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.
NCAA D1 Cabinet Approves Jersey Patch Sponsorships in College Sports
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.”
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ US tour next month
Bruce Springsteen brings his political message back to U.S. arenas with a new run of shows
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ US tour next monthThe Associated PressLOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bruce Springsteen is bringing his pointed political commentary back to American stages this spring.
The rock icon and the E Street Band announced Tuesday the launch of their “Land of Hope and Dreams” American tour starting March 31 in Minneapolis, kicking off a 20-date run that blends arena rock with a message centered on democracy, freedom and what Springsteen calls the defense of the American ideal. The tour concludes May 27 with an outdoor performance at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming!” Springsteen said in a statement. “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream.”
Last month, Springsteen dedicated his song “Streets of Minneapolis” to the people of Minneapolis, criticizing President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city.
“It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” he wrote, naming the two people who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
The upcoming shows mark Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first performances in North America since 2024. In 2025, they played to more than 700,000 fans across Europe on the initial leg of the “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour and released a live EP recorded on opening night in Manchester, England.
Springsteen has increasingly leaned into political themes during recent performances. On last year’s European tour, he told audiences that the band was calling upon “the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ’n’ roll, in dangerous times.”
The E Street Band lineup includes Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, along with Soozie Tyrell, Jake Clemons and Charlie Giordano. They will be joined by the E Street Horns, the E Street Choir and percussionist Anthony Almonte.
Lighter-colored boards replace dark ones in the hockey arenas at the Olympics
MILAN (AP) — The hockey arenas at the Milan Cortina Olympics had a new look as the knockout round of the men’s tournament got underway Tuesday.
The boards encasing the rinks are now light blue and green after the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association made the case to the International Olympic Committee to make a change from the dark color during the preliminary round so it’s easier to see the puck.
U.S. goaltender Jeremy Swayman lost sight of the puck in the boards and the stands during his one round-robin game in net against Denmark. Swayman joked he was colorblind, so it didn’t matter to him.
“Thank God because I’m colorblind, too,” Germany goalie Philipp Grubauer said after beating France in the quarterfinals. “I feel for Swayman there because I had a hard time, too, with the dark blue and the print on the puck, too. It wasn’t that easy sometimes, so it’s a good change by the IOC.”
Swayman allowing a goal from long distance made the boards a hot topic of conversation, but the ask to change them came long before. Players talked to the league and union about the boards after each team’s first practice in Milan.
“I know there was discussion,” U.S. coach Mike Sullivan said. “There was discussion about that. Obviously, the dark boards, sometimes it’s hard for the goalies to pick up the puck coming off that.”
France goalie Antoine Keller didn’t see any difference and said, “It didn’t change anything.” Similarly, Czechia’s Lukas Dostal did not notice, but he approves of the switch.
“In Anaheim, we have really dark seats,” Dostal said. “Some of the NHL rinks, they have dark seats, so the background sometimes — I don’t want to say you lose the puck, but you’ve got to stay focused a little more. Obviously it’s just better for us, for the goalies.”
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colored boards replace dark ones in the hockey arenas at the Olympics
MILAN (AP) — The hockey arenas at the Milan Cortina Olympics got a new look as the knockout round of the men’s tournament got underway Tuesday.
The boards encasing the rinks are now light blue and green after the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association made the case to the International Olympic Committee to make a change from the dark color during the preliminary round.
Players talked to the league and union about the boards after each team’s first practice in Milan.
U.S. goaltender Jeremy Swayman lost sight of the puck in the boards and the stands during his one round-robin game in net against Denmark. Swayman joked he was color-blind, so it didn’t matter to him.
“It was a flash screen and it was just the perfect height right between the stands and board level, and I truly lost it,” Swayman said after the 6-3 win. “It’s something all of us always have to face, and we play in different arenas every night in the NHL, so this is just one, another one, and it’s a challenge that we have to embrace.”
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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch US tour
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bruce Springsteen is bringing his pointed political commentary back to American stages this spring.
The rock icon and the E Street Band announced Tuesday the launch of their “Land of Hope and Dreams” American tour starting March 31 in Minneapolis, kicking off a 20-date run that blends arena rock with a message centered on democracy, freedom and what Springsteen calls the defense of the American ideal. The tour concludes May 27 with an outdoor performance at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming!” Springsteen said in a statement. “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream.”
Last month, Springsteen dedicated his song “Streets of Minneapolis” to the people of Minneapolis, criticizing President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city.
“It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” he wrote, naming the two people who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
The upcoming shows mark Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first performances in North America since 2024. In 2025, they played to more than 700,000 fans across Europe on the initial leg of the “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour and released a live EP recorded on opening night in Manchester, England.
Springsteen has increasingly leaned into political themes during recent performances. On last year’s European tour, he told audiences that the band was calling upon “the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ’n’ roll, in dangerous times.”
The E Street Band lineup includes Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, along with Soozie Tyrell, Jake Clemons and Charlie Giordano. They will be joined by the E Street Horns, the E Street Choir and percussionist Anthony Almonte.
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ US tour next month
LOS ANGELES – Bruce Springsteen is bringing his pointed political commentary back to American stages this spring.
The rock icon and the E Street Band announced Tuesday the launch of their “Land of Hope and Dreams” American tour starting March 31 in Minneapolis, kicking off a 20-date run that blends arena rock with a message centered on democracy, freedom and what Springsteen calls the defense of the American ideal. The tour concludes May 27 with an outdoor performance at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming!” Springsteen said in a statement. “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream.”
Last month, Springsteen dedicated his song “Streets of Minneapolis” to the people of Minneapolis, criticizing President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city.
“It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” he wrote, naming the two people who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
The upcoming shows mark Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first performances in North America since 2024. In 2025, they played to more than 700,000 fans across Europe on the initial leg of the “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour and released a live EP recorded on opening night in Manchester, England.
Springsteen has increasingly leaned into political themes during recent performances. On last year’s European tour, he told audiences that the band was calling upon “the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ’n’ roll, in dangerous times.”
The E Street Band lineup includes Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, along with Soozie Tyrell, Jake Clemons and Charlie Giordano. They will be joined by the E Street Horns, the E Street Choir and percussionist Anthony Almonte.
E Street Band Hits U.S. Arenas In The Spring
Bruce Springsteen used to tell a story about a particular post-9/11 encounter when he was in alone in a parking lot and someone yelled, “We need you now!” That, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer said, was the impetus for his 2002 album The Rising.
Fast-forward a generation, and that phrase has a whole new meaning. And Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will lead up to America’s Semiquincentennial on the road.
The Boss on Tuesday posted a video on Instagram announcing a two-month, 20-date U.S. jaunt launching March 31 in, of course, Minneapolis. The Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour will stretch through late May and play arenas across the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave — save for a closing-night stadium show at Nationals Park in the nation’s capital.
“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming,” Springsteen says in the clip (watch it below). “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American Dream — all of which are under attack by our wannabe king and his rogue government in Washington, D.C. Everyone, regardless of where you stand or what you believe in, is welcome, so come on out and join the United Free Republic of E Street Nation for an American spring of rock ‘n’ rebellion.”
The tour will hit Los Angeles for two nights at the Kia Forum on April 7 and 9 and play New York City’s Madison Square Garden on May 11 and 16. It also will stop in metro markets including Portland, OR — another city rife with protests against immigration roundups — San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta and Philadelphia. The full itinerary is below.
The always-political Springsteen made headlines last month when he released “Streets of Minneapolis,” a biting, haunting song dedicated to the memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot to death during separate anti-ICE protests in the Minnesota city in January. Watch the video here:
RELATED: Bruce Springsteen Excoriates ICE’s “Gestapo Tactics,” Dedicates Song To Renee Good During Surprise New Jersey Performance
Springsteen has been beefing with Donald Trump and his administration, again, in recent weeks, months and years. But that’s nothing new. The political firebrand has been vocal about his opposition to government shenanigans for more than half a century. This tour promises much of the same. Tickets go on sale Friday.
Here is the full schedule for the Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour:
Gilbert Arenas blasts NBA, players over Mac McClung Dunk Contest absence
The Slam Dunk Contest has lost its shine over the years, and 2026 didn’t do much to change that narrative. Like recent seasons, this year’s All-Star event was missing the star power that used to make it appointment viewing.
The lineup featured younger talents still working to establish themselves in the league, with names like Jase Richardson, Carter Bryant and Keshad Johnson taking center stage.
Three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas had a different idea about how to generate interest. He argued that bringing back Mac McClung would have injected some much-needed energy into the competition, though that suggestion didn’t land well with everyone.
Gilbert Arenas claims NBA Stars forced Mac McClung out
During a recent
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch US tour next month
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bruce Springsteen is bringing his pointed political commentary back to American stages this spring.
The rock icon and the E Street Band announced Tuesday the launch of their “Land of Hope and Dreams” American tour starting March 31 in Minneapolis, kicking off a 20-date run that blends arena rock with a message centered on democracy, freedom and what Springsteen calls the defense of the American ideal. The tour concludes May 27 with an outdoor performance at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming!” Springsteen said in a statement. “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream.”
Last month, Springsteen dedicated his song “Streets of Minneapolis” to the people of Minneapolis, criticizing President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city.
“It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” he wrote, naming the two people who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
The upcoming shows mark Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first performances in North America since 2024. In 2025, they played to more than 700,000 fans across Europe on the initial leg of the “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour and released a live EP recorded on opening night in Manchester, England.
Springsteen has increasingly leaned into political themes during recent performances. On last year’s European tour, he told audiences that the band was calling upon “the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ’n’ roll, in dangerous times.”
The E Street Band lineup includes Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, along with Soozie Tyrell, Jake Clemons and Charlie Giordano. They will be joined by the E Street Horns, the E Street Choir and percussionist Anthony Almonte.
Megan Moroney is on ‘Cloud 9’ after meteoric rise to fame
NASHVILLE – Megan Moroney sits on a leopard chaise in a bubble gum pink house. The sunlight from the window pours onto her shoulders.
Stars Steal the Spotlight in the Crowd at Illinois’ Win Over USC
There were stars in the house at the Galen Center to see the USC Trojans take on the No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini on Wednesday night. In attendance were former NBA All-Stars Gilbert Arenas and Peja Stojakovic. Both of them had sons’ playing in the game.
Gilbert Arenas, Peja Stojakovic in Attendance
Gilbert Arenas is the dad of USC freshman guard Alijah Arenas. Gilbert was a guard in the NBA from 2001-2012. He was named an all-star three times and was named to three All-NBA teams. His son, Alijah, was a five-star high school recruit and signed with the Trojans as a member of their 2025 recruiting class.
Alijah missed the start of the season due to a torn meniscus but was able to make his long awaited USC debut in late January. In eight games played this season, he has averaged 14.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Peja Stojakovic was a forward in the NBA from 1998-2011. Stojakovic was a three-time all-star, won two there-point contests, and is a 2011 NBA champion. He is the dad of Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic.
Andrej is in his third collegiate season, all of which have been at different schools. As a freshman in 2023-24, he played for the Stanford Cardinal before transferring that offseason to the rival California Golden Bears. After one season in Berkeley in 2024-25, Stojakovic entered the portal again. He transferred to Illinois.
This season, Andrej is averaging 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. The Illini have been one of the top teams in the Big Ten all season long and Stojakovic has been a big reason why.
MORE: USC Fans Will Love Makai Lemon’s Player Comparison Before the NFL Draft
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MORE: The Biggest Question USC Faces at Running Back
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Illinois Dominates USC
On Wednesday night, Illinois showed that there is a massive gap between them and USC. The Fighting Illini went into Los Angeles and blew out USC by a final score of 101-65. Illinois improved their record to 22-5 on the season and 13-3 in Big Ten conference while USC dropped to 18-8 overall and 7-8 in the Big Ten.
Arenas played just 18 minutes and had eight points on 2/7 shooting from the field. Stojakovic had a game high 22 points off the bench on 6/7 shooting from the field and 9/9 shooting from the free throw line.
While Illinois still has an outside chance to win the Big Ten and earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, USC is just trying to make it into the big dance. Prior to the game, the Trojans were right on the tournament bubble.
ESPN bracketogolist Joe Lunardi had the Trojans as the fifth to last team in the field of 68 and the last team in the field with a bye on the No. 11 seed line. The loss very well might have moved them down to the play-in game if not out of the field completely. USC’s next game is on Saturday, Feb. 21 vs. the Oregon Ducks.
Jenkins’ NASCAR risk pays off against lawsuit
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bob Jenkins risked his entire race team — a Daytona 500-winning team — when he refused to sign NASCAR’s revenue-sharing agreement and Front Row Motorsports joined 23XI in suing over antitrust violations.
Michael Jordan was the face of the suit settled in December, while Jenkins was the quiet team owner in the background presumed to be riding the global icon’s coattails.
“People thought Michael Jordan was bankrolling this — no, no, no. I had to pay my half,” Jenkins told The Associated Press.
Jenkins, the sole owner of Front Row, said he split the fees of the case equally with 23XI, which has three owners to divide the costs. Had NASCAR not settled the suit, both teams would have ceased operations.
“And I was OK with that,” Jenkins told The Associated Press. “It would have hurt, I risked losing three charters myself, but I would have been OK. I just felt that strongly that we had a winning case that I could risk it.”
The settlement that was reached on the ninth day of the trial made the charters — the equivalent of a franchise in other sports — evergreen and that alone doubled their value overnight to nearly $100 million each.
For Jenkins, an entrepreneur from Tennessee who owns Long John Silver’s, 400 Taco Bell franchises and about 30 KFC franchises, the settlement meant a racing organization that had been bleeding money was now secure to be passed down to his four sons. He testified during the trial that Front Row had lost approximately $100 million since it launched in the early 2000s and didn’t turn a profit a single season — even in 2021 when Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500.
The settlement now allows Jenkins to look to the future with Front Row, which has one of the youngest lineups in NASCAR and opened the 2026 season with a victory when Chandler Smith won the Truck Series race at Daytona.
The Ford team fields Cup Series cars for Noah Gragson — who at 27 is the oldest driver in the lineup — Zane Smith (26) and Todd Gilliland (25). Jenkins believes he has a budding star in Smith, who signed a contract extension last October when the fate of the team was uncertain amidst the lawsuit. Smith won a stage in last week’s Daytona 500 and finished sixth, and heads into this Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway ranked fourth in the Cup standings.
Gilliland and Gragson are in contract years and Jenkins said he’s explicitly told both what he expects from them this season.
The two Front Row trucks are driven by Smith and Layne Riggs, who are both 23.
So the team has young drivers to develop, as well as an alliance with Team Penske. Jenkins said that partnership with Penske went soft during the lawsuit — Roger Penske signed the charter agreement presented to owners in 2024 that Front Row and 23XI refused to accept — but has amped up since the settlement.
Gabehart Refutes JGR Claims Of Sharing Confidential Info With Spire
In a Friday evening social media post, Chris Gabehart, the former competition director for Joe Gibbs Racing, responded to a lawsuit that the race team filed in U.S. District Court against him. JGR claims that Gabehart stole confidential information from the team and shared it with Spire Motorsports, a claim that Gabehart refuted in his statement on social media.
Spire Motorsports officially hires Chris Gabehart amid lawsuit with Joe Gibbs Racing
Spire Motorsports officially hired former Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart Saturday despite a lawsuit that Joe Gibbs Racing filed Thursday alleging that Gabehart stole sensitive information from JGR in an effort to give it to Spire.
Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass reported Saturday morning that Spire had officially hired Gabehart, a move that was long rumored after it was learned in December that he would be leaving Joe Gibbs Racing.
It was not until JGR filed the aforementioned lawsuit that the reason Gabehart suddenly left what seemed to be a solid situation came to light.
What Chris Gabehart can provide Spire
Gabehart is now Spire Motorsports’ Chief Motorsports Officer. That title is noteworthy because court documents in the lawsuit allege that Gabehart was frustrated with JGR when the team did not give him autonomy over all racing decisions.
JGR alleges that Gabehart took photos of sensitive setup information and stored them on personal accounts and devices when he was not authorized to do so. Some of that sensitive information was allegedly put into a computer folder entitled
Carson Hocevar Embraces All-Offense Mindset Seeking Atlanta Redemption After Daytona Setback
After an enthralling Daytona Speedweek, all eyes are on Atlanta. As NASCAR fans shift their focus to the second race of the season, Carson Hocevar is a driver to watch. This is especially after he led the white flag and was so close to sealing the win at Daytona. Now, at the EchoPark Speedway, he is planning to shed all safety and go all-offense, something that was close but couldn’t work for him at Daytona.
Hocevar all set for Daytona redemption at Atlanta
In a recent interview with PRN Live on X, the Spire Motorsports driver shared his thoughts on the upcoming Autotrader 400 at the EchoPark Speedway. Prior to the race, the #77 driver said he would resort to aggressive moves to extract results at the track, known for its narrow and tight drafting, despite being a superspeedway.
“You just have to make moves. All offense. All offense,” Hocevar said. “You can’t just pull out by yourself at Daytona or Talladega. Like, you can’t just make a move all by yourself. Atlanta, you can. It reminds me of 2000s, bumpy Daytona, like watching it as a kid. Or not watching it as a kid, I wasn’t born.”
Following this, the Spire star took a trip down memory lane and reflected on how he used to enjoy watching races at Daytona back in the 2000s. Even though he could not race at the time, Hocevar wants to live his childhood dream by racing at Atlanta instead.
“But like, going back and re-watching it all the time, right? I live watching those races and am jealous I never got to race those type of super speedways. So Atlanta, I’m more so just living out a childhood dream of being able to race bumpy Daytona. So I’m just having fun with it and it works well perfectly for me,” Hocevar further added.
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Notably, Carson Hocevar’s outing at the Daytona 500 was an underwhelming one, especially given how he performed throughout the Daytona Speedweek. Having started his race in sixth place, the #77 driver went on to finish the first stage in fourth place.
However, he lost places in Stage 2 but he made a strong comeback to lead the race on the white flag. Unfortunately, he spun in Turn 1 and lost the lead, taking Erik Jones and Michael McDowell along with him.
With Daytona being in the past now, all eyes are on Atlanta, and Hocevar would want to maximize his chances. For this, the 23-year-old driver from Michigan would need to prepare himself for the 28-degree banking turn, but with barely 40 metres wide.
This brings in high-intensity drafting in tight corners, where drivers can only see 3 to 4 car lengths ahead in turns, making visibility difficult. This is something the #77 star needs to take care of at Atlanta, and avoid a situation like Daytona.
Carson Hocevar reflects on his Daytona disaster
Following the conclusion of the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway last weekend, Carson Hocevar looked back at his crash nearing the end of the race. While leading the race, Hocevar crashed in the last lap trying to defend his lead.
“I was trying to pick which lane to cover,” Hocevar said after the race. It just looked like the top had a huge run, and it was probably offset a little right. I don’t know if I didn’t commit all the way up, or if he just got me off-center, and it just hooked me into the wall, and then obviously I bounced off of it.”
Nearing the last lap, Hocevar and Erik Jones were jockeying for position when Jones hit Hocevar slightly off-center. As a result, the Spire Motorsports star lost control, tagged his teammate, Michael McDowell, and subsequently hit the wall.
As a result, Hocevar’s brilliant outing came to an unfortunate end. In the end, Tyler Reddick won the race ahead of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Logano.
NASCAR star Chase Elliott returns to Atlanta comfort at home track after Daytona 500 disappointment
After an emotionally draining and physically punishing Daytona 500 finish, Chase Elliott is back in his happy place — for the most part — this weekend at Echo Park Speedway.
NASCAR’s eight-time most popular driver lives about 80 miles from the track south of Atlanta, so the Dawsonville native can sleep in his own bed if he pleases.
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Kyle Busch Nabs Victory In Wild Finish Of Time
While it doesn’t reset the count on his career-long NASCAR Cup Series winless drought, Kyle Busch was able to grab a confidence-building victory on Saturday afternoon in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 Racing 208 at EchoPark Speedway.
Driving the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado, Busch came out on top of a thrilling battle at the front of the pack in the closing laps of the race, which was shortened to 125 laps, 10 laps short of the scheduled distance, due to time constraints following a lengthy weather delay before the start of the race.
With frantic racing at the front of the pack, which saw the running order continue to shuffle throughout the closing laps, many contenders came and went, but there was a constant near the front, Busch, and his Spire Motorsports teammate, Carson Hocevar, who didn’t let anyone come between them.
Busch says early in the event, he had doubts as to whether Hocevar would work with him throughout the race, but as it became crunch time, he was pleased by the teamwork shown by the driver of the No. 77 machine, which secured a top-two finish for Spire Motorsports.
“Every F***ing Week”: NASCAR Drivers Gang Up on Rick Hendrick’s Prodigy After Diabolical Move
Just five laps into the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Atlanta, Corey Day triggered a massive wreck, leaving multiple cars damaged. The #17 driver tried to fit his nose into an opening, move up, and ended up triggering the wreck, all while battling for 10th.
The trigger not only took Day out of the race but also jeopardized Ryan Sieg, Kyle Sieg, Harrison Burton, and Blaine Perkins’ day. As a result of the wreck, multiple drivers shared their frustrations on Day.
Sieg, who was also contesting for the place, hit out at Rick Hendrick’s prodigy.
“Every f***ing week he’s an idiot. I don’t know why he’s in that car,” Sieg said. “He definitely needs to learn like you know, I mean a lot of a lot of them do. Just you gotta finish the race before you don’t, I mean you must finish before you can. I mean have a chance to win it. So they gotta learn that and unfortunately, we’re part of a frustrating situation.”
Austin Hill, the winner of the United Rentals 300 at the Daytona International Speedway last week, also shared his thoughts. He told his crew chief on the radio, “I saw that coming from a mile away. The 17 doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
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Corey Day of Hendrick Motorsports started the Bennett Transportation and Logistics 250 race from 9th, three places ahead of RSS Racing’s Ryan Sieg. Haas Factory Team’s Sam Mayer claimed the pole, ahead of Carson Kvapil of JR Motorsports and Taylor Gray of Joe Gibbs Racing.
As of Lap 38 of 163, Jesse Love of Richard Childress Racing was leading the race, ahead of Parker Retzlaff of Viking Motorsports and Taylor Gray of Joe Gibbs Racing. Day, however, returned to the track after nursing initial damage, and was running in 13th place.
Daniel Suarez Concedes to Roger Penske’s Empire as Phoenix Double Duty Puts NASCAR Pride on the Line
Daniel Suarez’s latest admission in NASCAR is surely going to upset a majority of fans, especially given how the Mexican driver conceded to IndyCar. Despite racing most of his career in stock car racing, Suarez put the Roger Penske-owned competition on top over its fiercest American rival, NASCAR.
In a recent interview, Suarez was asked to share his thoughts on the IndyCar-NASCAR races at Phoenix in March. Addressing the event, the Spire Motorsports driver expressed his appreciation and explained that the two motorsport competitions have different fan bases.
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“I think it’s an amazing opportunity,” Suarez said. “And I’m super excited to continue to explore these double duties or whatever you want to call it with IndyCar. Because IndyCar, I think, is an amazing series. I really, really love watching those guys. I have a couple good friends racing that series. And it’s fun.
“And I believe that actually the fan base that they have is quite different from NASCAR. I’m not saying that it’s better or worse. It’s just different.”
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Following this, the #7 driver explained how NASCAR and IndyCar are different sports, even though they have their roots in motorsports. While making the claim, Suarez stated that the speed of the IndyCar challengers will make Next Gen cars “running” like “bicycles.”
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“We are heavier. And we are more horsepower. It’s just different. It’s a different kind of racing, where we’re just more physical kind of racing. I mean, you know that. But IndyCars, they are super fast. They’re super, super fast, especially in ovals. But yeah, they are going to make us look like we are running bicycles. But it’s just completely different things. I mean, all over,” Suarez further added.
Notably, NASCAR and IndyCar are indeed different forms of motorsport. Even though they are based in the United States, as one is open-wheel racing, while the other is four-wheel stock car racing, they are functionally and structurally different.
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As a result of having more aerodynamic features and being open-wheel, the natural speed of IndyCar challengers is higher, often reaching about 230-240 mph. When compared against NASCAR, it is 190-200 mph.
Now, putting the comparisons aside, NASCAR and IndyCar are all set to shake hands in the first week of March at the Phoenix Raceway. This will be the open-wheel racing body’s first venture to the Arizona oval since 2018.
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Besides this, the double header at Indianapolis was also one of the most talked about Motorsports events. It, however, stopped after 2023 as the NASCAR Cup Series moved back to the 2.5-mile layout, something Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney missed dearly.
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Roger Penske’s star driver reminisces Indy days
Until 2023, NASCAR hosted its Cup and Xfinity Series races along with IndyCar’s Sonsio GP and the Indianapolis 500 together at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. During this time, Blaney would often visit Team Penske’s box during the Indianapolis 500 race.
“I loved when we had the doubleheader with them at Indy, just kind of being right there and going over and hanging out and watching practice in their box and stuff like that,” Blaney said. “It was cool, and I think it’s going to be fantastic.”
Notably, Ryan Blaney drives for Roger Penske’s team, Team Penske, an organization that fields teams both in NASCAR and IndyCar. With the Indianapolis 500 no longer in existence, all eyes will be on the Phoenix doubleheader in March this season.
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Penske, who owns IndyCar, Team Penske, also owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Worth over $3.8 billion, he is one of the most influential names in the world of motorsports.
HMS Called Out for “Terrible” Driving After Ruining Generational NASCAR Race Finish With Chaotic Red Flag
This was not the day Rick Hendrick hoped for. Just when the race was shaping up for a straight fight to the finish, it unraveled in turn three, and a lot of frustration quickly pointed toward Hendrick Motorsports.
The stack-up began in heavy traffic with just a handful of laps left. As the field compressed entering the corner, contact triggered a multi-car crash and collected several contenders.
And now William Byron finds himself in the middle of a giant storm. Contact impacted stacked cars quickly, leaving little room to escape on lap 241. William Byron and Joey Logano were among those caught in the initial chain reaction as cars checked up ahead of them.
Moreover, Austin Dillon and Austin Cindric were among those swept up as lanes closed and nowhere remained to escape.
The impact brought out the caution and ultimately a red flag for cleanup, wiping out what had been building toward a regulation finish. Instead of a clean run to the checkout, the race was pushed into overtime and fans weren’t shy about calling sequences terrible and blaming HMS for derailing what many felt could have been a generational ending.
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“Some terrible judgement calls on track today, Byron was definitely not clear to get to pit entry,” one fan wrote, pointing to what they felt was the critical miscalculation that triggered the stack up.
Another added, “That was shaping up to be SUCH a good finish, especially for my 23xi boys,” referencing Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, especially the strong late race run from Wallace and Company before the caution erased that momentum.
Others did not hold back at all. “Hendrick has done their best to ruin everybody’s day,” one post read, while another quipped, “The Hendrick team meeting tomorrow needs to be ‘there are other drivers on the track.’”
Fair or not, the red flag in overtime reset shifted the narrative instantly, from a potential classic finish to a blame game centred squarely on HMS.
Reminder: What is Cuyahoga County’s sin tax and what does it pay for?
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga County residents have been paying a “sin tax” on cigarettes and alcohol since 1990.
The tax has financed the construction of the county’s three major professional sports venues and was supposed to cover the long-term upkeep, at least through 2034. But spending has long-since outpaced revenues, leading to increased reliance on Cleveland’s and Cuyahoga County’s general funds.
Now, County Executive Chris Ronayne hopes to seek voter approval to significantly increase the tax, so it can once again cover future stadium costs.
“Our goal at the county is to take the general fund out of the equation on financing of the ballpark and arena,” Ronayne recently told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
Here’s what you need to know about it.
1. What is the sin tax?
The county’s sin tax is an excise tax on cigarettes and alcohol sold in Cuyahoga County. The current rates are:
4.5 cents per pack of cigarettes
1.5 cents per 12-ounce container of beer
6 cents per 750-milliliter bottle of wine
24 cents per gallon of cider
32 cents per gallon of mixed beverages
$3 per gallon of hard liquor
The tax is collected at the point of sale as part of the county’s broader sales tax system. Vaping and marijuana products are not taxed.
2. When was it approved?
Voters first approved a 15-year sin tax in May 1990 to build Jacobs Field and Gund Arena, which today are known as Progressive Field and Rocket Arena, respectively.
In November 1995, voters approved a 10-year extension – which would take it through 2015 –to build a new football stadium after the original Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore. That extension backed bonds used to construct Huntington Bank Field, where the team currently plays.
In May 2014, voters approved another 20-year extension. Collections are supposed to be split between the three facilities to fund major capital repairs, such as structural work, scoreboards, mechanical systems and major renovations. Money cannot be used for routine maintenance or team payroll.
3. Who collects the tax?
The State of Ohio collects all sales taxes and distributes the sin tax portion to Cuyahoga County each month.
4. How much does the tax raise?
In recent years, annual collections have generally ranged between $13 million and $16 million, though revenue can fluctuate due to changing cigarette and alcohol sales patterns.
Because smoking rates have steadily dropped since 1990, cigarette tax revenue has decreased over time, increasing reliance on alcohol-related collections.
5. How is the money spent?
The City of Cleveland owns the Cleveland Browns’s stadium and approves repair expenses.
The nonprofit Gateway Economic Development Corp. owns Progressive Field and Rocket Arena and enforces team leases on behalf of the county. Gateway’s board, appointed by city and county officials, sign off on spending at the ballpark and arena.
Under the lease agreements with the respective teams, Gateway is responsible for paying all capital repairs at Progressive Field and capital repairs over $500,000 at Rocket Arena.
6. What’s next?
The current sin tax is set to expire in 2035.
County Executive Chris Ronayne said officials from Cleveland and the city’s three major sports teams are helping petition the state for permission to triple or quadruple the county’s sin tax rate, which could raise $15 million to $19 million per stadium to cover repairs each year, if sales remain steady.
The state previously approved doubling the tax rate, but Ronayne declined to pursue it, saying it would not cover the full need and leave local governments on the hook for subsidizing remaining costs. The city and county recently provided Gateway a $40 million bailout for repairs at Rocket Arena and Progressive Field because it didn’t have enough money to cover its bills.
Increasing – and likely extending — the sin tax would require voter approval, a question that could be on the ballot later this year.
“Voters could see a sin tax initiative as early as November 2026, but the timeline and specifics aren’t 100% clear right now,” Ronayne’s Director of Communications Kelly Woodard recently told cleveland.com.
Defunct MLB stadiums we wish were still around
The original home of the Toronto Blue Jays was part of the massive Exhibition Place grounds and was best used for football. While it provided wide-open views for baseball, the lowest rows of seating were still rather far from the playing field, as was the case with most fields that were initially built for football. An open-air stadium, along Lake Ontario, also made for some harsh cold-weather, windy days and nights early and late in the season. While not an easy place to watch baseball, Exhibition Stadium’s unintended quirkiness takes us back to a simpler time in baseball history where amenities weren’t that big of a deal.
Sometimes the shortcomings of a specific ballpark can be what we miss most. Though regular attendees to Candlestick probably do not miss the harsh winds and chilly temperatures that were staples in the heart of summer for Giants games. Located on Candlestick Point, on the western portion of San Francisco Bay, the park was picked initially because it offered the most open space to building something of that size. For years, catching pop fly balls were an adventure for fielders, and the actual fenced outfield wall was interesting. It wasn’t the most pleasant of places to watch baseball, especially at night, but making it through such contests was a victory in itself for dedicated fans.
Best known as the home of Washington’s professional football team, Robert F. Kennedy, located just east of the United States Capitol, was one of the first
North Dakota State Insider Reveals Stadium Status Amid FBS Move
While the nation’s biggest FBS stadiums have drawn well over 100,000 fans on a fall Saturday, recent newcomer North Dakota State has a small fraction of that capacity but the sound to match the blaring noise of the SEC and Big Ten.
North Dakota State’s home stadium, the 19,000-seat Fargodome, has reached 115 decibels for a game before during the Bison’s dominant FCS run of 10 national titles between 2011 and 2024. That puts a full Fargodome easily in the top-25 of noisiest venues based on USA Today’s Aggies Wire’s numbers, but the dome administration isn’t looking to expand seating yet to make the home environment more intimidating.
“The move to FBS doesn’t mean the Fargo Dome Authority is going to revisit another run at a renovation, at least immediately,” Fargo Dome Authoriy president David Suppes told NDSU insider Jeff Kolpack of the Fargo Forum last week.
According to Kolpack, the wide majority of Fargo residents voted down a $140 million proposal in 2024 to renovate the dome because of sales tax funding. However, the dome is also a finalist to have an addition with the new Fargo convention center, and Suppes informed Kolpack that NDSU’s move up could impact things.
“We’re working hard on that and it’s quite a bit of work,” Suppes said. “But this news coming out of NDSU being accepted to the Mountain West certainly adds another dynamic to the conversation.”
Bison HC Tim Polasek: ‘It’s Intimidating’
While the Fargo Dome is the third-smallest venue in the Mountain West, it could offer one of the toughest places to play for visiting teams.
That was the case in the FCS, where the Bison had a 38-2 record at home in the playoffs, and the Bison are 144-24 all-time at home since the dome opened in 1993. NDSU’s first game in the dome as a Division II program, and the matchup with Pittsburg State was on ESPN’s radar, per Bison Illustrated. Two decades later, ESPN’s CollegeGameday came three times during the Bison FCS dynasty.
“For coaches and players on the field, NDSU is a problem,” Bison head coach Tim Polasek told Kolpack. “The crowd noise, the in-game experience with the jumbotrons, as far as dealing with the environment — A-plus, it will be high in the Mountain West.”
Polasek noted that even the Bison tailgating environment gets visiting teams’ attention. He knows it will be the case in the FBS, too, after serving on staff with Iowa from 2017 to 2020 and Wyoming from 2021 to 2023.
“I get this from coaches who come here, if the bus driver takes a wrong turn and they go down by the tailgating, it’s intimidating,” Polasek said.
Expansion Not Needed For Bison
As Kolpack noted, the NCAA did away with the 15,000-fan minimum average for the FBS in 2023, so NDSU will only need to expand seating via renovation or a new stadium if the fan base grows to require it.
That said, NDSU could easily sit in the middle of the Mountain West pack for attendance. Air Force led attendance in 2025 with 39,441 fans per game, and San Jose State had a league low 18,265 fans per contest.
Best Phoenix restaurants near every spring stadium
Spring training season is one of the most exciting times of the year for baseball fans, especially in Arizona, where 15 of the MLB’s 30 teams share 10 spring training stadiums during the Cactus League season, which lasts from Feb. 20 through March 24.
If you’re bored of stadium food and want to end your day at the ballpark on a high note, or if you’re visiting from out of town and looking for a restaurant recommendation near the action, look no further. The Republic recently released its list of 100 essential restaurants for 2026, and many of the beloved restaurants are within a few miles of spring training stadiums.
Here is your guide to essential restaurants that are within a 4-mile radius (or about a 10-minute drive or less) from every spring training stadium in Arizona.
Restaurants near American Family Fields of Phoenix
American Family Fields of Phoenix, located at 3805 N. 53rd Ave. in Phoenix, is the spring training home to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Birriería Obregón
If you’re craving authentic Sonoran flavors, you must visit Birriería Obregón, a place where the specialties include seafood, birria, tacos and bichis (birria broth) along with caguamanta (manta ray stew) and beef head. Don’t miss breakfast, served with handmade flour or corn tortillas. And to finish on a sweet note, try one of their traditional Mexican desserts.
Details: 2500 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix. More locations at birrieriaobregonaz.com.
— Nadia Cantú
Great Wall Cuisine
As one of the first places in the Valley to specialize in dim sum, Great Wall has been like “the Grand Central station of the Asian community,” as the daughter of the couple who have run it since 1992 described it to The Republic. The large restaurant has been the go-to spot for community gatherings, business meetings and celebrations within the metro Phoenix Chinese and Asian American community. On weekdays and weekends, the dining room buzzes with conversation as people of all ages enjoy dim sum. When I visit, I always order the egg noodles, Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce and shrimp shu mai. Then, I get creative and mix it up, perhaps choosing their soft, sweet custard buns or the thick, spiced beef tripe. Just point and pick your own adventure from the array on the rolling carts.
Details: 3446 W. Camelback Road, #155, Phoenix. 602-973-1112, greatwallcuisineaz.com.
— Reia Li
Los Pinos Surf and Turf
Los Pinos serves the best grilled butterfly shrimp in the Valley. They come doused in butter, accompanied by a perfectly spicy salsa. This family-friendly restaurant echoes with cheerful music under the watchful eye of the taxidermy bulls on the wall. As the name implies, it’s the best place for Mexican surf and turf, from a filet mignon served with baked potato and asparagus to a hearty caldo de siete mares (seven seas soup). Wash it down with a michelada or their aguas frescas, which are natural and delicious. Live music on the weekend makes it feel like a party.
Details: 3618 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. lospinossurfandturfaz.com.
— Nadia Cantú
Restaurants near Camelback Ranch-Glendale
Camelback Ranch-Glendale, located at 10710 W. Camelback Road in Phoenix, is the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mis Nietos Cocina Mexican Food
Mis Nietos Cocina Mexican Food is a small, cozy and family-friendly restaurant that offers the best homemade Mexican breakfasts in the West Valley. Freshly made tortillas, natural aguas frescas and crafted coffees are diner favorites. Be sure to try the red chilaquiles, served with beans and eggs any style.
Details: 10575 W. Indian School Road, Avondale. mi-cocina-mexican-food.menu-world.com.
— Nadia Cantú
Restaurants near Goodyear Ballpark
Goodyear Ballpark, located at 1933 S. Ballpark Way in Goodyear, is spring training home of the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds.
PoNy’s Miches
In just a few short years, Jose “Pony” Flores and his wife, Analiz Gonzalez, grew PoNy’s Miches from a humble food truck to a fan-favorite restaurant that earned the third most votes in The Republic’s Top Taco 2024 for Gonzalez’s Baja-style seafood tacos. PoNy’s is the place to go for ceviche, micheladas and Mexican shrimp cocktails.
Details: 725 S. Estrella Pkwy., Goodyear. PoNy’s Miches on Facebook.
– Eddie Fontanez
Restaurants near Hohokam Stadium
Hohokam Stadium, located at 1235 N. Center St. in Mesa, is the spring training home of The Athletics.
Tacos Chiwas
Tacos Chiwas, Armando Hernández and Nadia Holguín’s debut restaurant, is basically taco heaven. If you’re ever in the mood to try all the imaginable taco variants, this is your ideal destination. From barbacoa, carne asada, lengua and al pastor tacos, to gorditas filled with picadillo and carne deshebrada, plus vegetarian options, Tacos Chiwas offers an incredible array of options and flavors, served with their very own Chihuahuan twist.
Details: 127 W. Main St., Mesa. 480-590-7163. More locations at tacoschiwas.com.
— Paula Soria
Myke’s Pizza
To find the best wood fired pizza in the East Valley, you’ll have to take a trip to the Cider Corps taproom in downtown Mesa. On my first visit, I marveled at the hanging Army helmets repurposed as lamps at the bar, listened to the tune of Chick Corea’s jazzy piano and sent my taste buds into overjoyed overdrive with one bite of the melt in your mouth blend of mozzarella, provolone and gouda cheeses and the savory-sweet sensation of the crushed tomato sauce on my pie. Whether you’re daring enough to try such adventurous creations as the butternut squash or chorizo and olive pizzas, or you stick with a traditional pepperoni pizza, the high-quality and flavorful ingredients will ensure it’s an experience you want to repeat as often as possible.
Details: 31 S. Robson, Suite 103, Mesa. 480-687-8526, mykespizza.com.
— Michael Salerno
Restaurants near Peoria Sports Complex
Peoria Sports Complex, located at 16101 N. 83rd Ave. in Peoria, is the spring training home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
Fabio on Fire Pizzeria Italiana
Cozy is the first word that comes to mind when you first enter Fabio on Fire Pizzeria Italiana. Then the food arrives and that’s all you’ll be able to think about. Housemade bread in no time. You might end up ordering a second basket. Yes, it’s that good. But save room for other starters, like burrata with roasted tomatoes and pesto. Sharp basil gives life to the perfectly creamy burrata and the tomatoes add a warm acidity. Then move on to the main event, the pizza pies, with the likes of the Bianca Parma topped with arugula, parmesan and prosciutto. Every element holds its own and together they are more than the sum of their parts. Not unlike this charming, delicious restaurant.
Details: 8275 W. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria. 623-680-5385, fabioonfire.com.
— Bahar Anooshahr
Restaurants near Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, located at 7555 N. Pima Road in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale, is the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.
Andreoli Italian Grocer
When you walk into Andreoli’s it feels like you’re entering someone’s home, not a restaurant. The cozy space has family photos papering the walls, rustic tables and chairs and a cute patio perfect for dining under the stars. But the real star is the food. The menu is filled with Italian classics like cured meats and cheeses; massive sandwiches served on focaccia and pasta options ranging from delicate potato gnocchi to hearty rigatoni. Plus, the dessert case is always filled with delectable fresh cannoli, cakes and pastries.
Details: 8880 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale. 480-614-1980, andreoli-grocer.com.
— Meredith G. White
Il Bosco Pizza
Il Bosco Pizza was named the best pizza in Phoenix by The Republic’s readers in a 2025 pizza poll, and I can’t think of a more deserving choice. Shortly after the pizza poll, I took my partner on a date to Il Bosco’s downtown Phoenix location and we completely devoured a wood-fired mushroom pizza and caprese salad. Even the gluten-free crust, made from a combination of tapioca and rice flour, is the perfect blend of soft, doughy edges and a crusty bottom.
Details: 7120 E. Becker Lane, Scottsdale. 480-335-8680. More locations at ilboscopizza.com.
— Eddie Fontanez
Indibar
Indibar is fun and a little loud and totally unexpected. Think fine dining but not pretentious. The chefs took Indian sauces and curries and paired them with elevated proteins and presentations with much success. I’m not going to recommend specific dishes because the chefs here execute everything well, just follow your bliss and have fun. If you order lunch for delivery, it will come in metal tiffins. Utterly charming. A recently added 10-course tasting menu offers its own unique journey and beverage pairing. Not your usual night out.
Details: 6208 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-219-9774, theindibar.com.
— Bahar Anooshahr
The Stand
The Stand is a tiny, roadside food tent in the Salt River Pima Community near Scottsdale. It may not look like much from outside, but The Stand has been serving some of the best fry bread tacos in metro Phoenix for over 20 years. Just follow the smell of fresh-baked bread and warm chili to owner Mick Washington’s front yard, where familiar neighbors and curious visitors alike line up fry bread topped with red chili, green chili or beans and cheese, even in the heat of the Arizona summer.
Details: 3996 N. Alma School Road, near Scottsdale. 480-519-1108, The Stand on Facebook.
– Eddie Fontanez
Restaurants near Sloan Park
Sloan Park, located at 2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway in Mesa, is the spring training home to the Chicago Cubs.
Mekong Palace
Mekong Palace was one of the original restaurants that opened with Mekong Plaza in 2008. Since then, the plaza has gone from nearly empty to a bustling hub for Asian food, and the dim sum restaurant has played no small part in that. The large, open space is filled with intergenerational families chatting over steaming cups of jasmine tea. Aunties with impeccably neat hairstyles zip between tables touting an array of dim sum on their carts. On a recent visit, one proudly pointed out the shrimp shu mai and the tofu roll stuffed with mushrooms and bamboo that she’d hand-rolled herself. It’s the kind of place you can sit and talk with a friend for hours, savoring bite after bite of creamy egg tarts.
Details: 66 S. Dobson Road, Suite 120, Mesa. 480-962-0493, mekongpalace.com.
— Reia Li
Jin BBQ
If you’re searching for good Korean BBQ, then Jin BBQ is the place for you. Not only do you get plenty of meat options to choose from (everything from bulgogi to marinated short ribs and sliced brisket) but your meal comes with unlimited banchan (small side dishes) like corn with cheese, steamed eggs, kimchi, macaroni salad and more. The staff are super friendly and frequently replace the grill with a clean one. There’s plenty of other things to order off the menu, too, like a seafood pancake the size of your head, kimchi stew or fried rice.
Details: 111 S. Dobson Road, Mesa. 480-687-2124, jinbbq.com.
— Meredith G. White
Shaanxi Garden
We should all be grateful that the Valley has a restaurant like Shaanxi Garden. It specializes in the cuisine of northwestern China, which is known for its noodles and the use of lamb and cumin, thanks to its historic position on the Silk Road. Shaanxi Garden’s handmade thick, chewy noodles are the stuff of dreams. I drool over their cumin biang biang noodles with lamb. They’re also one of the few places in the Valley where you can find malatang, a spicy, creamy Sichuan soup. Our Chinese food scene is all the richer for a gem like Shaanxi Garden.
Details: 67 N. Dobson Road, #109, Mesa. 480-733-8888. @shaanxigarden on Instagram.
— Reia Li
Restaurants near Scottsdale Stadium
Scottsdale Stadium, located at 7408 E. Osborn Road in Scottsdale, is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants.
DeFalco’s Italian Deli & Grocery
Fulfilling a craving for just about any type of Italian specialty or sandwich leads me to DeFalco’s. The family-owned Scottsdale institution, with a menu based on family recipes passed down for a century, continues to be packed with diners old and young for everything from pizza and pasta to cheesesteaks and homemade sausage sandwiches. Consider getting a sweet treat from the dessert case, like their New York style cheesecake. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Details: 2334 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-990-8660, defalcosdeli.com.
— Michael Salerno
FnB
FnB is an essential restaurant for multiple reasons. In a state where cattle is one of five major economic drivers, James Beard Award-winning chef and co-owner Charleen Badman champions vegetables in her restaurant, and has been since long before it was common or cool to do so. The inventive, vegetable-forward menu earned her a James Beard award for Best Chef Southwest in 2019. She still procures local products whenever possible, including Arizona wine, such as Los Milics, her business partner Pavle Milic’s winery. Her contributions go beyond the walls of her restaurant. Badman launched The Blue Watermelon Project in 2017, recruiting Valley chefs to improve school lunches and teach children farm-to-table cooking. She’s a true icon of Arizona dining and so’s her restaurant.
Details: FnB, 7125 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale. 480-284-4777, fnbrestaurant.com.
– Bahar Anooshahr
Restaurants near Surprise Stadium
Surprise Stadium, located at 15850 N. Bullard Ave. in Surprise, is the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers.
Rito’s Mexican Food
Family-owned Rito’s Mexican Food first opened in 1977 inside the home of Rosemary and Rito Salinas. Now, the business has grown to a Mexican restaurant empire with four locations in the Valley. Rito’s is most famous for its signature green chili burritos, made with diced beef cooked in green sauce with green chili, jalapenos, tomatoes and onions in a flour tortilla. They’re so good, they won the Burrito Bracket in 2023.
Details: 15643 N. Reems Road, Surprise. 907 N. 14th St., Phoenix. 602-262-9842. Other locations at ritosmexicanfood.com.
— Eddie Fontanez
Restaurants near Tempe Diablo Stadium
Tempe Diablo Stadium, located at 2200 W. Alameda Drive in Tempe, is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels.
The Chuckbox
A half-pound cheeseburger, fries and a drink for less than $20 seems unthinkable in today’s economy. But Arizonans can find this unbeatable bargain if they order the Great Big One at The Chuckbox, an old-school burger joint near the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, which has been open since 1972. Aside from being reasonably priced, the burgers are phenomenal. Mesquite grilled to perfection, they pair well with the unlimited ketchup, pickles, onions and jalapeños from the condiment bar. The Arizona Republic readers chose well when they crowned The Chuckbox the winner of our best burger poll in 2024. Make sure to bring cash, they don’t take credit cards.
Details: 202 E. University Drive, Tempe. 480-968-4712, thechuckbox.com.
— Michael Salerno
Cafe Lalibela
This family-run establishment was one of Arizona’s first Ethiopian restaurants when it opened in 1996, serving traditional Ethiopian fare made from owner Anibal Abayneh’s mother’s recipes in a welcoming environment that celebrates the culture. If you’re into sharing food with friends, this is a perfect place to do just that while sampling much of what the menu has to offer by ordering a platter and digging in with your injera, the spongy Ethiopian bread that’s used as a utensil. The Lalibela Deluxe, a combination platter whose highlights range from doro wat (spicy chicken stew) to fosolia (a dish made with green beans and carrots) is recommended for parties of two, but it could just as easily serve three or four.
Details: 849 W. University Dr., Tempe. 480-829-1939, cafelalibela.com.
— Ed Masley
Casey Moore’s Oyster House
Casey Moore’s Oyster House has been an iconic hangout spot near ASU for generations. But you don’t need to be in college to enjoy a late-night order of raw oysters or steamed clams. Even if seafood isn’t your thing, Casey Moore’s also offers a large menu of burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs. There are over a dozen beers on tap and even more whiskey. Local legend suggests the bar is haunted, but that has never stopped me from enjoying a game on the TVs. Still, the patio remains my favorite place to spend hours on a cool autumn night, sharing appetizers and conversation with friends.
Details: 850 S. Ash Ave., Tempe. 480-968-9935, caseymoores.com.
— Eddie Fontanez
Reach the reporter at eddie.fontanez@azcentral.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.
How far do teams travel?
The trucks have been packed, shipped east or west and unloaded. Players have assembled from all over the globe.
And the gates are now open for fans to engage in a timeless ritual: Spring training baseball begins Feb. 20.
With workouts for all 30 teams underway and games soon to begin in Florida’s Grapefruit League and Arizona’s Cactus League, Major League Baseball’s preseason is in full swing. All 15 Arizona teams are squeezed into the Phoenix area, but the other half are fanned out in four distinct nooks of Florida.
They’ll be posted there from now until the third week of March, when games wrap up and teams head north (most of them, anyway) for final exhibition games before the regular season begins March 25-27.
Where do MLB teams play for spring training?
As mentioned, it’s split right down the middle − half in Arizona, half in Florida. All teams in the American League and National League West train in Arizona, save for the Houston Astros, who are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. All the American League and National League East and Central teams train in Florida except the Ohio-based Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds, who share a facility in Goodyear, Arizona.
When do players report?
Teams require pitchers and catchers to arrive a few days early; the rest of the team (position players) have to report by Tuesday, Feb. 17.
How far do MLB teams travel to spring training?
The annual arrival of
Leeds’ Elland Road to Become One of UK’s Biggest Stadiums
Elland Road is one of the most iconic stadiums in English football, and it looks set for a huge upgrade in the coming years. That’s at least the plan for Leeds United’s billionaire owners, with Jed York vowing to put the city
How the White Stadium project’s cost compares to other stadiums
The Globe examined soccer stadium projects in Seattle, Denver, and Kansas City, Mo., all of which are being developed or were completed within the last two years. While none is an exact replica of the split-funding plan in Boston, they each are designed to be homes to women’s professional soccer teams or, in Seattle’s case, specifically for high school student-athletes, just as in Boston.
Seattle is pursuing a $150 million publicly funded redevelopment of a 6,500-seat stadium, with help from private donors. In Denver, the Summit FC team is footing the $200 million bill for a new stadium, with the city paying $70 million for land and other costs. Kansas City’s two-year-old women’s soccer venue cost a reported $140 million.
Meanwhile in Boston, costs have jumped more than 60 percent from an initial projection of $200 million.
Wu has attributed the price spike for the 10,000-seat White Stadium to the impact of tariffs on building supplies; inflation that, in a span of just a few years, has significantly driven up prices; and updates suggested by the surrounding community that she said would “make the project better and therefore more expensive.”
Experts said developing and building a huge project can also simply cost more in Boston than in other major metro areas, given many use unionized labor, and that in general, wages here reflect the region’s high cost of living. The permitting process here can also be expensive.
The revamped White Stadium is expected to open in the summer of 2027.
Emma Pettit, a Wu spokesperson, said in a statement that city officials “caution against drawing comparisons with facilities built for different purposes, in different years, and in different markets.”
“Rebuilding White Stadium will be the largest investment in BPS athletics and Franklin Park since the stadium was constructed in 1949,” Pettit said. “We are excited that construction is now underway.”
Under the city’s agreement with Boston Legacy FC, the team will spend at least $190 million on the renovation, while Boston will put in $135 million — which Wu insists will be the limit of the city’s share. The team will also pay more than $62 million over the coming years in rent to the city, and on maintenance for the stadium, improvements to Franklin Park, and other community benefits.
Wu officials have called it a historic and innovative deal: a private team investing a nine-figure sum to help build a valuable public asset, but will remain owned and controlled by BPS. The new facility will also be open to the public 365 days a year, including the 20 days the professional soccer team can host home games, and will be an “economic driver” in the area, Wu’s office said.
Other comparable stadiums — both those still in the works, and one that is completed — don’t come near the total cost of White Stadium.
The Kansas City Current built the 11,500-seat CPKC Stadium for about $117 million in 2024, though that does not include additional infrastructure improvements, according to a Kansas City official. The cost ultimately rose to a reported $140 million, nearly double the original $70 million estimate.
The team did receive $6 million in state tax credits and up to $8 million in reimbursements for utility work, funded by revenue from a port improvement district sales tax.
Like the Boston Legacy, the Current play in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Another NWSL team, the Denver Summit FC, is planning a 14,500-seat stadium on a large lot that once housed a rubber factory, with the team expected to spend $200 million. The facility is forecast to be open in 2028.
While the stadium itself is privately funded, it was contingent on Denver purchasing the land and making improvements for a total of $70 million.
“It’s a historically contaminated site that . . . has been nothing valuable to [my] community but a big divide and blight,” said City Councilor Flor Alvidrez.
The location of the Denver facility is in contrast to that of White Stadium in Franklin Park, considered the crown jewel of Frederick Law Olmsted’s network of public parks known as the Emerald Necklace. The environmental nonprofit the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and a number of Boston residents have sued the city to stop the project, and further called on the city to renovate it without the involvement of a private soccer team.
Seattle is doing just that, with a $150 million effort to renovate Seattle Public Schools’ Memorial Stadium. At 6,500 seats, it will be smaller than Boston’s new White Stadium, but would be funded largely by the city and the school district, with about $30 million coming from private donors.
The Seattle school district originally budgeted $66.5 million to replace the aging stadium, but decided to upgrade the plans, said Fred Podesta, the district’s chief operations officer. The stadium would primarily be used by students, but officials said it could also host concerts or professional sports games, which could also help defray maintenance costs.
“We arrived at a design and a cost that is going to serve everybody’s needs,” Podesta said.
That the cost of White Stadium is far higher than each of those isn’t surprising to some experts.
Development is extremely expensive in Massachusetts compared to other states for a variety of reasons, from the web of building and environmental regulations that developers must follow to the cost of land, said John Ferrante, chief executive of Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts.
The construction industry is also largely unionized, and labor can be one of the biggest line items in a project budget, he said.
“The cost of living here is quite high, and so obviously we’re trying to compensate people so that they can afford to live in the communities that they’re building in,” Ferrante said.
Renovations such as the White Stadium project can also be more expensive than a new build, he added. There’s more uncertainty over what will be uncovered, such as asbestos or unexpected wiring, and there are additional costs that come with preserving any part of the original structure, Ferrante said.
Tariffs and inflation have also caused the price of materials to skyrocket, making it far more expensive to build now than even just one or two years ago, said Robert Koshgarian, head of the sports and entertainment project development team at the national real estate firm JLL.
“It’s massive,” Koshgarian said. “I’ve had contractors tell me that they’re seeing somewhere near [a] 40 percent increase.”
Wu has argued that Boston could not build a new stadium of the caliber she says students deserve for much less than the $135 million the city is spending.
Other stadium projects also carry hefty price tags. In nearby Everett, the Kraft Group is planning to spend an estimated $500 million to build a new stadium for the New England Revolution that could hold up to 24,000 fans.
Still, some critics aren’t sold on Wu’s plan. Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College, said a stadium that’s designed to cater to both a professional team and high school athletes is “a kind of a hybrid that doesn’t exist.”
“The project is bad for high school sports,” he said, “and it’s not good for Boston women’s soccer to have only half of a professional stadium.”
New UFL owner Mike Repole all in on St. Louis, Battlehawks
Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch
Sports columnist
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Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch
Sports columnist
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When, Where to Take in Loaded Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule Saturday
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It’s not often there’s cause for extended excitement on a February afternoon in Northwest Arkansas, but Razorbacks fans have plenty of reason to bump into one another while looking for parking across the various corners of the university campus Saturday.
Basketball, baseball and softball are all taking place at roughly the same time with baseball getting things started against Xavier at 1 p.m., followed by softball against Northwestern at 1:30 p.m. and then capped off by John Calipari’s basketball team trying to bounce back from a dramatic loss suffered in double-overtime against Alabama in Tuscaloosa earlier this week at 3 p.m.
Arkansas vs. Missouri, Bud Walton Arena
ESPN, 3 p.m.
At least part of the crowd may arrive late for the tip-off as at least a few hundred Hogs fans wander their way up the hill from a relatively warm softball game. That’s because a slight wind probably isn’t going to be enough to keep the Arkansas faithful from checking in on a No. 8 softball team that has outscored its last five opponents 44-1 behind big bats and elite national level pitching.
However, once they do, considering they will have been able to warm up both their voices and their legs, the Arkansas crowd should be ready to go early against semi-rival Missouri with an important game that has almost always delivered in terms of intensity.
Calipari’s team will certainly need a hot crowd behind it to account for how short-handed the Razorbacks will be once again. Word came down earlier this week that forward Karter Knox is out indefinitely as the result of a knee surgery to repair a meniscus.
To make matters worse, back-up forward Isaiah Sealy is projected as doubtful for Saturday’s game, making him one of at least two in-state products who will miss the game. Little Rock’s Annor Boateng will also watch from the bench as part of a pair of Missouri Tigers who will miss.
The real question is whether freshman star Darius Acuff truly is up to full speed. He spent a few days in a walking boot before playing all 50 minutes that required every drop of effort and physical health he had available.
Even if he hasn’t aggravated his leg injury, there’s still concern whether Acuff and Trevon Brazile, who also logged just shy of 50 minutes, will battle fatigue after just having a couple of days to recover. Missouri is clinging onto hope that it can improve its bubble status in the final few weeks of the season with a major Quad 1 win over the Razorbacks.
As for Arkansas, the Hogs are desperate to stay in the hunt for the SEC regular season championship, although hopes are fading quickly. The main concern is simply giving good reason for there to continue to be a full house at Bud Walton while not allowing the Crimson Tide to theoretically beat the Razorbacks for a second time in a single week.
Arkansas vs. Xavier, Baum-Walker Stadium
SEC Network+, 1 p.m.
It’s the first Saturday for families to head across MLK to the baseball stadium to try to get a feel for what kind of team Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn has put together this season.
So far, the best way to describe the Hogs is scrappy regardless of how good the opponent is expected to be. Whether it be a 5-4 loss to No. 7 TCU, a 6-5 win over Texas Tech in 11 innings, 3-1 over tiny Tarleton State or holding off winter weather birds Xavier 5-2 Friday night, there’s just not been a lot of breathing room for the Razorbacks this year.
Right at 10,400 fans showed up for the opener, setting a school record despite a cold front that moved in and the game starting in the middle of the work day.
Gabe Gaeckle and Cole Gibler combined to pitch a complete game while Camden Kozeal and Josh Stonehouse continued to pound the ball by each hitting their third home runs of the season.
Hunter Dietz is expected to take the mound Saturday afternoon. He looks to shake off a tough outing against TCU in which he gave up four earned run in just two innings of work.
Arkansas vs. Northwestern, Bogle Park
No Television, 1:30 p.m.
Arkansas is currently 10-1 and looking to begin bagging up a sweep of the Razorbacks Invitational. A win Saturday afternoon would give Courtney Deifel’s team a series lock against Northwestern with a third game still to be played against the Wildcats Sunday afternoon.
It would also set up an afternoon showdown with Southeast Missouri State at 4 p.m. If the Razorbacks can hold on, that would set the stage for a series sweep over both Sunday afternoon.
While neither game is being televised Saturday, both will air on SEC Network+ Sunday morning and afternoon beginning at 10 a.m.
Hogs Feed:
John Terry Named Anfield as the Best Stadium Atmosphere He Ever Played in
John Terry racked up 759 appearances at club level during his career, along with another 78 caps for England. With five Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph to his name, it’s no surprise that the former Chelsea and Three Lions captain experienced his fair share of daunting stadium atmospheres along the way.
Spending 19 years at Chelsea, Terry grew into the most decorated captain in the club’s history. He also became their highest-scoring defender of all time and one of only six players to wear the blue shirt more than 500 times — cementing his status as a true Stamford Bridge icon.
John Terry Named Anfield as The ‘Best Atmosphere’ He Played in
Terry has play at some incredible stadiums, new and old. ‘The Bridge’, is one of those, but more will have seen Terry grace the turf in their time.
He faced some of Europe’s most iconic venues during his career, including Barcelona’s Camp Nou, Bayern Munich’s Olympiastadion and Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderón among others. Yet it was on the domestic stage where he found the atmosphere that left the biggest impression, naming Anfield as the most intimidating ground he ever played in — and the one he remembers above all others.
Terry played at Anfield in five straight Champions League seasons between 2004/05 and 2008/09, largely under José Mourinho. Across those trips, Chelsea lost twice, drew twice and won once. His Premier League record there was also respectable, with five wins, two draws and three defeats at Liverpool’s home. Even with that solid return, Terry never hid his admiration for the stadium’s intensity.
John Terry: I have Never Heard Anything Like it
“I have never heard anything like it before and I don’t think I ever will again. It is the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in.
“I walked out into that cauldron and heard that singing and saw that passion. The hairs on my arms were standing up. To see a spectacle like that is inspiring to anyone.
“I just kept looking around, trying to take it all in. I wasn’t daunted by it, but it was amazing. I wish more crowds were like that.
“Apart from the volume, it looked spectacular, too. In the seconds before the referee blew his whistle for the start of the match, the whole stadium let out this great long roar as if they were going to power Liverpool to victory.”
It’s not an outlandish choice by the former Engalnd captain. Anfield really is one of football’s best grounds. Other clubs in the Premier League, including cross-city rivals Everton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City have all moved to new grounds.
But Liverpool have only continued to expand Anfield, and there has never really been any notion that they will move on, especially having only recently expanded their Anfield Road stand. It’s a relic that will continue to build and develop whilst sitting in an incredible atmosphere, whilst also keeping the grandeur of the players and teams that have graced the famous turf in the past – including Terry.
Tennis star Sloane Stephens and former U.S. soccer star Jozy Altidore ending marriage after 4 years
Former U.S. Open tennis champion Sloane Stephens and former U.S. men’s national soccer star Jozy Altidore are ending their marriage after four years.
Stephens — who won the 2017 U.S. Open — posted a story on Instagram announcing the split.
“Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage,” the post read. “With peace, I am navigating this transition with mutual respect and kindly ask for privacy during this time. Thank you for your love, understanding and continued support.”
The 32-year-old Stephens was also the runner-up at the 2018 French Open. The 36-year-old Altidore scored 42 goals over 115 appearances for the U.S. men’s soccer team from 2007 to 2019 and had a long professional career in Major League Soccer and overseas.
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Tennis star Sloane Stephens and former U.S. soccer star Jozy Altidore ending marriage after 4 years
Former U.S. Open tennis champion Sloane Stephens and former U.S. men’s national soccer star Jozy Altidore are ending their marriage after four years.
Stephens — who won the 2017 U.S. Open — posted a story on Instagram announcing the split.
“Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage,” the post read. “With peace, I am navigating this transition with mutual respect and kindly ask for privacy during this time. Thank you for your love, understanding and continued support.”
The 32-year-old Stephens was also the runner-up at the 2018 French Open. The 36-year-old Altidore scored 42 goals over 115 appearances for the U.S. men’s soccer team from 2007 to 2019 and had a long professional career in Major League Soccer and overseas.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Sloane Stephens and Jozy Altidore ending marriage after 4 years
Former US Open tennis champion Sloane Stephens and former U.S. men’s national soccer player Jozy Altidore are ending their marriage after four years.
Stephens, who won the 2017 US Open, posted a story on Instagram announcing the split Saturday.
Get 2 Moving: Pickleball at Court 2 Table
BATON ROUGE – Pickleball continues to grow in popularity, and spots like Court 2 Table along Burbank Drive in Baton Rouge are showing why the sport has become a go-to option for people looking to stay active without an intense learning curve.
Often described as a mix of tennis and ping pong, pickleball is played on a smaller court, making it approachable for beginners and appealing to players of all skill levels.
“So pickleball is actually played on a smaller court, more of a badminton-style court,” Destin Thibodeaux, one of the partners at Court 2 Table, said. “It’s kind of a mixture of tennis and ping pong, but played on a badminton-size court.”
The smaller court and simplified rules help remove some of the intimidation that can come with traditional racket sports, allowing players to focus on movement and having fun.
Beyond being easy to learn, pickleball also offers a timely fitness benefit, especially right after the holiday season.
“The average American can put on an average of two to five pounds from Thanksgiving to New Year’s,” Thibodeaux said. “So if there was ever a better time to come and learn pickleball, I’d say it’s definitely now.”
Health experts and fitness instructors say pickleball provides a full-body workout while still feeling social and low-pressure. Players are constantly moving, changing direction, and reacting quickly, which helps improve coordination and endurance.
“You’re definitely working out your legs, and you’re definitely burning calories, which is really the most important thing,” Thibodeaux said. “But you’re also getting a lot of mobility work. You’re moving your shoulders, you’re moving your torso.”
That combination of cardio and mobility is part of what keeps players coming back, whether they’re new to the sport or seasoned regulars.
With its growing presence in Baton Rouge and locations like Court 2 Table offering space to play, pickleball continues to prove that staying active doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating.
Tennis Star Sloane Stephens Announces Split From Husband Jozy Altidore
Tennis star Sloane Stephens says she and her husband, Jozy Altidore, are officially through … announcing their split in a social media post Saturday.
Stephens — who won the U.S. Open back in 2017 — writes she is navigating the split with
Tennis Player in Doping Row Demands $20 Million From WTA
The tennis world was stunned last year when British player Tara Moore received a four-year ban from the Court of Arbitration for Sport after testing positive for nandrolone and boldenone at a Colombian event. Although authorities later reduced the suspension to 19 months, the damage had already cut deep. Now, Moore holds the WTA responsible, claiming the ordeal derailed her career and reputation.
Tara Moore wants to hold the WTA accountable for what her lawyer calls serious damage to her career. Her attorney, Daniel Weiss, said she is pursuing action over “the negligence that ruined her career.” She has demanded $20 million in damages, according to a recent court filing.
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Her legal team has taken the fight to federal court. The athlete’s attorney said, “All this petition asks is for a federal court to ensure Tara gets what she was always promised: a fair hearing based on evidence, not a presumption of guilt,” he stated.
Weiss went further in his criticism of the system. “Tara Moore is a victim twice over: first of the WTA’s negligence, and then of a fundamentally flawed anti-doping system that presumed she was guilty without any evidence of wrongdoing,” he added. The case has now become a broader debate about fairness.
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The ITIA and CAS declined to comment on the filing. The WTA released a formal statement. “The arbitration was conducted by a neutral arbitrator, and there is no basis to vacate the arbitrator’s award,” the WTA said.
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The organization also made its position clear. “We respect the judicial process and will not comment further while the matter is pending.” The legal battle continues in court.
Moore first tested positive in April 2022. She was competing on the WTA Tour during an event in Bogota, Colombia. The test revealed steroids in her system.
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She argued that officials failed to warn players about local meat. According to her Manhattan Federal Court filing, authorities allegedly knew the meat could be contaminated with steroids used in cattle farming. She claims no warning was issued to players.
Two other players also tested positive in Bogota at the same time. However, Moore, now 33, received an immediate suspension under the strict anti-doping rules supported by CAS. She says the punishment was swift and harsh.
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An independent tribunal cleared her of wrongdoing in December 2023. Yet her ordeal did not end there. The International Tennis Integrity Agency appealed the ruling.
The ITIA argued that Moore had not proven where the substances came from. The appeal prolonged the uncertainty. In July 2025, she was ultimately barred from competing.
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Moore later spoke about her emotional reaction. “I remember just having this out-of-body experience, being like, ‘What do you mean I failed the doping test?’” she said on The Scuttlebutt Club podcast. “I remember feeling like something just had collapsed…Suddenly, I was just blacklisted from everything.”
She appealed again and went to arbitration. She sought significant financial compensation. Now she claims the arbitrator dismissed her case by relying on CAS’ legal framework, which assumes guilt.
Moore also pointed to another example. She alleged that Robert Farah tested positive in Bogota months earlier but was cleared after authorities acknowledged contaminated meat.
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She says the WTA fact sheet did not warn players about the risk, and even before filing for damages, she had already begun speaking publicly about her fight against the authorities.
Tara Moore proclaims innocence after tennis ban ruling
On February 18, the ITIA shared an important update. Three South American players were cleared to return to competition. Their cases were linked to contaminated meat.
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Peru’s Conner Huertas del Pino, Brazil’s Mateo Barreiros Reyes, and Colombia’s Andrés Urrea were investigated. Each had tested positive for boldenone. After a detailed review, the ITIA accepted their explanations.
The agency found that the substance entered their bodies through contaminated meat. Their evidence satisfied the investigators. As a result, all three players were allowed to compete again.
However, Tara Moore’s case followed a different path. Authorities did not accept her defense at the early stage. This difference has raised questions around consistency.
Contaminated meat has become a growing concern in tennis. Some tournaments have taken preventive steps. This year, ATP Acapulco removed meat from player meals before the event.
The move aimed to reduce the risk of accidental doping cases. But Moore’s situation developed long before such measures became common. The British player has continued to maintain her innocence.
Last year, after getting her 19-month provisional suspension, Moore spoke publicly for the first time. She described the emotional and mental toll of the process.
“To be innocent and to have to prove that is an incredibly gruelling process. Firstly, you’re trying to figure out what these things are, secondly, you are figuring out how and why these things got into your system,” she wrote.
“If you are innocent, you don’t just know straight away. You have to go through everything you’ve done and eliminate what it can’t be, until you settle on something it most likely is.”
“Even then, you are presumed guilty and have fight for your life against someone that has more money and resources than you.”
Now that the case is in the public eye, the bigger question remains. What would true justice look like for the British tennis player? Share your thoughts below.
Olympic curling scandal like ‘foot fault in tennis or traveling in basketball,’ Canada official says
MILAN (AP) — The double-touching scandal that plagued his country’s curling team was like “a foot fault in tennis or traveling in basketball,” the CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee said on Sunday.
David Shoemaker, who is also the committee’s secretary general, was asked by The Associated Press about the controversy a day after the Canadian men swept aside the cheating allegations to claim gold at the Milan Cortina Games.
He said it “was not cheating.”
“For me it’s like a foot fault in tennis or traveling in basketball,” Shoemaker added. “If LeBron James takes four steps on the way to the hoop, I wouldn’t say LeBron James is a cheater.
“I understand the furor that’s erupted on social media, but that part is not fair and hopefully we will see that go away.”
While there are officials to rule on foot faults in tennis and traveling in basketball, curling is mostly self-umpired. So the sport was sent into turmoil during the round-robin phase when Oskar Eriksson of Sweden accused Canada vice skip Marc Kennedy of touching the rock again after initially releasing it down the sheet of ice. Kennedy responded with an outburst full of expletives.
“Marc Kennedy probably regrets his choice of words,” Shoemaker said. “And he’ll find the time and place to express that sentiment beyond what he’s privately shared with his teammates and his family and the rest of us.”
Footage circulating online appeared to show Kennedy touching the granite stone with his outstretched finger after he had already released it.
Kennedy received a verbal warning from governing body World Curling a day after the feisty back-and-forth with the Swedish team, when fingers were pointed and the Canadian player repeatedly swore.
After receiving his gold medal, Kennedy said that he doesn’t know “if people will ever understand what we went through this week as a team — what I put them through this week as a team.
“I let my emotions get the best of me,” Kennedy added. “I stood up for my teammates. I’ll never back down from that. We moved on, we moved forward and we did something amazing and a weaker team would have fell flat on their face.”
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Dampf reported from Cortina d’Ampezzo.
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Olympic curling scandal like ‘foot fault in tennis or traveling in basketball,’ Canada official says
MILAN (AP) — The double-touching scandal that plagued his country’s curling team was like “a foot fault in tennis or traveling in basketball,” the CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee said on Sunday.
David Shoemaker, who is also the committee’s secretary general, was asked by The Associated Press about the controversy a day after the Canadian men swept aside the cheating allegations to claim gold at the Milan Cortina Games.
He said it “was not cheating.”
“For me it’s like a foot fault in tennis or traveling in basketball,” Shoemaker added. “If LeBron James takes four steps on the way to the hoop, I wouldn’t say LeBron James is a cheater.
“I understand the furor that’s erupted on social media, but that part is not fair and hopefully we will see that go away.”
While there are officials to rule on foot faults in tennis and traveling in basketball, curling is mostly self-umpired. So the sport was sent into turmoil during the round-robin phase when Oskar Eriksson of Sweden accused Canada vice skip Marc Kennedy of touching the rock again after initially releasing it down the sheet of ice. Kennedy responded with an outburst full of expletives.
“Marc Kennedy probably regrets his choice of words,” Shoemaker said. “And he’ll find the time and place to express that sentiment beyond what he’s privately shared with his teammates and his family and the rest of us.”
Footage circulating online appeared to show Kennedy touching the granite stone with his outstretched finger after he had already released it.
Kennedy received a verbal warning from governing body World Curling a day after the feisty back-and-forth with the Swedish team, when fingers were pointed and the Canadian player repeatedly swore.
After receiving his gold medal, Kennedy said that he doesn’t know “if people will ever understand what we went through this week as a team — what I put them through this week as a team.
“I let my emotions get the best of me,” Kennedy added. “I stood up for my teammates. I’ll never back down from that. We moved on, we moved forward and we did something amazing and a weaker team would have fell flat on their face.”
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Dampf reported from Cortina d’Ampezzo.
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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Tennis Insider Push for Players’ Evacuation as Mexico Crisis Deepens
Despite a star-studded Acapulco Open lineup led by Alexander Zverev alongside Alex de Minaur, Casper Ruud, Frances Tiafoe, and Grigor Dimitrov, uncertainty looms. The Mexican Open confirmed its 2026 edition will proceed, dismissing cancellation rumors sparked by a shocking development in Jalisco. Yet concern deepened as Tennis Channel commentator Brett Haber urged the WTA and ATP to evacuate players from Mexico.
Veteran American broadcaster Brett Haber recently raised serious concerns about player safety in Mexico. The 56-year-old shared his experience after leaving the country.
Quoting his post, he wrote, “Just left Mexico. Police activity at the airport was insane. Polite suggestion to the @atptour & @WTA– and to Larry Ellison: get one plane to Acapulco and one to Merida and get everybody out of there — and put them up for an extra week at Indian Wells to train and be safe. This is not a drill.”
His warning came as Mexico faced a major security development. The situation worsened over the weekend. Authorities confirmed a high-profile operation against a major cartel leader.
On Sunday, February 22, security forces dispatched one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers. The cartel boss known as “El Mencho” died during the operation. The development triggered nationwide tension.
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The Mexican defence ministry confirmed the details in an official statement. His real name was Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes. He was shot in the western state of Jalisco along with at least six alleged accomplices.
Violence quickly spread after the operation. Several states reported torched vehicles and armed road blockades. Gunmen blocked highways in more than half a dozen regions.
El Mencho was 59 years old and led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The CJNG has grown into Mexico’s most powerful criminal organization in recent years. The group is known for extreme violence and military-style weapons.
Reports said four cartel members were slain at the scene. Three others were dispatched while being flown to Mexico City, including El Mencho. Authorities also arrested two suspects carrying heavy weapons, including rocket launchers capable of downing aircraft and destroying armored vehicles.
Local media showed images of intense fighting in Tapalpa, located in the Sierra Madre mountains. The developments shocked the country. Security concerns quickly spread nationwide.
Amid the unrest, rumors circulated that the 2026 Mexican Open in Acapulco had been canceled. With the main draw action scheduled to begin on Monday, February 23, organizers responded quickly. The tournament issued an official clarification.
The statement read: “The Abierto Mexicano informs that the statement circulating in some media outlets and on social networks regarding an alleged cancellation of the event due to security issues in the state of Jalisco is false. The tournament has issued no cancellation notice. The event is proceeding as planned, and tournament operations are running normally.”
Organizers added: “We remain in constant coordination and communication with federal, state, and municipal authorities, in compliance with established security protocols. We thank the media, partners, and public for verifying all information solely through official sources.”
Acapulco is located more than 1,000 kilometers from Tapalpa. Still, the tournament has faced security-related concerns involving players in previous editions.
British players advised to stay inside the hotel at the Mexican Open in 2024
Two years before the recent El Mencho incident, the Mexican Open had already faced safety concerns. In 2024, players were warned about security risks in Acapulco. Authorities advised extra caution during the tournament week.
Mexican tennis officials told players to remain inside the tournament zone. They were advised not to leave the hotel or event areas. The warning was issued due to crime levels and local infrastructure problems.
Organizers also raised concerns about the city’s condition after Hurricane Otis. The storm had caused major damage months earlier. They cited “significant infrastructure issues” along with “high amounts of crime” in parts of Acapulco.
Several British players competed that year despite the concerns. Cam Norrie, Dan Evans, and Jack Draper were part of the field. They were joined by top names like Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, Alex de Minaur, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The UK Foreign Office also issued a strong warning about the region. It described Guerrero, the state where Acapulco is located, as “a violent state with a history of insecurity”. The advisory highlighted long-standing safety risks.
Officials further warned about organized crime in the area. Their statement added: “There is an organised crime presence throughout the state, including in central Acapulco and Chilpancingo [the state capital].” The warning covered key population centers.
The United States government issued even stricter guidance. It banned its employees from traveling to Acapulco. Authorities said “crime and violence are widespread” and that “armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero”.
The entire state was placed under a “do not travel” advisory by the US. At the same time, this year, the tournament drew attention for another issue. Organizers removed meat from player meals after several doping cases linked to contaminated meat at events in the region.
Now, with rising crime concerns again making headlines, questions are being raised. Is it the right time to host a major tournament under such conditions? What do you think?
Serena Williams Back on Official Active List as ITIA Confirms Reinstatement
Serena Williams’ return to competitive tennis just took its strongest step yet. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has officially been reinstated as an active player by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, moving her off the retired list and signaling that a comeback may no longer be speculation.
Renowned tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, who has been closely monitoring all these developments surrounding the tennis legend, recently labelled 22 February as the “Happy Serena Williams Reinstatement Day.” Everyone in the tennis world is excited to learn more about her next step. Will she really be making a comeback to competitive tennis?
Back in December, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed to BBC Sport that Williams had rejoined the registered drug-testing pool. That meant daily one-hour whereabouts filings and eligibility for out-of-competition testing – a demanding protocol reserved for active players.
Within hours of that report, however, the 44-year-old shut down the narrative on social media. “I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy,” she wrote, attempting to cool the frenzy. But her tone shifted weeks later.
During an appearance on Today, Williams admitted, “I don’t know; I’m just going to see what happens,” stopping short of clarifying her testing status. Now, the latest update has added clarity. Serena Williams is no longer listed among retired players on the ITIA website! The move confirms she has fulfilled the required period of availability for testing – a key step before competing again on tour.
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Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg noted that the timeline also aligns with earlier reporting that Williams applied for reinstatement last August after exploring the possibility of playing the 2025 US Open, something that was not permitted at the time due to her previous removal from the testing pool.
Williams last competed at the US Open in 2022, where she electrified Arthur Ashe Stadium with wins over Danka Kovinic and Anett Kontaveit before falling to Ajla Tomljanovic in a gripping three-set battle. She also partnered with her sister Venus Williams in doubles that fortnight.
Since then, she has balanced business ventures and family life, often insisting she does not miss the grind of tour life. Yet recent activity has kept the rumor mill alive. A TikTok video showing her practicing serves and a cryptic Instagram caption – “I’m getting ready for a Serena summer” – have only intensified the buzz.
Her reinstatement could make her eligible for upcoming marquee events, including the ATP-WTA 1000 stop at Indian Wells. Notably, Venus has already received a wildcard into the desert tournament, though she is set to team up in doubles with Leylah Fernandez. The larger question now is timing and ambition. Some believe Serena Williams could target a 24th major to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record. Others see a potential doubles reunion with Venus as the more immediate goal.
What is the tennis world saying about Serena Williams’ chances of making a comeback to competitive tennis?
Serena Williams may still be keeping fans guessing, but the tennis world certainly isn’t. From former coaches to current players, opinions are pouring in on whether the 23-time Grand Slam champion is truly preparing for one more chapter. The latest buzz began when Williams posted on Instagram, saying she’s getting ready for “Serena summer.” Seeing that post, her longtime rival-turned-friend Maria Sharapova quickly jumped into the comments with a hopeful “Wimbledon?”
Williams’ response? “Lol, no love hahaha.” So while a return to the grass courts of Wimbledon appears unlikely, that hasn’t stopped speculation. Many believe that if she does step back onto the court, the more realistic stage would be the US Open in New York – potentially alongside her sister, Venus Williams, in doubles.
Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, sounded confident about her return in an interview with L’Équipe. “Serena is going to come back, it’s certain,” Macci said. “She hasn’t lost the itch. She’s a competitor. You don’t just turn that off after twenty-five years.” He pointed to her biomechanics and serve, widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport, and suggested Indian Wells or Miami as possible landing spots.
Another familiar voice, Patrick Mouratoglou, who worked with Williams for a decade, echoed that optimism. Posting on Instagram, he said he would “love to see” her return in 2026 and believes recent training clips show she is physically ready. Current players are also weighing in. American world No. 95 Alycia Parks revealed she recently practiced with Williams. “She is in great shape. So I think she would kill it on tour,” Parks said about Serena Williams.
Even Aryna Sabalenka said a Serena return would simply be “fun” for the sport. Rising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko struck a balanced note, saying it’s not official until Serena confirms it herself, but admitted that facing a legend would be an unforgettable experience.
However, not everyone is entirely convinced. Williams’ former hitting partner Sascha Bajin urged caution, warning against what he described as potential “false confidence.” He stated, “She’s been out of competition for three and a half, four years,” Bajin said, questioning whether she could sustain a high level across consecutive matches. Practice, he noted, is vastly different from the intensity of a tournament.
Similarly, former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski admitted he was surprised by the comeback chatter. While praising her fitness, he raised questions about match sharpness and movement – the true tests after a long layoff.
For now, the consensus across tennis seems clear: if Serena Williams decides to return, she won’t be doing it for nostalgia. She’ll be doing it to compete. And whether it happens in Indian Wells, Miami, or under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the sport is watching and waiting. How excited are you, though, to see Serena Williams back on the tennis courts?
Jacob Bridgeman holds on at Riviera for first PGA Tour title
LOS ANGELES — Jacob Bridgeman heard cheers all day long for everyone but himself Sunday at Riviera until the final ovation. He made a nervy par putt on the 18th hole for a 1-over 72 and a most narrow victory in the Genesis Invitational for his first PGA Tour title.
Bridgeman started with a six-shot lead, and expanded it to seven shots with 12 holes remaining. And it still came down to one clutch swing from the 18th fairway that settled 20 feet below the hole, and a 3-foot par putt with his shadow over the hole.
But he calmly knocked it in for a one-shot victory over Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama, who both had a strong finishing kick to make Bridgeman sweat a lot more than he wanted.
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“This is way, way better than I’ve ever dreamt it,” Bridgeman said.
Not since Adam Scott in 2005 has a player competed at Riviera for the first time and left with the trophy. Bridgeman, a 26-year-old from Clemson, played well enough last year to reach the Tour Championship and has been steadily on the rise.
He broke through in a signature event against a strong field, winning $4 million and having host Tiger Woods waiting to congratulate him atop the steps overlooking the 18th green.
Bridgeman finished at 18-under 266 and didn’t make a birdie over the final 15 holes. He heard constant cheers for McIlroy, one of golf’s most popular figures who was never a threat until he holed a bunker shot for birdie on the 12th and finished birdie-birdie for a 67.
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More cheers soon rang out across Riviera — Max Greyserman with a hole-in-one on the 14th; Tommy Fleetwood jarring one for eagle from the fairway on the 15th; and Kitayama stuffing his tee shot on the par-3 16th, and then barely clearing the bunker to set up a two-putt birdie on the par-5 17th.
Bridgeman, after a marvelous approach to 12 feet for birdie on the third hole that received only a smattering of applause from the LA crowd, didn’t play poorly. He hit a strong chip on the fourth that led to bogey. The rest of the way was a steady diet of 20-foot birdie chances.
But he found the bunker on the 16th and had to make a 5-foot bogey putt to stay in the lead. His birdie chances on the 17th and 18th were woefully short on greens where short putts can be scary.
The last par putt brought a mixture of joy and relief.
“I thought it was going to be a lot easier,” Bridgeman said. “It was honestly easy until I got to 16 and then it got really hard. I made it as hard as I could have made it.”
Scott, who received a sponsor exemption, ran off five birdies on the back nine and closed with a 63 to finish fourth, two shots behind.
Scottie Scheffler, who had to make a 7-foot par putt on Friday to make the cut, had a 66-65 weekend and wound up tied for 12th, his worst finish since he tied for 20th at The Players Championship nearly a year ago. He ended his streak of 18 consecutive top 10s.
Bridgeman already is in the Masters from having reached the Tour Championship last year. He became the first player this year to be ranked outside the top 50 (No. 52) and win on the PGA Tour. The victory propels him inside the top 25.
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He won not only at a storied course like Riviera but with McIlroy, the Masters champion, alongside and getting most of the attention until falling off the pace until his big finish. So many putts burned the edge, and then the last one dropped from 30 feet.
For a second, it looked like it might give McIlroy extra holes in a playoff when Bridgeman left his first putt short. But just like he has all week, Bridgeman never looked uncomfortable. Turns out he felt that way.
“I couldn’t even feel my hands on the last couple greens,” Bridgeman said. “I just hit the putt hoping it would get somewhere near the hole, and both of them I left a mile short. But I’m glad it’s done now.”
Jacob Bridgeman storms to 1st PGA Tour win at Genesis Invitational, beating Rory McIlroy
The West Coast swing of the PGA Tour is over, as Jacob Bridgeman has won the Genesis Invitational. The South Carolina native picked up his first win on the tour with a score of 18-under, one shot better than Kurt Kitayama and Rory McIlroy
Bridgeman played in the final group on Sunday alongside McIlroy, holding a six-shot lead coming into Sunday. As competitors made birdies all around him, the youngster made a lot of pars. So while he did not blow away from the field, he stayed just far enough away to prevent a collapse. A bogey on 16 and a poor second shot on 17 could have done him in, but he remained composed to secure the one-shot victory.
Bridgeman was in the second-to-last group at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am a week ago, finishing tied for eighth. He found the beach on the 18th hole and held up the eventual winner, Collin Morikawa, by about 20 minutes while figuring out the rules situation. But the 26-year-old buried it quickly to pick up his first win.
Bridgeman qualified for the PGA Tour Signature Events by making the Tour Championship last year. Taking advantage of those starts is key to his future on the Tour and staying in the big-money events. A win will go a long way to getting him back to East Lake in August.
How the leaderboard shaped up behind Jacob Bridgeman
McIlroy returned to the first page of the leaderboard after a sluggish performance at Pebble Beach. A first-round 66 and a second-round 65, all while working around weather delays, got him near the top. But he was not able to hit the gas on the weekend, putting him in a tie for second place at 17-under par.
A late charge from Kitayama put Bridgeman in danger of blowing his lead on Sunday. Birdies on 10, 11, 16, and 17 put him within one of the lead. But he ran out of holes, making par on 18 after a poor iron shot to finish at 17-under par. Second place is his best finish since last year’s 3M Open, which he won. Adam Scott at 16-under and Aldrich Potgieter at 15-under make up the remainder of the top five.
Scottie Scheffler finished tied for 11th place, ending his incredible streak of top-ten finishes at 19. He ended Thursday’s play in last place, which put him too far behind the 8-Ball for the remainder of the week.
The PGA Tour heads back east for the Cognizant Classic at PGA National in Jupiter, Florida. The Florida swing ends with The Players Championship in mid-March.
