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5 Big Names Absent From the Valspar Championship 2026

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Right after a marquee event of the PGA Tour ended, the tour started preparing for the final stop of its Florida Swing. Just three days after the conclusion of the Players Championship, the Valspar Championship will begin on March 19. While the $9.1 million event is bringing in a competitive field to the Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course, several big names have chosen not to tee off on the greens of Copperhead.
135 players, including the defending champion Viktor Hovland, would tee off on March 19. They will play against a strong group that includes Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, and Sahith Theegala. Championship rounds will run from Thursday through Sunday, with tournament week also featuring fan events and a Saturday concert headlined by country stars.
However, despite the solid lineup, several high-profile players will not be teeing it up at Copperhead this year. On one hand, the tour has just concluded a $25 million event. On the other hand, the PGA Tour season is edging closer to the Masters. As such, some of the game’s biggest names have opted to skip the tournament, leaving noticeable gaps in the field.
Here’s a closer look at the five major stars whose absence will shape the 2026 Valspar Championship.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre had quite an impressive performance at The Players Championship. In fact, his stellar show had him as a possible contender to win the ‘fifth major.’ Unfortunately, playing on the par-5 16th hole, MacIntyre messed up badly. He bogeyed his shot while chipping the ball into the water. Coming ever so close to victory, the Scottish golfer finished three shots behind the winner, Cameron Young, who ended with a score of 13-under par.
Thus, with such a great showing, everyone expected him to continue his surge at the Valspar Championship. However, despite being the second-highest-ranked player in the tournament, he has decided to sit out. While he did not give an explanation for his absence, MacIntyre cited his Sunday outing as ‘stressful.’
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy was the defending champion at The Players Championship. Unfortunately, following a back injury, the Northern Irish star shot an even-par 288 as he finished outside of the top-50. Focusing on his speedy recovery, the former World No. 1 has decided to withdraw from the Valspar Championship.
Now, previously, McIlroy was supposed to take a three-week break before he came back to play the Masters. But owing to his poor form, the Northern Irish star might just reconsider his decision and play a tournament just before the major.
“I’ll see how my body feels. We’ll see how I feel in practice and at home, and if I get itchy feet at home, maybe add an event at some point,” McIlroy said on Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is another name missing from the Valspar Championship lineup. A hot favorite to win The Players Championship, Scheffler struggled significantly to end up with a T22 finish. And this was not a one-off case of Scheffler getting a mediocre performance. Last week, at Bay Hill, the World No. 1 had a T24 finish. However, he does not seem to be too concerned about the lean phase.
“Did I find anything? I think that would imply that I was lost, which is not the case. No, I think I’m always just trying to get a feel for where things are at, and sometimes a little practice helps, and sometimes a little rest helps,” said Scheffler.
Regarding his absence from the Valspar Championship, Scheffler did not provide a clear answer. Presuming that he will be taking a rest, fans will now be interested to see when he returns.
Cameron Young
Fresh out of a triumph at the Players Championship, bagging $4,500,000, Young will not be teeing it up at the Copperhead. Last year, Young participated in the Valspar Championship and missed the cut.
One major reason behind several members of the Players field withdrawing is the fact that the event is beginning just 3 days after the event concluded on March 15.
For the 2026 season, Young began his run with a slow start. However, he managed to finish at T7 at the Genesis Invitational. Right after that, at TPC Sawgrass, he shot a final-round 4-under 68. Featuring a clutch birdie on the 17th hole and a 375-yard drive on 18, he bagged the win, toppling Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele.
Sam Burns
Sam Burns is a two-time winner at the Valspar Championship, having secured victories in 2021 and 2022. Thus, his absence remains a glaring omission for the field. However, in 2025, he missed the cut by 3 over par.
Burns also had a remarkable run at the Players as he finished tied for the 13th position with a score of 6 under par alongside Brooks Koepka, Viktor Hovland, Justin Rose, Austin Smotherman, Akshay Bhatia, and 3 other golfers. Notably, he bagged $409,027 from the event
Although golf enthusiasts will miss a few of their favourite stars on the field of the 2026 Valspar Championship, the declared field of the event once again promises a demanding test on one of the Tour’s most challenging layouts, particularly the famed “Snake Pit” closing stretch of Copperhead.

Golf Glance: PGA wraps Florida Swing; LPGA returns to U.S.; LIV makes South Africa debut

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The PGA Tour concludes its Florida Swing at Innisbrook, the LPGA Tour returns to the United States and LIV Golf makes is South Africa debut among a busy slate of golf events around the globe this week.
PGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Valspar Championship, Palm Harbor, Fla. (March 19-22)
Course: Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Copperhead Course (Par 71, 7,352 Yards)
Purse: $9.2M (Winner: $1.638M)
Defending Champion: Viktor Hovland
FedEx Cup Leader: Jacob Bridgeman
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m.
X: @ValsparChamp
NOTES: The field includes seven of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, led by No. 7 Xander Schauffele. … Hovland seeks to become the third player to successfully defend at the Valspar. … With Brooks Koepka playing via the Returning Member Program, the field was expanded to 135 players to round out threesomes with the additions of Seamus Power and Matt Kuchar. … Keith Mitchell, Robert MacIntyre, Sudarshan Yellamaraju and William Mouw withdrew this week. They were replaced by Doug Ghim, Andrew Putnam, Kris Ventura and Justin Lower. … Vijay Singh holds the tournament scoring record of 266 set in 2004. … Blades Brown, 18, is in the field courtesy of his third-place finish at the Puerto Rico Open. Luke Clanton is also playing this week after his T5 in Puerto Rico. … Sponsor exemptions include 2017 champion Adam Hadwin, who lost his full-time PGA Tour card last season.
BEST BETS: Schauffele (+1050 at DraftKings) is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 7. He was in contention at The Players despite a 72 on Saturday caused largely by his struggles off the tee. … Matt Fitzpatrick (+1450) is coming off a runner-up at TPC Sawgrass, where he was tied for the lead before a bogey on the 72nd hole. … Hovland (+1900) claimed his seventh career victory here and enters with consecutive T13s the past two weeks. … Akshay Bhatia followed up his win at Bay Hill with a T13 at TPC Sawgrass. … Justin Thomas (+2250) structured his schedule to make sure that his return from back surgery allowed him to play at Innisbrook, where he said he feels like he has a chance to win every year. Thomas finished second last year … Bridgeman (+2250) continue to build on his breakout year with a T5 last week.
Last Tournament: The Players Championship (Cameron Young)
Next Tournament: Texas Children’s Houston Open, March 26-29
LPGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Fortinet Founders Cup, Menlo Park, Calif., March 19-22
Course: Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club (Par 72, 6,542 Yards)
Purse: $3M (Winner: $300,000)
Defending Champion: Yealimi Noh
HOW TO FOLLOW:
TV: Thursday-Sunday: 6-9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
X: @LPGA
NOTES: The tour returns to the United States following a three-event Asia Swing. … The event began in 2011, with the most recent iteration seeing Noh beat former World No. 1 Jin Young Ko by four strokes at Bradenton Country Club last year for her first career LPGA Tour victory. … This week marks the 25th anniversary of the first 59 shot in LPGA Tour history by 72-time winner Annika Sorenstam at Moon Valley Country Club.
Race to CME Globe Leader: Jeeno Thitikul
Last Tournament: Blue Bay LPGA (Mi Hyang Lee)
Next Tournament: Ford Championship, Phoenix, March 26-29
LIV GOLF LEAGUE
THIS WEEK: LIV Golf South Africa, Steyn City, March 19-22
Course: The Club at Steyn City (Par 71, 7,557 Yards)
Purses: Individual: $30M (Winner: $4M); Team: $10M (Winners: $3M)
Defending Champions: Inaugural Event
2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC
HOW TO WATCH
TV: Wednesday-Thursday: 6-8 a.m. ET (FS1), 8-11 a.m. (FS2); Friday: 6-11 a.m. (FOX); Sunday: 6-11 a.m. (FS1)
NOTES: This marks LIV Golf’s first event in South Africa and is the fifth of 14 events this season. … Phil Mickelson will make his 2026 debut after missing the first four events due to an undisclosed personal reason. … The daily shotgun start includes 13 teams and 57 total players, including five wild cards. … Bryson DeChambeau climbed eight spots to No. 33 in the Official World Golf Ranking with his victory in Singapore. This is the final event for Thomas Detry (No. 63) and Elvis Smylie (No. 74) have one LIV Golf event remaining to climb into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking and earn a spot in the Masters. … The field includes the all-South African team of Southern Guards GC comprised of captain Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel.
Last Event: LIV Golf Singapore (Individual: DeChambeau; Team: 4Aces GC)
Next Event: LIV Golf Mexico City, April 16-19
DP WORLD TOUR
THIS WEEK: Hainan Classic, Hainan Island, China, March 19-22
Course: Mission Hills Resort Haikou (Par 72, 7,637 Yards)
Purse: $2.25M
Defending Champion: Marco Penge
Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: TBA
X: @DPWorldTour
NOTES: The is the start of the four-event Asia Swing, with DP World Tour members competing for a total prize fund of $10.6 million. … The first 36 holes will be staged across both the Blackstone and Vintage courses, with professionals playing alongside an amateur in each team. The final two rounds will be contested on the Blackstone course. … The player who finishes first in the Asia Swing will earn a place in all events in Phase Two of the DP World Tour season, the Back 9 and a $200,000 bonus. Japan’s Keita Nakajima won last year’s Asia Swing. … The three leading DP World Tour members will qualify for the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club from May 14-17.
Last Tournament: Joburg Open (David Puig)
Next Tournament: Hero Indian Open, New Delhi, March 26-29
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
THIS WEEK: Cologuard Classic, Tucson, Ariz., March 20-22
Course: La Paloma Country Club (Par 71, 6,856 Yards)
Purse: $2.2M (Winner: $330,000)
Defending Champion: Steven Alker
Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Friday: 4-7 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @ChampionsTour
NOTES: This is the fourth of 28 events on the 2026 schedule and will be held at La Paloma for the third time. The tournament uses a composite route that includes holes from all three of the property’s courses. … The 78-player field will compete over three days, with the forecast calling for temperatures to exceed 100 degrees in Tucson. … Zach Johnson is coming off a victory in his Champions Tour debut and aims to join Phil Mickelson as the only players to win each of their first two Champions events. … Alker is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend his title at the Cologuard Classic.
Last Tournament: James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational (Johnson)
Next Tournament: Hoag Classic, Newport Beach, Calif., March 27-29

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Empire Dominates the Start of 2026

FFor years, Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team was viewed as an ambitious experiment. Early in the 2026 season, it suddenly looks like a serious championship force.
Just a handful of races into the season, the influence of Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team is suddenly everywhere near the front of the NASCAR Cup Series.
Drivers connected to Jordan’s team ownership group have already stacked wins, surged to the top of the standings, and established themselves as central figures in the early championship conversation.
Tyler Reddick’s Fast Start Has Set the Tone
The most visible piece of the surge belongs to Tyler Reddick.
Driving the No. 45 Toyota for Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, Reddick has opened the season with a blistering run of form
Multiple victories early in the schedule have vaulted him to the top of the championship standings and positioned him as one of the drivers to beat as the season begins to take shape.
For a team that entered the sport only a few years ago, having a driver consistently running at the front — and collecting trophies — represents a major step forward.
Bubba Wallace Adds Depth to 23XI’s Early Success
Reddick has not been carrying the load alone.
Teammate Bubba Wallace has also opened the season with one of the strongest stretches of his Cup Series career.
Wallace has remained near the top of the standings through the opening races, giving Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team a major early-season boost.
For a relatively young organization, that level of consistency across both cars is a sign that the program’s competitive foundation is becoming stronger each season.
Denny Hamlin Keeps the Wins Coming
Jordan’s NASCAR footprint extends beyond the cars carrying the 23XI banner.
Co-owner Denny Hamlin — who helped launch the team alongside Jordan — continues to deliver results on the track as well.
Hamlin scored a victory this season in Las Vegas driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, further reinforcing the early-season momentum surrounding the ownership group.
While that win technically belongs to JGR, Hamlin’s dual role as both a championship-caliber driver and co-owner of 23XI keeps him tightly connected to the broader success story unfolding around Jordan’s NASCAR program.
A Young Team Suddenly Looks Like a Contender
When Jordan entered NASCAR as a team owner, the move immediately drew attention. A six-time NBA champion bringing his competitive instincts into stock car racing was always going to be a fascinating experiment.
But success in NASCAR rarely comes overnight. Building a program capable of winning consistently takes time, depth, and the right combination of drivers and technical partners.
Now, several seasons into the project, the results are beginning to reflect that long-term investment.
With Reddick winning the year’s first three races, Wallace consistently running near the front, and Hamlin continuing to perform at a high level, the influence of Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team is shaping the early portion of the 2026 Cup Series season in a very real way. If the opening races are any indication, the championship conversation may run straight through the organization Jordan helped build.

NASCAR star gets emotional celebrating first victory since his father’s tragic death

NASCAR star Denny Hamlin earned his first win of the 2026 season on Sunday, holding off Chase Elliott to capture the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The win understandably made Hamlin emotional as it marked his first victory since his father, Dennis Hamlin, died in a house fire last December.
Denny Hamlin fought back tears as he spoke with FOX Sports after the win.
“You know, these are great opportunities for us. … This is a family sport, and my family obviously had so much sacrifice to help me get here,“ Denny said. ”It’s great that mom gets to see this. I know dad’s still saying, ‘That’s my boy.’ Hell of a day.

FOX Broadcaster Pens Emotional Farewell Message as He Gets Axed From NASCAR Job

Few pre-race traditions in the NASCAR Cup Series match the energy of driver introductions. It’s the moment when fans get their first roar of the day, drivers soak in the spotlight, and broadcasters help set the tone before engines fire. Over the past few years, there was one familiar voice behind that excitement. But now, the FOX Sports personality has shared an emotional farewell message after learning his NASCAR role has come to an unexpected end.
NASCAR news: “Chief Hype Officer” bids goodbye
For the past few seasons, Mamba Smith had become one of the most recognizable voices energizing crowds across the NASCAR Cup Series garage. Known for turning driver introductions into full-blown entertainment, Smith built a reputation for bringing a lively, fan-first vibe to race weekends. But after learning his role would not continue, he shared a heartfelt message thanking the people who made the experience special.
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“I want to thank our group for first putting me on stage and all the early mornings; and all of our DJs… Thank you to everyone up and down pit road for the love after every show… To the drivers for trusting me and leaning into that one moment across the stage… And most importantly all the fans that brought the energy every time. No matter what track we were at, what new shtick we were trying ya’ll rocked with me and I can’t thank you enough!”
Since 2021, Smith served as an analyst for NASCAR’s digital platform, NASCAR.com, where he became known as the sport’s unofficial “Chief Hype Officer.” His role blended media, fan engagement, and driver interaction, often capturing spontaneous moments that traditional broadcasts rarely show.
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What made Smith stand out was his natural chemistry with both drivers and fans. His interactions felt unscripted and genuine, often turning routine introductions into memorable moments. One of the most talked-about examples came in March 2024 at Richmond Raceway, when Smith showed up in a full bunny suit after losing a social media bet to former NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick.
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After his farewell post, one fan asked what might come next. Smith’s response was simple and optimistic: “I go wherever I’m wanted, if someone thinks I can add value to their program I’ll be there!”
While his time in the NASCAR spotlight may be ending for now, Smith’s infectious energy has clearly left a lasting impression on the sport’s fans and drivers alike.
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Mamba Smith’s racing journey
Long before Mamba Smith became a familiar face entertaining fans across the NASCAR Cup Series stage, his connection to motorsports began behind the wheel.
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Smith’s racing journey started incredibly early. At just four years old, his father bought him a go-kart after noticing his fascination with racing at Thunder Road International SpeedBowl, the track where Smith spent much of his childhood. What began as a hobby quickly turned into something more serious. Racing together, Smith and his father racked up nearly 100 go-kart victories, cementing his love for competition and life around racetracks.
By 2008, Smith had moved up to late model racing, competing locally at Thunder Road International SpeedBowl and Airborne Speedway. His performances eventually earned him an invitation to the Rev Racing NASCAR Drive for Diversity combine in North Carolina in 2011, a program designed to identify and develop new talent.
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During that period, Smith balanced several roles in the racing world. Along with working as a mechanic, he competed in the 2012 Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway, running ten races and scoring seven top-10 finishes along with two top-five results. He continued racing late models in 2015 at Hickory Motor Speedway and New Smyrna Speedway before stepping away from competition for several years.
Smith eventually returned to the driver’s seat in 2020 and soon achieved another milestone. In 2022, he made his ARCA Menards Series debut at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, driving for Young’s Motorsports.
The following year brought more opportunities. Smith competed in the ARCA Menards Series West race at Phoenix Raceway and later drove the No. 15 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports at Toledo Speedway, finishing ninth after an on-track incident.
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While many fans know Smith for his energy on the microphone, his racing background shows that his passion for the sport runs far deeper than the stage.

Denny Hamlin takes the checkered flag in Vegas

Catching up here a bit on what happened in the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, with Denny Hamlin, one of our Virginia guys in the series, taking the win in Las Vegas.
That makes it four wins in five weeks for the folks who sued the pants off NASCAR last year, and won.
For Hamlin, it was career win #61, and his first since he lost his father in a fire that also seriously injured his mother in December.
“Ultimately I’m still a competitor, right?” Hamlin told reporters in a presser after the race. “Everyone’s got to go through that process, the grieving process. There were a lot of different things through the offseason that were really, really tough.
“Yeah, I mean, I showed up at Bowman Gray, I ran the race. Still just up until a couple weeks ago, not fully locked in to what I need to do, got to do,” Hamlin said. “That’s just natural. I mean, everyone has to go through stuff. I think for me ultimately, I said it before, promise to Joe Gibbs, that family, that I’d fulfill my obligations to them. Then the thrill of going out there and getting more wins. That, to me, is what drives me. It makes me work as hard as I do at this.”
Hamlin led a race-high 134 laps on Sunday.
The Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets of Chase Elliott and William Byron ran second and third, respectively.
Pole winner Christopher Bell was fourth, followed by Ty Gibbs, Chris Buescher and Kyle Larson, who led 62 laps and finished second in both Stage 1 and Stage 2.
Chase Briscoe ran eighth, overcoming a pit road speeding penalty, as did Gibbs, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.
Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing, which is co-owned by Hamlin, came home ninth, and Brad Keselowski was 10th.
Tyler Reddick, the winner of the first three races this season, faded to 13th in the final run but maintained his series lead by 61 points over Wallace, his 23XI Racing teammate, and 67 over third-place Ryan Blaney.
Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
(2) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 267.
(15) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 267.
(9) William Byron, Chevrolet, 267.
(1) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 267.
(3) Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 267.
(10) Chris Buescher, Ford, 267.
(5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 267.
(18) Chase Briscoe, Toyota, 267.
(4) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 267.
(28) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 267.
(8) Ryan Preece, Ford, 267.
(11) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 267.
(7) Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 267.
(12) Zane Smith, Ford, 267.
(21) Joey Logano, Ford, 267.
(6) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 267.
(17) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 267.
(13) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 267.
(31) Austin Cindric, Ford, 267.
(14) Erik Jones, Toyota, 267.
(26) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota, 266.
(19) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 266.
(20) Riley Herbst, Toyota, 266.
(29) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 265.
(22) Justin Allgaier(i), Chevrolet, 265.
(30) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 265.
(35) Cole Custer, Chevrolet, 265.
(24) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 265.
(23) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 265.
(34) Noah Gragson, Ford, 265.
(32) Josh Berry, Ford, 264.
(25) Connor Zilisch #, Chevrolet, 264.
(36) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 264.
(27) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 264.
(33) Cody Ware, Chevrolet, 263.
(16) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet, 262.
Average Speed of Race Winner: 148.992 mph.
Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 41 Mins, 17 Secs.
Margin of Victory: .502 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 3 for 20 laps.

JGR Lawsuit vs Chris Gabehart Moves Forward After Court Ruling

Joe Gibbs Racing moved forward with its lawsuit against former competition director Chris Gabehart on Monday after a federal judge granted the organization expedited discovery against Gabehart during a court hearing in Charlotte.
Chris Gabehart previously served as competition director at Joe Gibbs Racing before leaving the organization and joining Spire Motorsports as chief motorsports officer, a move that triggered the legal dispute.
U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez granted the NASCAR powerhouse expedited discovery against Gabehart as part of the organization’s ongoing lawsuit tied to his move to Spire Motorsports. The ruling allows Joe Gibbs Racing to seek communications and documents from Gabehart as the case moves forward.
However, the judge declined to extend the same accelerated discovery requirements to Spire Motorsports at this stage of the case.
Why Joe Gibbs Racing Is Suing Chris Gabehart
Joe Gibbs Racing alleges Gabehart retained confidential racing information when he left the organization. Attorneys made that claim during Monday’s court hearing.
Joe Gibbs Racing Alleges Confidential Racing Data Was Taken
The organization filed the lawsuit after Gabehart left the team and accepted a leadership role with Spire Motorsports.
During Monday’s hearing, attorneys for Joe Gibbs Racing argued that Gabehart retained confidential racing information when he departed the organization. The team alleges the material includes internal competition data connected to race preparation and team strategy.
Sarah Hutchins, an attorney representing Joe Gibbs Racing, told the court the team believes Gabehart may have photographed sensitive information before leaving the organization.
Gabehart’s legal team disputed those claims in court.
His attorney, Cary Davis, said there is no evidence that Spire Motorsports obtained or used proprietary Joe Gibbs Racing information.
Judge Limits Scope of Discovery
Judge Rodriguez ruled that expedited discovery would apply to Gabehart but not to Spire Motorsports.
Rodriguez said the court had not been presented with evidence that Spire Motorsports possessed confidential Joe Gibbs Racing data.
The judge also declined to approve several proposed third-party subpoenas during the hearing, stating the court would need more specific evidence before allowing those requests.
Temporary Restraining Order Remains in Effect
The court had previously issued a limited temporary restraining order earlier in the case.
That order requires Gabehart to stop retaining or using confidential Joe Gibbs Racing information and to return any such material to the organization.
Under the existing order, Gabehart is allowed to continue working for Spire Motorsports as long as he does not perform the same type of work he previously handled for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Judge Rodriguez extended that order during Monday’s hearing as the legal process continues.
Attorneys Dispute Claims in Court
Attorneys representing Gabehart argued that the lawsuit is based on speculation and said the defense has cooperated with requests involving electronic devices and potential evidence.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s legal team maintained that expedited discovery is necessary to determine whether confidential information was retained or shared.
Rodriguez noted during the hearing that additional information could emerge through the discovery process.
Next Hearing Scheduled
The Chris Gabehart Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit centers on allegations involving confidential racing information following Gabehart’s move to Spire Motorsports. The case remains in its early stages.
Another hearing addressing Joe Gibbs Racing’s request for a preliminary injunction has been scheduled for March 26, when the court is expected to revisit whether further restrictions or discovery should be imposed.

Which Drivers Will Compete In The Goodyear 400 At Darlington?

37 cars will make the trip to Darlington, SC, for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway, the sixth race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, according to a preliminary entry list revealed on Monday.
There will be no drama in qualifying this week, as up to 40 cars are able to start races in the NASCAR Cup Series. With only 37 on the entry list, that means no cars will be heading home this weekend.
The lone

FOX Broadcaster Forced to Issue Public Statement as Fans Mount Backlash Over Huge Misunderstanding

So while Mike Joy was talking to Korn’s Jonathan Davis during the 2026 Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas, fans had a misunderstanding with him. Apparently, they misheard his words during the broadcast, making them believe that he addressed Korn as a ‘new metal’ band. It did spark immediate backlash, but none of those fans were prepared for Mike Joy’s statement that came after.
Mike Joy’s music knowledge surprises entire NASCAR community
Naturally, such a misunderstanding would upset the fans. But Joy was not going to let it slide as another controversy. Instead, he painstakingly took to his social media to explain his point of view.
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“No, I said, ‘Korn is nu-metal’… That’s a subgenre of alternative metal that emerged in the mid-1990s. It blends heavy metal with hip hop, alternative rock, funk, and industrial music. Characterized by downtuned guitars, syncopated rhythms, rapping, and emotional, angsty lyrics.’”
Joy was replying to the post that displayed a video of his commentary during the said broadcast. The post has been deleted now and cannot be accessed. However, once he gave his explanation, the tide turned in his favor.
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Now, his comment section is sprawling with fans who are amazed by his knowledge of music. This unexpected cultural intersection between NASCAR and alternative music was welcome news for the fans.
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Many fans were supporting him in the comment section once the controversy was cleared. A huge part of the community is overjoyed that the broadcaster is a nu-metal enthusiast and listener. Many fans who are from the same demographic and age group were highly supportive of Mike Joy since they easily realized it the moment he said that on air.
It is a moment of respite for Fox, too, as they haven’t been on good terms with the fans lately. By earning the fans’ approval, Joy avoided bringing more heat towards the FOX broadcast.
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But that’s not all; a video of him surfaced in the comments section that proves that he is not bluffing about his knowledge. In 2002, Mike Joy was heard explaining about the music band ‘Papa Roach’ to his fellow commentators. The band falls in the same category as nu-metal, and it proves that Mike Joy has always been into alternative rock music.
Notably, this is the second time Mike Joy is facing scrutiny from the fans owing to his words on-air.
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Mike Joy clarifies comments regarding Alex Bowman
Earlier, Mike Joy was under fire due to a similar misunderstanding. His words about Alex Bowman‘s vertigo diagnosis made it seem like he was sidelining the COTA issue.
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Again, the backlash immediately pushed towards issuing an apology to the fans and Bowman himself. “I misspoke Sunday about Alex Bowman’s vertigo, which he experienced during the COTA race. Apologies to Alex; I’ll correct and update on Sunday’s telecast. Hope he’s recovered and back on track soon.”
In his explanation, Joy clarified that he was trying to link it with his prior concussion. It was a continuation of the statement released by Jeff Andrews that revealed that Bowman’s vertigo is not a result of his concussion from the prior season.
Mike Joy was referring to the same thing, but somehow ended up connecting it wrongly and misspoke about it.

Coach Joe Gibbs Breaks Silence on Grandson’s Terrifying Crash, Refusing to Break Ty’s Promise

The story of Joe Gibbs not budging on a particular stance to then changing it completely, to once again being firm on it, has been an interesting one in the last few years. The story in subject revolves around JGR and their policy of not allowing their NASCAR drivers to race in other series. And the one factor between his old stance and his new one seems to be his grandson, Ty Gibbs, who recently suffered a scary crash.
Gibbs explains his decision not to change his policy again
On Thursday, ahead of the NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas, Ty Gibbs suffered a scary wreck in the High Limit racing series. He went airborne, rolled multiple times, and hit the catch fence. Fortunately, the young JGR driver was unharmed and went on to take part in Sunday’s Cup race, which his teammate, Denny Hamlin, won.
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Following the race, Ty Gibbs’ scary wreck was presented to Joe Gibbs in a media availability session. The reporter asked how he dealt with the incident as a team owner and a grandfather. Gibbs was further asked about his old rule of not allowing his drivers to compete in other racing series.
It’s worth mentioning that Joe Gibbs was very stern on that rule for many years. In fact, he once prevented Kyle Busch from racing in the Indy 500. However, things changed when, in November 2024, Gibbs decided to lift those restrictions on his drivers, allowing Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs to follow their curiosities and passions.
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Talking about him lifting the restrictions, Joe Gibbs said, “It was Ty, it was Christopher, and it was Chase also. All of them had something to do with their stuff. I originally was in one spot when thinking about it, changed my mind. And I decided those guys, really to be truthful, they really don’t have a lot else in the off season. And so I made that decision. So, I’m always concerned about it. I’ll put it that way.”
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Despite Ty undergoing that horrific accident, Gibbs will not change his stance on it now, refusing to break it for Ty.
Speaking in November 2024, Ty Gibbs credited Christopher Bell for ‘making it happen.’ He claimed Bell was trying to have the restrictions lifted for a long time and slowly put it together. But because of Chase Briscoe’s arrival, Gibbs claimed it acted as a catalyst since the #19 driver is ‘a huge dirt guy.’
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When Joe Gibbs got in between Kyle Busch and Indy 500
While Gibbs has changed his decision on racing outside, his original stance was a tough nut to crack.
In 2017, one of NASCAR’s most accomplished and bankable drivers, Kyle Busch, expressed and pursued his desire to compete in the Indy 500. He had everything ready, sold’ and ready to go.
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However, he faced one major obstacle, which he refused to name but decided to point to. “I’ve got a boss that said no. Figure it out. I’ve got two bosses – ones a male and ones a female. I would certainly. I thought that I had a great opportunity to do it,” Busch said.
Earlier this year in a conversation with Denny Hamlin, the former Joe Gibbs Racing driver once again spoke about his failed Indy 500 attempt in 2017. He claimed Chevrolet & Toyota were on board with it, and M&M’s was willing to pay for it.
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Busch had his opportunity ‘done, sealed, signed, delivered’, until someone said no. Without revealing the name again, he suggested it was none other than his former boss, who is now open to seeing his drivers, including his grandson, race in other series outside of NASCAR.

