about including Stephon, in part because of his role on the 2024 Connecticut team that won an NCAA basketball championship. It was Castle’s shared affinity for Connecticut that mattered to Swanston, not his soccer knowledge — “I know he likes winning,” Swanston said.
Castle knew about the lack of Black ownership when he agreed to join.
“I wouldn’t say that was a sole reason why I think I made that decision, but it definitely played a factor for sure,” he said.
Castle was drawn more to keeping his connection to Connecticut and being part of a team from its inception. He also appreciates soccer, even if he doesn’t compete himself. He has long played soccer video games — typically as established powers Liverpool and Manchester City — and he attended a game at Barcelona’s famed Camp Nou stadium in 2023 on a trip with the UConn basketball team.
Castle envisions being involved and wants to build relationships with United players, many of whom are similar in age. But that will have to wait; the Spurs this season have become overnight NBA title contenders and could play deep into June. He might try to strike up a conversation with the Spurs’ owners to get advice, he said.
For now, he keeps CT United jerseys and a scarf at his Texas home. He’s been part of the club for less than six months yet already believes this won’t be his last investment in pro sports.
“Just being able to connect with people on that [ownership] level is obviously a big thing for me. So just that in itself I feel like is a success,” he said. “So later down the line, even after my career, I’m probably definitely going to look into doing this again.”
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
NBA draft prospect Alijah Arenas refuses to see his dreams derailed
Barely a minute or two ticked away at Galen Center last month,but USC freshman Alijah Arenas already was exhausted. His legs felt like anchors dragging across the court. Every trip down and back left his lungs howling.
Not 48 hours earlier, Arenas was confined to his bed, sick with a particularly unforgiving form of the flu. The virus sapped him of the strength he’d built during his first seven games at USC — another frustrating setback during a season with too many to count.
At practice the day before, Arenas felt so tired he spent most of the session lying down, trying not to move. But after all the games missed and all the opportunities lost during the past 10 months, Arenas never willingly gave up another.
He came to USC, after all, as a surefire NBA lottery pick, a sinewy playmaking marvel capable of creating his shot anywhere, anytime. He seemed like the sort of tantalizing five-star talent who could change not just the present but future of a program.
But he spent almost three-quarters of what could be his only college season sidelined. So, with a top-10 Illinois team coming to town, Arenas fought to play. He ended up slogging his way through 18 minutes and scored eight points. USC lost to Illinois by 36, its largest margin of defeat of the regular season.
That was three weeks ago. USC hasn’t won a game since. It opens Big Ten tournament action against Washington on Wednesday in need of a miracle run just to make the NCAA tournament.
Arenas isn’t one to make excuses. “I’m not going to blame it on [being sick,]” he said the day after the Illinois loss.
There has been plenty of blame to go around during USC’s seven-game losing streak. But Arenas blames himself. He should have been more prepared for this season, he says. He should have been working out harder, recovering faster.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Arenas said. “I just have to point out the obvious.”
He thinks about his little brother, Aloni. He’s only 14. He’s been hounding Alijah about getting in the gym. Why hadn’t he listened?
“It’s becoming a problem,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been talking about striving for perfection, instead of actually practicing it.”
He’s spent all night thinking about this. Obsessing over it.
But on the other hand … maybe he’s being a bit hard on himself.
One morning last April, Arenas was driving home from the gym when his Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, crashed into a tree and burst into flames, briefly trapping him inside. He managed to escape, but he was placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery from smoke inhalation and hospitalized for six days. Then, within days of finally being cleared to practice during the summer at USC, Arenas learned his meniscus was torn. He had one surgery on his knee, only to learn he needed a second about a month later.
Doctors told Arenas at the time that the knee injury was likely season-ending. But he refused to accept that fate. When his knee responded well to the second surgery, doctors conceded he might be able to return sometime in February. He ran with it.
“He worked so hard to come back,” said Zach Becerra, Arenas’ trainer, “that he got it to mid-January.”
But while his knee might’ve technically been healthy as he suited up against Northwestern on Jan. 21, Arenas didn’t have his stamina back. It’d been 10 months since he last played five-on-five basketball.
Arenas still played 29 minutes. He shot three of 15. Afterward, USC coach Eric Musselman worried he might’ve thrown the freshman into the fire too soon.
But Musselman told the Arenas family from the beginning that he would give Alijah a blank canvas on which to create and the space to make mistakes, to grow. So he kept his word — and kept giving Arenas the ball. Musselman stuck with the freshman even as he shot just 29% and struggled to find his footing during his first four games. And he has continued to stick with his star freshman, even as USC’s season unraveled.
He’s done so because Musselman and his staff have seen glimpses of what Arenas could be.
During a three-game stretch in early February, Arenas showed the world his sky-high potential. He dropped 29 against Indiana, 25 at Ohio State and hit a game-winner at Penn State. It seemed, at the time, like he was on the brink of his long-awaited breakout.
Then, he got sick.
“It’s a shame that the circumstances were what they were,” USC assistant coach Michael Musselman said. “Because I truly know that [Arenas] would have been one of the best players in the country with a full season.”
Arenas, though, doesn’t waste any time feeling sorry for himself. Even that stellar three-game stretch, he says, “wasn’t what I was waiting for.” He calls it “decent towards bad.”
Two days later, USC blew a lead to Oregon in the final minute. The ball was in Arenas’ hands during the final two possessions. He missed a contested jumper on the first trip. On the second, he drove into traffic and lost the ball.
After the game, Becerra said Arenas was “crushed.” “He feels like, ‘It’s all on me. ‘It’s all on my shoulders.’”
Arenas took a half-hour after the game to shoot and clear his head.
When he finally got home that night, Arenas headed straight for his father’s sauna. He sat inside for a while, alone, hoping to sweat away whatever was holding him back.
Seventh grade was when it all started to click. That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
Back then, he said, it was fun to set his alarm for 4 a.m., getting to the gym hours before another soul would show up.
“I was a very disciplined kid in seventh grade,” he says. “I’d get eight workouts a day in.”
Eight? Really? Yes, at his middle school, Core Prep Academy in Northridge, Arenas’ entire day was consumed by hoops. There were pre-dawn workouts, mid-morning core, mid-afternoon skills training and late-night shooting sessions. Lunch was usually sacrificed to get up extra shots. Sometimes he’d get in a short morning nap on a couch in an office. Classes, somehow, were crammed in the between workouts.
It was a pretty grueling schedule for a seventh grader. But Arenas chose it. He fell in love with the work. “That kid was obsessed,” Arenas says of his younger self. “Nothing distracted him. No outside noise, no talking, no anything. Just gym, school, sleep, repeat.”
Becerra, his trainer, saw that shift firsthand. He’d started training Arenas’ dad, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, when Alijah was in the fifth grade. Alijah was only 5-foot-4 when Becerra took him on as a client, too.
“But he was already a madman,” Becerra said. “He gets that from his dad.”
That motivation wasn’t the product of his famous father nudging him. Alijah said Gilbert never put any expectations on him to follow in his father’s footsteps.
In middle school at Core Prep, Alijah was pinned against older, stronger prospects on a daily basis. When it came time to choose a high school, instead of sending him to Sierra Canyon, where other local top prospects congregated, Alijah enrolled at Chatsworth High, the local public high school.
“I just think Gilbert wanted him to have to fight,” said Etop Udo-Ema, the founder of Compton Magic, Arenas’ AAU program. “You’re gonna do everything [at Chatsworth.] You’re gonna have to carry the team and wear every game on your shoulder.”
Some nights, Chatsworth coach Sam Harris would ask Alijah to play the point. Others he played center. He posted up in the paint, with his back to the basket. He initiated the offense. He rebounded. He even did the opening tip.
“He had to learn to do everything,” Harris said.
Arenas ended up staying all three of his high school seasons at Chatsworth. Most nights, Arenas was the sole focus of opponents’ game plans. Still, in three seasons, he became the Los Angeles City Section’s all-time leading scorer.
He developed an uncanny ability to create his own shot under the most difficult of circumstances, manipulating defenses and contorting his way through the lane with ease. He learned how to elevate his teammates, putting them in positions to succeed. And he also sprouted up to 6-foot-7, which didn’t hurt.
“Every game I was getting triple-teamed,” Arenas said. “At first it was frustrating. But then I realized, like, that’s just preparing me for the next level. I had to learn how to read the game differently, how to stay patient, how to trust my work even when things weren’t going right.”
Those lessons have been tested at USC, where little has gone as planned for Arenas so far this season. The Trojans have lost nine of the 13 games in which Arenas has suited up. They dismissed leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara last month and their NCAA tournament hopes are on life support.
It hasn’t been easy. But whenever life has been the hardest, he has found himself thinking of his Cybertruck crash. It’s made him slow down, made him take a breath.
“I just tell myself, like, ‘You’re still here,” he said.
In the same breath, Arenas refuses to let himself off the hook. He insists again this season hasn’t been good enough, that he hasn’t been good enough.
His former coaches, however, happily come to his defense. They insist this version of Arenas is, as Udo-Ema put it, “a shell of what he’s going to be.” They point to the fact that he’s only just now in playing shape.
That’s what the Compton Magic founder has told any NBA teams who have asked. “If he’s not a top-10 pick, there are 10 dumb NBA teams that are going to miss out,” he says.
Harris, the Chatsworth head coach, said Arenas is still just getting comfortable. He was supposed to be a high school senior, but he chose to reclassify and head to college early. Then suddenly he was thrust into the fire of a Big Ten slate at midseason.
“It’s just growing pains,” Harris said.
Stepping in during the final six weeks certainly required adjusting — not just from Arenas, but also his teammates. At Chatsworth, Arenas did everything because he had to. At USC, that instinct has sometimes led him to try too hard, to do too much.
“He can get a shot off whenever he wants, which is super unique,” said Michael Musselman, the USC assistant. “So he’s trying to figure out, ‘When do I need to use that?’ versus ‘When do I need to find my teammates or get other guys involved?’”
It may be too late to figure it all out at USC. The expectation has long been that Arenas would play one season of college basketball before declaring for the NBA draft. But considering how the past year has gone, could that change in the coming weeks as we learn more about how the NBA views Arenas’ limited freshman tape?
No one is ruling anything out. But those closest to Arenas assure that his struggles this season have done nothing to alter his trajectory in the NBA.
“Just the things he can do, the IQ he has, what he can see, the way that he moves, the length, the size — he’s the most talented guy I’ve ever seen,” Udo-Ema said. “Now realizing that talent is a whole different story. But let’s say everything perfect happens for him, he’s going to be the face of the NBA.”
Of course, nothing has gone perfectly to this point for Arenas. But if this past year has taught him anything, it’s how critical it is to keep on course. He won’t allow himself to veer any further.
“Because talent isn’t enough at this level,” Arenas said. “Everybody is talented. So if I’m not out working people, I’m behind.
“I know what I’m capable of. And I’m not there yet. Simple as that.”
March Madness 2026: Every City and Arena Hosting NCAA Tournament Games
March Madness is just a day away, and the anticipation around it is off the charts. As college basketball embarks on its final chapter in 2026, the teams look ready to sweat it out for the grand prize. But where will these games be held? Let’s dive right in and find out about the venues where the NCAA 2026 March Madness games will be hosted.
Which Arena Hosts the First Four Games in March Madness 2026?
The 2026 calendar will see the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, hosting the First Four Games on March 17th and 18th. These play-in games determine the final four teams that advance into the traditional 64-team March Madness bracket. Dayton has always been the longstanding home for the First Four ever since the format was introduced in 2011.
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The First Four consists of four play-in games involving eight teams. The match-ups usually include the four lowest-seeded at-large teams against the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers.
Dates : March 17th and 18th 2026
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City: Dayton, Ohio
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Venue: University of Dayton Arena (UD Arena), located at 1801 Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton, OH 45417.
The venue was opened in 1969 and has been renovated multiple times, with its last work happening in 2019, and can house approximately 13,409 people. Because of its rich association with college basketball, it has also earned itself the nickname “Epicenter of College Basketball.”
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Since 2011, this has been the proven ground where college basketball teams have slogged it out for a chance to etch their names into basketball supremacy. Dayton fans have a history of coming in numbers and selling out arenas as March Madness tips off from here. This is exactly why the slogan “The Road Starts Here” has become so entwined with this particular city.
Irrespective of the teams playing, the fans have never shirked away, and this is exactly why Dayton is a top-10 media market for college basketball viewership.
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Which Cities and Arenas Host the First and Second Round Games in 2026?
The 2026 NCAA Tournament’s First and Second Rounds (Round of 64 and Round of 32) will be played March 19–22 across eight host cities: Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. These regional pods spread the opening weekend action nationwide, giving fans across the U.S. a chance to experience March Madness live from the different locations.
The Round of 64 and Round of 32 games will be staggered from Thursday to Sunday. The host cities are arenas are:
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Well, all the venues in question have a history to begin with, which is why they have been chosen as the host sites for a tournament of this caliber. Take Buffalo, for instance, which is a frequent NCAA site, home of the NHL’s Sabres, or Greenville, which has become a regular host in recent years, popular in the Southeast, or Portland, with the NBA Trail Blazers’ arena of the West Coast pod.
The NCAA rotates these pods annually to make the games more accessible and provide different regions with hosting opportunities. While Dayton, Ohio, always gets the First Four, the first and second rounds move around each year. But that does not apply to cities like Buffalo, St. Louis, and Philadelphia, which have a history of repeatedly hosting the tournaments because of their strong attendance and basketball culture.
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Which Cities Will Host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
Four cities will host Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games in the second weekend. These matchups will determine which teams win their respective regions and walk away with a Final Four bid. So this is exactly the part where the game gets most cutthroat. It will be played in four cities, and the dates for the Sweet 16 are March 26 and 27, and the Elite Eight are March 28th and 29th, respectively.
As you will notice, both rounds are hosted in the same city/arena for each region, creating a mini-tournament atmosphere. The winners of the Sweet 16 will automatically advance to play for a spot in the Final Four.
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Where Is the 2026 NCAA Final Four and National Championship Game Being Played?
For the first time since 2021, the Final Four will be making its much-awaited comeback to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. A couple of months after the NFL Combine was hosted here, its seats will be filled to watch who will be crowned champions of DI basketball. So far, Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four eight times between 1980 and 2021, and now it will again get a chance to do so.
During the 2021 final, Baylor defeated Gonzaga 86-70 in a battle of the No. 1 seeds. Before that, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski won his fifth title at Duke, as the Blue Devils defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 68-63 in the championship game. So it has its own elaborate history that they will hope to live up to this year as well, when they host the elites of the game.
While Indianapolis has hosted the Women’s Final Four three times (RCA Dome in 2005, Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and 2016), the home of the Indianapolis Colts has not. However, Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled to host its first Women’s Final Four in 2028.
The Final Four will be the culmination of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and will see the last four teams left battle it out for the title. The weekend will comprise two national semi-final games that will be played on the same date, Saturday, April 4, 2026, followed by the finals on April 6th that will determine this season’s champion.
Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four nine times, more than any other city. The last three years it hosted these prestigious finals were in 2010, 2015, and 2021, and now it will do so again this year, making it the fourth time overall.
For the record, the NCAA headquarters are located in this city itself, and so you can imagine why the city gets its precedence. The Lucas Oil Stadium also has its own charm to it, with its fancy retractable roof setup and modern amenities, and is ideal for this kind of large-scale event.
Where to buy tickets, best prices, schedule
Say hello to the belles of the ball (and Cinderellas).
On Sunday, March 15, the NCAA announced the sprawling 68-team field that will compete at arenas all over the country in the 2026 Men’s Basketball Tournament, aka March Madness.
This year’s No. 1 seeds are Cameron Boozer’s Duke Blue Devils, Thomas Haugh’s Florida Gators, Jaden Bradley’s Arizona Wildcats and Yaxel Lendeborg’s Michigan Wolverines.
They’ll be joined by buzzy upstarts like Mark Mitchell’s Missouri Tigers, Pryce Sandfort’s Nebraska Cornhuskers and Peter Suder’s Miami Ohio Redhawks who are battling in the “First Four.”
As for New York, they’ll be represented by not one, not two, not three but four (!) squads in the Big Dance. They are Zuby Ejiofor’s No. 5-ranked St. John’s Red Storm as well as Cruz Davis’ No. 13 Hofstra Pride along with as No. 16 seeds Gavin Doty’s Siena Saints and Jamal Fuller’s Long Island University Sharks.
Early-round games are scheduled to go down at:
University of Dayton Arena
Dayton, OH
Moda Center
Portland, OR
Paycom Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Greenville, SC
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY
Other first and second-round contests are scheduled for Philadelphia, Tampa, St. Louis and San Diego before the games relocate for the Sweet 16.
If you’d like to root on the squad of your choosing, see future NBA stars and/or witness an earth-shattering bracket-busting upset, last-minute tickets are available for all 67 games leading up to the April 6 Championship at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find for any pair of contests was $17 including fees on StubHub.
Multi-game session passes for the first two rounds that get you into six games over three days start at $343 including fees (that’s for Philadelphia).
Not bad considering that The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy dubbed this year’s crop as “Arguably the greatest — and deepest — freshman class in the sport’s history.”
Want to catch a game or three?
We’re here to help, hardwood fanatics.
Our team has everything you need to know and more about the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament below.
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tickets 2025
A complete breakdown of all upcoming games separated by venues — including game dates, teams and ticket prices — can be found here:
University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
Moda Center in Portland, OR
Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC
Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA
Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO
Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL
Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA
Final Four tickets 2026
The Big Dance will come to a close this year in Indianapolis.
On Saturday, April 4, the Final Four goes down at the Lucas Oil Stadium aka the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Two days later, March Madness ’26 wraps things up with the National Championship game at the same venue on Monday, April 6.
You can find tickets for all three high-stakes games here.
Sweet 16 tickets 2026
Before the playoff picture fully sorts itself out, the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 will take place in four major cities.
To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s how to grab tickets for all sessions at each of the four venues hosting the middle of the tourney.
March Madness 2026 bracket
Want to start making predictions ASAP?
You can get to it right now with our printable bracket below.
For all things March Madness, check out The Post’s bracket coverage and top storylines.
How to watch March Madness on TV
If you’re looking to scream at the TV enjoy the games from the comfort of your own home, we’re happy to report that that should be a cinch this year.
Most games can be found on CBS, TNT, TBS or truTV; all of these channels are available with a free trial of DIRECTV’s choice plan.
As always, be sure to check your local listings ahead of time to find the game you’re looking for ahead of time.
Huge 2026 concerts
Love March Madness…and music?
If that’s the case, here are just five shows you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• J. Cole
• A$AP Rocky
• Kid Cudi
• Don Toliver
• Earth Wind and Fire with Lionel Richie
Who else is on the road? Take a look at our list of all the biggest concert tours in 2026 to find the show for you.
Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post
Kenyon Martin Explains Reason Behind Embarrassing ‘Gils Arena’ Employee Who Mocked His Speech Impediment
Usually, there is a lot of chatter on Gil’s Arena, but this time, when Kenyon Martin spoke, everyone else was silent. Because the issue was personal, a person from his inner circle mocked his speech impediment. The 15-year NBA veteran gave a teaching moment on the Gilbert Arenas podcast and then explained on Instagram why it was important.
Martin has suffered from stuttering right from his childhood days in Dallas, when he also had to deal with bullying and avoided speaking in school. So, dealing with ‘name-calling’ was not the real issue. The main problem was that the disrespect came from someone close to him, a person who had been to his home multiple times. The person of interest here is Suge, a member of the production crew.
“It was about me addressing the situation, y’all, but it wasn’t about me,” said Martin. “It was for the other people that stutter, that’s been teased and bullied and, like I said, missed out on opportunities because of it. This was about them and letting them know you don’t have to put up with it. You don’t. It’s a special thing that we have. It’s not going anywhere.”
K-Mart also stated that he was on the board of the National Association for Stuttering, and they are constantly working to find more effective ways of therapy through speech. “But I am here for you guys. Deada–. I am here to speak up for you because I once was someone who didn’t have a speaking platform to let people know about this and to speak up for yourself. This is for you guys, man.”
On Tuesday’s Gil’s Arena, Kenyon Martin replayed the video of the staffer apparently making fun of him and his stuttering. He emphasized that speech impediment is a deeply personal issue for him. The statements and comments affected the 6’9″ forward from Michigan. He called out Suge and labeled him “disloyal.”
“This is what disloyalty and people who don’t respect you look like,” said Martin in Gil’s Arena. “People like him. Be careful who you invite into your home. Who you have around your loved ones, your friends, and family. This is what you get. People like this. That talk about something that is near and dear to my heart.”
Even during the live episode and on his Instagram, K-Mart made sure that he wanted no apology despite the staffer pleading multiple times.
Kenyon Martin did not accept the apology
When the former NBA veteran replayed the video, Suge, the person responsible for making these comments, recalled apologizing for this situation. But at the time, Martin had no context and did not expect the person close to him to say something this insensitive. In fact, K-Mart never watched the video until two weeks ago.
Someone else sent him the video, which is why Martin was done with Suge, and the last thing he wants is an apology. “I drew a line in the sand a long time ago with this. There is no apology ever as an adult that I would accept for this. I came in here one day over at Gil’s house, and you walked up to me and tried to apologize out of the blue. I blew you off because I didn’t know what you were talking about,” he added.
Since Kenyon Martin didn’t expect somebody close to him to mock him, the pain and disappointment were more. But once it was brought to his attention, the former number 1 pick decided to stand up for what’s right. Even if it meant breaking the bond with a close associate.
FBC Firebreak Has Received its Last Major Update With New Arenas, and a New Friends Pass, Will Remain Online “For Years to Come”
Remedy Entertainment’s failed multiplayer shooter FBC Firebreak has finally reached the inevitable point we all expected once Remedy admitted it did not perform well on the sales charts despite reaching 1M players. The studio known mostly for its excellent single-player experiences has confirmed that FBC Firebreak will no longer receive new content updates, and its final content update titled Open House is now live for those remaining players to dig into.
The news was revealed with a blog post on the game’s Steam page, where Remedy revealed that the update includes “new arenas inspired by locations from Control for the Endless Shift game mode, gameplay improvements, balance updates, Twitch drops armor sets, and lastly, the new Friend’s Pass.”
Not mentioned in that first list of highlights is the fact that Remedy is also permanently lowering the price of FBC Firebreak. Instead of its initial $39.99 USD price tag, Remedy has cut it in half for the foreseeable future and will now charge only $19.99 for the standard edition. The deluxe edition is down from its original $49.99 price to $29.99. It’s also currently on sale on Steam for an additional 20% off.
You might be wondering why the price change for a game that won’t get any more content, since the next step is usually for these multiplayer games to disappear from existence. Well, that’s the other layer to this announcement: FBC Firebreak will not be going offline anytime soon, according to Remedy.
“FBC Firebreak will stay online and continue to be playable for years to come,” the studio wrote. “We have done engineering work to ensure we can sustain the upkeep of the relay servers when the player volume is lower.” Which is also where the new Friend’s Pass comes into play. If you’re someone who bought the game and was unable to convince your friends to do the same, now you’ll be able to invite them to play with you without also making them fork over any cash. You’ll still have to convince them to spend time playing FBC Firebreak, though.
“FBC Firebreak was built by a team fueled by passion and experimentation,” said game director Mike Kayatta. “That spirit shaped the game, but the moments that brought it to life were the ones that players created together. We want to make sure those moments can continue for the players who are already here, and for anyone else looking for a high-energy, low-pressure game night with friends. That’s why the relay servers are staying up, the price is going down, and a Friend’s Pass is going in. From all of us on the team, thank you for your own passion and experimentation, and we’ll see you in there.”
Remedy will continue to patch the game to ensure it is maintained and runs well, but that’s about it for the future until it goes offline. Though it’ll remain online for the future, Firebreak’s story altogether remains an unfortunate one. Remedy is known for making excellent single-player games that never get the sales recognition they deserve in the eyes of its fans, so it’s easy to see why the studio wanted to at least try its hand at making a bigger commercial success with a multiplayer game.
It had the best of intentions, but those don’t always lead to the reality they have in mind. Even as Firebreak reached 1M players, the studio admitted it had made a few major errors that ended up being pretty fatal, particularly with how the game’s opening hours were structured. It’s financial drop off also resulted in the company’s chief executive officer of the last nine years stepping down.
For all of that said, when Wccftech’s Francesco De Meo reviewed FBC Firebreak at launch, he recognized that there was a solid foundation that could’ve been built on, if Remedy could pace out a solid roadmap.
“FBC: Firebreak makes excellent use of the Oldest House from Control and the Remedy Connected Universe’s signature weirdness to deliver a co-op experience full of personality, but that’s not quite enough to make it one of the best in the genre. While the game shines during its first dozen hours, thanks to the Crisis Kits’ unique abilities and solid mission and map design, the combination of a grindy upgrade system and limited content quickly leads to repetition and fatigue. With its promising content roadmap, however, FBC: Firebreak could evolve into a co-op shooter worth the time and money even for those beyond Remedy’s most devoted fans, as the foundation is undoubtedly solid.”
Olympic success energizes NHL’s Hockey Day on the Hill
WASHINGTON — The NHL’s Hockey Day on the Hill on Tuesday had an added luster to it.
The Stanley Cup was there at the annual event, standing in its silver glory in a U.S. Senate room in the morning and in House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s office in the afternoon for lawmakers, staffers and anyone else to see.
But there was an added glow from people who were still basking in the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams winning gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics and the U.S. sled hockey team winning gold at the 2026 Paralympics in Milano Cortina.
“After the huge year or the U.S. women’s and men’s Olympic hockey teams, and the Paralympic sled hockey team, the Capitol is buzzing with a new appreciation for the greatest game on Earth,” said Emmer, a Minnesota Republican who was a forward with the University of Alaska Fairbanks from 1980-84.
Like Emmer, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida was all smiles as he hosted the Cup on the Senate side of the Capitol.
Scott said he was proud of the United States’ showing in Milano Cortina and is still beaming from the Florida Panthers winning the Stanley Cup in June for the second consecutive season.
“I think it’s great that Florida keeps winning, it’s nice for the Panthers,” Scott said. “I tell everybody we’ve got the best teams in the country. We keep winning everything. We won the national championship in basketball with the (University of Florida) Gators won last year and the Panthers won twice.”
The good hockey vibes shifted from the halls of Congress to a nearby Capitol Hill restaurant in the afternoon, where players from the congressional hockey team and a squad of lobbyists gathered for a reception.
The lawmakers and lobbyists will go head-to-head in the annual Congressional Hockey Challenge charity game on March 26 at MedStar Capital Iceplex, the Washington Capitals practice facility.
They were surprised when Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk arrived at the restaurant smiling and wearing the gold medal he won with Team USA around his neck.
“You realize the significance when you come to a place like this,” said Tkachuk, whose Senators face the Capitals on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; MNMT, SN, TVAS). “I didn’t realize it until after the fact and after all the emotions come down how special it was, not just for the guys in that room but for the country.”
Tim Regan, captain of the lawmakers team and chief of legislative operations in the Office of the Clerk in the House, said Tkachuk’s visit was a great way to cap off the day.
“I think it means more this year because of the back-to-back-to-back gold medals within the past month,” he said. “It’s pretty impressive. Obviously, all of us have been American hockey fans for our whole lives, and to just be able to keep promoting the game and what we’re doing with the game, what we’re able to provide to the game is great.”
Regan said he was especially impressed by the U.S. women at the Winter Olympics and by the growth in the number of girls and women playing hockey in the United States.
USA Hockey, the nation’s governing body, reached a milestone earlier this month when it registered its 100,000th female player.
“It’s always been Canada and America leading the way in women’s hockey, but now it’s America in Canada,” Regan said. “Now they’ve been dominating on the world stage over the most recent games, the Rivalry Series and now the Winter Olympics.”
The NHL Foundation U.S. is also helping to get more girls and women involved in the sport. The foundation announced on March 6 that in partnership with Megan Keller, alternate captain of Team USA and captain of the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, it will make a $100,000 donation to two organizations of her choosing as part of its Empowerment Grant for Girls Hockey program.
Haley Skarupa, NHL U.S. Foundation ambassador and gold medal winner with Team USA at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, said the grant comes at a watershed moment for women’s hockey in the United States.
“I think, especially coming off of a win at the Olympics, just the momentum that girls and women’s hockey has right now to be able to spark more involvement, participation … is really crucial at this time,” said Skarupa, who attended the Hockey Day on the Hill events. “I mean, especially the Olympics there every four years, you want to strike when the iron’s hot. And right now, a lot of girls are excited about the sport.”
Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl out for the rest of the regular season
EDMONTON, Alberta — Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the rest of the NHL regular season because of a lower-body injury, the Oilers said Tuesday, leaving the back-to-back defending Western Conference champions left to try to hold on to a playoff spot without one of the best hockey players in the world.
He will miss at least the remaining 14 games through April 16.
It was not immediately clear exactly what the injury was or whether Draisaitl will miss any time once the playoffs begin the weekend of April 18-19.
Draisaitl left his team’s game Sunday against Nashville after getting bumped hard by the Predators’ Ozzy Wiesblatt during the first period. He did not return.
The Oilers sit in third place in the Pacific Division, one point back of Vegas and two behind Anaheim, though the Golden Knights and Ducks each have an extra game left to play.
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Draisaitl has been a big part of getting Edmonton to this point. The 30-year-old ranks fourth in the league in scoring with 97 points in 65 games, second on the team behind only Connor McDavid, atop the NHL with 114 points.
Draisaitl won the Hart Trophy as MVP in 2020 and was the runner-up last season. Last month, he played at the Olympics and was Germany’s leading scorer with seven points in five games.
Draisaitl is the second prominent player to be sidelined for the rest of the regular season. Toronto’s Auston Matthews won’t play again because of a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin: Among NHL’s best in net so far
Sorokin made 26 saves in a 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
The Leafs put up a solid number of shots, but he didn’t really have to push himself. The lone goal that got past him came on a spinaround shot by a fourth-line player. Sorokin is 5-2-0 in seven starts after the Olympic break. Overall, he’s 25-15-2 with a 2.49 GAA and .914 save percentage in 42 starts. Sorokin’s GAA is eighth overall in the NHL. He’s tied with Andrei Vasilevskiy and Devin Cooley for second in the NHL in save percentage.
Blue Jackets’ Charlie Coyle: Ties NHL-career high in points
Coyle had a goal and three assists in a 5-1 win over Carolina on Tuesday.
Coyle’s four points tied an NHL-career high. His goal, which came on the power play late in the first period, stood as the game winner. He also set up a goal on the power power play Coyle continues to pace toward a career season. He has 17 goals, 38 assists, 121 shots, 87 hits and 11 power-play points in 67 games. Coyle’s best season ever came in Boston in 2023-24 when he put up 25 goals, 35 assists, 11 power-play points and 147 shots.
Avalanche, Stars set for crucial Central matchup
MANALAPAN, Fla. — The top two teams in the NHL will face off against each other Wednesday in a nationally televised game in the United States that has far-reaching implications on the Central Division standings and what’s to come in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Colorado Avalanche, in first place in the Central with 97 points in 66 games, are home at Ball Arena against the Dallas Stars, the second-place team in the division with 94 points in 67 games (9:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS2).
It’s the second of three games between the Stars and Avalanche in a span of 30 days. Colorado won 5-4 in a shootout in Dallas on March 6. The Stars are also home against the Avalanche on April 4.
“These games do (feel different) because there’s a mutual respect between both teams,” Dallas general manager Jim Nill said. “They know that, ‘Hey, this is a team we’re probably going to have to go through if we want to win the Stanley Cup.’ The players know that. They understand that. And they’ve got a lot of pride.
“But win or lose, it’s not the end all be all. There’s a long ways to go yet.”
That sentiment is shared by the Avalanche and their GM, Chris MacFarland, and it is important for many reasons, but the emphasis on the standings plays a big role in why the game Wednesday is so meaningful and intriguing.
The Avalanche (44-13-9) and Stars (42-15-10) are the top two teams in the League. The Minnesota Wild (38-18-12), who were third in the Central with 88 points in 68 games entering Tuesday, were fifth in the overall League standings, tied in points with the Buffalo Sabres. They still have two games remaining against the Stars.
Because the playoff format guarantees one of the Avalanche, Stars and Wild will be eliminated in the first round and two will be out following the second round, finishing first in the division matters as it all but ensures avoiding playing one of the other two in the first round.
“With the start we had I think it’s important (to finish first in the division),” MacFarland said Tuesday from the League’s GM meetings. “I think Dallas would say the same thing. I think Minnesota would say the same thing.”
But saying that now and stressing it with still a double-digit number of games to play are different, which is why MacFarland and Nill are choosing to focus on how their teams are playing instead of the standings even when pressed on the importance of finishing first.
“I get the question, but I think for us ‘Bedsy’ (coach Jared Bednar) does a good job and our coaches do a good job of just focusing on the process day by day, and if we do our thing right day after day then the scoreboard, the standings will kind of take care of themselves,” MacFarland said. “It’s our job to be ready to play Dallas, Chicago on Friday and then, you know, a month from now, wherever we are in the standings we’ll be ready to go for Game 1 somewhere.”
Said Nill, “This is probably an easy way out of the question, it’s really just getting ourselves ready for the playoffs. We know we’ve got to be at our best to beat these teams so we have to make sure we’re at that level.”
The Stars were, up until a 6-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Monday. It was their first regulation loss since Jan. 22, ending a 14-0-1 stretch in which they scored 4.13 goals per game and allowed 2.33, were 33.3 percent on the power play, including scoring in 12 consecutive games, and were 86.0 percent on the penalty kill.
They gained nine points on the Avalanche in that stretch, doing so with injuries to three key forwards: Roope Hintz, Mikko Rantanen and Radek Faksa.
The Stars will play their sixth straight game and for the 10th time in 11 games without them when the puck drops against the Avalanche.
The hope is all three will be back before the end of the regular season.
“We’re playing very cohesive,” Nill said. “Our defensive structure is very good. Our 5-on-5 play has come up, which was a concern early in the year and kind of midyear when we hit a little bit of a bump. That’s come up. Our power play has been outstanding and the PK is finally getting its traction. Right now, we’re playing well. We’ve got a lot of injuries, but it has been an opportunity for these young guys and some other players to grab it, and they have.”
The Avalanche are also battling injuries up front, with Artturi Lehkonen set to miss his eighth consecutive game, Gabriel Landeskog his sixth and Ross Colton his fourth.
MacFarland said the hope is to have Landeskog, Lehkonen and forward Logan O’Connor, who hasn’t played all season after having hip surgery in June, in the lineup soon, with an update coming in the next week or two. He didn’t have a firm timetable on Colton.
The injuries have forced the Avalanche to use center Nazem Kadri, who was acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames on March 6, at right wing on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. Kadri was acquired to be Colorado’s No. 3 center.
“We haven’t really seen what we envision, but that’s what you’ve got to do when you’re missing guys,” MacFarland said.
They won’t see it Wednesday either, but they will see a team hungry to catch them in the race for first place in the Central Division.
With less than one month to go in the regular season and the playoff picture around them blurry with so many teams still in the race, to the Avalanche and Stars, it is abundantly clear why finishing first matters so much, even if the day-to-day focus is more macro than that.
“There’s not a lot of weaknesses on either team,” Nill said. “These are big games.”
State Your Case: Avalanche or Stars as NHL’s top team
The Central Division is the toughest in the NHL this season.
It is home to the League’s best team almost since the puck dropped in October in the Colorado Avalanche, who are 44-13-9 with a League-high 97 points.
It is home to the League’s hottest team in the Dallas Stars (42-15-10), who had a 15-game point streak (14-0-1) end with a 6-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Monday. The Stars have 94 points and have made up seven points on the Avalanche since Jan. 1.
Just for fun, the Central also boasts the fourth-best team in the NHL in the Minnesota Wild, who are 39-18-12 with 90 points.
But it is the battle between the Avalanche and Stars that will take center stage during the second half of a national TV doubleheader when the teams meet at Ball Arena on Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS2). The New Jersey Devils visit the New York Rangers in the first part of the doubleheader at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT).
Dallas has the opportunity to make a case as the League’s best team, coming off a points streak that tied the Stars/Minnesota North Stars record set in 1998-99 (12-0 with three ties). A victory Wednesday would put them within one point of Colorado in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy and the top seed in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
So which of these teams is the NHL’s cream of the crop? We put that question before NHL.com senior writers Tom Gulitti and Amalie Benjamin in this edition of State Your Case.
Benjamin: Let’s make this easy: The Avalanche have been the best team in the NHL all season and, at points, it wasn’t even close. They’ll win the Central Division, the toughest in the League, case closed. OK, fine. I’ll back that up, starting with Nathan MacKinnon. The center has played like he’s on a mission all season, with 110 points (45 goals, 65 assists) in 65 games, second only to the 114 points (37 goals, 77 assists) of Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid. But Colorado’s success goes beyond MacKinnon; there’s also forward Martin Necas, who has been a more than worthy replacement for forward Mikko Rantanen, who ended up with the Stars after a stopover with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. Necas has 81 points (31 goals, 50 assists), as the Avalanche lead the NHL in goals for per game with 3.73. Plus there’s defenseman Cale Makar (68 points; 19 goals, 49 assists in 66 games), center Brock Nelson (30 goals as part of his 55 points) and newly acquired forward Nazem Kadri (43 points; 13 goals, 30 assists in 66 games with the Calgary Flames and Colorado). So the offense is there — specifically at 5-on-5, with 181 goals, a whopping 27 more goals at even strength than the next-highest team (Buffalo Sabres, 154). That should be enough — and I haven’t even started in on their defense.
Gulitti: I agree with Amalie to a point. The Avalanche have been the best team in the NHL for most of the season. The Stars have been the better team for close to two months now, though, and are surging at the right time with the help of a franchise record-tying 15-game point streak. The Stars have been doing this despite being without forwards Mikko Rantanen (lower body) and Radek Faksa (initially upper body, now lower) since they were injured during the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, Roope Hintz (lower body) since March 6 and Tyler Seguin (knee) since Dec. 2. Despite those personnel losses, Dallas has continued to thrive, thanks to its superior depth. The Stars had eight players reach double digits in points during their point streak: forwards Jason Robertson (22), Matt Duchene (21), Wyatt Johnston (20), Jamie Benn (16), Sam Steel (13) and Mavrik Bourque (13) and defensemen Miro Heiskanen (18) and Thomas Harley (11). Johnston leads the NHL with 22 power-play goals this season. Unfortunately, Seguin is out for the season, but Dallas will be even better when Rantanen, Faksa and Hintz return.
Benjamin: Everything Tom said is true: The once world-beating Avalanche have fallen back to earth a bit and the Stars have risen in that time. After all, Colorado entered the 2026 calendar year with two regulation losses. Two. Let that sink in. And while the Avalanche have seen that regression since, which was bound to come, I think that will make them all the better at the end of the season, when they’re fighting it out for a division title they still have the inside track to win. That being said, I’m headed back to talk about Colorado’s defense, which is (much like its offense) tops in the NHL, giving up 2.50 goals per game. Though their defensive core doesn’t necessarily set the world on fire outside of Makar and Devon Toews, their goalies have become a formidable tandem, with Scott Wedgewood (25-5-5, 2.23 goals-against average, .915 save percentage, two shutouts) and Mackenzie Blackwood (18-8-1, 2.48 GAA, .904 save percentage, three shutouts). I believe this group can turn defense into offense on a dime, and they’ll be more than enough to get the Avalanche to the finish line in the Central.
Gulitti: It’s difficult to make a case against the Avalanche because of the many points Amalie mentions. They’re one of the best teams in the NHL, for sure. So I’ll just focus on the Stars, who are playing their best hockey at the right time and measure up well against Colorado on defense and in net, too. Dallas has one of the most underrated defensemen in the NHL in Heiskanen, and he’s supported by a deep group that includes Esa Lindell, Harley and Tyler Myers, who was acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks on March 4 to add size (6-foot-8, 229 pounds) and physicality. The Stars also have one of the best goalie duos in the NHL, headed by Jake Oettinger (28-10-5, 2.62 GAA, .900 save percentage, two shutouts) with Casey DeSmith (14-5-5, 2.40 GAA, .907 save percentage, one shutout) backing up. Since Jan. 11, Dallas is ninth in the NHL in scoring with 3.50 goals per game, and Colorado is 18th (3.09). During that same period, Dallas is first in allowing 2.45 goals per game and Colorado is 20th (3.18). There isn’t much difference between the teams. The winner Wednesday probably will win the division.
Schaefer makes family proud during NHL homecoming with Islanders
TORONTO — Matthew Schaefer admitted he played through a bit of a sore stomach during his NHL homecoming in southern Ontario on Tuesday.
Whatever it was, the cause of the discomfort certainly wasn’t from nerves, given the way the rookie defenseman performed for the New York Islanders in a 3-1 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
Playing in the same building where he used to cheer on the Leafs as a kid, Schaefer displayed the type of calm, cool and collectiveness that an 18-year-old shouldn’t have, especially in front of what he estimated to be up to 1,000 family, friends and acquaintances in the stands.
Then again, this is no ordinary teenager, in case you hadn’t noticed.
By the time the final horn sounded, Schaefer had led the Islanders in ice time at 22:57 and had the secondary assist on Calum Ritchie’s power-play goal in the first period, which ended up being the game-winner. Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, now has 49 points (20 goals, 29 assists) in 68 games this season and continues to be the leading candidate to win the Calder Trophy as NHL’s rookie of the year.
“I had a little tummy ache out there, so, honestly, it was just so good to get the two points,” Schaefer said. “I mean, I just love playing hockey. Sometimes if you have a long shift, you just need a couple of deep breaths and kind of recoup.
“But then, once you’re ready to go you’re back out there.”
Twenty minutes later, Schaefer skated onto the same rink that the heroes of his youth had played on. He paused to look up at the stands, taking it all in as part of the special moment it truly was.
“To finally step onto that ice, that was awesome,” he said after the morning skate.
Schaefer’s comments came in front of a scrum of 20-plus reporters and several TV cameras. He handled it with the same poise with which he plays.
When asked about the prediction he’d made on Monday that an entourage of about 1,000 would be on hand for the game, he broke into a wry grin.
“Maybe I was pushing it a bit,” he said with a chuckle. “But there’s going to be a lot.”
There certainly were, which he found out firsthand during warmups.
“It was awesome, seeing so many friends and family in the stands and getting out there,” Schaefer said. “It’s pretty cool. It brings back memories of coming here as a kid with friends and things like that.”
One of the first familiar faces he spotted was Brady Scriven, who is the brother of Matthew’s best friend, Ryan. Brady is a goalie for the Brantford 99ers U12 AAA minor hockey team that Schaefer served as an honorary coach for during the Olympic break.
“I threw a puck up to Brady when I saw him, and everyone came up and tackled him because they’re all trying to get the puck,
Pettersson scores twice to reach 200 NHL goals, Canucks defeat Panthers
Marco Rossi had a goal and two assists, and Brock Boeser had three assists for the Canucks (21-38-8), who won for the third time in the past six games (3-2-1) after winning just three of the previous 26 (3-19-4). Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves for his first win in 10 starts dating back to Jan. 21.
Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and an assist, Carter Verhaeghe had two assists and Sergei Bobrovksy, playing his 800th NHL game, made 17 saves for the Panthers (33-31-3), who have lost the first two of a four-game road trip after winning their previous three games.
Pettersson put the Canucks ahead 1-0 on a power play at 3:49, one-timing a cross-ice pass from Rossi under the arm of a sliding Bobrovsky from the right dot for his first goal since Jan. 13.
Tkachuk tied it at 11:41 with a quick shot between Lankinen’s pads after a pass by defenseman Elias Pettersson bounced off Verhaeghe and right to Tkachuk unchecked in front of the net.
Pettersson made it 2-1 on another power play at 13:40, scoring his 200th goal in his 530th game with a wrist shot from above the right dot that deflected in off both Panthers defensemen.
Rossi made it 3-1 at 17:46 after the Panthers failed to clear the defensive zone and Boeser won a puck battle along the right boards before making a backhand pass to Rossi all alone in front of the net. He made a quick deke shot past Bobrovsky’s blocker as he reached out with a poke check attempt for his third goal and seventh point on a three-game point streak.
Sam Bennett, back after missing one game with an undisclosed injury, made it 3-2 off the rush at 11:28 after Tkachuk collected a cross-ice pass from Verhaeghe and waited for Lankinen to slide past his post before dropping the puck back to the left hash mark to leave Bennett with an open net.
Aatu Raty restored the two-goal lead at 14:27 after another turnover at the Florida blue line left him alone in front of Bobrovsky for a quick move from backhand to forehand and a shot past the blocker to make it 4-2.
Drew O’Connor was also left alone in front to make it 5-2 at 14:25 of the third period, taking a pass from Linus Karlsson behind the net off his right skate and over to his stick for a quick shot past Bobrovsky’s blocker.
Elias Pettersson scores twice to lead Canucks over Panthers 5-2
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and the Vancouver Canucks held on for a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
The Swedish center opened the scoring at the 3:49 mark of the first period, blasting a one-timer in from inside the faceoff circle during an early power play. It was his 14th tally of the season and his first goal in 21 games.
Marco Rossi also scored and contributed a pair of assists for the Canucks, who rebounded from a lopsided 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.
Vancouver center Aatu Raty and Drew O’Connor also scored and Brock Boeser added three assists. Kevin Lankinen — playing in his 200th NHL game — stopped 21 of the 23 shots he faced for his first win since Jan. 21.
The Panthers got a goal and an assist from Matthew Tkachuk. Sam Bennett also scored and Carter Verhaeghe had two assists.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 17 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who lost their second straight game.
Panthers defenseman Seth Jones returned to the lineup after missing 26 games with an upper-body injury. Bennett also played after an undisclosed ailment kept him out of Florida’s 6-2 loss to the Kraken in Seattle on Sunday.
Winger Nolan Foote played his first game for the Panthers after getting called up from the AHLs Charlotte Checkers on Sunday. His dad is Canucks head coach Adam Foote.
Up next
Panthers: Visit Edmonton on Thursday.
Canucks: Host Tampa Bay on Thursday.
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Elias Pettersson scores twice to lead Canucks over Panthers 5-2
Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and the Vancouver Canucks held on for a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night
March 18, 2026 at 12:56 a.m. EDT3 minutes ago
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and the Vancouver Canucks held on for a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
The Swedish center opened the scoring at the 3:49 mark of the first period, blasting a one-timer in from inside the faceoff circle during an early power play. It was his 14th tally of the season and his first goal in 21 games.
Bears’ Draft Plans Suddenly in Hot Water After Latest Prospect Injury
Just as the Chicago Bears begin to zero in on draft needs, one potential target may be slipping away.
According to draft analyst Dane Brugler, former Florida Gators football defensive tackle Caleb Banks suffered a fractured foot at the NFL Scouting Combine and had surgery on March 9.
For a player once projected in the first round, it’s a brutal setback at the worst possible time, and one that could directly impact the Chicago Bears’ draft plans.
A potential first round option suddenly in question
At 6’6” and roughly 327 pounds, Caleb Banks is a beast. Some mock drafts even projected him as high as the top 10, while others had him landing with the Chicago Bears at No. 25.
Pro Football Focus analyst Max Chadwick highlighted just how glaring the need is, and why Banks fits it:
“No Bears defensive tackle earned a 60.0 PFF overall grade this season. Banks played in only three games in 2025 at Florida due to a foot injury, but his 12% pressure rate since 2023 still ranked sixth among Power Four interior defenders over that stretch. He also has the second-largest wingspan ever recorded for a defensive tackle (85 3/4 inches).”
The fit is perfect. However, the broken foot dramatically changes the equation.
The injury reportedly occurred the night before Banks participated in on field testing at the combine… He still managed to complete a partial workout, running the 40 yard dash and participating in the vertical and broad jumps, before ending his session early.
Banks is expected to be sidelined until at least June now after surgery to repair a fracture in the fourth metatarsal. That timeline would keep him out of rookie workouts and potentially make him questionable for minicamp.
Foot injuries for players of Banks’ size are often viewed as a significant red flag during the draft process. When a 330 pound defensive lineman begins to develop recurring foot problems, teams tend to approach with caution.
And for a team like Chicago (which badly needs to hit on its first round pick), that risk may now be too much.
Things may still work out
If the Chicago Bears use their first round pick on the defensive line, they likely need a player who can contribute sooner rather than later.
But while Caleb Banks may now be off the table at No. 25, that doesn’t necessarily mean Chicago’s interest would disappear entirely.
The Bears still hold a second round pick acquired in the blockbuster trade that sent DJ Moore to Chicago, a selection that currently sits around No. 60 overall. If Banks’ injury causes his draft stock to tumble into that range or beyond, the conversation could become very different.
At that point, a team could justify taking a chance on his upside while giving him time to develop and recover.
And in that scenario, the Bears could still end up with a player many once believed was worthy of a first round selection. For now, though, Chicago’s draft board may have just shifted.
Cowboys Hit With Blunt Draft Message Involving David Bailey
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense needs improvement this offseason after a challenging 2025 NFL season. Last year, Dallas decided to move on from Micah Parsons, but it came at a cost: The team recorded 35 sacks, per StatMuse.
As a result, bolstering the team’s pass rush is a must-do this offseason. Moreover, if the Cowboys can find a replacement for Parsons, that would be an ideal scenario, and there’s a name who could do it: Former Texas Tech Red Raiders’ David Bailey.
Bailey recorded 14.5 sacks for Texas Tech last season, and Bobby Belt of 105.3 The FAN believes that if the 22-year-old falls outside of the Top 5, Dallas should consider trading up for the edge rusher.
Read more: Jets Projected to Land Powerhouse QB to Compete With Geno Smith
JC Tretter has been elected the new executive director for the NFL Players Association
JC Tretter is the new executive director for the NFL Players Association.
The 35-year-old former center for the Packers and Browns was elected by the union’s board of player representatives on Tuesday.
Tretter previously served as NFLPA president from 2020 to 2024.
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“There are times in your life when you know that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be,” Tretter said in a statement. “That’s where I am today. I’m grateful for the trust my fellow players have placed in me, and I’m going to reward that trust with my fullest commitment to these players and chart a new course for our union. My sole goal is to build up the strength of the NFLPA.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and how important it is to stand shoulder to shoulder with player leadership. This union has always played a critical role in shaping the game, and that work is as important now as it’s ever been. The NFLPA needs leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and puts players first every day. That’s exactly how I plan to lead.”
Tretter’s election follows a tumultuous period for the NFLPA, which went from DeMaurice Smith to Lloyd Howell to interim executive director David White. Howell stepped down last July after a series of distractions during his short tenure.
Tretter already played an integral role as president during COVID-19 and helped negotiate key CBA amendments and launched the NFLPA’s team report cards.
“On behalf of the board of player representatives, we are proud to welcome JC Tretter as our new executive director and confident in the leadership that he will bring to our union,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “This decision reflects the responsibility our board of player Representatives carries on behalf of every player. We conducted a thorough, deliberate search to identify the right long-term leader to deliver sustained, meaningful progress for our members. JC earned the trust of our Board and demonstrated a clear commitment to serving this membership. We’re excited about what’s ahead.
“As our union moves into this next chapter, we’d like to thank David White for his steadfast leadership and dedication over the past seven months, which brought stability and focus back to our union.”
Tretter is the fifth executive director in the NFLPA’s 70-year history. The union said more than 300 candidates were considered from five primary backgrounds: football, other professional sports, government, labor and executive management.
Tretter takes over at a time when the NFL is thriving and players’ salaries are skyrocketing. He’ll lead negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement. The league’s desire to expand the regular season to 18 games will be a major point, one the union has said is not negotiable.
“I want to congratulate JC Tretter on his election as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “As a former player, JC brings a unique perspective to this critical leadership role shaped by his firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the men he represents. We have worked with JC for several years, first as union president when he helped the league and the NFLPA successfully navigate through COVID during the 2020 season. We look forward to building upon that relationship to further our shared priorities, including our commitment to advancing player health and safety and ensuring the global growth of our game for our fans, the players and our clubs.”
Sam Darnold and Bucky Irving Biggest NFL Offseason Losers So Far
For every winner, there are fantasy football losers. One changed role can mean the difference between glory and a drop that is disastrous to the bottom line. Injuries, signings, trades, and releases can also spell doom from any angle.
We take a look below at three players who stand, so far, to lose quite a bit potentially when it comes to the 2026 season. Brace for impact and let’s take a closer look. Who knows? We may even include a couple possible dishonorable mentions.
Sam Darnold – Seattle Seahawks
We are going in a way different direction and arguably off the reservation some. Sam Darnold experienced the ultimate glory of winning a Super Bowl. From a fantasy football standpoint, his standing has taken several steps downward in the offseason.
When Kenneth Walker III left for Kansas City, there was a void. Emanuel Wilson is a nice signing but is he really a starter in this league? That is an excellent question with an unclear answer. Zach Charbonnet may not be 100% until late 2026 or 2027. That adds more problems to the Seattle offensive structure.
People forget that Sam Darnold was starting to decline some over the second half of 2025. He had eight touchdowns and eight interceptions over the final eight games of the regular season. The key in the playoffs was he did not make any major mistakes (+5 turnover differential).
Seattle will have a much more nasty schedule in 2026 and teams will try to defeat the Seahawks like a badge of honor. Darnold will not have it so easy this time around.
Malik Willis – Miami Dolphins
Again, the quarterback position can be a fickle one. Malik Willis finally gets an opportunity to start. Unfortunately, the Miami Dolphins have far more questions than answers. They replaced their coach, made a bunch of moves that were questionable, and then traded Jaylen Waddle. Waddle is now a member of the Denver Broncos.
Miami desperately needs an influx of talent on offense. Otherwise, Willis is going to have one long 2026 season. It will be intriguing to see what the Dolphins’ strategy will be ultimately. One thing is certain. Willis will not have an easy time against the AFC East and the rest of the league. Miami’s latest moves make Willis’ job that much more difficult.
Bucky Irving – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Agatin and again, the running back position has been a chaotic one. Bucky Irving burst onto the scene in 2024. Last season saw injuries bring Irving down to an average running back at best. Rachaad White ate into some of Irving’s value. Unfortunately, this year may be even worse. Kenneth Gainwell is one of the better pass catching running backs, period!
The one thing that makes matters worse is that Sean Tucker is still in the mix. It was previously and erroneously reported that Tucker would not be tendered. Tucker could cause Irving to lose red zone carries and Gainwell would result in Irving seeing fewer pass catching opportunities.
If Irving thought 2025 was rough, fantasy owners might disagree and say 2026 might be worse.
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Indianapolis Colts sign cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt
The Indianapolis Colts have signed free-agent cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, the NFL team announced on Tuesday.
An All-State quarterback at Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, Taylor-Britt played the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals to complete his four-year, $5.953 million rookie contract signed as a second-round selection in the 2022 draft.
Taylor-Britt became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday. Terms of his contract with the Colts were not disclosed.
In 2025, Taylor-Britt had 21 tackles and five passes defended in eight games, with two starts. He sustained a foot injury in the Bengals’ 34-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 16 and spent the final seven games of the season on injured reserve. Taylor-Britt had played 61 percent of Cincinnati’s defensive snaps when he went down.
In his first three seasons, Taylor-Britt played in 42 games, including three playoff contests, and started all but one of them. He had seven interceptions, 33 passes defended, 182 tackles and two forced fumbles in regular-season play from 2022 through 2024. He also had a postseason interception.
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By joining Indianapolis, Taylor-Britt reunites with Lou Anarumo. The Colts defensive coordinator was the Cincinnati defensive coordinator in Taylor-Britt’s first three NFL seasons.
During Taylor-Britt’s first three NFL seasons, opposing quarterbacks had a 93.5 passing-efficiency rating when targeting receivers covered by him. In 2025, that number ballooned to 134.1.
Indianapolis returns the four cornerbacks who played the most defensive snaps for the Colts in 2025, along with two-time first-team All-Pro Sauce Garner, who joined the team halfway through the season in a trade with the New York Jets.
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In his final season at Park Crossing, Taylor-Britt passed for 1,466 yards and 16 touchdowns and ran for 1,030 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn All-State recognition as the Thunderbirds quarterback.
Taylor-Britt made the transition to the secondary at Nebraska, where he earned All-Big Ten honorable-mention recognition as a sophomore and all-conference second-team selection as a junior and a senior.
NFL Announces Suspension Decision on Former Steelers DB After Major Policy Violation
Beanie Bishop fought his way into the NFL as an undrafted free agent, but his biggest battle is just beginning. Before he can even take a snap in 2026, the league has sidelined him, putting a promising career in jeopardy. Now, just as he looks to carve out a role for himself, an unexpected setback has cast uncertainty over what comes next.
“New Orleans Saints defensive back Beanie Bishop was suspended for the first three games of the 2026 season, according to the NFL’s transaction wire,” Matthew Paras reported. “The league did not list a reason for Bishop’s ban, but a source with knowledge of the situation said it stemmed from a violation of the substances of abuse policy.”
As revealed by Paras, Beanie Bishop’s suspension stems from “violation of the substances of abuse policy.” Hence, the cornerback will miss the first three games of the new NFL season. The 26-year-old doesn’t have a team for the new season and will be eligible to participate throughout the Saints’ offseason after joining the franchise’s practice squad last December. He also signed a futures contract with New Orleans at the end of the season. As a result, he will be part of the team’s offseason activities, but if he makes the roster for 2026, Bishop will be required to miss the first three games.
The suspension will clearly have a major impact on a young career, which started on a positive note in Pittsburgh. Beanie Bishop joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent from West Virginia on a three-year contract, worth $2,855,000. The 26-year-old, as a rookie, appeared in all 17 games and recorded 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, seven passes defended, and four interceptions.
However, Bishop was waived during the 2025 roster cuts and signed with the Steelers’ practice squad. He was let go in November and signed with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad in December. The Saints were hoping to use Bishop as a potential slot corner, similar to Alontae Taylor in Brandon Staley’s scheme, but the former West Virginia star did not play in any games last year.
With focus shifting towards 2026, the early-season suspension complicates things for the Saints and Bishop as the franchise will use the time to evaluate whether the 26-year-old corner is part of their long-term plans. Furthermore, the New Orleans front office is also facing a significant decision regarding a franchise legend, who is expected to test the market this free agency.
Cam Jordan expresses willingness to test the market during this free agency
After spending 15 years with the Saints, star edge rusher Cameron Jordan expressed his willingness to stay in New Orleans, but only if a deal works out in his favor. The veteran recorded a team-high 10.5 sacks last season after six combined the past two campaigns, highlighting that he could be an in-demand commodity for a contender.
Hence, during a conversation with former teammate Terron Armstead on his “The Set with T.Stead” podcast, Jordan spoke about his future with the franchise.
“In my mind, I’m like, ‘of course,’ you see guys my age re-sign with a team because that’s the only team they’ve ever been with, and you’re like, ‘hell yeah, we love that,’ but that’s to his situation,” Cam Jordan said. “That may not be to my situation. As football players, we can only control what we can control. … You gotta be able to take your emotions out of it. Of course, I’d love to be in New Orleans, but at the same time, if the cents don’t make sense, then we have to find our own path.”
With Beanie Bishop facing a three-game suspension and Cam Jordan potentially departing in free agency, the New Orleans Saints enter the 2026 offseason navigating uncertainty at key positions. How the franchise handles both situations will go a long way in shaping its roster and competitiveness for the upcoming season.
Giants Addition Dubbed Best NFL Free Agency Signing
Coming off a season where they failed to make the playoffs, the New York Giants have been hard at work bolstering the roster ahead of the 2026 campaign. As they continue to make moves, one addition received high praise from an NFL analyst.
In the initial waves of free agency signings, the Giants inked tight end Isaiah Likely to a three-year deal worth $40 million. Like countless others have done, he departs from the Baltimore Ravens to reunite with head coach Jon Harbaugh.
While free agency rages on, the people at ESPN weighed in on all the moves that have happened thus far. When discussing the best overall signing, Jeremy Fowler went with New York locking down Likely.
“A tight end who gets open is a friendly addition for a young quarterback, and Likely will be that for Jaxson Dart,” Fowler wrote. “His presence allows New York to lean into two tight end sets, and at $40 million over three years, Likely’s contract is cheaper than that of former Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who signed a four-year, $78 million deal with Tennessee.”
Likely, 25, is coming off a season with the Ravens where he notched 307 yards and one touchdown across 14 appearances.
Giants TE Isaiah Likely Named Among NFL’s Top Breakout Candidates
Likely signing with the Giants is big for his career for multiple reasons. Not only will he get to catch passes from a talented young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, but he’ll also get to showcase his talents in an expanded role. For years, Likely had to play behind an elite-level tight end in Mark Andrews. Now, he has an opportunity to showcase everything he’s learned as the TE1 for New York this upcoming season.
Seeing that his role in the offense is going to drastically increase, Likely is lined up to have a career year in 2026. Now set to be a full-time starter, Bleacher Report‘s Moe Moton named him among the top breakout candidates in the NFL.
Not only will his reps increase as the Giants’ starting tight end, but Likely’s offensive versatility should make him an intriguing weapon for Dart to utilize.
NFL Analyst Excited to See Isaiah Likely on the Giants
Since the signing became official, countless people in and around the NFL have praised New York’s addition of Likely. Among the many to do so was longtime analyst Kay Adams.
During the March 12th episode of her “Up & Adams” show, Adams gave some quick thoughts on the Giants’ first wave of signings. She touched on Likely the most, raving about how excited she is to see what he can do in a larger role.
“So so happy for him, he’s gonna be the man now,” Adams said of Likely. “He gets to be the lead dog for this first time in his career. I can’t wait to see him, he’s just scratching the surface. I love it for Jaxson. You get Nabers and Likely, that’s about as fun as it gets.”
As he gears up for his first season with his new team, Likely enters the 2026 campaign as arguably one of the Giants’ biggest X-factors.
JC Tretter es elegido nuevo director ejecutivo del sindicato de jugadores de la NFL
JC Tretter es el nuevo director ejecutivo de la Asociación de Jugadores de la NFL.
El excentro de 35 años de los Packers y los Browns fue elegido el martes por la junta de representantes de jugadores del sindicato.
Tretter se desempeñó anteriormente como presidente de la NFLPA de 2020 a 2024.
“Hay momentos en tu vida en los que sabes que estás exactamente donde se supone que debes estar. Ahí es donde estoy hoy”, expresó Tretter en un comunicado. “Agradezco la confianza que mis compañeros jugadores han depositado en mí, y voy a retribuir esa confianza con mi máximo compromiso con estos jugadores y trazando un nuevo rumbo para nuestro sindicato. Mi único objetivo es fortalecer a la NFLPA”.
“Entiendo la responsabilidad que conlleva este cargo y lo importante que es estar hombro con hombro con el liderazgo de los jugadores. Este sindicato siempre ha desempeñado un papel crucial en dar forma al juego, y ese trabajo es tan importante ahora como lo ha sido siempre. La NFLPA necesita un liderazgo que escuche, lidere con integridad y ponga a los jugadores en primer lugar todos los días. Así es exactamente como planeo liderar”.
La elección de Tretter llega tras un periodo tumultuoso para la NFLPA, que pasó de DeMaurice Smith a Lloyd Howell y luego al director ejecutivo interino David White. Howell renunció en julio pasado tras una serie de distracciones durante su breve gestión.
Tretter ya desempeñó un papel fundamental como presidente durante el COVID-19 y ayudó a negociar enmiendas clave al convenio colectivo, además de lanzar las boletas de calificaciones de equipos de la NFLPA.
“En nombre de la junta de representantes de jugadores, nos enorgullece dar la bienvenida a JC Tretter como nuestro nuevo director ejecutivo y confiamos en el liderazgo que aportará a nuestro sindicato”, indicó la NFLPA en un comunicado. “Esta decisión refleja la responsabilidad que nuestra junta de representantes de jugadores asume en nombre de cada jugador. Realizamos una búsqueda exhaustiva y deliberada para identificar al líder adecuado a largo plazo que impulse un progreso sostenido y significativo para nuestros miembros. JC se ganó la confianza de nuestra junta y demostró un claro compromiso de servir a esta membresía. Nos entusiasma lo que viene”.
Tretter es el quinto director ejecutivo en los 70 años de historia de la NFLPA. El sindicato indicó que se consideró a más de 300 candidatos de cinco ámbitos principales: fútbol americano, otros deportes profesionales, gobierno, movimiento sindical y gestión ejecutiva.
Tretter asume el cargo en un momento en que la NFL está en auge y los salarios de los jugadores se disparan. Encabezará las negociaciones del próximo convenio colectivo. El deseo de la liga de ampliar la temporada regular a 18 partidos será un punto importante, uno sobre el que el sindicato ha dicho que no es negociable.
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NFL-Bound OSU Star’s Father Joins Buckeye Legend’s Coaching Staff in FBS Program
The Styles name was already familiar in Columbus since the early 1990s. It only took Lorenzo Style’s sons Sonny and Lorenzo Jr. to reignite the spark. Back in 1994, he was the guy setting the tone with 12 tackles beating Michigan 22-6. He was a hero for snapping a losing streak since 1987. So when news dropped that the Styles patriarch is stepping back into the college game, people paid attention. And what’s more interesting is that he’s linking back up with an old teammate.
Lorenzo Styles has officially joined Eddie George’s coaching staff at Bowling Green as a senior analyst for the D-line. The duo shared the field at Ohio State in the ‘90s on opposite sides of the ball. Now, three decades later, they’re about to build something together. The 52-year-old former LB didn’t waste time setting the tone in his first statement.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join such a respected defensive staff,” he said in a statement. “I approach this role with a lot of humility and appreciation for the game, and I’m looking forward to collaborating, developing young men and helping build a physical, disciplined Falcons defense.”
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The staff Lorenzo Styles is joining is not light on experience either. Working alongside names like Clyde Simmons and Joe Bowden gives him a real platform to contribute, not just observe. But don’t mistake this for a nostalgia hire because he has experience that comes from putting in the work for years.
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After a six-year NFL run split between the Atlanta Falcons and the St. Louis Rams, Lorenzo Styles stepped into coaching the trenches of the game. From indoor leagues to college stops like Ohio Dominican, and then a long stretch at Pickerington Central High School, he built his resume the hard way.
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At Pickerington Central, Lorenzo Styles won two state titles in 2017 and later in 2019 where both his sons were part of the team. But more importantly, that’s where the next chapter of this story really takes shape because while he was coaching, he was also raising two future pros. And now that he is stepping into a new coaching role, his sons are stepping onto the biggest stage of their lives.
Lorenzo Style coached his sons from backyard drills to NFL dreams
If you need proof of how impactful a coach he is, look at where his sons are right now. Let’s start with Lorenzo Jr., because his combine performance turned heads across the league. He recorded a 4.27-second 40-yard dash, the fastest at this year’s combine. It’s also the fastest recorded by a safety at the event since at least 2003. He came into college as a WR at Notre Dame, transitioned to DB at Ohio State, and helped win a national title with his younger brother.
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Sonny Styles, meanwhile, is a projected top-10 pick who finished the combine with a 4.46 40-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. There’s even chatter about the Washington Commanders at No. 7 with draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. already floating him as a “best player available” type selection. And behind all of this is a detail that makes everything click.
“My husband has worked with these boys since they were like 4 or 5 years old,” their mother, Laverna, revealed. “They thought they were playing games. They were running outside with parachutes on their back. They were 4 and 5 thinking it was a game, not realizing their dad’s getting them ready for this day today.”
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Now, in a matter of months, one Styles is joining a college staff while two others could hear their names called on draft night. Bowling Green should be excited for what’s ahead with Lorenzo Styles in the fold.
Roger Goodell Issues Statement After NFLPA Elects JC Tretter as New Executive Director
The NFL enters a crucial phase as the NFL Players Association elects JC Tretter as its next executive director. Relations between the NFL and the NFLPA haven’t been smooth lately following the league’s filing and winning a grievance against the union’s annual team reports. But Roger Goodell’s latest message to the ex- Cleveland Browns center showed how important this appointment could be for the league’s future, especially for player safety and its global expansion plans.
“I want to congratulate JC Tretter on his election as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association,” NFL commissioner Goodell said via ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler on X.
“As a former player, JC brings a unique perspective to this critical leadership role shaped by his firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the men he represents. We have worked with JC for several years, first as union president when he helped the league and the NFLPA successfully navigate through COVID during the 2020 season. We look forward to building upon that relationship to further our shared priorities, including our commitment to advancing player health and safety and ensuring the global growth of our game for our fans, the players, and our clubs.”
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On Tuesday, the NFL Players Association announced JC Tretter’s appointment following a search that lasted for months. To secure the position, the former offensive lineman left behind over 300 candidates. These included interim leader David White and American Athletic Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti. Soon after the decision, Roger Goodell shared a message and discussed common interests.
These included improving player health and safety and continuing the push for global growth. The idea of globalization has long been supported by owners such as Robert Kraft, who earlier proposed a new structure. He wants to expand the regular season to eighteen games, including sixteen international ones. Meanwhile, Tretter takes on the role during a turbulent time following Lloyd Howell Jr.’s resignation in July.
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According to multiple reports, Tretter’s predecessor misused the union’s funds for inappropriate expenses and had ties to the Carlyle Group. It’s the very company that sought minority stakes in the league. Moreover, there were allegations that the union struck a confidential agreement with the NFL. They allegedly kept the arbitration findings on potential owner collusion from the players.
At the time, Tretter said he was unaware of such an agreement. After wearing many hats and distancing himself, the former NFL player is back in power during negotiations that could shape the league’s future. In his latest message, JC acknowledged the weight of his new role.
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What does JC Tretter have to say after Roger Goodell’s statement?
While still playing for the Browns, JC Tretter became the NFL Players Association’s president on March 10, 2020. He represented players in negotiations, leading to the creation of new health and safety protocols. Moreover, he played a major role in negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2030.
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In October 2024, he transitioned to chief strategy officer before stepping down in July last year. He was one of the potential candidates to replace Howell as executive director. But Tretter pulled his name out as he “wasn’t interested,” according to CBS Sports. Despite that, he has returned to take charge and has shared an important message.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and how important it is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with player leadership,” Tretter said on X. “This union has always played a critical role in shaping the game, and that work is as important now as it’s ever been.”
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He’s likely to resume the talks around the collective bargaining agreement. As of now, the league hasn’t decided on a fixed date for Super Bowl LXII. So, the push toward an 18-game season by 2027 adds even more urgency. In the past, supporters have admired his strong player-first approach. It showed when he played an instrumental role in launching the union’s annual report cards. It gathered player feedback on team facilities and working conditions.
He also pushed initiatives such as a players-only offseason golf event and efforts to limit media access inside locker rooms. However, his tenure hasn’t been without controversy. Most recently, the distribution of these report cards didn’t sit well with owners. They claimed these reports breached the collective bargaining agreement by “[disparaging] NFL clubs and individuals.”
Over the past years, the union has fought several legal battles. As a result, its expenses have surged from an annual average of about $5 million to over $18 million during this stretch. Now, JC Tretter must balance financial pressure as the union continues to push for stronger player advocacy.
How OKC Thunder Earned Distinction as the NBA’s ‘Model Franchise’
Since arriving in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have had an impressive stretch.
OKC won 50 games in just its second season, reaching the NBA Finals in the team’s fourth season calling the Modern Frontier home. Since then, the team has produced a trio of MVP winners and a number of additional playoff appearances.
In 2024-25, 16 years after the team’s inaugural campaign, the Thunder took home their first NBA championship behind a historic defense and a Finals MVP performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
In less than two decades, the Thunder acheived what many teams have been chasing for their entire history, churning out a number of exciting players and reaching the mountaintop.
Now, Oklahoma City is preparing to move into a new arena. The Thunder have started building the new stadium, which is set to open in the summer of 2028. With solid success both on and off the court in a short time frame, OKC has earned praise from national media members.
The Hawks Can No Longer Be Ignored After Their Dominant Win Over Orlando
Since the NBA All-Star Break, the Atlanta Hawks have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA, going 11-1 and becoming one of the league’s best defensive teams in that span. However, while many people could argue that their schedule has been one of the easiest in the NBA, Atlanta has recently played some of the top teams and players in the Eastern Conference.
After yesterday’s win against Orlando, the Hawks are now on a 10-game winning streak, which is their longest in over a decade since the 2014-15 season. During this winning streak, the Hawks have proven they are one of the scariest teams in the Eastern Conference, especially after yesterday’s dominant win over Orlando.
With the win, the Hawks are now on the verge of sweeping another season series against another Eastern Conference playoff team in the Orlando Magic. The thing that stands out most about this matchup is that the last two games have been blowouts, and the game before those, Atlanta came back and won in Orlando.
After the first win this season, Okongwu had the following to say about Orlando:
NBA Draft Prospects to Watch in New College Basketball Crown Event
The NCAA Tournament is underway, with the First Four kicking off on March 17.
There are a number of NBA Draft prospects in March Madness this year, as most of this year’s potential lottery picks are seeded in the big dance. A few other prospects, however, weren’t on teams who reached the NCAA Tournament, with players like Hannes Steinbach likely finishing their college careers.
Steinbach wasn’t the only potential first-round pick to not earn a bid in March Madness, though. Players like Baylor’s Cameron Carr and Tounde Yessoufou aren’t competing for a national title, but they have an opportunity to play a few more games at the collegiate level.