Jacob Bridgeman of Greenville wins Genesis Invitational
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it. Could Jacob Bridgeman hear the roars for Rory McIlroy’s 30-foot make and still finish? A seven-shot lead had become four, which became one, which meant this 26-year-old native of Inman and a Greenville resident would either exit this stage with an epic first career win or an all-time heartbreak.
The crowd supported the former Clemson star all day, but when he left that 20-foot birdie putt so short, they saw the possibilities. McIlroy, beloved superstar, pulling off the epic comeback. That’s what they wanted to see. That’s the Hollywood ticket.
But the shockingly self-assured Bridgeman took a beat to himself, set up, and made the 4-foot par putt. His first PGA Tour win arrived at one of golf’s greatest venues with Tiger Woods watching atop the hill.
Bridgeman hangs on at Riviera for first PGA Tour title. Thitikul wins LPGA event at home in Thailand
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jacob Bridgeman heard cheers all day long for everyone but himself Sunday at Riviera until the final ovation. He made a nervy par putt on the 18th hole for a 1-over 72 and a most narrow victory in the Genesis Invitational for his first PGA Tour title.
Bridgeman started with a six-shot lead. He expanded it to seven shots with 12 holes remaining. And it still came down to one clutch swing from the 18th fairway that settled 20 feet below the hole, and a 3-foot par putt with his shadow over the hole.
But he calmly knocked it in for a one-shot victory over Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama, who both had a strong finishing kick to make Bridgeman sweat a lot more than he wanted.
Not since Adam Scott in 2005 has a player competed at Riviera for the first time and left with the trophy. Bridgeman, a 26-year-old from Clemson, played well enough last year to reach the Tour Championship.
Bridgeman finished at 18-under 266 and didn’t make a birdie over the final 15 holes. He broke through in a signature event against a strong field, winning $4 million and having host Tiger Woods waiting to congratulate him atop the steps overlooking the 18th green.
LPGA Tour
CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — Jeeno Thitikul closed with a 4-under 68 to hold off Chizzy Iwai of Japan on Sunday and win the Honda LPGA Thailand, the first time for the No. 1 player in women’s golf to win in her home country.
Buoyed by raucous home support, the Thai star kept her composure under sweltering conditions and intense pressure, pulling ahead with a birdie on the 17th hole. She won by one shot and finished at 24-under 264 for her eighth LPGA title.
Thitikul became the third Thai winner of the tournament, following Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty Tavatanakit in 2024.
Iwai mounted a strong challenge, drawing level briefly after rolling in her second eagle of the day on the par-5 10th. But she closed with eight pars for a 66.
European tour
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — South Africa’s Casey Jarvis closed with an 8-under 62 and won the Kenya Open by three shots on Sunday to clinch his first title on the European tour.
Jarvis, who had two titles on the Sunshine Tour, had two eagles in the final round at Karen Country Club and shot 30 on the back nine to pull away. He had shared the lead after each of the first three rounds with different players until he took over down the stretch.
American Davis Bryant, who played his college golf at Colorado State, was runner-up after a 64. Hennie Du Plessis (65) of South Africa was third.
Other tours
Oliver Bekker of South Africa closed with a 5-under 67 for a two-shot victory in the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open, his ninth career title on the Sunshine Tour. The tournament, co-sanctioned by the Challenge Tour, was reduced to 54 holes when the third round was washed out. … Austen Truslow won for the first time when the 30-year-old Floridian closed with a 3-under 67 for a three-shot victory in the Quinovic NZ PGA Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Cooper Moore, a 17-year-old amateur, finished second. … Jamie Donaldson rallied with an 8-under 64 for a one-shot victory over Stephen Gallacher in the Staysure Marbella Legends in Spain.
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Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Jordan Spieth Shows True Feelings About Using Controversial Exemption Criteria Amid Backlash
Jordan Spieth just said something the PGA Tour would rather not have on record. Not the part about momentum heading into Bay Hill, or the technical breakthrough with his putting stroke. The part where he admitted, with unusual candor, that he never wanted the exemption that got him through the door in the first place.
“I don’t want to use exemptions,” Spieth said following his T12 finish at Riviera. “I don’t want to ever have to use that again. It’s sucked the last couple of years.”
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That admission lands at a specific moment: Spieth has accepted a sponsor exemption into the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, a $20 million Signature Event he cannot access on merit, and his own words confirm he understands the difference between walking through an open door and earning the right to open it.
The facts are clear. Spieth is ranked 82nd in the world, outside the top-30 needed for automatic entry into Signature Events. His FedEx Cup position is around 70th, below the top-50 cutoff. In 2025, he received five sponsor exemptions, which accounted for 29% of his total FedEx Cup points, yet he still finished 54th and missed automatic qualification for 2026. Despite not winning last season, he earned $4.5 million from the Player Impact Program, which helps explain why sponsors continue to invite him.
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The Bay Hill exemption shows how inconsistent these decisions can be. Spieth didn’t get an exemption in 2025 but did a year later. Other players, like Robert Garrigus, have voiced frustration about how exemptions are handed out. Spieth defended himself by saying tournaments invite players who help their event.
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Beyond the debate about exemptions, there’s also a technical side to Spieth’s story. Between the Sony Open and WM Phoenix Open, he went back to Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas to work with his longtime coach, Cameron McCormick. They focused on a setup adjustment, even though the conditions were, as Spieth put it, “frozen.”
As a result, Spieth brought back a putting stroke his peers hadn’t seen from him in years.
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“Looking at my spot, like looking at the hole, it seems to be a weapon that I’ve got back,” he said. “You start as close to the hole as you can, and everything that feels comfortable just keeps going further and further away all the way into the long game.”
This technique, which relies on his sense of body position, helped Spieth win the 2015 Masters and U.S. Open. At Pebble Beach, he was third in Strokes Gained: Putting among the Signature Event players. At Riviera, he finished T12 at -11, with rounds of 67-70-70-70, nine birdies, and a final-round eagle.
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“I feel very confident,” he said. “I like the stretch that’s coming up.”
Spieth’s case is just the latest example of a larger issue the PGA Tour has not addressed. The system for exemptions remains unclear and open to criticism.
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Jordan Spieth’s exemption debate exposes a structural problem the PGA Tour won’t address
Rickie Fowler was given six sponsor exemptions into Signature Events in 2025, one more than Jordan Spieth, which drew heavy criticism at the time. Fowler earned 319 of his 665 FedEx Cup points from those starts, nearly half his season total.
Fowler, with his extra exemption, finished 48th, just inside the top-50 cutoff for 2026 Signature Event access. He then backed it up with strong results, finishing T7 at the Memorial and T6 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
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The route Fowler took is still open to any player with enough commercial pull and the right connections. Chris Kirk, who got no exemptions, finished 51st on merit alone. He missed the cutoff by two spots, while Fowler crossed it with help from exemptions, doing almost half the work.
The Tour has not addressed this imbalance. Spieth, to his credit, has now said publicly what the institution will not.
Jacob Bridgeman holds on to win the Genesis Invitational
On one of the most historic golf courses in the world, Jacob Bridgeman made some history of his own Sunday afternoon at Riviera Country Club.
Two months and three days after getting married, the 26-year-old from South Carolina has another memory to last a lifetime after winning for the first time on the PGA Tour and threatening the tournament scoring record at the Genesis Invitational.
“To do it against this field is way, way better than I’ve ever dreamt,” said Bridgeman, who prevailed by a single shot over Kurt Kitayama and Rory McIlroy. “Fans were super supportive all day and winning at this course is a dream come true. I grew up watching this on TV.”
Beginning the final round with a six-stroke lead, Bridgeman birdied the first and third holes to take a seven-shot lead and send an early message to the other 50 players that he would be tough to catch. He carded a one-over-par 72 to finish at 18 under for a four-day total of 266 — two off the 72-hole standard achieved at the 1985 Los Angeles Open by Lanny Wadkins, who won by seven shots with rounds of 63, 70, 67 and 64.
Wadkins’ record-setting performance 41 years ago earned him $72,000 and made him the ninth golfer to earn more than $2 million in his career. Bridgeman pocketed $4 million on Sunday while Sepp Straka and Brian Harman split the last-place share of $51,000.
Making Bridgeman’s accomplishment even more remarkable is the fact that he had never played Riviera before. What he lacked in experience he more than made up for with instinct, ingenuity and poise, especially during a crucial stretch of eight consecutive pars from holes eight through 15 on Sunday to become the tournament’s 100th champion.
“I didn’t play golf on Monday or Tuesday because of the weather and I just was a little bit worn out.” he said. “I played my pro-am Wednesday and kind of just had a casual round and let my caddie point me around. It wasn’t a whole lot of practice. I feel like I got my first kind of learning experience of the course Thursday and on Friday everything was a lot more familiar. I knew where some slopes were and where the tee shot lines were, so I started feeling a little more comfortable.”
Bridgeman, who had a stellar college career at Clemson (setting a school record with 50 career rounds in the 60s) before turning pro in 2022, was so dialed in with the putter Friday while grouped with Akshay Bhatia and Maverick McNealy that Bhatia’s caddie Joe Greiner asked him on No. 17: “Are you sure you’re not from the West Coast?”
The last player to notch his first PGA Tour victory at Riviera was James Hahn, who beat Dustin Johnson and Paul Casey in a playoff in the 2015 Northern Trust Open.
“This morning I let myself think about winning and everything was under control but guys started making runs and it got a little tighter than I wanted it too,” Bridgeman said. “This is one of the coolest places I could’ve done it.”
Ludvig Aberg of Sweden, winner of last year’s Genesis at Torrey Pines, tied for 20th at nine-under after a final-round 66.
The day before, Bridgeman matched the tournament’s 54-hole scoring record of 194 set four years ago by Joaquin Niemann, who went on to shoot even par in the final round to win by two strokes at 19 under.
As solid as Bridgeman was playing the first three rounds, eclipsing Wadkins’ record seemed almost inevitable. Instead, he had to have nerves of steel to par the last two holes and preserve the win.
Bridgeman stumbled with bogeys at No. 4 and No. 7 and was wary of two-time Riviera champion Adam Scott, who leapfrogged into second alongside McIlroy, Kitayama and Aldrich Potgieter after beginning the back nine with back-to-back birdies. He narrowed the margin to three with back-to-back birdies at the 17th and 18th to cap his second 63 in three days and finished alone in fourth at 16 under.
“It’s fun to make birdie at the 18th with this amphitheater,” Scott said. “Today I didn’t have my best and still had a great score.”
History has proven that no lead is safe on Sunday at Riviera. The last time it was played there in 2024 Hideki Matsuyama of Japan overcame a six-shot deficit to win by three shots after firing a 62 — the lowest final round score ever on the course.
“The pins were a lot more challenging than the first three days,” Bridgeman said. “They were harder to get to. For the putts on 17 and 18 I had no idea how hard to hit them.”
Kitayama, who started the final round nine shots behind, nearly pulled off an even bigger comeback, pulling to within one shot when he rolled in a 32-foot birdie at No. 17, and Bridgeman bogeyed No. 16 to drop to 18 under.
Ken Venturi staged the biggest final-round comeback in tournament history, shooting a 63 to erase an eight-shot deficit at Rancho Park in 1959.
McIlroy hit his 30-foot birdie putt just hard enough to fall at the famed 18th green to move into a second-place tie with Kitayama. Then, with tournament host Tiger Woods watching, Bridgeman nervously left his birdie putt three feet short but made his par and the crowd roared.
“I thought it would be a lot easier,” Bridgeman admitted. “It was easy until the 16th, then I made it harder. I was crazy nervous on that five-footer for bogey. I couldn’t feel my hands the last two greens.”
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was tied for last after the first day and barely made the cut at even par but played the last two rounds in 11 under par to finish tied for 12th.
3 Career Records Jacob Bridgeman Made After Winning Genesis Invitational
Jacob Bridgeman won the 2026 Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club, which also celebrated its 100th anniversary. It is also his first career victory on the PGA Tour. Winning for the first time on Tour is always special, and when it comes with multiple other records at one of golf’s most iconic venues, it is just the cherry on top.
Here are the three new records Jacob Bridgeman set with his breakthrough win.
Shattering the ceiling at Riviera
Riviera Country Club is famous for its challenging greens that are notoriously difficult to approach. Over the previous 10 years, players have managed to hit only about 18% of their approach shots to within 15 feet of the hole. Jacob Bridgeman completely dismantled this benchmark, hitting his approach shots to 15 feet or closer 33% of the time (more than double) during his winning week.
To understand more clearly, only very few players have ever reached this level of ‘flag-hunting’ in a single tournament. One of the few to exceed Bridgeman’s mark recently was Collin Morikawa.
The 29-year-old gained 6.46 shots on the field with his approach play during his win at the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am just weeks prior. In the past, Tiger Woods also came close during his dominant 2006 win at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
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Before arriving at Riviera, Bridgeman was already a good iron player, but it wasn’t that kind of dominance. The Riviera was really special for the 26-year-old golfer!
Joining the elite club
Jacob Bridgeman became just the fourth player in the ShotLink era (since 2004) to win a PGA Tour event while leading the entire field in both Strokes Gained: Approach and Strokes Gained: Putting.
In simple terms, Strokes Gained: Approach measures how much better a player’s iron and wedge shots are compared to the rest of the field. If most players in the field take three shots to finish from the fairway and you hit it need only two, you will gain a stroke. And Strokes Gained: Putting measures how many shots you save on the greens by making longer putts.
Bridgeman now shares this record with three other legendary names-
Adam Scott (2004 Booz Allen)- Scott is the first one to do it in the ShotLink era.
Steve Flesch (2007 Turning Stone)
Keegan Bradley (2023 Travelers)-Bradley posted +7.288 in approach and +7.036 in putting
Now Bridgeman’s name comes fourth in this list.
A historic debut
Most importantly, Jacob Bridgeman won The Genesis Invitational in his 66th career start at the age of 26 years, 2 months, and 16 days. In doing so, he became the 13th first-time winner in the tournament’s long history and the first since James Hahn in 2015.
Even more impressive, Bridgeman won in his tournament debut, becoming the first player since Pat Fitzsimons in 1975.
The weight of this achievement was visible during the post-tournament interview with Amanda Balionis.
“This is way, way better than I’ve ever dreamt it. I made it about as hard as I could have made it, making it one shot and having to make a three-footer at the end. But yeah, this is incredible,” he said.
Bridgeman’s victory comes after a season of building momentum. He entered the week with four straight top-20 finishes, including a T8 at Pebble Beach. And now, this win propelled him to the No. 1 spot in the FedExCup standings and secured his PGA Tour playing privileges for the next two seasons.
Genesis Invitational: Jacob Bridgeman holds on for 1st PGA Tour title
PACIFIC PALISADES — After making a birdie on the par-4, third hole in Sunday’s final round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, Jacob Bridgeman found himself seven shots clear of his closest competitor.
So, it was unlikely that Bridgeman or anyone else watching the event could have imagined that the second-year professional would need to sink a three-foot par putt on Riviera’s historic 18th hole to hold on for a one-shot victory over Kurt Kitayama and Rory McIlroy, earning him his first PGA Tour victory.
Bridgeman finished at 18-under 266 after a final round 1-over 71. Kitayama, who started the day nine shots behind Bridgeman, put on a strong charge on Sunday, firing a 7-under 64 to finish at 17 under. McIlroy, who again struggled with his putting, still managed to shoot a 4-under 67, capping off his round with a long birdie putt to tie for Kitayama for second. Adam Scott, who shot 8-an under 63 on Friday to vault into contention, came back with another 63 on Sunday to finish fourth at 16 under.
“I thought it was going to be a lot easier than that,” Bridgeman said about winning on Sunday. “I didn’t really feel really crazy nervous until I had a five-footer for bogey on 16; that one was sketchy. I hit a really good putt and luckily it went in, and then I was really nervous from there on out. I couldn’t even feel my hands on the last couple greens. I just hit the putt hoping it would get somewhere near the hole, and both of them I left a mile short, but I’m glad it’s done now.”
Bridgeman admitted when he woke up Sunday morning, he allowed himself to think about what it would be like to win the tournament, but that realization also led to some nerves that he carried to the course.
The second-year pro felt he had everything under control as he prepared to start his round. He even envisioned walking up 18 with a four-shot lead and being able to soak in the moment. But that dream went out the window over the last few holes, and as he played 1,8 he was forced to keep his head down and focus on hitting his next shot.
“I was very comfortable hitting full shots all day,” Bridgeman said. “I felt like I was just kind of in robot mode and autopilot. I could just swing the club, and it would do exactly what it’s supposed to do. But when it got to times when I had to have it rely on my feel (late in the round), I didn’t have much of it. In the future, I don’t think it will get any easier than having a six-shot lead to hold onto to win, so I’ve got to figure out how to make that gap bigger to finish the day.”
When you fall just two shots short of matching the all-time tournament scoring record of 264 held by Lanny Wadkins, it’s a good bet that all aspects of your game worked well, and that was the case for Bridgeman. But if one aspect stood out more than others, it was Bridgeman’s iron play, which was so sharp he led the field in strokes gained on approach.
“I’ve never led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach ever,” Bridgeman said. “I’ve probably never been close. I’ve done putting before, I’m always good at that, but I’ve never come close with approach. We’ve (he and his swing coach) have got it to a place where it’s very consistent, and that’s kind of changed my game.
Being six shots down to start the round, McIlroy knew he needed to try to put some early pressure on Bridgeman if he wanted to have a chance to chip away at the deficit. He gave himself plenty of chances, but like the previous round, he struggled with the break of the Riviera greens and failed to convert most of his birdie putts.
“I just kept plugging away and trying to make something happen,” McIlroy said. “I holed some putts on the back nine, which is nice, but I’ll rue basically all 18 holes yesterday and then the front nine today, like 27 holes where I failed to capitalize on the chances I gave myself.”
Having a front row seat to watch Bridgeman work toward his first PGA Tour win, McIlroy said he was impressed by how the former Clemson standout handled himself: “I thought he handled everything really well.”
“I wasn’t putting pressure on him; it probably felt to him like he didn’t need to do that much, but he played very well,” McIlroy said. “I was surprised he was only even par because I felt he was very much in control of his golf ball. He drove it great, and he hit his irons well. But it’s hard, it’s hard to close out big tournaments. Even though he was a little shaky coming down the stretch, he held it together when he needed to. I give him all the props; he did what he needed to do and I’m happy for him.”
Bridgeman said one of the coolest aspects about winning the Genesis Invitational was receiving the trophy and congratulations from Tiger Woods, who Bridgeman called the greatest golfer in history. Bridgeman said knowing Woods was the one to be waiting to shake the winner’s hand made things a little bit more nerve-racking because his youngest golf memory was watching him on TV.
As they walked down the stairs behind the 18th green to get to the trophy ceremony on the green, Woods pointed out to Bridgeman what a cool scene the natural amphitheater provides for the final hole.
“He was saying kind of how amazing the 18th hole is here and how cool it is to win here,” Bridgeman said. “And he said, you’ve got one on me. I guess he’s never won (at Riviera). So, I got one thing on him. He’s got all the other ones, but I got one.”
Deja Vu Scheffler Style
Scottie Scheffler did it again. For the third straight week, the World’s No. 1-ranked golfer opened a tournament with a terrible opening round but somehow managed to rally over the ensuing three days to either put himself in contention or finish around the Top 10.
After Thursday’s first round of the Genesis Invitational, Scheffler was in 63rd place at 3 over par. After fighting to make the cut on Friday, Scheffler played the final two rounds at 11 under, leaving him in a tie for 11th for the event.
“After Thursday, I did some pretty good stuff,” Scheffler said. “I battled just to make the cut, and I had two solid dates over the weekend. It was really challenging going out there, starting the way we did on Thursday and then I start off the way I did. Maybe I pressed a little bit. But after that, I did a lot of solid stuff.”
While Scheffler would prefer to come out of the gates in the future, his first-round slumps are not a huge cause for concern for him.
“When you look at it like from a macro view, it’s such a small sample size,” Scheffler said. “I played now 11 rounds the last few weeks, and I had eight pretty solid ones and three I’d like to have back. So overall, I feel like my game is in a good spot. Got a few things that I need to clean up, but I feel I’m continuing to trend in the right direction.”
Rory’s Return to Augusta
The Masters is still six weeks away, but defending champion Rory McIlroy is already starting to think about his triumphant return to Augusta National, starting with when he plans to arrive and what he will do when he does get there.
“I’ll probably get up there Saturday, walk around and watch the final round of the ANWA (Augusta National Women’s Amateur),” McIlroy said. “I’ll be a part of the Drive, Chip & Putt in some way, which I’m really excited about.”
In the afternoon, McIlroy will play with his father and enjoy strolling around the course, remembering his final round from a year ago that ended with him becoming the sixth player in PGA Tour history to win the career grand slam. A few days later, he will serve as host for the Champions dinner.
While McIlroy’s struggles on the Riviera greens dominated the conversation about his play this week, McIlroy said his overall performance gives him confidence that his game is in great shape heading toward Augusta.
“I feel like my game’s in really good shape. I’m looking forward to getting on some Bermuda greens over the next couple weeks. But it’s feeling good, it’s feeling much better than it did in Dubai, which is a big step in the right direction. Just have to keep working.”
Riviera in August?
As organizers of the PGA Tour continue to talk about ways to improve the quality of the tour, one of the areas that has been discussed is the possible alteration of the schedule to hopefully get more attention for the season end Fed-Ex playoffs.
One of the ideas that has been kicked around is putting the playoff event in larger cities and more historic venues. That idea has led to talk of moving the Genesis Invitational from its traditional slot in February to a possible date in August.
Tournament host Tiger Woods, who is part of the PGA Tour committee to try to advance the success of the tour, said there are some good reasons to consider moving the event to the summer.
“Well, I think that one, you’re going to get weather not like this (rain like this week),” Woods said. “That’s number one. We’re going to have perfect days. It’s always perfect in So Cal here in August. We’re looking at things like that, looking to go to bigger markets later in the year for the playoffs. Just trying to make our competitive model better, and how do we do that? I think that is one of the options you mentioned with Genesis. That certainly is on the table.”
Adam Scott, who calls the Genesis Invitational one of his favorite stops on the schedule, said while an August date might mean firmer, faster conditions, he doesn’t care when the Genesis is held, just as long as it stays at Riviera.
“This tournament at any time of year is going to be great,” Scott said. “It’s got the history, and it’s got the venue. You know, it’s amazing the crowd shows up. I know it’s a big Metropolitan area, but I don’t think of L.A. as like golf fans, but they are. And I’ve always had great support here, but it’s a great vibe at Riviera and the L.A. Open, so happy as long as we’re coming back here anytime will be good.”
Rory McIlroy Taken Over by Regret After Losing Out on His 30th PGA Tour Win to Jacob Bridgeman: ‘I Failed to…’
Rory McIlroy came to Riviera Country Club needing one win to reach 30 PGA Tour victories, and he left knowing exactly where that win went, not on Sunday, but across 27 holes of stagnant middle-round golf that handed Jacob Bridgeman the breathing room to claim his maiden Tour title at the 2026 Genesis Invitational.
Bridgeman finished at 18-under, with McIlroy and
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Kurt Kitayama one shot back at 17-under in a $20 million Signature Event hosted by Tiger Woods. But for McIlroy, the real turning point came well before the final stretch on Sunday.
“I’ll rue basically all 18 holes yesterday and then the front nine today, like 27 holes where I failed to capitalize on the chances I gave myself,” McIlroy said.
That is the key takeaway from the tournament. McIlroy finished Saturday with seven straight pars and a 69, while Bridgeman shot a 64, gaining 4.6 strokes on approach and building a six-shot lead by the end of the day. McIlroy’s inability to capitalize left Bridgeman with a margin that was about more than just ball-striking.
McIlroy knows what it means to hold a big lead. He has been in that position before and understands the pressure that comes with it.
“It’s hard. I think sometimes it’s harder when Jacob has a big lead, and I’m not doing anything to put pressure on him, so he sees that,” he said. “Like, I’ve had this before when I had a big lead, and the guy playing with me isn’t putting pressure on, and then the guys in front are.”
When the nearest rival is not making a move, the leader feels safer than the numbers show. Bridgeman played it safe with pars on the front nine. McIlroy missed his chances to close the gap. The six-shot lead stayed intact and was never really threatened.
What finally applied pressure on Bridgeman came from ahead of the final pairing rather than behind it. Adam Scott posted a Sunday 63 to set the early clubhouse target at 16-under. Kitayama made eight birdies in a 64, including one on the par-4 17th that trimmed Bridgeman’s lead to one shot with the closing holes remaining.
“Kurt did what he did, and Adam posted, and I started to make a couple of birdies,” McIlroy said, and the sequencing of that sentence contains its own summary.
The Northern Irishman finally responded with four birdies on the back nine, including two in a row on 17 and 18. That left Bridgeman needing to make a three-foot par putt on the last hole to win. He made it and took the title by one shot.
Bridgeman’s comfort under that closing pressure, however, was not coincidental, and it was not purely a product of Saturday’s ball-striking clinic.
Jacob Bridgeman’s 2026 Genesis Invitational victory reflected psychological steadiness built before Sunday
As reported ahead of Sunday’s final round, Bridgeman had already shared a final-pairing situation with McIlroy during the FedExCup Playoffs last season, a high-pressure round at the BMW Championship in Baltimore where Bridgeman needed a strong performance to secure his place at East Lake, with McIlroy alongside him throughout. That experience removed the novelty of Sunday’s dynamic entirely.
“I think if it was my first time, maybe it would be a little unsettling,” Bridgeman said. “But now I’m not worried about it.”
He had already shown in a key competitive setting that playing alongside McIlroy was something he could handle. He shot 72 on Sunday. A bogey on 16 cut his lead to one, but he still closed out the win.
“It was honestly easy until I got to the 16th, then it got really hard,” Bridgeman said.
The difficulty arrived late, which is precisely the point.
“I couldn’t feel my hands on the last few greens,” he added. “I hit that putt on 18 hoping it would get somewhere near the hole.”
The three-footer went in, and the tournament was his.
For McIlroy, the week showed his ball-striking is in good shape ahead of the Florida swing. He finished third in approach-to-green and fourth in strokes gained off the tee at the Genesis. Switching back to his usual blades after struggling with cavity-back irons in Dubai brought back the consistency he needed.
Pre-tournament coverage had noted that Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, between them, made 28 appearances at Riviera across their careers without winning the event, their combined 155 PGA Tour victories counting for nothing on this particular course in Pacific Palisades. McIlroy’s 30th win was not added to that historical footnote on Sunday.
“I feel like my game’s pretty much all there,” he said. “Looking forward to Bay Hill and THE PLAYERS.”
The 27 holes at Riviera, though, will take longer to move past.
Scottie Scheffler’s bonkers PGA Tour top 10 streak snapped with T-12 at Riviera
Scheffler has the record for consecutive top-tens in a row with 18, six more than Vijay Singh’s previous record of 12. At one point on Sunday, it looked like the streak would run to 19, as he shot a 31 on the back nine to poke into the top ten. But a birdie from Cameron Young on the 18th hole officially ended the streak. The streak began at last year’s Texas Children’s Houston Open in March.
Scheffler has not played poorly on three consecutive Thursdays, costing him potential wins at the Phoenix Open and at Pebble Beach. With 20 PGA Tour wins and four majors, Scheffler’s career will only be judged by wins moving forward. He is hurdling toward major season with just one win on the year and a few sluggish performances he’d like to flush.
Jacob Bridgeman took home the win at the Genesis Invitational on Sunday. He shot one over par on Sunday to win the tournament by one over Kurt Kitayama and Rory McIlroy. Scheffler finished seven shots behind the first-time winner. That 74 he shot on Thursday weighed him down throughout the week.
Scheffler will now take a week off before the PGA Tour Signature Events series kicks up again. So he won’t go to the Cognizant Classic in West Palm Beach, but will look to win his second Arnold Palmer Invitational and third Players Championship later in the Florida swing.
Can Scheffler overcome the Thursday woes to put together another historic season? Or will poor starts continue weighing him down.
New Era, Higher Costs: Lakers Raising Ticket Prices for 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers are going through drastic changes following the sale of the team from the Buss family, who bought the team in 1979, to longtime Los Angeles Dodgers majority owner Mark Walter, who recently purchased the storied NBA franchise for a record-setting $10 billion.
Along with the Lakers’ front office set to be modeled after the Dodgers, which has already begun with Lon Rosen replacing Tim Harris as president of business operations recently, Walter and company will be doing something Lakers fans won’t be too happy about.
Lakers Set to Drastically Raise Ticket Prices
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers will be raising the prices for tickets starting during the 2026-27 NBA season.
The first sign of new Lakers owner Mark Walter seeking a return on his investment after purchasing the franchise at a $10 billion valuation became apparent this week when the team sent out renewal forms to season-ticket holders.
Going into the 2026-27 season, the Lakers have a steep price hike planned for their tickets.
Apparently, the Lakers’ brass confirmed this price hike in a statement sent to ESPN about rumors of the change, which has caused some outrage amongst fans who already feel the prices are too high for games at Crypto.com Arena.
Jaylen Brown leads Celtics past Lakers 111-89 for season sweep of NBA’s most storied rivalry
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jaylen Brown had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics swept the season series in the NBA’s most storied rivalry with a 111-89 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Payton Pritchard scored 30 points with six 3-pointers and eight assists for the Celtics, who have won three straight and eight of nine as they attempt to close the gap on Detroit atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Brown and Pritchard scored 19 points apiece in the second half, and Pritchard wrapped up the win on a step-back 3-pointer with 3:24 to play, prompting the Lakers to empty their bench amid scattered boos.
Luka Doncic had 25 points and LeBron James got the 43,000th point of his career while scoring 20 for the Lakers, who fell short at home against a probable NBA title contender for the third time in two weeks. Los Angeles was held to its second-lowest point total of the season.
Austin Reaves added 15 points for the Lakers, who also repeatedly lost their cool and got whistled for three technical fouls after a series of questionable calls.
Boston nursed a solid lead throughout the second half and had little trouble controlling the latest meeting between historic franchises with a combined 35 NBA titles.
The Lakers honored Pat Riley during a halftime ceremony after unveiling a bronze statue of their former coach outside their downtown arena. Riley won six championship rings during his two decades in Los Angeles, including nine seasons and four titles as the head coach of the 1980s Showtime Lakers.
Doncic, James and Reaves played together for only the 12th time this season with the Lakers largely back to full health — but then Los Angeles lost backup center Jaxson Hayes to an ankle injury before halftime.
The Celtics beat the Lakers 126-105 in Boston last December while Doncic and James were out.
While James extended his NBA scoring record to another milestone number, he also played in his 1,600th regular-season game to join Celtics great Robert Parish (1,611) as the only NBA players to reach the mark.
Up next
Celtics: At Phoenix on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Orlando on Tuesday.
___
Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard lead Celtics past Lakers 111
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jaylen Brown had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics swept the season series in the NBA’s most storied rivalry with a 111-89 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Payton Pritchard scored 30 points with six 3-pointers and eight assists for the Celtics, who have won three straight and eight of nine as they attempt to close the gap on Detroit atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Brown and Pritchard scored 19 points apiece in the second half, and Pritchard wrapped up the win on a step-back 3-pointer with 3:24 to play, prompting the Lakers to empty their bench amid scattered boos.
Luka Doncic had 25 points and LeBron James got the 43,000th point of his career while scoring 20 for the Lakers, who fell short at home against a probable NBA title contender for the third time in two weeks. Los Angeles was held to its second-lowest point total of the season.
Austin Reaves added 15 points for the Lakers, who also repeatedly lost their cool and got whistled for three technical fouls after a series of questionable calls.
Boston nursed a solid lead throughout the second half and had little trouble controlling the latest meeting between historic franchises with a combined 35 NBA titles.
The Lakers honored Pat Riley during a halftime ceremony after unveiling a bronze statue of their former coach outside their downtown arena. Riley won six championship rings during his two decades in Los Angeles, including nine seasons and four titles as the head coach of the 1980s Showtime Lakers.
Doncic, James and Reaves played together for only the 12th time this season with the Lakers largely back to full health — but then Los Angeles lost backup center Jaxson Hayes to an ankle injury before halftime.
The Celtics beat the Lakers 126-105 in Boston last December while Doncic and James were out.
While James extended his NBA scoring record to another milestone number, he also played in his 1,600th regular-season game to join Celtics great Robert Parish (1,611) as the only NBA players to reach the mark.
Up next
Celtics: At Phoenix on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Orlando on Tuesday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard lead Celtics past Lakers 111-89 for a season sweep of this rivalry
LOS ANGELES — – Jaylen Brown had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics swept the season series in the NBA’s most storied rivalry with a 111-89 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Payton Pritchard scored 30 points with six 3-pointers and eight assists for the Celtics, who have won three straight and eight of nine as they attempt to close the gap on Detroit atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Brown and Pritchard scored 19 points apiece in the second half, and Pritchard wrapped up the win on a step-back 3-pointer with 3:24 to play, prompting the Lakers to empty their bench amid scattered boos.
Luka Doncic had 25 points and LeBron James got the 43,000th point of his career while scoring 20 for the Lakers, who fell short at home against a probable NBA title contender for the third time in two weeks. Los Angeles was held to its second-lowest point total of the season.
Austin Reaves added 15 points for the Lakers, who also repeatedly lost their cool and got whistled for three technical fouls after a series of questionable calls.
Boston nursed a solid lead throughout the second half and had little trouble controlling the latest meeting between historic franchises with a combined 35 NBA titles.
The Lakers honored Pat Riley during a halftime ceremony after unveiling a bronze statue of their former coach outside their downtown arena. Riley won six championship rings during his two decades in Los Angeles, including nine seasons and four titles as the head coach of the 1980s Showtime Lakers.
Doncic, James and Reaves played together for only the 12th time this season with the Lakers largely back to full health – but then Los Angeles lost backup center Jaxson Hayes to an ankle injury before halftime.
The Celtics beat the Lakers 126-105 in Boston last December while Doncic and James were out.
While James extended his NBA scoring record to another milestone number, he also played in his 1,600th regular-season game to join Celtics great Robert Parish (1,611) as the only NBA players to reach the mark.
Up next
Celtics: At Phoenix on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Orlando on Tuesday.
——
Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard lead Celtics past Lakers 111-89 for a season sweep
Jaylen Brown had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics swept the season series in the NBA’s most storied rivalry with a 111-89 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Payton Pritchard scored 30 points with six 3-pointers and eight assists for the Celtics, who have won three straight and eight of nine as they attempt to close the gap on Detroit atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Brown and Pritchard scored 19 points apiece in the second half, and Pritchard wrapped up the win on a step-back 3-pointer with 3:24 to play, prompting the Lakers to empty their bench amid scattered boos.
Luka Doncic had 25 points and LeBron James got the 43,000th point of his career while scoring 20 for the Lakers, who fell short at home against a probable NBA title contender for the third time in two weeks. Los Angeles was held to its second-lowest point total of the season.
Austin Reaves added 15 points for the Lakers, who also repeatedly lost their cool and got whistled for three technical fouls after a series of questionable calls.
Boston nursed a solid lead throughout the second half and had little trouble controlling the latest meeting between historic franchises with a combined 35 NBA titles.
The Lakers honored Pat Riley during a halftime ceremony after unveiling a bronze statue of their former coach outside their downtown arena. Riley won six championship rings during his two decades in Los Angeles, including nine seasons and four titles as the head coach of the 1980s Showtime Lakers.
Doncic, James and Reaves played together for only the 12th time this season with the Lakers largely back to full health — but then Los Angeles lost backup center Jaxson Hayes to an ankle injury before halftime.
The Celtics beat the Lakers 126-105 in Boston last December while Doncic and James were out.
While James extended his NBA scoring record to another milestone number, he also played in his 1,600th regular-season game to join Celtics great Robert Parish (1,611) as the only NBA players to reach the mark.
Up next
Celtics: At Phoenix on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Orlando on Tuesday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Lakers path to landing Giannis gets another boost if rumors are true
Following a 22-point home loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday night, it’s another appropriate time for Los Angeles Lakers fans to dream about acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo in the offseason.
Conveniently, NBA insider Jake Fischer indicated on Sunday (subscription required) that a Giannis departure is still very possible this summer, with the Lakers and their imminent cap space expected to play a prominent role in the sweepstakes.
Jake Fischer just linked the Lakers to Giannis in a big way
Fischer also revealed that the Bucks were closer than they’ve ever been to trading Giannis before the Feb. 5 deadline and that
Towns has 28 points and 11 rebounds, Knicks top Bulls 105-99
CHICAGO (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 11 rebounds for his NBA-leading 39th double-double and the New York Knicks outlasted the sliding Chicago Bulls 105-99 on Sunday night for their second straight victory.
Towns scored six straight points — on a 3-pointer, a layup and free throw — after Chicago took a 95-94 lead with 3:52 left in regulation on Matas Buzelis’ 3. Mikal Bridges hit another 3-pointer with 27 seconds left, and Jalen Brunson iced it with two free throws.
Brunson had 19 points and nine assists to help New York deal the Bulls a ninth straight loss, their longest skid since a 10-game slide in January 2019.
Landry Shamet added 16 points for the often cold-shooting Knicks, who shot 44.7% from the floor after overcoming an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Houston 108-106 in New York on Saturday.
Buzelis finished with 15 points for Chicago. Jalen Smith had 12 before leaving the in the third quarter with right calf tightness, and Isaac Okoro had 12. Guerschon Yabusele had 11 points and 13 rebounds.
New York opened a 13-point lead in the third quarter thanks to 21-10 run before settling for 83-78 edge heading into the fourth. Chicago led 53-52 at the half.
The Bulls played without injured guards Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons, both acquired at the trade deadline.
The Knicks were without center Mitchell Robinson, who sat out for left ankle injury management.
Up next
Knicks: At Cleveland on Tuesday night.
Bulls: Host Charlotte on Tuesday night.
___
Towns has 28 points and 11 rebounds, Knicks top Bulls 105
CHICAGO (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 11 rebounds for his NBA-leading 39th double-double and the New York Knicks outlasted the sliding Chicago Bulls 105-99 on Sunday night for their second straight victory.
Towns scored six straight points — on a 3-pointer, a layup and free throw — after Chicago took a 95-94 lead with 3:52 left in regulation on Matas Buzelis’ 3. Mikal Bridges hit another 3-pointer with 27 seconds left, and Jalen Brunson iced it with two free throws.
Brunson had 19 points and nine assists to help New York deal the Bulls a ninth straight loss, their longest skid since a 10-game slide in January 2019.
Landry Shamet added 16 points for the often cold-shooting Knicks, who shot 44.7% from the floor after overcoming an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Houston 108-106 in New York on Saturday.
Buzelis finished with 15 points for Chicago. Jalen Smith had 12 before leaving the in the third quarter with right calf tightness, and Isaac Okoro had 12. Guerschon Yabusele had 11 points and 13 rebounds.
New York opened a 13-point lead in the third quarter thanks to 21-10 run before settling for 83-78 edge heading into the fourth. Chicago led 53-52 at the half.
The Bulls played without injured guards Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons, both acquired at the trade deadline.
The Knicks were without center Mitchell Robinson, who sat out for left ankle injury management.
Up next
Knicks: At Cleveland on Tuesday night.
Bulls: Host Charlotte on Tuesday night.
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JJ Redick Calls Out Officiating on LeBron James’ Lakers, Finds Unique Solution in Celtics’ No-Call
The tension in Crypto.com Arena was not from hosting old foes, the Boston Celtics. It was between the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA officiating. And it reached a boiling point after the 89-111 blowout loss on Sunday night. Hours after unveiling Pat Riley’s statue outside the arena, the Lakers head coach continued his confrontational legacy. But this time, JJ Redick’s tirade against officiating hits different after the display tonight. Beyond the rant, he sarcastically offered to add a new, illegal wrinkle to the Lakers’ defensive playbook.
The loss, which saw the Lakers drop a season-sweep to their historic rivals, was marred by a series of second-half frustrations overshadowing LeBron James’ 43,000 career points milestone. The home crowd could see the Lakers had lost their composure starting from the second quarter when the night’s tally of technical fouls began. Both teams matched with 19 fouls overall. But only LA picked up three techs.
JJ Redick feels at least one of them is invalid. He made that obvious in his post-game remarks. “They missed a blatant LeBron [James] layup that was goaltended off the backboard, and [Neemias] Queta stuck his entire, I can’t jump that high, so he stuck his entire hand through the rim. I’ll get some clarification on the rule of that because honestly that’s a great way to defend floaters.”
Redick refers to a moment when Bron was going for a layup and Neemias Queta appeared to interfere from beneath the rim.
A standard rule is that a player can’t touch the ball or the basket when the ball is at the rim. Queta didn’t get a whistle for that.
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Redick obviously plans to take up the issue. But mockingly claiming to add an illegal defense of floaters to the Lakers repertoire is a great way to get attention.
JJ Redick’s singing the same tune
It can be ironic that Redick’s suggesting that if “hand-through-the-rim” defense is now permitted, the Lakers might as well adopt it to stop the floaters that plagued them all night. Defense has been their greatest issue all season but even offensive cohesion was lacking tonight.
After a tied first quarter, the Celtics upped the physicality and the officials let the game play out. The result was the rest of the quarters getting away from the Lakers. The Lakers had no answer to Payton Pritchard’s efficiency (10-14 FG, 6-9 3PT, 4-4 FT). Aside from Luka Doncic and LeBron James, no other Lakers player had double digits. Every whistle seemed to chip away at the Lakers’ composure.
JJ Redick had a heated reaction to the third tech. He still managed to not do anything ejection-worthy and waited till the end of the game to double down on his feelings about officiating.
This isn’t the first time this season Redick has addressed the “whistle gap.” Earlier in December, Redick said he plans to speak with Byron Spruell, the NBA’s President of League Operations, regarding officiating consistency after the Lakers had three techs and a fine for Marcus Smart. “The consistency needs to be addressed… and it will be. Any coach and player, what we ask for is consistency.”
Well, the Lakers have consistently invited whistles. It’s left Redick more concerned with the team’s defensive grit than individual accolades like James’ milestone.
“I Remember Myself”: Pat Riley Reveals 3 Reasons Why JJ Redick Is the Right Head Coach for Lakers
The legendary Pat Riley has been a central figure in the NBA, particularly for his achievements with the Los Angeles Lakers. Riley won the 1972 NBA Championship as a Laker, and then went on to win five more titles with the LA-based franchise as a coach (he won the 1980 title as an assistant coach). Riley was honored with his very own statue outside the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. But he took the occasion to pay homage to another young and promising coach, JJ Redick.
Lakers legend Riley heaped praise on Redick as he spoke to reporters following today’s statue unveiling.
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“I love JJ [Redick]. I really do. My teams competed against him in various teams that he played with. He’s a fiery guy. He could shoot the hell out of the ball,” Riley told reporters.
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‘The Godfather’ highlighted Redick’s aggressive coaching style, gritty attitude, and the ability to go above and beyond, which is something that reminds him of his days as a young coach in the league.
“He was tough as nails…I don’t know. Sometimes I look back and I remember myself at that time and I looked at JJ and I think they picked the right person. There’s just a quality about him, I think, that goes above and beyond,” Riley added.
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Riley was regarded as the trendsetter of modern coaching in the NBA, a role Redick himself mentioned earlier today. His iconic coaching style and passion for perfection, along with the ‘showtime’ mentality, as a player, coach, and later as an executive (Miami Heat), made him a household name in America.
Riley oversaw about 727 games as Lakers coach with a 533-194 record. His best win ratio with the franchise (65-17) came in the 1986-87 season. Redick matched Riley’s rookie season record as coach, leading LeBron James & Co. to 50 wins last season.
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JJ Redick and the Lakers – A Brief Recap
Redick, a former NBA sharpshooter and Duke legend, was appointed as the 29th head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in June 2024. He had no prior coaching experience apart from youth levels, which added to the shock appeal of the appointment.
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But Redick silenced his doubters in his rookie season, leading the Lakers to the playoffs with a 50-32 regular-season record. 🚨Breaking: Rob Pelinka says the Lakers have given JJ Redick a contract extension
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Although he could not lead them to a conference title, he did enough to earn a four-year extension worth $32 million, which he signed in September 2025. The Lakers remain in contention for a playoff spot this year as well. They are 5th in the West with a 34-22 record as they prepare for the postseason.
Before JJ, there were a select few former players who earned an HC appointment to a major NBA team without prior league coaching experience. Doc Rivers (Orlando Magic, 1999), Larry Bird (Indiana Pacers, 1997), Mark Jackson (Golden State Warriors, 2011), and Steve Nash (Brooklyn Nets, 2020) are among the names on the list.
But the most iconic appointment remains that of Steve Kerr (GSW, 2014) – winning four titles in five NBA Finals appearances, with a 596-335 regular season record.
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Time will tell if Redick can build on his strong start in Los Angeles and add his name to this distinguished list. The former Duke man has a lot to do before he can justify these Riley comparisons. Watch this space for more.
Hocevar put everything on the line while trying to win Autotrader 400
Any doubt that Carson Hocevar won’t do whatever it takes to win a NASCAR Cup Series race should be quelled after Sunday’s Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway.
Hocevar didn’t win on Sunday, but the third-year driver finished fourth and made plenty of noise in the process.
Hocevar had a flat tire early in the race and went two laps down before getting himself back onto the lead lap and back into the race-winning conversation.
After making several wild moves to get himself into a position to win the race, Hocevar restarted on the outside lane of the second row for the race’s first overtime restart. But rather than trying to push Christopher Bell and take a run down the backstretch, Hocevar instead channeled a quote from the late Ayrton Senna:
Tyler Reddick wins at Atlanta to give Michael Jordan’s team a second straight NASCAR Cup victory
HAMPTON, Ga. — Tyler Reddick rebounded from a crash to become the first driver in 17 years to sweep the first two races of a NASCAR Cup Series season, winning in double overtime Sunday at Echo Park Speedway.
A week after winning the Daytona 500 in a wild final lap, Reddick gave 23XI Racing and co-owner Michael Jordan another victory by outdueling Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar on the 1.54-mile oval.
Bubba Wallace, who also drives for 23XI, led entering the final restart but was shuffled to eighth place in the race had a record 57 lead changes.
“Tyler did an unbelievable job,” said Jordan, the former NBA superstar. “I feel bad for Bubba because he had an unbelievable day. But Tyler drone his ass off. I’m very happy for Tyler, very happy for 23XI.”
Reddick raced to his 10th victory in NASCAR’s premier series despite front-end damage to his No. 45 Toyota sustained in a nine-car crash on the 224th lap of a scheduled 260. He became the sixth driver to open a Cup season with consecutive victories and the first since Matt Kenseth in 2009.
Chase Elliott, who was trying to rebound from briefly leading on the last lap of the Daytona 500 and getting crashed, finished 11th after contending for a top five until a late bobble in traffic. The Hendrick Motorsports star had rallied from 32nd after overshooting his pit stall under caution on the 64th lap.
Green turns to yellow
Austin Cindric took advantage of a stretch of 61 green-flag laps to open the race, winning the first stage after starting 30th.
It was the second consecutive year that the first stage in the February race was completed without a yellow flag – an oddity for a track known for chaos since its 2022 reconfiguration into a high-banked drafting oval.
The cautions quickly picked up pace in the second stage with three yellow flags in 40 laps that collected 16 cars and eliminated notable drivers Ty Gibbs, Josh Berry, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch. The 160-lap middle segment ended under another yellow when defending Cup Series champion Kyle Larson slammed the outside wall after a collision with Shane van Gisbergen.
No Las Vegas love lost
Busch was perturbed after his No. 8 Chevrolet “got rammed” exiting Turn 2 by the No. 4 Ford of Noah Gragson on the 125th lap.
Though both drivers hail from Las Vegas, Nevada, the 40-year-old Busch felt little kinship in taking issue with the aggressive style of Gragson, who is 13 years younger.
“He didn’t give me an opportunity to make sure I was straight before hitting me or get into me gently to try and get the momentum back,” said Busch, who finished 33rd. “He just drove right through me.”
Up next
The NASCAR Cup Series will race at the Circuit of the Americas, the first road course of the 2026 season, on Sunday, March 1. Christopher Bell outdueled Kyle Busch and William Byron to win at the Austin, Texas, track last year.
NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway Race Results
Tyler Reddick remained undefeated through the opening two races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, as the driver of the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota was able to secure the victory in Sunday’s Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway.
Reddick started from the pole position, after qualifying was rained out, and would go on to lead a race-high 53 laps. However, Reddick would have to come back from major damage, including a missing right front fender, in a multi-car crash on Lap 225.
Reddick would come back to win the race by 0.164 seconds over Chase Briscoe, while Rosse Chastain, Carson Hocevar, and Daniel Suarez rounded out the top-five finishers in the race.
Autotrader 400 Race Results
(S1) Stage 1 winner
(S2) Stage 2 winner
(X) Xfinity Fastest Lap
# Rookie of the Year contender
* Open entry
(i) Ineligible to score points
NASCAR Autotrader 400 takeaways
One week removed from claiming his first Daytona 500, Tyler Reddick became the sixth NASCAR Cup Series driver all-time to win each of the first two races in a season with Sunday’s thrilling double-overtime win at Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway.
Here are three takeaways from the Autotrader 400:
Tyler Reddick goes back-to-back to begin 2026 season
After only leading the final lap in the Daytona 500, Reddick led a race-high 53 laps from the pole and officially grabbed the lead from Carson Hocevar as the field received the white flag. He maintained the lead from there and held off Chase Briscoe by 0.164 seconds to pick up his second straight win to begin the season and the 10th of his career.
According to the Fox broadcast, Reddick joins Marvin Panch (1957), Bob Welborn (1959), David Pearson (1976), Jeff Gordon (1997) and Matt Kenseth (2009) as the the only six drivers to win the first two races of a season. Reddick has also won his first 10 races at different tracks, showcasing his versatility anywhere the series goes.
Even more impressive, Reddick won the race without a right-front fender after he was caught up in a multi-car crash with 37 laps remaining. It was a monumental day for the 23XI Racing organization co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, winning back-to-back races for the first time and currently sitting 1-2 in points with Reddick leading the way over Bubba Wallace.
Reddick went the entire 2025 season without recording a win, but he has quickly put that behind him with a historic start to the season.
Carson Hocevar comes up short once again
The two-time Cup Series runner-up was close to his first win on Sunday, but it was a repeat of last season with Hocevar falling short at EchoPark Speedway.
From his unsuccessful aggressive move to go between Wallace and Christopher Bell on the OT restart to his inability to put any runs together on the final lap after fading to fifth, Hocevar came away empty-handed.
After a fourth-place finish, Hocevar is still searching for that first win. However, after putting everything on the line to win the Autotrader 400, it is just a matter of time before he finally claims that elusive win and goes on a tear.
EchoPark Speedway continues to deliver great racing
Since the 1.54-mile track just outside of Atlanta was reconfigured as a drafting-style track ahead of the 2022 season, it has consistently put on arguably the best racing in the series.
While the majority of the field was involved in a crash at some point, drivers were mostly side-by-side and even three- and four-wide throughout the race, making aggressive slingshot moves and dicing it up for the lead from the drop of the green flag.
With a track-record 57 lead changes among 14 drivers, EchoPark added another thrilling race since its reconfiguration. It was not the cleanest race by any means, but it was the latest reminder of the incredible racing the track can put on.
NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings After EchoPark Speedway
Tyler Reddick was able to extend his NASCAR Cup Series point lead with his second consecutive race win to begin the 2026 campaign. Reddick led a race-high 53 laps in Sunday’s Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway, and as Bubba Wallace and Carson Hocevar got into each other, Reddick was able to cruise to the victory.
Related: NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader 400 Race Results
Reddick will carry a 40-point advantage into next weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas, on the strength of his wins in the Autotrader 400 and Daytona 500 in back-to-back weekends.
Bubba Wallace sits second in the championship standings, while Chase Elliott (-44), Carson Hocevar (-51), and Zane Smith (-54) are the rest of the top-five in the standings.
Shane van Gisbergen is the final driver above the
What Drivers Said after Atlanta Cup race won by Tyler Reddick, team owner Michael Jordan
Tyler Reddick — winner: “That’s crazy, ain’t it? How about that? EchoPark Speedway! I mean, this place over the years, man, it just puts on some amazing racing. Handling matters here, but man, I don’t know. I guess determination outweighs handling. Thank you, everybody, for coming out. I mean, it’s cold. Cheers to everyone here. Y’all motivate us to pull off some crazy stuff like that. … It was definitely really loose, and we were able to make a little bit of adjustment on it. I don’t know, they just kept stacking up in the middle and top lanes, and I just found a way to get back in the top five. I tried to stay committed to somebody, and I don’t know, I didn’t really have a choice. I had to find out if it was going to go out in clean air like that.”
Michael Jordan — winning team owner: “Tyler did an unbelievable job. Both teams did an unbelievable job. I wanted him to win. I feel bad for Bubba, obviously, because he had an unbelievable day, but Tyler drove his ass off, and I’m very happy for Tyler. I’m very happy for 23XI. The guys worked hard all summer. I know we had our little ordeal, but they never gave up. They kept working hard, and this is the fruit of their labor. You know, they put forth the effort, and for us to come out and win the first two races says a lot about our whole team.”
Chase Briscoe — second: “Honestly, I felt like I was doing everything that I could. Even all the situations that happened, everything kind of worked out in my favor. I just couldn’t ever get a big enough run down the straightaway to do anything with our Toyota. Yeah, I was able to obviously push (Reddick) to the win. Wish I would have been able to have a bigger run to take it three wide and take the lead, but I just couldn’t do it, for whatever reason. I would say the one thing that our car lacked all day was the straightaway speed. It drove good, and I could make moves, but it felt like I was slow down the straightaway. Not sure really what else I could have done, truthfully, but still a great result. Yeah, I’m going to COTA next week, and see if we can be one spot better. … I think it says a lot about our team. We’re fast enough to where we can drive through the field, right, and even with all the adversity that kind of happens on pit road when you start that far back, you don’t get a very good pit stall selection. It just buries you all day long. You get track position, you have a bad pit stop because you’re trapped in, so probably did everything right. Our Toyota just drove really, really good, and it allowed me to make moves up through the field. Yeah, happy with the result. We’re back in the Chase. We were 37th in points going into today. Yeah, see if we can do a little bit better next week.”
Ross Chastain — third: “Yeah, it all kind of went wrong. That last run I was committed to (Carson Hocevar). On the restart, we didn’t quite have the push from (Hocevar) behind us or maybe behind him, and so they got clear. But I pushed (Hocevar) down the back, to the lead and sacrificed myself. It was kind of over for us then. Then down the back, Tyler had another gear. It was no fender, and he pulled us so fast. The rest of the night, we were just too tight. Just need to do have a little more front turn. There was times I was too loose, though, so we were right on the edge. Need a little more forgiveness in our Trackhouse Chevy. We cleaned up our fuel stuff that we had some issues with just in our — how we were describing it to each other at Daytona. We’re on the same page definitely all night tonight. Not that we ever got to the end of a fuel window, but we were very aware throughout the race.”
Carson Hocevar — fourth: “Yeah, I mean, I choked. For our luck last year, well, I was like, if we just raced until the Busch Series length races, like stage two basically, we would be really good. Then it kind of goes to hell in a handbasket. Now I guess we’re really, really good this year at just getting to the white flag leading. Yeah, I went over to Briscoe and just kind of laughed. I thought it was the right spot, being on top and everything. Then I look in my mirror. I’m like, ‘All right, perfect, he’s coming to me.’
Then they start going left, and I was confused for a second. Then I looked to my left and realized it was another Toyota. I’m like, he’s not going to push me. … Our car is really fast, to go from two laps down to get stage points and finish fourth. That’s good points for us. Yeah, I mean, I was taking every run. I’m sure I owe people apologies, but I think we’re all going for spaces and runs and everything. Yeah, luckily all four tires were straight. My toe was knocked out, but it still was pretty fast. Able to finish fourth there, so pretty excited for our start of the year. Now I’m going to go mess up a little bit on the road course, not be a total front contender, and then hopefully get back going this up-front type of deal at Phoenix.”
Daniel Suarez — fifth: “It was a roller coaster. I couldn’t be prouder of Spire Motorsports. These guys continue to fight, show up and get better. Just super happy to be here. We have a great thing going. This team is young and continues to be better.”
Zane Smith — seventh: “My Ford Mustang didn’t start out great. It had speed, but it was a lot to manage, and then as we got through the race we just kept working on it and I felt like we made big gains at one point in time, and then we got to the front row and I had a loose left-rear tire after we took right side tires, so I have no idea how that happened. I’m just glad we didn’t wreck because it was a handful, and then after that I had a little right-front damage, but was able to charge back up through the field and have a shot at it somewhat. My gut told me to take the bottom there and it was looking really good for a second, but I just needed a little bit more help. I’m proud of everyone. I wish we scored stage points today because that would have been great, but with that said, we’ve had a couple of great results and a couple great weekends. Hopefully, we can keep going.”
Bubba Wallace — eighth: “Yeah, I’m just pumped that Toyota got in Victory Lane. I have to go back and see. I didn’t think I moved up that much to allow — to put myself up top, top of three. Unfortunate, but man, what a race car we had today. You know who I learned a lot from? Was Rajah (Carruth) yesterday. He had a bad fast car, and he finished second at first stage and won the second stage, just like me. And I was like, This car is so fast. Don’t do anything to jeopardize a good finish. And I hate that we didn’t get the win, but man, what could have been. Go on to COTA, and pray for me there. We’ll have some fun.”
Ryan Preece — ninth: “For how we initially thought the race was gonna be, we were not very good. We made some adjustments and our Ford Mustang Dark Horse drove way better, so I think moving forward to come back here to Atlanta I feel way more confident and I think we can have quite a bit more success. I thought with how (Hocevar) was driving the entire day I figured that he was going to cause a stack up on the bottom. Lesson learned. Just take the short line. The outside had been working so well for us all day and it just didn’t work out that last one, but it’s nice to be able to be in position to where you can take experiences like this and think, ‘OK, next time I’d probably change the way I think about lining up.’”
Ryan Blaney — 10th: “We had a little bit of a different strategy there in the second stage. We topped off once and then that gave us the ability to take less gas and two just to try and get some track position, and we had it. We had good control of it for a while and then just lost control of it there and that was the end of it. You’re looking for lanes to go. You’re looking for stuff like that, but I was just kind of hemmed in there and trying to take the runs. Sometimes there aren’t any, but overall it’s nice to finish and have a pretty solid day.”
Chris Buescher — 15th: “We kind of survived it and got the handling a little bit better, especially as nighttime came and just wasn’t able to move our lane there at the end, and I got bottled up on the bottom. It should have been a lot better.”
Brad Keselowski — 17th: “It was an up-and-down day. It didn’t end great, but there were times we had a lot of speed. We were just missing a little bit of handling to keep it there at the end.”
William Byron — 28th: “I just didn’t have much grip, so I was searching for air and got loose. It was on me. I was just pushing hard and had to kind of put myself in some weird spots. I didn’t have any steering, so the further I got down the track, I just kept turning to the right. When I slowed down, I was just hoping I could get back to pit road, but then I got clocked. It was a wild race. It was getting really wild there at the end. I felt like I was in a good spot to at least get a good finish. I don’t think I was going to be able to lead with the damage I had, but I was just trying to mix myself into the top-five. I think I was probably fifth or sixth there. It was crazy, but nothing out of the ordinary, really. Overall, I enjoyed it. Our No. 24 Chevrolet was pretty good all day.”
Austin Dillon — 29th: “Our Chevrolet was plenty fast to have a great finish today but we ended up with damage in Stage 2. I was in the middle line following my teammate, Kyle Busch, and all of the sudden someone clipped me. we spent the rest of the race salvaging what we could, and our Richard Boswell-led team did a great job making adjustments to give us a shot at a decent finish. Unfortunately, we got clipped again in the closing laps of the race. It was just wrong place, wrong time. I hate it for our No. 3 team and everyone at RCR, ECR and CT Spring because they are putting in the work. We will keep focusing on what we can control, and hopefully the luck turns.”
Connor Zilisch — 30th: “I couldn’t see much, really. I was behind (Alex Bowman). He checked up and I just didn’t quite have enough time to check up. I couldn’t see what was going on in front of the No. 48. He had a gap in front of him and he could see it. It’s unfortunate for the No. 88 Chevrolet team. We were making moves and getting up towards the front. It’s just unfortunate for it to end like that.”
Kyle Larson — 32nd: “I just messed up. I knew (Tyler Reddick) was inside of me at one point of the corner, but I got clear of him. I didn’t quite realize that (Shane van Gisbergen) had gotten inside of him. So once I was clear, I just wanted to cut distance and short-cut my way to the stage finish. (Van Gisbergen) was out of my mirror. I just hung a quick left and ran right into him. There was nothing anyone else did wrong, it was all on me. I hate it for this No. 5 Chevrolet team. We had a great Chevy. I felt like up until that point, I was doing a pretty good job. As always, we’re just trying to build our notebook up on these places. I know we crashed, but I feel like we are still getting better and better when we come to drafting tracks, especially here at Atlanta.”
Kyle Busch — 33rd: “I just didn’t have the best of exits off of Turn 2, and I was a little crooked getting to the wall. I just got rammed by (Noah Gragson); no check-up or anything. He didn’t give me an opportunity to make sure I was straight before hitting me or get into me gently to just try and get the momentum back going again. He just drove right through me. It sucks for this No. 8 Chevrolet team and everyone at Richard Childress Racing. I thought we had a really good Chevy. We definitely would have finished better than where we were.”
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. — 35th:
Tyler Reddick wins at Atlanta to give Michael Jordan second straight NASCAR Cup victory
HAMPTON, Ga. — Whether on or off the racetrack, all Michael Jordan does is win in NASCAR.
For the second consecutive Sunday to open the season, the basketball great and co-owner of 23XI Racing celebrated in victory lane with driver Tyler Reddick. This time, after a thriller at Echo Park Speedway.
Jordan’s team now has the top two drivers in the Cup Series points standings with Reddick and Bubba Wallace. The six-time NBA champion already added a ring last week with Reddick in the Daytona 500, the crown jewel of stock-car racing.
Oh, and Jordan also settled a federal antitrust lawsuit with NASCAR in December, a major legal victory that secured a permanent franchise-style model and ensured his team would remain in business for the long-term.
“The guys worked hard all summer, and I know we had our little ordeal,” Jordan said after Reddick’s victory Sunday, referring to the bruising court battle that ended with him making peace with NASCAR CEO and chairman Jim France. “They kept working hard and this is the fruit of their labor. They put forth the effort, and for us to come out and win the first two races says a lot about our whole team.”
It especially says a lot about Reddick, who put on another dazzling performance the week after he became the fourth driver in history to win the Daytona 500 by leading only the final lap.
This time, he led a race-high 53 laps on the 1.54-mile oval south of Atlanta – including the final two in a double-overtime restart. He snatched the lead from Wallace despite the right-front fender of his No. 45 Toyota being damaged in a nine-car crash on the 224th of a scheduled 260 laps. Reddick fell two laps down for repairs but came roaring back from 27th for his 10th career victory.
“I mean, that’s crazy, ain’t it?” said Reddick, who became the first driver since Matt Kenseth in 2009 to win the first two NASCAR Cup Series races of the season. “I just found a way to get back in the top five, and I tried to stay committed to somebody.”
He got a helpful push from runner-up Chase Briscoe. Ross Chastain finished third, followed by the Spire Motorsports tandem of Carson Hocevar (who triggered a large crash in the first overtime) and Daniel Suarez.
“Tyler had like another gear,” Chastain said. “(He had) no fender, and he pulled us so fast.”
In a race that featured a track-record 57 lead changes, Wallace was first entering the final restart but shuffled to eighth. He still gained the second-most points (48) by winning the second stage and leading 46 laps.
“Tyler did an unbelievable job,” Jordan said. “I feel bad for Bubba because he had an unbelievable day. But Tyler drove his ass off. I’m very happy for Tyler. I’m very happy for 23XI.”
Green turns to yellow
Austin Cindric took advantage of a stretch of 61 green-flag laps to open the race, winning the first stage after starting 30th.
It was the second consecutive year that the first stage in the February race was completed without a yellow flag – an oddity for a track known for chaos since its 2022 reconfiguration into a high-banked drafting oval.
The cautions quickly picked up pace in the second stage with three yellow flags in 40 laps that collected 16 cars and eliminated notable drivers Ty Gibbs, Josh Berry, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch. The 160-lap middle segment ended under another yellow when defending Cup Series champion Kyle Larson slammed the outside wall after a collision with Shane van Gisbergen.
No Las Vegas love lost
Busch was perturbed after his No. 8 Chevrolet “got rammed” exiting Turn 2 by the No. 4 Ford of Noah Gragson on the 125th lap.
Though both drivers hail from Las Vegas, Nevada, the 40-year-old Busch felt little kinship in taking issue with the aggressive style of Gragson, who is 13 years younger.
“He didn’t give me an opportunity to make sure I was straight before hitting me or get into me gently to try and get the momentum back,” said Busch, who finished 33rd. “He just drove right through me.”
Up next
Kyle Busch Sounds Off on Noah Gragson NASCAR Incident
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch went from highest of highs to lowest of lows this weekend. The 63-time Cup race winner picked up a victory in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race on Saturday at the EchoPark Speedway.
On the Cup side, it didn’t pan out as well for the driver of the No. 8 on Sunday. Midway through stage two, Busch collided with the inside retaining wall on the backstretch, suffering massive damage to the front end of his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.
The crash ended Busch’s day as he posted a 34th-place finish. As he spoke about post-crash, the 40-year-old wasn’t pleased with the role of Front Row Motorsports driver Noah Gragson in the crash.
Kyle Busch on contact with Noah Gragson: ‘Kids these days’
On the 125th lap of Sunday’s Autotrader 400, Busch made an attempt to jump to the outside line coming off of turn two. Busch maneuvered his No. 8 Cheddar’s Chevrolet in front of Gragson’s No. 4 TitleMax Ford.
In that moment, Gragson slightly got into the back of Busch, which caused the latter to spin down to the inside of the racetrack and slam into the inside wall head-on.
When speaking to FOX motorsports reporter Josh Sims following the wreck, Busch didn’t seem thrilled with the bump from Gragson. Busch said he didn’t get the best of exits off of turn two, but tried to straighten things out as he made his way up to the outside wall.
Unfortunately for Busch, that’s when he got the bump from Gragson.
“He [Gragson] never checked up. Just ran me as hard as he could to get me back going to get my momentum back going again. When a guy’s a little out of shape, you’ve got to give them a second to collect it before you just ram them, or at least try to check up and push gently. That’s kids these days,” Busch said.
Busch doubled down in another interview following the crash as he said his move was “perfect timing” for Gragson to plow through his No. 8 machine. As frustrated as Busch was, he said it’s par for the course.
“It’s just what they all do. They just all run through you. It doesn’t matter if you’re aimed the right way or not,” Busch said.
Gragson, meanwhile, went on to finish 14th on Sunday to record his second straight top-15 finish. He is currently 12th in the Cup Series points standings, while Busch is mired back in 24th.
Kyle Busch won Saturday’s Truck race at EchoPark Speedway
While Busch’s Cup race on Sunday at EchoPark Speedway ended in disappointment, he was a victor the day before. Already the winningest driver in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Busch picked up his 68th career victory in the series by winning the Fr8 Racing 208.
It was a shortened race that went 125 laps after rain delayed the beginning of the event. Busch wheeled the No. 7 truck to victory in his third straight Truck win at EchoPark Speedway.
Busch is amid his 22nd full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series racing and his fourth season with RCR. He hasn’t found victory lane in the Cup Series since June 2023 at St. Louis.
Jimmie Johnson Makes Odd Career Decision Leaving NASCAR Fans in Disbelief
They say one should welcome new beginnings, and for Jimmie Johnson, his time has come. The NASCAR legend has won plenty of accolades in his career—a seven-time Cup Series champion, a team owner, and a Daytona 500 contender—but this one might be his most unexpected yet. Fresh off his Daytona 500 run last week, Johnson did not waste a second before dropping a surprise on Sunday, instantly setting the NASCAR world buzzing and pulling every pair of eyeballs his way.
“Never [done anything like this before]. I’m checking off new opportunities, so it’s gonna be fun,” Johnson admitted before he decided to break the internet with his new adventures.
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The 50-year-old is ready to take on his role as a crew chief!
Johnson confirmed to Above The Line media on Sunday that he will climb atop the pit box for four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti when the NASCAR Truck Series heads to Saint Petersburg on February 28, sharing the track with IndyCar.
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Franchitti prepares himself to pilot the No. 1 Tricon Garage Toyota, marking his first NASCAR start since 2008. The event will also be a first for Johnson, who has never served as a NASCAR crew chief. But there is no doubt that Johnson is well equipped for this role.
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His experience as a seven-time NASCAR Cup champion should prove invaluable to the IndyCar star looking to return to NASCAR competition.
Franchitti has limited experience in the Truck Series. Just one career start, a 33rd-place finish in 2007. He also made 18 starts in what was then the NASCAR Busch (O’Reilly) Series, recording one top-five finish and no victories. At the Cup level, the 52-year-old made 10 starts but did not score a top 10 finish.
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However, things can look very different at St. Petersburg, the first time the Truck Series races on a road course and the first time the world gets to see a star-studded motorsport collaboration.
Johnson truly believes that a partnership could work out, given their history.
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“Dario and my friendship is 20 or 30 years deep,” he said. “I talked him into driving a truck, and he said, ‘If I’m driving, I need you on the box.’. So I’ll be on the box doing my best not to mess him up.”
Moreover, the partnership and the team also make sense. The duo will team up at TRICON Garage, a Toyota-aligned organization and the manufacturer partner of Johnson’s NASCAR team, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.
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And now it can be said with much certainty that all eyes will be on Johnson as he embarks on his new role, a shift not many fans saw coming.
Fans rally behind Johnson’s new role
Some immediately drew parallels to NASCAR royalty. “Taking a page from Dale Jr.‘s book,” one fan wrote, referencing the growing trend of drivers stepping into advisory or pit box roles after their full-time careers.
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Just last year, Junior made his first stint as crew chief for Connor Zilisch in the Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway and went on to win it. Maybe this streak of a lucky crew chief debut may come true for Johnson.
However, others couldn’t resist stirring the pot with a little old-school edge.
“Hopefully he doesn’t use the techniques Chad Knaus used with him,” another quipped, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the intense crew chief-driver dynamic Johnson once had with Chad Knaus.
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Then there were the reluctant converts; fans suddenly found their weekend plans rearranged.
“Dammit, now I have to watch the race,” one admitted, summing up the collective curiosity this pairing has sparked.
Of course, some reactions captured just how bizarre and brilliant the moment feels this year.
“I bet that’s on no one’s bingo card for 2026,” one fan posted, perfectly framing the unexpected nature of it all.
And perhaps the most telling reaction of them all was a simple reminder of how surreal the timeline feels.
“Tell this sentence to someone in 2019,” one wrote.
All these reactions paint a clear picture. People want to see Johnson back in action, even if it’s as a crew chief, and now the spotlight falls squarely on him as the Truck Series enters its road course debut.
Michael Jordan wins second straight NASCAR race as Tyler Reddick delivers dazzling victory
HAMPTON, Ga. — Whether on or off the racetrack, all Michael Jordan does is win in NASCAR.
For the second consecutive Sunday to open the season, the basketball great and co-owner of 23XI Racing celebrated in victory lane with driver Tyler Reddick. This time, after a thriller at Echo Park Speedway.
Jordan’s team now has the top two drivers in the Cup Series points standings with Reddick and Bubba Wallace. The six-time NBA champion already added a ring last week with Reddick in the Daytona 500, the crown jewel of stock-car racing.
Oh, and Jordan also settled a federal antitrust lawsuit with NASCAR in December, a major legal victory that secured a permanent franchise-style model and ensured his team would remain in business for the long-term.
“The guys worked hard all summer, and I know we had our little ordeal,” Jordan said after Reddick’s victory Sunday, referring to the bruising court battle that ended with him making peace with NASCAR CEO and chairman Jim France. “They kept working hard and this is the fruit of their labor. They put forth the effort, and for us to come out and win the first two races says a lot about our whole team.”
It especially says a lot about Reddick, who put on another dazzling performance the week after he became the fourth driver in history to win the Daytona 500 by leading only the final lap.
This time, he led a race-high 53 laps on the 1.54-mile oval south of Atlanta – including the final two in a double-overtime restart. He snatched the lead from Wallace despite the right-front fender of his No. 45 Toyota being damaged in a nine-car crash on the 224th of a scheduled 260 laps. Reddick fell two laps down for repairs but came roaring back from 27th for his 10th career victory.
“I mean, that’s crazy, ain’t it?” said Reddick, who became the first driver since Matt Kenseth in 2009 to win the first two NASCAR Cup Series races of the season. “I just found a way to get back in the top five, and I tried to stay committed to somebody.”
He got a helpful push from runner-up Chase Briscoe. Ross Chastain finished third, followed by the Spire Motorsports tandem of Carson Hocevar (who triggered a large crash in the first overtime) and Daniel Suarez.
“Tyler had like another gear,” Chastain said. “(He had) no fender, and he pulled us so fast.”
In a race that featured a track-record 57 lead changes, Wallace was first entering the final restart but shuffled to eighth. He still gained the second-most points (48) by winning the second stage and leading 46 laps.
“Tyler did an unbelievable job,” Jordan said. “I feel bad for Bubba because he had an unbelievable day. But Tyler drove his ass off. I’m very happy for Tyler. I’m very happy for 23XI.”
MLB players, coaches react to Team USA hockey gold medal
In one of the most thrilling gold-medal hockey games ever played, Team USA defeated Canada in a 2-1 overtime win on Sunday, courtesy of the New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes.
The aftermath of USA’s victory — the country’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” team in 1980 — brought reactions from many across Major League Baseball.
“It’s pretty cool. It’s what we’re walking into,” said Pirates’ right-hander Paul Skenes, who is a member of Team USA’s 2026 World Baseball Classic squad. “I watched the movie ‘Miracle,’ and I’ve watched the Olympics and the 2017 WBC when Team USA won. And I’ve also gotten the chance to play for Team USA a couple times. We haven’t won the gold yet. It’s not a good feeling to go to another country and lose to them. We’re looking to change that.”
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Feelings were more split for members of the Toronto Blue Jays. USA-born George Springer wore his Team USA jersey and hat all morning and took at-bats against Kevin Gausman. Ernie Clement, another member of Team USA’s WBC squad, shared in the celebration with Springer and is considered one of the team’s hockey guys. Manager John Schneider had different thoughts.
“I’m an honorary Canadian. I want them to win, not the U.S. I said it,” Schneider said earlier in Spring Training. “I don’t like U.S. hockey. I think Canada has the best hockey in the world, so I want Canada to win the Olympics. I said it. I’m sorry.”
The Brewers’ Sal Frelick and Tyler Black also chimed in on the thrilling USA win.
“I mean, that was just an unbelievable game. So sick. Shoutout to [Team USA forward] Matt Boldy. Massachusetts and B.C. guy,” said Frelick, who grew up in Boston and attended Boston College like Boldy.
There were plenty of other responses across MLB.
The Minnesota Twins showed some love for Boldy, the star forward who plays for the Minnesota Wild.
The Detroit Tigers shouted out Hughes, who graduated from high school in Canton, Mich., while playing for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
Bryce Harper rocked a Stars and Stripes bandana for today’s Phillies’ Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
The Phillies showed the end of the game on their scoreboard in Clearwater, Fla.
Royals’ superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wore a USA onesie to the complex this morning and ran through the clubhouse waving it after USA won.
2025 Hall of Fame inductee CC Sabathia posted about the love shown to Johnny Gaudreau, a previous member of Team USA who tragically passed away in August 2024.
Latest Justin Steele Update as Nearing Return Could Give Cubs Best Rotation in MLB
The Chicago Cubs were having a quiet offseason, but that all changed when they traded for Edward Cabrera and then signed All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman. Their 2026 roster is mostly set, but questions still remain with their starting rotation, as the return of Justin Steele is a weight on the organization’s shoulders.
However, Steele alleviated some of that pressure as he gave a positive update on his inevitable comeback in an interview with Marquee Sports Network:
“I’m feeling really good. Bullpens have been progressing really well lately. I am throwing two a week, one of which was yesterday, and I am recovering really well from that. Next one will be 35 pitches,
Phillies’ Bryce Harper discusses Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin
In the Pirates’ 4-3 Grapefruit League victory over the Phillies on Sunday, MLB’s No. 1 prospect laced a 109.1 mph line drive to right field in the top of the sixth inning, and Bryce Harper — who was doing an in-game interview from the dugout at the time — took notice.
Harper’s unprompted compliment resembles what many would have said about the eight-time All-Star when he was a prospect. Back then, an 18-year-old Harper was possibly the most-hyped prospect to date. He made his Spring Training debut after just nine professional games and wowed Nationals fans with a .389/.450/.556 slash line across 18 Grapefruit League at-bats.
Griffin, in many ways, is on the same trajectory. After the Pirates selected in the first round of the 2024 Draft, the right-handed shortstop took the Minor Leagues by storm. He rose from Single-A to High-A to Double-A in his first season and combined for 21 homers and 65 stolen bases, while slashing .333/.415/.527 over 122 contests. Much like Harper, Griffin has routinely thrived against older competition. By the time he reached Double-A, the Mississippi native was playing against opponents that were 4.5 years older than him on average.
In Harper’s age-19 season, he was sent to Triple-A Syracuse to start the year before earning a big league callup in late April. He would like to see Griffin take a similar path.
MLB players at the 2028 Olympics? Some Phillies are hoping for a chance to play
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper couldn’t look away.
Ninety minutes before the start of the Phillies’ first home spring-training game Sunday, as teammates moved about the clubhouse like commuters through 30th Street Station, Harper stood still in front of a TV and watched the NHL superstars from Team USA receive their gold medals.
Players skated victory laps with American flags draped over their shoulders. The national anthem played. Cue the team photo.
And Harper was transfixed.
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For years, Harper has advocated for Major League Baseball to do what the NHL does and stop the season so that the best players in the world can compete in the Olympics. The next chance will come in Los Angeles in 2028, when baseball will return as a medal sport after an eight-year hiatus.
What would a global best-on-best baseball tournament look like?
Exactly what the world just witnessed between the U.S. and Canada in what Phillies manager/proud Canadian Rob Thomson described as “one of the best games you’ll ever see.”
It was so good that the Phillies put it on the new 42-foot-high LED video board at BayCare Ballpark as they took batting practice during the third period and overtime. Kyle Schwarber did an interview from the third-base dugout so he would be able to keep one eye on the action.
“Yeah, that was awesome,” Schwarber said. “That was amazing. Probably one of the more exciting hockey games in a long time. I don’t get to watch hockey that much, but that will probably get me back into watching a lot more.”
Which is precisely why MLB needs to follow the NHL’s lead.
Harper and Schwarber are among 10 Phillies who will leave camp Saturday to join their respective countries’ delegations for the World Baseball Classic. For two weeks in March, national pride will be at stake.
And players seem to be taking the WBC as seriously as ever.
Since the tournament’s inception in 2006, Team USA has had difficulty recruiting the best pitchers to compete in an international exhibition in the middle of spring training. But this time, both reigning Cy Young Award winners — the Pirates’ Paul Skenes and Tigers’ Tarik Skubal — signed on to wear stars and stripes.
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Shohei Ohtani, who famously struck out Mike Trout to end the last WBC in 2023, will return to lead Japan, albeit only as a hitter. The Dominican Republic’s lineup is loaded, with Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Julio Rodríguez, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Venezuela and Puerto Rico are stacked, too.
“This is our time to represent our country,” Schwarber said. “It gives you that motivation, you know? Being that we’re going to be heading into that and knowing what to expect. Obviously we’re not Olympians. But it’s our mini-Olympics. Right?”
Sure. And players will compete with intensity. Anyone who thinks it’s merely an exhibition, or that it doesn’t mean much to the players, should hear Schwarber talk about what he did with his silver medal in 2023.
“I don’t know where it’s at,” he said. “You only probably care about the gold one. You don’t want to get the second-place one.”
But because of when the WBC is contested, there will be pitch limits and other health-related restrictions. At training camps in Florida and Arizona, teams will cross their fingers and toes that their players return intact.
If anything, then, the WBC is closer to hockey’s 4 Nations Face-Off, last February’s riveting tournament that was still only the appetizer to the main course in Milan.
Still, as international competitions go, it’s the best baseball has.
Unless …
“I know Bryce has been very outspoken about it, and I think [the Olympics] would be great for us,” Schwarber said. “We all grew up watching the Olympics and being kids and just tuning into all different kinds of events. I think it’d just be great for our game in general to where you go to the Olympics and it’s worldwide. Everyone would see it, and it might reach a broader audience than just some countries that are really in tune to it.”
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But would the players buy in? Part of what makes Olympic hockey such a draw is the passion exhibited by the players, especially among the Americans and Canadians, many of whom put aside being teammates in the NHL to beat one another on an international stage.
“It’d be a no-doubter for a lot of guys, where you get the opportunity to go to the Olympics,” said Schwarber, who played for Team USA in college. “When they ask you, you’re like, ‘Yeah, absolutely.’ And the cool thing for us is we have so many different cultures in our game that everyone’s going to separate from the [MLB] organization side of things and go to the country side.
“I know, if I’m freaking 50 and they go, ‘Hey,’ I’ll be like, ‘Yes.’”
Harper was among the first players to commit to Team USA for the WBC in 2023 but had to withdraw after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in the preceding offseason. He hasn’t played for his country since he was a teenager.
“I can’t wait,” Harper said the other day. “Representing your country, there’s nothing better. Nothing better. The feeling of putting ‘USA’ on your chest and playing for something so much bigger than yourself, representing your whole country, there’s nothing greater.
“And having Aaron Judge hit behind me is going to be a lot of fun, as well.”
When Harper at last turned away from the television Sunday morning and walked to his locker, he politely declined to talk about the game. He appeared emotional, especially after watching Team USA bring the late Johnny Gaudreau’s children, Noa and Johnny Jr., onto the ice as part of the celebration.
Watching it all, Harper surely must have thought about the possibility of 2028 in Los Angeles.
“We’ll see,” he said.
But anyone could plainly see what it would mean for baseball to have the best players in the world in the next Olympics.
Bryce Harper Tips Injured Phillies Prospect Aidan Miller’s Future
The Philadelphia Phillies’ top prospect Aidan Miller is dealing with a sore back, and Phillies’ star Bryce Harper had a blunt message for him on Sunday’s spring training broadcast when the Philadelphia Phillies battled the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bryce Harper’s mini-viral broadcast moment raised one massive question: Did Harper just tip the injured Philadelphia Phillies prospect’s future with the big-league club before their 2026 World Series quest?
Philadelphia Phillies’ Aidan Miller Has Sore Back as Bryce Harper Speaks
Bryce Harper half-joked on the broadcast, “If Miller can get off his butt and into the game… I’m just kidding, Aidan, I’m just kidding, buddy…Need him to get healthy, because he can help us by the end, obviously.”
That’s not a throwaway line. That’s a franchise player publicly acknowledging the 21-year-old could contribute to a Phillies team chasing a championship. The timing, with Miller sidelined by a lower-back issue, makes it hit even harder.
The Philadelphia Phillies are being cautious with Miller after he showed up to camp one morning complaining of back soreness, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters, “We’re just being super cautious with him, obviously, this early in camp.”
Thomson said he doesn’t believe Miller did anything on the field to cause the issue. Miller was hit by a pitch during live batting practice last week, but Thomson clarified, “It wasn’t in the back.” There’s no official timetable for Miller’s return, though Zolecki reported Miller would have played in Dunedin on Saturday if healthy. Instead, the Phillies’ No. 1 prospect is taking it easy and getting treatment this week.
Miller, who received an invite to big-league camp, is expected to play both shortstop and third base this spring. He currently ranks No. 23 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list and is the highest-ranked prospect in the Phillies’ system.
Harper Hints at Miller’s Role in Phillies’ 2026 World Series Push
Harper’s comment wasn’t just veteran ribbing. The fact that he specifically said Miller “can help us by the end” suggests the Phillies see a real path for their top prospect to reach the majors at some point during the 2026 season. That’s a significant sign from a player who’s been through multiple Phillies postseason runs and knows what it takes to push for a ring.
It also lines up with the broader conversation around Miller’s role. ESPN’s Eric Karabell recently predicted Aidan Miller could win Rookie of the Year if the Phillies move on from Alec Bohm at third base, which could be Miller’s potential path to the everyday lineup. Whether that happens via trade or performance, Bryce Harper’s words add fuel to the idea that Miller isn’t some distant future piece — he’s part of the 2026 equation.
What This Means for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2026
On February 22nd, the Phillies find themselves in a familiar position. They’re contending for a World Series while managing a prospect who could change their roster ceiling. The back issue is minor for now, but every missed day in camp matters for a 21-year-old trying to force his way onto the Opening Day conversation.
The bigger picture is what Harper said out loud. Phillies fans have been waiting for Miller to arrive, and now the team’s biggest star is essentially co-signing the timeline. If Miller gets healthy, rakes in minor-league camp, and forces the issue, don’t be surprised if “by the end” turns into a mid-season call-up that reshapes the Phillies’ lineup for October.
Harper said it himself. He needs Miller healthy. And when Bryce Harper tells you he needs a prospect to help the Phillies win, you believe him.
MLB Network’s
This year, MLB Network will be putting a spin on its tried-and-true “30 Clubs in 15 Days” format.
With Major League Baseball in the midst of a particularly hectic preseason, network personalities Yonder Alonso, Greg Amsinger, Robert Flores, Cliff Floyd, Jake Peavy, Siera Santos, Lauren Shehadi and Chris Young will still be visiting all 30 teams at their Spring Training complexes for interviews and analysis. They’ll just be doing so in nearly half the time.
In advance of the World Baseball Classic, MLB Network’s 30 Clubs, 30 Camps will air within back-to-back new episodes of MLB Tonight over eight days, beginning Monday, Feb. 23 with the Orioles and Blue Jays (6 p.m. ET) followed by the Royals and the Dodgers at 7 p.m. ET.
The series will wrap on March 2 with coverage from Team USA’s first official workout ahead of its exhibition games against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies on March 3-4.
Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker Receives Strong Words From Will Smith
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training is underway, and secured a 5-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Feb. 22 at Peoria Sports Complex. Moreover, it was Tucker’s debut in the Cactus League for the reigning back-to-back World Series champions.
Tucker had a brief appearance in the win over the Padres with one plate appearance. Nonetheless, the outfielder’s new teammates are getting a sense of what it’s like to have Tucker around.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith spoke on Feb. 22 about what it’s like to have Tucker on their side after playing against him for several seasons.
“I’ve seen him for six, seven years now,” Smith told SportsNet LA. “[Tucker is] a good player. I’m glad he’s with us. He’s a really good hitter, a tough out. [He] has a really good feel for the strike zone. He’s got power [and] he’s a good outfielder as well. Steals bases. Just a really, really good player, and he’s gonna help us win a championship this year.”
Kyle Tucker Talks Spring Training Goals Before 2026 Season
Moreover, Tucker shared his thoughts on getting his first at-bat as a Dodger and laid out his goal during spring training as he looks to help Los Angeles begin its quest for a three-peat.
“Last year I got one hit in spring, so hopefully I get more than that,” Tucker told SportsNet LA. “So that’s a goal. But I mean, just feeling comfortable. I felt pretty good today. So I got some, I guess it’s only one pitch, but I saw the ball decently well, hit it decently well, just kind of on the ground.
“But just making sure I’m ready for whenever the season comes around. We still have a decent amount of time before then. So as long as I get enough reps and enough comfortability out there, when the season comes around in a few weeks, I’ll be all right.”
Dodgers Aren’t Concerned Over Claim About Kyle Tucker
Over the offseason, there was speculation questioning his passion for baseball. Nonetheless, Andrew Friedman, the president of baseball operations for the Dodgers, noted that the team did their work on whether there was any truth to this claim surrounding Tucker.
“With Tuck, you know, obviously, there was some stuff that was written and questions about, you know, how much he likes the game, etc., that, as we dug into it, we found to be pretty unfair,” Friedman said on the Feb. 20 edition of “Foul Territory.” “He’s just a lower-motor guy.