Hamlin Calls Out Chastain After Las Vegas NASCAR Confrontation

Denny Hamlin didn’t hold back when discussing Ross Chastain following the heated confrontation with Daniel Suárez following Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The moment quickly became one of the biggest talking points coming out of the Las Vegas race weekend.
Chastain declined to speak with reporters following the on-track exchange with his former Trackhouse Racing teammate, leaving many questions unanswered about what sparked the tension. Hamlin addressed the situation on his Actions Detrimental podcast and suggested Chastain’s silence only added to the intrigue.
“Sitting in this room, there’s three media members here. We would love to have a quote that we could run with,” Hamlin said. “But it just feels like Ross is… when there’s something that happened, he’s just not going to give it to you.”
For Hamlin, moments like the one in Las Vegas are exactly when drivers should be willing to explain their side.
“When there’s something that happened, for the sport, storylines, it would be fantastic if he would just give us something to work with,” Hamlin said. “But he’s not going to let us in.”
Hamlin Says He Handles Conflict Very Differently
The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran also made it clear that his approach to controversy is the opposite.
“Well, I’m different,” Hamlin said. “I’m going to talk s*** anytime I can.”
Hamlin has built a reputation in recent years as one of the most candid voices in the NASCAR garage, frequently using his podcast to discuss rivalries, race incidents and the personalities that shape the Cup Series.
He said disagreements between drivers are part of what makes the sport compelling — and that fans deserve to hear about them.
“If I have an opportunity or if I have a beef with a driver, I’m going to dig the knife when I can,” Hamlin said. “But that’s just my personality, and I do it with my closest friends.”
The Las Vegas Incident Drew Attention Across the Garage
Tensions between Chastain and Suárez escalated late in Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after contact between the two drivers during the cooldown lap.
The disagreement quickly became visible to those watching as the two drivers confronted each other before others stepped in to separate them.
The moment stood out in part because of the history between the two competitors.
Chastain and Suárez spent four seasons together at Trackhouse Racing, helping establish the organization as one of the fastest-rising teams in the NASCAR Cup Series. Suárez departed the team after last season, while Chastain remains one of Trackhouse’s cornerstone drivers.
That shared history made the Las Vegas confrontation particularly notable across the garage.
For Hamlin, situations like that are part of what keeps fans invested in the sport. Rivalries, disagreements and emotional moments often become defining storylines throughout a long NASCAR season.
But Hamlin also believes those moments carry more weight when drivers are willing to explain their side once the race is over.
In his view, transparency, even during uncomfortable moments, is part of what helps tell the full story of a NASCAR weekend.

NASCAR: Ty Gibbs Reaches Milestone as Momentum Builds

Don’t look now, but Ty Gibbs is on a hot streak in the NASCAR Cup Series. On the heels of a difficult 2025 season that saw him finish 19th in the points standings, the driver of the No. 54 has come out swinging in 2026.
In the last three races, Gibbs has posted three top-five finishes. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver placed fourth at Circuit of The Americas, fifth at Phoenix Raceway, and fifth this past Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The three straight top-five finishes have Gibbs on a hot streak as he sits 10th in the Cup Series points standings. On top of that, the 23-year-old reached a milestone in his recent string of strong performances.
Ty Gibbs became the fifth youngest driver to post three straight top fives
In a stat pulled by NASCAR Insights on X, Gibbs joins formidable company with three straight top-five finishes.
At 23 years, five months, and 11 days old, Gibbs became the fifth youngest driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to post three straight top-five finishes.
Joey Logano was the youngest driver to record three straight top fives at 20 years, five months, 21 days old in 2010. Following Logano is Kyle Busch at 21 years, two months, 14 days old in 2006.
Erik Jones is third youngest on the list at 21 years, three months, four days old in 2017. William Byron is fourth when he posted three straight top fives at 22 years, nine months, 11 days old in 2020.
Compared to the first five races of last year, 2026 has been a major step-up in performance for Gibbs. In 2025, the North Carolina native failed to finish higher than 16th in the first five races.
The early-season struggles mired him back to as low as 36th in the points standings. By the end of the season, Gibbs has only posted five top-five finishes and an average finish of 17.9.
There was a bright spot for Gibbs along the way as he won NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge. Yet, he failed to make the playoffs and finished the season 19th in the standings.
Ty Gibbs reflects on Las Vegas finish: ‘Unfortunately, I sped’
Gibbs’ fifth-place finish at Las Vegas didn’t come easy on Sunday at Las Vegas. After committing a speeding penalty on the round of pit stops following stage one, the driver of the No. 54 had to drive through the field.
Despite the penalty, the Monster Energy Toyota proved to have speed as Gibbs bounced back and brought it home fifth.
When talking to FOX Sports in his post-race interview, Gibbs was bummed that he “stubbed” himself with the penalty, but acknowledged that he and the No. 54 team battled back.
“I had a great time. Unfortunately, I sped and stubbed myself there and it was unfortunate, but we fought back. Pit stops were really great. Thank you to my whole crew and everybody there. Had such a fun time racing today. These races are so much fun. We’ll come back next week and hammer down,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs is still searching for his first career win in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 128 starts, Gibbs’ best finish is second twice, coming at Darlington in May 2024 and the Chicago Street Race in July 2025.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas suspended 80 games by MLB for failed drug test

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NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas was suspended for the first 80 games of the season by Major League Baseball on Monday following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone.
Rojas’ suspension was announced after a grievance filed by the players’ association appealing the discipline was denied by independent arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman.
Barring rainouts, Rojas would be eligible to play for the Phillies on June 25. He would lose $395,305 in salary from his contract, which pays at a rate of $803,500 while in the major leagues and $321,826 while in the minors. If there are no postponements, the suspension would be over 92 days of the 187-day season.
He is ineligible to play in the 2026 postseason.
Rojas, 25, hit .224 with one homer, 18 RBIs and 12 stolen bases for the Phillies last season. He was demoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Aug. 1 and didn’t play for Philadelphia during the remainder of the season. Rojas was 3 for 15 with one RBI for the Phillies during spring training this year.
He has a .252 career average with six homers, 73 RBIs and 51 stolen bases over 250 games.
Rojas was slated to play for the the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic roster but was dropped ahead of the tournament.
He is the sixth player disciplined this year for a drug violation, the third under the major league agreement.
Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire season on March 3 after testing positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites. The failed test was Profar’s second offense under the drug rules.
Free agent outfielder Max Kepler was banned for 80 games on Jan. 9 after a positive test for Epitrenbolone.
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Best moments in MLB Spring Breakout history

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The prospect event started in March 2024 and is heading into its third iteration, with a tournament format already announced for 2027 and ’28. While more memories will be made in the coming matchups, here’s a look back at some of the showcase’s top moments to date.
Paul Skenes vs. Jackson Holliday (March 14, 2024)
Before making their big league debuts and becoming catalysts for their respective clubs, MLB’s former top prospects dueled in Spring Breakout. Skenes — now the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner — fired three offerings of 100+ mph in a six-pitch strikeout.
Holliday’s swinging punchout marked the second meeting between the former No. 1 Draft picks. The two had faced off two weeks earlier, with the Pirates ace getting the Orioles second baseman to ground out on the second pitch. Read more »
The Big 3 (March 13, 2025)
Not even a full year before slugging a home run for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Roman Anthony was headlining Boston’s next vaunted trio. Infielder/outfielder Kristian Campbell and shortstop Marcelo Mayer smacked back-to-back third-inning homers for the Red Sox against a bevy of top Rays prospects, with Anthony following them two frames later with his own long ball. Read more »
Here comes Bubba Chandler (March 14, 2025)
One year to the day Skenes sat down Holliday, the next top Pirates hurler took center stage. After closing out the inaugural Spring Breakout game, Chandler got the nod in Year 2, delivering two perfect innings with four strikeouts and two ground-ball outs. The moxie-driven right-hander fired 11 fastballs at 98.5 mph or faster. Read more »
Trey Yesavage’s unofficial pro debut (March 14, 2025)
Just eight months after being selected in the first round by the Blue Jays, the former East Carolina hurler made the right first impression in his long journey to pitching in the World Series later in the year. Yesavage worked around traffic in the first inning before pumping gas in the second — striking out the side with a cutter, a fastball and a changeup. Toronto’s top prospect continued that across four levels before his big league debut in September. Read more »
The revival of the switch-pitcher (March 15, 2025)
A first-round pick by the Mariners, Jurrangelo Cijntje garnered looks from both sides of the rubber. The ambidextrous hurler came out throwing from the left side before switching to his right hand — even against seven left-handed hitters. But fate brought the perfect final test of the night as 2024’s first overall pick, Travis Bazzana, stepped into the box. Cijntje kept throwing from the right side against the Guardians’ lefty, powering a 97 mph four-seamer to secure the five-pitch strikeout. Read more »
Two-homer games galore (March 16, 2024)
The inaugural weekend featured multihomer games from a trio of then-Top 100 prospects. The Rays’ Xavier Isaac sent one of his two roundtrippers 419 feet at 110 mph off the bat. Towering Yankees slugger Spencer Jones one upped himself on his second homer at 427 feet, while Tigers infielder Jace Jung got a nod of respect from Hall of Famer Alan Trammell:

MLB makes Johan Rojas’ 80-game suspension official

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Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas’s 80-game suspension for use of a performance-enhancing substance was made official by the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball on Monday.
The league announced that Rojas tested positive for Boldenone, in violation of the league’s drug policy. Rojas’ suspension will begin at the start of the 2026 season. He is ineligible for the postseason this year.
In a statement, the Phillies said they, “fully support Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and are disappointed to hear today’s news of Johan’s violation.”
Rojas’ ban was first made public two weeks ago when he abruptly left the Dominican Republic team at the World Baseball Classic after reports from the country indicated a looming positive test.
Rojas, 25, skipped from Double A straight to them majors in 2023, playing 59 games for the Phillies. He played in 120 games in 2024, then batted .224 with one homer and 18 RBIs in 71 games in the bigs last year. He hit 4-for-43 in the postseason in 2023 as a regular starter in center.
Rojas hit .279 in 35 games in Triple A last year. He was 4-for-24 with a double and two RBIs in 10 games this spring.
He’s the third Phillies to test positive for a performance-enhancing drug in the last year, joining pitcher Jose Alvarado and outfielder Max Kepler.

MLB announces 80-game suspension for the Phillies’ Johan Rojas

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MIAMI — If Johan Rojas plays for the Phillies this season, it won’t be until at least the last week in June.
Rojas received an 80-game suspension without pay after he tested positive for boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance, Major League Baseball announced Monday. The 25-year-old center fielder is ineligible to play at any level until June 25.
In a statement, the Phillies said they are “disappointed” to learn of Rojas’ positive test and “fully support” MLB’s joint drug prevention and treatment program.
News of Rojas’ test result leaked on March 2 upon his withdrawal from the Dominican Republic’s roster for the World Baseball Classic. Rojas filed an appeal with MLB and declined multiple requests for comment while awaiting a decision.
But Rojas continued to play in spring training games for the Phillies, most recently going 0-for-1 with a walk Sunday in Clearwater, Fla., against the Braves. He was 4-for-24 (.167) in 10 Grapefruit League games.
Regardless of the pending suspension, Rojas was hardly a lock for the Phillies’ opening-day roster. Justin Crawford is set to take over center field, and Rojas has minor-league options. Veteran utilityman Dylan Moore and reserve outfielder Bryan De La Cruz emerged as likelier bench candidates.
» READ MORE: Justin Crawford showcases ability to put a ball in play on the ground: ‘That’s all he needs to do’
The Phillies’ center-field depth does take a hit with Rojas’ ban. Brandon Marsh, who is expected to play mostly left field, could shift to center, if necessary. The Phillies’ best option in triple A is now 27-year-old Pedro León, who was claimed off waivers from the Astros. León went 2-for-20 in seven major league games in 2024.
Rojas, an elite defender, made his major league debut in 2023 and was a pleasant surprise at the plate, batting .302 with a .771 OPS in 164 plate appearances.
But he struggled ever since. Among 316 players with at least 500 plate appearances since the beginning of the 2024 season, Rojas ranked 308th with a .591 OPS.
According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, boldenone is an anabolic androgenic steroid that was originally developed for veterinary use but is commonly taken by athletes to increase muscle mass and strength. It is prohibited under MLB’s joint drug prevention and treatment program.

MLB announces 80-game suspension for Johan Rojas

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Major League Baseball announced on Monday that Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. It was reported a couple of weeks ago that Rojas had tested positive for a PED, but that he was appealing. It now appears the appeals process has been completed, as Rojas will begin serving his suspension to begin the 2026 season.
Rojas, 25, has been Philadelphia’s center fielder for a decent chunk of the past three seasons. He gets great marks for his defense and also steals bases, but his offense has been more questionable. Since the start of 2024, he has a .237/.279/.312 batting line. That translates to a 64 wRC+, indicating he was 36% below league average at the plate in that time.
Despite his assets, the lack of offense has pushed the Phillies to move on from relying on Rojas. They acquired Harrison Bader at last year’s deadline. Bader became a free agent at season’s end, but the Phils plan to give prospect Justin Crawford the job.
Rojas could have started 2026 as a fourth outfielder or perhaps gotten regular playing time in the minors. If Crawford struggled in his first exposure to major league pitching, Rojas could have been a speed-and-defense fallback. That’s now off the table for the first half of the season. Rojas could return in the second half, but players who receive PED suspensions aren’t eligible for the postseason.
Without Rojas, the Phils feel a bit light in terms of center field depth. Left fielder Brandon Marsh has experience there but is probably stretched defensively. Pedro León is on the 40-man but has just seven big league games under his belt. Utility player Dylan Moore has some limited experience in center. He’s not on the roster but could be selected to serve in a multi-positional bench role.
As Opening Day gets closer, it’s possible some other guys become available. As teams make their final roster decisions, some guys will end up on waivers or in free agency. Perhaps the Phillies can add some extra center field coverage in the coming weeks.

MLB Insider Targets Three Astros as Future Top 100 Prospects Later in 2026

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It’s become an annual tradition, it seems — the Houston Astros don’t have a Top 100 prospect in baseball.
That tradition continued earlier this spring when MLB Pipeline released its Top 100 list and no Astros showed up. It’s not that the franchise has trouble developing talent. The Astros reached the playoffs eight straight seasons from 2017-24, with two World Series titles, four American League pennants and seven AL West crowns. For seven straight seasons Houston reached, at minimum, the AL Championship Series.
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A team cannot do that without developing talent. Houston just hasn’t had those top-shelf prospects.
That could change in 2026. MLB.com’s Sam Dykstra highlighted three prospects that could crack the Top 100 sometime this year — outfielder Kevin Alvarez, shortstop Xavier Neyens and outfielder Ethan Frey.
The Astros’ Big Three Prospects
Alvarez might be the most anticipated of the trio. The Cuba native signed last January for $2 million and had a terrific campaign in the Dominican Summer League, where most international prospects play their first year as professionals. In 47 games he slashed .301/.419/.455 with a .874 OPS, including two home runs and 33 RBI. He also had 12 doubles and three triples. He should play stateside this year.
He just started a spring training game with the Astros, where he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He may play one more game with the club before Houston breaks camp to head back home next Sunday.
Neyens hasn’t played a professional game yet. The Astros selected him in the first round last July and he signed a $4 million bonus to pass on college baseball. But he didn’t play a pro game because the Astros wanted to give him extended ramp-up time at their team complex in Florida.
Now 19 years old, the 6-foot-4 left-handed infielder has a 65 grade on his power on the 20-80 scouting scale. Already 210 pounds, he projects as a power hitter in the Majors, which is why many scouts see him moving to third base. He led Mount Vernon (Wash.) High School to a state championship and in the title game he was intentionally walked four times.
Frey was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 MLB draft out of LSU, the same school that produced former Houston All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman. The Astros wasted no time with him and had him start his pro career at Class-A Fayetteville in August. There, he slashed .330/.434/.470 with three home runs and 17 RBI. He also had five doubles But, what stood out was his plate discipline. In just 100 at-bats he drew 20 walks and struck out just 25 times.

Both Max Muncys homer for Dodgers and Athletics in 4th inning

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Infielder Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the fourth inning during a Spring Training game today. Also, infielder Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the fourth inning during a Spring Training game today.
MLB has two players named Max Muncy in its ranks. One is a former first-round Draft pick who debuted last season with the A’s. The other is a three-time World Series champion slugger with the Dodgers. They share the same birth date (Aug. 25), and on Monday, they each went deep in the same inning of their respective Spring Training games.
The A’s Muncy homered first, launching a pitch against the Angels a projected 361 feet out to right field in the bottom of the fourth. Just a few minutes later, the Dodgers’ Muncy followed suit by homering toward right-center field versus the Brewers in the bottom of the fourth.

De Vries among top prospects to show promise in A’s camp

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MESA, Ariz. – Considering his status as one of baseball’s truly elite prospects, it was set up to be nearly impossible for Leo De Vries to live up to the hype as he entered his first big league camp with the Athletics.
Not only did De Vries, MLB’s No. 4 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, meet those lofty expectations, but he also showed all the skills required to compete at the highest level – all at the ripe age of 19. Defensively, he looked like a Major League shortstop with a strong arm and sure hands. At the plate, he routinely took quality at-bats against big league pitchers.
From the eyes of A’s manager Mark Kotsay, who, along with the rest of his coaching staff, closely evaluated De Vries this spring for the first time since joining the organization as part of a package from the Padres for Mason Miller last year, the final step for the teenage phenom’s development is on the physical side. That was the message Kotsay imparted to De Vries on Sunday afternoon after he was reassigned to Minor League camp.
“The biggest thing for Leo is to get in the weight room and really put the work in to add the muscle,” Kotsay said before Monday’s 3-0 win over the Angels at Hohokam Stadium. “We can all add weight, but it has to be good weight, and it has to be a strength component that he can maintain for 140 games or more. I think that’s what Leo recognized through our meeting yesterday.”
De Vries put a bow on his impressive spring by crushing a home run off Guardians starter Tanner Bibee at an exit velocity of 103.1 mph during Sunday’s 12-6 loss at Goodyear Ballpark. In 17 spring games, the switch-hitting shortstop hit .409 (18-for-44) with three homers, three doubles, 11 RBIs and three stolen bases.
The A’s will likely send De Vries to Double-A Midland to start the year, but the anticipation for his eventual call to the Majors is already building – and could come perhaps as early as this season.
“Does he have the skillset to play in the big leagues? Absolutely,” Kotsay said. “The talent? Yes. Now, it’s going to just be the ability to withstand a season and maintain the strength and have that burst throughout the season.”
De Vries headlined a group of A’s top prospects reassigned to Minor League camp on Sunday who left a strong impression. Also among the cuts were left-hander Gage Jump (A’s No. 3 prospect and MLB No. 57 overall), outfielder Henry Bolte (A’s No. 5) and third baseman Tommy White (No. 9).
Jump appeared in four spring games and allowed just two runs in 9 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts. The 22-year-old southpaw is expected to begin the year at Triple-A Las Vegas, and his advanced arsenal shown throughout camp suggests his debut is on the horizon.
“Just continue to pound the strike zone and go perform,” Kotsay said of his message to Jump as he’s reassigned to the Minors. “It’s not if he’s going to be here, it’s when he gets here. The polishing there is just being able to finish at-bats, pitching into the sixth inning, taking advantage of the bottom-half of those lineups and going out and having a lot of success.”
“For Bolte, there’s reason to think he can have an impact on this ballclub this year with what he was doing in Spring Training,” Kotsay said. “He’s the most physical out of the younger group that isn’t going to start out with us, for sure. He’s arguably, next to Denzel [Clarke], the most athletic, and next to [Brent Rooker], the most powerful. So, there’s a lot to like about Henry.”
White, meanwhile, hit .441 with four homers, two doubles and 15 RBIs. More importantly, he displayed improved defense, which has been a knock on him since coming out of college at LSU in 2024, at both third base and first base.
“He’s got elite bat-to-ball skill,” said Kotsay. “But in camp I saw a player that really took to heart the message of, ‘Hey, you need to really go get strong. You really need to go work on your speed and defense.’ He took that to heart. He maximized his offseason and was a part of a group of young players that showed that they’re going to push these [Major League] guys.”

Year MLB Veteran to Diamondbacks in Free Agency

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Milwaukee Brewers fans are quite familiar with the name Luis Urías, but some might not have been aware he’d come back to their favorite team.
Urías played 330 games for the Brewers from 2020 through 2023, racking up a more-than-respectable 6.3 bWAR. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox in the summer of 2023, then moved on to the Seattle Mariners in 2024 and the Athletics last year.
After the A’s cut him loose last summer, Urías wound up signing back with the Brewers on a minor-league contract. But what could have become a fun reunion story instead passed by without an appearance in a big-league game.
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Urías moves on to Diamondbacks after missing WBC
On Monday, Urías signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, per the Reno Aces’ official X account. The Aces are the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League.
Urías was supposed to participate in the World Baseball Classic for Team Mexico, which would have been the third time he’d been on the roster. Unfortunately, he was taken off the roster due to injury in between the team’s final exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 4 and their tournament opener on March 6 due to injury.
With the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville, Urías posted a .731 OPS in 13 games last season. He never saw a spot on the major league roster open up in front of him, as the Brewers stayed committed to Caleb Durbin at third base, Joey Ortiz at shortstop, and Brice Turang at second base down the stretch.
Of course, Durbin wound up getting traded in February, but Urías was a free agent by then and even if he’d been brought back, he wouldn’t have been on the 40-man roster, and wouldn’t have likely been in serious consideration for the opening day roster.
Instead, he now gets a clean break, and the Brewers have to hope the infielders they’ve replaced him with over the last three years can avoid a similar drop-off to the one he once experienced.

MLB upholds 80-game suspension for Phillies’ Johan Rojas after appeal

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Johan Rojas will officially be suspended 80 games without pay by Major League Baseball after an unsuccessful appeal after testing for a banned performance-enhancing drug.
The league announced Rojas’ official suspension of Rojas, the Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, after testing positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.
The news broke earlier this month that Rojas, 25, failed the test. As a result, not only did he face an MLB suspension, but he was removed from the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) roster.
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The D.R. fell to Team USA, 2-1, in the WBC semifinals on Monday night, as the latter now heads to the final to await the winner of Venezuela and Italy.
Rojas won’t be able to play until the second half of the MLB season, and if the Phillies reach the playoffs, he will not be eligible for the roster.
BRAVES STAR FACES 162-GAME SUSPENSION AFTER SECOND FAILED TEST FOR PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS: REPORT
Rojas has played his entire career with the Phillies thus far, making his big-league debut in 2023. After offensive struggles, Rojas saw a demotion back to the minor leagues in 2024, though he still managed to play 120 games for Philadelphia.
In 2025, Rojas slashed .224/.280/.289 with a .569 OPS over 71 games for the Phillies. He hit just one home run and tallied 18 RBI across 172 plate appearances.
Before he was suspended, Rojas was hitting .167 over 24 spring training at-bats.
With his appeal denied, Rojas became the second major leaguer to be slapped with a lengthy suspension, though Atlanta Braves star Jurickson Profar will be forced to miss the entire 2026 season after getting a 162-game suspension for his second PED offense.
Profar was suspended 80 games last season after a positive test in March for chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is a hormone that helps produce testosterone in the body.
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Profar also intended to ask the MLBPA to file a grievance to appeal any discipline earlier this month.

Buccaneers Get Dismal Grade for 2026 NFL Free Agency Moves

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The 2026 NFL free agency period was jam-packed with events and surprises last week, as expected, and now, the fireworks are finally winding down for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and every other NFL team.
But, there’s still football action ahead well before the season kicks off in September. Now, NFL experts and analysts are grading each team’s moves and judging those roster changes. Following the free agency period, the next major event up ahead is the 2026 NFL draft, which takes place in April in Pittsburgh.
In a Friday, February 13 feature for NBC Sports, Kyle Dvorchak grades each NFL team’s free agency changes and moves.

USC Trojans Defender Trestin Castro Practicing at New Position This Spring

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In addition to the loss of safeties Kamari Ramsey and All-American Bishop Fitzgerald to the NFL Draft, the USC Trojans have taken a hit at safety this spring.
Christian Pierce is out this spring after undergoing shoulder surgery and Marquis Gallegos is hampered. The Trojans also chose not to sign a safety in the transfer portal. As a result, redshirt freshman cornerback Trestin Castro was taking reps at safety the second week of practice.
Trestin Castro’s Transition to Safety
Whether this is just a move for the spring in a trial basis or a permanent room will remain to be seen.
Castro was a four-star recruit in the 2025 cycle. He appeared in two games this season during the Trojans blowout wins of Missouri State and Georgia Southern to open the season.
The 6-foot-0, 180-pound Upland (Calif.) product was a ball hawk in high school with his receiver background. He will now work with new safeties coach Paul Gonzales.
USC has loaded up in the secondary in recruiting over the past couple of cycles and added a few key cornerbacks in the transfer portal. It’s all about creating depth and maximizing the versatility in the backend of the defense, which means moving players around.
The Trojans have allocated plenty of resources into their development with the hiring of Gonzales, nickels coach Sam Carter and retaining cornerbacks coach Trovon Reed. New defensive coordinator Gary Patterson has also been heavily involved with coaching the secondary.
Depth in Safety Room
Pierce started nine games last year at safety and junior Kennedy Urlacher started the final three games after injuries to Ramsey and Fitzgerald in mid-November ended their seasons. Those two are the favorites to start again in 2026 but depth behind them is a question mark.
Prophet Brown, who returns for his sixth season after missing all of last season with a lower body injury, has been working at safety this spring. Brown has primarily been a nickel and corner in his career. Sophomore Dee Reddick was a key special teams contributor and reserve at nickel during his freshman season. He’s taking reps at safety this spring.
Redshirt freshman Alex Graham is going to start at nickel but can also play safety. Freshman Peyton Dyer was viewed as a defensive chess piece in the 2026 cycle. He was rated as a cornerback, USC has him listed as a safety on the roster, but the Georgia native is working at nickel this spring. Freshman Madden Riordan is a player that can play nickel or safety.
Cornerback Room Outlook
Iowa State transfer Jontez Williams and redshirt sophomore Chasen Johnson will join the mix in fall camp as they recover from season-ending knee injuries they suffered early last season.
Williams is the most experienced corner in the room and 247Sports rated him as the No. 1 player at the position in the portal this year. Johnson was a big addition in the portal last year and has experience playing under Reed at UCF in 2024.
Redshirt sophomore Marcelles Williams started the final 11 games this past season. RJ Sermons, who was originally a five-star recruit in the 2026 class, enrolled late last summer after reclassifying and spent this past season developing behind the scenes.
Freshman Elbert “Rock” Hill, the top-ranked cornerback in the 2026 class, per ESPN, has drawn rave reviews since he stepped on campus. Brandon Lockhart adds great size to the room with his 6-foot-2 frame.
Jayden Crowder was a late add to the class and the Santa Margarita (Calif.) product has also made an impression. Carrington Pierce, the younger brother of Christian, transferred from Oklahoma State this offseason.
It’s a position battle that is picking up steam this spring and is very likely going to bleed into the regular season.

How Alabama convinced Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb to return

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Two of Alabama’s best defensive backs elected to return to Alabama for another season and forgo the NFL draft, and it’s a pair of decisions that have Alabama’s defensive coordinator believing that success will follow.
Kane Wommack gave some insight into the process that led to veteran safeties Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb to return to Alabama for another season.
“Well, those are the decisions that are made in January that affect us from September to next January hopefully, and those are some of the biggest wins in recruiting,” Wommack said. “We try to be very open with our players about what we think the best decision is for them, and we’re really fortunate we have such great connections with all NFL organizations that we get great feedback. We’re able to give them accurate information, and then, they make the best decision possible.”
These two have started games for Alabama in the past two seasons, but they are not the only returning starters. On top of Hubbard and Sabb returning, the Crimson Tide still has starting defensive backs like Zabien Brown, Red Morgan and Dijon Lee Jr.
With the core group of Alabama’s secondary room coming back to Tuscaloosa for one more season, Wommack thinks that Alabama history shows that multiple veterans returning for another year can lead to a lot of success.
“But you know, if you look over the past here, when you’ve had a grouping of guys that have kind of made that decision to come back as a group together, there’s typically been success to follow,” Wommack said. “It certainly puts us in a great position.”
Hubbard and Sabb received big reactions from their teammate Lee after the news broke that the two were coming back to Alabama. The 6-foot-4 corner talked to both of them before the decisions were made, and he called both of them up on the phone after the returns were made official.
“Whenever Bray returned, I called him,” Lee said. “I was jumping on the phone, and we was laughing, but you know, we had to get to work. And then Sabb, same thing pretty much. Just happy for them guys to be back.”
It sounds like Lee gave a great pitch to Hubbard and Sabb as he shared with media members that he told them that “we got a lot of returning pieces, a lot of new defensive linemen coming in, linebackers, it’s a whole new year. Let’s run it back.”
Lee, a sophomore corner, talked about how familiarity in the defensive back room is going to help a lot going into 2026.
“It means a lot,” Lee said. “We got Sabb, Bray, ZB, Red, all returning starters mostly, and you know, we kind of already know the playbook. We definitely know the playbook. We all know what to do and when and how to do it. We all communicate well, and it’s kind of just taking a bigger step this year into just trusting each other more. Last year, we had trust for each other, but this year, it’s on a whole different level for sure.”
Lee believes Alabama has the best secondary in the nation because of all the returning pieces, the chemistry between the returning pieces and the belief that the position group is very technical and tackles well. There’s no pressure on the shoulders of Lee as he believes things will happen if the unit can do their jobs and play together.