The Bears aren’t playing in the NIT, college basketball’s traditional alternative to the NCAA Tournament. Instead, Baylor, alongside Oklahoma, Rutgers, Stanford, Creighton, Colorado, Minnesota and West Virginia, will compete in the new College Basketball Crown event.
After 16 teams competed in the tournament last season, the event welcomes the aforementioned eight teams to Las Vegas from April 1-5 for a shot at winning $500,000 prize pool.
Carr and Yessoufou are the highest profile draft prospects in the event, as both players will likely be selected in the first round.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, Carr is averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 51% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. The redshirt sophomore wing started his career at Tennessee, where he spent two seasons, before transferring to Baylor ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
After appearing in just 18 contests, averaging 5.7 minutes per game, in his time with the Volunteers, Carr enjoyed a breakout season in Waco, significantly boosting his draft stock. In a recent projection from Derek Parker at NBA Draft on SI, the former four-star recruit went No. 20 overall to the Toronto Raptors.
Unlike Carr, Yessoufou entered the 2025-26 season as a well-known prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft.
After an illustrious prep career in California, the Benin-born wing player was rated the No. 14 overall player and No. 2 small forward in the 2025 recruiting class by 247Sports. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, Yessoufou is a strong and powerful athlete who could blossom at the next level.
As a freshman, the five-star recruit averaged 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2 steals per game while shooting 46.9% from the field and 30.2% from 3-point range. Parker’s latest mock draft slotted Yessoufou to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 16 overall.
ESPN Personality Refuses To Vote Luka Doncic All-NBA First Team
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins upset Los Angeles Lakers fans by revealing he’s not planning to vote for Luka Doncic to make the All-NBA first team. Stellar play from Doncic has saved a struggling Lakers season and elevated them to the third seed for the time being. More importantly, Luka is leading the league in scoring by putting up 32.9 points per game in close games that often require this level of play to get wins.
Perkins made it clear that he sees no path towards Doncic getting his vote for the All-NBA first team of the top five players:
“You’re only able to pick five, correct? So, you have SGA. I have Jokic. I have Jaylen Brown. I have Cade Cunningham because they have the best record in the Eastern Conference. And I have Wemby [because] they are second in the West.
So, Luka doesn’t make my top first-team All-NBA. I’ll have him on my second team. Now granted I get it, he’s leading the league in scoring. But when I look at the impact that those other guys are having on their franchise.”
Doncic is considered a solid bet to make the All-NBA first team and have a top five MVP finish, but Perkins doesn’t believe he deserves it over these other names. Another month is left before the votes come in after the regular season ends.
Does Perkins Have A Point About Luka?
The overall talking point of Perkins is that the other five names mentioned have stronger impacts than Doncic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are likely locks to make the All-NBA first team as the top two MVP candidates and the best players in the league.
Many have Luka ranked third, but Perkins does have a point about the other three deserving credit. Cade Cunningham has led a team few expected to contend into a dominant top seed placement and an Eastern Conference contender.
Jaylen Brown has stepped up to help the Boston Celtics contend, but Jayson Tatum’s return has already hurt his overall usage. Victor Wembanyama’s time missed and stronger team is often argued against him in favor of Doncic. However, Perkins is not unfair for having this opinion and giving the nod to other deserving names.
Luka Doncic Will Likely Still Get Selected
Perkins does have a vote, but he’s one of many names getting to vote on the year-end NBA awards. Doncic has received more praise from across the media and is currently considered a top five candidate.
MVP betting odds have seen Luka moving up in the odds as players like Jokic and Cunningham start to fall. Gilgeous-Alexander likely has the MVP secured due to the Oklahoma City Thunder having the best record in the league and looking like the strong title favorites.
Chris Mannix’s NBA Notes: Lakers Rolling in LeBron’s New Role, Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown Debate
Editor’s note: This first appeared in the Open Floor newsletter, a free, twice-weekly publication straight to your inbox. Subscribe now.
Greetings from Los Angeles again this week. I spent Monday night with an NBC mic in my hands working the sidelines of a surprisingly competitive game between the Spurs and the Kawhi Leonard–less Clippers. I’ve done a handful of interviews with Victor Wembanyama over the years, including this 2024 magazine cover story. But standing next to him at center court, having to reach up to get the microphone to him, that was a new experience. Can confirm: Wemby is very tall.
LeBron’s new Lakers role
Last week I posed the question: Should we be taking the Lakers more seriously? Los Angeles had won three straight games without LeBron James, who returned to the lineup Thursday channeling his inner Andre Iguodala, stuffing the stat sheet while shooting a tidy 53.8% from the floor. Let’s see how this plays out, I wrote. The Lakers had a tough home game against Denver on Saturday before heading out on a six-game road trip that began with a pair of games against a Rockets team nipping at L.A.’s heels.
Well, on Saturday, the Lakers outlasted the Nuggets, with James shooting 53.8%. On Monday they beat back the Rockets … with James shooting 53.8%. In three games since his return from injury, James has shot exactly 7 of 13 in each game, chipping in at least five assists and five rebounds in each one. Lakers coach JJ Redick has acknowledged the obvious, “That the best thing for our team is [James] being the third-highest-used player.”
As I wrote last week, this version of the Lakers, with Luka Dončić carrying the bulk of the scoring burden, Austin Reaves serving as the second option and James picking up the rest, can be dangerous come postseason. The Lakers are fifth in offensive rating over the last three games, per NBA.com. They are 12th in defensive rating. They have solidified their hold on the No. 3 seed which could mean a second-round series against inexperienced San Antonio instead of battle-tested Oklahoma City.
Credit James for this. Only a handful of superstars have successfully made the transition to lesser roles, and even fewer with the teams they were superstars on. James has embraced a different role in L.A. on the fly. And it may have opened the door for some unexpected success this season.
Jayson Tatum–Jaylen Brown debate
Interesting comments out of Boston from Jaylen Brown this week. The Celtics have won four of the five games Jayson Tatum has played in this season, with the one loss the game in San Antonio in which Brown was ejected in the second quarter. While the fit has appeared relatively seamless, Brown told reporters that successfully integrating Tatum has taken sacrifices from everyone—including him.
“It takes some humility, it takes some understanding,” Brown said. “I think JT is extremely important to us for what we want to do. Obviously, I’m having a great season, but then I have to just think, what’s the big picture? And sometimes that’s not easy, but I always put the team first and what the bigger picture is first.”
Celtics fans get triggered by the Tatum vs. Brown debate, as if the media is trying to pit them against each other (disclaimer: I am not). But this is Brown’s team, for this season at least, and to make it work he was going to have to sacrifice some offense. Consider: Brown averaged 24.5 shots per game in January. In February, it’s 22. In March, it’s ticked down to 17. He still has some scoring outbursts—the 41 points he scored against Phoenix on Monday, backed by 19 of 21 from the free throw line, is an example—but his unselfishness has allowed Tatum to ease his way back into the rotation. And Boston is better for it.
NBA expansion fee numbers
ESPN reported this week that the NBA would take the next step toward expansion at this month’s Board of Governors’ meeting, with Las Vegas and Seattle the front-runners to secure new NBA teams. No surprise there. The league has long been interested in returning to Seattle (I’d expect the Thunder to quickly give up all claims to the SuperSonics history when they do) and the NBA has been invested in Las Vegas for decades. I’m told the owners are hoping to extract a $10 billion expansion fee for each team, with prospective team owners already lining up.
Will NBA shorten its schedule?
While some may interpret Steve Kerr’s crusade to reduce the NBA’s schedule by 10 games as yelling into the wind, you would be surprised how much support Kerr has behind the scenes. Kerr is absolutely right, of course. The NBA season is too long, and the breakneck speed the game is played at makes players more susceptible to injury, regardless of what the NBA data says.
The financial component, an obstacle in roughly the same way the iceberg was an obstacle for the Titanic, is daunting, but it’s a challenge several team officials hope NBA commissioner Adam Silver takes head on. An argument I hear a lot is that the short-term financial pain teams will feel by a shortened schedule could be reversed in the long term if it increases the value of the regular season.
Teams will never be able to make up the ticket revenue but a more competitive league could be more valuable to broadcast partners when the NBA goes back to the table a decade from now. Any changes to the schedule have to be collectively bargained, of course, so nothing will happen until 2029, when both the league and players can opt out of its current agreement.
Carter Bryant’s full-circle Kawhi Leonard moment
Reported out a fun story this week on Carter Bryant, the Spurs rookie forward who has emerged as a fixture in San Antonio’s rotation over the last three months. Bryant is from Riverside, Calif., a town about an hour east of Los Angeles and the same town Kawhi Leonard grew up in. Bryant’s father, D’Cean, actually coached Leonard for two years at Martin Luther King High School. When Bryant was 4 years old he would go to the gym with them. As Leonard worked out on one end, Bryant would mimic his moves on the other.
Things came full circle a couple of weeks ago when San Antonio rallied from 25 points down to beat the Clippers. Bryant helped spark that comeback, scoring five points and collecting three rebounds in 21 minutes while chipping in reliable defense on (you guessed it) Leonard. A photo quickly circulated of Bryant digging in defensively on Leonard in the closing minutes.
Bryant told me he didn’t think about defending Leonard in the moment. “It was just, ‘I have to be better than this guy in front of me.’ ” Later, though, when he saw the picture the significance of it hit him.
“I saw a picture of it and it was just me guarding him one-on-one at half court, and I’m like, ‘This is ridiculous. This is crazy,’ ” says Bryant. “If you would’ve told me I would’ve got to guard one of the best players in the world one-on-one with the game on the line, like, what?”
Inside the Spurs’ book club
Speaking of the Spurs … have you heard about San Antonio’s book club? Started last season, the club consists of “four or five members” Harrison Barnes told me this week, which includes some support staff. Victor Wembanyama, whose voracious appetite for reading I covered in this 2024 Sports Illustrated cover story, is the unofficial president of the club. Barnes told me the group reads between two to three books a month (or around 18 to 20 per year) and will often discuss them after practices or while getting taped up before games.
Anyone can suggest a book, Barnes says, though Wembanyama usually has thoughts. That means plenty of fantasy novels. Patrick Rothfuss’s The Kingkiller Chronicle, a two-part series. The Stormlight Archives, a series of novels by Brandon Sanderson, a Wemby favorite. The Wheel of Time, a collection by Robert Jordan. The group’s latest book is The Suicide Shop, a dark French comedy that is about … well, exactly what it sounds like.
More NBA from Sports Illustrated
Graphic Photo From Cavs-Bucks Confirms Donovan Mitchell’s Concerning Eye Injury
Today was only the thirteenth time this season that Donovan Mitchell scored to register 20 points in a game. The Cleveland Cavaliers talisman struggled against a shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks. Mitchell only made four field goals. However, the reason behind his shaky shooting didn’t need any explanation when the cameras showed all the damage.
During one of the timeouts, a frame caught Mitchell’s apparent eye injury. His left eye looks completely bloodshot. Looking at the state of it, there’s a high chance it impaired his vision or caused some discomfort while playing against the Bucks. Donovan Mitchell couldn’t go out and score as freely as he usually would.
Spida shot just 28.6% from the field. 10 of his 19 points for the game came from the free throw line. The seven-time All-Star didn’t appear on the Cavaliers’ injury report prior to facing Milwaukee. There is little confirmation of the exact details of his eye ailment. An update making the rounds is that Mitchell suffered the knock from teammate Evan Mobley.
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There will probably be more information about the injury going forward. Kenny Atkinson felt Donovan Mitchell was just “off” tonight. That’s where he needed his teammates, and they stepped up.
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Evan Mobley and James Harden helped the Cavaliers bounce back from losing against the Dallas Mavericks. The tandem combined for 54 points. Mobley also performed his defensive duties to perfection, blocking three shots on the night. Head coach Kenny Atkinson raved about the duo in his press conference. He feels Harden’s entry has really helped Mobley be an imposing figure on the offensive end.
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The Cavs head coach was also pleased with the team’s effort in closing the game out to secure a narrow win.
Kenny Atkinson left to make hard decisions as Cavaliers get healthy
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still without Jarett Allen. However, the team has surely gotten healthier over their past few games. Guard Max Strus returned after six months. Moreover, Sam Merrill was also able to have a dynamic impact in his return after a two-game absence tonight.
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Atkinson is pleased to have so many options. However, in the time remaining until the postseason, he’s in a process of evaluation. During the postseason, the Cavaliers head coach wants to maintain a lean rotation. And he implied players will have to “earn” their spot.
“I’m still, you know, evaluating who fits and who’s going to kind of um, take the lead in terms of getting in that rotation. I still think we haven’t made a clear decision on who those nine are. But it’s tough to play 10… You know, you can do it in the early games, but eventually get to nine or eight. So, we know that, but still think we have to evaluate, especially our wings, right? We have a lot of wings right now,” said the Cavaliers head coach.
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Strus and Merrill were just the returning options. The Cavaliers already have a locked starter in Evan Mobley, and Jaylon Tyson is likely to play after a breakout campaign. Everything else is a puzzle. Keon Ellis and Nae’Qwan Tomlin provide defensive energy as opposed to Dean Wade, who is a more reliable shooting threat.
Matchups will also play a vital role. Depending on the opposition and the flow of the playoffs, Atkinson can switch personnel around. The Cavaliers are that deep. But there’s an urgency to get these decisions right. The Cavs haven’t reached a conference finals, despite having one of the most expensive rosters in the NBA.
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The championship window for a group has drastically decreased in the modern era. The Cavs have a stunning roster with a variety of options. But do you think Kenny Atkinson can get it right this time? Let us know your views in the comments below.
Shaquille O’Neal to cover funeral costs for 12-year-old girl who died after fight at bus stop
VILLA RICA, Ga. (KABC) — Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal says he will cover funeral expenses for 12-year-old Jada West, a Georgia girl who died after a fight at a school bus stop.
The fight between Jada and another student from Mason Creek Middle School broke out at an intersection near the girl’s home on the afternoon of Thursday, March 5, police said. Her death is being investigated by police in suburban Villa Rica, about 30 miles west of Atlanta.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says O’Neal learned about Jada’s story through media reports.
Russell Westbrook Joins Elite Company with Latest Historic NBA Feat
It’s been a season to forget for the Sacramento Kings, but one of their veteran stars is putting together a solid season and adding to his Hall of Fame resume.
Kings’ point guard Russell Westbrook continued his ascent in the NBA record books on Tuesday night, rising to become No. 5 on the league’s all-time assists leaderboard.
In a contest against the San Antonio Spurs, Westbrook started dishing out assists quickly, giving him 10,336 in his career. By hitting that mark and continuing past it later in the game, he surpassed a pair of NBA greats in the process: Mark Jackson (10,334) and Steve Nash (10,335).
It’s plausible to say that this might be the highest Westbrook gets on the list, with LeBron James ahead of him at No. 4 and with a significant edge. James boasts 11,909 career assists and is still playing. The top three are Jason Kidd (12,091), Chris Paul (12,552) and John Stockton (15,806).
The Kings weren’t shooting well, leaving Westbrook to surpass Jackson and Nash midway through the second quarter after entering the game needing just three assists to do so. It’s another feather in the cap of a potentially Hall of Fame career. Westbrook is also the NBA all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209.
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At 37 years old, Westbrook has accomplished a ton in his 18-year NBA career. A former MVP, nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion and three-time assists leader, the only thing missing from Westbrook’s career is a championship. He came close in his 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but never secured the win.
That won’t be coming this season with the Kings, who own the worst record in the Western Conference. Still, this is a moment Westbrook should be remembered for and solidify his place in NBA history.
NBA Star Josh Hart Made New York Knicks History Against Pacers
On Tuesday night, the New York Knicks played the Indiana Pacers (at home).
The Knicks won by a score of 136-110.
Josh Hart finished with 33 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals while shooting 12/13 from the field and 5/5 from three-point range in 26 minutes of playing time.
Josh Hart Made New York Knicks History Against Pacers
In addition to his strong performance, Hart also made Knicks history.
Real App wrote: “Josh Hart just recorded the most efficient 30-point game in Knicks history.”
Hart is in the middle of his fourth season playing for the franchise.
He is averaging 12.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 50.6% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range in 56 games.
The New York Knicks wrote: “Josh is the fourth Knick in franchise history to score 30+ points on 90% or better shooting, joining Walt Bellamy, Willis Reed, and Bernard King.”
Knicks This Season
The Knicks are the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a 45-25 record in 70 games.
They are in the middle of a four-game winning streak (and 7-3 over their last ten).
“There Is Always Expectation”: NBA Legend Makes Crucial Lakers Judgment, Praises 32-Year-Old Star
The Los Angeles Lakers are unbeaten in their last six games and have also won nine of their last 10 games. They are heating up at the right time with just 14 games left before the postseason. Finally, after adjustments, the trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves has seemingly figured out their roles, but the scrutiny is over, as Reggie Miller pointed out.
The Pacers legend and the Hall of Famer appeared on the Dan Patrick Show on March 17. “I know they play again on Wednesday, which will be another big-time game. There is always expectations with the Lakers, just like with Boston. There’s always going to be expectations to win, and we dissect every single thing they do.”
Recently, the Lakers were able to limit the Rockets to their lowest-scoring fourth quarter of the season with just 12 points. After the 100-92 win, Miller emphasized the Lakers’ improved defense. “It’s that simple,” stated Miller. “At the end of the day, the defense will either do them in, or that’ll be the defining moment for them. And I think they’re starting to understand how the roles will be situated. Let’s give Marcus Smart a lot of credit. He’s not getting enough.”
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Miller credited Smart for being the leader and setting the example for diving for those loose balls. But the Pacers legend also wants fans to appreciate the 32-year-old for making tough shots. The former DPOY made a 25-foot three-point jumper to give the Lakers a two-point advantage in OT against the Nuggets. On both ends of the floor, Smart has been the standout; almost everyone on that team appears to be playing better defense now than at the start of the season.
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Since March, the Lakers have had a 109.7 defensive rating, good enough for sixth-best in the NBA. It’s much better than the Pre All-Star break numbers, which were hovering mid-116s, which puts them firmly in the bottom tier of NBA defenses.
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The credit also goes to Marcus Smart, who in the past 6 games has led with an unbelievable 98.2 defensive rating. But it’s not a one-man job; the Lakers’ Big 3 has also improved immensely. Pre All-Star break, Austin Reaves had 114.1, LeBron James had 115.0, and Luka Doncic had 117.4 defensive rating. In the last 6 games, Luka improved to 105.1, LeBron James to 105.9, and AR to 109.0 rating, proving that the Lakers are improving on the defensive end.
A Lakers legend also credits Marcus Smart for the change in mentality
In the most recent win over the Rockets, the defensive plan of JJ Redick was visible. Kevin Durant scored 16 points and shot 7-of-11 from the field in the first half, but shot just 1-of-5 from the field after halftime. The Lakers started to send a second defender at him, which created problems for KD, who took the blame for the loss. Defensively, the Lakers have been putting in massive efforts.
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During the OT win against the Nuggets, in the final minute of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were trailing 112-111. LeBron James put his body on the line to grab the ensuing rebound. The 41-year-old put his body on the line with a full-extension in diving for the loose ball, beating two Nuggets. This moment from James didn’t go unnoticed, and James Worthy credited Marcus Smart for bringing out this side of LeBron.
“Marcus Smart, man, he’s a godsend for us. Never seen LeBron dive on the floor like that until Marcus Smart showed up,” Worthy stated on the Lakers’ broadcast post the win.
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The assessment is not wrong. In the win against New Orleans, Smart threw his body on the line multiple times against a physically imposing Zion Williamson. So, repeatedly against any opponent at any time, Marcus Smart is always locked in, looking for any small advantage for his team. That’s why the 32-year-old is getting his flowers from the legends of the game.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah receive lifetime ban from MLS for betting on matches
Two soccer players received lifetime suspensions from Major League Soccer for betting on MLS matches, the league announced on Monday.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah, neither currently on an MLS roster, are accused of engaging in “extensive gambling on soccer, including placing wagers on their own teams during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to a statement released by the league.
Jones and Yeboah both played with the Columbus Crew in 2024 and were found to have placed a wager on Jones to receive a yellow card in a match against the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 19, 2024 and likely shared that information with outside bettors.
The activity was flagged by the league’s integrity partners and the MLS decided to place the two players on administrative leave in 2025.
By that point, Yeboah was a member of Los Angeles Football Club while Jones was still rostered by Columbus.
In the league’s statement, commissioner Don Garber pushed for reform to the markets available to bettors on MLS matches, specifically singling out the ability to bet on players receiving yellow cards.
“The League will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans,” Garber said.
It’s not the first time a league has pushed for betting reform regarding niche markets.
Sportsbooks placed a $200 limit on MLB pitch-level markets after the Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on federal charges for their alleged involvement in an illegal betting scheme.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017. He’s a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and combat sports. He spends his weeknights in the winter looking for edges on plus-money NBA player props.
Two MLS players banned for life for betting on games
Former Major League Soccer players Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones received lifetime bans for betting on MLS matches — including their own — the league announced Monday.
Yeboah, 28, most recently played for LAFC in 2025 and is a former teammate of Jones with the Columbus Crew. Both were placed on administrative leave last October while awaiting league review of potential MLS rules violations.
MLS hired the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to investigate after the league received suspicious betting alerts through integrity partners. The law firm found that Jones and Yeboah
Visa issues may leave Jamaican club short-handed against LA Galaxy in Champions Cup
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer in a CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and CONCACAF seek a solution. The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg Round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
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Visa woes leave Jamaican side down 10 players against Galaxy
CARSON, Calif. — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of MLS in a Concacaf Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and Concacaf seek a solution.
The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
Last year’s champion Cruz Azul beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 in the final.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Federico Bernardeschi reveals Juventus denied him the number 10 shirt
Federico Bernardeschi was a Juventus player between 2017 and 2022, before leaving to join Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. The winger arrived at Juve from Fiorentina, where he had been one of Serie A’s standout performers, despite La Viola doing everything possible to prevent the transfer from taking place.
During his time at Juventus, Bernardeschi was regarded as one of the club’s more talented players and was relied upon in several key matches. His versatility and attacking flair made him a valuable asset in various tactical setups, and he quickly adapted to the demands of a top club competing for major honours.
The Number 10 Ambition
Upon his arrival, Bernardeschi expressed a desire to wear the number 10 shirt, a number historically associated with some of the club’s most iconic figures. At that time, the shirt was vacant, and the young Italian hoped to continue the legacy associated with it.
However, Juventus had other plans. The club decided not to award him the number immediately, and the shirt was soon given to Paulo Dybala, who was already in his third year at Juventus and widely considered to have earned the honour. The decision sent a clear message regarding the club’s view of Bernardeschi’s readiness to assume such a prestigious role.
Reflecting on the Past
Bernardeschi has recalled the moment and shared his perspective on the situation. As quoted by Tuttojuve, he said, “The number 10 at Juve? I asked to have the number 10 shirt, they told me I was too young and had to wait at least a year. Then Dybala took it, who was already in his third year at Juventus, and that train passed for me.”
The experience highlighted both the challenges of stepping into a club with a rich history and the patience required for young players to make their mark. Despite not receiving the number 10 shirt, Bernardeschi went on to contribute significantly during his five years with Juventus before embarking on a new chapter in North America with Toronto FC.
Orlando City, coach Oscar Pareja parting ways after 3 losses to open the season
Orlando City and head coach Oscar Pareja have agreed to part ways just three games into the Major League Soccer season.
Orlando City is coming off a 5-0 loss to New York City FC on Saturday, the team’s third straight defeat.
Pareja became head coach of Orlando ahead of the 2020 season. The team went to the playoffs in each year of his tenure and reached the semifinals in 2024.
Assistant coach Martín Perelman will take over as interim head coach.
“I want to thank Oscar for the dedication, leadership and professionalism he brought to our club,” Ricardo Moreira, Orlando’s general manager and sporting director, said Wednesday in a statement. “He delivered one of the most significant moments in Orlando City’s history with the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and helped establish the competitive foundation that has propelled us forward, highlighted by our active club-record run of six straight playoffs appearances, which is currently the longest streak in MLS.”
Pareja, who is from Colombia, had previous head coaching stints with FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, as well as Liga MX’s Tijuana.
He finishes his career at Orlando with a 103-72-66 record at the helm.
“Together, we shared moments that will stay with me forever,” Pareja said about his time in Orlando. “While it is the right time for both me and the Club to move in new directions, I leave proud of the work we did and with deep appreciation for the people who made it possible.”
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MLS suspends Philadelphia Union’s Ernst Tanner after misconduct probe
Major League Soccer has suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1, 2026 for violating the policies and standards of professional conduct required of league and club leadership.
According to a report by The Guardian, Tanner made use of sexist and anti-gay language in the workplace while also being reported for making racist comments about Black players, coaches and referees. The report revealed that the allegations were made in an MLS Player’s Association complaint to the league.
MLS previously conducted an investigation into the allegations but closed the case after failing to verify the initial claims. Since the release of The Guardian’s report, however, the league announced the investigation would be reopened.
Tanner was then placed on administrative leave on November 19, 2025, when MLS reopened its investigation into the allegations of inappropriate and insensitive comments made by the Union’s sporting director.
Philadelphia Union exec Ernst Tanner suspended after misconduct investigation
Major League Soccer suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1 following a months-long investigation after a November report alleged wide range of inappropriate workplace behavior.
The Guardian detailed several allegations of misconduct against Tanner and corroborated several claims mentioned in a previous MLS Players Association complaint involving multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior.
Following the Guardian report, MLS reopened its inquiry into Tanner with the law firm of Littler Mendelson leading the investigation.
“Based on new information obtained during outside counsel’s independent review, the investigation substantiated violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of League and Club leadership,” the league said in a statement to the outlet on Monday.
MLS did not provide details about specific allegations the league had substantiated.
The Union put Tanner on an administrative leave of absence after the league’s inquiry was announced in November.
His suspension of pay began on Monday, the Guardian reported, and it’s unknown whether he was paid during his leave.
Tanner will be required to complete an MLS-approved restorative practices program before he can be reinstated.
“Based on the findings from Major League Soccer’s investigation, the Philadelphia Union supports the league’s disciplinary action and restorative practices program for Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. The Union will evaluate the best and appropriate structure for the organization following the disciplinary process,” the Union said in a statement. “The Philadelphia Union remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone associated with our club.”
Tanner has denied the allegations against him and, in a statement of his own on Monday, said he regrets “the impact that this situation has had” on the club.
“I remain proud of my work with the Philadelphia Union and look forward to my return and future work with the team,” he said.
The inquiry was the second MLS has made involving Tanner.
The MLSPA made its initial complaint last year, but MLS said it was unable to substantiate the claims at the time.
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year learning new role: Soccer team owner
Stephon Castle had been playing for a professional sports team for only a few months last year when the then-20-year-old began considering owning a piece of another.
A 6-foot-6 guard, Castle was finishing his first season with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs last spring when his agent, Joe Smith, and parents, Quannette and Stacey, ran an investment opportunity past him. Such approaches are common for newly minted millionaires, such as NBA rookies. But this one felt different.
Andre Swanston, one of only a handful of Black majority team owners in all of North American professional sports, wanted Castle to join the ownership group for a new soccer franchise in Connecticut. Castle was raised in Georgia but had committed to play at the University of Connecticut before his junior year of high school, and in 2024 won an NCAA championship in his lone collegiate season. The state has become a “second home,” he said.
“Everything kind of happened fast from there,” Castle said.
By December, Castle’s Spurs teammates, many of them serious soccer fans, learned that their point guard was not only last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, but also one of several minority owners of CT United of Major League Soccer’s developmental second division, called Next Pro. CT United began its first season this month.
“We got a lot of soccer fans on our team,” Castle said, “so it started some trash talk, kind of instantly.”
He had become the latest basketball star to become an owner in another sport — and specifically soccer. LeBron James bought a minority stake in Liverpool of the Premier League in 2011. As MLS grew to 30 teams, James Harden joined the ownership of the Houston Dynamo in 2019, and Kevin Durant bought a piece of the Philadelphia Union in 2020. Five years later, Durant bought into Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain too.
Athletes are increasingly interested in owning equity in teams or brands, said Smith, Castle’s agent, yet he described Castle as an outlier. At the time James, Harden and Durant purchased their stakes, each was already an NBA veteran on a lucrative contract. Castle was only 21 and a rising star still on his rookie contract when his minority ownership in CT United — he declined to say the percentage of his ownership stake — became official in December.
The decision was not out of character for Castle, Smith said. The two met when Castle was still in high school, and Smith said he was struck by how much the teenager was already considering his “legacy,” Smith said. Castle never switched high schools or flipped his college commitment, both rarities among top prospects.
“I feel like that’s just the way me and all my siblings were raised, just to think smart, think ahead and try and not to skip steps,” Castle said.
As he founded CT United from scratch, the 44-year-old Swanston also wasn’t looking to skip steps, understanding the soccer club would need to prove to MLS leaders that it was worthy of inclusion in the sport’s top domestic league.
“To show that we can be the first team to actually grow from within the Major League Soccer ecosystem from an academy team to a minor league team to major league team is, I think, earning it in a way that no one else can say they’ve ever done,” he said.
United’s placement in Connecticut is no accident.
Raised in the Bronx, Swanston attended boarding school in Connecticut and later went to the University of Connecticut, where he was a triple jumper on the school’s track team. While there, he learned that UConn’s wildly successful men’s and women’s basketball programs weren’t the only uber-popular teams on campus. The women’s soccer team played for a national championship in 2003, while the men won the title in 2000 and regularly topped NCAA attendance rankings.
“On a Friday night, thousands of people, everybody, went to soccer matches,” Swanston said.
As recently as last fall, the men still drew the fifth-highest attendance average in the NCAA. Such a built-in fan base was part of Swanston’s calculus for wanting a team in the state, an idea he said first took hold in 2018 and became more possible in 2020, when the data company he founded sold for nine figures, he said.
Not long after, he heard that MLS was starting a second division as part of a plan to develop younger players, staffers, executives and even test on-field rules in markets where there weren’t already MLS teams, like Chattanooga, Tennessee, and High Point, North Carolina.
“Connecticut is the most densely populated, affluent market in America with none of the top five major sporting leagues, right?” Swanston said. “A billion dollars a year pretty much goes to subsidize New York and Boston out of Connecticut.”
In 2021, Swanston met with Ali Curtis, the president of MLS Next Pro. Curtis had started as the general manager of Toronto, making him the first Black general manager in league history, before rising through the ranks. Swanston can talk at length about soccer prospects and playing styles, and believes that knowledge helped MLS officials take him seriously.
Curtis was impressed by Swanston’s ambition and confidence. And, “as a person of color,” Curtis added, “you don’t always meet a prospect that is also a person of color that is going to be a potential owner within the league.”
MLS does not keep demographic data on its teams’ ownership groups, a spokeswoman said. The league describes Swanston as “one of only a few Black majority team owners in the history of U.S. pro sports.” There are currently no Black majority owners of MLB, NBA, NHL or NFL teams.
MLS has league rules for vetting potential team owners, who are the league’s de facto business partners, Curtis said, calling it “probably the first and the last point that you focus on. What’s the ownership group going to be? Who are they? What are their values? What are their principles?”
As valuations of U.S. pro teams have spiked over the last decade, there is also the question of how many individuals have enough money to buy teams. Leagues carefully review the wealth of a controlling owner, but Swanston believes minority representation could grow if more value were placed on an ownership group’s combined wealth.
“If you talk about four groups or four families worth $2 billion instead of one [family], you’ve dramatically increased the potential for minority ownership and female ownership,” Swanston said. “I think in the meantime, where we’re gonna see diversity and ownership is in minority positions, with people owning 1% to 10% of clubs, and I think we have seen a huge jump in that over the last decade.”
Swanston and his wife, Michelle, the team’s co-owner, have intentionally kept CT United’s identity local. They started a free youth academy. Eight wolf’s tails in the team logo represent one for each of Connecticut’s counties. The sponsor on the front of the jersey is headquartered in Stamford; the jersey was designed by a Bridgeport-based company. As the team waits to build a stadium in Bridgeport, its home games this season will be held around the state in a barnstorming tour.
And to fill out his ownership group, he began talking with Smith and Castle’s father about including Stephon, in part because of his role on the 2024 Connecticut team that won an NCAA basketball championship. It was Castle’s shared affinity for Connecticut that mattered to Swanston, not his soccer knowledge — “I know he likes winning,” Swanston said.
Castle knew about the lack of Black ownership when he agreed to join.
“I wouldn’t say that was a sole reason why I think I made that decision, but it definitely played a factor for sure,” he said.
Castle was drawn more to keeping his connection to Connecticut and being part of a team from its inception. He also appreciates soccer, even if he doesn’t compete himself. He has long played soccer video games — typically as established powers Liverpool and Manchester City — and he attended a game at Barcelona’s famed Camp Nou stadium in 2023 on a trip with the UConn basketball team.
Castle envisions being involved and wants to build relationships with United players, many of whom are similar in age. But that will have to wait; the Spurs this season have become overnight NBA title contenders and could play deep into June. He might try to strike up a conversation with the Spurs’ owners to get advice, he said.
For now, he keeps CT United jerseys and a scarf at his Texas home. He’s been part of the club for less than six months yet already believes this won’t be his last investment in pro sports.
“Just being able to connect with people on that [ownership] level is obviously a big thing for me. So just that in itself I feel like is a success,” he said. “So later down the line, even after my career, I’m probably definitely going to look into doing this again.”
Trump backs ‘powerful caps’ on college athlete pay
WASHINGTON — President Trump wants “very powerful caps” to limit college athlete salaries so that universities won’t “go out of business.”
Trump told ESPN host Pat McAfee that he fears that “lesser” sports also are being scrapped due to the newly allowed practice of directly paying athletes, which has been allowed since July on top of name, image and likeness (NIL) sponsorships by companies and booster clubs permitted since 2021.
“It is a very serious problem because even football, when they give quarterbacks $12 million, $13 million, $14 million — I read a couple of them — and all of a sudden you’re going to see it’s going to be out of control, and even rich colleges are going to go bust,” Trump said in a Tuesday interview.
“They had the old way. They gave scholarships, and they did lots of good things. But there could be some form of payments, but… look, the NFL, and all of you know, all teams, they have caps. You don’t really have that in college sports,” the president said.
“When the guard comes along that weighs 350 pounds and he’s phenomenal, and they say, ‘That’s going to make the difference between having a great team and a lousy team’, and they give him $10 million — that’s going to start happening pretty soon — all of a sudden you’re going to have NFL-type payrolls.”
The reform allowing for direct payment of players by universities came through a court-approved settlement involving the NCAA, with an estimated initial annual cap of $20.5 million per player. Without changes, the salary cap is expected to rise to $33 million over the next decade, CBS Sports reported.
Trump, whose administration this year paused federal grants to prominent universities to force policy changes, added, “colleges don’t make that much money, even the most successful, so they’re not going to be able to do this. Bad things are going to happen unless they figure this out…
“And frankly, the college football, it’s very big. But as big as it is, if they don’t do some very powerful caps, these colleges are all going to go out of business no matter how rich they are.”
Trump floated Nick Saban, the retired longtime football coach at the University of Alabama, as a potential point person to lead a group to devise new salary caps.
“I don’t want to use any particular sport, because it’s, you know, degrading. But they are really terminating a lot of sports… you would call them lesser sports, but big sports, good sports, and sports where they have tremendous interest, they’re getting rid of them,” Trump added.
“A lot of the lesser sports are being totally terminated. You know that? It’s a shame. It was almost like a training ground for the Olympics, and a lot of those training grounds are being lost.”
Mavs honoring VP of corporate sponsorships Billy Phillips as he retires after 33 years
A wave of emotion overcame Billy Phillips as he went through a list of acknowledgements that included his Dallas Mavericks colleagues, corporate sponsorship partners and immediate family.
Phillips, the Mavericks’ longtime vice president of corporate sponsorships, was the final voice to speak on Saturday to commemorate his retirement after 33 years of tenure with the franchise. It was a celebration inside the Executive Lounge at American Airlines Center to honor one of the most respected employees in the team’s 45-year history.
“Many of you know his Dallas Mavericks legacy and what he’s done for this community, but what he’s done for the overall sports business community in North Texas is unparalleled,” said Gina Miller, the Mavericks’ new chief communications officer.
Phillips’ storied sports legacy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area didn’t start in basketball. The Long Island, N.Y., native played soccer as a goalkeeper from 1980 to 1981 for the Dallas Tornado in the North American Soccer League. He played an instrumental role with the Dallas Sidekicks, both as a player from 1984 to 1987 and manager from 1987 to 1996.
Phillips helped establish soccer in North Texas in the 1970s and 1980s, and the momentum led to Dallas being the host city for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The quadrennial international men’s soccer tournament will return in 2026, with AT&T Stadium hosting nine matches in Arlington, including a semi-final game. FC Dallas president Dan Hunt said Phillips played a role in the Cup’s return.
Phillips joined the Mavericks in 1992 as a senior director of corporate sponsorship. He was promoted to vice president in 2018, the role he serves in currently until his final day on Dec. 23. As an athlete, he can’t help but reflect on the team’s lone championship in 2011 as a standout moment, but the people he worked with is what he’ll cherish the most.
“At the end of the day, it’s relationships,” Phillips said. “I have so many amazing relationships from people who work for the Mavericks and partners that I’ve worked with now…It’s always the people who’s the most important part of my job.”
Several influential people around the Mavericks spoke during Phillips’ retirement ceremony, including minority shareholder Mark Cuban and CEO Rick Welts. Co-interim general manager Michael Finley was also in attendance.
“This man can sell,” Cuban said. “Billy has been a rock, not just for the young salespeople, but for the whole organization. When things were up, when things were down, Billy was steady. Billy has this calming influence that he brings to anybody that he’s met, but he also can sell. What’s the rule, Billy?”
“If you’re talking to someone, you better have a check,” Phillips said.
The celebration didn’t stop during the pregame. Phillips was honored during halftime of Saturday’s game with a tribute video, which included cameos by Dirk Nowitzki and former Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd began his pregame news conference with a congratulatory message for Phillips.
“I want to congratulate Billy Phillips,” Kidd said. “He’s retiring after 33 years with the Mavs. He’s a big influence in sports here in Dallas. Goalkeeper for the Dallas Sidekicks. He did everything and he’s a big reason why soccer is coming to Dallas for the Cup.”
Twitter/X: @MikeACurtis2
TKO Stock Slides despite Receiving a New Street-High Price Target
TKO Group Holdings (TKO) had a standout year in 2025, thanks to major media rights deals and a surge in sponsorships. In fact, the sports and entertainment company signed agreements to broadcast UFC and Zuffa Boxing with Paramount (PSKY) and licensed WWE content through Endeavor Group. These deals were big enough that TKO raised its outlook for the year, and the stock climbed by more than 50%, thereby making it one of the top performers in its sector.
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Importantly, analysts believe there’s more room to grow, even after this big run. For instance, BTIG analyst Tyler DiMatteo noted that 2026 looks promising for both the sports and entertainment industry and TKO specifically. While he does expect some short-term ups and downs due to the stock’s recent surge, he’s comfortable giving TKO a higher valuation. He points to strong consumer interest in live events and what many call the “experience economy” as key reasons why the company should keep performing well.
TKO is also betting on newer trends, such as prediction markets. It signed a multi-year deal with Polymarket that will apply to UFC and Zuffa Boxing in an attempt to increase fan engagement. Interestingly, that market was worth $1.4 billion in 2024 and could grow to $95.5 billion by 2035. As a result, DiMatteo gave TKO a Buy rating and raised his price target to a street high of $250 per share.
Is TKO Stock a Good Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on TKO stock based on 14 Buys, one Hold, and zero Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average TKO price target of $225.73 per share implies 7.9% upside potential.
See more TKO analyst ratings
How shared values drove Ferrari’s first crypto partnership: Interview with BingX
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The multi-year agreement between Formula One racing team Scuderia Ferrari and crypto exchange BingX represents the Italian team’s first partnership with a crypto exchange.
For Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer at BingX, the connection is built on performance rather than just visibility. She notes that Ferrari’s “engineering excellence and uncompromising standards” mirror the platform’s own approach, stating that the goal is to demonstrate that a crypto exchange can operate with the “same discipline, transparency and ambition” as the iconic automotive brand.
In this interview, Lin sheds light on the strategic vision behind the collaboration, the maturity of the crypto landscape and how shared values with Ferrari are influencing BingX’s global roadmap.
Cointelegraph: How is the convergence of high-performance sports and financial technology reshaping global marketing strategies?
Vivien Lin: High-performance sports attract fans who are deeply committed and loyal, much like the community we’ve built at BingX with our 40 million users. In Formula 1, this engagement is clear. Recent research shows that 94% of fans plan to follow the sport five years from now, and 86% watch at least 16 races each season.
This kind of loyalty gives us a unique chance for us to build lasting relationships, not just short-term awareness. In my experience, it’s rare to find a partnership that fits so well. I also believe that sponsorship shapes how fans experience the sport.
The same research found that about three-quarters of fans think sponsors make Formula 1 better, and one in three are more likely to buy from F1 partners. For Gen Z, that number rises to 40%. For BingX, this trend means our marketing is now more focused on values, performance and long-term relevance, not just visibility.
CT: Why are elite sporting institutions increasingly looking toward the cryptocurrency sector for strategic alliances?
VL: In our experience, elite sports organizations have always focused on progress and winning. To stay ahead, they keep evolving, adopt new technologies and look to the future. The crypto sector and BingX share this forward-thinking approach, so there is a unique purpose behind these partnerships.
Furthermore, 2026 marks a change. As the industry grows, crypto is now about infrastructure, security and global access — not just experimentation. Sports organizations see this obvious shift and want to work with partners who are leading the way. These partnerships show a shared belief that responsible innovation can create lasting value for people around the world.
CT: What does the evolving relationship between Formula 1 and digital assets signal about the maturity of the crypto industry?
VL: The growing relationship between Formula 1 and digital assets is a strong signal that the crypto industry is entering a more mature phase. One that is defined less by speculation and more by credibility, infrastructure and long-term brand building.
Both Formula 1 and crypto are built on resilience. Progress is never linear. There are moments of rapid innovation, periods of pressure and times when patience matters more than speed. After seven years in this industry, I’ve seen crypto evolve through multiple cycles, shaped by both breakthroughs and hard lessons. Formula 1 understands this reality deeply.
From BingX’s perspective, Formula 1 represents the highest standards of performance, precision and trust. It is a global sport governed by rigorous regulation and scrutiny. The fact that teams and stakeholders are increasingly selective about their partners reflects how the crypto industry itself is changing.
Partnerships today are about values, governance and the ability to perform at scale. As the industry matures, we are seeing leading crypto platforms focus on compliance, security and user protection, foundational elements that are essential for long-term adoption.
The presence of digital asset companies in Formula 1 signals that these platforms are now capable of meeting the expectations of world-class institutions and global audiences. It also reflects a move away from short-term hype toward sustainable engagement and education.
CT: How does becoming a cryptocurrency partner for Ferrari differentiate BingX from its competitors?
VL: This partnership is significant not only because of Ferrari’s global brand and history, but also because it marks their first collaboration with a cryptocurrency exchange, which we do not take lightly. For BingX, it reinforces our position as a top-of-mind brand in crypto and reflects how far we’ve come as a platform.
For example, we were the first major exchange to introduce copy trading, which helped us become recognized as a top 5 derivatives platform, and today we are the first all-in-AI crypto exchange, with a $300 million commitment to implementing AI across our platform. It shows that we are seen as a long-term partner capable of meeting the standards of one of motorsport’s most iconic teams.
CT: What specific shared values between BingX and Scuderia Ferrari form the foundation of this multi-year collaboration?
VL: At the heart of this collaboration is a shared mindset of pioneering breakthroughs and redefining what’s possible. Both BingX and Scuderia Ferrari operate in environments where precision, performance and continuous innovation matter deeply.
Ferrari’s culture of constant innovation, race after race and season after season, closely mirrors how BingX approaches product innovation and platform evolution. We also share a long-term view that goes beyond short-term wins. There is a strong mutual respect for data, technology and discipline, as well as a belief that innovation should always be purposeful.
On the product side, this philosophy translates directly into action. Just as Ferrari continuously refines performance to push limits on the track, BingX is committed to helping traders go beyond their current potential through continuous platform upgrades, BingX Academy and AI-driven innovation.
CT: How do you plan to turn this partnership into tangible benefits for the BingX trading community?
VL: For us, partnerships like this are about delivering a more premium experience for our users. We are intentional about who we align with because those relationships reflect how we build our platform and our community.
Our partnerships with globally respected teams like Chelsea Football Club and Ferrari are not coincidences. They represent excellence, discipline and a commitment to performing at the highest level.
For our trading community, this translates into elevated experiences, stronger engagement and a brand they can trust and feel proud to be part of. Whether markets are moving fast or slowing down, our focus remains on quality, reliability and long-term value. These partnerships, along with racing-inspired campaigns, race-week activations and limited-edition experiences, reinforce that we are building BingX to operate at a global, premium standard.
CT: How does aligning with the most iconic team in motorsport reinforce BingX’s commitment to security and technological excellence?
VL: Ferrari’s reputation is built on precision, reliability and performance under pressure. Partnering with a team of that caliber reinforces how we think about building BingX and our own commitment to building secure, resilient and high-performing systems.
For years, we’ve focused on creating a resilient, AI-native platform, with intelligence embedded directly into the trading experience and a long-term $300 million commitment to AI.
In crypto, trust is built through infrastructure, not promises. We treat security as a foundation, supported by proof-based protections such as a $150 million Shield Fund and 100% proof-of-reserves.
This partnership reflects confidence in our technology and governance, and it sends a clear message that innovation and security are not trade-offs. They must work together to create a platform that can perform at a global, world-class standard.
CT: How will this alliance influence BingX’s strategic roadmap and expansion plans over the next few years?
VL: This partnership builds on a foundation we’ve already established. With over 40 million users globally and a position among the top five derivatives trading platforms, BingX has reached a scale where brand trust, consistency and global relevance matter more than ever.
Our multi-year partnership with Chelsea Football Club reflects that same thinking. Whether on the pitch or in the market, we align with teams that operate at the highest level of performance.
Working with Ferrari represents the next stage of that journey. It opens new opportunities for global storytelling, deeper regional engagement and innovation across markets. More importantly, it aligns with our long-term view of crypto as part of global finance and culture, not a niche industry.
CT: What role will this partnership play in BingX’s long-term goal to redefine standards within the cryptocurrency landscape?
Partnerships like this help set a new benchmark for what crypto brands can represent. They show that it’s possible to combine innovation with discipline, and ambition with responsibility.
Our goal is to help move the industry forward by building trust, raising standards and focusing on long-term value. If crypto wants to be part of global culture, it must meet the standards of the world’s most demanding institutions. This partnership is our commitment to that future.
NCAA D1 Cabinet Approves Jersey Patch Sponsorships in College Sports
If you felt that the influx of NIL and other cash influences had already thoroughly corrupted college sports, you may want to brace yourself.
The NCAA Division I Cabinet voted to approve jersey patch sponsorships in college sports. The new ruling will take effect on August 1, allowing patches to be placed on uniforms just in time for the start of the 2026 college football season.
“College sports are in an exciting new era of increased financial benefits for student-athletes, and the Cabinet’s vote today reflects the ongoing commitment of Division I members to drive additional revenues and fully fund those benefits,” said Illinois Athletics Director and D-I Cabinet chair, Josh Whitman, in a statement.
“This also continues the NCAA’s efforts to expand flexibility in areas of NCAA rules, thereby allowing schools and conferences to set standards that reflect their values and serve their unique needs. This important policy change is another step forward in advancing that philosophy and providing members with increased flexibility.”
As On3 reports, “Under the new legislation, schools will be able to place up to two additional commercial logos on uniforms and one additional logo on equipment during both the preseason and postseason. They can also add another logo on uniforms and apparel during conference championships.
“Patches are limited to a maximum of 4 square inches per logo, according to the NCAA. The legislation is in effect for non-NCAA championship competition.”
In anticipation of the rule’s passing, several schools, most notably LSU and UNLV, have already inked sponsorship deals.
The move will undoubtedly accelerate the commercialization of the game-day experience. In the last two years, fans in the stands and those watching at home have seen the emergence of company logos on the field and on the court, resulting from the House v. NCAA settlement approval.
Adding sponsorship patches to jerseys will create yet another revenue stream for college athletics, likely adding tens of millions of dollars annually.
Watch Brands Increasingly Turn to Sports for Spark
Could sports be the tonic that revives the luxury watch market?
Over the past few months, Swiss watch brands have lined up to announce multimillion-dollar deals with elite professional sports leagues and athletes, hoping to leverage their star power and the emotions of sports fandom to fire up a cooling market.
Last week, Breitling became the latest high-end brand to hitch its wagon to Formula 1, signing a deal with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team, adding to a deal it announced in August to be the official timepiece partner of the National Football League (N.F.L.).
In November, Norqain became what it called the Official Luxury Sports Watch of the National Hockey League (N.H.L.), and in January Frederique Constant introduced its first sports sponsorship, connecting with the nascent Pro Padel League, in which athletes compete in padel, a game often described as a cross between squash and tennis.
Brands such as Rolex, Omega and TAG Heuer have built their profiles on ties with sports, but in today’s saturated market, can sports sponsorships really help brands achieve their goals?
Fears of foreign influence spark bipartisan crackdown on college sports funding
Student-athletes are increasingly exploring name, image and likeness contracts to benefit from their emerging stardoms. But lawmakers want to make sure those deals don’t provide loopholes for foreign adversaries to exert their influence in the United States.
Utah Rep. Blake Moore introduced the No Foreign NIL Funds Act on Tuesday that would implement a number of restrictions banning foreign governments and adversarial entities from investing in U.S. college sports. The bill would mostly apply to NIL contracts, but it would also extend to sponsorships, media rights deals, hosting amateur athletic conferences, and other joint ventures.
“College sports are woven into American campus life, local communities, and family traditions. But allowing foreign entities to funnel money and sponsorships into college athletics through NIL deals risks undermining the integrity of the game and exposing universities to unintended foreign influence or national security concerns,” Moore, a former student-athlete himself, said in a statement. “NIL should be used to support college athletes, not as a backdoor for moving foreign money into American institutions.”
Since NIL contracts have been accepted in recent years, lawmakers have struggled to adopt comprehensive laws regulating those deals. As a result, there are no federal restrictions banning foreign governments from funding those contracts so long as the agreements are cleared through a list of requirements settled in the House vs. NCAA lawsuit in 2024.
That settlement now allows each school to pay its athletes up to $20.5 million per year, which works out to about 22% of the average athletic department revenue at Power Four schools.
However, many of the organizations that coordinate NIL contracts operate as limited liability companies, or LLCs, that do not require donor lists to be made public. That has raised national security concerns among some lawmakers who said adversarial countries could quietly pour money into a university’s sports program and try to build political influence or gain leverage.
The bill would go beyond those NIL contracts to also block foreign countries from investing in collegiate athletic streams, and it would prohibit entering into contracts with individual universities, media rights distributors, bowl games or postseason football organizations.
Bill would have exceptions for foreign NIL donations
The legislation would carve out some exceptions to allow members of NATO, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland to still participate in those contracts.
Moore pointed to recent incidents in which college football coaches have engaged in foreign trips for lobbying or fundraising as well as some athletic conferences who are finalizing plans to organize tournaments in foreign countries.
The bill has garnered the support of bipartisan lawmakers, and even has the backing of Utah State University’s athletic director, who said it’s crucial “to create a safe and sustainable future.”
“Utah State Athletics firmly supports our student-athletes and their ability to seek name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities through the appropriate channels,” USU athletic director Cameron Walker said. “However, the origin of these sources is critical for NIL to function effectively and operate in the best interest of our university, state, and student-athletes. We are thankful for Congressman Moore’s work in this area and support his efforts to create a safe and sustainable future.”
Arkansas Razorback athletics announces its jersey sponsor
Recently, the Tyson Foods logo has shown up on the field at Razorback Stadium.
Now, the iconic food brand will be on the Razorback uniforms for all varsity sports beginning in 2026-27. Under the new multi-year agreement, Tyson Foods will also serve as the official protein of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Expect to see the Tyson Foods brand on things such as backdrops for press conferences, stadium branding with on field/court placements.
“This historic sponsorship is transformative for Razorback Athletics. For decades, Tyson Foods has been more than a corporate partner—they are an integral part of the Arkansas story,
How LinkSports is Democratizing the Talent Pipeline by Leveraging Data-Driven Reinvention of Sports Sponsorships
LinkSports, a Canadian technology company operating across 29 countries, is building what it calls the new infrastructure of sports sponsorship. Founded by Neissan Monadjem, LinkSports is a fintech company with sports content that combines artificial intelligence, standardized athletic challenges, and micro-sponsorship funding into a single platform designed to connect amateur athletes with corporate capital. The greater objective, however, lies in eliminating the problem of gatekeeping in sports sponsorship.
According to Monadjem, corporate budgets in sports often concentrate on elite professionals, while grassroots athletes, who may be equally driven, compete for limited visibility and even scarcer funding. The global sports sponsorship market exceeds $100 billion annually, yet he believes that the vast majority of that capital flows to a narrow section of top-tier talent.
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
NBA draft prospect Alijah Arenas refuses to see his dreams derailed
Barely a minute or two ticked away at Galen Center last month,but USC freshman Alijah Arenas already was exhausted. His legs felt like anchors dragging across the court. Every trip down and back left his lungs howling.
Not 48 hours earlier, Arenas was confined to his bed, sick with a particularly unforgiving form of the flu. The virus sapped him of the strength he’d built during his first seven games at USC — another frustrating setback during a season with too many to count.
At practice the day before, Arenas felt so tired he spent most of the session lying down, trying not to move. But after all the games missed and all the opportunities lost during the past 10 months, Arenas never willingly gave up another.
He came to USC, after all, as a surefire NBA lottery pick, a sinewy playmaking marvel capable of creating his shot anywhere, anytime. He seemed like the sort of tantalizing five-star talent who could change not just the present but future of a program.
But he spent almost three-quarters of what could be his only college season sidelined. So, with a top-10 Illinois team coming to town, Arenas fought to play. He ended up slogging his way through 18 minutes and scored eight points. USC lost to Illinois by 36, its largest margin of defeat of the regular season.
That was three weeks ago. USC hasn’t won a game since. It opens Big Ten tournament action against Washington on Wednesday in need of a miracle run just to make the NCAA tournament.
Arenas isn’t one to make excuses. “I’m not going to blame it on [being sick,]” he said the day after the Illinois loss.
There has been plenty of blame to go around during USC’s seven-game losing streak. But Arenas blames himself. He should have been more prepared for this season, he says. He should have been working out harder, recovering faster.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Arenas said. “I just have to point out the obvious.”
He thinks about his little brother, Aloni. He’s only 14. He’s been hounding Alijah about getting in the gym. Why hadn’t he listened?
“It’s becoming a problem,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been talking about striving for perfection, instead of actually practicing it.”
He’s spent all night thinking about this. Obsessing over it.
But on the other hand … maybe he’s being a bit hard on himself.
One morning last April, Arenas was driving home from the gym when his Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, crashed into a tree and burst into flames, briefly trapping him inside. He managed to escape, but he was placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery from smoke inhalation and hospitalized for six days. Then, within days of finally being cleared to practice during the summer at USC, Arenas learned his meniscus was torn. He had one surgery on his knee, only to learn he needed a second about a month later.
Doctors told Arenas at the time that the knee injury was likely season-ending. But he refused to accept that fate. When his knee responded well to the second surgery, doctors conceded he might be able to return sometime in February. He ran with it.
“He worked so hard to come back,” said Zach Becerra, Arenas’ trainer, “that he got it to mid-January.”
But while his knee might’ve technically been healthy as he suited up against Northwestern on Jan. 21, Arenas didn’t have his stamina back. It’d been 10 months since he last played five-on-five basketball.
Arenas still played 29 minutes. He shot three of 15. Afterward, USC coach Eric Musselman worried he might’ve thrown the freshman into the fire too soon.
But Musselman told the Arenas family from the beginning that he would give Alijah a blank canvas on which to create and the space to make mistakes, to grow. So he kept his word — and kept giving Arenas the ball. Musselman stuck with the freshman even as he shot just 29% and struggled to find his footing during his first four games. And he has continued to stick with his star freshman, even as USC’s season unraveled.
He’s done so because Musselman and his staff have seen glimpses of what Arenas could be.
During a three-game stretch in early February, Arenas showed the world his sky-high potential. He dropped 29 against Indiana, 25 at Ohio State and hit a game-winner at Penn State. It seemed, at the time, like he was on the brink of his long-awaited breakout.
Then, he got sick.
“It’s a shame that the circumstances were what they were,” USC assistant coach Michael Musselman said. “Because I truly know that [Arenas] would have been one of the best players in the country with a full season.”
Arenas, though, doesn’t waste any time feeling sorry for himself. Even that stellar three-game stretch, he says, “wasn’t what I was waiting for.” He calls it “decent towards bad.”
Two days later, USC blew a lead to Oregon in the final minute. The ball was in Arenas’ hands during the final two possessions. He missed a contested jumper on the first trip. On the second, he drove into traffic and lost the ball.
After the game, Becerra said Arenas was “crushed.” “He feels like, ‘It’s all on me. ‘It’s all on my shoulders.’”
Arenas took a half-hour after the game to shoot and clear his head.
When he finally got home that night, Arenas headed straight for his father’s sauna. He sat inside for a while, alone, hoping to sweat away whatever was holding him back.
Seventh grade was when it all started to click. That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
Back then, he said, it was fun to set his alarm for 4 a.m., getting to the gym hours before another soul would show up.
“I was a very disciplined kid in seventh grade,” he says. “I’d get eight workouts a day in.”
Eight? Really? Yes, at his middle school, Core Prep Academy in Northridge, Arenas’ entire day was consumed by hoops. There were pre-dawn workouts, mid-morning core, mid-afternoon skills training and late-night shooting sessions. Lunch was usually sacrificed to get up extra shots. Sometimes he’d get in a short morning nap on a couch in an office. Classes, somehow, were crammed in the between workouts.
It was a pretty grueling schedule for a seventh grader. But Arenas chose it. He fell in love with the work. “That kid was obsessed,” Arenas says of his younger self. “Nothing distracted him. No outside noise, no talking, no anything. Just gym, school, sleep, repeat.”
Becerra, his trainer, saw that shift firsthand. He’d started training Arenas’ dad, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, when Alijah was in the fifth grade. Alijah was only 5-foot-4 when Becerra took him on as a client, too.
“But he was already a madman,” Becerra said. “He gets that from his dad.”
That motivation wasn’t the product of his famous father nudging him. Alijah said Gilbert never put any expectations on him to follow in his father’s footsteps.
In middle school at Core Prep, Alijah was pinned against older, stronger prospects on a daily basis. When it came time to choose a high school, instead of sending him to Sierra Canyon, where other local top prospects congregated, Alijah enrolled at Chatsworth High, the local public high school.
“I just think Gilbert wanted him to have to fight,” said Etop Udo-Ema, the founder of Compton Magic, Arenas’ AAU program. “You’re gonna do everything [at Chatsworth.] You’re gonna have to carry the team and wear every game on your shoulder.”
Some nights, Chatsworth coach Sam Harris would ask Alijah to play the point. Others he played center. He posted up in the paint, with his back to the basket. He initiated the offense. He rebounded. He even did the opening tip.
“He had to learn to do everything,” Harris said.
Arenas ended up staying all three of his high school seasons at Chatsworth. Most nights, Arenas was the sole focus of opponents’ game plans. Still, in three seasons, he became the Los Angeles City Section’s all-time leading scorer.
He developed an uncanny ability to create his own shot under the most difficult of circumstances, manipulating defenses and contorting his way through the lane with ease. He learned how to elevate his teammates, putting them in positions to succeed. And he also sprouted up to 6-foot-7, which didn’t hurt.
“Every game I was getting triple-teamed,” Arenas said. “At first it was frustrating. But then I realized, like, that’s just preparing me for the next level. I had to learn how to read the game differently, how to stay patient, how to trust my work even when things weren’t going right.”
Those lessons have been tested at USC, where little has gone as planned for Arenas so far this season. The Trojans have lost nine of the 13 games in which Arenas has suited up. They dismissed leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara last month and their NCAA tournament hopes are on life support.
It hasn’t been easy. But whenever life has been the hardest, he has found himself thinking of his Cybertruck crash. It’s made him slow down, made him take a breath.
“I just tell myself, like, ‘You’re still here,” he said.
In the same breath, Arenas refuses to let himself off the hook. He insists again this season hasn’t been good enough, that he hasn’t been good enough.
His former coaches, however, happily come to his defense. They insist this version of Arenas is, as Udo-Ema put it, “a shell of what he’s going to be.” They point to the fact that he’s only just now in playing shape.
That’s what the Compton Magic founder has told any NBA teams who have asked. “If he’s not a top-10 pick, there are 10 dumb NBA teams that are going to miss out,” he says.
Harris, the Chatsworth head coach, said Arenas is still just getting comfortable. He was supposed to be a high school senior, but he chose to reclassify and head to college early. Then suddenly he was thrust into the fire of a Big Ten slate at midseason.
“It’s just growing pains,” Harris said.
Stepping in during the final six weeks certainly required adjusting — not just from Arenas, but also his teammates. At Chatsworth, Arenas did everything because he had to. At USC, that instinct has sometimes led him to try too hard, to do too much.
“He can get a shot off whenever he wants, which is super unique,” said Michael Musselman, the USC assistant. “So he’s trying to figure out, ‘When do I need to use that?’ versus ‘When do I need to find my teammates or get other guys involved?’”
It may be too late to figure it all out at USC. The expectation has long been that Arenas would play one season of college basketball before declaring for the NBA draft. But considering how the past year has gone, could that change in the coming weeks as we learn more about how the NBA views Arenas’ limited freshman tape?
No one is ruling anything out. But those closest to Arenas assure that his struggles this season have done nothing to alter his trajectory in the NBA.
“Just the things he can do, the IQ he has, what he can see, the way that he moves, the length, the size — he’s the most talented guy I’ve ever seen,” Udo-Ema said. “Now realizing that talent is a whole different story. But let’s say everything perfect happens for him, he’s going to be the face of the NBA.”
Of course, nothing has gone perfectly to this point for Arenas. But if this past year has taught him anything, it’s how critical it is to keep on course. He won’t allow himself to veer any further.
“Because talent isn’t enough at this level,” Arenas said. “Everybody is talented. So if I’m not out working people, I’m behind.
“I know what I’m capable of. And I’m not there yet. Simple as that.”
March Madness 2026: Every City and Arena Hosting NCAA Tournament Games
March Madness is just a day away, and the anticipation around it is off the charts. As college basketball embarks on its final chapter in 2026, the teams look ready to sweat it out for the grand prize. But where will these games be held? Let’s dive right in and find out about the venues where the NCAA 2026 March Madness games will be hosted.
Which Arena Hosts the First Four Games in March Madness 2026?
The 2026 calendar will see the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, hosting the First Four Games on March 17th and 18th. These play-in games determine the final four teams that advance into the traditional 64-team March Madness bracket. Dayton has always been the longstanding home for the First Four ever since the format was introduced in 2011.
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The First Four consists of four play-in games involving eight teams. The match-ups usually include the four lowest-seeded at-large teams against the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers.
Dates : March 17th and 18th 2026
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City: Dayton, Ohio
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Venue: University of Dayton Arena (UD Arena), located at 1801 Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton, OH 45417.
The venue was opened in 1969 and has been renovated multiple times, with its last work happening in 2019, and can house approximately 13,409 people. Because of its rich association with college basketball, it has also earned itself the nickname “Epicenter of College Basketball.”
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Since 2011, this has been the proven ground where college basketball teams have slogged it out for a chance to etch their names into basketball supremacy. Dayton fans have a history of coming in numbers and selling out arenas as March Madness tips off from here. This is exactly why the slogan “The Road Starts Here” has become so entwined with this particular city.
Irrespective of the teams playing, the fans have never shirked away, and this is exactly why Dayton is a top-10 media market for college basketball viewership.
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Which Cities and Arenas Host the First and Second Round Games in 2026?
The 2026 NCAA Tournament’s First and Second Rounds (Round of 64 and Round of 32) will be played March 19–22 across eight host cities: Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. These regional pods spread the opening weekend action nationwide, giving fans across the U.S. a chance to experience March Madness live from the different locations.
The Round of 64 and Round of 32 games will be staggered from Thursday to Sunday. The host cities are arenas are:
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Well, all the venues in question have a history to begin with, which is why they have been chosen as the host sites for a tournament of this caliber. Take Buffalo, for instance, which is a frequent NCAA site, home of the NHL’s Sabres, or Greenville, which has become a regular host in recent years, popular in the Southeast, or Portland, with the NBA Trail Blazers’ arena of the West Coast pod.
The NCAA rotates these pods annually to make the games more accessible and provide different regions with hosting opportunities. While Dayton, Ohio, always gets the First Four, the first and second rounds move around each year. But that does not apply to cities like Buffalo, St. Louis, and Philadelphia, which have a history of repeatedly hosting the tournaments because of their strong attendance and basketball culture.
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Which Cities Will Host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
Four cities will host Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games in the second weekend. These matchups will determine which teams win their respective regions and walk away with a Final Four bid. So this is exactly the part where the game gets most cutthroat. It will be played in four cities, and the dates for the Sweet 16 are March 26 and 27, and the Elite Eight are March 28th and 29th, respectively.
As you will notice, both rounds are hosted in the same city/arena for each region, creating a mini-tournament atmosphere. The winners of the Sweet 16 will automatically advance to play for a spot in the Final Four.
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Where Is the 2026 NCAA Final Four and National Championship Game Being Played?
For the first time since 2021, the Final Four will be making its much-awaited comeback to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. A couple of months after the NFL Combine was hosted here, its seats will be filled to watch who will be crowned champions of DI basketball. So far, Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four eight times between 1980 and 2021, and now it will again get a chance to do so.
During the 2021 final, Baylor defeated Gonzaga 86-70 in a battle of the No. 1 seeds. Before that, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski won his fifth title at Duke, as the Blue Devils defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 68-63 in the championship game. So it has its own elaborate history that they will hope to live up to this year as well, when they host the elites of the game.
While Indianapolis has hosted the Women’s Final Four three times (RCA Dome in 2005, Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and 2016), the home of the Indianapolis Colts has not. However, Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled to host its first Women’s Final Four in 2028.
The Final Four will be the culmination of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and will see the last four teams left battle it out for the title. The weekend will comprise two national semi-final games that will be played on the same date, Saturday, April 4, 2026, followed by the finals on April 6th that will determine this season’s champion.
Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four nine times, more than any other city. The last three years it hosted these prestigious finals were in 2010, 2015, and 2021, and now it will do so again this year, making it the fourth time overall.
For the record, the NCAA headquarters are located in this city itself, and so you can imagine why the city gets its precedence. The Lucas Oil Stadium also has its own charm to it, with its fancy retractable roof setup and modern amenities, and is ideal for this kind of large-scale event.
Where to buy tickets, best prices, schedule
Say hello to the belles of the ball (and Cinderellas).
On Sunday, March 15, the NCAA announced the sprawling 68-team field that will compete at arenas all over the country in the 2026 Men’s Basketball Tournament, aka March Madness.
This year’s No. 1 seeds are Cameron Boozer’s Duke Blue Devils, Thomas Haugh’s Florida Gators, Jaden Bradley’s Arizona Wildcats and Yaxel Lendeborg’s Michigan Wolverines.
They’ll be joined by buzzy upstarts like Mark Mitchell’s Missouri Tigers, Pryce Sandfort’s Nebraska Cornhuskers and Peter Suder’s Miami Ohio Redhawks who are battling in the “First Four.”
As for New York, they’ll be represented by not one, not two, not three but four (!) squads in the Big Dance. They are Zuby Ejiofor’s No. 5-ranked St. John’s Red Storm as well as Cruz Davis’ No. 13 Hofstra Pride along with as No. 16 seeds Gavin Doty’s Siena Saints and Jamal Fuller’s Long Island University Sharks.
Early-round games are scheduled to go down at:
University of Dayton Arena
Dayton, OH
Moda Center
Portland, OR
Paycom Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Greenville, SC
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY
Other first and second-round contests are scheduled for Philadelphia, Tampa, St. Louis and San Diego before the games relocate for the Sweet 16.
If you’d like to root on the squad of your choosing, see future NBA stars and/or witness an earth-shattering bracket-busting upset, last-minute tickets are available for all 67 games leading up to the April 6 Championship at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find for any pair of contests was $17 including fees on StubHub.
Multi-game session passes for the first two rounds that get you into six games over three days start at $343 including fees (that’s for Philadelphia).
Not bad considering that The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy dubbed this year’s crop as “Arguably the greatest — and deepest — freshman class in the sport’s history.”
Want to catch a game or three?
We’re here to help, hardwood fanatics.
Our team has everything you need to know and more about the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament below.
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tickets 2025
A complete breakdown of all upcoming games separated by venues — including game dates, teams and ticket prices — can be found here:
University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
Moda Center in Portland, OR
Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC
Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA
Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO
Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL
Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA
Final Four tickets 2026
The Big Dance will come to a close this year in Indianapolis.
On Saturday, April 4, the Final Four goes down at the Lucas Oil Stadium aka the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Two days later, March Madness ’26 wraps things up with the National Championship game at the same venue on Monday, April 6.
You can find tickets for all three high-stakes games here.
Sweet 16 tickets 2026
Before the playoff picture fully sorts itself out, the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 will take place in four major cities.
To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s how to grab tickets for all sessions at each of the four venues hosting the middle of the tourney.
March Madness 2026 bracket
Want to start making predictions ASAP?
You can get to it right now with our printable bracket below.
For all things March Madness, check out The Post’s bracket coverage and top storylines.
How to watch March Madness on TV
If you’re looking to scream at the TV enjoy the games from the comfort of your own home, we’re happy to report that that should be a cinch this year.
Most games can be found on CBS, TNT, TBS or truTV; all of these channels are available with a free trial of DIRECTV’s choice plan.
As always, be sure to check your local listings ahead of time to find the game you’re looking for ahead of time.
Huge 2026 concerts
Love March Madness…and music?
If that’s the case, here are just five shows you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• J. Cole
• A$AP Rocky
• Kid Cudi
• Don Toliver
• Earth Wind and Fire with Lionel Richie
Who else is on the road? Take a look at our list of all the biggest concert tours in 2026 to find the show for you.
Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post
3rd-generation drag racer Maddi Gordon is addicted to speed
Gordon is a third-generation racer who became the 100th female to win an NHRA national event in 2024.
She was selected by three-time national Funny Car champion Ron Capps to drive for his Top Fuel team.
It’s probably not a coincidence that Maddi Gordon, a 21-year-old rookie driver in the NHRA’s Top Fuel dragster series, doesn’t do anything slow on purpose.
She had to think about it for a moment, but said it’s true.
“It’s actually funny you bring that up,” Gordon, a native of Paso Robles, California, told The Arizona Republic ahead of advancing to the semifinal round before finishing fourth in her Top Fuel debut in the 2026 Gatornationals March 5-8 at Gainesville (Florida) Raceway. “I walk fast. I hate walking slow. When I get behind someone who’s walking slow, I get irritated because I feel like I’m losing time.
“So yeah, I walk fast. I eat really fast. I probably talk fast. It’s so funny. I don’t do anything slow. I definitely don’t do it slow on purpose. Oh, my gosh. I never thought about that before.”
When you’re born into a racing family, the need for speed becomes second nature. That’s what happened with Gordon, who attended her first drag race when she was just eight days old, began racing as an 8-year-old, and in 2024 became the first third-generation Top Alcohol Funny Car driver in NHRA history and the 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event in the organization’s 75-year history.
“It’s just a lifestyle,” said Gordon, who picked up Monster Energy as another top sponsor at the Gatornationals. “I wake up every day, and I think about drag racing. I wake up every day, and I don’t just think about driving, but the mechanics, ‘How can we make the car faster, how can I be a better driver, how can I be better for our sponsors?’
“It’s a lifestyle. As much as I love driving, I love everything about the sport. I love the fans. I love the camaraderie. I love our teammates, I love working on the cars. … There’s just so much to learn, and honestly, I just love learning. It’s a never-ending path of things to learn.”
Maddi Gordon landing at Arizona Nationals
Soon, Gordon will be in the Valley for the NHRA’s Arizona Nationals on March 20-22 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, where she plans to rocket her 12,000-horsepower, nitromethane-burning Carlyle Tools dragster to a speed of 330 mph in fewer than four seconds.
Firebird is no stranger to Gordon. She raced junior dragsters and other event classes here as a young teenager and won on the Alcohol Funny Car circuit each of the past two years at the Chandler drag strip.
“Firebird’s been really good to me and my family over the years,
Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson React to Alex Bowman’s Vertigo Absence
Alex Bowman will miss a second straight NASCAR Cup Series race as he continues recovering from vertigo, keeping him out of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bowman first experienced symptoms earlier this month during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Hendrick Motorsports later confirmed the 32-year-old driver had been diagnosed with vertigo and would step away from racing while working through the condition.
With Bowman still sidelined, Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet at Las Vegas. The veteran Xfinity Series driver previously filled in for Bowman at Phoenix and again takes over the ride this weekend.