“As we dug on that and got into it, for me, makeup is so much about what you do to prepare yourself to go win a game and how you compete. And I will bet on Tuck with what he does. People say, ‘Oh, he doesn’t take enough swings before the game.‘ I think most guys take way too many.”
The best soon-to-be free agent from each division
The Yankees and Giants will open the 2026 MLB season on March 25. We’ll be counting down to that date with our annual preview series, with each story looking ahead to the coming season by breaking down a particular topic.
When right-hander Zac Gallen inked his deal to return to the Diamondbacks, he became the 29th player who had been ranked on Mark Feinsand’s list of the top 30 free agents to find a home. Only fellow righty Lucas Giolito, at No. 30, remains on the market. But with all due respect to Giolito’s ongoing free agency, let’s take this opportunity to look ahead to next offseason’s free-agent class.
We’re not going to do a deep dive or anything — that’s Feinsand’s territory. (And for now, you can see a longer list of potential 2026-27 free agents right here.) But it is worth noting, as we head into the 2026 season, who exactly are the most significant players on the verge of free agency, and how they may end up affecting division races. Will these players have big walk years that are key to a postseason push? Or will they wind up as Trade Deadline targets if things go awry?
Here’s a look at one particularly intriguing 2026-27 free agent in each division, an exercise that has revealed that this might be a very pitching-oriented class. For the sake of clarity and simplicity, we are excluding players who have options or opt-outs for 2027 and therefore could wind up never reaching the open market.
The Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., a self-described 50-50 hopeful in 2026, is probably the biggest pending free-agent name in this division, but Rogers may be the best player, and almost certainly the most important. It wasn’t long ago that sending Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby to Miami for Rogers looked like an absolute disaster for the Orioles. Now, though, Rogers looks like their ace after posting a 1.81 ERA over 18 starts for Baltimore in 2025.
The Orioles are a team with big dreams this year, dreams that very much rely on Rogers pitching like a top-of-the-rotation arm again. Do that in a pennant chase, and even the postseason, and Rogers could end up being the second-biggest name on the market (behind another lefty mentioned below). And if the Orioles flop again? Well, Rogers could make a huge difference for someone at the Deadline.
This would be, uh, the biggest name on the market. Skubal trade rumors have been swirling for some time now, but now that he’s still here, coming off consecutive Cy Young Awards, he looks primed to get the Tigers that division title that has proven so elusive.
Skubal will certainly have some help from new additions Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander, but, as always, the Tigers will go only as far as Skubal can take them. And, like with the Orioles, if it all goes wrong in the first half … if there’s ever a pending free agent who could restock your farm system at the Deadline, it’s Skubal.
Doesn’t it feel like Arozarena was just taking the postseason by storm and then following that up by winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award? Well, now he has more than five years of big league service time, setting him up to hit free agency after this season. He couldn’t be in a better place to showcase his stuff. The Mariners are a team with serious World Series aspirations, and Arozarena is lined up to rake in RBI opportunities behind Brendan Donovan, Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor.
It also helps that Arozarena may well be the best outfielder on the market next offseason. Sure, the fact that he’ll be heading into his age-32 season won’t help. (Not to mention it’ll make us all feel a little elderly.) But as we’re likely to see in Seattle this year, he’s got plenty, plenty left.
Freddy Peralta is another option here, but he just got to the Mets and, well, hasn’t won a Cy Young Award or been one of the best pitchers in baseball for the past decade. So we’ll go with Sale, even though he’ll be turning 37 on March 30. It is kind of amazing that, after five years of so many injury issues, he rebounded to win that long-awaited Cy Young in 2024, doing so in large part because of surprising durability. Even in a year like 2025, when he missed a month due to injury, he threw more innings (125 2/3) than he did in any year from 2020-23.
The nice thing for Sale is that he’s got two routes he can take to hitting it big in what would, surprisingly, be his first foray into free agency. (Sale previously signed three extensions – one apiece with the White Sox, Red Sox and Braves.) He can be durable again, or he can be the dominant figure we’ve seen during his prime years. Either will be extremely valuable for whatever team signs him next. And if he’s both this year? Look out.
Speaking of pitchers who have missed whole seasons with injuries, Woodruff made only 12 starts in 2025, throwing a mere 64 2/3 innings after missing all of 2024 and the majority of 2023. But they were 12 excellent starts, as he put together a 7-2 record and a 3.20 ERA, and his 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings was the highest mark of his career.
That’s pretty exciting, even before you remember he has a career 3.10 ERA over eight seasons. That’s why the Brewers made Woodruff the one-year qualifying offer at the start of the offseason, and that $22.025 million salary will look like a bargain if he can be the Woodruff of 2021, who finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. If Woodruff enjoys his first mostly healthy season since ’22, he’ll be set up well to enter the open market.
I suppose we could have gone with Gallen or Luis Arráez here, but those guys were just free agents, like, a month ago. So instead, let’s go with Robbie Ray, who won the AL Cy Young Award in 2021 with the Blue Jays. The lefty entered free agency on that high note and signed with the Mariners, but after one solid season in Seattle — and you may be noticing a theme here — he got hurt and barely pitched for two years.
Ray recovered to make the All-Star Game last year with San Francisco, but his ERA in the second half (5.54) was nearly three runs higher than it was in the first half (2.65), and he will turn 35 in October. There aren’t any long-term deals coming in Ray’s future, but if he can be a key part of a Giants rotation that looks primed to surprise this year, he could certainly do well on a shorter-term deal.
Andre Dawson Classic a ‘homecoming’ for Yale’s Bryce Miller
The spirit of Jackie Robinson was alive and well at his namesake Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., over the weekend during the Andre Dawson Classic — a signature MLB event that marks the beginning of college baseball season.
After spending much of his youth honing his skills at every signature Develops event, appearing in the Dawson Classic was a bit of a full-circle moment for him.
“It feels great,” Miller said on returning to JRTC. “I’ve been here a few times with [the] Hank Aaron [Invitational] and some other tournaments, but I was talking to my mom about it, and she said, ‘You’ll be back someday.’ … I wouldn’t have imagined it [would be my] first year of college. So it’s just a great opportunity.”
Miller, who went 1-for-4 with a pair of walks in his collegiate debut Friday, is not only familiar with the field, but with a few faces at the tournament, including Alabama State’s Trey Callaway, Florida A&M’s Trey Craft, and Southern’s Alexavier Lebron — all Develops alums.
Miller’s pedigree is elite. The San Diego native was a Padres High School All-Star in 2025, a two-time First-Team All-League player and, as a kid, appeared in every signature MLB Develops event, including the DREAM Series, the Breakthrough Series and the Hank Aaron Invitational.
“It’s really special,” Sheri Miller said during an interview with MLB Network. “Bryce was here ever since he was 13 for the Hank Aaron Invitational, so the Jackie Robinson Training Complex is like a homecoming for him.
“To be here now in a college uniform, and after all the lessons that he learned through MLB Develops — the different programs that he’s been in — I don’t think he would’ve been here without all that he’s learned through those programs.”
“Shout out to MLB Develops,” Bryce said, “for … pouring all they have into the players, and into the development, because I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. They’ve done so much for the community and so much for the kids, and you can see through all of their games, they love the game, they love to complete — which are the things we emphasize at MLB Develops.”
Through its history, Yale’s had a slew of stars pass through its ranks. That list includes Mets Hall of Famer Ron Darling — who attended Saturday’s game between Yale and Jackson State — current Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and former U.S. president George H.W. Bush.
But this year marked Yale’s first appearance in the Andre Dawson Classic, an annual tournament hosted by MLB that showcases HBCU programs and their athletes. The Bulldogs fell, 7-5, to Bethune Cookman in their tournament opener Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Fla., and lost to Jackson State on Saturday, 6-5.
“To come down here and have the opportunity to do it up at Daytona, and obviously this historic ballpark — especially the opportunity to play in the Classic in honor of Andre, who’s one of my childhood favorites — is certainly something that we appreciate and is an honor to do,” Hamm said.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Drops True Feelings on Yankees Future
The future of Jazz Chisholm Jr. with the New York Yankees will be a storyline that lingers throughout the 2026 MLB season. Chisholm will be a free agent after the campaign, and considering how the Yankees handled Cody Bellinger last year, the infielder will play out his contract rather than receive an extension mid-season.
Since being traded from the Miami Marlins to New York in 2024, Chisholm has a batting average of .251 with 160 hits, 42 homers, 103 RBIs, and 103 runs scored in 176 games, per StatMuse.
During the Yankees’ 6-4 loss to the New York Mets on Feb. 22 at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Chisholm spoke to YES Network and made his feelings clear on where he’d like to remain long-term.
“I don’t really think about being a free agent,” Chisholm told Meredith Marakovits. “Everybody knows I love New York, and I want to be in New York, so being a free agent isn’t really on my mind as much as anything. I feel like having the right teammates around you, the right guys around you, helps a lot, you know; [Aaron] Judge, [Gerrit] Cole, [Cody Bellinger], [Giancarlo] Stanton, [José] Caballero, all these guys, [Anthony] Volpe.
“Having all these guys around you, they help a lot, especially with guys who have already been through it, who have been through their free agent year last year and their contract and playing, and it’s hard not to look at that. But the thing that’s really driving us, or me, is that World Series. That’s why I love being here, because every year we have a chance to win the World Series and I love that.”
Yankees’ Aaron Boone on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s Pending Free Agency
Amid the uncertainty and stress that can come with playing in a contract year, Yankees manager Aaron Boone shared his thoughts on how Chisholm is approaching this situation.
“I don’t expect [the contract situation to impact him],” Boone told reporters on Feb. 17 (h/t SNY). “I feel like he’s in a really good frame of mind. He’s incredibly confident for good reason in his ability to go out there. Bottom line is he goes out there and goes to the post and does and hopefully keeps even improving in his game. He’s going to put himself in a really good position come the end of the season.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Looks to Improve His Game in 2026
Chisholm is coming off a standout 2025 season, finishing with a .242/.332/.481 slash line while setting a career high with 31 home runs and adding 31 stolen bases across 130 games. The performance made him one of only seven players in MLB to record a 30-30 season.
As a result, the Yankees infielder is aiming for 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. He also explained to Marakovits why he’s setting a lofty goal this season.
“I just feel like once you put your mind to something, you could always do it,” Chisholm added. “I’ve been saying stuff all my career, and I’ve been accomplishing it, so why not put something out there, shoot for the stars, always.”
Moreover, there’s another aspect of his game that he wants to improve that might be going under the radar.
“I would say my walks, try to get 100 walks or something like that,” Chisholm said. “Anything to really help the team win. I feel like me at my best, playing my best and being my best, and aiming for the goal is gonna help us win. So I feel like just playing my best baseball, trusting in myself, trusting in my teammates, and that should give us a World Series.”
Kenny Dillingham Gets Honest on Hines Ward’s Golf Obsession Amid Ex-NFL Star’s Bold Take
Joining Kenny Dillingham’s 2024 staff, Hines Ward made an instant impression as Arizona State’s wide receivers coach. Now, his role in the program has expanded since he not only works with the head coach but also oversees the program’s WR development. And while ASU has produced talented receivers like Jordyn Tyson under his watch, Ward’s focus isn’t just limited to developing football players.
“Hines is unbelievable. He’s the first dude in the office. He’s one of the last dudes to leave, and he doesn’t need to,” said Dillingham during his Friday appearance on Arizona Sports with Bickley & Marotta. “He could be the last guy in, showing up late because he played a quick round of golf, right, and then leaving early because he wants to play a quick round of golf, and he is the first one in and the last to leave.”
For Ward, golf is a necessary mental reset and a way to maintain his competitive “edge” to lead ASU’s WR room, which doesn’t seem to bother Dillingham. His obsession with playing golf took shape during his late teens. At 17, Hines Ward first attempted the challenge of playing golf and missed the ball on his first three swings. Since then, his interest has only grown, and the sport has become a primary vehicle for his charitable efforts.
In Hines Ward’s own words, his attraction to golf comes from his innate desire to win. That same competitive drive is likely what impresses Dillingham, who has had nothing but praise for his WRs coach’s leadership and the culture he set there.
“He sets an unbelievably high standard in his room. He cannot handle minimum expectations. You either do or you do not. There is no try with him,” said the ASU head coach. “This is the standard. This is what it takes to be successful, and you’re going to achieve it.”
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This kind of confidence isn’t derived from just golf. Hines Ward built a diverse coaching resume before arriving in Tempe, starting as an offensive intern with the Steelers in 2017 before moving on to an offensive assistant role with the Jets and later earning a head coaching job with the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas in 2023.
With this kind of experience, his guidance helped former ASU WR Tyson become a national standout even after returning from injury. That was possible because Hines Ward’s coaching doesn’t rely on a player’s talent but on the player having the potential to grow.
“He just has an aura about himself. He’s completely changing the game when it comes to this is where you want to come if you want to be a wide out and get developed, and not get told how great you are, but to get pushed to be how great you can be,” added Dillingham.
Aside from developing WR, ‘the Dancing with the Stars guy’ played a crucial role in recruitment at Arizona State. But while Hines Ward is earning praise for his coaching dedication at ASU, the debate over his playing legacy continues, with a former NFL star questioning the 49-year-old veteran.
Ex-NFL star raises doubts about Hines Ward’s NFL legacy
Inducted in 2013 after a 16-season NFL career, Hall of Famer Cris Carter delivered a blunt assessment of Hines Ward’s Pro Football HOF resume. Speaking on his Fully Loaded podcast, Carter argued that solid numbers and championships aren’t enough to get that crown.
“Only 85 touchdowns. Only four Pro Bowls. Those numbers are hard to overcome,” said Carter. “If he had 1,000 catches and 100 touchdowns? That Super Bowl MVP helps. But he just doesn’t have the numbers.”
In his 14-year NFL career and two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers, Ward recorded 12,000 receiving yards and made four Pro Bowls. To cap it off, he showed a Super Bowl XL MVP performance and earned multiple All-Pro honors.
Despite that, for the 10th straight year, Ward fell short of finalist status for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. Carter pointed to fellow Hall of Fame hopefuls like Reggie Wayne and Torry Holt.
“It’s a lot of good receivers out there. But let’s separate between the good and the great. Hines Ward is in the good category,” added the ex-NFL HOF.
Maybe the stats aren’t loud, but Hines Ward’s impact at ASU cannot be undermined. But can he continue operating at his best ahead of the upcoming season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
5 offensive prospects Browns should watch at 2026 NFL combine
The NFL scouting combine will get underway on Feb. 23 in Indianapolis. The event sort of symbolizes the kick-starting of the real pre-draft process for teams, with all of the college games and all-star games completed.
The Browns go to Indiana with 10 picks currently in April’s draft and a laundry list of needs to fill. Most of those needs, at least at the top of the list, are on the offensive side of the football.
The good news is that those 10 picks allow the Browns to potentially address those needs, much as they did with several of their 2025 draft picks. The process of digging deep into those potential answers isn’t starting in Indianapolis, but it’s definitely getting ramped up.
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So who could some of those potential answers be for the Browns? Here’s a look at five names to really watch during the NFL combine:
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Freeling is a 6-foot-7, 315-pound mountain of a human being who was the Bulldogs’ left tackle for 12 of their 13 games in the 2025 season, his first full season as a starter. However, he showcased enough in that season, on top of the 21 games he had played in the previous two seasons, to get on the radars of NFL teams. Then he went out and built on it with a strong Senior Bowl week. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano are viewed as the top two offensive tackles. Freeling, though, is rapidly soaring up the boards. This next week or so could only do more to juice that stock.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Crimson Tide quarterback has one full season of starting in his college career, that coming in 2025. He also started one game in 2023. Simpson’s the son of a college coach, Tennessee-Martin’s long-time head coach Jason Simpson. However, Simpson’s also a quarterback who went from a spectacular October where he looked like the best quarterback potentially available in this draft to a November that had some questioning whether or not he should go back for one more collegiate season. That puts a lot of onus on Simpson, still seen as the QB2 behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza at this point, to assuage teams’ concerns over the number of starts.
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The former Trojan pass catcher isn’t the biggest wide receiver in the draft at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds. Lemon isn’t the fastest wide receiver in the draft, having been previously clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.48 seconds. However, he may be one of the best all-around wide receivers in the draft. Lemon plays bigger than his size, especially when it comes to making catches in traffic. Teams like the Browns, who have been linked to Lemon, are going to have him under and intense microscope.
Jack Endries, TE, Texas
The Browns are going to be looking for more tight end help to assist Harold Fannin Jr., and Endries is one of those who has been linked in the pre-combine mock drafts to Cleveland. Endries is very much a tight end in the mold of Fannin, checking in at 6-4, 240 pounds, much more spread out receiver than in-line blocker. Endries will have two big things to prove in Indianapolis. One his his size, when he gets officially measured by the league, while the other is his strength, assuming he chooses to do the bench press.
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Snicker and laugh if you must, it’s an understandable reaction to the latest Penn State quarterback who came to college with all sorts of hype — out of Medina, no less — and found himself plateauing at a certain point of his career. Then it all came to a crashing halt with a leg injury against Northwestern last fall. The combine could be a place where Allar could potentially begin the process of re-building the narrative around him. It won’t make up for the game film he put out during his time in Happy Valley. Still, could he sell himself to a team looking for a quarterback to potentially develop and, possibly, turn into a starter.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
2026 NFL Free Agency: Five Best Offensive Linemen Available
Some of the most coveted players in free agency this offseason could very well be offensive linemen. There are numerous teams who need to improve their offensive lines, and often a shortage of quality offensive linemen.
Last season, the Bears were the best example of a team that bolstered their offensive line through free agency and trades, and it paid off as they went on to win the NFC North in 2025. A number of teams such as the Chargers, Lions, Raiders and Browns should similarly prioritize building up their line play this offseason.
MORE: Ranking the 50 Best NFL Free Agents Available in 2026
For teams in need of better offensive line play, here are the five best linemen they should go after in free agency.
5. G Joel Bitonio
Browns guard Joel Bitonio is currently considering retirement, but if he does decide to keep playing, he is one of the top linemen available. Bitonio has spent his entire career so far with the Browns, who selected him in the second round way back in 2014. Bitonio is 34 years old, but remains a quality guard, ranking eighth according to PFF in pass blocking.
4. G Alijah Vera-Tucker
Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has been one of the better guards in the NFL when he’s managed to stay healthy. Vera-Tucker has missed at least 10 games in three separate seasons of his career, and was out for the entire 2025 season after tearing his triceps before Week 1. The former first-round pick is just 26 years old though, and has plenty of upside if he can stay on the field.
3. OT Rasheed Walker
Packers tackle Rasheed Walker is slated to become a free agent next month as his rookie contract expires. The former seventh-round pick has been a starter for Green Bay over each of the last three seasons, and ranked 11th this past year in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric.
2. OT Braden Smith
Colts tackle Braden Smith is on track to hit free agency for the first time in his career. The 2018 second-round pick has spent his entire career so far in Indianapolis, and previously re-signed with the team in 2021 on a four-year, $72.4 million deal. Smith played in 13 games in 2025 before missing the end of the season due to a concussion and neck injury.
1. C Tyler Linderbaum
Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum is this year’s prized free agent along the offensive line. Linderbaum is one of the top centers in the game, ranking fourth among centers in PFF’s overall grades and fourth according to ESPN’s pass block win rate metric among interior offensive linemen. At just 25, Linderbaum is in the thick of his prime and could become the stalwart of new team’s offensive line this offseason.
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DeSean Jackson Makes Big Offensive Hire to Replace Clinton Portis as Miami Eyes Departing Coach: Report
The success of DeSean Jackson’s high-powered rushing offense at Delaware State has come at a cost, as the departure of RBs coach Clinton Portis forces a pivotal hire to maintain their dominance. But now, after losing that trusted hand, Jackson has brought in another experienced staffer with over two decades’ worth of experience.
On Friday, Delaware State reportedly hired Steve Broussard as its new RBs coach. With that move, in the upcoming season, Portis will not oversee the Hornets’ RB room, but this new coach has a similarity to him.
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Like Portis, Broussard played nine seasons in the NFL. From 1990 to 1998, he played with teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and Cincinnati Bengals, finishing his career with 2,625 rushing yards. Besides that talent, he brings CFB coaching experience, too. Starting in 2000 as an offensive coordinator, his coaching journey began at the high school level, and then he coached at the collegiate level.
Broussard built a diverse coaching resume, serving as a special teams and recruiting coordinator before specializing as an RBs coach. He then honed his craft at programs like his alma mater, Washington State, UCLA, and SMU.
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With this kind of experience, Broussard’s addition will surely give a boost to DeSean Jackson’s program. But losing Clinton Portis could sting DSU, as he led it to an FCS-high 291 YPG in 2025. Now, the new RBs coach at least has to match that level to strengthen his journey with the Hornets. However, with Portis’ departure, DSU took another hit.
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Portis’s departure has had a ripple effect, as star running backs James Jones and Marquis Gillis, who rushed for more than 2000 yards this past season combined, have since transferred. This leaves a major hole for the Hornets, while Portis himself is now a coaching free agent after a planned move to Florida A&M fell through.
“Football can open doors. But your decisions decide how long those doors stay open,” said Portis.
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After showing enough prowess at Delaware State, the RBs coach is now looking for a new home. This is where his old collegiate connections could lead him next.
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Will Clinton Portis go back to his alma mater?
Losing Matt Merritt, who is going to take an NFL gig, Mario Cristobal’s Miami is now looking for a steady hand for the RBs coach position. In this case, Clinton Portis could be a choice for the Hurricanes, and reports claim the Hurricanes are already
From 1999 to 2001, Portis played for the Hurricanes as a standout running back. During his Miami days, the program saw many standout performances, but the breakout came in 2001. He helped lead Miami to a national title and a perfect 12-0 season, rushing for 1,200 yards and 10 TDs. To cap it off, with 2,523 rushing yards, he finished his Miami career.
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With his proven coaching talent and deep-rooted familiarity with the Hurricanes program, Portis presents a compelling option for Cristobal. His son, Camdin Portis, is already a freshman DB there. Following in his father’s footsteps, Camdin joined Miami, amplifying Clinton’s return to his alma mater. But nothing is settled yet. Still, if Cristobal hires him, it’ll be a significant addition.
After rushing for more than 9,000 yards during his NFL career with the Broncos and Washington, the former Pro Bowl player started his coaching career in 2025 with the Hornets. Following that success, he is considered a coaching free agent now, and it looks like Miami could get his help in the 2026 season.
Ex-Eagles Star Issues A.J. Brown Warning to 31 NFL Teams as Howie Roseman’s Trade Strategy Revealed
During his end-of-season press conference, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made one thing clear. Players like A.J. Brown are not found easily. When asked about trade talks, Roseman did not shut the door, but he made it obvious that elite wide receivers are rare. However, former Eagles star Isaiah “Ike” Reese believes that posture is not stubbornness; it is smart business.
“Right now, I think there is maybe a low market, but I think that’s just because teams think they have the Eagles over a barrel, thinking that they know the Eagles absolutely want to get rid of AJ, so why offer up the most you can to start off negotiations?” Reese said on Sports Radio 94WIP.
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“And the Eagles certainly don’t want to present it as if A.J. isn’t coming back. They want everybody to know AJ is coming back; they want him back so that if you actually want him and you’re interested in him, you’re going to have to basically blow our doors away with a deal in order for me to even engage in this conversation. And that’s the perfect way for Howie to play this. He’s the best at this, so I won’t second-guess his strategy.”
Moreover, Reese sent a direct message to the rest of the league. He warned that no team should come in with bargain offers.
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“He has to drum up enough of a market between bidders, because a fourth or fifth round, I’m not even answering my phone for that, for AJ Brown. You have to start at a second-round pick,” Reese said.
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Brown’s production backs up the stance. The three-time Pro Bowler remains the only Eagle with multiple 1,400-plus-yard seasons, the top two marks in franchise history. He delivered two 1,400-yard seasons and helped Philadelphia reach two Super Bowls in four years. Last season alone, he recorded 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.
Still, frustration with the offense grew in 2025, and it was easily visible. In fact, a video surfaced in November where Brown called his situation a “s-it show.”
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“It’s not just solely about my situation. I want to win, too,” Brown said in a different interview. “I think if we’re really focused on winning and doing our job, we can’t just keep slapping a Band-Aid over the defense doing their job and getting us out of trouble. At what point are we going to pick up our slack as an offense?”
Brown voiced his displeasure more than once before CEO Jeffrey Lurie asked him to scale back the public criticism. However, fans cannot deny the fact that the Eagles’ offensive line struggled with injuries throughout last season. The lack of a run game and being predictable were the root causes as well. That’s why Brown didn’t seem impressed with the offense after delivering a great season.
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Now the front office must decide if Brown will fully align with quarterback Jalen Hurts moving forward. However, Roseman stands firm. If one of the other 31 teams wants him, they will have to pay for him.
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Howie Roseman remains positive about A.J. Brown
The Eagles’ general manager, Howie Roseman, did not hesitate when asked about A.J. Brown’s future. He made his stance clear during his end-of-season news conference alongside Nick Sirianni.
“It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J. is a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency, in the draft, just trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy.”
Moreover, Roseman echoed that belief when trade rumors heated up near the deadline.
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“I think that when you’re trying to be a great team, it’s hard to trade great players, and A.J. Brown is a great player,” Roseman said.
“He wears a ‘C’ for a reason; he’s an important part of this team, of this organization. He cares about winning, he cares about his teammates, and I think when you’re a team like ours that is looking forward to an opportunity to compete for a championship, you just don’t get rid of guys like that.”
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However, money remains a big talking point. If the Eagles believe the partnership no longer works, a deal could happen. They would take on more than $40 million in dead cap with a trade before June 1, but that figure drops below $20 million after that date. Brown also carries a $23.4 million cap hit in 2026.
Meanwhile, any move would hurt at first, yet create future flexibility. That space could help lock up young pillars like Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean. Still, the acquiring team would assume Brown’s $29 million salary in 2026 and roughly $4 million guaranteed in 2027, per the Roster Management System. So now the Eagles fans wait and watch.
press reps at the NFL Combine?
Of all the football players from Alabama’s high schools and colleges who’ve tried to reach the pros, which one did the most repetitions in the bench press at the annual NFL Scouting Combine?
A new group of players will have an opportunity to provide the answer to that question next week in Indianapolis, where the NFL Scouting Combine will be held for the 39th time.
For the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, players will arrive for testing and interviews in four groups and will be on the field from Feb. 26 through March 1.
In the bench press, one of the six measurable drills administered at the combine, each participant seeks to press 225 pounds as many times as he can.
In this century, the record for the most reps by a player from an Alabama high school or college was established by Evan Mathis at 35 in 2005 and tied by Carl Lawson in 2017 and Braden Smith in 2018.
The combine record in the bench press is 49 repetitions by Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea in 2011.
At the 2025 combine, the top showing at the station for a player from an Alabama high school or college was 32 reps by Alabama tight end CJ Dippre, who tied for the high mark last year. He became the first player to land in the Alabama-roots top 10 since the 2018 combine.
The bench press used to be the first of the measurable tests tackled by the prospects in Indianapolis. Now it’s the last one and is staged on the morning after the players have taken the running and jumping tests at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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Records from the early combines can be sketchy, but complete data is available starting with the 2000 event. These are the top 10 bench-press performances since that year by players from Alabama high schools and colleges:
1. Evan Mathis, Homewood High School, Alabama: 35 reps
After the 2005 combine, the Carolina Panthers drafted the guard in the third round. He was an All-Pro once and a Pro Bowler twice in his 12 NFL seasons. In 2015, Mathis played left guard for the Denver Broncos as they won Super Bowl 50.
1. Carl Lawson, Auburn: 35 reps
After the 2017 combine, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted the defensive end in the fourth round. Lawson led the NFL’s rookies with 8.5 sacks and earned a place on the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team. A knee injury ended Lawson’s second NFL season after seven games, and he missed the entire 2021 season with an Achilles injury. In 90 games, including one in 2025, Lawson has 32 sacks.
1. Braden Smith, Auburn: 35 reps
After the 2018 combine, the Indianapolis Colts drafted the guard in the second round. Smith entered the lineup as the right offensive tackle in the fifth game and played every snap there the rest of the way, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie team. Smith has remained Indianapolis’ right tackle in the seven seasons since, overcoming the obsessive-compulsive disorder subtype religious scrupulosity in 2024.
4. Mookie Moore, Fayette County High School, Troy: 34 reps
After the 2000 combine, the Washington Redskins drafted the guard in the fourth round. He played in eight games in three NFL seasons.
4. Fred Weary, Lee High School (Montgomery): 34 reps
After the 2002 combine, the Houston Texans drafted the Tennessee guard in the third round. He played six seasons, with 43 starts, for Houston, losing almost two seasons to injuries.
4. Robert McCune, LeFlore High School (Mobile): 34 reps
After the 2005 combine, the Washington Redskins drafted the Louisville linebacker in the fifth round. He played in eight games in three NFL seasons and also played in the Canadian Football League.
4. Gabe Wright, Auburn: 34 reps
After the 2015 combine, the Detroit Lions selected the defensive tackle in the fourth round. Wright played in 15 games with four teams over his four NFL seasons.
8. Bryan Thomas, Minor High School (Adamsville), UAB: 33 reps
After the 2002 combine, the New York Jets drafted the defensive end with the 22nd pick. Thomas played 11 seasons with the Jets as a defensive end and outside linebacker, appeared in 157 games with 104 starts and recorded 33.5 sacks.
8. Greg Robinson, Auburn: 33 reps
After the 2014 combine, the St. Louis Rams drafted the offensive tackle with the second pick. He moved into the starting lineup as the left offensive tackle halfway through his rookie season and spent two more seasons there before being traded to the Detroit Lions in 2017. Robinson played six games before an injury ended his time with the Lions, but he made a comeback by playing every snap at left offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns in the second half of the 2018 season and starting 14 games there in 2019. A free agent in 2020, Robinson was not signed after being charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute marijuana after being stopped in Texas while transporting approximately 157 pounds of it, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
10. Eddie Freeman, B.C. Rain High School (Mobile), UAB: 32 reps
After the 2002 combine, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted the defensive end in the second round. He played in 20 games over two seasons with Kansas City.
10. CJ Dippre, Alabama: 32 reps
After the 2025 combine, the tight end went undrafted. Dippre signed with the New England Patriots and, after staring the season on the practice squad, joined the active roster in November. He played in two games as a rookie.
Maxx Crosby Joins 49ers Ownership in Career Move Away From NFL as Raiders’ Trade Demands Revealed
Maxx Crosby recently locked in a historic three-year, $106.5 million contract extension in 2025 and has already earned more than $96 million over the course of his NFL career. Now, the Las Vegas Raiders star is taking his ambitions beyond football. On Friday, he confirmed that he has invested in Leeds United F.C., officially becoming part of the Premier League club’s ownership group.
“God Is Great. 💛💙,” he wrote on X, becoming part of a soccer team in England’s first-tier soccer league.
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Interestingly, the San Francisco 49ers’ ownership group, 49ers Enterprises, has fully owned the team for the last three years. Led by Paraag Marathe, the Niners’ strategic investment arm has diversified its portfolio, which includes StatusPRO, Recap, and consulting firm Elevate.
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It’s a smart investment from Crosby since Leeds plays in the most attractive soccer league in the world. After more than 15 years playing in England’s lower divisions, the team made it back to the Premier League in 2020. They’ve shuffled between the first and second divisions over the last six years and found their way back to the Premier League after two seasons in 2025.
Profits generated from the top tier dramatically exceed proceeds from the lower division, called the Championship, and Maxx Crosby will be hoping his team doesn’t get relegated again. They’re currently placed 15th on the table and are expected to safeguard their place in the league.
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Part of the attraction might’ve been 25-year-old Brenden Aaronson, an American player widely considered the biggest star of Leeds United. Additionally, a US-based consortium with Maxx Crosby as a minority shareholder expanded last year, with a 51% stake in the Scottish Soccer club, Rangers.
The DE is 28 now and is looking to diversify his portfolio for life after football. Over the course of his career, he has already earned close to $96,475,395, according to Spotrac, and whether he earns a new deal with the Raiders or a contract elsewhere, that number is expected to skyrocket.
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The Raiders are looking for a Micah Parsons-like package
Since 2019, it’s been common knowledge that Maxx Crosby is the Raiders’ franchise player, and the DE was a part of the future the front office envisioned. But after seven years with the team and just one playoff appearance during that span, there’s a possibility we might’ve seen the last of him in Las Vegas.
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As one would expect, the Raiders would want a dramatically high package in return, and they’ve already set the threshold. According to insider Adam Schefter, the Las Vegas Raiders are looking for a Micah Parsons-like package in return for Maxx Crosby.
“That’s what I was told,” Schefter said. “Do I think they are getting two firsts and a player? No. Do I think they want to trade him? No. Do I think he’ll be traded like AJ Brown? That’ll change by the week… Any deal involving Maxx Crosby, I would think for the Raiders to make that deal, would take a first-round pick at minimum.”
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Well, it took two first-round picks and DL Kenny Clark for the Packers to bring in Parsons, so any team will have to give up serious draft capital to trade for Maxx Crosby. There are exceptions, of course. If a team like the Cowboys decides to give up WR George Pickens for the DE, the deal could look very different.
It’s speculation right now, considering that no team is ‘officially’ in the market for Crosby, and that isn’t likely to change unless something concrete surfaces.
NFL Pro Bowler Tre’ Johnson, dead at 54, found a new calling as a teacher
He was a bruising offensive lineman, playing in Washington for eight seasons, before becoming a teacher and coach at the Landon School in Maryland.
7 minutes ago
On the football field, Tre’ Johnson was a warrior — a bruising 300-plus-pound offensive lineman who protected Washington quarterback Brad Johnson from cheap shots; cleared the way for Stephen Davis, the team’s all-pro running back; and proudly called himself a “head banger,” punishing opponents with his body even as he embraced the sport’s cerebral side, spending hours in the film room to refine his technique.
Ex-Colorado Star Returns to Deion Sanders’ Disposal After Rookie NFL Season
After finishing the 2025 season with 246 kick return yards, former Colorado WR LaJohntay Wester is entering his second year with the Baltimore Ravens. But before starting the 2026 season, the former Buffs star has returned to that old place, his alma mater. While a return to Boulder seems natural for a former Buff, Wester’s appearance on the practice field signals this is more than just a social call.
On Friday, a CU alum and reporter, Ky, shared a picture of Wester on X, which featured the Ravens WR back in Boulder and practicing.
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Having just finished his rookie season, Wester is using his offseason to return to Boulder, likely looking to reset and train in a familiar setting before his second NFL season. But for the Buffs, this is practice time to prepare for the 2026 season. Wester’s return to Boulder could serve two purposes: using the Buffs’ practice facilities to either train in a familiar setting or mentor the next generation of Colorado players.
Either way, his return to the Colorado field only signals a meeting with the Colorado head coach, who labeled Wester “a pro” even before he started his NFL journey. Although Wester just spent his final collegiate season with Deion Sanders after spending four seasons with Florida Atlantic, his connection with Coach Prime is on another level. Even playing only a single season, his numbers showed why Deion gave him that label.
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“Oh my god. LaJohntay is a pro, man. He’s a Florida boy, and he comes with that dog mentality, that swagger in him,” said the Buffs head coach.
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In Colorado, he recorded 931 yards and 10 TDs and played a key role in the Buffs’ nine wins in the 2024 season. But not only with Deion, his son, Shedeur Sanders, also shared a deep connection with Wester. Before his transfer to Colorado, Shedeur publicly shared Colorado’s interest, posting, “We want Wester in Boulder.”
“For him to bring me in here (to Colorado) and be able to have a season like we did and be able to have the opportunity to do it at the next level, that’s amazing,” said Weste, confirming a connection between them.
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Aside from this connection, the former Colorado WR’s collegiate journey with FAU was also outstanding. Appearing in 45 games, he recorded 2703 yards there. His performance earned him AAC Special Teams Player of the Year honors. But did that talent translate in his rookie season?
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How the Colorado star’s rookie season unfolded with the Ravens
With the Ravens, LaJohntay Wester, the sixth-round pick, has endured the growing pains that often define a rookie season. He recorded 198 punt return yards and logged 58 offensive snaps, appearing in 17 games. However, the toughest moment came against the Browns this past season, when a rare muffled punt deep in his own territory stalled momentum.
In his debut season with the Ravens, they recorded an 8-9 regular season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Despite the team’s struggles, Wester remains focused on proving his doubters wrong, a mindset he’s carried his whole life.
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“I’ve been overlooked all my life, in this game, since I was 6 years old,” said Wester. “I was still making plays.”
Now, his rookie season may not pop huge numbers, but his Colorado mindset will definitely help him in the next season. Even posting a phrase popularized by Deion Sanders Jr., “The Rejected Will Be Respected,” with an hourglass emoji, he signaled that. With a full offseason to train and a mindset forged at Colorado, Wester aims to prove that his rookie season was just the beginning and that the faith Coach Prime showed in him was well-placed.
Skip Bayless Rips Cowboys’ ‘Delusional Luck’ & Hopes For 2026 NFL Season
The Dallas Cowboys stumbled through the 2025 season, thanks to consistently poor defensive effort, missing the NFL playoffs for the second straight season.
Dallas immediately tried to change the fortunes of its defense by hiring new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who replaces Matt Eberflus. Parker has put together an exciting young staff of up-and-coming assistants with the hope of a major turnaround in Big D.
While there is some excitement surrounding the Cowboys’ future and new direction, not everyone is buying in.
MORE: New Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft Revamps Christian Parker’s Secondary
One of the most outspoken talking heads in sports media, Skip Bayless, recently went on a rant refusing to by into the
Brad Marchand makes his familiar pesky impact for Canada at Olympics
MILAN (AP) — Jon Cooper has coached in the NHL long enough to know how much of a pest Brad Marchand can be as an opponent.
So it was no surprise to see the so-called “Rat King” being on brand with a men’s hockey gold-medal game berth on the line in Canada’s eventual 3-2 semifinal victory over Finland at the Milan Cortina Games on Friday.
With Canada down 2-1 midway through the third period, the Florida Panthers forward was in his familiar spot, battling for position in front of the net, when Erik Haula shoved him into goalie Juuse Saros. Marchand remained on top of the goalie long enough to delay Saros getting set as Canada’s Shea Theodore blasted a shot that beat him on the short side.
“First of all, Brad’s being Brad,” Cooper said, after Canada won on Nathan MacKinnon’s goal with 36 seconds left. “And I like that Brad.”
No penalty was called, and Cooper didn’t expect one upon watching the replay. Marchand was outside of the crease upon being pushed into Saros, and was eventually making an attempt to get out of the crease, which follows the letter of international hockey rules.
Saros could only laugh and shake his head in providing his view of what happened.
“I mean, you guys (reporters) have seen him multiple times, so I think you know,” the Nashville Predators goalie said. “Of course, yeah. I mean, he does that all the time.”
Whether it was during Marchand’s first 16 NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins, the past two with Florida or representing his nation in Milan, the two-time Stanley Cup winner’s pesky presence continues to make an impact at age 37.
“Honestly, once I got in the paint and kind of got pushed at him, I was just trying to get out of the way again,” Marchand said. “If they didn’t like it, they would’ve challenged it. I knew it was a goal.”
Then asked about how much he was actually pushed into Saros, Marchand replied: “I don’t know. Does it matter?”
Finland coach Antti Pennanen said he declined to challenge the play because he “was really sure it was a good goal.”
He credited the line of Marchand, Sam Bennett and Tom Wilson for making a difference in a game Finland squandered a 2-0 lead.
“Really good hockey players. It was a huge challenge for us and overall Team Canada,” Pennanen said. “But our players gave everything they had today. I’m so proud of how we played today. It wasn’t enough.”
___
AP Olympic coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Dylan Larkin leading epic moment for Michigan’s hockey scene
Canada is the birthplace of hockey. Minnesota is known as
USA to face Canada for Olympic gold after overpowering Slovakia in men’s hockey
MILAN — Jack Hughes took the Zach Werenski feed between the penalty boxes, pivoted toward the net and went to work.
He carried the puck into the offensive zone and pulled up at the half wall, surveying his options as two Slovak defenders stared him down. Not finding an open passing lane, despite a few shoulder shimmies, Hughes executed a quick give-and-go with Werenski at the blue line, freeing up some space for him in the high slot. Tomas Tatar made a run at him, and Hughes turned him inside out before sliding to the left circle and unleashing a nasty wrister through defenseman Martin Fehérváry and past goaltender Samuel Hlavaj, who could only flinch as the puck sailed by high on the far side.
The American bench erupted. Hughes went down to one knee to celebrate. His teammates ran to join him. Yes, it seems like Team USA, a self-described “unfinished product” throughout this tournament, might just be a finished one.
“I think our game is peaking at the right time,” Hughes said.
Bring on Canada.
Because the matchup hockey fans have been waiting 12 years for is finally here.
The United States easily dispatched Slovakia in a 6-2 semifinal blowout on Friday night at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, setting up a superpower showdown with Canada in Sunday’s Olympic gold medal game. The biggest matchup on the world’s biggest stage, two All-Star behemoths jockeying for global hockey supremacy.
“It’s best on best, it’s what every American and Canadian grows up watching, grows up caring about,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “This is the pinnacle of the sport. This is as good as it gets. And a rivalry that’s as good as it gets. There will be not one TV without this game on in the United States and Canada, and that should get you fired up.”
The thought of Connor McDavid matching up against Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon lining up against Jack Eichel, Cale Makar dueling Quinn Hughes has tormented and tantalized fans for years, with the NHL choosing to sit out the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, and pulling out of the 2022 Olympics in Beijing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, it’s happening. For the third time since the NHL began participating in the Olympics in 1998, the U.S. and Canada will meet for the ultimate prize. Canada won 5-2 in 2002 in Salt Lake City and 3-2 in 2010 in Vancouver, the latter in overtime on Sidney Crosby’s “golden goal.” Canada has won 15 of 19 meetings all time at the Olympics, including a 4-1 record with NHL participation (the lone win coming in a preliminary round game in Vancouver).
The last meeting between the two countries, a 3-2 overtime victory in the final of the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off last February — set against a politically charged backdrop as President Trump openly mused about annexing Canada and making it “the 51st state” — drew more than 16 million viewers in Canada and the United States.
There’s been speculation that Trump may attend Sunday’s game. FBI Director Kash Patel — a friend of USA men’s hockey GM Bill Guerin and somebody who arranged for Trump to call into the United States’ locker room before last year’s 4 Nations final to offer words of encouragement — was supposed to be at Friday’s U.S. semifinal, CBS reported. U.S. coach Mike Sullivan said after the game he didn’t know if Trump was coming, and that the Americans had plenty of motivation regardless.
Thanks to the group-stage format of the men’s tournament, which separated the three gold-or-bust countries — Canada, the U.S. and Sweden — the two teams could only face each other in Milan in the elimination round. As the top two seeds, they seemed destined to meet in the gold medal game. Canada got there with a harrowing last-minute comeback victory over Finland in the first semifinal.
The Americans set up the possibility with an equally dramatic quarterfinal win over Sweden, withstanding a last-minute goal by Mika Zibanejad before winning it in overtime on Quinn Hughes’ wicked shot from the slot. They cemented it in Friday’s semifinal with a thorough rout of an overmatched Slovakia squad. The tournament’s pleasant surprise was unable to muster any more magic against the U.S., which got two goals from Jack Hughes and one each from Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, Eichel and Brady Tkachuk. Zach Werenski had three assists, and Thompson, Tkachuk and Eichel each had two points.
Connor Hellebuyck continued to rewrite the narrative about his career, that he’s only elite in the regular season and is a big-game liability. He made 22 saves, his shutout spoiled by Juraj Slafkovský’s third-period goal. The Americans have given up just eight goals in five games.
Now, they’re getting a Canada team that needed late-game heroics to beat both Czechia and Finland. Both teams are battle-tested in the elimination stage of the tournament, but only the Americans can say for sure they’re playing at their best.
“We’re excited for it,” said defenseman Zach Werenski, who had three assists in the semifinal. “It’s the matchup everyone wanted, and we didn’t want to look ahead too far. Obviously, we knew we had to get through Sweden, get through Slovakia, and now that it’s finally here, we can kind of shift our focus to Canada. We know how good of a team they are, and it’s going to be a challenge for us, but I like our team right now. I like our game. I feel like we’ve gotten better as the tournament’s went on, and I’m expecting a pretty tight game on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, Guerin is one step closer to vindication for his much-disputed roster construction. He chose to leave off three of the top four American goal scorers in the NHL — Dallas’ Jason Robertson, Montreal’s Cole Caufield and Detroit’s Alex DeBrincat — in favor of grittier veterans J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers. And he left dynamic Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson at home, even passing him over when Florida’s Seth Jones had to pull out of the Olympics with an injury.
Offense was hard to come by against Sweden, with the U.S. scoring just once in regulation, but the Americans had plenty of firepower against lesser powers Latvia, Denmark, Germany and Slovakia.
They’ll need all of it to hang with Canada in what will be the biggest game of many of these players’ careers.
“Just can’t really script it any better than that,” Brady Tkachuk said. “Know for us all we cared about was putting ourselves in that position. Didn’t really matter who we were going to play. … Truly grateful to be in this position to achieve a childhood dream. Hasn’t really sunk in yet that we’re playing. I know it’s going to sink in later and tomorrow that we’re playing for a gold medal.”
Thompson leaves early
Thompson left the game after the second period with a lower-body injury in what coach Mike Sullivan said was for precautionary reasons. The big winger had a goal and an assist in the game, giving him three goals and an assist in five games. He’s a big part of the first power-play unit, and Larkin took over that spot in the third period.
“We’ll see how he recovers,” Sullivan said, “but we anticipate him being ready (for Sunday).”
Should Thompson be unable to go, Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor is the extra forward.
Canada is even more banged up, with the status of captain Sidney Crosby and defenseman Josh Morrissey still up in the air.
Quinn and bear it
Quinn Hughes, whose absence at 4 Nations was sorely felt, moved within one point of tying Sweden’s Erik Karlsson (2014) and American Brian Rafalski (2010) for the all-time record for points by a defenseman in an Olympics with NHL participation. His secondary assist on Thompson’s power-play goal late in the first period gave him six assists to go with his overtime goal to beat Sweden. He has points in all five games of the tournament, with his five-game point streak tying Zach Parise (2010) for the longest by a U.S. skater in NHL-featured Olympics.
Quinn’s brother no slouch
And then there’s Jack.
What a tournament he’s having after being disappointing in last year’s 4 Nations. After starting at fourth-line left wing, Hughes was promoted to third-line left wing alongside Larkin and Thompson on Friday night and added two more goals to give him three goals and eight points in five games.
“We thought he was playing real well, and so we thought by moving him up and getting him more ice time, he could impact the game more,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “It was just a decision on our part based on how Jack has played, and we think he’s getting better with every game he’s played.”
Jack’s first goal, with the shoulder shimmy at the top of the slot, was eerily reminiscent of his brother’s patented move.
“He’s probably better at all that stuff than I am,” Quinn said. “He’s pretty silky.”
Responded Jack: “I don’t know about that. You guys have been seeing him do that for like 25 minutes a night here. So he’s the best in the world, probably, at shimmying like that up top.”
Battle for bronze
Slovakia now turns its attention to defending its bronze medal in the Beijing Games. While the Americans cruised into the quarterfinal, Slovakia had a wild run — upsetting Finland in the opener, barely holding off Italy, then losing to Sweden but winning the group with a last-minute Dalibor Dvorský goal that gave Slovakia the group win and a bye into the quarters, where they knocked off Germany. Slovakia — with youth, swagger and joy on their side — believed a gold medal was within reach, but a bronze against an NHL-laden field would be a massive achievement.
“Yeah, for sure. It’s a big tournament with all the NHL players, we would for sure be excited,” said Slafkovský, who now has 11 goals in 12 career Olympic games. “It obviously sucks (when) you lose in the semifinals, always. But we’re going to get a good sleep, we’re going to wake up with a smile on our faces tomorrow and we’re going to go do it.”
Scrappy finish
Matthew Tkachuk and Erik Černak got into a tussle at the end of the game.
“Obviously, big emotions in this game by both sides,” Slovak defenseman Martin Fehérváry said. “Everyone knows what the Tkachuks are doing, right? It’s not something that would surprise someone. It’s just the emotions got high, you know?”
Stay out of the box
The Americans gave Slovakia a few opportunities to get back in it by taking four penalties in the first half of the game, but the Slovak power play was ineffective. For the first few chances, Slovakia didn’t even appear to have a net-front presence in front of Hellebuyck. The fourth opportunity was a little better, but the Americans still held Slovakia without a shot on goal.
Of course, the Canadian power play is a tad more dangerous than Slovakia’s. With a first unit of McDavid, MacKinnon, Celebrini, Cale Makar and Sam Reinhart, the U.S. can ill afford to be so undisciplined on Sunday.
As Canada and USA battle for gold on Olympic stage, the whole world will be watching
MILAN — One cannot overstate the stakes in Sunday’s Olympic men’s hockey gold medal game.
It has the chance to be the most-watched game in the sport’s entire history, for one.
“This is as good as it gets. And a rivalry that’s as good as it gets. There will be not one TV without this game on in the United States and Canada,’’ American forward Matthew Tkachuk said Friday night after his team booked its ticket to the gold medal game.
It’s the matchup the NHL dreamed about when it decided to end a 12-year absence from Olympic play.
“It’s the final that we wanted and the team that we wanted to play,’’ said Team USA forward Matt Boldy. “It’s exciting for the fans and for hockey and everything like that.’’
Added Team USA center Dylan Larkin: “I think this, it’s what everyone wanted, is this matchup in the gold medal game.’’
A Team USA victory would be its most important since the 1996 World Cup of Hockey win over Canada and its first Olympic gold since the Miracle on Ice team. A win Sunday could have that same impact for years to come.
“I’m excited to see the matchup with USA and Canada,’’ Ryan Miller, whose outstanding 2010 Olympic tournament ended with the Golden Goal against him in Vancouver, told The Athletic on Friday night. “Obviously would love to see the Americans take the next step. It has been a consistent push over the last 12 years between World Jr., U18s and World Championships where the U.S. has grabbed titles. I think they have grown a generation of players that are at least on par with Canada and are ready to overtake them. It’s their moment. Hoping to see them get the job done.’’
A Team Canada victory keeps the world’s most hockey-obsessed nation on top of the hockey summit at a time when their rivals south of the border have never looked more threatening as far as hockey world supremacy.
A year after the 4 Nations Face-Off appetizer event surprisingly captured the attention of so many, the Canada-U.S. championship game layered with a tense political backdrop, imagine now what that may feel like in the hours leading up to puck drop Sunday, as relations between the two nations remain frayed thanks to a U.S. president who continues to verbally question Canada’s sovereignty. And there’s a chance Donald Trump will be at Sunday’s game, to boot.
So yeah, this isn’t just a hockey game Sunday. This is one of the biggest moments in the sport’s history.
“It’s a game where everybody is going to be watching and tuning in. That’s exciting for everybody involved, players, countries, all the people back home, it’s going to be a really special moment, just to have an opportunity to achieve your childhood dream, nothing better than that,’’ said Team USA star forward Brady Tkachuk.
A year ago, Tom Wilson was sitting on his couch watching the 4 Nations championship game between Canada and the U.S. Not to mention the round-robin game between both teams a week prior to that, which featured three fights in nine seconds to open the game.
So yeah, he was grinning from ear to ear as the question was being asked Friday night, the idea of being part of a Canada-USA grudge match for Olympic gold with the whole world watching.
“Let’s just say I’d be excited to play in that game,’’ smiled the rugged Team Canada winger. “It’s one of the best rivalries in sports, especially in hockey. … It’s going to be a big boy game. We’ll see what happens.’’
Canada-USA on this stage? Come on.
“That would obviously be great for hockey, there would be a lot of viewers,’’ Team Canada defenseman Drew Doughty said after the 3-2 semifinal win over Finland. “But we don’t care who we play.’’
Yeah, not buying that for one second. Every single returning player from both Team Canada and Team USA from 4 Nations had this exact matchup in mind for these Olympics.
“Yeah, you can’t really script it any better than that,’’ said Brady Tkachuk. “All we cared about is putting ourselves in that position, didn’t really matter who we were going to play. But now that it’s all set in stone, everything happens for a reason.’’
For Team Canada, there’s also the emotion of seeing its leader, Sidney Crosby, injured in this tournament. Team Canada hasn’t ruled out Crosby for the gold medal game.
There was extra motivation Friday from Team Canada players wanting to make sure they at least gave him that chance.
“A guy that you want to show up for, and with what he’s done for the game, for our team, for all of Canada, we want to show up for him and give him another opportunity,’’ said fellow Nova Scotian Brad Marchand. “But you want to do it for every single guy in that room and every person that helped you get to this point, and for the entirety of Canada. But with what’s going on with Sid, he’s definitely a big rallying point.”
Wilson, a longtime opponent of Crosby’s in that Pittsburgh-Washington rivalry back home, tried to put into perspective what their leader meant to that group.
“I mean, Sid, it’s cliché, but Sid is one of those guys that every guy that laces up their skates wanted to make him proud,’’ he said. “You know he’s watching. You want to give it all for him, and he’s one of the highest respected players in the game of hockey. So when he’s leading the way for us, and he can’t go tonight, every single guy was trying to play to the best of their ability for him, and you know, hopefully moving on here, he gets another shot at playing. And he was down there with us, helping us through everything in the room. And just a special guy, and I’m excited to go see him now.’’
Just imagine for a moment if Crosby somehow finds a way to lace them up Sunday.
“It would be incredible,’’ said Team Canada winger Seth Jarvis. “You can’t underestimate how powerful he is in our locker room, just to have him around the guys — and what he does on the ice is pretty self-explanatory. Just to have a guy like that potentially in the lineup for the gold medal game would be massive.”
In a matchup pitting two very equal rosters, the Crosby leadership factor is one Team USA can’t rival.
Having said that, Team USA is rolling big time. They had their most dominant game of the tournament Friday night and are hitting on all cylinders.
“Really excited,’’ said Team USA star center Jack Eichel. “The two best teams in the tournament right now, right? Both teams are undefeated. We have an opportunity to go win a gold medal and do something special. It’s a great chance for our group. Really excited about how we’re playing and about the opportunity we have on Sunday.’’
Without Crosby, Team Canada rallied back from a 3-2 deficit late in the third period to beat the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, and again Friday night, erased a 2-0 hole against Finland.
They’ve been battle-tested ahead of their biggest challenge yet in Team USA.
“We’re a resilient group,’’ said Team Canada winger Mitch Marner. “We kept pushing. We’re not going to back away from a challenge.’’
“It’s fun,’’ added Team Canada star defenseman Cale Makar. “When you’ve got a team like this that’s got so many leaders on it and everybody’s been through scenarios like this before, regardless of what team they’re playing for, it’s amazing to see all the veterans in the room and how positive everybody is. The talk just never really stops. I think everybody was honestly more comfortable in that 2-0 deficit tonight than when we went down obviously 3-2 the last game or 1-0. We’re just growing as a team and hopefully getting better every day and I felt we did that tonight.”
For an entire generation of NHL stars waiting more than a decade to live out their Olympic dreams, two teams have a shot at gold Sunday.
It’s surreal for them.
“It’s pretty special, it’s something you dream of as a kid,’’ said Marner.
For Team USA, it’s a chance to make an impact on the game in America in a dramatic way.
“The 1980 team, the 1996 World Cup, it grew the game so much,’’ said Brady Tkachuk. “It was great for our generation, we have an opportunity to grow the game, and one, make it a better sport for a future generation. So I’m really looking forward to it.’’
Eichel pondered that same question, understanding what the impact a win would have Sunday.
“Yeah it would be huge,’’ he said. “For us, the group of guys that’s in that locker room, a lot of us came up in the ranks together, we have a lot of history together, whether it’s at the national program, or through world junior tournaments and whatnot. We all take a lot of pride in wearing the sweater and what that means and representing USA Hockey and being that certain new wave of players representing our country. To be here at the Olympics is such an honour. Yeah, we understand the magnitude of it.
“It’s been a minute since USA Hockey won a tournament like this,’’ added Eichel. “So, we’re going to do anything we can to change that.’’
United States vs. Canada NHL Olympic history, game by game
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 are coming to a close. The men’s hockey tournament, the first with NHL players since the 2014 Sochi Olympics, will conclude with the gold medal game between Team Canada and Team USA on Sunday. Canada defeated Team Finland 3-2, and the United States defeated Team Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals Friday. Canada and the United States will face each other in the Olympics with NHL players for the sixth time and third time for the gold medal. Here is a look at the previous five games between Canada and the United States.
Feb. 16, 1998: Final Round – Group D, Canada 4, United States 1
Keith Primeau scored two goals, Joe Sakic had a goal and two assists, and Patrick Roy made 30 saves for Canada. Rob Zamuner gave Canada a 1-0 lead at 16:30 of the first period, and Primeau scored short-handed at 13:37 of the second period, which stood up as the game-winning goal. Sakic scored at 18:19 and Primeau scored his second at 6:00 of the third to put Canada up 4-0. Brett Hull ruined Roy’s shutout bid at 14:04 of the third period. Mike Richter made 21 saves for the United States. The United States was eliminated in 4-1 the quarterfinal by the Czech Republic, who then eliminated Canada 2-1 in a shootout in the semifinal on its way to winning the gold medal with a 1-0 win against Russia. Canada lost 3-2 to Finland in the bronze medal game.
Feb. 24, 2002: Gold Medal Game, Canada 5, United States 2
Sakic had two goals and two assists, and Jarome Iginla had two goals and an assist for Canada, who won gold at the Olympics for the first time since 1952. Paul Kariya also scored for Canada and Martin Brodeur made 31 saves. Tony Amonte and Brian Rafalski scored for the United States and Mike Richter made 34 saves. Amonte scored the opening goal for the United States at 8:49 of the first period and Kariya tied it 1-1 at 14:50. Iginla gave Canada a 2-1 lead at 18:33 and Rafalski tied it 2-2 at 15:30 of the second period. Sakic made it 3-2 at 18:19 and Iginla made it 4-2 at 16:01 at the third period. Sakic scored his second at 18:40 for the 5-2 win.
Feb. 21, 2010: Round Robin – Group A, United States 5, Canada 3
Rafalski had two goals and an assist, and Jamie Langenbrunner had a goal and assist as the United States opened the tournament with the win against Canada. Chris Drury and Ryan Kesler also scored for the United States and Ryan Miller made 42 saves. Eric Staal, Dany Heatley and Sidney Crosby scored for Canada and Martin Brodeur made 18 saves. Rafalski, a defenseman, opened the scoring 41 seconds into the first period. Staal tied it 1-1 at 8:53 and Rafalski scored his second at 9:15 to give the United States a 2-1 lead. Heatley tied it 2-2 at 3:32 of the second period and Drury restored the United States lead 3-2 at 16:46. Langenbrunner extended the lead to 4-2 at 7:09 of the third period and Crosby scored at 16:51 to cut the deficit to 4-3, before Kesler scored at 19:15 for the 5-3 final.
Feb. 28, 2010: Gold Medal Game, Canada 3, United States 2 (OT)
Crosby scored at 7:40 of overtime to give Canada the win and its second gold medal in the three Olympics. Jonathan Toews gave Canada a 1-0 lead at 12:50 of the first period and Corey Perry made it 2-0 at 7:13 of the second. Kesler cut the deficit to 2-1 at 12:44 of the second, and Zach Parise tied it at 19:35 of the third period, with goalie Ryan Miller pulled for an extra attacker. Crosby scored in the 4-on-4 overtime on a pass from Iginla. Roberto Luongo made 34 saves for Canada and Miller made 36 saves for the United States.
Feb. 21, 2014: Semifinal, Canada 1, United States 0
Carey Price made 31 saves, and Jamie Benn scored the lone goal at 1:41 of the second period to give Canada the win and advance to the gold medal game. Jonathan Quick made 36 saves for the United States. Canada went on to win the gold medal with a 3-0 victory against Sweden, and the United States lost 5-0 against Finland in the bronze medal game.
NHL EDGE stats: Canada-United States gold medal game at Olympics
NHL.com’s fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we identify the five most compelling advanced metrics entering the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 gold medal game between Canada and the United States on Sunday (8:10 a.m. ET; Peacock, NBC, ICI Tele, CBC Gem, CBC, SN [JIP], TSN [JIP], RDS2).
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1. Skating speed
Canada forward Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) leads the entire NHL in max skating speed (24.61 mph), 22-plus mph speed bursts (106) and 20-plus mph speed bursts (494). The Canada-USA gold medal game will feature the NHL’s top three skaters in terms of 20-plus mph speed bursts: McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon (307 for Colorado Avalanche) and Jack Eichel of the U.S. (267 for Vegas Golden Knights).
Jake Sanderson of the U.S. (Ottawa Senators) leads NHL defensemen in max skating speed (24.37 mph) and is third in the entire League in that category this season; Cale Makar of Canada ranks third among NHL defensemen in max skating speed (23.68 for Avalanche). Sanderson also leads NHL defensemen in 22-plus mph speed bursts (28).
In terms of 20-plus mph speed bursts the USA-Canada gold medal game will feature four of the NHL’s 10 fastest defensemen: Sanderson (183; second) and Makar (163; third), followed by other U.S. defensemen in Quinn Hughes (113 for Minnesota Wild; sixth), Zach Werenski (99 for Columbus Blue Jackets; ninth).
2. Shot speed
U.S. forward J.T. Miller (New York Rangers) had the hardest shot attempt of this NHL season (102.58 mph on Jan. 20) among the League’s players participating in the 2026 Olympics. Miller ranks second among NHL forwards in hardest shot and fourth in the entire League; not far behind among forwards are Tage Thompson of the U.S. (Buffalo Sabres), who ranks fifth at the position (97.94 mph), and Macklin Celebrini of Canada (San Jose Sharks), who’s sixth (97.89).
Celebrini, who was not on Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, ranks in the 95th percentile among forwards in average shot speed (62.39 mph). Thompson, who left the semifinal game for precautionary reasons and is uncertain for the gold medal game, leads NHL forwards in 90-plus mph shot attempts (29) this season; Thompson also ranks fifth among forwards in hardest shot (97.94).
3. Goals by location
U.S. forwards Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild) are tied for the most high-danger goals this NHL season (20 each) among players participating in the 2026 Olympics; the only NHL player with more high-danger goals this season is Tyler Bertuzzi of the Chicago Blackhawks (22). Not far behind among the NHL’s high-danger goal leaders are Canada forwards McDavid (18; fifth in entire League) and Mark Stone (17 for Golden Knights; tied for sixth). McDavid leads the entire NHL in high-danger shots on goal (94) this season.
Canada has the top 2 players in the entire NHL in terms of both midrange goals (MacKinnon is first with 16; is second with 15) and midrange shots on goal (MacKinnon is first with 110; Celebrini is second with 101) this season. Thompson and Canada’s Bo Horvat (New York Islanders) are tied for third in the NHL in midrange goals (14 each), while Brock Nelson (13 for Avalanche; tied for sixth) and Werenski (12; tied for eighth) of the U.S. are also in the League’s top 10 of that category.
4. Total skating distance
Canada’s McDavid leads the NHL in total skating distance (234.49) this season, and Quinn Hughes is second in that category (215.22; leads defensemen). Brock Faber of the U.S. ranks sixth in the entire NHL in total skating distance (206.76 miles for Wild), while Josh Morrissey of Canada ranks ninth (203.21 for Winnipeg Jets). It’s also worth noting Kyle Connor of the U.S. ranks third among NHL forwards in total skating distance (196.59 miles), while Celebrini ranks fourth at the position in that category (195.55).
Canada, which leads the 2026 Olympics in power-play percentage (43.75), has five of the NHL’s top six players in terms of power-play skating distance this season: 1. Sam Reinhart (36.04 miles for Florida Panthers), 3. Celebrini (35.41), 4. McDavid (34.31), 5. Makar (34.02) and 6. MacKinnon (33.93). But the U.S. has a perfect penalty kill so far in the tournament (15-for-15).
Other potential difference-makers for the gold medal game include U.S. forward Brady Tkachuk, who leads the entire NHL in offensive zone time percentage (49.5 for Senators). Canada forward Nick Suzuki, who ranks highly in total skating distance (187.33 miles for Montreal Canadiens; 98th percentile), has taken on an expanded role for his country in the absence of captain Sidney Crosby (lower body; uncertain for gold medal game).
5. High-danger saves
The gold medal game will be a rematch between goalies Jordan Binnington of Canada and Connor Hellebuyck of the U.S. after Binnington and his country won the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. Hellebuyck led the 4 Nations Face-Off in high-danger save percentage (.931), but Binnington (.906; second) made two more high-danger saves (29) than Hellebuyck (27) in the tournament, helping to keep his team alive in overtime of the championship game.
But Hellebuyck, who stopped 11 of 12 high-danger shots faced in the championship game, has benefited from the U.S. having a deeper defense in the Olympics with not only Werenski but also Quinn Hughes healthy after missing the 4 Nations Face-Off because of injury. Hellebuyck leads the 2026 Olympics in save percentage (.947) and goals-against average (1.23) among goalies who have played multiple games.
Although it has been a difficult NHL season in terms of high-danger save percentage for both Hellebuyck (.806 with Jets) and Binnington (.744 for St. Louis Blues), Hellebuyck ranked fourth in that category last season (.848). Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart Trophy winner and a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, has an elite pedigree that can help him get over the top in the Olympic gold medal game, while Binnington is a past Stanley Cup champion (with Blues in 2019) and continues to elevate his game in the clutch.
NHL Rumors: LA Kings’ Interest in Pettersson Off the Rails
Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson has been the subject of ongoing NHL rumors. It seems that every week, a new twist emerges in the 27-year-old’s impending trade from Vancouver.
But an interesting twist has emerged. The Province’s Ben Kuzma reported that the LA Kings are looking to land the Canucks top-line center.
While the report does not suggest that anything is imminent, the fact is that the mere idea of wanting Pettersson is off the rails.
There are various issues that could make a Pettersson trade one of the wildest NHL rumors this season. To be fair, the Kings do have a legit need for a top-line center. The retirement of Anze Kopitar will leave a major hole in the team’s depth down the middle.
But is Elias Pettersson really the answer?
Make no mistake. Pettersson is a good player. He has a 100-point season under his belt. So, that’s proof he can do it. The problem is that Pettersson’s 100-point campaign seems more like an outlier. It’s likely that his career averages will hover around the 60-point mark.
That’s not enough for a player with an $11.6 million cap hit. But that’s what the Kings would be signing on for if these NHL rumors come to fruition. The Kings would be taking a massive gamble on a change of scenery, helping Pettersson return to form.
Asking Price Reportedly High for Pettersson
The biggest obstacle for a Pettersson trade to Los Angeles is the Canucks’ asking price. Prevailing NHL rumors suggest that Vancouver is looking for a similar return to the one it got for Quinn Hughes.
If that’s the case, that situation would involve a first-round pick, a young high-end center, and a third piece. That’s a steep price that the Kings may not be able to pay. One of the pieces the Canucks reportedly want is Quinton Byfield. But trading Byfield would essentially defeat the purpose of the Kings making a trade such as this one.
The point is to add depth around Byfield, not replace the former second-overall pick. The Kings would like to build around Byfield. That situation hardly makes him expendable in Los Angeles.
As for draft picks, the Kings do have some capital to work with. But it might not be enough to entice the Canucks to go ahead and proceed with the deal.
One Thing NHL Rumors Don’t Account For
There’s one other thing that NHL rumors involving Elias Pettersson don’t account for. Pettersson has a full no-trade clause. That situation means that Pettersson could shoot down any trade on the table.
That’s no bueno, especially if the Swedish forward isn’t keen on playing in Los Angeles. While there’s no indication he may be averse to California, it’s Pettersson’s right to decide. As such, this trade may not have the legs to go very far.
Canada Olympic gold medal men’s hockey game
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will end with one of its most anticipated events when the U.S. and Canada face off for the gold medal in men’s hockey, the final event before the closing ceremony Sunday night.
The matchup of two powerful rivals caps the NHL’s return to the Games following a 12-year absence. The Americans and Canadians are undefeated and both teams are stacked with some of the best players in the world. The two teams had much the same rosters a year ago when they played two memorable games at the 4 Nations Face-Off that reminded everyone just how good best-vs.-best international hockey can be.
How to watch the game
The game will air on NBC in the U.S., with Kenny Albert doing play by play and Ed Olczyk and Brian Boucher as in-arena analysts. CBC is broadcasting the game in Canada.
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What time is the game?
The puck drops at 2:10 p.m. in Milan, 8:10 a.m. Eastern Time and 5:10 a.m. Pacific.
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Key players to watch
The weekend arrived with questions about the status of Canada’s injured captain, Sidney Crosby. He did not play in the semifinal win over Finland after leaving the quarterfinal game against Czechia with an apparent right knee injury.
Connor McDavid wore the captain’s “C” in Crosby’s absence. McDavid with 13 points in five games has already set the record for the most by an NHL player in a single Olympics.
The U.S. is led by two sets of brothers, Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Quinn and Jack Hughes. Quinn and Jack have been the best Americans on the ice in the tournament.
Canada is the favorite
Canada is favored by 1 1/2 goals on BetMGM Sportsbook. Canada has been the favorite since before play began in Milan, with the U.S. not far behind.
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The last time the US won gold
While the women’s team has three gold medals since 1998 — including this year’s thriller over rival Canada — the last U.S. men’s team to win it all at the Olympics was the “Miracle on Ice” team in Lake Placid in 1980. The only other is 1960.
The U.S. last reached the final in 2010 in Vancouver, losing to Canada on Crosby’s golden goal in overtime. Canada has won Olympic gold a record nine times, including three in the first five Games with NHL players.
Former NHL great Jaromir Jagr talks about retirement in his 38th professional season
PRAGUE – The storied hockey career of Jaromir Jagr might be coming to an end.
Currently in his 38th professional season, with his hometown Kladno Knights in the Czech league, the former NHL great strongly suggested that fans might not get to see him on the ice any more.
“Probably not,” Jagr said in an interview published late Friday on his Instagram account.
Former NHL great Jaromir Jagr talks about retirement in his 38th professional season
PRAGUE (AP) — The storied hockey career of Jaromir Jagr might be coming to an end.
Currently in his 38th professional season, with his hometown Kladno Knights in the Czech league, the former NHL great strongly suggested that fans might not get to see him on the ice any more.
“Probably not,” Jagr said in an interview published late Friday on his Instagram account. “It would have to be a miracle. God would have to come, enter me and make me 15 years younger.”
It wasn’t immediately clear if Jagr will play again this season. The winger, who turned 54 on Feb. 15, has played just six games in the league for Kladno this season. His last game so far was on Dec. 21.
Jagr, who represented his country at five Olympics and led the Czechs to gold in Nagano in 1998, said he spent the last 10 days watching the Milan Cortina Games on television.
“I do nothing else but eat and watch TV,” he said. This is the first Olympics with NHL players in a dozen years and Jagr appreciated that.
“It’s the best tournament in the last 10-15 years, certainly because of the presence of NHL players,” he said. “The games are great.”
But besides following hockey, short-track speed skating and figure skating, Jagr said he is trying to keep fit after recently gaining some 4-5 kilograms (9-11 pounds).
“It’s really about discipline,” Jagr said. “The worst thing is when you don’t have to. Sometimes, it’s better when you have to. When you don’t have to, forcing yourself is the hardest thing,” he said.
“I keep myself going. I try, I don’t train to be ready to play, but I try to go skating every day if I have time.”
Jagr made his debut for Kladno at age 16 and returned to the club in 2018 when the Calgary Flames released him. Jagr remains second on the NHL’s all-time points list behind Wayne Gretzky. Jagr won the Stanley Cup twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins in his first two NHL seasons.
Until early last year, Jagr served in dual roles as Kladno player and owner, splitting his time between chasing sponsors and dealing with administrative duties and ice time.
He sold a majority stake in Kladno last January in a season he had previously suggested would be his last but wasn’t.
This season, if still playing, he has a chance to make the playoffs with Kladno for the first time.
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Don Garber: MLS Commissioner ‘would love’ to see Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé join the league
On the eve of the new Major League Soccer (MLS) season, MLS Commissioner Don Garber has expressed his interest in Real Madrid superstars Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé eventually becoming part of the league and playing their club soccer in North America.
The 31st season of MLS kicks off on Saturday, with a veritable blockbuster on tap between reigning MLS Cup champion Inter Miami and LAFC.
An expected crowd of over 70,000 at the LA Coliseum should see soccer superstar Lionel Messi and Miami go up against LAFC and Son Heung-min, with the South Korean icon about to play in his first full season in the league after leaving Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
Garber, who has been commissioner since 1999 and overseen the growth of the league from 10 to 30 clubs, was bullish about the prospects of more A-list players taking their talents to MLS when speaking to CNN Sports on Thursday.
“Would I love to see Vini here?” Garber asked. “Would I love to see Mbappé here? I think that some of the great players in the world want to play in the US, and that’s the game changer.”
While MLS has seen a succession of top-tier international stars play in the league – arguably kick-started by David Beckham in 2007, who left Los Blancos for the LA Galaxy – it was the stunning signing of Messi, perhaps the greatest footballer of all time, in the summer of 2023 to Inter Miami that turned heads like never before.
“I don’t think anybody thought we’d ever sign Leo,” acknowledged Garber about Messi’s move. “I don’t think Miami thought they could sign him, I don’t think Beckham (who is now co-owner of Miami) thought that they could sign him.
“They were optimistic and super, super passionate about the idea, but here he is: scoring goals, leading Argentina in World Cup qualifying, playing in the Club World Cup in front of an audience.
“(He’s) a good, humble guy, loves his kids, enjoys Miami, you know, he’s the right kind of guy to show the rest of the world what Major League Soccer is.”
Garber pointed out that “the days of ‘Is soccer going to make it in America”’ are over,” explaining that, while it used to be the case that the league needed to appeal to star players – “here’s what we’re doing in Major League Soccer, come help us build it” – things are different in 2026.
Noting the “energy and momentum going into the season” in a World Cup year – Garber expects around 50 MLS players to represent their countries at the tournament – the MLS commissioner says that his league is here to stay: “We’re a player in the world stage, we’re a player amongst the major leagues here in North America.”
But the 68-year-old’s sights are now set on whether MLS “can compete at some point with the Premier League, with Serie A … the Bundesliga” and is confident that a marquee signing will choose to form part of MLS in the prime of their career.
“I think the next (star to come over) will be one of the top players in the world. Very confident of that actually.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber ‘would love’ to see Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé join the league
By Don Riddell, Glen Levy, CNN
(CNN) — On the eve of the new Major League Soccer (MLS) season, MLS Commissioner Don Garber has expressed his interest in Real Madrid superstars Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé eventually becoming part of the league and playing their club soccer in North America.
The 31st season of MLS kicks off on Saturday, with a veritable blockbuster on tap between reigning MLS Cup champion Inter Miami and LAFC.
An expected crowd of over 70,000 at the LA Coliseum should see soccer superstar Lionel Messi and Miami go up against LAFC and Son Heung-min, with the South Korean icon about to play in his first full season in the league after leaving Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
Garber, who has been commissioner since 1999 and overseen the growth of the league from 10 to 30 clubs, was bullish about the prospects of more A-list players taking their talents to MLS when speaking to CNN Sports on Thursday.
“Would I love to see Vini here?” Garber asked. “Would I love to see Mbappé here? I think that some of the great players in the world want to play in the US, and that’s the game changer.”
While MLS has seen a succession of top-tier international stars play in the league – arguably kick-started by David Beckham in 2007, who left Los Blancos for the LA Galaxy – it was the stunning signing of Messi, perhaps the greatest footballer of all time, in the summer of 2023 to Inter Miami that turned heads like never before.
“I don’t think anybody thought we’d ever sign Leo,” acknowledged Garber about Messi’s move. “I don’t think Miami thought they could sign him, I don’t think Beckham (who is now co-owner of Miami) thought that they could sign him.
“They were optimistic and super, super passionate about the idea, but here he is: scoring goals, leading Argentina in World Cup qualifying, playing in the Club World Cup in front of an audience.
“(He’s) a good, humble guy, loves his kids, enjoys Miami, you know, he’s the right kind of guy to show the rest of the world what Major League Soccer is.”
Garber pointed out that “the days of ‘Is soccer going to make it in America”’ are over,” explaining that, while it used to be the case that the league needed to appeal to star players – “here’s what we’re doing in Major League Soccer, come help us build it” – things are different in 2026.
Noting the “energy and momentum going into the season” in a World Cup year – Garber expects around 50 MLS players to represent their countries at the tournament – the MLS commissioner says that his league is here to stay: “We’re a player in the world stage, we’re a player amongst the major leagues here in North America.”
But the 68-year-old’s sights are now set on whether MLS “can compete at some point with the Premier League, with Serie A … the Bundesliga” and is confident that a marquee signing will choose to form part of MLS in the prime of their career.
“I think the next (star to come over) will be one of the top players in the world. Very confident of that actually.”
Major League Soccer opens the season with eyes on the World Cup and a schedule shift in 2027
By ANNE M. PETERSON
Major League Soccer opens its 31st season this weekend, kicking off one of the most consequential two-year stretches in the league’s history.
There’s the impact of the World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, then, in 2027, MLS will switch to a summer to spring schedule to align more closely with its international counterparts.
MLS will take a seven-week break for the World Cup from May 25 to July 16. Many of the league’s stars, including Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and LAFC’s Son Heung-min, are expected to play in the tournament.
MLS is hoping after that to see the so-called “World Cup Bump,” or a surge in interest that both men’s and women’s leagues often experience around soccer’s premier tournament.
“The World Cup will accelerate the growth of the sport across North America in ways we’ve never seen before. Major League Soccer is uniquely positioned at the center of that moment, with all 13 host cities in the U.S. and Canada home to MLS clubs,” Commissioner Don Garber said. “We expect to have a record number of players in the tournament, and our facilities and communities will play a role in delivering the tournament.”
The schedule shift next year aims to put MLS in a more competitive position in the transfer market, while also freeing up players for national team duty for major international tournaments during the summer.
Under the new calendar, league play will begin in mid- to late July 2027, with the final day of the regular season in April 2028. The playoffs and championship will take place in May.
The league would go on an extended break during the winter, with just a few games played in early December and none in January before resuming in early to mid-February.
“Our new format makes sense for our players, our fans, and our clubs, aligning us with the global transfer market, reducing national team conflicts, and strengthening the timing of our playoffs,” Garber said. “It reflects exactly where we see MLS going, not just aligning with the best leagues in the world but competing with them.”
Garber has described this next phase as MLS 3.0. Other issues currently being considered by MLS are changes to the playoff format and conference alignment.
The MLS season kicks off this weekend with a marquee match on Saturday night between Son’s LAFC and Messi’s Miami at the Los Angeles Coliseum before an anticipated crowd of some 70,000 fans.
Miami’s might
How did Inter Miami build on last year’s championship season in MLS? They got better, of course.
In addition to two-time league MVP Messi and his 29 goals in conference play, and fellow former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, Miami added Mexican international Germán Berterame and Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
The Herons also made the transfer of Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid permanent.
Berterame, who was born in Argentina but is a naturalized Mexican and plays for Mexico’s national team, comes from Liga MX’s Monterrey, where he has scored 68 goals in 153 appearances since 2022.
The additions should help make up for the departures of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who retired after Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the MLS Cup title game last season.
Incoming notables
In addition to Berterame in Miami, there are a few other notable names joining MLS this season.
Among them is Colombian international James Rodriguez, who is with Minnesota United on a short-term contract. Rodriguez’s deal runs through June with a club option for the remainder of the season following the World Cup.
The signing is as consequential for the midfielder as it is for the Loons. Rodriguez needs to get some quality playing time to earn a spot on Colombia’s World Cup squad.
“Yes, it’s true I’ve played for big clubs, good clubs, but I wanted this league. I wanted to play here,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I am here to help and hopefully win things. That’s what I want because I always want to win.”
Other key offseason acquisitions include forward Timo Werner, who joined the San Jose Earthquakes from RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga; Romanian forward Louis Munteanu, acquired by D.C. United; and Brazilian winger Guilherme, who joined the Houston Dynamo from Santos.
Coaching carousel
Nearly one-third of the league’s teams have new coaches this season. Probably the highest profile of the new hires is former U.S. team captain Michael Bradley, who takes over as head coach of the New York Red Bulls, a job his father once held.
“We are going to, from day one, set out to create an environment that challenges the players, that brings out the best in them, that develops them individually, and to create a team that when we step on the field, people watching, they see a team that is different, they see a team that when they leave the stadium they want to come back,” Bradley said.
Tata Martino returns to Atlanta United, the club he led to an MLS Cup title in 2018 before stints with the Mexican national team and Inter Miami.
Other new coaches this season include: Henrik Rydström at the Columbus Crew, Matt Wells at the Colorado Rapids, Marc Dos Santos at LAFC, Cameron Knowles at Minnesota United, Marko Mitrović at the New England Revolution, Raphaël Wicky at Sporting Kansas City and Yoann Damet at St. Louis City.
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Major League Soccer opens season with eyes on World Cup, schedule shift in 2027
Major League Soccer opens its 31st season this weekend, kicking off one of the most consequential two-year stretches in the league’s history.
There’s the impact of the World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, then, in 2027, MLS will switch to a summer to spring schedule to align more closely with its international counterparts.
MLS will take a seven-week break for the World Cup from May 25 to July 16. Many of the league’s stars, including Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and LAFC’s Son Heung-min, are expected to play in the tournament.
MLS is hoping after that to see the so-called “World Cup Bump,” or a surge in interest that both men’s and women’s leagues often experience around soccer’s premier tournament.
“The World Cup will accelerate the growth of the sport across North America in ways we’ve never seen before. Major League Soccer is uniquely positioned at the center of that moment, with all 13 host cities in the U.S. and Canada home to MLS clubs,” Commissioner Don Garber said. “We expect to have a record number of players in the tournament, and our facilities and communities will play a role in delivering the tournament.”
The schedule shift next year aims to put MLS in a more competitive position in the transfer market, while also freeing up players for national team duty for major international tournaments during the summer.
Under the new calendar, league play will begin in mid- to late July 2027, with the final day of the regular season in April 2028. The playoffs and championship will take place in May.
The league would go on an extended break during the winter, with just a few games played in early December and none in January before resuming in early to mid-February.
“Our new format makes sense for our players, our fans, and our clubs, aligning us with the global transfer market, reducing national team conflicts, and strengthening the timing of our playoffs,” Garber said. “It reflects exactly where we see MLS going, not just aligning with the best leagues in the world but competing with them.”
Garber has described this next phase as MLS 3.0. Other issues currently being considered by MLS are changes to the playoff format and conference alignment.
The MLS season kicks off this weekend with a marquee match on Saturday night between Son’s LAFC and Messi’s Miami at the Los Angeles Coliseum before an anticipated crowd of some 70,000 fans.
Miami’s might
How did Inter Miami build on last year’s championship season in MLS? They got better, of course.
In addition to two-time league MVP Messi and his 29 goals in conference play, and fellow former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, Miami added Mexican international Germán Berterame and Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
The Herons also made the transfer of Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid permanent.
Berterame, who was born in Argentina but is a naturalized Mexican and plays for Mexico’s national team, comes from Liga MX’s Monterrey, where he has scored 68 goals in 153 appearances since 2022.
The additions should help make up for the departures of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who retired after Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the MLS Cup title game last season.
Incoming notables
In addition to Berterame in Miami, there are a few other notable names joining MLS this season.
Among them is Colombian international James Rodriguez, who is with Minnesota United on a short-term contract. Rodriguez’s deal runs through June with a club option for the remainder of the season following the World Cup.
The signing is as consequential for the midfielder as it is for the Loons. Rodriguez needs to get some quality playing time to earn a spot on Colombia’s World Cup squad.
“Yes, it’s true I’ve played for big clubs, good clubs, but I wanted this league. I wanted to play here,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I am here to help and hopefully win things. That’s what I want because I always want to win.”
Other key offseason acquisitions include forward Timo Werner, who joined the San Jose Earthquakes from RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga; Romanian forward Louis Munteanu, acquired by D.C. United; and Brazilian winger Guilherme, who joined the Houston Dynamo from Santos.
Coaching carousel
Nearly one-third of the league’s teams have new coaches this season. Probably the highest profile of the new hires is former U.S. team captain Michael Bradley, who takes over as head coach of the New York Red Bulls, a job his father once held.
“We are going to, from day one, set out to create an environment that challenges the players, that brings out the best in them, that develops them individually, and to create a team that when we step on the field, people watching, they see a team that is different, they see a team that when they leave the stadium they want to come back,” Bradley said.
Tata Martino returns to Atlanta United, the club he led to an MLS Cup title in 2018 before stints with the Mexican national team and Inter Miami.
Other new coaches this season include: Henrik Rydström at the Columbus Crew, Matt Wells at the Colorado Rapids, Marc Dos Santos at LAFC, Cameron Knowles at Minnesota United, Marko Mitrović at the New England Revolution, Raphaël Wicky at Sporting Kansas City and Yoann Damet at St. Louis City.
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Major League Soccer opens the season with eyes on the World Cup and a schedule shift in 2027
Major League Soccer opens its 31st season this weekend, kicking off one of the most consequential two-year stretches in the league’s history.
There’s the impact of the World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, then, in 2027, MLS will switch to a summer to spring schedule to align more closely with its international counterparts.
MLS will take a seven-week break for the World Cup from May 25 to July 16. Many of the league’s stars, including Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and LAFC’s Son Heung-min, are expected to play in the tournament.
MLS is hoping after that to see the so-called “World Cup Bump,” or a surge in interest that both men’s and women’s leagues often experience around soccer’s premier tournament.
“The World Cup will accelerate the growth of the sport across North America in ways we’ve never seen before. Major League Soccer is uniquely positioned at the center of that moment, with all 13 host cities in the U.S. and Canada home to MLS clubs,” Commissioner Don Garber said. “We expect to have a record number of players in the tournament, and our facilities and communities will play a role in delivering the tournament.”
The schedule shift next year aims to put MLS in a more competitive position in the transfer market, while also freeing up players for national team duty for major international tournaments during the summer.
Under the new calendar, league play will begin in mid- to late July 2027, with the final day of the regular season in April 2028. The playoffs and championship will take place in May.
The league would go on an extended break during the winter, with just a few games played in early December and none in January before resuming in early to mid-February.
“Our new format makes sense for our players, our fans, and our clubs, aligning us with the global transfer market, reducing national team conflicts, and strengthening the timing of our playoffs,” Garber said. “It reflects exactly where we see MLS going, not just aligning with the best leagues in the world but competing with them.”
Garber has described this next phase as MLS 3.0. Other issues currently being considered by MLS are changes to the playoff format and conference alignment.
The MLS season kicks off this weekend with a marquee match on Saturday night between Son’s LAFC and Messi’s Miami at the Los Angeles Coliseum before an anticipated crowd of some 70,000 fans.
Miami’s might
How did Inter Miami build on last year’s championship season in MLS? They got better, of course.
In addition to two-time league MVP Messi and his 29 goals in conference play, and fellow former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, Miami added Mexican international Germán Berterame and Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
The Herons also made the transfer of Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid permanent.
Berterame, who was born in Argentina but is a naturalized Mexican and plays for Mexico’s national team, comes from Liga MX’s Monterrey, where he has scored 68 goals in 153 appearances since 2022.
The additions should help make up for the departures of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who retired after Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the MLS Cup title game last season.
Incoming notables
In addition to Berterame in Miami, there are a few other notable names joining MLS this season.
Among them is Colombian international James Rodriguez, who is with Minnesota United on a short-term contract. Rodriguez’s deal runs through June with a club option for the remainder of the season following the World Cup.
The signing is as consequential for the midfielder as it is for the Loons. Rodriguez needs to get some quality playing time to earn a spot on Colombia’s World Cup squad.
“Yes, it’s true I’ve played for big clubs, good clubs, but I wanted this league. I wanted to play here,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I am here to help and hopefully win things. That’s what I want because I always want to win.”
Other key offseason acquisitions include forward Timo Werner, who joined the San Jose Earthquakes from RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga; Romanian forward Louis Munteanu, acquired by D.C. United; and Brazilian winger Guilherme, who joined the Houston Dynamo from Santos.