Chiefs Trade News Fuels Major 180 Prediction After Free Agency

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The Kansas City Chiefs shocked the NFL world with their Trent McDuffie trade news just before free agency, and the fallout of the decision is expected to impact draft plans.
Before McDuffie was traded, most draft experts had KC selecting a wide receiver, edge rusher or, specifically, running back Jeremiyah Love in round one. Now, following a free agency period that added two running backs (Kenneth Walker III and Emari Demercado) and lost multiple members of the secondary (Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, and Bryan Cook), there’s been a dramatic shift in positional need.
Theoretically, the Chiefs could still target a wide receiver or an edge rusher, but the greatest team need is now cornerback. And safety may have been bumped up the list, too.
Armed with two first-round picks after the McDuffie deal, Pro Football Sports Network analyst Alec Elijah believes Kansas City could focus on overhauling the secondary in round one.
During a new draft prediction on March 14, Elijah sent LSU star cornerback Mansoor Delane to the Chiefs at No. 9 overall. Then, with the Los Angeles Rams’ former pick (No. 29 overall), he predicted versatile Toledo safety/DB Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
The 180 move would totally disregard KC’s perceived needs before NFL free agency, instead focusing on replenishing the secondary with young talent as the Chiefs did in 2022.
LSU CB Mansoor Delane Labeled ‘Potential Long-Term Cornerstone’ for Chiefs in NFL Draft
Many believe Delane could be the first cornerback off the board in late April this year. And that’s where Elijah has him going in his new PFSN mock draft.
“Losing several defensive backs in free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs could look to reload their secondary through the draft,” Elijah reasoned.
Continuing: “One strong option would be selecting LSU’s Mansoor Delane with the No. 9 pick. Delane earned the highest PFSN CFB CB Impact score in the class at 96.8, highlighting his production and influence in coverage.”
“What makes him stand out is his fluid movement and sharp instincts in the secondary,” the analyst went on. “Delane transitions smoothly out of his backpedal, changes direction quickly, and reacts to routes with impressive anticipation.”
He concluded that Delane’s “disciplined aggression allows him to stay in phase with receivers and consistently make plays on the football, giving Kansas City a potential long-term cornerstone in the secondary.”
Why NFL Free Agency News Could Lead to Chiefs Doubling Down on Secondary
Cornerback jumped straight to the top of the Chiefs’ list of draft needs, but the safety need is more up for debate.
Kansas City general manager Brett Veach could spend the later first on a position like wide receiver, defensive end, offensive tackle, or defensive tackle. However, there is an argument for doubling down on defensive backs.
The 2026 draft class is deep at both edge/defensive end and wide receiver, so waiting on these two positions makes some sense. Elijah has the Chiefs spending a high second-rounder on Missouri edge rusher Zion Young, for example.
Later, in round three, the PFSN analyst has KC selecting USC wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane.
The Chiefs have also prepped for the Jawaan Taylor cut on the offensive line, bringing in Jaylon Moore, Josh Simmons, and Esa Pole last year. Meanwhile, defensive tackle feels like less of a need with Omarr Norman-Lott returning from injury and veteran Khyiris Tonga joining the franchise in free agency.
Of course, Kansas City did add veteran safety Alohi Gilman last week, but McNeil-Warren could become DC Steve Spagnuolo’s new Swiss army knife, similar to McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed in years past.
“McNeil-Warren stands out immediately due to his impressive physical profile,” Elijah wrote during his draft prediction. “At over 6-foot-3 with a wingspan exceeding 32 inches, he combines elite length with strong athletic traits, including quick foot speed, lateral burst, and fluid movement in coverage.
“For the Chiefs, McNeil-Warren’s versatility could make him a valuable addition right away. His size and athleticism give Kansas City a defender capable of developing into a potential long-term option in the secondary.”
Veach and Spagnuolo love drafting talented DBs. A coordinated first-round plan of Delane and McNeil-Warren would do just that, making it a definite possibility after free agency.

Geno Smith to Make Obscure NFL History With Jets

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The New York Jets sorted out their quarterback question mark pretty quickly this offseason.
Before the 2025 season even came to an end, the chatter began pointing to various potential candidates for the franchise this offseason. A handful of guys were mentioned and the Jets didn’t wait long to make a move as they acquired old friend Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders. The Jets were decisive and agreed to terms on the deal with Las Vegas before the legal tampering period even came to an end.
Right now, the Jets’ quarterback room has Smith, Justin Fields, Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe. SNY’s Connor Hughes reported that New York will

Travis Kelce Contract Details: How the Chiefs Set TE Up for a Potential Retirement Tour

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Travis Kelce is officially coming back to Kansas City.
In case you missed it, the Chiefs and the star tight end reached an agreement on a one-year deal last week just ahead of the start of the league’s legal tampering period. Rather than testing free agency for the first time in his career, the 36-year-old is now set to return for a 14th NFL season with the club that selected him in the third round of the 2013 draft.
Sports Illustrated has obtained the full breakdown of Kelce’s one-year deal for 2026. Here’s a complete look at the details.
Travis Kelce contract: Full details ahead of tight end’s 14th NFL season
Kelce gets $12 million fully guaranteed—$3 million in base salary, and $9 million in a series of roster bonuses. One is a training camp bonus of $3 million. The remaining $6 million will come in per-game roster bonuses. But those are 90-man roster bonuses, and fully guaranteed. He doesn’t have to be active to get them.
The contract is broken up this way to manage the cap hits, exploiting the 50% rule and a post-June 1 mechanism to spread them out over three years. Kelce, as such, has a $4,896,667 hit for 2026, and dead-money hits of $3,551,667 for 2027 and 2028.
The Chiefs have a long-standing policy of not doing void years, and the above two rules allow them to sidestep that (using a tactic the Eagles have over the years). Kelce has minimum salaries built into dummy years in 2027 and 2028, with a $40 million guarantee for 2028 vesting June 8 of next year—which will force the Chiefs to release him by then, and allow for them to spread the dead money out, since the date falls after June 1.
Kansas City also has $3 million in available incentives. One tier ties to the Chiefs making the playoffs—if they do, he makes $750,000 if he plays 60% of the regular season snaps, $1 million at 70% of the snaps, or $2 million at 80% of the snaps. The second tier is triggered if the Chiefs win the AFC and go to the Super Bowl—that happens, and he gets another $250,000 at 60% playtime, or $1 million at 70% playtime.
The contract basically paves the way to retirement for Kelce. If that’s the path, after Kelce’s 14th season, the Chiefs would then quietly release him after June 1. If it’s not, then they’d obviously renegotiate well before then.
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MIKE KADLICK
Mike Kadlick is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, he covered the New England Patriots for WEEI sports radio in Boston and continues to do so for CLNS Media. He has a master’s in public relations from Boston University. Kadlick is also an avid runner and a proud lover of all things pizza.
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ALBERT BREER
ALBERT BREER
Albert Breer is a senior writer covering the NFL for Sports Illustrated, delivering the biggest stories and breaking news from across the league. He has been on the NFL beat since 2005 and joined SI in 2016. Breer began his career covering the New England Patriots for the MetroWest Daily News and the Boston Herald from 2005 to ’07, then covered the Dallas Cowboys for the Dallas Morning News from 2007 to ’08. He worked for The Sporting News from 2008 to ’09 before returning to Massachusetts as The Boston Globe’s national NFL writer in 2009. From 2010 to 2016, Breer served as a national reporter for NFL Network. In addition to his work at Sports Illustrated, Breer regularly appears on NBC Sports Boston, 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, FS1 with Colin Cowherd, The Rich Eisen Show and The Dan Patrick Show. A 2002 graduate of Ohio State, Breer lives near Boston with his wife, a cardiac ICU nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital, and their three children.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin is re-elected as president of the NFLPA Board of Player Representatives

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SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jalen Reeves-Maybin was re-elected as president of the NFL Players Association’s Board of Player Representatives on Sunday.
The nine-year pro begins his second two-year term.
“I’m honored that the Board has trusted me to continue serving as president,” Reeves-Maybin said in a statement. “There’s important work ahead and I’m looking forward to continue advocating on behalf of our membership to protect our rights and advance our interests.”
Reeves-Maybin played for the Chicago Bears last season. He spent seven seasons with the Detroit Lions over two stints and also played one season with the Houston Texans.
The Board also elected four new players to serve on the Executive Committee:
Tanoh Kpassagnon will serve as treasurer. The nine-year defensive end played last season with the Bears and previously served as an alternate player representative.
Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, New York Jets defensive lineman Harrison Phillips and Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin also were elected.
They will join returning Executive Committee members Oren Burks, Cam Heyward, Ted Karras, Case Keenum, Brandon McManus and Thomas Morstead, who were all re-elected Sunday.
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Jalen Reeves-Maybin re-elected as NFLPA board president

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SAN DIEGO — Jalen Reeves-Maybin was re-elected as president of the NFL Players Association’s Board of Player Representatives on Sunday.
The nine-year pro begins his second two-year term.

Bold Giants Draft Twist Predicted Despite $39 Million Move

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The New York Giants’ most important free agency move last week may have been the Jermaine Eluemunor extension news, but the latest NFL draft rumors targeted the offensive line despite that.
Eluemunor re-signed with the Giants on a three-year, $39 million contract, securing the right tackle position. To some, that might have ended any speculation of an offensive line selection at No. 5 overall, but Pro Football Sports Network analyst Alec Elijah disagrees.
During a new March 14 mock draft prediction with PFSN, Elijah has the Giants selecting Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa in round one. But his selection came with a bold twist.
Elijah believes Big Blue could draft Mauigoa to start at guard, rather than O-Tackle. And his theory actually makes some sense, considering the Giants whiffed on their top guard targets in free agency.
“The New York Giants could address a major need along the offensive line by selecting Francis Mauigoa,” the PFSN analyst wrote, after making the prediction.
“The former Miami Hurricanes football standout projects as a long-term starting tackle in the NFL, but he also has the versatility to slide inside if New York still needs help at guard early in his career,” Elijah noted. “Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing around 329 pounds, Mauigoa combines elite athleticism with the power needed to handle NFL pass rushers. For a Giants offensive line that has struggled with consistency, his size, movement skills, and physical style could make him a foundational piece as the team builds a more stable, reliable front.”
Draft Target Francis Mauigoa Would Give Giants Insurance on the Offensive Line
Most experts have the Giants targeting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, or another position like cornerback. However, the unexpected Mauigoa prediction does practice what new head coach John Harbaugh preaches.
Harbaugh’s Giants are expected to lean on the offensive line and run the football. This has led to a lot of Love hype in recent weeks, but the NYG running back duo of Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy is very formidable as it currently stands.
What if they bolstered the rushing attack in a different way? Instead, bulking up on blockers.
Mauigoa adds versatility and upside, two important traits on the offensive line. With him inside the building, Harbaugh would have a deep group of options to work with on his OL, in case of injury.
Andrew Thomas and Eluemunor would start at offensive tackle, with Jon Runyan, Mauigoa, and John Michael Schmitz on the interior. The Giants would also have Marcus Mbow for quality depth at multiple positions, not to mention a lesser veteran guard addition (still expected) and the option of moving Mauigoa to tackle if Thomas or Eluemunor gets injured.
Winning football starts in the trenches. If anybody knows that, it’s Harbaugh.
Latest Giants Free Agency News at Guard
After missing out on a top-tier guard target like Alijah Vera-Tucker and a top-tier center like Tyler Linderbaum, the initial thought was that the Giants would be in on the second tier of free agent interior offensive linemen.
However, on March 11, ESPN beat reporter Jordan Raanan relayed a change of heart.
“After speaking with sources Tuesday, it became clear Giants pivoted and were no longer willing to pay a mid-tier guard. Unless that changes, it eliminates the likelihood of signing a vet like Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio or Dylan Parham,” Raanan reported on X. “In the meantime, they wait out that market.”
Parham has since signed with the crosstown rival New York Jets, although Bitonio and Teller are still available, as is 2025 starting right guard Greg Van Roten.
Assuming a low-budget move is made as Raanan suggests, the Giants’ free agency pivot at guard makes the Mauigoa theory much more plausible.

“They See My Color”: Former Arkansas QB Makes Bold Confession After Making NFL Draft History

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A record-breaking day should bring only praise, but the story runs deeper. After surpassing the NFL Combine record that’s been held since 2003, a former Arkansas quarterback shared an honest truth. Despite all of it, NFL teams still see his color rather than his talent and hard work.
“I mean, I feel like I’m not trying to make this like a whole like race thing, but I feel like they definitely see my color and think I’m just gonna run or think I’m just a runner and really can’t throw or process things,” Arkansas QB Taylen Green said on the Outta Pocket podcast. “So I’m really, you know, RG3; I’m pretty sure you’ve been through that, been through that at this process too. So I was just trying to beat that stigma and just put everybody on notice that thinks that way, so.”
Taylen Green’s frustration is understandable since last season, he recorded 2,714 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while adding 777 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Yet, the front offices are only concerned about his legs while ignoring his arm talent.
Now, NFL teams are expecting him to switch positions, like QB Logan Thomas and Terrelle Pryor. During the combine, NFL Network’s Stacey Dales even asked him about double-checking his move, and from there, the fear and pressure of switching positions started.
One of the major examples of someone who faced that situation is Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Before the NFL Draft, some analysts and scouts said Jackson should change his position from quarterback to wide receiver because he was very fast and athletic. Former NFL general manager Bill Polian also said this. This happened even though Jackson won the 2016 Heisman Trophy at Louisville, which means he was the best player in college football that year.
Now, Taylen Green is expressing the same fear of scouts looking at him as a runner rather than a QB. Slowly, things are changing in the league. In the 2024 Super Bowl LVII, history was made when Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts became the first two Black quarterbacks to face each other in the championship game. But, indeed, this kind of success was not common in the NFL before.
For many years, most quarterbacks in the league were white players. While the landscape is changing, with the percentage of games started by Black quarterbacks doubling from 15% in 2011 to 29% in 2022, Green’s experience at the Combine shows that the old biases die hard, and the ‘athlete’ label remains a hurdle.
Former NFL quarterback Michael Bishop explained the entire situation they had to go through.
“They used to label us as athletes, athletic quarterbacks, instead of just quarterbacks,” Bishop said. “For a long time, I think for the Black quarterback, that stigma was a slap in the face, because, yes, we’re athletic, but we can play this position.”
Now, even though more Black players are showing up, like in the 2024 season, 15 of the 32 teams started Black quarterbacks in Week 1, but the challenges are still there.
“An African-American quarterback may throw an interception, but they describe it so much differently from the All-American white quarterback,” Bishop said. “You’re under a bigger spotlight; you’re under a magnifying glass.”
Now, even with all the chaos surrounding Taylen Green, he has shown in the NFL Combine why he is a strong QB. Green ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, jumped 43½ inches, and had an 11-foot-2 broad jump. What’s interesting is that, as per ESPN research, these are the best numbers for a quarterback at the combine since 2003.
Before Green, Anthony Richardson had the best vertical jump (40½ inches) and broad jump (10 feet 9 inches) for a quarterback in 2003. The fastest 40-yard dash for a quarterback before Green was Robert Griffin III, who ran 4.41 seconds at the 2012 NFL Combine. So, there’s no way he can switch his position, but he does need to work on his skills ahead of the NFL draft.
Taylen Green’s possible NFL teams
Taylen Green is trying to fix all his inconsistencies before turning pro. He sometimes has trouble throwing the ball accurately. His footwork can get messy, which makes some passes miss the receiver or go too high. Improving his pocket presence is a key point of emphasis for NFL scouts. To fix these problems, Green is training with quarterback coach Taylor Kelly from 3DQB.
Kelly has worked with many NFL quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford, CJ Stroud, Jared Goff, and Bryce Young. At the NFL Combine, Green talked with about 20 NFL teams. He also had a longer meeting with the New York Jets. However, he did not get the chance to meet his favorite childhood team, the Dallas Cowboys.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper says Taylen Green is the 8th-best quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft class. Before the NFL Combine, many scouts thought he would be picked in the middle or later rounds of the draft. But after performing well at the Combine, he might now be selected earlier than expected.
“If I have time to develop him over time, he’s the one that I’d be willing to take a shot on,” an NFC assistant general manager said to ESPN. “There’s a lot of creative things that you could do with him while he’s developing, but that type of profile is what you typically like to take a chance on.”
Ultimately, the team that drafts Taylen Green won’t just be selecting a quarterback with a rare athletic profile; they’ll be making a statement on whether they see a developmental passer or just another runner, which is a decision that will define the next chapter of his story.

San Jose Sharks’ Laurent Brossoit to start against Ottawa Senators

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Laurent Brossoit will make his first NHL regular-season start in almost two years Sunday when the San Jose Sharks face the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on the fourth stop of a five-game road trip.
Brossoit was recalled by the Sharks from the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL on Friday after Yaroslav Askarov was injured the day before as he warmed up prior to the team’s morning skate. Askarov is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Brossoit’s last NHL start in a regular-season game came on April 18, 2024, when he made 18 saves to help lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
In Aug. 2024, Brossoit had what he thought was going to be routine surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee, with the expectation that he would be back to full health roughly six weeks later. But the knee never improved enough for him to play in a game, and it got to the point — after meeting with several specialists — that Brossoit thought he might not play again.
Last summer, Brossoit and doctors, after examining his right hip, found the root cause of the knee pain — a cam lesion on the head of his femur that was causing issues with cartilage inside the joint. Brossoit suspected this could be the issue after he had previously had problems with his left hip, which had caused back pain.
After surgery to address the cam lesion, Brossoit worked his way back and played his first game since that start for the Jets on Dec. 5 when Rockford hosted the Colorado Eagles.
On Jan. 8, the Sharks acquired Brossoit, defenseman Nolan Allan, and a 2028 seventh-round selection for the contract of defenseman Ryan Ellis, AHL defenseman Jake Furlong, and a 2028 fourth-round selection.
Brossoit, who turns 33 next week, has played in 140 NHL games, most recently during the 2023-24 season when he appeared in 23 games with the Jets.
Brossoit won a Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022-23, and has a record of 64-46-13 record and a .911 save percentage in stints with the Edmonton Oilers, Jets, and the Golden Knights. During the 2023 playoffs, Brossoit appeared in eight games, posting a .894 save percentage and a 5-2 record.
It was not immediately known when Askarov would be healthy enough to play again. The Sharks play Tuesday in Edmonton, then return home to face the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday and the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
The Sharks entered Sunday in the Western Conference’s second wild card spot with 70 points, one more than the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks will use one of their two games in hand on the Kings against the Senators, who are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.
CHERNYSHOV UPDATE
Sharks forward Igor Chernyshov will not play Sunday after he sustained an upper-body injury the previous night against the Montreal Canadiens.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said Pavol Regenda will take Chernyshov’s spot in the lineup.
Chernyshov had just taken a pass in the neutral zone when he was checked by Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson, who briefly put his right arm around the Sharks winger to try to slow him down. Chernyshov then spun around and landed awkwardly on the ice before he slid face down for several feet.
During the game, Chernyshov was taken to a local hospital for evaluation before he rejoined the Sharks at the arena and traveled with the team to Ottawa late Saturday night.

Hutson signs 3-year, entry-level contract with Capitals

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Cole Hutson signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals on Sunday. It has an average annual value of $975,000.
Hutson, a second-round pick (No. 43) by the Capitals in the 2024 NHL Draft, joins them after completing his sophomore season at Boston University. It ended with a 5-3 loss to the University of Connecticut in the Hockey East Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday.
The 19-year-old defenseman will practice with Washington on Tuesday and could make his NHL debut when it hosts the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET MNMT, SN, TVAS).
Hutson led Boston University in assists (22) and points (32) and was third in goals (10) in 35 games this season and was selected to the All-Hockey East First Team for the second straight season. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound St. Louis native ended his BU career with 80 points (24 goals, 56 assists) in 74 games.
He is the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson and Edmonton Oilers forward prospect Quinn Hutson.
Cole Hutson represented the United States twice at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He was the first defenseman to lead the tournament outright in points with 11 (three goals, eight assists) in seven games to help the U.S. win the gold medal in 2025. Hutson missed two games at the 2026 tournament after being hit in the back of the head by a puck in a 2-1 win against Switzerland in the preliminary round, but he returned for the quarterfinals and had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime loss to Finland. He finished with four points (one goal, three assists) in three games.

Flyers Notebook: After second goal, Alex Bump settling in nicely

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VOORHEES, N.J. — He might have two goals in his first five NHL games, but Flyers rookie Alex Bump is taking nothing for granted.
Bump knows stability can be fleeting in the NHL. A costly mistake here or there can get you quickly sent back to the minors.
So far that hasn’t happened, and the big smile on the left wing’s face after Sunday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center confirmed that.
Bump was asked if his sudden success has had a chance to sink in yet. After all, he scored in his very first game and kind of made it look easy.
“Yeah, I think I breathed a sigh of relief knowing I can play here,” he said. “It’s an everyday league, you can’t be happy with the past. You have to stay in the present and focus on game by game. It’s just knowing that I can play here. It’s the belief in yourself. I have a lot of it.”
Bump’s goal against the Blue Jackets was a tip-in of a long shot that came about because of his proximity to the goal.
“I’m not a big body,” said the 6-foot-0, 195-pound native of Minnesota. “So I’ve got to get to the front of the net more often.”
Bump’s scoring prowess could be used on the Flyers’ power play, which sits dead last in the NHL.
“I think we have the guys on the power play who can do the job,” Bump said. “Maybe more pucks to the net. We’re passing up too many shots from all over the rink. Maybe just not getting the bounces as well. I think that will come still. You just have to play through it. I’m sure they’ll start going in.”
Bump got two minutes, 41 seconds of power-play time in Saturday’s 2-1 shootout loss to Columbus.
“I’m set to be on the power play, honestly,” he said. “I think I can get shots in the middle of the rink and have a good chance of scoring.”
What’s to lose? The Flyers are clicking at just around only 15 percent. In the past four seasons, they’ve been 31st in the league once and 32nd the other three times.
The advice from coach Rick Tocchet to his power-play cast has been rather elementary.
“Shoot the puck,” Bump said. “More shots. Can’t be passing up shots. When you’re in the middle of the ice you’re going to have to shoot. I think that’s kind of been his message.”
Bump said he’s made it through these first five games without too much physical wear and tear. He’s looking forward to a trip to the West Coast, which starts Wednesday in Anaheim.
Running on adrenaline?
“A little bit,” he said. “I think we got back from Minnesota (early Friday morning) and I didn’t get asleep to about five. That was a tough wakeup. The adrenaline for every game is high. Tough to get down.”
Bump said it’s nice to have Lehigh Valley teammates Denver Barkey and veteran Garrett Wilson around to help him get acclimated.
“(With Lehigh) he (Wilson) has taken all of us prospects under his wing,” Bump said. “Showing us the way. It’s nice to have him here. All the guys have been great. Every time I have a question they can answer it.”
• • •
NOTES >> Tocchet missed Sunday’s practice due to illness but should be ready for the first game of the trip Wednesday. … After this road trip, the Flyers have only one more game outside of the Eastern time zone (at Winnipeg on April 11). … Travis Sanheim leads the Flyers in blocked shots with 193.

Connor McDavid suggests improvements to NHL player safety

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As the conversation surrounding player safety has come to the forefront again, the NHL’s best player has weighed in on the discussion.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid spoke with the media ahead of Sunday’s game against the Nashville Predators, and spoke about the NHL Department of Player Safety, acknowledging how tough a job they have while also critiquing the department and how improvement is still needed.
“If every time there is a suspension everybody complains about it well, why don’t we take a look at the process and figure out if there’s a better way to make sure that both parties are happy because it seems like there’s a lot of frustration,” McDavid said.
The conversation wake of Thursday’s game between the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs, where Ducks’ defenseman Radko Gudas hit Leafs center Auston Matthews in a knee-on-knee collision. The result of the hit was a Grade 3 MCL tear for Matthews, which will keep him out of the Leafs’ lineup for the rest of the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, Gudas only received a five-game suspension for the hit, despite the fact that he has a history of suspensions, with his total now reaching five different suspensions and 26 games.
The hit and punishments have added plenty of doubt towards the department of player safety, particularly for how they fail to protect their star players. The current process often favours the role-playing and tough players who lay out the dirty hits instead of punishing them properly and preventing them from doing it again, making the game dangerous for the best players who are more likely to be targeted because of how often they have the puck on their stick.
While McDavid has never been hurt off of a suspendable play like Matthews has, he’s certainly dealt with his fair share of contact from players that have gone unnoticed. Just last season, he was suspended for three games for cross-checking Conor Garland, and while the suspension was deserved, McDavid only dished out the cross-check after an extended sequence of interference from Garland, which went uncalled. In a league continuing to grow and doing so by marketing their star players, there is certainly more room to grow to allow them to thrive, particularly from a perspective of safety.

NHL Rumors: Top Free-Agent Target May Not Be Going Anywhere

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With the 2026 trade deadline basically ancient history now, NHL rumors have focused on free agency.
Unfortunately, the relatively quiet trade deadline could lead the way to another even milder free-agency period. Contract extensions this season have wiped out the spectacular list of would-be free agents. That’s why the bulk of the attention has turned to players like Darren Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning as the biggest names to potentially hit the free agent market in the summer of 2026.
Raddysh has become a hot commodity amid his unbelievable breakout season. That’s why he stands to get paid if he hits the free-agent market. And that’s a big “if.”
According to insider Pierre LeBrun, NHL rumors suggesting that Raddysh will be a major player in the UFA market could be nothing but that, rumors.
“The Lightning hope to keep him and eventually re-sign him.”
The Lightning’s efforts to hold onto Raddysh make sense. The team doesn’t have a prospect pipeline that could internally replace Raddysh. And with the thin free-agent market, the only way out is to re-sign Raddysh.
The Bolts already paid up this season by extending JJ Moser to a four-year deal with a $6.75 million cap hit. The club was fortunate to land Moser when they did. That’s why Raddysh is another blueliner they won’t let slip through their fingers. The biggest question will be, however, how much it will cost Tampa Bay to keep in mind the 30-year-old.
NHL Rumors Point Towards Raddysh Getting Paid
Raddysh is in the final year of a two-year deal with a $975K cap hit. That’s risible as Raddysh has been one of the best blueliners in the league this season. He picked a heck of a time to have this season, as he’s now in a position to get a big contract.
It’s tough to envision precisely how much Raddysh could land. With the thin market, NHL rumors posit that he could get somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 to $6 million AAV on a multi-year deal.
The Lightning will have about $15 million in cap space next season. But that cap space could quickly evaporate with Raddysh’s new contract.
Plus, the club will have to figure out if they’ll keep Olive Bjorkstrand, who’s also set to become a UFA. There will also be questions about newly-acquired Corey Perry and the looming contract extension for Nikita Kucherov.
Lightning will need to figure out if Raddysh’s season is a fluke
The biggest question for the Lightning will be figuring out if Raddysh’s breakout season is a fluke. His 17 goals and 58 points are a remarkable uptick for a player that has never topped 40 points.
That said, NHL rumors suggest Raddysh is turning into the real deal. That’s why the Lightning are willing to pay up. They can’t afford not to.
If there were other options on the market, or potentially available via trade, the Lightning might call Raddysh’s demand and see what the market does. But at this point, Raddysh is the best defenseman on track to hit the market.
So, Tampa Bay will need to pay up or lose him to someone who will.

San Jose Sharks doomed by mistakes in loss to Ottawa Senators

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The San Jose Sharks were their own worst enemy on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators.
A host of giveaways, including one on a goal by Drake Batherson with less than seven minutes left in the third period, proved to the Sharks’ undoing in a sloppy 7-4 loss to the Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
With the game tied 4-4, Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov retrieved the puck below the goal line and sent it behind the net, trying to find John Klingberg.
Instead, the pass went straight to Claude Giroux, who sent the puck back to Artem Zub, whose shot went off Drake Batherson and past Sharks goalie Laurent Brossoit for a 5-4 Senators lead.
Mario Ferraro, Tyler Toffoli, Collin Graf and Michael Misa all scored for the Sharks, with Misa’s goal, his seventh of the season, tying the game 4-4 with 16:32 left in the third period.
The Sharks were without center Alex Wennberg, announcing before the game that he would have to sit for the first time this season with an upper-body injury. It was not immediately clear how much more time Wennberg, who usually matches up against the opposing team’s top line and plays in all situations, would have to miss.
Wennberg is third on the Sharks with 43 points in 64 games, and is second among the team’s forwards in average ice time (20:37).
His absence was felt, as the Sharks are now 2-2-0 on their five-game road trip that ends Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Sharks trailed 4-3 going into the third period, as the Senators scored goals after three San Jose giveaways.
Senators forwards Warren Foegele and Fabian Zetterlund scored goals after Mario Ferraro and Shakir Mukhamadullin gave the puck away along the boards. Zetterlund’s goal came on a blast from just inside the blue line, as he tied the game at the 13:40 mark.
Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven broke the tie 65 seconds later, taking a pass from Zetterlund after a Graf giveaway in the Sharks zone, and beating Brossoit to the short side for his third goal of the season.
Brossoit, recalled by the Sharks from the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL on Friday, a day after Yaroslav Askarov was lost to a lower-body injury, was making his first NHL regular-season start in almost two years. Brossoit is 11-2-1 in 14 games with the Barracuda.
On Jan. 8, the Sharks acquired Brossoit, defenseman Nolan Allan, and a 2028 seventh-round selection from the Blackhawks for the contract of defenseman Ryan Ellis, AHL defenseman Jake Furlong, and a 2028 fourth-round selection.
With his team in a playoff race, Sharks general manager Mike Grier wanted a third goalie with NHL experience in case Askarov or Alex Nedeljkovic were injured. Askarov is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Brossoit’s last regular-season NHL start came on April 18, 2024, when he made 18 saves to help lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. His last NHL appearance came on April 28, 2024, when he entered in relief of Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche.
In Aug. 2024, after he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, Brossoit had what he thought was going to be routine surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee, with the expectation that he would be back to full health roughly six weeks later. But the knee never improved enough for him to play in a game, and it got to the point — after meeting with several specialists — that Brossoit thought he might not play again.
Last summer, Brossoit and doctors, after examining his right hip, found the root cause of the knee pain — a cam lesion on the head of his femur that was causing issues with cartilage inside the joint. Brossoit suspected this could be the issue after he had previously had problems with his left hip, which had caused back pain.
After surgery, Brossoit worked his way back and played his first game — since that start for the Jets – in December for the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate.
Brossoit, who turns 33 next week and won a Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022-23, has now played in 141 NHL games. He came into Sunday with a record of 64-46-13 record and a .911 save percentage in stints with the Edmonton Oilers, Jets, and the Golden Knights.
It was not immediately known when Askarov would be healthy enough to play again. The Sharks finish their road trip Tuesday in Edmonton, then return home to face the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday and the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
CHERNYSHOV UPDATE
Sharks forward Igor Chernyshov will not play Sunday after he sustained a concussion the previous night against the Montreal Canadiens. It was unclear when Chernyshov would be healthy enough to play. Pavol Regenda took Chernyshov’s spot in the lineup and played alongside Philipp Kurashev and
Regenda has been a healthy scratch for the last six games. He has eight goals and 19 points in 18 games with the Sharks this season.
Chernyshov had just taken a pass in the neutral zone early in the first period when he was checked by Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson, who briefly put his right arm around the Sharks winger to try to slow him down. Chernyshov then spun around and landed awkwardly on the ice before he slid face down for several feet.
During the game, Chernyshov was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, then rejoined the Sharks at the arena and traveled with the team to Ottawa late Saturday night.