While Bowman continues focusing on recovery, several of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates addressed the situation during media availability at Las Vegas.
Chase Elliott Understands the Frustration of Sitting Out
Chase Elliott knows firsthand how difficult it can be when a driver is forced to step away from the car unexpectedly.
Elliott missed six of the first eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023 after fracturing his tibia in a snowboarding accident, giving him a personal understanding of how challenging the recovery process can be.
Speaking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Elliott said situations like Bowman’s can feel especially frustrating because drivers have little control over the timeline.
“For me, I was just kind of up against the clock,” Elliott said. “You’re just sort of helpless in a lot of ways. You just try to do everything you can about it.”
Elliott said the uncertainty surrounding a condition like vertigo can be particularly difficult.
“I just really feel for him,” Elliott said. “The unknown of something like that is probably the scariest part and a really tough thing to deal with mentally.”
Kyle Larson Sends Support After Strong Vegas Weekend
Kyle Larson also expressed support for his teammate while speaking at Las Vegas.
Larson has historically been one of the strongest drivers at the 1.5-mile track and entered the Cup race weekend with significant momentum. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, continuing a strong stretch of performances at the Nevada track.
Despite his own success at Las Vegas, Larson said the focus inside the Hendrick Motorsports garage has been on Bowman’s health.
“You hate to see any driver go through something like that where they have to sit out,” Larson said. “Alex is a great teammate for us at Hendrick Motorsports.”
Larson said everyone on the team hopes Bowman can return once he is fully comfortable behind the wheel again.
“He’s just a good guy and a great teammate,” Larson said. “You just want to see him get back in the car and feel confident in what he’s doing.”
Bowman Has Overcome Setbacks Before
Bowman has faced adversity before during his NASCAR career but has repeatedly returned to competitive form.
The Tucson native became a full-time Hendrick Motorsports driver in 2018 after previously serving as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. the year prior.
Since then, Bowman has won eight NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning with his first victory at Chicagoland Speedway in 2019. His most recent win came during the 2024 Chicago Street Course race.
He also missed time during the 2022 season after suffering a concussion in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway but returned later that year.
Hendrick Motorsports Prioritizing Bowman’s Recovery
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews said Bowman continues working with doctors while the organization monitors his progress.
“He’s put a lot into the recovery process,” Andrews said. “Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Vertigo can cause dizziness and balance issues, symptoms that can be especially challenging for race car drivers competing at speeds over 180 mph.
For now, Bowman remains focused on getting healthy while Hendrick Motorsports continues to support its longtime driver.
Carson Hocevar Makes Blunt Comments on Las Vegas Speed
Carson Hocevar was tight-lipped following Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session in Las Vegas. The driver of the No. 77 will roll off 19th in today’s (March 15) Pennzoil 400 in Sin City.
When speaking to the media following his qualifying run, the Spire Motorsports driver was not thrilled with the way he performed.
Carson Hocevar on his qualifying run: ‘We’re just slow’
During the media scrum, Hocevar addressed his qualifying lap.
“I don’t know. The sim wasn’t very good, so we just kinda showed up with notes and it’s just been a handful to drive,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar’s Spire teammate, Daniel Suarez, posted a 13th-place qualifying run. Meanwhile, their other team car, Michael McDowell wound up with a 30th-place effort.
Although Suarez was able to run a faster lap, Hocevar believes all three of Spire Motorsports’ cars are having difficulties in Las Vegas.
“It seemed like they were fighting the same issues in practice,” Hocevar said.
When asked what he believed happened on his qualifying run that resulted in the 19th-place starting spot, Hocevar made a blunt remark.
“We’re just slow,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was also asked if aspects from last year’s Las Vegas race would help in performance on Sunday. The 23-year-old was optimistic about the things they “could change” on his No. 77 machine, but was definite if it would make a difference.
“Hopefully, the stuff we’re allowed to change can get us there. Stuff we weren’t allowed to change is similar to last year. Hopefully, that can be the case,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was asked a few off-topic questions, such as if he felt a difference in the increase in horsepower at certain tracks. Last week, the Cup cars ran at 750 horsepower, where they previously ran at 670.
Despite the increase, Hocevar didn’t sense any change.
“No, not really,” Hocevar said.
In another off-topic question, Hocevar was asked about the significance of this year marking 20 years since the release of the hit Pixar movie “Cars.”
Yet, after his performance in qualifying on Saturday, Hocevar wasn’t wanting to talk about movies.
“I qualified like [expletive] and I got to get asked about Cars,” Hocevar said.
Carson Hocevar still seeking first Cup Series win
Amid his third full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series competition, Carson Hocevar has yet to capture a checkered flag. Amid struggles in qualifying, Hocevar aims to seek his first victory in today’s Cup race at Las Vegas in his 86th start.
Unfortunately for Hocevar, he has also struggled to find results at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In five career starts at the 1.5-mile track, Hocevar has posted a best finish of 15th, while finishing 30th or worse three times.
In total, Hocevar has 16 career top-10 finishes and four top-five efforts in the NASCAR Cup Series. His best finish came last June at Nashville Superspeedway, where he ran runner-up to Ryan Blaney.
In 2026, Hocevar has posted one top-five effort, which was fourth at EchoPark Speedway. He currently sits 15th in the points standings after four races.
The Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway starts today (March 15) at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
NASCAR Odds: Can Kyle Larson Pull off Las Vegas Sweep?
The NASCAR Cup Series circuit takes on Sin City today (March 15) for the running of the Pennzoil 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race around the 1.5-mile track is scheduled for 267 laps and 400 miles.
Entering today’s race, Kyle Larson aims to pull off the weekend sweep after winning yesterday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. Meanwhile, a group of Toyotas will look to upset the two-time and defending Cup Series champion.
Ahead of the fifth race of the 2026 Cup Series season, this is a look at the odds.
Kyle Larson enters Sunday as the favorite to win
After a fifth-place qualifying effort and a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, it’s no surprise Larson is the odds-on favorite to win on Sunday.
The driver of the No. 5 enters today’s race at +350 to win, via DraftKings Sportsbooks. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is a three-time Las Vegas winner, with his latest victory coming in March 2024.
In his last six races at the track, Larson has totaled three wins, two runner-up finishes, and has placed no worse than 11th in all of them. Larson is aiming for his first Cup-O’Reilly weekend sweep since Bristol in April of last year.
Toyota drivers seek to upset Larson at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson is not the only driver expected to have a fast race car in today’s race.
Christopher Bell will lead the field to green after earning the pole in Saturday’s qualifying. The driver of the No. 20 enters Sunday with the second-best odds to win at +500.
In the last five Las Vegas races, Bell has posted three top-five finishes, including runner-up efforts in October 2023 and October 2024. However, the Oklahoma native has failed to win in Sin City.
Making up a Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2-3 starting grid, Denny Hamlin starts second in today’s race.
At +550 odds to win, Hamlin secured his 60th career win at Las Vegas the last time the Cup Series raced at the track last October. In the last seven Las Vegas races, the driver of the No. 11 has only one finish worse than 11th.
Chase Elliott, other Cup stars enter as longshots
While many of the usual suspects are favorites to win Sunday’s race, there are a few longshots that are worth watching out for.
One of those is Chase Elliott, who goes into Sunday at +2200 to win. The driver of the No. 9 has struggled to find results at Las Vegas with one top-10 finish in the last six races.
However, Elliott knows how to win on the 1.5-mile tracks as he did last September at the Kansas Speedway.
Ross Chastain is another underdog to watch on Sunday. The driver of the No. 1, at +2800 odds to win, has bagged three top-five finishes and four top-10 efforts in the last five Las Vegas races.
Josh Berry, the defending winner of the Pennzoil 400, enters Sunday at +6500 to win. The driver of the No. 21 captured his first career win in this race one year ago after pacing the field for 18 laps.
The green flag for today’s (March 15) race is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
Bridgestone announces 2026 motorsports activities
Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) announced its motorsports activity plans for 2026. The company will continue to support a wide range of motorsports both in Japan and abroad, from top-tier races to grassroots race events for amateur drivers. The Bridgestone “POTENZA” brand will be at the forefront of four-wheel racing, while the “BATTLAX” brand will power two-wheel competitions. Guided by the fundamental principle that “Tires carry life,” Bridgestone places the safety and peace of mind of all competitors first, delivering tires developed and refined at the track, and contributing to the advancement of motorsports culture. Bridgestone leverages motorsports as a “Mobile Laboratory.” The technologies honed through the relentless pursuit of victory on the racetrack are directly applied to the evolution of consumer-grade and commercial tires, strengthening the Bridgestone brand and delivering new value to its customers.
In top-tier racing, Bridgestone supplies tires under both the “Bridgestone” and “Firestone” brands. The company’s “Bridgestone” tires power Japan’s premier four-wheel racing series, SUPER GT, where teams equipped with Bridgestone Potenza tires have achieved an unprecedented fifth overall series championship in both the GT500 and GT300 classes. On two wheels, Bridgestone BATTLAX-equipped teams have captured the series championship for the fifth consecutive year—and sixth time overall—in the world’s most prestigious endurance motorcycle race, the FIM1 Endurance World Championship (EWC). Meanwhile, the “Firestone” brand, with its 125-year legacy, remains the exclusive tire supplier for the iconic NTT INDYCAR® SERIES2, including the legendary INDY500, supporting the heritage of another exciting motorsport.
Quote from Hiroshi Imai, Vice President and Senior Officer, Global Motorsports Bridgestone Corporation
“Motorsports is the ultimate team sport. Everyone involved will come together as ‘One Team,’ embracing the challenge of motorsports with passion and supplying tires we have poured our hearts and souls into. We hope to bring joy to drivers, riders, teams, and all the fans who come to witness the thrill of racing. I feel as if I’m rolling along with our tires on the track! This year, we are also sharing the voices of 10 of our teammates who work in motorsports tire structural design, material development, production, and motorsports operations. Please look forward to the efforts of our dedicated teammates who work with tires every day, and their passion through “Genbutsu-Genba3” to pursue the ultimate tire performance.”
Motorsports is the “origin” of Bridgestone as a tire manufacturer, and the “Challenge to the Extreme.” We are driven by our “Passion to Turn the World®”—a message that expresses the commitment to enjoying racing, striving for victory, pushing the limits, and supporting a sustainable mobility society together with the company’s teammates and partners. Under this message, Bridgestone will continue to demonstrate the spirit of challenging itself to new extremes through sustainable global motorsports activities, building trust and empathy with all those who share that passion.
Through our sustainable global motorsports activities, Bridgestone remains committed to its “Bridgestone E8 Commitment”4, specifically to “Emotion: Supporting exciting and moving mobility experiences.” Now and always, the company will continue to pour boundless passion into motorsports.
Chris Gabehart to Face Joe Gibbs’ Wrath as Court Agrees to Digging Up ‘Dirty Laundry’
The legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing and former competition director Chris Gabehart just took a significant turn. A federal judge has approved limited expedited discovery in the ongoing JGR lawsuit, potentially exposing private communications tied to Gabehart’s move to Spire Motorsports. While the ruling allows both sides to begin gathering evidence, it also carefully limits how deep either party can dig. At least for now.
Judge allows limited expedited discovery
At the center of the ruling is the legal process known as discovery, where both sides gather evidence such as emails, messages, and documents before a trial begins. In this case, the court approved expedited discovery, meaning the process will move quickly due to the temporary restraining order already in place. However, Judge Rodriguez made it clear the discovery would remain extremely narrow in scope.
Most importantly, the materials being requested are limited largely to documents and communications that Gabehart himself possesses. That distinction matters because it prevents Joe Gibbs Racing from immediately digging through the internal records of Spire Motorsports.
In other words, the early stage of this legal fight will focus almost entirely on Gabehart’s own messages, files, and communications rather than a broad investigation of Spire’s operations.
What the judge allowed JGR to see
While the ruling restricted the scope of discovery, it still gives Joe Gibbs Racing access to several potentially important categories of evidence in the JGR lawsuit.
Hiring communications between Spire and Gabehart
First, JGR can review communications between Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports regarding his hiring. This includes emails, messages, and documents discussing his recruitment and employment. However, the judge placed a key restriction: JGR can only access copies that Gabehart personally possesses. Spire itself does not yet have to hand over its internal records.
Possible legal protection promises
JGR also wants to determine whether Spire promised to protect Gabehart legally if a dispute with his former employer emerged. Specifically, they are looking for evidence that Spire offered to cover legal costs or shield Gabehart if Joe Gibbs Racing accused him of violating his contract, stealing trade secrets, or sharing confidential information. Again, the ruling allows access only to Gabehart’s own copies of such communications.
Recruitment and employment discussions
The judge also approved discovery of communications related to Gabehart’s recruitment and hiring process at Spire Motorsports. These materials could shed light on how early negotiations began and whether any confidential information from Joe Gibbs Racing was discussed during that process.
Documents about his role at Spire
Another approved category in the JGR lawsuit involves documents describing Gabehart’s responsibilities as Chief Motorsports Officer at Spire. These materials may help determine whether his new role overlaps with duties he previously performed at Joe Gibbs Racing. Once again, the scope remains limited strictly to documents that Gabehart personally has access to.
Documents created between October 2025 and February 2026
The court also granted access to documents Gabehart created between October 1, 2025, and February 17, 2026, that relate to his transition to Spire. However, both legal teams must still agree on the exact cut-off date, since communications after a certain point may fall under attorney-client privilege.
Requests the judge rejected
Not all of Joe Gibbs Racing’s requests were approved.
The team attempted to obtain communications between Gabehart, other JGR employees, and Spire Motorsports. The judge rejected that request, saying there was currently no clear evidence showing the material would be relevant. JGR also attempted to access communications about race setups, strategy, operations, sponsorship, and staffing decisions. The court ruled those requests were too broad.
Instead, the judge suggested narrowing the focus to the term “analytics.” Both sides must now negotiate what exactly qualifies under that category.
Gabehart also gains access to JGR evidence
The ruling didn’t just benefit Joe Gibbs Racing. Chris Gabehart also received permission to request internal communications from his former employer.
Specifically, Gabehart can seek documents related to Section 6, Paragraph 2 of his employment contract, the clause that reportedly became central to the dispute after he expressed interest in leaving the organization. The key issue is how Joe Gibbs Racing interpreted that clause internally after Gabehart announced his plans.
If internal communications reveal that JGR’s leadership had different interpretations (or doubts about the clause’s enforceability), it could weaken their case in court. For Gabehart’s legal team, this discovery could potentially expose inconsistencies in how the contract was understood inside the organization.
Both sides must negotiate details
Before the discovery process fully begins, the judge ordered both parties to meet and finalize the exact parameters of the evidence exchange for the JGR lawsuit. That includes defining which documents fall under terms like “analytics,” as well as confirming the precise timeline for discoverable communications. Both sides were given a tight deadline to reach an agreement. Once those details are finalized, the judge will issue a formal written order outlining the discovery process.
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) extended
Another key part of the ruling involves the temporary restraining order currently affecting Gabehart. The judge extended the order, which prevents Chris Gabehart from performing duties similar to his former competition director role at Joe Gibbs Racing while working for Spire Motorsports. The restriction now runs through March 26 at 11:59 PM, temporarily limiting how fully Gabehart can participate in his new position.
What this means for the legal battle
Strategically, the ruling in the JGR lawsuit may slightly favor Gabehart and Spire Motorsports, at least in the short term.
First, Spire successfully avoided broad discovery requests that could have forced the team to open its internal systems and communications.
Second, limiting the evidence pool to Gabehart’s own documents significantly reduces the volume of materials JGR can examine during this early phase.
Third, Gabehart gaining access to internal Joe Gibbs Racing communications introduces a new layer of risk for the organization if those messages reveal conflicting interpretations of his contract.
The temporary restraining order extension keeps the status quo intact for now, but the discovery process could quickly reshape the case.
“I Really Wanted to… Fight”: Daniel Suárez Publicly Calls Out Ross Chastain Following Heated Las Vegas Exchange
While it was just a push on Sunday, things could’ve gotten uglier between Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain. Following the on-track incidents in Vegas, when the Spire Motorsports driver went to confront the Trackhouse star, the heated exchange quickly escalated to Chastain pushing his former teammate. And Suarez recently confessed his side of the story.
Daniel Suarez was left sad and angry with Ross Chastain in Vegas
During a recap of his weekend in Las Vegas on his YouTube channel, Daniel Suarez revealed what was going on in his head during his confrontation with Ross Chastain. He claimed that what happens on the track happens there only, which is part of racing. However, what really upset him and made him sad was what happened after the race.
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He claimed he has known Chastain for a long time and has also known that he and his former teammate are ‘very different’ people. But despite that understanding, it was what Chastain said that got to Daniel Suarez.
“I always respect him. But the kind of words that he said after the race is just completely unacceptable. Like that’s chicken stuff. That’s not good. I lost a lot of respect for him as a person. Because that’s just not good. It’s not a good look for him and not look for kind of person that he is.
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“I was getting fired up to fight but what I was going to gain, I mean there is nothing to gain with that, he’s not the kind of person I really want to fight, but yeah, I mean just disappointed,” he explained.
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Suarez claimed that Chastain also didn’t have his facts right about the on-track incidents between them in Vegas. The Spire driver revealed that Chastain denied hitting him. But he emphasized that is part of racing, those things one can move on from. However, the words and comments that Chastain made, Daniel Suarez said, crossed a line, which is ‘the sad part.’
This is a developing story.
Bowman’s season may as well be over after unfortunate injury update
A Tuesday update regarding the health of Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman may have put a dagger into the season of Bowman and the No. 48 HMS team.
Hendrick Motorsports announced Tuesday that Bowman will miss the next three Cup Series races at Darlington, Martinsville and Bristol. Bowman has missed the last two races at Phoenix and Las Vegas with vertigo symptoms.
Justin Allgaier, who filled in for Bowman at Las Vegas, will pilot the No. 48 Chevrolet in those three races.
Alex Bowman’s season is essentially over
Missing five races would be incredibly detrimental for Bowman regardless, but given his incredibly poor start to the season, his chances of making the Chase and competing for a championship are extremely low.
Bowman is last (36th) of full-time drivers in the standings, accruing only 23 points through the first three races of the season.
He’s already 232 points behind points leader Tyler Reddick and 94 behind Shane van Gisbergen, who is currently the 16th and final driver in the provisional 16-driver Chase field through five races.
If Bowman were to return at Kansas Speedway on April 19, he would need a waiver from NASCAR, which he’d almost assuredly receive for medical reasons, and a herculean effort to make up ground and be in the top-16 by the end of the 26-race regular season.
Alex Bowman sidelined for 3 more NASCAR races with vertigo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss at least the next three NASCAR Cup Series races while he recovers from vertigo.
Bowman had to exit the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas because he was not feeling well. He was replaced mid-race and diagnosed with vertigo, and has missed races at Phoenix and Las Vegas since.
Myatt Snider drove the No. 48 Chevrolet at COTA, Anthony Alfredo drove at Phoenix and Justin Allgaier drove Sunday at Las Vegas.
Allgaier will fill in for Bowman again starting this weekend at Darlington Raceway, then at Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see how hard he’s working to get back behind the wheel, and we’re looking forward to his return when he’s medically cleared. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports is 100 percent behind Alex.”
Bowman is 36th in the Cup standings, 232 points behind leader Tyler Reddick and 94 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suárez and AJ Allmendinger, who are tied for 16th place. The top 16 drivers qualify for NASCAR’s playoffs.
Bowman is coming off a 2025 season where he made the postseason and finished 13th in the standings. The 32-year-old from Tucson, Arizona, has eight wins, 46 top fives and 112 top 10s in 364 Cup starts over 12 seasons.
His best finish in the final standings was sixth in 2020 for Hendrick Motorsports, where he has been as a full-time driver since 2018.
Bowman was also supposed to drive in NASCAR’s second-tier series for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet at Darlington on Saturday. Kyle Larson, Bowman’s Hendrick teammate and winner in the same car Saturday at Las Vegas, will replace him.
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Hendrick Motorsports Faces Major Setback after Alex Bowman Misses Multiple Races Leaving Playoff Dreams Hanging by a Thread
Alex Bowman’s vertigo left Hendrick Motorsports three-legged in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. As per recent developments, their pain has an extensive date, as the #48 driver will be gone for weeks, leaving them with no choice but to remain with Dale Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports star for the upcoming races.
Alex Bowman unsure in the near future?
As per recent reports, Hendrick Motorsports confirmed that Alex Bowman will not be available to race in the #48 car for three more race weekends, at Darlington, Martinsville, and Bristol. As a result, HMS will continue to field Justin Allgaier, the JR Motorsports star driver.
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“Hendrick Motorsports says Alex Bowman will miss “at least the next three races” as he recovers from vertigo,” NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck wrote on X. “Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 car at Darlington, Martinsville, and Bristol.”
Bowman’s missed races will make his playoff journey, which has now changed to Chase, more difficult than ever. Although NASCAR will grant him a waiver for the Chase, the #48 driver needs to cover up several points to keep himself within 16 drivers and be eligible for the title.
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“NASCAR would grant a waiver, I would think, when he returns that would allow him to be eligible if he reaches top-16 in points, but that will be nearly impossible after the start he had. He’s 94 points behind cutoff now so likely at least 150 points behind after three more races,” NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass wrote.
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Alex Bowman participated in the first three races this season before getting ruled out due to vertigo. In the three races that he participated in, Bowman failed to gather enough points to put himself at an advantageous position.
With the 40th, 23rd, and 36th place finishes, the HMS Star is now in 36th place with just 23 points. With races running out for the top-16 berth, Bowman will need to claim multiple wins to fancy himself a chance.
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Shane van Gisbergen is currently in 16th place with 117 points. Moreover, the competition is incredibly tough this season as there is just one point’s difference between four drivers (118-117).
However, the equation will only work when Alex Bowman returns to the track to race. Meanwhile, HMS and Bowman can focus on the #48 driver’s speedy recovery amid wishes from his teammate, Kyle Larson.
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Alex Bowman’s HMS teammate lends support
Alex Bowman’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Kyle Larson, shared his thoughts on the #48 driver’s situation. Addressing how Bowman did not have an easy racing career, the defending champion said:
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“He’s gone through a lot in his career as a race car driver – even back before NASCAR – and having some injuries and a broken back a couple of years ago,” Kyle Larson told RACER. “The concussion. Now this. It’s tough. He’s a great guy and a great teammate. I hope they can figure out how to cure him quickly and get him back with us all.”
Bowman was diagnosed with vertigo after he fell sick during the COTA Cup Series race. As a result, HMS put Myatt Snider to replace him immediately at that race, and then put Anthony Alfredo in the #48 car at Phoenix.
However, Rick Hendrick’s team brought in JR Motorsports’ star driver Justin Allgaier to fill in for Bowman in the upcoming races. With that said, it will be interesting to see if Allgaier can make the most of his opportunity.
Seater British Stadium With the Best Atmosphere He Ever Played in
Roy Keane saw and achieved almost everything during his long and decorated football career. The combative yet highly skilled midfielder dominated the Premier League with Manchester United and competed at the highest level in the Champions League during the club’s powerful era under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Captaining the club to seven league titles and a famous European Cup triumph, Keane remains one of the most influential figures in Manchester United’s history. Opponents often dreaded travelling to Old Trafford to face a Keane-led United side, with many feeling beaten before the match had even kicked off.
Whether it was the endless stream of elite players in Ferguson’s squad or the deafening support from the home crowd, United frequently won the psychological battle long before the physical contest began on the pitch. But among all the stadiums he visited, which away ground did Keane believe produced the best atmosphere?
Roy Keane in No Doubt About Best Atmosphere
Despite becoming accustomed to the incredible noise generated at Old Trafford every week, it still took something special to impress the Irishman. Yet when asked about his favourite away ground during an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Keane didn’t take long to answer:
Ohtani back in Miami, where he’s had some magical moments
MIAMI (AP) — Shohei Ohtani calls Miami’s loanDepot Park, the site of the knockout rounds of this year’s World Baseball Classic, one of his favorite stadiums.
It’s not hard to imagine why. It’s the place where he delivered two of baseball’s quintessential moments from the last few years.
It’s the ballpark where, on Sept. 19, 2024, he entered — created, really — baseball’s 50-50 club. All Ohtani did that night: go 6 for 6, hit three home runs, steal two bases, drive in 10 runs, become the first player ever to reach 50 homers and 50 steals in a season. And if that wasn’t enough, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a playoff berth that night to officially begin down the path of what has become back-to-back World Series titles.
And in 2023, the last time he wore the Japan uniform in Miami, Ohtani delivered the knockout punch in the WBC — striking out Mike Trout, his then-teammate with the Los Angeles Angels, on a full-count curve to seal Japan’s 3-2 win over the U.S. in the title game.
Ohtani is back, and so is Japan, looking for another title. They worked out on the Miami Marlins’ field Thursday, two days before they’ll take on Venezuela in a WBC quarterfinal game.
“This is the place I have very good memories,” Ohtani said through an interpreter Thursday.
Ohtani has won three consecutive MVP awards — one in the AL, then two in the NL since joining the Dodgers — and was the AL’s MVP in 2021 as well. That’s four in five seasons, something only Barry Bonds (who won four of his seven MVPs consecutively) has done in baseball history.
All four of Ohtani’s MVP awards have come in unanimous votes. He was MVP of the 2023 WBC as well, and if Japan — the only three-time champion in the event’s history — wins again, Ohtani will have yet another reason to celebrate in Miami.
It won’t end exactly the same way this year, since Ohtani isn’t pitching in this year’s WBC, but another title — however it arrives — would be good enough. He likes Miami, likes the memories he has there, but knows it’s time to create new ones.
“Of course, I’m not going to bring memories to the next game,” Ohtani said. “But I think there is a very positive influence to myself.”
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Hutchins’ new barbecue restaurant in Dallas-Fort Worth is now open
Visitors to Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers games in Arlington might be able to smell the smoke from The Original Roy Hutchins Barbeque before they pull into the parking lot.
The massive new restaurant, open as of March 12, 2026, is situated between Fort Worth and Dallas on Interstate 30. Its 10 puffing smokestacks beckon tourists and locals alike for a bite of brisket. Crowds are welcome; there’s room for more than 450 people in the restaurant’s five sprawling rooms.
Zack Hutchins, grandson of the restaurant’s namesake and the director of operations, said expanding from Trophy Club into Arlington was important for the company growth.
Beyond football and baseball fans traveling to D-FW, the FIFA World Cup will bring people from all over the world to Arlington in summer 2026. Soccer games will take place less than a mile south of Hutchins.
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“It’s always nice to have regulars,” Zack Hutchins said, “but here, we also have a chance to feed people for the first time — to give them their first Texas barbecue experience.
Barcelona have Bastoni transfer hope despite high Inter price tag
According to Tuttosport, the hostile reception Alessandro Bastoni receives at Italian stadiums could encourage the Italy international to consider a move to Barcelona, though Inter are unwilling to sell the defender for less than €70m.
Inter are unwilling to sell their star defender Bastoni even if the Nerazzurri could be tempted by offers in the region of €70m, reports Tuttosport (via FCInter1908).
The Italian newspaper claims that neither the Serie A giants nor their defender are currently considering a summer split, but this doesn’t mean Barcelona are without hope.
Inter, in fact, might sit down for offers worth €70m, while Bastoni could be tempted to leave at the end of the season, especially after the hostile welcome he has received in Italian stadiums over the last few weeks.
Fans across Italy are still targeting the Italy international following an incident that led to a red card for Pierre Kalulu in a Serie A match between Inter and Juventus in February.
Tuttosport quotes Spanish sources saying that Barcelona director Deco has already met the player’s entourage.
Want to pop the question at the next Yanks or Mets game? Pay up!
Baseball fans in the New Jersey/New York area who have wedding plans on their minds as the season starts soon should be prepared to dig deep if they want everyone in the ballpark to know they are proposing.
Citi Field in Queens, NY, the home of the New York Mets, charges $1,500 for a video-board marriage proposal, the highest amount among the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, according to a recent survey by the sports betting website Sportsbook Review. The home base for the New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, charges $150.
However, the reported costs for proposals at both stadiums do not tell the whole story, as indicated on their team websites.
The $1,500 Citi Field price tag is for a package that includes tickets for the home game where the proposal will take place, a parking pass, scoreboard video, and a message for the proposal. Contact the stadium for more pricing information.
Story continues below photo gallery
The $150 at Yankee Stadium is a fan marquee message during the game. But for $2,000 and up, there’s a deal that includes an enhanced scoreboard display, a Yankee Stadium tour, and access to various locations around the park for a photo shoot, such as the batters’ deck on the morning of a home game. Contact the stadium for more information.
Fans of the other professional sports teams that play on both sides of the Hudson River, who are looking to pop the question, televised in front of an audience, can also expect to shell out some dough for the privilege.
Madison Square Garden in Manhattan charges between $125-$150 for video displays of proposals for New York Rangers and New York Knicks home games. The Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, charges $100.
MetLife Stadium, which the New York Giants and New York Jets call home, does not list a fee. Prudential Center in Newark, where the New Jersey Devils play, and the UBS Arena on Long Island, where the New York Islanders play, also do not list a fee. But contact the various venues to find out if and what they charge for displaying proposals.
Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration, and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
Twitter/X: @ricardokaul
Kyle Kirkwood wins another IndyCar street race, this one to be first winner in Arlington
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kyle Kirkwood keeps taking it to the streets in IndyCar, and this time he won a new race to take over the series lead.
Kirkwood made an aggressive pass below four-time series champion Alex Palou with 15 laps to go, stayed in front the rest of the way and took the checkered flag for the Grand Prix of Arlington under caution Sunday. It was his sixth career win, the fifth on a street course.
On a day when Andretti Global had some pit issues, including a long stop for Kirkwood, all three of its Hondas finished in the top four while combining to lead 47 of the race’s 70 laps. Will Power was third for a podium finish while Marcus Ericsson, who started on the pole for the first time in his 171 series starts, led 15 laps and was fourth.
The winning pass by Kirkwood, a 27-year-old from Jupiter, Florida, came on the last of 14 turns on the temporary 2.73-mile circuit that ran between the home stadiums of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers.
Palou, who finished second, described the pass by Kirkwood as awesome.
While matching Kirkwood and Power for a race-high 16 laps led, Palou wasn’t able to regain the series points lead. The three-time defending champion had been on top of the IndyCar standings since June 2024 before not finishing in Phoenix last weekend after early contact. But he did move up from fifth to second behind new leader Kirkwood.
A final sprint for the checkered flag never materialized because of a collision in the back of the field on the restart as Kirkwood and Palou were beginning the final lap. That crash in the tight 14th turn brought out a full-course caution, and safety crews were still on the track when they got back around nearly two minutes later to cross the finish line.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Quiz: Can You Name the 2026 World Cup Stadiums?
The 2026 World Cup stands to be the biggest of all time—literally.
For the first time in competition history, the World Cup will be held across three different countries. The United States, Canada and Mexico are all gearing up for a share of the festivities, with no fewer than 16 different stadiums selected to host games from the group stage all the way up to the final.
Want to test your knowledge? Take our quiz and see if you can put a name to a picture of each famous venue lined up for a role at the 2026 World Cup.
A World Cup for the History Books
With three host countries, the 2026 World Cup will become the grandest tournament in history in that regard, but it will only rank third on the all-time list when it comes to the number of stadiums used.
Leading the way when it comes to host venues is the 2002 World Cup, shared between Japan and South Korea, Both countries offered up 10 stadiums each to reach a grand total of 20, headlined by the 70,000-seater Yokohama International Stadium.
That tournament broke the record previously set by the 1982 iteration of the tournament in Spain, when a total of 17 stadiums shared hosting duties for 52 matches. Barcelona’s Camp Nou saw the most games played on its famous turf but missed out on the final, which was contested at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu.
Now, with 2026’s World Cup celebrations inching closer, no fewer than 16 cities are preparing to welcome fans from across the globe.
Of those 16 stadiums, 11 are based in the United States, with three in Mexico and two calling Canada home.
The largest venue braced to play a part in the celebrations is the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, which holds up to 94,000 fans. While usually reserved for the Dallas Cowboys, it has plenty of soccer experience after hosting Concacaf Gold Cup action over the years. It will play host to one of the semifinals.
Mexico City’s famous Estadio Azteca sits marginally behind on the capacity charts at 83,000, just 500 more than MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will have the honor of hosting the final at the end of the summer.
BC Place in Vancouver will be Canada’s largest venue for the tournament. The home of the Vancouver Whitecaps can host 54,000 fans and will host games up to the round of 16.
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
LA28 Olympic soccer schedule reveals most matches not in LA
They call it the Los Angeles Olympics, but when it comes to soccer, the game is packing a suitcase.
The LA28 organizing committee pulled back the curtain Tuesday, and the message was clear: This tournament belongs to the country, not just to the City of Angels.
Out of 58 total matches, only five — yes, five — will touch down in the Los Angeles-Orange County footprint. The rest? Scattered across Major League Soccer stadiums in San Diego, St. Louis, Nashville, Columbus, New York and San Jose.
It’s a logistical pivot, but not a reckless one. Smaller soccer-specific venues — ranging from intimate 18,000-seat bowls to 35,000-seat stages — offer something that oversized stadiums cannot: Atmosphere that breathes.
After underwhelming attendance numbers at the Paris Olympics in 2024, organizers chose precision over pageantry. Fill the house. Let the game echo. It also gives fans outside Los Angeles the chance to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics by seeing matches closer to home.
The Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena still gets its moment, cradling both gold medal matches on July 28 and 29, plus a pair of semifinals and a quarterfinal. But even that iconic stage is on a pitch count, limited by concerns over field wear and security strain. In a twist of Olympic irony, Los Angeles’ own MLS homes — BMO Stadium and Dignity Health Sports Park — won’t host soccer at all, instead shifting to flag football, lacrosse, rugby and archery.
The tournament itself begins before the Olympic flame is even lit — men’s matches kick off July 10, four days ahead of the Opening Ceremony, stretching across a 20-day marathon that gives players rare breathing room between matches.
If you want in, don’t wait. Registration for the first LA28 ticket draw is open now at tickets.la28.org, with the initial wave dropping April 2–6 (presale) and April 9–19 for the general public. Over five million fans have already raised their hands to secure a spot in the stadium.
Northwestern OT Caleb Tiernan is a college rarity – and a future pro
Offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan has played for two different head coaches, two different offensive coordinators and in two different home stadiums. He’s played in a conference with 14 teams — and one with 18 teams.
What’s unusual is that Tiernan did it all at one place.
The Northwestern offensive tackle is the rarest of modern college athletes — one that stayed at the same school for five years. He’s leaving school having played more than 3,000 snaps and having started the last 38 games at left tackle.
Tiernan stuck around, even as Northwestern changed coaches, the Big Ten expanded and college football turned into a free-for-all. He rode a rollercoaster — the Wildcats went 3-9 and 1-11 the two years before Pat Fitzgerald was fired and then 8-5, 4-8 and 7-5 under David Braun — and didn’t ask to get off.
“Transferring is not always bad,” Braun said Tuesday. “But this illusion that transferring is always a good thing is a bunch of B.S.”
The Livonia, Michigan, native has a simple explanation for why he stayed.
“When I made a commitment as a high schooler, I didn’t just commit to the staff,” he said. “I committed to the guys in the locker room and to the school.”
Soon, he’ll get to know a new locker room. Tiernan is expected to be picked in Round 2 or 3 of next month’s NFL draft. Scouts from 30 of 32 teams — including the Bears — watched Tiernan work out at Northwestern’s on-campus pro day Tuesday. Some asked about why he never transferred.
“Really, you just hope it shows that I’m committed and I just love those guys in the locker room,” he said.
At 6-foot-8, 323 pounds, Tiernan was the tallest tackle at the NFL Scouting Combine — and one of the best pass-blockers in the draft. Physically, he’s eerily similar to Ozzy Trapilo, another 6-8 player, who, the Bears took in Round 2 last year. Unlike Trapilo, though, Tiernan’s arms are considered short for his position. They’re 32 ¼ inches long — below the 33-inch ideal for the position.
Because of the arm length question, Tiernan has told scouts he’d be comfortable playing guard at the next level. That’s what happened to Peter Skoronski, Tiernan’s former Northwestern teammate. The Titans drafted him No. 11 overall in 2023 as a tackle, though there were concerns about his short arms. He quickly became of the league’s best guards, starting all but three games over the past three years.
The Bears don’t need a guard, but Tiernan’s versatility could be attractive. He could help fill in for the injured Trapilo this year and move inside in the future.
Skoronski has counseled Tiernan about the pre-draft process. Skoronski and Rashawn Slater, both tackles, are two of the Wildcats’ three first-round picks of the last 20 years. Tiernan could become the first Northwestern player taken in either Rounds 2 or 3 during that same span.
Braun is proud of that offensive line legacy, though quick to give Tiernan the credit for his own success. He stuck around.
“I think sometimes with college recruiting it’s so easy to say, ‘Look at all these guys we got drafted — it’s all because of us,’” he said. “No. … You’re not the only one responsible for that success. It’s about finding the right young men.”
Why Taylor Fritz Should Skip Clay Court Season
Few, if any, of the ATP’s top-tier players can match Taylor Fritz’s workload. The American star rarely takes a break from the marathon schedule, and the mileage is starting to take a toll on his body.
Over the past year, Fritz has begun to share more details of his injury management. Yet, the 28-year-old continues to push through despite myriad nagging injuries.
Speaking with reporters at the Miami Open on Monday, Fritz revealed that he is considering skipping the upcoming clay court season if his knee tendonitis does not improve.
Fritz’s Comments
Humanoid robot seen playing tennis with humans in video
Can a robot keep up with Serena Williams?
Researchers have taught a humanoid robot to play tennis with humans — and it can hold its own.
Chinese AI robotic company Galbot designed software to teach a Unitree G1 humanoid robot to play tennis against a human engineer.
The company posted a video to social media showing a white robot holding what appears to be an unmodified tennis racket and using it to return the ball as it shuffles across the court.
“Your humanoid tennis player is here!” Galbot wrote on X. “For the first time, a humanoid robot can sustain high-dynamic, long-horizon tennis rallies with millisecond-level reactions, precise ball striking, and natural whole-body motion.”
“This marks a leap from mechanical motion imitation to intelligent, decision-driven athletic interaction.”
The software is dubbed LATENT (Learning Athletic Humanoid Tennis Skills from Imperfect Human Motion Data), and the company claims it’s the world’s first real-time whole-body planning and control algorithm for athletic humanoid tennis.
According to a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper, the system had to rely on “imperfect human motion data” consisting only of “motion fragments that capture the primitive skills used when playing tennis” rather than clean motion capture from “real-world tennis matches.”
The short fragments of human movement used were made up of things like forehand swings, backhand strokes and basic footwork. These motion fragments become a library of movement building blocks which the robot stitches together and figures out how to combine them in real time.
When it comes to wrist control, the robot’s high-level controller directly adjusts the wrist during play rather than using the “imperfect” data.
The robot can sustain multi-shot tennis matches with humans, reacting to balls traveling over 15 meters per second, which is about 33.5 miles per hour, and manages to produce coordinated strokes and footwork.
The movements produced look relatively natural — especially for a robot. It’s not exactly fluid like a human, but it’s not rigid and robotic either.
“Our key insight is that, despite being imperfect, such quasi-realistic data still provide priors about human primitive skills in tennis scenarios,” the researchers found.
“With further correction and composition, we learn a humanoid policy that can consistently strike incoming balls under a wide range of conditions and return them to target locations, while preserving natural motion styles.”
In simulation tests, the system achieved up to 96% success in forehand shots.
However, the engineers said that the software could be useful beyond the ability to play tennis.
“Although this work primarily focuses on the tennis return task, the proposed framework has the potential to generalize to a broader range of tasks where complete and high-quality human motion data are unavailable,” they noted.
If a robot can learn a complicated physical skill like tennis from imperfect data, it suggests that similar approaches can work for real-world tasks as well.
Sabalenka says she might avoid Dubai after tourney director’s remarks
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., March 17 (UPI) — Aryna Sabalenka said Tuesday that she could skip future editions of the Dubai Tennis Championships because of a slight by tournament director Salah Tahlak.
The top-ranked Belarusian made the comments at Miami Open media day in Miami Gardens, Fla. Sabalenka withdrew from the WTA 1000 event last month, saying she did “not feel 100%.” She competed in the previous nine editions of the tournament.
No. 3 Iga Swiatek of Poland also withdrew from the tournament. She cited a “change of schedule.” The stars’ absences led to a scathing statement from Tahlak, who questioned their excuses for not participating.
“It was an unfortunate surprise [Feb. 13] to get news of the withdrawal of Aryna and Iga,” Tahlak told The National. “And the reasons for withdrawal were a bit strange. Iga said she wasn’t mentally ready to compete, while Sabalenka said she has some minor injuries.”
The Dubai event is one of 10 mandatory WTA 1000 tournaments on the tennis calendar. Players who miss the events without injury or an approved reason receive zero-point rankings penalties
Tahlak suggested “a harsher punishment” than fines for player withdrawals, including a docking of rankings points. Sabalenka called his comments “ridiculous.”
“It’s actually so sad to see that the tournament director and the tournaments are not protecting us as players,” Sabalenka said. “They just care about their tournament and that’s it, and his comment was ridiculous.
“I’m not sure if I ever want to go there, like, after his comment. For me, it’s too much.”
No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States also said she “didn’t really like Tahlak’s comments.
“I just feel Iga and Aryna have played that tournament so many times and it wasn’t anything personal to it,” Gauff said. “It’s tough. We’re trying our best to play the calendar. It’s tough. I completely understand why she would feel like that because I do think the comments were unnecessary.
“I think that tournament directors, players, everyone just has to hear each other out and understand. Unfortunately, I think that was a moment where people weren’t being understanding. I think we just need to try to understand each other.”
Sabalenka is among several players to recently suggest an overhaul of the tennis calendar. The WTA announced a 13-person Tour Architecture Council last month to address the “physical, professional and personal pressures of competing at the highest level.”
No. 5 Jessica Pegula of the United States chairs the council.
Sabalenka, who recently became engaged to boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, said she felt “happy, confident and strong” before her first match of the 2026 Miami Open. She beat Pegula in the women’s singles final last year in Miami Gardens.
The four-time Grand Slam champion earned a first-round bye and will start her title Miami defense Thursday with a Round of 64 match against No. 39 Ann Li of the United States or a qualifier/lucky loser.
Tennis Superstar Daniil Medvedev’s Bags Missing Ahead of Miami Open
Daniil Medvedev is on the verge of another signature outburst — the tennis superstar is begging for assistance after touching down in Florida for the Miami Open … only for his bags not to arrive.
The Russian pro went to social media to explain his current situation … saying he could use
Solo training is reinvented – PONGBOT’s AI robots will get you match-ready like a 24/7 coach
Game improvement is not only about techniques for athletes, but is a result of continuous practice. A reliable training partner, quality coaching with a coordinated schedule can be quite tricky, especially for players training independently.
This gap has been a core focus that sports technology has been working on to overcome.
Pongbot is one prominent investor, founded in 2019, that has developed AI training robots aimed at smarter training, improving endurance, and speed to be match-ready for athletes even during solo practice.
Its robotic training system is built combining detailed engineering with AI automation that can effortlessly adapt to the player’s movements, one step at a time.
Athletes can also customize their training sessions through the easy-to-use mobile app, which contains in-depth analyzed match data. Pongbot, in collaboration with player communities across the world, like Germany, Australia, the United States, Italy, etc., focuses on growing the smart sports ecosystem globally.
Scaling from Table Tennis Tech to AI Tennis Court
Early innovation by Pongbot began at the training space for table tennis with robotic ball servers made for improving reflexes, spin control and practice consistency. This came with the realization that other serving machines, too, came with similar limitations in their function; repetitive ball feeds with no adaptation to player movements.
Practice turned out to be predictable and not reflective of real matches.
To change this, Pongbot started developing training robots using extensive match data with its proprietary AI system, PongSmart algorithm. Resulting in the training robots reading player positioning accurately, then dynamically adjusting their ball throw. Leading to the innovation of Pongbot Pace S series, an AI tennis training system made to overcome all the conventional limitations of ball machines.
Since launch, the Pace S series has received lots of positive response, raising more than $2.7 million on Kickstarter, and it secured 69 R&D patents while becoming the #1 Tech & Sports campaign on Kickstarter 2024.
This ultimately earned Pongbot massive recognition from sports influencers as well as professional tennis media, Tennis.com.
NextGen Robotic Tennis kit: Pace S Pro
Among all the innovations by Pongbot, at its centre is Pongbot Pace S Pro, a flagship tennis lineup designed precisely to re-enact a real-time rally at the court as it adapts to each player and their practice techniques.
What makes it different?
It doesn’t just fire balls during training at the same set location; using ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking technology, it can accurately position its throw up to 10 cm. Moreover, the 100Hz tracking rate enables the robot to monitor movements, 3X faster than the usual camera-driven systems. Working absolutely great on both low-light and bright outdoor courts, setting a completely new benchmark for tennis ball machines as automated trainers.
This gives a match-like competition to the athletes without the entire experience being too mechanical, and is ideal for solo practice.
Training Sessions Evolving with Players
Pace S Pro analyses its data to perfect its timing, tracking and intensity during practice drills. So, players training solo can easily run complex shot combinations or try out tricky sequences without worry.
A feature that makes it more intriguing is the Recovery Trigger, a mechanism that only shoots the next ball after the player is back in their designated spot on the court. This shows that the system learns with each practice session, and in no time, it adapts to the drill patterns, improving training with automation.
It can also ensure the natural pace with realistic practice:
Through match-like speed for refining advanced footwork for athletes
Beginners playing for recreation can play without getting overwhelmed
Smart drills delivering pro-level thrills
In bringing smart tennis to the court, Pongbot Pace S Pro goes beyond just intelligent tracking. Pace S Pro has the launch power of up to 80 mph, spins reaching about 60 per second, which can assist the tennis players in training their backspin, heavy topspin, as well as combined shots.
It is completely built for full-court practice, from baseline to net, inclusive of 564+ tennis training routines approved and designed by professional coaches; ready and customizable for the players right from the companion app. Easily set a one-on-one match right from the phone.
Smart game planning through a mobile app can further assist the players to form a signature playing style or recreate the training styles of tennis prodigies like Nadal, Djokovic or Federer for a real-match-like thrill during their practice session. Even when the training machine is offline.
Connected training beyond the machine
For Pongbot, the training robots represent a vast connected training system rather than being just a machine. Connecting the use of this smart training robot with mobile app for setting match trajectories enables the following:
Access to numerous user-generated training practices
Points and rewards with milestones
Track progresses through practice-match data
Download or share drills with the global sports community
Additionally, over-the-air updates in bringing future wearable sensors as part of advanced AI, alongside tennis ball pickers or ball connectors, can lead to smarter training practices.
Table Tennis Robot Joins the Game
Though the latest lineup of Pongbot focuses on Tennis, its table tennis series remains the brand’s core part.
Pongbot Nova S Pro is a portable ball machine, crafted for players looking for a compact yet equally capable training partner. With a launching power of up to 30 to 90 balls per min between 2 and 15m/s, with combined top and backspin, it is designed to be backpack-friendly.
Connecting with the mobile app, players can access over 264 pro-training drills, customizing their game plan with ease.
This is far from basic, but there’s more. The Pongbot Omni S Pro is a series featuring 360° spin adjustment with spins up to 100 per second at speeds up to 15 m/s. Not to miss out the 396 preset drills it has, supported with unlimited custom sessions.
Next comes the Pongbot Halo S Pro, a floor-standing training robot for intense practices. This series is made to support and recreate the tactical sequences, besides the calculative footwork and swing coordination.
It consists of wide oscillation, over 576 preset routines that can be personalised by the players and has 21 speed gears. It is the absolute premium design with app plus remote control and ball-catching net for pro table tennis practice.
Both the models, Omni and Halo, are crafted with the valuable inputs from Chen Bin, a former coach of the Chinese national table tennis team, to ensure these robotic trainers exactly portray the professional techniques.
Get set with Spring Sale Campaign 2026
Coinciding with the start of the training season, Pongbot has also launched its Spring Sale campaign 2026, themed “From Rusty to Ready – Get Back in Form This Spring.” Starting from the 11th of March till 11th of April (PST), Pongbot is bringing up to 45% discounts on its tennis as well as table tennis training robots.
Its flagship model, Pongbot Pace S Pro, stands as the highlight with a massive price drop to $1199.99 from $1999.99, among others, during this sale.
Beyond the exciting offers, customers can also get complimentary accessories or surprise coupons as a newsletter subscriber of Pongbot or spin a lucky wheel for more offers and a free order. The campaign also has a Wish Wall giveaway, a chance for 3 random participants to win a wish from Pongbot.
The campaign, through this comeback season for athletes, brings the opportunity to train smarter with upgraded training robots without burning a hole in their pockets.
Pongbot is redefining smart training for beginners and pro athletes alike. Combining automation with sports routine is an evolution. It is blurring the line between professional coaching and solo training with these robotic training machines, presenting real-match-like challenges for players to adapt to, which could soon make these intelligent training robots as essential to the court as rackets and balls.
Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools to rebuild tennis courts for second time in 4 years
BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — The Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District — for the second time in about four years — will rebuild five tennis courts behind the middle and high schools on Mill Road.
The courts are cracking and ponding, Superintendent Jefferey Harrison told the Board of Education in February.
It began happening just weeks after the last rebuild in 2022-2023.
“We feel that it’s time we need to take it into our own hands and repair it how it should have been done in the first place,” Brian Koss, the district’s safety and facilities coordinator, told the school board Feb. 25.
The school board is expected to vote Wednesday (March 18) on whether to hire Vasco Sports Contractors in Massillon to rebuild the tennis courts.
Vasco offered to perform the work for $302,199, which was the lowest bid.
Other bidders were Precision Engineering & Contracting Inc. in Solon ($349,574), Sona Construction LLC in Cleveland ($380,000), Protect-A-Cote Inc. in Cleveland ($386,000) and Geauga Highway in Middlefield ($475,000).
In February, the board hired ThenDesign Architecture — the same Willoughby firm that designed the tennis courts reconstruction the last time — to design the rebuild once more, for a fee of $19,750.
ThenDesign, as part of its services, has designed the repair of the tennis courts’ asphalt and stormwater lines, according to the company’s proposal to the school district.
Harrison told cleveland.com in an email that the tennis courts were rebuilt in the summer of 2022 by SCG Fields LLC in Brecksville for $607,832.
The courts reopened in fall 2023, about four months after Harrison was hired as superintendent, replacing Joelle Magyar.
This was after board member Mark Dosen, during an August 2019 meeting, noted that the existing courts were old and patched and needed replacing.
At the Feb. 25 board meeting, Koss said the tennis courts have failed sooner than they should have. He said the district had asked several agencies to perform tests in the hope of finding the cause.
Harrison told the board that district officials have worked with SCG Fields on the problem.
“We are in disagreement with them (SCG) on the reason for this,” Harrison said.
“We’ve done every imaginable testing possible to help find out why they (the courts) have failed.
“We believe we know why they have failed and we are taking it into our own hands to replace or remedy the courts and then we will figure it out after that,” Harrison said.
When asked by cleveland.com why the district believes the courts have failed, Harrison said, “The cause is yet to be fully determined.”
Harrison said that before the new tennis courts are built, the existing courts will be deconstructed. Photos and videos will be taken in an effort to find clues to what went wrong.
Harrison said the tennis courts replacement a few years ago was a major project to which residents donated money.
“If our community is going to trust that we do what’s best with the resources they give us, we need to make sure we stand by and give them a good product,” Harrison told the school board.
Harrison said the district will try not to interrupt the boys’ or girls’ tennis seasons when building the courts, but added that construction schedules will depend on the weather.
Sabalenka says she might avoid Dubai after tourney director’s remarks
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., March 17 (UPI) — Aryna Sabalenka said Tuesday that she could skip future editions of the Dubai Tennis Championships because of a slight by tournament director Salah Tahlak.
The top-ranked Belarusian made the comments at Miami Open media day in Miami Gardens, Fla. Sabalenka withdrew from the WTA 1000 event last month, saying she did
Watch: Humanoid Robot Returns Tennis Shots With 96% Accuracy In Simulation Tests
Authored by Atharva Gosavi via Interesting Engineering,
Galbot Robotics has released a video on its official X handle on March 16 showing a humanoid robot rallying tennis shots with a human player in real time.
The demonstration showcases the company’s LATENT system, developed in collaboration with researchers from Tsinghua University and Peking University.
The system was tested on the Unitree G1 humanoid robot, which demonstrated the ability to respond to fast-moving balls, navigate across the court, and sustain rallies with a human opponent.
“For the first time, a humanoid robot can sustain high-dynamic, long-horizon tennis rallies with millisecond-level reactions, precise ball striking, and natural whole-body motion,” Galbot’s X post read.
Teaching robots on limited movement data
One of the key challenges in training robots for sports lies in the lack of accurate human movement data. This is especially true for tennis, where players cover large areas, balls can reach speeds of up to 30 m/s, and racket-ball contact lasts only a few milliseconds.
To address this, the researchers avoided recording full matches. Instead, they focused on collecting short fragments of essential movements such as forehands, backhands, and side steps.
The data were captured using a motion-tracking system within a compact 3×5-meter court, more than 17 times smaller than a standard tennis court. A total of five players contributed approximately five hours of recorded motion data.
From basic motions to coordinated gameplay
Using this dataset, the LATENT system first trains the robot to replicate individual movements.
These learned actions were combined into sequences that allowed the robot to perform specific tasks, including reaching the ball, executing a shot, and returning to a designated position on the court.
To improve real-world performance, the model was trained in a simulation environment where key physical parameters, such as the robot’s and the ball’s mass, friction, and aerodynamics, were randomly varied.
This approach helped reduce the gap between simulated training and real-world conditions.
“Our key insight is that, despite being imperfect, such quasi-realistic data still provide priors about human primitive skills in tennis scenarios,” they said.
“With further correction and composition, we learn a humanoid policy that can consistently strike incoming balls under a wide range of conditions and return them to target locations, while preserving natural motion styles,” they continued.
Real-world validation
In simulation tests, the system achieved up to 96% success in forehand shots. When deployed on a real Unitree G1 robot, it demonstrated the ability to maintain rallies with a human player and consistently return the ball to the opponent’s side of the court.
The researchers noted that this approach could extend beyond tennis to other domains where capturing complete human motion data is difficult, including football, badminton, and other sports-related robotic skills.
“Although this work primarily focuses on the tennis return task, the proposed framework has the potential to generalize to a broader range of tasks where complete and high-quality human motion data are unavailable,” they concluded.
Daniil Medvedev makes plea to United to find his missing bags after flight to Miami Open
Daniil Medvedev found out the hard way that there’s nothing more humbling than air travel.
The tennis star made a public plea to United Airlines after he said it misplaced all of his bags en route to this week’s Miami Open.
“Hi @united…need a little help,” he wrote on X on Tuesday. “Flew from PSP to Florida yesterday and none of my bags arrived. Kind of need them to play in the @MiamiOpen….can you help?” he added, along with a winking emoji.
It didn’t take long for the ATP World No. 10 to receive a response, though he didn’t seem too satisfied.
It was a more generic answer from United, which addressed the case like any middle-of-the-road lost luggage claim, prompting some humorous replies from Medvedev and his followers alike.
“The amount of AI help has been overwhelming,” Medvedev responded with a facepalm and shrugging emojis.
“He’s one of the top tennis players on the planet. This will be a very bad look for you folks if you cannot get him his bags. And Dave Carroll may write and record another song about you too,” another user commented, alluding to the Canadian singer’s viral protest song, “United Breaks Guitars.”
Quipped one more: “I actually appreciate he was treated as sh-ttily as the rest of us.”
It was a chucklesome “reality check” for Medvedev, who had just handed World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz his first loss of the year on his way to the Indian Wells final.
Medvedev ultimately fell short against No. 2-ranked Italian phenom Jannik Sinner on Sunday.
Perhaps United enforces a strict, “If you’re not first, you’re last” policy.
COC tennis completes season sweep over AV
By Jesse Muñoz
COC Sports Information Director
College of the Canyons women’s tennis won a second straight conference match to complete its season sweep over Antelope Valley College last week.
Canyons (7-4, 6-3) took two points in doubles play before sweeping all six singles matches.
COC freshman Emma Chodur, the top-ranked player in Southern California, remained unbeaten with a straight sets victory from the No. 1 position. Chodur (11-0) also teamed with Baylee Renfro to earn a No. 1 doubles victory.
Renfro (4-7) won from the No. 2 singles position to get back on track after back-to-back singles losses in her last two outings.
Breana Lemos (5-6) won a point in No. 3 singles play to also snap an individual losing streak that had spanned four matches. Lemos had previously teamed with Michele Figg for an 8-0 win in the No. 2 doubles match up.
Lauren Neal (5-4) emerged victorious in her fifth straight singles match to win a point at the No. 4 spot. The sophomore’s individual win streak dates back to Feb. 12.
Sophomore Nadia Godoy-Ortega (3-8) had to go to extra sets to claim her point as the No. 5 player.
Olivia Snyder (4-5) inched closer to .500 on the season with the freshman’s convincing win in the No. 6 singles matchup.
The win left COC third in the Western State Conference standings behind second-place Santa Barbara City College (9-1, 6-1) and conference leader L.A. Mission College (14-0, 8-0).
The Cougars’ next match was scheduled Thursday against conference opponent Glendale College (5-6, 4-3).
Valspar Championship prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions
Innisbrook Resort is once again hosting the 2026 Valspar Championship this week as the PGA Tour wraps up its Florida Swing for the year. The first round begins on Thursday morning at the Copperhead Course in West Palm, Florida. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Valspar Championship and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
The Valspar Championship features a strong field despite coming after 2 straight signature events, with Xander Schauffele being the headliner with the shortest odds of anyone (+1000). Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400), Viktor Hovland (+1600), Akshay Bhatia (+2000) and Jacob Bridgeman (+2000) are all near the top of the odds board, as well. Hovland is the defending champion after winning with a score of 11-under last year.
The Copperhead Course is a par 71 and plays at 7,352 yards, challenging players with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It features the Snake Pit, a difficult 3-hole finish that will test contenders down the stretch Sunday afternoon.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:24 p.m. ET.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+280)
Fitzpatrick nearly won the Players Sunday, only to be outdone by Cam Young on the 18th hole. He remains one of the hottest players on tour, notching his fourth top-25 finish in his last 5 starts. He finished T-5 here in 2022 before missing the cut in 2023, but he’s a real threat to win this week.
Valspar Championship: Best outright winners
Jacob Bridgeman (+400)
Bridgeman made his tournament debut in 2024, but missed the cut. He followed it up by coming in third by himself last year, and he’s now playing the best golf of his life. He won the Genesis last month and finished fifth at the players, continuing his hot streak.
Brooks Koepka (+500)
Koepka is gaining some momentum after a slow start to his PGA Tour season, finishing ninth and 13th in his last 2 starts. He tied for 12th at this event the last time he played it in 2022 and now that the putter has gotten going, he should be in contention this weekend.
Valspar Championship – Top-10 picks
Ryo Hisatsune (+320)
Fitzpatrick is the only player in the field gaining more strokes from tee to green than Hisatsune in the last 3 months, which is impressive. It’s translated to 4 top-13 finishes in his last 6 starts, including a sneaky T-13 at the Players this past week.
Wyndham Clark (+500)
Clark has not played very well and he just split with his caddie, so things may start to trend up. He’s still 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, based on players in the field, so if he can learn how to putt, he’ll put himself in position to win once again.
Justin Thomas (+225)
It’s been quite the rollercoaster start to the year for Thomas. He missed the cut at 14-over par at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before tying for eighth at the Players this past week. Now he gets to play a course where he’s finished T-13, T-3, T-10, T-64 and T-2 in his last 5 appearances.
Valspar Championship – Top-20 picks
Austin Smotherman (+200)
Smotherman bounced back after withdrawing from the API 2 weeks ago, finishing T-13 at TPC Sawgrass. He’s third among players in the field in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, evidence of how good his ball-striking has been. He finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at the Valspar.
Lucas Glover (+400)
Glover is a longshot again this week but he seems to love the Copperhead Course, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 starts at the Valspar. He’s been deadly accurate off the tee, which will keep him out of trouble at Innisbrook, which is easy to find.
Valspar Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Akshay Bhatia (-105) vs. Viktor Hovland (-118)
As well as Hovland has played here before, Bhatia is scorching hot. Even after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he finished T-13 at the Players – which came after 3 straight top-16 finishes before then. In what’s essentially a toss-up matchup, take the underdog.
Jacob Bridgeman (-135) vs. Patrick Cantlay (+110)
Cantlay is not playing very well right now, missing 2 of 6 cuts this season with nothing better than T-32 since Pebble Beach in February. Bridgeman is trending the very opposite direction. Ride that momentum.
Valspar Championship – Top Asian
Ryo Hisatsune (+225)
Hisatsune, Tom Kim (+550), Rico Hoey (+600) and Sungjae Im (+600) are the top players in this market, but no one is playing better than Ryo right now. Plus, he’s finished T-33 and T-4 in his 2 career starts at the Valspar, making him a strong bet this week.
Valspar Championship – First-round leader
Jacob Bridgeman (+3000)
Bridgeman was 1 of 5 players tied for the first-round lead last year after shooting 67 on Thursday. He’s one of the hottest players on tour right now and could jump out to another lead this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
WATCH: LeBron James, Tom Kim star in new Nike x Beats golf commercial
Dressed for Success: Cam Young’s Peter Millar apparel at the Players
Valspar Championship prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions
Innisbrook Resort is once again hosting the 2026 Valspar Championship this week as the PGA Tour wraps up its Florida Swing for the year. The first round begins on Thursday morning at the Copperhead Course in West Palm, Florida. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Valspar Championship and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
The Valspar Championship features a strong field despite coming after 2 straight signature events, with Xander Schauffele being the headliner with the shortest odds of anyone (+1000). Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400), Viktor Hovland (+1600), Akshay Bhatia (+2000) and Jacob Bridgeman (+2000) are all near the top of the odds board, as well. Hovland is the defending champion after winning with a score of 11-under last year.
The Copperhead Course is a par 71 and plays at 7,352 yards, challenging players with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It features the Snake Pit, a difficult 3-hole finish that will test contenders down the stretch Sunday afternoon.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:24 p.m. ET.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+280)
Fitzpatrick nearly won the Players Sunday, only to be outdone by Cam Young on the 18th hole. He remains one of the hottest players on tour, notching his fourth top-25 finish in his last 5 starts. He finished T-5 here in 2022 before missing the cut in 2023, but he’s a real threat to win this week.
Valspar Championship: Best outright winners
Jacob Bridgeman (+400)
Bridgeman made his tournament debut in 2024, but missed the cut. He followed it up by coming in third by himself last year, and he’s now playing the best golf of his life. He won the Genesis last month and finished fifth at the players, continuing his hot streak.
Brooks Koepka (+500)
Koepka is gaining some momentum after a slow start to his PGA Tour season, finishing ninth and 13th in his last 2 starts. He tied for 12th at this event the last time he played it in 2022 and now that the putter has gotten going, he should be in contention this weekend.
Valspar Championship – Top-10 picks
Ryo Hisatsune (+320)
Fitzpatrick is the only player in the field gaining more strokes from tee to green than Hisatsune in the last 3 months, which is impressive. It’s translated to 4 top-13 finishes in his last 6 starts, including a sneaky T-13 at the Players this past week.
Wyndham Clark (+500)
Clark has not played very well and he just split with his caddie, so things may start to trend up. He’s still 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, based on players in the field, so if he can learn how to putt, he’ll put himself in position to win once again.
Justin Thomas (+225)
It’s been quite the rollercoaster start to the year for Thomas. He missed the cut at 14-over par at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before tying for eighth at the Players this past week. Now he gets to play a course where he’s finished T-13, T-3, T-10, T-64 and T-2 in his last 5 appearances.
Valspar Championship – Top-20 picks
Austin Smotherman (+200)
Smotherman bounced back after withdrawing from the API 2 weeks ago, finishing T-13 at TPC Sawgrass. He’s third among players in the field in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, evidence of how good his ball-striking has been. He finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at the Valspar.
Lucas Glover (+400)
Glover is a longshot again this week but he seems to love the Copperhead Course, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 starts at the Valspar. He’s been deadly accurate off the tee, which will keep him out of trouble at Innisbrook, which is easy to find.
Valspar Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Akshay Bhatia (-105) vs. Viktor Hovland (-118)
As well as Hovland has played here before, Bhatia is scorching hot. Even after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he finished T-13 at the Players – which came after 3 straight top-16 finishes before then. In what’s essentially a toss-up matchup, take the underdog.
Jacob Bridgeman (-135) vs. Patrick Cantlay (+110)
Cantlay is not playing very well right now, missing 2 of 6 cuts this season with nothing better than T-32 since Pebble Beach in February. Bridgeman is trending the very opposite direction. Ride that momentum.
Valspar Championship – Top Asian
Ryo Hisatsune (+225)
Hisatsune, Tom Kim (+550), Rico Hoey (+600) and Sungjae Im (+600) are the top players in this market, but no one is playing better than Ryo right now. Plus, he’s finished T-33 and T-4 in his 2 career starts at the Valspar, making him a strong bet this week.
Valspar Championship – First-round leader
Jacob Bridgeman (+3000)
Bridgeman was 1 of 5 players tied for the first-round lead last year after shooting 67 on Thursday. He’s one of the hottest players on tour right now and could jump out to another lead this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
WATCH: LeBron James, Tom Kim star in new Nike x Beats golf commercial
Dressed for Success: Cam Young’s Peter Millar apparel at the Players
Valspar Championship prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions
Innisbrook Resort is once again hosting the 2026 Valspar Championship this week as the PGA Tour wraps up its Florida Swing for the year. The first round begins on Thursday morning at the Copperhead Course in West Palm, Florida. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Valspar Championship and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
The Valspar Championship features a strong field despite coming after 2 straight signature events, with Xander Schauffele being the headliner with the shortest odds of anyone (+1000). Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400), Viktor Hovland (+1600), Akshay Bhatia (+2000) and Jacob Bridgeman (+2000) are all near the top of the odds board, as well. Hovland is the defending champion after winning with a score of 11-under last year.
The Copperhead Course is a par 71 and plays at 7,352 yards, challenging players with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It features the Snake Pit, a difficult 3-hole finish that will test contenders down the stretch Sunday afternoon.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:24 p.m. ET.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+280)
Fitzpatrick nearly won the Players Sunday, only to be outdone by Cam Young on the 18th hole. He remains one of the hottest players on tour, notching his fourth top-25 finish in his last 5 starts. He finished T-5 here in 2022 before missing the cut in 2023, but he’s a real threat to win this week.
Valspar Championship: Best outright winners
Jacob Bridgeman (+400)
Bridgeman made his tournament debut in 2024, but missed the cut. He followed it up by coming in third by himself last year, and he’s now playing the best golf of his life. He won the Genesis last month and finished fifth at the players, continuing his hot streak.
Brooks Koepka (+500)
Koepka is gaining some momentum after a slow start to his PGA Tour season, finishing ninth and 13th in his last 2 starts. He tied for 12th at this event the last time he played it in 2022 and now that the putter has gotten going, he should be in contention this weekend.
Valspar Championship – Top-10 picks
Ryo Hisatsune (+320)
Fitzpatrick is the only player in the field gaining more strokes from tee to green than Hisatsune in the last 3 months, which is impressive. It’s translated to 4 top-13 finishes in his last 6 starts, including a sneaky T-13 at the Players this past week.
Wyndham Clark (+500)
Clark has not played very well and he just split with his caddie, so things may start to trend up. He’s still 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, based on players in the field, so if he can learn how to putt, he’ll put himself in position to win once again.
Justin Thomas (+225)
It’s been quite the rollercoaster start to the year for Thomas. He missed the cut at 14-over par at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before tying for eighth at the Players this past week. Now he gets to play a course where he’s finished T-13, T-3, T-10, T-64 and T-2 in his last 5 appearances.
Valspar Championship – Top-20 picks
Austin Smotherman (+200)
Smotherman bounced back after withdrawing from the API 2 weeks ago, finishing T-13 at TPC Sawgrass. He’s third among players in the field in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, evidence of how good his ball-striking has been. He finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at the Valspar.
Lucas Glover (+400)
Glover is a longshot again this week but he seems to love the Copperhead Course, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 starts at the Valspar. He’s been deadly accurate off the tee, which will keep him out of trouble at Innisbrook, which is easy to find.
Valspar Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Akshay Bhatia (-105) vs. Viktor Hovland (-118)
As well as Hovland has played here before, Bhatia is scorching hot. Even after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he finished T-13 at the Players – which came after 3 straight top-16 finishes before then. In what’s essentially a toss-up matchup, take the underdog.
Jacob Bridgeman (-135) vs. Patrick Cantlay (+110)
Cantlay is not playing very well right now, missing 2 of 6 cuts this season with nothing better than T-32 since Pebble Beach in February. Bridgeman is trending the very opposite direction. Ride that momentum.
Valspar Championship – Top Asian
Ryo Hisatsune (+225)
Hisatsune, Tom Kim (+550), Rico Hoey (+600) and Sungjae Im (+600) are the top players in this market, but no one is playing better than Ryo right now. Plus, he’s finished T-33 and T-4 in his 2 career starts at the Valspar, making him a strong bet this week.
Valspar Championship – First-round leader
Jacob Bridgeman (+3000)
Bridgeman was 1 of 5 players tied for the first-round lead last year after shooting 67 on Thursday. He’s one of the hottest players on tour right now and could jump out to another lead this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
WATCH: LeBron James, Tom Kim star in new Nike x Beats golf commercial
Dressed for Success: Cam Young’s Peter Millar apparel at the Players
Valspar Championship prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions
Innisbrook Resort is once again hosting the 2026 Valspar Championship this week as the PGA Tour wraps up its Florida Swing for the year. The first round begins on Thursday morning at the Copperhead Course in West Palm, Florida. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Valspar Championship and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
The Valspar Championship features a strong field despite coming after 2 straight signature events, with Xander Schauffele being the headliner with the shortest odds of anyone (+1000). Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400), Viktor Hovland (+1600), Akshay Bhatia (+2000) and Jacob Bridgeman (+2000) are all near the top of the odds board, as well. Hovland is the defending champion after winning with a score of 11-under last year.
The Copperhead Course is a par 71 and plays at 7,352 yards, challenging players with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It features the Snake Pit, a difficult 3-hole finish that will test contenders down the stretch Sunday afternoon.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:24 p.m. ET.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+280)
Fitzpatrick nearly won the Players Sunday, only to be outdone by Cam Young on the 18th hole. He remains one of the hottest players on tour, notching his fourth top-25 finish in his last 5 starts. He finished T-5 here in 2022 before missing the cut in 2023, but he’s a real threat to win this week.
Valspar Championship: Best outright winners
Jacob Bridgeman (+400)
Bridgeman made his tournament debut in 2024, but missed the cut. He followed it up by coming in third by himself last year, and he’s now playing the best golf of his life. He won the Genesis last month and finished fifth at the players, continuing his hot streak.
Brooks Koepka (+500)
Koepka is gaining some momentum after a slow start to his PGA Tour season, finishing ninth and 13th in his last 2 starts. He tied for 12th at this event the last time he played it in 2022 and now that the putter has gotten going, he should be in contention this weekend.
Valspar Championship – Top-10 picks
Ryo Hisatsune (+320)
Fitzpatrick is the only player in the field gaining more strokes from tee to green than Hisatsune in the last 3 months, which is impressive. It’s translated to 4 top-13 finishes in his last 6 starts, including a sneaky T-13 at the Players this past week.
Wyndham Clark (+500)
Clark has not played very well and he just split with his caddie, so things may start to trend up. He’s still 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, based on players in the field, so if he can learn how to putt, he’ll put himself in position to win once again.
Justin Thomas (+225)
It’s been quite the rollercoaster start to the year for Thomas. He missed the cut at 14-over par at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before tying for eighth at the Players this past week. Now he gets to play a course where he’s finished T-13, T-3, T-10, T-64 and T-2 in his last 5 appearances.
Valspar Championship – Top-20 picks
Austin Smotherman (+200)
Smotherman bounced back after withdrawing from the API 2 weeks ago, finishing T-13 at TPC Sawgrass. He’s third among players in the field in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, evidence of how good his ball-striking has been. He finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at the Valspar.
Lucas Glover (+400)
Glover is a longshot again this week but he seems to love the Copperhead Course, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 starts at the Valspar. He’s been deadly accurate off the tee, which will keep him out of trouble at Innisbrook, which is easy to find.
Valspar Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Akshay Bhatia (-105) vs. Viktor Hovland (-118)
As well as Hovland has played here before, Bhatia is scorching hot. Even after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he finished T-13 at the Players – which came after 3 straight top-16 finishes before then. In what’s essentially a toss-up matchup, take the underdog.
Jacob Bridgeman (-135) vs. Patrick Cantlay (+110)
Cantlay is not playing very well right now, missing 2 of 6 cuts this season with nothing better than T-32 since Pebble Beach in February. Bridgeman is trending the very opposite direction. Ride that momentum.