Coaching carousel
Nearly one-third of the league’s teams have new coaches this season. Probably the highest profile of the new hires is former U.S. team captain Michael Bradley, who takes over as head coach of the New York Red Bulls, a job his father once held.
“We are going to, from day one, set out to create an environment that challenges the players, that brings out the best in them, that develops them individually, and to create a team that when we step on the field, people watching, they see a team that is different, they see a team that when they leave the stadium they want to come back,” Bradley said.
Tata Martino returns to Atlanta United, the club he led to an MLS Cup title in 2018 before stints with the Mexican national team and Inter Miami.
Other new coaches this season include: Henrik Rydström at the Columbus Crew, Matt Wells at the Colorado Rapids, Marc Dos Santos at LAFC, Cameron Knowles at Minnesota United, Marko Mitrović at the New England Revolution, Raphaël Wicky at Sporting Kansas City and Yoann Damet at St. Louis City.
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Messi y el Inter Miami abren la MLS 2026: cinco récords en juego en año mundialista
La temporada 2026 de la Major League Soccer arranca este fin de semana con una expectativa histórica. Inter Miami inicia la defensa de su título y Lionel Messi vuelve a ser el epicentro mediático y deportivo de la liga.
El duelo inaugural ante LAFC no solo abre el calendario, también sirve como termómetro para medir al campeón en una campaña marcada por el Mundial 2026, que se disputará en Estados Unidos, México y Canadá.
Cinco récords que Messi puede romper en la MLS 2026
Lionel Messi encara la nueva temporada con varios objetivos estadísticos que podrían reescribir los libros de la MLS:
Récord de asistencias en una temporada: la marca histórica es de 26 pases gol, establecida por Carlos Valderrama.
Mayor contribución ofensiva (goles + asistencias): el registro a superar es de 49, impuesto por Carlos Vela.
Bicampeón de goleo: repetir como máximo anotador en temporadas consecutivas es una hazaña reservada a figuras históricas.
Bicampeonato de MLS Cup con Inter Miami: un logro que solo franquicias dominantes como LA Galaxy han conseguido en el pasado.
Nuevos récords individuales acumulados: Messi sigue escalando posiciones en goles, asistencias y promedio de aportación ofensiva desde su llegada a la liga.
El argentino ya demostró en 2025 que su impacto va más allá del espectáculo: fue MVP de la MLS Cup tras el triunfo 3-1 ante Vancouver Whitecaps.
Una MLS marcada por el Mundial 2026
La temporada tendrá un calendario atípico. La MLS realizará una pausa durante la Copa del Mundo 2026, lo que podría dividir la competencia en dos momentos clave: antes y después del torneo.
Además, Inter Miami estrenará durante el año el Miami Freedom Park, un proyecto que refuerza el crecimiento estructural de la franquicia y de la liga.
El contexto mundialista convierte cada jornada en una vitrina internacional para figuras que aspiran a llegar en ritmo competitivo al verano.
El efecto Messi sigue transformando la liga
Desde su llegada, Lionel Messi elevó el estándar competitivo y comercial de la MLS. Inter Miami parte nuevamente como favorito en las proyecciones para la MLS Cup 2026, respaldado por un plantel reforzado y mayor profundidad.
El impacto del argentino se refleja en audiencia, venta de boletos y proyección global. Su presencia también ha incentivado fichajes de alto perfil y consolidado a la franquicia como referencia dentro del fútbol norteamericano.
Qué esperar en la jornada inaugural
El duelo Inter Miami vs. LAFC acapara los reflectores en el arranque de la MLS 2026, no solo por la presencia de Lionel Messi, sino por el choque entre dos planteles diseñados para competir por el título desde el inicio.
En el resto de la jornada, Philadelphia Union y Vancouver Whitecaps intentarán confirmar su candidatura en sus respectivas conferencias, mientras que San Diego FC encara su segunda temporada con el objetivo de dar un salto competitivo en el Oeste.
Messi, ya recuperado físicamente, apunta a liderar el estreno del campeón defensor en un inicio que marcará el pulso de la liga en año mundialista.
Datos clave de la MLS 2026
Inter Miami es el campeón vigente tras ganar la MLS Cup 2025.La temporada estará condicionada por la pausa del Mundial 2026.La liga continúa expandiendo su impacto internacional en año mundialista.
La MLS 2026 arranca con más atención global que nunca, y nuevamente Lionel Messi es el nombre que define el presente y futuro inmediato del campeonato.
Diego Luna Breaks Silence on Choosing USMNT Over Mexico
Diego Luna is one of the biggest talents in Major League Soccer right now. The Real Salt Lake No. 10 is ready for the 2026 season and spoke about it on
Lionel Messi está disponible y junto al Inter Miami comienzan su camino a una nueva corona en la MLS
Por Pablo Antonio Garcia Escorihuela, CNN en Español
La temporada 2026 de la Major League Soccer (MLS) no pudo tener un primer plato más atractivo para comenzar el año de la Copa del Mundo.
El campeón vigente, el Inter Miami, con Lionel Messi a la cabeza, realizará la primera de las cinco visitas que tiene pautadas para comenzar la temporada ante Los Ángeles FC, con Son Heung Min y Dennis Bouanga esperando al argentino en un partido que, además, se jugará en el Memorial Coliseum de Los Ángeles.
Messi se encontraba en duda para el arranque de la campaña después de presentar unas molestias musculares en su pierna izquierda, lo que obligó a él y a su equipo a aplazar una visita pautada a Puerto Rico para disputar un partido amistoso. Sin embargo, el equipo aseguró que contará con él para el primero de los cinco partidos que tendrán en calidad de visitantes.
El Inter empieza de una forma inusual la temporada de la MLS al estar por fuera de casa un mes, esperando a que su estadio esté terminado.
La primera de las novedades de esta temporada de MLS será el nuevo estadio del Inter Miami, el Freedom Park, ubicado detrás del Aeropuerto Internacional de Miami, y precisamente por su finalización es que los dirigidos por Javier Mascherano tendrán que jugar lejos de casa las cinco primeras jornadas del torneo.
El estadio será inaugurado el 4 de abril en el duelo en el que el Inter recibirá al Austin FC, y se espera que esté a casa llena, con las 25.000 localidades vendidas para el partido en el nuevo estadio del campeón de la liga.
Además, el torneo tendrá una parada obligatoria por la disputa del Mundial 2026, por lo que entre febrero y mayo se jugarán 15 jornadas, prácticamente la mitad del campeonato. Es por ello que comenzar bien será muy importante para todos los conjuntos.
La MLS no solo gira alrededor de Lionel Messi y el Inter Miami. La liga sigue recibiendo jugadores de alto perfil, que buscarán llegar de la mejor manera a una eventual convocatoria mundialista, o entregar el mejor espectáculo posible en la cancha.
James Rodríguez encabeza la lista de altas con su fichaje por el Minnesota United, seguido de la llegada de Timo Werner desde el Red Bull Leipzig al San José Earthquakes, o del regreso de Héctor Herrera al Houston Dynamo, entre otros fichajes de nivel.
También se destaca la presencia de Thomas Müller con el Vancouver Whitecaps, o el reencuentro de Miguel Almirón en Atlanta con quien fuera su técnico en la etapa más exitosa del club, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, que regresa a la liga para asumir de nuevo las riendas del Atlanta United.
El campeonato será uno parejo, equilibrado, donde todos querrán ponerle la mano a la corona que hoy ostenta el Inter Miami, que además de tener al dúo Messi y Luis Suárez, se reforzó con el lateral español Sergio Reguilón y con el atacante argentino, con experiencia en la Liga MX, Germán Berterame.
Todo está servido para ver una gran temporada de fútbol en la MLS, que servirá de telón de fondo para la gran fiesta de la Copa Mundial de Fútbol de Estados Unidos, México y Canadá.
What channel is FC Cincinnati’s season opener? How to watch
Soccer season is here! FC Cincinnati opens its Major League Soccer season Feb. 21 with a home match against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium.
If you’re hoping to watch Cincinnati’s soccer club on television this season, you might need an Apple TV subscription. Starting this year, all MLS matches are available to stream for Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost, a move the league and Apple announced in a Nov. 13, 2025, press release.
Here’s what to know about FC Cincinnati’s season and home opener, including how to watch.
What time is the FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United FC match?
The game is set for 4:30 p.m. ET Feb. 21 at TQL Stadium.
What channel is the FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United FC match on?
Television: Fox (WXIX-TV channel 19 in Cincinnati).
Stream: Apple TV.
Radio: Fox Sports 1360 and Spanish-language on La Mega 101.5 FM.
The MLS Season Pass was discontinued for the 2026 season. Fans need an Apple TV subscription to watch FC Cincinnati and the rest of the league.
How to get tickets to FC Cincinnati’s season opener
Major League Soccer opens the 2026 season this weekend with eyes on the World Cup and a schedule shift
Major League Soccer opens its 31st season this weekend, kicking off one of the most consequential two-year stretches in the league’s history.
There’s the impact of the World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, then, in 2027, MLS will switch to a summer to spring schedule to align more closely with its international counterparts.
MLS will take a seven-week break for the World Cup from May 25 to July 16. Many of the league’s stars, including Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and LAFC’s Son Heung-min, are expected to play in the tournament.
Chicago Fire look to build on last season’s success under Gregg Berhalter: ‘Progress really motivates us’
MLS is hoping after that to see the so-called “World Cup Bump,” or a surge in interest that both men’s and women’s leagues often experience around soccer’s premier tournament.
“The World Cup will accelerate the growth of the sport across North America in ways we’ve never seen before. Major League Soccer is uniquely positioned at the center of that moment, with all 13 host cities in the U.S. and Canada home to MLS clubs,” Commissioner Don Garber said. “We expect to have a record number of players in the tournament, and our facilities and communities will play a role in delivering the tournament.”
The schedule shift next year aims to put MLS in a more competitive position in the transfer market, while also freeing up players for national team duty for major international tournaments during the summer.
Under the new calendar, league play will begin in mid- to late July 2027, with the final day of the regular season in April 2028. The playoffs and championship will take place in May.
The league would go on an extended break during the winter, with just a few games played in early December and none in January before resuming in early to mid-February.
“Our new format makes sense for our players, our fans, and our clubs, aligning us with the global transfer market, reducing national team conflicts, and strengthening the timing of our playoffs,” Garber said. “It reflects exactly where we see MLS going, not just aligning with the best leagues in the world but competing with them.”
Garber has described this next phase as MLS 3.0. Other issues currently being considered by MLS are changes to the playoff format and conference alignment.
The MLS season kicks off this weekend with a marquee match on Saturday night between Son’s LAFC and Messi’s Miami at the Los Angeles Coliseum before an anticipated crowd of some 70,000 fans.
Miami’s might
How did Inter Miami build on last year’s championship season in MLS? They got better, of course.
In addition to two-time league MVP Messi and his 29 goals in conference play, and fellow former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, Miami added Mexican international Germán Berterame and Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
The Herons also made the transfer of Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid permanent.
Berterame, who was born in Argentina but is a naturalized Mexican and plays for Mexico’s national team, comes from Liga MX’s Monterrey, where he has scored 68 goals in 153 appearances since 2022.
The additions should help make up for the departures of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who retired after Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the MLS Cup title game last season.
Incoming notables
In addition to Berterame in Miami, there are a few other notable names joining MLS this season.
Among them is Colombian international James Rodriguez, who is with Minnesota United on a short-term contract. Rodriguez’s deal runs through June with a club option for the remainder of the season following the World Cup.
The signing is as consequential for the midfielder as it is for the Loons. Rodriguez needs to get some quality playing time to earn a spot on Colombia’s World Cup squad.
“Yes, it’s true I’ve played for big clubs, good clubs, but I wanted this league. I wanted to play here,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I am here to help and hopefully win things. That’s what I want because I always want to win.”
Other key offseason acquisitions include forward Timo Werner, who joined the San Jose Earthquakes from RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga; Romanian forward Louis Munteanu, acquired by D.C. United; and Brazilian winger Guilherme, who joined the Houston Dynamo from Santos.
Coaching carousel
Nearly one-third of the league’s teams have new coaches this season. Probably the highest profile of the new hires is former U.S. team captain Michael Bradley, who takes over as coach of the New York Red Bulls, a job his father once held.
“We are going to, from day one, set out to create an environment that challenges the players, that brings out the best in them, that develops them individually, and to create a team that when we step on the field, people watching, they see a team that is different, they see a team that when they leave the stadium they want to come back,” Bradley said.
Tata Martino returns to Atlanta United, the club he led to an MLS Cup title in 2018 before stints with the Mexican national team and Inter Miami.
Other new coaches this season include: Henrik Rydström at the Columbus Crew, Matt Wells at the Colorado Rapids, Marc Dos Santos at LAFC, Cameron Knowles at Minnesota United, Marko Mitrović at the New England Revolution, Raphaël Wicky at Sporting Kansas City and Yoann Damet at St. Louis City.
Sports Advertisers Want New Ballgame With Aggressive Sponsorships
When is a two-point conversion really a touchdown?
For the brewers of Dos Equis, multiple times per season.
Since last year, Dos Equis has arranged to become part of the action during select college-football games telecast across ESPN, ABC, SEC and ACC Network getting special on-screen graphics and other elements whenever one of the teams tries to “Go for Dos” and score a two-point conversion. This year, the Heineken brand expanded its support and is expected to cover nearly two thirds of the plays broadcast this season, compared with just under half a year ago. To be sure, there are TV commercials, too.
“We’re not about just interrupting sport. We’re about being a part of it,” says Allison Payne, Heineken USA’s CMO, during a recent interview. The concept helps create a feeling of “doing the unexpected to make life a bit more interesting, and, obviously, make the game more interesting.”
Football commercials and beer go together like, well, what did we just say? But more advertisers like Dos Equis are pressing TV networks to carve out new elements from games during which they can hawk their wares. Such stuff is significantly more complicated than just running an ad and arranging for one of the announcers to bark out “this game is brought to you by….” And TV-sports outlets expect to see a significant uptick in requests for special sponsorships, particularly as sports take on new importance during the industry’s streaming wars, with games representing one of the few programming formats left that can still attract a large audience of simultaneous viewers.
Madison Avenue is pouring new dollars into sports-TV. Disney earlier this year said it sold nearly $4 billion in ad time tied to sports during the industry’s recent “upfront” sales market, when TV networks try to sell the bulk of their commercial inventory. NBCUniversal said its sports properties saw an uptick of 20% in new sponsors during the annual haggle. Amazon’s Prime Video suggested sales tied to sports “provided incremental volume growth for us” during the market.
In a different era, advertisers would use their big budgets to procure similar stuff during primetime dramas and comedies. In the streaming era, “there are fewer meaningful opportunities to do this in entertainment” programming, notes Dan Lovinger, a former head of sports and Olympics sales at NBCU who now leads Lov of the Game Advisors, a consultancy. In years past, advertisers bought sports commercials to reach large audiences. They still do, to be sure, but there appears to be some pressure building to engage more significantly with fans. “Dollars follow eyeballs, and so if the eyeballs are moving to sports, the dollars and creativity will also follow,” Lovinger says.
At Main Street Sports Group, which operates a collection of regional sports outlets known as the FanDuel Sports Network, executives have been working on what they call “trigger ads” that surface at specific sports moments, like a home run or a stolen base. “Is there an ad experience that we can do when there are like three seconds left on the shot clock, or any time that there is a three-pointer or a steal or something?” asks Jim Keller, executive vice president of advertising and sponsorship sales for the FanDuel networks, during an interview. Executives are “focused on finding a way for us to create sponsor moments that actually add to the viewers’ enjoyment of the game.”
Advertisers aren’t guaranteed to hit a marketing home run. Indeed, the live, spontaneous nature of a sports telecast means that tying ad messages to specific moments can be fraught with challenge. Rocket Cos. earlier this year ran an ad during Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl LIX that used a version of John Denver’s “Country Roads, Take Me Home” to talk about Americans striving for home ownership. Marketing executives then tried to get the crowd watching the live game at New Orleans Caesar’s Superdome to sing along — with decidedly mixed results. When Fox came back to live broadcasting following the commercial break that contained an ad from Rocket, many fans appeared to either ignore the music or look puzzled as to why they should take part.
Fox and the NFL initially turned down the live, in-stadium singing session, believing that there would be more control around the concept if crowds were taped singing the song during pre-game coverage when the network was in commercial breaks. The advertiser insisted on trying to create a live spectacle. Once Fox cut to the commercial break that included the Rocket ad, the stadium crowd as invited to participate via use of promotional announcements, a D.J. and the facility’s various screens.
Getting viewers to associate Dos Equis with the two-point conversions requires “high-level coordination,” says Payne. Ther are traditional commercials, and football announcer Chris Fowler has been enlisted to help emphasize the sponsorship. “We have signage. We have college football team sponsorship, We have tailgate activation,” says Payne. “We are very good at bringing brand experiences to life, but it requires quite an in-depth coordination” between Heineken, Disney, ESPN and Dos Equis’ media agency, Dentsu.
Disney has become more open to similar requests, says Mike Denby, senior vice president of sales for the company. “We believe the more that we do integrations, the more that we elevate brands, it drives results,” he says. At the same time, he adds, the company can’t oversaturate the playing field with dozens of similar ideas during a single game.
Creating other bespoke ad concepts may be as hard as winning the games themselves. Sports remains “an unpredictable format,” notes Lovinger, and advertisers will want guarantees that a special appearance close to a goal, touchdown, stolen base, or foul that can’t always be given. What’s more, some leagues can be very careful about how much space they give advertisers as their games are being played. “There are leagues that are less restrictive in terms of how the broadcasters can access inventory and you’ll probably see more of it there, “says Lovinger.
Dos Equis remains undaunted. “My long-term vision is like, can you imagine whenever two-point conversion is in the cards that the whole stadium is chanting ‘Go for Dos?’ asks Payne. “That’s the Nirvana. I feel like we can get there.”
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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Disclaimer. This content is part of a paid partnership. The text below is a sponsored article that is not part of Cointelegraph.com editorial content. The material is written by our advertorial team and has undergone editorial review to ensure clarity and relevance, it may not reflect the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.com. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Disclosure.
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.”
Joe Gibbs Racing Sues Ex-Director Chris Gabehart, Alleging a ‘Brazen’ Trade Secrets Theft
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joe Gibbs Racing on Thursday filed suit against former competition director Chris Gabehart for allegedly embarking on “a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information” for the benefit of a rival NASCAR team Spire Motorsports.
The suit filed in the Western District of North Carolina — the same court that heard last December’s antitrust suit between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR — claims Gabehart violated his contract and stole confidential team trade secrets when “his demands for additional authority were rebuffed by JGR’s owner.”
The suit alleges Gabehart caused more than $8 million in damages to JGR.
JGR was founded by Joe Gibbs in 1992 after he won three Super Bowls as Washington’s football coach.
Gibbs is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and NASCAR Hall of Fame and now co-owns JGR with his daughter-in-law, Heather. The team fields Cup cars for Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin.
Gabehart joined JGR in 2012 as an engineer, worked his way to crew chief for Hamlin, and became competition director ahead of the 2025 season.
Gabehart in that role was responsible for all competitive aspects of the race team, and as such, had access to all of JGR’s proprietary information.
The lawsuit claims Gabehart throughout last season wanted complete responsibility and control over all competition departments and asked Joe Gibbs in a Nov. 6, 2025, meeting for “carte blanche authority over all racing decisions.”
The suit said Gibbs denied the request and Gabehart said he wanted to leave the organization. In the course of negotiating a separation agreement, JGR alleges it learned Gabehart had been meeting with Spire Motorsports, which triggered the organization to do a forensic analysis of Gabehart’s team-issued laptop.
“The results were shocking,” the suit alleges, claiming it found Google searches about Spire in October and November of last year, folders titled “Spire” and “Past Setups” and more than a dozen images of JGR files containing confidential information and trade secrets.
From there, the suit alleges JGR and Gabehart squabbled over further forensic reviews and JGR attempted to impose a “cooling off period” in which Gabehart would not work for another organization.
JGR alleges it learned on Feb. 11 that Gabehart plans to become the chief motorsports officer at Spire, where he would be responsible for all of Spire’s racing strategy and operations.
“This was new information to JGR, as Defendant previously represented to JGR… that the job offer he received from Spire was for a role in which he would not provide Spire with services similar to the services he provided JGR,” the suit claims.
JGR contends Gabehart knew his actions accessing JGR materials was unlawful and he took intentional steps to avoid detection and hide his digital trail.
Gabehart turned in his JGR laptop on Nov. 10 and has not worked for JGR since. The lawsuit claims the offer from Spire was made to Gabehart on Nov. 13 and Gabehart met with Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson on Dec. 2.
JGR claims Gabehart told his former team on Dec. 4 he had not spoken to anyone from Spire about employment, nor had he spoken to any other potential employers.
Instead, JGR claims Gabehart was actively soliciting JGR employees to move to Spire, and at least one employee has made the move.
Spire has yet to announce hiring Gabehart, who was not immediately available for comment.
___
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Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Joe Gibbs Racing sues Chris Gabehart over alleged data theft for Spire Motorsports
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joe Gibbs Racing on Thursday filed suit against former competition director Chris Gabehart for allegedly embarking on “a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information” for the benefit of rival NASCAR team Spire Motorsports.
The suit filed in the Western District of North Carolina — the same court that heard last December’s antitrust suit between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR — claims Gabehart violated his contract and stole confidential team trade secrets when “his demands for additional authority were rebuffed by JGR’s owner.”
The suit alleges Gabehart caused more than $8 million in damages to JGR. The filing did not request an injunction preventing Gabehart from working for Spire.
JGR was founded by Joe Gibbs in 1992 after he won three Super Bowls as Washington’s football coach.
Gibbs is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and NASCAR Hall of Fame and now co-owns JGR with his daughter-in-law, Heather. The team fields Cup cars for Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin.
Gabehart joined JGR in 2012 as an engineer, worked his way to crew chief for Hamlin, and became competition director ahead of the 2025 season.
Gabehart in that role was responsible for all competitive aspects of the race team, and as such, had access to all of JGR’s proprietary information.
The lawsuit claims Gabehart throughout last season wanted complete responsibility and control over all competition departments and asked Joe Gibbs in a Nov. 6, 2025, meeting for “carte blanche authority over all racing decisions.”
The suit said Gibbs denied the request and Gabehart said he wanted to leave the organization. In the course of negotiating a separation agreement, JGR alleges it learned Gabehart had been meeting with Spire Motorsports, which triggered the organization to do a forensic analysis of Gabehart’s team-issued laptop.
“The results were shocking,” the suit alleges, claiming it found Google searches about Spire in October and November of last year, folders titled “Spire” and “Past Setups” and more than a dozen images of JGR files containing confidential information and trade secrets.
From there, the suit alleges JGR and Gabehart squabbled over further forensic reviews and JGR attempted to impose a “cooling off period” in which Gabehart would not work for another organization.
JGR alleges it learned on Feb. 11 that Gabehart plans to become the chief motorsports officer at Spire, where he would be responsible for all of Spire’s racing strategy and operations.
“This was new information to JGR, as Defendant previously represented to JGR… that the job offer he received from Spire was for a role in which he would not provide Spire with services similar to the services he provided JGR,” the suit claims.
JGR contends Gabehart knew his actions accessing JGR materials was unlawful and he took intentional steps to avoid detection and hide his digital trail.
Gabehart turned in his JGR laptop on Nov. 10 and has not worked for JGR since. The lawsuit claims the offer from Spire was made to Gabehart on Nov. 13 and Gabehart met with Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson on Dec. 2.
JGR claims Gabehart told his former team on Dec. 4 he had not spoken to anyone from Spire about employment, nor had he spoken to any other potential employers.
Instead, JGR claims Gabehart was actively soliciting JGR employees to move to Spire, and at least one employee has made the move.
Spire has yet to announce hiring Gabehart. Cary Davis, the attorney representing Gabehart, said he could not comment on the suit. Gabehart must respond to JGR’s filing in 21 days.
___
Joe Gibbs Racing sues ex-director Chris Gabehart, alleging a ‘brazen’ trade secrets theft
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joe Gibbs Racing on Thursday filed suit against former competition director Chris Gabehart for allegedly embarking on “a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information” for the benefit of a rival NASCAR team Spire Motorsports.
The suit filed in the Western District of North Carolina — the same court that heard last December’s antitrust suit between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR — claims Gabehart violated his contract and stole confidential team trade secrets when “his demands for additional authority were rebuffed by JGR’s owner.”
Joe Gibbs Racing Sues Former Crew Chief
o
n Thursday, February 19, NASCAR team Joe Gibbs Racing filed suit against a former key employee for allegedly stealing proprietary information and taking it to his new team.
The suit was filed against Christopher Gabehart in the Western District of NC alleging the former Crew Chief and Director of Competition stole confidential JGR information as he was preparing to leave the team. He is now employed by Spire Motorsports.
NASCAR’s Joe Gibbs Racing Sues Former Executive for Stealing Information
The suit alleges Gabehart started taking photos and confiscating proprietary information after the two parties parted ways in November 2025 season. The suit further states the accused took the information to his new team, Spire Motorsports, after leaving JGR in November 2025.
Gibbs fields Toyotas and Spire Chevrolets.
The alleged files taken from JGR by Gabehart include a Google drive that was synced to proprietary files labeled Spire, analytic reports, payroll data, sponsorship revenue, driver salaries, and documents detailing race setups. The suit further alleges Gabehart took the information before being formally hired by Spire Motorsports. Although, to this day, Spire has not made a formal announcement of Gabehart being part of the team.
JGR is suing Gabehart for approximately $8 million in compensation. They are seeking to stop the use of their stolen information. The team is asserting claims under the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act, North Carolina trade secret law, unfair trade practices statutes, and breach of contract, citing confidentiality, non-compete, and non-solicitation provisions in his employment agreement.
Alleged Theft Described as Brazen
Wording the lawsuit stated Gabehart’s actions were “a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information” and take it to Spire. The suit further says the former executive stole confidential trade secrets after his “his demands for additional authority were rebuffed by JGR’s owner.”
In other words, Gabehart wanted more authority in the running of the team and JGR declined his request. This came to a head on Nov. 6, 2025 when the Director of Competition wanted more control. Once his demands weren’t met, the team and suit allude Gabehart began the theft of pertinent information while planning to leave for Spire.
While still trying to work out a deal for Gabehart to remain at JGR, the entity learned he had been talking with Spire to go work there. Thus, JGR called for a forensic analysis on their employee’s company issued laptop.
From 2019 to 2024, Gabehart was the crew chief for three-time Daytona 500 champion driver Denny Hamlin. In 2025, the native of Lafeyette, IN was promoted to Director of Competition for all of JGR.
During his time with Hamlin, the duo won 22 races and finished top five in points in all but one year, which was 2024, when the ranked eighth.
Tim Packman Tim Packman is a journalist for Heavy.com covering NASCAR. He grew up around the short tracks of Western New York watching his dad, stepdad and step brother race. His uncle was the head starter at many area tracks and member of the FOAR Score Hall of Fame. Tim’s passion for racing took him to the announcer’s tower and writing program stories for multiple tracks in the area, namely Lancaster National Speedway. In 2000, he moved to Mooresville, NC to become an award-winning journalist for NASCAR.com. He took a job with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as the team’s Communications Director and was part of two Daytona 500 wins and two NASCAR Championships. The announcing experience led to becoming a Pit Reporter and News Director for MRN Radio. A return to the team side at Richard Childress Racing as the Director of Corporate Communications took place, which also included another Championship. From 2015 to 2018, Tim returned to where his career began in 1994 – Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway – as the Track President. He earned Short Track Promoter of the Year awards in 2016 and 2017. Upon returning to NC, he joined The Garage Shop as Communications Director and host of it’s Podcast and MAV-TV docuseries
LaMelo Ball’s Hummer Needs Extensive Repairs After Crash, Motorsports Owner Says
LaMelo Ball’s custom Hummer is already undergoing repairs after Wednesday’s collision in downtown Charlotte — with the owner of the motorsports company telling TMZ Sports the truck is fixable, but it will take some time!
We spoke to Adam Wolfe of Dreamworks Motorsports, the company behind the custom work on Melo’s 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1, who says they’ve already started getting it back to tip-top shape.
TikTok/@tristan.rosado
The Hummer suffered significant front-end damage in the crash, including the loss of one of its 24×12 DW Forged one-off designed wheels.
Wolfe said he spoke with Ball after the crash and was relieved to hear he was okay … and the damaged truck was sent back to the company’s Roxboro, NC location on Thursday — about three hours from Charlotte.
Wolfe said the Hummer is
Front Row Motorsports staked its NASCAR future in federal antitrust suit
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bob Jenkins risked his entire race team — a Daytona 500-winning team — when he refused to sign NASCAR’s revenue-sharing agreement and Front Row Motorsports joined 23XI in suing over antitrust violations.
Michael Jordan was the face of the suit settled in December, while Jenkins was the quiet team owner in the background presumed to be riding the global icon’s coattails.
“People thought Michael Jordan was bankrolling this — no, no, no. I had to pay my half,” Jenkins told The Associated Press.
Jenkins, the sole owner of Front Row, said he split the fees of the case equally with 23XI, which has three owners to divide the costs. Had NASCAR not settled the suit, both teams would have ceased operations.
“And I was OK with that,” Jenkins told The Associated Press. “It would have hurt, I risked losing three charters myself, but I would have been OK. I just felt that strongly that we had a winning case that I could risk it.”
The settlement that was reached on the ninth day of the trial made the charters — the equivalent of a franchise in other sports — evergreen and that alone doubled their value overnight to nearly $100 million each.
Who is Front Row Motorsports?
For Jenkins, an entrepreneur from Tennessee who owns Long John Silver’s, 400 Taco Bell franchises and about 30 KFC franchises, the settlement meant a racing organization that had been bleeding money was now secure to be passed down to his four sons. He testified during the trial that Front Row had lost approximately $100 million since it launched in the early 2000s and didn’t turn a profit a single season — even in 2021 when Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500.
The settlement now allows Jenkins to look to the future with Front Row, which has one of the youngest lineups in NASCAR and opened the 2026 season with a victory when Chandler Smith won the Truck Series race at Daytona.
The Ford team fields Cup Series cars for Noah Gragson — who at 27 is the oldest driver in the lineup — Zane Smith (26) and Todd Gilliland (25). Jenkins believes he has a budding star in Smith, who signed a contract extension last October when the fate of the team was uncertain amidst the lawsuit. Smith won a stage in last week’s Daytona 500 and finished sixth, and heads into this Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway ranked fourth in the Cup standings.
Gilliland and Gragson are in contract years and Jenkins said he’s explicitly told both what he expects from them this season.
The two Front Row trucks are driven by Smith and Layne Riggs, who are both 23.
So the team has young drivers to develop, as well as an alliance with Team Penske. Jenkins said that partnership with Penske went soft during the lawsuit — Roger Penske signed the charter agreement presented to owners in 2024 that Front Row and 23XI refused to accept — but has amped up since the settlement.
What’s next?
Front Row in the offseason hired engineer Grant Hutchens from Penske to crew chief Gragson, a move that allowed the team to move Drew Blickensderfer to competition director.
“Drew wanted more of an organizational, leadership role, and we always had that in the back of our mind, so Grant gave us an opportunity to fast-track that,” explained Front Row general manager Jerry Freeze. “Bringing Grant in makes us a little more aligned with the Penske group and we hope that’s hopefully going to pay off in the long run.”
The settlement gave Front Row stability — Freeze said “it seems like a light switch went on with our relationship with Penske” — and relief to team employees who had worried their jobs might cease to exist. It also allows the team to search for new headquarters as Front Row is currently bursting at the seams across two different leased race shops, one owned by the late Greg Biffle and the other owned by Brad Keselowski.
Jenkins wants to consolidate his teams into one building and can now confidently make that investment.
A sense of satisfaction
Jenkins and Front Row don’t get the same attention as mega teams Penske, Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing. And he’s a busy team owner with commitments to his fast-food empire that he takes a very hands-on role with. It was Jenkins who made the call for Long John Silver’s to switch to waffle fries — a recipe he says the chain is still trying to perfect to prevent fries from getting soggy during third-party delivery — and he’s often in the test kitchen sampling new recipes and vetoing a spicy shrimp idea because he didn’t like the way the fish looked in a red sauce.
It made sense that Jordan, winning team owner of last week’s Daytona 500, was willing to take on NASCAR in the revenue sharing dispute because racing is just his retirement hobby. But it took bravery and belief for Jenkins to sue — something the likes of Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick and Roger Penske did not do.
Jenkins doesn’t need to be celebrated, but he’s certainly pleased with the outcome for himself, his race teams and the future of NASCAR. It was a fight he thinks he’s “probably stupid enough to have done myself” without 23XI, but knows having Jordan was necessary.
“Personally it’s very gratifying because it could have went the other way, and this sounds cliche, but when something needs to be said, you’ve got to find a way to say it,” Jenkins said. “We did that and it just makes me feel good that we took a stand.”
___
Joe Gibbs Racing sues Chris Gabehart in latest lawsuit in NASCAR
Hanging over much of NASCAR’s offseason was a nine-day trial that ended with the sanctioning body of stock car racing settling with Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and another team, Front Row Motorsports.
Now, the sport is seemingly headed back to court.
Joe Gibbs Racing filed a lawsuit in the Western District of North Carolina on Thursday against the team’s former competition director, Chris Gabehart. Gibbs’ team alleges that Gabehart “embarked on a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information and use it for the benefit of a direct competitor in NASCAR — Spire Motorsports.”
USA TODAY Sports obtained a copy of the lawsuit, where JGR seeks to recover damages of up to $8 million because Gabehart allegedly violated “his contractual obligations and wrongfully” used “JGR’s confidential information and trade secrets.”
In a statement released Friday afternoon, Gabehart denied the claims and called them false, characterizing the lawsuit as
From Border Incursions To Stadiums: Counter-Drone Systems To Protect World Cup Games
Whether the brief shutdown of El Paso airspace was driven by a reported U.S. military directed-energy counter-drone weapon or what senior U.S. officials characterized as a Mexican cartel drone incursion remains unresolved at the moment.
Our assessment is that, with FIFA World Cup matches just months away, the Trump administration is racing to deploy counter-drone systems. After all, President Donald Trump signed last year’s
2026 World Cup schedule: Dates, times, stadiums all confirmed – Full details
The full schedule for the 2026 World Cup has been confirmed, with the kick off times, dates and venues for all 104 games now confirmed.
MORE — Groups confirmed for 2026 World Cup
We now know where you can watch each team play across the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer and you can start making your plans.
This is what it is all about, as we’ve been waiting years for the schedule for this 48-team tournament to be revealed.
MORE — 2026 World Cup hub | 2026 World Cup venues
Below are all the details you need.
2026 World Cup schedule, dates, times, stadiums, full details
Group A schedule
June 11: Mexico vs South Africa – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 3pm ET
June 11: South Korea vs UEFA playoff D – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – 10pm
June 18: UEFA playoff D vs South Africa – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
June 18: Mexico vs South Korea – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – 9pm ET
June 24: UEFA playoff D vs Mexico – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 9pm ET
June 24: South Africa vs South Korea – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – 9pm ET
Group B schedule
June 12: Canada vs UEFA playoff A – BMO Field, Toronto – 3pm ET
June 13: Qatar vs Switzerland – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – 3pm ET
June 18: Switzerland vs UEFA playoff A – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
June 18: Canada vs Qatar – BC Place, Vancouver – 6pm ET
June 24: Switzerland vs Canada – BC Place, Vancouver – 3pm ET
June 24: UEFA playoff A vs Qatar – Lumen Field, Seattle – 3pm ET
Group C schedule
June 13: Brazil vs Morocco – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 6pm ET
June 13: Haiti vs Scotland – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 9pm ET
June 19: Scotland vs Morocco – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 6pm ET
June 19: Brazil vs Haiti – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 9pm ET
June 24: Scotland vs Brazil – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 6pm ET
June 24: Morocco vs Haiti – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 6pm ET
Group D schedule
June 12: USA vs Paraguay – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 9pm ET
June 13: Australia vs UEFA playoff C – BC Place, Vancouver – Midnight ET
June 19: USA vs Australia – Lumen Field, Seattle – 3pm ET
June 19: UEFA playoff C vs Paraguay – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – Midnight ET
June 25: UEFA playoff C vs USA – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 10pm ET
June 25: Paraguay vs Australia – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – 10pm ET
Group E schedule
June 14: Germany vs Curacao – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 14: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 7pm ET
June 20: Germany vs Ivory Coast – BMO Field, Toronto – 4pm ET
June 20: Ecuador vs Curacao – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 8pm ET
June 25: Ecuador vs Germany – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 4pm ET
June 25: Curacao vs Ivory Coast – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 4pm ET
Group F schedule
June 14: Netherlands vs Japan – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 4pm ET
June 14: UEFA playoff B vs Tunisia – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – 10pm ET
June 20: Netherlands vs UEFA playoff B – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 20: Tunisia vs Japan – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – Midnight ET
June 25: Japan vs UEFA playoff B – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 7pm ET
June 25: Tunisia vs Netherlands – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 7pm ET
Group G schedule
June 15: Iran vs New Zealand – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 9pm ET
June 15: Belgium vs Egypt – Lumen Field, Seattle – 3pm ET
June 21: Belgium vs Iran – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
June 21: New Zealand vs Egypt – BC Place, Vancouver – 9pm ET
June 26: Egypt vs Iran – Lumen Field, Seattle – 11pm ET
June 26: New Zealand vs Belgium – BC Place, Vancouver – 11pm ET
Group H schedule
June 15: Spain vs Cape Verde – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
June 15: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 6pm ET
June 21: Spain vs Saudi Arabia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
June 21: Uruguay vs Cape Verde – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 6pm ET
June 26: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia – NRG Stadium, Houston – 8pm ET
June 26: Uruguay vs Spain – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – 8pm ET
Group I schedule
June 16: France vs Senegal – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 3pm ET
June 16: Inter-confederation playoff 2 vs Norway – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 6pm ET
June 22: France vs Inter-confederation playoff 2 – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 5pm ET
June 22: Norway vs Senegal – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 8pm ET
June 26: Norway vs France – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 3pm ET
June 26: Senegal vs Inter-confederation playoff 2 – BMO Field, Toronto – 3pm ET
Group J schedule
June 16: Argentina vs Algeria – Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City – 9pm ET
June 16: Austria vs Jordan – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – Midnight ET
June 22: Argentina vs Austria – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 1pm ET
June 22: Jordan vs Algeria – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – 11pm ET
June 27: Algeria vs Austria – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 10pm ET
June 27: Jordan vs Argentina – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 10pm ET
Group K schedule
June 17: Portugal vs Inter-confederation playoff 1 – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 17: Uzbekistan vs Colombia – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 10pm ET
June 23: Portugal vs Uzbekistan – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 23: Colombia vs Inter-confederation playoff 1 – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – 10pm ET
June 27: Colombia vs Portugal – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 7:30pm ET
June 27: Inter-confederation playoff 1 vs Uzbekistan – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 7:30pm ET
Group L schedule
June 17: England vs Croatia – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 4pm ET
June 17: Ghana vs Panama – BMO Field, Toronto – 7pm ET
June 23: England vs Ghana – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 4pm ET
June 23: Panama vs Croatia – BMO Field, Toronto – 7pm ET
June 27: Panama vs England – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 5pm ET
June 27: Croatia vs Ghana – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 5pm ET
Round of 32 schedule
June 28: Match 73 – Runner up Group A vs Runner up Group B – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
June 29: Match 76 – Winner Group C vs Runner up Group F – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 29: Match 74 – Winner Group E vs 3rd Group A/B/C/D/F – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 4:30pm ET
June 29: Match 75 – Winner Group F vs Runner up Group C – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – 9pm ET
June 30: Match 78 – Runner up Group E vs Runner up Group I – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 1pm ET
June 30: Match 77 – Winner Group I vs 3rd Group C/D/F/G/H – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 5pm ET
June 30: Match 79 – Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C/E/F/H/I – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 9pm ET
July 1: Match 80 – Winner Group L vs 3rd Group E/H/I/J/K – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
July 1: Match 82 – Winner Group G vs 3rd Group A/E/H/I/J – Lumen Field, Seattle – 4pm ET
July 1: Match 81 – Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B/E/F/I/J – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – 8pm ET
July 2: Match 84 – Winner Group H vs Runner up Group J – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
July 2: Match 83 – Runner up Group K vs Runner up Group L – BMO Field, Toronto – 7pm ET
July 2: Match 85 – Winner Group B vs 3rd Group E/F/G/I/J – BC Place, Vancouver – 11pm ET
July 3: Match 88 – Runner up Group D vs Runner up Group G – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 2pm ET
July 3: Match 86 – Winner Group J vs Runner up Group H – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 6pm ET
July 3: Match 87 – Winner Group K vs 3rd Group D/E/I/J/L – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 9:30pm ET
Round of 16 schedule
July 4: Match 90 – Winner Match 73 vs Winner Match 75 – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
July 4: Match 89 – Winner Match 74 vs Winner Match 77 – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 5pm ET
July 5: Match 91 – Winner Match 76 vs Winner Match 78 – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 4pm ET
July 5: Match 92 – Winner Match 79 vs Winner Match 80 – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 8pm ET
July 6: Match 93 – Winner Match 83 vs Winner Match 84 – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 3pm ET
July 6: Match 94 – Winner Match 81 vs Winner Match 82 – Lumen Field, Seattle – 8pm ET
July 7: Match 95 – Winner Match 86 vs Winner Match 88 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
July 7: Match 96 – Winner Match 85 vs Winner Match 87 – BC Place, Vancouver – 4pm ET
Quarterfinal schedule
July 9: Match 97 – Winner Match 89 vs Winner Match 90 – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 4pm ET
July 10: Match 98 – Winner Match 93 vs Winner Match 94 – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
July 11: Match 99 – Winner Match 91 vs Winner Match 92 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 5pm ET
July 11: Match 100 – Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96 – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 9pm ET
Semifinal schedule
July 14: Match 101 – Winner Match 97 vs Winner Match 98 – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 3pm ET
July 15: Match 102 – Winner Match 99 vs Winner Match 100 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 3pm ET
Third-place game
July 18: Match 103 – Loser Match 101 vs Loser Match 102 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 5pm ET
Final
July 19: Match 104 – Winner Match 101 vs Winner Match 102 – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 3pm ET
Reminder: What is Cuyahoga County’s sin tax and what does it pay for?
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga County residents have been paying a “sin tax” on cigarettes and alcohol since 1990.
The tax has financed the construction of the county’s three major professional sports venues and was supposed to cover the long-term upkeep, at least through 2034. But spending has long-since outpaced revenues, leading to increased reliance on Cleveland’s and Cuyahoga County’s general funds.
Now, County Executive Chris Ronayne hopes to seek voter approval to significantly increase the tax, so it can once again cover future stadium costs.
“Our goal at the county is to take the general fund out of the equation on financing of the ballpark and arena,” Ronayne recently told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
Here’s what you need to know about it.
1. What is the sin tax?
The county’s sin tax is an excise tax on cigarettes and alcohol sold in Cuyahoga County. The current rates are:
4.5 cents per pack of cigarettes
1.5 cents per 12-ounce container of beer
6 cents per 750-milliliter bottle of wine
24 cents per gallon of cider
32 cents per gallon of mixed beverages
$3 per gallon of hard liquor
The tax is collected at the point of sale as part of the county’s broader sales tax system. Vaping and marijuana products are not taxed.
2. When was it approved?
Voters first approved a 15-year sin tax in May 1990 to build Jacobs Field and Gund Arena, which today are known as Progressive Field and Rocket Arena, respectively.
In November 1995, voters approved a 10-year extension – which would take it through 2015 –to build a new football stadium after the original Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore. That extension backed bonds used to construct Huntington Bank Field, where the team currently plays.
In May 2014, voters approved another 20-year extension. Collections are supposed to be split between the three facilities to fund major capital repairs, such as structural work, scoreboards, mechanical systems and major renovations. Money cannot be used for routine maintenance or team payroll.
3. Who collects the tax?
The State of Ohio collects all sales taxes and distributes the sin tax portion to Cuyahoga County each month.
4. How much does the tax raise?
In recent years, annual collections have generally ranged between $13 million and $16 million, though revenue can fluctuate due to changing cigarette and alcohol sales patterns.
Because smoking rates have steadily dropped since 1990, cigarette tax revenue has decreased over time, increasing reliance on alcohol-related collections.
5. How is the money spent?
The City of Cleveland owns the Cleveland Browns’s stadium and approves repair expenses.
The nonprofit Gateway Economic Development Corp. owns Progressive Field and Rocket Arena and enforces team leases on behalf of the county. Gateway’s board, appointed by city and county officials, sign off on spending at the ballpark and arena.
Under the lease agreements with the respective teams, Gateway is responsible for paying all capital repairs at Progressive Field and capital repairs over $500,000 at Rocket Arena.
6. What’s next?
The current sin tax is set to expire in 2035.
County Executive Chris Ronayne said officials from Cleveland and the city’s three major sports teams are helping petition the state for permission to triple or quadruple the county’s sin tax rate, which could raise $15 million to $19 million per stadium to cover repairs each year, if sales remain steady.
The state previously approved doubling the tax rate, but Ronayne declined to pursue it, saying it would not cover the full need and leave local governments on the hook for subsidizing remaining costs. The city and county recently provided Gateway a $40 million bailout for repairs at Rocket Arena and Progressive Field because it didn’t have enough money to cover its bills.
Increasing – and likely extending — the sin tax would require voter approval, a question that could be on the ballot later this year.
“Voters could see a sin tax initiative as early as November 2026, but the timeline and specifics aren’t 100% clear right now,” Ronayne’s Director of Communications Kelly Woodard recently told cleveland.com.
Defunct MLB stadiums we wish were still around
The original home of the Toronto Blue Jays was part of the massive Exhibition Place grounds and was best used for football. While it provided wide-open views for baseball, the lowest rows of seating were still rather far from the playing field, as was the case with most fields that were initially built for football. An open-air stadium, along Lake Ontario, also made for some harsh cold-weather, windy days and nights early and late in the season. While not an easy place to watch baseball, Exhibition Stadium’s unintended quirkiness takes us back to a simpler time in baseball history where amenities weren’t that big of a deal.
Sometimes the shortcomings of a specific ballpark can be what we miss most. Though regular attendees to Candlestick probably do not miss the harsh winds and chilly temperatures that were staples in the heart of summer for Giants games. Located on Candlestick Point, on the western portion of San Francisco Bay, the park was picked initially because it offered the most open space to building something of that size. For years, catching pop fly balls were an adventure for fielders, and the actual fenced outfield wall was interesting. It wasn’t the most pleasant of places to watch baseball, especially at night, but making it through such contests was a victory in itself for dedicated fans.
Best known as the home of Washington’s professional football team, Robert F. Kennedy, located just east of the United States Capitol, was one of the first
North Dakota State Insider Reveals Stadium Status Amid FBS Move
While the nation’s biggest FBS stadiums have drawn well over 100,000 fans on a fall Saturday, recent newcomer North Dakota State has a small fraction of that capacity but the sound to match the blaring noise of the SEC and Big Ten.
North Dakota State’s home stadium, the 19,000-seat Fargodome, has reached 115 decibels for a game before during the Bison’s dominant FCS run of 10 national titles between 2011 and 2024. That puts a full Fargodome easily in the top-25 of noisiest venues based on USA Today’s Aggies Wire’s numbers, but the dome administration isn’t looking to expand seating yet to make the home environment more intimidating.
“The move to FBS doesn’t mean the Fargo Dome Authority is going to revisit another run at a renovation, at least immediately,” Fargo Dome Authoriy president David Suppes told NDSU insider Jeff Kolpack of the Fargo Forum last week.
According to Kolpack, the wide majority of Fargo residents voted down a $140 million proposal in 2024 to renovate the dome because of sales tax funding. However, the dome is also a finalist to have an addition with the new Fargo convention center, and Suppes informed Kolpack that NDSU’s move up could impact things.
“We’re working hard on that and it’s quite a bit of work,” Suppes said. “But this news coming out of NDSU being accepted to the Mountain West certainly adds another dynamic to the conversation.”
Bison HC Tim Polasek: ‘It’s Intimidating’
While the Fargo Dome is the third-smallest venue in the Mountain West, it could offer one of the toughest places to play for visiting teams.
That was the case in the FCS, where the Bison had a 38-2 record at home in the playoffs, and the Bison are 144-24 all-time at home since the dome opened in 1993. NDSU’s first game in the dome as a Division II program, and the matchup with Pittsburg State was on ESPN’s radar, per Bison Illustrated. Two decades later, ESPN’s CollegeGameday came three times during the Bison FCS dynasty.
“For coaches and players on the field, NDSU is a problem,” Bison head coach Tim Polasek told Kolpack. “The crowd noise, the in-game experience with the jumbotrons, as far as dealing with the environment — A-plus, it will be high in the Mountain West.”
Polasek noted that even the Bison tailgating environment gets visiting teams’ attention. He knows it will be the case in the FBS, too, after serving on staff with Iowa from 2017 to 2020 and Wyoming from 2021 to 2023.
“I get this from coaches who come here, if the bus driver takes a wrong turn and they go down by the tailgating, it’s intimidating,” Polasek said.
Expansion Not Needed For Bison
As Kolpack noted, the NCAA did away with the 15,000-fan minimum average for the FBS in 2023, so NDSU will only need to expand seating via renovation or a new stadium if the fan base grows to require it.
That said, NDSU could easily sit in the middle of the Mountain West pack for attendance. Air Force led attendance in 2025 with 39,441 fans per game, and San Jose State had a league low 18,265 fans per contest.
Best Phoenix restaurants near every spring stadium
Spring training season is one of the most exciting times of the year for baseball fans, especially in Arizona, where 15 of the MLB’s 30 teams share 10 spring training stadiums during the Cactus League season, which lasts from Feb. 20 through March 24.
If you’re bored of stadium food and want to end your day at the ballpark on a high note, or if you’re visiting from out of town and looking for a restaurant recommendation near the action, look no further. The Republic recently released its list of 100 essential restaurants for 2026, and many of the beloved restaurants are within a few miles of spring training stadiums.
Here is your guide to essential restaurants that are within a 4-mile radius (or about a 10-minute drive or less) from every spring training stadium in Arizona.
Restaurants near American Family Fields of Phoenix
American Family Fields of Phoenix, located at 3805 N. 53rd Ave. in Phoenix, is the spring training home to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Birriería Obregón
If you’re craving authentic Sonoran flavors, you must visit Birriería Obregón, a place where the specialties include seafood, birria, tacos and bichis (birria broth) along with caguamanta (manta ray stew) and beef head. Don’t miss breakfast, served with handmade flour or corn tortillas. And to finish on a sweet note, try one of their traditional Mexican desserts.
Details: 2500 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix. More locations at birrieriaobregonaz.com.
— Nadia Cantú
Great Wall Cuisine
As one of the first places in the Valley to specialize in dim sum, Great Wall has been like “the Grand Central station of the Asian community,” as the daughter of the couple who have run it since 1992 described it to The Republic. The large restaurant has been the go-to spot for community gatherings, business meetings and celebrations within the metro Phoenix Chinese and Asian American community. On weekdays and weekends, the dining room buzzes with conversation as people of all ages enjoy dim sum. When I visit, I always order the egg noodles, Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce and shrimp shu mai. Then, I get creative and mix it up, perhaps choosing their soft, sweet custard buns or the thick, spiced beef tripe. Just point and pick your own adventure from the array on the rolling carts.
Details: 3446 W. Camelback Road, #155, Phoenix. 602-973-1112, greatwallcuisineaz.com.
— Reia Li
Los Pinos Surf and Turf
Los Pinos serves the best grilled butterfly shrimp in the Valley. They come doused in butter, accompanied by a perfectly spicy salsa. This family-friendly restaurant echoes with cheerful music under the watchful eye of the taxidermy bulls on the wall. As the name implies, it’s the best place for Mexican surf and turf, from a filet mignon served with baked potato and asparagus to a hearty caldo de siete mares (seven seas soup). Wash it down with a michelada or their aguas frescas, which are natural and delicious. Live music on the weekend makes it feel like a party.
Details: 3618 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. lospinossurfandturfaz.com.
— Nadia Cantú
Restaurants near Camelback Ranch-Glendale
Camelback Ranch-Glendale, located at 10710 W. Camelback Road in Phoenix, is the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mis Nietos Cocina Mexican Food
Mis Nietos Cocina Mexican Food is a small, cozy and family-friendly restaurant that offers the best homemade Mexican breakfasts in the West Valley. Freshly made tortillas, natural aguas frescas and crafted coffees are diner favorites. Be sure to try the red chilaquiles, served with beans and eggs any style.
Details: 10575 W. Indian School Road, Avondale. mi-cocina-mexican-food.menu-world.com.
— Nadia Cantú
Restaurants near Goodyear Ballpark
Goodyear Ballpark, located at 1933 S. Ballpark Way in Goodyear, is spring training home of the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds.
PoNy’s Miches
In just a few short years, Jose “Pony” Flores and his wife, Analiz Gonzalez, grew PoNy’s Miches from a humble food truck to a fan-favorite restaurant that earned the third most votes in The Republic’s Top Taco 2024 for Gonzalez’s Baja-style seafood tacos. PoNy’s is the place to go for ceviche, micheladas and Mexican shrimp cocktails.
Details: 725 S. Estrella Pkwy., Goodyear. PoNy’s Miches on Facebook.
– Eddie Fontanez
Restaurants near Hohokam Stadium
Hohokam Stadium, located at 1235 N. Center St. in Mesa, is the spring training home of The Athletics.
Tacos Chiwas
Tacos Chiwas, Armando Hernández and Nadia Holguín’s debut restaurant, is basically taco heaven. If you’re ever in the mood to try all the imaginable taco variants, this is your ideal destination. From barbacoa, carne asada, lengua and al pastor tacos, to gorditas filled with picadillo and carne deshebrada, plus vegetarian options, Tacos Chiwas offers an incredible array of options and flavors, served with their very own Chihuahuan twist.
Details: 127 W. Main St., Mesa. 480-590-7163. More locations at tacoschiwas.com.
— Paula Soria
Myke’s Pizza
To find the best wood fired pizza in the East Valley, you’ll have to take a trip to the Cider Corps taproom in downtown Mesa. On my first visit, I marveled at the hanging Army helmets repurposed as lamps at the bar, listened to the tune of Chick Corea’s jazzy piano and sent my taste buds into overjoyed overdrive with one bite of the melt in your mouth blend of mozzarella, provolone and gouda cheeses and the savory-sweet sensation of the crushed tomato sauce on my pie. Whether you’re daring enough to try such adventurous creations as the butternut squash or chorizo and olive pizzas, or you stick with a traditional pepperoni pizza, the high-quality and flavorful ingredients will ensure it’s an experience you want to repeat as often as possible.
Details: 31 S. Robson, Suite 103, Mesa. 480-687-8526, mykespizza.com.
— Michael Salerno
Restaurants near Peoria Sports Complex
Peoria Sports Complex, located at 16101 N. 83rd Ave. in Peoria, is the spring training home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
Fabio on Fire Pizzeria Italiana
Cozy is the first word that comes to mind when you first enter Fabio on Fire Pizzeria Italiana. Then the food arrives and that’s all you’ll be able to think about. Housemade bread in no time. You might end up ordering a second basket. Yes, it’s that good. But save room for other starters, like burrata with roasted tomatoes and pesto. Sharp basil gives life to the perfectly creamy burrata and the tomatoes add a warm acidity. Then move on to the main event, the pizza pies, with the likes of the Bianca Parma topped with arugula, parmesan and prosciutto. Every element holds its own and together they are more than the sum of their parts. Not unlike this charming, delicious restaurant.
Details: 8275 W. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria. 623-680-5385, fabioonfire.com.
— Bahar Anooshahr
Restaurants near Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, located at 7555 N. Pima Road in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale, is the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.
Andreoli Italian Grocer
When you walk into Andreoli’s it feels like you’re entering someone’s home, not a restaurant. The cozy space has family photos papering the walls, rustic tables and chairs and a cute patio perfect for dining under the stars. But the real star is the food. The menu is filled with Italian classics like cured meats and cheeses; massive sandwiches served on focaccia and pasta options ranging from delicate potato gnocchi to hearty rigatoni. Plus, the dessert case is always filled with delectable fresh cannoli, cakes and pastries.
Details: 8880 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale. 480-614-1980, andreoli-grocer.com.
— Meredith G. White
Il Bosco Pizza
Il Bosco Pizza was named the best pizza in Phoenix by The Republic’s readers in a 2025 pizza poll, and I can’t think of a more deserving choice. Shortly after the pizza poll, I took my partner on a date to Il Bosco’s downtown Phoenix location and we completely devoured a wood-fired mushroom pizza and caprese salad. Even the gluten-free crust, made from a combination of tapioca and rice flour, is the perfect blend of soft, doughy edges and a crusty bottom.
Details: 7120 E. Becker Lane, Scottsdale. 480-335-8680. More locations at ilboscopizza.com.
— Eddie Fontanez
Indibar
Indibar is fun and a little loud and totally unexpected. Think fine dining but not pretentious. The chefs took Indian sauces and curries and paired them with elevated proteins and presentations with much success. I’m not going to recommend specific dishes because the chefs here execute everything well, just follow your bliss and have fun. If you order lunch for delivery, it will come in metal tiffins. Utterly charming. A recently added 10-course tasting menu offers its own unique journey and beverage pairing. Not your usual night out.
Details: 6208 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-219-9774, theindibar.com.
— Bahar Anooshahr
The Stand
The Stand is a tiny, roadside food tent in the Salt River Pima Community near Scottsdale. It may not look like much from outside, but The Stand has been serving some of the best fry bread tacos in metro Phoenix for over 20 years. Just follow the smell of fresh-baked bread and warm chili to owner Mick Washington’s front yard, where familiar neighbors and curious visitors alike line up fry bread topped with red chili, green chili or beans and cheese, even in the heat of the Arizona summer.
Details: 3996 N. Alma School Road, near Scottsdale. 480-519-1108, The Stand on Facebook.
– Eddie Fontanez
Restaurants near Sloan Park
Sloan Park, located at 2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway in Mesa, is the spring training home to the Chicago Cubs.
Mekong Palace
Mekong Palace was one of the original restaurants that opened with Mekong Plaza in 2008. Since then, the plaza has gone from nearly empty to a bustling hub for Asian food, and the dim sum restaurant has played no small part in that. The large, open space is filled with intergenerational families chatting over steaming cups of jasmine tea. Aunties with impeccably neat hairstyles zip between tables touting an array of dim sum on their carts. On a recent visit, one proudly pointed out the shrimp shu mai and the tofu roll stuffed with mushrooms and bamboo that she’d hand-rolled herself. It’s the kind of place you can sit and talk with a friend for hours, savoring bite after bite of creamy egg tarts.
Details: 66 S. Dobson Road, Suite 120, Mesa. 480-962-0493, mekongpalace.com.
— Reia Li
Jin BBQ
If you’re searching for good Korean BBQ, then Jin BBQ is the place for you. Not only do you get plenty of meat options to choose from (everything from bulgogi to marinated short ribs and sliced brisket) but your meal comes with unlimited banchan (small side dishes) like corn with cheese, steamed eggs, kimchi, macaroni salad and more. The staff are super friendly and frequently replace the grill with a clean one. There’s plenty of other things to order off the menu, too, like a seafood pancake the size of your head, kimchi stew or fried rice.
Details: 111 S. Dobson Road, Mesa. 480-687-2124, jinbbq.com.
— Meredith G. White
Shaanxi Garden
We should all be grateful that the Valley has a restaurant like Shaanxi Garden. It specializes in the cuisine of northwestern China, which is known for its noodles and the use of lamb and cumin, thanks to its historic position on the Silk Road. Shaanxi Garden’s handmade thick, chewy noodles are the stuff of dreams. I drool over their cumin biang biang noodles with lamb. They’re also one of the few places in the Valley where you can find malatang, a spicy, creamy Sichuan soup. Our Chinese food scene is all the richer for a gem like Shaanxi Garden.
Details: 67 N. Dobson Road, #109, Mesa. 480-733-8888. @shaanxigarden on Instagram.
— Reia Li
Restaurants near Scottsdale Stadium
Scottsdale Stadium, located at 7408 E. Osborn Road in Scottsdale, is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants.
DeFalco’s Italian Deli & Grocery
Fulfilling a craving for just about any type of Italian specialty or sandwich leads me to DeFalco’s. The family-owned Scottsdale institution, with a menu based on family recipes passed down for a century, continues to be packed with diners old and young for everything from pizza and pasta to cheesesteaks and homemade sausage sandwiches. Consider getting a sweet treat from the dessert case, like their New York style cheesecake. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Details: 2334 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-990-8660, defalcosdeli.com.
— Michael Salerno
FnB
FnB is an essential restaurant for multiple reasons. In a state where cattle is one of five major economic drivers, James Beard Award-winning chef and co-owner Charleen Badman champions vegetables in her restaurant, and has been since long before it was common or cool to do so. The inventive, vegetable-forward menu earned her a James Beard award for Best Chef Southwest in 2019. She still procures local products whenever possible, including Arizona wine, such as Los Milics, her business partner Pavle Milic’s winery. Her contributions go beyond the walls of her restaurant. Badman launched The Blue Watermelon Project in 2017, recruiting Valley chefs to improve school lunches and teach children farm-to-table cooking. She’s a true icon of Arizona dining and so’s her restaurant.
Details: FnB, 7125 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale. 480-284-4777, fnbrestaurant.com.
– Bahar Anooshahr
Restaurants near Surprise Stadium
Surprise Stadium, located at 15850 N. Bullard Ave. in Surprise, is the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers.
Rito’s Mexican Food
Family-owned Rito’s Mexican Food first opened in 1977 inside the home of Rosemary and Rito Salinas. Now, the business has grown to a Mexican restaurant empire with four locations in the Valley. Rito’s is most famous for its signature green chili burritos, made with diced beef cooked in green sauce with green chili, jalapenos, tomatoes and onions in a flour tortilla. They’re so good, they won the Burrito Bracket in 2023.
Details: 15643 N. Reems Road, Surprise. 907 N. 14th St., Phoenix. 602-262-9842. Other locations at ritosmexicanfood.com.
— Eddie Fontanez
Restaurants near Tempe Diablo Stadium
Tempe Diablo Stadium, located at 2200 W. Alameda Drive in Tempe, is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels.
The Chuckbox
A half-pound cheeseburger, fries and a drink for less than $20 seems unthinkable in today’s economy. But Arizonans can find this unbeatable bargain if they order the Great Big One at The Chuckbox, an old-school burger joint near the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, which has been open since 1972. Aside from being reasonably priced, the burgers are phenomenal. Mesquite grilled to perfection, they pair well with the unlimited ketchup, pickles, onions and jalapeños from the condiment bar. The Arizona Republic readers chose well when they crowned The Chuckbox the winner of our best burger poll in 2024. Make sure to bring cash, they don’t take credit cards.
Details: 202 E. University Drive, Tempe. 480-968-4712, thechuckbox.com.
— Michael Salerno
Cafe Lalibela
This family-run establishment was one of Arizona’s first Ethiopian restaurants when it opened in 1996, serving traditional Ethiopian fare made from owner Anibal Abayneh’s mother’s recipes in a welcoming environment that celebrates the culture. If you’re into sharing food with friends, this is a perfect place to do just that while sampling much of what the menu has to offer by ordering a platter and digging in with your injera, the spongy Ethiopian bread that’s used as a utensil. The Lalibela Deluxe, a combination platter whose highlights range from doro wat (spicy chicken stew) to fosolia (a dish made with green beans and carrots) is recommended for parties of two, but it could just as easily serve three or four.
Details: 849 W. University Dr., Tempe. 480-829-1939, cafelalibela.com.
— Ed Masley
Casey Moore’s Oyster House
Casey Moore’s Oyster House has been an iconic hangout spot near ASU for generations. But you don’t need to be in college to enjoy a late-night order of raw oysters or steamed clams. Even if seafood isn’t your thing, Casey Moore’s also offers a large menu of burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs. There are over a dozen beers on tap and even more whiskey. Local legend suggests the bar is haunted, but that has never stopped me from enjoying a game on the TVs. Still, the patio remains my favorite place to spend hours on a cool autumn night, sharing appetizers and conversation with friends.
Details: 850 S. Ash Ave., Tempe. 480-968-9935, caseymoores.com.
— Eddie Fontanez
Reach the reporter at eddie.fontanez@azcentral.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.
How far do teams travel?
The trucks have been packed, shipped east or west and unloaded. Players have assembled from all over the globe.
And the gates are now open for fans to engage in a timeless ritual: Spring training baseball begins Feb. 20.
With workouts for all 30 teams underway and games soon to begin in Florida’s Grapefruit League and Arizona’s Cactus League, Major League Baseball’s preseason is in full swing. All 15 Arizona teams are squeezed into the Phoenix area, but the other half are fanned out in four distinct nooks of Florida.
They’ll be posted there from now until the third week of March, when games wrap up and teams head north (most of them, anyway) for final exhibition games before the regular season begins March 25-27.
Where do MLB teams play for spring training?
As mentioned, it’s split right down the middle − half in Arizona, half in Florida. All teams in the American League and National League West train in Arizona, save for the Houston Astros, who are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. All the American League and National League East and Central teams train in Florida except the Ohio-based Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds, who share a facility in Goodyear, Arizona.
When do players report?
Teams require pitchers and catchers to arrive a few days early; the rest of the team (position players) have to report by Tuesday, Feb. 17.
How far do MLB teams travel to spring training?
The annual arrival of
Leeds’ Elland Road to Become One of UK’s Biggest Stadiums
Elland Road is one of the most iconic stadiums in English football, and it looks set for a huge upgrade in the coming years. That’s at least the plan for Leeds United’s billionaire owners, with Jed York vowing to put the city
How the White Stadium project’s cost compares to other stadiums
The Globe examined soccer stadium projects in Seattle, Denver, and Kansas City, Mo., all of which are being developed or were completed within the last two years. While none is an exact replica of the split-funding plan in Boston, they each are designed to be homes to women’s professional soccer teams or, in Seattle’s case, specifically for high school student-athletes, just as in Boston.
Seattle is pursuing a $150 million publicly funded redevelopment of a 6,500-seat stadium, with help from private donors. In Denver, the Summit FC team is footing the $200 million bill for a new stadium, with the city paying $70 million for land and other costs. Kansas City’s two-year-old women’s soccer venue cost a reported $140 million.
Meanwhile in Boston, costs have jumped more than 60 percent from an initial projection of $200 million.
Wu has attributed the price spike for the 10,000-seat White Stadium to the impact of tariffs on building supplies; inflation that, in a span of just a few years, has significantly driven up prices; and updates suggested by the surrounding community that she said would “make the project better and therefore more expensive.”
Experts said developing and building a huge project can also simply cost more in Boston than in other major metro areas, given many use unionized labor, and that in general, wages here reflect the region’s high cost of living. The permitting process here can also be expensive.
The revamped White Stadium is expected to open in the summer of 2027.
Emma Pettit, a Wu spokesperson, said in a statement that city officials “caution against drawing comparisons with facilities built for different purposes, in different years, and in different markets.”
“Rebuilding White Stadium will be the largest investment in BPS athletics and Franklin Park since the stadium was constructed in 1949,” Pettit said. “We are excited that construction is now underway.”
Under the city’s agreement with Boston Legacy FC, the team will spend at least $190 million on the renovation, while Boston will put in $135 million — which Wu insists will be the limit of the city’s share. The team will also pay more than $62 million over the coming years in rent to the city, and on maintenance for the stadium, improvements to Franklin Park, and other community benefits.
Wu officials have called it a historic and innovative deal: a private team investing a nine-figure sum to help build a valuable public asset, but will remain owned and controlled by BPS. The new facility will also be open to the public 365 days a year, including the 20 days the professional soccer team can host home games, and will be an “economic driver” in the area, Wu’s office said.
Other comparable stadiums — both those still in the works, and one that is completed — don’t come near the total cost of White Stadium.
The Kansas City Current built the 11,500-seat CPKC Stadium for about $117 million in 2024, though that does not include additional infrastructure improvements, according to a Kansas City official. The cost ultimately rose to a reported $140 million, nearly double the original $70 million estimate.
The team did receive $6 million in state tax credits and up to $8 million in reimbursements for utility work, funded by revenue from a port improvement district sales tax.
Like the Boston Legacy, the Current play in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Another NWSL team, the Denver Summit FC, is planning a 14,500-seat stadium on a large lot that once housed a rubber factory, with the team expected to spend $200 million. The facility is forecast to be open in 2028.
While the stadium itself is privately funded, it was contingent on Denver purchasing the land and making improvements for a total of $70 million.
“It’s a historically contaminated site that . . . has been nothing valuable to [my] community but a big divide and blight,” said City Councilor Flor Alvidrez.
The location of the Denver facility is in contrast to that of White Stadium in Franklin Park, considered the crown jewel of Frederick Law Olmsted’s network of public parks known as the Emerald Necklace. The environmental nonprofit the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and a number of Boston residents have sued the city to stop the project, and further called on the city to renovate it without the involvement of a private soccer team.
Seattle is doing just that, with a $150 million effort to renovate Seattle Public Schools’ Memorial Stadium. At 6,500 seats, it will be smaller than Boston’s new White Stadium, but would be funded largely by the city and the school district, with about $30 million coming from private donors.
The Seattle school district originally budgeted $66.5 million to replace the aging stadium, but decided to upgrade the plans, said Fred Podesta, the district’s chief operations officer. The stadium would primarily be used by students, but officials said it could also host concerts or professional sports games, which could also help defray maintenance costs.
“We arrived at a design and a cost that is going to serve everybody’s needs,” Podesta said.
That the cost of White Stadium is far higher than each of those isn’t surprising to some experts.
Development is extremely expensive in Massachusetts compared to other states for a variety of reasons, from the web of building and environmental regulations that developers must follow to the cost of land, said John Ferrante, chief executive of Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts.
The construction industry is also largely unionized, and labor can be one of the biggest line items in a project budget, he said.
“The cost of living here is quite high, and so obviously we’re trying to compensate people so that they can afford to live in the communities that they’re building in,” Ferrante said.
Renovations such as the White Stadium project can also be more expensive than a new build, he added. There’s more uncertainty over what will be uncovered, such as asbestos or unexpected wiring, and there are additional costs that come with preserving any part of the original structure, Ferrante said.
Tariffs and inflation have also caused the price of materials to skyrocket, making it far more expensive to build now than even just one or two years ago, said Robert Koshgarian, head of the sports and entertainment project development team at the national real estate firm JLL.
“It’s massive,” Koshgarian said. “I’ve had contractors tell me that they’re seeing somewhere near [a] 40 percent increase.”
Wu has argued that Boston could not build a new stadium of the caliber she says students deserve for much less than the $135 million the city is spending.
Other stadium projects also carry hefty price tags. In nearby Everett, the Kraft Group is planning to spend an estimated $500 million to build a new stadium for the New England Revolution that could hold up to 24,000 fans.
Still, some critics still aren’t sold on Wu’s plan. Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College, said a stadium that’s designed to cater to both a professional team and high school athletes is “a kind of a hybrid that doesn’t exist.”
“The project is bad for high school sports,” he said, “and it’s not good for Boston women’s soccer to have only half of a professional stadium.”
Worthy: New owner is all in on St. Louis as centerpiece as UFL moves forward, expands
Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch
Sports columnist
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Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch
Sports columnist
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Alex Eala’s Dubai Tennis Championship run ends in quarterfinal rout to Coco Gauff
In her first clash with a fellow young superstar on the WTA Tour just one year her senior — albeit one already a two-time Grand Slam champion — Alex Eala ran into a masterclass she could not solve.
The Filipina bowed to world No. 4 Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, absorbing a swift 0-6, 2-6 defeat early Friday morning (Philippine time).
What was expected to be a high-level baseline exchange instead turned into a one-sided display of first-strike tennis from the reigning 2025 French Open champion.
Questions had lingered about Gauff’s serve following her round-of-16 outing against Elise Mertens, but she answered emphatically.
Despite committing three double faults in the opening set, Gauff dominated behind her first delivery, winning 80% of those points compared to Eala’s 27%. The American dictated rallies early, kept returns deep, and capitalized on Eala’s 15 unforced errors while limiting herself to just seven.
Gauff broke Eala in all three of her service games in the first set, sealing the bagel with relentless pressure on return and clean execution off both wings.
The theme remained the same in the second set, with two early breaks for Gauff and a hold of serve in the second game to get a 3-0 advantage.
In the fourth game, however, Gauff handed the Filipina a break point after back-to-back double faults. But the American quickly regrouped — leaning on her heavy first serve and sharp backhand to escape trouble and extend her run to ten consecutive games won.
That small window sparked some resistance from Eala.
She steadied her delivery to hold serve in the fifth game, then showcased her return game by earning her first break in the sixth to trim the deficit to 4-2.
But Gauff’s response was immediate and emphatic. The world No. 4 broke back in the 7th game with relentless pressure on return before calmly serving out the match in the eighth, sealing the straight-sets victory with authority.
Despite the defeat, Eala exits the tournament with plenty of positives.
She scored another triumph over a top-ten opponent in the round of 32, stunning Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, and now holds a respectable 3-3 record against similarly-ranked opponents — a strong marker of her progress on tour.
The 20-year-old Filipina is next expected to compete at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, a WTA 1000 event set to begin on March 4 — as she continues her climb on the sport’s biggest stages.
Get 2 Moving: Pickleball at Court 2 Table
BATON ROUGE – Pickleball continues to grow in popularity, and spots like Court 2 Table along Burbank Drive in Baton Rouge are showing why the sport has become a go-to option for people looking to stay active without an intense learning curve.
Often described as a mix of tennis and ping pong, pickleball is played on a smaller court, making it approachable for beginners and appealing to players of all skill levels.
“So pickleball is actually played on a smaller court, more of a badminton-style court,” Destin Thibodeaux, one of the partners at Court 2 Table, said. “It’s kind of a mixture of tennis and ping pong, but played on a badminton-size court.”
The smaller court and simplified rules help remove some of the intimidation that can come with traditional racket sports, allowing players to focus on movement and having fun.
Beyond being easy to learn, pickleball also offers a timely fitness benefit, especially right after the holiday season.
“The average American can put on an average of two to five pounds from Thanksgiving to New Year’s,” Thibodeaux said. “So if there was ever a better time to come and learn pickleball, I’d say it’s definitely now.”
Health experts and fitness instructors say pickleball provides a full-body workout while still feeling social and low-pressure. Players are constantly moving, changing direction, and reacting quickly, which helps improve coordination and endurance.
“You’re definitely working out your legs, and you’re definitely burning calories, which is really the most important thing,” Thibodeaux said. “But you’re also getting a lot of mobility work. You’re moving your shoulders, you’re moving your torso.”
That combination of cardio and mobility is part of what keeps players coming back, whether they’re new to the sport or seasoned regulars.
With its growing presence in Baton Rouge and locations like Court 2 Table offering space to play, pickleball continues to prove that staying active doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating.
Glass-forward 1980s contemporary in Gates Mills asks $1.3M: House of the Week
GATES MILLS, Ohio — At the end of a long circular driveway, the home at 999 Chestnut Run combines the open, glass-forward contemporary design popular in the 1980s with a private natural setting.
The result is “a perfect blend of comfort and modern style,” said listing agent Karen Eagle of Sotheby’s International Realty.
Priced at $1.3 million, the 1984-built home has four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms and a three-car garage.
Double front doors open into a bright foyer beneath skylights and a wood-paneled ceiling. From there, the entry leads into an open central living space, with the dining room on one side and a sitting room on the other. The living room, with tall ceilings, expansive windows and a statement fireplace, connects the spaces.
The kitchen, located off the living room, has stainless steel appliances, a cooktop island, white cabinetry and recessed lighting. A skylit breakfast nook overlooking the backyard and a three-season sunroom each provides quiet spots for morning coffee.
Located in its own wing, the first-floor primary suite offers privacy and luxury. It includes a wood-burning fireplace with a marble surround, a private deck and an en-suite bathroom with a double vanity and soaking tub.
At the top of a floating open-riser staircase are three additional bedrooms and two full baths, including one en suite and a Jack-and-Jill bathroom. Downstairs, the walkout lower level features a sunken family room with a fireplace and a home gym.
Set on nearly three acres lined with trees and a creek, the outdoor amenities include multiple decks, a gunite pool and a tennis court.
“From the house, you can hear the peaceful sound of the water flowing nearby, creating a truly serene setting,” Eagle said.
See the full listing at kareneagle.com
Address: 999 Chestnut Run
City: Gates Mills
Listing price: $1,300,000
Property taxes: $24,908
Date listed: Feb. 5, 2026
Year built: 1984
No. bedrooms: 4
No. bathrooms: 4 full, 1 half
No. garage spaces: 3-car detached
Living space: 4,836 sq. ft. + 1,200 sq. ft. below grade finished
Lot size: 2.66 acres
School district: Mayfield City School District
Real estate agent and contact info: Karen Eagle, The Karen Eagle Group, Sotheby’s International Realty
p: 216-352-4700
e: karen@kareneagle.com
For more information about 999 Chesnut Run in Gates Mills, contact Karen Eagle at the Karen Eagle Group, Sotheby’s International Realty at 216-352-4700 or karen@kareneagle.com.
Pegula fights back to beat Anisimova in Dubai semi-final
DUBAI, Feb 20 (Reuters) – Jessica Pegula shook off a first-set stumble to beat fellow American Amanda Anisimova 1-6 6-4 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Friday, reaching the eighth WTA 1000 final of her career.
World number six Anisimova took less than half an hour to win the first before building a 3-1 lead in the second set. But Pegula held her nerve and broke Anisimova three times in a row to win the second set, before securing victory in the decider.
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Spring sports roundup: St. Paul’s rolls past Spanish Fort in baseball opener
It’s officially springtime for the Alabama High School Athletic Association as baseball and softball teams got their seasons underway on Thursday. If the past is our guide, watch for some of the coldest temperatures of the year as umpires bark out “Play ball!”
The action, though, will be warming up like it did on the baseball diamond at Spanish Fort on Thursday. St. Paul’s catcher John Stowers, an Auburn University signee, smacked a pair of home runs and drove in 4 runs as the Saints routed the Toros 12-2 to open the season.
Stowers finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and a walk for the Saints, who were Class 5A state runners-up last season. Evan Hawarah went 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored at the top of the order.
Tate Farrell got the win on the mound, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing 2 runs on 3 hits. He struck out 7. Ross Delaney got the final out.
Starter Coy Nance took the loss for Spanish Fort, giving up 6 earned runs on 7 hits in 3.2 innings. He walked 4.
RELATED: Week 1 AHSAA soccer polls
Brayden Bound hit a solo homer for the Toros. He was the only player with more than 1 hit.
In other spring sports action from across the state this week:
BASEBALL
Homewood 7, Leeds 2: The Patriots opened the season at home on Thursday, pulling away from Leeds in the bottom of the fifth inning. Leading 3-2, Homewood got 3 runs in the fifth with the big blow coming from a 2-run double by senior Ben Roberts. The Northwest Shoals Community College signee drove in Auburn signee Levi Nickoli and Cooper Sain, who had both reached on singles.
Roberts was also the winning pitcher for the Patriots, allowing 2 unearned runs on 2 hits with a strikeout and a walk. Senior Sims Young threw 2 innings in relief, his first outing after missing last season due to Tommy John surgery. He gave up 2 hits with 3 strikeouts and a walk. Junior Chappy Chapleau threw a perfect seventh inning with a pair of strikeouts.
Sain had 2 hits, including a triple and an RBI for Homewood. Nickoli had a hit with 2 runs scored and 4 stolen bases. William Tanner had an RBI single and George Brockwell singled and had 2 RBIs. Calhoun Community College signee Jack Bland had a double.
Cottage Hill 12, Davidson 0: Junior Max Hipp pitched 4 shutout innings with 7 strikeouts to help Cottage Hill to the big season-opening win at Davidson on Thursday. Hipp gave up 2 hits and walked 2. Freshman Finn Kirkwood threw struck out 5 in 2 innings of no-hit relief.
Center fielder Ethan Womble went 3-for-3 with an RBI for the winners. Carter Stinson went 2-for-3, Kirkwood was 3-for-4 and Preston Munger went 2-for-4. Ben Seale and eighth-grade pinch-hitter Ty Lomax had 2 RBIs each.
Prattville 10, Spain Park 7: The Lions scored 3 runs in the bottom of the first, added another in the second and pulled away with 4 in the fifth and 2 in the sixth in the home win over Spain Park on Thursday. Starter Andrew Kincaid picked up the win, allowing a hit over 3 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks. He was one of five pitchers on the day for Prattville.
Starter James Holmes took the loss for Spain Park, giving up 4 earned runs on 7 hits with a strikeout over 3.1 innings.
Christian Alexander had a triple in 3 at-bats for Prattville. Cleanup batter Aiden Urnis was 3-for-3 with a double and Holt Stovall had a double.
Evan Taylor was 2-for-4 with a double for Spain Park. Brodie Bragg went 2-for-2. Slade Bounds went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.
Auburn 10, Valdosta (Ga.) 5: Carter Chambley smacked a pair of home runs as the Tigers whipped Valdosta, Ga., on the road on Thursday. Auburn scored 5 runs on 6 hits to put the game away in the top of the fourth inning.
Antwane Daniels and Angelo Santiago drove in a run each with a single and Chambly drove in a pair of runs with his second homer – his first also drove in 2 runs in the second inning. The Tigers also scored a run on an error.
Starter Graham Hare picked up the win for Auburn, giving up 3 runs – 2 earned – on 3 hits over 4 innings. He had 5 strikeouts and did not walk a batter.
Auburn had 13 hits with Santiago and Chambley collecting 3 each. Santiago also had 2 stolen bases.
Brooks Carter took the loss, allowing 10 runs – 9 earned – on 12 hits with a strikeout.
Andalusia 5, Montgomery Academy 4: The Bulldogs scored 2 runs in the fourth and fifth innings and got what proved to be the game-winning run in the sixth at Montgomery Academy on Thursday. The Eagles scored single runs in the third and fourth innings and answered Andalusia with 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Hamp Clanton picked up the win in relief of starter Brock Bennett. Clanton went 2 innings, allowing a run on no hits with 3 strikeouts and 4 walks. Bennett struck out 3 and walked 3 in 3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits. He also had a triple and an RBI for the Bulldogs.
Asher Bentley and Kielan Davis had doubles in the win.
Reid McBride threw 3 shutout innings and struck out 7 for Montgomery Academy. Hays Marks went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, Hudson Bradshaw was 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and William Marks had an RBI.
Brewbaker Tech 8, LAMP 2: The Rams fell behind 1-0 in the top of the third inning in their home opener against LAMP, but Brewbaker Tech’s offense exploded for 4 runs in the bottom of the third and added 4 more in the fourth to put the game away.
Taylor Stiner was 2-for-3 with a double and 2 runs scored, leadoff hitter Christopher Lewis had a triple and Myles Bryant drove in a run for Brewbaker.
Xavier Manigault struck out 10 LAMP batters, giving up a run on 3 hits over 5 innings. He did not walk a batter.
Ariton 22, Zion Chapel 1: The Rebels blasted visiting Zion Chapel on Thursday, jumping to a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Ariton added 5 runs in the second, 7 in the third and 4 in the fourth of the five-inning contest. The winners pounded out 17 hits and took advantage of 5 Zion Chapel errors and finished with 8 stolen bases.
Addison Senn went 3-for-3 with 2 runs scored and picked up an RBI, Wells Ganey homered in 2 at-bats with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Easton Kilpatrick was 2-for-2 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs.
Ridge Hicks earned the win, giving up a run on 3 hits with 2 strikeouts.
Dylan Davis was saddled with the loss, allowing 10 runs – 5 earned – on 4 hits with 5 walks in 1.2 innings.
GIRLS SOCCER
Sparkman 3, Westminster Christian 0: The ninth-ranked Class 7A Senators blanked three-time defending state champion Westminster Christian on the road on Tuesday. No. 5 Westminster was the Class 5A champ last season and won the 4A title in 2023 and 2024.
Tuesday’s game was scoreless until the 39th minute when Lauren Banks lifted a shot over the Wildcats goalkeeper and into the corner of the net giving the 4-2-1 Senators a 1- 0 halftime lead. Genevieve Bratton scored on a runout past the Wildcat defense and a corner kick goal from Virginia Speaks to put the game away in 72nd minute.
Westminster is 0-1 and will play in the Lakeshore Shootout in Pelham this weekend, taking on 6A top-ranked Homewood on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and 5A Indian Springs at 8:30. On Saturday, the Wildcats will play 6A Hartselle at 12:30 p.m.
Carver-Birmingham 1, McAdory 1: America Ramos scored her sixth goal of the season for Carver in the stalemate with McAdory on Tuesday.
Carver-Birmingham 2, Fultondale 0: Katherin Mendez and Dayanni Vergara scored goals for the Rams in the Saturday win over Fultondale. It was the fourth goal of the season for both.
Shades Valley 5, Gardendale 0: The Mounties blanked Gardendale at home on Tuesday. Vivian Devine scored on an unassisted shot for Shades Valley to open the scoring. Abbey Nelson scored off a rebound and got 2 assists on goals by Kim Villa Acosta and Lola McElroy. Evelyn Murphree scored on a 34-yard shot to wrap up the scoring for Shades Valley.
G.W. Long 7, Highland Home 0: The Rebels got a pair of hat tricks in a Friday win at Highland Home. Bea Anderson and Jordan Jacobs accounted for 6 of G.W. Long’s goals in the runaway. Gracie Davis scored a goal and had 2 assists. Bella Rhodehouse and Emma Buckland also had an assist in the win.
Montgomery Academy 4, Trinity 0: The Eagles blanked city rival Trinity with Ella Harding Pemberton scoring a pair of goals. Tara Samant and Lucy Hubbard had a goal apiece for Montgomery Academy. Cara Jade Hall had 2 assists with Hubbard and Suzanne Holmes picking up 1 each.
BOYS SOCCER
Southside 1 (4), Randolph 1 (2): The eighth-ranked Class 6A Panthers captured the Rainbow City Classic championship with the 4-2 penalty kick win over Randolph. Southside finished the event 4-0, with a 2-0 win over Cherokee County, a 2-1 win over 1A/3A No. 1 Collinsville and a 1-0 win over Scottsboro.
In the championship, Cooper Yancey scored off an assist from Carter Crain and Aaron Herrera had 6 saves. Crain, Yancey, Barrett Lindsey and Dylan Ayala made penalty kicks for the Panthers. Herrera had a pair of saves.
Trek Gardner and Yancy scored goals in the win over Collinsville. Gardner had an assist and Herrera had 5 saves.
Braxton Farmer and Alex Melo scored goals in the 2-0 win over Cherokee County. Brock Wakefield picked up the shutout in goal with 4 saves.
Against Scottsboro, Noah Harrison scored on a header off Gardner’s corner kick in the 45th minute to give the Panthers the win. Herrera had 7 saves for Southside in its season-opener.
Gardendale 10, Shades Valley 0: Senior Wyatt Chandler scored 3 goals – giving him 101 in his career – to lead the sixth-ranked Class 6A Rockets over Shades Valley at home on Tuesday. Chandler became the 29th Alabama High School Athletic Association boys soccer player to reach 100 career goals and the first from a Jefferson County public school.
Senior Mason Harris had his first career hat trick for Gardendale, while Steven Castro, Mikey Pribyl and Steven Moody also scored goals. Goalkeeper Connor Thomas earned the shutout. Gardendale’s 10th goal was an own goal.
Gardendale 3, Altamont 0: The Rockets improved to 6-0 on the season with a home win over Altamont on Thursday. Mikey Pribyl, Zion Allen and Steven Castro scored goals for Gardendale, and goalkeeper Connor Thomas earned the shutout.
Gardendale 4, Tuscaloosa County 2: On Friday, the Rockets got a pair of goals from Mikey Pribyl in the road win at Tuscaloosa County. Logan Stewart and Connor Ma scored a goal apiece for Gardendale.