Groulx gets 1st multigoal NHL game, Maple Leafs hold off Wild

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Groulx entered the night with two goals in 68 career NHL games.
Morgan Rielly and Matthew Knies also scored for Toronto (29-27-12), which was coming off a 3-2 shootout loss at the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday but is 2-0-1 in its past three games. Anthony Stolarz made 36 saves.
Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice, and Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello each had two assists for Minnesota (38-18-12), which has lost three straight (0-2-1), including 4-2 to the New York Rangers on Saturday. Jesper Wallstedt made 22 saves.
Rielly put Toronto ahead 1-0 at 1:07 of the second period. He chipped down from the point, took a cross-slot pass from Matias Maccelli, and roofed a shot short side over Wallstedt.
Groulx increased the lead 2-0 at 2:19, deflecting Troy Stecher’s shot from the right point after Jeff Petry turned the puck over to Nicholas Robertson below the goal line.
Groulx made it it 3-0 at 8:18. He scored glove side from the top edge of the left circle after intercepting Matt Boldy’s blind clearing attempt into the middle of the zone.
Tarasenko cut the deficit 3-1 at 4:51 of the third period, tapping in a pass from Zuccarello near the left post.
Tarasenko then made it 3-2 just 23 seconds later. He skated along the left boards and cut to the circle before scoring glove side with a low wrist shot through a screen.
Knies shot into an empty net after blocking a shot from Quinn Hughes to make it 4-2 at 19:23.

NHL nationally televised games for week of March 16

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Each Monday throughout the 2025-26 NHL season, ESPN and NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes will provide fans with a guide of games that will be nationally televised. Today, a look at games for the 24th week of the regular season.
Highlights include a doubleheader on

Red Wings MVP this season debated by NHL.com writers

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The Detroit Red Wings are in position to qualify for Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons, sitting in a wild-card position in the Eastern Conference with 15 games remaining on their schedule.
The Red Wings have not made the postseason since losing to the Tampa Lightning in five games in the first round of the 2016 playoffs.
But, if Detroit (36-23-8) can hold on across the final month of the season, they will end a drought that has been a source of consternation in “Hockeytown” for the past decade.
The journey starts when the Red Wings host the Calgary Flames at Little Caesars Arena in the Prime Monday Night Hockey showcase (7:00 p.m. ET; FSDNDET, Prime).
So many players have stepped to the fore for the Red Wings this season, but who has been the MVP for Detroit?
That is the question before a panel of five NHL.com writers. Here, in alphabetical order, are the answers.
Alex DeBrincat, F
I got to watch DeBrincat as an up-and-coming, dependable scorer with the Chicago Blackhawks, and he’s continued that reliability with the Red Wings. The forward is nearing the career numbers he reached with the Blackhawks in 2021-22, when he hit highs of 41 goals (for the second time in his career) and 78 points. He’s been a consistent scorer this season, rarely going into a slump that lasts more than a few games. He has 66 points (33 goals, 33 assists) in 67 games, tied for the Red Wings lead with fellow forward Lucas Raymond. He’s also scored a team-leading 12 power-play goals and has five game-winning goals, tied for second on the Red Wings with Lucas Raymond. The steady contributions make DeBrincat my MVP for Detroit. — Tracey Myers, staff writer
John Gibson, G
The Red Wings went into last offseason looking to solidify a goaltending position that cycled through four starters last season, the best of whom posted a .902 save percentage. Enter Gibson, who has looked rejuvenated with a fresh start in Detroit after going through some lean years with a rebuilding team in Anaheim. After a bit of a slow start, Gibson found his groove at the start of December, going 17-2-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and three shutouts in 19 games, a span that saw the Red Wings rocket to the top of the Atlantic Division near the end of January. That run gave them a cushion to handle some recent struggles. However, Gibson has stayed a constant, reliable in big spots, and because of him it looks like there’s going to be playoff hockey in Hockeytown for the first time in a decade. — Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor
Dylan Larkin, F
The Red Wings captain was injured on March 6, falling awkwardly and having his right knee buckle in a 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. The Red Wings are 1-2-1 in the four games since Larkin’s injury, but I don’t need negativity to prove my point. The 29-year-old has 55 points (28 goals, 27 assists) in 63 games, third on Detroit behind Raymond (66 points; 21 goals, 45 assists) and DeBrincat (66 points; 33 goals, 33 assists). He is the heart and soul of this team, its emotional rudder. He could return in a week, and when he does, expect the Red Wings to once again soar. — Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial
Lucas Raymond, F
Everybody in Detroit loves Raymond, and for good reason. The Red Wings forward is having another standout season and is currently tied for the team lead in scoring with 66 points. Raymond scored the tying goal in a 3-2 overtime loss at the Dallas Stars on Saturday, earning a valuable point in the race for a berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Selected by Detroit in the first round (No. 4) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Raymond is living up to his billing. The 23-year-old, who played with Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics and had nine points (one goal, eight assists) in five games, has been strong at each end of the rink for the Red Wings. He has a plus-12 rating, which leads all forwards and is second on the team to defenseman Moritz Seider (plus-16). Without Raymond, the Red Wings are likely not in position to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. — Derek Van Diest, staff writer
Moritz Seider, D
It’s hard finding another player on the Red Wings roster who drives play, shoulders more responsibility and stabilizes the team the way Seider does. The 24-year-old leads Detroit in average ice time by a wide margin (25:40), logs considerable time on the power play and penalty kill, is first in blocked shots (148), and third in hits (104) and tied for third in takeaways (22). He’s first on the team with a plus-16 rating, and ranks fourth with 46 points (eight goals, 38 assists) despite anchoring the top defense pairing and getting the tough assignments each night. His on-ice even strength goal differential (plus-18) leads the team and, perhaps most impressive, he’s yet to miss an NHL game in four-plus seasons. Seider’s evolution makes him not only Detroit’s MVP, but a top tier defenseman in the League. — Mike G. Morreale, senior draft writer

Kevin O’Leary wears card featuring Jordan, Kobe, LeBron at 98th Academy Awards

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Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary made waves for wearing the 2004 Upper Deck Exquisite All NBA Access Pass, affectionately known as a Triple Logoman, at the 98th Academy Awards red carpet on Sunday. It features game-used NBA logo patches worn by Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
O’Leary had the 1-of-1 numbered, PSA 10-graded card slab — the first year Triple Logoman cards were produced — inserted into a bespoke Tiffany’s & Co. case, with

Businessman, reality star by wearing $12.9 million NBA card chain at Oscars

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LOS ANGELES — Kevin O’Leary of ”Shark Tank” turned heads on the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards Sunday, not for a movie role, but for the rare sports card he wore as jewelry.
O’Leary showcased a 2004 Upper Deck Exquisite “Triple Logoman” card valued at $12.9 million, featuring game-used NBA patches from Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. The card, a one-of-a-kind PSA 10-graded collectible, was encased in a custom Tiffany & Co. holder with white gold, diamonds, and rubies, and hung on a chain around his neck.
The Triple Logoman card was acquired in 2019 by O’Leary’s business partner, Matt Allen, with assistance from Goldin Auctions. The card has never been offered at auction, making Sunday’s appearance a rare public showing.
O’Leary paired the card with a custom Dolce & Gabbana jacket that took seven months and multiple tailors to complete. He has previously worn multi-million-dollar sports cards, including a 2007-08 Upper Deck Dual Logoman card of Jordan and Bryant encased in diamonds and rubies, purchased for $12.9 million.
The “Shark Tank” star attended the Oscars as Milton Rockwell in “Marty Supreme,” a film nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, and Actor. O’Leary’s red carpet choice added a playful twist to a night celebrating cinema’s biggest achievements.

NBA Admits Lakers Got Wrong Call Before Overtime Win Over Nuggets

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The Los Angeles Lakers achieved a thrilling overtime win on Saturday night, thanks to late-game heroics from Austin Reaves and a game-winning shot in OT from Luka Doncic.
With the Nuggets leading 116-113, Reaves came up big as he received two free throws with under 10 seconds remaining. After making his first free throw, he intentionally missed his second attempt, purposely throwing it to hit off the rim so he could grab his own rebound.
After that move worked, he quickly drove to the side and connected on a game-tying jumpshot, which helped the Lakers reach overtime. The extra session saw Luka hit an epic game-winner over a defender to give his team the 127-125 victory over a tough Nuggets squad.
Read more: LeBron James Makes Strong Statement on Luka Doncic After Lakers Win
However, the NBA has since released an update, indicating that the Lakers benefited from an inaccurate call in the fourth quarter.
According to the Last Two Minutes Report for the game, the officials shouldn’t have given Reaves two free throws with 9.2 seconds remaining.
Instead, the NBA shared that the Nuggets’ Spencer Jones had a clean strip on the ball, so there shouldn’t have been a foul. A video of the particular play below reveals what occurred in that moment.
While that doesn’t mean the Lakers wouldn’t have found another way to win the game, it certainly seems to throw water on the entertaining way in which they claimed their victory.
Along with Reaves’ late-game heroics and Luka’s game-winning shot, LeBron James also came up big, making a dive and landing on the court to come up with a jump ball.
Los Angeles went on to win the game 127-125 and officially moved to third overall in the Western Conference standings. They’ll visit Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on Monday night.
Read more: Anthony Edwards Gets Honest About Steph Curry After Timberwolves Win

Underdog promo code CBSSPORTS2: Play $5, get $50 offer for college basketball, NBA, more

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Steve Kerr Calls for Emergency Meeting Over NBA’s Ignored Concern

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Steve Kerr wasn’t playing about shortening the NBA season. He now wants to talk logistics to make it happen. Despite Stephen A. Smith’s concerns, or rant, about it, Kerr’s not slowing down his campaign. Ahead of the game against the New York Knicks, the Golden State Warriors’ head coach once more delivered a blistering critique of the NBA’s schedule. All season, he’s been blaming it for the rising number of soft tissue injuries in the league. Now he wants to do something radical.
Kerr is calling for an “emergency” shift in how the league handles its 82-game schedule. As the Warriors grapple with a decimated roster that’s now without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and so many more, Kerr urged league stakeholders to stop ignoring the visible connection between the relentless schedule and the league-wide surge in injuries.
He immediately addressed the primary concern about it. “I’m well aware fewer games would mean less revenue. Which means everybody takes a pay cut,” Kerr told reporters in New York. “And I’m willing to stick my neck out and say I’m all for that because I think the quality of the product is the most important thing. So I don’t say these things flippantly. I say these things because I mean them.”
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Kerr’s comments come at a time when the 2025-26 season has been heavily determined by rampant injuries. He pointed out that data proves that players are running increased speed and distance “compared to 20-30 years ago,” i.e., when Kerr himself was winning five championships as a player.
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Kerr argued that the modern “pace-and-space” era has rendered the traditional 82-game slate physically unsustainable. “We have incredible people in this league and great fans. I just want to make sure we give our fans the very, very best product we can… without just completely—I don’t know, ignoring some of the obvious (schedule-related injury) issues we’ve established,” Kerr added.
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Usually, Kerr is as polarizing as he’s outspoken. But fans’ response to his comments in New York was receptive. Fans online have pointed out that they’re disenchanted by the lack of competition in the NBA and if fatigue is sapping the intensity out of the game, they’re backing Kerr on his initiative.
The logistics behind Steve Kerr’s 72-game solution
The crux of Steve Kerr’s proposal involves a permanent reduction of the regular season by 10 games, moving to a 72-game schedule. This isn’t the first time Kerr has championed this “unpopular opinion.” The timing for this call to action though comes when the Warriors have hit rock bottom and “as beaten up as any team I can ever remember,” said Kerr yesterday. It has added a sense of urgency to the plea.
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Kerr’s “emergency” stance faces significant hurdles, primarily from the league office. He reportedly sent emails to Commissioner Adam Silver on this at the start of the season but received pushback, citing a lack of definitive data proving that fewer games reduce injury risk.
However, the 2025-26 season tells a different story. A growing number of All-Stars, including Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves, have been sidelined due to injuries. Kerr also noted that they’ve had to cut back on team practices on road trips. Weeks earlier, JJ Redick also cancelled shootarounds for Lakers to minimize injuries.
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But Kerr’s demand might also mean restructuring the existing media deal and CBA. Despite the backlash from pundits like Stephen A. Smith, who recently questioned the toughness of modern players, Kerr remains undeterred.
For the nine-time champion, the math is simple: a shorter season equals a higher-quality game. As the Warriors (32-34) fight for their play-in contention with a depleted rotation, Kerr’s “meaningful discussion” may soon become an unavoidable necessity for the league’s survival.

Stephen Curry’s Father Dell Voices Concern Over NBA Refs’ Mistreatment of Warriors Star

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Dell Curry is the latest to join a growing chorus of voices from teammates to fans—concerned that his son, Stephen Curry, gets one of the worst whistles in the NBA. The father of the Stephen Curry recently came to the defense of the Golden State Warriors superstar, echoing long-standing complaints that the two-time MVP often absorbs heavy contact without getting the calls many believe he deserves.
Last season’s playoff series against the Houston Rockets became a widely cited example, with visible bruises on Curry fueling debate among fans and analysts about how officials handle the league’s most prolific shooter.
Recently, in a podcast with The Athletic, Stephen Curry sat down with Dell Curry. That’s when the father stated, “He’s always been one of the smallest guys on the team, so you got to figure it out. I watch games now and I’m like, ‘Why didn’t the official call and grab the hold? ‘ You know, they look at a lot of action on the ball, but by the time they look at his action off the ball, it’s too late. But he never complains.”
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Stephen Curry nodded and agreed, not being favored by the officials. However, he added “sometimes,” stating he does complain when things don’t go in his favor. In fact, the 4x NBA champion also previously suggested that referee grading systems should be made public for greater transparency. His plea to the league comes at a time when even teammate Draymond Green added that the officials may treat Curry differently.
“Does his lack of saying things to the referee affect the whistle that he doesn’t get? I think so,” Green stated in the January episode of The Draymond Green Show. “I have kind of watched Steph Curry get mauled every game, like grabbed, held, scarred. The man’s got wolverine scars on his neck. We watch him get mauled every game.”
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Green added that ‘Hack-a-Steph’ defensive strategy is not wrong, but the ref not calling it because Stephen Curry doesn’t complain is a problem. So, Green’s statement echoes what Dell Curry had stated.
It’s not the first time that the father has been protective of his son since the AAU days. In fact, Dell decided not to allow his son to play AAU basketball for a few years.
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Stephen Curry, on the Mind the Game podcast with LeBron James and Steve Nash, shared that initially, it was tough for him to accept the decision to stop playing AAU ball. “I was physically underdeveloped [at that time] compared to some of the better kids at my age. And the kind of thought process was, am I really getting better by just getting physically manhandled at this age?” said Curry.
“The idea was to take those two years to really kind of hone in on a work ethic and, you know, physical kind of maturation that could then catch me up, so that by 16, going back into travel basketball that.”
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Two decades ago, the decision was to help his son develop physically. Since then, he has seen Steph mature more physically, but Dell wants more protection for his son. Especially when the 37-year-old is already closer to stepping away from the hardwood.
Stephen Curry drops retirement hints
The four-time champion revealed that his body will ultimately dictate when it’s time to retire. “I think your body is the first point of information,” Curry said. “Just what it takes to get ready for a game is a lot different now than it was a decade ago.” The statement on the podcast comes at a time when the NBA season is physically grueling.
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There is no drop in performance for the Warriors‘ star, who is continuing to carry a major offensive load for Golden State. Stephen Curry is averaging 27.2 points per game, despite battling injuries that have limited him to just 39 games this season. Still, the Dub Nation leader insists his passion for the game hasn’t faded.

NBA Legend Pushes Back on Steve Kerr’s Latest NBA Take

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The Golden State Warriors are free-falling as the NBA regular season enters its final month.
The 32-34 Warriors will likely make the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference, but that’s a far cry from their dynasty that most recently won the 2022 NBA Finals. To make matters murkier, the Warriors lost four players to injury over the weekend, including Draymond Green. Two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry has been out since Jan. 30 with

Boston Celtics Officially Sign 5-Year NBA Player

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On Monday night, the Boston Celtics will be at home to host the Phoenix Suns.
The Celtics are coming off a 111-100 victory over Trae Young and the Washington Wizards.
Neemias Queta led the team with 24 points and ten rebounds.
Boston Celtics Officially Sign 5-Year NBA Player
Before their game with the Suns, the Celtics announced that they had signed a new player.
The Celtics wrote: “We have signed Charles Bassey to a 10-day contract ☘️”
Bassey was the 53rd pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Western Kentucky.

Dominican WBC loss ends on called strike that appeared low, a week before robot umps arrive in MLB

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MIAMI (AP) — Ten days later, the United States and the Dominican Republic would have kept on playing.
Geraldo Perdomo watched Mason Miller’s full-count slider appear to drop just under the strike zone and took a step toward his team’s dugout on the third-base side, thinking he walked to put runners at the corners.
Then plate umpire Cory Blaser emphatically signaled strike three, stranding the potential tying run at third base and giving the United States a 2-1 win Sunday night that advanced the Americans to the World Baseball Classic championship game against Venezuela or Italy.
“He knew he was wrong,” Perdomo said. “I knew it was 100% wrong.”
Major League Baseball’s Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System will launch when the season starts March 25, and it likely will be adopted for future editions of the WBC. The Dominicans would have been able to appeal to the so-called robot umpire if they had a challenge remaining.
“It looked a little down. Yes, I’m glad we had no ABS,” U.S. outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said. “I’m happy that the human element was in full effect.”
Perdomo heard the call, found it hard to believe and while still holding his bat lurched it overhead in an arc, nearly tapping the wood against his butt.
“We didn’t lose the game there,” the Arizona star said.
MLB announced in September that ABS will be used during the regular season and postseason in 2026 following testing that started in the minor leagues in 2019.
“I don’t want to focus on the last pitch,” Dominican manager Albert Pujols said. “I’m disappointed about the way that the game ends, but I don’t want to criticize any of that. It just wasn’t meant to be for us.”
Miller threw 13 of 22 pitches at 100 mph or higher. He gave up a one-out walk to Julio Rodríguez, who advanced to third on a wild pitch and Oneil Cruz’s groundout.
Perdomo fell behind 1-2, worked the count full, then fouled out a pair of triple-digit heaters. Miller followed with his second slider of the at-bat.
“He called strike three. That’s all I care,” American first baseman Bryce Harper said.
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March Madness 2026: Every City and Arena Hosting NCAA Tournament Games

March Madness is just a day away, and the anticipation around it is off the charts. As college basketball embarks on its final chapter in 2026, the teams look ready to sweat it out for the grand prize. But where will these games be held? Let’s dive right in and find out about the venues where the NCAA 2026 March Madness games will be hosted.
Which Arena Hosts the First Four Games in March Madness 2026?
The 2026 calendar will see the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, hosting the First Four Games on March 17th and 18th. These play-in games determine the final four teams that advance into the traditional 64-team March Madness bracket. Dayton has always been the longstanding home for the First Four ever since the format was introduced in 2011.
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The First Four consists of four play-in games involving eight teams. The match-ups usually include the four lowest-seeded at-large teams against the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers.
Dates : March 17th and 18th 2026
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City: Dayton, Ohio
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Venue: University of Dayton Arena (UD Arena), located at 1801 Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton, OH 45417.
The venue was opened in 1969 and has been renovated multiple times, with its last work happening in 2019, and can house approximately 13,409 people. Because of its rich association with college basketball, it has also earned itself the nickname “Epicenter of College Basketball.”
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Since 2011, this has been the proven ground where college basketball teams have slogged it out for a chance to etch their names into basketball supremacy. Dayton fans have a history of coming in numbers and selling out arenas as March Madness tips off from here. This is exactly why the slogan “The Road Starts Here” has become so entwined with this particular city.
Irrespective of the teams playing, the fans have never shirked away, and this is exactly why Dayton is a top-10 media market for college basketball viewership.
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Which Cities and Arenas Host the First and Second Round Games in 2026?
The 2026 NCAA Tournament’s First and Second Rounds (Round of 64 and Round of 32) will be played March 19–22 across eight host cities: Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. These regional pods spread the opening weekend action nationwide, giving fans across the U.S. a chance to experience March Madness live from the different locations.
The Round of 64 and Round of 32 games will be staggered from Thursday to Sunday. The host cities are arenas are:
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Well, all the venues in question have a history to begin with, which is why they have been chosen as the host sites for a tournament of this caliber. Take Buffalo, for instance, which is a frequent NCAA site, home of the NHL’s Sabres, or Greenville, which has become a regular host in recent years, popular in the Southeast, or Portland, with the NBA Trail Blazers’ arena of the West Coast pod.
The NCAA rotates these pods annually to make the games more accessible and provide different regions with hosting opportunities. While Dayton, Ohio, always gets the First Four, the first and second rounds move around each year. But that does not apply to cities like Buffalo, St. Louis, and Philadelphia, which have a history of repeatedly hosting the tournaments because of their strong attendance and basketball culture.
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Which Cities Will Host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
Four cities will host Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games in the second weekend. These matchups will determine which teams win their respective regions and walk away with a Final Four bid. So this is exactly the part where the game gets most cutthroat. It will be played in four cities, and the dates for the Sweet 16 are March 26 and 27, and the Elite Eight are March 28th and 29th, respectively.
As you will notice, both rounds are hosted in the same city/arena for each region, creating a mini-tournament atmosphere. The winners of the Sweet 16 will automatically advance to play for a spot in the Final Four.
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Where Is the 2026 NCAA Final Four and National Championship Game Being Played?
For the first time since 2021, the Final Four will be making its much-awaited comeback to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. A couple of months after the NFL Combine was hosted here, its seats will be filled to watch who will be crowned champions of DI basketball. So far, Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four eight times between 1980 and 2021, and now it will again get a chance to do so.
During the 2021 final, Baylor defeated Gonzaga 86-70 in a battle of the No. 1 seeds. Before that, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski won his fifth title at Duke, as the Blue Devils defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 68-63 in the championship game. So it has its own elaborate history that they will hope to live up to this year as well, when they host the elites of the game.
While Indianapolis has hosted the Women’s Final Four three times (RCA Dome in 2005, Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and 2016), the home of the Indianapolis Colts has not. However, Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled to host its first Women’s Final Four in 2028.
The Final Four will be the culmination of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and will see the last four teams left battle it out for the title. The weekend will comprise two national semi-final games that will be played on the same date, Saturday, April 4, 2026, followed by the finals on April 6th that will determine this season’s champion.
Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four nine times, more than any other city. The last three years it hosted these prestigious finals were in 2010, 2015, and 2021, and now it will do so again this year, making it the fourth time overall.
For the record, the NCAA headquarters are located in this city itself, and so you can imagine why the city gets its precedence. The Lucas Oil Stadium also has its own charm to it, with its fancy retractable roof setup and modern amenities, and is ideal for this kind of large-scale event.

Danica Patrick Issues 2-Word Reality Check on Unfair Nature for Women in NASCAR

Over the years, Danica Patrick has been pretty vocal about her views and reflections on NASCAR. You can say she was a trailblazer for women in American motorsports, becoming a household name when she was a part of the highest form of stock car racing. Now that she has officially parted ways with Sky Sports, she’s opening up about some of the things she felt were unfair in the sport.
Former NASCAR driver opens up on the unfair nature of things in the sport for women
During a recent appearance on Dr. Gabrielle Lyon’s show, Danica Patrick was asked whether it was rare to see female trainers or other women in similar roles within NASCAR.
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“Not really. There wasn’t a lot of racing. I mean, I worked out, and I trained, but I wouldn’t say there are a lot of trainers or even like coaches. It’s a weird sport.”
Lyon also asked whether the way people thought about NASCAR had historically been shaped more by male biology and perspectives. She compared it to special operations training, where there isn’t a separate category like a “female SEAL.” The training standards are designed one way and applied to everyone, rather than being gender-specific.
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“It doesn’t exist,” Patrick replied. “For a 100-pounder like us to throw a 100-pound sandbag over a wall as part of our training is going to be infinitely harder than for a 200lb man to do that, right? I think there are suitable jobs for people, too.”
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Having said that, she claimed she is in the best body composition and strength of her life.
From 2013 to 2017, Danica Patrick ran full-time in the Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing. In that time, she failed to score a single top 5. But she did manage seven finishes inside the top 10. And after stepping away from full-time racing, Patrick eventually transitioned into a broadcasting role in Formula 1. But that chapter has now come to an end as well.
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Danica Patrick explains why she stepped away from her broadcasting role in Formula 1
Following her retirement as a racecar driver, Danica Patrick took up the role of a broadcaster at Sky Sports F1 in 2021. She was a common fixture during the broadcasts of the races held in the Americas. However, after 5 years of association, it was announced that Patrick won’t be returning to the Sky Sports team for the 2026 season.
This left a lot of people wondering why the association between the two broke off. After all, Patrick is one of the biggest motorsports icons in the world. Yet at the same time, she is also a divisive figure among fans, especially in her role as an F1 broadcaster.
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But after some time of speculation, she broke her silence on the subject.
“I felt like I had taken in a great experience in F1 and was ready to have more time for other projects and interests.” She said. “I am building a new company. I am also new to a couple of boards with big plans, and I am very busy punishing myself by learning new sports like tennis, golf, and skiing.”
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Danica Patrick claimed that working as a broadcaster at times took more work from her than being a driver when it comes to committing time on the track. But in looking back, she emphasised her learnings and grown interest in F1, which she deemed ‘very entertaining.’
Even though her time in the booth has ended, Patrick clearly still looks back on the experience as a valuable and entertaining chapter of her motorsports journey.

Denny Hamlin Warns Dire Ending for Chris Gabehart & Co. as Spire’s ‘False’ Claims Come to Light

The ongoing Joe Gibbs Racing and Spire Motorsports fiasco involving Chris Gabehart is a bittersweet situation for Denny Hamlin. Having worked with Gabehart for more than half a decade, he is now caught in tension between his team and the former ally. But when the moment of truth finally arrives, Hamlin has hinted that things may not go well for his former colleague and Spire.
Denny Hamlin pokes at Gabehart with strong consequences
From his official social media account, Denny Hamlin shared a reaction to the ongoing fiasco between JGR and Spire. Sharing his thoughts on X, the #11 driver wrote, “I know how those end when the rubber meets the road…”
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Hamlin’s tweet was in response to insider John Newby’s X’s post, where he shared the 22-page declaration that Chris Gabehart filed recently against the lawsuit. According to Gabehart and Spire, JGR broke a $100,000 agreement.
In their defense, Jeff Dickerson’s team stated that JGR did not imply with the agreement that was mutually agreed upon last year. Under the agreement, Spire allowed car chief Robert Smith to go to Ty Gibbs’ car in 2025.
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Upon agreeing to it, JGR allegedly confirmed to trade one of its competition employees, and just in case it does not happen, they will compensate with $100,000. This was one of the responses that Spire and Gabehart shared against JGR.
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And the latest reaction by Hamlin added a new dynamic to the case, as he seemingly called out Spire Motorsports and Chris Gabehart’s statements, implying they may not hold up as the matter progresses in court.
Meanwhile, Gabehart and Spire said that since the role of the former at Spire is not the same as that of JGR, Joe Gibbs’ team cannot technically stop him from working.
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This directly goes against the aforementioned breach of contract, where Spire alleged $100,000 in due payment. This is primarily because Gabehart, who was a former JGR competition employee, has reportedly started working with Spire. Under this scenario, Spire, on one side, is utilizing Gabehart, which falls under the agreement.
In a nutshell, Denny Hamlin tried to warn of the consequences of the lawsuit to his former ally and Spire Motorsports. While Hamlin indirectly pointed at them, it was far from the case with Joe Gibbs.
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JGR owner stands firm on lawsuit case
Joe Gibbs Racing’s owner, Joe Gibbs, decided to stay firm with his team and what he feels is right. Speaking about the lawsuit, Mr. Gibbs stated that he would continue to battle for justice in the Chris Gabehart situation.
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“I’m just going to continue to fight for what’s right,” said Joe Gibbs, via Courthouse News Service.
While the court has yet to deliver a verdict, as per Joe Gibbs Racing, they believe that Chris Gabehart stole competition data and passed it to Spire Motorsports to give them a competitive advantage.
Accusing Spire and Gabehart, they filed a lawsuit. Meanwhile, defending themselves, Gabehart and Jeff Dickerson’s team shared their respective responses. With that said, it will be interesting to see if Joe Gibbs Racing wins the lawsuit or Spire Motorsports and Chris Gabehart end up winning it instead.