Valspar Championship – Top Asian
Ryo Hisatsune (+225)
Hisatsune, Tom Kim (+550), Rico Hoey (+600) and Sungjae Im (+600) are the top players in this market, but no one is playing better than Ryo right now. Plus, he’s finished T-33 and T-4 in his 2 career starts at the Valspar, making him a strong bet this week.
Valspar Championship – First-round leader
Jacob Bridgeman (+3000)
Bridgeman was 1 of 5 players tied for the first-round lead last year after shooting 67 on Thursday. He’s one of the hottest players on tour right now and could jump out to another lead this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
WATCH: LeBron James, Tom Kim star in new Nike x Beats golf commercial
Dressed for Success: Cam Young’s Peter Millar apparel at the Players
Kevin Kisner’s theory why PGA Tour players keep crumbling when leading events on Sundays
Kevin Kisner has suggested the reason why he believes that several players have struggled to get over the line and win a PGA Tour event this season having given themselves a commanding lead.
Ludvig Aberg became the latest player to stumble when he seemingly had a tournament victory within his grasp. The Swede went into the final round of The Players Championship with a three-shot lead.
Unfortunately, he found the water on 11 and 12 on Sunday to fall out of contention, leaving the path clear for Cameron Young and Matthew Fitzpatrick to battle it out at TPC Sawgrass.
Kevin Kisner suggests why PGA Tour players are struggling to close out tournaments
Young’s eventual victory came just a week after Akshay Bhatia clinched a dramatic playoff victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Daniel Berger had led for the large majority of the week after a stunning 63 on Thursday. However, he ran out of steam and lost on the first additional hole.
And of course, Shane Lowry managed to conspire to lose the Cognizant Classic as he made two double bogeys in the final three holes at PGA National.
Elsewhere, the likes of Hideki Matsuyama and Bhatia himself have failed to convert 54 hole leads this season. Jacob Bridgeman nearly squandered a sizeable advantage heading into Sunday at the Genesis Invitational.
Speaking on the Fore Play Podcast following Aberg’s final round at the weekend, Kevin Kisner suggested why he believes players are finding it so difficult to get across the line.
“I think it’s the length at which they’ve held the lead. They’re holding the leads longer than we normally see. Berger was leading wire to wire, that just weighs on you, man. Four days in a row of everyone chasing me. Ludvig basically for 36 hours, 48 hours, everybody’s chasing him. That continuous pressure that you feel as you’re out there on an island by yourself. I think it just weighs on you,” he said.
“When you’re being chased, everyone else is chasing, so they’re all systems go, foot on the pedal at all times, and you’re just trying to do your status quo, continue doing what you’re doing because you’re playing great, and suddenly you look up and you’re like, man, everyone’s catching me. Now I’ve got to go, and it’s just a hard situation to be in. I always felt like if I was within one or tied for the lead, it was easier on my mental space to be playing to go win the golf tournament because now it’s like I’ve just got to beat you heads-up.
“It’s so easy, no matter how hard you try when you have a three, four shot lead to be like, alright man, I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing, and you kind of forget these dudes are good, they’re going to keep making birdies. Somebody is going to shoot 65, I’ve got to keep my foot on the gas pedal. And I think that is such a difficult thing over the course of three or four days.”
Why Scottie Scheffler may be partially to blame for players collapsing while leading
There is perhaps an argument to be made that Scottie Scheffler is partially responsible for some of the collapses this season.
As Kisner notes, the mentality changes when a player is in the lead and looking to capitalise. The only problem is that Scheffler has ensured that so many players on the PGA Tour have not got that experience in the last couple of years.
Throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, most players only had the option to try and make as many birdies as possible to stand any chance of closing the gap to the world number one.
But playing with the lead requires a different skillset. The likes of Lowry, Aberg, and Berger are not prolific winners. They have one PGA Tour victory – should you discount the Zurich Classic – between them since the end of the 2022 season.
Obviously, there are much bigger factors. But it perhaps does not get spoken enough about how Scheffler’s dominance has probably impacted so many of those with world-class potential.
Wayne Riley makes eye-catching Shane Lowry Masters claim after recent meltdown
Shane Lowry approaches The Masters with more questions than answers after a difficult few weeks on the PGA Tour.
The Irishman let a golden opportunity slip at the Cognizant Classic, making costly mistakes late on Sunday, before missing the cut at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.
However, despite that run, former European Tour star Wayne Riley still believes Lowry could be a major contender at Augusta National.
Wayne Riley backs Shane Lowry to bounce back at Augusta
Lowry’s recent form does not make for encouraging reading, particularly after his late collapse at the Cognizant Classic was followed by two missed cuts.
But Riley is not concerned, instead focusing on how well the Ryder Cup star’s game should translate to Augusta.
“He is coming into not great form, [but] I like Shane Lowry for Augusta. The way he plays,” Riley said on Sky Sports.
“He played alright at the Cognizant a couple of weeks ago. Come on, Shane, lift your game, don’t make a fool out of me.”
Riley’s confidence stems from Lowry’s skillset, with his short game, creativity and experience all seen as major assets at Augusta National.
While results have not gone his way recently, the Irishman has proven before that he can rise to the occasion on the biggest stage, and Riley clearly believes that could happen again.
Dame Laura Davies tips Robert MacIntyre to contend at The Masters
Dame Laura Davies offered a different perspective, highlighting Robert MacIntyre as a player to watch closely at Augusta.
“I am going to throw Bob MacIntyre out there. They all go well, the lefties. There have been a lot of left-handed winners,” she said.
“What happened to him at the US Open last year – he did everything right, apart from one massive putt which went against him.”
Davies’ comments point to both history and potential, with Augusta having a reputation for favouring left-handed players.
MacIntyre has already shown he can compete at the highest level, and after going close in a major last year, he could be ready to take the next step.
With both Lowry and MacIntyre tipped by respected voices, the European challenge at The Masters could be stronger than recent form suggests.
Wyndham Clark Faces Heat After Taking Controversial Caddie Decision 2 Days Before $9.1M PGA Tour Event
Most golfers finalize their setup weeks before any event. But Wyndham Clark just flipped his entire operation 48 hours after ending a nine-year-long partnership with his caddie. Fans noticed, and they were not impressed.
According to reports, Clark and Ellis drifted apart in March 2026 after the PLAYERS Championship. And now it’s Dave Pelekoudas, known as “Big Wave Dave,” who will carry Clark’s bag at the Valspar Championship. The tournament begins on March 20, leaving the 32-year-old with little time to acclimate to his new caddie before a week where $9.1 million is at stake.
The split carries extra weight when you consider what Ellis meant to Clark’s career. Ellis was not just a caddie; he was on the bag for all 3 PGA Tour wins Clark has recorded, including the 2023 US Open at LACC, where he also received the first-ever US Open Caddy Award.
The two were close off the course, too, regularly playing gin together while traveling. Ellis came into Clark’s life when the golfer was still at the University of Oregon, having been assigned to him by head coach Casey Martin. Ellis has caddied for him since he turned pro in 2017.
What makes the timing harder to ignore is Wyndham Clark’s 2026 form. Since January, Clark has posted a T13 at the American Express but followed it with a T65 at the Farmers Insurance Open, a T35 at the WM Phoenix Open, a T58 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a T41 at the Genesis Invitational, and, most recently, a T42 at THE PLAYERS Championship.
These numbers don’t look acceptable for a golfer of his level, who was ranked in the top 30 in the world just a few months ago. In 2026, he has won about $446,000 so far, which is a big drop from the amount he won in 2023 and 2024.
Wyndham Clark might be looking for something to get him going. Before becoming a caddy, Pelekoudas played golf at Pepperdine University and Orange Coast College. He had also filled in for Clark before, so he might be able to help him make the switch.
Well, Pelekoudas is not a complete stranger to Wyndham Clark’s game. At the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, he stepped in for Ellis, who was ill, and carried the bag for the first two rounds. Clark shot 67 and 71 in those rounds, sitting in second place at -6 after Round 2. It was a temporary arrangement, but the results were immediately strong.
Caddie changes lately have become very routine. For instance, in July 2025, Joel Dahmen and his longtime friend and caddie Geno Bonnalie parted ways. And Brett Waldman came in his place on a trial basis. The move ended a ten-year partnership, but the two got back together for a short time at the 2026 PLAYERS Championship.
In April 2025, Collin Morikawa and his longtime caddie J.J. Jakovac split, even though they had won two majors together. At first, he hired Joe Greiner, but that partnership only lasted five events before he made another change.
The news of Clark’s split spread quickly, and fans were not quiet. Reactions ranged from questioning the timing to debating whether the move actually improves Clark’s chances this week.
Fans question the timing and intent behind Wyndham Clark’s decision
“Player-caddie breakups after a major win always feel weird,” one fan noted, hinting at Clark’s career’s most notable US Open win.
Another fan chimed, “Would you classify this as an upgrade? If so, I think Wyndham is viable next week if he plays.”
It is a fair question. Clark has not finished better than T13 in six starts this season, and can a caddie change alone fix his inconsistent form? We might find out with upcoming events.
“It’s always the caddy to blame, oh, and the locker room,” one fan wrote sarcastically.
Lately, the trend has been to blame the looper in case things go wrong. But in Clark’s case, Ellis was there to help the golfer navigate all the changes. For example, when Clark lost his composure at Oakmont in 2025 after missing the cut, he damaged the lockers, but Ellis was there to support him.
“No one cares,” came one flat response, speaking for fans who see caddie changes as routine business, especially from a player not currently in contention.
Another fan took a funny jab, “Should have gotten Kay Adams on the bag.”
The humor lands because Adams is a sportscaster who interviewed Clark at TPC Sawgrass recently. During the interview, a giddy Clark, who is notoriously silent, was witnessed. On another note, she is not a caddie, and suggesting her name mocks how abrupt and unstrategic the timing looks. It is less criticism and more disbelief dressed up as a punchline.
Now, the event result will reveal whether the decision will favor the 3x Tour winner or if the fans’ jabs will prove true.
Joel Dahmen Faces Brutal Scenario Every PGA Tour Pro Dreads After PLAYERS Championship Setback
There is a point in every PGA Tour season when chances start to shrink. Crossing that line immediately alters the calendar, where events become qualifiers and security is lost. That is precisely what has happened to Joel Dahmen after he missed the cut at TPC Sawgrass, and he isn’t sugarcoating the situation.
“From API and The Players to Ubering to a Monday qualifier #playbetter,” he wrote on X.
No complaints, no excuses, just a man who knows exactly where he stands and what he needs to do about it.
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But let’s circle back a little to see how he ended up there. The PGA Tour shifted its card-holding threshold from the top 125 players down to the top 100 after 2025, and Dahmen finished that season ranked 122nd, just outside the cut line.
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Last year, he missed cuts in 16 of 28 events, including the WM Phoenix Open, Valspar, and the Charles Schwab Challenge, with only scattered bright spots like a T2 at Corales Puntacana and a T6 at the Mexico Open keeping him relevant.
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Joel Dahmen then entered 2026 with a determination to make things better, and for a while, it seemed like he had. He finished T7 at the Farmers Insurance Open, which was worth $301,600, and T9 at the Cognizant Classic, which was worth $252,000. These were good results to enter the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS Championship. But he didn’t make the cut at either one, shooting 75-72 at API and 77-73 at THE PLAYERS.
Now, without eligibility for the next stretch of events, the 38-year-old headed to Southern Hills Plantation Club to try to get one of only two qualifying spots for the Valspar Championship. The Tour cut the number of spots available from four to two for 2026, making it even harder for conditional players to stay active week to week.
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But as fate would have it, the Monday qualifier did not go to plan. One of 60 players to tee up, the Washington native carded a three-over-par 75 in the 18-hole shootout to finish in 45th place, nine shots adrift of the qualification mark.
Tyler Wilkes and Luke Guthrie tied for medalist honors at six under and secured their tickets for the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.
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However, the hopes of playing this week are not over for the 1x PGA Tour winner. After a flurry of withdrawals on Monday, he is the next alternate in line should a spot in the field open up.
If anything, though, Joel Dahmen’s struggles in 2026 go beyond the scorecard.
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Joel Dahmen’s best friend is no longer carrying his bag
Joel Dahmen’s split from his longtime caddie Geno Bonnalie last summer added another layer to an already difficult season. The two grew up together in the LC Valley and worked side by side for 13 years, making this far more than just a professional change.
Dahmen himself called it “the hardest thing I’ve done in my professional career.”
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The reason was straightforward, though. They stopped pushing each other to be better, and both knew it.
Despite the split, the bond never broke. Bonnalie actually returned temporarily to caddie for Joel Dahmen at THE PLAYERS Championship last weekend, which speaks to how much mutual respect exists between the two.
However, finding a permanent replacement has proven difficult. After all, Bonnalie understood Dahmen’s game instinctively, knowing what he needed before the golfer even asked. Replacing that kind of chemistry is not something that happens overnight, and Dahmen is still navigating that process carefully.
Rory McIlroy Finally Confirms His PGA Tour Schedule Before Masters After Giving Cryptic Response
For weeks, the defending champion Rory McIlroy left his pre-Masters schedule open. Now, a TGL semifinal win on Tuesday night appeared to settle it, and it looks very different from 2025.
When asked at the post-match press conference about his pre-Masters plans, McIlroy kept it brief. “I think the Masters is going to be my next event,” he said, “and I’ve got a press conference on Zoom at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow to reveal the menu.”
Last year, before teeing off at Augusta, McIlroy played the Texas Children’s Houston Open and finished tied fifth at Memorial Park. This schedule worked in his favor, obviously.
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The confirmation came after a few days of being unsure whether to play before the Masters or not. After shooting 1 under to finish par at TPC Sawgrass, McIlroy had shared that his schedule ahead would depend on how his back holds up.
“I’ll see. I haven’t really made a decision either way,” McIlroy said after his round. “I’ll see how my body feels. We’ll see how I feel in practice and at home, and if I get itchy feet at home, maybe add an event at some point.”
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His back forced him to withdraw from Bay Hill and disrupted his preparation for the PLAYERS. Though his back held up across four rounds, his game did not fully click. McIlroy lost more than five strokes to the field on the greens over the week and finished at even par, tied for 46th.
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Meanwhile, his teammates had clearer plans: Keegan Bradley heads to Tampa for the Valspar before Augusta, while Adam Scott is still weighing whether to add an event.
(This is a developing story..)
8x PGA Tour Winner Cuts Off Reporter Mid-Question as He Takes a Stand for Tiger Woods’s League Amid ‘Preposterous’ Allegations
The theory had been building for weeks. Six TGL players, all nursing injuries, all within the same stretch of the season. Rory McIlroy had already heard enough. Turns out, so had Billy Horschel, and he didn’t even let the question finish!
“Are players getting injured…?” asked the reporter, and the 8X PGA Tour winner had an immediate response.
“No, they’re not getting injured because of TGL. We’re used to hitting golf balls all the time, and the majority of the time, we’re probably hitting fewer golf balls on a match day than we would on a normal day. To think that players are getting injured because of TGL is, in Rory’s words from last week, preposterous.
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Last week, when the Northern Irishman withdrew from Bay Hill due to lower back spasms, the questions surrounded whether playing more than usual with TGL was creating an issue. The #2 declined and cited another reason.
“It’s a little more travel for the guys, a little more. To put it [injuries] solely on that is preposterous. No,” McIlroy said.
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The travel side of the argument, however, does have some basis. TGL is scheduled on weeknights to avoid PGA Tour events, but players’ schedules aren’t exempt. The league runs throughout the Florida Swing, so players often switch between tournaments and TGL matches within 24 hours. Tom Kim, for instance, went from PGA National to the SoFi Center for a TGL match the day after his Cognizant Classic final round.
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But the swing mechanics argument is harder to justify. However, the data present a different picture. Rory McIlroy averaged 185.3 MPH ball speed in TGL this year, compared to 186.89 MPH on the PGA Tour. His clubhead speed was actually higher in TGL, too: 128.4 MPH versus 124.06 MPH on Tour. If harder swings were the problem, the PGA Tour would be the bigger culprit, not the simulator.
The injury list, though, is long enough to understand why the theory gained traction. Sahith Theegala missed several events in 2025 with an oblique issue that spread to his neck and back. Justin Thomas was sidelined for nearly six months after back surgery following the Ryder Cup. Xander Schauffele missed two months with a rib cartilage tear. Horschel himself had hip surgery in May 2025. And when Collin Morikawa withdrew from the PLAYERS it created a fuss that TGL might be responsible for all those injuries.
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Moreover, Ryan French of Monday Q Info pointed to all of this, suggesting extra travel and harder simulator swings were a factor. Notably, Billy Horschel pushed back on that, too, saying that his injury wasn’t because of TGL. Then he further asked what the excuse would be if a player simply practiced or played a money game on a Monday without any TGL involvement.
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The real culprit, according to most experts, is a packed schedule and the physical demands of the modern high-speed swing, not a Tuesday night in a simulator. In the same presser, along with Billy Horschel, Patrick Cantlay was also there, and he just reflected on another aspect, which says TGL is helping them.
Tiger Woods’s TGL is becoming useful for golfers
While the injury debate continues, some players are pointing to the opposite effect. Rather than draining them, TGL is giving players something hard to replicate elsewhere: competitive pressure without the full weight of a Tour event on the line.
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Cantlay, who lives 15 minutes from the SoFi Center, keeps it simple. He doesn’t see TGL as remotely comparable to Tour golf, which actually makes it easier to treat it as a low-stakes sharpening tool rather than an added burden on his schedule.
Billy Horschel, on the other hand, takes a more profound approach. He argues that hitting shots with fans watching, cameras rolling, and nerves genuinely activated is more valuable than a Monday money game with buddies. That kind of pressure rep is difficult to manufacture outside of actual competition.
And that’s the part the injury narrative misses entirely. TGL isn’t just an entertainment product. For players between Tour events, it’s a controlled environment to stay sharp, stay competitive, and walk into the next tournament having already felt the pressure once that week.
NASCAR Suspends Daniel Dye After Livestream Mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye after livestream mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye after livestream mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Alex Bowman sidelined for 3 more NASCAR races with vertigo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss at least the next three NASCAR Cup Series races while he recovers from vertigo.
Bowman had to exit the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas because he was not feeling well. He was replaced mid-race and diagnosed with vertigo, and has missed races at Phoenix and Las Vegas since.
Myatt Snider drove the No. 48 Chevrolet at COTA, Anthony Alfredo drove at Phoenix and Justin Allgaier drove Sunday at Las Vegas.
Allgaier will fill in for Bowman again starting this weekend at Darlington Raceway, then at Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see how hard he’s working to get back behind the wheel, and we’re looking forward to his return when he’s medically cleared. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports is 100 percent behind Alex.”
Bowman is 36th in the Cup standings, 232 points behind leader Tyler Reddick and 94 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suárez and AJ Allmendinger, who are tied for 16th place. The top 16 drivers qualify for NASCAR’s playoffs.
Bowman is coming off a 2025 season where he made the postseason and finished 13th in the standings. The 32-year-old from Tucson, Arizona, has eight wins, 46 top fives and 112 top 10s in 364 Cup starts over 12 seasons.
His best finish in the final standings was sixth in 2020 for Hendrick Motorsports, where he has been as a full-time driver since 2018.
Bowman was also supposed to drive in NASCAR’s second-tier series for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet at Darlington on Saturday. Kyle Larson, Bowman’s Hendrick teammate and winner in the same car Saturday at Las Vegas, will replace him.
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Denny Hamlin Eyeing to Take Down Kyle Busch After Dethroning Kevin Harvick from Prestigious Record
Last weekend, Denny Hamlin officially banished the demons of 2025 with a win at Las Vegas. He was probably 10 laps away from finally getting the monkey off his back, but fate had other ideas. A late caution and a questionable strategy meant that Hamlin lost once again. However, he has since managed to pick himself back up to try once again. Needless to say, he announced his intention of gunning for the title once again, in Vegas.
Denny Hamlin is on the hunt for records
Thanks to his Vegas win, the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver has overtaken Kevin Harvick on the win tally. In a recent episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin outlined his next goal. In the coming week, NASCAR heads to Darlington, followed by Martinsville, Bristol, Kansas, and Talladega.
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Hamlin said on his podcast, “Get another win, that’s the goal. One of those three. Talladega, I wish, guys. I’m trying everything when it comes to superspeedway racing. Just not getting the proper finishes. I’m trying to run up front as much as I can. Doesn’t matter, crash. Next three races, how many points?. If I said you get 150 points, it’d be 50-50-50. We would take that, but also I mean bigger than the next three races.”
The JGR star believes that his best chance of racking up more wins is either at Darlington or the two short tracks. He acknowledged that Talladega is way too unpredictable. This is likely because it is a superspeedway, and that type of racing is unpredictable, just like at Daytona. Hamlin has won at Darlington, Bristol, and Martinsville in the past, so he should be a favorite once again. Reddick has proven that after clinching one win, a driver can build momentum and win more races.
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He also dropped a hint about his future in NASCA.R
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Now, Denny Hamlin is no spring chicken and is steadily approaching the twilight of his career. At the age of 45, who knows how long he has left in the tank and can keep performing at the highest level. Hamlin admitted that there will come a time when he will stop winning, and then eventually he will call time on his career.
He said, “Right, I thought that realistically, I think I’m going to fall at 67, that’s where I think it ends. Until the end of next year, more than likely 67. That’s just by the numbers, that’s not any, ‘OH,h I feel this, I feel that.’ That’s just where the numbers land, averaging 3-4 wins a year.”
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The next person on his hit list is former teammate and 2-time Cup champion Kyle Busch. Busch is 5 years younger and has 63 wins, but does not look like he is adding to that tally any time soon. He has struggled a lot with Richard Childress Racing, enduring two winless seasons, ns and this year could be a third. That is, unless the organisation has a dramatic turnaround and he gets back in Victory Lane.
Coming back to Denny Hamlin, though, he is actually in a pretty good position, championship-wise. After his Pennzoil 400 triumph, he sits in 4th place in the standings. This puts him behind the 23XI Racing duo of Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, and Phoenix winner, Ryan Blaney. All in all, it is a great time for Hamlin, as he is in the title fight, as are two of his drivers.
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Thabeingig said, the season is long, and anything can happen in the next few races to shake up the order. Hendrick Motorsports has been looking strong, and Team Penske isn’t too far behind. Also, if 23XI is any indication, other Chevy, Ford, and Toyota teams are well and truly in the mix.
NASCAR Weather Update Darlington: Will the East Coast Storm Cancel the Race Weekend?
NASCAR doesn’t seem to be catching a break with the weather this season. After the North Carolina snowstorm almost ruined the pre-season Clash, temperatures soared, affecting tires and drivers at COTA and Phoenix. Now, heading into Darlington Raceway, an East Coast storm is threatening another one of NASCAR’s premier races.
While Washington’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, has advised people to “stay inside” during the storm, the question remains: will it affect the race weekend?
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How does the weather look for the weekend in Darlington?
The storm has significantly lowered the temperature around the region right now, but it will soon start changing in the upcoming days. As per The Weather Channel, there will be a drastic increase in the temperature by Friday, with slightly cloudy skies keeping the track slightly cool. Moreover, the threat of the storm does not seem urgent.
The Truck race on Friday is expected to have much cooler temperatures. With the temperatures soaring between 50° and 72°F, there wouldn’t be much to worry about. A cloud cover is expected throughout the day, and by evening, the race should go on without any major heating issues.
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On Saturday, the heat will increase significantly, with the mercury peaking at 80°F and dropping to 60°F at night. However, the cloud cover should once again keep the asphalt relatively cool, making it an easier race for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. However, there could be a massive change on Sunday for the Cup teams.
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Sunday is expected to be extremely sunny with little to no cloud cover. The temperature will rise to 86°F. Furthermore, the asphalt at Darlington will be heated to an extremely high temperature by the time the Cup race goes green. This will provide significant challenges for the teams, with the risk of another tire emergency like the one at Phoenix.
The tire situation at Darlington
The ‘Lady in Black’ has never been easy on the tires, but it could be especially difficult this year. With the increase in horsepower to 750hp, the rear tires will be especially under stress, and the heated asphalt will not help the situation either.
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As for the tire allocation, the Cup Series teams will get 10 sets, along with one scuffed from qualifying, making a total of 11. For the Truck and the NOAP Series, each team is allocated five sets. They will have two sets for the practice sessions because of the increase in duration.
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The race could be interesting. While the drivers will have the advantage with the increase in total engine output, they will also have to manage the tires well. At the end of the day, a large part of the racing will depend on the correct strategy.
Daniel Dye Suspended After Making Insensitive Comment on Live Stream
The No. 10 MOPAR RAM 1500 will have a different driver in Friday’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway, after Daniel Dye, the full-time pilot of the Kaulig Racing entry, was suspended by NASCAR on Tuesday evening.
Dye was reprimanded by the sanctioning body after multiple clips surfaced early in the week of a homophobic comment made by the 22-year-old about NTT IndyCar Series driver David Malukas.
According to the NASCAR Rule Book (Section 4.3.C),
Who Is Omar López? Venezuela’s Coach’s Net Worth, Wife, Parents, Siblings, Ethnicity & MLB Contract
Omar López is the kind of manager who emphasizes combining hard work with team chemistry. He’s a key mind behind the success of the Houston Astros, but now he’s carrying the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. After a stunning 8-5 victory over the defending champions, Japan, and a tough semifinal win, López has taken Venezuela to its first-ever WBC final. For a country with an extreme passion for the sport, López is now one win away from securing his legacy.
Before we find out if the Venezuelans can secure their first-ever WBC title, let’s dig deeper into the man behind their success so far.
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Who is Omar López?
Omar E. López was born on January 3, 1977, in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. He loved playing baseball as a kid and was influenced by ‘legends’ Ozzie Guillen and Andres Galarraga. His early performance translated into a professional career at the age of 19. But he never made it to the MLB.
López’s short stint as a baseball player is limited to the minor leagues. He was signed as a rookie by the Chicago White Sox in 1996 and played for the Bristol White Sox for 2 years. The Diamondbacks signed him as a Class A player in 1998, and he played for the South Bend Silver Hawks for one year. He was able to excel as an infielder in his short stint.
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He moved on to coaching and scouting at the age of 22. Omar López was a part of the Astros’ Venezuelan program from 1999 to 2007. He coached many players who later proved to be big names in the major league.
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Omar López has been the bench coach for the Astros since 2024. He has also managed the Venezuelan national team in the 2023 WBC and 2024 WBSC Premier12. It is under his leadership that Team Venezuela has beaten the defending champions Japan in the quarterfinals and a strong Italian side in the semis in the current WBC.
People often wonder how he finds time to manage Cangrejeros de Santurce, a Puerto Rican winter league team as well.
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Who Is Omar López’s Wife?
Omar López married Helen Barreto more than two decades ago, and the couple has two children. Both his children, Omar Eduardo López and Emily Gabriela López, are into sports. While Omar Jr. followed his father’s footsteps, Emily is into volleyball.
He is a senior infielder for the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats, and she is a student-athlete at Belmont Abbey College. López is often spotted bringing his family to the stadium or visiting his children’s games.
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Helen plays an integral part in Omar Sr.’s career decisions. She is the one who pushed him for the managerial duties in the Puerto Rican winter league.
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Who are Omar López’s Parents & Siblings?
There is no documentation on López’s parents. The same goes for his siblings. But the closest thing he has to that is his colleague Rodney Linares. He thinks of him as a brother and is very thankful “to God for putting Rodney in [his] career.”
What is Omar López’s Ethnicity & Nationality?
Omar López has often spoken emotionally of his pride in the national flag and respect for those who have represented the country before him. His birth makes him every bit as Venezuelan as the people he looked up to while growing up and watching baseball.
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His Latino/Hispanic ethnicity made him extremely effective for coaching the Spanish-speaking young prospects in his early Astros days. However, there is no publicly available information to confirm his religious ties.
What is Omar López’s Net Worth?
Omar E. López isn’t overly fond of showing off his wealth. There is hardly any info of his earnings to substantiate a specific figure. However, as the Astros’ bench coach, his annual salary is estimated to be between $200,000 and $350,000.
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Notably, he doesn’t earn anything for managing the Venezuela national team. Well, anything but respect.
“Because it is the only thing I can do,” López admits. “It is the only thing I can do for my country.”
What is Omar López’s MLB Contract & Salary?
His current role as a member of the coaching staff for the Houston Astros indicates a multi-year deal. But neither the organization nor López has ever disclosed any amount. However, it is expected that his earnings have increased following his promotion to bench coach from first base coach.
What Are Omar López’s MLB Career Highlights?
During his coaching and scouting time with the Astros’ Venezuelan program, he identified José Altuve. And it is often termed as one of the most famous finds in modern baseball. Notably, Altuve was rejected by the academy for his 5’4’’ height at that time.
Under his management, Altuve won the Venezuelan Summer League MVP, leading his team to the championship in 2007. But he wasn’t the only highlight of López’s scouting skills. His ability to guide the young Spanish-speaking prospects earned him the Astros’ Player Development Man of the Year in 2010.
Since then, López has coached many players like Carlos Correa, Yordan Alvarez, and Teoscar Hernández, among others, who excelled in the Major League later in their careers.
He won multiple winter league championships and led the Quad Cities to a Midwest League title in 2013. López went on to win the Texas League Manager of the Year award in 2018.
He was also an integral part of the Astros’ World Series triumph in 2022. Under his leadership, Venezuela reached the quarterfinals in the WBC 2023. He also led the national team to a fourth-place finish in the 2024 WBSC Premier12.
Right now, Venezuela is one of the finalists in the 2026 WBC, ready to take on tournament favorites this Wednesday.
Omar López might not have been a big name as an MLB player. But he is a symbol of dedication in the sport. He has proved his scouting and coaching skills time and again.
Now we wait to see if he can add another feather to his cap.
Padres Pitcher Suddenly Retires From MLB at 27 Years Old
Carter Loewen, a right-handed pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization, has suddenly retired from Major League Baseball, according to his MLB.com transactions log.
Loewen, 27, appeared in two games with the Padres this spring, allowing two runs over one inning with two strikeouts. Now, he’s retired from the game of baseball.
Loewen was initially drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 40th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He elected to go to college, though, and ended up signing with the Padres as an undrafted free agent out of Hawaii in June 2020.
Loewen started in High-A and gradually worked his way up through the minor league ranks. Last year, he reached Triple-A for the first time in his career, where he pitched well in limited action, throwing 2.1 shutout innings with three strikeouts. Across his 18 appearances in Double-A, he had a 2.38 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 22.2 innings.
Loewen has dealt with a series of injuries over the last few years. He missed a majority of the 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and missed half of last season due to an injury. However, less than two weeks ago, he spoke to Blue Jays Nation’s Ben Wrixon about his plans to prioritize his diet and stay healthy for the 2026 season.
“One very low-hanging fruit for me is diet, and what I put in my body,” Loewen said in early March. “If I’m lacking in iron or calcium or whatever the bloodwork comes back to show, I’ll try to do the best that I can to hit the areas where the level might not be fully filled.”
He also wanted to focus on sleep.
“The sleep aspect is obviously huge because that’s when your body recovers from going out and throwing 96 (mph) every night. That’s not a very easy thing to do on the body,
Diamondbacks unveil new Chase Field food options for 2026 MLB season
Baseball fans were already spoiled in 2026 by a seat-gripping World Baseball Classic. And as the worldwide tournament comes to an end, the excitement continues with the transition into the regular MLB season.
Ahead of Opening Day on March 26, the Diamondbacks held a media event showcasing ballpark upgrades — such as a new and improved ribbon board and a huge new scoreboard that Dbacks’ President Derrick Hall said was the height of
Killer MLB star’s mistress gets slap on the wrist for covering up shooting of his wife’s parents
The mistress of killer pitcher Dan Serafini escaped with a slap on the wrist after admitting she covered up his 2021 deadly attack on his in-laws.
Samantha Scott, who worked as a nanny for Serafini and his wife Erin Spohr’s family, was sentenced to two years’ probation Monday for helping the baseball star after he shot Spohr’s parents in a twisted bid to win her inheritance.
Scott, 35, was the prosecution’s key witness against Serafini and told the jury how she drove Serafini from Nevada to the Lake Tahoe area on the day he shot his in-laws at their Lake Tahoe home.
Scott also drove Serafini back to Nevada after the shooting and lied to investigators about it afterward, according to KCRA. She pled guilty to an accessory charge in February 2025.
The former pitcher’s mistress at her sentencing Monday said “fear and misplaced loyalty” clouded her judgment.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their family,” said Scott in her appearance before a judge at a Placerville court. “I cannot undo what happened, but I truly wish that I had acted differently.”
Serafini, 52, last month was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his father-in-law, Gary Spohr and shooting his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, in the head. Wood recovered after Serafini shot her but subsequently took her own life.
“[Serafini] is a monster who knows no moral boundaries and has zero reservations about taking the lives of others to benefit himself,” the victims’ daughter, Adrienne Spohr, said of Serafini his sentencing, according to the news station.
Spohr spoke out again about the terrible impact of her father’s murder and her mother’s death at Scott’s sentencing this week.
“House arrest with the ability to travel within 150 miles is not accountability,” said Spohr of Scott’s punishment.
“That radius allows vacation, leisure and freedom. My parents have none of that,” she added.
The deadly ambush stemmed from a $1.3 million loan intended for his wife’s horse ranch business, prosecutors argued at his six-week trial last year, prosecutors said.
They alleged Serafini murdered his in-laws to claim their $23 million fortune through his wife’s inheritance.
Serafini, who was arrested with Scott in 2023, was convicted in July of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and first-degree burglary.
The former baseball player at his sentencing rejected the charges against him and railed against the justice system.
“Justice is fragile. I am just a man,” he whined, according to KCRA.
“I am far from perfect, but I am no murderer. We live in a society that lacks compassion and empathy. A society that sadly thrives on hearing the misfortunes of others. I sit before you today, a broken man, humiliated, embarrassed, angry, and sad. But I am not a murderer. I am a survivor, but I am no murderer.”
Serafini was a No. 26 draft pick by the Twins in 1992 who finished his MLB career with the Rockies in 2007, when he was suspended 50 games for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Serafini revealed he had lost $14 million through bad investments and a divorce settlement during a “Bar Rescue” episode showcasing the Nevada bar he opened in 2013.
Red Sox players were fantastic in the World Baseball Classic
“Me and Roman were like, ‘Man, it’s gonna be a little different going back to Fort Myers after this,’ ” Whitlock said.
Still, the Sox have found reason to be excited about how their players have performed on an elevated March stage. As a group, they have had a spectacular tournament.
“It is amazing seeing my teammates doing a really good job in this tournament, because that gives them the opportunity to be ready for the season,” said Abreu. “If they keep doing that, we’re gonna have a really good season with the Red Sox.”
Anthony, who’d been unable to experience the playoffs last year due to the oblique injury that ended his year, has been one of the best players on the field for a loaded Team USA. His .318/.423/.591 line — along with a go-ahead, left-on-left homer in the semifinals against the Dominican Republic — reinforced the sense that he’s a budding star.
“Playing in this game and playing in this tournament the way he has has obviously showed everybody what we all know about him,” said Team USA (and former Sox) teammate Alex Bregman. “I feel like he’s going to be one of the best players in the game of baseball for a long, long time. I feel like there will be many playoff runs for him, and he’ll lead many teams to the postseason.”
Abreu authored a seminal moment in the tournament and in Venezuelan baseball history with his go-ahead homer (and epic bat flip) against Japan in the quarterfinals. Jarren Duran was electric for Mexico, slashing .333/.412/1.000 with three homers. Masataka Yoshida (.375/.444/.813) excelled for Japan. Nate Eaton even took Tarik Skubal deep for Great Britain, and slashed .316/.316/.579.
Anthony, mindful of suggestions the Sox will be power-deficient, took some amusement at the show of muscle by his Boston teammates in the tournament, and what it might say about the adequacy of their thump.
“I mean, the bar isn’t very high. Nobody seems to think any of us has any power, or any of us is going to hit many home runs,” said Anthony. “So it’s easy [to exceed expectations] when the bar is set low.
“It’s funny, but we know the players that we are, and we know how we work, and we believe in our ability and what we can do, what we’re going to do this year. When [you] look at all these guys [in the WBC], I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised.”
Added Whitlock: “We know we’ve got juice.”
The eye-opening performances haven’t been limited to the batter’s box. Whitlock (3 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts entering Tuesday) was dominant in the late innings, including in a perfect inning of work in the semifinals.
“Garrett Whitlock doesn’t get enough love,” said Team USA manager Mark DeRosa. “He’s one of the best relievers in the sport.”
Greg Weissert was equally impressive as the closer for Team Italy, firing 3⅓ scoreless innings and recording a tournament-high three saves. Brayan Bello allowed one hit and struck out seven over five innings in his start for the Dominican.
There were exceptions. Both Contreras and Suarez had only limited playing time in the tournament, and will now have to get on an accelerated track to be ready for the start of the season.
That said, in nearly every WBC game, it felt like there was a noteworthy contribution from a member of the Red Sox — making the tournament something of a showcase for the team’s potential. The players hope they’ll be able to carry the energy of what they’ve experienced — and their on-field production — into the regular season.
“It’s not surprising to see what these guys are doing,” said Anthony. “It’s not surprising to see a guy like Wilyer hit a ball into the second deck. But to see him and the passion for his country, this event brings out the best in you. To see that, you can’t help but be excited as a Red Sox player, as a fan, whatever it may be, watching everyone do their thing.”
field earnings shatters previous record
There was a time—not long ago—when baseball believed it understood its place in the modern sports economy. The sport was a regional game masquerading as a national pastime, rich in history, but lagging in marketing muscle.
Without a salary cap, baseball’s biggest stars made their money in contracts, not commercials. The legends of the sport sold jerseys, not entire industries.
Then Shohei Ohtani arrived like a rocket tearing across the sky. He didn’t just change the economics of baseball, he transformed them.
In 2026, Ohtani is expected to earn more than $127 million dollars in off the field earnings alone. A number so staggering that it doesn’t just shatter the record for baseball, but it shatters the record for all of sports. Period. The number eclipses Tiger Woods’ once untouchable mark of $105 million dollars in endorsement deals from 2009. It’s a number that places Ohtani in a category all his own.
And yet, the most absurd part isn’t the number itself. It’s the gap.
According to Sportico, Ohtani makes more in endorsements than the top 15 highest paid MLB players who make a combined $47 million in off-field earnings. It’s more than likely that Ohtani earns more money in endorsements than every single player in MLB combined. Think about that for a moment. In a league filled with MVPs, Cy Young winners, and billion-dollar franchises, one player has turned the endorsement economy into a one-man monopoly.
That’s not a gap. That’s a canyon.
Ohtani’s rise to this record-breaking milestone is a triumph, but it’s also an indictment on Major League Baseball. For decades, the sport failed to globalize its stars the way the NBA, PGA, NFL, and soccer did. MLB marketed teams, not individual personalities. It tried to sell the country on tradition instead of transcendence.
Even Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton ($20M) makes more money in off-field endorsements than any other MLB player outside of Ohtani.
According to Forbes, the list of highest paid athletes in terms of off-field earnings in 2025 reads like a who’s who of global superstars.
Stephen Curry, thanks to his Under Armour deal that ended in 2026, was the only other athlete close to Ohtani at just under $100 million. Next was LeBron James ($85M), Lionel Messi ($75M), Cristiano Ronaldo ($50M), Kevin Durant ($50M), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($45M), Rory McIlroy ($45M), and Woods ($45M).
Scottie Scheffler ($30M), Neymar ($30M), Patrick Mahomes ($28M), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($25M) round out the top-ten, but Ohtani is on an island all his own.
Ohtani is baseball’s first true modern global superstar—an athlete who moves seamlessly between cultures, languages, and markets. In Japan, he is omnipresent. Billboards. Television. Subways. Taxis. Entire city blocks feel like extensions of his brand.
His endorsement portfolio reads less like a sponsorship sheet and more like a corporate empire: Seiko, Kosé, Kowa, Hugo Boss, Japan Airlines, New Balance, Fanatics, and more than 20 total partnerships. When Japanese brand Kirin signed him as the face of its “Immune Care” campaign, it wasn’t just a deal—it was a nationwide event.
This is what baseball never had before: an athlete who isn’t just famous, but culturally embedded.
And here’s the twist that makes the entire story even more audacious—Ohtani is doing all of this while technically being one of the lowest-paid players on his own team.
His $2 million salary with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026 ranks 17th on the roster. A number that would be laughable if it weren’t so strategically brilliant.
Because Ohtani understood something most athletes never do: money isn’t always about what you earn—it’s about when you earn it, and what it allows you to build.
By deferring $680 million of his $700 million contract, Ohtani didn’t sacrifice wealth. He weaponized it. He gave the Dodgers financial flexibility to construct a superteam, stacking talent around him like kindling around a fire. The result? Back-to-Back World Series Championships. Global visibility. Baseball dominance.
And dominance, in turn, feeds the machine.
Winning amplifies relevance. Relevance drives endorsements. Endorsements create empires.
That’s why the Dodgers are the modern day Evil Empire, and Ohtani is at the center of it.
Even the Dodgers’ clubhouse culture reflects his reach. Last season’s home run celebration—a playful gesture mimicking a Japanese skincare ad—wasn’t just a joke. It was a signal. A reminder that Ohtani’s influence stretches beyond the diamond and into the everyday rhythms of global commerce.
He isn’t just in advertisements. He is a walking advertisement.
New Balance understood this early. Their partnership with Ohtani isn’t structured like a traditional baseball deal—it mirrors the architecture of an NBA signature empire. Shoes, apparel, global campaigns. In 2026, the brand expanded his collection into dozens of products, effectively turning him into a walking, swinging, pitching marketplace.
And still, somehow, this might only be the beginning.
Because what makes Ohtani truly dangerous to the record books isn’t just his popularity—it’s his duality. He is the only athlete in modern sports who can dominate two roles at once, a once-in-a-century talent at the plate and a Cy Young Award caliber pitcher on the mound. Ohtani has the only two 50-50 seasons in MLB history. 50+ homers and 50+ stolen bases in 2024, and 50+ homers and 50+ strikeouts as a pitcher in 2025. He has four MVP awards. Two World Series titles. A résumé that reads like fiction.
The word “unicorn” gets thrown around too easily in sports. With Ohtani, it still feels insufficient.
Even when you widen the lens beyond active athletes, the only name that truly dwarfs him is Michael Jordan, whose Jordan Brand empire generated an estimated $300 million in 2025. But that’s a different kind of legacy—built over decades, fueled by nostalgia and ownership.
Ohtani is doing this in real time.
And that’s what should both excite and terrify the rest of baseball.
Because this isn’t just about one player making more money than everyone else. It’s about one player changing the economic blueprint of an entire sport. The next generation of stars won’t chase contracts the same way. They’ll chase markets. They’ll chase global reach. They’ll chase what Ohtani has built—a brand that transcends borders and turns performance into currency.
Baseball didn’t create this moment.
Shohei Ohtani did.
And now the sport is racing to keep up with the future he’s already living in.
Altafiber announces long-term agreement with MLB to broadcast Reds
Altafiber made an announcement on its website that it
John Smoltz wants WBC played during MLB season
Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz believes he has a way to make the World Baseball Classic even better.
Smoltz appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday and was asked how MLB could up the ante with the international baseball tournament.
“I think you make it bigger when you do it in the middle of the season and shut it down for a week,” Smoltz opined. “I’ve been saying that for years. I think it’s the perfect spot to showcase the international talent, you would have everybody wearing that uniform, they’d be in midseason form, there would be no restrictions, you truly get to see the Goliath against the Goliath without them coming out and throwing a million arms.”
This year’s World Baseball Classic has been incredibly successful for the sport, with Tuesday’s championship, won 3-2 by Venezuela over Team USA, expected to shatter viewership records.
While Smoltz acknowledged it likely wouldn’t ever happen, he pointed to the success of the Four Nations Face-Off the NHL put on in 2025 instead of an All-Star Game.
“This tournament has accomplished its goals,” Smoltz said about the WBC. “Team Italy, baseball’s gonna be thought of differently there. You’ve got other countries that are bringing baseball to the forefront when other sports were really kinda marquee and king. That has worked. Is it the perfect timing? No.”
He said he passed along his idea to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and said he would be OK with the idea of doing a World vs. USA format to replace the MLB All-Star Game.
“If you shut the game down for a week and give everybody the break they need, you could do so many things to promote within that week and own that week,” Smoltz said.
While Smoltz’s ideas are interesting, it would be a tough sell for MLB to hold the event in the middle of a season.
And while the eight-time All-Star made a fair point in the tough job Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has, having to run decisions by players’ MLB managers first, that likely wouldn’t go away during some sort of in-season international tournament.
Maikel Garcia wins 2026 World Baseball Classic MVP
With a breakout season for the Royals last year, Maikel Garcia made his name known around MLB. Now his name is resonating on the world stage.
The 26-year-old infielder was named MVP of the World Baseball Classic after Venezuela defeated the tournament favorite USA with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the final on Tuesday night.
Garcia hit .385 for the Classic with a home run and seven RBIs, and he drove in the first run of the game in the final with a sac fly off USA starter Nolan McLean. He also had a key hit in Venezuela’s decisive three-run rally in the seventh inning of the semifinals against Team Italy.
“The place I come from, we are born with that characteristic, to be competitive every day no matter where you are playing or what you are playing,” Garcia said earlier in the tournament. “I love facing the best rivals.”
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is driving MLB’s boom in Japan
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani isn’t just the best baseball player in the world. He’s also the driving force behind why Japanese fans are watching Major League Baseball.
In a country where baseball already pulses through the culture like oxygen, Ohtani has turned passion into obsession. According to a YouGov Sport survey, nearly 8 in 10 Japanese fans now say he’s one of their favorite MLB players, and more importantly, 79 percent admit he’s the reason their interest in Major League Baseball has grown.
Ohtani’s current team, the Dodgers, have now become Japan’s team. A commanding 59 percent of the nation said the Dodgers are their favorite MLB team. That’s no coincidence. Ohtani, alongside countrymen Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, has turned Dodger Stadium into a second home for millions of fans watching from across the Pacific.
When the Dodgers reached the 2025 World Series, more than half of Japanese sports fans tuned in—and 86 percent of them weren’t just watching. They were emotionally invested.
This is the rarest kind of athlete, the kind who doesn’t just dominate a sport but redefines its geography. Ohtani hasn’t simply bridged Japan and America—he’s collapsed the distance between them. Every home run, every splitter, every moment under the lights pulls two baseball worlds closer together.
NASCAR Suspends Daniel Dye After Livestream Mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye after livestream mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye after livestream mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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Alex Bowman sidelined for 3 more NASCAR races with vertigo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss at least the next three NASCAR Cup Series races while he recovers from vertigo.
Bowman had to exit the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas because he was not feeling well. He was replaced mid-race and diagnosed with vertigo, and has missed races at Phoenix and Las Vegas since.
Myatt Snider drove the No. 48 Chevrolet at COTA, Anthony Alfredo drove at Phoenix and Justin Allgaier drove Sunday at Las Vegas.
Allgaier will fill in for Bowman again starting this weekend at Darlington Raceway, then at Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see how hard he’s working to get back behind the wheel, and we’re looking forward to his return when he’s medically cleared. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports is 100 percent behind Alex.”
Bowman is 36th in the Cup standings, 232 points behind leader Tyler Reddick and 94 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suárez and AJ Allmendinger, who are tied for 16th place. The top 16 drivers qualify for NASCAR’s playoffs.
Bowman is coming off a 2025 season where he made the postseason and finished 13th in the standings. The 32-year-old from Tucson, Arizona, has eight wins, 46 top fives and 112 top 10s in 364 Cup starts over 12 seasons.
His best finish in the final standings was sixth in 2020 for Hendrick Motorsports, where he has been as a full-time driver since 2018.
Bowman was also supposed to drive in NASCAR’s second-tier series for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet at Darlington on Saturday. Kyle Larson, Bowman’s Hendrick teammate and winner in the same car Saturday at Las Vegas, will replace him.
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Denny Hamlin Eyeing to Take Down Kyle Busch After Dethroning Kevin Harvick from Prestigious Record
Last weekend, Denny Hamlin officially banished the demons of 2025 with a win at Las Vegas. He was probably 10 laps away from finally getting the monkey off his back, but fate had other ideas. A late caution and a questionable strategy meant that Hamlin lost once again. However, he has since managed to pick himself back up to try once again. Needless to say, he announced his intention of gunning for the title once again, in Vegas.
Denny Hamlin is on the hunt for records
Thanks to his Vegas win, the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver has overtaken Kevin Harvick on the win tally. In a recent episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin outlined his next goal. In the coming week, NASCAR heads to Darlington, followed by Martinsville, Bristol, Kansas, and Talladega.
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Hamlin said on his podcast, “Get another win, that’s the goal. One of those three. Talladega, I wish, guys. I’m trying everything when it comes to superspeedway racing. Just not getting the proper finishes. I’m trying to run up front as much as I can. Doesn’t matter, crash. Next three races, how many points?. If I said you get 150 points, it’d be 50-50-50. We would take that, but also I mean bigger than the next three races.”
The JGR star believes that his best chance of racking up more wins is either at Darlington or the two short tracks. He acknowledged that Talladega is way too unpredictable. This is likely because it is a superspeedway, and that type of racing is unpredictable, just like at Daytona. Hamlin has won at Darlington, Bristol, and Martinsville in the past, so he should be a favorite once again. Reddick has proven that after clinching one win, a driver can build momentum and win more races.
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He also dropped a hint about his future in NASCA.R
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Now, Denny Hamlin is no spring chicken and is steadily approaching the twilight of his career. At the age of 45, who knows how long he has left in the tank and can keep performing at the highest level. Hamlin admitted that there will come a time when he will stop winning, and then eventually he will call time on his career.
He said, “Right, I thought that realistically, I think I’m going to fall at 67, that’s where I think it ends. Until the end of next year, more than likely 67. That’s just by the numbers, that’s not any, ‘OH,h I feel this, I feel that.’ That’s just where the numbers land, averaging 3-4 wins a year.”
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The next person on his hit list is former teammate and 2-time Cup champion Kyle Busch. Busch is 5 years younger and has 63 wins, but does not look like he is adding to that tally any time soon. He has struggled a lot with Richard Childress Racing, enduring two winless seasons, ns and this year could be a third. That is, unless the organisation has a dramatic turnaround and he gets back in Victory Lane.
Coming back to Denny Hamlin, though, he is actually in a pretty good position, championship-wise. After his Pennzoil 400 triumph, he sits in 4th place in the standings. This puts him behind the 23XI Racing duo of Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, and Phoenix winner, Ryan Blaney. All in all, it is a great time for Hamlin, as he is in the title fight, as are two of his drivers.
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Thabeingig said, the season is long, and anything can happen in the next few races to shake up the order. Hendrick Motorsports has been looking strong, and Team Penske isn’t too far behind. Also, if 23XI is any indication, other Chevy, Ford, and Toyota teams are well and truly in the mix.
NASCAR Weather Update Darlington: Will the East Coast Storm Cancel the Race Weekend?
NASCAR doesn’t seem to be catching a break with the weather this season. After the North Carolina snowstorm almost ruined the pre-season Clash, temperatures soared, affecting tires and drivers at COTA and Phoenix. Now, heading into Darlington Raceway, an East Coast storm is threatening another one of NASCAR’s premier races.
While Washington’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, has advised people to “stay inside” during the storm, the question remains: will it affect the race weekend?
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How does the weather look for the weekend in Darlington?
The storm has significantly lowered the temperature around the region right now, but it will soon start changing in the upcoming days. As per The Weather Channel, there will be a drastic increase in the temperature by Friday, with slightly cloudy skies keeping the track slightly cool. Moreover, the threat of the storm does not seem urgent.
The Truck race on Friday is expected to have much cooler temperatures. With the temperatures soaring between 50° and 72°F, there wouldn’t be much to worry about. A cloud cover is expected throughout the day, and by evening, the race should go on without any major heating issues.
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On Saturday, the heat will increase significantly, with the mercury peaking at 80°F and dropping to 60°F at night. However, the cloud cover should once again keep the asphalt relatively cool, making it an easier race for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. However, there could be a massive change on Sunday for the Cup teams.
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Sunday is expected to be extremely sunny with little to no cloud cover. The temperature will rise to 86°F. Furthermore, the asphalt at Darlington will be heated to an extremely high temperature by the time the Cup race goes green. This will provide significant challenges for the teams, with the risk of another tire emergency like the one at Phoenix.
The tire situation at Darlington
The ‘Lady in Black’ has never been easy on the tires, but it could be especially difficult this year. With the increase in horsepower to 750hp, the rear tires will be especially under stress, and the heated asphalt will not help the situation either.
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As for the tire allocation, the Cup Series teams will get 10 sets, along with one scuffed from qualifying, making a total of 11. For the Truck and the NOAP Series, each team is allocated five sets. They will have two sets for the practice sessions because of the increase in duration.
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The race could be interesting. While the drivers will have the advantage with the increase in total engine output, they will also have to manage the tires well. At the end of the day, a large part of the racing will depend on the correct strategy.
Daniel Dye Suspended After Making Insensitive Comment on Live Stream
The No. 10 MOPAR RAM 1500 will have a different driver in Friday’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway, after Daniel Dye, the full-time pilot of the Kaulig Racing entry, was suspended by NASCAR on Tuesday evening.
Dye was reprimanded by the sanctioning body after multiple clips surfaced early in the week of a homophobic comment made by the 22-year-old about NTT IndyCar Series driver David Malukas.
According to the NASCAR Rule Book (Section 4.3.C),
Who Is Omar López? Venezuela’s Coach’s Net Worth, Wife, Parents, Siblings, Ethnicity & MLB Contract
Omar López is the kind of manager who emphasizes combining hard work with team chemistry. He’s a key mind behind the success of the Houston Astros, but now he’s carrying the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. After a stunning 8-5 victory over the defending champions, Japan, and a tough semifinal win, López has taken Venezuela to its first-ever WBC final. For a country with an extreme passion for the sport, López is now one win away from securing his legacy.
Before we find out if the Venezuelans can secure their first-ever WBC title, let’s dig deeper into the man behind their success so far.
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Who is Omar López?
Omar E. López was born on January 3, 1977, in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. He loved playing baseball as a kid and was influenced by ‘legends’ Ozzie Guillen and Andres Galarraga. His early performance translated into a professional career at the age of 19. But he never made it to the MLB.
López’s short stint as a baseball player is limited to the minor leagues. He was signed as a rookie by the Chicago White Sox in 1996 and played for the Bristol White Sox for 2 years. The Diamondbacks signed him as a Class A player in 1998, and he played for the South Bend Silver Hawks for one year. He was able to excel as an infielder in his short stint.
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He moved on to coaching and scouting at the age of 22. Omar López was a part of the Astros’ Venezuelan program from 1999 to 2007. He coached many players who later proved to be big names in the major league.
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Omar López has been the bench coach for the Astros since 2024. He has also managed the Venezuelan national team in the 2023 WBC and 2024 WBSC Premier12. It is under his leadership that Team Venezuela has beaten the defending champions Japan in the quarterfinals and a strong Italian side in the semis in the current WBC.
People often wonder how he finds time to manage Cangrejeros de Santurce, a Puerto Rican winter league team as well.
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Who Is Omar López’s Wife?
Omar López married Helen Barreto more than two decades ago, and the couple has two children. Both his children, Omar Eduardo López and Emily Gabriela López, are into sports. While Omar Jr. followed his father’s footsteps, Emily is into volleyball.
He is a senior infielder for the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats, and she is a student-athlete at Belmont Abbey College. López is often spotted bringing his family to the stadium or visiting his children’s games.
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Helen plays an integral part in Omar Sr.’s career decisions. She is the one who pushed him for the managerial duties in the Puerto Rican winter league.
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Who are Omar López’s Parents & Siblings?
There is no documentation on López’s parents. The same goes for his siblings. But the closest thing he has to that is his colleague Rodney Linares. He thinks of him as a brother and is very thankful “to God for putting Rodney in [his] career.”
What is Omar López’s Ethnicity & Nationality?
Omar López has often spoken emotionally of his pride in the national flag and respect for those who have represented the country before him. His birth makes him every bit as Venezuelan as the people he looked up to while growing up and watching baseball.
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His Latino/Hispanic ethnicity made him extremely effective for coaching the Spanish-speaking young prospects in his early Astros days. However, there is no publicly available information to confirm his religious ties.
What is Omar López’s Net Worth?
Omar E. López isn’t overly fond of showing off his wealth. There is hardly any info of his earnings to substantiate a specific figure. However, as the Astros’ bench coach, his annual salary is estimated to be between $200,000 and $350,000.
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Notably, he doesn’t earn anything for managing the Venezuela national team. Well, anything but respect.
“Because it is the only thing I can do,” López admits. “It is the only thing I can do for my country.”
What is Omar López’s MLB Contract & Salary?
His current role as a member of the coaching staff for the Houston Astros indicates a multi-year deal. But neither the organization nor López has ever disclosed any amount. However, it is expected that his earnings have increased following his promotion to bench coach from first base coach.
What Are Omar López’s MLB Career Highlights?
During his coaching and scouting time with the Astros’ Venezuelan program, he identified José Altuve. And it is often termed as one of the most famous finds in modern baseball. Notably, Altuve was rejected by the academy for his 5’4’’ height at that time.
Under his management, Altuve won the Venezuelan Summer League MVP, leading his team to the championship in 2007. But he wasn’t the only highlight of López’s scouting skills. His ability to guide the young Spanish-speaking prospects earned him the Astros’ Player Development Man of the Year in 2010.
Since then, López has coached many players like Carlos Correa, Yordan Alvarez, and Teoscar Hernández, among others, who excelled in the Major League later in their careers.
He won multiple winter league championships and led the Quad Cities to a Midwest League title in 2013. López went on to win the Texas League Manager of the Year award in 2018.
He was also an integral part of the Astros’ World Series triumph in 2022. Under his leadership, Venezuela reached the quarterfinals in the WBC 2023. He also led the national team to a fourth-place finish in the 2024 WBSC Premier12.
Right now, Venezuela is one of the finalists in the 2026 WBC, ready to take on tournament favorites this Wednesday.
Omar López might not have been a big name as an MLB player. But he is a symbol of dedication in the sport. He has proved his scouting and coaching skills time and again.
Now we wait to see if he can add another feather to his cap.
Padres Pitcher Suddenly Retires From MLB at 27 Years Old
Carter Loewen, a right-handed pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization, has suddenly retired from Major League Baseball, according to his MLB.com transactions log.
Loewen, 27, appeared in two games with the Padres this spring, allowing two runs over one inning with two strikeouts. Now, he’s retired from the game of baseball.
Loewen was initially drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 40th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He elected to go to college, though, and ended up signing with the Padres as an undrafted free agent out of Hawaii in June 2020.
Loewen started in High-A and gradually worked his way up through the minor league ranks. Last year, he reached Triple-A for the first time in his career, where he pitched well in limited action, throwing 2.1 shutout innings with three strikeouts. Across his 18 appearances in Double-A, he had a 2.38 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 22.2 innings.
Loewen has dealt with a series of injuries over the last few years. He missed a majority of the 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and missed half of last season due to an injury. However, less than two weeks ago, he spoke to Blue Jays Nation’s Ben Wrixon about his plans to prioritize his diet and stay healthy for the 2026 season.
“One very low-hanging fruit for me is diet, and what I put in my body,” Loewen said in early March. “If I’m lacking in iron or calcium or whatever the bloodwork comes back to show, I’ll try to do the best that I can to hit the areas where the level might not be fully filled.”
He also wanted to focus on sleep.
“The sleep aspect is obviously huge because that’s when your body recovers from going out and throwing 96 (mph) every night. That’s not a very easy thing to do on the body,
Diamondbacks unveil new Chase Field food options for 2026 MLB season
Baseball fans were already spoiled in 2026 by a seat-gripping World Baseball Classic. And as the worldwide tournament comes to an end, the excitement continues with the transition into the regular MLB season.
Ahead of Opening Day on March 26, the Diamondbacks held a media event showcasing ballpark upgrades — such as a new and improved ribbon board and a huge new scoreboard that Dbacks’ President Derrick Hall said was the height of
Killer MLB star’s mistress gets slap on the wrist for covering up shooting of his wife’s parents
The mistress of killer pitcher Dan Serafini escaped with a slap on the wrist after admitting she covered up his 2021 deadly attack on his in-laws.
Samantha Scott, who worked as a nanny for Serafini and his wife Erin Spohr’s family, was sentenced to two years’ probation Monday for helping the baseball star after he shot Spohr’s parents in a twisted bid to win her inheritance.
Scott, 35, was the prosecution’s key witness against Serafini and told the jury how she drove Serafini from Nevada to the Lake Tahoe area on the day he shot his in-laws at their Lake Tahoe home.
Scott also drove Serafini back to Nevada after the shooting and lied to investigators about it afterward, according to KCRA. She pled guilty to an accessory charge in February 2025.
The former pitcher’s mistress at her sentencing Monday said “fear and misplaced loyalty” clouded her judgment.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their family,” said Scott in her appearance before a judge at a Placerville court. “I cannot undo what happened, but I truly wish that I had acted differently.”
Serafini, 52, last month was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his father-in-law, Gary Spohr and shooting his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, in the head. Wood recovered after Serafini shot her but subsequently took her own life.
“[Serafini] is a monster who knows no moral boundaries and has zero reservations about taking the lives of others to benefit himself,” the victims’ daughter, Adrienne Spohr, said of Serafini his sentencing, according to the news station.
Spohr spoke out again about the terrible impact of her father’s murder and her mother’s death at Scott’s sentencing this week.
“House arrest with the ability to travel within 150 miles is not accountability,” said Spohr of Scott’s punishment.
“That radius allows vacation, leisure and freedom. My parents have none of that,” she added.
The deadly ambush stemmed from a $1.3 million loan intended for his wife’s horse ranch business, prosecutors argued at his six-week trial last year, prosecutors said.
They alleged Serafini murdered his in-laws to claim their $23 million fortune through his wife’s inheritance.
Serafini, who was arrested with Scott in 2023, was convicted in July of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and first-degree burglary.
The former baseball player at his sentencing rejected the charges against him and railed against the justice system.
“Justice is fragile. I am just a man,” he whined, according to KCRA.
“I am far from perfect, but I am no murderer. We live in a society that lacks compassion and empathy. A society that sadly thrives on hearing the misfortunes of others. I sit before you today, a broken man, humiliated, embarrassed, angry, and sad. But I am not a murderer. I am a survivor, but I am no murderer.”
Serafini was a No. 26 draft pick by the Twins in 1992 who finished his MLB career with the Rockies in 2007, when he was suspended 50 games for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Serafini revealed he had lost $14 million through bad investments and a divorce settlement during a “Bar Rescue” episode showcasing the Nevada bar he opened in 2013.
Red Sox players were fantastic in the World Baseball Classic
“Me and Roman were like, ‘Man, it’s gonna be a little different going back to Fort Myers after this,’ ” Whitlock said.
Still, the Sox have found reason to be excited about how their players have performed on an elevated March stage. As a group, they have had a spectacular tournament.
“It is amazing seeing my teammates doing a really good job in this tournament, because that gives them the opportunity to be ready for the season,” said Abreu. “If they keep doing that, we’re gonna have a really good season with the Red Sox.”
Anthony, who’d been unable to experience the playoffs last year due to the oblique injury that ended his year, has been one of the best players on the field for a loaded Team USA. His .318/.423/.591 line — along with a go-ahead, left-on-left homer in the semifinals against the Dominican Republic — reinforced the sense that he’s a budding star.
“Playing in this game and playing in this tournament the way he has has obviously showed everybody what we all know about him,” said Team USA (and former Sox) teammate Alex Bregman. “I feel like he’s going to be one of the best players in the game of baseball for a long, long time. I feel like there will be many playoff runs for him, and he’ll lead many teams to the postseason.”
Abreu authored a seminal moment in the tournament and in Venezuelan baseball history with his go-ahead homer (and epic bat flip) against Japan in the quarterfinals. Jarren Duran was electric for Mexico, slashing .333/.412/1.000 with three homers. Masataka Yoshida (.375/.444/.813) excelled for Japan. Nate Eaton even took Tarik Skubal deep for Great Britain, and slashed .316/.316/.579.
Anthony, mindful of suggestions the Sox will be power-deficient, took some amusement at the show of muscle by his Boston teammates in the tournament, and what it might say about the adequacy of their thump.
“I mean, the bar isn’t very high. Nobody seems to think any of us has any power, or any of us is going to hit many home runs,” said Anthony. “So it’s easy [to exceed expectations] when the bar is set low.
“It’s funny, but we know the players that we are, and we know how we work, and we believe in our ability and what we can do, what we’re going to do this year. When [you] look at all these guys [in the WBC], I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised.”
Added Whitlock: “We know we’ve got juice.”
The eye-opening performances haven’t been limited to the batter’s box. Whitlock (3 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts entering Tuesday) was dominant in the late innings, including in a perfect inning of work in the semifinals.
“Garrett Whitlock doesn’t get enough love,” said Team USA manager Mark DeRosa. “He’s one of the best relievers in the sport.”
Greg Weissert was equally impressive as the closer for Team Italy, firing 3⅓ scoreless innings and recording a tournament-high three saves. Brayan Bello allowed one hit and struck out seven over five innings in his start for the Dominican.
There were exceptions. Both Contreras and Suarez had only limited playing time in the tournament, and will now have to get on an accelerated track to be ready for the start of the season.
That said, in nearly every WBC game, it felt like there was a noteworthy contribution from a member of the Red Sox — making the tournament something of a showcase for the team’s potential. The players hope they’ll be able to carry the energy of what they’ve experienced — and their on-field production — into the regular season.
“It’s not surprising to see what these guys are doing,” said Anthony. “It’s not surprising to see a guy like Wilyer hit a ball into the second deck. But to see him and the passion for his country, this event brings out the best in you. To see that, you can’t help but be excited as a Red Sox player, as a fan, whatever it may be, watching everyone do their thing.”
field earnings shatters previous record
There was a time—not long ago—when baseball believed it understood its place in the modern sports economy. The sport was a regional game masquerading as a national pastime, rich in history, but lagging in marketing muscle.
Without a salary cap, baseball’s biggest stars made their money in contracts, not commercials. The legends of the sport sold jerseys, not entire industries.
Then Shohei Ohtani arrived like a rocket tearing across the sky. He didn’t just change the economics of baseball, he transformed them.
In 2026, Ohtani is expected to earn more than $127 million dollars in off the field earnings alone. A number so staggering that it doesn’t just shatter the record for baseball, but it shatters the record for all of sports. Period. The number eclipses Tiger Woods’ once untouchable mark of $105 million dollars in endorsement deals from 2009. It’s a number that places Ohtani in a category all his own.
And yet, the most absurd part isn’t the number itself. It’s the gap.
According to Sportico, Ohtani makes more in endorsements than the top 15 highest paid MLB players who make a combined $47 million in off-field earnings. It’s more than likely that Ohtani earns more money in endorsements than every single player in MLB combined. Think about that for a moment. In a league filled with MVPs, Cy Young winners, and billion-dollar franchises, one player has turned the endorsement economy into a one-man monopoly.
That’s not a gap. That’s a canyon.
Ohtani’s rise to this record-breaking milestone is a triumph, but it’s also an indictment on Major League Baseball. For decades, the sport failed to globalize its stars the way the NBA, PGA, NFL, and soccer did. MLB marketed teams, not individual personalities. It tried to sell the country on tradition instead of transcendence.
Even Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton ($20M) makes more money in off-field endorsements than any other MLB player outside of Ohtani.
According to Forbes, the list of highest paid athletes in terms of off-field earnings in 2025 reads like a who’s who of global superstars.
Stephen Curry, thanks to his Under Armour deal that ended in 2026, was the only other athlete close to Ohtani at just under $100 million. Next was LeBron James ($85M), Lionel Messi ($75M), Cristiano Ronaldo ($50M), Kevin Durant ($50M), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($45M), Rory McIlroy ($45M), and Woods ($45M).
Scottie Scheffler ($30M), Neymar ($30M), Patrick Mahomes ($28M), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($25M) round out the top-ten, but Ohtani is on an island all his own.
Ohtani is baseball’s first true modern global superstar—an athlete who moves seamlessly between cultures, languages, and markets. In Japan, he is omnipresent. Billboards. Television. Subways. Taxis. Entire city blocks feel like extensions of his brand.
His endorsement portfolio reads less like a sponsorship sheet and more like a corporate empire: Seiko, Kosé, Kowa, Hugo Boss, Japan Airlines, New Balance, Fanatics, and more than 20 total partnerships. When Japanese brand Kirin signed him as the face of its “Immune Care” campaign, it wasn’t just a deal—it was a nationwide event.
This is what baseball never had before: an athlete who isn’t just famous, but culturally embedded.
And here’s the twist that makes the entire story even more audacious—Ohtani is doing all of this while technically being one of the lowest-paid players on his own team.
His $2 million salary with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026 ranks 17th on the roster. A number that would be laughable if it weren’t so strategically brilliant.
Because Ohtani understood something most athletes never do: money isn’t always about what you earn—it’s about when you earn it, and what it allows you to build.
By deferring $680 million of his $700 million contract, Ohtani didn’t sacrifice wealth. He weaponized it. He gave the Dodgers financial flexibility to construct a superteam, stacking talent around him like kindling around a fire. The result? Back-to-Back World Series Championships. Global visibility. Baseball dominance.
And dominance, in turn, feeds the machine.
Winning amplifies relevance. Relevance drives endorsements. Endorsements create empires.
That’s why the Dodgers are the modern day Evil Empire, and Ohtani is at the center of it.
Even the Dodgers’ clubhouse culture reflects his reach. Last season’s home run celebration—a playful gesture mimicking a Japanese skincare ad—wasn’t just a joke. It was a signal. A reminder that Ohtani’s influence stretches beyond the diamond and into the everyday rhythms of global commerce.
He isn’t just in advertisements. He is a walking advertisement.
New Balance understood this early. Their partnership with Ohtani isn’t structured like a traditional baseball deal—it mirrors the architecture of an NBA signature empire. Shoes, apparel, global campaigns. In 2026, the brand expanded his collection into dozens of products, effectively turning him into a walking, swinging, pitching marketplace.
And still, somehow, this might only be the beginning.
Because what makes Ohtani truly dangerous to the record books isn’t just his popularity—it’s his duality. He is the only athlete in modern sports who can dominate two roles at once, a once-in-a-century talent at the plate and a Cy Young Award caliber pitcher on the mound. Ohtani has the only two 50-50 seasons in MLB history. 50+ homers and 50+ stolen bases in 2024, and 50+ homers and 50+ strikeouts as a pitcher in 2025. He has four MVP awards. Two World Series titles. A résumé that reads like fiction.
The word “unicorn” gets thrown around too easily in sports. With Ohtani, it still feels insufficient.
Even when you widen the lens beyond active athletes, the only name that truly dwarfs him is Michael Jordan, whose Jordan Brand empire generated an estimated $300 million in 2025. But that’s a different kind of legacy—built over decades, fueled by nostalgia and ownership.
Ohtani is doing this in real time.
And that’s what should both excite and terrify the rest of baseball.
Because this isn’t just about one player making more money than everyone else. It’s about one player changing the economic blueprint of an entire sport. The next generation of stars won’t chase contracts the same way. They’ll chase markets. They’ll chase global reach. They’ll chase what Ohtani has built—a brand that transcends borders and turns performance into currency.
Baseball didn’t create this moment.
Shohei Ohtani did.
And now the sport is racing to keep up with the future he’s already living in.
Altafiber announces long-term agreement with MLB to broadcast Reds
Altafiber made an announcement on its website that it
John Smoltz wants WBC played during MLB season
Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz believes he has a way to make the World Baseball Classic even better.
Smoltz appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday and was asked how MLB could up the ante with the international baseball tournament.
“I think you make it bigger when you do it in the middle of the season and shut it down for a week,” Smoltz opined. “I’ve been saying that for years. I think it’s the perfect spot to showcase the international talent, you would have everybody wearing that uniform, they’d be in midseason form, there would be no restrictions, you truly get to see the Goliath against the Goliath without them coming out and throwing a million arms.”
This year’s World Baseball Classic has been incredibly successful for the sport, with Tuesday’s championship, won 3-2 by Venezuela over Team USA, expected to shatter viewership records.
While Smoltz acknowledged it likely wouldn’t ever happen, he pointed to the success of the Four Nations Face-Off the NHL put on in 2025 instead of an All-Star Game.
“This tournament has accomplished its goals,” Smoltz said about the WBC. “Team Italy, baseball’s gonna be thought of differently there. You’ve got other countries that are bringing baseball to the forefront when other sports were really kinda marquee and king. That has worked. Is it the perfect timing? No.”
He said he passed along his idea to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and said he would be OK with the idea of doing a World vs. USA format to replace the MLB All-Star Game.
“If you shut the game down for a week and give everybody the break they need, you could do so many things to promote within that week and own that week,” Smoltz said.
While Smoltz’s ideas are interesting, it would be a tough sell for MLB to hold the event in the middle of a season.
And while the eight-time All-Star made a fair point in the tough job Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has, having to run decisions by players’ MLB managers first, that likely wouldn’t go away during some sort of in-season international tournament.