Hartselle 1, Muscle Shoals 1: Hartselle’s Rhett Spivey scored the equalizer in the second half at Muscle Shoals on Tuesday. Walter Jackson scored on a penalty kick in the opening half for the home team. Simeon Little had 7 saves for Muscle Shoals.
G.W. Long 7, Highland Home 0: The visiting Rebels rolled over Highland Home on Friday as Mason Foote and Nate McLean scored a pair of goals apiece. Ben Campbell, Matthew Pritchett and Hudson Williams also scored a goal in G.W. Long’s win. Foote, Williams and Henry Carter had an assist each and Pritchett finished with 2. Keeper Mason Burkett had 2 saves on the day.
Marbury 5, BTW-Magnet 0: The Bulldogs blanked Booker T. Washington Magnet of Montgomery at home on Tuesday, led by Ryan Lavender’s two goals. Emmanuel Caceres got Marbury on the board with a goal in the 20th minute before Lavender got the next two. Alex Brown scored in the 72nd minute and Timmy Pina closed out the scoring in the 85th minute. Wyatt McGinty earned the clean sheet in goal.
Vestavia Hills 5, Montgomery Academy 1: The Rebels scored on a pair of penalty kicks in the first half on the way to the win at Montgomery Academy on Thursday.
Brody Watrous scored off an assist from Jacob Stubblefield for Montgomery Academy. Grady Ming had 14 saves in goal for the Eagles.
SOFTBALL
Dothan 9, Rehobeth 5: The Wolves opened the season with the home win over Rehobeth on Thursday. Winning pitcher Jada Newman struck out 7 and went 2-for-3 with a home run and 2 RBIs for Dothan.
Brantlee McCarthy, Makenna Descalzi and Savanna Kendrick all doubled in the win. Descalzi was 2-for-4 and Kendrick and Kolbi Hall drove in 2 runs apiece.
Newman gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings. She walked 3 in the win.
Lacey Orgeron took the loss for Rehobeth, allowing 4 runs – 3 earned – on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts and no walks over 3 innings. Brooke Nowlin had a pair of RBIs and a double. Payten Roland and Shelby Davis had a pair of hits apiece.
GIRLS TENNIS
Montgomery Academy 9, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 0: Junior varsity eighth grader Fiona Pollard stepped in at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles to help Montgomery Academy to the sweep of Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Tuesday. Lola Campbell defeated Aisley Chapman 8-4 in No. 1 singles, No. 2 Alyssa Kaplan def. EK Hamner 8-0, No. 3 Mary Surhea White def. Emmi Farley 8-3, No. 4 Charlotte Vann def. Lyla Wright 8-3, No. 5 Lillian Cameron def. Sophie Ferguson 8-3 and No. 6 Pollard def. Phoebe Lin 8-2. In doubles, No. 1 Campbell-Kaplan def. Chapman-Farley 8-2, No. 2 White-Vann def. Wright-Hamner 8-0 and Cameron-Pollard def. Ferguson-Chloe Lin 8-5.
BOYS TENNIS
Montgomery Academy 7, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 2: Jackson Brown became the winningest player in Montgomery Academy history in the home win on Tuesday. Brown came into the match with 207 career wins in singles and doubles – tied with John Alford and Brett Ialacci. Other singles winners for the Eagles were Liam Baker, Duncan McInnis, Ford Morano, Anton Yang and Bo Johnston. Anton Yang and Bo Johnston were winners in doubles play.
McGill-Toolen 5, Montgomery Academy 4: McGill-Toolen handed the Eagles their first loss in seven matches this season. Montgomery Academy winners in singles were Duncan McInnis, Anton Yang and Bo Johnston. Yang and Johnston picked up a win in doubles.
Jimmy Lay contributed to this report. Some information is from GameChanger Media.
Editor’s Note: To report highlights to AL.com, please email preps@al.com following your games. Reports must come from coaches or team statisticians and no later than 10 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
Coco Gauff Voices Frustration With Coach During Dubai Defeat
One of the most memorable tennis matches so far this season took place on Friday between Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina in the semifinal of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Svitolina defeated Gauff in three sets: 6-4, 6-7 (13), 6-4.
Svitolina reaches her third final in Dubai and continues her red-hot run in 2026. Meanwhile, Gauff leaves the Middle East Swing in a better position than last year. However, she still has areas of her game to work on before the Sunshine Swing next month.
Coco Gauff’s Serve Struggles
Once again, Gauff’s serve was one of the biggest issues today. She tallied two aces and 12 double faults. She landed 62% of her first serves, winning points on 64% and 59% of her first and second serves.
Gauff’s frustrations showed during the second set, and television cameras picked up on what she said to her coach. Tied 3-3 and serving 15/15, Gauff hit a double-fault. She dropped her shoulders and walked over towards her coaching box.
Coco Gauff’s Comments
Gauff said,
Tennis players run for cover after bees invade stadium in wild scene
Australian top seed Talia Gibson and India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli sprinted off the court in the middle of their second-round match at the W100 Bengaluru Open on Thursday after a swarm of bees invaded the stadium.
Both tennis players paused play as a ball boy pointed at the insects across the court at S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium in India and alerted the umpire.
Gibson and Yamalapalli, as well as the ball boy and ball girl, ran for cover.
The umpire hurried down from the chair and followed them to safety.
Other photos show spectators fleeing from their seats amidst the chaos.
The ITF Women’s World Tour match was temporarily suspended for 20 minutes.
Gibson went on to win in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, to advance to the quarterfinals.
The stadium is located within Cubbon Park, which has over 8,000 trees spread across nearly 200 acres.
Earlier this month, Gibson won her first title of the season, defeating Nao Hibino, 6-3, 7-6, in the final at W75 Brisbane.
Yamalapalli is currently India’s No. 1 women’s singles tennis player.
Andre Agassi Delivers Brutal Take On the Reality of Present-Day Tennis
Modern tennis faces mounting criticism over its relentless schedules, growing disparities, and prize structures that heavily favor top stars. Concerns span both ATP and WTA tours, as the sport’s commercial engine accelerates. Adding his voice to the debate, eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi has now raised concerns about tennis drifting toward corporatization over the game’s true competitive spirit.
Andre Agassi recently spoke in the press room at Rio’s Jockey Club ahead of the semis of the Rio Open. The eight-time Grand Slam champion will present the trophy to the winner this Sunday.
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“It’s only grown. Some players are treated as corporations now. That’s how much business there is to be had. So, the human condition is undefeated,” he started when talking about changing the South American swing from clay courts to hard courts.
“If you want to know where something’s headed, always follow the money. But with that being said, I have a special place in my heart for being down here for many reasons, from all the fans of sport and tennis down here in South America, and I do like to see the equity of that being shared,” he said. He explained that the transition between conditions remains a major challenge for players.
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“Changing surfaces could influence certain players’ decisions to come down here, because it’s a difficult transition to go from this environment straight to the American hard courts. It takes its toll. We saw it last year with Zverev, who came down here and then needed time to find his footing.”
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Agassi then described the physical demands of the South American swing. He pointed to the heavy conditions and travel burden.
“It’s not easy to go from hard court to the heaviness of this environment. You can feel it in the air — the humidity, the density of the clay, the weight, the slowness — and then go back to hard courts. It’s not easy on the body, not easy on the mind, not easy with the travel. There are so many factors players have to consider.”
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Despite the challenges, Agassi supports the global growth of the sport. He believes expansion brings long-term benefits.
“I like to see the game grow. I like seeing expansions. I like seeing facilities improve. I like seeing new countries get involved. I like seeing competition and the sport benefit from all of that.”
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The period after the Australian Open shows clear contrasts across the tour. Different regions offer very different realities for players and tournaments. The ATP 500 in Doha featured a star-studded field. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner headlined the event and reportedly received $1.2 million just to appear.
At the same time, US events in Dallas and Delray Beach also attracted several top-20 players. Financial strength continues to draw big names to certain markets. However, star power does not always guarantee full stadiums. Some Northern Hemisphere tournaments have struggled with low attendance.
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The picture is very different in South America. The Guillermo Vilas Court in Buenos Aires and the Gustavo Kuerten Court in Rio have been packed with passionate fans.
There is also a ranking contrast between events. None of the Brazil Open quarterfinalists were inside the top 50, while Doha featured the world’s top two, along with players like Tsitsipas, Rublev, and Mensik. Despite the lower-ranked field, South American events sold more tickets.
Agassi’s remarks come as debates grow about tennis becoming more centralized and business-driven, a concern echoed by several players in recent months.
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Tennis players repeatedly warn that packed schedules are driving injury crises
Apart from Andre Agassi calling the money-driven direction of modern tennis, concerns about the scheduling crisis have been raised for years. One clear example came in 2023. Andy Murray criticized officials after his five-set win over Thanasi Kokkinakis ended after 4 a.m at the AO.
Novak Djokovic has also spoken about the issue. Last year in Shanghai, he urged players to be more involved in scheduling decisions. “More than 15 years ago I was talking about us needing to come together and reorganise the schedule,” said the 38-year-old, a 24-time Grand Slam champion. “It’s an individual sport… at the end of the day you can still make choices,” he said.
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This year, the 2026 Dubai Championships again highlighted the workload problem. The event became a strong example of how demanding the calendar has become. By the quarterfinal stage, 23 players had withdrawn or retired. Four of them were ranked inside the top 10.
Beyond scheduling, money distribution has also drawn criticism. Some players argue that tournaments, especially Grand Slams, do not share enough revenue with competitors.
Even the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) filed an antitrust lawsuit last year. It described tennis governing bodies as a “cartel” and accused them of running a “corrupt, abusive and illegal” system.
A major concern in the lawsuit is revenue share. Players reportedly receive around 15% to 20% of tournament revenue at Grand Slams and similar levels at ATP and WTA events.
In comparison, leagues like the NBA, NFL, MLB, and even golf distribute closer to 50% of revenue to athletes. This gap has fueled frustration among players. Now, with Agassi warning about tennis becoming more business than sport, and players challenging governing bodies, the debate continues.
Should players focus on fan engagement in places like South America before the Sunshine Double, or prioritize high-paying events? The conversation is far from over.
Mirra Andreeva Reveals Why Novak Djokovic Is Her Ultimate Benchmark
Despite her recent failure in the Dubai Tennis Championships, the 18-year-old Russian star Mirra Andreeva has managed to put herself on the discussion table for various reasons. It’s true that her performance hasn’t been up to the mark in the last three tournaments, but we must not forget that Andreeva has already won a title this season. Her incredible rise has often drawn comparisons with several superstars. But as per Andreeva, the 24x Grand Slam champion remains the standard she wants to measure her career against.
Just a few days ago, during an interview with Championnat, Andreeva opened up about her idols, revealing that she identified most with Novak Djokovic for his relentless discipline. “I admire Novak for his aura, his ability to overcome difficulties, his discipline, and his adaptability to any situation. Even during the Nadal and Federer era, I identified more with Novak. I identify with him because I had a strong sense of discipline, the ability to find solutions, and to rise to every challenge.”
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For Andreeva, it isn’t just the trophies – it’s the survival instinct. The Serbian’s resilience in hostile environments and tough moments mirrors the mentality she wants to build as she grows on tour. And let me tell you, this isn’t something new… in fact, her admiration dates back years.
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At just 16 during the French Open, Andreeva openly set massive ambitions inspired by Djokovic’s achievements.
“The dream. I know that Djokovic, he did 22 Grand Slams or 23, so I want to go until 25, if it will be possible… For now, my goal is to win match by match.” She even recalled their first encounter near the Court Suzanne Lenglen.
“He was going to the locker room, and he was singing a song… he was so relaxed. That’s the memory.” The image stuck – greatness paired with calm.
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Then a year later, in 2024, during a win over Varvara Gracheva, Andreeva revealed she used a mindset straight out of Djokovic’s playbook. “When people cheer super hard against me, I just imagine they scream my name.” That echoes Djokovic’s famous Wimbledon 2019 final mentality against Roger Federer: “When the crowd is chanting ‘Roger,’ I hear ‘Novak’… I try to convince myself that it’s like that.” He would go on to win the longest Wimbledon final ever – a psychological battle as much as a tennis one.
In Dubai, Mirra Andreeva’s frustration briefly spilled over as she repeatedly hit herself after being broken in the deciding set. The reaction worried fans, but it also highlighted a phase nearly every champion goes through. Djokovic himself faced emotional and physical struggles early in his career around 2005-06, battling breathing issues, fitness concerns, and visible distress during matches before evolving into the sport’s toughest competitor mentally.
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The connection is striking: early emotional volatility followed by elite composure. Andreeva isn’t hiding from that comparison – she’s embracing it.
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A closer look at Mirra Andreeva and Novak Djokovic’s similar emotional breakdowns
Tennis greatness is often defined by control… of the racket, the rally, and the mind. But even the sport’s biggest names have had moments where emotions spill over. Mirra Andreeva’s recent breakdown in Dubai has reignited conversations about temperament and drawn inevitable comparisons to her idol, Novak Djokovic.
Andreeva started her quarterfinal clash against Amanda Anisimova in commanding fashion, taking the opening set 6-2. But momentum shifted quickly. Anisimova claimed the second 7-5, forcing a decider. At 3-3 in the third set, Andreeva was broken, and the emotional dam burst. In visible frustration, the 18-year-old repeatedly hit herself on the body. She eventually fell 6-2, 5-7, 6(4)-7, ending her hopes of defending the Dubai crown. Anisimova, rather than criticizing, empathized:
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“It was such a tough battle… Seeing Mirra down like that, it’s understandable… I feel like we both won on the court today.”
Earlier in 2025 at the Indian Wells Open, Andreeva stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to lift her second straight WTA title. But the win wasn’t drama-free. During the match, she was caught launching a ball into the stands after losing her temper. Former Grand Slam champion Rennae Stubbs criticized the act on her podcast, calling the behavior “brat-like” and suggesting stricter punishment.
Yet Andreeva has openly acknowledged her emotional battles. She revealed she began working with a sports psychologist to better manage her anger – similar to how Iga Swiatek has credited mental training as key to her success. “I have some new tips… how to work with my anger inside, what to do when I don’t feel great, how to maintain my level when I feel great.”
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But how has Novak Djokovic’s emotional history been a mirror image of Andreeva’s? While Djokovic is now celebrated for mental steel, his career has featured several emotional flashpoints. 2016 Shanghai Masters: After losing to Roberto Bautista Agut, Djokovic smashed his racket and tore his shirt in frustration. 2020 Italian Open: During a win over Dominik Koepfer, he broke his racket mid-match, later admitting: It’s not the first nor the last racket that I’ll break… I don’t encourage that – definitely.” 2020 US Open: Djokovic was defaulted after unintentionally hitting a line judge with a ball in anger.
Even at the 2025 Geneva Open, despite winning against Matteo Arnaldi, he smashed his racket after an early second-set break and received a code violation. Djokovic has repeatedly acknowledged his imperfections: “Of course I’m not perfect, and I’m doing my best.”
The parallels are hard to ignore. Both Mirra Andreeva and Novak Djokovic showed flashes of emotional volatility as teenagers and young pros. Both experienced public scrutiny. And both spoke openly about using those moments as stepping stones rather than setbacks.
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Djokovic’s early struggles in 2005–06 – battling fitness issues and visible frustration – eventually gave way to one of the strongest mental resumes in tennis history. Andreeva, at 18, is still navigating that journey.
Her Dubai breakdown may have cost her a title defense. But history suggests that emotional flare-ups, when paired with reflection and growth, can shape champions rather than define their weaknesses. If anything, Mirra Andreeva’s path looks strikingly similar to the man she calls her benchmark.
Do you think Andreeva can really get closer to Djokovic’s 24-Grand Slam titles record in the future? Share your thoughts in the comment box.
St. Joseph County amenities and tourism balance
St. Joseph County is investing in infrastructure to balance local amenities with economic and tourism drivers.
Byers Softball Complex is cited as a successful example, serving locals while attracting thousands of visitors.
Jeff Jarnecke advocates for continued investment in venues that serve both residents and tourists to build on recent success.
Many of my articles over the last two years have discussed the positive momentum and success that St. Joseph County is realizing. Smart investments have been made in our infrastructure, but there is a delicate balance while investing those dollars.
The “balance” I reference is between a local amenity and an economic/tourism driver. When optimized, a facility can be both, but that is indeed a challenge. When leaning one direction or the other, an expensive paradigm exists along with likely a failure to deliver results.
For example, Byers Softball Complex has long served as a local treasure, but more recently, thanks to the leadership and commitment of John Walczewski, Byers Complex director, the facility generates around 6,000 to 8,000 hotel room nights depending on the year and welcomes thousands of out-of-town visitors to South Bend. You can watch our neighbors swing for the fences Sunday night through Wednesday night and then see license plates from all over the Midwest from Thursday to Sunday.
Because of John’s leadership and a facility of reasonable size, we have found balance between our local enjoyment and economic activity. I suspect that
Nuggets Rout Trail Blazers 157-103 for the Most Points on the Road in Franchise History
Nikola Jokic had 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 29 1/2 minutes and the Denver Nuggets routed Portland 157-103 on Friday night for the most points on the road in franchise history and the most in an NBA game this season
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 29 1/2 minutes and the Denver Nuggets routed the Portland Trail Blazers 157-103 on Friday night for the most points on the road in franchise history and the most in an NBA game this season.
Jamal Murray added 25 points a night after missing the third of three free throws with 0.9 seconds left in a 115-114 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles. Julian Strawther and Tim Hardaway Jr. each had 19 points.
Denver led 82-53 at the half, going 13 for 22 from the 3-point range. The Nuggets pushed the lead to 55 in the second half.
Jrue Holiday led Portland with 19 points. Deni Avdija had 15 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds, but also had six turnovers.
Jokic scored 19 points in the first quarter and had 24 at the half. He was 10 of 15 from the field, making 3 of 4 3-pointers. Denver finished 21 of 41 on 3s.
Matisse Thybulle, out since Oct. 29, and Kris Murray, out since Jan. 5, returned to Portland’s lineup. Thybulle had five points and three steals, and Murray had a point and a rebound.
Up next
Nuggets: Host Golden State on Sunday.
Trail Blazers: At Phoenix on Sunday night.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Photos You Should See – Feb. 2026
Nuggets rout Trail Blazers 157-103 for the most points on the road in franchise history
PORTLAND, Ore. – Nikola Jokic had 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 29 1/2 minutes and the Denver Nuggets routed the Portland Trail Blazers 157-103 on Friday night for the most points on the road in franchise history and the most in an NBA game this season.
Jamal Murray added 25 points a night after missing the third of three free throws with 0.9 seconds left in a 115-114 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles. Julian Strawther and Tim Hardaway Jr. each had 19 points.
Denver led 82-53 at the half, going 13 for 22 from the 3-point range. The Nuggets pushed the lead to 55 in the second half.
Jrue Holiday led Portland with 19 points. Deni Avdija had 15 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds, but also had six turnovers.
Jokic scored 19 points in the first quarter and had 24 at the half. He was 10 of 15 from the field, making 3 of 4 3-pointers. Denver finished 21 of 41 on 3s.
Matisse Thybulle, out since Oct. 29, and Kris Murray, out since Jan. 5, returned to Portland’s lineup. Thybulle had five points and three steals, and Murray had a point and a rebound.
Up next
Nuggets: Host Golden State on Sunday.
Trail Blazers: At Phoenix on Sunday night.
___
Nuggets rout Trail Blazers 157-103 for the most points on the road in franchise history
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 29 1/2 minutes and the Denver Nuggets routed the Portland Trail Blazers 157-103 on Friday night for the most points on the road in franchise history and the most in an NBA game this season.
Jamal Murray added 25 points a night after missing the third of three free throws with 0.9 seconds left in a 115-114 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles. Julian Strawther and Tim Hardaway Jr. each had 19 points.
Denver led 82-53 at the half, going 13 for 22 from the 3-point range. The Nuggets pushed the lead to 55 in the second half.
Jrue Holiday led Portland with 19 points. Deni Avdija had 15 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds, but also had six turnovers.
Jokic scored 19 points in the first quarter and had 24 at the half. He was 10 of 15 from the field, making 3 of 4 3-pointers. Denver finished 21 of 41 on 3s.
Matisse Thybulle, out since Oct. 29, and Kris Murray, out since Jan. 5, returned to Portland’s lineup. Thybulle had five points and three steals, and Murray had a point and a rebound.
Up next
Nuggets: Host Golden State on Sunday.
Trail Blazers: At Phoenix on Sunday night.
___
The Los Angeles Lakers grinded out a 125-122 win against their crosstown rivals, the LA Clippers, tonight, enduring a tough defensive night. Unfortunately for them, the night didn’t end there, because what began as routine defensive breakdowns turned into a full-blown comedy segment at their expense on Inside the NBA.
“Who double-teams and leaves the guy out of bounds wide open?” Charles Barkley said in an incredulous tone as the replay rolled. “And then who doubles and then let a guy split? Come on, man. Who going out of bounds? What are you doing? Come on, man.”
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The others just piled on, with Jalen Rose, who was sitting in for Shaquille O’Neal, exclaiming that defensive coverages like the ones the Lakers blew are things “they teach you that in elementary school.” Kenny Smith even added tactical suggestions, telling them to run a 2-3 zone on the out-of-bounds play.
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The crew didn’t just dissect the one possession, but made comments on the Lakers‘ overall defensive game, which has been a sore spot for the team all season. LA has the 8th worst defense in the league by defensive rating, and their offense being middle of the road is not enough to save them from their defensive pitfalls.
The only other playoff team that lies in the bottom 10 defensive ratings in the league is the Denver Nuggets, who are carried on offense by one of the best offensive engines in the league.
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“The Lakers like a Oprah Winfrey show, you get a basket, you get a basket, you get a basket,” Barkley joked. “I mean, they’re like the Washington Generals. Every team’s the Globetrotters against them. We can keep sugar coating it and I know they going to make us talk about the Lakers. The Lakers are a mediocre team now.”
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Charles Barkley’s Brutal Reality Check on the Los Angeles Lakers’ Playoff Hopes
When host Ernie Johnson asked for his biggest takeaway from the game, Charles Barkley delivered his bluntest take of the night.
“Nothing… Neither one of these teams are any good. No disrespect.”
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Kenny Smith joined him, asking whether this meant that he didn’t see them winning a championship, and Barkley added that they might “win a round,” but that if they’re one of the lower seeded teams and have to play the Nuggets, the Rockets or the Thunder, “they’re not going to beat those teams.”
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He didn’t stop there either, adding that he didn’t think the Lakers could beat the Spurs or the Timberwolves either, putting them essentially at the bottom of the Western Conference’s playoff picture.
The Lakers have star power, but against the battle-tested and championship-caliber cores many teams in the West have, a poor supporting cast with constant defensive concerns simply isn’t enough to fuel a deep postseason push. The Inside crew might have been joking at LA’s expense, but they’re not wrong, because come March, the team is going to face a rude awakening if their defense doesn’t step up.
Charles Barkley Backs Cade Cunningham, Jaylen Brown for MVP Race Instead of 3 Favorites
Every season, as we head into the final stretch before the playoffs after the All-Star break, the MVP debate starts to take shape, usually following the same script. Numbers and seeding are compared before the conversation inevitably drifts to one familiar argument: who’s the best player in the world? However, according to Charles Barkley, that’s the wrong premise.
“First of all, we have this stupid argument every year,” Barkley explained on Inside the NBA. “Who’s the best player? The MVP never goes to the best player. It’s a dog fight right now between Jaylen Brown and Cade Cunningham. If one of them two guys don’t win MVP, it would to me it’ll be like – and I don’t have a vote – but Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown, them boys, they are 1 and 1A for MVP.”
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That’s a direct challenge to the current MVP narrative. According to the official MVP ladder on the NBA’s website, the race is headlined by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic.
SGA is leading the top seed in the Western Conference while recording one of the best volume scoring seasons in the history o the NBA. Jokic is flirting with yet another triple-double, and Doncic is leading the league in scoring at an absurd 32.8 per night
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On paper, their case looks airtight, but injuries have complicated things. Gilgeous-Alexander has missed significant time with abdominal issues, Doncic most recently sat out four games after missing a significant portion of the early season, and even Jokic, who has been healthy nearly his entire career, dealt with nearly a month of injury in January.
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Their late availability matters in a race where the opposing sides have narratives as compelling as Cunningham’s and Brown’s, as Barkley pointed out.
Kenny Smith Explains the Standard Charles Barkley Is Using for Cunningham and Brown
Cunningham has elevated the Pistons from a feel-good #6 seed last year to the best team in the east, consistently beating the #2 seeded Knicks. He has taken a leap in scoring, playmaking, an even defense, reshaping expectations for a franchise which had, by all means, a mediocre offseason and trade deadline.
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Brown, meanwhile in a season without costar Jayson Tatum, who is rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon, has made the Celtics look just as dominant as they were with him, despite tearing down the core that won them the championship in 2024. Boston looks like one of the most complete teams in the league, and Brown has cemented himself as a number 1 option.
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That’s what Kenny Smith made clear on Inside the NBA after Charles Barkley selected them as his picks for MVP.
“I think, also you look at MVP of the league,” he said. “It means you you’ve also maybe taken your team to a height that wasn’t expected and both of them have done that.”
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For now, if the Pistons and the Celtics keep climbing and outperforming their early-season projections, their cases become harder to ignore. Cunningham and Brown are already #4 and #6 on the MVP tracker already. With Barkley making his preferences known, don’t be surprised if they change further.
Magic vs. Suns Prediction, Odds and Players to Watch for Saturday, Feb. 21
The Phoenix Suns are looking to bounce back from a blowout loss in San Antonio when they host the Orlando Magic on Saturday evening.
The Suns have now lost two straight games and four of their last five, falling to 32-24 on the season.
On the flip side, the Magic got a blowout win in Sacramento on Thursday night for the fourth win in their last five games, bringing them up to 29-25 on the season.
The Magic won both meetings last season, covering as -4.5 and -2 favorites in 10- and 5-point victories.
The oddsmakers have the Suns as slight home favorites at the best betting sites on Saturday evening.
Let’s take a look at the odds, players to watch, and my prediction for Saturday evening’s NBA matchup.
Magic vs. Suns Odds, Spread and Total
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread
Magic +2.5 (-115)
Suns -2.5 (-105)
Moneyline
Magic: +110
Suns: -130
Total
220.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Magic vs. Suns How to Watch
Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Mortgage Matchup Center
How to Watch (TV): FDSN FL, KTVK, KPHE
Magic record: 29-25
Suns record: 32-24
Magic vs. Suns Injury Reports
Magic Injury Report
Colin Castleton – out
Alex Morales – out
Jalen Suggs – questionable
Franz Wagner – out
Suns Injury Report
Grayson Allen – questionable
Cole Anthony – out
Devin Booker – out
Haywood Highsmith – out
Magic vs. Suns Player to Watch
Dillon Brooks, Small Forward, Phoenix Suns
Dillon Brooks has a chance to step up for the Suns with Devin Booker out. He’s second on the team with 21.2 points per game, which ranks 29th in the league. He’s coming off two straight 23-point efforts before the break, and missed the last game due to a suspension.
Look for Phoenix to follow Brooks’ lead at home against the Magic.
Magic vs. Suns Prediction and Pick
I’m looking to the UNDER in this game, especially with Booker out. I was already leaning that way, and now the home favorites will be without their leading scorer.
The Suns already trend to the UNDER, going 34-22 overall and 18-10 at home, with Orlando at an even 27-27 to the UNDER.
Both of these teams went UNDER the total on Thursday night, so it could just take some time for them to find their shooting touch after the break.
Pick: UNDER 220.5 (-110)
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Chicago Bulls Chicago were late to the tanking trend
The Chicago Bulls are late.
Again.
It happens too often with this front office.
Executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas missed the window for every major trade he needed to make in the last three years. He took too long to move DeMar DeRozan. And Nikola Vučević. And Coby White. In the process, he missed out on the opportunity to secure a first-round pick in return for any of the team’s main core from the 2021-22 season.
Who are the 7 new Chicago Bulls? Meet Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons and the rest of the deadline additions.
Now, the Bulls are behind again. Karnišovas finally committed to tanking by shipping out every relevant expiring contract on the roster. The decision came two years late. The Bulls missed their chance for a shot at Cooper Flagg or any other prime pick in the stacked 2025 draft class. They also failed to begin their nosedive early enough to meaningfully compete for a top-four pick in the 2026 draft, whose prospects were tantalizing enough to encourage a slew of teams from to throw away this season.
Even though it came late, this was the right decision for the Bulls. The roster desperately needed improvements. To make meaningful change, Karnišovas needed to embrace the value of the draft as a talent-acquisition mechanism. Ultimately, it didn’t matter if it came months or years too late. If the Bulls ever were going to rise above mediocrity, they had to make this commitment.
And then, two weeks after the Bulls made the painful turn toward prioritizing the draft, the league decided to crack down on tanking. Commissioner Adam Silver delivered an edict on potential changes for the 2026-27 season to deter tanking as a whole during a general managers meeting Thursday, according to an ESPN report. Before the Bulls can even give tanking the ol’ college try, the mechanism might be rendered obsolete.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. It’s simply the rhythm in which the Bulls live. A step slow. A second behind. Lagging behind the beat. Hesitation will always be the defining factor of Karnišovas’ tenure in Chicago.
Outliers exist, of course. The Bulls were on the front foot with the league’s recent trend toward up-tempo offenses, setting a pace in the 2024-25 season that ultimately matched the standard for the NBA’s current breathless style of play. But even that alteration lacked agency, existing as an artifact of necessity as the Bulls simply tried to survive with an undersized lineup at every position.
The timing of this recent turn to tanking is just another example of the helpless, tireless tardiness that has plagued the Karnišovas era in Chicago. The Bulls can never do the right thing at the right time. And if the league follows through on its threats to deter tanking, they will be trapped in a half-baked plan without any exit routes.
Silver’s messaging is a harsh reaction to a building frustration throughout the league. Tanking isn’t new. The strategy has existed for decades, often operating as a necessity for small-market teams to acquire high-level talent that simply would not be accessible in free agency.
The novelty this season is the volume of egregious tanking. Arguably one-third of the league is jockeying to tumble as far down the standings — and up the draft-lottery rankings — as possible. The league already handed out six-figure fines to the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for allegedly sitting players in the fourth quarter to throw games.
During his All-Star weekend news conference, Silver described this season’s tanking activities as “worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory.”
“The league is 80 years old,” Silver said. “It’s time to take a fresh look at this and to see whether that’s an antiquated way. We’ve got to look at some fresh thinking here. What we’re doing, what we’re seeing right now is not working. There’s no question about it.”
The Bulls never have had the stomach to pull these elaborate stunts. Their current endeavor could be characterized as “ethical” tanking — a purposeful gutting of a roster to create a team that loses even as the players and coaches make a genuine effort to win. That doesn’t matter. When the tide turns, it carries everyone with it, regardless of intent.
According to the ESPN report, the league is considering a variety of options to curb tanking and encourage competitive play through the end of the season. These ideas include freezing lottery odds at the trade deadline; barring teams from picking in the top four in consecutive years; adding play-in teams to the lottery; basing lottery odds on a two-year span; or simply flattening the odds so that every team in the lottery has the same chance of landing the top selection.
Some of these scenarios would be more painful than others for the Bulls, who likely will sink next season into another losing endeavor — perhaps by choice, perhaps by the sheer reality of their roster’s lack of talent. Given their hesitancy to fully commit to losing, the Bulls could benefit from flattened odds and the exclusion of prior bottom-four teams. But any efforts to quell tanking in broad strokes ultimately would place luck at the rudder of draft positioning.
Luck has not favored the Bulls in recent years. That could change — as could the rules — as early as this summer. But the lesson remains for Karnišovas and company as they survey the shifting landscape of the NBA this summer.
Waiting only welcomes disruption. And in a league accustomed to rapid change, hesitation is the simplest way to get left behind.
Magic vs. Suns prediction, odds, line, time: 2026 NBA picks for Saturday, Feb. 21
A cross-conference matchup gets the Saturday NBA schedule underway when the Phoenix Suns take on the Orlando Magic. Orlando is 29-25 on the season, while Phoenix is 32-24. They’ve been heading in opposite directions recently, however, with Orlando winning four of its last five, and Phoenix dropping four of its past five. Devin Booker (hip) is out for Phoenix. Jalen Suggs (back) is questionable for Orlando.
Tipoff from the Mortgage Matchup Center is set for 5 p.m. ET. The Suns are 1.5-point home favorites in the latest Suns vs. Magic odds, while the over/under is 219.5. Before making any Magic vs. Suns picks, check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model exited the NBA All-Star break on a sizzling 38-17 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Suns vs. Magic 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Lakers vs. Clippers:
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Top Magic vs. Suns predictions
After 10,000 simulations of Suns vs. Magic, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (219.5). Orlando’s recent surge has come with increased offensive production, and the Magic have seen three of their past five games clear the total. Phoenix, meanwhile, has gone Over in two of its past three.
SportsLine’s model projects six total players to score at least 14 points, with Paolo Banchero (21.2 points) and Jalen Green (20.1) leading their respective sides. The teams combine for 222 points as the Over clears 53% of the time.
How to make Suns vs. Magic picks
The model has also generated an against-the-spread pick that hits in nearly 70% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s full NBA picks.
Knicks vs. Rockets prediction, odds, line, time: 2026 NBA picks for Saturday, Feb. 21
The Houston Rockets face the New York Knicks in a key NBA interconference matchup on Saturday night. Houston is coming off a 105-101 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, while New York dropped a 126-111 decision to the Detroit Pistons that same night. The Rockets (34-20), who are second in the Southwest Division, are 16-13 on the road this season. The Knicks (35-21), who are second in the Atlantic Division, are 21-8 on their home court.
Tipoff from Madison Square Garden in New York is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. The Knicks lead the all-time series 79-76, but the Rockets have won two of the last three meetings. The Knicks are a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Rockets vs. Knicks odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 217.5. Before making any Knicks vs. Rockets picks, check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model exited the NBA All-Star break on a sizzling 38-17 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Rockets vs. Knicks 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Knicks vs. Rockets:
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Top Rockets vs. Knicks predictions
After 10,000 simulations of Knicks vs. Rockets, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (217.5). The Over hit in the last head-to-head matchup between the teams. The Over has also hit in five of the last seven New York games, including in each of the last three. The Rockets are 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games, while the Knicks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10.
The SportsLine model is projecting the Rockets’ Kevin Durant to score 23.2 points on average and be one of six Rockets players to score 11 or more points. The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, meanwhile, is projected to have 25.4 points as five New York players score 11.2 points or more. The teams are projected to combine for 226 points as the Over clears 61% of the time.
How to make Knicks vs. Rockets picks
The model has also generated an against-the-spread pick that hits in nearly 60% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.
PGA Tour Pro Finally Speaks Out on Delay That Forced Collin Morikawa to Wait
Jacob Bridgeman has finally explained the risky shot at Pebble Beach. Speaking from the Genesis Invitational, Bridgeman detailed his high-stakes gamble on the 18th hole.
His decision ultimately led to a 20-minute delay for his competitor Colin Morikawa, who would eventually win at Pebble Beach.
After finishing round one of the Genesis Invitational at T2, Bridgeman told the media, “I took a risk off the tee because I wanted to make an eagle. Hit an awesome shot and then same kind of thing, I was like, I got to start this over the water if I want to make an eagle to tie this golf tournament.”
“And I hit almost a too good shot that went too low and went right through the wind. Hit the rock and was miles from anywhere you would think to play a golf shot,” he explained.
Bridgeman wanted to give himself a winning chance. But the shot landed in the ocean, forcing him to start over and go back to the fairway. And when he looked back, he noticed Morikawa pacing back and forth in probable anticipation.
“I’m glad it ended the way it did. He hit an awesome shot in there and two-putted for the win so it kind of worked out perfectly,” added Bridgeman. He assumed Morikawa would be frustrated, but it all worked out in the end.
Collin Morikawa Reveals the Secret to His Victory
We saw Morikawa stand on the edge of Pebble Beach and stare at the waves. But he wasn’t thinking about golf. And that brought him the well-deserved victory.
“I tried to think about anything else other than golf,” Morikawa said about his 18th hole performance. After all, right before the 2026 Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Morikawa revealed on Dan on Golf that he didn’t really trust his skill yet after suffering setbacks for the last three years due to injuries.
“Thankfully, you had the nicest backdrop you could ask for, so that was very, very easy. For me, it was how do I stay loose, how do I stay warm and not just think about the shot,” he added.
Bridgeman accepted the risk and owned the outcome. But Morikawa controlled his emotions and stayed mentally detached. That composure under pressure ultimately secured the victory at Pebble Beach. But can Bridgeman regain his stance and win the Genesis Invitational?
2026 Genesis Invitational Final Payouts, Prize Money, Winnings From Riviera
The PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational has returned to Riviera, where this year’s edition is offering a $20 million purse and $4 million to the winner.
Last year the Genesis was relocated to Torrey Pines due to the wildfires in the Pacific Palisades area. Tournament host Tiger Woods isn’t playing this week as he recovers from his latest back surgery, but he did address the media, and discussed his health, possible plans to play the Masters and a potential 2027 Ryder Cup captaincy, among other topics
Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler headlines the field and entered as the betting favorite. No. 2 Rory McIlroy is also playing, and revealed that he will soon return to Augusta National for the first time since his triumph last year to practice for the upcoming Masters.
Sahith Theegala is in the field via the event’s annual Charlie Sifford exemption, and it inspired a special guest column from a writer with some thoughts on Theegala’s spot in the field.
Here are the final payouts for the 2026 Genesis Invitational. This article will be updated Sunday at the conclusion of play.
2026 Genesis Invitational Final Payouts
Win: $4,000,000
2: $2,180,000
3: $1,380,000
4: $980,000
5: $820,000
6: $725,000
7: $675,000
8: $625,000
9: $585,000
10: $545,000
11: $505,000
12: $465,000
13: $425,000
14: $385,000
15: $365,000
16: $345,000
17: $325,000
18: $305,000
19: $285,000
20: $265,000
21: $245,000
22: $225,000
23: $210,000
24: $195,000
25: $180,000
26: $165,000
27: $158,000
28: $150,000
29: $143,000
30: $136,000
31: $129,000
32: $122,000
33: $115,000
34: $110,000
35: $105,000
36: $100,000
37: $95,000
38: $90,000
39: $86,000
40: $82,000
41: $78,000
42: $74,000
43: $70,000
44: $66,000
45: $62,000
46: $58,000
47: $54,000
48: $51,000
49: $48,000
50: $45,000
51: $43,000
52: $41,000
53: $39,000
54: $37,000
55: $35,000
56: $33,000
57: $31,000
58: $30,000
59: $29,000
60: $28,000
61: $27,000
62: $26,000
63: $25,000
64: $24,000
65: $23,000
66: $22,000
67: $21,000
68: $20,000
69: $19,000
70: $18,000
71: $17,000
72: $16,000
More Golf from Sports Illustrated
PGA Betting: Genesis Invitational Odds, Leaderboard, and Best Bets at Riviera Country Club
The PGA Tour remains on with its second consecutive Signature Event on the West Coast with the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. Similar to the Bethpage Golf Course on Long Island, New York, Riviera rewards smart decisions over sheer power. The opening round was suspended due to darkness following a mid-afternoon rain delay. Aaron Ria leads at 6–under par after 16 holes with the rest of his round being finished out early Friday morning. Jacob Bridgeman and Rory McIlroy are tied at 5-under at the completion of their opening round.
Early Leaderboard After (Most of) Round 1
McIlroy sits as a prime option for an outright win following a 5-under 66 on Thursday after navigating difficult weather and a delayed start to his outing. Bridgeman, Si Woo Kim and Collin Morikawa were dealt similar hands and all found themselves near the top of the leaderboard near the start of action on Friday.
Genesis Invitational Leaderboard (Top 5)
Position Player Round Thru 1 A. Rai -6 16 (suspended play) T2 J. Bridgeman -5 F T2 R. McIlroy -5 F T2 M. Penge -5 12 (suspended play) 5 R. Fox -4 F
Scottie Scheffler entered the tournament as a favorite, but continued to struggle in the opening day of a tournament this season. The world’s top-ranked golfer finished five-over par and tied for 64th place alongside Justin Rose and J.J. Spaun. Scheffler will need a strong outing in his second round to climb out of the early hole if he hopes to contend.
Leaderboard Movement and Odds Shifts
As expected, McIlroy surged to the top of the sportsbooks as the expected winner after the first round with top sportsbooks like DraftKings at +370, Bet MGM at +333 , and FanDuel at +340 moving his odds to the head of the pack. At the same time, Scheffler’s typically strong betting odds have slipped following a difficult Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles.
Keep an eye on Akshay Bhatia, particularly if the American can put together a solid second round to go alongside his three-under opening round. Following four top-10 finishes in 2025, Bhatia led after three rounds at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am before a tough Sunday at even par left him in a tie for sixth place at the conclusion of last weekend’s tournament.
Betting Tips for New York Audiences
There are a few trends worth nothing for New York sports bettors after the first day of action at the Riviera Country Club. McIlroy and Bridgeman showcased the ability to navigate a demanding layout in Los Angeles, California which leads them to owning immediate value in placement markets as a winner, top five, or top 10 finishers.
With Scheffler needing to do a ton of work, there could be some value on his betting market if he turns things around on Friday. While he likely can’t erase all of his mistakes from day one, the American could put a jolt into the betting markets if he can get closer to even par on the leaderboard with a five-under (or more) on Friday afternoon. Keep an eye on the top-10 and/or top-20 markets over an outright win this weekend if you want to wager on the best golfer in the world.
As a matter of fact, keep an eye on those markets overall as the weather clears out of the area for the remainder of the weekend. It will be worth monitoring how the leaders transition from a rainy first outing to a typical full day of golf under cloudy skies entering the weekend.
For more on the PGA Tour, visit AMNY.com.
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Scottie Scheffler breaks unwanted mark at Genesis dating back to amateur days
Scottie Scheffler has made a poor start to the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club this week.
Slow starts have become a bit of a trend for Scheffler early in the PGA Tour season, and his opening round at Riviera did not buck that pattern.
After winning the American Express in January, he followed up with opening rounds of 73 and 72 at both the WM Phoenix Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
His ball striking, especially with his irons, has been below his usual standards so far this season.
Scottie Scheffler breaks unwanted record at Genesis, dating back to amateur days
Scheffler has always spoken highly of Riviera as a course, but Thursday’s round left him frustrated with his game.
He wrapped up the rain-delayed first round of the Genesis Invitational at five-over-par after 10 holes, recording three bogeys, a double bogey, and six pars.
It was a performance that reflected how poorly he played and it also led to an unwanted personal record.
Before this week, Scheffler’s previous worst score through the opening 10 holes of a PGA Tour event came back in 2014 when he was just 17 years old, playing the Byron Nelson as an amateur.
He was four-over-par through 10 holes in that event, but his start at Riviera surpassed even that mark.
If he posts one-over or higher when he finishes his first round on Friday, it’ll be the first time in his career that he has opened three straight PGA Tour events with rounds of 72 or worse.
Given where he stands now – needing to play the final eight holes in five-under just to shoot 71 – that scenario seems likely.
Scottie Scheffler struggles to find form during Genesis Invitational opening round
There is no hiding it – something just is not clicking for Scheffler at the moment.
His iron play has been well off the mark, and he looks visibly frustrated on the course.
The numbers reflect just how much Scheffler found it tough going early in Pacific Palisades.
So can he turn things around with a strong back nine when play continues on Friday and then put together three solid rounds to get himself back into contention?
It is not out of the question, especially given what we have already seen from him this season in Phoenix and at Pebble Beach.
PGA Tour Pro Makes Bold Claim as He Lays Bare the Secret Many Golfers Share
A rising PGA Tour pro just said what many coaches might hesitate to admit. The 27-year-old Marco Penge is playing his first full PGA Tour season and has already made waves at the 2026 Genesis Invitational. Notably, he delivered a blunt assessment while interacting with PGA Tour representatives.
“I think with most golfers, I don’t really like their swing that much, but probably more my speed, if I’m honest, the athleticism of my swing,” Marco Penge said about his ball speed in a video posted by the PGA Tour on Instagram. “Yeah, that’ll probably be my favorite part.”
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The Englishman was co-leading the 2026 Genesis Invitational after the first round. He carded a round of 5-under par 66, as did Aaron Rai, Rory McIlroy, and Jacob Bridgeman.
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The 3x DP World Tour winner credited his swing and ball speed for his achievements, something he doesn’t think many other golfers can achieve.
“When I’m swinging it well, my ball speed’s in the region of 188 to 190, would be my optimal speed. I have tons of different flights that I like to hit. Now I have a flight, kind of call it the bomb, where I was trying to hit it as far as I can. Now I aim pretty square to target, and I push the ball up in my stance. But it makes me hit it a little late on the arc and hit like a pull cut. That’s a shot I hit a lot of the time, especially over here in America,” Marco Penge added.
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Penge even broke down his “flying thumb” grip. Many broadcasters, analysts, and fans have noticed that the Englishman’s right thumb is slightly in the air when swinging. However, he said that he doesn’t do it intentionally. What he does instead is try to get his right arm in an externally rotated setup, which makes the right thumb off the club.
With the right arm rotated, it becomes challenging to get the right thumb on the grip. It’s more like muscle memory, which he gained through a lot of drills. Thanks to that, he can now achieve a good ball speed and flight.
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While his swing has shown results at the 2026 Genesis Invitational, his PGA Tour campaign so far is not what he would have hoped for.
In the 3 starts so far, he has missed the cut at the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open and the WM Phoenix Open. The only time he made the cut was at the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He carded rounds of 73-68-72-71 to finish T64 at the event to earn $36,500.
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While it may sound counterintuitive, the English golfer was able to get here with this very swing on the DP World Tour.
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Marco Penge’s breakout 2025
Marco Penge’s 2025 was a remarkable turnaround on the DP World Tour. It was highlighted by three victories, five other top-10s, and a runner-up in the Race to Dubai. In fact, he even gave a headache to Rory McIlroy, who was chasing his 7th Race to Dubai title. Although Penge couldn’t hold back McIlroy, his breakout 2025 got him a full exempt PGA Tour card for the 2026 season.
The 3x DP World Tour winner claimed his maiden win at the Hainan Classic in April. He fired a final-round 67 to finish 17-under. He was three shots clear after birdie bursts, including holes 12, 13, and 14. Then in August 2025, he won at the Danish Golf Championship with a clutch 72nd-hole birdie. This led to a 16-under victory, as he edged past Rasmus Højgaard by one stroke.
Penge’s last win came at the Open de España in October 2025. He held a four-shot lead going into the final round. However, an exceptional display of skill by Dan Brown meant that there was a tie after the regulation rounds. Notably, the 3x DP World Tour winner sealed his win with a playoff birdie over Brown on the first extra hole.
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He finished 2nd on the Race to Dubai rankings, only behind Rory McIlroy. This got him a full exempt PGA Tour card for this season.
This shows that he knows what he is talking about. His swing explanation, especially the subtle grip detail and emphasis on athleticism, offers a clearer picture as to why his power stands out on Tour. This insight makes his bold claim about most golfers’ swings feel like confidence backed by results.
PGA Tour Star Disagrees With Rory McIlroy Debate Over Tricky Golf Shot: ‘Not That Difficult’
Sitting nearly 90 feet away from the cup on the green, Rory McIlroy had a bunker between the ball and the hole. The unique short-grass surface on the 201-yard 6th hole presented an awkward challenge for the world #2. And he dealt with it with an equally surprising shot, using his wedge on the green. The Irishman thought it was a tricky shot to hit. But Michael Kim believes that was not the case.
Tweeting in response to McIlroy’s statement, Kim wrote, “It’s actually not that difficult chipping off a green. Grass is too short and compact to really trap the club like fairway grainy Bermuda. It can be tougher from the fear of taking a divot which feels awful and you can’t hit it super high but it’s a very clean lie.”
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“I guess I should add, if you find chipping from the fairway difficult then yes, chipping from a green is also difficult but for a guy like Rory, it is not any more difficult.”
Playing on the shortest grass on the hole, there will be little to no green between the ball and the wedge for McIlroy to worry about mishitting it. And the world #2 is too good a golfer to worry about mishitting it on that part of the course. By then, he had already scored three birdies and remained flawless in the round. So it wasn’t like he lacked the confidence to strike the ball accurately.
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Moreover, McIlroy has been excellent with the wedge recently in much tougher situations. He has a good recovery rate from sand and roughs. His scrambling percentage in 2025 was 58.04%, which was great considering how often he relies on his driving to gain strokes.
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McIlroy has also hit some interesting wedge strokes in recent months.
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Rory McIlroy’s surprising efforts with the wedge
Magical moments can occur when the world’s #1 and 2 are playing together. That’s what happened in August 2025, when Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy were paired for the opening round of the TOUR Championship.
Trying to close the Thursday round on a high, McIlroy wanted to escape the 18th hole bunker quickly. He hit a hard wedge shot that flew high and fast across the green. To his and Scheffler’s disbelief, the ball hit the grandstand behind the rough and bounced back onto the green. What’s even funnier is that it rolled 17 feet away from the hole.
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The cameras pointed at McIlroy, who was seen shaking his head in denial. Then it shifted to Scheffler, who was seen laughing at the incident. The crowd loved the camaraderie between the two top golfers on the PGA Tour. The moment wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for McIlroy’s mastery with the wedge and his Irish luck.
Ludvig Aberg Takes Advantage of New PGA Tour Rule
The start of the PGA Tour’s 2026 season brought several new rule changes. Many aim to make the game more player-friendly. Last week at Pebble Beach, Ludvig Aberg became the first player to take advantage of one of these changes. While he may have been the first to benefit, this rule change is likely to assist other players in the future. It addresses situations that have historically caused frustration on the course.
Ludvig Aberg Uses New Rule to His Advantage
On the 18th hole at Pebble Beach, Aberg sent his drive out of bounds. In the process, he realized that he cracked the face of his driver. In previous seasons, players in this situation had no choice but to continue with a 3-wood or another club. This often limited their play for the rest of the round.
In 2025, the PGA Tour updated Model Local Rule G-9. This allowed players to replace a driver that had a visible crack in the face. However, this rule limited players, forcing them to retrieve a replacement from the locker room because they could not carry a spare driver head in their bag. The process was time-consuming and largely impractical, leaving players and caddies scrambling during the round.
Then, just before the 2026 season, the PGA Tour revised the rule again. The update now allows players to keep a spare driver head in their bag and replace a damaged club during play.
Aberg’s caddie, Joe Skovron, spoke with the Associated Press about the rule change:
“They sent out rules changes at the start of the year and one of them was you no longer had to keep it (the replacement part) in the locker,” Skovron said. “Before, someone had to get it for you. Now you can carry it in the bag, and if your driver is deemed damaged, you could put that one in. I had the backup in the belly of the bag.”
Other Rule Changes
The PGA Tour implemented several additional updates for 2026. Many aim to simplify the game and reduce penalties for inadvertent mistakes. Steve Rentoul, PGA Tour’s Vice President of Rules and Officiating, spoke about the change, “We like the fact if a club is cracked or broken, it can be replaced right there. The old method of the replacement was so archaic.”
Other 2026 rule updates include:
If a player causes their ball to move without realizing it, they now incur a one-stroke penalty instead of two.
Players may now take free relief if their ball becomes embedded in another player’s pitch mark.
The PGA Tour will apply internal out-of-bounds designations only to shots played from the teeing area.
Players may now receive additional relief when immovable obstructions interfere with their line of play near the green. This expansion goes beyond traditional sprinkler-head relief.
The PGA Tour has reduced the relief area for immovable obstructions from a club length to a scorecard length (46 inches to 11 inches). This aligns the PGA Tour standards with other tournaments and tours.
Brooks Koepka back in Cognizant Classic after returning to PGA Tour
The Cognizant Classic of the Palm Beaches field includes a mixture of young rising stars, veteran PGA Tour champions and the biggest name ever to come out of Palm Beach County.
Brooks Koepka’s return after a three-year absence due to his association with LIV Golf, headlines the field that includes seven players in the top 50 of the current Official World Golf Ranking.
Ben Griffin (No. 11), Ryan Gerard (23) and Shane Lowry (29) are the highest ranked players in the field. The ranking will be updated following the Genesis Invitational.
Other fan favorites include Billy Horschel, Adam Scott, Jupiter’s Daniel Berger and Delray Beach’s Gary Woodland.
The tournament, held at PGA National, starts Feb. 26.
Cognizant Classic field set
Zach Bauchou Peter Malnati
Christiaan Bezuidenhout Max McGreevy
Chandler Blanchet Keith Mitchell
Michael Brennan Taylor Moore
Jacob Bridgeman William Mouw
Blades Brown Keita Nakajima
Dan Brown Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
Rafael Campos Pontus Nyholm
Ricky Castillo Thorbjorn Olesen
Davis Chatfield John Parry
Luke Clanton Matthieu Pavon
Eric Cole Taylor Pendrith
Joel Dahmen Chandler Phillips
Cam Davis Seamus Power
Zecheng Dou Andrew Putnam
Adrien Dumont de Chassart Aaron Rai
Nick Dunlap Chad Ramey
Nico Echavarria Kristoffer Reitan
Austin Eckroat Davis Riley
A.J. Ewart Patrick Rodgers
Patrick Fishburn Kevin Roy
Steven Fisk Marcelo Rozo
David Ford Adrien Saddier
Brice Garnett Isaiah Salinda
Ryan Gerard Gordon Sargent
Doug Ghim Adam Schenk
Ben Griffin Matti Schmid
Emiliano Grillo Adam Scott
Justin Hicks Neal Shipley
Garrick Higgo Webb Simpson
Joe Highsmith Alex Smalley
Kensei Hirata Jordan Smith
Lee Hodges Austin Smotherman
Rico Hoey Jimmy Stanger
Charley Hoffman Kevin Streelman
Nicolai Hojgaard Adam Svensson
Max Homa Jesper Svensson
Billy Horschel Davis Thompson
Beau Hossler Michael Thorbjornsen
Mark Hubbard Brendon Todd
Mackenzie Hughes Alejandro Tosti
Stephan Jaeger Sami Valimaki
Takumi Kanaya Erik van Rooyen
Jeffrey Kang John VanDerLaan
Johnny Keefer Kris Ventura
Michael Kim Karl Vilips
S.H. Kim Camilo Villegas
Tom Kim Danny Walker
Chris Kirk Matt Wallace
Patton Kizzire Paul Waring
Brooks Koepka Vince Whaley
Matt Kuchar Danny Willett
Christo Lamprecht Aaron Wise
Hank Lebioda Gary Woodland
K.H. Lee Dylan Wu
Haotong Li Sudarshan Yellamaraju
David Lipsky Kevin Yu
Justin Lower Will Zalatoris
Shane Lowry
After Rory McIlroy, 2x PGA Tour Winner Openly Criticizes Another Unfair Hole at $20M Tournament
While Rory McIlroy deemed the extended 4th hole horrible, he stopped short of calling it unfair. But that wasn’t the case for Matt Fitzpatrick on the 10th hole on Friday, all because of a missed shot.
“I don’t know about crying on each other’s shoulders, but I just don’t think it’s a fair golf hole, so I’ll just leave it at that,” said Matt Fitzpatrick after the second round.
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On Thursday, Fitzpatrick made a birdie on this hole after hitting a wedge to just thirteen inches from the cup for a tap-in. But on Friday, Fitzpatrick’s wedge shot missed its landing spot by a single inch, only to catch a contour and roll into a front bunker. Higgo suffered a nasty break of his own after driving into the front bunker. He hit an ‘excellent’ recovery that failed to hold the narrow green and rolled off the back into another bunker.
Aaron Rai, who had the best result in the whole group after day one, also carded a bogey on that particular hole. Even World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was not immune to the 10th hole’s volatility. During his opening round, Scheffler also struggled here and made a bogey.
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The 10th hole at Riviera is widely celebrated as one of the world’s premier short par-4s, measuring approximately 315 yards. George C. Thomas Jr. designed it, and the 12th hole at Pine Valley inspires it. Though Thomas initially omitted bunkers because he felt the Pine Valley version was too difficult. But over time, deep bunkers were added to guard the narrow, ‘cigar-shaped’ green, which is sloped from back to front and side to side. In the weather-plagued Riviera, it just became more dangerous.
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Before the tenth hole stole the show, the fourth hole was the main talk as officials lengthened this par-3 to a massive 273 yards. This made it one of the longest par 3s on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy called it a horrible change because the grass does not help players. He argued that the sticky Kikuyu grass stops the ball from rolling onto the green.
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“I actually think it’s a horrible change,” McIlroy said before the start of the event. “Well, like 15 percent of the field hit the green last time when it was played at its original yardage at 230.”
Jordan Spieth called the hole the only weak spot on this course. Collin Morikawa said players have to hit and hope for luck. Morikawa noted that nobody can really control where the ball lands from that far away.
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Even the 15th tee wasn’t spared from complaint. So, in 2022, Viktor Hovland decided to drive it down the 17th fairway off the 15th tee at Riviera to give a better angle to the green. The following year, the organizers had placed a scoreboard in the way to “protect the integrity of the hole,” but the Norwegian pro still hit it down the 17th twice by moving to the left side of the tee box. However, this year, they’ve actually placed 2 large trees that seemingly take the option fully out of play. The golfer shared this on Instagram, expressing disappointment.
However, despite his frustration with the 10th, Matt Fitzpatrick remains a significant contender. After opening with a 69 (-2), he posted a stellar 66 (-5) on Friday. He currently sits at 7-under par and is tied for 5th place heading into the third round.
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Fitzpatrick’s and Scheffler’s struggles are just the latest chapter in a long history of Riviera humbling the world’s best. The course has developed a reputation as a riddle that even the greatest players, from Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods, have failed to solve.
The Riviera riddle ranges from Jack Nicklaus to Scottie Scheffler
Since Ben Hogan celebrated his last win, the Riviera Country Club continues to exert its unique power over the game’s greatest legends. The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, played here several times and never won. Even the great Tiger Woods, who hosts the $20 million Genesis Invitational, is zero for fourteen. This is the most starts he has made at any course without a win.
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Scottie Scheffler is currently falling into the same trap as the legends before him. He had a nightmare start with a five-over-par early on. It was statistically the worst 10-hole start of his entire PGA Tour career, surpassing his 4-over start at the 2014 Byron Nelson when he was a 17-year-old amateur.
Scheffler struggled uncharacteristically on the greens, lipping out short putts and even chipping into a bunker from just off the green at the 10th. However, he began a gritty recovery on Friday morning, birdieing holes 13 and 14 to finish his first round with a 74 (+3). He has since managed to claw his way back to even par (T43) and looks likely to keep his streak of 67 consecutive made cuts alive.
European Pro Opens Up About PGA Tour’s Reality as Family Faces ‘Tough’ Consequences
The dream of PGA Tour stardom often comes with a hidden cost for European players. Marco Penge, who is chasing success on the PGA Tour’s West Coast swing, sheds light on the matter, as his heavily pregnant wife is facing a challenge that the golfer isn’t too happy about.
“It’s been quite tough, to be fair, the last four weeks for my family and me. She’s been in the U.S. on her own, heavily pregnant, looking after a one-and-a-half-year-old at the same time with no family or friends around,” said Marco Penge, who is currently leading at the Genesis Invitation with a brilliant 7-under-par second round. “It’s been like a bit of a gamble for me, just kind of going to compete and leaving her on her own.”
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Penge is in the midst of a high-pressure West Coast swing. He competed in the Farmers Insurance Open, the WM Phoenix Open, and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. While he is grinding for results (most recently finishing T64 at Pebble Beach), his wife, Sophie Penge, is in her final month of pregnancy. The couple is expecting their second child to arrive as early as next week.
Sophie Penge (formerly Sophie Lamb) is a former professional golfer herself. The pair first met as teenagers and notably teamed up to win the prestigious Sunningdale Foursomes in 2016. They began dating in February 2015 and eventually married in July 2023. The couple welcomed their first child, son Enzo, on June 14, 2024. The family, which also includes their golden retriever, Otis, moved to Florida in early January 2026 to make it easy for Marco’s rookie season in the United States.
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Now, as they prepare for their second baby’s arrival in just a few days, Penge credited his wife’s resilience for making his career possible.
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“She’s so supportive, and I’m so lucky to have her, and we’re both really excited to have another child in a week.”
Penge is not the only European player facing these tough family moments on the American Tour. Austrian star Sepp Straka once faced a terrifying family emergency in late 2025 when his son, Thomas, was born prematurely in August and spent his first two months in intensive care (NICU). Straka was forced to withdraw from major events, including the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship and the DP World Tour Playoffs, to support his wife, Paige, in Alabama.
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Former Open champion Shane Lowry also agrees to the gruesome reality of leaving family behind in such difficult times.
“If you go to the PGA Tour, you have to give it everything,” Lowry once said. “Plenty have tried to do it from Europe. I did when we had our first daughter, Iris. And it was horrible. I was jet-lagged all the time, tired all the time, and not getting the sort of practice you want to be doing for playing on the PGA Tour.
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Several others, like Robert MacIntyre and Thomas Pieters, also struggled in the US in the Tour’s isolated environment. These struggles show that the grass is not always greener on the other side. But sometimes a new baby brings a special kind of magic to the golf course.
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The 2026 season is turning hot with ‘New Dad’ energy
Collin Morikawa also shared some very happy news with the world recently. He won at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, his first win after 847 days, and then told CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis that he is a ‘will-be father.’
“Put golf aside, you know, we’re actually expecting later this year, in a few months. And we just started telling people this week, and we said, ‘What better way—the best way—to just announce it to the world if I was able to come out and win.’ There’s so much to life; there’s so much to enjoy,” Morikawa told Balionis.
The news was met with an outpouring of support from the golf community, with fellow stars like Rose Zhang and Michelle Wie West taking to social media to share their excitement for the couple. Even world number one Scottie Scheffler offered his best wishes to the happy couple.
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Now, looking back at Marco Penge’s hot performance at the Riviera Golf Course after recently winning the Seve Ballesteros Award for being the best player in Europe makes us feel that a ‘will-be father’ has a different kind of dominance in the 2026 golf field.
North Carolina fire that killed Denny Hamlin’s father ruled accidental; exact cause still unknown
GASTONIA, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina house fire that killed the father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and injured his mother has been ruled accidental but it’s still unclear what started it.
A report released by Gaston County Emergency Management & Fire Services said the Dec. 28 fire at the two-story home originated in a bedroom, but the “cause of ignition” is “undetermined.”
Otherwise, the investigation determined the fire as accidental, Gaston County spokesperson Adam Gaub wrote in an email Friday.
Dennis Hamlin, 75, and Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, were found outside the home the evening of the fire suffering from catastrophic injuries, officials said. Dennis Hamlin later died, while his wife survived.
The home, located near Stanley about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Charlotte, was owned by a company that listed Denny Hamlin as its manager, according to government records.
Dennis Hamlin was already seriously ill last year, his son previously said.
Denny Hamlin is a leading driver in NASCAR’s top circuit, having won 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 three times. Hamlin and Michael Jordan co-own the car driven by Tyler Reddick that won this year’s Daytona 500 last weekend.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
NASCAR Owner Shuts Down Coattail Talk Around Michael Jordan With Personal Financial Strain in $364.7 Million Lawsuit
It has been over two months since the NASCAR lawsuit was settled. Michael Jordan gleaned the best deal out of the agreement after the trial exposed a lot of ‘monopolistic’ evidence against the sport. But wait, Jordan was not the only team owner in this fight. 23XI Racing had Front Row Motorsports by its side, which had also refused to sign the charter deal back in 2024. And FRM’s team owner reveals just how much of his life’s work was at stake.
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A bold risk in the face of obliteration
“People thought Michael Jordan was bankrolling this — no, no, no. I had to pay my half,” Bob Jenkins told The Associated Press. The Front Row Motorsports owner split the fees of the NASCAR lawsuit equally with 23XI Racing. Both teams sought US$365 million in damages from the sport.
Even though there was a risk of losing the lawsuit and his charters, Jenkins was motivated. “I was OK with that,” Jenkins continued. “It would have hurt, I risked losing three charters myself, but I would have been OK. I just felt that strongly that we had a winning case that I could risk it.”
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In December 2025, the settlement that was reached on the ninth day of the NASCAR lawsuit trial made the charters evergreen, the equivalent of a franchise in other sports. That alone doubled their value overnight to nearly $100 million each. But the what-if situation looked different for the team owners. For six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan, racing is just his retirement hobby. But for Jenkins, it is a lifetime’s worth of effort.
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During the proceedings of the NASCAR lawsuit, Bob Jenkins’ dire economic status came to light. He had never turned a profit since launching his NASCAR team in the early 2000’s. He lost $100 million even while winning the Daytona 500 with Michael McDowell in 2021. Despite such glaring financial woes, Jenkins chose to fight against NASCAR’s draining charter model.
And when Jenkins emerged victorious alongside Michael Jordan, he felt a wave of much-needed satisfaction. “Personally, it’s very gratifying because it could have went the other way, and this sounds cliché, but when something needs to be said, you’ve got to find a way to say it,” Jenkins said. “We did that, and it just makes me feel good that we took a stand.”
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The settlement gave FRM stability and relief to team employees who had worried their jobs might cease to exist. Also, it meant that Bob Jenkins’ team, which was bleeding money, was now secure to be passed down to his four sons.
With a bright future ahead, both Jenkins and Michael Jordan can pursue their goals. And the latter’s minute efforts are what enthralled one of his drivers.
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Hailing the legend’s involvement
Michael Jordan and Bob Jenkins scored a historic victory in December 2025. And as soon as 2026 started, both kept up the winning spree. Jenkins’ NASCAR Craftsman Truck driver, Chandler Smith, won the Fresh From Florida 150. And Jordan’s 23XI Racing driver, Tyler Reddick, took home the prestigious Daytona 500 victory. Jordan’s presence in Victory Lane was a heartwarming sight for many, including Corey Heim.
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The 2025 Truck Series champion was driving the No. 67 23XI Toyota, and revealed how engaged the NBA legend was in his own journey. “After pretty much every Truck win last year, he reached out to me with congratulations,” Corey Heim said. “And every time I ran good, bad, or indifferent in a Cup car, he’d reach out and share some words. I always thought that was motivating to have an owner, but also an owner that’s very involved and motivated.”
Despite Michael Jordan’s hallowed status, he keeps his feet on the ground. “Think everyone knows he’s probably a busy guy, but seems like he always makes time to pay attention and stay in the loop with the 23XI side of things,” Heim said.
Such legendary efforts ultimately lead to the biggest victories, as we have seen. We cannot wait to see what Jenkins and Jordan have in store for us next!
Mayer Brings Down RCR Speedway Pole Stranglehold with EchoPark Triumph
When it comes to the drafting tracks in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, it’s always been a challenge to defeat Austin Hill, Jesse Love, and just Richard Childress Racing in general. However, on Friday, in qualifying for the Bennett 250, it appears that they did.
Sam Mayer, driver of the No. 41 Audibel Chevrolet Camaro for Haas Factory Team, landed on the pole position for Saturday’s 250-mile contest at EchoPark Speedway, after leading the field in both rounds of qualifying.
The Franklin, Wisconsin-native got around the 1.54-mile superspeedway in 31.804 seconds, a lap equivalent to an average speed of 174.318mph, to win just his fourth career pole in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and his second while driving under the HFT banner.
“We’re showing up pretty similar to what we have in the last year with this Haas Factory Team,” Mayer told The CW after being asked about the balance between handling and speed. “I feel like it’s going to be pretty good. We were in the race, top-five, top-10 all day, finished third [referring to last year], so I feel pretty good about what we have.”
Carson Kvapil, debuting a brand-new look to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Arby’s on a JR Motorsports entry for first-time, will start on the outside of the front row in the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro, matching the best start of his 43-race career in NASCAR’s second-tier division.
Taylor Gray was third-fastest in qualifying from EchoPark Speedway, with Mayer’s Haas Factory Team teammate Sheldon Creed in fourth. William Sawalich rounded out the top-five, which included three Chevrolet drivers and two from Toyota Racing USA.
Rajah Caruth, Gio Ruggiero, Sammy Smith, Hendrick Motorsports development driver Corey Day, and defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love rounded out the top-10 in the session.
The biggest surprise, though? Austin Hill, winner of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season-opener at Daytona and one of the strongest superspeedway racers in the history of the series, qualified a shocking 20th — it’s the worst start for the Winston, Georgia-native on a drafting track since running part-time for Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2020.
With 39 drivers entered in the event, only one (Dawson Cram of Mike Harmon Racing) was sent packing before the green flag dropped on Saturday
The Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 at EchoPark Speedway will take place on Saturday, February 21 at 5:30 PM ET on The CW, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 Starting Lineup
Kyle Busch’s Father Lays Bare “No Brakes” Training Program That Forged NASCAR’s Most Fearless Siblings
Legends emerge from impeccable training backgrounds. The same can be said about Kurt and Kyle Busch, the brothers who attracted both storm and success in NASCAR. Both scaled dizzying heights in the sport’s premier level, the Cup Series. But their journey to the top is even more jaw-dropping. When neither was in a position to take the wheel of a car, their father had a rigorous practice for them.
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Kyle Busch’s rowdy instincts arose early
“For the first two years, they drove. They never touched the gas or the brake,” Tom Busch told Kyle Petty in a NASCAR Hall of Fame interview. “So when it was their turn to drive, when they finally got big enough to reach the pedals, it was like, you’d have your clipboard and your stopwatch, and they had to roll to you to talk to you. No brakes.”
This information is quite enlightening regarding Kurt and Kyle Busch‘s background. Their father, Tom Busch, initiated them into the high-octane life, soon after he and his wife Gaye shifted from the cold winters of Schaumburg, Illinois, to the desert heat of Las Vegas. Busch Senior himself raced at Craig Road Speedway, a local quarter-mile track. After Kurt and Kyle were born, they took the Big Wheels in the yard.
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And as Tom Busch told us, both of them chose to ignore the brakes. They raced in a cul-de-sac that was a road course, figure eight, and oval track all in one. “They had to roll out where I was at. If they overran it, they had to do it again. If they stopped short, they had to do it again. I wanted them to know what happens when things happen,” Busch Senior continued.
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This rigorous training program taught the Busch brothers the basics of racing. And as expected, Tom Busch’s tutelage led to golden results as his sons sailed into the big leagues of stock car racing. Kurt Busch landed in the Cup Series in 2000. And Kyle Busch landed in the series in 2004, the same year his brother won the championship.
The list of achievements soon after can hardly be overstated. Kurt Busch was recently inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and Kyle Busch is still looking for a late-career surge.
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Seeking his redemption
Kyle Busch, a 63-time Cup race winner and two-time Cup champion, has a golden resume. But today, he stands with a 94-race winless streak. This figure is like a stain on Busch’s shoulder that he is desperately trying to scrub off. In the past weekend, Busch looked solid after clinching the pole for the Daytona 500. But as chaos broke out at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, Busch dodged the multi-car crashes. He ended up 15th by the end, far from his expectations.
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Nevertheless, Kyle Busch is entering EchoPark Speedway, a venue where he has won 8 times, with much enthusiasm.
Driving the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, the veteran has clarified his unflinching motivation to win again. “It’s only driven by my passion for it. The monetary value of my career is irrelevant right now,” Kyle Busch said.
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Even 7-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson believes there is still hope for Busch’s career. “At some point, it starts drying up. It did for me, and it will for others. None of us know where that is for Kyle right now until he decides to step away. But there is a moment out there for everyone where production just goes down. Whatever it is, it dries up. I hope that isn’t the case for him. He’s such a talent.”
With a big season ahead, let’s see how Kyle Busch progresses. His father’s evergreen lessons may carry him forward to his goal.
Natalie Decker Claps Back at “Disgrace to NASCAR” Claims as She Defends Viral Daytona Moment
A sponsor-heavy sport requires publicity hacks. NASCAR is such a sport where drivers and teams rely on the financial backing of their sponsors, promoting whom is a big task. And that is what Natalie Decker had in mind, along with her happy-go-lucky and playful attitude. But the NASCAR driver’s carefree actions drew a spate of criticism from fellow women drivers, for whom she has a response.
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Natalie Decker defends her shirtless action
“They were saying it was inappropriate that I had my shirt off with Bert. And that it’s a disgrace to NASCAR and women in NASCAR,” Natalie Decker said. “But the girl that was talking about it and like, saying these things, was saying the F word every other sentence. Tattoos, face piercings, all of them are okay. I don’t care that she has those things; I don’t care that she swears.”
Driving the No. 35 Joey Gase Motorsports Chevrolet, Natalie Decker raced in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts season-opener in Daytona. But before she strapped into her car, she attracted the public eye for something. Decker stripped down the upper part of her firesuit, posing alongside shirtless comedian Bert Kreischer on the fan deck. All laughs and smiles, she wrote on X that she was promoting her sponsor, T.N. Dickinson.
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However, other female drivers thought this promotion went a little over the edge. The backlash stemmed from Taylor Reimer, who competes in the ARCA Menards Series for Pinnacle Racing Group, who emphasized the weight of responsibility that an act of publicity carries. Jade Avedisian, a standout in Toyota Racing Development, who races part-time in ARCA and full-time in the ASA STARS National Tour, agreed. Also part of the backlash was Karsyn Elledge, dirt racer and niece of Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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However, Natalie Decker chose to clap back at their claims. She defended her actions by citing her personal attitude, just like the personal preferences of beauty that other drivers had.
“If you’re gonna talk about someone being classy, and that it’s bad that they’re not classy, like maybe be a little classy yourself, then. Like, I’ve never once been like, ‘I’m the classiest lady out there.’ I know that’s not me and my personality. I am very bubbly, I am outgoing. I say what I want to say, and I like to feel hot and wear hot clothes. And take my shirt off when I see Bert. So, I never once called myself classy,” Natalie Decker continued.
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This debate may have a mixed audience. Nevertheless, Natalie Decker has a prominent NASCAR veteran by her side.
Pardoning a harmless act
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Kenny Wallace, a nine-time NASCAR Xfinity Series race winner, has always been a strong proponent of women drivers. And watching Natalie Decker receiving backlash from other women, he chose to defend a seemingly harmless action. Wallace’s determination to show support was also due to people thrashing Decker for her race – she crashed into Sam Mayer, and finished 33rd.
“Natalie, you’re going to watch this. As my momma would say, this too shall soon pass,” Kenny Wallace stated. “Dust it off and go to Pocono, your next sponsored race. I remember racing you at Marshall Town, and I remember you running 15th, something like that, at Daytona.”
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“Shame on all of you. You know, that’s a human being, right?” he continued. “And you know, when she was on her radio, she wasn’t talking to you; she was talking to her team. And as far as pulling her firesuit down, I’m sure she had to take it back; she would. But like I said, if it would have been October for breast cancer awareness month, it would have been just fine.”
Clearly, Natalie Decker has divided the NASCAR world over her Daytona actions. Let’s see when everybody moves on from this and focuses on the rest of the season.
NASCAR President Unveils Plan to Fulfill Steve Phelps’ Dream Months After Controversial Lawsuit Texts
Steve O’Donnell appears determined to win back NASCAR fans. After Steve Phelps’ departure amid controversy during the NASCAR lawsuit, O’Donnell is shifting the focus toward strengthening the sport itself. Under Phelps, the Cup Series ventured into new territory, with the Mexico City race highlighting that global push. But with discussions about Brazil and further international expansion, O’Donnell now seems intent on taking a more localized approach.
When asked whether O’Donnell would like to stick to Phelps’ global dream, the 57-year-old did not hesitate to agree.
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“I do 1000%, but I think you gotta make sure that I’ll go back with a quick history lesson for us,” he said on The Varsity podcast. “A lot of our fans kind of in North Carolina, South Carolina felt like NASCAR abandoned them, and we learned a lot of lessons doing that… if you go to a Chicago or Chicago street race, go to Mexico City, you couple that with maybe off-points race or an exhibition at a short track within the US where we’re showcasing kind of our grassroots as well. I think that’s the model is mixing and matching both.”
Phelps’ bid to thrust NASCAR outside of the US was definitely successful, given the 2025 Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, marking the first points-paying event outside the US in nearly 7 decades.
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But he didn’t treat the event as a one-off. He openly discussed NASCAR’s broader global vision, including interest in future races in Brazil and possibly beyond, acknowledging the challenges while stressing the importance of expanding the sport’s footprint and connecting with millions of new potential fans.
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And while NASCAR has been chasing new markets within the USA, including the San Diego race in June 2026, O’Donnell wants to make things more local.
O’Donnell acknowledges that NASCAR has been losing touch with some of its traditional roots. Over the past two decades, several historic cup venues were dropped from the schedule as NASCAR chased larger markets for new fan experiences.
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Tracks like Rockingham Speedway, once a Cup regular, sat dormant for years, and fans watched other classics fade or shift to lower-tier events while the marquee Clash and exhibition races bounced between places like the Los Angeles Colosseum, the Chicago Street course, and Bowman Gray Stadium.
This rotation of non-traditional venues has drawn mixed reactions, leaving nostalgic fans longing for the ovals and short tracks that generations first fell in love with.
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That nostalgia runs deep in the NASCAR community, and it’s part of why new leadership under Steve O’Donnell has signaled a shift in strategy. But as venues are getting put in place, O’Donnell may have other plans to shake up NASCAR’s lengthy and busy calendar.
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O’Donnell teases major changes in NASCAR Cup schedule
The NASCAR Cup Series currently spans 38 points races over roughly 40 weeks, running from February to November. For most of that stretch, teams are on track nearly every weekend with little downtime.
NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell acknowledged that, while the format has worked, the long grind of the season isn’t necessarily set in stone.
Drivers and plenty of fans have voiced concerns over the years about the lack of off weeks and the overall length of the schedule. By the time the playoffs arrive, the calendar overlaps with football season, and some viewers inevitably shift their attention to the NFL.
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That reality has fueled debate about whether a shorter, more streamlined schedule could help maintain energy and viewership deeper into the year.
Speaking on The Varsity podcast, O’Donnell said NASCAR leadership has already begun discussing what the sport could look like in 2030 and beyond.
“We just had a discussion, actually two hours ago, about 2030, 2031, and if you had a clean sheet of paper, what would the sport look like? Is there a number of races that would make more sense? Could it be 30? Could it be more? Could you have midweek races that, you know, shorten the season? So, I would say all that’s on the table,” he said.
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Even though the playoff format has been eliminated by the new Chase, a break would do no harm. With several years before the next major media cycle, the door appears open for meaningful change.
Potential Sunday tripleheader on tap for NASCAR at Atlanta
If rain does fall at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, on Saturday, NASCAR has a contingency plan ready to go.
There is a chance of rain in Hampton throughout the day Saturday that could threaten NASCAR Cup Series qualifying as well the the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races scheduled for Saturday. Sunday’s forecast for the Cup Series race is clear.
Both the Truck Series and O’Reilly Series being postponed could lead to a unique scenario come Sunday.
NASCAR’s Atlanta contingency plan
Per Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, if both the Truck Series and O’Reilly Series races were to be postponed, Sunday would host a NASCAR tripleheader, with the Trucks leading off, the Cup Series running as scheduled and the O’Reilly Series concluding the evening.
However, as rain chances have diminished, the more likely scenario is that only one race, if either one at all is postponed, would be pushed back, leading to that race being run early Sunday ahead of the Cup Series’ Autotrader 400.
Both the Truck Series and O’Reilly Series were able to qualify Friday after a previously poor forecast cleared up Friday morning.
Cup Series qualifying is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET Saturday, with the Truck Series race scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. ET and the O’Reilly Series race scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
Sunday’s Autotrader 400 will go green shortly after 3 p.m. ET.
NASCAR Garage Put On Notice as Kenny Wallace Sounds Alarm Over $8M Joe Gibbs Racing vs. Chris Gabehart Showdown
Kenny Wallace might as well be a fortune-teller, as he can see the future unfolding right in front of him. The veteran could not help but weigh in on the hottest topic right now, the Joe Gibbs lawsuit against Chris Gabehart, and he did not hesitate to send out warnings to the NASCAR garage. With claims of data being stolen, Gibbs has been left feeling betrayed after decades of loyalty came to an end last year when Gabehart quietly moved on. But as the NASCAR world dives deep into what went wrong, Wallace is already a step ahead, and things may never look the same again.
Speaking on his Kenny Wallace Podcast, the 62-year-old said things will not look the same in the NASCAR garage.
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“This is big. It’s bigger than big. And it’s a loud lawsuit,” he said. “And this will set a precedent. This will change the lives of crew chiefs and competition directors for the rest of their lives. Now, everything, see when you go to work for these teams, you sign all this, you sign non-competes. Crew chiefs, competition directors, you’d better start writing that stuff down at home. Start writing it down at home because you can’t take it with you digitally.”
Historically, crew chiefs and competition directors in NASCAR routinely sign employment agreements that include confidentiality and noncompete provisions as part of their contracts with teams.
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These clauses are designed to protect sensitive competitive information, such as race setup data, performance analytics, pit strategy, formulas, and other proprietary details.
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While the exact language varies by team, confidentiality clauses generally prevent current and former employees from disclosing proprietary information during and after their tenure, and noncompete or non-solicitation provisions can limit their ability to work with direct competitors for a set period.
But with this new JGR lawsuit in hand, the NASCAR teams could see themselves becoming more strict about their rules and clauses.
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At the center of the recent Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit against Chris Gabehart is the accusation that the ex-JGR employee violated exactly these kinds of contractual obligations.
Joe Gibbs alleges that the crew chief embarked on a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information, including payroll details, driver and crew chief compensation data, performance analytics, and race setup files, and then attempted to take that information with him as he negotiated to join Spire Motorsports in a senior role.
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The team claims that Gabehart synced the confidential files to a personal Google Drive folder labelled Spire, took photos of documents, and gambled that information would give Spire a competitive advantage, triggering the lawsuit under federal and state trade secret laws.
If proven, the allegations would echo some of the most serious information disputes in racing history. Formula 1’s 2007 “Spygate” scandal, sparked by Ferrari’s claims that McLaren held proprietary technical documents, resulted in sweeping penalties and permanently altered how teams protected competitive data.
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Filed in the Western District of North Carolina, the complaint seeks more than $8 million in damages plus attorney fees and injunctive relief, essentially asking the court to stop Gabehart from using or disclosing the information he allegedly retained.
However, Gabehart hasn’t been sitting silent. In a recent claim of his own, he denied the allegations against him.
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Gabehart counters JGR’s claims amid ugly lawsuit
While Joe Gibbs Racing has linked Gabehart’s personal Google Drive to the team-issued laptop and maintains that a folder labeled “Spire” exists, Gabehart claims that this is false.
In a statement shared on social media, he said he welcomes the opportunity to prove in court that he did not distribute or misuse any confidential material belonging to JGR.
“I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate to the Court that I have not shared JGR’s confidential information with anyone. In fact, I have already demonstrated that to JGR. A third-party forensic expert retained by JGR recently examined my laptop, cell phone, and personal Google Drive and found no evidence to support the baseless allegations in JGR’s lawsuit,” he wrote.
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Moreover, a third-party forensic expert hired by the team examined his laptop, cell phone, and personal Google Drive and found no evidence supporting the allegations outlined in the lawsuit. Despite the strength of the response, JGR has not publicly addressed his rebuttal.
This dispute is particularly notable given his long tenure with the organization. Gabehart spent more than a decade with the team and previously served as Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, later taking on broader competition leadership responsibilities.
In those roles, he would have had access to sensitive data. However, with new revelations emerging, the NASCAR community is running in circles as the fight between the two intensifies.
Takeaways from Truck Series qualifying at EchoPark Speedway
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series qualified on Friday for Saturday’s Fr8 208 at EchoPark Speedway (1:30 p.m. ET, FS1, NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Here are the three biggest takeaways from Friday’s qualifying session.
ThorSport dominates
Not only did ThorSport Racing drivers Jake Garcia and Ben Rhodes lock out the front row, but the team’s other two drivers, Cole Butcher and Ty Majeski, qualified sixth and seventh, respectively. All four ThorSport trucks will start up front and be able to work together early in the race, putting them in an excellent position to get points at the end of Stage 1.
Qualifying at drafting tracks is not of particularly great importance given how quickly a driver can rise and fall through the running order, but if ThorSport plays its cards right, it can exercise a great deal of control over Saturday’s race.
RAM struggles to find speed again
It’s not shocking that RAM, in just its second week of its return to the NASCAR Truck Series, is struggling to find speed in qualifying. But all five Kaulig RAM entries qualified 25th or worse.
There’s plenty of time for the five RAM trucks to make up ground on Saturday afternoon, but they had better hope they’re quicker in race trim than in qualifying.
Adam Andretti takes to Truck racing quickly
Andretti, 46, is the son of Aldo Andretti and the nephew of legendary race driver Mario Andretti. He’ll make his NASCAR Truck Series debut at EchoPark Speedway on Saturday.
On Friday, in his first on-track Truck Series session, Andretti qualified eighth. He’s in a fast truck, driving the No. 5 Toyota Tundra for TRICON Garage, but he clearly didn’t need much time to acclimate to a new racing discipline on Friday afternoon.
Toyota’s NASCAR Investment Vindicated as President Claims Fan Engagement Has ‘Dramatically’ Boosted Sells
Trying to name a better duo than Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing is nearly impossible. For years, Toyota’s presence in NASCAR was viewed as a long-term campaign, an ambitious investment in a sport deeply rooted in American tradition. Now, that bet appears to be paying off in more ways than one, and Toyota Racing president Tyler Gibbs cannot help but see the changes on track as well.
“When we track the data, which we’ve done since we started in the Truck Series back in 2004, we watch the consideration set. How do we get people to go to the Toyota dealer and consider our products? We do that by engaging with them at the racetrack,” Tyler Gibbs said. “And we have seen the number of NASCAR fans who consider a Toyota when they’re looking to buy a car increase quite dramatically from where it was when we started.”
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Toyota’s entry into NASCAR was methodical and strategic, beginning with the Craftsman Truck Series in 2004 as its first foray into the sport’s national divisions.
After gaining experience and success in trucks, Toyota expanded into the Xfinity Series and then the Cup Series by 2007, with Kyle Busch scoring Toyota’s first victory in 2008 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
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Since then, Toyota has built a formidable presence across all three major national series, amassing wins and establishing itself as a consistent contender alongside long-established American manufacturers.
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Its sustained investment in competition and fan engagement has helped the brand become embraced by many NASCAR followers, marking a shift from its earlier outsider status.
Some of the credit also goes to the cornerstone of Toyota’s NASCAR success, its partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing. Since joining forces in 2008, JGR has been Toyota’s most successful organization on the NASCAR circuit, contributing a significant portion of the manufacturer’s victories, including its 200th Cup Series win in 2025 and numerous Xfinity Series owner championships.
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Toyota’s sustained on-track success through JGR and its other teams, along with consistently placing its drivers in the playoffs, has translated into performance credibility and marketing strength, underscoring Gibbs’ point about fan engagement turning into showroom consideration.
Toyota’s presence has continued to trend upward with the rise of 23XI Racing, owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, which has delivered marquee wins that elevate the brand’s profile among mainstream sports audiences, along with its ties to Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club.
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Last year, Bubba Wallace captured the Brickyard 400, and in 2026, Tyler Reddick drove a Toyota to victory in the prestigious Daytona 500, Toyota’s first win in that event since 2020.
These headline-grabbing triumphs not only showcase Toyota’s competitive strength but also reinforce the connection with fans who see the brand consistently performing on NASCAR’s biggest stages. With the AutoTrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway coming up, it can be said with certainty that all eyes will be on the Toyotas.
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JGR’s strong chances at EchoPark Speedway
Toyota has been one of the most successful manufacturers at EchoPark Speedway, especially with Joe Gibbs Racing. According to records, JGR alone has 12 Cup Series victories at the 1.54-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway, with drivers such as Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and even legends like Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart all contributing wins for Toyota-powered entries.
In 151 combined starts at the facility, the organization has recorded 44 top-five finishes and 66 top-10 finishes, illustrating a strong and consistent presence on the track.
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The 2025 season was especially notable for Toyota at the speedway. Christopher Bell drove his Toyota Camry XSE to victory in the Ambetter Health 400, scoring his first win of the year and marking his 10th career Cup Series victory, with Toyota drivers leading the field.