Former Broadcaster Left Emotional Over NASCAR’s Lost Legacy Years After Leaving FOX

A broadcaster’s role is something NASCAR fans crave. Why not, after all, they are the closest to the drivers and get to experience the racing in a way that no one else can imagine. And Heather DeBeaux knows it best. Through her role with FOX Sports, she was once part of the original crew of the SPEED telecast, experiencing more than just the races. But after leaving FOX, she now reminisces about that lost fan experience.
DeBeaux on her SPEED days
“I was there when they first opened the SPEED studios in Charlotte, North Carolina. We had an event that the fans came to—at the time they were called SPEED Fanatics,” said DeBeaux, in a recent interview. The SPEED was the perfect fan experience for motorsports fanatics. It was like a hub surrounded by racing, and the NASCAR fans loved it for as long as it went on. Heather DeBeaux, being one of the original crew members, experienced it firsthand.
“It was this fan program that you could sign up for, and they allowed a certain number of fans to watch a show from the SPEED studios when it first opened. It was really neat to be part of because I always watched NASCAR, but I’m not sure I ever thought I would get to work in NASCAR,” she added.
In the program, the shows often felt like racedays itself due to the activities conducted. They allowed fans to gather, watch broadcasts, and interact with the hosts and personalities. Many longtime fans miss this tradition that doesn’t happen today.
“At the SPEED stage there was just something about the energy of the fans and the people that would come over to the stage. We would have massive crowds going crazy the whole time—you just felt this electricity in the air. I remember thinking, I can’t believe I am here,” she said, reminiscing about those good old days.
Seemingly, she had quite a time working with FOX. Heather DeBeaux has been involved in NASCAR broadcasting for a long time. Throughout the years, she has also worked for the likes of NBC and Red Bull’s media house. But her time with SPEED seems to be the most memorable one.
FOX, however, decided to shut down the SPEED channel for business reasons. The channel was dedicated to racing and motorsports, and though it had a large audience, it was still very niche. The broadcaster realized the opportunity and turned it into FS1, catering to a much more global audience.
But it surely had an impact. Heather DeBeaux, even after years, remembers it like her first day on the job. She’s currently working as a pit reporter, but there’s a lot more on her plate right now.
DeBeaux opens up about her father’s ill health
Heather DeBeaux’s father brought her closer to the racing world. He helped her navigate through the ups and downs of broadcasting. But more recently, she has been facing some huge personal issues. Speaking with FOX broadcaster and her friend Katilyn Vincie earlier, DeBeaux revealed that her father has not been well after a stroke earlier.
“My dad had a stroke in 2014 when he was just 54 years old,” Heather DeBeaux told Kaitlyn Vincie. “Since then, I’ve been his primary caregiver and have helped take care of him during the week. It’s definitely a challenge because it’s just him and me, and we do live together.”
Considering the pressure of the broadcasting industry, it is quite apparent that it hasn’t been easy for her so far to manage everything together, but she continues to thrive.
“It hasn’t been easy. It’s a hard balance between my personal life, my work life, and my dad’s life. But I’m very thankful we get to spend a lot of time together and still have quality time doing the hobbies he can still enjoy,” she added.
Despite the difficulties she has faced in her personal life, Heather DeBeaux has been focusing on herself just as well. Apart from her role in NASCAR, she is also a bodybuilder, and recently managed to win a medal for the same.

Corey Day Reminded of Rick Hendrick’s Warning Against Kyle Larson in Las Vegas Battle

Usually, it is tough for young racecar drivers not to let their emotions take over their actions behind the wheel. But not for Corey Day, not at least after Rick Hendrick’s intervention, the impact of which was clearly visible in how he approached racing against Kyle Larson.
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Corey Day looks back on thrilling battle with Kyle Larson
In the High Limit season opener at Las Vegas, Corey Day and Kyle Larson shared a thrilling finish, which saw the 2x Cup champion emerge victorious against the young gun. Following the race, Day shared his thoughts on his speed and his issues with the traffic.
He claimed that the traffic was ‘pretty bad’, and the bottom was tough to hit. “If you run on the top it’d mess you up and if you run on the bottom you’d have to wait for them to miss it to get under them,” Day said. Because of this, he felt he had made a couple of bad decisions in traffic.
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And Day knew that if it wasn’t for those bad decisions, he would have had a better chance at outsmarting Larson in the end. “I think if I wouldn’t have made those I’d have been to Kyle a little sooner. But that’s all right we got two more nights,” he admitted.
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It’s worth mentioning that after his on-track incidents in NASCAR where he took out drivers associated with his own team, he got a stern talking-to by Rick Hendrick. This was something Dale Jr. revealed on his podcast following COTA.
Junior claimed that he, Mr. H, and Day got together with Hendrick leading the conversation with the intent of trying to make the young driver understand. Day was told that both Hendrick and Earnhardt Jr. want him, believe in him, and his prowess. But at the same time, he was told that he’ll have to contend for wins and be competitive without being a detriment to his own teammates.
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Perhaps that advice struck deeply with Day as he emerged incident-free against Larson in the High Limit race.
Larson isn’t losing faith in Day despite the on-track incidents
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Speaking to Bob Pockrass, Kyle Larson shared his thoughts on Corey Day’s current situation following his incidents with JR Motorsports driver. Larson admitted that Day has had a lot of rough Mondays this season with a lot of mentoring and work he had to go through.
“For me, it was lending support and just letting him know that we all believe in him and keep your head high and keep focused on the process,” Larson said. He claimed that most drivers have to go through such moments in their careers and Day will be fine.
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In fact, the #5 driver believed that Day would emerge a better, more skilled, and knowledgeable driver from this rough stretch.
Larson emphasized that he has complete faith in Corey Day and looks forward to seeing his progression in NASCAR.

Joe Gibbs & Co. Double Down on Chris Gabehart Lawsuit With Bombshell ‘Spire Folder’ Claim

Just when the legal battle seemed to be tilting in Chris Gabehart’s favor, Joe Gibbs Racing has fired back with a bombshell claim that could change everything. At first, it seemed kind of unfair for Gabehart. Especially due to his declaration, which claims that there was no such action of his that could prove that his intentions were to steal necessary data from Joe Gibbs Racing. However, the latest evidence that Joe Gibbs brings to the court shows they won’t let him off the hook so easily.
Joe Gibbs gets ready to expose Chris Gabehart’s secrets
Joe Gibbs will be filing in against Chris Gabehart and his declaration tonight. According to reports from Bob Pockrass on social media,
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“It is undisputed that he took photos of his computer screen with his cell phone and saved more than 200 JGR proprietary files in a folder named ‘Spire.’ This is sufficient to support a preliminary injunction as to Gabehart.”
Not only that, but they are also arguing that his current role at Spire Motorsports directly disobeys the non-compete clause of his release from the team. The basis of Gibbs’ current accusations stems from a recent blunder unveiled by his team against Gabehart.
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Reportedly, Gabehart took multiple pictures of sensitive information from Joe Gibbs Racing on his phone. In Gabehart’s defense, his attorneys label it as an embarrassing mistake. However, JGR is trying to expose the very same mistake as malicious intent on his end.
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“There is no innocent explanation for secretly accessing, reviewing, and selectively deleting an employer’s confidential files after your employment has ended and you are negotiating with a direct competitor. Gabehart’s belief that he was acting in secret is itself powerful evidence of wrongful intent.”
With this revelation, everything suddenly changes in favor of Joe Gibbs. If Chris Gabehart does have an unknown folder that he was hiding from JGR, it does hurt his defense.
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The said ‘Spire Motorsports’ folder, which was found by JGR’s team among these files, refutes his entire claim of not using sensitive information from his former team for Spire’s profit. As JGR states,
“Perhaps tellingly and nefariously, Gabehart chose not to let Mr. Walton (Clark, the examiner) examine the unknown Microsoft OneDrive before litigation or disclose he accessed it while simultaneously interacting with JGR’s materials he saved in his Spire folder.
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“Gabehart’s assertion that there is no risk of spoliation is unreliable and falls flat.” Now those are some serious accusations against Gabehart. Since the start of the lawsuit, he has been pleading innocent on the basis of the said examination of his devices.
This new angle and new revelation about secret folders and labels with Spire Motorsports put him at risk of being proven false. A new examination for expedited discovery is being requested by Joe Gibbs Racing to bring the truth to light.
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But Chris Gabehart is not the only one whose claims are under review.
Joe Gibbs Racing denies involvement with Spire Motorsports
While Spire Motorsports was claiming that Joe Gibbs did not fulfill his agreement with them, Gibbs’ team has reportedly thrashed these claims. According to Toni Rogers, Chief People Officer of Joe Gibbs Racing, there was no such agreement that she was aware of.
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Spire was claiming that Joe Gibbs Racing had agreed to pay $100,000 to the team if they did not let Spire hire an employee to release Chandler Smith from his contract with Spire early. Rogers also refutes the said trade deal, trying to reveal the reality behind the same.
“The understanding was that if the Spire spotter joined JGR, JGR would take over his existing salary, and if it was greater than what JGR had been paying the JGR spotter, that differential would be offset against the $100,000.00.
“Ultimately, that trade never happened as the Spire spotter chose not to leave Spire. To my knowledge, JGR has never received an invoice for the referenced payment of $100,000.00.” Now this statement throws the entire Spire team under the bus.
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The lawsuit between Gabehart and Joe Gibbs keeps overcomplicating certain situations. In this case, it is quite visible that Spire Motorsports is getting dragged in, no matter their earlier stance on the matter.

Carson Hocevar’s Frustration Boils Over After Vegas Misery as Christopher Bell Storms to Pole

Carson Hocevar is so close, yet so far. He took the lead on the white flag at Daytona, but a last-lap heartbreak sent him to 18th. The 4th-place Atlanta finish was some consolation, but post that, he’s just not able to get that form he’s looking for. Therefore, it was only natural that after a poor show in qualifying at Las Vegas, the Spire driver wasn’t in the highest spirits.
Carson Hocevar not satisfied with his start to Vegas weekend
On Saturday, Christopher Bell took the pole for the Las Vegas Cup race. While Bell was joyous, Carson Hocevar was left frustrated. He managed 19th place start on the grid for Sunday, leaving a lot of gap to be covered. When asked about how he intends to bridge that gap, Hocevar said:
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“At the end of practice we were pretty good, just didn’t qualify or when you practice that bad you’re probably going to be pretty timid and qualified and that’s kind of what happened.”
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He claimed that the sim session wasn’t ‘very good’ and the car has been ‘a handful’ to drive for him. As for whether his teammates, Michael McDowell and Daniel Suarez fighting the same issues as him, Carson Hocevar mentioned that while Suarez seems to be running a better lap than him, he also faced similar issues in practice.
It’s worth mentioning that Hocevar is currently sitting 14th in the points table. His teammates, Daniel Suarez and Michael McDowell, are in 17th and 8th place, respectively. While Hocevar qualified in 19th, Suarez managed a 13th and McDowell a 30th-place spot for the race.
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Hocevar was handed a major reward by Spire
Even though Carson Hocevar hasn’t won at the Cup level yet in his three seasons so far, Spire Motorsports continues to believe in his potential. This was evident earlier this year when Hocevar was announced to have signed a contract extension ‘into the next decade.’
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Speaking after the announcement, Jeff Dickerson of Spire claimed it has been ‘an absolutely rewarding’ experience for him to see Hocevar grow and learn from both good and bad on and off the racetrack.
“I love him like a son and it means a great deal to me, personally, knowing he’ll be here for several years,” he claimed.
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Dickerson joked that the contract extension announcement could test his blood pressure medication’s effectiveness. But he mentioned it’ll be worth it. Spire’s faith in him also reassured Hocevar in how much faith he and his team have in each other on racing together for a long period of time.
“Everyone in the building has really become a family to me. Spire is such a different team now compared to how it was my rookie season, and especially when I made my debut in 2023,” he claimed. He added that it has been to know that he’ll be a regular name in the Cup garage thanks to Spire, which he called ‘a dream come true.’
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But do you think Hocevar will taste high levels of success in NASCAR in the future? Let us know in the comments below.

3rd-generation drag racer Maddi Gordon is addicted to speed

Gordon is a third-generation racer who became the 100th female to win an NHRA national event in 2024.
She was selected by three-time national Funny Car champion Ron Capps to drive for his Top Fuel team.
It’s probably not a coincidence that Maddi Gordon, a 21-year-old rookie driver in the NHRA’s Top Fuel dragster series, doesn’t do anything slow on purpose.
She had to think about it for a moment, but said it’s true.
“It’s actually funny you bring that up,” Gordon, a native of Paso Robles, California, told The Arizona Republic ahead of advancing to the semifinal round before finishing fourth in her Top Fuel debut in the 2026 Gatornationals March 5-8 at Gainesville (Florida) Raceway. “I walk fast. I hate walking slow. When I get behind someone who’s walking slow, I get irritated because I feel like I’m losing time.
“So yeah, I walk fast. I eat really fast. I probably talk fast. It’s so funny. I don’t do anything slow. I definitely don’t do it slow on purpose. Oh, my gosh. I never thought about that before.”
When you’re born into a racing family, the need for speed becomes second nature. That’s what happened with Gordon, who attended her first drag race when she was just eight days old, began racing as an 8-year-old, and in 2024 became the first third-generation Top Alcohol Funny Car driver in NHRA history and the 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event in the organization’s 75-year history.
“It’s just a lifestyle,” said Gordon, who picked up Monster Energy as another top sponsor at the Gatornationals. “I wake up every day, and I think about drag racing. I wake up every day, and I don’t just think about driving, but the mechanics, ‘How can we make the car faster, how can I be a better driver, how can I be better for our sponsors?’
“It’s a lifestyle. As much as I love driving, I love everything about the sport. I love the fans. I love the camaraderie. I love our teammates, I love working on the cars. … There’s just so much to learn, and honestly, I just love learning. It’s a never-ending path of things to learn.”
Maddi Gordon landing at Arizona Nationals
Soon, Gordon will be in the Valley for the NHRA’s Arizona Nationals on March 20-22 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, where she plans to rocket her 12,000-horsepower, nitromethane-burning Carlyle Tools dragster to a speed of 330 mph in fewer than four seconds.
Firebird is no stranger to Gordon. She raced junior dragsters and other event classes here as a young teenager and won on the Alcohol Funny Car circuit each of the past two years at the Chandler drag strip.
“Firebird’s been really good to me and my family over the years,

Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson React to Alex Bowman’s Vertigo Absence

Alex Bowman will miss a second straight NASCAR Cup Series race as he continues recovering from vertigo, keeping him out of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bowman first experienced symptoms earlier this month during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Hendrick Motorsports later confirmed the 32-year-old driver had been diagnosed with vertigo and would step away from racing while working through the condition.
With Bowman still sidelined, Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet at Las Vegas. The veteran Xfinity Series driver previously filled in for Bowman at Phoenix and again takes over the ride this weekend.
While Bowman continues focusing on recovery, several of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates addressed the situation during media availability at Las Vegas.
Chase Elliott Understands the Frustration of Sitting Out
Chase Elliott knows firsthand how difficult it can be when a driver is forced to step away from the car unexpectedly.
Elliott missed six of the first eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023 after fracturing his tibia in a snowboarding accident, giving him a personal understanding of how challenging the recovery process can be.
Speaking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Elliott said situations like Bowman’s can feel especially frustrating because drivers have little control over the timeline.
“For me, I was just kind of up against the clock,” Elliott said. “You’re just sort of helpless in a lot of ways. You just try to do everything you can about it.”
Elliott said the uncertainty surrounding a condition like vertigo can be particularly difficult.
“I just really feel for him,” Elliott said. “The unknown of something like that is probably the scariest part and a really tough thing to deal with mentally.”
Kyle Larson Sends Support After Strong Vegas Weekend
Kyle Larson also expressed support for his teammate while speaking at Las Vegas.
Larson has historically been one of the strongest drivers at the 1.5-mile track and entered the Cup race weekend with significant momentum. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, continuing a strong stretch of performances at the Nevada track.
Despite his own success at Las Vegas, Larson said the focus inside the Hendrick Motorsports garage has been on Bowman’s health.
“You hate to see any driver go through something like that where they have to sit out,” Larson said. “Alex is a great teammate for us at Hendrick Motorsports.”
Larson said everyone on the team hopes Bowman can return once he is fully comfortable behind the wheel again.
“He’s just a good guy and a great teammate,” Larson said. “You just want to see him get back in the car and feel confident in what he’s doing.”
Bowman Has Overcome Setbacks Before
Bowman has faced adversity before during his NASCAR career but has repeatedly returned to competitive form.
The Tucson native became a full-time Hendrick Motorsports driver in 2018 after previously serving as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. the year prior.
Since then, Bowman has won eight NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning with his first victory at Chicagoland Speedway in 2019. His most recent win came during the 2024 Chicago Street Course race.
He also missed time during the 2022 season after suffering a concussion in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway but returned later that year.
Hendrick Motorsports Prioritizing Bowman’s Recovery
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews said Bowman continues working with doctors while the organization monitors his progress.
“He’s put a lot into the recovery process,” Andrews said. “Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Vertigo can cause dizziness and balance issues, symptoms that can be especially challenging for race car drivers competing at speeds over 180 mph.
For now, Bowman remains focused on getting healthy while Hendrick Motorsports continues to support its longtime driver.

Carson Hocevar Makes Blunt Comments on Las Vegas Speed

Carson Hocevar was tight-lipped following Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session in Las Vegas. The driver of the No. 77 will roll off 19th in today’s (March 15) Pennzoil 400 in Sin City.
When speaking to the media following his qualifying run, the Spire Motorsports driver was not thrilled with the way he performed.
Carson Hocevar on his qualifying run: ‘We’re just slow’
During the media scrum, Hocevar addressed his qualifying lap.
“I don’t know. The sim wasn’t very good, so we just kinda showed up with notes and it’s just been a handful to drive,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar’s Spire teammate, Daniel Suarez, posted a 13th-place qualifying run. Meanwhile, their other team car, Michael McDowell wound up with a 30th-place effort.
Although Suarez was able to run a faster lap, Hocevar believes all three of Spire Motorsports’ cars are having difficulties in Las Vegas.
“It seemed like they were fighting the same issues in practice,” Hocevar said.
When asked what he believed happened on his qualifying run that resulted in the 19th-place starting spot, Hocevar made a blunt remark.
“We’re just slow,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was also asked if aspects from last year’s Las Vegas race would help in performance on Sunday. The 23-year-old was optimistic about the things they “could change” on his No. 77 machine, but was definite if it would make a difference.
“Hopefully, the stuff we’re allowed to change can get us there. Stuff we weren’t allowed to change is similar to last year. Hopefully, that can be the case,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was asked a few off-topic questions, such as if he felt a difference in the increase in horsepower at certain tracks. Last week, the Cup cars ran at 750 horsepower, where they previously ran at 670.
Despite the increase, Hocevar didn’t sense any change.
“No, not really,” Hocevar said.
In another off-topic question, Hocevar was asked about the significance of this year marking 20 years since the release of the hit Pixar movie “Cars.”
Yet, after his performance in qualifying on Saturday, Hocevar wasn’t wanting to talk about movies.
“I qualified like [expletive] and I got to get asked about Cars,” Hocevar said.
Carson Hocevar still seeking first Cup Series win
Amid his third full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series competition, Carson Hocevar has yet to capture a checkered flag. Amid struggles in qualifying, Hocevar aims to seek his first victory in today’s Cup race at Las Vegas in his 86th start.
Unfortunately for Hocevar, he has also struggled to find results at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In five career starts at the 1.5-mile track, Hocevar has posted a best finish of 15th, while finishing 30th or worse three times.
In total, Hocevar has 16 career top-10 finishes and four top-five efforts in the NASCAR Cup Series. His best finish came last June at Nashville Superspeedway, where he ran runner-up to Ryan Blaney.
In 2026, Hocevar has posted one top-five effort, which was fourth at EchoPark Speedway. He currently sits 15th in the points standings after four races.
The Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway starts today (March 15) at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.

NASCAR Odds: Can Kyle Larson Pull off Las Vegas Sweep?

The NASCAR Cup Series circuit takes on Sin City today (March 15) for the running of the Pennzoil 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race around the 1.5-mile track is scheduled for 267 laps and 400 miles.
Entering today’s race, Kyle Larson aims to pull off the weekend sweep after winning yesterday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. Meanwhile, a group of Toyotas will look to upset the two-time and defending Cup Series champion.
Ahead of the fifth race of the 2026 Cup Series season, this is a look at the odds.
Kyle Larson enters Sunday as the favorite to win
After a fifth-place qualifying effort and a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, it’s no surprise Larson is the odds-on favorite to win on Sunday.
The driver of the No. 5 enters today’s race at +350 to win, via DraftKings Sportsbooks. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is a three-time Las Vegas winner, with his latest victory coming in March 2024.
In his last six races at the track, Larson has totaled three wins, two runner-up finishes, and has placed no worse than 11th in all of them. Larson is aiming for his first Cup-O’Reilly weekend sweep since Bristol in April of last year.
Toyota drivers seek to upset Larson at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson is not the only driver expected to have a fast race car in today’s race.
Christopher Bell will lead the field to green after earning the pole in Saturday’s qualifying. The driver of the No. 20 enters Sunday with the second-best odds to win at +500.
In the last five Las Vegas races, Bell has posted three top-five finishes, including runner-up efforts in October 2023 and October 2024. However, the Oklahoma native has failed to win in Sin City.
Making up a Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2-3 starting grid, Denny Hamlin starts second in today’s race.
At +550 odds to win, Hamlin secured his 60th career win at Las Vegas the last time the Cup Series raced at the track last October. In the last seven Las Vegas races, the driver of the No. 11 has only one finish worse than 11th.
Chase Elliott, other Cup stars enter as longshots
While many of the usual suspects are favorites to win Sunday’s race, there are a few longshots that are worth watching out for.
One of those is Chase Elliott, who goes into Sunday at +2200 to win. The driver of the No. 9 has struggled to find results at Las Vegas with one top-10 finish in the last six races.
However, Elliott knows how to win on the 1.5-mile tracks as he did last September at the Kansas Speedway.
Ross Chastain is another underdog to watch on Sunday. The driver of the No. 1, at +2800 odds to win, has bagged three top-five finishes and four top-10 efforts in the last five Las Vegas races.
Josh Berry, the defending winner of the Pennzoil 400, enters Sunday at +6500 to win. The driver of the No. 21 captured his first career win in this race one year ago after pacing the field for 18 laps.
The green flag for today’s (March 15) race is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.

Barcelona have Bastoni transfer hope despite high Inter price tag

According to Tuttosport, the hostile reception Alessandro Bastoni receives at Italian stadiums could encourage the Italy international to consider a move to Barcelona, though Inter are unwilling to sell the defender for less than €70m.
Inter are unwilling to sell their star defender Bastoni even if the Nerazzurri could be tempted by offers in the region of €70m, reports Tuttosport (via FCInter1908).
The Italian newspaper claims that neither the Serie A giants nor their defender are currently considering a summer split, but this doesn’t mean Barcelona are without hope.
Inter, in fact, might sit down for offers worth €70m, while Bastoni could be tempted to leave at the end of the season, especially after the hostile welcome he has received in Italian stadiums over the last few weeks.
Fans across Italy are still targeting the Italy international following an incident that led to a red card for Pierre Kalulu in a Serie A match between Inter and Juventus in February.
Tuttosport quotes Spanish sources saying that Barcelona director Deco has already met the player’s entourage.

Want to pop the question at the next Yanks or Mets game? Pay up!

Baseball fans in the New Jersey/New York area who have wedding plans on their minds as the season starts soon should be prepared to dig deep if they want everyone in the ballpark to know they are proposing.
Citi Field in Queens, NY, the home of the New York Mets, charges $1,500 for a video-board marriage proposal, the highest amount among the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, according to a recent survey by the sports betting website Sportsbook Review. The home base for the New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, charges $150.
However, the reported costs for proposals at both stadiums do not tell the whole story, as indicated on their team websites.
The $1,500 Citi Field price tag is for a package that includes tickets for the home game where the proposal will take place, a parking pass, scoreboard video, and a message for the proposal. Contact the stadium for more pricing information.
Story continues below photo gallery
The $150 at Yankee Stadium is a fan marquee message during the game. But for $2,000 and up, there’s a deal that includes an enhanced scoreboard display, a Yankee Stadium tour, and access to various locations around the park for a photo shoot, such as the batters’ deck on the morning of a home game. Contact the stadium for more information.
Fans of the other professional sports teams that play on both sides of the Hudson River, who are looking to pop the question, televised in front of an audience, can also expect to shell out some dough for the privilege.
Madison Square Garden in Manhattan charges between $125-$150 for video displays of proposals for New York Rangers and New York Knicks home games. The Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, charges $100.
MetLife Stadium, which the New York Giants and New York Jets call home, does not list a fee. Prudential Center in Newark, where the New Jersey Devils play, and the UBS Arena on Long Island, where the New York Islanders play, also do not list a fee. But contact the various venues to find out if and what they charge for displaying proposals.
Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration, and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
Twitter/X: @ricardokaul

Kyle Kirkwood wins another IndyCar street race, this one to be first winner in Arlington

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kyle Kirkwood keeps taking it to the streets in IndyCar, and this time he won a new race to take over the series lead.
Kirkwood made an aggressive pass below four-time series champion Alex Palou with 15 laps to go, stayed in front the rest of the way and took the checkered flag for the Grand Prix of Arlington under caution Sunday. It was his sixth career win, the fifth on a street course.
On a day when Andretti Global had some pit issues, including a long stop for Kirkwood, all three of its Hondas finished in the top four while combining to lead 47 of the race’s 70 laps. Will Power was third for a podium finish while Marcus Ericsson, who started on the pole for the first time in his 171 series starts, led 15 laps and was fourth.
The winning pass by Kirkwood, a 27-year-old from Jupiter, Florida, came on the last of 14 turns on the temporary 2.73-mile circuit that ran between the home stadiums of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers.
Palou, who finished second, described the pass by Kirkwood as awesome.
While matching Kirkwood and Power for a race-high 16 laps led, Palou wasn’t able to regain the series points lead. The three-time defending champion had been on top of the IndyCar standings since June 2024 before not finishing in Phoenix last weekend after early contact. But he did move up from fifth to second behind new leader Kirkwood.
A final sprint for the checkered flag never materialized because of a collision in the back of the field on the restart as Kirkwood and Palou were beginning the final lap. That crash in the tight 14th turn brought out a full-course caution, and safety crews were still on the track when they got back around nearly two minutes later to cross the finish line.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz and More Tennis Stars Ace Style at Indian Wells

NEED TO KNOW
ATP stars showed up to the Indian Wells tennis tournament in style, wearing fashion-forward looks upon their arrival to the desert
The top-ranked players wore a range of looks, including monochromatic sets and detailed denim
The tournament runs from March 4 to March 15
A style score!
The ATP stars didn’t just bring their A-game to the court, but their fashion game, too, when they rolled up to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden over the course of the BNP Paribas Open stretch that runs from March 4 to March 15 in California.
Several top-ranked players served buttoned-up looks upon their arrival to the sports scene, widely known as the Indian Wells Men’s Tennis tournament, before they stripped down into their athletic apparel for competition at the top-tier ATP Tour Masters 1000 event.
Monochromatic suit sets, knitwear, cargo cool co-ords and detailed denim were among the ensembles the athletes rocked through the tunnels, despite the Palm Springs heat and sweltering sun present in the desert (triple-digit temps are reported for the weekend!).
The women, too, didn’t disappoint with their looks. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka wore a bridal-inspired outfit — including a wedding veil, bouquet of flowers and blinding engagement ring — ahead of her match, while Naomi Osaka unveiled a neon leopard-print kit.
Now, scroll on for several sizzling styles served at Indian Wells!
01 of 08
Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz wore a monochromatic outfit to the Indian Wells Men’s Tennis tournament, sporting a black bomber and coordinating trousers as he made his way to the locker room ahead of the event’s start. He layered the jacket over a black buttoned shirt with a white tee poking through.
02 of 08
Frances Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe brought the heat while looking cool with his game-day outfit, wearing a light off-white jacket layered over a matching V-neck knit. He paired it with brown trousers and accessorized with shades and a beaded necklace.
03 of 08
Francisco Cerundolo
Francisco Cerundolo arrived in a textured, two-piece set for a chic, yet athletic drip. He wore a brown ribbed jacket top with coordinating, baggy pants. He tucked a simple white T-shirt into his trousers and accessorized with a silver watch, bracelet, a few chains and dark-lens sunglasses.
04 of 08
Jakub Mensik
Jakub Mensik stepped out in a gray cargo set, including a boxy zip-up on top and a pocket-adorned pant on the bottom. He wore a simple white T-shirt underneath the jacket and topped off his look with metallic frames.
05 of 08
Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev combatted the sun in a reflective hue, wearing a cream denim set with a white shirt underneath. His light-colored jacket was detailed with noticeable stitching alongside silver buttons and accessorized with dark-colored sunnies.
06 of 08
Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev arrived in a classic, smart-casual ensemble, pairing tailored white trousers and a dark-hued belt with a black buttoned top. His coordinating cardigan, however, was the moment, adorned with rich silver buttons and a dramatic collar. He swept his long locks back into a neat ponytail and popped on matching shades.
07 of 08
Alex Michelsen
Alex Michelsen arrived in a relaxed yet polished look, pairing a navy blue short-sleeve polo with crisp white fitted trousers. Keeping the outfit classic, he added a subtle touch of shine with a bracelet and watch adorning each wrist, while combatting the desert sun with black sunglasses.
08 of 08
Zizou Bergs
Zizou Bergs made a statement before the first ball was even struck, stepping onto the sport scene in an all-gray denim ensemble layered over a crisp white T-shirt. The look leaned urban and effortlessly cool, but it was his bold accessories that turned heads — a hot pink bandana tied around his head and sleek metallic sunglasses.