Maikel Garcia wins 2026 World Baseball Classic MVP
With a breakout season for the Royals last year, Maikel Garcia made his name known around MLB. Now his name is resonating on the world stage.
The 26-year-old infielder was named MVP of the World Baseball Classic after Venezuela defeated the tournament favorite USA with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the final on Tuesday night.
Garcia hit .385 for the Classic with a home run and seven RBIs, and he drove in the first run of the game in the final with a sac fly off USA starter Nolan McLean. He also had a key hit in Venezuela’s decisive three-run rally in the seventh inning of the semifinals against Team Italy.
“The place I come from, we are born with that characteristic, to be competitive every day no matter where you are playing or what you are playing,” Garcia said earlier in the tournament. “I love facing the best rivals.”
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is driving MLB’s boom in Japan
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani isn’t just the best baseball player in the world. He’s also the driving force behind why Japanese fans are watching Major League Baseball.
In a country where baseball already pulses through the culture like oxygen, Ohtani has turned passion into obsession. According to a YouGov Sport survey, nearly 8 in 10 Japanese fans now say he’s one of their favorite MLB players, and more importantly, 79 percent admit he’s the reason their interest in Major League Baseball has grown.
Ohtani’s current team, the Dodgers, have now become Japan’s team. A commanding 59 percent of the nation said the Dodgers are their favorite MLB team. That’s no coincidence. Ohtani, alongside countrymen Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, has turned Dodger Stadium into a second home for millions of fans watching from across the Pacific.
When the Dodgers reached the 2025 World Series, more than half of Japanese sports fans tuned in—and 86 percent of them weren’t just watching. They were emotionally invested.
This is the rarest kind of athlete, the kind who doesn’t just dominate a sport but redefines its geography. Ohtani hasn’t simply bridged Japan and America—he’s collapsed the distance between them. Every home run, every splitter, every moment under the lights pulls two baseball worlds closer together.
Bengals Hosting Intriguing QB Prospect for Visit as Search for Joe Burrow’s Backup Continues
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals signed veteran quarterback Josh Johnson over the weekend. They’re also hoping to re-sign Joe Flacco at some point this offseason.
Johnson’s return to Cincinnati isn’t stopping them from doing their due diligence at quarterback.
Pre-Draft Visit Scheduled
The Cincinnati Bengals will host Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis for a pre-draft 30 visit according to Justin Melo of NFL Draft On SI.
Kaliakmanis appeared in 48 collegiate games, spending two years at Minnesota before transferring for Rutgers, where he spent the past two seasons.
He threw for a career-high 3,124 yards at Rutgers last season, which was the fourth-most in school history. He completed 62.2% of his passes with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Kaliakmanis is projected to be a late day three draft pick or undrafted free agent. The Bengals have two sixth and two seventh round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. it’s reasonable to think they could use one on a quarterback.
What Bengals Are Looking for Behind Joe Burrow
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The Bengals haven’t used a draft pick on a quarterback since they took Joe Burrow in the 2020 NFL Draft. This could be the year they end that streak.
That pick may not be their backup this season—especially if they can re-sign Flacco, but adding a developmental piece could go a long way toward addressing the long-term need.
Chiefs Blockbuster Draft-Day Trade Pitch Nets Team Bailey or Bain
The Kansas City Chiefs are candidates to make an NFL draft-day splash by trading into position for one of the three elite pass-rushers in the 2026 class.
Field Yates of ESPN in his most recent mock draft last week predicted that David Bailey and Arvell Reese will come off the board at pick Nos. 2 and 3 to the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, respectively, leaving only Rueben Bain Jr. as the last elite edge-rusher before the prospect talent level drops to its second tier.
Yates had Bain heading to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 10 overall.
Max Loeb of Bleacher Report was a bit more generous with regards to the potential availability of Bailey in the range of pick Nos. 5 and 6 on Monday, March 16, when Loeb suggested a trade proposal involving the Chiefs and one of the two teams selecting in those spots.
“[The Chiefs] have nine picks in the draft and they are picking ninth overall,” Loeb said. “But the reality with this Chiefs team is they need an immediate impact player with their roster built to win now, and the top edge-rushers in the draft may not fall to them at nine. I could see the New York Giants or the Cleveland Browns trading down and the Kansas City Chiefs moving up to take someone like David Bailey or Rueben Bain.”
Chiefs Could to Stay Put at Pick No. 9 in Hopes of Top Edge Defender Falling, or Drafting for CB Need Instead
The question Kansas City will have to ask itself after the first four picks are made on Thursday, April 23 is what are the chances the franchise can hold fast at No. 9 and still grab a top edge-rusher?
If Bailey falls to at least pick five and is still there with Bain when the Giants go on the clock, the Chiefs might feel secure in remaining at No. 9 and hoping one of the two falls. That said, Bailey’s presence at No. 5 and the Giants’ lack of need for another pass-rusher could open the floodgates on trade talk from teams further down the draft order looking to move up and nab a potentially game-changing drive wrecker.
Another factor that might keep Kansas City at No. 9 overall is how badly the team needs to add a top cornerback who can contribute immediately. Yates has no cornerbacks and just one safety, Caleb Downs of Ohio State, coming off the board before the Chiefs’ first selection, which would mean they would have first dibs on every cornerback in the class if that is the direction they choose.
Browns Could Potentially Drop 3 Spots in Trade With Chiefs, Still Land Top Draft Target
The value should be there for the Browns to hop down three spots and pick up a solid asset in return from the Chiefs, perhaps the 74th overall selection in Round 3.
Cleveland is most likely looking at adding an offensive tackle or a wide receiver with the No. 6 pick and should still be able to get an excellent player to fill either void three spots later, particularly if the Browns know that the Chiefs are moving up to draft an edge-rusher and won’t consider taking a player at another position.
Yates has wideout Carnell Tate of Ohio State coming off the board at No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans anyway, but also projected that the New Orleans Saints will take receiver Makai Lemon of USC at No. 8. If the Browns want Lemon, then trading down could be a problem.
However, Yates predicted after the opening day of free agency that the Browns will key in on offensive tackle Monroe Freeling out of Georgia with the sixth pick to complete their offensive line rebuild. In that scenario, the Browns can move down three spots, grab an extra third-round selection and still get their player of choice in Freeling at No. 9 overall.
Micah Parsons, Lane Johnson & Others Pay Respect as Darius Slay Announces NFL Retirement
When the Pittsburgh Steelers waived cornerback Darius Slay in December 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles moved to bring him back. They had dealt with cornerback inconsistency all season, and Slay was an obvious call. The Buffalo Bills, holding a higher waiver priority, claimed him first. But he never reported to the Bills. With no way back to his old team, the 13-year veteran was left with a decision. And on Monday, March 16, Big Play Slay gave his answer.
Darius Slay announced his retirement on Instagram, and the journey spanning Detroit to Pittsburgh came to an end.
“Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you’ve done for me. I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level,” Slay wrote in his announcement. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything.”
Slay’s message, posted as the caption to an Instagram reel highlighting his NFL career, went further.
“This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I’m forever grateful,” Slay wrote. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey. To all my BigPlay fans, I will always appreciate the love and support y’all have given to me. I couldn’t have done it without you. Just A kid from Brunswick, GA with BIG dreams… ✊🏽.”
Choosing retirement instead of going somewhere he didn’t want to was a true Darius Slay move, too. Back in December 2021, Darius Slay appeared on the All Things Covered podcast, and told host Bryant McFadden exactly why he’d never play for the Dallas Cowboys.
“I heard Dallas had wanted to trade for me,” Slay said. “I said, ‘nah I ain’t going there.’ I wasn’t going to Dallas. I couldn’t stand them. They cheated us.”
That grudge traced back to a 2014 NFC Wild Card game, where the officials first threw a pass interference flag on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, and then picked it back up. The Detroit Lions lost 24-20. Slay was a starting cornerback for those Lions. Whether Dallas or Buffalo, he was never going anywhere he didn’t choose.
A second-round Lions pick out of Mississippi State in 2013, Slay played 187 career games across 13 seasons. He now ends his NFL career with 28 interceptions, 163 passes defended, and 655 tackles on the stat sheet. Beyond that, he’s got six Pro Bowls, a 2017 First-team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl ring (LIX).
Slay’s retirement post moved fast. And what followed was a genuine roll call of opponents, peers, and former teammates in the comments.
NFL peers and rivals react to Darius Slay’s retirement
Former Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons had been one of Slay’s longtime NFC East rivals. But when the retirement post dropped, Parsons didn’t let division history get in the way.
“We gonna miss you legend !! 👑🦁,” Parsons wrote.
Another NFC East rival, former Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, also weighed in. Playing the same position as Slay, Diggs’ words carried the standard Slay had set for other players.
“The biggest!!!!” Diggs wrote.
Sauce Gardner, himself among the league’s elite corners, also spoke about what Slay meant to the league.
“ you jus don’t know how many people you gave hope to in detroit.. i’m one of em🤞🏾,” Gardner commented.
Offensive tackle Lane Johnson shared a locker room with Slay through two Eagles Super Bowl runs. From a teammate who’d seen it all up close, just two words were enough.
“Congrats bro!,” Johnson shared.
Former Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell went with a “Big play slay!!” Corner Zech McPhearson, who played alongside Slay in Philly during his final seasons with the team, offered his own, “TBE!! Congrats my boy💪🏽🔥.”
But out of all the tributes, the one that hit differently came from Jennifer Slay, Darius’s wife.
“You had an amazing 13 years my love!!!! Put in the work, Sweat, tears all the above,” Jennifer wrote. “Extremely blessed! We are all super proud of all your accomplishments! We love you and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!!! GREATNESS my love!!! G.O.A.T out✌🏽❤️.”
But that wasn’t enough. Jennifer, who’d seen every aspect of Slay’s NFL career, followed it up shortly later with another comment.
“Ngl this made me cry….😭,” she wrote.
From Brunswick, Georgia, to a Super Bowl ring, Big Play Slay always played on his own terms. And 13 seasons later, he went out the same way.
Felon posed as porn star while running racket targeting NFL, NBA athletes: feds
A Georgia felon allegedly posed as an adult film star to target NFL and NBA athletes in a phishing scam and ran a sex-trafficking scheme — coercing a woman into filming sex acts with the top athletes, according to authorities.
Kwamaine Jerell Ford, 34, of Buford, was charged in connection with the elaborate racket, targeting a slew of professional athletes, that he started while in prison in November 2020, the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia announced on Monday.
Ford, who was already convicted of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, allegedly obtained login credentials for Apple accounts belonging to NBA and NFL players after posing as a well-known porn star and offering to send them sexually explicit videos, federal prosecutors said.
The scammer also “spoofed” legitimate Apple customer service accounts and posed as an Apple customer support representative to get victims to send their sensitive username and password information to access videos that the fraudulent porn star’s persona was trying to send to athletes, authorities alleged.
Ford then obtained credit and debit card information belonging to the victims and used it toward his own personal spending, prosecutors added.
In May 2021, Ford also allegedly recruited and disturbingly coerced a woman into engaging in commercial sex acts with the pro athletes while still posing as an adult film star, promising her that he could boost her modeling career.
He used additional fake personas to threaten the victim and pressure her to continue having sex with the athletes — which he profited from and coerced her into filming without the athlete’s consent, officials charged.
The athletes targeted in the intricate scheme have not been publicly identified.
“While serving time for stealing credit card numbers from athletes and celebrities to fund his lifestyle, Ford allegedly engaged in the same conduct again,” US Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement.
“Disturbingly, the indictment alleges that Ford went even further and used a fraudulent online persona to traffic a young woman and coerce her to produce hidden camera videos of commercial sex acts with unknowing individuals,” Hertzberg added.
Ford appeared in federal court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud, seven counts of computer fraud, one count of access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of sex trafficking.
He was ordered held without bail pending his trial. The case is being investigated by the FBI, authorities said.
“Kwamaine Ford clearly did not learn from his prior conviction for a similar scheme. This time, he allegedly escalated his criminal activity—stealing identities and money while also moving into coercion and sex trafficking,” FBI Georgia Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis said in a statement.
“The FBI’s dedicated agents remain committed to staying ahead of schemes like this and protecting the public from individuals who exploit and harm others for personal gain.”
Matthew Stafford’s Wife Kelly Pens Heartbreaking Message After Darius Slay’s Retirement
For years, Darius Slay Jr. built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable shutdown corners, a player who thrived on competition and never backed down from the game’s biggest moments. But every career, no matter how decorated, eventually reaches its final snap. On Monday, the six-time Pro Bowler and Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion made it official that he’s stepping away from football after 13 remarkable seasons. Now, after announcing his retirement from the league, Slay Jr. received a special message from the family of his friend and former teammate, Matthew Stafford.
“This sport won’t be the same without Slay,” Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, wrote as a caption of her Instagram story, including a broken heart emoji on ESPN’s post about the 35-year-old’s retirement.
Slay and Stafford were teammates for seven seasons with the Detroit Lions from 2013 to 2019 and developed a deep friendship that extends beyond the gridiron. Hence, when the champion cornerback decided to hang up his boots, Stafford’s wife, Kelly, shared an emotional message on social media. The Lions drafted Stafford with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the season after they went 0-16. Then, five years later, the franchise selected Slay 36th overall in 2013.
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This friendship is further highlighted by Slay’s comments about Stafford ahead of an Eagles-Rams game in January of the 2024-25 season.
“He’s one of my good friends, and I’m happy for him,” Slay said, as per the Eagles’ website. “Guys were always questioning him and ‘can he do this’ and ‘can he do that’ and as soon as he went somewhere else, he showed everybody what he can do. He’s a smart dude, amazing arm talent. He gets it done. He’s in that elite-arm-talent conversation. He can put the ball anywhere, fit it anywhere. Honestly, he’s been doing ‘no looks (passes)’ before they had that going on. Now, everybody is hype about it.”
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With this reaction, it’s clear that the duo share a deep bond, and hence Kelly Stafford’s comments are the perfect way to celebrate a player who calls it time after an illustrious career spanning over 13 seasons. In this tenure, Slay recorded 28 interceptions, 163 passes defended, and 655 tackles in his 13-season career while receiving six Pro Bowl and a first-team All-Pro nod.
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Furthermore, the 35-year-old also won the Lombardi Trophy in the later stages of his career, playing a key role for the Eagles team that emerged victorious in Super Bowl 2024 against the Kansas City Chiefs. But after this triumphant year, Slay was released by the Eagles before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025-26 season.
Now that he has announced his retirement, Darius Slay shared an emotional message reflecting on his 13-year NFL career.
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“I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level,” Slay wrote on an Instagram post, which included video of the jerseys he’s worn throughout his life. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones, and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.”
Not long ago, Slay joked that no team besides Philadelphia should even bother calling him about playing in 2026. Now, it seems the veteran corner is ready to close the door on that chapter entirely and embrace whatever comes next.
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“This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones, and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.”
Meanwhile, Kelly Stafford, the Rams QB1’s wife and the host of The Morning After podcast, has never shied away from sharing her emotions on social media when it comes to those close to the family. And it seems the Stafford household is not done with goodbyes just yet. As the players continue to switch teams through the offseason, Kelly also shared a heartfelt message for one of Matthew’s favorite targets, who is set to leave Los Angeles.
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Kelly Stafford bids adieu to Tutu Atwell after his LA exit
Throughout a dominant 2025 run, which ended with an NFC Championship defeat, the Los Angeles Rams built one of the best teams in the league. Hence, when a key offensive weapon like wide receiver Tutu Atwell left the team during free agency after signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, posted a heartfelt goodbye to the veteran wideout.
“One of the favs of my family, including my daughters…You will be missed, but so happy you’re going home ©tutuatwell,” Kelly Stafford wrote in a parting message on her Instagram story.
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Tutu Atwell will leave the Rams after being drafted by the franchise as the 57th overall in the 2021 draft. Since then, the new Dolphins wideout recorded 105 catches for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns in 64 regular-season games while winning Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers’ Impatience With Aaron Rodgers May Force Another QB Move: Report
Here’s a sentence that has rang true for the past three years: An NFL team is waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision.
In February 2023, the future Hall of Fame quarterback entered a
Richard Sherman Makes Feelings Clear on 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk Situation
The San Francisco 49ers have yet to release Brandon Aiyuk, as neither party appears willing to continue the relationship heading into the 2026 NFL season. Nonetheless, the team has not released him yet because they reportedly feel they can trade him.
“They clearly think they can trade him for something,” Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area told NBC4 Sports’ JP Finlay. “I dont know if there is a bit of pettiness going on here…The pettiness is very obvious to look at but I dont think they would ruin the franchise’s reputation.”
As a result, with the NFL Draft still a few weeks away, there likely won’t be any solution until then, unless a team really wants to trade for Aiyuk, who missed the entire 2025 season.
Speculation has the receiver linked to the Washington Commanders, but nothing is concrete. Amid the discussion that the Niners are holding Aiyuk hostage, former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman weighed in on the situation.
“The Brandon Aiyuk situation is interesting,” Sherman said on the March 16 edition of “The Richard Sherman Podcast.” “I see a lot of people commenting on that, that the 49ers are holding him hostage, and it’s unfair and they’re doing wrong by him [and] I want to give my two cents on that; I don’t think so. I think the opposite, because what would Brandon Aiyuk fetch in free agency right now, coming off a major injury? No tape for this season.
“Whatever you feel about reputation with the San Francisco 49ers or the league, etc., etc. The contract right now is for almost $30 million a year. If they cut him, the contract’s torn up, thrown away, and somebody’s going to re-sign him to a one-year, prove-it kind of deal.”
Brandon Aiyuk Should Hope That the Niners Trade Him
Moreover, Sherman believes that it’s in Aiyuk’s best interest to get traded rather than have the 49ers cut him and have him seek a new contract.
“If I’m Brandon Aiyuk, that’s the situation I want to be in; I want to be where you’re trading me and my contract to the new team so that I’m not on a one-year, $8 million prove-it deal,” Sherman added.
“I’m on the contract that I’ve been on, and if I play well, then that contract just continues, as it should. And so I don’t, I’m not in the camp of people that say the San Francisco 49ers are doing wrong by him. They’re doing what’s in their best business interest.
“But if I’m Brandon Aiyuk, it’s also in my best business interest, because if they cut me, then I have to convince a team that I’m worth $30 million and, hey, could you pay me $27 million for next season, even if it’s a one-year deal? That’s tougher to do. If they trade you, that’s already your contract. So I think that’s a big deal that people are ignoring.”
Are the 49ers the Bad Guys In This Entire Situation?
Meanwhile, 49ers reporter Grant Cohn of On SI believes the Niners are the bad guys in this situation for not cutting ties with Aiyuk and ending this long saga that took up all of the 2025 season.
Michael Strahan, Sauce Gardner & Others Send Congratulations as Jets QB Makes Personal Announcement
Not long ago, quarterback Tyrod Taylor was trying to navigate a difficult 2024 season with the struggling New York Jets while also facing turmoil away from the field, including a legal dispute with his former girlfriend over a Los Angeles home they once shared. Two years later, the football challenges haven’t entirely disappeared for Taylor, but life off the field looks very different. This time, the backup quarterback is stepping into a new chapter, one that brings a sense of fresh beginnings and a new love by his side.
“You are my everything 💙♾️,” Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor wrote in a collaborative Instagram post announcing his engagement to Bianka Charity-Parker.
In the pictures shared by the player, the duo can be seen hugging each other against the stunning backdrop of the Duomo di Milano. Tyrod Taylor stands in a sleek black suit, smiling as he holds his fiancée close. Bianka, on the other hand, is wearing an elegant white dress with a backless design and delicate straps, leaning into him with a bright, joyful expression.
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In one of the photos, Tyrod Taylor can be seen sliding the ring onto Bianka’s finger, as the couple happily embraces their new chapter, drawing love and congratulatory reactions from NFL personalities like Michael Strahan and Sauce Gardner.
“Congratulations to you both!!👏🏾❤️,” Michael Strahan wrote. The message carried extra meaning considering both players’ ties to the New York Giants.
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Soon after, Taylor’s former teammates also joined the celebration.
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“this 🅿️ congrats my dawg🤞🏾,” Sauce Gardner commented.
The two were teammates during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Taylor joined the Jets as an experienced backup in 2024, while Gardner was already a key player after being drafted in 2022.
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Meanwhile, more familiar names chimed in as the congratulatory messages kept coming. Mark Ingram II commented, “Heavy Blessings 🙏🏾👑.” He and Taylor were teammates on the Houston Texans in 2021.
Former wide receiver Torrey Smith also shared his excitement, saying, “There she is 🦄 🙌🏿.”
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Taylor’s current teammates also celebrated the moment as well. Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard shared his support by writing, “My brotha, so happy for y’all !! 🍾🔥.”
The love extended beyond the locker room, too. Patriots star Stefon Diggs added, “Congrats !!!!,” while Giants quarterback Jameis Winston wrote, “Yessuh! Blessings, brother!”
As the congratulations keep coming, Tyrod Taylor and his fiancée have made waves across the internet. There is currently no public timeline detailing when their relationship began, as neither of them has spoken publicly about it. However, fans already know that Taylor parted ways with his ex, Draya Michele, in 2023. Because of that, his relationship with Bianka Charity-Parker likely began sometime after their breakup.
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Besides being a partner of the quarterback, Bianka also has her own identity. She works as a part-time psychologist at the Boston Child Study Center.
According to the center’s website, “She specializes in evidence-based treatments, notably Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and primarily treats children, adolescents, and young adults with difficulties in emotion regulation, mood, and anxiety disorders, trauma-related symptoms, and co-occurring suicidal behaviors and non-suicidal self-injury.”
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Dr. Bianka Charity-Parker also works as a psychologist for a public charter school system in Washington, DC. Dr. She built her journey with patience, purpose, and a deep passion for helping others.
Bianka first graduated from Spelman College, earning a B.A. in psychology and comparative women’s studies. Soon after, she stepped into the classroom as a kindergarten teacher with the Knowledge Is Power Program in Metro Atlanta, pouring her energy into young students at the very start of their educational journeys. But her path was only beginning. Driven by a desire to understand and support children on a deeper level, she went on to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Virginia, where years of dedication and hard work eventually led her to earn a Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology in August 2022.
Along the way, she trained at the Center for Multicultural Psychology and Training, gaining valuable experience during her clinical psychology predoctoral internship. Later, she continued that mission at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, completing a postdoctoral fellowship within the Clinical Child Psychology Specialty Program. While at Brown, she received extensive training at Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, working closely with children and adolescents in intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and inpatient programs.
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After years of focusing on her professional work, she is now looking forward to enjoying her personal time with Tyrod Taylor, who is also preparing for the 2026 season. This new chapter might also help Taylor emotionally, given his difficult past with Michele
Tyrod Taylor’s past legal battle with his ex-girlfriend
Tyrod Taylor has been dealing with a legal dispute with his former girlfriend, Draya Michele, over a house they previously shared in California. Throughout their relationship, they didn’t often post pictures together. Since then, the longtime NFL quarterback has mostly stayed quiet about the matter.
Draya Michele is a well-known actress and social media star from Pennsylvania. She and Tyrod Taylor began dating in 2020 but broke up in 2023. Since then, neither side has ever publicly shared a specific reason for the breakup. Instead, reports suggested the split happened after disagreements involving finances and their housing situation.
After the relationship ended, things got complicated legally. Michele sued Taylor, saying he broke a promise about their shared property. She claimed that they agreed she would buy the house for $3.2 million, but she said Taylor later refused to go along with it.
Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, Get Disappointing News Amid NFL Offseason
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is one busy man.
In addition to preparing to play his 14th season in the NFL and planning his wedding with pop star Taylor Swift, he has numerous side-career ventures.
He launched a clothing line with American Eagle, opened up 1587 Prime steakhouse with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and serves as the brand ambassador for numerous major companies. Kelce does all this in addition to co-hosting the “New Heights” podcast with his older brother, ESPN analyst Jason Kelce.
The podcast was immediately successful after it first launched in 2022. As their popularity exponentially grew, the Kelce brothers inked a deal with Amazon’s Wondery for over $100 million in August 2024, Variety reported.
At the time, “New Heights” was fresh off winning the iHeartPodcast’s marquee award, Podcast of the Year. They also won for Best Overall Ensemble that year. In 2025, “New Heights” took home the iHeartPodcast for Best Sports. However, Travis and Jason didn’t fare too well this year.
‘New Heights’ Went Home Empty-Handed at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards
“New Heights” was nominated in the Best Sports category at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards, which took place in Austin, Texas on March 16. However, they lost to “Pardon My Take.” Other nominees included “The Zach Lowe Show,” “Club 520,” and “The Ringer Fantasy Football Show.”
“New Heights” was not nominated in any other category. While the show went home empty-handed, “New Heights” remains incredibly popular. Star studded guests over the past few months include Leonardo DiCaprio, Randy Moss, Cooper Kupp, Matt Damon, Caitlin Clark, Paul Rudd, George Clooney, Matthew Stafford, and more.
After winning Podcast of the Year in 2024, Travis, 36, and Jason, 38, shared a heartfelt message with fans. “We would be remiss if we didn’t immediately thank all of the 92%ers out there, aka Swifties, who voted for us to win this award,” Jason said. “Listen, this is an incredible honor, especially for two jabronis like us. To receive an award like this is beyond humbling.”
Travis added, “Thank you guys for everything, and we truly do have the best fan base in the entire world. Thank you guys for voting every single day of every single month and every hour that day.”
‘New Heights’ Made It Into The Guinness World Records Following Taylor Swift’s Podcast Appearance
Swift’s appearance on “New Heights” drew record-breaking viewership numbers. The show’s official X account posted in August, “NEW NEWS… we’re officially Guinness World Record holders 👀.”
Guinness World Records reported, “With a total of 1.3 million, it pulled in the most concurrent views for a podcast on YouTube on 13 August. At the time of writing, the episode ‘Taylor Swift on Reclaiming Her Masters, Wrapping The Eras Tour, and The Life of a Showgirl’ has been viewed more than 20 million times on the platform.
“The two-hour long episode was a real rarity for fans. It’s been years since Taylor has sat down for an interview this in-depth.”
Packers Put on Notice in NFL Free Agency
In the middle of March, the roster building has just begun for general managers such as Brian Gutekunst. But with the Green Bay Packers, Gutekunst might have a lot more work to do than he thought.
Well, that’s the case according to a few analysts grading roster moves early in NFL free agency.
SI on Packers’ Bill Huber argued the additions Gutekunst made early in free agency isn’t enough to move the needle.
As a final grade to the first few days of free agency, Huber gave the Packers a D-plus.
“As far as winning the Super Bowl, which should be what matters in Titletown, the whole season might boil down to if or when Parsons and Kraft return to form. A roster that wasn’t good enough to overcome their injuries last season hasn’t been sufficiently upgraded this offseason,” wrote Huber.
“There’s a saying that states if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. It’d be hard to argue the Packers have gotten better.”
Pro Football Focus’s Gordon McGuinness didn’t disagree. While grading the entire league’s free agency moves one week into the new year, the PFF analyst gave the Packers a D.
That was the worst grade McGuinness gave any team Monday.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton didn’t give the Packers a bad grade. However, he just omitted Green Bay entirely while listing the top 10 rosters around the league as of Monday.
Moton also included three “honorable mentions” on his list. The Packers, though, remained nowhere to be found.
That means, at best, Moton sees Green Bay as having about an average roster around the league.
Brian Gutekunst’s Packers Getting Poor Marks in NFL Free Agency
Other analysts have been more favorable to Green Bay with offseason grades this month. Still, it’s never a good sign that any pundit has the ability to give a team a D-grade in free agency.
In Green Bay’s case, it’s multiple pundits.
The most alarming diss for the Packers, though, might have been missing the top 13 roster rankings list at Bleacher Report.
There’s a lot of subjectivity to grades and exactly placement on rankings list. But for Moton to feel confident enough that Green Bay wasn’t even worth an honorable mention when talking about the best rosters around the league is a strong statement.
It’s simple not where the Packers, who have been to the playoffs six of the past seven years, are used to being.
At one point a few months ago, Green Bay arguably had one of the best rosters in the league while sitting at 9-3-1. But the franchise started heading in the wrong direction in the middle of December and arguably have yet to truly turn back into the right direction.
Packers Roster Exposed Late in 2025 Season
Green Bay suffered several key injuries in Week 15 versus the Denver Broncos. The biggest of which was to superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons.
After that week, the Packers didn’t win another game last season.
It’s hard in the NFL to overcome injuries to superstars. It’s the superstars that often win championships, and to have superstars, teams have to pay them like stars. They account for a big chunk of the salary cap.
No defender is more expensive than Parsons.
That can cause a roster to be top heavy, which is a problem when the stars aren’t in the lineup.
Without Parsons for the final four games, Green Bay gave up an average of 27.5 points per game including the playoffs. In three of those four contests, the Packers also allowed at least 400 yards.
During the postseason, the Chicago Bears posted 31 points and 445 yards.
Yet through the first week of free agency, Green Bay’s biggest external defensive additions were 33-year-old defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste.
Analysts who saw Green Bay’s roster as an issue during the five-game losing streak to end 2025 are unlikely to feel differently about it now.
That’s a problem for Gutekunst. According to some analysts, the roster needs a lot of work.
Bengals Hosting Intriguing QB Prospect for Visit as Search for Joe Burrow’s Backup Continues
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals signed veteran quarterback Josh Johnson over the weekend. They’re also hoping to re-sign Joe Flacco at some point this offseason.
Johnson’s return to Cincinnati isn’t stopping them from doing their due diligence at quarterback.
Pre-Draft Visit Scheduled
The Cincinnati Bengals will host Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis for a pre-draft 30 visit according to Justin Melo of NFL Draft On SI.
Kaliakmanis appeared in 48 collegiate games, spending two years at Minnesota before transferring for Rutgers, where he spent the past two seasons.
He threw for a career-high 3,124 yards at Rutgers last season, which was the fourth-most in school history. He completed 62.2% of his passes with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Kaliakmanis is projected to be a late day three draft pick or undrafted free agent. The Bengals have two sixth and two seventh round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. it’s reasonable to think they could use one on a quarterback.
What Bengals Are Looking for Behind Joe Burrow
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The Bengals haven’t used a draft pick on a quarterback since they took Joe Burrow in the 2020 NFL Draft. This could be the year they end that streak.
That pick may not be their backup this season—especially if they can re-sign Flacco, but adding a developmental piece could go a long way toward addressing the long-term need.
Chiefs Blockbuster Draft-Day Trade Pitch Nets Team Bailey or Bain
The Kansas City Chiefs are candidates to make an NFL draft-day splash by trading into position for one of the three elite pass-rushers in the 2026 class.
Field Yates of ESPN in his most recent mock draft last week predicted that David Bailey and Arvell Reese will come off the board at pick Nos. 2 and 3 to the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, respectively, leaving only Rueben Bain Jr. as the last elite edge-rusher before the prospect talent level drops to its second tier.
Yates had Bain heading to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 10 overall.
Max Loeb of Bleacher Report was a bit more generous with regards to the potential availability of Bailey in the range of pick Nos. 5 and 6 on Monday, March 16, when Loeb suggested a trade proposal involving the Chiefs and one of the two teams selecting in those spots.
“[The Chiefs] have nine picks in the draft and they are picking ninth overall,” Loeb said. “But the reality with this Chiefs team is they need an immediate impact player with their roster built to win now, and the top edge-rushers in the draft may not fall to them at nine. I could see the New York Giants or the Cleveland Browns trading down and the Kansas City Chiefs moving up to take someone like David Bailey or Rueben Bain.”
Chiefs Could to Stay Put at Pick No. 9 in Hopes of Top Edge Defender Falling, or Drafting for CB Need Instead
The question Kansas City will have to ask itself after the first four picks are made on Thursday, April 23 is what are the chances the franchise can hold fast at No. 9 and still grab a top edge-rusher?
If Bailey falls to at least pick five and is still there with Bain when the Giants go on the clock, the Chiefs might feel secure in remaining at No. 9 and hoping one of the two falls. That said, Bailey’s presence at No. 5 and the Giants’ lack of need for another pass-rusher could open the floodgates on trade talk from teams further down the draft order looking to move up and nab a potentially game-changing drive wrecker.
Another factor that might keep Kansas City at No. 9 overall is how badly the team needs to add a top cornerback who can contribute immediately. Yates has no cornerbacks and just one safety, Caleb Downs of Ohio State, coming off the board before the Chiefs’ first selection, which would mean they would have first dibs on every cornerback in the class if that is the direction they choose.
Browns Could Potentially Drop 3 Spots in Trade With Chiefs, Still Land Top Draft Target
The value should be there for the Browns to hop down three spots and pick up a solid asset in return from the Chiefs, perhaps the 74th overall selection in Round 3.
Cleveland is most likely looking at adding an offensive tackle or a wide receiver with the No. 6 pick and should still be able to get an excellent player to fill either void three spots later, particularly if the Browns know that the Chiefs are moving up to draft an edge-rusher and won’t consider taking a player at another position.
Yates has wideout Carnell Tate of Ohio State coming off the board at No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans anyway, but also projected that the New Orleans Saints will take receiver Makai Lemon of USC at No. 8. If the Browns want Lemon, then trading down could be a problem.
However, Yates predicted after the opening day of free agency that the Browns will key in on offensive tackle Monroe Freeling out of Georgia with the sixth pick to complete their offensive line rebuild. In that scenario, the Browns can move down three spots, grab an extra third-round selection and still get their player of choice in Freeling at No. 9 overall.
Micah Parsons, Lane Johnson & Others Pay Respect as Darius Slay Announces NFL Retirement
When the Pittsburgh Steelers waived cornerback Darius Slay in December 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles moved to bring him back. They had dealt with cornerback inconsistency all season, and Slay was an obvious call. The Buffalo Bills, holding a higher waiver priority, claimed him first. But he never reported to the Bills. With no way back to his old team, the 13-year veteran was left with a decision. And on Monday, March 16, Big Play Slay gave his answer.
Darius Slay announced his retirement on Instagram, and the journey spanning Detroit to Pittsburgh came to an end.
“Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you’ve done for me. I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level,” Slay wrote in his announcement. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything.”
Slay’s message, posted as the caption to an Instagram reel highlighting his NFL career, went further.
“This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I’m forever grateful,” Slay wrote. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey. To all my BigPlay fans, I will always appreciate the love and support y’all have given to me. I couldn’t have done it without you. Just A kid from Brunswick, GA with BIG dreams… ✊🏽.”
Choosing retirement instead of going somewhere he didn’t want to was a true Darius Slay move, too. Back in December 2021, Darius Slay appeared on the All Things Covered podcast, and told host Bryant McFadden exactly why he’d never play for the Dallas Cowboys.
“I heard Dallas had wanted to trade for me,” Slay said. “I said, ‘nah I ain’t going there.’ I wasn’t going to Dallas. I couldn’t stand them. They cheated us.”
That grudge traced back to a 2014 NFC Wild Card game, where the officials first threw a pass interference flag on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, and then picked it back up. The Detroit Lions lost 24-20. Slay was a starting cornerback for those Lions. Whether Dallas or Buffalo, he was never going anywhere he didn’t choose.
A second-round Lions pick out of Mississippi State in 2013, Slay played 187 career games across 13 seasons. He now ends his NFL career with 28 interceptions, 163 passes defended, and 655 tackles on the stat sheet. Beyond that, he’s got six Pro Bowls, a 2017 First-team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl ring (LIX).
Slay’s retirement post moved fast. And what followed was a genuine roll call of opponents, peers, and former teammates in the comments.
NFL peers and rivals react to Darius Slay’s retirement
Former Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons had been one of Slay’s longtime NFC East rivals. But when the retirement post dropped, Parsons didn’t let division history get in the way.
“We gonna miss you legend !! 👑🦁,” Parsons wrote.
Another NFC East rival, former Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, also weighed in. Playing the same position as Slay, Diggs’ words carried the standard Slay had set for other players.
“The biggest!!!!” Diggs wrote.
Sauce Gardner, himself among the league’s elite corners, also spoke about what Slay meant to the league.
“ you jus don’t know how many people you gave hope to in detroit.. i’m one of em🤞🏾,” Gardner commented.
Offensive tackle Lane Johnson shared a locker room with Slay through two Eagles Super Bowl runs. From a teammate who’d seen it all up close, just two words were enough.
“Congrats bro!,” Johnson shared.
Former Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell went with a “Big play slay!!” Corner Zech McPhearson, who played alongside Slay in Philly during his final seasons with the team, offered his own, “TBE!! Congrats my boy💪🏽🔥.”
But out of all the tributes, the one that hit differently came from Jennifer Slay, Darius’s wife.
“You had an amazing 13 years my love!!!! Put in the work, Sweat, tears all the above,” Jennifer wrote. “Extremely blessed! We are all super proud of all your accomplishments! We love you and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!!! GREATNESS my love!!! G.O.A.T out✌🏽❤️.”
But that wasn’t enough. Jennifer, who’d seen every aspect of Slay’s NFL career, followed it up shortly later with another comment.
“Ngl this made me cry….😭,” she wrote.
From Brunswick, Georgia, to a Super Bowl ring, Big Play Slay always played on his own terms. And 13 seasons later, he went out the same way.
Felon posed as porn star while running racket targeting NFL, NBA athletes: feds
A Georgia felon allegedly posed as an adult film star to target NFL and NBA athletes in a phishing scam and ran a sex-trafficking scheme — coercing a woman into filming sex acts with the top athletes, according to authorities.
Kwamaine Jerell Ford, 34, of Buford, was charged in connection with the elaborate racket, targeting a slew of professional athletes, that he started while in prison in November 2020, the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia announced on Monday.
Ford, who was already convicted of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, allegedly obtained login credentials for Apple accounts belonging to NBA and NFL players after posing as a well-known porn star and offering to send them sexually explicit videos, federal prosecutors said.
The scammer also “spoofed” legitimate Apple customer service accounts and posed as an Apple customer support representative to get victims to send their sensitive username and password information to access videos that the fraudulent porn star’s persona was trying to send to athletes, authorities alleged.
Ford then obtained credit and debit card information belonging to the victims and used it toward his own personal spending, prosecutors added.
In May 2021, Ford also allegedly recruited and disturbingly coerced a woman into engaging in commercial sex acts with the pro athletes while still posing as an adult film star, promising her that he could boost her modeling career.
He used additional fake personas to threaten the victim and pressure her to continue having sex with the athletes — which he profited from and coerced her into filming without the athlete’s consent, officials charged.
The athletes targeted in the intricate scheme have not been publicly identified.
“While serving time for stealing credit card numbers from athletes and celebrities to fund his lifestyle, Ford allegedly engaged in the same conduct again,” US Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement.
“Disturbingly, the indictment alleges that Ford went even further and used a fraudulent online persona to traffic a young woman and coerce her to produce hidden camera videos of commercial sex acts with unknowing individuals,” Hertzberg added.
Ford appeared in federal court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud, seven counts of computer fraud, one count of access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of sex trafficking.
He was ordered held without bail pending his trial. The case is being investigated by the FBI, authorities said.
“Kwamaine Ford clearly did not learn from his prior conviction for a similar scheme. This time, he allegedly escalated his criminal activity—stealing identities and money while also moving into coercion and sex trafficking,” FBI Georgia Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis said in a statement.
“The FBI’s dedicated agents remain committed to staying ahead of schemes like this and protecting the public from individuals who exploit and harm others for personal gain.”
Matthew Stafford’s Wife Kelly Pens Heartbreaking Message After Darius Slay’s Retirement
For years, Darius Slay Jr. built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable shutdown corners, a player who thrived on competition and never backed down from the game’s biggest moments. But every career, no matter how decorated, eventually reaches its final snap. On Monday, the six-time Pro Bowler and Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion made it official that he’s stepping away from football after 13 remarkable seasons. Now, after announcing his retirement from the league, Slay Jr. received a special message from the family of his friend and former teammate, Matthew Stafford.
“This sport won’t be the same without Slay,” Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, wrote as a caption of her Instagram story, including a broken heart emoji on ESPN’s post about the 35-year-old’s retirement.
Slay and Stafford were teammates for seven seasons with the Detroit Lions from 2013 to 2019 and developed a deep friendship that extends beyond the gridiron. Hence, when the champion cornerback decided to hang up his boots, Stafford’s wife, Kelly, shared an emotional message on social media. The Lions drafted Stafford with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the season after they went 0-16. Then, five years later, the franchise selected Slay 36th overall in 2013.
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This friendship is further highlighted by Slay’s comments about Stafford ahead of an Eagles-Rams game in January of the 2024-25 season.
“He’s one of my good friends, and I’m happy for him,” Slay said, as per the Eagles’ website. “Guys were always questioning him and ‘can he do this’ and ‘can he do that’ and as soon as he went somewhere else, he showed everybody what he can do. He’s a smart dude, amazing arm talent. He gets it done. He’s in that elite-arm-talent conversation. He can put the ball anywhere, fit it anywhere. Honestly, he’s been doing ‘no looks (passes)’ before they had that going on. Now, everybody is hype about it.”
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With this reaction, it’s clear that the duo share a deep bond, and hence Kelly Stafford’s comments are the perfect way to celebrate a player who calls it time after an illustrious career spanning over 13 seasons. In this tenure, Slay recorded 28 interceptions, 163 passes defended, and 655 tackles in his 13-season career while receiving six Pro Bowl and a first-team All-Pro nod.
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Furthermore, the 35-year-old also won the Lombardi Trophy in the later stages of his career, playing a key role for the Eagles team that emerged victorious in Super Bowl 2024 against the Kansas City Chiefs. But after this triumphant year, Slay was released by the Eagles before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025-26 season.
Now that he has announced his retirement, Darius Slay shared an emotional message reflecting on his 13-year NFL career.
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“I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level,” Slay wrote on an Instagram post, which included video of the jerseys he’s worn throughout his life. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones, and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.”
Not long ago, Slay joked that no team besides Philadelphia should even bother calling him about playing in 2026. Now, it seems the veteran corner is ready to close the door on that chapter entirely and embrace whatever comes next.
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“This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones, and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.”
Meanwhile, Kelly Stafford, the Rams QB1’s wife and the host of The Morning After podcast, has never shied away from sharing her emotions on social media when it comes to those close to the family. And it seems the Stafford household is not done with goodbyes just yet. As the players continue to switch teams through the offseason, Kelly also shared a heartfelt message for one of Matthew’s favorite targets, who is set to leave Los Angeles.
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Kelly Stafford bids adieu to Tutu Atwell after his LA exit
Throughout a dominant 2025 run, which ended with an NFC Championship defeat, the Los Angeles Rams built one of the best teams in the league. Hence, when a key offensive weapon like wide receiver Tutu Atwell left the team during free agency after signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, posted a heartfelt goodbye to the veteran wideout.
“One of the favs of my family, including my daughters…You will be missed, but so happy you’re going home ©tutuatwell,” Kelly Stafford wrote in a parting message on her Instagram story.
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Tutu Atwell will leave the Rams after being drafted by the franchise as the 57th overall in the 2021 draft. Since then, the new Dolphins wideout recorded 105 catches for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns in 64 regular-season games while winning Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers’ Impatience With Aaron Rodgers May Force Another QB Move: Report
Here’s a sentence that has rang true for the past three years: An NFL team is waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision.
In February 2023, the future Hall of Fame quarterback entered a
Richard Sherman Makes Feelings Clear on 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk Situation
The San Francisco 49ers have yet to release Brandon Aiyuk, as neither party appears willing to continue the relationship heading into the 2026 NFL season. Nonetheless, the team has not released him yet because they reportedly feel they can trade him.
“They clearly think they can trade him for something,” Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area told NBC4 Sports’ JP Finlay. “I dont know if there is a bit of pettiness going on here…The pettiness is very obvious to look at but I dont think they would ruin the franchise’s reputation.”
As a result, with the NFL Draft still a few weeks away, there likely won’t be any solution until then, unless a team really wants to trade for Aiyuk, who missed the entire 2025 season.
Speculation has the receiver linked to the Washington Commanders, but nothing is concrete. Amid the discussion that the Niners are holding Aiyuk hostage, former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman weighed in on the situation.
“The Brandon Aiyuk situation is interesting,” Sherman said on the March 16 edition of “The Richard Sherman Podcast.” “I see a lot of people commenting on that, that the 49ers are holding him hostage, and it’s unfair and they’re doing wrong by him [and] I want to give my two cents on that; I don’t think so. I think the opposite, because what would Brandon Aiyuk fetch in free agency right now, coming off a major injury? No tape for this season.
“Whatever you feel about reputation with the San Francisco 49ers or the league, etc., etc. The contract right now is for almost $30 million a year. If they cut him, the contract’s torn up, thrown away, and somebody’s going to re-sign him to a one-year, prove-it kind of deal.”
Brandon Aiyuk Should Hope That the Niners Trade Him
Moreover, Sherman believes that it’s in Aiyuk’s best interest to get traded rather than have the 49ers cut him and have him seek a new contract.
“If I’m Brandon Aiyuk, that’s the situation I want to be in; I want to be where you’re trading me and my contract to the new team so that I’m not on a one-year, $8 million prove-it deal,” Sherman added.
“I’m on the contract that I’ve been on, and if I play well, then that contract just continues, as it should. And so I don’t, I’m not in the camp of people that say the San Francisco 49ers are doing wrong by him. They’re doing what’s in their best business interest.
“But if I’m Brandon Aiyuk, it’s also in my best business interest, because if they cut me, then I have to convince a team that I’m worth $30 million and, hey, could you pay me $27 million for next season, even if it’s a one-year deal? That’s tougher to do. If they trade you, that’s already your contract. So I think that’s a big deal that people are ignoring.”
Are the 49ers the Bad Guys In This Entire Situation?
Meanwhile, 49ers reporter Grant Cohn of On SI believes the Niners are the bad guys in this situation for not cutting ties with Aiyuk and ending this long saga that took up all of the 2025 season.
Michael Strahan, Sauce Gardner & Others Send Congratulations as Jets QB Makes Personal Announcement
Not long ago, quarterback Tyrod Taylor was trying to navigate a difficult 2024 season with the struggling New York Jets while also facing turmoil away from the field, including a legal dispute with his former girlfriend over a Los Angeles home they once shared. Two years later, the football challenges haven’t entirely disappeared for Taylor, but life off the field looks very different. This time, the backup quarterback is stepping into a new chapter, one that brings a sense of fresh beginnings and a new love by his side.
“You are my everything 💙♾️,” Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor wrote in a collaborative Instagram post announcing his engagement to Bianka Charity-Parker.
In the pictures shared by the player, the duo can be seen hugging each other against the stunning backdrop of the Duomo di Milano. Tyrod Taylor stands in a sleek black suit, smiling as he holds his fiancée close. Bianka, on the other hand, is wearing an elegant white dress with a backless design and delicate straps, leaning into him with a bright, joyful expression.
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In one of the photos, Tyrod Taylor can be seen sliding the ring onto Bianka’s finger, as the couple happily embraces their new chapter, drawing love and congratulatory reactions from NFL personalities like Michael Strahan and Sauce Gardner.
“Congratulations to you both!!👏🏾❤️,” Michael Strahan wrote. The message carried extra meaning considering both players’ ties to the New York Giants.
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Soon after, Taylor’s former teammates also joined the celebration.
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“this 🅿️ congrats my dawg🤞🏾,” Sauce Gardner commented.
The two were teammates during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Taylor joined the Jets as an experienced backup in 2024, while Gardner was already a key player after being drafted in 2022.
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Meanwhile, more familiar names chimed in as the congratulatory messages kept coming. Mark Ingram II commented, “Heavy Blessings 🙏🏾👑.” He and Taylor were teammates on the Houston Texans in 2021.
Former wide receiver Torrey Smith also shared his excitement, saying, “There she is 🦄 🙌🏿.”
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Taylor’s current teammates also celebrated the moment as well. Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard shared his support by writing, “My brotha, so happy for y’all !! 🍾🔥.”
The love extended beyond the locker room, too. Patriots star Stefon Diggs added, “Congrats !!!!,” while Giants quarterback Jameis Winston wrote, “Yessuh! Blessings, brother!”
As the congratulations keep coming, Tyrod Taylor and his fiancée have made waves across the internet. There is currently no public timeline detailing when their relationship began, as neither of them has spoken publicly about it. However, fans already know that Taylor parted ways with his ex, Draya Michele, in 2023. Because of that, his relationship with Bianka Charity-Parker likely began sometime after their breakup.
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Besides being a partner of the quarterback, Bianka also has her own identity. She works as a part-time psychologist at the Boston Child Study Center.
According to the center’s website, “She specializes in evidence-based treatments, notably Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and primarily treats children, adolescents, and young adults with difficulties in emotion regulation, mood, and anxiety disorders, trauma-related symptoms, and co-occurring suicidal behaviors and non-suicidal self-injury.”
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Dr. Bianka Charity-Parker also works as a psychologist for a public charter school system in Washington, DC. Dr. She built her journey with patience, purpose, and a deep passion for helping others.
Bianka first graduated from Spelman College, earning a B.A. in psychology and comparative women’s studies. Soon after, she stepped into the classroom as a kindergarten teacher with the Knowledge Is Power Program in Metro Atlanta, pouring her energy into young students at the very start of their educational journeys. But her path was only beginning. Driven by a desire to understand and support children on a deeper level, she went on to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Virginia, where years of dedication and hard work eventually led her to earn a Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology in August 2022.
Along the way, she trained at the Center for Multicultural Psychology and Training, gaining valuable experience during her clinical psychology predoctoral internship. Later, she continued that mission at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, completing a postdoctoral fellowship within the Clinical Child Psychology Specialty Program. While at Brown, she received extensive training at Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, working closely with children and adolescents in intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and inpatient programs.
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After years of focusing on her professional work, she is now looking forward to enjoying her personal time with Tyrod Taylor, who is also preparing for the 2026 season. This new chapter might also help Taylor emotionally, given his difficult past with Michele
Tyrod Taylor’s past legal battle with his ex-girlfriend
Tyrod Taylor has been dealing with a legal dispute with his former girlfriend, Draya Michele, over a house they previously shared in California. Throughout their relationship, they didn’t often post pictures together. Since then, the longtime NFL quarterback has mostly stayed quiet about the matter.
Draya Michele is a well-known actress and social media star from Pennsylvania. She and Tyrod Taylor began dating in 2020 but broke up in 2023. Since then, neither side has ever publicly shared a specific reason for the breakup. Instead, reports suggested the split happened after disagreements involving finances and their housing situation.
After the relationship ended, things got complicated legally. Michele sued Taylor, saying he broke a promise about their shared property. She claimed that they agreed she would buy the house for $3.2 million, but she said Taylor later refused to go along with it.
Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, Get Disappointing News Amid NFL Offseason
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is one busy man.
In addition to preparing to play his 14th season in the NFL and planning his wedding with pop star Taylor Swift, he has numerous side-career ventures.
He launched a clothing line with American Eagle, opened up 1587 Prime steakhouse with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and serves as the brand ambassador for numerous major companies. Kelce does all this in addition to co-hosting the “New Heights” podcast with his older brother, ESPN analyst Jason Kelce.
The podcast was immediately successful after it first launched in 2022. As their popularity exponentially grew, the Kelce brothers inked a deal with Amazon’s Wondery for over $100 million in August 2024, Variety reported.
At the time, “New Heights” was fresh off winning the iHeartPodcast’s marquee award, Podcast of the Year. They also won for Best Overall Ensemble that year. In 2025, “New Heights” took home the iHeartPodcast for Best Sports. However, Travis and Jason didn’t fare too well this year.
‘New Heights’ Went Home Empty-Handed at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards
“New Heights” was nominated in the Best Sports category at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards, which took place in Austin, Texas on March 16. However, they lost to “Pardon My Take.” Other nominees included “The Zach Lowe Show,” “Club 520,” and “The Ringer Fantasy Football Show.”
“New Heights” was not nominated in any other category. While the show went home empty-handed, “New Heights” remains incredibly popular. Star studded guests over the past few months include Leonardo DiCaprio, Randy Moss, Cooper Kupp, Matt Damon, Caitlin Clark, Paul Rudd, George Clooney, Matthew Stafford, and more.
After winning Podcast of the Year in 2024, Travis, 36, and Jason, 38, shared a heartfelt message with fans. “We would be remiss if we didn’t immediately thank all of the 92%ers out there, aka Swifties, who voted for us to win this award,” Jason said. “Listen, this is an incredible honor, especially for two jabronis like us. To receive an award like this is beyond humbling.”
Travis added, “Thank you guys for everything, and we truly do have the best fan base in the entire world. Thank you guys for voting every single day of every single month and every hour that day.”
‘New Heights’ Made It Into The Guinness World Records Following Taylor Swift’s Podcast Appearance
Swift’s appearance on “New Heights” drew record-breaking viewership numbers. The show’s official X account posted in August, “NEW NEWS… we’re officially Guinness World Record holders 👀.”
Guinness World Records reported, “With a total of 1.3 million, it pulled in the most concurrent views for a podcast on YouTube on 13 August. At the time of writing, the episode ‘Taylor Swift on Reclaiming Her Masters, Wrapping The Eras Tour, and The Life of a Showgirl’ has been viewed more than 20 million times on the platform.
“The two-hour long episode was a real rarity for fans. It’s been years since Taylor has sat down for an interview this in-depth.”
Packers Put on Notice in NFL Free Agency
In the middle of March, the roster building has just begun for general managers such as Brian Gutekunst. But with the Green Bay Packers, Gutekunst might have a lot more work to do than he thought.
Well, that’s the case according to a few analysts grading roster moves early in NFL free agency.
SI on Packers’ Bill Huber argued the additions Gutekunst made early in free agency isn’t enough to move the needle.
As a final grade to the first few days of free agency, Huber gave the Packers a D-plus.
“As far as winning the Super Bowl, which should be what matters in Titletown, the whole season might boil down to if or when Parsons and Kraft return to form. A roster that wasn’t good enough to overcome their injuries last season hasn’t been sufficiently upgraded this offseason,” wrote Huber.
“There’s a saying that states if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. It’d be hard to argue the Packers have gotten better.”
Pro Football Focus’s Gordon McGuinness didn’t disagree. While grading the entire league’s free agency moves one week into the new year, the PFF analyst gave the Packers a D.
That was the worst grade McGuinness gave any team Monday.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton didn’t give the Packers a bad grade. However, he just omitted Green Bay entirely while listing the top 10 rosters around the league as of Monday.
Moton also included three “honorable mentions” on his list. The Packers, though, remained nowhere to be found.
That means, at best, Moton sees Green Bay as having about an average roster around the league.
Brian Gutekunst’s Packers Getting Poor Marks in NFL Free Agency
Other analysts have been more favorable to Green Bay with offseason grades this month. Still, it’s never a good sign that any pundit has the ability to give a team a D-grade in free agency.
In Green Bay’s case, it’s multiple pundits.
The most alarming diss for the Packers, though, might have been missing the top 13 roster rankings list at Bleacher Report.
There’s a lot of subjectivity to grades and exactly placement on rankings list. But for Moton to feel confident enough that Green Bay wasn’t even worth an honorable mention when talking about the best rosters around the league is a strong statement.
It’s simple not where the Packers, who have been to the playoffs six of the past seven years, are used to being.
At one point a few months ago, Green Bay arguably had one of the best rosters in the league while sitting at 9-3-1. But the franchise started heading in the wrong direction in the middle of December and arguably have yet to truly turn back into the right direction.
Packers Roster Exposed Late in 2025 Season
Green Bay suffered several key injuries in Week 15 versus the Denver Broncos. The biggest of which was to superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons.
After that week, the Packers didn’t win another game last season.
It’s hard in the NFL to overcome injuries to superstars. It’s the superstars that often win championships, and to have superstars, teams have to pay them like stars. They account for a big chunk of the salary cap.
No defender is more expensive than Parsons.
That can cause a roster to be top heavy, which is a problem when the stars aren’t in the lineup.
Without Parsons for the final four games, Green Bay gave up an average of 27.5 points per game including the playoffs. In three of those four contests, the Packers also allowed at least 400 yards.
During the postseason, the Chicago Bears posted 31 points and 445 yards.
Yet through the first week of free agency, Green Bay’s biggest external defensive additions were 33-year-old defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste.
Analysts who saw Green Bay’s roster as an issue during the five-game losing streak to end 2025 are unlikely to feel differently about it now.
That’s a problem for Gutekunst. According to some analysts, the roster needs a lot of work.
Capitals are ushering in a youth movement on the fly as they prepare for life after Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin is 40 years old and nearing the end of his 21st season in the NHL, all with the Washington Capitals, and his latest contract is up
March 16, 2026 at 5:09 p.m. EDT1 minute ago
Alex Ovechkin became the fresh face of the franchise for the Washington Capitals more than two decades ago when they selected the big, skilled Russian winger with the first pick in the 2004 NHL draft.
He’s now 40 and nearing the end of his 21st season with them. He hoisted the Stanley Cup as playoff MVP in 2018 and last year passed Wayne Gretzky as the league’s career goal-scoring leader.
NHL commish says ‘time will tell’ if Russia plays in World Cup
Whether Russia and its collection of NHL stars will be invited to the 2028 World Cup of Hockey remains very uncertain.
Where to watch Penguins vs. Avalanche NHL game tonight on free streams, TV
The Pittsburgh Penguins are off to the Mile High City on Monday night for a matchup with the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche. The game is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. MT) with TV coverage on ESPN and streaming on-demand.
How to watch Penguins vs. Avalanche on TV and stream without cable:
When: Monday, March 16 at 9:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. MT)
Where: Ball Arena, Denver, Colo.
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming on: FuboTV (free trial) | DirecTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/mo.)
Penguins vs. Avalanche: The matchup
The Avalanche own the NHL’s best overall record (44-12-9) as well as the league’s best home record (23-5-4), plus the top scoring offense, top scoring defense and top goal differential. They return to Colorado after a trip to the Northwest and a stretch of two losses in three games, most recently a 3-1 setback in Winnipeg to the Jets. The Avalanche fired off 29 shots in that matchup and won the faceoff battle, but saw Jets defenders block 24 shots on their way to a big home win.
See also: NHL coverage on PennLive
The Penguins enter the new week with a 33-18-15 record and 81 points, which is good for second in the Metropolitan Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh continues to grind out tight victories and has more overtime losses (15) and shootout losses (10) than any team in the league. The Pens are 1-1-1 on their current five-game road swing that wraps Wednesday night in Carolina, having last beaten the Utah Mammoth (4-3) on Saturday.
Penguins vs. Avalanche: Know your live streams
FuboTV (free trial): FuboTV offers the most extensive package of live sports with rates competitive with DirecTV. The FuboTV Pro ($48.99 first month), Elite ($53.99) and Deluxe ($73.99) all come with first-month discounts. Monthly rates rise to $73.99, $83.99 and $103.99 after the first-month discount.
DirecTV (free trial): DirecTV offers a 5-day free trial and a total of $30 off over the first three full months for the Choice Package, which includes 125-plus channels and access to ESPN Unlimited, a $29.99 standalone value featuring all ESPN channels and ESPN+.
SlingTV (low intro rate): First full month of streaming runs as low as $29.99 with current offer for 50% off Sling’s Orange & Blue Plan. Day passes are also available for 24 hours ($4.99), as well as three-day ($9.99) and seven-day access ($14.99).
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving breaks silence on team’s struggles
The Toronto Maple Leafs are having one of their worst seasons in recent NHL history, and general manager Brad Treliving finally broke his silence.
Speaking to TSN, Treliving revealed that they have a plan in place and noted that some questions will be answered in the future.
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving addresses Auston Matthews’ future
After winning gold at the recent Olympics in Milan, but not responding to expectations when he returned to the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the future of Auston Matthews has been called into question. General manager Brad Treliving addressed the topic.
Speaking to TSN, Treliving noted that Matthews, 28, is still under contract with the team and that any matters related to his future will be discussed in the offseason. For now, the GM’s priority is the final 14 games.
born career goals list in Red Wings’ win over Flames
DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Kane scored twice for Detroit to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the U.S. and lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Kane has 504 career goals, trailing Mike Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538) and Jeremy Roenick (513). The 19th-year veteran entered the night tied with Joe Mullen (502). Earlier this season, Kane passed Modano to become the highest-scoring American-born player in league history. Kane now has 1,383 career points in 1,355 games.
Emmitt Finnie, Moritz Seider and Dominik Shine also scored and Alex DeBrincat had three assists for the Red Wings, who started a four-game homestand by stopping a three-game losing streak.
J.T. Compher added two assists and John Gibson made 25 saves for Detroit, which moved into a tie with Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens have two games in hand on the Red Wings, who currently occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Morgan Frost scored late in the first period to put the Flames on the board first, but Detroit scored three times in a span of 5:34 early in the second period to take control. Kane had the first and third goals in that surge.
Matt Coronato added a goal and an assist and Dustin Wolf made 20 saves for Calgary, which finished a five-game road trip through the Eastern Conference at 1-4. The Flames, who have the NHL’s second-worst record ahead of only Pacific Division rival Vancouver, are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games.
Up next
Calgary hosts St. Louis on Wednesday.
Detroit hosts Montreal on Thursday.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Red Wings’ Patrick Kane now 4th in goals by U.S.-born player
DETROIT — Patrick Kane scored twice for Detroit to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the U.S. and lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Kane has 504 career goals, trailing Mike Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538) and Jeremy Roenick (513). The 19th-year veteran entered the night tied with Joe Mullen (502). Earlier this season, Kane passed Modano to become the highest-scoring American-born player in league history. Kane now has 1,383 career points in 1,355 games.
Emmitt Finnie, Moritz Seider and Dominik Shine also scored, and Alex DeBrincat had three assists for the Red Wings, who started a four-game homestand by stopping a three-game losing streak.
J.T. Compher added two assists and John Gibson made 25 saves for Detroit, which moved into a tie with Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens have two games in hand on the Red Wings, who currently occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Morgan Frost scored late in the first period to put the Flames on the board first, but Detroit scored three times in a span of 5:34 early in the second period to take control. Kane had the first and third goals in that surge.
Kane’s 2 goals lead Red Wings past Flames
DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Kane scored twice for Detroit to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the U.S. and lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Kane has 504 career goals, trailing Mike Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538) and Jeremy Roenick (513). The 19th-year veteran entered the night tied with Joe Mullen (502). Earlier this season, Kane passed Modano to become the highest-scoring American-born player in league history. Kane now has 1,383 career points in 1,355 games.
Emmitt Finnie, Moritz Seider and Dominik Shine also scored and Alex DeBrincat had three assists for the Red Wings, who started a four-game homestand by stopping a three-game losing streak.
J.T. Compher added two assists and John Gibson made 25 saves for Detroit, which moved into a tie with Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens have two games in hand on the Red Wings, who currently occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Morgan Frost scored late in the first period to put the Flames on the board first, but Detroit scored three times in a span of 5:34 early in the second period to take control. Kane had the first and third goals in that surge.
Matt Coronato added a goal and an assist and Dustin Wolf made 20 saves for Calgary, which finished a five-game road trip through the Eastern Conference at 1-4. The Flames, who have the NHL’s second-worst record ahead of only Pacific Division rival Vancouver, are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games.
DEVILS 4, BRUINS 3, OT
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jack Hughes had three assists to extend his productive run since scoring the gold medal-winning goal for the U.S. at the Olympics, and New Jersey dented Boston’s playoff chances by beating them in overtime.
Hughes set up Connor Brown’s goal to become the fastest player in franchise history to 400 career points. He also had a hand in Jesper Bratt’s goal and assisted on Paul Cotter’s winner with 6.2 seconds left in 3-on-3 overtime to reach 402 in his 414th regular-season game. Hughes has 12 points in 10 games since returning from Milan.
Cotter also scored early in the third period to give New Jersey a 3-2 lead before David Pastrnak tied it 1:42 later.
KINGS 4, RANGERS 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Laferriere had a goal and two assists to lead Los Angeles to a win over New York.
Drew Doughty, Mikey Anderson and Trevor Moore also scored for Los Angeles, which has won three of five.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 21 shots.
Despite 22 saves from Igor Shesterkin, New York’s four-game winning streak ended.
Vincent Trocheck’s power-play goal 2:29 into the third period spoiled Kuemper’s bid for his third shutout of the season.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Patrick Kane’s 2 goals lead Detroit Red Wings past Calgary Flames in 5-2 victory
Patrick Kane scored twice for Detroit to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the U.S. and lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Kane has 504 career goals, trailing Mike Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538) and Jeremy Roenick (513). The 19th-year veteran entered the night tied with Joe Mullen (502). Earlier this season, Kane passed Modano to become the highest-scoring American-born player in league history. Kane now has 1,383 career points in 1,355 games.
Emmitt Finnie, Moritz Seider and Dominik Shine also scored and Alex DeBrincat had three assists for the Red Wings, who started a four-game homestand by stopping a three-game losing streak.
J.T. Compher added two assists and John Gibson made 25 saves for Detroit, which moved into a tie with Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens have two games in hand on the Red Wings, who currently occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Morgan Frost scored late in the first period to put the Flames on the board first, but Detroit scored three times in a span of 5:34 early in the second period to take control. Kane had the first and third goals in that surge.
Matt Coronato added a goal and an assist and Dustin Wolf made 20 saves for Calgary, which finished a five-game road trip through the Eastern Conference at 1-4. The Flames, who have the NHL’s second-worst record ahead of only Pacific Division rival Vancouver, are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games.
DEVILS 4, BRUINS 3, OT
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jack Hughes had three assists to extend his productive run since scoring the gold medal-winning goal for the U.S. at the Olympics, and New Jersey dented Boston’s playoff chances by beating them in overtime.
Hughes set up Connor Brown’s goal to become the fastest player in franchise history to 400 career points. He also had a hand in Jesper Bratt’s goal and assisted on Paul Cotter’s winner with 6.2 seconds left in 3-on-3 overtime to reach 402 in his 414th regular-season game. Hughes has 12 points in 10 games since returning from Milan.
Cotter also scored early in the third period to give New Jersey a 3-2 lead before David Pastrnak tied it 1:42 later.
KINGS 4, RANGERS 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Laferriere had a goal and two assists to lead Los Angeles to a win over New York.
Drew Doughty, Mikey Anderson and Trevor Moore also scored for Los Angeles, which has won three of five.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 21 shots.
Despite 22 saves from Igor Shesterkin, New York’s four-game winning streak ended.
Vincent Trocheck’s power-play goal 2:29 into the third period spoiled Kuemper’s bid for his third shutout of the season.
Malkin gets 2 goals in his return from suspension as the Penguins beat the NHL-leading Avalanche 7-2
Evgeni Malkin scored twice in a four-goal first period and added an assist in his return from a five-game suspension for slashing, sparking the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-2 victory over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche
March 17, 2026 at 12:58 a.m. EDT1 minute ago
DENVER — Evgeni Malkin scored twice in a four-goal first period and added an assist in his return from a five-game suspension for slashing, sparking the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-2 victory over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche on Monday night.
Former All-Star claims Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game is bad for the NBA
Former NBA All-Star Gordon Hayward is not a big fan of Bam Adebayo’s record-setting night.
Hayward spoke candidly about Adebayo’s 83-point performance during a recent appearance on ESPN’s “Unsportsmanlike” radio show. The 14-year NBA veteran made his case for why the stellar scoring night from the Miami Heat center was not “great for the league.”
“No disrespect to Bam. I think Bam is one of the best two-way players in the league at his position. But he’s not a scorer, right? So for him to break Kobe’s record, I don’t think it’s great for the league,” Hayward said.
“I think it highlights how they’re already struggling with how it kind of feels like a pick-up game when you’re watching. For him to shoot 43 free throws and 22 threes when that’s not what he does … it kind of makes it feel not legit.”
Hayward echoed the sentiments of some fans and media members who pointed to the vastly different circumstances of Adebayo’s 83 compared to Bryant’s 81. The Los Angeles Lakers icon put up his total in a competitive game in which his team needed every point. The Heat, meanwhile, were intentionally fouling to give Adebayo more possessions against a clearly tanking Washington Wizards team.
But while Hayward’s gripes make some sense, it’s still tough to discount anyone scoring 83 points, no matter the context. There’s a reason only three players have surpassed the 80-point mark in NBA history.
Hawks remain NBA’s hottest with win during nixed Magic City Night
The NBA may have successfully nixed Magic City Night, but no one’s having nearly as much luck breaking up the surging Atlanta Hawks.
On Monday, the Eastern Conference’s two hottest teams met in Atlanta when the Orlando Magic (38-29, sixth in Eastern Conference), winners of seven in a row, came to town and were handed a 124-112 loss, giving the Hawks (37-31, eighth in Eastern Conference) a 10th consecutive victory.
Guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored a career-high 41 points, on 12-of-22 shooting, including 9-of-15 from beyond the arc. Forward Jalen Johnson continued his breakout campaign, finishing with 24 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, his 13th triple-double of the season.
Atlanta Hawks rout Orlando Magic during nixed Magic City Night
Monday was supposed to be Magic City Night, a promotional night celebrating Atlanta’s popular Magic City strip club. While remnants of the event remained — including the club’s famous lemon pepper wings and a halftime show by rapper T.I. — the NBA formally canceled it last Monday.
Like Whos in Whoville waking to a barren Christmas, Atlanta didn’t let the league office ruin a good time. And the Hawks made it a day worth celebrating even more.
Atlanta’s 10-game win streak is the league’s longest active streak. Before the stretch began, the Hawks were sliding down the East standings thanks to a prolonged slump, going 14-23 from December 1, 2025, through February 20, 2026.
It’s been a completely different story in the weeks since. Tuesday’s win was Atlanta’s ninth by double digits during the current streak. The Hawks are averaging 122.9 points per game, but the main reason for the turnaround has been their defense. Opponents are averaging 104.8 points per game, and Atlanta has held four under 100 points, the same number of opponents it held under the century mark during its first 58 games, when it allowed 118.6 points per game.
The Hawks have bounced back from a long, disappointing stretch with their best basketball of the season as the playoffs approach. While the NBA spoiled Magic City Night, slowing Atlanta’s roll won’t be as easy.
NBA expansion puts Las Vegas, Seattle in spotlight as process unfolds
The chances of the NBA expanding to Seattle and Las Vegas to start play in the 2028-29 season look good, and of course you have questions.
Like the name of the two prospective NBA teams.
In Las Vegas, it’ll be the High Rollers. Or the Outlaws. Or the Spades. Or, maybe this needs be decided by ballot.
In Seattle, is this even a discussion? It’ll be the SuperSonics again. Now, will it be appropriate to wear those throwback Sean Kemp and Gary Payton jerseys? We’re not here to judge, only to help make sense of it all.
Let’s get down to businesses of the league expanding to 32 teams from 30 teams. Because expansion is all about business.
How much an NBA expansion team cost?
There is a price for any city wanting to join the NBA, and it’ll be extracted through an expansion team. According to ESPN, the fee expected from ownership groups in Seattle and Las Vegas will range from $7 billion to $10 billion. That means existing team ownership groups could pocket roughly $500 million.
Meaning the decision over expansion is the equivalent of 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama standing underneath the basket.
A slam dunk.
Is possible NBA expansion a surprise?
On December 16, at the NBA Cup championship game in Las Vegas of all places, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league would decide in 2026 whether to add two teams, and Las Vegas and Seattle were the most likely expansion cities.
“We’re in the process of working with our (existing) teams and gauging the level of interest and having a better understanding of what the economics would be on the ground for those particular teams and what a pro forma would look like for them,” Silver said.
The operative word being economics.
Under Silver, who took over as commissioner in 2014, NBA franchise valuations ballooned from approximately $500 million to almost $4 billion by 2024, according to Front Office Sports.
Last year the Los Angeles Lakers sold for $10 billion.
In the NBA’s executive offices, score is kept in part with dollar signs.
What’s next in NBA expansion talks?
The NBA’s board of governors, which consists of the league’s 30 team owners, will meet next week to discuss adding expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle, according to ESPN.But that will not result in a binding resolution. ESPN reported something concrete is likely to come at the board of governors meeting in July.
The players have no say in matters of expansion.
What’s in it for the players?
Team owners will keep the massive expansion fees. So what’s in it for players?
It’ll be another 30 roster spots with an average salary this season that tops $10 million a year.
Why Seattle?
The NBA owes Seattle.
In 2008, the city of Seattle balked at building a new arena or renovating KeyArena. So the NBA allowed the owner of the Supersonics to relocate the team to Oklahoma City, where the Sonics became the Thunder.
But KeyArena, now known as Climate Pledge Arena, was redeveloped with private financing and reopened in 2021. The state of-the-art arena, home of the WNBA’s Storm, is co-owned by Seattle and a group known as Oak View Group. It is NBA ready; so is the city.
The largest metropolitan area and media market without an NBA team? That’s right, Seattle.
Why Las Vegas?
For decades, the major sports league treated Las Vegas like a scandal waiting to happen. Which meant, keep your distance.
Then came 2017, when the NHL awarded Las Vegas an expansion team, the Vegas Golden Nights. A year later, the WNBA moved the Aces to Las Vegas from San Antonio, Texas. In 2022 came the NFL’s turn, and the Raiders moved to Las Vegas from Oakland, California. Next up: Major League Baseball has cleared the way for the A’s to move to Las Vegas from Oakland.
Yes, there have been gambling scandals. But they can be traced to legalized gambling across the country, not Sin City.