The organization also saw multiple strong finishes in the race, with Denny Hamlin finishing sixth, Wallace ninth, and John Hunter Nemechek in the top 10, emphasizing how competitive the Toyota stable was throughout the field.
Toyota looks like the organization to beat at EchoPark Speedway, and with the race just around the corner, all eyes will be on Toyota’s NASCAR championship leader, Tyler Reddick.
New players to watch at World Baseball Classic
Those could be international stars from leagues like Japan’s NPB or Korea’s KBO, or even prospects in MLB organizations who just don’t have such a big spotlight on them every day during the Minor League season as they do during the WBC.
Plus, since we now have Statcast tracking for the World Baseball Classic, we can see a lot of cool data about those players that we don’t get to see normally — how hard they hit the ball, how far they crush home runs, their pitch velocity and movement and so on.
In the 2023 WBC, for example, we got our first good look at Munetaka Murakami, who slugged a 115.1 mph homer against the U.S. in the championship game that was the hardest-hit homer of the entire tournament.
Sato was an up-and-coming player in 2023, but he didn’t play in the World Baseball Classic. Now, the 26-year-old lefty slugger is a breakout star for NPB’s Hanshin Tigers, and he’s on Japan’s roster for WBC ’26. Sato hit 40 home runs last season, posted a .924 OPS and won his league’s MVP Award — so we want to see those exit velocity numbers in the WBC. You might even remember him crushing a homer off Blake Snell in an exhibition between Hanshin and the Dodgers before the 2025 season-opening Tokyo Series.
The Japanese pitching staff is always one of the most fun to watch at the WBC — just look at how they dominated everyone with splitters on their 2023 championship run. The 2026 team doesn’t have the huge new superstars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki on the 2023 squad, but there are still some interesting new arms. One is Taneichi, who’s had three straight seasons of 150-plus strikeouts with the Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki’s old team. The 27-year-old right-hander has some interesting stuff, especially his splitter and slider and a four-seamer that gained a couple of mph after he went to Driveline following 2021 Tommy John surgery.
Kim is the top hitter on FanGraphs’ international prospect big board. The Korean third baseman is just 22 years old and has already emerged as a power-speed star in the KBO League. In his age-20 season in 2024, Kim batted .347 with 38 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 109 RBIs, winning the league MVP Award. He missed a lot of the 2025 season due to multiple hamstring injuries, but he’s on Korea’s WBC roster and ready to mash.
Here’s another breakout young slugger from the KBO. Ahn — who’s nicknamed
Just more than half of the ABS challenges successful on 1st day of MLB spring training games
Just more than half of the ball-strike challenges were successful on the first day of spring training games Friday as Major League Baseball prepared for the first regular-season use of the automated ball-strike system — the so-called robot umpires.
Thirteen of 23 calls were overturned during the five games, MLB said, which came to 56.5%.
There were an average of 4.6 challenges per game and 2.6 overturned calls per game.
Chicago Cubs getting acquainted with Automated Ball-Strike challenge system, which debuts in MLB this year
Seven challenges were made of plate umpire Alex MacKay’s calls during Arizona’s 3-2 win over Colorado, and six were successful. The Diamondbacks had four of five decisions reversed and the Rockies were 2 for 2 in challenges.
MLB experimented with the ABS system during spring training last year and teams won 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges (617 of 1,182) challenges.
Each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game. Teams that waste their challenges get one additional challenge in each extra inning. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for big-league teams with video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and widely expanded to many calls for the 2014 season.
Dodgers’ superstar Shohei Ohtani is predicted to lead MLB in these key stats in 2026
According to the latest Depth Charts projections from FanGraphs, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is forecasted to lead all of Major League Baseball in 2026 with 48 home runs, 119 RBIs, 129 runs scored and a thunderous .599 slugging percentage.
His projected .983 OPS trails only one hitter in the model. In other words, the machines and algorithms are predicting dominance.
Again.
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Ohtani already finished among MLB’s elite offensive leaders last season, pacing the league in runs scored, and finishing second in slugging percentage behind only Aaron Judge. His 55 home runs were two more than Judge, but he finished third behind Cal Raleigh (60) and Kyle Schwarber (56).
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts — who has guided Los Angeles to back-to-back World Series titles, and multiple pennants — doesn’t mince words when discussing his generational talent. He has called Ohtani “the best player that’s ever played this game.” Hyperbole? Maybe. But the résumé keeps stacking.
The betting markets agree. Ohtani currently sits atop National League MVP odds at -125, and if his arm cooperates, Cy Young whispers won’t be far behind. Imagine a season where 45-plus homers meets 180 strikeouts on the mound. That isn’t fantasy baseball. That’s the Ohtani proposition.
Major League Baseball’s expanding paywall
Consumer fees are everywhere. They’re even taxing baseball fans.
There is a clear disconnect between the seemingly daily reports of positive economic numbers in Washington and on Wall Street and the economic uncertainty reported in surveys of Americans.
From a purely statistical perspective, consumers should be popping champagne. The stock market continues to break records, sending retirement accounts soaring, as economic growth is expected to reach nearly 4% this year. Truflation, a financial data platform that provides inflation analysis, shows that real-time inflation is now just over 1%, a significant decline.
That’s all great news. Yet, consumer confidence in the economy just hit its worst level in 12 years. Why do consumers feel squeezed when the economic data seems so strong?
The answer is simple: The user taxes and fees consumers see everywhere they turn.
Look no further than the new deal Major League Baseball made with ESPN for out-of-town games, effective Feb. 10.
To watch your team play on the road, you will now have to pay twice: $30 a month for a subscription to ESPN Unlimited and a separate fee for MLB.TV access. The nation’s pastime is hidden behind a double paywall.
Unfortunately, such consumer fees have become par for the course.
Want to watch any new show on a streaming service? Pay a fee. Want to sit on the aisle of an airplane? Pay a fee. Need cash from an ATM? Pay a fee. Want to go to a concert? Ticketmaster adds “convenience fees” that can cost as much as the actual ticket. Your phone bill advertises at $50 a month but ends up costing $75 after taxes, fees and surcharges.
While some of these charges are nothing more than corporations hiding costs, others are the result of misguided government action.
Take, for example, the fees many Americans now pay to keep their bank accounts open. These add-ons came about thanks to large retailers’ D.C. dealmaking.
In 2010, they lobbied Congress to pass a law, now colloquially known as the Durbin Amendment, which capped the fees they pay to merchants every time we swipe our debit cards in their stores. Supporters said at the time that, because this law would save retailers money, they would lower their store prices in return.
However, a growing body of research, including a recent analysis from Robert J. Shapiro of the Progressive Policy Institute, shows that most large retailers pocketed the savings rather than passing them along to consumers. Why? Because banks had to keep our debit cards running, they had no choice but to raise fees to make up the difference.
It doesn’t really matter whether these added costs come from corporate boardrooms or acts of Congress. The result for consumers is always the same: higher monthly bills and greater income inequality.
The ESPN–MLB deal is the latest reminder that strong, topline numbers don’t mean much if the cost of everyday life keeps rising. Until policymakers start judging economic success by what families actually pay — not by what the broader economic data suggest — consumers will keep getting fleeced.
Jason Altmire, a Democrat, is a former member of Congress from Pennsylvania/InsideSources
Yankees spring training schedule
MLB spring training returns for another year in Florida, with baseball fans flocking to Tampa to see what the New York Yankees have in store for the 2026 season.
The Yankees come to Steinbrenner Field after a 94-68 regular season ended with a loss in the AL Division Series to the eventual pennant-winners, the Toronto Blue Jays. Aaron Judge dazzled again, hammering 53 home runs and winning his third MVP award after leading all of baseball with a .331 batting average, .457 on-base percentage and .688 slugging percentage.
Under manager Aaron Boone, the Yankees are bringing back most of their offense that led MLB in runs, re-signing Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger to rejoin Jazz Chisholm and Giancarlo Stanton. They hope Gerritt Cole can regain his top form once he returns from Tommy John surgery and lead a tough pitching staff alongside Max Fried and Carlos Rodon.
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New York started spring training Feb. 20 and will play 33 games over the next month of the preseason, with 17 coming at Steinbrenner Field. The whole squad won’t be around for the full stretch as some will head out to play for their national teams in March as part of the World Baseball Classic. The Yankees will host a WBC warmup against Panama in addition to their standard slate of exhibition games against MLB opponents to get ready for Opening Day.
Here’s what to know about Yankees spring training, including the complete home schedule and how to buy tickets.
Yankees spring training location
The Yankees host spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, where they’ve been since 1996. The stadium has a capacity of just over 11,000. Last year, the Tampa Bay Rays played their regular-season games there after a hurricane did major damage to Tropicana Field, which has since been repaired.
Yankees spring training schedule
Here’s a look at the Yankees’ spring training games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. All times Eastern.
Saturday, Feb. 21: vs. Detroit | 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22: vs. NY Mets | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 25: vs. Washington | 6:35 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26: vs. Atlanta | 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28: vs. Toronto | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3: vs. Panama | 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 5: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 6: vs. Tampa Bay | 6:35 p.m.
Monday, March 9: vs. Pittsburgh | 6:35 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11: vs. Toronto | 6:35 p.m.
Saturday, March 14: vs. Philadelphia | 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 15: vs. Detroit (split squad) | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18: vs. Boston | 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 19: vs. Baltimore (split squad) | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 20: vs. Baltimore | 6:35 p.m.
Saturday, March 21: Yankees prospects vs. Braves prospects | 6:35 p.m.
Sunday, March 22: vs. Philadelphia | 1:05 p.m.
Yankees spring training tickets
Tickets for the 2026 spring training home opener between the Yankees and Tigers are available on StubHub for $56 with standing room and $70 with seats as of Feb. 18. Fans can also buy tickets on the official Yankees website.
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When does MLB season begin?
Opening Day is Thursday, March 26. However, the Yankees start a day early with their first game at the San Francisco Giants set for 8:05 p.m. ET Wednesday, March 25 in a game that will be broadcast nationally on Netflix. New York’s opener at Yankee Stadium will be Friday, April 3 vs. the Miami Marlins at 1:35 p.m.
Blue Jays spring training schedule
MLB spring training returns for another year in Florida, with baseball fans streaming to Dunedin to see what the Toronto Blue Jays have in store for the 2026 season.
The Jays come to TD Ballpark after nearly winning the third World Series in franchise history. Their 94-68 record gave them the top seed in the American League playoffs, and they dispatched the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners en route to their first pennant since back-to-back titles in 1992 and ’93. Thanks to heroics by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and rookie Trey Yesavage, among other, they took the Los Angeles Dodgers to Game 7 before losing one of the greatest World Series in memory.
Under manager John Schneider, the Blue Jays look to improve on last year’s incredible run. They lost star Bo Bichette to the New York Mets but signed Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto in his place. Max Scherzer could still return to the pitching staff, but for now they’re rolling with newcomer Dylan Cease alongside Yesavage, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and Jose Berrios.
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Toronto will play 30 games over the next month of the preseason, with 15 coming in Dunedin. The whole squad won’t be around for the full stretch as some will head out to play for their national teams in March as part of the World Baseball Classic. The Jays will host a WBC warmup against Canada in addition to their standard slate of exhibition games against MLB opponents to get ready for Opening Day.
Here’s what to know about Blue Jays spring training, including the complete home schedule and how to buy tickets.
Blue Jays spring training location
The Blue Jays host spring training at TD Ballpark in Dunedin. The stadium was built in 1990 and has a capacity of 8,500.
Blue Jays spring training schedule
Here’s a look at the Blue Jays’ spring training games at TD Ballpark in Dunedin. All times Eastern.
Saturday, Feb. 21: vs. Philadelphia | 1:07 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 23: vs. NY Mets | 1:07 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24: vs. NY Yankees | 1:07 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26: vs. Miami | 1:07 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28: vs. Philadelphia (split squad) | 1:07 p.m.
Monday, March 2: vs. Boston | 1:07 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3: vs. Canada | 1:07 p.m.
Friday, March 6: vs. Pittsburgh | 1:07 p.m.
Sunday, March 8: vs. Detroit (split squad) | 1:07 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10: vs. Atlanta | 1:07 p.m.
Friday, March 13: vs. Minnesota | 1:07 p.m.
Saturday, March 14: vs. Detroit | 1:07 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18: vs. Baltimore | 1:07 p.m.
Thursday, March 19: vs. NY Yankees | 1:07 p.m.
Sunday, March 22: vs. Tampa Bay | 1:07 p.m.
Blue Jays spring training tickets
Tickets for the 2026 spring training home opener between the Blue Jays and Phillies are available on StubHub for $42 with standing room and $66 with seats as of Feb. 18. Fans can also buy tickets on the official Blue Jays website.
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When does MLB season begin?
Opening Day is Thursday, March 26. However, the Blue Jays’ first game of the season comes Friday, March 27 at 7:07 p.m. ET against the Athletics at Rogers Centre.
Phillies spring training schedule
MLB spring training returns for another year in Florida, with baseball fans streaming to Clearwater to see what the Philadelphia Phillies have in store for the 2026 season.
The Phillies come to BayCare Ballpark after a fourth straight playoff appearance and second straight NL East title. But their 96-66 season ended with a gut-wrenching NLDS loss to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, a series in which they lost three games by a combined four runs. The Phils fielded the runners-up in both the NL MVP and Cy Young races with Kyle Schwarber hitting a career-high 56 home runs and Cristopher Sanchez posting a 2.50 ERA with 212 strikeouts.
Under manager Rob Thomson, the Phils feel their championship window is still open with the likes of Bryce Harper and Trea Turner still in the everyday lineup. Zack Wheeler is on track to rejoin Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo in the rotation at some point this season, while Adolis Garcia and rookie Justin Crawford will look to boost the outfield after the team released Nick Castellanos. Brad Keller was brought in to be the bridge to last year’s big trade acquisition, closer Jhoan Duran.
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Philly will play 32 games over the next month of the preseason, with 17 coming in Clearwater. The whole squad won’t be around for the full stretch as some will head out to play for their national teams in March as part of the World Baseball Classic. The Phillies will host a WBC warmup against Canada in addition to their standard slate of exhibition games against MLB opponents to get ready for Opening Day.
Here’s what to know about Phillies spring training, including the complete home schedule and how to buy tickets.
Phillies spring training location
The Phillies host spring training at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, where they’ve spent the preseason since 1947. The stadium was built in 2004 and has a capacity of 8,272.
Phillies spring training schedule
Here’s a look at the Phillies’ spring training games at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater. All times Eastern.
Sunday, Feb. 22: vs. Pittsburgh | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 25: vs. Detroit | 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26: vs. Washington | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27: vs. Miami (split squad) | 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 1: vs. NY Yankees | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4: vs. Canada | 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 5: vs. Boston | 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 7: vs. Toronto | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10: vs. NY Yankees | 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 12: vs. Toronto | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 13: vs. Baltimore | 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 15: vs. Atlanta | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 17: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 19: vs. Tampa Bay | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 20: vs. Detroit | 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 21: Phillies prospects vs. Blue Jays prospects | 1:05 p.m.
Monday, March 23: vs. Tampa Bay | 12:05 p.m.
Phillies spring training tickets
Tickets for the 2026 spring training home opener between the Tigers and Pirates are available on StubHub for $51 on the berm and $55 with seats as of Feb. 18. Fans can also buy tickets on the official Phillies website.
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When does MLB season begin?
Rays spring training schedule
MLB spring training returns for another year in Florida, with baseball fans bound for Port Charlotte to see what the Tampa Bay Rays have in store for the 2026 season.
The Rays come to Charlotte Sports Park after a 77-85 campaign in 2025, their second straight year missing the playoffs after the longest string of success in franchise history. Tampa played their home games at Steinbrenner Field, the spring home of the AL East rival New York Yankees, but Tropicana Field is up and running 18 months after getting wrecked by Hurricane Milton. They’ve also secured their future with a new stadium planned near Hillsborough College.
Under manager Kevin Cash, the Rays will look to return to playoff contention as they prepare to send off the Trop. Junior Caminero emerged as the team’s centerpiece, finishing ninth in AL MVP voting after hitting 45 home runs and 110 RBIs at just 21 years old. He’ll look to be bolstered by Yandy Diaz and newcomers Gavin Lux and Cedric Mullins, while Drew Rasmussen and Shane McClanahan leading the pitching staff.
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Tampa Bay will play 32 games over the next month of the preseason, with 14 coming in Port Charlotte. The whole squad won’t be around for the full stretch as some will head out to play for their national teams in March as part of the World Baseball Classic. The Rays will host a WBC warmup against the Netherlands in addition to their standard slate of exhibition games against MLB opponents to get ready for Opening Day.
Here’s what to know about Rays spring training, including the complete home schedule and how to buy tickets.
Rays spring training location
The Rays host spring training at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida. It was built in 1987, and Tampa Bay has played spring games there since 2009. The stadium has a seating capacity of 7,670.
Rays spring training schedule
Here’s a look at the Rays’ spring training games at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte. All times Eastern.
Saturday, Feb. 21: vs. Atlanta | 1:05 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 23: vs. Boston | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27: vs. Toronto | 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28: vs. Detroit | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3: vs. Philadelphia (split squad) | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4: vs. Netherlands | 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 5: vs. Baltimore | 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 8: vs. Atlanta | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 15: vs. Pittsburgh | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 17: vs. NY Yankees | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 20: vs. Boston | 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 21: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Rays spring training tickets
Tickets for the 2026 spring training opener between the Rays and Braves are available on StubHub for $18 on the berm and $27 for seats as of Feb. 18. Fans can also buy tickets on the official Rays website.
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When does MLB season begin?
Braves spring training schedule
MLB spring training returns for another year in Florida, with baseball fans headed for North Port to see what the Atlanta Braves have in store for the 2026 season.
The Braves come to CoolToday Park after their worst season in nearly a decade, going 76-86 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider returned from injuries in 2024, but neither put up the same numbers from before they got hurt. Matt Olson led the National League in doubles but hit just 29 home runs, and Chris Sale followed up his Cy Young campaign with a solid 2025.
Under new manager Walt Weiss, the Braves will look to right the ship in 2026. Robert Suarez joins Raisel Iglesias to form a tough back end of the bullpen, while Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley hope to recover their bats after Marcel Ozuna left in free agency.
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Atlanta will play 32 games over the next month of the preseason, with 16 coming in North Port. The whole squad won’t be around for the full stretch as some will head out to play for their national teams in March as part of the World Baseball Classic. The Braves will host a WBC warmup against Colombia in addition to their standard slate of exhibition games against MLB opponents to get ready for Opening Day.
Here’s what to know about Braves spring training, including the complete home schedule and how to buy tickets.
Braves spring training location
The Braves host spring training at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida. It was built in 2019 as the new spring home of the Braves, who previously played at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. The stadium has a seating capacity of 8,000.
Braves spring training schedule
Here’s a look at the Braves’ spring training games at CoolToday Park in North Port. All times Eastern.
Sunday, Feb. 22: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24: vs. Detroit | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 25: vs. Pittsburgh | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27: vs. Boston | 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 1: vs. Tampa Bay (split squad) | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4: vs. Colombia | 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 5: vs. Toronto | 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 7: vs. Baltimore | 1:05 p.m.
Monday, March 9: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11: vs. Tampa Bay | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 13: vs. NY Yankees | 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 14: vs. Boston | 6:05 p.m.
Monday, March 16: vs. Tampa Bay | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18: vs. Philadelphia | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 20: vs. Pittsburgh | 6:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24: vs. Tampa Bay | 12:05 p.m.
Braves spring training tickets
Tickets for the 2026 spring training home opener between the Braves and Twins are available for $43 on StubHub as of Feb. 18. Fans can also buy tickets on the official Braves website.
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When does MLB season begin?
Opening Day is Thursday, March 26. However, the Braves’ first game of the season comes Friday, March 27 at 7:15 p.m. ET against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park.
From Adames to Wentz: Record-setting 78 former Tigers in MLB camps this spring
LAKELAND, Fla. — As the spring exhibition season gets underway on Saturday, there are a whopping 78 former Detroit Tigers in camp, competing for spots on 28 different teams.
That’s a new record in our annual survey, topping the 73 ex-Tigers at the start of camp in 2025 and 2023.
That’s often a good sign. It means the Tigers’ roster is more difficult to crack, so good players get squeezed off or never get an opportunity. It could also reflect a more aggressive churn at the bottom of the 40-man roster and even in the upper levels of the minor leagues.
One notable aspect of this year’s survey is the number of Tigers minor-league free agents who ended up in other camps: catcher Eliezer Alfonzo (Los Angeles Dodgers); first baseman Jake Holton (San Francisco Giants); infielders Jim Jarvis (Atlanta Braves) and Riley Unroe (Houston Astros); and left-hander Andrew Magno (Baltimore Orioles).
They’re among a group of 30 players who were part of the Tigers organization at some point last year and are now in other camps.
The Philadelphia Phillies, led by former Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski, are the only team without an ex-Tiger in camp after releasing Nick Castellanos. The Giants lead the way with nine ex-Tigers.
Check out the list below and let me know if you find anyone we missed. Players with an asterisk are non-roster invitees.
Arizona Diamondbacks
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
RHP Paul Sewald
C James McCann
RHP Derek Law*
OF Oscar Mercado*
Athletics
RHP Elvis Alvarado
RHP Mark Leiter Jr.
IF Andy Ibáñez
RHP Geoff Hartlieb*
C Brian Serven*
Chicago Cubs
LHP Matthew Boyd
RHP Shelby Miller
LHP Caleb Thielbar
C Carson Kelly
Chicago White Sox
OF Derek Hill
Cincinnati Reds
IF Eugenio Suárez
OF Dane Myers
LHP Anthony Misiewicz*
Cleveland Guardians
RHP Carlos Hernandez*
RHP Codi Heuer*
Colorado Rockies
RHP Michael Lorenzen
RHP RJ Petit
IF/OF Willi Castro
RHP John Brebbia*
Kansas City Royals
RHP Alex Lange
RHP John Schreiber
Los Angeles Angels
IF Jeimer Candelario*
Los Angeles Dodgers
C Eliezer Alfonzo*
IF Keston Hiura*
Milwaukee Brewers
OF Akil Baddoo
IF Eddys Leonard*
San Diego Padres
RHP Ty Adcock
OF Nick Castellanos
IF Nick Solak*
San Francisco Giants
RHP Jason Foley
LHP Matt Gage
LHP Robbie Ray
IF Willy Adames
RHP Michael Fulmer*
LHP Nick Margevicius*
C Eric Haase*
IF Jake Holton*
IF Buddy Kennedy*
Seattle Mariners
RHP Randy Dobnak*
Texas Rangers
LHP Tyler Alexander
Atlanta Braves
RHP Joe Jimenez
LHP Joey Wentz
IF Jim Jarvis*
OF Jose Azocar*
OF Brewer Hicklen*
OF Ben Gamel*
Baltimore Orioles
LHP Dietrich Enns
LHP Andrew Magno*
Boston Red Sox
RHP Devin Sweet*
Houston Astros
IF Isaac Paredes
IF Riley Unroe*
Miami Marlins
RHP Chris Paddack
C Liam Hicks
Minnesota Twins
IF Ryan Kreidler
IF/OF Kody Clemens
LHP Andrew Chafin*
IF Gio Urshela*
New York Mets
RHP Reed Garrett
New York Yankees
RHP Kervin Castro
RHP Rafael Montero*
C Ali Sanchez*
IF Zack Short*
Philadelphia Phillies
none
Pittsburgh Pirates
LHP Gregory Soto
RHP Jose Urquidy
RHP Beau Burrows*
St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Gerson Moreno*
Tampa Bay Rays
RHP Mason Englert
RHP Edwin Uceta
OF Justyn-Henry Malloy
OF Ryan Vilade
Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Chase Lee
Washington Nationals
LHP PJ Poulin
IF Sergio Alcántara*
Buffalo Bills’ Top Offseason Target Declared, Per NFL Commentator
With all of the uncertainty surrounding the Buffalo Bills’ offseason, one thing is for sure—well, according to one NFL commentator.
Bills pregame and postgame host Nate Geary has planted his flag and declared who the Bills should pursue to help bolster their wide receiver room. Well, if the player becomes available, that is.
Geary posted on his X account on Tuesday that the name burning a hole in his brain is Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who is still under contract by the Colts. With that said, The Athletic’s James Boyd mentioned Pittman Jr. as a potential cut candidate in a recent article.
RELATED: Buffalo Bills’ High-Priced Free Agent is Franchise Tag Option
There’s interest
“The veteran wideout, who turns 29 in October, has a $29 million cap hit in 2026,” wrote Boyd. “There is no way Indianapolis will pay him that salary, especially after Alec Pierce supplanted him as the team’s No. 1 receiver. Pittman could either restructure his contract to reduce his salary and remain with the Colts, or they could release him.”
Those words struck Geary’s fancy, who posted, “He’s my number one target [in my opinion]. He fits the Bills perfectly. Boundary guy who can bump inside. Still young. Flashes on dominance.”
MORE: Graphic Injury Update Displayed by Buffalo Bills’ WR With Free Agency Approaching
The host of WGR 550’s Overtime Show was on point with his analysis, particularly when referencing Pittman Jr.’s early-career marks. The former six-year veteran totaled 3,159 yards receiving from 2021 to 2023, but has fallen off in recent seasons. Pittman Jr. recorded just 1,592 yards receiving combined over the past two years. He did find the end zone seven times during the 2025 campaign, displaying the flashes of dominance Geary was referring to.
Additionally. regarding his versatility, Pittman Jr. lined up outside 66% of the time and in the slot 30.6% of the time during the ’25 campaign, according to Pro Football Focus.
Another option
The Bills could also elect to trade for Pittman Jr., given the Colts would be willing to eat some of his sizable cap hits the next two seasons. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently wrote an article presenting various trade possibilities for various teams, and one included Pittman Jr. The deal was sending Pittman Jr. and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for WR Xavier Legette and a 2026 fifth-round pick.
Substitute Keon Coleman in for Legette, and you have yourself a deal.
RELATED: Joe Brady makes bold prediction on future of Bills’ downfield passing game
With that said, it would likely take more than that for the Bills if they expect the Colts to eat some of the money remaining on Pittman’s contract, which in and of itself may be unlikely. Even if the Bills had to throw in an extra 2027 fifth-round pick or something similar to sweeten the deal, it might be worth it.
The Bills are thirsting for improvement on the outside for quarterback Josh Allen to continue to work his MVP-level magic under center. Pittman Jr. could help wet Buffalo’s whistle.
NFL Mock Draft: Jets Select Potential Superstar at Pick No. 2
The New York Jets are in a very interesting spot right now. They’re rebuilding and they don’t have a quarterback. The team lacks direction, too. While all of these aspects of the game are lacking for the Jets, they have plenty of draft capital to begin this rebuild in the right direction.
The Jets hold the No. 2 pick and the No. 16 pick in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft. They also hold three first round picks in next year’s NFL draft. To put the cherry on top, the Jets hold numerous second round picks over the next two years, including the top second round selection this year.
But they can’t afford to miss with their draft picks this year.
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Jacob Camenker of The Tennessean recently put together a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. With the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft, Camenker predicted the Jets would select Ohio State Buckeyes edge rusher Arvell Reese after the superstar linebacker put together a huge year in Columbus.
Arvell Reese is the clear selection at pick No. 2
Seahawks’ Cooper Kupp Confirms Future NFL Plans After Winning Super Bowl vs. Patriots
For star wideout Cooper Kupp, his homecoming to Washington State with the Seattle Seahawks has been nothing short of perfect. His trade to the Seahawks was a gamble that paid off with a Lombardi Trophy, but the veteran receiver is already looking past the celebration to his next move, as he revealed during his appearance on the New Heights podcast hosted by Travis and Jason Kelce.
“I’ve got so much gratitude for this journey, for what this year has been,” Kupp said. “I think you can take a couple of days and enjoy this. It’s the NFL. This team that we had this year is not going to be the same. The 2026- 27 season for the Seattle Seahawks technically starts now. And so we’re already behind. The journey is everything. If you’re living for this week, this is one week. You get to enjoy the game, be with your family, and reflect on it. The parade happens, and it’s like, you got to move forward.”
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With this statement, Cooper Kupp hints that he will be staying with the Seahawks for another season. After all, his contract and the team’s recent move likely confirm it. When the Seahawks signed Kupp last spring, they played it smart. The deal was quietly team-friendly.
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Kupp got $26.5 million guaranteed on a three-year, $45 million contract, with most of that front-loaded in Year 1. The key part came later, as an extra $9 million was set to lock in if he was still on the roster five days after Super Bowl LX. That deadline came and went, and Kupp never went anywhere. That window to save money is gone now.
With the guarantee now locked, it’s a pretty loud sign Seattle plans to keep him around for 2026. And honestly, it makes sense. You don’t move on from a proven, big-game receiver after just one season. However, this urgency from Kupp towards the future could also be his need to have an improved performance in the new league year after his lower-production year since 2018, when he played just eight games.
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For the Seahawks, Kupp caught 47 of 70 passes for 593 yards and two scores in 16 regular-season games. He had a similar performance in the postseason as he added 157 yards and a score on 15 catches before leading Seattle with six receptions on 12 targets for 61 yards in the Big Game. This 61-yard effort was his highest in the postseason and his third-highest this season.
While those numbers remain a concern, especially given his production with the Los Angeles Rams, Cooper Kupp’s impact on the Seattle Seahawks offense has been far greater. He has emerged as an important mentor to Offensive Player of the Year Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who finished the season with 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. When discussing their mentor-mentee relationship, Smith-Njigba had nothing but praise for Kupp.
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“Coop instantly elevates the entire room. I grew up watching him, so working with him every day has been huge for me,” he said, as per DAZN. “The biggest thing I’ve learned is how intentional he is. Every step, every release, every route has a purpose. He’s helped me slow the game down and be more precise in how I attack coverages.”
These priceless contributions highlight how Cooper Kupp, despite his reduced production, continues to give back to his teammates and has emerged as an important member of the Seahawks. Highlighting these qualities, the franchise head coach, Mike Macdonald, made a case for the veteran wideout’s potential Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.
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Macdonald makes a Hall of Fame case for Cooper Kupp
After winning Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots, Mike Macdonald made a bold claim about his veteran wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, suggesting that the Lombardi Trophy victory should secure his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Seattle Seahawks head coach also pointed to the mentor role Kupp embraced this season as another reason supporting his eventual enshrinement in Canton and his return to the team next year.
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“Cooper is an absolute force multiplier, an absolute stud of a person, stud of a teammate,” Seahawks skipper Mike Macdonald said, as per the NFL.com. “This should cement him in the Hall of Fame, in my opinion. Super Bowl MVP, two-time champion, all-time great teammate.”
In his nine seasons playing for the Los Angeles Rams and the Seahawks, Cooper Kupp has recorded 681 receptions for 8,369 yards and has scored 59 touchdowns. He was selected to play in one Pro Bowl, while winning one Offensive Player of the Year award, one Super Bowl MVP award, and two championships.
Whether these numbers are enough for a golden jacket, only time will tell, but in the meantime, Cooper Kupp will focus on the next season, giving his best for the Seahawks and pushing for his third Lombardi Trophy.
Caleb Williams Sets Extremely Lofty Goal for Bears Offense in 2026 Season
The Bears produced an incredible 2025 season by finishing 11–6 in the regular season, their best record since 2018. After its excellent campaign, Chicago had legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, but ended up losing in the divisional round of the playoffs in a heartbreaker against the Rams.
But, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams doesn’t seem deterred by how last season ended. Instead, he’s even more confident than ever in his squad heading into the 2026 season.
His goal? For the Bears to become the greatest scoring offense in the history of the NFL.
“I really want to become the greatest offense this year, that’s really on my mind. Being able to find ways to put up points every single time we’re out there,” Williams said when speaking on The Rush With Maxx Crosby this week.
Williams referenced the 2013 Broncos, led by Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, the team that’s often regarded as the greatest scoring offense of all-time based on numbers. Denver averaged 37.9 points per game, which is an NFL record that Williams has his sights on breaking in 2026. Manning threw for a record 55 touchdowns in ‘13, too, so Williams is likely eyeing that number as well.
Last season, Williams’s third year in the NFL, he threw for 27 touchdowns––less than half of what Manning threw in ‘13. The Bears averaged 25.9 points per game, a big improvement from the year prior when they averaged 18.2 points per game in Williams’s rookie season, but they’ll still need to make some major offensive improvements if they’re to achieve Williams’s lofty goal.
We’ll see what Williams and the Bears can accomplish.
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Tony Clark resigns as head of MLB Players Association ahead of labor talks, sources say
Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, a person familiar with the union’s deliberations said Tuesday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because his decision had not yet been announced. The union planned to make the announcement later Tuesday.
Clark’s decision took place during an investigation by the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, into OneTeam Partners, a licensing company founded by the union, the NFL Players Association and RedBird Capital Partners in 2019.
Bills Consider ‘Dream Trade Scenario’ for Elite WR to Help Josh Allen
The Bills might be in the market for an elite wide receiver this offseason. Buffalo needs to find a legitimate No. 1 option for Josh Allen to throw to, and one high-profile player could be making waves in the trade discussions.
Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown could be on the move this offseason, and if Philadelphia is looking to move him, the Bills need to pick up the phone immediately.
Bills Trading for Brown Could Be a “Dream Scenario”
Brown might be the crucial missing piece to elevate Buffalo’s offense, and according to Moe Moton from Bleacher Report, trading for Brown could be a “dream scenario” for the Bills.
“This blockbuster move will generate lasting buzz, and it would be an ideal fit for both parties if the Buffalo Bills can reallocate their cap space to gain more flexibility,” Moton wrote on Tuesday. “The Bills are about $12.3 million over the cap threshold.
“Financial hurdles aside, the Bills can make a splashy move that will transform their mediocre pass-catching group. In 2025, Khalil Shakir led the team with 72 catches and 719 receiving yards. He’s the best of a unit that desperately needs a go-to target and an explosive playmaker. A.J. Brown checks both boxes.”
The Bills ought to seriously consider a trade for Brown, even though it might require them to give up a few significant draft picks.
The decision by Buffalo to dismiss head coach Sean McDermott on Jan. 19 stemmed from the Bills’ inability to reach the Super Bowl under his leadership. As they move forward, the team should adopt the same aggressive approach in talent acquisition this offseason as they did when parting ways with McDermott.
Brown has played in two Super Bowls, winning one and losing the other while with the Eagles. He could lend his Super Bowl experience to a team that is looking to turn the tide and improve its chances.
In 105 career games, Brown has recorded a total of 8,029 receiving yards and scored 56 touchdowns. He might even have better statistics playing alongside Allen, who would be the best quarterback he’s ever teamed up with in his career.
Buffalo Could Face a Few Issues
The main issue with the Bills possibly trading for Brown is that the Eagles need to be open to moving him. As of Tuesday, it doesn’t seem to be a foregone conclusion that Brown will be on the move.
“According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Philadelphia Eagles have not yet engaged in trade talks involving Brown,” Moton added. “However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler talked to league executives who expect the Eagles to at least entertain offers for the three-time Pro Bowler.”
If the Eagles decide to open negotiations with Brown, the Bills may face significant competition, potentially even from a team in their own division.
The New England Patriots may also be eyeing a top wide receiver this offseason, and they have plenty of draft capital and salary cap space to make a deal happen for Brown.
The coming month will be interesting to see how the Bills strengthen their core.
Chargers Predicted to Land Justin Herbert
After two poor playoff performances under former offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Los Angeles Chargers have hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to take his spot.
McDaniel was a hot name in the 2026 coaching cycle, getting head coaching and offensive coordinator interviews before landing with the Bolts.
Now paired with Justin Herbert, the Chargers’ offense is expected to improve with McDaniel calling the plays.
Getting Justin Herbert More Weapons
Justin Herbert received an MVP vote, with The 33rd Team analyst Sam Monson, who voted for Herbert, mentioned that the quarterback was making miracles happen with one of the worst offensive lines in the league.
Mike McDaniel said that he would like for Herbert not to make as many “heroic” plays to win.
Outside of fixing the offensive line, adding another weapon for the QB can help his productivity next season.
NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his latest mock draft, predicting the Chargers will select Oregon Duck tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
“Sadiq is the perfect weapon for a creative offensive mind like Mike McDaniel. With the tight end joining Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris and Oronde Gadsden II, the OC would have a lot to work with in his first year with the Chargers,” Jeremiah wrote.
Sadiq had his best collegiate season with the Oregon Ducks, logging 560 receiving yards and 8 touchdown catches, averaging 11 yards per reception.
Jeremiah rated the tight end as the 21st overall prospect for the upcoming draft and the number one overall tight end, respectively.
“Sadiq is a short, muscled-up tight end with outstanding speed and athleticism. At Oregon, he primarily aligned attached or in the slot, but he also saw some reps out wide and in the backfield. He is very explosive in his release and he’s able to separate vertically on seam/wheel routes. He excels on quick screens, where he can display his dynamic run-after-catch skills,” Jeremiah said of the tight end.
“I love his competitiveness and tenacity as a blocker. He latches on, runs his feet and works to finish. Overall, Sadiq lacks height and consistent hands, but he is a versatile, explosive weapon with toughness.”
With changes to the offense all across the board, Sadiq could have a good season if things go well.
Kenyon Sadiq Lower In TE Depth Chart
While drafting Kenyon Sadiq, the Bolts will give Justin Herbert another weapon. However, LA already has a number one tight end.
Oronde Gadsden, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft from Syracuse, had a good rookie season, registering 664 receiving yards and 3 touchdown receptions on 49 catches.
Justin Herbert has become familiar with Gadsden over the past season, targeting the tight end a minimum of five times in 9 games.
The TE had his best game in the Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, where he had 164 receiving yards and a touchdown catch on 7 receptions.
While developing more chemistry with Herbert and will now be under Mike McDaniel, Gadsden is set up to have a better sophomore season.
Cowboys Legend Emmitt Smith Says He Got Mad on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ After Jerry Springer Brought Out His Competitive Side
Emmitt Smith is a household name for NFL fans, but he gained a whole new group of admirers when he swapped his football cleats for ballroom shoes. He showed the world that his famous “quick feet” could do more than just score touchdowns. For 15 seasons, Smith’s greatest rivals were Hall of Fame defenders. But in 2006, his competitive drive was unexpectedly ignited by the then-talk show host, Jerry Springer, whom the former NFL player recalled on an episode of the NXT Chapter Podcast.
“I wasn’t scared, but I was nervous,” the football icon opened up about whether he felt any stage fright during his first appearance on Dancing with the Stars. “And I was nervous because I was so busy thinking about, ‘What are people going to say about me?’ I mean, what if I look crazy up here trying to dance? Even though I think I got some rhythm and I got some groove and everything else, what are people going to say? And so, when I did my very first cha-cha, and the people were excited about seeing me dance, I was like, ‘Okay, maybe I can do this.’”
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However, his true competitive nature really came out during the tango. When he scored an 18, and his friend Jerry Springer scored a 21, Emmitt was genuinely frustrated, saying, “I was mad. That’s when the competitive side of me came out.”
Smith realized he couldn’t just balance his business life and dancing anymore; he had to go all in.
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“Week two, I came back and did a quickstep,” he explained. “It was one of those where you’re in hold and pose, and I had to learn these things, body posture and everything else. Moving around and gliding on the floor felt good. It felt… I felt like Fred Astaire for some reason. I just felt like I’m doing something that I’ve never done before, and it doesn’t look bad, right?”
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Emmitt eventually excelled in the ballroom by using the same natural balance and agility that made him a star in the NFL. On the dance floor, those traits helped him become the Season 3 Champion, making him the first NFL player to win the “Mirrorball Trophy.” His success proved that elite athletes could master the grace of ballroom dancing, and he remains one of the most beloved contestants in the show’s history.
The reason for his earlier nerves made sense, given his massive reputation.
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Emmitt Smith played in the NFL for 15 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys and later with the Arizona Cardinals. During his time in the league, he became a football icon, leading the Cowboys to three Super Bowl championships and earning the NFL MVP title in 1993. By the time he retired after the 2004 season, he had become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards, a record that still stands today.
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The NFL still considers Emmitt Smith as one of the greatest RBs in NFL history
People often debate who the greatest running back in NFL history is, but Emmitt Smith is always at the center of that conversation. As the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, he finished his career with a massive 18,355 yards, making him the only player ever to break the 17,000-yard barrier. His dominance was unmatched during his prime; he led the entire league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns three times within just a few years.
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Smith’s ability to find the end zone was legendary. He holds the record for the most career rushing touchdowns with 164 and ranks second in total touchdowns scored, trailing only Jerry Rice. He was remarkably consistent, setting a record by rushing for over 1,000 yards in 11 straight seasons. In 1995, he set a high bar by scoring at least one rushing touchdown in 15 different games. Alongside Jerry Rice, he is one of only two non-kickers to ever score more than 1,000 career points.
His greatness was even more apparent during the playoffs. Smith holds the NFL records for postseason rushing yards, touchdowns, and 100-yard games. He was the engine behind the Dallas Cowboys’ dynasty of the 1990s, helping them become the first team to win three Super Bowls in just four years. He even took home the NFL MVP and the Super Bowl MVP awards in the same season in 1993.
With the Arizona Cardinals, too, he set multiple records, including the NFL record for the most career 100-yard rushing games. On October 24, 2004, against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded his 78th career 100-yard game, surpassing Walter Payton.
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Emmitt Smith may not have been the fastest or the most elusive back to ever lace up cleats, but he was undeniably the most competitive. After all, he began playing organized football at the age of eight, often competing against older children. His college and NFL careers were a masterpiece of consistency, vision, and iron-willed toughness, which he kept showing even after he retired from the field.
LeBron James Gets Surprise Backing From NFL Legend Amid Stephen A. Smith Controversy
Stephen A. Smith has built a career on provocative takes, but his latest one – blaming LeBron James for the decline of the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest – sparked backlash from an unexpected corner of the sports world. Enter Ryan Clark.
The former NFL Pro Bowler forcefully pushed back on the narrative that James is somehow responsible for the perceived dip in All-Star Weekend excitement. While Smith argued that LeBron’s long-standing refusal to participate in the Dunk Contest set a tone that other superstars followed, Clark dismissed the criticism entirely.
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“Stop blaming LeBron for everything! No way he’s ruined ball the way some say he has. In fact, for 2 decades, he’s only elevated the NBA. Bout time y’all acknowledge that!” Clark wrote on X along with a video clip.
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“He didn’t ruin the All-Star game or the dunk contest, & if he wants a farewell tour he’s earned it. Dude is going to retire sooner than later. An era will end, & the game will miss him!” Clark added.
The debate taps into a familiar media cycle: LeBron as both gravitational center and convenient scapegoat. But this time, the defense didn’t come from inside the NBA – it came from the NFL.
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In the video, he urges people to stop blaming LeBron James for everything. He believes that the Lakers’ veteran is at least one of the top three players of all time in the NBA. He wants people to show him more respect for what he has achieved in his career. Clark also argued that LeBron was part of some of the most competitive All-Star games in the early 2000s.
However, Stephen A. Smith doesn’t agree with the NFL legend Ryan Clark when it comes to All-Star games
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What was Stephen A. Smith’s NBA All-Star criticism of LeBron James?
The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend delivered the jolt the league desperately needed. With viewership for the All-Star Game jumping 87% compared to last season, the NBA’s gamble on a USA vs. World format paid off in a major way. Star power, competitive pride, and a clearer narrative framework gave fans a reason to tune in again.
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From Michael Jordan to Vince Carter, and even the cultural resurgence sparked by Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon, the contest once felt like appointment viewing. This year, it didn’t.
None of the four participants entered with real star gravity, and without that built-in intrigue, the margin for error shrinks. Creativity has to compensate for a lack of name recognition. Instead, the performances felt solid but unspectacular, technically sound, yet lacking the kind of viral, culture-shifting moment that defines great dunk contests.
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That contrast became even sharper when compared to the previous few years, when Mac McClung turned himself into must-watch theater. McClung’s run wasn’t just about execution; it was about audacity. He attacked the contest like it still mattered. This year’s field, fairly or not, never generated that same electricity.
Eventually, Miami Heat‘s Keshad Johnson won the Dunk Contest this year.
Following the event, Stephen A Smith shockingly blamed non-participant LeBron James for the Dunk Contest’s failure this year. “I’m going to blame LeBron James,” Smith said in his latest appearance on ‘First Take’. “Now, I’ve sat here for months, and I’ve applauded his greatness and all the things he has done, and he has meant to the NBA, but I’ve said it, and I’m going to be very consistent…The person who really is the provocateur to ruin the slam dunk contest is him.”
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Smith’s criticism isn’t new. He has long argued that LeBron’s absence, despite his nightly in-game highlight dunks, helped erode the contest’s star appeal and set a tone for other elites to skip it. This echoes his recurring theme that LeBron’s refusal, especially after teasing participation in years like 2010, diminished the event’s cultural draw.
LeBron publicly suggested in 2009-2010 he’d enter the 2010 dunk contest in Dallas, telling Cheryl Miller he’d “put my name in,” but he didn’t participate, letting Nate Robinson win. This fueled backlash and Smith’s recurring narrative of LeBron diminishing the event.
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LeBron has addressed the topic directly over the years, explaining his disinterest stems from a preference for spontaneous, game-context dunks over rehearsed ones. In 2004, he noted, “I’m the kind of person that loves dunking in the moment of the game. It seems kinda hard when I gotta think about dunking to enter the dunk contest.”
There’s no evidence that LeBron directly or indirectly had any hand in ruining the quality of the Dunk Contest. But Smith believes that LeBron not turning up for the event has been a bummer for the event and the fans.
“He was a superstar who put on a dunk contest every night in the layup line, particularly when he knew there was momentum swelling for him to participate, and he never did. He even teased that he was going to participate one year,” Smith added in his rant.
Overall, Smith believes that LeBron’s lack of interest in the Dunk Contest has allegedly led other superstars to avoid participating. The last competitive Dunk Contest in the league was when Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine went head-to-head with some jaw-dropping jams.
Gone are those days when we used to see two All-Star talents fighting it out. Apart from winner Keshad Johnson, the fourth-man field also had players like Los Angeles Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes, San Antonio Spurs’ Carter Bryant, and Orlando Magic’s Jase Richardson, the son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson, so it was simply a hard watch for the fans.
Alabama Mom Gets Emotional on Son’s College Football Journey After Kalen DeBoer Likens Him to $14M NFL Player
When Kalen DeBoer compares a future player to a $14 million NFL talent, it’s a big deal not only for the player but for his family, too. That’s exactly the emotion Xavier Griffin’s mother is feeling, as the highly-touted linebacker is set to join the Alabama Crimson Tide in the upcoming season.
“Seeing my son run out of that tunnel for the first time, I will be even more excited to see him touch the field for the first time!! Such a surreal moment,” Gainesville’s LB Xavier Griffin’s mother, Jay Clay, wrote in a heartwarming post on X.
Like his mother, Xavier Griffin is also looking ahead, aiming to make an early impact as a do-it-all defender for Alabama. He wants to rush opposing teams’ quarterbacks, but also wants to drop back and make tackles like a regular linebacker. To make it, he is constantly studying films of players like Reuben Foster and Will Anderson Jr.’s careers.
Griffin brings in elite size with his 6’3”, 205-pound frame, and his production justifies the surrounding hype. He recorded 43 tackles and six sacks during his 2024 season despite missing with injury. He also played basketball and scored 34 points in one game, but his heart always stayed with football.
He has taken multiple visits to Alabama since June last year, and the feeling of being at home got him into the program. Growing up in Huntsville, he was surrounded by Alabama’s culture, and that home feel forced him to make his move to Bama.
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“It kind of reminds me of home,” Griffin said. “There aren’t too many distractions… It’s a peaceful city, not too much going on but not completely dead either.”
His mother has been an all-time Alabama supporter herself, and the moment Griffin switched his commitment from USC to Alabama, she made her feelings clear on the move.
“To be honest, I had to put my fandemonium to the side. As big of an Alabama fan as I am and was, I’m an even bigger Xavier Griffin fan,” Clay said. “Now that he’s committed, I can go all out and buy all the gear I want. I’ve been holding out for the last two years.”
What solidifies his decision is Alabama’s detailed plan to develop him into a star linebacker upon his arrival.
“They’re telling me they want me to play what Jihad played—being that versatile linebacker, playing on the edge on third downs, still blitzing and moving around, and playing regular backer. Just being that versatile player,” Griffin said.
Their NFL pipeline also adds up to the decision, as they have sent in top linebackers like Ronaldo McClain, Dont’a Hightower, C.J. Mosley, Rashaan Evans, and most recently, Jihaad Campbell. Interestingly, Kalen DeBoer feels that Griffin’s skills and caliber match exactly with his.
Kalen DeBoer praises his future linebacker
Kalen DeBoer compared his skills to former Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who just signed a four-year deal worth $14 million with the Eagles. He recorded 186 tackles, 5.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions in his three seasons. Now, if Griffin matches Campbell’s level, fans can expect an elite defender on Alabama’s team.
“X [Xavier Griffin] is a guy who’s a flex guy. I really see him as like a Jihaad Campbell,” DeBoer said. “He’s got some length, and he’s gonna out on some good weight, and be versatile enough to go play on the edge and not have to necessarily sub in when you want to put him in spots to go get after the quarterback. Can’t wait to have our defensive staff get their hands on him and let him go to work.”
Kalen DeBoer’s trust in him shows the kind of talent he holds; even his trust in Alabama is intact. Even after watching Alabama fall short in the College Football Playoff, Griffin’s commitment to the program remained unshaken. Griffin joins a promising defensive recruiting class that also includes cornerback Jamarion Matthews, as Alabama looks to boost its future defensive strength.
For now, Baba holds 26 recruiting commits in their early signing period, which is also a good sign of their momentum. With Griffin’s potential and DeBoer’s trust, all eyes will be on his arrival in Tuscaloosa to see if he can make an immediate impact.
Auston Matthews is providing leadership for US hockey at Olympics
MILAN (AP) — The spotlight is constantly on Auston Matthews, no matter where is.
He carries a lot on his shoulders in the NHL as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs in what is known as the center (centre in Canada) of the hockey universe. He also has tons of pressure wearing the “C” for the U.S. at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
By the time the preliminary round ended, Matthews looked precisely like the leader the Americans were hoping he would be. He scored two goals and had an assist on an otherworldly pass in a performance against Germany that coach Mike Sullivan called inspiring to the whole group.
Teammates are quick to defend Matthews the captain and the player, with his style being far more about leading by example than with words.
“He’s a quiet leader, but he does things the right way,” center Dylan Larkin said Tuesday. “He sacrifices offense by being on the defensive side of the puck all the time, he blocks shots and then he rises to the occasion. There’s no one better to lead our group than him.”
Matthews leads the U.S. into the quarterfinals against Sweden or Latvia tied for first on the team in scoring with five points. The Germany game stood out because, by his standards, the 28-year-old center had a quiet start in Milan.
“He’s been great all tournament,” linemate Jake Guentzel said. “You guys put a lot of heat on him for no reason. He’s just an unbelievable player and plays in all situations.”
Jack Eichel is the first-line center between brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, but Sullivan loves what the trio of Matthews, Guentzel and Matt Boldy can provide for his team. Matthews as a second-line center is an incredible luxury reserved only for tournaments like the Olympics when the collection of elite talent is this deep.
“The way he plays the whole game defensively — winning faceoffs, he’s great down low and he’s always in the right place,” Boldy said. “The way he’s able to score and the way he’s table to play such an honest game is pretty remarkable.”
Matthews led the NHL in goals three times in his first nine seasons and is not far removed from scoring 69 in 2023-24. That’s not what the players and coaches around him are talking about when they see what Matthews is doing on the ice.
“He does a lot of things really well, even when he’s not producing, that people might not notice,” defenseman Zach Werenski said. “Everyone’s always focused on his goal-scoring and rightfully so. He’s one of the best goal-scorers in the world. But since we’ve been here, he’s been such a leader for us the way he plays the game.”
General manager Bill Guerin, who put this team together and decided to keep Matthews as captain just like at the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago, pointed that out before the tournament started. Guerin said he has a great relationship with Matthews, who he called “a pretty special kid.”
“I think the world of him,” Guerin said. “There are a lot of different ways to lead. He’s not a man of many words, but he puts it out there every night.”
Against Germany, Matthews’ feed to Werenski and goal from the edge of the crease made it clear he was rounding into All-Star form. Sullivan thinks Matthews’ game has been building since group play started, and Matthews agrees.
“Each game I’ve felt better and better,” he said. “It’s nice to kind of get rewarded like that and just continue to build your confidence individually and as a team.”
Matthews does not seem to lack confidence as a player, and being in the pressure cooker that is Toronto has only hardened the Arizona native for this experience.
“I’m sure he’s different here than with Toronto, just because it’s such an elite group in there,” forward Jack Hughes said. “(He is) a guy we look up to, to drive our group.”
Away from the rink, forward Vincent Trocheck said Matthews has been arranging some player get-togethers. In the locker room, Matthews isn’t a vocal leader, but he commands plenty of respect.
“He’s a great captain,” Trocheck said. “He doesn’t speak up a ton, but when he does you’re going to listen. I think he’s done a great job so far.”
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Czechia advances to face Canada in Olympic men’s hockey quarterfinals
Necas, a Colorado Avalanche winger, has been carrying the Czechs in Milan. His goal and assist against the Danes was his third straight multi-point game and gave him 3-4–7 for the tournament. It was tied for second overall and is one shy of the post-1993 Czech record for a single Olympics (8 points, by Jiri Kucera in 1994).
“I love these moments,” said Necas, who largely flew under the radar before last January’s trade out of Carolina. “I like to play in front of a lot of people. I like to be in this position. Finally, the last couple of years, it happened. I’m super happy for that.”
Necas, who scored against Denmark by hammering a power-play one-timer from the left circle, is one of the NHL’s most gifted skaters. His pace-pushing will be necessary against the high-powered Canadians.
“His ability of skating and escaping in the tight spaces, he’s an incredible skater and he’s becoming a star year by year,” said David Pastrnak (two assists), who picked up a secondary assist on Necas’s goal.
Pastrnak, who also fed captain Roman Cervenka for a rush goal that made it 3-1 in the second period, said he hasn’t reached top gear in Milan. He hopes both he and the Czechs have extra gas for Wednesday, which will be their fifth game in seven days.
Canada, which outscored teams, 20-3, in three group-stage games, will be on two days’ rest and is the clear favorite for gold. Some Canadian reporters have begun calling Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Macklin Celebrini the “Mach 3 line,” which is fitting for perhaps the most supersonic-skating trio ever seen on a frozen sheet.
Another measure of Canada’s strength: The second line of Sidney Crosby, Mitch Marner, and Mark Stone would be the go-to trio for every other squad but the Americans.
“This might be the best team ever,” Pastrnak said of Canada. “So maybe let’s put the respect aside a little bit and try to take their game to them. Offensively, their power is incredible. And you know, just have to be a little stronger on pucks, play more in the O-zone, and be more confident.
“We have nothing to lose. So we’re going to leave it all out there. As a team we haven’t played our best yet, so hopefully we will save it for tomorrow.”
It’s not clear that Canada needs Brad Marchand to advance in this tournament, but he’s ready if it does. After making his Olympic debut against the Czechs, the 37-year-old was scratched in his team’s previous two games. He missed most of the month leading up to the break with an undisclosed injury, sitting out 10 of 15 games for the Florida Panthers. Team Canada coach Jon Cooper said Marchand was available, but wouldn’t confirm that he’s in … Second-pair defenseman Josh Morrissey, injured in that Czechia game, returned to practice for Canada … At Tuesday’s practice, Cooper swapped MacKinnon for the hulking Tom Wilson. Call Celebrini-McDavid-Wilson the Big Macs … Marchand, who helped hold Pastrnak scoreless in Canada’s 5-0 preliminary-round win over the Czechs, reflected on the maturation of his former Bruins teammate after Tuesday’s practice. “He was always a great player, but he was streaky early on,” Marchand said. “He’d get really hot and then really cold. He works extremely hard at his game and he’s become one of the top five players in the game. He controls play every time he’s on the ice. His consistency level is at the top of the league.” … Team France was incensed that the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG) kicked Pierre Crinon, the player who fought Wilson on Sunday, out of the remainder of the Olympics. “It’s a joke,” teammate Antoine Keller said. “We need this player.” The IIHF opted not to discipline Crinon or Wilson beyond the standard game misconduct, but the FFHG released a statement citing Crinon’s “provocative behavior.” As he left the ice, Crinon held his hands to his ears and waved his arms. A fan threw a water bottle at him. An FFHG statement called Crinon’s actions “a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and also undermines the values of our sport.”
Who Are Brock Nelson’s Parents? Meet Roc and Jeri Christian Nelson
Behind every calm, clutch performance is a foundation most fans never see. For Brock Nelson, that foundation starts at home. Brock Nelson’s parents have been part of his journey long before the NHL spotlight found him, showing up for early practices, big moments, and everything in between. They didn’t just raise a hockey player. They shaped a mindset built on discipline, humility, and quiet confidence.
From small-town rinks to packed arenas, their support has remained steady and personal. So who are the two people who helped mold one of hockey’s most reliable centers? And how much of his success traces back to their influence? Let’s take a closer look at the family story behind the jersey.
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Who is Brock Nelson’s father, Roc Nelson?
Brock Nelson’s father, Roc Nelson, may not have Olympic gold or NHL stats, but his impact on Brock’s life is impossible to overstate. Growing up in Minnesota, Roc emphasized hard work, perseverance, and family values, creating the steady foundation Brock needed to chase his hockey dreams.
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From early morning practices to long drives to games, Roc was always there, cheering from the sidelines, offering advice, and quietly guiding his son through the highs and lows of youth hockey. While the spotlight often shines on Brock’s famous Christian family relatives, Roc’s role behind the scenes was just as crucial.
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His steady support, patience, and encouragement helped Brock develop not just as a player, but as a person, grounded, disciplined, and passionate. Today, Roc is celebrated not for medals but for nurturing the qualities that turned his son into an NHL star.
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Who is Brock Nelson’s Mother, Jeri Christian Nelson?
Brock Nelson’s mother, Jeri Christian Nelson, has always been the steady heartbeat of his hockey journey. Growing up in Warroad, Minnesota, she was surrounded by the Christian family’s legendary hockey legacy, and she made sure that history lived in everyday life. Jeri encouraged Brock’s first wobbly steps on skates and celebrated every small victory, from backyard practices to his early games.
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She shared stories of her brothers and father, Olympic champions and hockey greats, turning family history into inspiration for Brock. Beyond hockey, Jeri taught him the importance of humility, discipline, and staying grounded no matter the spotlight. She balanced encouragement with care, making sure Brock felt supported without pressure, a mix that helped him grow into a confident and focused athlete. Today, Jeri’s influence is clear every time Brock steps onto the ice: her guidance, love, and quiet strength continue to shape an NHL star.
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Does Brock Nelson have siblings?
Yes, Brock Nelson has a brother, Blayke Nelson, and their bond goes far beyond just sharing a last name. While Brock built his reputation on NHL ice, Blayke has often been right there supporting him, celebrating big milestones and unforgettable moments. One standout example came during the NHL All-Star Skills Competition, when Blayke proudly cheered Brock on as he won the accuracy shooting event.
Growing up in a tight-knit Minnesota family, hockey wasn’t just a sport, it was part of everyday life. That shared environment naturally strengthened the brothers’ connection. Even though Blayke hasn’t pursued the same professional spotlight, his presence highlights something important about Brock’s journey: success has always been backed by family support. Behind every big goal and international appearance, there’s a brother in the stands, proud and present.
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What is Brock Nelson’s parents’ ethnicity and nationality?
Brock Nelson’s parents, Jeri Christian Nelson and Roc Nelson, are American, with deep roots in northern Minnesota. Their identity is closely tied to small-town Midwestern life, where hockey, community, and family traditions run strong.
On his mother’s side, the Christian family is woven into the fabric of American hockey history. Jeri comes from a line of U.S. Olympians, including her father, Bill Christian, a 1960 Olympic gold medalist. That heritage reflects generations of American-born athletes who proudly represented the United States on the world stage.
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Roc Nelson also shares American nationality, grounded in Minnesota’s hockey culture. Together, they raised Brock in a household shaped by U.S. sports tradition and family pride.
While public records do not detail specific ancestral origins beyond their American background, their nationality and cultural identity are firmly rooted in the United States, especially Minnesota’s rich hockey community.
How has Brock Nelson’s family supported his career?
Brock Nelson’s career has always been a family affair. From his earliest days on skates in Minnesota, his parents, Jeri and Roc Nelson, were constant supporters. They weren’t just spectators, they were steady voices of encouragement. Roc made the long drives to practices and games, while Jeri balanced pride in her family’s hockey legacy with a grounded approach that kept Brock focused and humble.
As his career moved from youth hockey to the NHL, that support never faded. His parents have been seen attending games and major events, including international tournaments and special NHL moments, proudly cheering from the stands. Even when the spotlight grew brighter, their role stayed the same: steady, supportive, and present.
Brock has often reflected the values they instilled in him, discipline, humility, and composure under pressure. Their support wasn’t loud or flashy, but it was consistent. And for an NHL center competing at the highest level, that kind of foundation makes all the difference.
Concluding line? Brock Nelson’s success isn’t just about goals, assists, or international appearances. It’s about the steady presence behind it all. Nelson’s parents have been there through frozen rinks, milestone wins, and pressure-filled moments. They offered the kind of support that doesn’t always make headlines but makes all the difference.
Their influence lives in his composure, his work ethic, and the way he carries himself on and off the ice. And when you see him deliver in big moments, you’re also seeing years of quiet encouragement and belief standing right behind him.
Because sometimes, the real story isn’t just about the player. It’s about the family that helped build him.
Who Are Brady Tkachuk’s Parents? Meet Chantal Tkachuk and Keith Tkachuk
Behind every hard hit, every captain’s speech, and every clutch moment, there’s a story that starts long before the spotlight. Brady Tkachuk’s Parents didn’t just raise an NHL star, they shaped a competitor, a leader, and a personality fans can’t ignore. From lessons learned at the rink to unwavering support in the stands, their influence runs deeper than most realize.
So who are the two people behind the grit and fire? And how did their guidance help mold one of hockey’s most dynamic figures? Let’s take a closer look at the foundation that built it all.
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Who is Brady Tkachuk’s father, Keith Tkachuk?
Keith Tkachuk isn’t just Brady Tkachuk’s father, he’s one of the pioneers of American hockey greatness. Born in 1972 in Melrose, Massachusetts, Keith built an 18-season NHL career defined by toughness, skill, and consistency. Drafted 19th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 1990, he went on to score more than 500 goals and over 1,000 points, earning five All-Star selections along the way. Known as a classic power forward, Keith combined physical edge with natural scoring touch, making him a nightmare for defenders.
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He also proudly represented Team USA on the international stage, including a silver medal run at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
But beyond the stats, Keith’s biggest legacy may be the competitive fire he passed down. Brady grew up watching his father battle in the NHL, learning firsthand what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
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Who is Brady Tkachuk’s mother, Chantal Tkachuk?
Chantal Tkachuk is the heart of the Tkachuk hockey family and a steady presence behind Brady Tkachuk’s journey to the NHL. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, she married NHL star Keith Tkachuk in 1997 and helped raise their three children, Matthew, Brady and Taryn, in a home built around sports, discipline and tight family bonds.
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While Keith battled on the ice, Chantal managed the everyday chaos of practices, travel and school schedules. She has shared that her sons were fiercely competitive from a young age, turning basement mini-stick games into full-blown battles. Rather than temper that fire, she encouraged it, helping them grow confident and resilient.
Despite the spotlight that came with Keith’s career, Chantal kept life grounded and family-focused. Today, she remains one of Brady’s loudest supporters, proudly cheering as the legacy she helped nurture continues.
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Does Brady Tkachuk have siblings?
Yes, Brady Tkachuk comes from a tight-knit and highly competitive family. He has two siblings: older brother Matthew Tkachuk and younger sister Taryn Tkachuk.
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Matthew, born in 1997, is an NHL star in his own right and a Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers. Like Brady, he plays with skill, grit, and confidence, a style clearly influenced by their father, Keith Tkachuk. The brothers grew up constantly competing, turning basement mini-stick games and driveway matchups into intense battles that sharpened their edge. Their sister Taryn carved her own athletic path. She played NCAA Division I field hockey at the University of Virginia.
Together, the Tkachuk siblings show how competition at home, strong family support and shared ambition can turn childhood rivalry into elite success.
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What is Brady Tkachuk’s parents’ ethnicity and nationality?
Brady Tkachuk’s background reflects a true North American hockey story shaped by both American and Canadian roots. His father, Keith Tkachuk, is American, born in Melrose, Massachusetts. He proudly represented the United States on the international stage, including multiple Olympic appearances, and is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished American-born players in NHL history. Ethnically, Keith is of Ukrainian and Irish descent, giving the family strong Eastern European and Irish heritage.
Brady’s mother, Chantal Tkachuk, is Canadian. She was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a city deeply connected to hockey culture. Her Canadian upbringing added another layer of influence inside the household, where the sport was already central to daily life.
Together, Keith’s American nationality and Ukrainian-Irish ancestry, along with Chantal’s Canadian roots, created a cross-border identity for Brady. Although he represents Team USA internationally, his family background blends cultures from both sides of the hockey world.
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How has Brady Tkachuk’s family supported his career?
Brady Tkachuk’s NHL journey has always been rooted in family support. His parents, Keith and Chantal Tkachuk, have stood behind him from his youth hockey days to his role as captain of the Ottawa Senators. Growing up watching his father’s NHL career gave Brady firsthand lessons in discipline, preparation, and handling pressure. Keith offered guidance not just on skills, but on leadership and surviving the grind of a long season.
Chantal provided the balance at home. She managed practices, trave,l and school schedules while keeping life grounded despite the spotlight. As Brady advanced through junior hockey and into the NHL, both parents continued to show up. They are frequently seen in the stands, cheering him on and celebrating milestones.
Even today, Brady credits his upbringing and close relationship with his parents for shaping his competitive mindset and confidence.
So, the bottom line is that talent may grab headlines, but family builds the foundation. Brady Tkachuk’s Parents have been more than sideline supporters. They’ve been mentors, motivators, and the steady presence behind every big moment. From early lessons at home to proud cheers in the arena, their influence is woven into his journey.
And if you think this story is just about hockey, think again. It’s about legacy, culture, and the kind of support that turns potential into leadership. Now that you know the roots, the next time you watch him play, you’ll see more than a captain on the ice.
Olympic men’s hockey: Sweden advances to quarterfinal against U.S.
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MILAN, Italy — With a roster full of NHL players, Sweden was in danger of the earliest possible exit at the Olympics. Instead, it’s moving on to face the U.S. in the quarterfinals.
Adrian Kempe and Gabriel Landeskog scored in the first period, Jacob Markstrom made 20 saves and Sweden beat Latvia 5-1 in the qualification round on Tuesday.
With all the pressure on — and the possibility looming of being on the NHL player-filled first plane back to North America — the Swedes endured a nervous first 10 minutes before Kempe got them on the board. Landeskog scored 41 seconds later to relieve some of the tension.
Filip Forsberg scored in the second, and Mika Zibanejad and William Nylander added insurance goals in the third. Lucas Raymond, who has been Sweden’s best player minus a costly penalty, had three primary assists.
Sweden has won three of its four games in Milan and is a formidable opponent Wednesday for the unbeaten second-seeded Americans to begin the single-elimination knockout round.
“They’re one of the powerhouses in the world,” U.S. winger Matthew Tkachuk said. “They’ve been playing really well this tournament in some games.
Markstrom has emerged as Sweden’s starting goaltender after the Wild’s Filip Gustavsson started the tournament in that role. It’s entirely possible Markstrom plays on back-to-back nights, a rarity in the NHL
Czechia 3, Denmark 2
David Kampf and Roman Cervenka scored 69 seconds apart in the second period and Czechia beat Denmark to advance to a quarterfinal showdown against Canada.
Czechia gets a second shot at the tournament favorite after losing to Canada 5-0 last week in their opener. They play on Wednesday.
Martin Necas also scored for the Czechs in a busy second period when the Colorado Avalanche forward one-timed a slap shot past goalie Frederik Andersen on a power play to open the scoring.
Denmark tied it at 1-1 on Alexander True’s goal at 29:02, but Kampf quickly put the Czechs back in front and Cervenka’s goal 69 seconds later made it 3-1. The 40-year-old Cervenka snapped a wrist shot into the top corner over Andersen’s glove.
Nick Olesen’s power-play goal closed the gap before the end of the second.
The Czechs killed off two third period penalties, and goalie Lukas Dostal saved two shots from Oliver Bjorkstrand with less than 25 second left.
“We knew it’s going to be a challenge, and it was,” Czechia winger Ondrej Palat said. “They’re a hard team to play against. They don’t give you much. We won, so big win for us. Joy and relief.”
Germany 5, France 1
Leon Draisaitl and JJ Peterka scored in a three-goal first period and Germany set up a quarterfinal game against Slovakia.
Frederik Tiffels added another when he scored unassisted from a tight angle by snapping a shot off the right side of Julian Junca’s mask and into the net in a dominant opening period for the Germans.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare had given away the puck on Tiffels’ goal but the France captain scored in the second period by throwing the puck into the crease, where it hit defenseman Moritz Muller and got past goalie Philipp Grubauer.
Joshua Samanski scored a power-play goal in the third and Nico Sturm added an empty-netter for Germany.
Switzerland 3, Italy 0
Switzerland beat, outshooting the host country 51-20.
New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier had a goal and two assists. Philipp Kurashev and Roman Josi had the other Swiss goals.
Switzerland next faces Finland.
2026 Olympic quarterfinal round discussed by NHL.com writers
And then there were eight.
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 men’s hockey tournament has hit the quarterfinal round, with four games on Wednesday.
A trip to the medal round is at stake in each game.
The semifinals will be Friday, the bronze medal game on Saturday and the gold medal game on Sunday.
Team Canada, Team USA, Team Slovakia and Team Finland, which each received byes into the quarterfinals, will be back on the ice for the first time since last weekend.
All four games should be epic. Here, the four NHL.com writers covering the Olympics in Milan give their thoughts on which game they are looking forward to watching and why:
(3) Slovakia vs. (6) Germany, 6:10 a.m. (Peacock, ICI TOU.TV, CBC Gem, SN, RDS) — Santagiulia Arena
Slovakia was the biggest surprise of the preliminary round, winning a stacked Group B that included powerhouses Finland and Sweden. What won them the group was a goal with 39 seconds left against Sweden in 5-3 loss. That goal gave them the goal-differential tiebreaker and the bye into this round. Well, there are no more byes and no more rewards for goal differential in a loss. It’s win or go home, and Slovakia has looked strong, led by Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky. He is an absolute powerhouse and is so fun to watch. But so is Germany, which put NHL stars Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle and JJ Peterka on the same line at times in its 5-1 win against France on Tuesday. Germany is coming in on a winning note while Slovakia is coming into this game off a loss and two days off. This is going to be a classic and I can’t wait. – Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief
(1) Canada vs. (8) Czechia (10:40 a.m. ET; Peacock, USA, ICI Tele, CBC Gem, CBC, TSN) — Santaguilia Arena
Martin Necas was having fun after Team Czechia’s 3-2 win in the qualification round Tuesday when he said, “We let them win the first one because we knew we were not going to win two in a row against Canada.” Canada won 5-0 against Czechia in the first game of the preliminary round for both teams. Necas, Czechia’s best player in the tournament with seven points (three goals, four assists), knows how good the Canadians are. He knows the Czechs are massive underdogs. David Pastrnak knows it all too, but he was being serious when he was talking about the matchup and said, “It might be the best team ever so maybe we have to put the respect aside a little bit and try to take their game to them.” Pastrnak’s teammates better listen, because the more they respect Canada the worse their chances are of winning. The Canadians will run roughshod if the Czechs back off and try to play defensive. Canada is too good, skilled, fast and deep for Czechia to play any other style but aggressive. There’s risk. It could backfire. But it could keep Czechia in the game. It could put the Canadians on their heels. It could create chaos. Every game Canada plays now is filled with pressure because winning gold is all that matters. Czechia has no pressure. So, we’ll be watching to see if it heeds Pastrnak’s words. – Dan Rosen, senior writer
(4) Finland vs. (5) Switzerland (12:10 p.m. ET; Peacock, ICI Tele, CBC Gem, SN) — Rho Arena
Who doesn’t like watching teams punch above their weight? I love it; I think it’s the best part of each Olympic tournament. Few do it better than Team Finland, which consistently medals despite being one of the smaller countries in this tournament. Team Switzerland is working its way into that niche as well. They have added to the quality of their team year after year and have some bold-faced NHL stars in their lineup. They also have back-to-back silver medals in the past two World Championships. Finland is the defending Olympics champion (without NHL player involvement) and won bronze in 2014, the last time NHL players were in the Olympics. Each deserves to be in the semis, but only one can advance. The competition will be fierce, it will be skilled and it will be emotional. The crowd at Rho Arena is right on top of the ice and will be passionate and further drag the teams into the fight. This has the makings of an instant classic. Don’t miss it. – Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial
(2) United States vs. (7) Sweden (3:10 p.m. ET; Peacock, NBC, ICI Télé, CBC Gem, SN) — Santaguilia Arena
When Team USA faces Team Sweden, it will be much different than it was in the 4 Nations Face-Off last season. The United States lost to Sweden 2-1 at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 17, 2025. The Americans already had made the championship game and were preparing for it. They rested goalie Connor Hellebuyck, defenseman Charlie McAvoy, and forwards Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk. Forward Brady Tkachuk left with an injury as a precaution. Three days later, the United States lost to Canada 3-2 in overtime in the championship game at TD Garden. This time, Team USA is at full strength and will put everything into defeating Team Sweden in the quarterfinals. “I think about the 4 Nations a lot,” U.S. forward Dylan Larkin said Tuesday. “The Sweden game, we were sick, and the Canada game, we were banged up. It’s good that everyone’s feeling good going into the quarters.” So much is on the line for the Americans. A loss would be a huge disappointment for a team that considers itself capable of gold. A win would put the U.S. in the semifinals, one win from a potential rematch with Canada in the gold medal game. — Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Jeff Skinner clears waivers after Sharks waive veteran forward
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Veteran forward Jeff Skinner cleared waivers Tuesday after the San Jose Sharks waived him the day before.
The Sharks said it was a mutual decision to part ways.
“We want to thank Jeff for his contributions to the organization, and wish him all the best,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said in a statement.
The 33-year-old, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract with San Jose, had six goals and seven assists in 32 games.
Skinner has scored at least 30 goals six times and won the Calder Trophy in 2011 as the NHL’s top rookie while playing for the Carolina Hurricanes.
He played in the postseason last season for the first time in his career, suiting up for the Edmonton Oilers.
Sweden gets past Latvia and will face the US in the quarterfinals at the Olympics
MILAN (AP) — Jacob Markstrom is thrilled to be tending goal for Sweden at the Olympics. He is not ready to go home just yet.
“I waited 36 years to get my first one and it’s a great feeling, but you don’t want it to end,” Markstrom said.
Markstrom made 20 saves, Adrian Kempe and Gabriel Landeskog scored in the first period and Sweden avoided the earliest possible exit by defeating Latvia 5-1 in the qualification round on Tuesday. The U.S. awaits in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
“It’s a fun challenge,” defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “That’s why we came here: to play these guys. I know everybody, including ourselves, it’s probably a little bit earlier than we expected it to be, but it is what it is.”
With all the pressure on — and the possibility looming of being on the NHL player-filled first plane back to North America — the Swedes endured a nervous first 10 minutes before Kempe got them on the board. Landeskog scored 41 seconds later to relieve some of the tension.
Filip Forsberg scored in the second, and Mika Zibanejad and William Nylander added insurance goals in the third. Lucas Raymond, who has been Sweden’s best player minus a costly penalty, had three primary assists.
Sweden has won three of its four games in Milan and is a formidable opponent Wednesday for the unbeaten second-seeded Americans to begin the single-elimination knockout round.
“Our opponent’s going to up another level,” Landeskog said. “What a great opportunity it is to see what we’re made of.”
Markstrom has emerged as Sweden’s starting goalie after Filip Gustavsson started the tournament in that role. It’s entirely possible Markstrom plays on back-to-back nights, a rarity in the NHL.
“Many times you see goalies who play back to back play even better the second night,” coach Sam Hallam said. “But let’s see if everybody’s fresh and ready to go.”
Czechia holds on to beat Denmark and set up a matchup with Canada
Czechia players almost seemed more relieved than anything after holding on to beat Denmark 3-2.
“Joy and relief,” winger Ondrej Palat said. ”A big game for us. We won. We’re happy.”
Czechia gets a second shot at the tournament favorite after losing to Canada 5-0 last week in each team’s opener. Committing four penalties against Denmark is not a promising recipe for the Czechs if they’d like to shock the world against top-seeded Canada.
“It’s a huge challenge for us,” said captain Roman Cervenka, who scored 69 seconds after David Kampf’s goal on what turned out to be the game-winner. ”If we want to have a chance, we have to play much better than (against Denmark). Everybody has to play to their max. But we try. I believe the chances always.”
Lukas Dostal made 24 saves and said he’s ready to play each half of the back to back if the coaching staff calls for that.
Germany defeats France 5-1
Leon Draisaitl and JJ Peterka scored in a three-goal first period, and Germany beat France 5-1 to set up a quarterfinal game against Slovakia.
“Definitely a step in the right direction,” Draisaitl said. “It’s going to get harder. The tournament is getting smaller and it’s getting harder each and every round, so teams are going to get better. We know that. We’re aware of that. We’ve got a big task ahead of us.”
Josh Samanski, a teammate of Draisaitl’s on the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL, had a goal and an assist, and Philipp Grubauer stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced.
“The team is playing great,” said Grubauer, who may also go back to back like Markstrom and Dostal. “It makes it easy for me back there to see the puck, so they’re we’re doing the right things. System-wise, we are boxing guys out. We’re blocking shots. Great game from us. What we talked about in the locker room we translated and executed on the ice.
France lost all four of its games. Captain Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored his team’s only goal in the final game in his first and last Olympics at almost 41 years old.
“I never had the talent to be one of those top guys, but if I could be as reliable as possible, I would get a role in the NHL and that is what I have done,” Bellemare said. ”It brought me a long career.”
Switzerland advances
Switzerland beat Italy 3-0, outshooting the host country 51-20.
New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier had a goal and two assists. Philipp Kurashev and Roman Josi had the other Swiss goals. Switzerland next faces Finland.
___
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Sweden gets past Latvia and will face the US in the quarterfinals at the Olympics
MILAN (AP) — Jacob Markstrom is thrilled to be tending goal for Sweden at the Olympics. He is not ready to go home just yet.
“I waited 36 years to get my first one and it’s a great feeling, but you don’t want it to end,” Markstrom said.
Markstrom made 20 saves, Adrian Kempe and Gabriel Landeskog scored in the first period and Sweden avoided the earliest possible exit by defeating Latvia 5-1 in the qualification round on Tuesday. The U.S. awaits in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
“It’s a fun challenge,” defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “That’s why we came here: to play these guys. I know everybody, including ourselves, it’s probably a little bit earlier than we expected it to be, but it is what it is.”
With all the pressure on — and the possibility looming of being on the NHL player-filled first plane back to North America — the Swedes endured a nervous first 10 minutes before Kempe got them on the board. Landeskog scored 41 seconds later to relieve some of the tension.
Filip Forsberg scored in the second, and Mika Zibanejad and William Nylander added insurance goals in the third. Lucas Raymond, who has been Sweden’s best player minus a costly penalty, had three primary assists.
Sweden has won three of its four games in Milan and is a formidable opponent Wednesday for the unbeaten second-seeded Americans to begin the single-elimination knockout round.
“Our opponent’s going to up another level,” Landeskog said. “What a great opportunity it is to see what we’re made of.”
Markstrom has emerged as Sweden’s starting goalie after Filip Gustavsson started the tournament in that role. It’s entirely possible Markstrom plays on back-to-back nights, a rarity in the NHL.
“Many times you see goalies who play back to back play even better the second night,” coach Sam Hallam said. “But let’s see if everybody’s fresh and ready to go.”
Czechia holds on to beat Denmark and set up a matchup with Canada
Czechia players almost seemed more relieved than anything after holding on to beat Denmark 3-2.
“Joy and relief,” winger Ondrej Palat said. ”A big game for us. We won. We’re happy.”
Czechia gets a second shot at the tournament favorite after losing to Canada 5-0 last week in each team’s opener. Committing four penalties against Denmark is not a promising recipe for the Czechs if they’d like to shock the world against top-seeded Canada.
“It’s a huge challenge for us,” said captain Roman Cervenka, who scored 69 seconds after David Kampf’s goal on what turned out to be the game-winner. ”If we want to have a chance, we have to play much better than (against Denmark). Everybody has to play to their max. But we try. I believe the chances always.”
Lukas Dostal made 24 saves and said he’s ready to play each half of the back to back if the coaching staff calls for that.
Germany defeats France 5-1
Leon Draisaitl and JJ Peterka scored in a three-goal first period, and Germany beat France 5-1 to set up a quarterfinal game against Slovakia.
“Definitely a step in the right direction,” Draisaitl said. “It’s going to get harder. The tournament is getting smaller and it’s getting harder each and every round, so teams are going to get better. We know that. We’re aware of that. We’ve got a big task ahead of us.”
Josh Samanski, a teammate of Draisaitl’s on the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL, had a goal and an assist, and Philipp Grubauer stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced.
“The team is playing great,” said Grubauer, who may also go back to back like Markstrom and Dostal. “It makes it easy for me back there to see the puck, so they’re we’re doing the right things. System-wise, we are boxing guys out. We’re blocking shots. Great game from us. What we talked about in the locker room we translated and executed on the ice.
France lost all four of its games. Captain Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored his team’s only goal in the final game in his first and last Olympics at almost 41 years old.
“I never had the talent to be one of those top guys, but if I could be as reliable as possible, I would get a role in the NHL and that is what I have done,” Bellemare said. ”It brought me a long career.”
Switzerland advances
Switzerland beat Italy 3-0, outshooting the host country 51-20.
New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier had a goal and two assists. Philipp Kurashev and Roman Josi had the other Swiss goals. Switzerland next faces Finland.
___
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Sweden gets past Latvia and will face the US in the quarterfinals at the Olympics
MILAN (AP) — Jacob Markstrom is thrilled to be tending goal for Sweden at the Olympics. He is not ready to go home just yet.
“I waited 36 years to get my first one and it’s a great feeling, but you don’t want it to end,” Markstrom said.
Markstrom made 20 saves, Adrian Kempe and Gabriel Landeskog scored in the first period and Sweden avoided the earliest possible exit by defeating Latvia 5-1 in the qualification round on Tuesday. The U.S. awaits in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
“It’s a fun challenge,” defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “That’s why we came here: to play these guys. I know everybody, including ourselves, it’s probably a little bit earlier than we expected it to be, but it is what it is.”
With all the pressure on — and the possibility looming of being on the NHL player-filled first plane back to North America — the Swedes endured a nervous first 10 minutes before Kempe got them on the board. Landeskog scored 41 seconds later to relieve some of the tension.
Filip Forsberg scored in the second, and Mika Zibanejad and William Nylander added insurance goals in the third. Lucas Raymond, who has been Sweden’s best player minus a costly penalty, had three primary assists.
Sweden has won three of its four games in Milan and is a formidable opponent Wednesday for the unbeaten second-seeded Americans to begin the single-elimination knockout round.
“Our opponent’s going to up another level,” Landeskog said. “What a great opportunity it is to see what we’re made of.”
Markstrom has emerged as Sweden’s starting goalie after Filip Gustavsson started the tournament in that role. It’s entirely possible Markstrom plays on back-to-back nights, a rarity in the NHL.
“Many times you see goalies who play back to back play even better the second night,” coach Sam Hallam said. “But let’s see if everybody’s fresh and ready to go.”
Czechia holds on to beat Denmark and set up a matchup with Canada
Czechia players almost seemed more relieved than anything after holding on to beat Denmark 3-2.
“Joy and relief,” winger Ondrej Palat said. ”A big game for us. We won. We’re happy.”
Czechia gets a second shot at the tournament favorite after losing to Canada 5-0 last week in each team’s opener. Committing four penalties against Denmark is not a promising recipe for the Czechs if they’d like to shock the world against top-seeded Canada.
“It’s a huge challenge for us,” said captain Roman Cervenka, who scored 69 seconds after David Kampf’s goal on what turned out to be the game-winner. ”If we want to have a chance, we have to play much better than (against Denmark). Everybody has to play to their max. But we try. I believe the chances always.”
Lukas Dostal made 24 saves and said he’s ready to play each half of the back to back if the coaching staff calls for that.
Germany defeats France 5-1
Leon Draisaitl and JJ Peterka scored in a three-goal first period, and Germany beat France 5-1 to set up a quarterfinal game against Slovakia.
“Definitely a step in the right direction,” Draisaitl said. “It’s going to get harder. The tournament is getting smaller and it’s getting harder each and every round, so teams are going to get better. We know that. We’re aware of that. We’ve got a big task ahead of us.”
Josh Samanski, a teammate of Draisaitl’s on the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL, had a goal and an assist, and Philipp Grubauer stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced.
“The team is playing great,” said Grubauer, who may also go back to back like Markstrom and Dostal. “It makes it easy for me back there to see the puck, so they’re we’re doing the right things. System-wise, we are boxing guys out. We’re blocking shots. Great game from us. What we talked about in the locker room we translated and executed on the ice.
France lost all four of its games. Captain Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored his team’s only goal in the final game in his first and last Olympics at almost 41 years old.
“I never had the talent to be one of those top guys, but if I could be as reliable as possible, I would get a role in the NHL and that is what I have done,” Bellemare said. ”It brought me a long career.”
Switzerland advances
Switzerland beat Italy 3-0, outshooting the host country 51-20.
New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier had a goal and two assists. Philipp Kurashev and Roman Josi had the other Swiss goals. Switzerland next faces Finland.
___
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
James Rodríguez To MLS: Colombia Star Confirms Minnesota United Move
Minnesota United officially announced the signing of international star James Rodríguez, who will begin his first spell in Major League Soccer. Rodríguez will not occupy a Designated Player spot, and the deal is a short-term agreement set to run at least through the World Cup. The Colombian midfielder joins as a free agent after his contract with Liga MX side Leon expired in December.
Loons got their star
Cameron Knowles will have his first marquee signing as head coach with the arrival of Rodriguez, adding creativity and explosiveness to Minnesota United’s midfield. The former Real Madrid star has signed a short-term deal with the Loons, who finished fourth in the Western Conference last season and were eliminated in the conference semifinals.
MLS Drops First Wave of 2026 Jerseys That Kickstart a New Era
The first Major League Soccer jersey drop for the 2026 season happened on Tuesday, as fans of 17 out of the 30 clubs got to see something new their team will be wearing this year.
Each made by adidas, designs made an effort to tap into the heritage of every individual club and its local area, producing unique looks across the board that are sure to get people talking.
The remaining 13 clubs, which includes defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami and 2025 runners-up Vancouver Whitecaps, will follow on Wednesday.
For now, see which teams have been given new threads already.
Nasvhille SC
“When Nashville makes noise, the world takes notice,” says the club. Dubbed the ‘Reverb Kit,’ the patterns celebrate the city’s status as a global hotspot for music and culture, mimicking the reverberating sound waves unfolding far beyond Geodis Park.
Orlando City SC
Orlando City’s community kit through the 2027–28 MLS season is inspired by Florida’s east Treasure Coast, so-called after a 1715 hurricane sank 11 Spanish ships in a convoy carrying New World wealth back to Europe. Coins still wash ashore to this day and this is a first-ever primarily gold kit for the club.
Minnesota United
Minnesota United’s ‘Decade Kit’ combines elements of the past with the present. The pattern represents a rippling effect of a loon’s wings, cut across by a black ‘river’ that pays tribute to the sash design of the club’s inaugural jersey—a blue sash representing the Mississippi River—from 2017.
Chicago Fire FC
The ‘Forever Red Kit’ introduces a crisp white collar, while honoring Chicago through sleeve stripe details in red and blue drawn from the city’s flag. “It’s more than a jersey—it’s the spark we’re carrying onto the pitch in 2026,” says Dan Moriarty, CMO at Chicago Fire FC.