University Park man lost his limbs, but not his spirit

Ron Rosas wasn’t born with a tennis racket in his hand. But from the age of five, when he could first see over the net on a tennis court, he was swinging one like he knew what he was doing. Now, the Dallas man is learning to swing again. This time, without hands and feet.
Rosas grew up in El Paso, where his dad was a dentist and his mother, a school teacher, encouraged the five Rosas children to play tennis. By the time Rosas was in middle school he was one of the top junior tennis players in the country. And after he wrote a letter to Notre Dame tennis coach Bobby Bayliss lobbying for a spot, Rosas’ dream school offered him a four-year scholarship.
Rosas was a standout player at Notre Dame. In 1992, he and teammates such as David DiLucia led the 10th-seeded Fighting Irish to the national championship match.
After graduation, Rosas’ path followed that of many college athletes. He played in a few professional events, trying to make the sport a career; suffered an injury; moved on to coaching; and finally accepted a job outside of athletics altogether – at a bank in Dallas.
That’s where he met Victoria – at a Christmas party in Dallas. Both had been married previously. Both had kids.
“I remember the first night I met Ron,” recalled Victoria, “It sounds very cliche but our eyes met and that was kind of it. There was a magical kind of connection. It was something I’d never felt before. And we kept that going all through dating and getting married. On our first date he took me ugly Christmas sweater shopping. I quickly realized that he was a great guy and a really good dad. He was thoughtful and caring and a lot of fun.”
Ron and Victoria married and blended their families. Bella, now 22, Gabi, 20, and Preston, 20, were then joined by little sister Vivienne, 8, in University Park. The family began attending Christ the King Catholic Church. And of, course, the kids all learned how to play tennis.
Then on December 29, 2022, the Rosas’ world was suddenly turned upside down.
Devastating Illness
Rosas felt like something was wrong and went to a nearby clinic to be tested. The results were negative for strep, the flu and for Covid. He was sent home.
But he continued to feel worse. Victoria could not get the pulsometer to read when attached to his finger. She called an ambulance.
At Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, Rosas was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia and then was quickly intubated.
Over the next several days, as doctors and nurses fought to save his life at multiple hospitals, his condition continued to decline. The infection in his lungs spread to his blood and led to septic shock. He was put in an induced coma. A priest administered last rites.
In critical care, Rosas was given Vasopressors that raised his blood pressure and forced blood to his vital organs, according to a doctor’s message the family shared with me. The process ultimately saved his life, the family said, but it led to severe necrosis to his extremities.
When he awoke, after being in a coma for 16 days, he was given the shocking news that nobody, especially an athlete, wants to hear. Both arms and both legs would have to be amputated.
Dauntless Spirit
The Rosases chose Dr. Jason Souza at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, who specializes in reconstructive surgery, particularly for amputees, and has extensive experience in limb restoration and nerve repair.
Rosas had two requests: He wanted a quality of life without constant pain, and he wanted to play tennis.
The key to holding a tennis racket again was to save Rosas’ elbow, to amputate his arm below the joint. With some borrowed parts and skin from Rosas’ back, Souza successfully reconstructed his elbow. In fact, all four limbs were removed below the joint. A team of specialists in Dallas provided four prosthetics.
Rosas remembered the first time he gripped a racket using a prosthetic arm. “It was surreal.”
Rosas doesn’t just want to play tennis again. He wants to compete. The International Tennis Federation has a wheelchair division. Rosas is eligible to compete in the quadriplegic division, open to tennis players who have lost 25% or more of their limbs. Rosas is swinging for a championship. He would be the first. To date, a quadriplegic has never won the wheelchair division.
Rosas’ courage and determination are already inspirations for people throughout the nation who have heard about or seen his story. There will likely be many more because Rosas’ story is set to become a documentary film.
Second Serve
Sixteen years ago an able-bodied Ron Rosas was giving tennis lessons at the Dallas Country Club to a Dallas film maker named Rocky Powell. The two established a friendship that has continued through today.
After Rosas’ illness, Rocky and his son Dillon set about to tell Rosas’ inspirational story as a 90-minute feature documentary. The project is in its early stages, but they have already produced a teaser. The film’s title: Second Serve.
“We were inspired to create this film after witnessing Ron’s resilient human spirit firsthand,” Dillon said. “It truly moves you beyond words.”
Rosas is using his story to serve in other ways, as well. He has counseled several recent amputees on what to expect and how to best deal with the changes. His insights have been helpful and his example has been motivational.
I asked Rosas the obvious question: how he keeps going.
“The biggest thing would be the support of friends and family,” Rosas said. “I’ve got support from friends in our neighborhood and friends from the Dallas Country Club, Christ the King Catholic Church, Notre Dame and others. My secret weapon is Victoria. Plus having the right medical, psychological and prosthetic teams is important. For me, I am a part of our children’s lives and that helps me stay motivated.”
Ron Rosas may be the most inspiring story in Dallas. After a devastating loss, he feels like he has life to live, tennis to play, a family to love and a future to embrace.

Where to watch Jannik Sinner vs. Alexander Zverev today: Tennis free live stream

Jannik Sinner will face Alexander Zverev in the BNP Paribas Open semifinals Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET. Sinner is 6-4 all time against Zverev, winning each of the past five matches.
Sinner vs. Zverev will air on Tennis Channel, and streams live on FuboTV (free trial).
What: BNP Paribas Open, Semifinals
Who: No. 2 Jannik Sinner vs. No. 4 Alexander Zverev
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Where: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: Tennis Channel
Live stream: FuboTV (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial)
Here’s a recent tennis story from the Associated Press:
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka — the world’s top-ranked men’s and women’s tennis players — both won quarterfinal matches in straight sets during an eventful Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open.
Sabalenka held off Victoria Mboko, 7-6 (0), 6-4 to keep her in the running for her first title at Indian Wells. Alcaraz — who has opened 2026 by winning 16 straight matches — topped Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 to move within two rounds of his third title in four years at the ATP Masters 1000 event just outside of Palm Springs.
Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev also advanced to the men’s semifinals, with Medvedev benefiting from a disputed, overturned point late in his 6-1, 7-5 victory over defending champion Jack Draper.
Draper momentarily threw his arms to his side to signal he thought Medvedev’s deep forehand had landed long during a rally that ended several shots later when Medvedev’s backhand went into the net. Medvedev, already up one set, asked chair umpire Aurelie Tourte for a video review.
Tourte said that by rule, Draper’s gesture was “something different than you would do normally,” and that she felt compelled to award the point to Medvedev.
“We played two shots afterwards,” Draper protested calmly. “I get it if he missed the next ball, but he didn’t.”
The ruling, which drew boos from the crowd, put Medvedev up 0-30 en route to a break that allowed him to serve out the match one game later, setting up his semifinal showdown with Alcaraz on Saturday.
Medvedev said he would have accepted whatever ruling Tourte made and merely requested the review because the rules allow it.
“I don’t feel great” about it, Medvedev told Draper on the court moments after the match. Draper told Medvedev that he “won the match fair and square,” but didn’t think his gesture distracted Medvedev enough to warrant the review.
Sinner and Zverev will meet in the other men’s semifinal.
Sabalenka plays her semifinal on Friday against 14th seed Linda Noskova of Czechia, a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 winner over unseeded Australian Talia Gibson.
Sabalenka hasn’t lost a set in the tournament, but was pushed by the 10th-seeded Mboko, a 19-year-old Canadian who won the 2025 Canadian Open — and whom Sabalenka defeated 6-1, 7-6 (1) in the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year.
“That was a tough battle today,” Sabalenka said. “Happy with the level I played in those key moments in each set.
After winning every point in a first-set tiebreaker, Sabalenka got the one break she needed to vanquish Mboko in two sets.
Also advancing to the semifinals for just the second time at Indian Wells was ninth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, who knocked off second-seeded Iga Swiatek, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Svitolina broke to go up 5-4 in the third set and held serve for the match. She’ll play Friday against Elena Rybakina, who beat American Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 7-6 (4).
Sinner served 10 aces while defeating 25th-seeded Learner Tien, 6-1, 6-2. The second-seeded Italian’s victory ended the run of the youngest American — at age 20 — to play in a quarterfinal at Indian Wells since his coach, Michael Chang, won the tournament in 1992.
Zverev put 72% of his first serves in play during his 6-2, 6-3 victory over France’s Arthur Fils.
Alcaraz was broken twice by Norrie, but broke back four times.

Where to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev today: Tennis free stream

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will face Daniil Medvedev in the BNP Paribas Open semifinals Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. Alcaraz is 6-2 all time against Medvedev, with their last match coming in 2024.
Alcaraz vs. Medvedev will air on Tennis Channel, and streams live on FuboTV (free trial).
What: BNP Paribas Open, Semifinals
Who: No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 11 Daniil Medvedev
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Where: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California
Time: 6 p.m. ET
TV: Tennis Channel
Live stream: FuboTV (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial)
Here’s a recent tennis story from the Associated Press:
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Defending champion Jack Draper rallied from a set down and beat five-time champ Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) Wednesday night in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open.
The 24-year-old Draper, who is coming back after missing eight months due to an arm injury, advanced to the quarterfinal round and will face Daniil Medvedev, who beat Alex Michelsen 6-2, 6-4 in the round of 16 to move on.
Djokovic, seeded third, led 6-5 in the third set before Draper rallied and forced a tiebreaker.
“I still don’t feel like I’m playing anywhere near the way I want to play,” Draper said. “I came out here and I won that match through determination.”
In addition to his win at Indian Wells last year, the 14th-seeded Draper won the Stuttgart Open and the Vienna Open, both in 2024.
The 38-year-old Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, won at Indian Wells in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016. Djokovic nearly won an 11th Australian Open title earlier this year, but lost to Carlos Alcaraz.

What Does Ludvig Aberg’s Girlfriend Do for a Living? Professional Life of PGA Tour WAG Explored

Ludvig Åberg met his girlfriend, Olivia Peet, as student athletes at Texas Tech University. She often supports Åberg at tournaments by being there, and she even caddied for him at the Masters Par-3 contest. The couple moved in together in Florida in November 2024. Like Aberg, Peet is also an athlete. But she doesn’t play professional golf.
Born on December 13, 1999, in Manchester, England, she has always had a passion for tennis. That’s because she was raised in a family of tennis stars. Her father, Chris Peet, represented England in the sport. He was also a world-ranked tennis player who represented England. Her mom was also an enthusiast of the sport.
That’s what encouraged Peet to follow the same dream. She pursued the sport religiously and achieved outstanding status as a youngster. As a junior, she was ranked in the top 10 in England. Her runner-up finish in the under-16 British National Championships was one of her most significant achievements.
Her dream led her to enroll at Texas Tech University to play tennis. During her time there, she met Aberg, who was, naturally, representing the Red Raiders in golf. During her time with the Lady Raiders, she accumulated 140 singles and doubles wins. That helped her reach the highest level of collegiate golf, Division I. But her goals weren’t always focused on performing on the court.
Peet also excelled academically. Her area of focus in education was sports management and athletic operations. That was reflected in her professional journey beyond the university.
Ludvig Aberg’s girlfriend, Olivia Peet, steps away from the court
Once Ludvig Aberg’s girlfriend, Olivia Peet, graduated, her focus shifted away from the court. She pursued a career in sports administration instead of continuing to perform with the racket. The 26-year-old started working in sports administration.
Her first job was with her college, Texas Tech University itself. Peet was signed with the athletic department, working with the management as a Texas Tech athletics ambassador. She hasn’t left the university since. Most recently, she holds the position of associate director of athletics annual fund/premium seating at the university. She has been working in the role since January 2024.
Alternatively, Peet is also a fitness trainer and a social media influencer. She provides tips and guidance on exercise routines and diet and shares bits from her daily life on a dedicated Instagram channel. She also has a personal Instagram profile that she uses for her influencer persona. That is used to display her fashion and style.

Medvedev elimina a Alcaraz en semifinal de Indian Wells y detiene racha de 16 victorias seguidas del español

El ruso Daniil Medvedev puso fin a la racha de 16 victorias consecutivas del español Carlos Alcaraz al derrotarlo el sábado 6-3, 7-6 (3) y avanzar a la final del BNP Paribas Open que se disputa en Indian Wells.
Medvedev se impuso en una hora y 43 minutos en el Estadio 1 del Indian Wells Tennis Garden, frustrando el intento de Alcaraz de extender su dominante paso por el torneo californiano.
Medvedev enfrentará el domingo (11 a.m.) al italiano Jannik Sinner por el título, después de que el número dos del mundo derrotara al alemán Alexander Zverev por 6-2 y 6-4 en la primera semifinal del día.
“Cuando juegas contra alguien como Carlos, te enfrentas muchas veces y pierdes muchas veces”, dijo Medvedev tras el partido. “Es un jugador increíble con golpes increíbles, defensa, ataque, devolución, todo. Así que tienes que estar en tu mejor momento”.
La victoria fue la primera de Medvedev sobre Alcaraz desde el Abierto de Estados Unidos luego de haber perdido sus cuatro enfrentamientos previos ante el español. También marcó su primer triunfo sobre un número uno del mundo desde que venció a Sinner en cuartos de final de Wimbledon en 2024.
Alcaraz, de 22 años, llegaba con gran impulso tras conquistar el Australian Open, donde completó el Grand Slam de su carrera, y el Qatar Open, donde había ligado sus 16 últimas victorias.
El español mostró señales de desgaste físico bajo las altas temperaturas y cedió su servicio en el cuarto juego del primer set pese a tener ventaja de 40-15, tras una serie de errores que permitieron a Medvedev tomar el control del partido.
Medvedev, cabeza de serie número 11, se ha mostrado sólido durante todo el torneo y ha avanzado a la final sin ceder un solo set en Indian Wells.
En la final femenina, la bielorrusa Aryna Sabalenka enfrentará a la kazaja Elena Rybakina a primera hora (11 a.m.) en el Estadio 1. Será la revancha del Abierto de Australia 2026. Sabalenka disputará su tercera final de Indian Wells, aunque ha perdido anteriormente las dos finales, una de ella ante Rybakina en 2023.

Iga Swiatek’s Indian Wells Exit Dubbed “Worse” in a Bold Statement: “Can’t Forget How To Play Tennis”

Having won Indian Wells twice, in 2022 and 2024, Iga Swiatek entered as one of the favorites to win the event. But as fate would have it, the six-time Grand Slam champion suffered an unexpected quarterfinal exit against Elina Svitolina. Though Swiatek tried to push through in the second set, the ninth seed proved stronger overall. Naturally, the Polish star’s three-set struggle did not go unnoticed.
Interestingly, before this matchup, Swiatek had not lost a set throughout the event and looked strong to make a run to the final. Even though the match looked close on the scorecard, it did not turn into the high-quality contest that everyone expected. And this is exactly what tennis commentator Tomasz Wolfke is highlighting.
“The only real explanation is the head and that it’s emotional. You can’t forget how to play tennis in a single day. Statistically, she should feel confident mentally after two good matches like that. She seems to be well prepared physically,” Wolfke said, as translated from Dutch.
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“Everything was worse for Iga. It was a very ugly match overall, ripped apart from both sides. Svitolina also played well below her potential. There was a shocking moment at the beginning of the second set, where the first ten rallies were one rally. At times, it was unwatchable. And that’s what hurts the most, not the minimal loss after a close match against a very good Svitolina.”
One of the most worrying aspects of the 24-year-old’s game was her serve. She committed eight double faults in the match, five of which came in the first set. Making matters worse, 42 unforced errors added to her struggles.
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After losing the first set 6-2, the Pole mounted a comeback in the second set, winning it 6-4. Then came the third set, where the first eight games saw no break points, leaving the score tied at 4-4. The turning point came in the ninth game, when Elina Svitolina earned two break points and converted one to go up 5-4. She then served out the match with a love hold, setting up a semifinal clash against third seed Elena Rybakina.
After the break earned by the 31-year-old, Swiatek had a serious breakdown. She threw her towel to the ground in anger and then engaged in a brief but blunt exchange with the staff.
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“Iga’s reaction after losing a game at 4-5 in the third set was intense. I was afraid she’d break down on the court, which happened a few years ago. It was just one break, after all, and she’d already made up for it many times in this match, and it was completely manageable,” said the commentator.
“All players who lose seek help from the coaching staff, and that’s the norm. However, when Iga loses, not much happens on the bench, and everyone sits with a grim look on their faces. Sometimes Maciej Ryszczuk (Physiotherapist) or Daria Abramowicz (Sports Psychologist) shouts something, sometimes Wim Fissette gives instructions. However, there’s not a single person who could shout, ‘Come on! I think I only heard one, ‘Go!’” the tennis commentator concluded.
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However, this breakdown was not the first time this year. At the United Cup final, Swiatek faced a tough loss against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. After the loss, she threw her racket and broke down in tears.
Another incident happened at the Qatar Open.
The quarterfinal clash between Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari started with Swiatek dominating. Soon enough, though, Sakkari flipped the script to stun the world number two, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, reaching her third Doha semifinal. But the spotlight quickly shifted to events unfolding off the baseline.
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When cameras repeatedly cut to Swiatek’s box, particularly to her long-time sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, animated gestures, shouting, and visible frustration from the stands triggered a wave of reactions online. Fans described the scenes as counter-productive rather than supportive. Observers felt the Pole looked increasingly unsettled, with her rhythm breaking down just as Sakkari raised her level.
Such incidents make Wolfke’s concern genuine. Be that as it may, Swiatek’s run has now come to a stop in Indian Wells. So, what did her opponent have to say about that?
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Elina Svitolina on her win against Iga Swiatek at the Indian Wells Masters
After the clash that lasted for 2 hours and 9 minutes, at the post-match conference, Svitolina shared her mindset regarding the match.
“There is no champion who is waiting for mistakes. And you really have to try to set yourself up in a good position to attack. I was feeling good, and I was trying to really, you know, open up the court and try to take advantage, because Iga is such an aggressive player, and she moves really well. So if you don’t take the opportunity at the right time, she’s going to take it,” Svitolina said after bagging her second win against the Pole.
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With that, the Ukrainian advanced to the semifinals, and the clash against world No. 3 was not short of drama. Rybakina outclassed her with pinpoint serving. She won 85% of her first-serve points, which completely pushed the ninth seed onto the back foot. Svitolina battled hard in the first set, but two double faults at 5-5 cost her, losing it 7-5.
The Kazakh player was leading 4-0 in the second, but Svitolina showed her trademark resilience, saving two match points and bringing the score to 5-4. However, it was not enough to stop the two-time Grand Slam champion from marching into the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
The final will be a rematch of the Australian Open final at the Californian Gardens, as Elena Rybakina will take on World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the showdown on Sunday, March 15.

Baton Rouge’s Wheelchair Tennis Association helps players

Lynn Serio has been fixing wheelchairs for over 40 years — and he doesn’t plan to stop.
After Serio graduated from high school in 1981, he went to LSU for a year and a half.

Eyewitness Confirms Maria Sharapova’s Special Gesture for Luka Doncic After Lakers-Nuggets

On Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets delivered a matchup worthy of the national spotlight. The two heavyweights went back and forth the entire night. First, it was the Purple & Gold who came in swinging, establishing a 17-point lead. Then the Nuggets clawed back and briefly seized a 7-point advantage late in the game. After this, it was all chaos.
Lakers star Austin Reaves missed a free throw with just five seconds to spare, chased the rebound like a madman, and tied the game with a desperate layup. Overtime followed, where the two again were trading blows until Luka Doncic buried a dagger single-legged to seal the win for Los Angeles, which sent the entire Crypto.com Arena into a frenzy, including tennis legend and five-time Grand Slam champion, Maria Sharapova, who was seated courtside.
Following this, the 38-year-old headed to the tunnel to do a special gesture for the Lakers’ standout performer of the night, according to The California Post’s Michael J. Duarte. “Tennis star Maria Sharapova waited after the game outside the Lakers’ tunnel to say hello to Luka Doncic,” he reported. The two then spent a moment chatting with each other and even posed for pictures.
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One of which, Sharapova later posted on her official Instagram account with a strong caption. “Clutch!! 💪🏆,” she wrote. Well, the Slovenian guard was clutch indeed for the Lakers on Saturday night, as he backed up his 51-point performance against Chicago with a triple-double against Denver.
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Luka Doncic finished the matchup with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. This performance wasn’t just the cherry on top, but rather something that the Lakers needed to defeat the mighty Joker and Co. However, he later revealed that he couldn’t have done so without the support of the Los Angeles crowd, which, of course, included Maria Sharapova and the thousands present inside the Arena on Saturday night.
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Luka Doncic had a message for the crowd following L.A.’s thrilling win over Denver
The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to five on Saturday. However, it didn’t come without adversities. Despite a strong start, the Purple & Gold lost their footing late during the game. But thanks to Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, they were able to make a comeback. Nonetheless, an underappreciated aspect throughout this tussle was the home crowd.
The entire Crypto.com Arena was cheering for their team throughout the night, pushing them to the finishing line. And so once Luka Doncic finished the game with his terrific shot in overtime, he didn’t forget to thank his people. Speaking with the media postgame, the 26-year-old revealed that this was the best atmosphere he’s felt since joining the historic franchise, revealing he had goosebumps at one point during the game.
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“I felt like it was the best atmosphere since I’m a Laker,” Doncic told the reporters following the Lakers’ 127-125 overtime win over the Nuggets. “The whole crowd was in. It was really special to witness that. Hopefully, it’s more times, but you know, I had goosebumps a little bit. It was amazing to see and to live that moment.”
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Well, he did not disappoint the crowd, which showed unwavering support for him through an all-around stellar performance, which now strengthens his case for his first-ever MVP title. Thus far, Doncic is averaging 32.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, which is on par with two of his biggest rivals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. And if he continues to perform at this rate, he might even leave them behind.

Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina to capture Indian Wells title

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina are approaching the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner stratosphere of tennis.
The world’s No. 1 and soon-to-be No. 2 players have dominated the WTA Tour for the past several months and played a championship final befitting their lofty status at the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday in Indian Wells, Calif.
Sabalenka fended off a championship point in the third-set tiebreaker and defeated Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in hot, dry conditions in the California desert as they battled for 2:31.
Sabalenka avenged a three-set loss to Rybakina in the Australian Open final and improved to 9-7 in their all-time series, which includes a 2-4 ledger in WTA finals.

Cameron Young rallies to win The Players Championship

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Cameron Young picked up a big title to go with his major talent Sunday, hitting the shot of his career to 10 feet on the wind-blown island green for birdie and winning The Players Championship when Matt Fitzpatrick missed an 8-foot par putt on the final hole.
Young played bogey-free on the back nine where so many hopes faded, and blistered a 375-yard drive — the longest ever on the 18th at the TPC Sawgrass — that set up a par and a 4-under 68.
It was only his second victory on the PGA Tour. He tied the tour record with seven runner-up finishes before finally winning late last summer in the Wyndham Championship. But this is the PGA Tour’s crown jewel, loosely known as the fifth major, and the pressure was just intense at the end.
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Ludvig Aberg, who had a three-shot lead going into the final round, imploded on the back nine with shots into the water on consecutive holes. He shot 40 on the back nine for a 76 and tied for fifth.
Fitzpatrick was the first to seize on Aberg’s collapse, hitting wedge to tap-in range for birdie on the 12th and a tee shot to 4 feet for birdie on the 13th.
Young stayed with him and caught him with the clutch birdie on the par-3 17th. A day earlier, Young found the water on the 18th and had to scramble for double bogey. This time, he drilled his tee shot and hit a lob wedge from 98 yards to the back fringe.
Fitzpatrick went too far right into the pine straw and pitched out just short of the green, then hit a good chip to 8 feet. When Fitzpatrick missed his putt to force a playoff, Young was left with a tap-in par to finish at 13-under 275 and collect the $4.5 million prize. He moves to No. 4 in the world.
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Bryson DeChambeau hit his drive into the water and still won the playoff with a par Sunday at LIV Golf Singapore when Richard T. Lee of Canada missed a 2-foot putt.
DeChambeau birdied the par-5 18th for a 5-under 66. Lee birdied four of his last six holes for a 66. They finished on 14-under 274 at Sentosa Golf Club.
Lee Westwood closed with a 70 and finished third, his best finish in LIV.
Lee was trying to become the first wild card — players not affiliated with a team — to win in the LIV Golf League. It looked certain the playoff would go another hole when Lee had a 2-footer for par. He jabbed at it with a quick stroke and it spun out hard off the left lip.
“It was a short putt and I wanted to just hit it hard, and I hit it a little too hard,” Lee said. “I think the adrenaline was pumping a little bit.”
The 35-year-old Lee picked up $2,250,000 for his runner-up finish, the largest check of his career. He earned his spot in the Saudi-funded league by winning the LIV Promotions event.
DeChambeau put his hands over his head in disbelief when Lee missed the playoff putt. He said it reminded him of John Daly having a 15-foot birdie putt to beat Tiger Woods in a World Golf Championships playoff in 2005, only to three-putt by missing a 3-foot par putt.
“To actually see that happen in front of you, for you to be the positive receiving side of it, it’s just a weird feeling,” DeChambeau said. “But it’s a win and something I’ll appreciate for the rest of my life. Even if I lost today, I was still looking pretty good at my game. I was excited the way I was striking it coming in the last couple days.”
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It was DeChambeau’s first victory over 72 holes since he won the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024, and it was his fourth title on LIV Golf.
Jon Rahm finished fifth, ending a stretch of five tournaments he won or was runner-up.
The 4 Aces captained by Dustin Johnson won the team competition for the second straight week.

Cameron Young wins Players after wild afternoon at TPC Sawgrass

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — American Cameron Young clinched his second PGA Tour title and the biggest win of his career with a sensational one-shot victory at The Players Championship on Sunday after a drama-laden afternoon at TPC Sawgrass.
One stroke behind England’s Matt Fitzpatrick with two holes to play, Young drew level with a birdie at the par-3 17th after hitting a brilliant tee shot to 9-1/2 feet and then safely parred the last to card a 4-under-par 68.
That left him at 13-under 275 in the PGA Tour’s flagship event and one ahead of Fitzpatrick, who also closed with a 68 after his tee shot at the 18th wound up on pine straw in the treeline to the right of the fairway and led to a bogey five.
Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who had led the tournament by three shots overnight, was two ahead with eight holes to play on Sunday before his title bid unraveled with a bogey at the par-5 11th and a double-bogey at the par-4 12th. He had to settle for a share of fifth place at 9 under after returning a 76.
Two-time major champion Xander Schauffele closed with a 69 to claim third place at 11 under, a stroke in front of Scotland’s World No. 8 Robert MacIntyre, who also signed off with a 69.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the Players champion in 2023 and 2024, ended his week at TPC Sawgrass with a 1-under 71 to finish in a tie for 22nd at 5 under.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy, the World No. 2, was left to reflect on

Cameron Young wins Players by 1 shot after wild afternoon at TPC Sawgrass

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — American Cameron Young clinched his second PGA Tour title and the biggest win of his career with a sensational one-shot victory at The Players Championship on Sunday after a drama-laden afternoon at TPC Sawgrass.
One stroke behind England’s Matt Fitzpatrick with two holes to play, Young drew level with a birdie at the par-3 17th after hitting a brilliant tee shot to 9-1/2 feet and then safely parred the last to card a 4-under-par 68.
That left him at 13-under 275 in the PGA Tour’s flagship event and one ahead of Fitzpatrick, who also closed with a 68 after his tee shot at the 18th wound up on pine straw in the treeline to the right of the fairway and led to a bogey five.
Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who had led the tournament by three shots overnight, was two ahead with eight holes to play on Sunday before his title bid unraveled with a bogey at the par-5 11th and a double-bogey at the par-4 12th. He had to settle for a share of fifth place at 9 under after returning a 76.
Two-time major champion Xander Schauffele closed with a 69 to claim third place at 11 under, a stroke in front of Scotland’s World No. 8 Robert MacIntyre, who also signed off with a 69.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the Players champion in 2023 and 2024, ended his week at TPC Sawgrass with a 1-under 71 to finish in a tie for 22nd at 5 under.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy, the World No. 2, was left to reflect on

Brooks Koepka Achieves Career Milestone at The Players Championship After PGA Tour Move

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Brooks Koepka‘s struggles at TPC Sawgrass are widely documented. The five-time major winner just can’t seem to get the hang of The PLAYERS Championship. However, he seems to have finally cracked the code to the iconic course this time around. And GOLF.com revealed what helped Koepka solve that problem.
They tweeted, “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! ✅ Brooks Koepka goes 4/4 on hitting the 17th green this week for the first time in his career.”
In an interview with the reporters prior to the tournament, Koepka had revealed that he had the worst record on the 17th hole. He consistently struggled to find the green on the small island surrounded by the pond.
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As he told the media, “The 17th hole. (Smiling.) I don’t know if there’s stats on it, but I guarantee there are. One year I made an 8 and a 7. Yeah, that wasn’t very good. But that 17th hole has gotten me over the years. I’ve played good rounds here; that’s just kind of the one bugaboo that always gets me.”
But after finding the short grass in all four rounds off the tee, he was able to deliver one of his best performances on the course. The highest he had finished in the PLAYERS Championship was a T11 in 2018. Koepka recorded his second-highest finish on the leaderboard at TPC Sawgrass this year with a T13.
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Koepka was already struggling to perform in events since his PGA Tour return. But his T9 in the Cognizant Classic and the T13 today will give him a boost of confidence. He is scheduled to appear in the Valspar Championship next week. It will be the last PGA Tour event in his home state of Florida.
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So, what has changed for Koepka that he was able to perform better on the 17th hole this year?
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What could be the secret behind Brooks Koepka’s improved form at TPC Sawgrass?
A number of factors could have come into play that might have resulted in Brooks Koepka’s confident approach on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. One of them could be that he came off an excellent performance in the Cognizant Classic a couple of weeks ago.
Prior to 2026, Koepka had finished inside the top-10 in the tournament only once in 2019. The five-time major winner had finished at T2 that year. He also wasn’t married to Jena Sims back then. But this year, he was playing on his home course with his wife and son watching. While he only finished at T9 in 2026, Koepka still managed to record his best score in the event of 10-under par.
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Moreover, not playing in the tournament for four years, during his time at LIV Golf, would have given him a better perspective on his game. The international experience with LIV Golf would have also benefited his ability to adapt to such courses. Any or all of these could be the reason behind his confidence on the 17th hole. If this continues, then Koepka might end up competing for the title in the PGA Tour flagship event from next season onwards.