In truth, the NBA was trailblazers and risk takers. In 2004, the league launched its summer league in Las Vegas.
Last summer, the NBA summer league drew 136,130 total fans over the 11 days games were played at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. There were two sellouts, with a seating capacity of 17,500.
Other NBA expansion possibilities
Let’s say something goes wrong with Seattle or Las Vegas. There are other options for the league.
Though European expansion may be several years away, Nashville, Tennessee; Kansas City (Missouri or Kansas); and Louisville, Kentucky have emerged as possibilities. Looking beyond the borders, Vancouver, Montreal and Mexico City are possibilities.
Felon posed as porn star while running racket targeting NFL, NBA athletes: feds
A Georgia felon allegedly posed as an adult film star to target NFL and NBA athletes in a phishing scam and ran a sex-trafficking scheme — coercing a woman into filming sex acts with the top athletes, according to authorities.
Kwamaine Jerell Ford, 34, of Buford, was charged in connection with the elaborate racket, targeting a slew of professional athletes, that he started while in prison in November 2020, the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia announced on Monday.
Ford, who was already convicted of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, allegedly obtained login credentials for Apple accounts belonging to NBA and NFL players after posing as a well-known porn star and offering to send them sexually explicit videos, federal prosecutors said.
The scammer also “spoofed” legitimate Apple customer service accounts and posed as an Apple customer support representative to get victims to send their sensitive username and password information to access videos that the fraudulent porn star’s persona was trying to send to athletes, authorities alleged.
Ford then obtained credit and debit card information belonging to the victims and used it toward his own personal spending, prosecutors added.
In May 2021, Ford also allegedly recruited and disturbingly coerced a woman into engaging in commercial sex acts with the pro athletes while still posing as an adult film star, promising her that he could boost her modeling career.
He used additional fake personas to threaten the victim and pressure her to continue having sex with the athletes — which he profited from and coerced her into filming without the athlete’s consent, officials charged.
The athletes targeted in the intricate scheme have not been publicly identified.
“While serving time for stealing credit card numbers from athletes and celebrities to fund his lifestyle, Ford allegedly engaged in the same conduct again,” US Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement.
“Disturbingly, the indictment alleges that Ford went even further and used a fraudulent online persona to traffic a young woman and coerce her to produce hidden camera videos of commercial sex acts with unknowing individuals,” Hertzberg added.
Ford appeared in federal court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud, seven counts of computer fraud, one count of access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of sex trafficking.
He was ordered held without bail pending his trial. The case is being investigated by the FBI, authorities said.
“Kwamaine Ford clearly did not learn from his prior conviction for a similar scheme. This time, he allegedly escalated his criminal activity—stealing identities and money while also moving into coercion and sex trafficking,” FBI Georgia Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis said in a statement.
“The FBI’s dedicated agents remain committed to staying ahead of schemes like this and protecting the public from individuals who exploit and harm others for personal gain.”
Nick Wright Calls For LeBron James to Own NBA Expansion Team
After finishing the greatest NFL career of all time, Tom Brady became a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020, and Brady’s bid to purchase a minority stake was approved by league owners in October 2024.
LeBron James is currently still authoring one of the greatest NBA careers of all time. (This is not the space for the LeBron vs. Michael Jordan debate.) This season is the last year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The jury is still out on whether he will return for an NBA-record 24th season or retire. Either way, he has breathing room to follow Brady’s pattern. Retire as a GOAT, and then become a minority owner in Vegas.
On Monday morning, ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news that the NBA will hold a vote at next week’s board of governors meetings on whether to move forward with exploring the addition of two expansion teams. One in Seattle — long live the SuperSonics — and one in Las Vegas. If approved, those teams would join the league in 2028-29.
By Monday afternoon, this was a topic of discussion on FS1’s First Things First. Nick Wright pushed James as the most sensible owner in Vegas.
Lakers Get Concerning Prediction for Upcoming NBA Playoff Run
Despite being a top team in the tight Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t getting votes of confidence from former players.
Over the weekend, the legendary Charles Barkley stated that a win or loss against the Denver Nuggets shouldn’t change the idea that he believes the Lakers aren’t true championship contenders.
On Monday, the former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce shared a similar sentiment. The standings say the Lakers are a top-three team. His eyes tell him they are one-and-done material this time around.
Lakers Get A Concerning Prediction From Paul Pierce
“Like, if they have to play Timberwolves, Nuggets, Rockets. I don’t think they can beat any of these three teams,” Pierce said on the ‘No Fouls Given’ podcast.
“I don’t think they will make it out of the first round.”
Beyond the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, the West is too tight to make a call on seeding. The Lakers have a 0.5 lead over the Houston Rockets, and just a 1.5 lead over the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
A lot can change in the final few weeks of the regular season.
But if the 2025-2026 NBA season ended on March 16, the Lakers would draw a first-round series against the Timberwolves. Although Pierce lacks confidence in the Lakers in that matchup, LA has had plenty of success against the Wolves this year.
In three meetings, the Lakers are 3-0. They’ve won four games in a row against Minnesota and picked up the seasonal sweep.
What NBA Fans Are Saying
Here’s what NBA fans are saying in response to Paul Pierce’s statement on X:
@RenzWinford: Lakers been exposing a lot of teams lately
@mantitoy: I don’t think any of those teams can beat the Lakers 4 times in a series. 😎
@black_adam_9: This is not a controversial take. They wouldn’t beat any of the teams who are the 4-6 seeds right now in a series. Currently they’re the 3 and MN is the 6th and they would lose to them again if they had to play them.
@SubjectivelyLen: Paul’s right. Regardless of the matchup or the seeding, they will not escape the first round. Excluding the pandemic, they’ve only gotten out of the first round with LBJ ONCE. The West is insanely brutal and I don’t see it happening.
@Sa1ntLuhrant: So we beating good teams and now we still can’t make it out the first round????
The Lakers are red-hot as the season reaches the middle of March.
Their overtime win against the Denver Nuggets was the fifth-straight victory for LA. During that stretch, they’ve secured wins over the Chicago Bulls, Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and the Indiana Pacers.
On Monday, March 16, the Lakers are taking on the Houston Rockets. LA is searching for its 43rd win of the season.
Steve Kerr becomes fourth-fastest NBA coach to 600 wins
WASHINGTON (AP) — Steve Kerr could finally celebrate win No. 600.
The Golden State coach is one of the fastest to reach the milestone, but after he made it to 599 the Warriors lost five in a row. They snapped that skid with a 125-117 win over Washington on Monday night.
“Not a great basketball game,” Kerr said. “But we needed the win and were good enough to get the win.”
Kerr reached 600 in his 943rd regular-season game. Only three coaches have needed fewer, according to information from the Elias Sports Bureau distributed by the Warriors. Phil Jackson did it in 805 games, Pat Riley in 832 and Gregg Popovich in 887.
“It’s surreal to hear my name in that group, but I can tell you that one thing that bonds us all together — those names and mine — is talent,” Kerr said. “You can’t win in this league without great players, and I was blessed from the day I took this job with incredible talent.”
There hasn’t been as much of it in Golden State’s recent lineups. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are out with injuries, and the Warriors are mired in a race for positioning in the play-in round in the Western Conference. They did have Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis back after resting them in Sunday’s loss at New York.
Porzingis scored a game-high 30 points.
“He’s quite a talent,” Kerr said. “We’re also on the Kristaps Porzingis reunion tour. It’s kind of crazy. We’re playing every one of his former teams. The Knicks, Washington, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas — all five of his teams, we’re seeing on this trip. Players usually get up for playing against their old teams.”
Up next for the Warriors is a matchup with the Celtics on Wednesday night.
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Depleted Mavericks handled by Pelicans in game that could prove key in NBA draft lottery
NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson scored 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks 129-111 on Monday night.
Saddiq Bey had 23 points, while Jeremiah Fears and Trey Murphy III each added 17 to help the Pelicans win for the eighth time in 12 games.
Naji Marshall scored 32 points for the Mavs against his former team. Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg, the top pick in the 2025 draft, had 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Williamson made 11 of 13 shots in 28 minutes. Often injured during his first six seasons since being drafted first overall out of Duke in 2019, Williamson has played in 52 games in his seventh NBA campaign, averaging 21.5 points.
New Orleans led for most of the game and by as many as 19 points.
P.J. Washington scored 18 for the Mavericks, who played without Klay Thompson (rest), Daniel Gafford (illness) and Caleb Martin (sore right foot). Max Christie had 12 points on four 3-pointers.
New Orleans played without Dejounte Murray (illness), and coach James Borrego adjusted to the starting point guard’s absence by playing Murphy and Herb Jones in the backcourt and giving second-year center Yves Missi his ninth start of the season. Meanwhile, veteran guard Jordan Poole came off the bench for his first playing time in eight games.
Missi grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked five shots. Pelicans reserve Karlo Matkovic had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Up next
Mavericks: Host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
Pelicans: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night in the first of a two-game set between those teams on consecutive nights.
Nets, Blazers make ‘special’ history with three Israelis in same game
With the Nets hosting Portland — and rising Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija taking on Nets rookies Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf — Monday marked the first time three Israelis ever faced off in the NBA.
“Yeah, it’s special,” said Nets coach Jordi Fernández. “When other countries outside the US and Europe can be represented with three players here, it means the world, and it’s a special day that everybody has to enjoy. And I think they are already. …I don’t know Deni, but I’m sure he’s excited to play. I know Ben and Danny are.
“And that’s good. It’s one of the two times that we’ll see this and hopefully for many years, see how these guys grow. Obviously Deni, a career year and how much better he has gotten. And then our two young guys, they’re getting better. And I want to see this matchup over the years and how interesting, how cool it is to see them play against each other.”
Wolf started a third straight game with Michael Porter Jr. out.
He came into Monday averaging 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds over his prior ten games before Portland.
Porter missed a third straight game with a sprained right ankle Monday vs. Portland, but has resumed on-court work and appears to be close to a return.
“Yeah, I’m not qualified to talk about grades [on his sprain], but I can share that he did form shooting in the last game that we played, and [Monday] is going to be his first workout,” Fernández said before Brooklyn hosted the Trail Blazers. “So let’s see how he feels after it. He’s getting better, and then we’ll assess.”
Porter has sat out four of the past five games.
With 14 games left in the regular season, the Nets host the reigning champion Thunder on Wednesday.
Backup center Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb UCL tear) and rookie lottery pick Egor Dëmin (left plantar fascia injury management) have both already been ruled out for the season. Veteran Terance Mann missed Monday’s tilt with left Achilles soreness and Noah Clowney was simply rested.
Saraf was available after having been listed as questionable with a left calf contusion.
The Nets started rookies Wolf, Nolan Traore and Drake Powell, along with Ziaire Williams and Nic Claxton.
Portland’s Damian Lillard and Shaedon Sharpe were both out. Chinese rookie Hansen Yang was with the G-League Remix.
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MLS bans Jones, Yeboah for life after gambling investigation
March 9 (Reuters) – Major League Soccer has handed lifetime bans to midfielder Derrick Jones and winger Yaw Yeboah for violating its gambling policy, the league announced on Monday.
Jones, 29, played 23 games for Columbus Crew in 2024 and 2025, while 28-year-old Yeboah was his teammate before joining Los Angeles FC in January 2025 after three seasons at the Crew.
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Suspicious betting alerts were investigated by the MLS who said the two players engaged in extensive gambling on matches, including on their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The violations included Jones’ time at Columbus and Yeboah’s stints with the Crew in 2024 and LAFC in 2025.
In one instance, both players wagered on Jones receiving a yellow card during the Crew’s 3-2 win at the New York Red Bulls in an October 19, 2024 match, which he did.
Investigators also determined that the pair likely shared confidential information with other gamblers about their intent to draw bookings, though no evidence emerged that any of the activity influenced the outcome of matches.
Both players were provisionally suspended in October 2025 pending the investigation. Yeboah, who has been capped by Ghana, joined Chinese Super League side Qingdao Hainiu after a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with LAFC in January.
Ghana-born Jones, who has played for the U.S. at under-20 and under-23 level, is currently without a club after being released by the Crew in November.
Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement that the MLS
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah receive lifetime ban from MLS for betting on matches
Two soccer players received lifetime suspensions from Major League Soccer for betting on MLS matches, the league announced on Monday.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah, neither currently on an MLS roster, are accused of engaging in “extensive gambling on soccer, including placing wagers on their own teams during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to a statement released by the league.
Jones and Yeboah both played with the Columbus Crew in 2024 and were found to have placed a wager on Jones to receive a yellow card in a match against the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 19, 2024 and likely shared that information with outside bettors.
The activity was flagged by the league’s integrity partners and the MLS decided to place the two players on administrative leave in 2025.
By that point, Yeboah was a member of Los Angeles Football Club while Jones was still rostered by Columbus.
In the league’s statement, commissioner Don Garber pushed for reform to the markets available to bettors on MLS matches, specifically singling out the ability to bet on players receiving yellow cards.
“The League will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans,” Garber said.
It’s not the first time a league has pushed for betting reform regarding niche markets.
Sportsbooks placed a $200 limit on MLB pitch-level markets after the Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on federal charges for their alleged involvement in an illegal betting scheme.
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Two MLS players banned for life for betting on games
Former Major League Soccer players Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones received lifetime bans for betting on MLS matches — including their own — the league announced Monday.
Yeboah, 28, most recently played for LAFC in 2025 and is a former teammate of Jones with the Columbus Crew. Both were placed on administrative leave last October while awaiting league review of potential MLS rules violations.
MLS hired the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to investigate after the league received suspicious betting alerts through integrity partners. The law firm found that Jones and Yeboah
Visa issues may leave Jamaican club short-handed against LA Galaxy in Champions Cup
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer in a CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and CONCACAF seek a solution. The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg Round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
___
Visa woes leave Jamaican side down 10 players against Galaxy
CARSON, Calif. — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of MLS in a Concacaf Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and Concacaf seek a solution.
The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
Last year’s champion Cruz Azul beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 in the final.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Federico Bernardeschi reveals Juventus denied him the number 10 shirt
Federico Bernardeschi was a Juventus player between 2017 and 2022, before leaving to join Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. The winger arrived at Juve from Fiorentina, where he had been one of Serie A’s standout performers, despite La Viola doing everything possible to prevent the transfer from taking place.
During his time at Juventus, Bernardeschi was regarded as one of the club’s more talented players and was relied upon in several key matches. His versatility and attacking flair made him a valuable asset in various tactical setups, and he quickly adapted to the demands of a top club competing for major honours.
The Number 10 Ambition
Upon his arrival, Bernardeschi expressed a desire to wear the number 10 shirt, a number historically associated with some of the club’s most iconic figures. At that time, the shirt was vacant, and the young Italian hoped to continue the legacy associated with it.
However, Juventus had other plans. The club decided not to award him the number immediately, and the shirt was soon given to Paulo Dybala, who was already in his third year at Juventus and widely considered to have earned the honour. The decision sent a clear message regarding the club’s view of Bernardeschi’s readiness to assume such a prestigious role.
Reflecting on the Past
Bernardeschi has recalled the moment and shared his perspective on the situation. As quoted by Tuttojuve, he said, “The number 10 at Juve? I asked to have the number 10 shirt, they told me I was too young and had to wait at least a year. Then Dybala took it, who was already in his third year at Juventus, and that train passed for me.”
The experience highlighted both the challenges of stepping into a club with a rich history and the patience required for young players to make their mark. Despite not receiving the number 10 shirt, Bernardeschi went on to contribute significantly during his five years with Juventus before embarking on a new chapter in North America with Toronto FC.
Orlando City, coach Oscar Pareja parting ways after 3 losses to open the season
Orlando City and head coach Oscar Pareja have agreed to part ways just three games into the Major League Soccer season.
Orlando City is coming off a 5-0 loss to New York City FC on Saturday, the team’s third straight defeat.
Pareja became head coach of Orlando ahead of the 2020 season. The team went to the playoffs in each year of his tenure and reached the semifinals in 2024.
Assistant coach Martín Perelman will take over as interim head coach.
“I want to thank Oscar for the dedication, leadership and professionalism he brought to our club,” Ricardo Moreira, Orlando’s general manager and sporting director, said Wednesday in a statement. “He delivered one of the most significant moments in Orlando City’s history with the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and helped establish the competitive foundation that has propelled us forward, highlighted by our active club-record run of six straight playoffs appearances, which is currently the longest streak in MLS.”
Pareja, who is from Colombia, had previous head coaching stints with FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, as well as Liga MX’s Tijuana.
He finishes his career at Orlando with a 103-72-66 record at the helm.
“Together, we shared moments that will stay with me forever,” Pareja said about his time in Orlando. “While it is the right time for both me and the Club to move in new directions, I leave proud of the work we did and with deep appreciation for the people who made it possible.”
___
MLS suspends Philadelphia Union’s Ernst Tanner after misconduct probe
Major League Soccer has suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1, 2026 for violating the policies and standards of professional conduct required of league and club leadership.
According to a report by The Guardian, Tanner made use of sexist and anti-gay language in the workplace while also being reported for making racist comments about Black players, coaches and referees. The report revealed that the allegations were made in an MLS Player’s Association complaint to the league.
MLS previously conducted an investigation into the allegations but closed the case after failing to verify the initial claims. Since the release of The Guardian’s report, however, the league announced the investigation would be reopened.
Tanner was then placed on administrative leave on November 19, 2025, when MLS reopened its investigation into the allegations of inappropriate and insensitive comments made by the Union’s sporting director.
Philadelphia Union exec Ernst Tanner suspended after misconduct investigation
Major League Soccer suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1 following a months-long investigation after a November report alleged wide range of inappropriate workplace behavior.
The Guardian detailed several allegations of misconduct against Tanner and corroborated several claims mentioned in a previous MLS Players Association complaint involving multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior.
Following the Guardian report, MLS reopened its inquiry into Tanner with the law firm of Littler Mendelson leading the investigation.
“Based on new information obtained during outside counsel’s independent review, the investigation substantiated violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of League and Club leadership,” the league said in a statement to the outlet on Monday.
MLS did not provide details about specific allegations the league had substantiated.
The Union put Tanner on an administrative leave of absence after the league’s inquiry was announced in November.
His suspension of pay began on Monday, the Guardian reported, and it’s unknown whether he was paid during his leave.
Tanner will be required to complete an MLS-approved restorative practices program before he can be reinstated.
“Based on the findings from Major League Soccer’s investigation, the Philadelphia Union supports the league’s disciplinary action and restorative practices program for Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. The Union will evaluate the best and appropriate structure for the organization following the disciplinary process,” the Union said in a statement. “The Philadelphia Union remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone associated with our club.”
Tanner has denied the allegations against him and, in a statement of his own on Monday, said he regrets “the impact that this situation has had” on the club.
“I remain proud of my work with the Philadelphia Union and look forward to my return and future work with the team,” he said.
The inquiry was the second MLS has made involving Tanner.
The MLSPA made its initial complaint last year, but MLS said it was unable to substantiate the claims at the time.
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
Trump backs ‘powerful caps’ on college athlete pay
WASHINGTON — President Trump wants “very powerful caps” to limit college athlete salaries so that universities won’t “go out of business.”
Trump told ESPN host Pat McAfee that he fears that “lesser” sports also are being scrapped due to the newly allowed practice of directly paying athletes, which has been allowed since July on top of name, image and likeness (NIL) sponsorships by companies and booster clubs permitted since 2021.
“It is a very serious problem because even football, when they give quarterbacks $12 million, $13 million, $14 million — I read a couple of them — and all of a sudden you’re going to see it’s going to be out of control, and even rich colleges are going to go bust,” Trump said in a Tuesday interview.
“They had the old way. They gave scholarships, and they did lots of good things. But there could be some form of payments, but… look, the NFL, and all of you know, all teams, they have caps. You don’t really have that in college sports,” the president said.
“When the guard comes along that weighs 350 pounds and he’s phenomenal, and they say, ‘That’s going to make the difference between having a great team and a lousy team’, and they give him $10 million — that’s going to start happening pretty soon — all of a sudden you’re going to have NFL-type payrolls.”
The reform allowing for direct payment of players by universities came through a court-approved settlement involving the NCAA, with an estimated initial annual cap of $20.5 million per player. Without changes, the salary cap is expected to rise to $33 million over the next decade, CBS Sports reported.
Trump, whose administration this year paused federal grants to prominent universities to force policy changes, added, “colleges don’t make that much money, even the most successful, so they’re not going to be able to do this. Bad things are going to happen unless they figure this out…
“And frankly, the college football, it’s very big. But as big as it is, if they don’t do some very powerful caps, these colleges are all going to go out of business no matter how rich they are.”
Trump floated Nick Saban, the retired longtime football coach at the University of Alabama, as a potential point person to lead a group to devise new salary caps.
“I don’t want to use any particular sport, because it’s, you know, degrading. But they are really terminating a lot of sports… you would call them lesser sports, but big sports, good sports, and sports where they have tremendous interest, they’re getting rid of them,” Trump added.
“A lot of the lesser sports are being totally terminated. You know that? It’s a shame. It was almost like a training ground for the Olympics, and a lot of those training grounds are being lost.”
Mavs honoring VP of corporate sponsorships Billy Phillips as he retires after 33 years
A wave of emotion overcame Billy Phillips as he went through a list of acknowledgements that included his Dallas Mavericks colleagues, corporate sponsorship partners and immediate family.
Phillips, the Mavericks’ longtime vice president of corporate sponsorships, was the final voice to speak on Saturday to commemorate his retirement after 33 years of tenure with the franchise. It was a celebration inside the Executive Lounge at American Airlines Center to honor one of the most respected employees in the team’s 45-year history.
“Many of you know his Dallas Mavericks legacy and what he’s done for this community, but what he’s done for the overall sports business community in North Texas is unparalleled,” said Gina Miller, the Mavericks’ new chief communications officer.
Phillips’ storied sports legacy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area didn’t start in basketball. The Long Island, N.Y., native played soccer as a goalkeeper from 1980 to 1981 for the Dallas Tornado in the North American Soccer League. He played an instrumental role with the Dallas Sidekicks, both as a player from 1984 to 1987 and manager from 1987 to 1996.
Phillips helped establish soccer in North Texas in the 1970s and 1980s, and the momentum led to Dallas being the host city for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The quadrennial international men’s soccer tournament will return in 2026, with AT&T Stadium hosting nine matches in Arlington, including a semi-final game. FC Dallas president Dan Hunt said Phillips played a role in the Cup’s return.
Phillips joined the Mavericks in 1992 as a senior director of corporate sponsorship. He was promoted to vice president in 2018, the role he serves in currently until his final day on Dec. 23. As an athlete, he can’t help but reflect on the team’s lone championship in 2011 as a standout moment, but the people he worked with is what he’ll cherish the most.
“At the end of the day, it’s relationships,” Phillips said. “I have so many amazing relationships from people who work for the Mavericks and partners that I’ve worked with now…It’s always the people who’s the most important part of my job.”
Several influential people around the Mavericks spoke during Phillips’ retirement ceremony, including minority shareholder Mark Cuban and CEO Rick Welts. Co-interim general manager Michael Finley was also in attendance.
“This man can sell,” Cuban said. “Billy has been a rock, not just for the young salespeople, but for the whole organization. When things were up, when things were down, Billy was steady. Billy has this calming influence that he brings to anybody that he’s met, but he also can sell. What’s the rule, Billy?”
“If you’re talking to someone, you better have a check,” Phillips said.
The celebration didn’t stop during the pregame. Phillips was honored during halftime of Saturday’s game with a tribute video, which included cameos by Dirk Nowitzki and former Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd began his pregame news conference with a congratulatory message for Phillips.
“I want to congratulate Billy Phillips,” Kidd said. “He’s retiring after 33 years with the Mavs. He’s a big influence in sports here in Dallas. Goalkeeper for the Dallas Sidekicks. He did everything and he’s a big reason why soccer is coming to Dallas for the Cup.”
Twitter/X: @MikeACurtis2
TKO Stock Slides despite Receiving a New Street-High Price Target
TKO Group Holdings (TKO) had a standout year in 2025, thanks to major media rights deals and a surge in sponsorships. In fact, the sports and entertainment company signed agreements to broadcast UFC and Zuffa Boxing with Paramount (PSKY) and licensed WWE content through Endeavor Group. These deals were big enough that TKO raised its outlook for the year, and the stock climbed by more than 50%, thereby making it one of the top performers in its sector.
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Importantly, analysts believe there’s more room to grow, even after this big run. For instance, BTIG analyst Tyler DiMatteo noted that 2026 looks promising for both the sports and entertainment industry and TKO specifically. While he does expect some short-term ups and downs due to the stock’s recent surge, he’s comfortable giving TKO a higher valuation. He points to strong consumer interest in live events and what many call the “experience economy” as key reasons why the company should keep performing well.
TKO is also betting on newer trends, such as prediction markets. It signed a multi-year deal with Polymarket that will apply to UFC and Zuffa Boxing in an attempt to increase fan engagement. Interestingly, that market was worth $1.4 billion in 2024 and could grow to $95.5 billion by 2035. As a result, DiMatteo gave TKO a Buy rating and raised his price target to a street high of $250 per share.
Is TKO Stock a Good Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on TKO stock based on 14 Buys, one Hold, and zero Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average TKO price target of $225.73 per share implies 7.9% upside potential.
See more TKO analyst ratings
How shared values drove Ferrari’s first crypto partnership: Interview with BingX
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The multi-year agreement between Formula One racing team Scuderia Ferrari and crypto exchange BingX represents the Italian team’s first partnership with a crypto exchange.
For Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer at BingX, the connection is built on performance rather than just visibility. She notes that Ferrari’s “engineering excellence and uncompromising standards” mirror the platform’s own approach, stating that the goal is to demonstrate that a crypto exchange can operate with the “same discipline, transparency and ambition” as the iconic automotive brand.
In this interview, Lin sheds light on the strategic vision behind the collaboration, the maturity of the crypto landscape and how shared values with Ferrari are influencing BingX’s global roadmap.
Cointelegraph: How is the convergence of high-performance sports and financial technology reshaping global marketing strategies?
Vivien Lin: High-performance sports attract fans who are deeply committed and loyal, much like the community we’ve built at BingX with our 40 million users. In Formula 1, this engagement is clear. Recent research shows that 94% of fans plan to follow the sport five years from now, and 86% watch at least 16 races each season.
This kind of loyalty gives us a unique chance for us to build lasting relationships, not just short-term awareness. In my experience, it’s rare to find a partnership that fits so well. I also believe that sponsorship shapes how fans experience the sport.
The same research found that about three-quarters of fans think sponsors make Formula 1 better, and one in three are more likely to buy from F1 partners. For Gen Z, that number rises to 40%. For BingX, this trend means our marketing is now more focused on values, performance and long-term relevance, not just visibility.
CT: Why are elite sporting institutions increasingly looking toward the cryptocurrency sector for strategic alliances?
VL: In our experience, elite sports organizations have always focused on progress and winning. To stay ahead, they keep evolving, adopt new technologies and look to the future. The crypto sector and BingX share this forward-thinking approach, so there is a unique purpose behind these partnerships.
Furthermore, 2026 marks a change. As the industry grows, crypto is now about infrastructure, security and global access — not just experimentation. Sports organizations see this obvious shift and want to work with partners who are leading the way. These partnerships show a shared belief that responsible innovation can create lasting value for people around the world.
CT: What does the evolving relationship between Formula 1 and digital assets signal about the maturity of the crypto industry?
VL: The growing relationship between Formula 1 and digital assets is a strong signal that the crypto industry is entering a more mature phase. One that is defined less by speculation and more by credibility, infrastructure and long-term brand building.
Both Formula 1 and crypto are built on resilience. Progress is never linear. There are moments of rapid innovation, periods of pressure and times when patience matters more than speed. After seven years in this industry, I’ve seen crypto evolve through multiple cycles, shaped by both breakthroughs and hard lessons. Formula 1 understands this reality deeply.
From BingX’s perspective, Formula 1 represents the highest standards of performance, precision and trust. It is a global sport governed by rigorous regulation and scrutiny. The fact that teams and stakeholders are increasingly selective about their partners reflects how the crypto industry itself is changing.
Partnerships today are about values, governance and the ability to perform at scale. As the industry matures, we are seeing leading crypto platforms focus on compliance, security and user protection, foundational elements that are essential for long-term adoption.
The presence of digital asset companies in Formula 1 signals that these platforms are now capable of meeting the expectations of world-class institutions and global audiences. It also reflects a move away from short-term hype toward sustainable engagement and education.
CT: How does becoming a cryptocurrency partner for Ferrari differentiate BingX from its competitors?
VL: This partnership is significant not only because of Ferrari’s global brand and history, but also because it marks their first collaboration with a cryptocurrency exchange, which we do not take lightly. For BingX, it reinforces our position as a top-of-mind brand in crypto and reflects how far we’ve come as a platform.
For example, we were the first major exchange to introduce copy trading, which helped us become recognized as a top 5 derivatives platform, and today we are the first all-in-AI crypto exchange, with a $300 million commitment to implementing AI across our platform. It shows that we are seen as a long-term partner capable of meeting the standards of one of motorsport’s most iconic teams.
CT: What specific shared values between BingX and Scuderia Ferrari form the foundation of this multi-year collaboration?
VL: At the heart of this collaboration is a shared mindset of pioneering breakthroughs and redefining what’s possible. Both BingX and Scuderia Ferrari operate in environments where precision, performance and continuous innovation matter deeply.
Ferrari’s culture of constant innovation, race after race and season after season, closely mirrors how BingX approaches product innovation and platform evolution. We also share a long-term view that goes beyond short-term wins. There is a strong mutual respect for data, technology and discipline, as well as a belief that innovation should always be purposeful.
On the product side, this philosophy translates directly into action. Just as Ferrari continuously refines performance to push limits on the track, BingX is committed to helping traders go beyond their current potential through continuous platform upgrades, BingX Academy and AI-driven innovation.
CT: How do you plan to turn this partnership into tangible benefits for the BingX trading community?
VL: For us, partnerships like this are about delivering a more premium experience for our users. We are intentional about who we align with because those relationships reflect how we build our platform and our community.
Our partnerships with globally respected teams like Chelsea Football Club and Ferrari are not coincidences. They represent excellence, discipline and a commitment to performing at the highest level.
For our trading community, this translates into elevated experiences, stronger engagement and a brand they can trust and feel proud to be part of. Whether markets are moving fast or slowing down, our focus remains on quality, reliability and long-term value. These partnerships, along with racing-inspired campaigns, race-week activations and limited-edition experiences, reinforce that we are building BingX to operate at a global, premium standard.
CT: How does aligning with the most iconic team in motorsport reinforce BingX’s commitment to security and technological excellence?
VL: Ferrari’s reputation is built on precision, reliability and performance under pressure. Partnering with a team of that caliber reinforces how we think about building BingX and our own commitment to building secure, resilient and high-performing systems.
For years, we’ve focused on creating a resilient, AI-native platform, with intelligence embedded directly into the trading experience and a long-term $300 million commitment to AI.
In crypto, trust is built through infrastructure, not promises. We treat security as a foundation, supported by proof-based protections such as a $150 million Shield Fund and 100% proof-of-reserves.
This partnership reflects confidence in our technology and governance, and it sends a clear message that innovation and security are not trade-offs. They must work together to create a platform that can perform at a global, world-class standard.
CT: How will this alliance influence BingX’s strategic roadmap and expansion plans over the next few years?
VL: This partnership builds on a foundation we’ve already established. With over 40 million users globally and a position among the top five derivatives trading platforms, BingX has reached a scale where brand trust, consistency and global relevance matter more than ever.
Our multi-year partnership with Chelsea Football Club reflects that same thinking. Whether on the pitch or in the market, we align with teams that operate at the highest level of performance.
Working with Ferrari represents the next stage of that journey. It opens new opportunities for global storytelling, deeper regional engagement and innovation across markets. More importantly, it aligns with our long-term view of crypto as part of global finance and culture, not a niche industry.
CT: What role will this partnership play in BingX’s long-term goal to redefine standards within the cryptocurrency landscape?
Partnerships like this help set a new benchmark for what crypto brands can represent. They show that it’s possible to combine innovation with discipline, and ambition with responsibility.
Our goal is to help move the industry forward by building trust, raising standards and focusing on long-term value. If crypto wants to be part of global culture, it must meet the standards of the world’s most demanding institutions. This partnership is our commitment to that future.
NCAA D1 Cabinet Approves Jersey Patch Sponsorships in College Sports
If you felt that the influx of NIL and other cash influences had already thoroughly corrupted college sports, you may want to brace yourself.
The NCAA Division I Cabinet voted to approve jersey patch sponsorships in college sports. The new ruling will take effect on August 1, allowing patches to be placed on uniforms just in time for the start of the 2026 college football season.
“College sports are in an exciting new era of increased financial benefits for student-athletes, and the Cabinet’s vote today reflects the ongoing commitment of Division I members to drive additional revenues and fully fund those benefits,” said Illinois Athletics Director and D-I Cabinet chair, Josh Whitman, in a statement.
“This also continues the NCAA’s efforts to expand flexibility in areas of NCAA rules, thereby allowing schools and conferences to set standards that reflect their values and serve their unique needs. This important policy change is another step forward in advancing that philosophy and providing members with increased flexibility.”
As On3 reports, “Under the new legislation, schools will be able to place up to two additional commercial logos on uniforms and one additional logo on equipment during both the preseason and postseason. They can also add another logo on uniforms and apparel during conference championships.
“Patches are limited to a maximum of 4 square inches per logo, according to the NCAA. The legislation is in effect for non-NCAA championship competition.”
In anticipation of the rule’s passing, several schools, most notably LSU and UNLV, have already inked sponsorship deals.
The move will undoubtedly accelerate the commercialization of the game-day experience. In the last two years, fans in the stands and those watching at home have seen the emergence of company logos on the field and on the court, resulting from the House v. NCAA settlement approval.
Adding sponsorship patches to jerseys will create yet another revenue stream for college athletics, likely adding tens of millions of dollars annually.
Watch Brands Increasingly Turn to Sports for Spark
Could sports be the tonic that revives the luxury watch market?
Over the past few months, Swiss watch brands have lined up to announce multimillion-dollar deals with elite professional sports leagues and athletes, hoping to leverage their star power and the emotions of sports fandom to fire up a cooling market.
Last week, Breitling became the latest high-end brand to hitch its wagon to Formula 1, signing a deal with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team, adding to a deal it announced in August to be the official timepiece partner of the National Football League (N.F.L.).
In November, Norqain became what it called the Official Luxury Sports Watch of the National Hockey League (N.H.L.), and in January Frederique Constant introduced its first sports sponsorship, connecting with the nascent Pro Padel League, in which athletes compete in padel, a game often described as a cross between squash and tennis.
Brands such as Rolex, Omega and TAG Heuer have built their profiles on ties with sports, but in today’s saturated market, can sports sponsorships really help brands achieve their goals?
Fears of foreign influence spark bipartisan crackdown on college sports funding
Student-athletes are increasingly exploring name, image and likeness contracts to benefit from their emerging stardoms. But lawmakers want to make sure those deals don’t provide loopholes for foreign adversaries to exert their influence in the United States.
Utah Rep. Blake Moore introduced the No Foreign NIL Funds Act on Tuesday that would implement a number of restrictions banning foreign governments and adversarial entities from investing in U.S. college sports. The bill would mostly apply to NIL contracts, but it would also extend to sponsorships, media rights deals, hosting amateur athletic conferences, and other joint ventures.
“College sports are woven into American campus life, local communities, and family traditions. But allowing foreign entities to funnel money and sponsorships into college athletics through NIL deals risks undermining the integrity of the game and exposing universities to unintended foreign influence or national security concerns,” Moore, a former student-athlete himself, said in a statement. “NIL should be used to support college athletes, not as a backdoor for moving foreign money into American institutions.”
Since NIL contracts have been accepted in recent years, lawmakers have struggled to adopt comprehensive laws regulating those deals. As a result, there are no federal restrictions banning foreign governments from funding those contracts so long as the agreements are cleared through a list of requirements settled in the House vs. NCAA lawsuit in 2024.
That settlement now allows each school to pay its athletes up to $20.5 million per year, which works out to about 22% of the average athletic department revenue at Power Four schools.
However, many of the organizations that coordinate NIL contracts operate as limited liability companies, or LLCs, that do not require donor lists to be made public. That has raised national security concerns among some lawmakers who said adversarial countries could quietly pour money into a university’s sports program and try to build political influence or gain leverage.
The bill would go beyond those NIL contracts to also block foreign countries from investing in collegiate athletic streams, and it would prohibit entering into contracts with individual universities, media rights distributors, bowl games or postseason football organizations.
Bill would have exceptions for foreign NIL donations
The legislation would carve out some exceptions to allow members of NATO, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland to still participate in those contracts.
Moore pointed to recent incidents in which college football coaches have engaged in foreign trips for lobbying or fundraising as well as some athletic conferences who are finalizing plans to organize tournaments in foreign countries.
The bill has garnered the support of bipartisan lawmakers, and even has the backing of Utah State University’s athletic director, who said it’s crucial “to create a safe and sustainable future.”
“Utah State Athletics firmly supports our student-athletes and their ability to seek name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities through the appropriate channels,” USU athletic director Cameron Walker said. “However, the origin of these sources is critical for NIL to function effectively and operate in the best interest of our university, state, and student-athletes. We are thankful for Congressman Moore’s work in this area and support his efforts to create a safe and sustainable future.”
Arkansas Razorback athletics announces its jersey sponsor
Recently, the Tyson Foods logo has shown up on the field at Razorback Stadium.
Now, the iconic food brand will be on the Razorback uniforms for all varsity sports beginning in 2026-27. Under the new multi-year agreement, Tyson Foods will also serve as the official protein of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Expect to see the Tyson Foods brand on things such as backdrops for press conferences, stadium branding with on field/court placements.
“This historic sponsorship is transformative for Razorback Athletics. For decades, Tyson Foods has been more than a corporate partner—they are an integral part of the Arkansas story,
How LinkSports is Democratizing the Talent Pipeline by Leveraging Data-Driven Reinvention of Sports Sponsorships
LinkSports, a Canadian technology company operating across 29 countries, is building what it calls the new infrastructure of sports sponsorship. Founded by Neissan Monadjem, LinkSports is a fintech company with sports content that combines artificial intelligence, standardized athletic challenges, and micro-sponsorship funding into a single platform designed to connect amateur athletes with corporate capital. The greater objective, however, lies in eliminating the problem of gatekeeping in sports sponsorship.
According to Monadjem, corporate budgets in sports often concentrate on elite professionals, while grassroots athletes, who may be equally driven, compete for limited visibility and even scarcer funding. The global sports sponsorship market exceeds $100 billion annually, yet he believes that the vast majority of that capital flows to a narrow section of top-tier talent.
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
NBA draft prospect Alijah Arenas refuses to see his dreams derailed
Barely a minute or two ticked away at Galen Center last month,but USC freshman Alijah Arenas already was exhausted. His legs felt like anchors dragging across the court. Every trip down and back left his lungs howling.
Not 48 hours earlier, Arenas was confined to his bed, sick with a particularly unforgiving form of the flu. The virus sapped him of the strength he’d built during his first seven games at USC — another frustrating setback during a season with too many to count.
At practice the day before, Arenas felt so tired he spent most of the session lying down, trying not to move. But after all the games missed and all the opportunities lost during the past 10 months, Arenas never willingly gave up another.
He came to USC, after all, as a surefire NBA lottery pick, a sinewy playmaking marvel capable of creating his shot anywhere, anytime. He seemed like the sort of tantalizing five-star talent who could change not just the present but future of a program.
But he spent almost three-quarters of what could be his only college season sidelined. So, with a top-10 Illinois team coming to town, Arenas fought to play. He ended up slogging his way through 18 minutes and scored eight points. USC lost to Illinois by 36, its largest margin of defeat of the regular season.
That was three weeks ago. USC hasn’t won a game since. It opens Big Ten tournament action against Washington on Wednesday in need of a miracle run just to make the NCAA tournament.
Arenas isn’t one to make excuses. “I’m not going to blame it on [being sick,]” he said the day after the Illinois loss.
There has been plenty of blame to go around during USC’s seven-game losing streak. But Arenas blames himself. He should have been more prepared for this season, he says. He should have been working out harder, recovering faster.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Arenas said. “I just have to point out the obvious.”
He thinks about his little brother, Aloni. He’s only 14. He’s been hounding Alijah about getting in the gym. Why hadn’t he listened?
“It’s becoming a problem,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been talking about striving for perfection, instead of actually practicing it.”
He’s spent all night thinking about this. Obsessing over it.
But on the other hand … maybe he’s being a bit hard on himself.
One morning last April, Arenas was driving home from the gym when his Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, crashed into a tree and burst into flames, briefly trapping him inside. He managed to escape, but he was placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery from smoke inhalation and hospitalized for six days. Then, within days of finally being cleared to practice during the summer at USC, Arenas learned his meniscus was torn. He had one surgery on his knee, only to learn he needed a second about a month later.
Doctors told Arenas at the time that the knee injury was likely season-ending. But he refused to accept that fate. When his knee responded well to the second surgery, doctors conceded he might be able to return sometime in February. He ran with it.
“He worked so hard to come back,” said Zach Becerra, Arenas’ trainer, “that he got it to mid-January.”
But while his knee might’ve technically been healthy as he suited up against Northwestern on Jan. 21, Arenas didn’t have his stamina back. It’d been 10 months since he last played five-on-five basketball.
Arenas still played 29 minutes. He shot three of 15. Afterward, USC coach Eric Musselman worried he might’ve thrown the freshman into the fire too soon.
But Musselman told the Arenas family from the beginning that he would give Alijah a blank canvas on which to create and the space to make mistakes, to grow. So he kept his word — and kept giving Arenas the ball. Musselman stuck with the freshman even as he shot just 29% and struggled to find his footing during his first four games. And he has continued to stick with his star freshman, even as USC’s season unraveled.
He’s done so because Musselman and his staff have seen glimpses of what Arenas could be.
During a three-game stretch in early February, Arenas showed the world his sky-high potential. He dropped 29 against Indiana, 25 at Ohio State and hit a game-winner at Penn State. It seemed, at the time, like he was on the brink of his long-awaited breakout.
Then, he got sick.
“It’s a shame that the circumstances were what they were,” USC assistant coach Michael Musselman said. “Because I truly know that [Arenas] would have been one of the best players in the country with a full season.”
Arenas, though, doesn’t waste any time feeling sorry for himself. Even that stellar three-game stretch, he says, “wasn’t what I was waiting for.” He calls it “decent towards bad.”
Two days later, USC blew a lead to Oregon in the final minute. The ball was in Arenas’ hands during the final two possessions. He missed a contested jumper on the first trip. On the second, he drove into traffic and lost the ball.
After the game, Becerra said Arenas was “crushed.” “He feels like, ‘It’s all on me. ‘It’s all on my shoulders.’”
Arenas took a half-hour after the game to shoot and clear his head.
When he finally got home that night, Arenas headed straight for his father’s sauna. He sat inside for a while, alone, hoping to sweat away whatever was holding him back.
Seventh grade was when it all started to click. That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
Back then, he said, it was fun to set his alarm for 4 a.m., getting to the gym hours before another soul would show up.
“I was a very disciplined kid in seventh grade,” he says. “I’d get eight workouts a day in.”
Eight? Really? Yes, at his middle school, Core Prep Academy in Northridge, Arenas’ entire day was consumed by hoops. There were pre-dawn workouts, mid-morning core, mid-afternoon skills training and late-night shooting sessions. Lunch was usually sacrificed to get up extra shots. Sometimes he’d get in a short morning nap on a couch in an office. Classes, somehow, were crammed in the between workouts.
It was a pretty grueling schedule for a seventh grader. But Arenas chose it. He fell in love with the work. “That kid was obsessed,” Arenas says of his younger self. “Nothing distracted him. No outside noise, no talking, no anything. Just gym, school, sleep, repeat.”
Becerra, his trainer, saw that shift firsthand. He’d started training Arenas’ dad, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, when Alijah was in the fifth grade. Alijah was only 5-foot-4 when Becerra took him on as a client, too.
“But he was already a madman,” Becerra said. “He gets that from his dad.”
That motivation wasn’t the product of his famous father nudging him. Alijah said Gilbert never put any expectations on him to follow in his father’s footsteps.
In middle school at Core Prep, Alijah was pinned against older, stronger prospects on a daily basis. When it came time to choose a high school, instead of sending him to Sierra Canyon, where other local top prospects congregated, Alijah enrolled at Chatsworth High, the local public high school.
“I just think Gilbert wanted him to have to fight,” said Etop Udo-Ema, the founder of Compton Magic, Arenas’ AAU program. “You’re gonna do everything [at Chatsworth.] You’re gonna have to carry the team and wear every game on your shoulder.”
Some nights, Chatsworth coach Sam Harris would ask Alijah to play the point. Others he played center. He posted up in the paint, with his back to the basket. He initiated the offense. He rebounded. He even did the opening tip.
“He had to learn to do everything,” Harris said.
Arenas ended up staying all three of his high school seasons at Chatsworth. Most nights, Arenas was the sole focus of opponents’ game plans. Still, in three seasons, he became the Los Angeles City Section’s all-time leading scorer.
He developed an uncanny ability to create his own shot under the most difficult of circumstances, manipulating defenses and contorting his way through the lane with ease. He learned how to elevate his teammates, putting them in positions to succeed. And he also sprouted up to 6-foot-7, which didn’t hurt.
“Every game I was getting triple-teamed,” Arenas said. “At first it was frustrating. But then I realized, like, that’s just preparing me for the next level. I had to learn how to read the game differently, how to stay patient, how to trust my work even when things weren’t going right.”
Those lessons have been tested at USC, where little has gone as planned for Arenas so far this season. The Trojans have lost nine of the 13 games in which Arenas has suited up. They dismissed leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara last month and their NCAA tournament hopes are on life support.
It hasn’t been easy. But whenever life has been the hardest, he has found himself thinking of his Cybertruck crash. It’s made him slow down, made him take a breath.
“I just tell myself, like, ‘You’re still here,” he said.
In the same breath, Arenas refuses to let himself off the hook. He insists again this season hasn’t been good enough, that he hasn’t been good enough.
His former coaches, however, happily come to his defense. They insist this version of Arenas is, as Udo-Ema put it, “a shell of what he’s going to be.” They point to the fact that he’s only just now in playing shape.
That’s what the Compton Magic founder has told any NBA teams who have asked. “If he’s not a top-10 pick, there are 10 dumb NBA teams that are going to miss out,” he says.
Harris, the Chatsworth head coach, said Arenas is still just getting comfortable. He was supposed to be a high school senior, but he chose to reclassify and head to college early. Then suddenly he was thrust into the fire of a Big Ten slate at midseason.
“It’s just growing pains,” Harris said.
Stepping in during the final six weeks certainly required adjusting — not just from Arenas, but also his teammates. At Chatsworth, Arenas did everything because he had to. At USC, that instinct has sometimes led him to try too hard, to do too much.
“He can get a shot off whenever he wants, which is super unique,” said Michael Musselman, the USC assistant. “So he’s trying to figure out, ‘When do I need to use that?’ versus ‘When do I need to find my teammates or get other guys involved?’”
It may be too late to figure it all out at USC. The expectation has long been that Arenas would play one season of college basketball before declaring for the NBA draft. But considering how the past year has gone, could that change in the coming weeks as we learn more about how the NBA views Arenas’ limited freshman tape?
No one is ruling anything out. But those closest to Arenas assure that his struggles this season have done nothing to alter his trajectory in the NBA.
“Just the things he can do, the IQ he has, what he can see, the way that he moves, the length, the size — he’s the most talented guy I’ve ever seen,” Udo-Ema said. “Now realizing that talent is a whole different story. But let’s say everything perfect happens for him, he’s going to be the face of the NBA.”
Of course, nothing has gone perfectly to this point for Arenas. But if this past year has taught him anything, it’s how critical it is to keep on course. He won’t allow himself to veer any further.
“Because talent isn’t enough at this level,” Arenas said. “Everybody is talented. So if I’m not out working people, I’m behind.
“I know what I’m capable of. And I’m not there yet. Simple as that.”
March Madness 2026: Every City and Arena Hosting NCAA Tournament Games
March Madness is just a day away, and the anticipation around it is off the charts. As college basketball embarks on its final chapter in 2026, the teams look ready to sweat it out for the grand prize. But where will these games be held? Let’s dive right in and find out about the venues where the NCAA 2026 March Madness games will be hosted.
Which Arena Hosts the First Four Games in March Madness 2026?
The 2026 calendar will see the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, hosting the First Four Games on March 17th and 18th. These play-in games determine the final four teams that advance into the traditional 64-team March Madness bracket. Dayton has always been the longstanding home for the First Four ever since the format was introduced in 2011.
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The First Four consists of four play-in games involving eight teams. The match-ups usually include the four lowest-seeded at-large teams against the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers.
Dates : March 17th and 18th 2026
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City: Dayton, Ohio
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Venue: University of Dayton Arena (UD Arena), located at 1801 Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton, OH 45417.
The venue was opened in 1969 and has been renovated multiple times, with its last work happening in 2019, and can house approximately 13,409 people. Because of its rich association with college basketball, it has also earned itself the nickname “Epicenter of College Basketball.”
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Since 2011, this has been the proven ground where college basketball teams have slogged it out for a chance to etch their names into basketball supremacy. Dayton fans have a history of coming in numbers and selling out arenas as March Madness tips off from here. This is exactly why the slogan “The Road Starts Here” has become so entwined with this particular city.
Irrespective of the teams playing, the fans have never shirked away, and this is exactly why Dayton is a top-10 media market for college basketball viewership.
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Which Cities and Arenas Host the First and Second Round Games in 2026?
The 2026 NCAA Tournament’s First and Second Rounds (Round of 64 and Round of 32) will be played March 19–22 across eight host cities: Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. These regional pods spread the opening weekend action nationwide, giving fans across the U.S. a chance to experience March Madness live from the different locations.
The Round of 64 and Round of 32 games will be staggered from Thursday to Sunday. The host cities are arenas are:
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Well, all the venues in question have a history to begin with, which is why they have been chosen as the host sites for a tournament of this caliber. Take Buffalo, for instance, which is a frequent NCAA site, home of the NHL’s Sabres, or Greenville, which has become a regular host in recent years, popular in the Southeast, or Portland, with the NBA Trail Blazers’ arena of the West Coast pod.
The NCAA rotates these pods annually to make the games more accessible and provide different regions with hosting opportunities. While Dayton, Ohio, always gets the First Four, the first and second rounds move around each year. But that does not apply to cities like Buffalo, St. Louis, and Philadelphia, which have a history of repeatedly hosting the tournaments because of their strong attendance and basketball culture.
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Which Cities Will Host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
Four cities will host Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games in the second weekend. These matchups will determine which teams win their respective regions and walk away with a Final Four bid. So this is exactly the part where the game gets most cutthroat. It will be played in four cities, and the dates for the Sweet 16 are March 26 and 27, and the Elite Eight are March 28th and 29th, respectively.
As you will notice, both rounds are hosted in the same city/arena for each region, creating a mini-tournament atmosphere. The winners of the Sweet 16 will automatically advance to play for a spot in the Final Four.
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Where Is the 2026 NCAA Final Four and National Championship Game Being Played?
For the first time since 2021, the Final Four will be making its much-awaited comeback to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. A couple of months after the NFL Combine was hosted here, its seats will be filled to watch who will be crowned champions of DI basketball. So far, Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four eight times between 1980 and 2021, and now it will again get a chance to do so.
During the 2021 final, Baylor defeated Gonzaga 86-70 in a battle of the No. 1 seeds. Before that, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski won his fifth title at Duke, as the Blue Devils defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 68-63 in the championship game. So it has its own elaborate history that they will hope to live up to this year as well, when they host the elites of the game.
While Indianapolis has hosted the Women’s Final Four three times (RCA Dome in 2005, Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and 2016), the home of the Indianapolis Colts has not. However, Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled to host its first Women’s Final Four in 2028.
The Final Four will be the culmination of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and will see the last four teams left battle it out for the title. The weekend will comprise two national semi-final games that will be played on the same date, Saturday, April 4, 2026, followed by the finals on April 6th that will determine this season’s champion.
Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four nine times, more than any other city. The last three years it hosted these prestigious finals were in 2010, 2015, and 2021, and now it will do so again this year, making it the fourth time overall.
For the record, the NCAA headquarters are located in this city itself, and so you can imagine why the city gets its precedence. The Lucas Oil Stadium also has its own charm to it, with its fancy retractable roof setup and modern amenities, and is ideal for this kind of large-scale event.
Where to buy tickets, best prices, schedule
Say hello to the belles of the ball (and Cinderellas).
On Sunday, March 15, the NCAA announced the sprawling 68-team field that will compete at arenas all over the country in the 2026 Men’s Basketball Tournament, aka March Madness.
This year’s No. 1 seeds are Cameron Boozer’s Duke Blue Devils, Thomas Haugh’s Florida Gators, Jaden Bradley’s Arizona Wildcats and Yaxel Lendeborg’s Michigan Wolverines.
They’ll be joined by buzzy upstarts like Mark Mitchell’s Missouri Tigers, Pryce Sandfort’s Nebraska Cornhuskers and Peter Suder’s Miami Ohio Redhawks who are battling in the “First Four.”
As for New York, they’ll be represented by not one, not two, not three but four (!) squads in the Big Dance. They are Zuby Ejiofor’s No. 5-ranked St. John’s Red Storm as well as Cruz Davis’ No. 13 Hofstra Pride along with as No. 16 seeds Gavin Doty’s Siena Saints and Jamal Fuller’s Long Island University Sharks.
Early-round games are scheduled to go down at:
University of Dayton Arena
Dayton, OH
Moda Center
Portland, OR
Paycom Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Greenville, SC
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY
Other first and second-round contests are scheduled for Philadelphia, Tampa, St. Louis and San Diego before the games relocate for the Sweet 16.
If you’d like to root on the squad of your choosing, see future NBA stars and/or witness an earth-shattering bracket-busting upset, last-minute tickets are available for all 67 games leading up to the April 6 Championship at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find for any pair of contests was $17 including fees on StubHub.
Multi-game session passes for the first two rounds that get you into six games over three days start at $343 including fees (that’s for Philadelphia).
Not bad considering that The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy dubbed this year’s crop as “Arguably the greatest — and deepest — freshman class in the sport’s history.”
Want to catch a game or three?
We’re here to help, hardwood fanatics.
Our team has everything you need to know and more about the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament below.
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tickets 2025
A complete breakdown of all upcoming games separated by venues — including game dates, teams and ticket prices — can be found here:
University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
Moda Center in Portland, OR
Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC
Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA
Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO
Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL
Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA
Final Four tickets 2026
The Big Dance will come to a close this year in Indianapolis.
On Saturday, April 4, the Final Four goes down at the Lucas Oil Stadium aka the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Two days later, March Madness ’26 wraps things up with the National Championship game at the same venue on Monday, April 6.
You can find tickets for all three high-stakes games here.
Sweet 16 tickets 2026
Before the playoff picture fully sorts itself out, the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 will take place in four major cities.
To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s how to grab tickets for all sessions at each of the four venues hosting the middle of the tourney.
March Madness 2026 bracket
Want to start making predictions ASAP?
You can get to it right now with our printable bracket below.
For all things March Madness, check out The Post’s bracket coverage and top storylines.
How to watch March Madness on TV
If you’re looking to scream at the TV enjoy the games from the comfort of your own home, we’re happy to report that that should be a cinch this year.
Most games can be found on CBS, TNT, TBS or truTV; all of these channels are available with a free trial of DIRECTV’s choice plan.
As always, be sure to check your local listings ahead of time to find the game you’re looking for ahead of time.
Huge 2026 concerts
Love March Madness…and music?
If that’s the case, here are just five shows you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• J. Cole
• A$AP Rocky
• Kid Cudi
• Don Toliver
• Earth Wind and Fire with Lionel Richie
Who else is on the road? Take a look at our list of all the biggest concert tours in 2026 to find the show for you.
Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post
Corey Day Reminded of Rick Hendrick’s Warning Against Kyle Larson in Las Vegas Battle
Usually, it is tough for young racecar drivers not to let their emotions take over their actions behind the wheel. But not for Corey Day, not at least after Rick Hendrick’s intervention, the impact of which was clearly visible in how he approached racing against Kyle Larson.
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Corey Day looks back on thrilling battle with Kyle Larson
In the High Limit season opener at Las Vegas, Corey Day and Kyle Larson shared a thrilling finish, which saw the 2x Cup champion emerge victorious against the young gun. Following the race, Day shared his thoughts on his speed and his issues with the traffic.
He claimed that the traffic was ‘pretty bad’, and the bottom was tough to hit. “If you run on the top it’d mess you up and if you run on the bottom you’d have to wait for them to miss it to get under them,” Day said. Because of this, he felt he had made a couple of bad decisions in traffic.
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And Day knew that if it wasn’t for those bad decisions, he would have had a better chance at outsmarting Larson in the end. “I think if I wouldn’t have made those I’d have been to Kyle a little sooner. But that’s all right we got two more nights,” he admitted.
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It’s worth mentioning that after his on-track incidents in NASCAR where he took out drivers associated with his own team, he got a stern talking-to by Rick Hendrick. This was something Dale Jr. revealed on his podcast following COTA.
Junior claimed that he, Mr. H, and Day got together with Hendrick leading the conversation with the intent of trying to make the young driver understand. Day was told that both Hendrick and Earnhardt Jr. want him, believe in him, and his prowess. But at the same time, he was told that he’ll have to contend for wins and be competitive without being a detriment to his own teammates.
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Perhaps that advice struck deeply with Day as he emerged incident-free against Larson in the High Limit race.
Larson isn’t losing faith in Day despite the on-track incidents
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Speaking to Bob Pockrass, Kyle Larson shared his thoughts on Corey Day’s current situation following his incidents with JR Motorsports driver. Larson admitted that Day has had a lot of rough Mondays this season with a lot of mentoring and work he had to go through.
“For me, it was lending support and just letting him know that we all believe in him and keep your head high and keep focused on the process,” Larson said. He claimed that most drivers have to go through such moments in their careers and Day will be fine.
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In fact, the #5 driver believed that Day would emerge a better, more skilled, and knowledgeable driver from this rough stretch.
Larson emphasized that he has complete faith in Corey Day and looks forward to seeing his progression in NASCAR.
Joe Gibbs & Co. Double Down on Chris Gabehart Lawsuit With Bombshell ‘Spire Folder’ Claim
Just when the legal battle seemed to be tilting in Chris Gabehart’s favor, Joe Gibbs Racing has fired back with a bombshell claim that could change everything. At first, it seemed kind of unfair for Gabehart. Especially due to his declaration, which claims that there was no such action of his that could prove that his intentions were to steal necessary data from Joe Gibbs Racing. However, the latest evidence that Joe Gibbs brings to the court shows they won’t let him off the hook so easily.
Joe Gibbs gets ready to expose Chris Gabehart’s secrets
Joe Gibbs will be filing in against Chris Gabehart and his declaration tonight. According to reports from Bob Pockrass on social media,
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“It is undisputed that he took photos of his computer screen with his cell phone and saved more than 200 JGR proprietary files in a folder named ‘Spire.’ This is sufficient to support a preliminary injunction as to Gabehart.”
Not only that, but they are also arguing that his current role at Spire Motorsports directly disobeys the non-compete clause of his release from the team. The basis of Gibbs’ current accusations stems from a recent blunder unveiled by his team against Gabehart.
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Reportedly, Gabehart took multiple pictures of sensitive information from Joe Gibbs Racing on his phone. In Gabehart’s defense, his attorneys label it as an embarrassing mistake. However, JGR is trying to expose the very same mistake as malicious intent on his end.
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“There is no innocent explanation for secretly accessing, reviewing, and selectively deleting an employer’s confidential files after your employment has ended and you are negotiating with a direct competitor. Gabehart’s belief that he was acting in secret is itself powerful evidence of wrongful intent.”
With this revelation, everything suddenly changes in favor of Joe Gibbs. If Chris Gabehart does have an unknown folder that he was hiding from JGR, it does hurt his defense.
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The said ‘Spire Motorsports’ folder, which was found by JGR’s team among these files, refutes his entire claim of not using sensitive information from his former team for Spire’s profit. As JGR states,
“Perhaps tellingly and nefariously, Gabehart chose not to let Mr. Walton (Clark, the examiner) examine the unknown Microsoft OneDrive before litigation or disclose he accessed it while simultaneously interacting with JGR’s materials he saved in his Spire folder.
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“Gabehart’s assertion that there is no risk of spoliation is unreliable and falls flat.” Now those are some serious accusations against Gabehart. Since the start of the lawsuit, he has been pleading innocent on the basis of the said examination of his devices.
This new angle and new revelation about secret folders and labels with Spire Motorsports put him at risk of being proven false. A new examination for expedited discovery is being requested by Joe Gibbs Racing to bring the truth to light.
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But Chris Gabehart is not the only one whose claims are under review.
Joe Gibbs Racing denies involvement with Spire Motorsports
While Spire Motorsports was claiming that Joe Gibbs did not fulfill his agreement with them, Gibbs’ team has reportedly thrashed these claims. According to Toni Rogers, Chief People Officer of Joe Gibbs Racing, there was no such agreement that she was aware of.
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Spire was claiming that Joe Gibbs Racing had agreed to pay $100,000 to the team if they did not let Spire hire an employee to release Chandler Smith from his contract with Spire early. Rogers also refutes the said trade deal, trying to reveal the reality behind the same.
“The understanding was that if the Spire spotter joined JGR, JGR would take over his existing salary, and if it was greater than what JGR had been paying the JGR spotter, that differential would be offset against the $100,000.00.
“Ultimately, that trade never happened as the Spire spotter chose not to leave Spire. To my knowledge, JGR has never received an invoice for the referenced payment of $100,000.00.” Now this statement throws the entire Spire team under the bus.
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The lawsuit between Gabehart and Joe Gibbs keeps overcomplicating certain situations. In this case, it is quite visible that Spire Motorsports is getting dragged in, no matter their earlier stance on the matter.
Carson Hocevar’s Frustration Boils Over After Vegas Misery as Christopher Bell Storms to Pole
Carson Hocevar is so close, yet so far. He took the lead on the white flag at Daytona, but a last-lap heartbreak sent him to 18th. The 4th-place Atlanta finish was some consolation, but post that, he’s just not able to get that form he’s looking for. Therefore, it was only natural that after a poor show in qualifying at Las Vegas, the Spire driver wasn’t in the highest spirits.
Carson Hocevar not satisfied with his start to Vegas weekend
On Saturday, Christopher Bell took the pole for the Las Vegas Cup race. While Bell was joyous, Carson Hocevar was left frustrated. He managed 19th place start on the grid for Sunday, leaving a lot of gap to be covered. When asked about how he intends to bridge that gap, Hocevar said:
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“At the end of practice we were pretty good, just didn’t qualify or when you practice that bad you’re probably going to be pretty timid and qualified and that’s kind of what happened.”
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He claimed that the sim session wasn’t ‘very good’ and the car has been ‘a handful’ to drive for him. As for whether his teammates, Michael McDowell and Daniel Suarez fighting the same issues as him, Carson Hocevar mentioned that while Suarez seems to be running a better lap than him, he also faced similar issues in practice.
It’s worth mentioning that Hocevar is currently sitting 14th in the points table. His teammates, Daniel Suarez and Michael McDowell, are in 17th and 8th place, respectively. While Hocevar qualified in 19th, Suarez managed a 13th and McDowell a 30th-place spot for the race.
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Hocevar was handed a major reward by Spire
Even though Carson Hocevar hasn’t won at the Cup level yet in his three seasons so far, Spire Motorsports continues to believe in his potential. This was evident earlier this year when Hocevar was announced to have signed a contract extension ‘into the next decade.’
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Speaking after the announcement, Jeff Dickerson of Spire claimed it has been ‘an absolutely rewarding’ experience for him to see Hocevar grow and learn from both good and bad on and off the racetrack.
“I love him like a son and it means a great deal to me, personally, knowing he’ll be here for several years,” he claimed.
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Dickerson joked that the contract extension announcement could test his blood pressure medication’s effectiveness. But he mentioned it’ll be worth it. Spire’s faith in him also reassured Hocevar in how much faith he and his team have in each other on racing together for a long period of time.
“Everyone in the building has really become a family to me. Spire is such a different team now compared to how it was my rookie season, and especially when I made my debut in 2023,” he claimed. He added that it has been to know that he’ll be a regular name in the Cup garage thanks to Spire, which he called ‘a dream come true.’
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But do you think Hocevar will taste high levels of success in NASCAR in the future? Let us know in the comments below.
3rd-generation drag racer Maddi Gordon is addicted to speed
Gordon is a third-generation racer who became the 100th female to win an NHRA national event in 2024.
She was selected by three-time national Funny Car champion Ron Capps to drive for his Top Fuel team.
It’s probably not a coincidence that Maddi Gordon, a 21-year-old rookie driver in the NHRA’s Top Fuel dragster series, doesn’t do anything slow on purpose.
She had to think about it for a moment, but said it’s true.
“It’s actually funny you bring that up,” Gordon, a native of Paso Robles, California, told The Arizona Republic ahead of advancing to the semifinal round before finishing fourth in her Top Fuel debut in the 2026 Gatornationals March 5-8 at Gainesville (Florida) Raceway. “I walk fast. I hate walking slow. When I get behind someone who’s walking slow, I get irritated because I feel like I’m losing time.
“So yeah, I walk fast. I eat really fast. I probably talk fast. It’s so funny. I don’t do anything slow. I definitely don’t do it slow on purpose. Oh, my gosh. I never thought about that before.”
When you’re born into a racing family, the need for speed becomes second nature. That’s what happened with Gordon, who attended her first drag race when she was just eight days old, began racing as an 8-year-old, and in 2024 became the first third-generation Top Alcohol Funny Car driver in NHRA history and the 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event in the organization’s 75-year history.
“It’s just a lifestyle,” said Gordon, who picked up Monster Energy as another top sponsor at the Gatornationals. “I wake up every day, and I think about drag racing. I wake up every day, and I don’t just think about driving, but the mechanics, ‘How can we make the car faster, how can I be a better driver, how can I be better for our sponsors?’
“It’s a lifestyle. As much as I love driving, I love everything about the sport. I love the fans. I love the camaraderie. I love our teammates, I love working on the cars. … There’s just so much to learn, and honestly, I just love learning. It’s a never-ending path of things to learn.”
Maddi Gordon landing at Arizona Nationals
Soon, Gordon will be in the Valley for the NHRA’s Arizona Nationals on March 20-22 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, where she plans to rocket her 12,000-horsepower, nitromethane-burning Carlyle Tools dragster to a speed of 330 mph in fewer than four seconds.
Firebird is no stranger to Gordon. She raced junior dragsters and other event classes here as a young teenager and won on the Alcohol Funny Car circuit each of the past two years at the Chandler drag strip.
“Firebird’s been really good to me and my family over the years,
Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson React to Alex Bowman’s Vertigo Absence
Alex Bowman will miss a second straight NASCAR Cup Series race as he continues recovering from vertigo, keeping him out of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bowman first experienced symptoms earlier this month during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Hendrick Motorsports later confirmed the 32-year-old driver had been diagnosed with vertigo and would step away from racing while working through the condition.
With Bowman still sidelined, Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet at Las Vegas. The veteran Xfinity Series driver previously filled in for Bowman at Phoenix and again takes over the ride this weekend.
While Bowman continues focusing on recovery, several of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates addressed the situation during media availability at Las Vegas.
Chase Elliott Understands the Frustration of Sitting Out
Chase Elliott knows firsthand how difficult it can be when a driver is forced to step away from the car unexpectedly.
Elliott missed six of the first eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023 after fracturing his tibia in a snowboarding accident, giving him a personal understanding of how challenging the recovery process can be.
Speaking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Elliott said situations like Bowman’s can feel especially frustrating because drivers have little control over the timeline.
“For me, I was just kind of up against the clock,” Elliott said. “You’re just sort of helpless in a lot of ways. You just try to do everything you can about it.”
Elliott said the uncertainty surrounding a condition like vertigo can be particularly difficult.
“I just really feel for him,” Elliott said. “The unknown of something like that is probably the scariest part and a really tough thing to deal with mentally.”
Kyle Larson Sends Support After Strong Vegas Weekend
Kyle Larson also expressed support for his teammate while speaking at Las Vegas.
Larson has historically been one of the strongest drivers at the 1.5-mile track and entered the Cup race weekend with significant momentum. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, continuing a strong stretch of performances at the Nevada track.
Despite his own success at Las Vegas, Larson said the focus inside the Hendrick Motorsports garage has been on Bowman’s health.
“You hate to see any driver go through something like that where they have to sit out,” Larson said. “Alex is a great teammate for us at Hendrick Motorsports.”
Larson said everyone on the team hopes Bowman can return once he is fully comfortable behind the wheel again.
“He’s just a good guy and a great teammate,” Larson said. “You just want to see him get back in the car and feel confident in what he’s doing.”
Bowman Has Overcome Setbacks Before
Bowman has faced adversity before during his NASCAR career but has repeatedly returned to competitive form.
The Tucson native became a full-time Hendrick Motorsports driver in 2018 after previously serving as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. the year prior.
Since then, Bowman has won eight NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning with his first victory at Chicagoland Speedway in 2019. His most recent win came during the 2024 Chicago Street Course race.
He also missed time during the 2022 season after suffering a concussion in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway but returned later that year.
Hendrick Motorsports Prioritizing Bowman’s Recovery
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews said Bowman continues working with doctors while the organization monitors his progress.
“He’s put a lot into the recovery process,” Andrews said. “Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Vertigo can cause dizziness and balance issues, symptoms that can be especially challenging for race car drivers competing at speeds over 180 mph.
For now, Bowman remains focused on getting healthy while Hendrick Motorsports continues to support its longtime driver.
Carson Hocevar Makes Blunt Comments on Las Vegas Speed
Carson Hocevar was tight-lipped following Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session in Las Vegas. The driver of the No. 77 will roll off 19th in today’s (March 15) Pennzoil 400 in Sin City.
When speaking to the media following his qualifying run, the Spire Motorsports driver was not thrilled with the way he performed.
Carson Hocevar on his qualifying run: ‘We’re just slow’
During the media scrum, Hocevar addressed his qualifying lap.
“I don’t know. The sim wasn’t very good, so we just kinda showed up with notes and it’s just been a handful to drive,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar’s Spire teammate, Daniel Suarez, posted a 13th-place qualifying run. Meanwhile, their other team car, Michael McDowell wound up with a 30th-place effort.
Although Suarez was able to run a faster lap, Hocevar believes all three of Spire Motorsports’ cars are having difficulties in Las Vegas.
“It seemed like they were fighting the same issues in practice,” Hocevar said.
When asked what he believed happened on his qualifying run that resulted in the 19th-place starting spot, Hocevar made a blunt remark.
“We’re just slow,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was also asked if aspects from last year’s Las Vegas race would help in performance on Sunday. The 23-year-old was optimistic about the things they “could change” on his No. 77 machine, but was definite if it would make a difference.
“Hopefully, the stuff we’re allowed to change can get us there. Stuff we weren’t allowed to change is similar to last year. Hopefully, that can be the case,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was asked a few off-topic questions, such as if he felt a difference in the increase in horsepower at certain tracks. Last week, the Cup cars ran at 750 horsepower, where they previously ran at 670.
Despite the increase, Hocevar didn’t sense any change.
“No, not really,” Hocevar said.
In another off-topic question, Hocevar was asked about the significance of this year marking 20 years since the release of the hit Pixar movie “Cars.”
Yet, after his performance in qualifying on Saturday, Hocevar wasn’t wanting to talk about movies.
“I qualified like [expletive] and I got to get asked about Cars,” Hocevar said.
Carson Hocevar still seeking first Cup Series win
Amid his third full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series competition, Carson Hocevar has yet to capture a checkered flag. Amid struggles in qualifying, Hocevar aims to seek his first victory in today’s Cup race at Las Vegas in his 86th start.
Unfortunately for Hocevar, he has also struggled to find results at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In five career starts at the 1.5-mile track, Hocevar has posted a best finish of 15th, while finishing 30th or worse three times.
In total, Hocevar has 16 career top-10 finishes and four top-five efforts in the NASCAR Cup Series. His best finish came last June at Nashville Superspeedway, where he ran runner-up to Ryan Blaney.
In 2026, Hocevar has posted one top-five effort, which was fourth at EchoPark Speedway. He currently sits 15th in the points standings after four races.
The Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway starts today (March 15) at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
NASCAR Odds: Can Kyle Larson Pull off Las Vegas Sweep?
The NASCAR Cup Series circuit takes on Sin City today (March 15) for the running of the Pennzoil 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race around the 1.5-mile track is scheduled for 267 laps and 400 miles.
Entering today’s race, Kyle Larson aims to pull off the weekend sweep after winning yesterday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. Meanwhile, a group of Toyotas will look to upset the two-time and defending Cup Series champion.
Ahead of the fifth race of the 2026 Cup Series season, this is a look at the odds.
Kyle Larson enters Sunday as the favorite to win
After a fifth-place qualifying effort and a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, it’s no surprise Larson is the odds-on favorite to win on Sunday.