LAFC
LAFC’s new ‘Black & Gold’ primary jersey leans into the architecture that defined Los Angeles in the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the club’s “deep connection” to its city’s “past, present and future.” It’s a bold design directly inspired by the art deco movement, which also influences BMO Stadium.
CF Montréal
CF Montréal’s will use this new secondary jersey for three seasons. Some of the proceeds from sales of the kit will be donated to PROCURE, a Quebec-based prostate cancer charity promoting and funding research. “Wearing this jersey represents a commitment to fighting, supporting and standing with those affected by this disease.”
Columbus Crew
In 2026, Columbus Crew will be wearing a collar for the first time in eight years. It is known as ‘The Crafted for Excellence Kit,’ also celebrating the Crew as MLS’s first club back in 1996. Through “simplicity, clarity and purpose” it underlines a hardworking identity.
San Jose Earthquakes
A collision of music and soccer has created ‘The Dead Kit’ for San Jose Earthquakes, described as a collaboration between the Grateful Dead’s counterculture and the “relentless spirit of soccer” that exists in the city. The iconic band played its first show with that name in San Jose on Dec. 4, 1965.
New England Revolution
New England Revolution players will wear the ‘Independence Day Kit’ in 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the start of the Declaration of Independence. Fireworks are a huge inspiration to the design of the jersey, as well as patriotic bunting seen displayed every Fourth of July.
LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy’s jerseys have reimagined the sash in recent years, but the iconic blue now makes a return for the first time since 2019. It connects the kit to the past, whilst also featuring a ‘96’ mark that acknowledges the club’s place among the original MLS lineup from 30 years ago.
Red Bull New York
Red Bull New York’s new 2026 jersey tells the story of the ‘Roots’ that connect the club to the fans and community it serves. Red plant roots reaching down into the ground make for a bold and intriguing pattern, with the club proud to develop local talent.
Charlotte FC
Into a fifth MLS season, the ‘Carolina Kit: Crowns Up’ celebrates Charlotte FC’s foundation and inaugural campaign in 2022 with a “familiar” design. After back-to-back Round One eliminations in the postseason, there is still plenty more to aim for in the Queen City.
Austin FC
Austin FC’s 2026 secondary jersey is another ‘Rooted Kit,’ a direct tie-in to the club’s tree logo and the city’s connection to the outdoors and local natural beauty. ‘Aquatic green’ stripes, inspired by Barton Springs, introduce a new shade of ‘Verde’ to the Austin collection.
New York City FC
The 1964–65 World’s Fair at Flushing Meadows Park serves as the inspiration for New York City FC’s new look with an overlapping sphere pattern. It’s branded ‘The All Nations Kit’ for the way NYC unites cultures, languages and nationalities from around the world to create something new.
San Diego FC
San Diego FC’s ‘Unprecedented Unity Kit’ seeks to celebrate both soccer as “the world’s language” and the “unparalleled unity of the diverse communities of the San Diego-Tijuana region.” A sense of belonging, opportunity and shared identity are also key pillars of the message behind the jersey.
Philadelphia Union
‘The 1776 Kit’ pays tribute to Philadelphia’s place in American history, with the Union’s new primary kit inspired by the “architecture, documents and icons that shaped the United States” in the city where “independence began” 250 years ago.
Portland Timbers
In Portland, Providence Park—home of the Timbers—is 100 years old and is considered among the historic sporting venues in the United States. As such, the ‘Civic Stadium Kit’ celebrates a local landmark and civic pride, inspired by the stadium itself, showcasing iconic arches and 1920s architecture.
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The 10 Richest MLS Clubs in 2026-Ranked
Major League Soccer is experiencing a boom like never before, with clubs across the United States and Canada clocking in at staggering vaulations in 2026.
MLS has steadily grown since its 1996 inaugural season, increasing in size, prominence and relevance over the last 30 years. The signings of big name players, like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Lionel Messi, along with investments from famous owners like Matthew McConaughey, Will Ferrell and Giannis Antetokounmpo have brought a global audience to the league.
With more eyes comes more money, and the biggest clubs in MLS have reaped massive financial rewards. According to data from Sportico, there are now five teams valued over $1 billion, while the average club is worth around $767 million.
Here’s the top 10 richest teams in MLS heading into the 2026 season.
10. San Diego FC ($765 million)
Ranking 10th is the league’s newest expansion side, San Diego FC. It only took the Western Conference side one season in MLS to become worth more than 20 other clubs in the league.
San Diego are valued at $765 million despite standing as one of four clubs based in California. The team generated a core fanbase early on, and a run to the Western Conference final—after it topped the division in the regular season—earned it a significant financial bonus.
9. FC Cincinnati ($790 million)
Next up are FC Cincinnati, coming in at a valuation of $790 million. The Orange and Blue experienced a 9% increase compared to their worth last season, but still only remain as the ninth richest club in MLS.
Perhaps working against the Eastern Conference side is its lack of a big name star drawing in an expanded audience outside of the city. The club has also never won MLS Cup, which leaves money—and glory—on the table.
8. Columbus Crew ($800 million)
Unlike FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew know what it feels like to be crowned kings of MLS, but have come up short in recent years. Still, their valuation of $800 million gives the club something to celebrate.
Despite only finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference standings last season and crashing out of the MLS Cup playoffs in Round One, the Crew still increased their valuation by 10%. If an underwhelming campaign can produce such results, imagine what a dominant season—in a World Cup year no less—could bring to Columbus.
7. Austin FC ($910 million)
Ranking as the seventh richest club in MLS would be a massive accomplishment for most teams in the league, but for Austin FC, it marks a step backward. The team sat sixth last year, but now saw their spot taken by Seattle Sounders (more on that below).
Austin comes in at $910 million, which means the Western Conference side only increased their value by 5%. With Oscar-award winner McConaughey as a minority owner, Austin perhaps expected to reach the same level as the likes of Inter Miami or LAFC, but they do not even crack the top five.
6. Seattle Sounders ($915 million)
Taking Austin’s former place in sixth are Seattle Sounders. The 2019 MLS Cup champions are worth $915 million and therefore rank as the third-richest Western Conference side in the league.
The 2025 season left plenty to be desired from the Sounders, who were eliminated in Round One of the MLS Cup playoffs by Minnesota United, but the team still collected around $9.6 million from appearing in last summer’s Club World Cup. Seattle also took home $2 million for winning the 2025 Leagues Cup.
5. NYCFC ($1.12 billion)
New York City FC sit fifth in the rankings after a 12% increase in their value over the last 12 months. The team is the first of five MLS clubs to be worth over $1 billion, with its valuation coming in at $1.12 billion.
As the only team in MLS club competing in the NYC market, NYCFC automatically have a massive fanbase, one that extends across all five boroughs. They also are owned by City Football Group—who also own Manchester City—and the New York Yankees, a winning combination in the board room before soccer even enters the equation.
4. Atlanta United ($1.14 billion)
Another team in a massive market, Atlanta United are valued at $1.14 billion. The team increased its worth by 6% over the last year, but still could not exceed its fourth-place ranking.
So much of Atlanta’s success comes down to their fanbase, who continually pack out Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Record-breaking attendances have become the norm in Georgia, so much so that they put the team in the same conversation as other Atlanta-based sports, something not many MLS clubs can do.
3. LA Galaxy ($1.17 billion)
The 2025 season silenced any doubt of just how big of a brand and organization LA Galaxy are. The team went from winning MLS Cup to putting together a dismal season, finishing second-to-last in the Western Conference with just 30 points from 34 games.
Yet LA Galaxy still increased their valuation by 5% to solidify their worth of $1.17 billion. The legacy of the club, combined with their sponsorships and historic success, all worked together to keep the flailing outfit among the top three richest clubs in the league.
2. LAFC ($1.4 billion)
There’s nearly a $3 million jump from LA Galaxy to rivals Los Angeles FC. The 2022 MLS Cup champions are worth a staggering $1.4 billion, crowning them as the richest Western Conference team in MLS, one that could afford a record-breaking transfer for Son Heung-min.
The head-turning numbers are, if you can believe it, a step down for LAFC, who ranked as the richest club in all of Major League Soccer last year. Still, lifting the MLS Cup in 2026 could put the Black and Gold back in the top spot, so long as they make the correct moves both on and off the pitch.
1. Inter Miami ($1.45 billion)
Was there ever any doubt? Reigning MLS Cup winners Inter Miami are the richest club in the league, worth $1.45 billion. The Herons upped their valuation by a staggering 22% over the last year thanks to their far-reaching success.
Inter Miami took home around $21.1 million from making the 2025 Club World Cup knockout stage, and then cashed in an extra $300,000 for winning MLS Cup. Combined with the global reach of co-owner David Beckham, talisman Lionel Messi and a fervent fanbase in south Florida, the Eastern Conference club set the standard in MLS over the last 12 months.
The 10 Richest MLS Clubs in 2026-Ranked
Major League Soccer is experiencing a boom like never before, with clubs across the United States and Canada clocking in at staggering vaulations in 2026.
MLS has steadily grown since its 1996 inaugural season, increasing in size, prominence and relevance over the last 30 years. The signings of big name players, like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Lionel Messi, along with investments from famous owners like Matthew McConaughey, Will Ferrell and Giannis Antetokounmpo have brought a global audience to the league.
With more eyes comes more money, and the biggest clubs in MLS have reaped massive financial rewards. According to data from Sportico, there are now five teams valued over $1 billion, while the average club is worth around $767 million.
Here’s the top 10 richest teams in MLS heading into the 2026 season.
10. San Diego FC ($765 million)
Ranking 10th is the league’s newest expansion side, San Diego FC. It only took the Western Conference side one season in MLS to become worth more than 20 other clubs in the league.
San Diego are valued at $765 million despite standing as one of four clubs based in California. The team generated a core fanbase early on, and a run to the Western Conference final—after it topped the division in the regular season—earned it a significant financial bonus.
9. FC Cincinnati ($790 million)
Next up are FC Cincinnati, coming in at a valuation of $790 million. The Orange and Blue experienced a 9% increase compared to their worth last season, but still only remain as the ninth richest club in MLS.
Perhaps working against the Eastern Conference side is its lack of a big name star drawing in an expanded audience outside of the city. The club has also never won MLS Cup, which leaves money—and glory—on the table.
8. Columbus Crew ($800 million)
Unlike FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew know what it feels like to be crowned kings of MLS, but have come up short in recent years. Still, their valuation of $800 million gives the club something to celebrate.
Despite only finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference standings last season and crashing out of the MLS Cup playoffs in Round One, the Crew still increased their valuation by 10%. If an underwhelming campaign can produce such results, imagine what a dominant season—in a World Cup year no less—could bring to Columbus.
7. Austin FC ($910 million)
Ranking as the seventh richest club in MLS would be a massive accomplishment for most teams in the league, but for Austin FC, it marks a step backward. The team sat sixth last year, but now saw their spot taken by Seattle Sounders (more on that below).
Austin comes in at $910 million, which means the Western Conference side only increased their value by 5%. With Oscar-award winner McConaughey as a minority owner, Austin perhaps expected to reach the same level as the likes of Inter Miami or LAFC, but they do not even crack the top five.
6. Seattle Sounders ($915 million)
Taking Austin’s former place in sixth are Seattle Sounders. The 2019 MLS Cup champions are worth $915 million and therefore rank as the third-richest Western Conference side in the league.
The 2025 season left plenty to be desired from the Sounders, who were eliminated in Round One of the MLS Cup playoffs by Minnesota United, but the team still collected around $9.6 million from appearing in last summer’s Club World Cup. Seattle also took home $2 million for winning the 2025 Leagues Cup.
5. NYCFC ($1.12 billion)
New York City FC sit fifth in the rankings after a 12% increase in their value over the last 12 months. The team is the first of five MLS clubs to be worth over $1 billion, with its valuation coming in at $1.12 billion.
As the only team in MLS club competing in the NYC market, NYCFC automatically have a massive fanbase, one that extends across all five boroughs. They also are owned by City Football Group—who also own Manchester City—and the New York Yankees, a winning combination in the board room before soccer even enters the equation.
4. Atlanta United ($1.14 billion)
Another team in a massive market, Atlanta United are valued at $1.14 billion. The team increased its worth by 6% over the last year, but still could not exceed its fourth-place ranking.
So much of Atlanta’s success comes down to their fanbase, who continually pack out Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Record-breaking attendances have become the norm in Georgia, so much so that they put the team in the same conversation as other Atlanta-based sports, something not many MLS clubs can do.
3. LA Galaxy ($1.17 billion)
The 2025 season silenced any doubt of just how big of a brand and organization LA Galaxy are. The team went from winning MLS Cup to putting together a dismal season, finishing second-to-last in the Western Conference with just 30 points from 34 games.
Yet LA Galaxy still increased their valuation by 5% to solidify their worth of $1.17 billion. The legacy of the club, combined with their sponsorships and historic success, all worked together to keep the flailing outfit among the top three richest clubs in the league.
2. LAFC ($1.4 billion)
There’s nearly a $3 million jump from LA Galaxy to rivals Los Angeles FC. The 2022 MLS Cup champions are worth a staggering $1.4 billion, crowning them as the richest Western Conference team in MLS, one that could afford a record-breaking transfer for Son Heung-min.
The head-turning numbers are, if you can believe it, a step down for LAFC, who ranked as the richest club in all of Major League Soccer last year. Still, lifting the MLS Cup in 2026 could put the Black and Gold back in the top spot, so long as they make the correct moves both on and off the pitch.
1. Inter Miami ($1.45 billion)
Was there ever any doubt? Reigning MLS Cup winners Inter Miami are the richest club in the league, worth $1.45 billion. The Herons upped their valuation by a staggering 22% over the last year thanks to their far-reaching success.
Inter Miami took home around $21.1 million from making the 2025 Club World Cup knockout stage, and then cashed in an extra $300,000 for winning MLS Cup. Combined with the global reach of co-owner David Beckham, talisman Lionel Messi and a fervent fanbase in south Florida, the Eastern Conference club set the standard in MLS over the last 12 months.
Ted Lasso at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Like in baseball, there wasn’t an official rule, but a kind of
Baltimore, D.C. United discuss pro soccer teams, new stadium
Major League Soccer’s D.C. United is working to bring a professional team and a youth academy to Baltimore, with a planned multi-team soccer campus.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and D.C. United CEO Jason Levien announced plans to support a professional women’s soccer team, a minor league men’s team, and a youth academy in Charm City.
This all centers around the construction of a 7,500-seat stadium in Baltimore that would cost about $200 million. NBA legend and Baltimore native, Carmelo Anthony, would be one of the owners of the project.
Chicago Fire FC Give Fans Look At Future $750M Downtown Stadium Project
The privately funded stadium will break ground in March and is slated to open in time for the 2028 Major League Soccer season.
CHICAGO — While the future stadium plans for the city’s American football team remains somewhat of a mystery, another Chicago football (soccer) club that also currently competes at Soldier Field is set to break ground on its future pitch (field). Chicago Fire FC has released a new rendering of its $750 million privately-funded stadium project, which will be located in the South Loop along the South Branch of the Chicago River.
The 22,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium breaks ground next month. Team officials tell Patch the team’s new home will be open in time for the 2028 Major League Soccer season.
In September 2025, the Chicago City Council officially approved the
MLS Club Targets Barcelona Star To Challenge Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
Major League Soccer could be facing its most provocative move since Lionel Messi arrived in the United States.
Chicago Fire FC is quietly working on an operation that would change the conversation around the league: convincing Robert Lewandowski to cross the Atlantic and become the club’s new icon.
Since Messi landed at Inter Miami CF, the Herons have monopolized the spotlight and headlines. Last season left a resounding mark: 29 goals, reaffirming his status as the league’s top offensive reference. Today, no other player truly competes with his impact on and off the field.
Chicago Fire Eyes Robert Lewandowski in Bid to Rival Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami
In Illinois, they understand that to make a major impact in MLS, they need a global figure. Lewandowski, still a FC Barcelona player, is nearing the end of his contract and his future is not completely defined.
The Fire board has already explored this possibility, according to Telemundo Deportes, and sees in the Pole more than just a striker.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter believes the impact would be immediate. Lewandowski wouldn’t arrive for a retirement tour; his competitive profile and goal-scoring history in Europe make him a natural candidate to compete for the top of the scoring charts. And that, inevitably, means aiming at Messi.
At the 2021 Ballon d’Or, many specialists and fans considered that Lewandowski deserved the award after a historic season with Bayern Munich, although it was ultimately Messi who took the prize. That decision left an open debate that never fully died down.
Transferring that symbolic rivalry to American soccer would elevate the spectacle, for sure. It would no longer be a discussion at a European gala, but a week-to-week competition for goals and records in MLS.
Red Bull New York still involved in transfer market with defensive questions looming
Red Bull New York’s less-than-inspiring preseason is complete, and with less than a week to go before the start of the 2026 Major League Soccer season, their back line is still very much incomplete.
There is an alarming need for established center-backs after the club traded former captain Sean Nealis, parted ways with German veteran Alexander Hack after an unsuccessful stint, and sold up-and-coming Swedish star Noah Eile for a club-record fee for a defender to English Championship side Bristol City.
Sources tell amNewYork that Red Bull is still heavily involved in the transfer market for help at the position, adding that a few “things are in motion,” but nothing is particularly close at this time.
At 32, Tim Parker, who reunited with New York last season, is no longer the stalwart he once was. The only new signing at center-back this winter so far, Robert Voloder, has plenty to prove, too, after his 2025 season was cut to just 18 matches with Sporting Kansas City because of a broken collarbone.
Those are the only two natural center-backs on the roster, with first-year head coach Michael Bradley using Dylan Nealis, a natural right-back, in the center of Red Bull’s defense throughout the preseason.
It is the final significant void that has yet to be addressed by first-year head of sport Julian de Guzman. While New York’s offseason has been headlined by the signings of attacking wingers Cade Cowell and Jose Ruvalcaba, the outside of the defense has received an additional boost of youthful talent. Red Bull first brought in 22-year-old Justin Che from Danish side Brøndby before acquiring Canadian international Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty from CF Montreal last week.
Theoretically, that creates the necessary depth to shift Nealis to the center-back position — and he served admirably in a handful of appearances there last season. But a club that is keen on proving that it wants to do more than simply qualify for the MLS playoffs would ideally prefer a proven, resolute option in the middle of the back line.
How many MLS teams are worth over $1 billion? Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami is number one
Five MLS teams are now worth over $1 billion, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami sitting at the top of the list.
Major League Soccer’s financial growth continues to accelerate, and the latest valuations underline just how quickly the league’s leading franchises are pulling away. Inter Miami’s rise, fuelled by Messi’s global appeal, has pushed the club to the summit of the rankings.
Five MLS teams are now worth over $1 billion
The latest valuations confirm that five MLS franchises have crossed the $1 billion threshold. Forbes ranked Inter Miami CF as the most valuable MLS club at $1.35 billion.
Los Angeles FC follows closely at $1.32 billion, underlining the commercial strength of the Southern California market. The Los Angeles Galaxy are next at $1.08 billion, maintaining their position as one of the league’s historic heavyweights.
New York City FC are valued at $1.02 billion, while Atlanta United FC round out the billion-dollar group at $1.00 billion.
Together, these five franchises represent MLS’s financial elite, reflecting strong ownership groups, stadium assets, and growing global reach.
Average MLS club value rises, but gap widens
Beyond the billion-dollar clubs, the broader MLS financial picture also shows steady growth.
The average value of the league’s 30 teams now stands at $731 million, a 6% increase from 2025’s $690 million. That rise signals continued investor confidence and expanding commercial opportunities across the competition.
However, the figures also highlight a widening gap between the top and bottom of the league. While Inter Miami lead at $1.35 billion, last placed CF Montréal are valued at an estimated $440 million.
The contrast illustrates how star power, market size, and infrastructure investment are shaping MLS’s financial hierarchy.
Wth Messi driving global attention in Miami, the league’s growth is clear, but so too is the emerging divide between its most and least valuable clubs.
Reds players react to union boss’ resignation with crucial labor talks looming
GOODYEAR, Arizona − The story of Tony Clark’s resignation as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) was still spreading through the Cincinnati Reds’ clubhouse as players were asked to respond to the development.
The resignation was first reported in the morning in the Mountain Time zone, and it probably constituted a jarring start to the second day of full-squad workouts at Reds camp for some of the players.
Clark resigned amid a federal investigation. The move left the union without its leader of 15 years in the midst of preparations for the expiration of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement. The labor dispute that many expect to could be a long one that threatens the 2027 season.
Talk of imposing a salary cap on baseball clubs means the forthcoming labor talks have implications for every MLB market, and maybe more so in midsize markets like Cincinnati.
Later Feb. 17, an ESPN report revealed Clark’s resignation was coupled to an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who had been hired by MLBPA.
Prior to the day’s workout, Reds closer Emilio Pagán said he was still attempting to gather information about Clark’s resignation. The lack of hard facts made it hard for Pagán to comment on certain aspects of the situation, except that he remained confident in the rest of the MLBPA leadership.
MLBPA representatives on Feb. 17 were to begin a tour of the league’s spring training complexes in order to get all players on the same page about bargaining positions and other related issues. One of the first tour stops was to be at the Cleveland Guardians’ complex, which is back-to-back with the Reds’ on Wood Boulevard in Goodyear.
“We’ve got so many good guys that have been working alongside Tony for the last number of years that I don’t see too much of a problem with somebody stepping into that leadership role,
Nationals Players Tested Out New Wrinkle Coming to MLB During Full
Because the Washington Nationals are so young, conventional thinking would suggest many of their players have familiarity with the new ABS challenge system coming to Major League Baseball this season. But manager Blake Butera didn’t take any chances.
On Tuesday, during the team’s second full-squad workout of the spring, the skipper said he gave the team an opportunity to test out the new automated balls and strike system that will be used in the MLB for the first time this year.
MLB Commissioner Thought Red Sox Fleeced Brewers in Latest Trade
Boston Red Sox fans rarely all agree on anything, but it seemed like the general reaction to last week’s trade for Caleb Durbin was pretty positive.
Durbin’s not yet an All-Star candidate, but he’s coming off a strong rookie season, is under cheap control for the next six years, and most importantly, the Red Sox seemingly didn’t have to give up any blue-chippers to get him.
It’s always scary to trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, though. So perhaps it’s a scary sign, given that these trades always seem to work out for the Brewers, that the former Major League Baseball commissioner wasn’t even sure why the trade was made.
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What Bud Selig asked Brewers owner about Durbin deal
On Tuesday, MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy reported that Brewers owner Mark Attanasio received a phone call from Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig, who was also Attanasio’s predecessor in Milwaukee.
“What are they telling you?” Selig reportedly asked Attanasio. He wanted to know what logic Milwaukee’s front office had to justify what he clearly saw as a lopsided deal in Boston’s favor.
From the Red Sox’s perspective, it’s possible the trade felt like a steal in the moment as well. Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan are promising enough young pitchers, but they clearly weren’t high on the list of arms Boston felt it was important to keep.
Then again, the Red Sox know not to celebrate too early when trading with Milwaukee. They probably thought they got great value for righty Quinn Priester last spring, but that was before Priester went from Triple-A Worcester to a 13-3 record and 3.32 ERA in 29 appearances, including 24 starts.
The difference, though, is that the Red Sox acquired an established major leaguer this time around. And Durbin, who was already about equal to Priester in terms of WAR last season, still has room to improve, as he came on strong in the second half after a slow April and May.
Never get too high and never too low when discussing trades a week after they happen, that should be our new motto. Still, it’s hard not to chuckle a bit when hearing of Selig’s reaction about what his old squad had done.
Terrance Gore’s wife reveals ‘simple procedure’ that led to his death
Former MLB speedster Terrance Gore died in early February from complications following surgery to remove his appendix, according to his wife, Britney.
In a heartbreaking social media post shortly after his death, Britney said the 34-year-old underwent “what was supposed to have been a simple procedure.”
In an interview with WMBB in Florida last week, she explained that Gore initially appeared to be recovering well before his condition suddenly worsened.
“He went in for an emergency surgery. He had his appendix removed,” she said. “He came out of surgery and was doing OK.
“And had some complications after, possibly with the anesthesia, and went into cardiac arrest.”
Gore’s untimely death shook his family and the baseball community.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
“Our hearts are shattered, my babies are shattered,” Britney wrote in her first post on social media following her husband’s death. “Our whole family is lost. This was so unexpected.”
A fan favorite across parts of eight MLB seasons, Gore was remembered fondly for his game-changing speed and role on three World Series-winning teams.
The Macon, Ga., native debuted in the majors with the Royals in 2014, serving as a baserunning specialist for Kansas City’s back-to-back American League pennant-winning teams.
Gore swiped a combined four bases during those two postseasons, including the Royals’ run to a World Series title in 2015.
“Terrance brought a high level of excitement and anticipation to the game,” former Royals general manager Dayton Moore said after Gore’s passing. “He was unstoppable as a base stealer, and he inspired athletes throughout our country to pursue baseball. He was loved and respected by his very special teammates, who will continue to love his family during this time of sadness.
“There have been very few players who can take over a baseball game,” Moore added in an interview with the Royals team website. “That’s exactly what he did. He became a fan favorite. He was beloved by his teammates. And he was just fearless and impactful on the bases but also off the field.”
After spending his first five years in Kansas City, Gore won another pair of championships with the Dodgers (2020) and Braves (2021).
Despite notching just 85 plate appearances in 112 regular-season games, Gore stole 43 bases in 52 attempts, including five in the postseason.
He finished his MLB career with the Mets in 2022, recording three steals and one hit over 10 games.
The Richard R. Robinson Funeral Home Eastside Chapel in Macon will hold a visitation on coming Friday, with a celebration of life the following day at Jones County High School Gym in Gray, Ga.
Braves Should Target 3.82 ERA Starter in MLB Free Agency
MLB free agency is winding down, which means so are the available options on the market. The Atlanta Braves have already been dealt a few instances of bad news regarding starters on their roster. First, it was reported that Spencer Schwellenbach will miss an extended period of time with an elbow injury, and more recently, Hurston Waldrep could miss up to three months if it’s determined he will need surgery to fix loose bodies in his elbow.
Both of these things only highlight further that the Braves should look to add a veteran arm in some capacity before the 2026 regular season begins. One potential arm available that might be attractive for Atlanta is Zack Littell.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Get Bad News Regarding Lucas Giolito Chances in Recent Report
Braves’ Free Agent Target: Zack Littell
After the news that the Braves are not engaged in Lucas Giolito’s free agency, Atlanta should pivot and target Zack Littell, who posted a 3.82 ERA last season in 186.2 innings with the Reds and Rays. Littell has made 61 starts in the last two seasons and would be perfect to help with Atlanta’s rotation depth.
MLBTradeRumors.com’s Nick Deeds asked the question earlier this week in a post, “Will the Braves add a starter?”:
“Fortunately for them, players like Lucas Giolito, Zack Littell, and Max Scherzer remain available in free agency who could potentially help stabilize things in the team’s rotation. Of course, Alex Anthopoulos and his front office have long been known to buck expectations, and it’s certainly possible they could instead look to pivot to the trade market or find another creative solution to their rotation conundrum.”
Trading for a starter is also an option, but it would likely end up costing the same price as just signing a guy like Littell and potentially a prospect or two.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Add Former Mets First Baseman on Minor League Deal
What is Zack Littell’s Value?
Zack Littell is playing out his free agency until pretty much the very last moment. All top starters have decided on who their next team will be, but Littell seems to still be weighing his options.
According to Spotrac, Zack Littell’s market value is three-years, $38 million.
Is that a fair price for a starter who has shown over the last couple of years that he can take the ball every fifth day?
That’s for teams to decide, but starters with similar pedigree have also reached one-year deals with certain teams, which is certainly a route the Braves can take if they want to bring in Littell.
Tony Clark resigns as head of MLB players’ union ahead of labor talks
Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, a person familiar with the union’s deliberations said Tuesday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because his decision had not yet been announced. The union planned to make the announcement later Tuesday.
Clark’s decision took place during an investigation by the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, into OneTeam Partners, a licensing company founded by the union, the NFL Players Association and RedBird Capital Partners in 2019.
“A lot of people have known that the investigation has been going on,” said the New York Mets’ Marcus Semien, a member of the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee. “I think that this happening during the investigation is not like, as a subcommittee, is not like overly surprising, but it still hurts and it’s still something I’m processing.”
The union’s executive board met Tuesday and did not make any decisions about a successor, the person said. The executive board planned to meet again Wednesday to consider its next steps.
Deputy executive director Bruce Meyer is set to be the primary negotiator in the upcoming labor talks, as he was in 2021-22. After Clark and Rick Shapiro led the 2016 negotiations, Meyer was hired in August 2018 as senior director of collective bargaining and legal and was promoted to his current role in July 2022.
Semien believes Clark is leaving to deal with the probe.
“I think so,
Tony Clark resigns as head of MLB Players Association ahead of labor talks, sources say
Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, a person familiar with the union’s deliberations said Tuesday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because his decision had not yet been announced. The union planned to make the announcement later Tuesday.
Clark’s decision took place during an investigation by the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, into OneTeam Partners, a licensing company founded by the union, the NFL Players Association and RedBird Capital Partners in 2019.
Tony Clark resigns as MLB players’ union head as possible cap fight looms
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association on Tuesday as a possible salary cap fight looms, a move made during a federal investigation of the union’s finances.
“The full executive board of player representatives met this afternoon with MLBPA staff and outside counsel to discuss next steps,” the union said in a statement. “As always, the players remain focused on their ongoing preparations for collective bargaining this year.”
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Tony Clark resigns as MLB players’ union head as possible cap fight looms
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, the union announced Tuesday, as a possible salary cap fight looms during a federal investigation of its finances.
“The full executive board of player representatives met this afternoon with MLBPA staff and outside counsel to discuss next steps,” the union said in a statement. “As always, the players remain focused on their ongoing preparations for collective bargaining this year.”
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Tony Clark renuncia como líder de sindicato de jugadores de MLB, de cara a dura negociación
Tony Clark renunció como director de la Asociación de Jugadores de las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol (MLBPA) el martes, una medida tomada durante una investigación federal sobre las finanzas del sindicato.mientras se avecina una posible disputa por un tope salarial.
“La Junta Ejecutiva en pleno de los representantes de jugadores se reunió esta tarde con personal de la MLBPA y asesores externos para determinar los próximos pasos”, informó el sindicato en un comunicado. “Como siepre, los jugadores se mantienen enfocados en sus preparativos en curso para la negociación colectiva de este año”.
El subcomieté ejecutivo de la MLBPA, conformado por ocho miembros, pidió a Clark que renunciara, luego que una investigación por parte del abogado externo del sindicato encontró evidencias de que el líder gremial tenía una relación inapropiada con su cuñada, una empleada del sindicato desde 2023, dijo a The Associated Press una persona cercana a las deliberaciones de la Asociación.
Esa fuente pidió permanecer anónima porque ese detalle no se había anunciado.
La decisión de Clark se produce durante una investigación del fiscal federal de Estados Unidos en Brooklyn, Nueva York, sobre OneTeam Partners, una empresa de licencias fundada por el sindicato, la Asociación de Jugadores de la NFL y RedBird Capital Partners en 2019 .
“Mucha gente ha sabido que la investigación ha estado en curso”, dijo Marcus Semien, de los Mets de Nueva York, miembro del subcomité ejecutivo de ocho integrantes del sindicato. “Creo que el hecho de que esto ocurra durante la investigación no es, como subcomité, algo demasiado sorprendente, pero aun así duele y sigue siendo algo que estoy procesando”.
La junta ejecutiva del sindicato no tomó ninguna decisión sobre un sucesor durante la reunión del martes, informó a The Associated Press una persona familiarizada con las deliberaciones . La persona habló bajo condición de anonimato porque ese detalle no se había anunciado.
Se prevé que el subdirector ejecutivo Bruce Meyer sea el principal negociador en las próximas conversaciones laborales, como lo fue en 2021-22. Después de que Clark y Rick Shapiro encabezaron las negociaciones de 2016, Meyer fue contratado en agosto de 2018 como director sénior de negociación colectiva y asuntos legales, y fue ascendido a su cargo actual en julio de 2022.
Semien dijo que cree que Clark se va para ocuparse de la investigación.
“Creo que sí”, dijo. “Porque hasta este punto, antes de cualquier investigación, he tenido la máxima confianza en Tony Clark para liderar a este grupo de jugadores. He tenido la máxima confianza en Bruce Meyer para ser el principal negociador de este grupo de jugadores”.
La decisión se tomó antes del inicio previsto de las negociaciones colectivas en abril para un acuerdo que reemplace el contrato laboral de cinco años que vence el 1 de diciembre. La gerencia parece encaminada a proponer un tope salarial, lo que posiblemente podría derivar en una interrupción laboral que provoque la cancelación de juegos de temporada regular por primera vez desde 1995 .
Adam L. Braverman, ex subsecretario adjunto de Justicia de Estados Unidos y fiscal federal en Los Ángeles, fue contratado por el subcomité ejecutivo del sindicato como asesor externo, dijeron a la AP dos personas familiarizadas con la medida del grupo. Hablaron bajo condición de anonimato porque el sindicato no lo había anunciado.
El sindicato canceló el lunes el inicio programado para el martes de la gira anual del personal por los 30 campamentos de entrenamiento de primavera, que iba a comenzar con los Guardianes de Cleveland por la mañana y con los Medias Blancas de Chicago por la tarde.
Clark, de 53 años, fue primera base elegido al Juego de Estrellas. Se convirtió en el primer pelotero en dirigir el sindicato.
Jugó de 1995 a 2009, y se convirtió en líder sindical poco después de asistir a su primera reunión de la junta ejecutiva en 1999.
Clark fue contratado como director de relaciones con los jugadores del sindicato en 2010 y ascendió al cargo de subdirector ejecutivo en julio de 2013, cuando la salud del jefe de la agrupación gremial Michael Weiner se deterioró debido a un tumor cerebral. Weiner murió en noviembre de ese año y Clark asumió como director ejecutivo, sucediendo como jefe del sindicato a Marvin Miller, Kenneth Moffett, Donald Fehr y Wiener .
Clark condujo a los jugadores en negociaciones que derivaron en un acuerdo en diciembre de 2016, unas 3 horas y media antes de que el pacto anterior estuviera por expirar, y en otro en marzo de 2022 tras un cierre patronal de 99 días.
Meyer, de 64 años , pasó 30 años en Weil, Gotshal & Manges antes de incorporarse en 2016 a la Asociación de Jugadores de la NHL como director sénior de negociación colectiva, políticas y asuntos legales.
Tres miembros del subcomité, Jack Flaherty, Lucas Giolito e Ian Happ, estuvieron entre los jugadores que en marzo de 2024 abogaron por la destitución de Meyer en un esfuerzo encabezado por el exabogado del sindicato Harry Marino. Clark respaldó a Meyer, el esfuerzo fracasó y esos tres jugadores fueron retirados del subcomité en diciembre.
El subcomité votó 8-0 en contra de aprobar el contrato laboral de 2022 y Meyer había abogado por presionar a la gerencia para lograr un acuerdo más favorable para el sindicato. Los representantes de jugadores de los equipos, el grupo general que supervisa las negociaciones, votaron 26-4 a favor, dejando la votación general en 26-12 para la ratificación.
Además de Semien, el subcomité actual incluye a Chris Bassitt, Jake Cronenworth, Pete Fairbanks, Cedric Mullins, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal y Brent Suter.
OneTeam dice que desde su formación ha incorporado, entre otros, a las asociaciones de jugadoras de la WNBA, MLS, NWSL y la selección nacional femenina de fútbol de Estados Unidos. RedBird vendió su participación en 2019 a HPS Investment Partners, Atlantic Park Strategic Capital Fund y Morgan Stanley Tactical Value.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Reds players react to union boss’ resignation with crucial labor talks looming
GOODYEAR, Arizona − The story of Tony Clark’s resignation as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) was still spreading through the Cincinnati Reds’ clubhouse as players were asked to respond to the development.
The resignation was first reported in the morning in the Mountain Time zone, and it probably constituted a jarring start to the second day of full-squad workouts at Reds camp for some of the players.
Clark resigned amid a federal investigation. The move left the union without its leader of 15 years in the midst of preparations for the expiration of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement. The labor dispute that many expect to could be a long one that threatens the 2027 season.
Talk of imposing a salary cap on baseball clubs means the forthcoming labor talks have implications for every MLB market, and maybe more so in midsize markets like Cincinnati.
Later Feb. 17, an ESPN report revealed Clark’s resignation was coupled to an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who had been hired by MLBPA.
Prior to the day’s workout, Reds closer Emilio Pagán said he was still attempting to gather information about Clark’s resignation. The lack of hard facts made it hard for Pagán to comment on certain aspects of the situation, except that he remained confident in the rest of the MLBPA leadership.
MLBPA representatives on Feb. 17 were to begin a tour of the league’s spring training complexes in order to get all players on the same page about bargaining positions and other related issues. One of the first tour stops was to be at the Cleveland Guardians’ complex, which is back-to-back with the Reds’ on Wood Boulevard in Goodyear.
“We’ve got so many good guys that have been working alongside Tony for the last number of years that I don’t see too much of a problem with somebody stepping into that leadership role,
Nationals Players Tested Out New Wrinkle Coming to MLB During Full
Because the Washington Nationals are so young, conventional thinking would suggest many of their players have familiarity with the new ABS challenge system coming to Major League Baseball this season. But manager Blake Butera didn’t take any chances.
On Tuesday, during the team’s second full-squad workout of the spring, the skipper said he gave the team an opportunity to test out the new automated balls and strike system that will be used in the MLB for the first time this year.
MLB Commissioner Thought Red Sox Fleeced Brewers in Latest Trade
Boston Red Sox fans rarely all agree on anything, but it seemed like the general reaction to last week’s trade for Caleb Durbin was pretty positive.
Durbin’s not yet an All-Star candidate, but he’s coming off a strong rookie season, is under cheap control for the next six years, and most importantly, the Red Sox seemingly didn’t have to give up any blue-chippers to get him.
It’s always scary to trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, though. So perhaps it’s a scary sign, given that these trades always seem to work out for the Brewers, that the former Major League Baseball commissioner wasn’t even sure why the trade was made.
If you like our content, choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google.
What Bud Selig asked Brewers owner about Durbin deal
On Tuesday, MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy reported that Brewers owner Mark Attanasio received a phone call from Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig, who was also Attanasio’s predecessor in Milwaukee.
“What are they telling you?” Selig reportedly asked Attanasio. He wanted to know what logic Milwaukee’s front office had to justify what he clearly saw as a lopsided deal in Boston’s favor.
From the Red Sox’s perspective, it’s possible the trade felt like a steal in the moment as well. Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan are promising enough young pitchers, but they clearly weren’t high on the list of arms Boston felt it was important to keep.
Then again, the Red Sox know not to celebrate too early when trading with Milwaukee. They probably thought they got great value for righty Quinn Priester last spring, but that was before Priester went from Triple-A Worcester to a 13-3 record and 3.32 ERA in 29 appearances, including 24 starts.
The difference, though, is that the Red Sox acquired an established major leaguer this time around. And Durbin, who was already about equal to Priester in terms of WAR last season, still has room to improve, as he came on strong in the second half after a slow April and May.
Never get too high and never too low when discussing trades a week after they happen, that should be our new motto. Still, it’s hard not to chuckle a bit when hearing of Selig’s reaction about what his old squad had done.
Terrance Gore’s wife reveals ‘simple procedure’ that led to his death
Former MLB speedster Terrance Gore died in early February from complications following surgery to remove his appendix, according to his wife, Britney.
In a heartbreaking social media post shortly after his death, Britney said the 34-year-old underwent “what was supposed to have been a simple procedure.”
In an interview with WMBB in Florida last week, she explained that Gore initially appeared to be recovering well before his condition suddenly worsened.
“He went in for an emergency surgery. He had his appendix removed,” she said. “He came out of surgery and was doing OK.
“And had some complications after, possibly with the anesthesia, and went into cardiac arrest.”
Gore’s untimely death shook his family and the baseball community.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
“Our hearts are shattered, my babies are shattered,” Britney wrote in her first post on social media following her husband’s death. “Our whole family is lost. This was so unexpected.”
A fan favorite across parts of eight MLB seasons, Gore was remembered fondly for his game-changing speed and role on three World Series-winning teams.
The Macon, Ga., native debuted in the majors with the Royals in 2014, serving as a baserunning specialist for Kansas City’s back-to-back American League pennant-winning teams.
Gore swiped a combined four bases during those two postseasons, including the Royals’ run to a World Series title in 2015.
“Terrance brought a high level of excitement and anticipation to the game,” former Royals general manager Dayton Moore said after Gore’s passing. “He was unstoppable as a base stealer, and he inspired athletes throughout our country to pursue baseball. He was loved and respected by his very special teammates, who will continue to love his family during this time of sadness.
“There have been very few players who can take over a baseball game,” Moore added in an interview with the Royals team website. “That’s exactly what he did. He became a fan favorite. He was beloved by his teammates. And he was just fearless and impactful on the bases but also off the field.”
After spending his first five years in Kansas City, Gore won another pair of championships with the Dodgers (2020) and Braves (2021).
Despite notching just 85 plate appearances in 112 regular-season games, Gore stole 43 bases in 52 attempts, including five in the postseason.
He finished his MLB career with the Mets in 2022, recording three steals and one hit over 10 games.
The Richard R. Robinson Funeral Home Eastside Chapel in Macon will hold a visitation on coming Friday, with a celebration of life the following day at Jones County High School Gym in Gray, Ga.
Braves Should Target 3.82 ERA Starter in MLB Free Agency
MLB free agency is winding down, which means so are the available options on the market. The Atlanta Braves have already been dealt a few instances of bad news regarding starters on their roster. First, it was reported that Spencer Schwellenbach will miss an extended period of time with an elbow injury, and more recently, Hurston Waldrep could miss up to three months if it’s determined he will need surgery to fix loose bodies in his elbow.
Both of these things only highlight further that the Braves should look to add a veteran arm in some capacity before the 2026 regular season begins. One potential arm available that might be attractive for Atlanta is Zack Littell.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Get Bad News Regarding Lucas Giolito Chances in Recent Report
Braves’ Free Agent Target: Zack Littell
After the news that the Braves are not engaged in Lucas Giolito’s free agency, Atlanta should pivot and target Zack Littell, who posted a 3.82 ERA last season in 186.2 innings with the Reds and Rays. Littell has made 61 starts in the last two seasons and would be perfect to help with Atlanta’s rotation depth.
MLBTradeRumors.com’s Nick Deeds asked the question earlier this week in a post, “Will the Braves add a starter?”:
“Fortunately for them, players like Lucas Giolito, Zack Littell, and Max Scherzer remain available in free agency who could potentially help stabilize things in the team’s rotation. Of course, Alex Anthopoulos and his front office have long been known to buck expectations, and it’s certainly possible they could instead look to pivot to the trade market or find another creative solution to their rotation conundrum.”
Trading for a starter is also an option, but it would likely end up costing the same price as just signing a guy like Littell and potentially a prospect or two.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Add Former Mets First Baseman on Minor League Deal
What is Zack Littell’s Value?
Zack Littell is playing out his free agency until pretty much the very last moment. All top starters have decided on who their next team will be, but Littell seems to still be weighing his options.
According to Spotrac, Zack Littell’s market value is three-years, $38 million.
Is that a fair price for a starter who has shown over the last couple of years that he can take the ball every fifth day?
That’s for teams to decide, but starters with similar pedigree have also reached one-year deals with certain teams, which is certainly a route the Braves can take if they want to bring in Littell.
Tony Clark resigns as head of MLB players’ union ahead of labor talks
Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, a person familiar with the union’s deliberations said Tuesday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because his decision had not yet been announced. The union planned to make the announcement later Tuesday.
Clark’s decision took place during an investigation by the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, into OneTeam Partners, a licensing company founded by the union, the NFL Players Association and RedBird Capital Partners in 2019.
“A lot of people have known that the investigation has been going on,” said the New York Mets’ Marcus Semien, a member of the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee. “I think that this happening during the investigation is not like, as a subcommittee, is not like overly surprising, but it still hurts and it’s still something I’m processing.”
The union’s executive board met Tuesday and did not make any decisions about a successor, the person said. The executive board planned to meet again Wednesday to consider its next steps.
Deputy executive director Bruce Meyer is set to be the primary negotiator in the upcoming labor talks, as he was in 2021-22. After Clark and Rick Shapiro led the 2016 negotiations, Meyer was hired in August 2018 as senior director of collective bargaining and legal and was promoted to his current role in July 2022.
Semien believes Clark is leaving to deal with the probe.
“I think so,
Tony Clark resigns as head of MLB Players Association ahead of labor talks, sources say
Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, a person familiar with the union’s deliberations said Tuesday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because his decision had not yet been announced. The union planned to make the announcement later Tuesday.
Clark’s decision took place during an investigation by the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, into OneTeam Partners, a licensing company founded by the union, the NFL Players Association and RedBird Capital Partners in 2019.
Tony Clark resigns as MLB players’ union head as possible cap fight looms
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association on Tuesday as a possible salary cap fight looms, a move made during a federal investigation of the union’s finances.
“The full executive board of player representatives met this afternoon with MLBPA staff and outside counsel to discuss next steps,” the union said in a statement. “As always, the players remain focused on their ongoing preparations for collective bargaining this year.”
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Tony Clark resigns as MLB players’ union head as possible cap fight looms
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, the union announced Tuesday, as a possible salary cap fight looms during a federal investigation of its finances.
“The full executive board of player representatives met this afternoon with MLBPA staff and outside counsel to discuss next steps,” the union said in a statement. “As always, the players remain focused on their ongoing preparations for collective bargaining this year.”
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Tony Clark renuncia como líder de sindicato de jugadores de MLB, de cara a dura negociación
Tony Clark renunció como director de la Asociación de Jugadores de las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol (MLBPA) el martes, una medida tomada durante una investigación federal sobre las finanzas del sindicato.mientras se avecina una posible disputa por un tope salarial.
“La Junta Ejecutiva en pleno de los representantes de jugadores se reunió esta tarde con personal de la MLBPA y asesores externos para determinar los próximos pasos”, informó el sindicato en un comunicado. “Como siepre, los jugadores se mantienen enfocados en sus preparativos en curso para la negociación colectiva de este año”.
El subcomieté ejecutivo de la MLBPA, conformado por ocho miembros, pidió a Clark que renunciara, luego que una investigación por parte del abogado externo del sindicato encontró evidencias de que el líder gremial tenía una relación inapropiada con su cuñada, una empleada del sindicato desde 2023, dijo a The Associated Press una persona cercana a las deliberaciones de la Asociación.
Esa fuente pidió permanecer anónima porque ese detalle no se había anunciado.
La decisión de Clark se produce durante una investigación del fiscal federal de Estados Unidos en Brooklyn, Nueva York, sobre OneTeam Partners, una empresa de licencias fundada por el sindicato, la Asociación de Jugadores de la NFL y RedBird Capital Partners en 2019 .
“Mucha gente ha sabido que la investigación ha estado en curso”, dijo Marcus Semien, de los Mets de Nueva York, miembro del subcomité ejecutivo de ocho integrantes del sindicato. “Creo que el hecho de que esto ocurra durante la investigación no es, como subcomité, algo demasiado sorprendente, pero aun así duele y sigue siendo algo que estoy procesando”.
La junta ejecutiva del sindicato no tomó ninguna decisión sobre un sucesor durante la reunión del martes, informó a The Associated Press una persona familiarizada con las deliberaciones . La persona habló bajo condición de anonimato porque ese detalle no se había anunciado.
Se prevé que el subdirector ejecutivo Bruce Meyer sea el principal negociador en las próximas conversaciones laborales, como lo fue en 2021-22. Después de que Clark y Rick Shapiro encabezaron las negociaciones de 2016, Meyer fue contratado en agosto de 2018 como director sénior de negociación colectiva y asuntos legales, y fue ascendido a su cargo actual en julio de 2022.
Semien dijo que cree que Clark se va para ocuparse de la investigación.
“Creo que sí”, dijo. “Porque hasta este punto, antes de cualquier investigación, he tenido la máxima confianza en Tony Clark para liderar a este grupo de jugadores. He tenido la máxima confianza en Bruce Meyer para ser el principal negociador de este grupo de jugadores”.
La decisión se tomó antes del inicio previsto de las negociaciones colectivas en abril para un acuerdo que reemplace el contrato laboral de cinco años que vence el 1 de diciembre. La gerencia parece encaminada a proponer un tope salarial, lo que posiblemente podría derivar en una interrupción laboral que provoque la cancelación de juegos de temporada regular por primera vez desde 1995 .
Adam L. Braverman, ex subsecretario adjunto de Justicia de Estados Unidos y fiscal federal en Los Ángeles, fue contratado por el subcomité ejecutivo del sindicato como asesor externo, dijeron a la AP dos personas familiarizadas con la medida del grupo. Hablaron bajo condición de anonimato porque el sindicato no lo había anunciado.
El sindicato canceló el lunes el inicio programado para el martes de la gira anual del personal por los 30 campamentos de entrenamiento de primavera, que iba a comenzar con los Guardianes de Cleveland por la mañana y con los Medias Blancas de Chicago por la tarde.
Clark, de 53 años, fue primera base elegido al Juego de Estrellas. Se convirtió en el primer pelotero en dirigir el sindicato.
Jugó de 1995 a 2009, y se convirtió en líder sindical poco después de asistir a su primera reunión de la junta ejecutiva en 1999.
Clark fue contratado como director de relaciones con los jugadores del sindicato en 2010 y ascendió al cargo de subdirector ejecutivo en julio de 2013, cuando la salud del jefe de la agrupación gremial Michael Weiner se deterioró debido a un tumor cerebral. Weiner murió en noviembre de ese año y Clark asumió como director ejecutivo, sucediendo como jefe del sindicato a Marvin Miller, Kenneth Moffett, Donald Fehr y Wiener .
Clark condujo a los jugadores en negociaciones que derivaron en un acuerdo en diciembre de 2016, unas 3 horas y media antes de que el pacto anterior estuviera por expirar, y en otro en marzo de 2022 tras un cierre patronal de 99 días.
Meyer, de 64 años , pasó 30 años en Weil, Gotshal & Manges antes de incorporarse en 2016 a la Asociación de Jugadores de la NHL como director sénior de negociación colectiva, políticas y asuntos legales.
Tres miembros del subcomité, Jack Flaherty, Lucas Giolito e Ian Happ, estuvieron entre los jugadores que en marzo de 2024 abogaron por la destitución de Meyer en un esfuerzo encabezado por el exabogado del sindicato Harry Marino. Clark respaldó a Meyer, el esfuerzo fracasó y esos tres jugadores fueron retirados del subcomité en diciembre.
El subcomité votó 8-0 en contra de aprobar el contrato laboral de 2022 y Meyer había abogado por presionar a la gerencia para lograr un acuerdo más favorable para el sindicato. Los representantes de jugadores de los equipos, el grupo general que supervisa las negociaciones, votaron 26-4 a favor, dejando la votación general en 26-12 para la ratificación.
Además de Semien, el subcomité actual incluye a Chris Bassitt, Jake Cronenworth, Pete Fairbanks, Cedric Mullins, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal y Brent Suter.
OneTeam dice que desde su formación ha incorporado, entre otros, a las asociaciones de jugadoras de la WNBA, MLS, NWSL y la selección nacional femenina de fútbol de Estados Unidos. RedBird vendió su participación en 2019 a HPS Investment Partners, Atlantic Park Strategic Capital Fund y Morgan Stanley Tactical Value.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Sports Advertisers Want New Ballgame With Aggressive Sponsorships
When is a two-point conversion really a touchdown?
For the brewers of Dos Equis, multiple times per season.
Since last year, Dos Equis has arranged to become part of the action during select college-football games telecast across ESPN, ABC, SEC and ACC Network getting special on-screen graphics and other elements whenever one of the teams tries to “Go for Dos” and score a two-point conversion. This year, the Heineken brand expanded its support and is expected to cover nearly two thirds of the plays broadcast this season, compared with just under half a year ago. To be sure, there are TV commercials, too.
“We’re not about just interrupting sport. We’re about being a part of it,” says Allison Payne, Heineken USA’s CMO, during a recent interview. The concept helps create a feeling of “doing the unexpected to make life a bit more interesting, and, obviously, make the game more interesting.”
Football commercials and beer go together like, well, what did we just say? But more advertisers like Dos Equis are pressing TV networks to carve out new elements from games during which they can hawk their wares. Such stuff is significantly more complicated than just running an ad and arranging for one of the announcers to bark out “this game is brought to you by….” And TV-sports outlets expect to see a significant uptick in requests for special sponsorships, particularly as sports take on new importance during the industry’s streaming wars, with games representing one of the few programming formats left that can still attract a large audience of simultaneous viewers.
Madison Avenue is pouring new dollars into sports-TV. Disney earlier this year said it sold nearly $4 billion in ad time tied to sports during the industry’s recent “upfront” sales market, when TV networks try to sell the bulk of their commercial inventory. NBCUniversal said its sports properties saw an uptick of 20% in new sponsors during the annual haggle. Amazon’s Prime Video suggested sales tied to sports “provided incremental volume growth for us” during the market.
In a different era, advertisers would use their big budgets to procure similar stuff during primetime dramas and comedies. In the streaming era, “there are fewer meaningful opportunities to do this in entertainment” programming, notes Dan Lovinger, a former head of sports and Olympics sales at NBCU who now leads Lov of the Game Advisors, a consultancy. In years past, advertisers bought sports commercials to reach large audiences. They still do, to be sure, but there appears to be some pressure building to engage more significantly with fans. “Dollars follow eyeballs, and so if the eyeballs are moving to sports, the dollars and creativity will also follow,” Lovinger says.
At Main Street Sports Group, which operates a collection of regional sports outlets known as the FanDuel Sports Network, executives have been working on what they call “trigger ads” that surface at specific sports moments, like a home run or a stolen base. “Is there an ad experience that we can do when there are like three seconds left on the shot clock, or any time that there is a three-pointer or a steal or something?” asks Jim Keller, executive vice president of advertising and sponsorship sales for the FanDuel networks, during an interview. Executives are “focused on finding a way for us to create sponsor moments that actually add to the viewers’ enjoyment of the game.”
Advertisers aren’t guaranteed to hit a marketing home run. Indeed, the live, spontaneous nature of a sports telecast means that tying ad messages to specific moments can be fraught with challenge. Rocket Cos. earlier this year ran an ad during Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl LIX that used a version of John Denver’s “Country Roads, Take Me Home” to talk about Americans striving for home ownership. Marketing executives then tried to get the crowd watching the live game at New Orleans Caesar’s Superdome to sing along — with decidedly mixed results. When Fox came back to live broadcasting following the commercial break that contained an ad from Rocket, many fans appeared to either ignore the music or look puzzled as to why they should take part.
Fox and the NFL initially turned down the live, in-stadium singing session, believing that there would be more control around the concept if crowds were taped singing the song during pre-game coverage when the network was in commercial breaks. The advertiser insisted on trying to create a live spectacle. Once Fox cut to the commercial break that included the Rocket ad, the stadium crowd as invited to participate via use of promotional announcements, a D.J. and the facility’s various screens.
Getting viewers to associate Dos Equis with the two-point conversions requires “high-level coordination,” says Payne. Ther are traditional commercials, and football announcer Chris Fowler has been enlisted to help emphasize the sponsorship. “We have signage. We have college football team sponsorship, We have tailgate activation,” says Payne. “We are very good at bringing brand experiences to life, but it requires quite an in-depth coordination” between Heineken, Disney, ESPN and Dos Equis’ media agency, Dentsu.
Disney has become more open to similar requests, says Mike Denby, senior vice president of sales for the company. “We believe the more that we do integrations, the more that we elevate brands, it drives results,” he says. At the same time, he adds, the company can’t oversaturate the playing field with dozens of similar ideas during a single game.
Creating other bespoke ad concepts may be as hard as winning the games themselves. Sports remains “an unpredictable format,” notes Lovinger, and advertisers will want guarantees that a special appearance close to a goal, touchdown, stolen base, or foul that can’t always be given. What’s more, some leagues can be very careful about how much space they give advertisers as their games are being played. “There are leagues that are less restrictive in terms of how the broadcasters can access inventory and you’ll probably see more of it there, “says Lovinger.
Dos Equis remains undaunted. “My long-term vision is like, can you imagine whenever two-point conversion is in the cards that the whole stadium is chanting ‘Go for Dos?’ asks Payne. “That’s the Nirvana. I feel like we can get there.”
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.”
Valentine’s Day is celebrated different at the Winter Olympics
MILAN (AP) — At the Milan Cortina Olympic Games, winning medals isn’t the only thing making hearts swell. From the ice rinks to the snowy hills, love is in the frozen air.
Some competitions already seem to have Cupid in attendance.
Dutch skater Jutta Leerdam set an Olympic record in the 1000-meter race, then turned to find her fiancé Jake Paul in the stands; both visibly weeping, they made heart signs to one another with their hands. And downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson ’s longtime boyfriend proposed to her near the finish line Thursday while surrounded by members of the U.S. Ski Team.
Valentine’s Day for athletes and attendees at the Games doesn’t usually mean grand gestures, but it’s no less special.
Competing on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is the finals for the women’s skeleton event. That means that Kim Meylemans of Belgium and Nicole Rocha Silveira of Brazil — an international couple who play for their separate national teams — will be too busy for a romantic dinner. They told The Associated Press they didn’t even bring gifts to exchange.
But since they are together all the time, “It’s always a bit of a Valentine’s Day,” Meylemans said. “It is part of our sport every day, our love.”
The two feel fortunate their national Olympic committees arranged for them to bunk together at Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Olympic village, since typically only teammates share housing. Half their room is decorated for Belgium, the other half Brazil.
Rocha Silveira was new to the sport in 2019 when Meylemans was already competing in World Cup races. They fell in love during the pandemic while sharing short-term rentals, since many hotels closed.
Fast forward to 2024, and they unknowingly bought identical engagement rings and planned proposals for the same boat trip in Brazil while on vacation. They married last August.
When they compete, they high-five and kiss before each run, wishing the other well.
“It doesn’t matter which one is on the podium. At the end of the day, it’s a victory for our team,” Meylemans said.
Rocha Silveira said it’s important their relationship appears during these Games in Italy, where same-sex marriages aren’t recognized and only married heterosexual couples are allowed to jointly adopt.
It’s a great place to “show it even more,” and “encourage and inspire people that they can be themselves,” she said.
Volunteer valentines
Lori and Curtis Brown have been married for over 30 years and will be spend Valentine’s Day at the skating arena where they are volunteering for this year’s Winter Olympics.
About 18,000 volunteers are spread across the venues in northern Italy — a sea of navy blue uniforms keeping the Olympics running around the clock, with duties such as giving directions, accompanying athletes to venues, crowd control and medical support.
Curtis, 60, said neither of them had realized they were scheduled to work. Now, they’re hoping they can coincide their breaks to have dinner together, perhaps surrounded by the rest of the volunteers, he joked.
“This is the most special Valentine’s Day of our lives,” Curtis said. “Because we’re both here, we’re both on the same page, we’re both enjoying this adventure together.”
While presents are neither’s love language, Lori, 61, told the AP she bought boxer briefs from the official Milan Cortina souvenir store. Curtis hadn’t bought anything for her.
“It’s not so much about gift giving, just going out and doing something together,” said Lori, 61. She spoke while sitting beside Curtis, so perhaps she’ll be surprised on Saturday.
Canadians facing off against Germany
Canadian hockey forward Laura Stacey and her wife, team captain Marie-Philip Poulin, have a different kind of date: playing Germany’s team in the quarterfinals in Milan.
“We have a game, we have a big game, so spending it together. We’re pretty lucky,” Stacey said. “Most people don’t get to do what they love, chasing their dreams together, and we do. So I think on February 14th, I think it’s important for us to just appreciate that and not take it for granted.”
Aside from taking on Germany, they don’t have plans — but Stacey said they will surely at least give each other cards.
Other Olympian couples
Many other couples are at the Olympics, some teammates and others competing against each other.
— The record-breaking face of the U.S. women’s hockey team, Hilary Knight, is in Milan with her girlfriend Brittany Bowe, a speedskater from the U.S. skating team. On Saturday, she posted a photo of a pink, heart-shaped carabiner on her Instagram.
— American figure skaters Madison Chock and Evan Bates were married in 2024 and won a silver medal on Wednesday.
— U.S. bobsledding has a power couple with reigning women’s monobloc world champion Kaysha Love engaged to men’s push athlete Hunter Powell. She’s in the Olympics for the second time, while he’s making his debut.
— U.S. Alpine skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin — that sport’s all-time wins leader — is engaged to Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who returned to racing this season after dealing with major injuries.
— Italy’s luge team Dominik Fischnaller and the U.S.’s Emily Sweeney married last year after dating for almost 15 years.
— Latvia’s luge team includes the husband-and-wife pair of Martins Bots and Elina Bota, both single sliders.
—Curling may have the most well-known couples of any sport. Norway’s Magnus Nedregotten and Kristin Skaslien have been together since 2008 and won bronze in Pyeongchang. Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant of Canada married in 2022 and were favorites this year. There are Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller and Briar Schwalller-Huerlimann, too; they brought their baby and photos of him carrying a curling broom twice his size went viral.
He looked like a curling Cupid.
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McDermott reported from Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Associated Press writer John Wawrow in Milan contributed to this report.
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Tom Aspinall Pulls Back the Curtain on MMA’s Harsh Reality: ‘Fighters Are Completely Replaceable’
For years, the fight game has sold fans on heart, legacy, and glory. But every so often, a top star reminds everyone that behind the bright lights and sold-out arenas lies a far colder reality. This week, heavyweight standout Tom Aspinall, who recently got an eye surgery, didn’t hold back when discussing the business side of MMA — and his words struck a nerve.
“I’ll never stop loving MMA, but I hate the business,” Aspinall admitted. “Fighters are completely replaceable, and the business will make you feel that at every turn… Even if you get hit with an illegal move that could impact your life, they don’t care.”
It’s a brutally honest assessment from one of the UFC’s most dangerous heavyweights. Aspinall has built his reputation on speed, skill, and a finishing instinct rarely seen in the division. Yet despite his success inside the Octagon, his frustration reflects a sentiment many fighters have quietly expressed for years.
Aspinall’s comments also touched on fighter safety — particularly when illegal blows or controversial moments occur. An example of this is Aspinall’s controversial eye injury that happened during the fight against Ciryl Gane. While rules exist to protect competitors, the long-term consequences of a bad night inside the cage are carried by fighters alone. Promotions continue. Events roll on. The show must go on.
Tom Aspinall’s Frustration Highlights the Human Cost Behind the Spotlight
For Tom Aspinall, the conflict is deeply personal. He made it clear that his passion for mixed martial arts itself remains untouched. The craft. The competition. The pursuit of greatness. That love still burns strong.
But the corporate side? That’s where the bitterness lies. In a sport where champions can be sidelined by injury, and contenders leapfrog rankings with a single viral win, longevity is fragile. Fighters often operate without the guarantees common in other major professional sports. Contracts are restrictive, negotiating power varies widely, and careers can shift overnight.
His words add to a growing chorus demanding transparency and better protections. And when a heavyweight star in his prime speaks this openly, it becomes harder to dismiss. Love the sport. Question the business. According to Tom Aspinall, those two emotions can coexist.
USC hosts No. 10 Illinois after Arenas’ 25-point performance
Illinois Fighting Illini (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten) at USC Trojans (18-7, 7-7 Big Ten)
Los Angeles; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: USC takes on No. 10 Illinois after Alijah Arenas scored 25 points in USC’s 89-82 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Trojans have gone 9-3 at home. USC has a 7-1 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Fighting Illini are 12-3 in conference play. Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten with 38.3 rebounds per game led by David Mirkovic averaging 8.0.
USC makes 46.9% of its shots from the field this season, which is 6.5 percentage points higher than Illinois has allowed to its opponents (40.4%). Illinois averages 8.4 more points per game (84.2) than USC gives up to opponents (75.8).
The Trojans and Fighting Illini face off Wednesday for the first time in Big Ten play this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Chad Baker-Mazara is averaging 18.3 points for the Trojans. Ezra Ausar is averaging 14.0 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 60.8% over the past 10 games.
Keaton Wagler is averaging 18.5 points and 4.3 assists for the Fighting Illini. Mirkovic is averaging 14.1 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Trojans: 6-4, averaging 75.3 points, 32.9 rebounds, 14.2 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 74.1 points per game.
Fighting Illini: 8-2, averaging 81.3 points, 37.0 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 3.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.4 points.
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USC hosts No. 10 Illinois after Arenas’ 25
Illinois Fighting Illini (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten) at USC Trojans (18-7, 7-7 Big Ten)
Los Angeles; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: USC takes on No. 10 Illinois after Alijah Arenas scored 25 points in USC’s 89-82 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Trojans have gone 9-3 at home. USC has a 7-1 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Fighting Illini are 12-3 in conference play. Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten with 38.3 rebounds per game led by David Mirkovic averaging 8.0.
USC makes 46.9% of its shots from the field this season, which is 6.5 percentage points higher than Illinois has allowed to its opponents (40.4%). Illinois averages 8.4 more points per game (84.2) than USC gives up to opponents (75.8).
The Trojans and Fighting Illini face off Wednesday for the first time in Big Ten play this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Chad Baker-Mazara is averaging 18.3 points for the Trojans. Ezra Ausar is averaging 14.0 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 60.8% over the past 10 games.
Keaton Wagler is averaging 18.5 points and 4.3 assists for the Fighting Illini. Mirkovic is averaging 14.1 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Trojans: 6-4, averaging 75.3 points, 32.9 rebounds, 14.2 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 74.1 points per game.
Fighting Illini: 8-2, averaging 81.3 points, 37.0 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 3.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.4 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ US tour next month
Bruce Springsteen brings his political message back to U.S. arenas with a new run of shows
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ US tour next monthThe Associated PressLOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bruce Springsteen is bringing his pointed political commentary back to American stages this spring.
The rock icon and the E Street Band announced Tuesday the launch of their “Land of Hope and Dreams” American tour starting March 31 in Minneapolis, kicking off a 20-date run that blends arena rock with a message centered on democracy, freedom and what Springsteen calls the defense of the American ideal. The tour concludes May 27 with an outdoor performance at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming!” Springsteen said in a statement. “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream.”
Last month, Springsteen dedicated his song “Streets of Minneapolis” to the people of Minneapolis, criticizing President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city.
“It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” he wrote, naming the two people who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
The upcoming shows mark Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first performances in North America since 2024. In 2025, they played to more than 700,000 fans across Europe on the initial leg of the “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour and released a live EP recorded on opening night in Manchester, England.
Springsteen has increasingly leaned into political themes during recent performances. On last year’s European tour, he told audiences that the band was calling upon “the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ’n’ roll, in dangerous times.”
The E Street Band lineup includes Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, along with Soozie Tyrell, Jake Clemons and Charlie Giordano. They will be joined by the E Street Horns, the E Street Choir and percussionist Anthony Almonte.
Lighter-colored boards replace dark ones in the hockey arenas at the Olympics
MILAN (AP) — The hockey arenas at the Milan Cortina Olympics got a new look as the knockout round of the men’s tournament got underway Tuesday.
The boards encasing the rinks are now light blue and green after the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association made the case to the International Olympic Committee to make a change from the dark color during the preliminary round.
Players talked to the league and union about the boards after each team’s first practice in Milan.
U.S. goaltender Jeremy Swayman lost sight of the puck in the boards and the stands during his one round-robin game in net against Denmark. Swayman joked he was color-blind, so it didn’t matter to him.
“It was a flash screen and it was just the perfect height right between the stands and board level, and I truly lost it,” Swayman said after the 6-3 win. “It’s something all of us always have to face, and we play in different arenas every night in the NHL, so this is just one, another one, and it’s a challenge that we have to embrace.”
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colored boards replace dark ones in the hockey arenas at the Olympics
MILAN (AP) — The hockey arenas at the Milan Cortina Olympics got a new look as the knockout round of the men’s tournament got underway Tuesday.
The boards encasing the rinks are now light blue and green after the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association made the case to the International Olympic Committee to make a change from the dark color during the preliminary round.
Players talked to the league and union about the boards after each team’s first practice in Milan.
U.S. goaltender Jeremy Swayman lost sight of the puck in the boards and the stands during his one round-robin game in net against Denmark. Swayman joked he was color-blind, so it didn’t matter to him.
“It was a flash screen and it was just the perfect height right between the stands and board level, and I truly lost it,” Swayman said after the 6-3 win. “It’s something all of us always have to face, and we play in different arenas every night in the NHL, so this is just one, another one, and it’s a challenge that we have to embrace.”
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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch US tour
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bruce Springsteen is bringing his pointed political commentary back to American stages this spring.
The rock icon and the E Street Band announced Tuesday the launch of their “Land of Hope and Dreams” American tour starting March 31 in Minneapolis, kicking off a 20-date run that blends arena rock with a message centered on democracy, freedom and what Springsteen calls the defense of the American ideal. The tour concludes May 27 with an outdoor performance at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming!” Springsteen said in a statement. “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream.”
Last month, Springsteen dedicated his song “Streets of Minneapolis” to the people of Minneapolis, criticizing President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city.
“It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” he wrote, naming the two people who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
The upcoming shows mark Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first performances in North America since 2024. In 2025, they played to more than 700,000 fans across Europe on the initial leg of the “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour and released a live EP recorded on opening night in Manchester, England.
Springsteen has increasingly leaned into political themes during recent performances. On last year’s European tour, he told audiences that the band was calling upon “the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ’n’ roll, in dangerous times.”
The E Street Band lineup includes Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, along with Soozie Tyrell, Jake Clemons and Charlie Giordano. They will be joined by the E Street Horns, the E Street Choir and percussionist Anthony Almonte.
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ US tour next month
LOS ANGELES – Bruce Springsteen is bringing his pointed political commentary back to American stages this spring.
The rock icon and the E Street Band announced Tuesday the launch of their “Land of Hope and Dreams” American tour starting March 31 in Minneapolis, kicking off a 20-date run that blends arena rock with a message centered on democracy, freedom and what Springsteen calls the defense of the American ideal. The tour concludes May 27 with an outdoor performance at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming!” Springsteen said in a statement. “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream.”
Last month, Springsteen dedicated his song “Streets of Minneapolis” to the people of Minneapolis, criticizing President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city.
“It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” he wrote, naming the two people who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
The upcoming shows mark Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first performances in North America since 2024. In 2025, they played to more than 700,000 fans across Europe on the initial leg of the “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour and released a live EP recorded on opening night in Manchester, England.
Springsteen has increasingly leaned into political themes during recent performances. On last year’s European tour, he told audiences that the band was calling upon “the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ’n’ roll, in dangerous times.”
The E Street Band lineup includes Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, along with Soozie Tyrell, Jake Clemons and Charlie Giordano. They will be joined by the E Street Horns, the E Street Choir and percussionist Anthony Almonte.
E Street Band Hits U.S. Arenas In The Spring
Bruce Springsteen used to tell a story about a particular post-9/11 encounter when he was in alone in a parking lot and someone yelled, “We need you now!” That, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer said, was the impetus for his 2002 album The Rising.
Fast-forward a generation, and that phrase has a whole new meaning. And Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will lead up to America’s Semiquincentennial on the road.
The Boss on Tuesday posted a video on Instagram announcing a two-month, 20-date U.S. jaunt launching March 31 in, of course, Minneapolis. The Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour will stretch through late May and play arenas across the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave — save for a closing-night stadium show at Nationals Park in the nation’s capital.
“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming,” Springsteen says in the clip (watch it below). “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American Dream — all of which are under attack by our wannabe king and his rogue government in Washington, D.C. Everyone, regardless of where you stand or what you believe in, is welcome, so come on out and join the United Free Republic of E Street Nation for an American spring of rock ‘n’ rebellion.”
The tour will hit Los Angeles for two nights at the Kia Forum on April 7 and 9 and play New York City’s Madison Square Garden on May 11 and 16. It also will stop in metro markets including Portland, OR — another city rife with protests against immigration roundups — San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta and Philadelphia. The full itinerary is below.
The always-political Springsteen made headlines last month when he released “Streets of Minneapolis,” a biting, haunting song dedicated to the memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot to death during separate anti-ICE protests in the Minnesota city in January. Watch the video here:
RELATED: Bruce Springsteen Excoriates ICE’s “Gestapo Tactics,” Dedicates Song To Renee Good During Surprise New Jersey Performance
Springsteen has been beefing with Donald Trump and his administration, again, in recent weeks, months and years. But that’s nothing new. The political firebrand has been vocal about his opposition to government shenanigans for more than half a century. This tour promises much of the same. Tickets go on sale Friday.
Here is the full schedule for the Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour:
JR Motorsports’ Driver Rajah Caruth Shines in O’Reilly Series Debut
Rajah Caruth began his 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season with a calm and steady run at Daytona International Speedway. The 23-year-old finished 10th in the United Rentals 300 on February 14, giving JR Motorsports a solid start to the year.
Rajah Caruth started seventh and stayed in the lead draft for much of the race. He led one lap and earned stage points, including a fifth-place finish in Stage 2. A late incident affected his track position, but he still secured a top-10 result.
Rajah Caruth shows early speed and learns the draft
Caruth settled into the pack early and focused on understanding how the front group moved in the draft. He said the first stage helped him adjust to racing near the leaders at Daytona.
“I spent the first stage just getting my bearings,” Caruth explained. “I ran the fall race here before, but I was mostly mid-pack and hadn’t really spent much time up front. So in that first stage, I was learning how to keep my gaps closed and how much the cars move when you push.”
He showed progress as the race went on. Caruth stayed competitive in the Hendrick-powered car and moved forward in Stage 2, where he finished fifth and added valuable points for the standings.
JR Motorsports’ driver adjusts to the tighter racing style
Caruth also spoke about the difference between Truck Series racing and the tighter style required in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Daytona. He explained that pushing requires more precision and timing in this field.
“In the Trucks, you can kind of just hit the guy and be fine, but here you really have to square them up to push and move forward,” Caruth said. “By the second stage, I got more comfortable and started trying to be aggressive. The No. 2 and the 21 read what I was doing, though, so I’ve got to study that and see how I can do better next time.”
His comments reflected the learning process during the race as he worked to stay with the front pack while avoiding mistakes in the closing laps.
Late tire issue, but top-10 finish secured
Caruth’s run faced trouble with six laps remaining when he suffered a cut tire on the backstretch. The issue caused a spin and brought out a late caution, dropping him down the order. Despite the setback, he kept the car running and finished 10th.
“It got a bit hectic when I got caught up in that wreck and cut a tire, but we still got good stage points and finished. That’s really all you can ask for. It’s a good way to start the year and not be in a hole heading to Atlanta.”
Caruth said he did not feel extra pressure driving the No. 88 car, which combined for 10 wins in 2025.
“Not at all. I’m just treating it like another race,” Caruth said. “The thing I haven’t always had in my career is the reassurance that what I’m driving is capable, so now I can just focus on driving. I’ve been looking for that feeling for a while. There’s no pressure. I know I’m capable, I’ve done the work to build the résumé to get this opportunity, and I know the team is capable too.”
Austin Hill won the race after leading 75 laps and earned his third straight victory in the event. Caruth left Daytona with a strong points start and will head next to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the following race of the season.
How Much Is the 2026 Daytona 500 Purse? See the Record Prize Money, Payout
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Winning NASCAR’s most prestigious race, the Daytona 500, comes with a pretty penny.
The purse for the Daytona 500 has increased for the fourth consecutive year, with the 2026 total set at $31,045,575, per FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass. That’s the largest in the 67-year history of The Great American Race and over a $700,000 increase from last year’s figure ($30,331,250 in 2025).
[2026 Daytona 500: Live Updates, Leaderboard]
It remains unclear how much the winner of the event receives from the overall purse, as NASCAR doesn’t disclose the exact amount allotted to drivers. The last time NASCAR disclosed the winner’s prize was in 2015, when Joey Logano captured the win and $1.58 million, per Yahoo Sports.
However, some recent court documents have shed light on what the possible base payouts could be. The Daytona 500 winner will take 5.160% of the purse, which would total $1,601,950 this year, according to Racing News.
Pockrass previously reported in 2023 that Dayonta 500 winners received between $1.5 million and $2 million.
The overall purse for the Daytona 500 has jumped more than $13 million since 2015, when it was just $18 million.
Who Won Daytona 500 2026? Meet Winner Tyler Reddick
The 2026 Daytona 500 ended on a miraculous note. In the final 500 yards of the race, several racers crashed before the finish line, and Tyler Reddick came out victorious. The win was a big moment for Tyler, as it marked about a year since he finished as the runner-up of the 2025 Daytona 500 competition.
While reflecting on the road to his 2026 victory, Tyler said that last year “was really hard for all of us, hard for me.”
“When you’re a Cup driver, and you get to this level and drive for Michael Jordan, it’s expected you win every single year,” he explained, per NASCAR. “For us to go on that drought, it made us look hard in the mirror, and I am really proud of everyone on our Chumba Casino Toyota Camry. Worked really hard in the offseason, and there were many points in this race where we weren’t making decisions we wanted to, but we just reset, and every opportunity we got to reset, we went back at it.”
Admitting he was “just speechless,” Tyler confessed he “didn’t know if I’d ever win this race. It’s surreal, honestly.”
Get to know Tyler here — from his career to his background before his 2026 Daytona 500 victory.
Tyler Reddick Is Married With Children
Although his racing career is at full speed ahead, Tyler is also a husband and a dad! He is married to his wife, Alexa DeLeon, and they share two children.
Tyler Reddick Began Racing at 4 Years Old
Tyler was just a kid when he started racing. He competed in the Outlaw Karts at just 4 years old, then started competing in mini sprints, midgets and sprint cars.
Tyler Reddick Won the 2026 Daytona 500
As racing fans already know, Tyler is the winner of the 2026 Daytona 500. He muscled through quite the catastrophe in the final 500 yards of the race when multiple cars crashed behind him.
Jimmy Eat World Arby’s show filmed by NASCAR driver before Daytona 500
The band Jimmy Eat World performed a surprise pop-up concert at a Daytona Beach Arby’s.
The performance took place just days before the 2026 Daytona 500 NASCAR race.
NASCAR drivers Carson Kvapil and Brad Perez were among those who attended the surprise show.
The band is set to begin a 25th-anniversary tour later in the year, with stops in Florida.
Jimmy Eat World surprised fans (and NASCAR drivers) with a pop-up performance at a Daytona Beach, Florida Arby’s restaurant, just days before NASCAR’s biggest annual race.
The 2000s rock band, soon embarking on a 25th anniversary tour, took over the fast food spot on Ridgewood Ave. Friday night, Feb. 13, ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Jimmy Eat World Arby’s show filmed by NASCAR driver before Daytona 500
The band Jimmy Eat World performed a surprise pop-up concert at a Daytona Beach Arby’s.
The performance took place just days before the 2026 Daytona 500 NASCAR race.
NASCAR drivers Carson Kvapil and Brad Perez were among those who attended the surprise show.
The band is set to begin a 25th-anniversary tour later in the year, with stops in Florida.
Jimmy Eat World surprised fans (and NASCAR drivers) with a pop-up performance at a Daytona Beach, Florida Arby’s restaurant, just days before NASCAR’s biggest annual race.
The 2000s rock band, soon embarking on a 25th anniversary tour, took over the fast food spot on Ridgewood Ave. Friday night, Feb. 13, ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Jimmy Eat World Arby’s show filmed by NASCAR driver before Daytona 500
The band Jimmy Eat World performed a surprise pop-up concert at a Daytona Beach Arby’s.
The performance took place just days before the 2026 Daytona 500 NASCAR race.
NASCAR drivers Carson Kvapil and Brad Perez were among those who attended the surprise show.
The band is set to begin a 25th-anniversary tour later in the year, with stops in Florida.
Jimmy Eat World surprised fans (and NASCAR drivers) with a pop-up performance at a Daytona Beach, Florida Arby’s restaurant, just days before NASCAR’s biggest annual race.
The 2000s rock band, soon embarking on a 25th anniversary tour, took over the fast food spot on Ridgewood Ave. Friday night, Feb. 13, ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Jimmy Eat World Arby’s show filmed by NASCAR driver before Daytona 500
The band Jimmy Eat World performed a surprise pop-up concert at a Daytona Beach Arby’s.
The performance took place just days before the 2026 Daytona 500 NASCAR race.
NASCAR drivers Carson Kvapil and Brad Perez were among those who attended the surprise show.
The band is set to begin a 25th-anniversary tour later in the year, with stops in Florida.
Jimmy Eat World surprised fans (and NASCAR drivers) with a pop-up performance at a Daytona Beach, Florida Arby’s restaurant, just days before NASCAR’s biggest annual race.
The 2000s rock band, soon embarking on a 25th anniversary tour, took over the fast food spot on Ridgewood Ave. Friday night, Feb. 13, ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Visionary business leader behind Alabama motorsports park dead at 85
George Barber, the former owner of Barber’s Dairy and real estate developer whose vision built the sports museum and park that bears his name, died Monday.
He was 85.
Barber Motorsports Museum announced his death in a social media post stating it was “grateful for his vision and leadership.”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of George Barber,” the announcement reads. “He built more than an organization—he built a community.
B’laster Products Returns to Spire Motorsports in 2026
B’laster Products is re-upping its relationship with NASCAR Cup Series team Spire Motorsports, supporting driver Michael McDowell and the No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in two events, beginning with Sunday’s AutoTrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway.
Founded in 1957, B’laster Holdings is a trusted brand in race shops across the United States, offering a broad lineup of products that includes penetrants, lubricants, greases, solvents, protectants, refrigerants, and specialty chemicals, all specially designed to help professionals and DIYers get the job done right.
B’laster Holders will debut its 2026 NASCAR sponsorship program at EchoPark Speedway on Sunday, February 22 with the B’laster Products brand. The company will return for another race later in the season, at Talladega Superspeedway in April, with McDowell sporting the colors of the company’s popular brand GUNK.
“Racing is the ultimate proving ground, and that mindset is deeply embedded in everything we do at B’laster,” said Matt Bender, Marketing Director at B’laster Holdings. “Partnering with Michael and Spire Motorsports allows us to put our brands in front of passionate fans while reinforcing what B’laster and GUNK stand for – performance, reliability, and getting the job done under the toughest conditions.”
B’laster Products first partnered with Spire Motorsports in 2025, with McDowell securing a 13th-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway with GUNK branding. Later in the season at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the first NASCAR Cup Series event to be held in Mexico, McDowell recorded a top-five result with B’laster sponsorship.
“I’m thankful to represent B’laster Holdings again in 2026,” said McDowell. “We’ve built a strong partnership over the years, and their support means the world. Atlanta and Talladega are tracks we feel good about and real opportunities for us to race our way to Victory Lane.”
A native of Avondale, Arizona, McDowell is a veteran driver in the NASCAR Cup Series with nearly two decades of experience, spending several years running for underfunded organizations. McDowell would go on to secure a pair of NASCAR Cup Series victories, one in the 2021 DAYTONA 500 and another in the 2023 running of the Indy Road Course event.
Having joined Spire Motorsports with crew chief Travis Peterson at the beginning of last season, McDowell is still looking for his first victory in the No. 71 Chevrolet, after coming close a couple of times last season including Texas Motor Speedway.
The AutoTrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway will take place on Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 PM ET on FOX, Performance Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Racing Channel 90.
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Robots Are Coming to Assist MLB Umpires. Even So, the Human Touch Still Matters
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — For those worried robots are about to take over Major League Baseball, Colorado Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer has some experience with the Automated Ball/Strike system that’s coming to stadiums this summer.
Yes, the machines have a lot of power. But the human touch still matters.
“I’ve seen challenges lost in the first inning,
Robots are coming to assist MLB umpires. Even so, the human touch still matters
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – For those worried robots are about to take over Major League Baseball, Colorado Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer has some experience with the Automated Ball/Strike system that’s coming to stadiums this summer.
Yes, the machines have a lot of power. But the human touch still matters.
“I’ve seen challenges lost in the first inning,
MLB’s new ABS system uses machines, but the human touch still matters
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — For those worried robots are about to take over Major League Baseball, Colorado Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer has some experience with the Automated Ball/Strike system that’s coming to stadiums this summer.
Yes, the machines have a lot of power. But the human touch still matters.
“I’ve seen challenges lost in the first inning,” Schaeffer said. “That’s not good. Emotion is a big key to this.”
The ABS system made a cameo last year in big league spring training and was greeted with a mix of curiousity, excitement, disdain and uncertainty. Now that it’s here for regular-season games in 2026, the novelty is quickly giving way to strategy.
MLB gave a presentation on the ABS process Thursday at Cactus League Media Day in Arizona. Joe Martinez, the sport’s vice president of on-field strategy, said a survey taken by the league found 52% of fans said ABS had a “very positive” impact on last year’s spring training games, 20% called it “slightly positive,” and 18% said it was no factor.
Only 10% of fans rated ABS as having a “slightly negative” or “very negative” effect on the game.
As a refresher, here’s how the system works:
Stadiums are outfitted with cameras that track each pitch and judge whether it crossed home plate within the strike zone.
Human umpires call every pitch, but each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game. Teams that burn their challenges get one additional challenge in each extra inning. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and then widely expanded to many calls for the 2014 season.
Only a batter, pitcher or catcher may challenge a call, signaling by tapping one hand on a helmet or cap, and assistance from the dugout is not allowed. A challenge must be made within two seconds, and the graphic of the pitch and strike zone is shown on the scoreboard and broadcast feed. The umpire then announces the updated count.
Schaeffer, who was managing at Albuquerque when ABS debuted in Triple-A in 2022, said it’s important that teams develop a coherent strategy on how to deploy challenges. He added that “15 guys will have 15 different opinions” on how to use it, but the most important aspect is everyone is on the same page.
“We still have to have a lot of conversations behind closed doors, so that we’re putting our players in the best position to succeed,” the manager added.
Multiple MLB managers and GMs said Thursday that catchers will probably have the most leeway to challenge because they’ve got the best view of the baseball.
“You want to have one late in the game, just in case,” Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “The top of the first inning on a 0-0 fastball … I don’t want to challenge and lose. We’ll most likely rely on catchers first — pitchers at times get a little emotional. Hitters can be that way sometimes, too. I think we’re going to rely on the catchers and start there.
“But I want to have one in pocket, when I can, when it’s in a critical part of the game.”
The ABS system could be particularly beneficial to players like New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who have a good eye for the strike zone. Judge walked an American League-high 124 times last season.
“Our guys who are really good at controlling the zone should benefit and Aaron is certainly one of those guys who controls it real well, knows it real well,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
ABS was tested in 13 spring training ballparks last year, and teams won 52.2% of 1,182 challenges, which averaged 13.8 seconds. Strike zones vary depending on a player’s height — starting at 53.5% of a batter’s height for the top and 27% of a batter’s height for the bottom.
Each player will be measured for his strike zone starting at 10 a.m. to noon on a rolling basis during spring training — the time of day to maintain uniformity — and the data will be verified by the Southwest Research Institute.
There appears to be widespread agreement across MLB that the ABS system is a positive.
Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young used to work closely with MLB’s umpires when he was employed by the commissioner’s office and said they were long overdue for some help.
“They do a phenomenal job, but the stuff in today’s game is better than ever,” Young said. “Umpiring is harder than ever. If there’s the ability to use technology to add a level of consistency, that’s great for everybody.”
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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Should Cuyahoga County quadruple taxes on cigarettes, alcohol to fund future stadium repairs?
CLEVELAND, Ohio — If Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne has his way, voters will decide this year whether to quadruple the county’s sin tax on cigarettes and alcohol to pay for upkeep of Cleveland’s three publicly owned sports stadiums.
It’s an idea Ronayne has largely championed for the last year as a way to close the widening funding gap for repairs at Progressive Field, Rocket Arena and Huntington Bank Field — costs that the city and county have increasingly covered with general fund dollars.
Initial proposals called to triple the tax rate, but officials have since upped the ante and now, Ronayne said Cleveland officials and the respective sports teams that play in the facilities are urging state lawmakers to allow the county to put the question to voters. If they’re successful, the measure could appear on the ballot this year.