Cameron Young Shows True Character as His Behavior With His Family Right After $4M PGA Tour Win Goes Viral

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Cameron Young claimed the 2026 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, finishing at 13-under after a final-round 68. He edged out Matt Fitzpatrick by one shot. The turning point came at the 17th, where Young birdied to pull even, and Fitzpatrick’s bogey on 18 settled it.
“None of this is possible without my wife, Kelsey, and my family,” Young said. “She works incredibly hard on all of our behalf. She holds up that part of it at home and does it all on my behalf, so I can go do my job and chase my dreams.”
This was Young’s second PGA Tour win, after his first at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Before that, he had finished runner-up seven times. Now, he has finally broken through again.
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However, the moment that caught the most attention online was not Young’s 375-yard drive on 18 or his important birdie putt on 17. Instead, it was what he said on the green with his wife Kelsey and their three children, Henry, John, and Vivienne, standing next to him.
Developing Story…

Cameron Young’s Players win, PGA Tour changes

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Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss Cameron Young’s Players Championship title, the potential for major changes coming to the PGA Tour and more.
Cameron Young shot a four-under 68 to win the Players Championship by one over Matt Fitzpatrick, while 54-hole leader Ludvig Aberg shot 76 and faded on the back nine. Did Young win this? Or did Aberg lose it?
Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): Both, I guess? It felt like about a dozen guys “lost it” at various points throughout the day, Aberg chief among them. But Young went and got it, too; his 17th and 18th holes were championship-worthy.
Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@schrock_and_awe): Yes? Cameron Young had to play excellent golf on a windy track with trouble everywhere to even have a chance to take this home. And yet, he still needed Ludvig to let go of the wheel. If Ludvig gets around in even par on Sunday, Young has to do what he did just to force a playoff. Ludvig opened the door and Young walked through and slammed it shut with his play on the final two holes.
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): It’s both. Aberg had the chance to win it but when you shoot 76 from the final pairing on Sunday, you let the tournament slip away. But it works both ways. Take 17 for example: Fitzpatrick played to the middle of the green with a one-shot lead, while Young attacked the pin, stuck it to 10 feet, made birdie and then won the thing on 18 (and with the best drive of the day on the finishing hole). That’s going out and winning it.
Up until late last summer when he won his first PGA Tour event, Young was known as the tough-luck loser who had yet to win on the big stage. Now he’s got his second victory and a Players title. What’s changed?
Dethier: There’s a bigger-picture answer to this question — he seems to have found some winning mojo — but there’s a more specific answer, too. What changed is his putting. He has credited a caddie switch with changing his perspective on the greens, too; when he hired his college teammate, fellow Wake Forest Demon Deacon Kyle Sterbinsky, ahead of the Truist Championship last May, they found something right away. He’s been on an upward trajectory since.
Schrock: Agreed, Dylan. Young going from a poor putter who routinely missed short-range looks to one of the better putters on Tour has been the key. I do think that finally getting it across the line at the Wyndham and then backing it up by being the United States’ best player at Bethpage has also given him some added confidence.
Berhow: It’s a little mix of everything. The putting is obviously huge but the superpower so many of these guys have is that they think their best can beat anyone. You need that to be elite in any sport. And after he won the Wyndham Championship it had to feel like the monkey was off his back. That led to a huge week at the Ryder Cup and, now, his second win. Those little victories along the way can lead to big things in no time.
In a much-anticipated State of the PGA Tour press conference during the Players Championship, new Tour CEO Brian Rolapp announced his six pillars for a foundation of a new Tour (with nothing yet finalized). In short: a two-track competition system, a splashier starting event, bigger markets, promotion/relegation, match-play potential and more. (You can learn more about it here.) What were your initial thoughts regarding the pillars? And what bit specifically was most interesting to you?
Dethier: They sound good to me! But Sunday had me reflecting on one thing: for all the talk of finding bigger markets — which I support, to be clear — there’s still a lot to be said for leaning into the greatness of a mid-sized city. Jacksonville is the fourth-biggest city in Florida and a medium TV market, but the Players is the event in town. I’m sure being outside New York can help sell corporate hospitality, but there’s a happy medium there, too.
Schrock: The biggest thing to me was Rolapp leaning into a lot of what golf fans and golf media have been clamoring for. I love that the idea is 120-man fields with cuts. The PGA Tour should lean into the cutline drama and build that up, especially on this two-track system. Sign me up for promotion and relegation as well. I still have a lot of questions about the two tracks and the money and how it all works. I like going to big media markets but also don’t want to see the PGA Tour completely abandon smaller cities with history. On paper, what Rolapp laid out sounds great but I will await the next address in June before really getting out over my skis.
Berhow: Overall it’s a big step forward. I love that match play might be involved in the playoffs, because switching the format every couple of years like we have isn’t the answer. I guess one lingering question I have is about the two-track system with the Korn Ferry Tour also still existing. I know we want to condense the golf schedule and make events mean more, but when you think about two leagues playing above the Korn Ferry… that’s still a lot of golf, even though one is obviously the top league. I guess my point is we need to miss golf to really have people fall in love with it. I’m skeptical this will do that, but I’ll wait to learn more before I lose sleep over it.
If you’re a member of the Tour, what about this plan might you love? And what might you not be a fan of?
Dethier: If you’re a member of the Tour I think you’d generally be in favor of these changes; the fact that the Tour is sticking with 120-player fields instead of chasing further reductions (like some of the current Signature Events, which feel empty by comparison at 70-something) is a welcome compromise. But there will be players who resist change, who are skeptical that fewer tournaments will yield greater attention, who feel like there are fewer seats at the big table. But the Tour is leaning into meritocracy. That’s a good thing for whoever is playing the best.
Schrock: Rolapp seems to have done a good job of appeasing all segments of the membership. As Dylan noted, some of the guys will not be thrilled about fewer tournaments but I think expanding to 120-man fields is a big win for the “middle class” of the Tour. If the second-track or PGB Tour gets similar purses to what standard PGA Tour events get now ($8-10 million) it should keep almost everyone happy.
Berhow: The elite guys will play a little less and for more money, which I think they’ll like. If there are any players who might not be thrilled it’s probably the guys who are used to being in the top 100ish but who might be playing out of the second track, which could be a little hit to the ego (and bank account). But it’s also guaranteed playing privileges? So who knows.
If Average Joe Fan is sitting at home and wondering what all these proposed changes mean for them, what would you tell them?
Dethier: If I’m optimistic it means you’ll get some clarity about which tournaments are actually top-tier PGA Tour events and which ones aren’t. I’m hopeful that this is the PGA Tour schedule coming together in its final form, at last. For now. Maybe. We’ll see.
Schrock: I’d say we’re tracking toward getting a schedule that gives you a group of events with all the big-name players that should come with bigger stakes than the current PGA Tour delivers. You’ll also get some extra golf on the second track if you’re interested. But we’ll see if Rolapp can make all of this come together. It always looks good on the PowerPoint. Execution is sometimes much harder, especially with so many stakeholders at the table.
Berhow: There’s still lots of golf on TV every weekend but one tour will be better than the other?
More noteworthy weekend result with the Masters one month away: an up-and-down T22 finish for Scottie Scheffler, who seemed off his game at TPC Sawgrass; or Bryson DeChambeau winning overnight at LIV Golf Singapore?
Dethier: Scottie’s the bigger deal because we expected DeChambeau to come into major season in good form regardless. It seems likely that Scheffler will, too — but he has a few fixes to find between now and then. Scheffler pounding balls in the rain after Thursday’s round will be one of my enduring images from the week. It’ll be fun watching him find what’s next.
Schrock: It’s Scottie. There’s clearly something going on between the driver and the dip in approach play. It’s officially a concern with a month to go. My only note on LIV Singapore is that the sun sleeves have got to go.
Berhow: Let’s go with both, because Scottie has not played to his Scottie Scheffler standards lately, but here’s what’s crazy. For as “off” as he has seemed the last month, his finishes this year are (starting with the most recent): T22, T12, T4, T3, 1. The takeaway is that this version of Scottie is still really good, and as soon as he gets his driver sorted I imagine he’ll be back to the guy we know well. He’s got a little time off now to work on some things. As for Bryson, it’s not nothing! DeChambeau playing well in the lead-up to the Masters is good for the sport, and he’s finished in the top six in his last two Masters starts. Bryson contending at Augusta would be a lot of fun.
What was your biggest Players Championship takeaway?
Dethier: The PGA Tour has been looking for its third star — non-Scottie-and-Rory division — for a while now. I’m not saying Cam Young is there, but he’s certainly entering the conversation. Also, let the Players be! It’s not a major. It’s its own thing. That thing is big and fun and important and chaotic. I enjoyed this edition.
Schrock: Ludvig will win a major this year and be the third star Dylan mentioned by year’s end. He played brilliantly for the first two days, was smooth on Saturday and things got away from him on a course where this is carnage all around. That has happened to countless people at Sawgrass. He clearly found something at Pebble and I think he’ll knock off a few big events this summer. Honorable mention to Brooks Koepka, who is trending and was a couple scruffy holes on Friday away from being in the mix on Sunday.
Berhow: Watching Ludvig struggle on the back nine on Sunday made me think I might like him even more for the Masters. Sometimes it’s good to get this stuff out of the way, learn from it and move on. And I agree with Dylan. We can have four majors but also have a Players Championship, which is a very good tournament! Few things are more exhausting than this major/non-major conversation, but of course we will just have it again next year.

PGA Tour Pro Throws Shade at American Fans After Facing ‘Child’s Play’ Like Heckling at TPC Sawgrass

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After the crowd at the Bethpage Black Course moved from boos and heckles to homophobic slurs and insults aimed at players’ wives, questions about whether crowd behavior had gotten out of control became widespread. And once again, at TPC Sawgrass, the noise around the fairways raised the same question—only this time, Matt Fitzpatrick seemed unbothered.
“Listen, the crowd, that was literally child’s play compared to Bethpage. If they think that that was anything, then they need to reassess. Get yourself up to New York,” Fitzpatrick said in his post-round press conference. “That’s how it is. I would hope it’s the exact same if, well, it probably wouldn’t be because we’re a little bit more polite in Europe, I would say, but I would hope it would be of similar intensity in Europe. I knew it was coming. I had it with Jordan Spieth in 2023. Yeah, it’s funny to me. I find it hilarious.”
To understand why Matt Fitzpatrick was so unbothered, you need to know what actually played out on the ground at TPC Sawgrass. As he and Young walked the final holes, the galleries were audibly booing Fitzpatrick each time he stepped up, and the moment Young sank the winning putt, “USA! USA!” echoed around the course.
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Young himself called it very partisan during his Golf Channel interview, admitting it was surprising even by his standards.
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He also revealed that Fitzpatrick turned to him mid-round and asked, “Do you hate me too?” to which the 28-year-old responded, “No, I think we’re friends, Matt. We’re on the same TGL team. We’re good.”
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The Bethpage benchmark Fitzpatrick referenced was another horror that the golfers were exposed to. At the 2025 Ryder Cup, European players walked into one of the most hostile crowd environments the event has seen in years, with Fitzpatrick squarely in the firing line. The atmosphere was aggressive enough that even his American wife found herself in an uncomfortable position over which side to visibly support.
Now, against that backdrop, a sunny Sunday in Florida with a few boos and patriotic chants genuinely does register as child’s play.
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And if history is anything to go by, then this is not even the first time Fitzpatrick has played the villain in front of a pro-American crowd and come out smiling.
At the 2023 RBC Heritage, Fitzpatrick and Spieth were paired in the final round with the galleries firmly behind the defending champion. They went to a playoff, and Matt Fitzpatrick closed it out on the third hole with a near-holed approach that left a tap-in birdie. So when he name-dropped Jordan Spieth in his presser, he had already been the villain in front of a pro-American crowd. But victory was his, and he walked away unbothered.
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So, Sunday at TPC Sawgrass, where he finished second and took home $2.75 million, was just another addition to the same story of PGA Tour fans booing.
When PGA Tour fans turn ugly
PGA Tour crowds have a history of turning on players, and TPC Sawgrass itself has seen this before.
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Back in 2015, Sergio Garcia faced a heavily partisan crowd at the same PLAYERS Championship, with American galleries making their loyalties obvious as he contended for the title. Same course, same scenario, different European victims. This pattern at Sawgrass runs deeper than most realize.
In 2012, Kevin Na was openly taunted during the Championship’s final round, with fans mocking his pace of play loudly enough that commentators had to address it on air. That crowd had nothing to do with nationality. They simply found a target and went after him.
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The WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale takes it even further every year. The par-3 16th operates like a stadium, with fans booing missed shots regardless of who is hitting them. Jordan Spieth has dealt with it. Tournament officials have had to step in over alcohol-fueled disruptions.
Now, Matt Fitzpatrick calling Sawgrass ‘child’s play’ starts to sound less like trash talk and more like an accurate assessment.

Matt Fitzpatrick Shrugs Off Crowd Pressure at the Players Championship: ‘I Find It Hilarious’

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Matt Fitzpatrick was on the cusp of a third PGA Tour title. That was until the crowd turned the tide. And while most golfers would find the heckling troubling, Fitzpatrick found it humorous.
Following the fourth round, Fitzpatrick told the media at TPC Sawgrass, “I knew it was coming… I find it hilarious.”
TPC Sawgrass witnessed an influx of more than 200,000 spectators moving around the field. The crowd zeroed in on the final pairing as they battled for the title.
But the crowd at TPC Sawgrass wasn’t as harsh as the one at Bethpage Black. Fitzpatrick said, “Listen, the crowd, that was literally child’s play compared to Bethpage. If they think that that was anything, then they need to reassess. Get yourself up to New York.”
He has already experienced such treatment from the crowd once before when he battled Jordan Spieth at the 2023 RBC Heritage. And just two years later, at the Ryder Cup, he battled hecklers. Hence, he wasn’t too surprised at the jeers. Instead, he shrugged it off and continued to swing.
“That’s how it is,” Fitzpatrick continued. “I would hope it’s the exact same if – well, it probably wouldn’t be because we’re a little bit more polite in Europe, but I would hope it would be of similar intensity in Europe.”
Nevertheless, Fitzpatrick did his best and shot a 12-under 276 with a round of 68. The Englishman ended up in second position and won 500 FedEx Cup Points and $2,275,000 in prize money.
But when did he know he had a shot at THE PLAYERS Championship?
Matt Fitzpatrick Weighs In on His Performance at THE PLAYERS Championship
“It’s easy to say the later in the round, the more likely you’ve got a shot,” Fitzpatrick claimed. “But I felt like getting 3-under through 4 early was good.”

Tiger Woods’ Son Charlie Suffers Disappointing Career Setback

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Following in a father’s footsteps is often difficult, but it’s even harder when that dad is Tiger Woods.
Charlie Woods likely knew as much when he started his golf career, and just a few weeks after announcing his commitment to Florida State, Charlie, a two-time state champion, suffered perhaps one of the more disappointing moments of his young career over the weekend.
The 17-year-old finished in last place in the 2026 Junior Invitational at the Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, South Carolina. The tournament is considered one of, if not the biggest tournament of the year for amateur golfers.
Charlie was a full 10 shots behind the 35th-place finisher, shooting 26 over par. Tournament winner Miles Russell, the No. 1-ranked player in the American Junior Golf Association rankings who shot 15-under, is also committed to Florida State.
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The No. 20-ranked player in the AJGA rankings, Charlie had a solid first round in the tournament, but things went downhill after that. He shot 4-over 76 in Round 2, but after shooting 11-over 83 in Round 3 he began to free fall in the standings before finishing with an 8-over 80 in the final round.
Despite the weekend setback, Charlie does have a couple notable tournament wins on his amateur resume including the 2025 Team TaylorMade Invitational and the 2024 SFPGA Jr. Cup.
As for Tiger, he’s still recovering from an Achilles injury suffered last year that cost him his entire 2025 season.
But the 50-year-old did tell reporters last month at the Genesis Invitational that he hasn’t ruled out playing in The Masters next month.

Justin Thomas Shares ‘Very Proud’ Statement on His PGA Tour Form Amid Post-Surgery Resurgence

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Who says a comeback needs a trophy? For Justin Thomas, two rounds at the top of The Players Championship leaderboard, four months after surgery, were all the proof that the longest layoff of his career had not taken anything away from him.
“Solid week here at @THEPLAYERS, always an amazing experience. With this past Friday being 4 months post-surgery, I’m very proud of myself for being back in contention again. Huge congrats to Cam on the win, very well deserved! Time to sharpen up a few things and do a quick reset before hitting one of my favorite courses of the year. On to @ValsparChamp!” Thomas wrote on X.
And the scorecard backed up that confidence.
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Thomas opened with a 68, sitting second on the leaderboard after day one. Round 2 was another 68, which pushed him to the top of the standings heading into the weekend. The final two rounds were harder. Back-to-back 72s over the weekend dropped him to T8, with Round 3 particularly damaging on the back nine, where he finished two over. Still, leading the tournament through 36 holes said plenty about where his game currently stands.
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Additionally, that pride also has a history behind it.
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TPC Sawgrass is a course Justin Thomas knows well and genuinely enjoys. He has described it as a place where he can visualize shots before he even walks the grounds, and the results have reflected that comfort. In 2021, he closed with rounds of 64 and 68 on the weekend in difficult conditions to win The PLAYERS title, which remains one of the standout wins of his career.
To put things into perspective, just two weeks earlier at Bay Hill, Thomas shot 79-79 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and badly missed the cut. He spoke about it honestly at his TPC Sawgrass press conference.
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“When you kind of post two pretty humiliating scores, it’s hard to give yourself too much grace,” he said. “But it took a little longer for me to kind of decompress and just feel like I was able to get to a place where I’m like, okay, if I had this over tomorrow, what would I do differently to learn from it.”
So, the back-to-back 68s to open The PLAYERS were his direct response.
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Now he heads to the Valspar Championship at Copperhead, running March 19 to 22, with a purse of $9.1 million. His record there is hard to ignore: runner-up in 2025, T3 in 2022, T10 in 2023. With the Masters scheduled from April 9 to 12, a course he consistently performs well on is exactly the kind of opportunity Thomas needs to carry this momentum forward.
Moving on, a T8 finish was the result. What went into each round to get there was a different battle altogether.
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Justin Thomas is fighting a mental battle at TPC Sawgrass
Thomas was not just managing his swing this week. He held back from his usual practice sessions between rounds, something he admitted he would normally never do, but consciously chose not to. The reason was simple, as he knew his body was still four months into its return from a November 2025 microdiscectomy.
The mental side needed just as much managing. Around holes 13 and 14 in Round 2, the golfer noticed his focus slipping mid-round. He described getting spacey, standing over the ball thinking about nothing at all, not the shot, not the yardage, just completely lost in the moment.
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His approach was simple but well thought out. He talked to caddie Rev right there on the course to get himself back on track. After that, he followed a clear plan: real breaks between shots, full focus when it was his turn, and doing that over and over until the round was over. And that worked in his favor.
Now the question is, can he do the same in the upcoming events?

NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings After Las Vegas Motor Speedway

With a win in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin was able to make a massive move in the point standings, as he leaped forward eight spots this weekend, and now sits fourth in the championship standings.
21 races remain until the

Denny Hamlin wins NASCAR Las Vegas race

Must be a helluva thing.
You put together one of the better NASCAR careers of anyone in the nearly 80 years of the big-league Cup Series. In fact, of all who came before you, only nine won more races.
And then Kevin Harvick, a few years after retirement and fully settled in as part of the Fox Sports broadcast crew, watches Denny Hamlin punt him right out of the top 10 of all-time Cup winners.
As he did last October, Hamlin won Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It’s the 61st win of a full-time Cup Series career that began 20 years ago.
So, obviously, it’s the first win after an off-season that redefined bittersweet for the veteran racer.
1. Once again, order restored in NASCAR
Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports filled out the entire top five finishers at Las Vegas. Two weeks into a six-week run of bread-and-butter NASCAR oval tracks, no one should be surprised.
Hamlin led the way, as he did more than any driver last year, when he won a series-high six races. The sixth of those wins last season came at Las Vegas, last October. Only seven races have passed since then, and Hamlin assumed he’d be pretty good this past weekend.
“I don’t know if we’re much different than we were last year, and we won the most races last year,” he told the Fox Sports TV audience.
2. The whole Joe Gibbs stable runs with the lead dogs
Toyota had a great weekend, from qualifying through Sunday’s checkers. But this time it wasn’t the two 23XI frontrunners of Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, though they hardly went belly-up.
Bubba finished ninth and Tyler 13th. Not bad, but they were hardly the Toyota water-carriers. While the Gibbs’ Toyota team won, that crew also finished fourth (Christopher Bell), fifth (Ty Gibbs) and eighth (Chase Briscoe, who badly needed a decent finish after a horrible start to 2026).
But let’s focus on Ty Gibbs, whose four-year Cup career has been a bit of a bust after dominating the ARCA and Xfinity Series from 2020-22. After sluggish starts at Daytona and Atlanta, he’s finished fourth, fourth and fifth the past few weeks.
3. NASCAR ‘coming home’ this week. Also: Sebring
From glamor and glitz to clamor and grits. After a weekend in splashy Las Vegas, NASCAR returns to its deep roots next week with three days of racing at Darlington Raceway.
The March 20-22 weekend includes the Truck Series on Friday, O’Reilly on Saturday, and the season’s sixth Cup race with Sunday’s Goodyear 400.
If you’re inclined to mix in some sports-car action, you’ll have practically all of Saturday to scratch that itch — the 74th edition of IMSA’s Twelve Hours of Sebring begins at 10 a.m.

Denny Hamlin overcomes penalty to secure 1st 2026 win at Las Vegas

Denny Hamlin was too fast Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Literally.
Hamlin overcame a Lap 84 speeding penalty and later beat Chase Elliott in a 50-lap final run Sunday to become the third different winner in the NASCAR Cup Series season, capturing the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube in Las Vegas, Nev.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who was victorious in Vegas last October in an emotional performance, passed Christopher Bell shortly after a restart and beat Elliott to the checkers by 0.502 seconds for his first 2026 victory and third at Vegas.
The 61st win for the 45-year-old Hamlin broke a tie for 10th place with Kevin Harvick.
He also became the fifth NASCAR driver to win a race in 20 different Cup seasons, joining Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison and Richard Petty.
William Byron, Bell and Ty Gibbs followed as JGR put three cars in the top five.

Denny Hamlin storms back to win at Las Vegas after early penalty

LAS VEGAS — Denny Hamlin returned to victory lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday for his first win since he lost the NASCAR championship four months ago, and first since the death of his father in a December house fire.
“I knew it took a few weeks to feel like driving,” Hamlin said after his 61st Cup Series victory. “Over the last couple weeks, I definitely regained my love of it, got refocused. These are great opportunities for us.”
Hamlin’s 60th Cup victory was at Las Vegas last October, a win he dedicated to his father as it locked Hamlin into NASCAR’s championship-deciding finale. His father was in poor health, and Hamlin went into the race knowing it was probably his final chance to win a championship while Dennis Hamlin was still alive.
Then Hamlin dominated last year’s title-decider at Phoenix Raceway, but the wrong call on the final pit stop cost him the Cup championship that has eluded the three-time Daytona 500 winner.
What followed was an emotional roller coaster: Hamlin, as co-owner of 23XI Racing, was part of the winning team in a federal lawsuit against NASCAR last December. Weeks later, his father was killed in a fire that destroyed the home Hamlin purchased to thank his parents for getting him into NASCAR.
He returned for the start of his 21st season and went to victory lane as an owner with Tyler Reddick when the 23XI Racing driver won the Daytona 500 and then set a NASCAR record by winning the first three races of the year.
Most of the attention went to 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan as Reddick won at Daytona, Atlanta and Circuit of the Americas.
Hamlin did his part at Las Vegas to put himself back in the spotlight.
“It is just so satisfying, so gratifying. You just never know what can happen year over year if you still have it or not,” said Hamlin. “I wasn’t totally locked in for the first few weeks. We’ve just been hitting our stride now. This is our bread and butter, these are the tracks that we know we can go win, and we executed. This is a team win. The team did it.”
The 45-year-old driver, who grew up in Chesterfield County and competed often at Langley Speedway early in his career, overcome an early speeding penalty and drove from 31st through the field in a fairly dominating win for Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota. He led a race-high 134 laps.
Hamlin was joined by his fiancée and their three children as he collected the checkered flag, and he was sure his father was smiling somewhere.
“This is a family sport. My family obviously had so much sacrifice to help me get here,” said Hamlin. “Now that I’ve grown, generations of Hamlins following me, it’s great Mom gets to see this. I know Dad’s still saying, ‘That’s my boy.’ Hell of a day.”
Team owner Joe Gibbs’ praised Hamlin’s resilience.
“He’s been through a lot. Denny seems to have the ability to continue to work through things,” said Gibbs. “Has a way of just really still being very competitive. I appreciate him so much. We’re riding Denny for about 20 years. It’s been an awful good trip for us.”
Toyota has won four of the first five races.
Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott and William Byron finished second and third in Chevrolets; JGR drivers Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs were fourth and fifth to give JGR three cars in the top five.
“It makes my job really easy when I can drive Toyotas that fast,” Hamlin said.
Gibbs on a roll
It was the third consecutive top-five finish for Ty Gibbs, who is a central figure in a federal lawsuit filed by JGR against former competition director Chris Gabehart. The two sides are back in court in North Carolina on Monday as JGR seeks a restraining order to stop Gabehart for working for rival Spire Motorsports.
“Just don’t want to be in court,” said team owner Gibbs. “But we’re going to be there. I think it’s important for us to follow through with this.”
Gabehart has said his time at JGR became untenable in part because of preferential treatment toward Gibbs, who is the grandson of the team owner.
JGR alleges Gabehart stole proprietary information before he left the team, and had a non-compete clause that prevents him from joining another team. Gabehart claims JGR stopped paying him in November and the role he now has with Spire is completely different from what he did for Gibbs.
Gabehart was at the track Sunday with Spire, which at Las Vegas had its trucks parked next to the JGR trucks.
Up next
The Cup Series races Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Joe Gibbs Racing dominated at the track last year — Hamlin won in April and Chase Briscoe in August.

La MLB vuelve a Telemundo y Universo: así arranca la temporada 2026

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Comenzó la cuenta regresiva para el inicio de la temporada 2026 de la Major League Baseball y Telemundo Deportes ya se prepara para llevar de vuelta toda la emoción a sus pantallas. Y es que a partir del 26 de marzo, Universo será la casa de las Grandes Ligas, con toda la cobertura completamente en español en otra campaña del mejor béisbol del mundo.
MANTENTE AL DÍA CON TODO LO ÚLTIMO EN NUESTRO CANAL DE WHATSAPP
Telemundo es el canal oficial de la Premier League en Estados Unidos en español y la casa de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA
Aunque la pretemporada, también conocida como Entrenamiento de Primavera, comenzó en febrero, el calendario oficial de MLB señala que la campaña regular arrancará el miércoles 25 de marzo con el duelo inaugural entre Yankees y Giants en el Oracle Park de San Francisco. Mientras que un día después, el jueves 26 de marzo, se celebrará el Opening Day con una cartelera de 14 partidos y Universo será parte de ella.
Otro de los momentos esperado del calendario apunta al Juego de Estrellas, programado para el martes 14 de julio en el Citizens Bank Park de Filadelfia, como parte de una edición especial por el 250 aniversario de la independencia de Estados Unidos.
En tan to que la fase regular terminará el 27 de septiembre y la postemporada comenzará en octubre, en el tramo que definirá a los equipos que seguirán en la pelea por la Serie Mundial.