The driver of the No. 5 enters today’s race at +350 to win, via DraftKings Sportsbooks. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is a three-time Las Vegas winner, with his latest victory coming in March 2024.
In his last six races at the track, Larson has totaled three wins, two runner-up finishes, and has placed no worse than 11th in all of them. Larson is aiming for his first Cup-O’Reilly weekend sweep since Bristol in April of last year.
Toyota drivers seek to upset Larson at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson is not the only driver expected to have a fast race car in today’s race.
Christopher Bell will lead the field to green after earning the pole in Saturday’s qualifying. The driver of the No. 20 enters Sunday with the second-best odds to win at +500.
In the last five Las Vegas races, Bell has posted three top-five finishes, including runner-up efforts in October 2023 and October 2024. However, the Oklahoma native has failed to win in Sin City.
Making up a Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2-3 starting grid, Denny Hamlin starts second in today’s race.
At +550 odds to win, Hamlin secured his 60th career win at Las Vegas the last time the Cup Series raced at the track last October. In the last seven Las Vegas races, the driver of the No. 11 has only one finish worse than 11th.
Chase Elliott, other Cup stars enter as longshots
While many of the usual suspects are favorites to win Sunday’s race, there are a few longshots that are worth watching out for.
One of those is Chase Elliott, who goes into Sunday at +2200 to win. The driver of the No. 9 has struggled to find results at Las Vegas with one top-10 finish in the last six races.
However, Elliott knows how to win on the 1.5-mile tracks as he did last September at the Kansas Speedway.
Ross Chastain is another underdog to watch on Sunday. The driver of the No. 1, at +2800 odds to win, has bagged three top-five finishes and four top-10 efforts in the last five Las Vegas races.
Josh Berry, the defending winner of the Pennzoil 400, enters Sunday at +6500 to win. The driver of the No. 21 captured his first career win in this race one year ago after pacing the field for 18 laps.
The green flag for today’s (March 15) race is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
Bridgestone announces 2026 motorsports activities
Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) announced its motorsports activity plans for 2026. The company will continue to support a wide range of motorsports both in Japan and abroad, from top-tier races to grassroots race events for amateur drivers. The Bridgestone “POTENZA” brand will be at the forefront of four-wheel racing, while the “BATTLAX” brand will power two-wheel competitions. Guided by the fundamental principle that “Tires carry life,” Bridgestone places the safety and peace of mind of all competitors first, delivering tires developed and refined at the track, and contributing to the advancement of motorsports culture. Bridgestone leverages motorsports as a “Mobile Laboratory.” The technologies honed through the relentless pursuit of victory on the racetrack are directly applied to the evolution of consumer-grade and commercial tires, strengthening the Bridgestone brand and delivering new value to its customers.
In top-tier racing, Bridgestone supplies tires under both the “Bridgestone” and “Firestone” brands. The company’s “Bridgestone” tires power Japan’s premier four-wheel racing series, SUPER GT, where teams equipped with Bridgestone Potenza tires have achieved an unprecedented fifth overall series championship in both the GT500 and GT300 classes. On two wheels, Bridgestone BATTLAX-equipped teams have captured the series championship for the fifth consecutive year—and sixth time overall—in the world’s most prestigious endurance motorcycle race, the FIM1 Endurance World Championship (EWC). Meanwhile, the “Firestone” brand, with its 125-year legacy, remains the exclusive tire supplier for the iconic NTT INDYCAR® SERIES2, including the legendary INDY500, supporting the heritage of another exciting motorsport.
Quote from Hiroshi Imai, Vice President and Senior Officer, Global Motorsports Bridgestone Corporation
“Motorsports is the ultimate team sport. Everyone involved will come together as ‘One Team,’ embracing the challenge of motorsports with passion and supplying tires we have poured our hearts and souls into. We hope to bring joy to drivers, riders, teams, and all the fans who come to witness the thrill of racing. I feel as if I’m rolling along with our tires on the track! This year, we are also sharing the voices of 10 of our teammates who work in motorsports tire structural design, material development, production, and motorsports operations. Please look forward to the efforts of our dedicated teammates who work with tires every day, and their passion through “Genbutsu-Genba3” to pursue the ultimate tire performance.”
Motorsports is the “origin” of Bridgestone as a tire manufacturer, and the “Challenge to the Extreme.” We are driven by our “Passion to Turn the World®”—a message that expresses the commitment to enjoying racing, striving for victory, pushing the limits, and supporting a sustainable mobility society together with the company’s teammates and partners. Under this message, Bridgestone will continue to demonstrate the spirit of challenging itself to new extremes through sustainable global motorsports activities, building trust and empathy with all those who share that passion.
Through our sustainable global motorsports activities, Bridgestone remains committed to its “Bridgestone E8 Commitment”4, specifically to “Emotion: Supporting exciting and moving mobility experiences.” Now and always, the company will continue to pour boundless passion into motorsports.
Chris Gabehart to Face Joe Gibbs’ Wrath as Court Agrees to Digging Up ‘Dirty Laundry’
The legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing and former competition director Chris Gabehart just took a significant turn. A federal judge has approved limited expedited discovery in the ongoing JGR lawsuit, potentially exposing private communications tied to Gabehart’s move to Spire Motorsports. While the ruling allows both sides to begin gathering evidence, it also carefully limits how deep either party can dig. At least for now.
Judge allows limited expedited discovery
At the center of the ruling is the legal process known as discovery, where both sides gather evidence such as emails, messages, and documents before a trial begins. In this case, the court approved expedited discovery, meaning the process will move quickly due to the temporary restraining order already in place. However, Judge Rodriguez made it clear the discovery would remain extremely narrow in scope.
Most importantly, the materials being requested are limited largely to documents and communications that Gabehart himself possesses. That distinction matters because it prevents Joe Gibbs Racing from immediately digging through the internal records of Spire Motorsports.
In other words, the early stage of this legal fight will focus almost entirely on Gabehart’s own messages, files, and communications rather than a broad investigation of Spire’s operations.
What the judge allowed JGR to see
While the ruling restricted the scope of discovery, it still gives Joe Gibbs Racing access to several potentially important categories of evidence in the JGR lawsuit.
Hiring communications between Spire and Gabehart
First, JGR can review communications between Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports regarding his hiring. This includes emails, messages, and documents discussing his recruitment and employment. However, the judge placed a key restriction: JGR can only access copies that Gabehart personally possesses. Spire itself does not yet have to hand over its internal records.
Possible legal protection promises
JGR also wants to determine whether Spire promised to protect Gabehart legally if a dispute with his former employer emerged. Specifically, they are looking for evidence that Spire offered to cover legal costs or shield Gabehart if Joe Gibbs Racing accused him of violating his contract, stealing trade secrets, or sharing confidential information. Again, the ruling allows access only to Gabehart’s own copies of such communications.
Recruitment and employment discussions
The judge also approved discovery of communications related to Gabehart’s recruitment and hiring process at Spire Motorsports. These materials could shed light on how early negotiations began and whether any confidential information from Joe Gibbs Racing was discussed during that process.
Documents about his role at Spire
Another approved category in the JGR lawsuit involves documents describing Gabehart’s responsibilities as Chief Motorsports Officer at Spire. These materials may help determine whether his new role overlaps with duties he previously performed at Joe Gibbs Racing. Once again, the scope remains limited strictly to documents that Gabehart personally has access to.
Documents created between October 2025 and February 2026
The court also granted access to documents Gabehart created between October 1, 2025, and February 17, 2026, that relate to his transition to Spire. However, both legal teams must still agree on the exact cut-off date, since communications after a certain point may fall under attorney-client privilege.
Requests the judge rejected
Not all of Joe Gibbs Racing’s requests were approved.
The team attempted to obtain communications between Gabehart, other JGR employees, and Spire Motorsports. The judge rejected that request, saying there was currently no clear evidence showing the material would be relevant. JGR also attempted to access communications about race setups, strategy, operations, sponsorship, and staffing decisions. The court ruled those requests were too broad.
Instead, the judge suggested narrowing the focus to the term “analytics.” Both sides must now negotiate what exactly qualifies under that category.
Gabehart also gains access to JGR evidence
The ruling didn’t just benefit Joe Gibbs Racing. Chris Gabehart also received permission to request internal communications from his former employer.
Specifically, Gabehart can seek documents related to Section 6, Paragraph 2 of his employment contract, the clause that reportedly became central to the dispute after he expressed interest in leaving the organization. The key issue is how Joe Gibbs Racing interpreted that clause internally after Gabehart announced his plans.
If internal communications reveal that JGR’s leadership had different interpretations (or doubts about the clause’s enforceability), it could weaken their case in court. For Gabehart’s legal team, this discovery could potentially expose inconsistencies in how the contract was understood inside the organization.
Both sides must negotiate details
Before the discovery process fully begins, the judge ordered both parties to meet and finalize the exact parameters of the evidence exchange for the JGR lawsuit. That includes defining which documents fall under terms like “analytics,” as well as confirming the precise timeline for discoverable communications. Both sides were given a tight deadline to reach an agreement. Once those details are finalized, the judge will issue a formal written order outlining the discovery process.
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) extended
Another key part of the ruling involves the temporary restraining order currently affecting Gabehart. The judge extended the order, which prevents Chris Gabehart from performing duties similar to his former competition director role at Joe Gibbs Racing while working for Spire Motorsports. The restriction now runs through March 26 at 11:59 PM, temporarily limiting how fully Gabehart can participate in his new position.
What this means for the legal battle
Strategically, the ruling in the JGR lawsuit may slightly favor Gabehart and Spire Motorsports, at least in the short term.
First, Spire successfully avoided broad discovery requests that could have forced the team to open its internal systems and communications.
Second, limiting the evidence pool to Gabehart’s own documents significantly reduces the volume of materials JGR can examine during this early phase.
Third, Gabehart gaining access to internal Joe Gibbs Racing communications introduces a new layer of risk for the organization if those messages reveal conflicting interpretations of his contract.
The temporary restraining order extension keeps the status quo intact for now, but the discovery process could quickly reshape the case.
“I Really Wanted to… Fight”: Daniel Suárez Publicly Calls Out Ross Chastain Following Heated Las Vegas Exchange
While it was just a push on Sunday, things could’ve gotten uglier between Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain. Following the on-track incidents in Vegas, when the Spire Motorsports driver went to confront the Trackhouse star, the heated exchange quickly escalated to Chastain pushing his former teammate. And Suarez recently confessed his side of the story.
Daniel Suarez was left sad and angry with Ross Chastain in Vegas
During a recap of his weekend in Las Vegas on his YouTube channel, Daniel Suarez revealed what was going on in his head during his confrontation with Ross Chastain. He claimed that what happens on the track happens there only, which is part of racing. However, what really upset him and made him sad was what happened after the race.
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He claimed he has known Chastain for a long time and has also known that he and his former teammate are ‘very different’ people. But despite that understanding, it was what Chastain said that got to Daniel Suarez.
“I always respect him. But the kind of words that he said after the race is just completely unacceptable. Like that’s chicken stuff. That’s not good. I lost a lot of respect for him as a person. Because that’s just not good. It’s not a good look for him and not look for kind of person that he is.
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“I was getting fired up to fight but what I was going to gain, I mean there is nothing to gain with that, he’s not the kind of person I really want to fight, but yeah, I mean just disappointed,” he explained.
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Suarez claimed that Chastain also didn’t have his facts right about the on-track incidents between them in Vegas. The Spire driver revealed that Chastain denied hitting him. But he emphasized that is part of racing, those things one can move on from. However, the words and comments that Chastain made, Daniel Suarez said, crossed a line, which is ‘the sad part.’
This is a developing story.
Reader photo pick of the week: Sports stadiums
This week, we asked our readers to toss on their jerseys and root for their favorite sports teams while commemorating a few of the amazing stadiums they’ve visited. From all-star rivals to historic landmarks, our readers did not disappoint this week!
The winner this week is Angela Carbonetti of Baltimore, Md., with a wide shot of a ball game at Camden Yards.
Honorable mentions go to William Hine of Mount Pleasant with a photo of Boston Red Sox’s Ted Williams at batting practice and Robert Peterson of Summerville with rafter seats at Madison Square Garden to see Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier duke it out.
Next week’s topic is
NWSL ambition rankings: All 16 clubs judged by the big moves they are or aren’t making
Welcome to Year 3 of ESPN’s NWSL ambition rankings, the semi-scientific way to determine which franchises are pushing boundaries, and which are just trying to keep up.
NWSL franchise valuations continue to rise to record highs, and the balance of ownership groups across the league keeps shifting in favor of those with more money and bigger ambitions. But some teams continue to step up more than others.
Two new teams, Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, will play their first games in a few days, and their debuts on the ranking adds some shake-ups. Atlanta, which will begin playing in 2028, is sure to challenge for the top spot before even playing a game.
For this ranking to be useful in an ever-growing league (16 teams and counting), we have simplified our process. Criteria remain the same, with key factors being the willingness of franchise owners to invest in their teams on and off the field.
We’re asking: Is the team pushing the limits of the salary cap (and the new, fluid High Impact Player rule) to build a contender? Has team ownership spent money on a training facility or stadium improvements? Quite simply, are their stated goals ambitious (win a championship, be the best team in the world) or do they have a low ceiling?
One important reminder: Ambition is not the same as execution. There are teams that have lofty aspirations, but have failed to successfully realize them. There are teams with more modest ambitions who overperform. We have absolutely deducted points for poor execution, but the willingness to aim high — even if it means falling short — outweighs not trying at all.
The idea is inspired by the late Grant Wahl, who annually did a similar ranking for MLS. Measuring ambition, especially for a league as young as the 14-year-old NWSL, is a worthwhile endeavor. Let’s get to it!
• Watch Gotham vs. Boston: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, live on ABC
• Stream NWSL matches live on ESPN+ all season (U.S.)
• NWSL kit rankings: See every new jersey from all 16 teams
16. Chicago Stars FC (Last year: 13)
While the Stars’ ranking dipped this year, there is finally progress in Chicagoland.
The team’s move to Martin Stadium is a temporary, but necessary, step to move on from the abyss of Bridgeview. The Stars had to do something, and they did. They also recently announced plans to build a dedicated training facility, which will be relatively small but, again, was one of many pain points for this team.
Where do they play beyond 2026? That still needs to be resolved, which is hardly ideal.
On the field, they finished last for the second time in three years. And yet, their biggest offseason move was selling forward Ludmila to San Diego. Mallory Swanson’s return from maternity leave can’t come soon enough.
15. Houston Dash (Last year: 14)
The Dash remains for sale after one of the most bizarre stories in a decently long list of them failed to produce a new owner. Until there is a new, motivated owner with a clearly stated direction for the team, it’s impossible to fully understand the ambitions of the Dash.
The good news: There is progress on the soccer front. Houston was inconsistent last year as another rebuild got underway, but the Dash have talent and more direction than before. Houston has also built out a robust technical staff — including the recent addition of Twila Kilgore as technical director — that is larger than most of its peers in this section of the rankings, which requires investment.
14. Racing Louisville FC (Last year: T-10)
Louisville’s facilities are great and plenty of teams would love to have them. Of course, those facilities are more expensive to build in bigger markets, and the rub on having a nice stadium is that there need to be butts in the seats. Louisville finished last in average attendance in 2025 and recorded its worst attendance in its five-year history. That is ominous.
Those struggles stand in stark contrast to what happened on the field. Bev Yanez won NWSL Coach of the Year for galvanizing a gritty team and earning Racing’s first playoff berth. Louisville was a difficult opponent for every team last season and could build upon that success this year — even while being outspent by other teams.
13. North Carolina Courage (Last year: T-10)
A reported $40 million investment from team owner and billionaire Marc Lasry, per Sportico, could be a sign of this team moving forward and making long-term, much needed investments.
Attendance improved to over 7,600 fans per game in 2025, the team’s best since it arrived in the market in 2017. First Horizon Stadium still needs major modernization, but improved attendance is a good sign for a team that struggled to gain a local foothold even during its successful years. Long-term, the Courage still need to either gut the stadium or finally build one inside Raleigh limits.
On the field, the team regressed and missed the playoffs in a chaotic season that included the confusingly messaged firing of head coach Sean Nahas and the abrupt re-sale of USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw (who ended the year by winning a title with Gotham FC) eight months after acquiring her.
12. Utah Royals (Last year: 12)
We’ve been begging Utah to splash some more cash on the field to compete, so the $800,000 transfer fee to get Kiana Palacios from Club América is a welcomed sign. Now, what does this team want to be? For two straight years, the Royals have endured miserable starts to the campaign before salvaging results and playing the role of spoiler late in the season.
The Royals have their own training ground, and they play at the (too empty, too often) America First Field, which is from a previous wave of MLS stadium projects. The facilities are there, and there are new owners since we last did our ambition rankings. This year will be telling of their ambitions.
11. Seattle Reign FC (Last year: 9)
This is the point in the rankings where there’s nothing inherently wrong with what a team is doing; our task is to compare them to the rest of the NWSL.
The Reign’s joint ownership with the Sounders allows for bigger thinking and better staffing, including more support staff than ever around head coach Laura Harvey. On the field, the Reign made major improvements in 2025, finishing fifth and conceding the third-fewest goals (an Achilles heel in 2024).
But nobody has yet solved the riddle in Seattle: Why do the Reign still struggle to crack the local market the way the Sounders have? Reign attendance dropped last year, and 8,000 fans is always an aesthetic struggle in a cavernous NFL stadium. It’s time to take bigger swings.
10. Orlando Pride (Last year: 5)
Average attendance in Orlando improved for the third straight year following the team’s 2024 NWSL Shield and Championship double, although the Pride are still fighting for better crowds and local relevance in a tough media market.
Orlando already has the soccer-specific stadium that it shares with its men’s team, and they will soon upgrade their training facility. What’s next? Their encore on the field in 2025 was respectable — a whisker away from making it back to the final. Haley Carter has moved on from her VP/sporting director role, and Caitlin Carducci is tasked with pushing the team forward.
Elimination in the group stage of Concacaf play was a failure, though a healthy Barbra Banda should help them return to championship contention again. And to the Pride’s credit, the $1.5 million transfer fee to acquire Jacquie Ovalle last summer was a world record at the time.
9. Boston Legacy FC (Last year: N/A)
Here we have a perfect example of the dichotomy between ambition and execution. It would be a disservice to sugarcoat the early years (!) of Boston’s launch. The club wasted that historic lead time on a name, BosNation, that was almost immediately ridiculed and scrapped, anchored by a disastrous
Seater British Stadium With the Best Atmosphere He Ever Played in
Roy Keane saw and achieved almost everything during his long and decorated football career. The combative yet highly skilled midfielder dominated the Premier League with Manchester United and competed at the highest level in the Champions League during the club’s powerful era under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Captaining the club to seven league titles and a famous European Cup triumph, Keane remains one of the most influential figures in Manchester United’s history. Opponents often dreaded travelling to Old Trafford to face a Keane-led United side, with many feeling beaten before the match had even kicked off.
Whether it was the endless stream of elite players in Ferguson’s squad or the deafening support from the home crowd, United frequently won the psychological battle long before the physical contest began on the pitch. But among all the stadiums he visited, which away ground did Keane believe produced the best atmosphere?
Roy Keane in No Doubt About Best Atmosphere
Despite becoming accustomed to the incredible noise generated at Old Trafford every week, it still took something special to impress the Irishman. Yet when asked about his favourite away ground during an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Keane didn’t take long to answer:
Ohtani back in Miami, where he’s had some magical moments
MIAMI (AP) — Shohei Ohtani calls Miami’s loanDepot Park, the site of the knockout rounds of this year’s World Baseball Classic, one of his favorite stadiums.
It’s not hard to imagine why. It’s the place where he delivered two of baseball’s quintessential moments from the last few years.
It’s the ballpark where, on Sept. 19, 2024, he entered — created, really — baseball’s 50-50 club. All Ohtani did that night: go 6 for 6, hit three home runs, steal two bases, drive in 10 runs, become the first player ever to reach 50 homers and 50 steals in a season. And if that wasn’t enough, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a playoff berth that night to officially begin down the path of what has become back-to-back World Series titles.
And in 2023, the last time he wore the Japan uniform in Miami, Ohtani delivered the knockout punch in the WBC — striking out Mike Trout, his then-teammate with the Los Angeles Angels, on a full-count curve to seal Japan’s 3-2 win over the U.S. in the title game.
Ohtani is back, and so is Japan, looking for another title. They worked out on the Miami Marlins’ field Thursday, two days before they’ll take on Venezuela in a WBC quarterfinal game.
“This is the place I have very good memories,” Ohtani said through an interpreter Thursday.
Ohtani has won three consecutive MVP awards — one in the AL, then two in the NL since joining the Dodgers — and was the AL’s MVP in 2021 as well. That’s four in five seasons, something only Barry Bonds (who won four of his seven MVPs consecutively) has done in baseball history.
All four of Ohtani’s MVP awards have come in unanimous votes. He was MVP of the 2023 WBC as well, and if Japan — the only three-time champion in the event’s history — wins again, Ohtani will have yet another reason to celebrate in Miami.
It won’t end exactly the same way this year, since Ohtani isn’t pitching in this year’s WBC, but another title — however it arrives — would be good enough. He likes Miami, likes the memories he has there, but knows it’s time to create new ones.
“Of course, I’m not going to bring memories to the next game,” Ohtani said. “But I think there is a very positive influence to myself.”
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Hutchins’ new barbecue restaurant in Dallas-Fort Worth is now open
Visitors to Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers games in Arlington might be able to smell the smoke from The Original Roy Hutchins Barbeque before they pull into the parking lot.
The massive new restaurant, open as of March 12, 2026, is situated between Fort Worth and Dallas on Interstate 30. Its 10 puffing smokestacks beckon tourists and locals alike for a bite of brisket. Crowds are welcome; there’s room for more than 450 people in the restaurant’s five sprawling rooms.
Zack Hutchins, grandson of the restaurant’s namesake and the director of operations, said expanding from Trophy Club into Arlington was important for the company growth.
Beyond football and baseball fans traveling to D-FW, the FIFA World Cup will bring people from all over the world to Arlington in summer 2026. Soccer games will take place less than a mile south of Hutchins.
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“It’s always nice to have regulars,” Zack Hutchins said, “but here, we also have a chance to feed people for the first time — to give them their first Texas barbecue experience.
Barcelona have Bastoni transfer hope despite high Inter price tag
According to Tuttosport, the hostile reception Alessandro Bastoni receives at Italian stadiums could encourage the Italy international to consider a move to Barcelona, though Inter are unwilling to sell the defender for less than €70m.
Inter are unwilling to sell their star defender Bastoni even if the Nerazzurri could be tempted by offers in the region of €70m, reports Tuttosport (via FCInter1908).
The Italian newspaper claims that neither the Serie A giants nor their defender are currently considering a summer split, but this doesn’t mean Barcelona are without hope.
Inter, in fact, might sit down for offers worth €70m, while Bastoni could be tempted to leave at the end of the season, especially after the hostile welcome he has received in Italian stadiums over the last few weeks.
Fans across Italy are still targeting the Italy international following an incident that led to a red card for Pierre Kalulu in a Serie A match between Inter and Juventus in February.
Tuttosport quotes Spanish sources saying that Barcelona director Deco has already met the player’s entourage.
Want to pop the question at the next Yanks or Mets game? Pay up!
Baseball fans in the New Jersey/New York area who have wedding plans on their minds as the season starts soon should be prepared to dig deep if they want everyone in the ballpark to know they are proposing.
Citi Field in Queens, NY, the home of the New York Mets, charges $1,500 for a video-board marriage proposal, the highest amount among the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, according to a recent survey by the sports betting website Sportsbook Review. The home base for the New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, charges $150.
However, the reported costs for proposals at both stadiums do not tell the whole story, as indicated on their team websites.
The $1,500 Citi Field price tag is for a package that includes tickets for the home game where the proposal will take place, a parking pass, scoreboard video, and a message for the proposal. Contact the stadium for more pricing information.
Story continues below photo gallery
The $150 at Yankee Stadium is a fan marquee message during the game. But for $2,000 and up, there’s a deal that includes an enhanced scoreboard display, a Yankee Stadium tour, and access to various locations around the park for a photo shoot, such as the batters’ deck on the morning of a home game. Contact the stadium for more information.
Fans of the other professional sports teams that play on both sides of the Hudson River, who are looking to pop the question, televised in front of an audience, can also expect to shell out some dough for the privilege.
Madison Square Garden in Manhattan charges between $125-$150 for video displays of proposals for New York Rangers and New York Knicks home games. The Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, charges $100.
MetLife Stadium, which the New York Giants and New York Jets call home, does not list a fee. Prudential Center in Newark, where the New Jersey Devils play, and the UBS Arena on Long Island, where the New York Islanders play, also do not list a fee. But contact the various venues to find out if and what they charge for displaying proposals.
Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration, and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
Twitter/X: @ricardokaul
Kyle Kirkwood wins another IndyCar street race, this one to be first winner in Arlington
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kyle Kirkwood keeps taking it to the streets in IndyCar, and this time he won a new race to take over the series lead.
Kirkwood made an aggressive pass below four-time series champion Alex Palou with 15 laps to go, stayed in front the rest of the way and took the checkered flag for the Grand Prix of Arlington under caution Sunday. It was his sixth career win, the fifth on a street course.
On a day when Andretti Global had some pit issues, including a long stop for Kirkwood, all three of its Hondas finished in the top four while combining to lead 47 of the race’s 70 laps. Will Power was third for a podium finish while Marcus Ericsson, who started on the pole for the first time in his 171 series starts, led 15 laps and was fourth.
The winning pass by Kirkwood, a 27-year-old from Jupiter, Florida, came on the last of 14 turns on the temporary 2.73-mile circuit that ran between the home stadiums of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers.
Palou, who finished second, described the pass by Kirkwood as awesome.
While matching Kirkwood and Power for a race-high 16 laps led, Palou wasn’t able to regain the series points lead. The three-time defending champion had been on top of the IndyCar standings since June 2024 before not finishing in Phoenix last weekend after early contact. But he did move up from fifth to second behind new leader Kirkwood.
A final sprint for the checkered flag never materialized because of a collision in the back of the field on the restart as Kirkwood and Palou were beginning the final lap. That crash in the tight 14th turn brought out a full-course caution, and safety crews were still on the track when they got back around nearly two minutes later to cross the finish line.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Quiz: Can You Identify All 16 of the 2026 World Cup Stadiums?
The 2026 World Cup stands to be the biggest of all time—literally.
For the first time in competition history, the World Cup will be held across three different countries. The United States, Canada and Mexico are all gearing up for a share of the festivities, with no fewer than 16 different stadiums selected to host games from the group stage all the way up to the final.
Want to test your knowledge? Take our quiz and see if you can put a name to a picture of each famous venue lined up for a role at the 2026 World Cup.
A World Cup for the History Books
With three host countries, the 2026 World Cup will become the grandest tournament in history in that regard, but it will only rank third on the all-time list when it comes to the number of stadiums used.
Leading the way when it comes to host venues is the 2002 World Cup, shared between Japan and South Korea, Both countries offered up 10 stadiums each to reach a grand total of 20, headlined by the 70,000-seater Yokohama International Stadium.
That tournament broke the record previously set by the 1982 iteration of the tournament in Spain, when a total of 17 stadiums shared hosting duties for 52 matches. Barcelona’s Camp Nou saw the most games played on its famous turf but missed out on the final, which was contested at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu.
Now, with 2026’s World Cup celebrations inching closer, no fewer than 16 cities are preparing to welcome fans from across the globe.
Of those 16 stadiums, 11 are based in the United States, with three in Mexico and two calling Canada home.
The largest venue braced to play a part in the celebrations is the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, which holds up to 94,000 fans. While usually reserved for the Dallas Cowboys, it has plenty of soccer experience after hosting Concacaf Gold Cup action over the years. It will play host to one of the semifinals.
Mexico City’s famous Estadio Azteca sits marginally behind on the capacity charts at 83,000, just 500 more than MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will have the honor of hosting the final at the end of the summer.
BC Place in Vancouver will be Canada’s largest venue for the tournament. The home of the Vancouver Whitecaps can host 54,000 fans and will host games up to the round of 16.
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
Medvedev elimina a Alcaraz en semifinal de Indian Wells y detiene racha de 16 victorias seguidas del español
El ruso Daniil Medvedev puso fin a la racha de 16 victorias consecutivas del español Carlos Alcaraz al derrotarlo el sábado 6-3, 7-6 (3) y avanzar a la final del BNP Paribas Open que se disputa en Indian Wells.
Medvedev se impuso en una hora y 43 minutos en el Estadio 1 del Indian Wells Tennis Garden, frustrando el intento de Alcaraz de extender su dominante paso por el torneo californiano.
Medvedev enfrentará el domingo (11 a.m.) al italiano Jannik Sinner por el título, después de que el número dos del mundo derrotara al alemán Alexander Zverev por 6-2 y 6-4 en la primera semifinal del día.
“Cuando juegas contra alguien como Carlos, te enfrentas muchas veces y pierdes muchas veces”, dijo Medvedev tras el partido. “Es un jugador increíble con golpes increíbles, defensa, ataque, devolución, todo. Así que tienes que estar en tu mejor momento”.
La victoria fue la primera de Medvedev sobre Alcaraz desde el Abierto de Estados Unidos luego de haber perdido sus cuatro enfrentamientos previos ante el español. También marcó su primer triunfo sobre un número uno del mundo desde que venció a Sinner en cuartos de final de Wimbledon en 2024.
Alcaraz, de 22 años, llegaba con gran impulso tras conquistar el Australian Open, donde completó el Grand Slam de su carrera, y el Qatar Open, donde había ligado sus 16 últimas victorias.
El español mostró señales de desgaste físico bajo las altas temperaturas y cedió su servicio en el cuarto juego del primer set pese a tener ventaja de 40-15, tras una serie de errores que permitieron a Medvedev tomar el control del partido.
Medvedev, cabeza de serie número 11, se ha mostrado sólido durante todo el torneo y ha avanzado a la final sin ceder un solo set en Indian Wells.
En la final femenina, la bielorrusa Aryna Sabalenka enfrentará a la kazaja Elena Rybakina a primera hora (11 a.m.) en el Estadio 1. Será la revancha del Abierto de Australia 2026. Sabalenka disputará su tercera final de Indian Wells, aunque ha perdido anteriormente las dos finales, una de ella ante Rybakina en 2023.
Iga Swiatek’s Indian Wells Exit Dubbed “Worse” in a Bold Statement: “Can’t Forget How To Play Tennis”
Having won Indian Wells twice, in 2022 and 2024, Iga Swiatek entered as one of the favorites to win the event. But as fate would have it, the six-time Grand Slam champion suffered an unexpected quarterfinal exit against Elina Svitolina. Though Swiatek tried to push through in the second set, the ninth seed proved stronger overall. Naturally, the Polish star’s three-set struggle did not go unnoticed.
Interestingly, before this matchup, Swiatek had not lost a set throughout the event and looked strong to make a run to the final. Even though the match looked close on the scorecard, it did not turn into the high-quality contest that everyone expected. And this is exactly what tennis commentator Tomasz Wolfke is highlighting.
“The only real explanation is the head and that it’s emotional. You can’t forget how to play tennis in a single day. Statistically, she should feel confident mentally after two good matches like that. She seems to be well prepared physically,” Wolfke said, as translated from Dutch.
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“Everything was worse for Iga. It was a very ugly match overall, ripped apart from both sides. Svitolina also played well below her potential. There was a shocking moment at the beginning of the second set, where the first ten rallies were one rally. At times, it was unwatchable. And that’s what hurts the most, not the minimal loss after a close match against a very good Svitolina.”
One of the most worrying aspects of the 24-year-old’s game was her serve. She committed eight double faults in the match, five of which came in the first set. Making matters worse, 42 unforced errors added to her struggles.
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After losing the first set 6-2, the Pole mounted a comeback in the second set, winning it 6-4. Then came the third set, where the first eight games saw no break points, leaving the score tied at 4-4. The turning point came in the ninth game, when Elina Svitolina earned two break points and converted one to go up 5-4. She then served out the match with a love hold, setting up a semifinal clash against third seed Elena Rybakina.
After the break earned by the 31-year-old, Swiatek had a serious breakdown. She threw her towel to the ground in anger and then engaged in a brief but blunt exchange with the staff.
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“Iga’s reaction after losing a game at 4-5 in the third set was intense. I was afraid she’d break down on the court, which happened a few years ago. It was just one break, after all, and she’d already made up for it many times in this match, and it was completely manageable,” said the commentator.
“All players who lose seek help from the coaching staff, and that’s the norm. However, when Iga loses, not much happens on the bench, and everyone sits with a grim look on their faces. Sometimes Maciej Ryszczuk (Physiotherapist) or Daria Abramowicz (Sports Psychologist) shouts something, sometimes Wim Fissette gives instructions. However, there’s not a single person who could shout, ‘Come on! I think I only heard one, ‘Go!’” the tennis commentator concluded.
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However, this breakdown was not the first time this year. At the United Cup final, Swiatek faced a tough loss against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. After the loss, she threw her racket and broke down in tears.
Another incident happened at the Qatar Open.
The quarterfinal clash between Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari started with Swiatek dominating. Soon enough, though, Sakkari flipped the script to stun the world number two, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, reaching her third Doha semifinal. But the spotlight quickly shifted to events unfolding off the baseline.
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When cameras repeatedly cut to Swiatek’s box, particularly to her long-time sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, animated gestures, shouting, and visible frustration from the stands triggered a wave of reactions online. Fans described the scenes as counter-productive rather than supportive. Observers felt the Pole looked increasingly unsettled, with her rhythm breaking down just as Sakkari raised her level.
Such incidents make Wolfke’s concern genuine. Be that as it may, Swiatek’s run has now come to a stop in Indian Wells. So, what did her opponent have to say about that?
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Elina Svitolina on her win against Iga Swiatek at the Indian Wells Masters
After the clash that lasted for 2 hours and 9 minutes, at the post-match conference, Svitolina shared her mindset regarding the match.
“There is no champion who is waiting for mistakes. And you really have to try to set yourself up in a good position to attack. I was feeling good, and I was trying to really, you know, open up the court and try to take advantage, because Iga is such an aggressive player, and she moves really well. So if you don’t take the opportunity at the right time, she’s going to take it,” Svitolina said after bagging her second win against the Pole.
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With that, the Ukrainian advanced to the semifinals, and the clash against world No. 3 was not short of drama. Rybakina outclassed her with pinpoint serving. She won 85% of her first-serve points, which completely pushed the ninth seed onto the back foot. Svitolina battled hard in the first set, but two double faults at 5-5 cost her, losing it 7-5.
The Kazakh player was leading 4-0 in the second, but Svitolina showed her trademark resilience, saving two match points and bringing the score to 5-4. However, it was not enough to stop the two-time Grand Slam champion from marching into the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
The final will be a rematch of the Australian Open final at the Californian Gardens, as Elena Rybakina will take on World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the showdown on Sunday, March 15.
University boys tennis places fourth at National All-American tournament
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Four starters graduated. The reigning Orange County player of the year isn’t playing. And injuries and scheduling conflicts have further depleted the lineup.
Yet, when the semifinals began Saturday in the 25th National High School Tennis All-American Boys Team Tournament in the South Bay, University was again in the mix.
The Trojans showed their resolve to join Menlo, Harvard-Westlake and Peninsula in the semifinals but fell short of reaching a 12th final.
University lost to eventual champion Menlo 5-1 in the semifinals at Mira Costa and to host Peninsula 3-3 on games (67-45) in the third-place match.
Peninsula swept University in singles while the Trojans swept in doubles.
“I’m super happy we are in this position given our team this year,” said veteran University coach John Kessler, whose 11 appearances in the tournament final is a record.
University, the two-time defending CIF State champion, defeated Mira Costa 3-3 on games (65-52) in the first round Friday. The Trojans beat San Francisco University 4-2 to reach the semifinals.
University made the run despite playing without reigning O.C. player of the year and Ojai champion Rishvanth Krishna. The junior, who is committed to Rice, isn’t playing high school this season, Kessler said.
University’s record is 6-3 after after Saturday. The Trojans suffered a 13-5 loss to Corona del Mar in late February.
NOTES
Orange County’s players to watch include: University junior JiHyuk Im, JSerra junior Michael Geffre, Corona del Mar senior Ivan Pflueger, Woodbridge senior Brady Tallakson, Beckman senior Rohan Grewal, Mater Dei junior Matteo Huarte and Portola sophomore Garran McKay. …
Tallakson, a Boise State commit, is 15-0. His resume includes a 6-2 win against the 6-foot-7 Pflueger, who is committed to UC San Diego. …
Huarte, the Ojai runner-up last season, has committed to USC.
Baton Rouge’s Wheelchair Tennis Association helps players
Lynn Serio has been fixing wheelchairs for over 40 years — and he doesn’t plan to stop.
After Serio graduated from high school in 1981, he went to LSU for a year and a half.
Eyewitness Confirms Maria Sharapova’s Special Gesture for Luka Doncic After Lakers-Nuggets
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets delivered a matchup worthy of the national spotlight. The two heavyweights went back and forth the entire night. First, it was the Purple & Gold who came in swinging, establishing a 17-point lead. Then the Nuggets clawed back and briefly seized a 7-point advantage late in the game. After this, it was all chaos.
Lakers star Austin Reaves missed a free throw with just five seconds to spare, chased the rebound like a madman, and tied the game with a desperate layup. Overtime followed, where the two again were trading blows until Luka Doncic buried a dagger single-legged to seal the win for Los Angeles, which sent the entire Crypto.com Arena into a frenzy, including tennis legend and five-time Grand Slam champion, Maria Sharapova, who was seated courtside.
Following this, the 38-year-old headed to the tunnel to do a special gesture for the Lakers’ standout performer of the night, according to The California Post’s Michael J. Duarte. “Tennis star Maria Sharapova waited after the game outside the Lakers’ tunnel to say hello to Luka Doncic,” he reported. The two then spent a moment chatting with each other and even posed for pictures.
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One of which, Sharapova later posted on her official Instagram account with a strong caption. “Clutch!! 💪🏆,” she wrote. Well, the Slovenian guard was clutch indeed for the Lakers on Saturday night, as he backed up his 51-point performance against Chicago with a triple-double against Denver.
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Luka Doncic finished the matchup with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. This performance wasn’t just the cherry on top, but rather something that the Lakers needed to defeat the mighty Joker and Co. However, he later revealed that he couldn’t have done so without the support of the Los Angeles crowd, which, of course, included Maria Sharapova and the thousands present inside the Arena on Saturday night.
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Luka Doncic had a message for the crowd following L.A.’s thrilling win over Denver
The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to five on Saturday. However, it didn’t come without adversities. Despite a strong start, the Purple & Gold lost their footing late during the game. But thanks to Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, they were able to make a comeback. Nonetheless, an underappreciated aspect throughout this tussle was the home crowd.
The entire Crypto.com Arena was cheering for their team throughout the night, pushing them to the finishing line. And so once Luka Doncic finished the game with his terrific shot in overtime, he didn’t forget to thank his people. Speaking with the media postgame, the 26-year-old revealed that this was the best atmosphere he’s felt since joining the historic franchise, revealing he had goosebumps at one point during the game.
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“I felt like it was the best atmosphere since I’m a Laker,” Doncic told the reporters following the Lakers’ 127-125 overtime win over the Nuggets. “The whole crowd was in. It was really special to witness that. Hopefully, it’s more times, but you know, I had goosebumps a little bit. It was amazing to see and to live that moment.”
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Well, he did not disappoint the crowd, which showed unwavering support for him through an all-around stellar performance, which now strengthens his case for his first-ever MVP title. Thus far, Doncic is averaging 32.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, which is on par with two of his biggest rivals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. And if he continues to perform at this rate, he might even leave them behind.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina to capture Indian Wells title
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina are approaching the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner stratosphere of tennis.
The world’s No. 1 and soon-to-be No. 2 players have dominated the WTA Tour for the past several months and played a championship final befitting their lofty status at the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday in Indian Wells, Calif.
Sabalenka fended off a championship point in the third-set tiebreaker and defeated Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in hot, dry conditions in the California desert as they battled for 2:31.
Sabalenka avenged a three-set loss to Rybakina in the Australian Open final and improved to 9-7 in their all-time series, which includes a 2-4 ledger in WTA finals.
Syracuse.com’s 2026 spring media day boys tennis wrapup: Season outlooks, photos and more
Cicero, N.Y. — The 2026 high school boys tennis season kicks off soon, and syracuse.com produced tons of photos, TikTok videos and preseason polls and previews from our spring sports media days.
In case you missed anything from our preseason coverage, here’s a one-stop shopping recap of the content:
Player polls
Best signature look? Biggest rival?
Coaches polls
Season outlooks. Most competitive? Breakout seasons?
Photos
Boys tennis players take over media day
TikTok
Click here to see your favorite athletes acting out
***
Look out for our complete media day coverage on syracuse.com over the next couple of weeks, featuring more photos, interviews, and videos of each team that attended.
Check out all of our media day videos on syracuse.com’s TikTok page here. Like and follow us on our Central New York high school sports Facebook page here for even more high school sports content.
Australian coach, former player Matosevic gets four-year doping suspension
March 16 (Reuters) – Former tennis player and coach Marinko Matosevic of Australia has been handed a four-year ban after breaching anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Monday.
Matosevic, 40, reached a career-high singles ranking of 39 in 2013. He retired from the sport in 2018 and has since become a coach, working with Australian players Chris O’Connell and Jordan Thompson.
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Wake Forest Tennis Has Another Perfect Weekend, Prepares for Challenges Ahead
The No. 4 Wake Forest men’s tennis team (20-2, 6-0 ACC) is cruising along through ACC play right now. After beating Miami 4-0 and then notching a come-from-behind 4-3 win at Florida State, the Deacs returned home ready for a new set of challenges this past weekend.
The weekend started with a dominant 4-0 win against the No. 15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday. It continued with 4-0 victories over #42-ranked Louisville and Davidson on Sunday. This was exactly what the Deacs needed, considering what they have on the horizon. Let’s go through some of the highlights from the dominant weekend.
Flying by the Fighting Irish
Wake Forest opened the weekend with an impressive 4-0 victory over Notre Dame. Now this was not your typical 4-0 match. The Deacs absolutely dominated across the board to secure victory against a team ranked in the top 15 in the nation.
The doubles wins came from the British pair of Luca Pow and Charlie Robertson, winning 6-2, and the freshman duo of Dominick Mosejczuk and Aryan Shah, winning 6-1.
After making quick work of the doubles, the Deacs headed into singles with a lot of momentum. Charlie Robertson was the star of the day, winning by the flawless margin of 6-0, 6-0 on court three. Aryan Shah chipped in with a 6-0, 6-4 singles win on court four, and Dominick Mosejczuk won 6-1, 6-2 on court six, sealing the deal and sending the Deacs to 9-0 in the spring.
Losing No Momentum Against Louisville
The next ACC challenge that awaited the Demon Deacons came against the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday. The Deacs made quick work of doubles again, and once again, it was the duo of Luca Pow and Charlie Robertson, along with the duo of Dominick Mosejczuk and Aryan Shah, winning their matches by the scores of 6-2 and 6-3, respectively.
Redshirt Freshman Andrew Delgado set the tone in singles with the first set win for the Deacs by a 6-1 margin. Luca Pow cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory to send the Deacs up 2-0 on the day. Senior DK Suresh Ekambaram battled in his match to win 6-3, 7-5 and put a third point on the board for the Deacs. It was freshman Dominick Mosejczuk continuing his stellar weekend and closing out the match with a 6-4, 6-4 singles victory on court five.
This win was significant as it marked the 40th consecutive win at home for the Demon Deacons. The 4-0 victory over Davidson later in the afternoon would stretch that streak out to 41. That match was highlighted by a 6-0, 6-0 singles win from sophomore Joaquin Guilleme on court two, along with singles wins from fellow sophomore Cornelius Shalmi and redshirt freshman Andrew Delgado. Sophomore Ariel Zauber also got a nice doubles win with Luca Pow to help secure the doubles point.
41-Game Win Streak Put to the Test
The Deacs have been simply dominant at home over the past few seasons. In fact, since 2013, Wake has had the second-most ACC wins. However, the team that is first in that category is coming to Winston-Salem next Sunday. The #2-ranked Virginia Cavaliers will travel down from Charlottesville to take on the Deacs in what is sure to be a thriller. Let’s see if the Deacs can keep their home win streak alive. They will also play Virginia Tech and Longwood to round out the weekend.
Minky Couture Week 33 high school star athletes of the week
Baseball
Alex Brannigan, Park City (Sr.)
It’s been a busy start to the season for Park City with back-to-back tournaments in St. George, and last weekend Alex Brannigan played a key role in leading the Miners to a split.
The lefty Brannigan went the distance in a 6-0 win over Northridge on Saturday, only allowing two hits while striking out 13.
Brannigan also helped his own cause at the plate with a double and RBI.
In four games in St. George last weekend against Olympus, Northridge, Clearfield and Crimson Cliffs, he went a combined 8 of 13 with four extra-base hits and six RBIs. That included a 3-for-3 performance against crimson Cliffs in which he homered, doubled and drove in three runs.
“Alex had a great weekend. Dominated on the mound and also played a great right field and some first base so far this year, displaying strong versatility. As one of our senior captains his leadership skills are developing and guys look up to him. His bat came alive in the Crimson game,” said Park City coach David Feasler.
For the season he’s batting .375 with seven RBIs.
Softball
Cambree Cooper, Logan (Sr.)
A first team all-stater last year, Logan’s Cambree Cooper has pitched up right where she left off.
The senior has dominated in the circle this year, going 5-0 with a 1.34 ERA, a big reason the Grizzlies are still a perfect 7-0 this season.
“A fierce competitor, Cambree sets the tone with her work ethic, leadership, and determination to improve every day,” said Logan coach Kim Laing.
Two weeks ago she went 3-0 in three games in St. George, and then last week she earned wins against Layton and Mountain Crest. She’s racked up 33 total strikeouts in her five wins, and at the plate she’s been a reliable bat for Logan also with a .524 batting averaging and a .600 on-base percentage.
Boys Soccer
Ryan Diaz, Murray (Sr.)
One of the unsung heroes of Murray’s 4-0 start to the season is senior midfielder Ryan Diaz. He may not grab the headlines like the goal scorers, but his work rate in the middle has been outstanding early this season.
“His value to our team doesn’t always show up on the stats sheet. He makes his teammates more successful,” said Murray coach Bryan DeMann. “His ability to be in the right place at the right time and make the correct decision keeps everybody connected. It is the reason why he rarely leaves the field during our games.”
Diaz is a three-year starter for Murray, and he’s played a big role in leading the Spartans to wins over Bingham, Layton Christian, Highland and Orem. Murray opens region play with a big game against East this week.
Boys Volleyball
Connor Burleson, Bountiful (Sr.)
Bountiful went a perfect 4-0 at the Farmington Block Party tournament last Saturday, and one of the catalysts was senior outside hitter Connor Burleson, who was consistent through the day.
He helped lead the team to wins over Layton, Syracuse, Corner Canyon and Spanish Fork, and in the Spanish Fork match alone he recorded 17 kills, four blocks, 10 digs and three aces while hitting .324.
“Connor had an outstanding match against Spanish Fork and has been a big contributor to our team all season. He is extremely efficient offensively and makes big plays for us when we need them. He’s playing with confidence and helps set the tone for our team,” said Bountiful coach Sarah Chism.
A second teamer all-stater last year, Burleson is one of the big reasons the Redhawks are one of the top contenders in 5A this spring.
Boys Track
Tripp Palmer, San Juan (Sr.)
Tripp Palmer has established himself as not only the best jumper in 2A, but one of the best in the entire state.
Last weekend at the Farm Bureau Invite at Carbon High School, Palmer won both the high jump and long jump competition — the same two events he won the 2A title in a year ago.
He cleared 6’07 in the high jump and then leapt 21’02.75 in the long jump. His high jump mark is the best in Utah two weeks into the spring season, while his long jump performance ranks second.
Palmer has been a three-sport star for San Juan this season. He was a 2A football first-team all-stater last fall, and is signed to Utah State. During the recently-concluded basketball season, he led San Juan to the 2A quarterfinals averaging 17.4 points and 12.0 rebounds.
Girls Track
Mia Taylor, Westlake (Sr.)
Two weeks into the track season, and already Westlake’s Mia Taylor is establishing herself as one of the top middle-distance runners in 6A.
Last weekend at the Early Bird Invitational at Mountain View High School, Taylor on the 400 and 800 meters. Her time of 2:12.30 in the 800 meters is the top time in the state early this season.
“Mia Taylor is an exceptional runner whose dedication and work ethic set her apart both on and off the track. She consistently pushes herself to improve, showing determination in every practice and competition,” said Westlake coach Brian Pontius. “Mia leads by example encouraging her teammates and maintaining a positive attitude that elevates the entire team. Her commitment to hard work, discipline, and teamwork makes her not only a standout athlete but also a respected leader among her peers.”
Taylor’s top 400 meter time of 57.38 ranks four this spring. A year ago she finished in sixth place in the 400 meters at the 6A state track meet.
Boys Lacrosse
Bryson Pabst, Green Canyon (Sr.)
Green Canyon has raced to a 5-0 record this spring, and the play and leadership of Bryson Pabst has been one of the keys to that success.
In five games, the senior has tallied 20 goals and 10 assists, with his 30 points nearing the 43 total points he had all of last season.
“Bryson Pabst is a special athlete, and has shown 100% commitment to the team on and off the field. A team captain and senior, Bryson has elusive speed, an aggressive quiver of dodges, and has proven his ability to score from either an attack or middie position,” said Green Canyon coach Troy Oldham.
Pabst has also recorded 30 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers early this season.
Last week in Green Canyon’s lone game, he recorded four goals and two assists in the 12-8 win over Fremont.
Girls Lacrosse
Norah Gull, Syracuse (Sr.)
Norah Gull is off to a flying start this season for the Titans.
Through four games, the senior attacker has notched 30 goals in helping her team race out to a 3-1 record this preseason.
Last week, Gull scored 13 of her team’s 17 goals in a 17-6 win over Box Elder, and then three days later in another 17-6 win, this time over Maple Mountain, she scored seven goals.
Boys Tennis
Davis Aubrey, Bingham (Sr.)
Davis Aubrey is no stranger to playing the best competition in the state, having started at the varsity first singles position at Bingham all four years.
This year, the four-star recruit is off to arguably the best start of his career.
With a 6-0 record thus far, he had a great 4-0 showing at the St. George tournament two weekends ago earning wins over Corner Canyon, Lone Peak, Sky View and Desert Hills.
“Davis’s hard work in the offseason is making a huge difference with early wins against great competition. As team captain, he is setting an example for the other members of the team to follow,” said Bingham coach Lorin Brown.
Aubrey plays in many national junior tennis tournaments, and is ranked 140th nationally. Aubrey has reached in the 6A semifinals each of the past two season, and is ranked as the No. 2 under-18 player in Utah currently.
Girls Golf
Ella Henderson, Park City (Fr.)
Just a freshman, Park City’s Ella Henderson is already making a pretty big splash for the Miners.
In three matches for far this spring season, Henderson has shot a 72, 72 and 73, and leads the Region 10 stats by three strokes already.
Last week she shot a 72 at Mountain View Gold Course, and then on Monday she shot another 72 at Glendale Golf Course.
“Not only has she shown that she’s one of the top players in the state, but Ella is also a great teammate,” said Park City coach George Murphy. “With her first three tournaments, Henderson has gained the respect of the entire region and looks to continue her dominant play this Wednesday at Bonneville. She is a great addition to a Park City team that already has a lot of depth from last year’s squad.”
Park City finished in sixth place at last year’s 4A state championship, but with Henderson the Miners definitely have a top-of-the-leaderboard contender.
Medvedev elimina a Alcaraz en semifinal de Indian Wells y detiene racha de 16 victorias seguidas del español
El ruso Daniil Medvedev puso fin a la racha de 16 victorias consecutivas del español Carlos Alcaraz al derrotarlo el sábado 6-3, 7-6 (3) y avanzar a la final del BNP Paribas Open que se disputa en Indian Wells.
Medvedev se impuso en una hora y 43 minutos en el Estadio 1 del Indian Wells Tennis Garden, frustrando el intento de Alcaraz de extender su dominante paso por el torneo californiano.
Medvedev enfrentará el domingo (11 a.m.) al italiano Jannik Sinner por el título, después de que el número dos del mundo derrotara al alemán Alexander Zverev por 6-2 y 6-4 en la primera semifinal del día.
“Cuando juegas contra alguien como Carlos, te enfrentas muchas veces y pierdes muchas veces”, dijo Medvedev tras el partido. “Es un jugador increíble con golpes increíbles, defensa, ataque, devolución, todo. Así que tienes que estar en tu mejor momento”.
La victoria fue la primera de Medvedev sobre Alcaraz desde el Abierto de Estados Unidos luego de haber perdido sus cuatro enfrentamientos previos ante el español. También marcó su primer triunfo sobre un número uno del mundo desde que venció a Sinner en cuartos de final de Wimbledon en 2024.
Alcaraz, de 22 años, llegaba con gran impulso tras conquistar el Australian Open, donde completó el Grand Slam de su carrera, y el Qatar Open, donde había ligado sus 16 últimas victorias.
El español mostró señales de desgaste físico bajo las altas temperaturas y cedió su servicio en el cuarto juego del primer set pese a tener ventaja de 40-15, tras una serie de errores que permitieron a Medvedev tomar el control del partido.
Medvedev, cabeza de serie número 11, se ha mostrado sólido durante todo el torneo y ha avanzado a la final sin ceder un solo set en Indian Wells.
En la final femenina, la bielorrusa Aryna Sabalenka enfrentará a la kazaja Elena Rybakina a primera hora (11 a.m.) en el Estadio 1. Será la revancha del Abierto de Australia 2026. Sabalenka disputará su tercera final de Indian Wells, aunque ha perdido anteriormente las dos finales, una de ella ante Rybakina en 2023.
Iga Swiatek’s Indian Wells Exit Dubbed “Worse” in a Bold Statement: “Can’t Forget How To Play Tennis”
Having won Indian Wells twice, in 2022 and 2024, Iga Swiatek entered as one of the favorites to win the event. But as fate would have it, the six-time Grand Slam champion suffered an unexpected quarterfinal exit against Elina Svitolina. Though Swiatek tried to push through in the second set, the ninth seed proved stronger overall. Naturally, the Polish star’s three-set struggle did not go unnoticed.
Interestingly, before this matchup, Swiatek had not lost a set throughout the event and looked strong to make a run to the final. Even though the match looked close on the scorecard, it did not turn into the high-quality contest that everyone expected. And this is exactly what tennis commentator Tomasz Wolfke is highlighting.
“The only real explanation is the head and that it’s emotional. You can’t forget how to play tennis in a single day. Statistically, she should feel confident mentally after two good matches like that. She seems to be well prepared physically,” Wolfke said, as translated from Dutch.
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“Everything was worse for Iga. It was a very ugly match overall, ripped apart from both sides. Svitolina also played well below her potential. There was a shocking moment at the beginning of the second set, where the first ten rallies were one rally. At times, it was unwatchable. And that’s what hurts the most, not the minimal loss after a close match against a very good Svitolina.”
One of the most worrying aspects of the 24-year-old’s game was her serve. She committed eight double faults in the match, five of which came in the first set. Making matters worse, 42 unforced errors added to her struggles.
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After losing the first set 6-2, the Pole mounted a comeback in the second set, winning it 6-4. Then came the third set, where the first eight games saw no break points, leaving the score tied at 4-4. The turning point came in the ninth game, when Elina Svitolina earned two break points and converted one to go up 5-4. She then served out the match with a love hold, setting up a semifinal clash against third seed Elena Rybakina.
After the break earned by the 31-year-old, Swiatek had a serious breakdown. She threw her towel to the ground in anger and then engaged in a brief but blunt exchange with the staff.
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“Iga’s reaction after losing a game at 4-5 in the third set was intense. I was afraid she’d break down on the court, which happened a few years ago. It was just one break, after all, and she’d already made up for it many times in this match, and it was completely manageable,” said the commentator.
“All players who lose seek help from the coaching staff, and that’s the norm. However, when Iga loses, not much happens on the bench, and everyone sits with a grim look on their faces. Sometimes Maciej Ryszczuk (Physiotherapist) or Daria Abramowicz (Sports Psychologist) shouts something, sometimes Wim Fissette gives instructions. However, there’s not a single person who could shout, ‘Come on! I think I only heard one, ‘Go!’” the tennis commentator concluded.
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However, this breakdown was not the first time this year. At the United Cup final, Swiatek faced a tough loss against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. After the loss, she threw her racket and broke down in tears.
Another incident happened at the Qatar Open.
The quarterfinal clash between Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari started with Swiatek dominating. Soon enough, though, Sakkari flipped the script to stun the world number two, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, reaching her third Doha semifinal. But the spotlight quickly shifted to events unfolding off the baseline.
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When cameras repeatedly cut to Swiatek’s box, particularly to her long-time sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, animated gestures, shouting, and visible frustration from the stands triggered a wave of reactions online. Fans described the scenes as counter-productive rather than supportive. Observers felt the Pole looked increasingly unsettled, with her rhythm breaking down just as Sakkari raised her level.
Such incidents make Wolfke’s concern genuine. Be that as it may, Swiatek’s run has now come to a stop in Indian Wells. So, what did her opponent have to say about that?
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Elina Svitolina on her win against Iga Swiatek at the Indian Wells Masters
After the clash that lasted for 2 hours and 9 minutes, at the post-match conference, Svitolina shared her mindset regarding the match.
“There is no champion who is waiting for mistakes. And you really have to try to set yourself up in a good position to attack. I was feeling good, and I was trying to really, you know, open up the court and try to take advantage, because Iga is such an aggressive player, and she moves really well. So if you don’t take the opportunity at the right time, she’s going to take it,” Svitolina said after bagging her second win against the Pole.
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With that, the Ukrainian advanced to the semifinals, and the clash against world No. 3 was not short of drama. Rybakina outclassed her with pinpoint serving. She won 85% of her first-serve points, which completely pushed the ninth seed onto the back foot. Svitolina battled hard in the first set, but two double faults at 5-5 cost her, losing it 7-5.
The Kazakh player was leading 4-0 in the second, but Svitolina showed her trademark resilience, saving two match points and bringing the score to 5-4. However, it was not enough to stop the two-time Grand Slam champion from marching into the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
The final will be a rematch of the Australian Open final at the Californian Gardens, as Elena Rybakina will take on World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the showdown on Sunday, March 15.
University boys tennis places fourth at National All-American tournament
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Four starters graduated. The reigning Orange County player of the year isn’t playing. And injuries and scheduling conflicts have further depleted the lineup.
Yet, when the semifinals began Saturday in the 25th National High School Tennis All-American Boys Team Tournament in the South Bay, University was again in the mix.
The Trojans showed their resolve to join Menlo, Harvard-Westlake and Peninsula in the semifinals but fell short of reaching a 12th final.
University lost to eventual champion Menlo 5-1 in the semifinals at Mira Costa and to host Peninsula 3-3 on games (67-45) in the third-place match.
Peninsula swept University in singles while the Trojans swept in doubles.
“I’m super happy we are in this position given our team this year,” said veteran University coach John Kessler, whose 11 appearances in the tournament final is a record.
University, the two-time defending CIF State champion, defeated Mira Costa 3-3 on games (65-52) in the first round Friday. The Trojans beat San Francisco University 4-2 to reach the semifinals.
University made the run despite playing without reigning O.C. player of the year and Ojai champion Rishvanth Krishna. The junior, who is committed to Rice, isn’t playing high school this season, Kessler said.
University’s record is 6-3 after after Saturday. The Trojans suffered a 13-5 loss to Corona del Mar in late February.
NOTES
Orange County’s players to watch include: University junior JiHyuk Im, JSerra junior Michael Geffre, Corona del Mar senior Ivan Pflueger, Woodbridge senior Brady Tallakson, Beckman senior Rohan Grewal, Mater Dei junior Matteo Huarte and Portola sophomore Garran McKay. …
Tallakson, a Boise State commit, is 15-0. His resume includes a 6-2 win against the 6-foot-7 Pflueger, who is committed to UC San Diego. …
Huarte, the Ojai runner-up last season, has committed to USC.
Baton Rouge’s Wheelchair Tennis Association helps players
Lynn Serio has been fixing wheelchairs for over 40 years — and he doesn’t plan to stop.
After Serio graduated from high school in 1981, he went to LSU for a year and a half.
Eyewitness Confirms Maria Sharapova’s Special Gesture for Luka Doncic After Lakers-Nuggets
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets delivered a matchup worthy of the national spotlight. The two heavyweights went back and forth the entire night. First, it was the Purple & Gold who came in swinging, establishing a 17-point lead. Then the Nuggets clawed back and briefly seized a 7-point advantage late in the game. After this, it was all chaos.
Lakers star Austin Reaves missed a free throw with just five seconds to spare, chased the rebound like a madman, and tied the game with a desperate layup. Overtime followed, where the two again were trading blows until Luka Doncic buried a dagger single-legged to seal the win for Los Angeles, which sent the entire Crypto.com Arena into a frenzy, including tennis legend and five-time Grand Slam champion, Maria Sharapova, who was seated courtside.
Following this, the 38-year-old headed to the tunnel to do a special gesture for the Lakers’ standout performer of the night, according to The California Post’s Michael J. Duarte. “Tennis star Maria Sharapova waited after the game outside the Lakers’ tunnel to say hello to Luka Doncic,” he reported. The two then spent a moment chatting with each other and even posed for pictures.
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One of which, Sharapova later posted on her official Instagram account with a strong caption. “Clutch!! 💪🏆,” she wrote. Well, the Slovenian guard was clutch indeed for the Lakers on Saturday night, as he backed up his 51-point performance against Chicago with a triple-double against Denver.
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Luka Doncic finished the matchup with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. This performance wasn’t just the cherry on top, but rather something that the Lakers needed to defeat the mighty Joker and Co. However, he later revealed that he couldn’t have done so without the support of the Los Angeles crowd, which, of course, included Maria Sharapova and the thousands present inside the Arena on Saturday night.
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Luka Doncic had a message for the crowd following L.A.’s thrilling win over Denver
The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to five on Saturday. However, it didn’t come without adversities. Despite a strong start, the Purple & Gold lost their footing late during the game. But thanks to Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, they were able to make a comeback. Nonetheless, an underappreciated aspect throughout this tussle was the home crowd.
The entire Crypto.com Arena was cheering for their team throughout the night, pushing them to the finishing line. And so once Luka Doncic finished the game with his terrific shot in overtime, he didn’t forget to thank his people. Speaking with the media postgame, the 26-year-old revealed that this was the best atmosphere he’s felt since joining the historic franchise, revealing he had goosebumps at one point during the game.
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“I felt like it was the best atmosphere since I’m a Laker,” Doncic told the reporters following the Lakers’ 127-125 overtime win over the Nuggets. “The whole crowd was in. It was really special to witness that. Hopefully, it’s more times, but you know, I had goosebumps a little bit. It was amazing to see and to live that moment.”
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Well, he did not disappoint the crowd, which showed unwavering support for him through an all-around stellar performance, which now strengthens his case for his first-ever MVP title. Thus far, Doncic is averaging 32.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, which is on par with two of his biggest rivals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. And if he continues to perform at this rate, he might even leave them behind.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina to capture Indian Wells title
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina are approaching the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner stratosphere of tennis.
The world’s No. 1 and soon-to-be No. 2 players have dominated the WTA Tour for the past several months and played a championship final befitting their lofty status at the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday in Indian Wells, Calif.
Sabalenka fended off a championship point in the third-set tiebreaker and defeated Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in hot, dry conditions in the California desert as they battled for 2:31.
Sabalenka avenged a three-set loss to Rybakina in the Australian Open final and improved to 9-7 in their all-time series, which includes a 2-4 ledger in WTA finals.
Syracuse.com’s 2026 spring media day boys tennis wrapup: Season outlooks, photos and more
Cicero, N.Y. — The 2026 high school boys tennis season kicks off soon, and syracuse.com produced tons of photos, TikTok videos and preseason polls and previews from our spring sports media days.
In case you missed anything from our preseason coverage, here’s a one-stop shopping recap of the content:
Player polls
Best signature look? Biggest rival?
Coaches polls
Season outlooks. Most competitive? Breakout seasons?
Photos
Boys tennis players take over media day
TikTok
Click here to see your favorite athletes acting out
***
Look out for our complete media day coverage on syracuse.com over the next couple of weeks, featuring more photos, interviews, and videos of each team that attended.
Check out all of our media day videos on syracuse.com’s TikTok page here. Like and follow us on our Central New York high school sports Facebook page here for even more high school sports content.
Australian coach, former player Matosevic gets four-year doping suspension
March 16 (Reuters) – Former tennis player and coach Marinko Matosevic of Australia has been handed a four-year ban after breaching anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Monday.
Matosevic, 40, reached a career-high singles ranking of 39 in 2013. He retired from the sport in 2018 and has since become a coach, working with Australian players Chris O’Connell and Jordan Thompson.
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Wake Forest Tennis Has Another Perfect Weekend, Prepares for Challenges Ahead
The No. 4 Wake Forest men’s tennis team (20-2, 6-0 ACC) is cruising along through ACC play right now. After beating Miami 4-0 and then notching a come-from-behind 4-3 win at Florida State, the Deacs returned home ready for a new set of challenges this past weekend.
The weekend started with a dominant 4-0 win against the No. 15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday. It continued with 4-0 victories over #42-ranked Louisville and Davidson on Sunday. This was exactly what the Deacs needed, considering what they have on the horizon. Let’s go through some of the highlights from the dominant weekend.
Flying by the Fighting Irish
Wake Forest opened the weekend with an impressive 4-0 victory over Notre Dame. Now this was not your typical 4-0 match. The Deacs absolutely dominated across the board to secure victory against a team ranked in the top 15 in the nation.
The doubles wins came from the British pair of Luca Pow and Charlie Robertson, winning 6-2, and the freshman duo of Dominick Mosejczuk and Aryan Shah, winning 6-1.
After making quick work of the doubles, the Deacs headed into singles with a lot of momentum. Charlie Robertson was the star of the day, winning by the flawless margin of 6-0, 6-0 on court three. Aryan Shah chipped in with a 6-0, 6-4 singles win on court four, and Dominick Mosejczuk won 6-1, 6-2 on court six, sealing the deal and sending the Deacs to 9-0 in the spring.
Losing No Momentum Against Louisville
The next ACC challenge that awaited the Demon Deacons came against the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday. The Deacs made quick work of doubles again, and once again, it was the duo of Luca Pow and Charlie Robertson, along with the duo of Dominick Mosejczuk and Aryan Shah, winning their matches by the scores of 6-2 and 6-3, respectively.
Redshirt Freshman Andrew Delgado set the tone in singles with the first set win for the Deacs by a 6-1 margin. Luca Pow cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory to send the Deacs up 2-0 on the day. Senior DK Suresh Ekambaram battled in his match to win 6-3, 7-5 and put a third point on the board for the Deacs. It was freshman Dominick Mosejczuk continuing his stellar weekend and closing out the match with a 6-4, 6-4 singles victory on court five.
This win was significant as it marked the 40th consecutive win at home for the Demon Deacons. The 4-0 victory over Davidson later in the afternoon would stretch that streak out to 41. That match was highlighted by a 6-0, 6-0 singles win from sophomore Joaquin Guilleme on court two, along with singles wins from fellow sophomore Cornelius Shalmi and redshirt freshman Andrew Delgado. Sophomore Ariel Zauber also got a nice doubles win with Luca Pow to help secure the doubles point.
41-Game Win Streak Put to the Test
The Deacs have been simply dominant at home over the past few seasons. In fact, since 2013, Wake has had the second-most ACC wins. However, the team that is first in that category is coming to Winston-Salem next Sunday. The #2-ranked Virginia Cavaliers will travel down from Charlottesville to take on the Deacs in what is sure to be a thriller. Let’s see if the Deacs can keep their home win streak alive. They will also play Virginia Tech and Longwood to round out the weekend.
Minky Couture Week 33 high school star athletes of the week
Baseball
Alex Brannigan, Park City (Sr.)
It’s been a busy start to the season for Park City with back-to-back tournaments in St. George, and last weekend Alex Brannigan played a key role in leading the Miners to a split.
The lefty Brannigan went the distance in a 6-0 win over Northridge on Saturday, only allowing two hits while striking out 13.
Brannigan also helped his own cause at the plate with a double and RBI.
In four games in St. George last weekend against Olympus, Northridge, Clearfield and Crimson Cliffs, he went a combined 8 of 13 with four extra-base hits and six RBIs. That included a 3-for-3 performance against crimson Cliffs in which he homered, doubled and drove in three runs.
“Alex had a great weekend. Dominated on the mound and also played a great right field and some first base so far this year, displaying strong versatility. As one of our senior captains his leadership skills are developing and guys look up to him. His bat came alive in the Crimson game,” said Park City coach David Feasler.
For the season he’s batting .375 with seven RBIs.
Softball
Cambree Cooper, Logan (Sr.)
A first team all-stater last year, Logan’s Cambree Cooper has pitched up right where she left off.
The senior has dominated in the circle this year, going 5-0 with a 1.34 ERA, a big reason the Grizzlies are still a perfect 7-0 this season.
“A fierce competitor, Cambree sets the tone with her work ethic, leadership, and determination to improve every day,” said Logan coach Kim Laing.
Two weeks ago she went 3-0 in three games in St. George, and then last week she earned wins against Layton and Mountain Crest. She’s racked up 33 total strikeouts in her five wins, and at the plate she’s been a reliable bat for Logan also with a .524 batting averaging and a .600 on-base percentage.
Boys Soccer
Ryan Diaz, Murray (Sr.)
One of the unsung heroes of Murray’s 4-0 start to the season is senior midfielder Ryan Diaz. He may not grab the headlines like the goal scorers, but his work rate in the middle has been outstanding early this season.
“His value to our team doesn’t always show up on the stats sheet. He makes his teammates more successful,” said Murray coach Bryan DeMann. “His ability to be in the right place at the right time and make the correct decision keeps everybody connected. It is the reason why he rarely leaves the field during our games.”
Diaz is a three-year starter for Murray, and he’s played a big role in leading the Spartans to wins over Bingham, Layton Christian, Highland and Orem. Murray opens region play with a big game against East this week.
Boys Volleyball
Connor Burleson, Bountiful (Sr.)
Bountiful went a perfect 4-0 at the Farmington Block Party tournament last Saturday, and one of the catalysts was senior outside hitter Connor Burleson, who was consistent through the day.
He helped lead the team to wins over Layton, Syracuse, Corner Canyon and Spanish Fork, and in the Spanish Fork match alone he recorded 17 kills, four blocks, 10 digs and three aces while hitting .324.
“Connor had an outstanding match against Spanish Fork and has been a big contributor to our team all season. He is extremely efficient offensively and makes big plays for us when we need them. He’s playing with confidence and helps set the tone for our team,” said Bountiful coach Sarah Chism.
A second teamer all-stater last year, Burleson is one of the big reasons the Redhawks are one of the top contenders in 5A this spring.
Boys Track
Tripp Palmer, San Juan (Sr.)
Tripp Palmer has established himself as not only the best jumper in 2A, but one of the best in the entire state.
Last weekend at the Farm Bureau Invite at Carbon High School, Palmer won both the high jump and long jump competition — the same two events he won the 2A title in a year ago.
He cleared 6’07 in the high jump and then leapt 21’02.75 in the long jump. His high jump mark is the best in Utah two weeks into the spring season, while his long jump performance ranks second.
Palmer has been a three-sport star for San Juan this season. He was a 2A football first-team all-stater last fall, and is signed to Utah State. During the recently-concluded basketball season, he led San Juan to the 2A quarterfinals averaging 17.4 points and 12.0 rebounds.
Girls Track
Mia Taylor, Westlake (Sr.)
Two weeks into the track season, and already Westlake’s Mia Taylor is establishing herself as one of the top middle-distance runners in 6A.
Last weekend at the Early Bird Invitational at Mountain View High School, Taylor on the 400 and 800 meters. Her time of 2:12.30 in the 800 meters is the top time in the state early this season.
“Mia Taylor is an exceptional runner whose dedication and work ethic set her apart both on and off the track. She consistently pushes herself to improve, showing determination in every practice and competition,” said Westlake coach Brian Pontius. “Mia leads by example encouraging her teammates and maintaining a positive attitude that elevates the entire team. Her commitment to hard work, discipline, and teamwork makes her not only a standout athlete but also a respected leader among her peers.”
Taylor’s top 400 meter time of 57.38 ranks four this spring. A year ago she finished in sixth place in the 400 meters at the 6A state track meet.
Boys Lacrosse
Bryson Pabst, Green Canyon (Sr.)
Green Canyon has raced to a 5-0 record this spring, and the play and leadership of Bryson Pabst has been one of the keys to that success.
In five games, the senior has tallied 20 goals and 10 assists, with his 30 points nearing the 43 total points he had all of last season.
“Bryson Pabst is a special athlete, and has shown 100% commitment to the team on and off the field. A team captain and senior, Bryson has elusive speed, an aggressive quiver of dodges, and has proven his ability to score from either an attack or middie position,” said Green Canyon coach Troy Oldham.