“Voters could see a sin tax initiative as early as November 2026, but the timeline and specifics aren’t 100% clear right now,” Ronayne’s Director of Communications Kelly Woodard said.
Sin tax dollars are currently split three ways between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Browns to upkeep their respective facilities (a separate portion of the cigarette tax, which increased last year, goes toward funding the arts). Those dollars are funneled through Gateway Economic Development Corporation of Greater Cleveland, the nonprofit that owns and operates the ballpark and arena, for repairs at its two facilities, and the City of Cleveland, for repairs at the football stadium.
But revenues have not kept pace with inflation and repair needs over the years, forcing the city and county to provide Gateway with a $40 million bailout in 2024 – nearly half of which the county had to borrow and has yet to repay.
Another $150 million in capital repairs waits on deck at Gateway facilities in the next three years, with more than $260 million in additional work projected through the remainder of the teams’ leases, according to a recent assessment. Gateway is obligated to cover those costs, even though it has no dedicated revenue stream to do so. And the county, facing one of its tightest budgets on record, has little room to step in.
A different proposal to create a special financing district that could collect small fees on parking, dining and entertainment in the Gateway District to help fund stadium repairs also hasn’t gained traction.
Without a new funding stream, Gateway is likely to require another bailout — again putting city and county general funds at risk.
“That’s exactly what the county wants to avoid,” Ronayne recently told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. “Our goal at the county is to take the general fund out of the equation on financing of the ballpark and arena.”
How? By increasing the so-called sin tax on alcohol and cigarettes.
The existing tax – 1.5 cents per can of beer and 4.5 cents on a pack of cigarettes – hasn’t been changed since voters originally approved it in 1990. It yields about $13 to $14 million per year.
Ohio lawmakers recently authorized the county to consider doubling the tax rates, but Ronayne declined, saying the increase would only generate about $25 million annually — still far short of what Gateway and the sports facilities are expected to need. Quadrupling the rates, however, could generate closer to $56 million per year; enough, Ronayne argues, to stabilize the funding model and reduce the risk of future bailouts.
But it also needs to come with stronger assurances for voters that their investment is worthwhile, he said, hinting toward the growing public dissent for using taxpayer dollars to subsidize billionaire team owners.
“What are they (taxpayers) getting for it?” Ronayne stressed.
Team executives argue public investment in the facilities benefit the broader regional economy.
Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group, which manages the Cavaliers, rejected the idea that public funding for arena upkeep amounts to a bailout for wealthy owners during a City Club of Cleveland event last month. He urged the community to view the dollars as an investment in an “experience-driven economy,” instead.
Barlage said Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has invested $209 million of his own money into Rocket Arena and hundreds of millions more downtown through his Bedrock development company. Representatives for the Guardians have made similar arguments about the Dolan family’s investments in Progressive Field and the broader community.
“We want to make sure we’re doing right by doing well for the community,” Barlage said. “We’re not looking for a handout.”
He said the organization is even open to potentially changing the lease agreement, which currently requires Gateway to pay for all capital repairs over $500,000. He did not provide specifics about what those changes might entail.
For Ronayne’s part, he’s not against some level of public funding for county assets, and he largely doesn’t dispute the teams’ stated repair needs at facilities that are now more than 30 years old. The challenge, he said, is identifying a sustainable way to pay for them without relying on county or city general funds.
However, Ronayne drew a sharp distinction between using tax dollars to maintain existing public assets and helping the Browns finance a new stadium in Brook Park.
Ronayne, who did not want the Browns to leave Cleveland, said he expects the team will continue to seek county bonding support for the new stadium, but he has yet to see a funding plan “that isn’t risky.” Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam have also said they can build without the county’s backing, he noted.
“So why, with all the challenges we have, why put our treasury into something that doesn’t need us?” Ronayne asked. “Last I looked, the Haslams can afford to build their own facility.”
Those financing questions only pertain to the construction of a new $2.4 billion stadium, though. The team has not yet laid out a plan for covering ongoing maintenance, other than continuing to bank on a third of six tax collections, as recently guaranteed by the state.
Without a new revenue source to cover hundreds of millions of dollars in expected expenses at the three facilities, however, the reality remains: local government coffers will continue to shoulder the burden.
From Border Incursions To Stadiums: Counter-Drone Systems To Protect World Cup Games
Whether the brief shutdown of El Paso airspace was driven by a reported U.S. military directed-energy counter-drone weapon or what senior U.S. officials characterized as a Mexican cartel drone incursion remains unresolved at the moment.
Our assessment is that, with FIFA World Cup matches just months away, the Trump administration is racing to deploy counter-drone systems. After all, President Donald Trump signed last year’s
2026 World Cup schedule: Dates, times, stadiums all confirmed – Full details
The full schedule for the 2026 World Cup has been confirmed, with the kick off times, dates and venues for all 104 games now confirmed.
MORE — Groups confirmed for 2026 World Cup
We now know where you can watch each team play across the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer and you can start making your plans.
This is what it is all about, as we’ve been waiting years for the schedule for this 48-team tournament to be revealed.
MORE — 2026 World Cup hub | 2026 World Cup venues
Below are all the details you need.
2026 World Cup schedule, dates, times, stadiums, full details
Group A schedule
June 11: Mexico vs South Africa – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 3pm ET
June 11: South Korea vs UEFA playoff D – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – 10pm
June 18: UEFA playoff D vs South Africa – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
June 18: Mexico vs South Korea – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – 9pm ET
June 24: UEFA playoff D vs Mexico – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 9pm ET
June 24: South Africa vs South Korea – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – 9pm ET
Group B schedule
June 12: Canada vs UEFA playoff A – BMO Field, Toronto – 3pm ET
June 13: Qatar vs Switzerland – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – 3pm ET
June 18: Switzerland vs UEFA playoff A – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
June 18: Canada vs Qatar – BC Place, Vancouver – 6pm ET
June 24: Switzerland vs Canada – BC Place, Vancouver – 3pm ET
June 24: UEFA playoff A vs Qatar – Lumen Field, Seattle – 3pm ET
Group C schedule
June 13: Brazil vs Morocco – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 6pm ET
June 13: Haiti vs Scotland – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 9pm ET
June 19: Scotland vs Morocco – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 6pm ET
June 19: Brazil vs Haiti – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 9pm ET
June 24: Scotland vs Brazil – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 6pm ET
June 24: Morocco vs Haiti – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 6pm ET
Group D schedule
June 12: USA vs Paraguay – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 9pm ET
June 13: Australia vs UEFA playoff C – BC Place, Vancouver – Midnight ET
June 19: USA vs Australia – Lumen Field, Seattle – 3pm ET
June 19: UEFA playoff C vs Paraguay – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – Midnight ET
June 25: UEFA playoff C vs USA – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 10pm ET
June 25: Paraguay vs Australia – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – 10pm ET
Group E schedule
June 14: Germany vs Curacao – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 14: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 7pm ET
June 20: Germany vs Ivory Coast – BMO Field, Toronto – 4pm ET
June 20: Ecuador vs Curacao – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 8pm ET
June 25: Ecuador vs Germany – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 4pm ET
June 25: Curacao vs Ivory Coast – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 4pm ET
Group F schedule
June 14: Netherlands vs Japan – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 4pm ET
June 14: UEFA playoff B vs Tunisia – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – 10pm ET
June 20: Netherlands vs UEFA playoff B – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 20: Tunisia vs Japan – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – Midnight ET
June 25: Japan vs UEFA playoff B – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 7pm ET
June 25: Tunisia vs Netherlands – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 7pm ET
Group G schedule
June 15: Iran vs New Zealand – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 9pm ET
June 15: Belgium vs Egypt – Lumen Field, Seattle – 3pm ET
June 21: Belgium vs Iran – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
June 21: New Zealand vs Egypt – BC Place, Vancouver – 9pm ET
June 26: Egypt vs Iran – Lumen Field, Seattle – 11pm ET
June 26: New Zealand vs Belgium – BC Place, Vancouver – 11pm ET
Group H schedule
June 15: Spain vs Cape Verde – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
June 15: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 6pm ET
June 21: Spain vs Saudi Arabia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
June 21: Uruguay vs Cape Verde – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 6pm ET
June 26: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia – NRG Stadium, Houston – 8pm ET
June 26: Uruguay vs Spain – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – 8pm ET
Group I schedule
June 16: France vs Senegal – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 3pm ET
June 16: Inter-confederation playoff 2 vs Norway – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 6pm ET
June 22: France vs Inter-confederation playoff 2 – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 5pm ET
June 22: Norway vs Senegal – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 8pm ET
June 26: Norway vs France – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 3pm ET
June 26: Senegal vs Inter-confederation playoff 2 – BMO Field, Toronto – 3pm ET
Group J schedule
June 16: Argentina vs Algeria – Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City – 9pm ET
June 16: Austria vs Jordan – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – Midnight ET
June 22: Argentina vs Austria – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 1pm ET
June 22: Jordan vs Algeria – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – 11pm ET
June 27: Algeria vs Austria – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 10pm ET
June 27: Jordan vs Argentina – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 10pm ET
Group K schedule
June 17: Portugal vs Inter-confederation playoff 1 – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 17: Uzbekistan vs Colombia – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 10pm ET
June 23: Portugal vs Uzbekistan – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 23: Colombia vs Inter-confederation playoff 1 – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – 10pm ET
June 27: Colombia vs Portugal – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 7:30pm ET
June 27: Inter-confederation playoff 1 vs Uzbekistan – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 7:30pm ET
Group L schedule
June 17: England vs Croatia – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 4pm ET
June 17: Ghana vs Panama – BMO Field, Toronto – 7pm ET
June 23: England vs Ghana – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 4pm ET
June 23: Panama vs Croatia – BMO Field, Toronto – 7pm ET
June 27: Panama vs England – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 5pm ET
June 27: Croatia vs Ghana – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 5pm ET
Round of 32 schedule
June 28: Match 73 – Runner up Group A vs Runner up Group B – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
June 29: Match 76 – Winner Group C vs Runner up Group F – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
June 29: Match 74 – Winner Group E vs 3rd Group A/B/C/D/F – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 4:30pm ET
June 29: Match 75 – Winner Group F vs Runner up Group C – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – 9pm ET
June 30: Match 78 – Runner up Group E vs Runner up Group I – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 1pm ET
June 30: Match 77 – Winner Group I vs 3rd Group C/D/F/G/H – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 5pm ET
June 30: Match 79 – Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C/E/F/H/I – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 9pm ET
July 1: Match 80 – Winner Group L vs 3rd Group E/H/I/J/K – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
July 1: Match 82 – Winner Group G vs 3rd Group A/E/H/I/J – Lumen Field, Seattle – 4pm ET
July 1: Match 81 – Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B/E/F/I/J – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – 8pm ET
July 2: Match 84 – Winner Group H vs Runner up Group J – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
July 2: Match 83 – Runner up Group K vs Runner up Group L – BMO Field, Toronto – 7pm ET
July 2: Match 85 – Winner Group B vs 3rd Group E/F/G/I/J – BC Place, Vancouver – 11pm ET
July 3: Match 88 – Runner up Group D vs Runner up Group G – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 2pm ET
July 3: Match 86 – Winner Group J vs Runner up Group H – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 6pm ET
July 3: Match 87 – Winner Group K vs 3rd Group D/E/I/J/L – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 9:30pm ET
Round of 16 schedule
July 4: Match 90 – Winner Match 73 vs Winner Match 75 – NRG Stadium, Houston – 1pm ET
July 4: Match 89 – Winner Match 74 vs Winner Match 77 – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – 5pm ET
July 5: Match 91 – Winner Match 76 vs Winner Match 78 – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 4pm ET
July 5: Match 92 – Winner Match 79 vs Winner Match 80 – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 8pm ET
July 6: Match 93 – Winner Match 83 vs Winner Match 84 – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 3pm ET
July 6: Match 94 – Winner Match 81 vs Winner Match 82 – Lumen Field, Seattle – 8pm ET
July 7: Match 95 – Winner Match 86 vs Winner Match 88 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 12pm ET
July 7: Match 96 – Winner Match 85 vs Winner Match 87 – BC Place, Vancouver – 4pm ET
Quarterfinal schedule
July 9: Match 97 – Winner Match 89 vs Winner Match 90 – Gillette Stadium, Boston – 4pm ET
July 10: Match 98 – Winner Match 93 vs Winner Match 94 – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 3pm ET
July 11: Match 99 – Winner Match 91 vs Winner Match 92 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 5pm ET
July 11: Match 100 – Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96 – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 9pm ET
Semifinal schedule
July 14: Match 101 – Winner Match 97 vs Winner Match 98 – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 3pm ET
July 15: Match 102 – Winner Match 99 vs Winner Match 100 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 3pm ET
Third-place game
July 18: Match 103 – Loser Match 101 vs Loser Match 102 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami – 5pm ET
Final
July 19: Match 104 – Winner Match 101 vs Winner Match 102 – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – 3pm ET
Reminder: What is Cuyahoga County’s sin tax and what does it pay for?
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga County residents have been paying a “sin tax” on cigarettes and alcohol since 1990.
The tax has financed the construction of the county’s three major professional sports venues and was supposed to cover the long-term upkeep, at least through 2034. But spending has long-since outpaced revenues, leading to increased reliance on Cleveland’s and Cuyahoga County’s general funds.
Now, County Executive Chris Ronayne hopes to seek voter approval to significantly increase the tax, so it can once again cover future stadium costs.
“Our goal at the county is to take the general fund out of the equation on financing of the ballpark and arena,” Ronayne recently told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
Here’s what you need to know about it.
1. What is the sin tax?
The county’s sin tax is an excise tax on cigarettes and alcohol sold in Cuyahoga County. The current rates are:
4.5 cents per pack of cigarettes
1.5 cents per 12-ounce container of beer
6 cents per 750-milliliter bottle of wine
24 cents per gallon of cider
32 cents per gallon of mixed beverages
$3 per gallon of hard liquor
The tax is collected at the point of sale as part of the county’s broader sales tax system. Vaping and marijuana products are not taxed.
2. When was it approved?
Voters first approved a 15-year sin tax in May 1990 to build Jacobs Field and Gund Arena, which today are known as Progressive Field and Rocket Arena, respectively.
In November 1995, voters approved a 10-year extension – which would take it through 2015 –to build a new football stadium after the original Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore. That extension backed bonds used to construct Huntington Bank Field, where the team currently plays.
In May 2014, voters approved another 20-year extension. Collections are supposed to be split between the three facilities to fund major capital repairs, such as structural work, scoreboards, mechanical systems and major renovations. Money cannot be used for routine maintenance or team payroll.
3. Who collects the tax?
The State of Ohio collects all sales taxes and distributes the sin tax portion to Cuyahoga County each month.
4. How much does the tax raise?
In recent years, annual collections have generally ranged between $13 million and $16 million, though revenue can fluctuate due to changing cigarette and alcohol sales patterns.
Because smoking rates have steadily dropped since 1990, cigarette tax revenue has decreased over time, increasing reliance on alcohol-related collections.
5. How is the money spent?
The City of Cleveland owns the Cleveland Browns’s stadium and approves repair expenses.
The nonprofit Gateway Economic Development Corp. owns Progressive Field and Rocket Arena and enforces team leases on behalf of the county. Gateway’s board, appointed by city and county officials, sign off on spending at the ballpark and arena.
Under the lease agreements with the respective teams, Gateway is responsible for paying all capital repairs at Progressive Field and capital repairs over $500,000 at Rocket Arena.
6. What’s next?
The current sin tax is set to expire in 2035.
County Executive Chris Ronayne said officials from Cleveland and the city’s three major sports teams are helping petition the state for permission to triple or quadruple the county’s sin tax rate, which could raise $15 million to $19 million per stadium to cover repairs each year, if sales remain steady.
The state previously approved doubling the tax rate, but Ronayne declined to pursue it, saying it would not cover the full need and leave local governments on the hook for subsidizing remaining costs. The city and county recently provided Gateway a $40 million bailout for repairs at Rocket Arena and Progressive Field because it didn’t have enough money to cover its bills.
Increasing – and likely extending — the sin tax would require voter approval, a question that could be on the ballot later this year.
“Voters could see a sin tax initiative as early as November 2026, but the timeline and specifics aren’t 100% clear right now,” Ronayne’s Director of Communications Kelly Woodard recently told cleveland.com.
North Dakota State Insider Reveals Stadium Status Amid FBS Move
While the nation’s biggest FBS stadiums have drawn well over 100,000 fans on a fall Saturday, recent newcomer North Dakota State has a small fraction of that capacity but the sound to match the blaring noise of the SEC and Big Ten.
North Dakota State’s home stadium, the 19,000-seat Fargodome, has reached 115 decibels for a game before during the Bison’s dominant FCS run of 10 national titles between 2011 and 2024. That puts a full Fargodome easily in the top-25 of noisiest venues based on USA Today’s Aggies Wire’s numbers, but the dome administration isn’t looking to expand seating yet to make the home environment more intimidating.
“The move to FBS doesn’t mean the Fargo Dome Authority is going to revisit another run at a renovation, at least immediately,” Fargo Dome Authoriy president David Suppes told NDSU insider Jeff Kolpack of the Fargo Forum last week.
According to Kolpack, the wide majority of Fargo residents voted down a $140 million proposal in 2024 to renovate the dome because of sales tax funding. However, the dome is also a finalist to have an addition with the new Fargo convention center, and Suppes informed Kolpack that NDSU’s move up could impact things.
“We’re working hard on that and it’s quite a bit of work,” Suppes said. “But this news coming out of NDSU being accepted to the Mountain West certainly adds another dynamic to the conversation.”
Bison HC Tim Polasek: ‘It’s Intimidating’
While the Fargo Dome is the third-smallest venue in the Mountain West, it could offer one of the toughest places to play for visiting teams.
That was the case in the FCS, where the Bison had a 38-2 record at home in the playoffs, and the Bison are 144-24 all-time at home since the dome opened in 1993. NDSU’s first game in the dome as a Division II program, and the matchup with Pittsburg State was on ESPN’s radar, per Bison Illustrated. Two decades later, ESPN’s CollegeGameday came three times during the Bison FCS dynasty.
“For coaches and players on the field, NDSU is a problem,” Bison head coach Tim Polasek told Kolpack. “The crowd noise, the in-game experience with the jumbotrons, as far as dealing with the environment — A-plus, it will be high in the Mountain West.”
Polasek noted that even the Bison tailgating environment gets visiting teams’ attention. He knows it will be the case in the FBS, too, after serving on staff with Iowa from 2017 to 2020 and Wyoming from 2021 to 2023.
“I get this from coaches who come here, if the bus driver takes a wrong turn and they go down by the tailgating, it’s intimidating,” Polasek said.
Expansion Not Needed For Bison
As Kolpack noted, the NCAA did away with the 15,000-fan minimum average for the FBS in 2023, so NDSU will only need to expand seating via renovation or a new stadium if the fan base grows to require it.
That said, NDSU could easily sit in the middle of the Mountain West pack for attendance. Air Force led attendance in 2025 with 39,441 fans per game, and San Jose State had a league low 18,265 fans per contest.
Jessica Pegula will lead the WTA Tour’s efforts to improve the women’s tennis calendar
By HOWARD FENDRICH
Jessica Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, will lead a new 13-person panel to suggest changes to the women’s tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events, according to a letter sent Tuesday by WTA Tour chair Valerie Camillo to players and tournament officials.
For years, tennis players — women and men — have complained that the sport’s season is too long and the offseason is too short and lamented other factors that contribute to injuries and burnout. Camillo said the Tour Architecture Council will make recommendations to the WTA Board; she hopes a revised setup can be approved for 2027.
“There has been a clear sentiment across the Tour that the current calendar does not feel sustainable for players given the physical, professional, and personal pressures of competing at the highest level,” Camillo, who became chair in November, wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
Camillo’s letter said the council “will focus first on areas where the WTA has direct authority to drive change, while also identifying longer-term opportunities that will require broader coordination across the sport” — by working, eventually, with the ATP men’s tour and the four Grand Slam tournaments, she explained in a telephone interview.
“We are very open to looking broadly at a host of potential solutions to this. … The idea is: We go in there with a very open mind and open dialogue,” Camillo told the AP. “We’re not going to solve the entire world (immediately). … The reason we don’t want to wait for, ‘Hey, let’s do this as a collective system,’ (is) we want to be timely, we want to be focused on making an immediate impact.”
The No. 5-ranked Pegula, a 31-year-old American who will chair the council, “has a unique perspective as a top player (and is) widely respected for her thoughtful, collaborative approach,” Camillo said.
“It’s one of the toughest sports,” Pegula said last year, “just when you combine, not just the physicality of it, but the schedule, the loneliness, the mental side, how tough it is to go out there and compete, week-in and week-out, by yourself.”
No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek were among more than a half-dozen withdrawals from this week’s WTA event in Dubai. During a pre-Australian Open tournament in January, Sabalenka said she planned to skip some tour stops “to protect my body.”
“The season,” she said then, “is definitely insane.”
In addition to Pegula, active players on the council are Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, a two-time Australian Open champion and former No. 1; Maria Sakkari of Greece, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist who has been ranked as high as No. 3; and Katie Volynets of the U.S., who is currently No. 96.
Camillo, WTA CEO Portia Archer and three other tour officials are on the panel, whose members also include Anja Vreg, an agent, ex-player and ex-umpire who is chair of the WTA Player Board; Bob Moran, whose Beemok Sports & Entertainment runs tournaments in Cincinnati and Charleston, South Carolina; Laura Ceccarelli, who represents the Asia-Pacific region on the WTA Tournament Council; and Alastair Garland, the managing director of Octagon Tennis and member of the WTA Board of Directors.
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Jessica Pegula will lead the WTA Tour’s efforts to improve the women’s tennis calendar
Jessica Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, will lead a new 13-person panel to suggest changes to the women’s tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events, according to a letter sent Tuesday by WTA Tour chair Valerie Camillo to players and tournament officials.
For years, tennis players — women and men — have complained that the sport’s season is too long and the offseason is too short and lamented other factors that contribute to injuries and burnout. Camillo said the Tour Architecture Council will make recommendations to the WTA Board; she hopes a revised setup can be approved for 2027.
“There has been a clear sentiment across the Tour that the current calendar does not feel sustainable for players given the physical, professional, and personal pressures of competing at the highest level,” Camillo, who became chair in November, wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
Camillo’s letter said the council “will focus first on areas where the WTA has direct authority to drive change, while also identifying longer-term opportunities that will require broader coordination across the sport” — by working, eventually, with the ATP men’s tour and the four Grand Slam tournaments, she explained in a telephone interview.
“We are very open to looking broadly at a host of potential solutions to this. … The idea is: We go in there with a very open mind and open dialogue,” Camillo told the AP. “We’re not going to solve the entire world (immediately). … The reason we don’t want to wait for, ‘Hey, let’s do this as a collective system,’ (is) we want to be timely, we want to be focused on making an immediate impact.”
The No. 5-ranked Pegula, a 31-year-old American who will chair the council, “has a unique perspective as a top player (and is) widely respected for her thoughtful, collaborative approach,” Camillo said.
“It’s one of the toughest sports,” Pegula said last year, “just when you combine, not just the physicality of it, but the schedule, the loneliness, the mental side, how tough it is to go out there and compete, week-in and week-out, by yourself.”
No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek were among more than a half-dozen withdrawals from this week’s WTA event in Dubai. During a pre-Australian Open tournament in January, Sabalenka said she planned to skip some tour stops “to protect my body.”
“The season,
Jessica Pegula will lead the WTA Tour’s efforts to improve the women’s tennis calendar
Jessica Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, will lead a new 13-person panel to suggest changes to the women’s tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events, according to a letter sent Tuesday by WTA Tour chair Valerie Camillo to players and tournament officials.
For years, tennis players — women and men — have complained that the sport’s season is too long and the offseason is too short and lamented other factors that contribute to injuries and burnout. Camillo said the Tour Architecture Council will make recommendations to the WTA Board; she hopes a revised setup can be approved for 2027.
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Coco Gauff speaks out on U.S. immigration reform, Trump policies
Tennis star Coco Gauff recently shared her thoughts on the current state of the U.S.’s immigration reform.
Pegula to lead WTA Tour’s efforts to improve women’s calendar
Jessica Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, will lead a new 13-person panel to suggest changes to the women’s tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events, according to a letter sent Tuesday by WTA Tour chair Valerie Camillo to players and tournament officials.
For years, tennis players – women and men – have complained that the sport’s season is too long and the offseason is too short and lamented other factors that contribute to injuries and burnout. Camillo said the Tour Architecture Council will make recommendations to the WTA Board; she hopes a revised setup can be approved for 2027.
Slalom is Mikaela Shiffrin’s last shot at an Olympic medal in Italy
By WILL GRAVES
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Mikaela Shiffrin likes to invoke the adage from tennis great Billie Jean King that “pressure is a privilege.” Even if, at times, it doesn’t quite feel like it.
And it might not at the moment for the American skiing star as she prepares for her third and final race at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Shiffrin heads into Wednesday’s slalom still looking for her first medal at Tofane and her first Olympic medal in a staggering eight years. A bafflingly slow performance in the slalom during women’s combined last week cost Shiffrin and teammate Breezy Johnson a spot on the podium.
The winningest ski racer in history felt faster and more confident during the giant slalom a few days later, with her 11th-place finish more a testament to what she described as the “greatest show” GS had put on in quite some time than her actual performance. Shiffrin was just three-tenths of a second off the podium, a razor-thin margin in an event where the time gap between the winners and the rest of the field is usually far greater.
Shiffrin’s meticulous preparation for her signature discipline — she’s already wrapped up a record ninth World Cup series title in slalom with two races remaining — included reacclimating herself to the singular rhythm of an event where tempo is everything.
You’d think after a 71 slalom wins — including seven this year alone — that would be no big deal. At this point in the 30-year-old’s career, it’s not.
“No matter how many runs of slalom I do it never gets easier,” said Shiffrin, who collected her first Olympic gold in the event as a teenager in Sochi a dozen years ago. “It only gets like you become more aware of how challenging it is.”
And that’s just the physical part. The mental side is another matter entirely.
Shiffrin carries the burden of expectations that are part of the deal — fairly or unfairly — when you cut and paste your name all over your sport’s record book. She has been characteristically transparent while discussing wrangling with those expectations, even though in many ways they’re well outside of her control.
She arrived in the Dolomite Mountains confident those forgettable days in Beijing four years ago when she failed to medal in any of the six events she entered were behind her. The uncharacteristically slow run in the women’s combined left her mystified and subdued. The aggressiveness she displayed in the GS left her upbeat and optimistic.
Still, when she stands in the starter’s house during the final women’s alpine race of these Olympics, the standard set for her will be different from everyone else, including reigning gold medalist Petra Vlhova of Slovakia.
“I can imagine what she’s feeling right now,” Vlhova said. “But … she’s strong and I believe she can make it. But it takes a lot of energy, but I believe that she can do it.”
Vhlova has taken her own winding path back to this moment. She shredded multiple ligaments in her right knee in January 2024 and didn’t return to competition until the women’s combined on Feb. 10. She didn’t finish her run, but it also in a way didn’t matter as she hits what she described as the “restart” button.
During Vhlova’s absence, Shiffrin has cemented her legacy. Her career World Cup wins in all disciplines currently stands at 108 and counting, including eight in her last nine slalom starts dating to the end of last season.
She is, by every measure, the best skier in the field. Yet the course is a little flatter and perhaps a little easier than what they usually encounter. There’s a very real chance things could be just as tight on Wednesday as they were during the GS. Maybe even closer.
It means Shiffrin’s margin for error during her two runs might be smaller than usual, and she knows it. Her run in the women’s combined, when she was 15th, her worst ranking in a slalom race she’s started and finished since 2012, caught her off guard.
A dedicated student of her craft, Shiffrin believes her skis got misaligned a few times. The flat light on a gray afternoon played a factor too. So did a mentality that she admitted didn’t match the moment, something she’ll try to address as she aims to end her fourth trip to the Olympics on an up note.
“I’m kind of going into it with my eyes open that we can see a very similar situation and I will try to handle it differently in my head,” she said.
Such is the challenge that is unique to this once-every-four-years spectacle. There is little debate that Shiffrin is the Greatest of All Time. Her struggles under this specific spotlight, however, have put her in a strange and perhaps unenviable spot.
She has tried to handle it with grace. U.S. Skiing and Snowboarding president Sophie Goldschmidt called Shiffrin “the ultimate role model” and even as she grappled with how a spot on the podium in the combined got away, she made it a point to give longtime teammates Jackie Wiles and Paula Moltzan their flowers after earning their first Olympic medals.
Whatever happens, those that know Shiffrin know she will leave it all out there. If she does that, she can make peace with the result, whatever it may be.
“She has a lot of experience,” Vhlova said. “She knows how to deal with it and as I said, I believe that she can make it.”
AP Sports Writer Andrew Dampf contributed to this story.
Jessica Pegula will lead the WTA Tour’s efforts to improve the women’s tennis calendar
Jessica Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, will lead a new 13-person panel to suggest changes to the women’s tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events, according to a letter sent Tuesday by WTA Tour chair Valerie Camillo to players and tournament officials.
For years, tennis players — women and men — have complained that the sport’s season is too long and the offseason is too short and lamented other factors that contribute to injuries and burnout. Camillo said the Tour Architecture Council will make recommendations to the WTA Board; she hopes a revised setup can be approved for 2027.
“There has been a clear sentiment across the Tour that the current calendar does not feel sustainable for players given the physical, professional, and personal pressures of competing at the highest level,” Camillo, who became chair in November, wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
Camillo’s letter said the council “will focus first on areas where the WTA has direct authority to drive change, while also identifying longer-term opportunities that will require broader coordination across the sport” — by working, eventually, with the ATP men’s tour and the four Grand Slam tournaments, she explained in a telephone interview.
“We are very open to looking broadly at a host of potential solutions to this. … The idea is: We go in there with a very open mind and open dialogue,” Camillo told the AP. “We’re not going to solve the entire world (immediately). … The reason we don’t want to wait for, ‘Hey, let’s do this as a collective system,’ (is) we want to be timely, we want to be focused on making an immediate impact.”
The No. 5-ranked Pegula, a 31-year-old American who will chair the council, “has a unique perspective as a top player (and is) widely respected for her thoughtful, collaborative approach,” Camillo said.
“It’s one of the toughest sports,” Pegula said last year, “just when you combine, not just the physicality of it, but the schedule, the loneliness, the mental side, how tough it is to go out there and compete, week-in and week-out, by yourself.”
No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek were among more than a half-dozen withdrawals from this week’s WTA event in Dubai. During a pre-Australian Open tournament in January, Sabalenka said she planned to skip some tour stops “to protect my body.”
“The season,” she said then, “is definitely insane.”
In addition to Pegula, active players on the council are Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, a two-time Australian Open champion and former No. 1; Maria Sakkari of Greece, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist who has been ranked as high as No. 3; and Katie Volynets of the U.S., who is currently No. 96.
Camillo, WTA CEO Portia Archer and three other tour officials are on the panel, whose members also include Anja Vreg, an agent, ex-player and ex-umpire who is chair of the WTA Player Board; Bob Moran, whose Beemok Sports & Entertainment runs tournaments in Cincinnati and Charleston, South Carolina; Laura Ceccarelli, who represents the Asia-Pacific region on the WTA Tournament Council; and Alastair Garland, the managing director of Octagon Tennis and member of the WTA Board of Directors.
Alex Eala stuns Jasmine Paolini in Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Alexandra Eala delivered a ruthless masterclass to stun No. 6 Jasmine Paolini 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) at the WTA Tour Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday, adding another big name to her growing list of impressive victories.
Paolini, the French Open and Wimbledon runner-up in 2024, is the third top-10 player beaten by Eala, joining Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys — both of whom the 20-year-old Filipina stunned during her breakthrough run at the Miami Open last year.
The players held serve through the opening three games before Eala broke in the fourth; the Filipina didn’t look back, reeling off the remaining games of the set — including another break in the sixth. Her improved serve, a key weapon, set up her aggressive baseline play and kept Paolini on the defensive.
The numbers told the story of her dominance, as Eala won 86% of her first-serve points and finished with a 7-2 edge in winners.
Paolini won the first game of the second set before Eala also held serve then broke once more in the third game of what would become a see-sawing bracket.
The Italian, the 2024 champion in Dubai, fought back and claimed her first break of the match to square the second set at 3-3. Eala broke back immediately then held serve in the eighth game to take a 5-3 advantage.
Paolini held serve then broke Eala as the Filipina served for the match, saving three match points in doing so. The Italian capitalized on the mounting pressure on Eala to lead 6-5 edge, but the Filipina stayed composed in the 12th game, holding serve to force a tiebreak.
The players traded mini-breaks to 4-4 before Eala tightened her first serve and dictated the longer rallies. The Filipina won the key exchanges down the stretch to close out the match and complete the straight-sets victory.
Manatee, Sarasota high school sports results for Feb 16-21
A roundup of Manatee and Sarasota County high school sports for Feb. 16-21, 2026.
TUESDAY
Baseball
Parrish 10, Southeast 0: Sam Torres went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Tyler Brown was 2 for 3 with a triple and Denver McDonald had a hit and 2 RBIs. Landon Straub picked up the win, throwing 6 innings of no-hit baseball with 11 strikeouts.
Sarasota Christian 3, Admiral Farragut 2: Evan Poznanski and Jace Mayer had RBI for the Blazers, who scored all three runs in the fourth inning. James White walked twice and scored a run.
Softball
North Port 5, Lemon Bay 0: Taysia Stevens and Kendall Parrish had 2 RBIs apiece. Laela Rosa allowed 3 hits and 3 walks with 14 strikeouts for the win.
Girls lacrosse
Bradenton Christian 18, Parrish 3: Adelyn Bartz had 5 goals, an assist, 3 ground balls and 7 draw controls, Juliana Bartz had 5 goals, 2 assists, 2 ground balls and 2 draw controls, and Sadie Simonelli added 3 goals and 8 draw controls.
Cardinal Mooney 24, Sarasota 1: Kayleigh Bergstrom had 5 goals, 1 assist and 95% draw wins, Gabby Ulrich had 5 goals, 4 assists, and 3 draw controls, Kaitlin Carolan had 4 goals, 4 assists, and 3 ground balls and Lauren Impastato had 3 goals and 1 ground ball.
Girls Tennis
Venice 6, Pine View 1: Singles 1 – 1. Zoya Ilic (P) d. Koreena Hickey (3-6, 6-2, 10-2; 2. Riley Dixon (V) d. Bianca Grebing 6-1, 6-1; 3. Mary Edlin (V) d. Hailey Han 3-6, 6-2, 10-6; 4. Maggie Antesberger (V) d. Margaret Halperin 6-1, 4-6, 10-6; 5. Raquel Kushman (V) d. Sanvi Agarwal 6-3, 7-6 (7-1). Doubles – 1. Dixon/Olivia Klier (V) d. Cannon/Han 6-3, 6-3; 2. Antesberger/Kushman (V) d. Halperin/Grebing 7-6 (7-0), 6-4.
Lemon Bay 5, North Port 2
Boys Tennis
North Port 6, Lemon Bay 1: Singles – 1. Ezekiel Cintron (L) d. Gavin Cruce 2-6, 6-2, 10-7; 2. Ilan Beliansky (N) d. Jordan Clay 6-4, 7-6 (7-5); 3. Julian Breunig (N) d. Ty Winow 6-1, 6-3, 4. Ranon Thomas (N) d. Anthony Barbulescu 6-0, 6-2. Doubles – 1. Cruce/Beliansky d. Cintron/Clay 8-5, 2. Mark Naumov/Breunig d. Anthony Barbulescu/Winow 8-2.
Alexandra Eala Stuns Jasmine Paolini in Dubai for Third Career Top-10 Win
The Dubai crowd witnessed a breakout moment on Tuesday night as rising Filipina star Alexandra Eala delivered the biggest shock of the tournament, knocking out sixth seed Jasmine Paolini in straight sets at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Is Eala now a growing top-10 giant-killer?
Well, the 20-year-old Filipina produced a commanding display to defeat the former champion 6-1, 7-6(5), marking her first Top-10 victory of 2026 and the third of her young career. With the win, she also advanced to the Round of 16 in Dubai for the first time.
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The match initially looked one-sided. Eala dominated the opening set and quickly moved ahead by a set and a break. But closing out a Top-10 opponent proved far tougher than gaining the lead. Paolini raised her level late in the second set, saving three match points while trailing 3-5 and stringing together three straight games to go up 6-5. The momentum had shifted, but only briefly.
Alexandra Eala held serve to force a tie-break and, after missing another match point at 6-4, finally sealed victory on her fifth opportunity with a clean forehand winner up the line after 1 hour and 40 minutes. After the match, the youngster reflected on the tension of the closing stages: “All of the emotions are coming because the tension was so high, especially during that second set, so I’m really happy to have gotten through. She’s a great opponent, obviously being Top 10 and a former champion here in Dubai, so to be able to compete at this level with her is a great achievement for me.”
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Eala also drew inspiration from the support in the stands: “In the tie-break, I was trying everything to keep myself in check. In the change of ends, I was thinking about how this stadium is full of Filipinos, and I thought of how many of them were probably praying for me to win! So I knew that I had to give everything I had.”
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Her performance backed up the emotion… she won 86% of first-serve points and finished with a 7-2 winners edge in key exchanges. The victory improves Alexandra Eala’s record against elite opposition to 3-2 vs Top-10 players; remarkably, all three wins have come in straight sets. Her earlier statement victories came against Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek during last year’s Miami breakthrough.
Now, confidence is matching talent for the 20-year-old, whose aggressive baseline play and composure under pressure are rapidly becoming defining traits. Next up, Eala faces Sorana Cîrstea in the third round after the Romanian defeated Linda Noskova 6-1, 6-4. With belief-building and giant-killing becoming a habit, Dubai may only be the beginning of a bigger statement season for tennis’ newest rising star. But do you know that before this epic R32 duel, Jasmine Paolini had showered praise on this young tennis sensation?
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Jasmine Paolini explains why the rise of Alexandra Eala is important for tennis as a whole
The impact of Alexandra Eala is already being felt far beyond match results. Ahead of their Dubai clash, Jasmine Paolini highlighted how the 20-year-old’s growing popularity is shaping the global reach of women’s tennis. Despite not yet winning a WTA title, Eala has already crossed 200 career match wins and climbed to No. 40 (currently ranked 47) in the rankings. Her big wins against superstars of women’s tennis and fearless style have turned her into one of the most followed young players on tour.
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The Filipina recently made history by becoming the youngest Asian woman to record top-10 wins in multiple Tier-1/WTA 1000 events – even younger than Naomi Osaka when she achieved the same feat. But numbers alone don’t explain the buzz. According to Paolini, it’s the reach Eala brings to the sport that truly matters. “I think it’s really important to have people from all around the world playing tennis,” said Paolini.
“Somebody like Alexandra Eala, it’s a huge thing for tennis. I think it’s great to have many, many fans also coming in tournaments where usually there are fewer people. Like Abu Dhabi was full of people watching Eala. I also remember the first match in Doha; you could hear from outside the court people cheering for her. It’s great. I think also for the generation that is coming after that, for tennis. We all know Asia has a big population, so a lot of people that can come to tennis can support us, can support our sport as well.”
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Tournament officials at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships echoed that sentiment. Director Salah Tahlak emphasized how Eala’s presence energizes both local and international audiences.
Alexandra Eala’s 2026 campaign has had ups and downs – a semifinal run in Auckland followed by an early exit at the Australian Open. Since then, she has rebounded with quarterfinal appearances in Manila and Abu Dhabi. But then again, in Doha, she faced an early exit. Currently, as per WTA’s website, she has a win-loss record of 7-5 this season.
But her recent Top-10 win in Dubai only strengthens the narrative Paolini pointed out: Eala is not just a promising player; she represents new markets, new fans, and a broader global future for women’s tennis. At only 20, the Filipina isn’t just chasing trophies yet – she’s already helping reshape the sport’s audience. What are your thoughts on Eala’s rapid rise?
Tiger Woods Suggests His Genesis Invitational Could Be on the Move
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — This week marks the 100th playing of what over the years has been known as the Los Angeles Open, which has always been played in the early-season winter months going back to its inception in 1926.
But the PGA Tour schedule that has mostly seen the same West Coast events for decades is in the throes of change, and Tiger Woods—the tournament host at the Genesis Invitational—admitted that the longtime event at Riviera Country Club could be moved to another month.
Genesis and Woods’s TGR Foundation announced a four-year extension of the title sponsorship agreement for the $20 million signature event.
But future dates are not secure, and while there are some scheduling hurdles at Riviera due to other events, it is possible the tournament could get a summer date as part of the season-ending playoffs.
“You’re not going to get weather like this,” Woods said Tuesday during a news conference at Riviera as he referred to the cool, rainy temperatures that are not expected to rise out of the 50s all week. “That’s number one. We’re going to have perfect days. It’s always perfect in SoCal here in August.
“So yes, we’re looking at things like that. Looking to go to bigger markets later in the year for the playoffs. Just trying to make our competitive model better. How do we do that? I think that is one of the options with Genesis. That is certainly on the table.”
Woods, 50, is not playing this week as he recovers from disk replacement surgery.
MORE: Tiger Woods offers intriguing update on Masters status
But he’s been busy in his roles as a member of both the PGA Tour Policy Board and the PGA Tour Enterprises Board as well as the Future Competition Committee. Brian Rolapp, the new PGA Tour CEO who appointed Woods to the competition committee, was in attendance.
Under Rolapp, a former NFL executive, the committee is charged with a new leaner, meaner PGA Tour, one that could see fewer tournaments but moving to places or locations where they are better suited.
Among the ideas floated has been to start the season later, perhaps as late as after the Super Bowl in February. That might mean some longstanding events either get dropped or moved. And the idea of playing a playoff event at Riviera is certainly appealing.
There are some concerns with that, however. Riviera is set to host the Olympic men’s and women’s golf tournaments in July 2028. And it also has the 2031 U.S. Open (as well as this summer’s U.S. Women’s Open).
Changes for competition’s sake, which could include the FedEx Cup playoffs
Woods said the reason for making changes is simple.
“We’re going to get more top players playing and we’re going to make it more competitive,” he said. “We have fewer [exempt playing] cards, so that in itself is going to make it more competitive just to be out here.
“I think it’s trying to serve literally everyone, from the player side of it, from our media partners, from all of our title sponsors, from the local communities or even changing venues and going to bigger markets.
“It’s what do we need to do from a competitive model to make our tour the best product it can possibly be each and every year and still have room for development. How do we do all of that at the same time? That’s been the challenging part because there’s been a lot of moving parts over the last couple years to try and get us into the position that we’re in now.”
Improving the competitive model suggests changes to the FedEx Cup playoff model that is now in its 20th year.
The format has undergone several changes over the years and is likely to see more. It’s possible that the signature event model is changed or that the playoff structure is different.
“We’re looking at everything,” Woods said. “Some things that we’ve taken a look at we’ve nixed off the table and there’s other opportunities that have grown and we’ve flushed out. As I said, the player directors have been unbelievable trying to figure all this out because we represent the player body and we’re trying to create the best product we possibly can for all our partners and fans and everyone who’s involved.
“Whatever that looks like, whether it’s us staying here in southern California, whether it’s us staying here at this time and date or us moving to August or some other time, we’re looking at everything. It changes day-to-day, so if you ask me tomorrow, that might change.”
More Golf from Sports Illustrated
Tiger Woods teases Masters comeback (plus 5 other reveals)
Tiger Woods made one thing pretty clear:
He wants to play the Masters.
There was plenty to discuss as Woods took to the podium ahead of this week’s Genesis Invitational. We’re used to these State-of-the-Tiger updates, which come biannually on Tuesday mornings ahead of the Hero World Challenge and Genesis Invitational, the two tournaments where Woods serves as host. The biggest reveal was expected to be something — anything — about the mysterious new schedule that Woods, Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and various stakeholders have been cooking up. We did hear about that; Woods was in a jovial mood and relatively forthright and we’ll break that down in a minute.
But there is still one show-stopping combination in golf: Tiger Woods and the Masters. And so, when Woods teased that
-He is “trying” to return to competitive golf
-He can hit full shots
and
-The Masters is not off the table
it was pretty easy to read between the lines. Woods’ grin when he confirmed that last bit told a fuller story. If he can get his body and his game ready, we can expect to see him at Augusta National.
We didn’t get official confirmation, of course. Woods will likely keep us waiting. But if he played it would be his first competitive start (not counting TGL) since the 2024 Open Championship. And it would put to the test his incredible, tournament-record streak of 24 consecutive Masters made cuts.
“It’s just one of those things where each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing, I keep working on it, trying to get stronger, trying to get more endurance in this body and trying to get it at a level at which I can play at the highest level again,” he said.
Here’s what else we learned from Woods.
1. He’s considering the U.S. Ryder Cup captaincy.
Woods was in a lighthearted mood; he chuckled when longtime golf writer Geoff Shackelford mentioned his recent work as Jupiter Links captain and used that as a bridge into a question about his potential Ryder Cup captaincy.
“Good tie-in there. That was good,” Woods said.
But then he gave an earnest answer. In December Woods made it clear he hadn’t heard from the PGA of America on the role; now it’s clear he has.
“They have asked for my input on it and I haven’t made my decision yet,” he said. “I’m trying to figure out what we’re trying to do with our tour. That’s been driving me hours upon hours every day — and [I’ve been] trying to figure out if I can actually do Team USA and our players and everyone that’s going to be involved in the Ryder Cup, if I can do it justice with my time.
“Serving on two boards and what I’m doing for the PGA Tour, I’m trying to figure out if I can actually do this and serve the people that are involved and serve them at an honorable level.”
Again, we’re reading between the lines a bit, but it sounds like Woods has been unofficially offered the role of U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 competition at Adare Manor in Ireland. The captaincy is a more taxing responsibility than it used to be, and Woods clearly takes that seriously. But the PGA of America also likes plenty of lead time for its captains, so Woods’ decision will be worth monitoring as his other responsibilities evolve in the coming months.
2. He’s considering the PGA Tour Champions.
Woods was asked how close he is to a potential return to competitive golf — either on the PGA Tour or the over-50 Champions circuit.
“Well, I’m trying, put it that way,” he said. That part is evergreen. But obstacles continue to mount; Woods’ most recent surgery was a lumbar disc replacement in October. He’s recovered from last year’s ruptured achilles but described his ongoing back issues as “challenging.”
Still, there’s at least one reason the older tour is appealing, now that he’s turned 50:
“Now I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and has [me] thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart. That’s something that, as I said, I won’t do out here on this tour because I don’t believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, there’s certainly that opportunity.”
3. There is a new Tour schedule coming. But maybe not all at once
Woods’ work as chairman of the Future Competition Committee sounds like it has been … taxing.
“I thought I spent a lot of hours practicing in my prime. It doesn’t even compare to what we’ve done in the boardroom,” he said with a laugh.
Woods talked about wanting to “make our tour better” and “make our product better” and “create the right competitive model” and the challenges of keeping various stakeholders happy in the process.
“I think it’s trying to serve literally everyone, from the player side of it, from our media partners, from all of our title sponsors, from the local communities or even changing venues and going to bigger markets,” he said.
He essentially confirmed reports that the Tour’s potential “improvements” include visiting bigger markets, shortening the season and making the many moving parts work together more efficiently. The Tour has telegraphed its intentions to own the summer — to own the NFL offseason would be another way to think about it — and Woods says a more targeted approach makes sense compared with the 10-plus months players would compete in his full-time playing days.
“It was just a different landscape than it is now,” he said.
As for timing, Woods said in December that he wasn’t sure how quickly the schedule could be revamped; there are still conflicting visions, existing contracts and a complex web of stakeholders. On Tuesday he admitted it may not be ready for 2027 but that some things will be different.
“We would like to have it happen in 2027. We may have to roll it out over a couple-year period,” he said. “We may not be able to implement all of it in 2027, but there will definitely be parts of it integrated or changed from what it is now in ’26 into ’27.”
Woods sung the praises of his fellow Policy Board members.
“I was hesitant that we were going to be in this position where we were going to work together like this and function at a level to make our product better. But everyone is. Everyone is trying to make the PGA Tour the best tour in the world,” he said.
4. Riviera could occupy a brand-new spot on the schedule
Among the most intriguing rumors around scheduling is a potential shift in the West Coast Swing. This year’s schedule features iconic venues Pebble Beach and Riviera back to back — but Pebble was soggy and Riviera is cold and wet.
Perhaps the dismal weather made it a particularly opportune time to ask Woods about the possibility of a shift to late summer.
“Well, I think that, one, you’re going to get weather not like this. That’s number one. We’re going to have perfect days. It’s always perfect in SoCal here in August,” he said. “So yes, we’re looking at things like that, looking to go to bigger markets later in the year for the playoffs. Just trying to make our competitive model better, and how do we do that. I think that is one of the options, with Genesis. That certainly is on the table.”
Directly following Woods’ presser he was joined by José Munoz, president and CEO of Genesis, who announced their partnership would be extended through 2030. Munoz added that the brand was on board with considering a potential date change.
“I think it is a possibility,” he said. “We’re very open-minded and willing to make things better.”
There are various moving parts, including the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and the Olympic golf competitions at Riviera in 2028, but Woods suggested creative solutions are on the table.
“Whatever that looks like, whether it’s us staying here in southern California, whether it’s us staying here at this time and date or us moving to August or some other time, we’re looking at everything. It changes day-to-day, so if you ask me tomorrow, that might change,” he said.
5. Woods celebrated Anthony Kim’s comeback
Woods has been working full-time on the future of the PGA Tour, so it’s rare he’d talk much about LIV’s golf tournaments. But he was asked Tuesday about Anthony Kim, who completed an unlikely comeback with a win at LIV Adelaide over the weekend.
“He had so much natural talent. He could hit any shot he wanted,” Woods said, reflecting on a younger Kim. “Then to see him struggle in life and didn’t really want to play golf, didn’t really want to be part of golf, and for him to come all the way back and for him to win and to be as devoted as he is to his family, it’s a story in which you just have to wrap your heart around it because of the struggles.
“We can all relate to struggles. We all struggle in life. The longer it goes, the more tough times you’ve had. But for him to fight through it and for Anthony to get to where he’s gotten to, from the low that he was in, is something that, as I said, you have to just wrap your heart around it.”
PGA Tour returns to Riviera hoping for ‘positive impact’ after fires
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — The morning wind roared and alone was cause for alarm, even before it pushed a massive firestorm toward destruction on an unprecedented level.
The devastating blaze that ripped through the striking Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, starting Jan. 7 of last year, was driven by a Santa Ana wind event with gusts of up to 80 mph that equated to a Category 1 hurricane.
The blaze chewed its way downhill through homes, schools, churches and businesses with torch-like intensity at times. It literally rose from the ashes of a prior fire that was believed to have been extinguished, raced in from the Santa Monica Mountains, toward the Pacific Ocean and then up scenic Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu.
When it finally was contained after three weeks, it was labeled the most destructive in Los Angeles history. And yet the assessment does not properly articulate the literal and emotional damage that was done.
This week, a bit of normalcy returns to the area. Riviera Country Club will welcome many of the top golfers in the world to the Genesis Invitational, which was moved to San Diego a year ago in the fire’s aftermath.
2026 Genesis Invitational: PGA schedule, how to watch on ESPN
A year after wildfires caused an estimated $250 billion of damage in Southern California, the PGA Tour heads back to the Pacific Palisades this week for the 100th playing of the Genesis Invitational.
The signature event returns to its home course at the Riviera Country Club after being relocated to the Torrey Pines Golf Course near San Diego in 2025. The tournament’s past two winners, Ludvig Åberg (2025) and Hideki Matsuyama (2024), will be on hand in what figures to be another exciting four days of golf following Collin Morikawa’s dramatic win Sunday at Pebble Beach.
A limited field of 72 of the world’s best players will look to grab a share of the $20 million purse. The winner will take home $4 million.
Here are key facts about the 2026 event:
When is the Genesis Invitational?
It runs Thursday to Sunday.
How can fans watch?
Fans can catch all of the action in the ESPN App and in the ESPN streaming hub. First-round coverage is also available on Disney+.
What is the schedule?
*All times Eastern
Thursday, Feb. 19
12:30 p.m.: First-round coverage begins.
Friday, Feb. 20
12:30 p.m.: Second-round coverage begins.
Saturday, Feb. 21
10 a.m.: Third-round coverage begins.
Sunday, Feb. 22
9:45 a.m.: Final-round coverage begins.
Coverage includes main feed, featured holes and featured groups.
Which top players will be playing in the event?
▪︎ Scottie Scheffler
▪︎ Rory McIlroy
▪︎ Justin Rose
▪︎ Tommy Fleetwood
▪︎ Chris Gotterup
How can fans access more golf content from ESPN?
Genesis extends with PGA Tour thru ‘30; Riviera’s calendar spot on move?
The luxury vehicle manufacturer Genesis has re-upped its PGA Tour title sponsorship through 2030, the parties announced Tuesday, even as the future of the tour’s schedule remains up in the air.
The extension was revealed two days before the annual Genesis Invitational begins at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
2026 Genesis Invitational Betting Models, Picks: A Challenge at Rain
Back-to-back signature events at consecutive historic venues? The trip to Riviera Country Club for the Genesis Invitational is truly one of my favorite events of the year, and the fact that we get it with the best players in the world in a limited field only adds to the drama. But with weather soaking California over the past week, it should present an even more challenging affair for these players this week—and produce a thrilling tournament.
Riviera was designed by George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell and opened in 1926, meaning this year marks the 100th anniversary of this historic course. The course has hosted this event (formerly the Los Angeles Open) more than 60 times. The par-71 tract is a beast, measuring 7,383 yards on the scorecard and providing a long, daunting test off the tee where the rough and diabolical Poa green complexes can put a big number in play on every hole. And again, Riviera has been drenched with rain recently, which is only going to make it play longer and more demanding tee-to-green at the Genesis.
So what stats should we be targeting to try and find a winner this week? And who are the players who we’re backing to emerge victorious? Let’s dive into the numbers, the model, and our outright picks for this week’s Genesis Invitational.
Key Stats for Riviera
Strokes-gained approach over last 24 rounds
Especially with how demanding the green complexes at Riviera can be and with the weather changing the way Riviera will play, we’re back to ye old approach play as a crucial metric for the players this week.
Si Woo Kim (1.435)
Shane Lowry (1.427)
Hideki Matsuyama (0.978)
Matt Fitzpatrick (0.895)
Russell Henley (0.788)
Bogey avoidance over the last 24 rounds
Because of the diabolical nature of these greens and the length of the course, a player’s ability to avoid putting big numbers on the scorecard and saving par is crucial. Scores will get relatively low, but there is an art to scoring at Riv, and taking bogey out of play as often as possible is a massive part of that equation.
Tommy Fleetwood
Hideki Matsuyama
Ryan Gerard
Shane Lowry
Nick Taylor
Strokes-gained (course history) at Riviera
One could argue that Riviera is a singular test on the PGA Tour, and that lends itself to valuing course history at this venue more heavily than I might in other weeks. It’s not just about wins, but about who has played consistently well at the Genesis over the years.
Cameron Young (1.875)
Max Homa (1.701)
Viktor Hovland (1.682)
Xander Schauffele (1.619)
Collin Morikawa (1.594)
Total driving over the last 24 rounds
I upgraded the importance of total driving this week from my initial model because of the wet conditions. That’s going to make playing out of the rough brutal, but also ask for distance, so we’re highlighting the metric that takes both distance and accuracy into account.
Rico Hoey
Scottie Scheffler
Ludvig Åberg
Daniel Berger
Rory McIlroy
Genesis Invitational model rankings this week
Because Riviera could best be construed as a complete, proper test, and now that we have wet conditions to contend with as well, there’s a lot that goes into the model this week. Bogey avoidance over the last 24 rounds actually leads the way (15%), followed by strokes-gained approach, total driving, strokes-gained Riviera and strokes-gained tee-to-green over the last 24 rounds (10%) each). We also then have a smaller percentage balanced between strokes-gained around-the-green, good drive percentage, approach proximity from 150-175 and 175-200 yards, scrambling rate, strokes-gained putting on Poa, strokes-gained par-5s and strokes-gained at Quail Hollow and Torrey Pines as comp courses (5% each) to round out the model. With all of that, here are the model’s Top 10 golfers this week.
Scottie Scheffler
Tommy Fleetwood
Hideki Matsuyama
Rory McIlroy
Viktor Hovland
Adam Scott
Si Woo Kim
Shane Lowry
Collin Morikawa
Harris English
2026 Genesis Invitational picks
Rory McIlroy +1325 (DraftKings)
Rory’s T14 last week was a bit disappointing, to be sure, but it’s not hard to see why that was the case when you consider that he lost strokes off the tee and on the greens. Now that he’s coming to Riviera, a place that (especially with the wet conditions) should reward his driving prowess much more, I think we see him fully in contention this week—especially after he gained 6.8 strokes on the field last week on approach.
While McIlroy doesn’t have a win at the Genesis, he has three top-10 finishes in his last six starts at Riviera and has only finished worse than T29 once in eight total starts here. Furthermore, he’s fifth in total driving and 11th in strokes-gained approach over the last 24 rounds, while also coming in at second in strokes-gained tee-to-green over that span. And again, I can think of few players, particularly with how well he’s playing with his irons on approach, who are better suited to handle Riviera when it’s playing even longer than normal.
I’m expecting a big year from Rory, and this feels like the perfect spot for him to announce that with authority and find himself in the winner’s circle. And frankly, I like the odds he’s getting at this point before we see them shrink as the year goes on.
Cameron Young +3500 (Caesars)
Does it feel great to back Cam Young after two straight weeks losing strokes on approach and after he lost 2.19 strokes putting at Pebble last week? It does not, thanks for asking! However, not only am I looking at his length in the wet conditions this week as a plus factor, I’m also simply looking at his history at Riviera and I can’t ignore it.
Young has made three starts at this venue. He tied for a runner-up in his debut back in 2022 and then has added two more top-20 finishes to his résumé in the other pair of starts here. What’s more impressive is that he’s done that while losing strokes around the green in all three and losing strokes putting in two of them. Considering his short game has overall been much better, if he can get back to his swing feels on approach, there’s a chance he could play his way into contention again.
This is much less about form and much more about fit and history. But that can work out for you every now and then, and the talent of Young remains entirely undeniable.
Tony Finau +12000 (DraftKings)
In all honesty, you can put Tony Finau down in the category of “guy I’m backing that you probably shouldn’t” this week. And I don’t care. He finished solo 18th last week at Pebble Beach and finished T11 at Torrey earlier in the year. While those results are mixed in with three mixed cuts in his other starts, it’s enough at 120-to-1 odds to have my attention considering what Finau has been able to accomplish at Riviera in his career.
Finau finished tied for runner-up in 2018 here and has just one finish outside the top 35 and only two finishes outside the top 20 in his six starts at Riviera since then. It’s a course that clearly suits his eye. Moreover, outside of his recently wildly inconsistent approach play—which I’ll take 120-to-1 odds on him having it again this week like he did at Pebble with 3.29 strokes gained—this course simply plays to his strengths as a good driver (25th in good drive percentage) and top 15 in both proximity buckets, where more than 50% of approach shots come from at this event.
It’s certainly a longshot and one could argue that Finau has as good of a chance of finishing DFL as he does winning this event. But if ever there’s a place to get right, it’s a place like this where Finau has such top-tier history.
PGA Tour financial reports reveal much about Tour’s present, future
Every year, the PGA Tour shares an annual report with its membership. It is often a 50-plus-page document, fronted by a photo of the previous year’s FedEx Cup champion and a lengthy, optimistic letter from the commissioner.
It looks like a magazine, with big, glossy images and infographics and a table of contents. But buried within that “Annual Report to Membership,” as it is titled, is financial information about the Tour’s core business, its revenues and losses, as compiled by Grant Thornton, the Tour’s accounting firm.
GOLF.com obtained copies of these annual reports from recent years, which are filled with important details on the state of the Tour. Together, the documents provide a holistic look at the Tour’s business as of year-end 2024, covering every corner from TV revenue and outside investment to the health of player retirement accounts. Here are nine key takeaways.
1. PGA Tour’s official valuation
On Jan. 30, 2024, the PGA Tour finalized a deal to sell a piece of equity to Strategic Sports Group, a collection of prolific sports investors led by the owners of the Boston Red Sox. At the time, headlines pegged the deal as a $3 billion investment and a $12 billion valuation, which isn’t necessarily inaccurate. The figure just wasn’t fine-tuned.
According to the annual report, SSG’s initial investment of $1.5 billion was for 11.62% of PGA Tour Enterprises, valuing the Tour at just over $12.9 billion, more than originally reported.
Why do the closing adjustments of the Tour’s agreement with SSG matter? Because a $900 million change in valuation is, at least on the surface, a 7% sweetener on the Tour’s value, which matters even more when Tour equity now belongs to the players, and because the Tour has flirted with additional outside investment (like from a sovereign wealth fund), which could be affected by price fluctuations. According to a source with knowledge of the Tour’s financials, the Tour was profitable in 2025, a positive sign that its new equity partners would certainly care about.
2. But what about SSG’s *other* $1.5 billion?
Times were different when the SSG agreement was consummated in early 2024 — just as they were different in 2023 and 2022 and 2021, which is quite obvious in the annual reports. At that time, the Tour was just months removed from a framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and all indications were that both parties would eventually finalize an agreement granting the Saudis a similar piece of PGA Tour equity.
How close did they get? Close enough to meet about it in the White House. But golf fans know that plan fizzled.
What they can wonder now is if SSG’s first $1.5 billion investment in the PGA Tour will be its last. PGA Tour Enterprises — the for-profit arm of the Tour — has three years from the date of the initial 2024 investment to officially draw on the remaining $1.5 billion, in which it would offer up more equity as a result. That deadline is Jan. 30, 2027, less than a year away. That decision will ultimately be made by the PGA Tour Enterprises board, which consists of seven player directors (Tiger Woods, Camilo Villegas, Patrick Cantlay, Keith Mitchell, Maverick McNealy, Adam Scott, Joe Ogilvie), commissioner Jay Monahan, chairman Joe Gorder and, importantly, four investor directors from SSG (John Henry, Sam Kennedy, Arthur Blank and Andrew Cohen).
3. The Tour could (should?) own more events
The Tour maintains a considerable grip on the structures of pro golf and its worldwide audience, but for years managed only a conservative approach toward owning its own events. A significant part of the Tour’s business is dependent on sharing tournament ownership with local organizations.
As spelled out in the annual report, the Tour owned eight events outright as of year-end 2024. It has boosted than number to 10 with the formation of two more tournaments (bolded below) in the last 12 months:
— Players Championship (March)
— Tour Championship (August)
— Presidents Cup (September)
— FedEx St. Jude Championship (August)
— The Sentry (January … for now)
— Truist Championship (May)
— Baycurrent Classic (October)
— Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches (February)
— Cadillac Championship (April)
— Biltmore Championship (September)
It will be interesting to keep these specific tournaments top of mind as the Tour looks to announce a new schedule structure in the coming months, just as it was interesting when the Tour kick-started a discussion earlier this month about the Players Championship being worthy of “major” distinction.
Elsewhere, the Tour’s uncertain future in Hawaii might not necessarily spell demise for its premier Hawaiian event, The Sentry. It seems far more likely that the tournament will simply shift locations and dates, as has been reported by Golf Digest and Sports Business Journal. Considering The Sentry’s status as one of the few wholly owned and operated events, it would make little sense for the Tour to do anything else.
4. TV business increasingly massive
It goes without saying that pro sports’ billion-dollar days are made possible only by television viewership and the rights to broadcast events (TV and media acumen is a major reason why Brian Rolapp was hired as PGA Tour CEO.) But the Tour’s recent annual reports underscore that trend.
Year after year, the Tour’s broadcast arm — aka its “core business” responsible for driving the largest amount of revenue — has continued to see growth via media rights.
In 2019, the Tour’s net TV revenues accounted for roughly 48% of its core business. Just three years later, in 2022, once the Tour’s newest TV rights deal began (with ESPN+ joining as a streaming partner), the Tour’s TV money suddenly became 67% of its core business. It has settled in to a roughly 65% share of that metric in recent years.
That may mimic the trend of other pro sports over the last decade, but it serves as a perfect reminder that the next few years figure to be the most important years in PGA Tour television history. The Tour itself is in the midst of restructuring its entire schedule and competitive format, which will lead to restructuring deals with TV networks. The hope, as it exists within the Future Competition Committee, is that the new schedule will be so valuable that it dwarfs the current TV deal, which is worth roughly $1 billion annually.
This, of course, presents a slight apples-and-oranges scenario for the Tour and its TV partners. Under a revised competitive format, decades-long TV partners may be expected to pay the same or more for a different product, different inventory, different stakes, etc. Golf fans will have to put their faith in the brains behind it all: SSG’s savvy sports leaders and the player-led faction of PGA Tour Enterprises’ board.
5. Tour’s TGL ownership
According to the report, the PGA Tour — which has long called itself a “partner” of TGL — owns 20% of the simulator golf league, which is considered a joint venture between the Tour and TMRW Sports. The Tour acquired that 20% stake via a “non-cash $50 million investment” — which, by year-end 2024, had depreciated to $38.3 million. That value-loss might be exactly what you’d expect from a startup league that saw its inflatable dome collapse and, at the time of accounting, had not yet hosted any matches. The 2026 report will be far more telling as it likely will include an indication of TGL’s financial performance in its first full season, during which it established eight founding partnerships that would help its bottom line.
Also detailed in the report are the origins of TGL, which was established by TMRW Sports on March 4, 2022, just three months before LIV Golf launched its first season (and five months before Rory McIlroy and Mike McCarley announced it to the world). As Phil Mickelson and Greg Norman were putting the final touches on LIV Golf, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy — co-founders of TMRW Sports — were not sitting idly. The non-cash $50 million investment was finalized roughly a year later, on March 9, 2023, just as TGL was locking in player commitments.
6. Tour’s Pro Shop ownership
Similar to TGL, the PGA Tour owns a considerable stake (~27%) in Pro Shop Holdings, the media company founded by “Full Swing” executive producer Chad Mumm and three others. That said, the annual report lists this deal as a “contribution agreement, intellectual property license and stock purchase agreement.”
Pro Shop is the choice production house of the Tour, and for obvious reason. Why go elsewhere when you can retain a predictable storytelling result from a company that influences your bottom line? That partnership helps explain how, say, Scottie Scheffler ends up starring in “Happy Gilmore 2,” which was produced in part by Pro Shop.
Pro Shop is an exploratory media venture for the PGA Tour, wherein the Tour can benefit from Pro Shop producing The Skins Game, which re-debuted on Amazon on Black Friday, or from Netflix’s “Full Swing” and “Happy Gilmore 2.” All it cost the Tour was a non-cash, asset and IP licensing deal worth $17 million. Pro Shop’s licensing deal with the Tour runs through 2030, similar to the Tour’s deals with other broadcast partners.
7. Strategic Alliance remains complex as ever
It’s February 2026, which means we just passed the five-year anniversary of the Tour’s original investment in the DP World Tour, based in Europe. While the deal was announced in November 2020, the PGA Tour officially acquired a 15% equity interest in European Tour Productions on Jan. 29, 2021, in an agreement priced at $85 million, with $30 million coming up front. About 17 months later, in the wake of LIV Golf launching, the PGA Tour bolstered its partnership with the DPWT, expanding the alliance to 2035, increasing its ownership to 40% by 2027.
Over the years, the financial relationship between the PGA Tour and DPWT has changed shape, as detailed in the report. At times, the PGA Tour has loaned money to the DPWT and been repaid. More commonly, as DPWT CEO Guy Kinnings has noted, the PGA Tour has “underpinned” the DPWT’s tournament staging efforts, i.e., paid for shortfalls in funding DPWT purses. That underpinning number increased from 2023 (~$24.9 million) to 2024 (~$28.2 million), aligning with an increase in the DPWT season-long purse total.
While it is largely difficult for the public to assess the health of the PGA Tour’s investment in its European cousin, the internal report notes impairment losses of $25.1 million on the PGA Tour’s DPWT equity shares, which suggests something worse-off than the day the expanded alliance was signed. There was also the leaked legal documents (from the summer of 2022, when LIV launched), which included the PGA Tour’s assessors suggesting a 100% takeover of the European Tour Group, calling it a “distressed asset.”
Rest assured, not everyone feels that way. The DPWT has played a quiet but massive role in the ongoing saga between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf and will continue to in the coming years. The DPWT and PGA Tour have agreed to defer the payments the PGA Tour was scheduled to make in 2023, ’24 and ’25 to 2028, ’29 and ’30, only elongating the tail of their arrangement.
As it stands, the PGA Tour has acquired a 30% equity stake in European Tour Productions, but the partnership includes a clause where, as of Dec. 31, 2027, the PGA Tour could “put back” the shares or the DPWT could buy back the shares. The original 15% would be at a fixed cost, while the remaining 25% would be at a variable rate, based on market value. As every profit and loss of the PGA Tour is being analyzed in great depth these days, the alliance could look a whole lot different in the years to come (particularly given the continued existence of LIV Golf and the deep pockets of the Saudi PIF).
8. Tour’s golf courses and (future with?) TPC Boston
The report also revealed the Tour’s involvement with its TPC courses. In total, there are 30 TPC courses, a handful of which host PGA Tour events. But only about 35% of those courses are owned and operated by the Tour. The majority of those courses are part of the “TPC” network via licensing deals. Understanding the ownership of these courses could inform a bit about their fates when it comes to the Tour’s future.
For instance, the Tour owns 81% of TPC Deere Run in Western Illinois, which annually hosts the John Deere Classic. Out east, the Tour maintains a 62.5% ownership in TPC Boston, a course at which the Tour hosted 17 events since 2000. While the Tour’s ownership stake in TPC Boston hasn’t changed over the years, the Tour’s visits to Boston have been eliminated … for now. Numerous reports have suggested that a reduced Tour schedule would like mean a return to some of the major American markets, including Boston, New York and Chicago. If that’s true, TPC Boston would make obvious sense as a landlord where the rent is extremely cheap, if not free.
9. The road to retirement
One of the points the Tour clearly wants to stress to its members — as evidenced by its high placement in the report — is how much money is piling up in their retirement accounts. Through various plans, the Tour has contributed $47 million to eligible players’ retirement accounts in each of the last four years. Similar to your 401(k), that money largely stays put until players can draw upon it after their core playing years are over, most often around age 50. Step 1 is finishing high in the FedEx Cup.
In August 2024, when Scottie Scheffler earned $25 million for winning the FedEx Cup, $1 million of it was deferred to his retirement account, just as a portion of the year-end bonuses were deferred for all 30 players at the Tour Championship. Any players who didn’t advance, but still finished in the top 150 that year, also earned a piece of the deferred pie.
The Tour also contributes a certain amount — around $5,000 in 2024 — for every cut made by players who play a minimum of 15 times. For each of those those first 15 made cuts, players receive one “point” ($5,000) of Tour contribution. For all cuts made after the first 15, they receive two points ($10,000). Play a bunch of events and make a bunch of cuts and you won’t be returning to the normal workforce when your playing career is over.
Surprisingly, the 2024 leader in the Cuts Plan clubhouse was not Scheffler and his 19 cuts made in 19 starts. Rather, it was Mark Hubbard’s 26 cuts made in 30 starts that garnered 37 “contribution” points, sending $187,881 into his retirement account. Make 20 cuts a season for a bunch of seasons and the money piles up quickly. As of year-end 2024, 372 players had retirement balances north of $1 million. Of that group, 179 had amassed balances of $3 million or more — and all in addition to on-course and endorsement earnings, again, at year-end 2024. Rest assured, the players’ nest eggs have only increased since then.
The author welcomes your comments at sean.zak@golf.com.
Justin Thomas making competitive golf return on TGL
Justin Thomas is set to return to competition next week — just not yet on the PGA Tour.
Thomas announced Tuesday that his first start since undergoing microdiscectomy surgery will come in TGL, where he’ll compete for Atlanta Drive GC on Monday. He shared this news in a reply to a social media post from country singer Luke Bryan, confirming a comeback date that has been trending for weeks.
The 32-year-old hasn’t played competitively since the Ryder Cup in September. He underwent the procedure in November to address a disc issue that he said had caused
Unbothered Tiger Woods Doubles Down on Radical PGA Tour Changes Despite Backlash
While the community grows anxious about the PGA Tour’s radical new direction for the coming years, the man behind the plan, Tiger Woods, remains completely unfazed. His words at the Genesis Invitational show that.
“We’re trying to create the right competitive model and the environment to foster that,” he told the media. “What do we need to do from a competitive model to make our Tour the best product it can possibly be each and every year and still have room for development?”
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Woods mentioned that he has spent a lot of hours getting better in his prime, but it doesn’t even come close to the hours he has spent in the boardroom. The current proposal suggests the Hawaii events would be dropping off the schedule, and the season would not start until February after the Super Bowl to avoid going head-to-head with the NFL.
Just last week, the Players Championship executive director spoke to Front Office Sports and hinted that the Tour would like to play more tournaments in the largest U.S. markets and that starting the season big and owning the summer are among the top priorities for CEO Brian Rolapp.
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Woods also explained how the concept of scarcity works with the PGA Tour.
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“We’re going to get more top players playing, and we’re going to make it more competitive. We’ll have fewer cards, so that in itself is going to make it more competitive just to be out here,” Woods suggested. “We’re trying to create opportunities for that turnover coming from the PGA Tour U or the Korn Ferry and trying to get more youth out here because eventually they’re going to take over the game. So, trying to create that opportunity, trying to create the right competitive model and the environment to foster that—that’s been the greater challenge of it all.”
Those changes would have real consequences for players lower down the ladder. With fewer events and smaller fields, there will be fewer opportunities for mid-tier members to play, making it harder for them to retain their Tour cards and lessening the stability of the FedEx Cup standings.
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As chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee, Woods made his position clear. The backlash, though, has been real and vocal. Veterans James Hahn and Robert Garrigus publicly questioned why the ninth Signature Event at Trump National Doral was added and even called it a joke. Victor Perez went further, leaving for LIV Golf this winter and citing constant change as his breaking point.
Woods isn’t dismissing those concerns; he’s reframing them. He pointed to Koepka’s return, Patrick Reed’s recommitment, Scottie Scheffler’s dominance, and Rory McIlroy’s completion of the Career Grand Slam as proof that the Tour’s pulling power is firmly back.
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Well, he isn’t alone in this. The Future Competition Committee includes Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Camilo Villegas, Maverick McNealy, and Keith Mitchell, a genuine cross-section of the membership. Sponsors are moving in the same direction, too.
Genesis CEO Jose Munoz, whose company just extended through 2030, made his position clear.
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“We are all discussing how we can make this better, and as Tiger mentioned, it needs to be good for everybody—for them, for the sponsors, for the customers, and mainly for the followers. I think this is a possibility. We’re very open-minded and willing to make things better.”
Woods had actually laid out the financial logic back in December 2025.
“Well, this is fan-based. We’re trying to give the fans the best product we possibly can, and if we’re able to give the fans the best product we can, I think we can make the players who have equity in the Tour; we can give them more of that,” he said. “So the financial windfall could be fantastic for everyone who’s involved.”
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On timing, Woods was measured but firm.
“We may not be able to implement all of it in 2027, but there will definitely be parts of it integrated or changed from what it is now in ’26 into ’27,” he said.
While the tour’s future keeps him occupied, Woods hasn’t closed the door on his own comeback.
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Tiger Woods maintains hope of playing Augusta
When asked if the Masters was off the table, Tiger Woods simply said, “No.”
The 15-time major champion is still healing from the seventh back surgery, but the fact that he is thinking about coming back shows he feels cautiously optimistic rather than firmly committed. His recovery process has been slow and hard.
He said that the disc replacement surgery has been a challenge, as he works to get stronger and more durable. He admitted that, at 50, age and multiple surgeries slow progress. He also said he can now hit full shots, but not always at the same level as before.
While his priority seems to be making the PGA Tour better, he is also eyeing a comeback at Augusta, showcasing that he cannot stay away from the greens for too long.
Brooks Koepka Faces Brutal Reality After Committing to $9.9M Event Amid Declining Form
Brooks Koepka, the man who once made winning majors look routine, is now facing a brutal new reality of missed cuts and a free-falling world ranking. He now sits at 257th in the world ranking and is drawing more attention than his trophies ever did. His recent commitment solidifies the fact.
Koepka is returning to the Texas Children’s Houston Open for the first time since 2021, a tournament held on a course he helped redesign in 2019 but has never conquered, adding another layer of pressure to his comeback attempt. It will be held from March 26 to 29 at Memorial Park Golf Course, offering a $9.9 million purse. This will be his first start here since 2021.
Since returning to the PGA Tour via the Returning Member Program, Koepka has a T-56 at the Farmers Insurance Open and a missed cut at the WM Phoenix Open, where a first round of 75 couldn’t be salvaged by a second round of 69. He now sits 257th in the OWGR, having dropped from No. 19 when he first joined LIV Golf in 2022 to 244th by the end of 2025. The trajectory is hard to ignore, more so when you compare it with the rise of golfers such as Anthony Kim.
Kim, who hadn’t won in 16 years, captured the LIV Golf Adelaide event and jumped 244 spots to sit at 203rd in the OWGR, leapfrogging Koepka in the process. All thanks to the 23 OWGR points he earned. The contrast didn’t go unnoticed in the golf world.
As of now, his next scheduled start is the Cognizant Classic from February 26 to March 1. After Houston, the 5x major winner is eligible for The Masters, scheduled from April 9 to 12.
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Rickie Fowler and defending champion Min Woo Lee are also in the Houston Open field. Other marquee names include two-time 2026 winner Chris Gotterup, No. 26-ranked Si Woo Kim, Gary Woodland, Sungjae Im, and Will Zalatoris. But it was Brooks Koepka’s name that quickly became a lightning rod for fan criticism.
Brooks Koepka’s return draws mockery online
“He’s in love with the game but can’t make a cut,” said a fan, hinting at what went down in Phoenix.
“Another missed cut. Glad he found his love for the game again,” read another reaction.
Another said, “WOW, CRYBABY BROOKS KOEPKA is playing?? Who cares? The guy is complete doo-doo. 234th in the world and the biggest crybaby in SPORTS! Congrats!!!”
Dropping from No. 19 in 2022 to outside the top 250 by early 2026 has made it difficult for even casual observers to take his comeback seriously. While Koepka cited family for his move away from LIV, his well-known focus on major championships has led many to believe this is his reason for pursuing the PGA Tour.
A user commented, “With a strong showing, Brooks could move closer to Anthony Kim in the OWGR.”
Kim, once golf’s great cautionary tale, won at LIV Golf Adelaide and climbed 244 spots to 203rd in the OWGR, passing Koepka in the process. If Koepka does well in Houston, he will surely be able to edge out Kim again.
“Brooks back on the PGA Tour is the redemption arc golf needed. Houston is about to be electric,” was another reaction.
While everyone was skeptical of the move, this fan showed excitement for Brooksie to be in Houston.
Whether Koepka’s Houston start turns into a genuine turning point or another missed cut, the noise around his return shows no signs of quieting. The results will do the talking, and so far, they’ve given the critics plenty of material.
Clippers Made Surprising Promise To Chris Paul Before Departure
The retirement of Chris Paul has made for a big NBA story to see a top ten all-time point guard calling it quits in such a strange fashion. Paul was sent home by the Los Angeles Clippers after reportedly butting heads with the coaching staff and front office staff. A trade to the Toronto Raptors came after months at home, but Toronto waived him to warrant the official retirement announcement.
Paul appeared on Carmelo Anthony’s 7PM in Brooklyn podcast and shared a surprising part of the Clippers departure. Anthony and his co-host mentioned that the Clippers would look ridiculous if they didn’t eventually retire Paul’s jersey as arguably the greatest player in franchise history. Paul replied that General Manager Lawrence Frank talked about that in the meeting that led to him leaving the team.
Frank promised Paul that his jersey would get retired for his contributions to the franchise, but the current situation had to end. Paul apparently reached the point of no return with the franchise after alleged negative interactions with head coach Ty Lue and assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy. Frank did the dirty work of meeting Paul and telling him the team doesn’t want him around anymore.
Ty Lue Refused Chris Paul Meeting
The story about Paul being told he’d eventually get his jersey retired ended with him trying to get a meeting with Lue. Paul shared with Anthony and the podcast audience that he was trying to get a direct conversation with Lue to figure out the problem and find an ideal way to remain with the team to finish his retirement season.
The humorous story featured Paul sharing how quickly he got shut down about the meeting:
“Before I left the room, I asked him. I was like, so L Frank, you said you were going to get me a meeting with T Lue, right? He said, I’m sorry, I couldn’t do that. Go home.”
Lue felt the situation couldn’t be salvaged and likely made his voice heard within the organization. The early reactions to the story saw analysts blaming Frank for disrespecting Paul, but this indicates Lue had the bigger issue if he didn’t even want to speak with the veteran point guard.
When Will Clippers Retire Chris Paul’s Jersey?
The Clippers would not have made this promise to Paul if they didn’t truly intend to honor him with a jersey retirement. Few players have become franchise greats with the Clippers, but Paul helped turn the franchise around for the better.
Most of today’s fans would name Paul, Blake Griffin and Kawhi Leonard as the greatest Clippers since all three played a role in the franchise improving for the better. Paul will have a special night honoring his time as an all-time great Clipper, but it clearly isn’t coming this season.
Next year may be a bit too soon with the same coaching staff and most of the same roster around. The best bet is for Paul to get honored in another two or three years after some time has passed. Regardless of the timing, it will be a special night for Clippers and Paul.
The ‘6-7’ craze is going strong at NBA and college basketball games
NORMAN, Okla. — LaMelo Ball has never been more popular, and it’s not because Charlotte’s 6-foot-7 star has the Hornets fighting for a playoff spot.
They hype is largely about his height. And Charlotte is trying to take advantage.
Dictionary.com named the term “6-7” its word of the year for 2025, and the global “6-7” craze is still going strong at pro and college basketball games. Young fans, players and coaches eagerly track when teams near 67 points, and pandemonium ensues when their team hits the mark.
The Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans are among NBA teams that feature “6-7” cams during timeouts at some games. Seth Bennett, the Hornets’ chief marketing officer, said Charlotte’s marketing and game presentation teams started discussing a possible “6-7” cam to capitalize on the trend and Ball’s involvement in it.
“For us as a franchise, we always want to listen to our fans, and sometimes you listen to observing what they’re into, their trends and likes, and it’s a way for us to connect to that and hopefully have them connect to us in a fun way when they’re experiencing it here,” Bennett said.
The Hornets’ cam is mostly limited to kids days and weekend games so it doesn’t get old. Michael Robinson, who attended a game between the Hornets and 76ers with his 6-year-old son, Abel, said it’s nonstop at home.
Abel said he learned about it from his friends and on YouTube.
“It’s just cool,” Abel said. “It’s fun.”
The ‘6-7’ originator can’t believe its reach
The origins of the “6-7” boom are Skrilla’s 2024 song “Doot Doot (6-7).” Skrilla leaked the song without much expectation, but it exploded on TikTok last year with basketball players, including Ball and prep standout Taylen Kinney, driving its popularity.
No one is quite sure what 6-7 means, and Skrilla kept it that way when asked for a definition.
“Everybody created their own meaning,” he told The Associated Press. “The teachers created their own meaning. The football teams created their own, the basketball (players). ‘6-7’ is global. It’s bigger than me now. So ‘6-7.’ Shout out to ‘6-7.’”
The nonsensical meme has its own hand gesture, too — flip your palms up, and alternate lifting your arms. Charlotte forward Miles Bridges made the gesture several weeks ago after hitting a 3-pointer against the Indiana Pacers.
Bridges also is 6-foot-7.
“I think that’s the team’s way of having a little fun with LaMelo anytime that they can kind of incorporate that in just to tease him a little bit, and he’s a great sport about it as well,” Bennett said.
‘6-7’ is big on basketball courts everywhere
Fans have been on 67-point watch at games across the country. It seemed to bubble up first at women’s college games, including at Oklahoma. Now, fans there hold up signs handed out by the school.
On Dec. 22, the Sooners led North Carolina Central 64-29 in the closing seconds of the first half. When Aaliyah Chavez drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer, fans went wild.
Oklahoma center Raegan Beers said the team enjoyed giving the fans that moment.
“That’s why I love this game (with the kids),” she said. “I know a lot of us love this game here, just to have that energy in the building, and obviously lean into what’s trending at the moment, which is 6-7, whatever that means. And so it was so much fun to have that moment and just let the kids enjoy it.”
Daniel Durbin, director of Southern California’s Annenberg Institute of Sports, Media and Society, attended USC’s women’s basketball game against Rutgers on Feb. 1 and witnessed the phenomenon first hand. He noted that the DJ even announced the possibility. The Trojans missed two free throws at 66, building the anticipation. When Yakiya Milton made a free throw that pushed the score to 67, the crowd erupted into what Durbin called the loudest cheer of the game.
Durbin said it falls under the long history of arbitrary sports traditions fans have created to feel more connected to the action.
“Think of all the superstitions fans have during games, rituals that they enact to ‘help’ the team win,” he said. “As fans walk across the street to USC football games, most of them kick the base of a certain lamppost. Why? It makes them part of the game. They are enacting a meaningless ritual many USC fans perform for ‘luck.’”
Adults are doing it, too
Even the coaches are in on it. On Maryland’s annual Field Trip Day game, Terrapins coach Brenda Frese wore a jersey with the number 67 on it before tipoff. LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey did the hand gesture while on the big screen during a win over Morgan State, drawing an eruption from the home crowd and laughter from her players.
Mulkey said her grandson got upset with her after a game because LSU skipped 67 points and went straight to 68.
TCU’s women beat Baylor 83-67 on Feb. 12, and Olivia Miles scored 40 points and Marta Suarez scored 27 — a combined 67. With the two at his side in the postgame media session, Horned Frogs coach Mark Campbell got sucked in.
“For a duo, I’ve never been a part of a duo that scored 67 points in one game,” he said.
As Miles did the hand gesture and Suarez laughed, Campbell pointed at Miles and said, “That’s crazy. ‘6-7,’” as he added the hand gesture.
The trend has impacted the game on the court at times, too. After Maryland took a 64-18 lead against Central Connecticut State in December, the Terps attempted five straight 3-pointers before Yarden Garzon finally made one to give Maryland exactly 67 points.
The craze is perplexing to parents, but Bennett said the Hornets have embraced it to bring joy to young people.
“Overall, it’s been positive,” he said. “No way to make a negative out of something that’s just really nothing attached to it, just fun.”
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The late Doug Moe helped build the modern NBA
Doug Moe never made it to the NBA as a player and never coached in the NBA Finals, despite 628 career wins. Yet more than many other coaches of his era, the influence of Moe, who died Tuesday at age 87, is still seen in the pro game today.
Doug Moe’s career was forged in the ABA
Thanks to bad knees, unimpressive physicality and a college scandal, Moe’s pro career didn’t start until age 27, in Italy. Moe’s supposed scandal was tame: He accepted $75 to meet with a gambler, then refused his overtures to shave points. It was unfair, and it delayed his career by five years.
Two years later, he joined the New Orleans Buccaneers of the American Basketball Association, where he’d make four All-Star teams in five seasons and win a championship in 1969 with the Oakland Oaks.
He retired in 1972 and became an assistant coach alongside Larry Brown, who was his teammate in the ABA and at North Carolina, for the Carolina Cougars and the Denver Nuggets, who went 125-43 in the pair’s two seasons with a high-powered offense.
Fast-paced, free-flowing offense was Moe’s trademark. He coached the San Antonio Spurs after the ABA merged with the NBA, where they were consistently one of the league’s highest-scoring teams and lost the Eastern Conference Finals in 1979 in seven games.
Doug Moe made his legend with the Denver Nuggets
Moe is best known for coaching the Denver Nuggets, who moved to the NBA at the same time as the Spurs. The Nuggets played at the league’s fastest pace and Moe rarely called plays, relying on players moving, cutting to the basket, adjusting to the defense and never holding the ball for more than two seconds.
Alex English became an eight-time All-Star under Moe’s coaching, while Kiki Vandeweghe and Lafayette