Pabst has also recorded 30 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers early this season.
Last week in Green Canyon’s lone game, he recorded four goals and two assists in the 12-8 win over Fremont.
Girls Lacrosse
Norah Gull, Syracuse (Sr.)
Norah Gull is off to a flying start this season for the Titans.
Through four games, the senior attacker has notched 30 goals in helping her team race out to a 3-1 record this preseason.
Last week, Gull scored 13 of her team’s 17 goals in a 17-6 win over Box Elder, and then three days later in another 17-6 win, this time over Maple Mountain, she scored seven goals.
Boys Tennis
Davis Aubrey, Bingham (Sr.)
Davis Aubrey is no stranger to playing the best competition in the state, having started at the varsity first singles position at Bingham all four years.
This year, the four-star recruit is off to arguably the best start of his career.
With a 6-0 record thus far, he had a great 4-0 showing at the St. George tournament two weekends ago earning wins over Corner Canyon, Lone Peak, Sky View and Desert Hills.
“Davis’s hard work in the offseason is making a huge difference with early wins against great competition. As team captain, he is setting an example for the other members of the team to follow,” said Bingham coach Lorin Brown.
Aubrey plays in many national junior tennis tournaments, and is ranked 140th nationally. Aubrey has reached in the 6A semifinals each of the past two season, and is ranked as the No. 2 under-18 player in Utah currently.
Girls Golf
Ella Henderson, Park City (Fr.)
Just a freshman, Park City’s Ella Henderson is already making a pretty big splash for the Miners.
In three matches for far this spring season, Henderson has shot a 72, 72 and 73, and leads the Region 10 stats by three strokes already.
Last week she shot a 72 at Mountain View Gold Course, and then on Monday she shot another 72 at Glendale Golf Course.
“Not only has she shown that she’s one of the top players in the state, but Ella is also a great teammate,” said Park City coach George Murphy. “With her first three tournaments, Henderson has gained the respect of the entire region and looks to continue her dominant play this Wednesday at Bonneville. She is a great addition to a Park City team that already has a lot of depth from last year’s squad.”
Park City finished in sixth place at last year’s 4A state championship, but with Henderson the Miners definitely have a top-of-the-leaderboard contender.
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Xander Schauffele now has unwanted record after failing to win The Players Championship
At the halfway point of The Players Championship, Xander Schauffele was in prime position to win for the first time at TPC Sawgrass.
With 10 PGA Tour victories to his name, including two major championships, Schauffele is a proven winner.
The 32-year-old is one of the best golfers on the planet over the past five years or so, but he really struggled in 2025.
However, Schauffele has returned to form in 2026 and he looked just like his old self during the first two rounds of The Players Championship.
The two-time major winner posted rounds of 69 and 65 to head into the weekend at TPC Sawgrass in second place, two shots adrift of the leader, Ludvig Aberg.
Sadly for Schauffele, though, he faltered on Saturday, and shot a round of two-over-par 74. That round proved costly in the end as he lost out to the eventual winner, Cam Young, by two shots.
Xander Schauffele achieves unwanted record at The Players
Schauffele has made some subtle swing changes over the past 12 months or so and those changes are now starting to come to fruition.
He has two top-5 finishes to his name so far this season and his third-place finish at The Players was a sign that he’s nearly back to his best.
However, he will be bitterly disappointed that he didn’t win at TPC Sawgrass last week.
Schauffele has really struggled to get over the line at The Players Championship, despite having a superb record at Sawgrass.
In nine appearances at The Players, the 32-year-old from San Diego, California, has finished second twice and third once.
As a result, he now has the joint most top-three finishes at The Players without a win, alongside Jim Furyk, Bernhard Langer and Jeff Maggert, according to highly reputable stats guru, Justin Ray.
Schauffele’s game is clearly a great fit for TPC Sawgrass, but he has always come up just short in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Who knows, maybe next year will be his time. One thing’s for sure, he will have plenty more chances to win The Players, given his undeniable quality.
Xander Schauffele comments on the state of his game after The Players
After his final round, Schauffele was asked if he was happy with his performance at TPC Sawgrass.
“Yeah, for sure,“ the American replied.
“I just kept telling — it would have been a shame to have two events in a row where I shoot over par on the weekend. Obviously last week played really hard, and this weekend when you’re in those later groups, it’s playing a little bit harder.
“It’s a little crispier. The wind is up. But you kind of know what you need to do to earn it around this property, and just happy to have stuck in it.
“Yeah, a lot of good things. I’d say my approach was really good through the first couple rounds. I’d say it was pretty solid this week.
“Didn’t miss a fairway. Would like to clean the putter up just a little bit. I feel like I’m missing some of those inside five- to ten- foot range. Other than that, I’ve got time.“
5 Big Names Absent From the Valspar Championship 2026
Right after a marquee event of the PGA Tour ended, the tour started preparing for the final stop of its Florida Swing. Just three days after the conclusion of the Players Championship, the Valspar Championship will begin on March 19. While the $9.1 million event is bringing in a competitive field to the Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course, several big names have chosen not to tee off on the greens of Copperhead.
135 players, including the defending champion Viktor Hovland, would tee off on March 19. They will play against a strong group that includes Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, and Sahith Theegala. Championship rounds will run from Thursday through Sunday, with tournament week also featuring fan events and a Saturday concert headlined by country stars.
However, despite the solid lineup, several high-profile players will not be teeing it up at Copperhead this year. On one hand, the tour has just concluded a $25 million event. On the other hand, the PGA Tour season is edging closer to the Masters. As such, some of the game’s biggest names have opted to skip the tournament, leaving noticeable gaps in the field.
Here’s a closer look at the five major stars whose absence will shape the 2026 Valspar Championship.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre had quite an impressive performance at The Players Championship. In fact, his stellar show had him as a possible contender to win the ‘fifth major.’ Unfortunately, playing on the par-5 16th hole, MacIntyre messed up badly. He bogeyed his shot while chipping the ball into the water. Coming ever so close to victory, the Scottish golfer finished three shots behind the winner, Cameron Young, who ended with a score of 13-under par.
Thus, with such a great showing, everyone expected him to continue his surge at the Valspar Championship. However, despite being the second-highest-ranked player in the tournament, he has decided to sit out. While he did not give an explanation for his absence, MacIntyre cited his Sunday outing as ‘stressful.’
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy was the defending champion at The Players Championship. Unfortunately, following a back injury, the Northern Irish star shot an even-par 288 as he finished outside of the top-50. Focusing on his speedy recovery, the former World No. 1 has decided to withdraw from the Valspar Championship.
Now, previously, McIlroy was supposed to take a three-week break before he came back to play the Masters. But owing to his poor form, the Northern Irish star might just reconsider his decision and play a tournament just before the major.
“I’ll see how my body feels. We’ll see how I feel in practice and at home, and if I get itchy feet at home, maybe add an event at some point,” McIlroy said on Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is another name missing from the Valspar Championship lineup. A hot favorite to win The Players Championship, Scheffler struggled significantly to end up with a T22 finish. And this was not a one-off case of Scheffler getting a mediocre performance. Last week, at Bay Hill, the World No. 1 had a T24 finish. However, he does not seem to be too concerned about the lean phase.
“Did I find anything? I think that would imply that I was lost, which is not the case. No, I think I’m always just trying to get a feel for where things are at, and sometimes a little practice helps, and sometimes a little rest helps,” said Scheffler.
Regarding his absence from the Valspar Championship, Scheffler did not provide a clear answer. Presuming that he will be taking a rest, fans will now be interested to see when he returns.
Cameron Young
Fresh out of a triumph at the Players Championship, bagging $4,500,000, Young will not be teeing it up at the Copperhead. Last year, Young participated in the Valspar Championship and missed the cut.
One major reason behind several members of the Players field withdrawing is the fact that the event is beginning just 3 days after the event concluded on March 15.
For the 2026 season, Young began his run with a slow start. However, he managed to finish at T7 at the Genesis Invitational. Right after that, at TPC Sawgrass, he shot a final-round 4-under 68. Featuring a clutch birdie on the 17th hole and a 375-yard drive on 18, he bagged the win, toppling Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele.
Sam Burns
Sam Burns is a two-time winner at the Valspar Championship, having secured victories in 2021 and 2022. Thus, his absence remains a glaring omission for the field. However, in 2025, he missed the cut by 3 over par.
Burns also had a remarkable run at the Players as he finished tied for the 13th position with a score of 6 under par alongside Brooks Koepka, Viktor Hovland, Justin Rose, Austin Smotherman, Akshay Bhatia, and 3 other golfers. Notably, he bagged $409,027 from the event
Although golf enthusiasts will miss a few of their favourite stars on the field of the 2026 Valspar Championship, the declared field of the event once again promises a demanding test on one of the Tour’s most challenging layouts, particularly the famed “Snake Pit” closing stretch of Copperhead.
Golf Glance: PGA wraps Florida Swing; LPGA returns to U.S.; LIV makes South Africa debut
The PGA Tour concludes its Florida Swing at Innisbrook, the LPGA Tour returns to the United States and LIV Golf makes is South Africa debut among a busy slate of golf events around the globe this week.
PGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Valspar Championship, Palm Harbor, Fla. (March 19-22)
Course: Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Copperhead Course (Par 71, 7,352 Yards)
Purse: $9.2M (Winner: $1.638M)
Defending Champion: Viktor Hovland
FedEx Cup Leader: Jacob Bridgeman
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m.
X: @ValsparChamp
NOTES: The field includes seven of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, led by No. 7 Xander Schauffele. … Hovland seeks to become the third player to successfully defend at the Valspar. … With Brooks Koepka playing via the Returning Member Program, the field was expanded to 135 players to round out threesomes with the additions of Seamus Power and Matt Kuchar. … Keith Mitchell, Robert MacIntyre, Sudarshan Yellamaraju and William Mouw withdrew this week. They were replaced by Doug Ghim, Andrew Putnam, Kris Ventura and Justin Lower. … Vijay Singh holds the tournament scoring record of 266 set in 2004. … Blades Brown, 18, is in the field courtesy of his third-place finish at the Puerto Rico Open. Luke Clanton is also playing this week after his T5 in Puerto Rico. … Sponsor exemptions include 2017 champion Adam Hadwin, who lost his full-time PGA Tour card last season.
BEST BETS: Schauffele (+1050 at DraftKings) is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 7. He was in contention at The Players despite a 72 on Saturday caused largely by his struggles off the tee. … Matt Fitzpatrick (+1450) is coming off a runner-up at TPC Sawgrass, where he was tied for the lead before a bogey on the 72nd hole. … Hovland (+1900) claimed his seventh career victory here and enters with consecutive T13s the past two weeks. … Akshay Bhatia followed up his win at Bay Hill with a T13 at TPC Sawgrass. … Justin Thomas (+2250) structured his schedule to make sure that his return from back surgery allowed him to play at Innisbrook, where he said he feels like he has a chance to win every year. Thomas finished second last year … Bridgeman (+2250) continue to build on his breakout year with a T5 last week.
Last Tournament: The Players Championship (Cameron Young)
Next Tournament: Texas Children’s Houston Open, March 26-29
LPGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Fortinet Founders Cup, Menlo Park, Calif., March 19-22
Course: Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club (Par 72, 6,542 Yards)
Purse: $3M (Winner: $300,000)
Defending Champion: Yealimi Noh
HOW TO FOLLOW:
TV: Thursday-Sunday: 6-9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
X: @LPGA
NOTES: The tour returns to the United States following a three-event Asia Swing. … The event began in 2011, with the most recent iteration seeing Noh beat former World No. 1 Jin Young Ko by four strokes at Bradenton Country Club last year for her first career LPGA Tour victory. … This week marks the 25th anniversary of the first 59 shot in LPGA Tour history by 72-time winner Annika Sorenstam at Moon Valley Country Club.
Race to CME Globe Leader: Jeeno Thitikul
Last Tournament: Blue Bay LPGA (Mi Hyang Lee)
Next Tournament: Ford Championship, Phoenix, March 26-29
LIV GOLF LEAGUE
THIS WEEK: LIV Golf South Africa, Steyn City, March 19-22
Course: The Club at Steyn City (Par 71, 7,557 Yards)
Purses: Individual: $30M (Winner: $4M); Team: $10M (Winners: $3M)
Defending Champions: Inaugural Event
2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC
HOW TO WATCH
TV: Wednesday-Thursday: 6-8 a.m. ET (FS1), 8-11 a.m. (FS2); Friday: 6-11 a.m. (FOX); Sunday: 6-11 a.m. (FS1)
NOTES: This marks LIV Golf’s first event in South Africa and is the fifth of 14 events this season. … Phil Mickelson will make his 2026 debut after missing the first four events due to an undisclosed personal reason. … The daily shotgun start includes 13 teams and 57 total players, including five wild cards. … Bryson DeChambeau climbed eight spots to No. 33 in the Official World Golf Ranking with his victory in Singapore. This is the final event for Thomas Detry (No. 63) and Elvis Smylie (No. 74) have one LIV Golf event remaining to climb into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking and earn a spot in the Masters. … The field includes the all-South African team of Southern Guards GC comprised of captain Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel.
Last Event: LIV Golf Singapore (Individual: DeChambeau; Team: 4Aces GC)
Next Event: LIV Golf Mexico City, April 16-19
DP WORLD TOUR
THIS WEEK: Hainan Classic, Hainan Island, China, March 19-22
Course: Mission Hills Resort Haikou (Par 72, 7,637 Yards)
Purse: $2.25M
Defending Champion: Marco Penge
Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: TBA
X: @DPWorldTour
NOTES: The is the start of the four-event Asia Swing, with DP World Tour members competing for a total prize fund of $10.6 million. … The first 36 holes will be staged across both the Blackstone and Vintage courses, with professionals playing alongside an amateur in each team. The final two rounds will be contested on the Blackstone course. … The player who finishes first in the Asia Swing will earn a place in all events in Phase Two of the DP World Tour season, the Back 9 and a $200,000 bonus. Japan’s Keita Nakajima won last year’s Asia Swing. … The three leading DP World Tour members will qualify for the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club from May 14-17.
Last Tournament: Joburg Open (David Puig)
Next Tournament: Hero Indian Open, New Delhi, March 26-29
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
THIS WEEK: Cologuard Classic, Tucson, Ariz., March 20-22
Course: La Paloma Country Club (Par 71, 6,856 Yards)
Purse: $2.2M (Winner: $330,000)
Defending Champion: Steven Alker
Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Friday: 4-7 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @ChampionsTour
NOTES: This is the fourth of 28 events on the 2026 schedule and will be held at La Paloma for the third time. The tournament uses a composite route that includes holes from all three of the property’s courses. … The 78-player field will compete over three days, with the forecast calling for temperatures to exceed 100 degrees in Tucson. … Zach Johnson is coming off a victory in his Champions Tour debut and aims to join Phil Mickelson as the only players to win each of their first two Champions events. … Alker is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend his title at the Cologuard Classic.
Last Tournament: James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational (Johnson)
Next Tournament: Hoag Classic, Newport Beach, Calif., March 27-29
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Nicolai Hojgaard moves into top 50. Can he hold on for Masters invite?
Masters promo ‘It never gets old’ features this James Brown song
Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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Valspar Championship odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
After 3 straight weeks of thrilling finishes in the Sunshine State, the PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing with the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. The first round from the Copperhead Course begins on Thursday morning. Below, we look at Valspar Championship odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
With Scottie Scheffler and many other top players taking the week off, Xander Schauffele comes in as the favorite with pre-tournament odds of +1000. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his close call at TPC Sawgrass, has the second-best odds (+1400), followed by Viktor Hovland (+1600) and Akshay Bhatia (+2000).
The Copperhead Course is a real test for players, with the winning score ranging from 7-under to 17-under since 2010. Hovland is the defending champion, winning last year with a score of 11-under. The course is 7,352 yards long and plays as a par 71. Fairways are lined with trees and there are water hazards lurking throughout the course, ending with the Snake Pit – a daunting finish down the stretch.
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Valspar Championship – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:39 p.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka (+2500)
Don’t look now, but Koepka is rounding into form. In the last month, he ranks fourth among all players in the field in SG: tee-to-green (+1.87) and he’s now gaining strokes on the green (+0.25) after struggling badly with his putting to start the year. In his last start here (2022), he finished 12th. This might be the week Koepka gets back in the winners’ circle.
Jacob Bridgeman (+2200)
Bridgeman’s odds continue to shorten as he keeps finishing near the top of leaderboards. He was in contention again at the Players Sunday, finishing fifth at 9-under par. He’s hitting the ball well +1.06 SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months), but his putting has been outrageously good, gaining 1.52 shots on the field.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400)
Fitzpatrick nearly stole the Players Championship Sunday but a bogey on 18 cost him a victory. His 1.98 SG: tee-to-green are the most of any player in the field over the last 3 months and though he hasn’t played here in the last 2 years, he finished T-5 in 2022. His current form is as good as anyone’s.
Valspar Championship picks – Contenders
Ryo Hisatsune (+4000)
Hisatsune ranks second in the field in SG: tee-to-green over the last 3 months, showing just how well he’s been striking the ball. It’s his putting that has let him down. After finishes of T-45 and T-33 in his previous 2 starts, Hisatsune tied for 13th at the Players this past week, his fourth top-15 finish in his last 6 starts.
Wyndham Clark (+6000)
The good news for Clark is he hasn’t missed a cut. The bad news is he hasn’t finished better than T-35 since his first start in January (T-13 at The American Express). Still, he ranks 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months among players in this week’s field, while simultaneously ranking 106th in putting.
Austin Smotherman (+6000)
Smotherman withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2 weeks ago and followed it up with an impressive T-13 at the Players. Among players in this week’s field, he’s third in SG: tee-to-green and has finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at Innisbrook.
Valspar Championship picks – Long shots
William Mouw (+8000)
Mouw missed the cut in his tournament debut last year, but he’s in better form now than he was in 2025. He came in sixth at the Cognizant Classic and T-24 at the Players, seemingly hitting his stride heading into Innisbrook.
Lucas Glover (+10000)
Before missing the cut at the Players, Glover tied for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has a good track record at Innisbrook, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 appearances. He doesn’t have much distance off the tee, but he ranks first in driving accuracy in the last 3 months among players teeing it up this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
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Xander Schauffele now has unwanted record after failing to win The Players Championship
At the halfway point of The Players Championship, Xander Schauffele was in prime position to win for the first time at TPC Sawgrass.
With 10 PGA Tour victories to his name, including two major championships, Schauffele is a proven winner.
The 32-year-old is one of the best golfers on the planet over the past five years or so, but he really struggled in 2025.
However, Schauffele has returned to form in 2026 and he looked just like his old self during the first two rounds of The Players Championship.
The two-time major winner posted rounds of 69 and 65 to head into the weekend at TPC Sawgrass in second place, two shots adrift of the leader, Ludvig Aberg.
Sadly for Schauffele, though, he faltered on Saturday, and shot a round of two-over-par 74. That round proved costly in the end as he lost out to the eventual winner, Cam Young, by two shots.
Xander Schauffele achieves unwanted record at The Players
Schauffele has made some subtle swing changes over the past 12 months or so and those changes are now starting to come to fruition.
He has two top-5 finishes to his name so far this season and his third-place finish at The Players was a sign that he’s nearly back to his best.
However, he will be bitterly disappointed that he didn’t win at TPC Sawgrass last week.
Schauffele has really struggled to get over the line at The Players Championship, despite having a superb record at Sawgrass.
In nine appearances at The Players, the 32-year-old from San Diego, California, has finished second twice and third once.
As a result, he now has the joint most top-three finishes at The Players without a win, alongside Jim Furyk, Bernhard Langer and Jeff Maggert, according to highly reputable stats guru, Justin Ray.
Schauffele’s game is clearly a great fit for TPC Sawgrass, but he has always come up just short in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Who knows, maybe next year will be his time. One thing’s for sure, he will have plenty more chances to win The Players, given his undeniable quality.
Xander Schauffele comments on the state of his game after The Players
After his final round, Schauffele was asked if he was happy with his performance at TPC Sawgrass.
“Yeah, for sure,“ the American replied.
“I just kept telling — it would have been a shame to have two events in a row where I shoot over par on the weekend. Obviously last week played really hard, and this weekend when you’re in those later groups, it’s playing a little bit harder.
“It’s a little crispier. The wind is up. But you kind of know what you need to do to earn it around this property, and just happy to have stuck in it.
“Yeah, a lot of good things. I’d say my approach was really good through the first couple rounds. I’d say it was pretty solid this week.
“Didn’t miss a fairway. Would like to clean the putter up just a little bit. I feel like I’m missing some of those inside five- to ten- foot range. Other than that, I’ve got time.“
5 Big Names Absent From the Valspar Championship 2026
Right after a marquee event of the PGA Tour ended, the tour started preparing for the final stop of its Florida Swing. Just three days after the conclusion of the Players Championship, the Valspar Championship will begin on March 19. While the $9.1 million event is bringing in a competitive field to the Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course, several big names have chosen not to tee off on the greens of Copperhead.
135 players, including the defending champion Viktor Hovland, would tee off on March 19. They will play against a strong group that includes Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, and Sahith Theegala. Championship rounds will run from Thursday through Sunday, with tournament week also featuring fan events and a Saturday concert headlined by country stars.
However, despite the solid lineup, several high-profile players will not be teeing it up at Copperhead this year. On one hand, the tour has just concluded a $25 million event. On the other hand, the PGA Tour season is edging closer to the Masters. As such, some of the game’s biggest names have opted to skip the tournament, leaving noticeable gaps in the field.
Here’s a closer look at the five major stars whose absence will shape the 2026 Valspar Championship.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre had quite an impressive performance at The Players Championship. In fact, his stellar show had him as a possible contender to win the ‘fifth major.’ Unfortunately, playing on the par-5 16th hole, MacIntyre messed up badly. He bogeyed his shot while chipping the ball into the water. Coming ever so close to victory, the Scottish golfer finished three shots behind the winner, Cameron Young, who ended with a score of 13-under par.
Thus, with such a great showing, everyone expected him to continue his surge at the Valspar Championship. However, despite being the second-highest-ranked player in the tournament, he has decided to sit out. While he did not give an explanation for his absence, MacIntyre cited his Sunday outing as ‘stressful.’
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy was the defending champion at The Players Championship. Unfortunately, following a back injury, the Northern Irish star shot an even-par 288 as he finished outside of the top-50. Focusing on his speedy recovery, the former World No. 1 has decided to withdraw from the Valspar Championship.
Now, previously, McIlroy was supposed to take a three-week break before he came back to play the Masters. But owing to his poor form, the Northern Irish star might just reconsider his decision and play a tournament just before the major.
“I’ll see how my body feels. We’ll see how I feel in practice and at home, and if I get itchy feet at home, maybe add an event at some point,” McIlroy said on Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is another name missing from the Valspar Championship lineup. A hot favorite to win The Players Championship, Scheffler struggled significantly to end up with a T22 finish. And this was not a one-off case of Scheffler getting a mediocre performance. Last week, at Bay Hill, the World No. 1 had a T24 finish. However, he does not seem to be too concerned about the lean phase.
“Did I find anything? I think that would imply that I was lost, which is not the case. No, I think I’m always just trying to get a feel for where things are at, and sometimes a little practice helps, and sometimes a little rest helps,” said Scheffler.
Regarding his absence from the Valspar Championship, Scheffler did not provide a clear answer. Presuming that he will be taking a rest, fans will now be interested to see when he returns.
Cameron Young
Fresh out of a triumph at the Players Championship, bagging $4,500,000, Young will not be teeing it up at the Copperhead. Last year, Young participated in the Valspar Championship and missed the cut.
One major reason behind several members of the Players field withdrawing is the fact that the event is beginning just 3 days after the event concluded on March 15.
For the 2026 season, Young began his run with a slow start. However, he managed to finish at T7 at the Genesis Invitational. Right after that, at TPC Sawgrass, he shot a final-round 4-under 68. Featuring a clutch birdie on the 17th hole and a 375-yard drive on 18, he bagged the win, toppling Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele.
Sam Burns
Sam Burns is a two-time winner at the Valspar Championship, having secured victories in 2021 and 2022. Thus, his absence remains a glaring omission for the field. However, in 2025, he missed the cut by 3 over par.
Burns also had a remarkable run at the Players as he finished tied for the 13th position with a score of 6 under par alongside Brooks Koepka, Viktor Hovland, Justin Rose, Austin Smotherman, Akshay Bhatia, and 3 other golfers. Notably, he bagged $409,027 from the event
Although golf enthusiasts will miss a few of their favourite stars on the field of the 2026 Valspar Championship, the declared field of the event once again promises a demanding test on one of the Tour’s most challenging layouts, particularly the famed “Snake Pit” closing stretch of Copperhead.
Golf Glance: PGA wraps Florida Swing; LPGA returns to U.S.; LIV makes South Africa debut
The PGA Tour concludes its Florida Swing at Innisbrook, the LPGA Tour returns to the United States and LIV Golf makes is South Africa debut among a busy slate of golf events around the globe this week.
PGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Valspar Championship, Palm Harbor, Fla. (March 19-22)
Course: Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Copperhead Course (Par 71, 7,352 Yards)
Purse: $9.2M (Winner: $1.638M)
Defending Champion: Viktor Hovland
FedEx Cup Leader: Jacob Bridgeman
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m.
X: @ValsparChamp
NOTES: The field includes seven of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, led by No. 7 Xander Schauffele. … Hovland seeks to become the third player to successfully defend at the Valspar. … With Brooks Koepka playing via the Returning Member Program, the field was expanded to 135 players to round out threesomes with the additions of Seamus Power and Matt Kuchar. … Keith Mitchell, Robert MacIntyre, Sudarshan Yellamaraju and William Mouw withdrew this week. They were replaced by Doug Ghim, Andrew Putnam, Kris Ventura and Justin Lower. … Vijay Singh holds the tournament scoring record of 266 set in 2004. … Blades Brown, 18, is in the field courtesy of his third-place finish at the Puerto Rico Open. Luke Clanton is also playing this week after his T5 in Puerto Rico. … Sponsor exemptions include 2017 champion Adam Hadwin, who lost his full-time PGA Tour card last season.
BEST BETS: Schauffele (+1050 at DraftKings) is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 7. He was in contention at The Players despite a 72 on Saturday caused largely by his struggles off the tee. … Matt Fitzpatrick (+1450) is coming off a runner-up at TPC Sawgrass, where he was tied for the lead before a bogey on the 72nd hole. … Hovland (+1900) claimed his seventh career victory here and enters with consecutive T13s the past two weeks. … Akshay Bhatia followed up his win at Bay Hill with a T13 at TPC Sawgrass. … Justin Thomas (+2250) structured his schedule to make sure that his return from back surgery allowed him to play at Innisbrook, where he said he feels like he has a chance to win every year. Thomas finished second last year … Bridgeman (+2250) continue to build on his breakout year with a T5 last week.
Last Tournament: The Players Championship (Cameron Young)
Next Tournament: Texas Children’s Houston Open, March 26-29
LPGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Fortinet Founders Cup, Menlo Park, Calif., March 19-22
Course: Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club (Par 72, 6,542 Yards)
Purse: $3M (Winner: $300,000)
Defending Champion: Yealimi Noh
HOW TO FOLLOW:
TV: Thursday-Sunday: 6-9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
X: @LPGA
NOTES: The tour returns to the United States following a three-event Asia Swing. … The event began in 2011, with the most recent iteration seeing Noh beat former World No. 1 Jin Young Ko by four strokes at Bradenton Country Club last year for her first career LPGA Tour victory. … This week marks the 25th anniversary of the first 59 shot in LPGA Tour history by 72-time winner Annika Sorenstam at Moon Valley Country Club.
Race to CME Globe Leader: Jeeno Thitikul
Last Tournament: Blue Bay LPGA (Mi Hyang Lee)
Next Tournament: Ford Championship, Phoenix, March 26-29
LIV GOLF LEAGUE
THIS WEEK: LIV Golf South Africa, Steyn City, March 19-22
Course: The Club at Steyn City (Par 71, 7,557 Yards)
Purses: Individual: $30M (Winner: $4M); Team: $10M (Winners: $3M)
Defending Champions: Inaugural Event
2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC
HOW TO WATCH
TV: Wednesday-Thursday: 6-8 a.m. ET (FS1), 8-11 a.m. (FS2); Friday: 6-11 a.m. (FOX); Sunday: 6-11 a.m. (FS1)
NOTES: This marks LIV Golf’s first event in South Africa and is the fifth of 14 events this season. … Phil Mickelson will make his 2026 debut after missing the first four events due to an undisclosed personal reason. … The daily shotgun start includes 13 teams and 57 total players, including five wild cards. … Bryson DeChambeau climbed eight spots to No. 33 in the Official World Golf Ranking with his victory in Singapore. This is the final event for Thomas Detry (No. 63) and Elvis Smylie (No. 74) have one LIV Golf event remaining to climb into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking and earn a spot in the Masters. … The field includes the all-South African team of Southern Guards GC comprised of captain Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel.
Last Event: LIV Golf Singapore (Individual: DeChambeau; Team: 4Aces GC)
Next Event: LIV Golf Mexico City, April 16-19
DP WORLD TOUR
THIS WEEK: Hainan Classic, Hainan Island, China, March 19-22
Course: Mission Hills Resort Haikou (Par 72, 7,637 Yards)
Purse: $2.25M
Defending Champion: Marco Penge
Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: TBA
X: @DPWorldTour
NOTES: The is the start of the four-event Asia Swing, with DP World Tour members competing for a total prize fund of $10.6 million. … The first 36 holes will be staged across both the Blackstone and Vintage courses, with professionals playing alongside an amateur in each team. The final two rounds will be contested on the Blackstone course. … The player who finishes first in the Asia Swing will earn a place in all events in Phase Two of the DP World Tour season, the Back 9 and a $200,000 bonus. Japan’s Keita Nakajima won last year’s Asia Swing. … The three leading DP World Tour members will qualify for the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club from May 14-17.
Last Tournament: Joburg Open (David Puig)
Next Tournament: Hero Indian Open, New Delhi, March 26-29
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
THIS WEEK: Cologuard Classic, Tucson, Ariz., March 20-22
Course: La Paloma Country Club (Par 71, 6,856 Yards)
Purse: $2.2M (Winner: $330,000)
Defending Champion: Steven Alker
Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Friday: 4-7 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @ChampionsTour
NOTES: This is the fourth of 28 events on the 2026 schedule and will be held at La Paloma for the third time. The tournament uses a composite route that includes holes from all three of the property’s courses. … The 78-player field will compete over three days, with the forecast calling for temperatures to exceed 100 degrees in Tucson. … Zach Johnson is coming off a victory in his Champions Tour debut and aims to join Phil Mickelson as the only players to win each of their first two Champions events. … Alker is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend his title at the Cologuard Classic.
Last Tournament: James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational (Johnson)
Next Tournament: Hoag Classic, Newport Beach, Calif., March 27-29
Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Empire Dominates the Start of 2026
FFor years, Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team was viewed as an ambitious experiment. Early in the 2026 season, it suddenly looks like a serious championship force.
Just a handful of races into the season, the influence of Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team is suddenly everywhere near the front of the NASCAR Cup Series.
Drivers connected to Jordan’s team ownership group have already stacked wins, surged to the top of the standings, and established themselves as central figures in the early championship conversation.
Tyler Reddick’s Fast Start Has Set the Tone
The most visible piece of the surge belongs to Tyler Reddick.
Driving the No. 45 Toyota for Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, Reddick has opened the season with a blistering run of form
Multiple victories early in the schedule have vaulted him to the top of the championship standings and positioned him as one of the drivers to beat as the season begins to take shape.
For a team that entered the sport only a few years ago, having a driver consistently running at the front — and collecting trophies — represents a major step forward.
Bubba Wallace Adds Depth to 23XI’s Early Success
Reddick has not been carrying the load alone.
Teammate Bubba Wallace has also opened the season with one of the strongest stretches of his Cup Series career.
Wallace has remained near the top of the standings through the opening races, giving Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team a major early-season boost.
For a relatively young organization, that level of consistency across both cars is a sign that the program’s competitive foundation is becoming stronger each season.
Denny Hamlin Keeps the Wins Coming
Jordan’s NASCAR footprint extends beyond the cars carrying the 23XI banner.
Co-owner Denny Hamlin — who helped launch the team alongside Jordan — continues to deliver results on the track as well.
Hamlin scored a victory this season in Las Vegas driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, further reinforcing the early-season momentum surrounding the ownership group.
While that win technically belongs to JGR, Hamlin’s dual role as both a championship-caliber driver and co-owner of 23XI keeps him tightly connected to the broader success story unfolding around Jordan’s NASCAR program.
A Young Team Suddenly Looks Like a Contender
When Jordan entered NASCAR as a team owner, the move immediately drew attention. A six-time NBA champion bringing his competitive instincts into stock car racing was always going to be a fascinating experiment.
But success in NASCAR rarely comes overnight. Building a program capable of winning consistently takes time, depth, and the right combination of drivers and technical partners.
Now, several seasons into the project, the results are beginning to reflect that long-term investment.
With Reddick winning the year’s first three races, Wallace consistently running near the front, and Hamlin continuing to perform at a high level, the influence of Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team is shaping the early portion of the 2026 Cup Series season in a very real way. If the opening races are any indication, the championship conversation may run straight through the organization Jordan helped build.
NASCAR star gets emotional celebrating first victory since his father’s tragic death
NASCAR star Denny Hamlin earned his first win of the 2026 season on Sunday, holding off Chase Elliott to capture the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The win understandably made Hamlin emotional as it marked his first victory since his father, Dennis Hamlin, died in a house fire last December.
Denny Hamlin fought back tears as he spoke with FOX Sports after the win.
“You know, these are great opportunities for us. … This is a family sport, and my family obviously had so much sacrifice to help me get here,“ Denny said. ”It’s great that mom gets to see this. I know dad’s still saying, ‘That’s my boy.’ Hell of a day.
FOX Broadcaster Pens Emotional Farewell Message as He Gets Axed From NASCAR Job
Few pre-race traditions in the NASCAR Cup Series match the energy of driver introductions. It’s the moment when fans get their first roar of the day, drivers soak in the spotlight, and broadcasters help set the tone before engines fire. Over the past few years, there was one familiar voice behind that excitement. But now, the FOX Sports personality has shared an emotional farewell message after learning his NASCAR role has come to an unexpected end.
NASCAR news: “Chief Hype Officer” bids goodbye
For the past few seasons, Mamba Smith had become one of the most recognizable voices energizing crowds across the NASCAR Cup Series garage. Known for turning driver introductions into full-blown entertainment, Smith built a reputation for bringing a lively, fan-first vibe to race weekends. But after learning his role would not continue, he shared a heartfelt message thanking the people who made the experience special.
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“I want to thank our group for first putting me on stage and all the early mornings; and all of our DJs… Thank you to everyone up and down pit road for the love after every show… To the drivers for trusting me and leaning into that one moment across the stage… And most importantly all the fans that brought the energy every time. No matter what track we were at, what new shtick we were trying ya’ll rocked with me and I can’t thank you enough!”
Since 2021, Smith served as an analyst for NASCAR’s digital platform, NASCAR.com, where he became known as the sport’s unofficial “Chief Hype Officer.” His role blended media, fan engagement, and driver interaction, often capturing spontaneous moments that traditional broadcasts rarely show.
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What made Smith stand out was his natural chemistry with both drivers and fans. His interactions felt unscripted and genuine, often turning routine introductions into memorable moments. One of the most talked-about examples came in March 2024 at Richmond Raceway, when Smith showed up in a full bunny suit after losing a social media bet to former NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick.
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After his farewell post, one fan asked what might come next. Smith’s response was simple and optimistic: “I go wherever I’m wanted, if someone thinks I can add value to their program I’ll be there!”
While his time in the NASCAR spotlight may be ending for now, Smith’s infectious energy has clearly left a lasting impression on the sport’s fans and drivers alike.
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Mamba Smith’s racing journey
Long before Mamba Smith became a familiar face entertaining fans across the NASCAR Cup Series stage, his connection to motorsports began behind the wheel.
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Smith’s racing journey started incredibly early. At just four years old, his father bought him a go-kart after noticing his fascination with racing at Thunder Road International SpeedBowl, the track where Smith spent much of his childhood. What began as a hobby quickly turned into something more serious. Racing together, Smith and his father racked up nearly 100 go-kart victories, cementing his love for competition and life around racetracks.
By 2008, Smith had moved up to late model racing, competing locally at Thunder Road International SpeedBowl and Airborne Speedway. His performances eventually earned him an invitation to the Rev Racing NASCAR Drive for Diversity combine in North Carolina in 2011, a program designed to identify and develop new talent.
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During that period, Smith balanced several roles in the racing world. Along with working as a mechanic, he competed in the 2012 Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway, running ten races and scoring seven top-10 finishes along with two top-five results. He continued racing late models in 2015 at Hickory Motor Speedway and New Smyrna Speedway before stepping away from competition for several years.
Smith eventually returned to the driver’s seat in 2020 and soon achieved another milestone. In 2022, he made his ARCA Menards Series debut at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, driving for Young’s Motorsports.
The following year brought more opportunities. Smith competed in the ARCA Menards Series West race at Phoenix Raceway and later drove the No. 15 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports at Toledo Speedway, finishing ninth after an on-track incident.
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While many fans know Smith for his energy on the microphone, his racing background shows that his passion for the sport runs far deeper than the stage.
Denny Hamlin takes the checkered flag in Vegas
Catching up here a bit on what happened in the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, with Denny Hamlin, one of our Virginia guys in the series, taking the win in Las Vegas.
That makes it four wins in five weeks for the folks who sued the pants off NASCAR last year, and won.
For Hamlin, it was career win #61, and his first since he lost his father in a fire that also seriously injured his mother in December.
“Ultimately I’m still a competitor, right?” Hamlin told reporters in a presser after the race. “Everyone’s got to go through that process, the grieving process. There were a lot of different things through the offseason that were really, really tough.
“Yeah, I mean, I showed up at Bowman Gray, I ran the race. Still just up until a couple weeks ago, not fully locked in to what I need to do, got to do,” Hamlin said. “That’s just natural. I mean, everyone has to go through stuff. I think for me ultimately, I said it before, promise to Joe Gibbs, that family, that I’d fulfill my obligations to them. Then the thrill of going out there and getting more wins. That, to me, is what drives me. It makes me work as hard as I do at this.”
Hamlin led a race-high 134 laps on Sunday.
The Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets of Chase Elliott and William Byron ran second and third, respectively.
Pole winner Christopher Bell was fourth, followed by Ty Gibbs, Chris Buescher and Kyle Larson, who led 62 laps and finished second in both Stage 1 and Stage 2.
Chase Briscoe ran eighth, overcoming a pit road speeding penalty, as did Gibbs, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.
Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing, which is co-owned by Hamlin, came home ninth, and Brad Keselowski was 10th.
Tyler Reddick, the winner of the first three races this season, faded to 13th in the final run but maintained his series lead by 61 points over Wallace, his 23XI Racing teammate, and 67 over third-place Ryan Blaney.
Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
(2) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 267.
(15) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 267.
(9) William Byron, Chevrolet, 267.
(1) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 267.
(3) Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 267.
(10) Chris Buescher, Ford, 267.
(5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 267.
(18) Chase Briscoe, Toyota, 267.
(4) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 267.
(28) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 267.
(8) Ryan Preece, Ford, 267.
(11) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 267.
(7) Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 267.
(12) Zane Smith, Ford, 267.
(21) Joey Logano, Ford, 267.
(6) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 267.
(17) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 267.
(13) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 267.
(31) Austin Cindric, Ford, 267.
(14) Erik Jones, Toyota, 267.
(26) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota, 266.
(19) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 266.
(20) Riley Herbst, Toyota, 266.
(29) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 265.
(22) Justin Allgaier(i), Chevrolet, 265.
(30) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 265.
(35) Cole Custer, Chevrolet, 265.
(24) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 265.
(23) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 265.
(34) Noah Gragson, Ford, 265.
(32) Josh Berry, Ford, 264.
(25) Connor Zilisch #, Chevrolet, 264.
(36) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 264.
(27) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 264.
(33) Cody Ware, Chevrolet, 263.
(16) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet, 262.
Average Speed of Race Winner: 148.992 mph.
Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 41 Mins, 17 Secs.
Margin of Victory: .502 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 3 for 20 laps.
JGR Lawsuit vs Chris Gabehart Moves Forward After Court Ruling
Joe Gibbs Racing moved forward with its lawsuit against former competition director Chris Gabehart on Monday after a federal judge granted the organization expedited discovery against Gabehart during a court hearing in Charlotte.
Chris Gabehart previously served as competition director at Joe Gibbs Racing before leaving the organization and joining Spire Motorsports as chief motorsports officer, a move that triggered the legal dispute.
U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez granted the NASCAR powerhouse expedited discovery against Gabehart as part of the organization’s ongoing lawsuit tied to his move to Spire Motorsports. The ruling allows Joe Gibbs Racing to seek communications and documents from Gabehart as the case moves forward.
However, the judge declined to extend the same accelerated discovery requirements to Spire Motorsports at this stage of the case.
Why Joe Gibbs Racing Is Suing Chris Gabehart
Joe Gibbs Racing alleges Gabehart retained confidential racing information when he left the organization. Attorneys made that claim during Monday’s court hearing.
Joe Gibbs Racing Alleges Confidential Racing Data Was Taken
The organization filed the lawsuit after Gabehart left the team and accepted a leadership role with Spire Motorsports.
During Monday’s hearing, attorneys for Joe Gibbs Racing argued that Gabehart retained confidential racing information when he departed the organization. The team alleges the material includes internal competition data connected to race preparation and team strategy.
Sarah Hutchins, an attorney representing Joe Gibbs Racing, told the court the team believes Gabehart may have photographed sensitive information before leaving the organization.
Gabehart’s legal team disputed those claims in court.
His attorney, Cary Davis, said there is no evidence that Spire Motorsports obtained or used proprietary Joe Gibbs Racing information.
Judge Limits Scope of Discovery
Judge Rodriguez ruled that expedited discovery would apply to Gabehart but not to Spire Motorsports.
Rodriguez said the court had not been presented with evidence that Spire Motorsports possessed confidential Joe Gibbs Racing data.
The judge also declined to approve several proposed third-party subpoenas during the hearing, stating the court would need more specific evidence before allowing those requests.
Temporary Restraining Order Remains in Effect
The court had previously issued a limited temporary restraining order earlier in the case.
That order requires Gabehart to stop retaining or using confidential Joe Gibbs Racing information and to return any such material to the organization.
Under the existing order, Gabehart is allowed to continue working for Spire Motorsports as long as he does not perform the same type of work he previously handled for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Judge Rodriguez extended that order during Monday’s hearing as the legal process continues.
Attorneys Dispute Claims in Court
Attorneys representing Gabehart argued that the lawsuit is based on speculation and said the defense has cooperated with requests involving electronic devices and potential evidence.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s legal team maintained that expedited discovery is necessary to determine whether confidential information was retained or shared.
Rodriguez noted during the hearing that additional information could emerge through the discovery process.
Next Hearing Scheduled
The Chris Gabehart Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit centers on allegations involving confidential racing information following Gabehart’s move to Spire Motorsports. The case remains in its early stages.
Another hearing addressing Joe Gibbs Racing’s request for a preliminary injunction has been scheduled for March 26, when the court is expected to revisit whether further restrictions or discovery should be imposed.
Which Drivers Will Compete In The Goodyear 400 At Darlington?
37 cars will make the trip to Darlington, SC, for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway, the sixth race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, according to a preliminary entry list revealed on Monday.
There will be no drama in qualifying this week, as up to 40 cars are able to start races in the NASCAR Cup Series. With only 37 on the entry list, that means no cars will be heading home this weekend.
The lone
FOX Broadcaster Forced to Issue Public Statement as Fans Mount Backlash Over Huge Misunderstanding
So while Mike Joy was talking to Korn’s Jonathan Davis during the 2026 Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas, fans had a misunderstanding with him. Apparently, they misheard his words during the broadcast, making them believe that he addressed Korn as a ‘new metal’ band. It did spark immediate backlash, but none of those fans were prepared for Mike Joy’s statement that came after.
Mike Joy’s music knowledge surprises entire NASCAR community
Naturally, such a misunderstanding would upset the fans. But Joy was not going to let it slide as another controversy. Instead, he painstakingly took to his social media to explain his point of view.
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“No, I said, ‘Korn is nu-metal’… That’s a subgenre of alternative metal that emerged in the mid-1990s. It blends heavy metal with hip hop, alternative rock, funk, and industrial music. Characterized by downtuned guitars, syncopated rhythms, rapping, and emotional, angsty lyrics.’”
Joy was replying to the post that displayed a video of his commentary during the said broadcast. The post has been deleted now and cannot be accessed. However, once he gave his explanation, the tide turned in his favor.
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Now, his comment section is sprawling with fans who are amazed by his knowledge of music. This unexpected cultural intersection between NASCAR and alternative music was welcome news for the fans.
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Many fans were supporting him in the comment section once the controversy was cleared. A huge part of the community is overjoyed that the broadcaster is a nu-metal enthusiast and listener. Many fans who are from the same demographic and age group were highly supportive of Mike Joy since they easily realized it the moment he said that on air.
It is a moment of respite for Fox, too, as they haven’t been on good terms with the fans lately. By earning the fans’ approval, Joy avoided bringing more heat towards the FOX broadcast.
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But that’s not all; a video of him surfaced in the comments section that proves that he is not bluffing about his knowledge. In 2002, Mike Joy was heard explaining about the music band ‘Papa Roach’ to his fellow commentators. The band falls in the same category as nu-metal, and it proves that Mike Joy has always been into alternative rock music.
Notably, this is the second time Mike Joy is facing scrutiny from the fans owing to his words on-air.
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Mike Joy clarifies comments regarding Alex Bowman
Earlier, Mike Joy was under fire due to a similar misunderstanding. His words about Alex Bowman‘s vertigo diagnosis made it seem like he was sidelining the COTA issue.
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Again, the backlash immediately pushed towards issuing an apology to the fans and Bowman himself. “I misspoke Sunday about Alex Bowman’s vertigo, which he experienced during the COTA race. Apologies to Alex; I’ll correct and update on Sunday’s telecast. Hope he’s recovered and back on track soon.”
In his explanation, Joy clarified that he was trying to link it with his prior concussion. It was a continuation of the statement released by Jeff Andrews that revealed that Bowman’s vertigo is not a result of his concussion from the prior season.
Mike Joy was referring to the same thing, but somehow ended up connecting it wrongly and misspoke about it.
Coach Joe Gibbs Breaks Silence on Grandson’s Terrifying Crash, Refusing to Break Ty’s Promise
The story of Joe Gibbs not budging on a particular stance to then changing it completely, to once again being firm on it, has been an interesting one in the last few years. The story in subject revolves around JGR and their policy of not allowing their NASCAR drivers to race in other series. And the one factor between his old stance and his new one seems to be his grandson, Ty Gibbs, who recently suffered a scary crash.
Gibbs explains his decision not to change his policy again
On Thursday, ahead of the NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas, Ty Gibbs suffered a scary wreck in the High Limit racing series. He went airborne, rolled multiple times, and hit the catch fence. Fortunately, the young JGR driver was unharmed and went on to take part in Sunday’s Cup race, which his teammate, Denny Hamlin, won.
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Following the race, Ty Gibbs’ scary wreck was presented to Joe Gibbs in a media availability session. The reporter asked how he dealt with the incident as a team owner and a grandfather. Gibbs was further asked about his old rule of not allowing his drivers to compete in other racing series.
It’s worth mentioning that Joe Gibbs was very stern on that rule for many years. In fact, he once prevented Kyle Busch from racing in the Indy 500. However, things changed when, in November 2024, Gibbs decided to lift those restrictions on his drivers, allowing Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs to follow their curiosities and passions.
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Talking about him lifting the restrictions, Joe Gibbs said, “It was Ty, it was Christopher, and it was Chase also. All of them had something to do with their stuff. I originally was in one spot when thinking about it, changed my mind. And I decided those guys, really to be truthful, they really don’t have a lot else in the off season. And so I made that decision. So, I’m always concerned about it. I’ll put it that way.”
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Despite Ty undergoing that horrific accident, Gibbs will not change his stance on it now, refusing to break it for Ty.
Speaking in November 2024, Ty Gibbs credited Christopher Bell for ‘making it happen.’ He claimed Bell was trying to have the restrictions lifted for a long time and slowly put it together. But because of Chase Briscoe’s arrival, Gibbs claimed it acted as a catalyst since the #19 driver is ‘a huge dirt guy.’
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When Joe Gibbs got in between Kyle Busch and Indy 500
While Gibbs has changed his decision on racing outside, his original stance was a tough nut to crack.
In 2017, one of NASCAR’s most accomplished and bankable drivers, Kyle Busch, expressed and pursued his desire to compete in the Indy 500. He had everything ready, sold’ and ready to go.
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However, he faced one major obstacle, which he refused to name but decided to point to. “I’ve got a boss that said no. Figure it out. I’ve got two bosses – ones a male and ones a female. I would certainly. I thought that I had a great opportunity to do it,” Busch said.
Earlier this year in a conversation with Denny Hamlin, the former Joe Gibbs Racing driver once again spoke about his failed Indy 500 attempt in 2017. He claimed Chevrolet & Toyota were on board with it, and M&M’s was willing to pay for it.
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Busch had his opportunity ‘done, sealed, signed, delivered’, until someone said no. Without revealing the name again, he suggested it was none other than his former boss, who is now open to seeing his drivers, including his grandson, race in other series outside of NASCAR.
Hamlin Calls Out Chastain After Las Vegas NASCAR Confrontation
Denny Hamlin didn’t hold back when discussing Ross Chastain following the heated confrontation with Daniel Suárez following Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The moment quickly became one of the biggest talking points coming out of the Las Vegas race weekend.
Chastain declined to speak with reporters following the on-track exchange with his former Trackhouse Racing teammate, leaving many questions unanswered about what sparked the tension. Hamlin addressed the situation on his Actions Detrimental podcast and suggested Chastain’s silence only added to the intrigue.
“Sitting in this room, there’s three media members here. We would love to have a quote that we could run with,” Hamlin said. “But it just feels like Ross is… when there’s something that happened, he’s just not going to give it to you.”
For Hamlin, moments like the one in Las Vegas are exactly when drivers should be willing to explain their side.
“When there’s something that happened, for the sport, storylines, it would be fantastic if he would just give us something to work with,” Hamlin said. “But he’s not going to let us in.”
Hamlin Says He Handles Conflict Very Differently
The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran also made it clear that his approach to controversy is the opposite.
“Well, I’m different,” Hamlin said. “I’m going to talk s*** anytime I can.”
Hamlin has built a reputation in recent years as one of the most candid voices in the NASCAR garage, frequently using his podcast to discuss rivalries, race incidents and the personalities that shape the Cup Series.
He said disagreements between drivers are part of what makes the sport compelling — and that fans deserve to hear about them.
“If I have an opportunity or if I have a beef with a driver, I’m going to dig the knife when I can,” Hamlin said. “But that’s just my personality, and I do it with my closest friends.”
The Las Vegas Incident Drew Attention Across the Garage
Tensions between Chastain and Suárez escalated late in Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after contact between the two drivers during the cooldown lap.
The disagreement quickly became visible to those watching as the two drivers confronted each other before others stepped in to separate them.
The moment stood out in part because of the history between the two competitors.
Chastain and Suárez spent four seasons together at Trackhouse Racing, helping establish the organization as one of the fastest-rising teams in the NASCAR Cup Series. Suárez departed the team after last season, while Chastain remains one of Trackhouse’s cornerstone drivers.
That shared history made the Las Vegas confrontation particularly notable across the garage.
For Hamlin, situations like that are part of what keeps fans invested in the sport. Rivalries, disagreements and emotional moments often become defining storylines throughout a long NASCAR season.
But Hamlin also believes those moments carry more weight when drivers are willing to explain their side once the race is over.
In his view, transparency, even during uncomfortable moments, is part of what helps tell the full story of a NASCAR weekend.
NASCAR: Ty Gibbs Reaches Milestone as Momentum Builds
Don’t look now, but Ty Gibbs is on a hot streak in the NASCAR Cup Series. On the heels of a difficult 2025 season that saw him finish 19th in the points standings, the driver of the No. 54 has come out swinging in 2026.
In the last three races, Gibbs has posted three top-five finishes. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver placed fourth at Circuit of The Americas, fifth at Phoenix Raceway, and fifth this past Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The three straight top-five finishes have Gibbs on a hot streak as he sits 10th in the Cup Series points standings. On top of that, the 23-year-old reached a milestone in his recent string of strong performances.
Ty Gibbs became the fifth youngest driver to post three straight top fives
In a stat pulled by NASCAR Insights on X, Gibbs joins formidable company with three straight top-five finishes.
At 23 years, five months, and 11 days old, Gibbs became the fifth youngest driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to post three straight top-five finishes.
Joey Logano was the youngest driver to record three straight top fives at 20 years, five months, 21 days old in 2010. Following Logano is Kyle Busch at 21 years, two months, 14 days old in 2006.
Erik Jones is third youngest on the list at 21 years, three months, four days old in 2017. William Byron is fourth when he posted three straight top fives at 22 years, nine months, 11 days old in 2020.
Compared to the first five races of last year, 2026 has been a major step-up in performance for Gibbs. In 2025, the North Carolina native failed to finish higher than 16th in the first five races.
The early-season struggles mired him back to as low as 36th in the points standings. By the end of the season, Gibbs has only posted five top-five finishes and an average finish of 17.9.
There was a bright spot for Gibbs along the way as he won NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge. Yet, he failed to make the playoffs and finished the season 19th in the standings.
Ty Gibbs reflects on Las Vegas finish: ‘Unfortunately, I sped’
Gibbs’ fifth-place finish at Las Vegas didn’t come easy on Sunday at Las Vegas. After committing a speeding penalty on the round of pit stops following stage one, the driver of the No. 54 had to drive through the field.
Despite the penalty, the Monster Energy Toyota proved to have speed as Gibbs bounced back and brought it home fifth.
When talking to FOX Sports in his post-race interview, Gibbs was bummed that he “stubbed” himself with the penalty, but acknowledged that he and the No. 54 team battled back.
“I had a great time. Unfortunately, I sped and stubbed myself there and it was unfortunate, but we fought back. Pit stops were really great. Thank you to my whole crew and everybody there. Had such a fun time racing today. These races are so much fun. We’ll come back next week and hammer down,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs is still searching for his first career win in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 128 starts, Gibbs’ best finish is second twice, coming at Darlington in May 2024 and the Chicago Street Race in July 2025.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas suspended 80 games by MLB for failed drug test
NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas was suspended for the first 80 games of the season by Major League Baseball on Monday following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone.
Rojas’ suspension was announced after a grievance filed by the players’ association appealing the discipline was denied by independent arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman.
Barring rainouts, Rojas would be eligible to play for the Phillies on June 25. He would lose $395,305 in salary from his contract, which pays at a rate of $803,500 while in the major leagues and $321,826 while in the minors. If there are no postponements, the suspension would be over 92 days of the 187-day season.
He is ineligible to play in the 2026 postseason.
Rojas, 25, hit .224 with one homer, 18 RBIs and 12 stolen bases for the Phillies last season. He was demoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Aug. 1 and didn’t play for Philadelphia during the remainder of the season. Rojas was 3 for 15 with one RBI for the Phillies during spring training this year.
He has a .252 career average with six homers, 73 RBIs and 51 stolen bases over 250 games.
Rojas was slated to play for the the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic roster but was dropped ahead of the tournament.
He is the sixth player disciplined this year for a drug violation, the third under the major league agreement.
Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire season on March 3 after testing positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites. The failed test was Profar’s second offense under the drug rules.
Free agent outfielder Max Kepler was banned for 80 games on Jan. 9 after a positive test for Epitrenbolone.
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Best moments in MLB Spring Breakout history
The prospect event started in March 2024 and is heading into its third iteration, with a tournament format already announced for 2027 and ’28. While more memories will be made in the coming matchups, here’s a look back at some of the showcase’s top moments to date.
Paul Skenes vs. Jackson Holliday (March 14, 2024)
Before making their big league debuts and becoming catalysts for their respective clubs, MLB’s former top prospects dueled in Spring Breakout. Skenes — now the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner — fired three offerings of 100+ mph in a six-pitch strikeout.
Holliday’s swinging punchout marked the second meeting between the former No. 1 Draft picks. The two had faced off two weeks earlier, with the Pirates ace getting the Orioles second baseman to ground out on the second pitch. Read more »
The Big 3 (March 13, 2025)
Not even a full year before slugging a home run for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Roman Anthony was headlining Boston’s next vaunted trio. Infielder/outfielder Kristian Campbell and shortstop Marcelo Mayer smacked back-to-back third-inning homers for the Red Sox against a bevy of top Rays prospects, with Anthony following them two frames later with his own long ball. Read more »
Here comes Bubba Chandler (March 14, 2025)
One year to the day Skenes sat down Holliday, the next top Pirates hurler took center stage. After closing out the inaugural Spring Breakout game, Chandler got the nod in Year 2, delivering two perfect innings with four strikeouts and two ground-ball outs. The moxie-driven right-hander fired 11 fastballs at 98.5 mph or faster. Read more »
Trey Yesavage’s unofficial pro debut (March 14, 2025)
Just eight months after being selected in the first round by the Blue Jays, the former East Carolina hurler made the right first impression in his long journey to pitching in the World Series later in the year. Yesavage worked around traffic in the first inning before pumping gas in the second — striking out the side with a cutter, a fastball and a changeup. Toronto’s top prospect continued that across four levels before his big league debut in September. Read more »
The revival of the switch-pitcher (March 15, 2025)
A first-round pick by the Mariners, Jurrangelo Cijntje garnered looks from both sides of the rubber. The ambidextrous hurler came out throwing from the left side before switching to his right hand — even against seven left-handed hitters. But fate brought the perfect final test of the night as 2024’s first overall pick, Travis Bazzana, stepped into the box. Cijntje kept throwing from the right side against the Guardians’ lefty, powering a 97 mph four-seamer to secure the five-pitch strikeout. Read more »
Two-homer games galore (March 16, 2024)
The inaugural weekend featured multihomer games from a trio of then-Top 100 prospects. The Rays’ Xavier Isaac sent one of his two roundtrippers 419 feet at 110 mph off the bat. Towering Yankees slugger Spencer Jones one upped himself on his second homer at 427 feet, while Tigers infielder Jace Jung got a nod of respect from Hall of Famer Alan Trammell:
MLB makes Johan Rojas’ 80-game suspension official
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Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas’s 80-game suspension for use of a performance-enhancing substance was made official by the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball on Monday.
The league announced that Rojas tested positive for Boldenone, in violation of the league’s drug policy. Rojas’ suspension will begin at the start of the 2026 season. He is ineligible for the postseason this year.
In a statement, the Phillies said they, “fully support Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and are disappointed to hear today’s news of Johan’s violation.”
Rojas’ ban was first made public two weeks ago when he abruptly left the Dominican Republic team at the World Baseball Classic after reports from the country indicated a looming positive test.
Rojas, 25, skipped from Double A straight to them majors in 2023, playing 59 games for the Phillies. He played in 120 games in 2024, then batted .224 with one homer and 18 RBIs in 71 games in the bigs last year. He hit 4-for-43 in the postseason in 2023 as a regular starter in center.
Rojas hit .279 in 35 games in Triple A last year. He was 4-for-24 with a double and two RBIs in 10 games this spring.
He’s the third Phillies to test positive for a performance-enhancing drug in the last year, joining pitcher Jose Alvarado and outfielder Max Kepler.
MLB announces 80-game suspension for the Phillies’ Johan Rojas
MIAMI — If Johan Rojas plays for the Phillies this season, it won’t be until at least the last week in June.
Rojas received an 80-game suspension without pay after he tested positive for boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance, Major League Baseball announced Monday. The 25-year-old center fielder is ineligible to play at any level until June 25.
In a statement, the Phillies said they are “disappointed” to learn of Rojas’ positive test and “fully support” MLB’s joint drug prevention and treatment program.
News of Rojas’ test result leaked on March 2 upon his withdrawal from the Dominican Republic’s roster for the World Baseball Classic. Rojas filed an appeal with MLB and declined multiple requests for comment while awaiting a decision.
But Rojas continued to play in spring training games for the Phillies, most recently going 0-for-1 with a walk Sunday in Clearwater, Fla., against the Braves. He was 4-for-24 (.167) in 10 Grapefruit League games.
Regardless of the pending suspension, Rojas was hardly a lock for the Phillies’ opening-day roster. Justin Crawford is set to take over center field, and Rojas has minor-league options. Veteran utilityman Dylan Moore and reserve outfielder Bryan De La Cruz emerged as likelier bench candidates.
» READ MORE: Justin Crawford showcases ability to put a ball in play on the ground: ‘That’s all he needs to do’
The Phillies’ center-field depth does take a hit with Rojas’ ban. Brandon Marsh, who is expected to play mostly left field, could shift to center, if necessary. The Phillies’ best option in triple A is now 27-year-old Pedro León, who was claimed off waivers from the Astros. León went 2-for-20 in seven major league games in 2024.
Rojas, an elite defender, made his major league debut in 2023 and was a pleasant surprise at the plate, batting .302 with a .771 OPS in 164 plate appearances.
But he struggled ever since. Among 316 players with at least 500 plate appearances since the beginning of the 2024 season, Rojas ranked 308th with a .591 OPS.
According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, boldenone is an anabolic androgenic steroid that was originally developed for veterinary use but is commonly taken by athletes to increase muscle mass and strength. It is prohibited under MLB’s joint drug prevention and treatment program.
MLB announces 80-game suspension for Johan Rojas
Major League Baseball announced on Monday that Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. It was reported a couple of weeks ago that Rojas had tested positive for a PED, but that he was appealing. It now appears the appeals process has been completed, as Rojas will begin serving his suspension to begin the 2026 season.
Rojas, 25, has been Philadelphia’s center fielder for a decent chunk of the past three seasons. He gets great marks for his defense and also steals bases, but his offense has been more questionable. Since the start of 2024, he has a .237/.279/.312 batting line. That translates to a 64 wRC+, indicating he was 36% below league average at the plate in that time.
Despite his assets, the lack of offense has pushed the Phillies to move on from relying on Rojas. They acquired Harrison Bader at last year’s deadline. Bader became a free agent at season’s end, but the Phils plan to give prospect Justin Crawford the job.
Rojas could have started 2026 as a fourth outfielder or perhaps gotten regular playing time in the minors. If Crawford struggled in his first exposure to major league pitching, Rojas could have been a speed-and-defense fallback. That’s now off the table for the first half of the season. Rojas could return in the second half, but players who receive PED suspensions aren’t eligible for the postseason.
Without Rojas, the Phils feel a bit light in terms of center field depth. Left fielder Brandon Marsh has experience there but is probably stretched defensively. Pedro León is on the 40-man but has just seven big league games under his belt. Utility player Dylan Moore has some limited experience in center. He’s not on the roster but could be selected to serve in a multi-positional bench role.
As Opening Day gets closer, it’s possible some other guys become available. As teams make their final roster decisions, some guys will end up on waivers or in free agency. Perhaps the Phillies can add some extra center field coverage in the coming weeks.
MLB Insider Targets Three Astros as Future Top 100 Prospects Later in 2026
It’s become an annual tradition, it seems — the Houston Astros don’t have a Top 100 prospect in baseball.
That tradition continued earlier this spring when MLB Pipeline released its Top 100 list and no Astros showed up. It’s not that the franchise has trouble developing talent. The Astros reached the playoffs eight straight seasons from 2017-24, with two World Series titles, four American League pennants and seven AL West crowns. For seven straight seasons Houston reached, at minimum, the AL Championship Series.
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A team cannot do that without developing talent. Houston just hasn’t had those top-shelf prospects.
That could change in 2026. MLB.com’s Sam Dykstra highlighted three prospects that could crack the Top 100 sometime this year — outfielder Kevin Alvarez, shortstop Xavier Neyens and outfielder Ethan Frey.
The Astros’ Big Three Prospects
Alvarez might be the most anticipated of the trio. The Cuba native signed last January for $2 million and had a terrific campaign in the Dominican Summer League, where most international prospects play their first year as professionals. In 47 games he slashed .301/.419/.455 with a .874 OPS, including two home runs and 33 RBI. He also had 12 doubles and three triples. He should play stateside this year.
He just started a spring training game with the Astros, where he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He may play one more game with the club before Houston breaks camp to head back home next Sunday.
Neyens hasn’t played a professional game yet. The Astros selected him in the first round last July and he signed a $4 million bonus to pass on college baseball. But he didn’t play a pro game because the Astros wanted to give him extended ramp-up time at their team complex in Florida.
Now 19 years old, the 6-foot-4 left-handed infielder has a 65 grade on his power on the 20-80 scouting scale. Already 210 pounds, he projects as a power hitter in the Majors, which is why many scouts see him moving to third base. He led Mount Vernon (Wash.) High School to a state championship and in the title game he was intentionally walked four times.
Frey was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 MLB draft out of LSU, the same school that produced former Houston All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman. The Astros wasted no time with him and had him start his pro career at Class-A Fayetteville in August. There, he slashed .330/.434/.470 with three home runs and 17 RBI. He also had five doubles But, what stood out was his plate discipline. In just 100 at-bats he drew 20 walks and struck out just 25 times.
Both Max Muncys homer for Dodgers and Athletics in 4th inning
Infielder Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the fourth inning during a Spring Training game today. Also, infielder Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the fourth inning during a Spring Training game today.
MLB has two players named Max Muncy in its ranks. One is a former first-round Draft pick who debuted last season with the A’s. The other is a three-time World Series champion slugger with the Dodgers. They share the same birth date (Aug. 25), and on Monday, they each went deep in the same inning of their respective Spring Training games.
The A’s Muncy homered first, launching a pitch against the Angels a projected 361 feet out to right field in the bottom of the fourth. Just a few minutes later, the Dodgers’ Muncy followed suit by homering toward right-center field versus the Brewers in the bottom of the fourth.
De Vries among top prospects to show promise in A’s camp
MESA, Ariz. – Considering his status as one of baseball’s truly elite prospects, it was set up to be nearly impossible for Leo De Vries to live up to the hype as he entered his first big league camp with the Athletics.
Not only did De Vries, MLB’s No. 4 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, meet those lofty expectations, but he also showed all the skills required to compete at the highest level – all at the ripe age of 19. Defensively, he looked like a Major League shortstop with a strong arm and sure hands. At the plate, he routinely took quality at-bats against big league pitchers.
From the eyes of A’s manager Mark Kotsay, who, along with the rest of his coaching staff, closely evaluated De Vries this spring for the first time since joining the organization as part of a package from the Padres for Mason Miller last year, the final step for the teenage phenom’s development is on the physical side. That was the message Kotsay imparted to De Vries on Sunday afternoon after he was reassigned to Minor League camp.
“The biggest thing for Leo is to get in the weight room and really put the work in to add the muscle,” Kotsay said before Monday’s 3-0 win over the Angels at Hohokam Stadium. “We can all add weight, but it has to be good weight, and it has to be a strength component that he can maintain for 140 games or more. I think that’s what Leo recognized through our meeting yesterday.”
De Vries put a bow on his impressive spring by crushing a home run off Guardians starter Tanner Bibee at an exit velocity of 103.1 mph during Sunday’s 12-6 loss at Goodyear Ballpark. In 17 spring games, the switch-hitting shortstop hit .409 (18-for-44) with three homers, three doubles, 11 RBIs and three stolen bases.
The A’s will likely send De Vries to Double-A Midland to start the year, but the anticipation for his eventual call to the Majors is already building – and could come perhaps as early as this season.
“Does he have the skillset to play in the big leagues? Absolutely,” Kotsay said. “The talent? Yes. Now, it’s going to just be the ability to withstand a season and maintain the strength and have that burst throughout the season.”
De Vries headlined a group of A’s top prospects reassigned to Minor League camp on Sunday who left a strong impression. Also among the cuts were left-hander Gage Jump (A’s No. 3 prospect and MLB No. 57 overall), outfielder Henry Bolte (A’s No. 5) and third baseman Tommy White (No. 9).
Jump appeared in four spring games and allowed just two runs in 9 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts. The 22-year-old southpaw is expected to begin the year at Triple-A Las Vegas, and his advanced arsenal shown throughout camp suggests his debut is on the horizon.
“Just continue to pound the strike zone and go perform,” Kotsay said of his message to Jump as he’s reassigned to the Minors. “It’s not if he’s going to be here, it’s when he gets here. The polishing there is just being able to finish at-bats, pitching into the sixth inning, taking advantage of the bottom-half of those lineups and going out and having a lot of success.”
“For Bolte, there’s reason to think he can have an impact on this ballclub this year with what he was doing in Spring Training,” Kotsay said. “He’s the most physical out of the younger group that isn’t going to start out with us, for sure. He’s arguably, next to Denzel [Clarke], the most athletic, and next to [Brent Rooker], the most powerful. So, there’s a lot to like about Henry.”
White, meanwhile, hit .441 with four homers, two doubles and 15 RBIs. More importantly, he displayed improved defense, which has been a knock on him since coming out of college at LSU in 2024, at both third base and first base.
“He’s got elite bat-to-ball skill,” said Kotsay. “But in camp I saw a player that really took to heart the message of, ‘Hey, you need to really go get strong. You really need to go work on your speed and defense.’ He took that to heart. He maximized his offseason and was a part of a group of young players that showed that they’re going to push these [Major League] guys.”
Year MLB Veteran to Diamondbacks in Free Agency
Milwaukee Brewers fans are quite familiar with the name Luis Urías, but some might not have been aware he’d come back to their favorite team.
Urías played 330 games for the Brewers from 2020 through 2023, racking up a more-than-respectable 6.3 bWAR. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox in the summer of 2023, then moved on to the Seattle Mariners in 2024 and the Athletics last year.
After the A’s cut him loose last summer, Urías wound up signing back with the Brewers on a minor-league contract. But what could have become a fun reunion story instead passed by without an appearance in a big-league game.
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Urías moves on to Diamondbacks after missing WBC
On Monday, Urías signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, per the Reno Aces’ official X account. The Aces are the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League.
Urías was supposed to participate in the World Baseball Classic for Team Mexico, which would have been the third time he’d been on the roster. Unfortunately, he was taken off the roster due to injury in between the team’s final exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 4 and their tournament opener on March 6 due to injury.
With the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville, Urías posted a .731 OPS in 13 games last season. He never saw a spot on the major league roster open up in front of him, as the Brewers stayed committed to Caleb Durbin at third base, Joey Ortiz at shortstop, and Brice Turang at second base down the stretch.
Of course, Durbin wound up getting traded in February, but Urías was a free agent by then and even if he’d been brought back, he wouldn’t have been on the 40-man roster, and wouldn’t have likely been in serious consideration for the opening day roster.
Instead, he now gets a clean break, and the Brewers have to hope the infielders they’ve replaced him with over the last three years can avoid a similar drop-off to the one he once experienced.
MLB upholds 80-game suspension for Phillies’ Johan Rojas after appeal
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Johan Rojas will officially be suspended 80 games without pay by Major League Baseball after an unsuccessful appeal after testing for a banned performance-enhancing drug.
The league announced Rojas’ official suspension of Rojas, the Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, after testing positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.
The news broke earlier this month that Rojas, 25, failed the test. As a result, not only did he face an MLB suspension, but he was removed from the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) roster.
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The D.R. fell to Team USA, 2-1, in the WBC semifinals on Monday night, as the latter now heads to the final to await the winner of Venezuela and Italy.
Rojas won’t be able to play until the second half of the MLB season, and if the Phillies reach the playoffs, he will not be eligible for the roster.
BRAVES STAR FACES 162-GAME SUSPENSION AFTER SECOND FAILED TEST FOR PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS: REPORT
Rojas has played his entire career with the Phillies thus far, making his big-league debut in 2023. After offensive struggles, Rojas saw a demotion back to the minor leagues in 2024, though he still managed to play 120 games for Philadelphia.
In 2025, Rojas slashed .224/.280/.289 with a .569 OPS over 71 games for the Phillies. He hit just one home run and tallied 18 RBI across 172 plate appearances.
Before he was suspended, Rojas was hitting .167 over 24 spring training at-bats.
With his appeal denied, Rojas became the second major leaguer to be slapped with a lengthy suspension, though Atlanta Braves star Jurickson Profar will be forced to miss the entire 2026 season after getting a 162-game suspension for his second PED offense.
Profar was suspended 80 games last season after a positive test in March for chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is a hormone that helps produce testosterone in the body.
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Profar also intended to ask the MLBPA to file a grievance to appeal any discipline earlier this month.
Wayne Rooney Sounds Alarm Over Sky-High MLS Ticket Prices
English football legend and former DC United player and coach Wayne Rooney has expressed concern about the high ticket prices for Major League Soccer games.
Rooney made a cultural comparison between what is experienced in England and in the United States and said that, to his surprise, tickets used to be more expensive in MLS than in the Premier League.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah banned for life by Major League Soccer for gambling on games
Two players were banned for life Monday by Major League Soccer for gambling on soccer, including bets involving their own matches.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah were both placed on administrative leave in October pending a review of potential violations of league rules.
MLS said the investigation concluded the players