Year MLB Vet Amid Flurry of Roster Cuts

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The St. Louis Cardinals are less than two weeks away from Opening Day. Things are starting to get real and the Cardinals made another wave of roster cuts on Sunday in preparation for the March 26 Opening Day showdown against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Cardinals made seven roster cuts from big league camp on Sunday, including right-handed pitcher Luis Gastellum, right-handed pitcher Gerson Moreno, left-handed pitcher Packy Naughton, outfielder Matt Koperniak, infielder Blaze Jordan, infielder Jeremy Rivas and right-handed pitcher Ryan Fernandez.
The Cardinals had a busy day on Sunday
Like the vast majority of the roster cuts so far in Spring Training, the seven cuts on Sunday aren’t overtly shocking.
Naughton going down isn’t shocking, but it is the most interesting move. Naughton should help this club out at some point in 2026. He appeared in six games with St. Louis throughout camp and logged a 1.50 ERA across six innings of work. Naughton has 37 games of big league experience under his belt in three seasons, but hasn’t gotten into a big league game since 2023.
In 2024, he pitched in 15 games down in the minors and had a 2.21 ERA in 20 1/3 innings pitched. Naughton missed the entire 2025 season, though, due to injury. The fact that he was healthy throughout camp is a positive in itself. If he can carry the momentum into the 2026 season down in Triple-A, he should be back in the majors at some point. He was a bright spot in camp and his time is coming.
The Cardinals will kick off the 2026 season on March 26 against the Rays. The Cardinals aren’t done trimming down the roster quite yet. For St. Louis, the biggest variables are left field and the bullpen. As of right now, all of the left field options are all in big league camp, including Nelson Velázquez, Thomas Saggese, José Fermín and Nathan Church. For the bullpen, it’s much more difficult to project, especially with the club having six rotation options as well.
The Cardinals have some more work to do and these seven roster cuts are another step in that direction. Opening Day is quickly approaching.

New union head says 2027 MLB work stoppage could disrupt plans for big leaguers at 2028 Olympics

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MIAMI (AP) — A work stoppage that leads to canceled games during the 2027 Major League Baseball season could disrupt plans under discussion to have big league players participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Major League Baseball Players Association is negotiating with Major League Baseball, the IOC, the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the World Baseball Softball Confederation on the six-nation baseball event, scheduled for Dodger Stadium from July 13-19 during what could be an extended All-Star break.

MLB players take part in Celebrity Bartender Night

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Brooks is a veteran real estate professional and former community relations specialist who has spent over 25 years helping players and staff establish themselves in Arizona. On Wednesday night at Wasted Grain nightclub in Scottsdale, she put those connections to work for the 16th annual Celebrity Bartender Night, a high-energy baseball mixer that has grown from a modest gathering into a premier Spring Training staple.
The event’s origins trace back 16 years to a collaboration with former Major Leaguer and current Red Sox executive Craig Breslow. Originally partnered with Breslow’s Strike 3 Foundation, Brooks switched the focus after her father passed away from amyloidosis, which is a rare and frequently misdiagnosed disease.

NFL free agency: Panthers, 49ers, Patriots, Jets and Rams are early winners

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Winning free agency doesn’t guarantee success.
It’s still a good start.
NFL teams have committed billions of dollars in free agency, hoping the players they’ve added can help them win a Super Bowl.
Some of the more aggressive teams — the Raiders and Titans — would be happy if new players just make them more competitive after futile seasons.
There have been several surprises, including a voided blockbuster trade that sent star edge rusher Maxx Crosby back to the Raiders.
Here’s some early winners and losers:
WINNERS: Carolina Panthers
The NFC South champion Panthers added edge rusher Jaelan Phillips ($120 million) and linebacker Devin Lloyd ($45 million), two of the best players available at their positions. Phillips and Lloyd join interior lineman Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn to give Carolina top players at each level on defense.
The Panthers lost defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, running back Rico Dowdle and center Cade Mays.
WINNERS: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers snagged six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans from Tampa Bay on a three-year deal that could be worth $60.4 million but only includes $16.3 million guaranteed over one year, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the details weren’t public. San Francisco also acquired defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa from Dallas for a third-round pick; added swing tackle Vederian Lowe and center Brett Toth; and re-signed tight end Jake Tonges and kicker Eddy Piniero.
The 32-year-old Evans can still be an elite player in coach Kyle Shanahan’s system, giving Brock Purdy a top target.
The Niners lost wideout Kendrick Bourne.
WINNERS: New England Patriots
An excellent offseason last year helped the Patriots win 10 more games and reach the Super Bowl. They’ve followed up with another strong spending spree, adding wideout Romeo Doubs ($70 million), guard Alijah Vera-Tucker ($42 million), Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard ($9 million), edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones ($39.5 million), fullback Reggie Gilliam, tight end Julian Hill, safety Mike Brown and linebacker K.J. Britt.
They traded center Garrett Bradbury and lost defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga, tight end Austin Hooper and safety Jaylinn Hawkins.
WINNERS: New York Jets
Geno Smith is back in New York and the Jets strengthened their defense by acquiring veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat in other trades and signing two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Demario Davis and edge rusher Joseph Ossai ($34.5 million).
They also signed defensive tackle David Onyemata, edge Kingsley Enagbare, safety Dane Belton and cornerback Nashon Wright, giving Aaron Glenn several new players to bolster the defense. Left guard Dylan Parham fills a vacancy on the offensive line and backup tackle Max Mitchell returns.
The Jets lost linebacker Quincy Williams, guards Vera-Tucker and John Simpson and kicker Nick Folk.
WINNERS: Los Angeles Rams
After trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Rams signed cornerback Jaylen Watson and re-signed safety Kam Curl to further boost the secondary.
Tight end Tyler Higbee returns to provide depth and long snapper Joe Cardona arrives to help on special teams.
LOSERS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They lost Evans not over money but because he wanted a new challenge and views the 49ers as closer to winning. The defense lost a pair of starters in cornerback Jamel Dean and defensive lineman Logan Hall.
The Buccaneers signed Robinson to improve the defensive line, linebacker Alex Anzalone, running back Kenneth Gainwell and backup quarterback Jake Browning.
LOSERS: Philadelphia Eagles
The two-time defending NFC East champions make this list because they lost three starters on defense: Phillips, linebacker Nakobe Dean, safety Reed Blankenship.
The Eagles signed cornerback Riq Woolen and tight end Johnny Mundt and re-signed tight end Grant Calcaterra.
They gave defensive tackle Jordan Davis a contract extension and have to extend several young stars on a defense that dominated Kansas City in the Super Bowl two years ago. Philadelphia can’t pay everyone, and general manager Howie Roseman always finds a way to compensate for losing talented players.
LOSERS: Jacksonville Jaguars
The AFC South champions lost Lloyd, running back Travis Etienne and cornerback Greg Newsome.
They’ve signed backup running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. and retained cornerback Montaric Brown and linebacker Dennis Gardeck.
The Jaguars have more work to do in the offseason.
___

49ers’ Bryce Huff Announces New Career Move Immediately After Sudden Retirement at 27

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At an age when most defensive ends are hitting their prime, 27-year-old Bryce Huff abruptly walked away from the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL. The defensive end announced a new career move just shortly after retiring from the sport, indicating that he might have been planning his next career well before he announced his retirement.
“Now it’s time for the next chapter of my life,” Huff said in a video posted on Instagram. “I’m building a company called Naberstone. Lithium batteries power the modern world, but they carry a fire risk that current suppression technology was never designed to solve. We’re building safety infrastructure, specifically for that problem. Proprietary suppression systems, advanced detection technology, and containment built for lithium-ion battery events.”
After playing football for six seasons while splitting time among three franchises, Huff has stepped into the business world with his company, Naberstone, which will focus on building safety infrastructure to address the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. Before sharing the news of his new venture, Huff explained why he decided to make the transition.
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“Football has been my entire life,” Huff said. “I played ever since I was four years old. But at 27 years old, I know I’m capable of giving the world more than just football.”
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Huff began his football journey in high school before taking the next step in college, where he played for the Memphis Tigers. In 2020, he joined the NFL with the New York Jets as an undrafted agent.
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After spending four seasons with the Jets, he moved to the Eagles, where he won Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Huff was inactive during the Super Bowl following a season plagued by injuries. He tore a ligament in his groin area and missed five games during the 2024 NFL season.
Huff retired as a member of the 49ers, which became his final stop after he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2025 for a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick that could upgrade to a fourth based on performance.
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He announced his retirement on Instagram in an almost three-minute-long video, thanking all the coaches and teammates who made it possible for him to carve out a career in football.
“I’m retiring from football. I started playing football when I was four years old. Growing up, I wasn’t the biggest or the strongest, and I didn’t have any friends. All I really had was the game; football kept me grounded.”
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If Huff wanted to, he could have continued his NFL career for several more years and potentially earned millions more. Instead, he is choosing to walk away with his health and a new chapter ahead.
The 49ers react to Bryce Huff’s sudden retirement at 27
The Instagram video came as a surprise and was filled with love and gratitude. Still, retiring at 27 is quite unusual in the NFL. Despite that, his team has taken the decision positively and wished him well.
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“San Francisco 49ers DL Bryce Huff informed the team he plans to retire from the National Football League,” the X post by the official 49ers account reads. “We would like to thank Bryce for his contributions throughout the 2025 season, and we wish him the best.”
Last season with the 49ers, Huff recorded 30 tackles and four sacks. Over his six-season career, his best year came with the New York Jets. In the 2023 season, he finished with 10 sacks and 29 tackles.
However, he was not able to replicate that level of production in the following seasons. Huff ultimately finished his career with 108 tackles and 24 sacks.
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With Huff retiring with one year left on his contract, the 49ers now have more cap space to play with. Huff was on a three-year contract that would have seen him earn $17 million this year.
The San Francisco Standard reports that, with new coordinator Raheem Morris, the 49ers might have had to replace Huff anyway. Even before Huff’s announcement, the 49ers were already in the market to add more edge-rushing talent. The 49ers have some big names on their watchlist, like Joey Bosa and Arnold Ebiketie.
The 49ers have 23 roster spots to fill on their 90-man roster. They currently have only six picks for the 2026 NFL Draft. That means more signings are likely on the way as the team continues to shape its roster.
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For now, it remains to be seen how the 49ers will build out the rest of their squad in the coming months.

2026 NFL free agency live updates: Signings, trades, cuts

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NFL free agency is underway. The new league year began at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but players had the chance to agree to terms with teams during the two-day negotiation window, which started on noon ET Monday. Now they can officially sign new deals.
After the Maxx Crosby trade fell through, the Ravens pivoted to agree to terms with edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Quarterback Malik Willis is signing with the Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa is signing with the Falcons, and Kyler Murray is signing with the Vikings. Mike Evans is now in San Francisco, and Kenneth Walker III will lead the backfield in Kansas City. But where will the top remaining free agents land? And which big-name players are available as trade candidates?
We’re tracking all the action of 2026 NFL free agency. Follow along live here with the latest signings, trades, cuts and contract restructures.
2026 NFL free agency coverage:
Top 100 rankings | Grading big moves
Best remaining | Winners, losers
Signings for 32 teams | Awards
Mini mock draft
Free agency and trade market updates

LaCale London signs with Falcons, former Peoria High star

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Former Peoria High School defensive lineman LaCale London has re-signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
London’s professional football career includes time with the Chicago Bears and the St. Louis BattleHawks.
He played in 13 regular-season games for Atlanta in 2025, starting in five of them.
PEORIA — Former Peoria High School defensive lineman LaCale London has won another contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
The NFL team re-signed him in free agency on Thursday.
The 6-foot-3, 297-pound defensive lineman who played at Western Illinois was USA Today’s Defensive Player of the Year in Illinois, and twice a first-team All-Area pick by the Journal Star during his prep career in Peoria.
He signed as an undrafted free agent in the NFL after the final of his two years at WIU.
That pro football journey began with the Chicago Bears (2020-22), stepped down to the St. Louis BattleHawks (2023) and then rose back to the NFL with Atlanta in 2023, where he has remained.
London spent two seasons shifting from the practice squad to the active roster with Atlanta, then in 2025 broke out for 13 regular-season games, five of which were starts.

Titans unveil new uniforms and logos ahead of 2026 NFL season

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The Tennessee Titans have a new coach in Robert Saleh for the upcoming season and are opening a new enclosed stadium in 2027.
So, no reason to wait to update their uniforms and logos.
The Titans unveiled their new look Thursday night at a party featuring current and past players. The new uniforms lean heavily on the history of the franchise, which started in 1960 as the AFL’s Houston Oilers. The team celebrates its 30th season in Tennessee this year.
“Today is about honoring over 65 years of our organization while confidently stepping into the next chapter, and I couldn’t be more excited for our players, our city, and our fans to wear this identity with pride,” owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement.
Cam Ward walked out in the team’s new white jersey for the road while All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons wore the “Titans blue” home jersey. Eddie George, the franchise’s career rushing leader, made the final introduction before the team’s current stars walked out.
“We built this legacy play by play, heartbreak by heartbreak, victory by victory,” said George, who was part of the team’s first seven seasons in Tennessee and is now the coach at Bowling Green. “And now, the baton has been passed to a new generation.”
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This is the franchise’s third set of uniforms since unveiling the Titans name for the 1999 season.
Tennessee will wear what the team calls “Titans blue” jerseys while playing in Nashville that feature “TITANS” across the chest with numbers reflecting a college design. The white road jerseys feature “TENNESSEE” across the chest for the state that’s been home since 1997. Red outlines the numbers.
Three stars reminiscent of the Tennessee flag representing the Volunteer State’s three divisions will be in navy blue in a tab on the back of the uniform and on the side panel under the arm. The 6-String Stripe includes red on the pants, sleeves and helmets reflecting Nashville’s reputation as Music City.
The Titans also showed off a new primary logo called The Shield, featuring the light Titans blue, white and red along with those three stars. A secondary mark is called The Football, featuring the letters “T” and “N” for the state’s postal abbreviation and the city of Nashville.
Burke Nihill, the Titans’ president and CEO, said the redesign had been in the works long enough that it wasn’t tied to the team hiring Saleh in January. Nihill said Ward and Simmons loved the new uniforms at a photo shoot last week, and the color combination tapping into the Oilers’ roots was intentional.
“We had players that were literally in the locker room after games not wanting to take off the jerseys,” Nihill said. “These are NFL players who played through high school and college and in the pros, and there was something special about the pride that they felt wearing that color scheme.”
The unveiling was part of a busy week for the Titans.
A team coming off four straight losing seasons opened the NFL’s negotiating period with a big splash, committing more than $270 million to a handful of free agents. The Titans keep adding players to a roster with only 18 drafted players led by Ward and Simmons.

Defensive back Jonathan Jones joining Philadelphia Eagles

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Almost 10 years after he entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie, Jonathan Jones has a team for his 11th season. After becoming an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, the former Auburn defensive back has reached an agreement on a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2026 NFL campaign.
In 2025, Jones played in 12 games, with seven starts, for the Washington Commanders. He had an injured-reserve stint because of a hamstring injury.
Jones had 41 tackles, five passes defended and one sack. Opposing passers completed 26-of-43 passes for 359 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions for an 87.3 passing-efficiency rating when targeting receivers covered by Jones in 2025.
Jones joins a team with a strong first line on its cornerback depth chart. Outside corner Quinyon Mitchell and slot corner Cooper DeJean were Pro Bowl selections in 2025, and Philadelphia added former Pro Bowler Riq Woolen in free agency this week.
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With 144 NFL regular-season games, Jones has played in more than any other defensive back from Auburn. He surpassed the 133 games of Carlos Rogers last season.
Jones also has played in eight playoff games, including two Super Bowl victories.
Jones signed with the New England Patriots in 2016. He had gone undrafted even though he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at that year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
As a rookie, Jones got on the field for 64 defensive snaps and 307 special-teams plays. In each of the next four seasons – until a shoulder injury limited him to six games in 2021 – Jones’ defensive snaps increased and his special-teams appearances decreased.
As he transitioned from a special-teamer, Jones developed into the Patriots’ regular slot corner, then showed versatility beyond that role. After the departure of Pro Bowler J.C. Jackson in free agency, Jones stepped into the vacated outside-corner spot in the 2022 season. He played a career-high 894 defensive snaps while posting career bests with four interceptions, 11 passes defended and three forced fumbles and making 69 tackles.
During the 2018 postseason, Jones shadowed Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the AFC Championship Game, then switched to safety for a special defensive scheme that led to a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
Jones had played on special teams two years earlier when the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl LI.
After nine seasons with New England, Jones joined the Commanders as a free agent last offseason for a one-year, $5.5 million contract.
Jones’ move to Philadelphia has not been reported by the team, but was reported on Thursday night by NFL Network, NBC Sports Philadelphia and NJ.com.

Chiefs $19 Million LB Avoids Getting Cut With Surprise Move

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The Kansas City Chiefs continue to fine tune their roster following a flurry of big moves at the start of free agency.
After re-signing Travis Kelce to a one-year, $12 million deal and inking former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $43.05 million contract, they added former Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman to a three-year, $24.7 million deal.
On March 12, the Chiefs added depth behind Walker, signing former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado to a one-year deal. Kansas City has also had to make some tough goodbyes.
They traded All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, where he signed a record-breaking four-year, $124 million contract. Fellow former Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson is joining McDuffie in Los Angeles.
Kansas City cleared $20 million in cap space by releasing veteran right tackle Jawaan Taylor, and releasing defensive Mike Danna saved another $9 million. Crunching the numbers and looking ahead to the 2026 NFL draft, where the Chiefs have nine picks, linebacker Drue Tranquill looked to be the next cap casualty.
Tranquill signed a three-year, $19 million deal that includes $13 million fully guaranteed ahead of the 2024 NFL season. While his exit seemed imminent, Tranquill made it clear he’d do anything to stay in Kansas City.
Drue Tranquill Accepted a Pay Cut to Remain With the Chiefs in 2026
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo broke the news on Thursday night, “Tranquill recently renegotiated the final year of his deal, taking his base pay from $6 million down to $3.5 million ($3M fully guaranteed) and trimming his cap number by $2.5 million.”
Chiefs Kingdom praised the linebacker for the move. KC Sports Network’s Ken Swanson posted, “Love this.” One fan commented, “Tranquill is the ultimate team player for this. Taking a pay cut to stay in KC and help the cap shows he’s all in on the dynasty. Massive win for the Chiefs’ defense keeping a high-IQ linebacker locked in for 2026.”
Another fan wrote, “Class act all the way around! 👏.” One X account added, “WOW 👀 Much respect to Drue Tranquill for putting the team first here ❤️.”
Last season, Tranquill recorded 103 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.0 quarterback hits, and 1.0 forced fumble.
Drue Tranquill Helped Recruit Alohi Gilman to the Chiefs
Not only did Tranquill give up millions to remain Kansas City, he’s also helping the franchise recruit top talent. Tranquill helped bring in Gilman, his former Notre Dame and Los Angeles Chargers teammate.
“Drue’s my guy,” Gilman told reporters on Thursday. “He’s been recruiting me hard here. That’s my third agent. Drue’s been doing his thing. I’ve had good conversations with him over the years. I played with him at Notre Dame [and with] the Chargers as well.
“So much respect for him as a warrior, as a player, as a teammate, and just as a friend. I got a lot of respect for him, that’s my guy. I’ll go to war with him any day. Excited to strap it up with him, and really excited about the opportunity.”

Eagles Make $7.3 Million Move to Add Edge Rusher: Report

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After several days of waiting, the Philadelphia Eagles have added an edge rusher — Arnold Ebiketie.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported the Eagles signed Ebiketie late Thursday night. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal as a 1-year, $7.3 million contract including incentives.
Ebiketie will receive $4.3 million fully guaranteed.
Ebiketie came into the league as a hyped second-round pick. The Atlanta Falcons drafted the edge rusher at No. 38 overall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
But burdened with the responsibility early in his career of being Atlanta’s top pass rusher, he failed to develop into a No. 1 edge rusher. He then didn’t play as much after the Falcons added two edge rushers in the first round last year.
Ebiketie peaked with six sacks in both 2023 and 2024.
Last season, Ebiketie posted 36 combined tackles, including five for loss, six quarterback hits, two sacks and one pass defense.
Eagles Sign Edge Rusher Arnold Ebiketie: Report
NFL insiders reported the Eagles wanted to bring back Jaelan Phillips early in free agency. Phillips ended the 2025 campaign in Philadelphia after the team acquired him for a third-round pick from the Miami Dolphins.
But the Carolina Panthers offered Phillips a mammoth deal. After missing on Phillips, the Eagles pursued the other top edge rushers still available, including Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson, though, landed with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. Fellow veteran Bradley Chubb, who NJ.com’s Cayden Steele suggested as a potential Plan B to Hendrickson (or Plan C to Phillips), signed with the Buffalo Bills.
After those misses, Ebiketie is the first edge rusher the Eagles have added this offseason.
Most would probably consider him a consolation prize at best. At worst, he’s a significantly disappointing alternative to Phillips or Hendrickson.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper didn’t include Ebiketie on his list of top 150 NFL free agents this offseason. Meanwhile, 20 other edge rushers did make the list.
However, Ebiketie did come into the league four years ago with great raw talent. And the Eagles have been tremendous at developing young defensive linemen.
Maybe on a unit with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, Ebiketie can take advantage of more one-on-one opportunities.
While he could earn up to $7.3 million, there’s little risk for the Eagles taking a chance on Ebiketie. He’s coming on only a 1-year deal, and it sounds as though he could cost as little as $4.3 million if he doesn’t fulfill his contract incentives.
In four NFL seasons, Ebiketie has started 12 of 67 contests. He’s posted 16.5 sacks with 17 tackles for loss, 41 quarterback hits, six pass defenses and four forced fumbles.
Eagles Edge Rushing Depth Entering 2026
Eagles fans may have been getting a little anxious with the team’s inability to land an edge rusher through nearly the first four days of free agency. Therefore, signing Ebiketie is simply good for the fact that Philadelphia has added someone to the edge room.
In addition to Phillips, the Eagles lost Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche along the edge in free agency. The defense also saw linebacker Nakobe Dean and safety Reed Blankenship sign elsewhere.
With that in mind, Ebiketie is probably just the beginning of what the Eagles could add at edge rusher. Philadelphia has three edge players to replace, and Ebiketie hasn’t been reliable enough in his career to be counted on as a certain starter on a playoff team.
But in the right rotation, Ebiketie could still thrive. That’s why he’s worth the risk at a maximum of $7.3 million in 2026.

If Rueben Bain Jr. falls to No. 12 in 2026 NFL draft, would the Dallas Cowboys take him?

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Rueben Bain Jr. was one of the nation’s top collegiate pass rushers throughout the 2025 season. In recent months, scouts and pundits have wondered if his skill set would transfer to the NFL level.
While Bain doesn’t have the prototypical size that most NFL edge rushers bring to the table, he’s still one of the 2026 NFL draft’s most intriguing prospects. In three years at Miami, Bain posted 121 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks.
If Bain is still available at No. 12 overall, would the Dallas Cowboys take him?
Cowboys insider Joseph Hoyt recently took some time to break down what makes Bain stand out in this draft class and how he would fit in Christian Parker’s defensive scheme. (Hint: He could line at various spots, depending on the setup.)
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Steelers See Connor Heyward Depart on $5.5 Million Deal: Report

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Insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted full back Connor Heyward to return for 2026. But it’s not going to happen.
Rapoport reported Thursday night the Las Vegas Raiders signed Heyward to a 2-year, $5.5 million contract. The deal will include $2 million guaranteed.
“The Steelers wanted Heyward back, but Klint Kubiak wants him as his FB for what he’s building in Vegas,” wrote Rapoport on X.
Heyward played full back but also fulfilled a lot of other roles during his four seasons with the Steelers. Previous head coach Mike Tomlin raved about Heyward’s versatility during the 2022 NFL Draft.
“He’s a Swiss Army knife. He’s very talented. He has a nice skill set,” Tomlin told reporters in April 2022 when the team drafted Heyward. “He’s a capable runner. He’s a capable blitz pickup guy. He’s very good in terms of the screen game, timing and feel.”
During his first three seasons, Heyward lined up as a full back, tight end, and slot receiver on Pittsburgh’s offense. He also played an intricate role on special teams.
Then in 2025, Heyward became the team’s quarterback on its own version of the “tush push.” The Steelers ran that formation 16 times with Heyward behind center during the regular season.
Heyward never missed a game during his four-year Steelers tenure. He posted 44 catches for 379 yards with three touchdowns. Heyward also had 70 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
During 2025, 11 of his 15 rushing attempts resulted in first downs.

Avs’ Nathan MacKinnon says NHL rescinded major penalty

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The NHL rescinded the game misconduct Nathan MacKinnon received Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, the Colorado Avalanche star told The Denver Post.
On a power play late in the second period, MacKinnon went hard to the net as Brock Nelson sent him a pass. As MacKinnon tipped the puck wide, Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse dived into him, with Nurse’s head connecting on MacKinnon’s hip. MacKinnon barreled into Oilers goalie Connor Ingram, knocking him to the ice. Ingram skated off on his own with a cut on his forehead but did not return to the game.
The officials gave MacKinnon a major penalty for interference on the goaltender, and upheld that call after video review.
That decision drew the ire of the Avs after the 4-3 home loss, as they contested MacKinnon wasn’t able to avoid Ingram because of the Nurse hit.

Beecher scores twice, Backlund reaches 600-point mark in 5-4 Flames win over Devils

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NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — John Beecher scored his first two goals for Calgary, and Mikael Backlund recorded his 600th career NHL point with a third-period goal in the Flames’ 5-4 win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Former Devils Kevin Bahl and Yegor Sharangovich each also scored for Calgary. Dustin Wolf made 26 saves, and the Flames blocked 21 shots, claiming just their second win in their past eight games.
Luke Hughes had one goal and one assist, and Jack Hughes, Maxim Tsyplakov and Simon Nemec each scored for New Jersey. Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves and had an assist.
Beecher, who was a healthy scratch the past two games, had his first career short-handed goal less than one minute into the second period.
With Calgary up 2-1, he stole the puck from Jack Hughes in the neutral zone then banked his rebound in off Markstrom after the Devils goalie stopped Beecher’s initial shot.
Nemec cut the Flames’ advantage to 3-2 less than a minute later with a power-play goal. But Sharangovich, who played his first 205 games over three seasons with the Devils before being traded to the Flames in 2023, buried a back-hand shot on a two-on-one that boosted Calgary’s lead to 4-2.
After Beecher scored on a two-on-one break, Bahl made it 2-0 at 14:07 of the first period – scoring on Markstrom, for whom he was traded on June 19, 2024.
Tsyplakov answered at 16:14 for his first goal in 11 games with the Devils since they acquired him Jan. 27, cutting Calgary’s lead to 2-1.
The Flames had dropped four straight road games prior to Thursday.
Up next
Flames: At New York Islanders on Saturday
Devils: Host Los Angeles Kings on Saturday

Beecher scores twice, Backlund reaches 600

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NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — John Beecher scored his first two goals for Calgary, and Mikael Backlund recorded his 600th career NHL point with a third-period goal in the Flames’ 5-4 win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Former Devils Kevin Bahl and Yegor Sharangovich each also scored for Calgary. Dustin Wolf made 26 saves, and the Flames blocked 21 shots, claiming just their second win in their past eight games.
Luke Hughes had one goal and one assist, and Jack Hughes, Maxim Tsyplakov and Simon Nemec each scored for New Jersey. Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves and had an assist.
Beecher, who was a healthy scratch the past two games, had his first career short-handed goal less than one minute into the second period.
With Calgary up 2-1, he stole the puck from Jack Hughes in the neutral zone then banked his rebound in off Markstrom after the Devils goalie stopped Beecher’s initial shot.
Nemec cut the Flames’ advantage to 3-2 less than a minute later with a power-play goal. But Sharangovich, who played his first 205 games over three seasons with the Devils before being traded to the Flames in 2023, buried a back-hand shot on a two-on-one that boosted Calgary’s lead to 4-2.
After Beecher scored on a two-on-one break, Bahl made it 2-0 at 14:07 of the first period – scoring on Markstrom, for whom he was traded on June 19, 2024.
Tsyplakov answered at 16:14 for his first goal in 11 games with the Devils since they acquired him Jan. 27, cutting Calgary’s lead to 2-1.
The Flames had dropped four straight road games prior to Thursday.
Up next
Flames: At New York Islanders on Saturday
Devils: Host Los Angeles Kings on Saturday
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Bruins Face Another Potential NHL Draft Complication

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The Boston Bruins could face yet another NHL Draft complication. In earlier posts, the situation involving the potential loss of the 2026 first-round originally belonging to the Toronto Maple Leafs has been explored.
While Boston won’t lose the pick necessarily, the conditions could lead that pick to get punted down the field. Well, the Bruins face another situation with another first-round pick.
This time, the potential draft complication involves the Florida Panthers. But first, a little context.
When Boston traded Brad Marchand to the Panthers last season, the return was a conditional 2027 second-round pick.
What was the condition?
If the Panthers won two rounds in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, and Marchand played in at least 50% of those games, the pick would convert into a 2027 first-round pick.
The Panthers won the Cup, and Marchand played in every game throughout that round. The pick became a first-rounder. Not a bad deal for the Bruins to say the least.
However, most folks didn’t read the fine print (there’s always the fine print). The pick is top-10 protected. And guess what? The Panthers are having a terrible season this year. Now, this year doesn’t influence the pick in question as that’s a 2027 first-rounder. But what if the Panthers bottom out next year? If the Cats suddenly descend into rebuild territory, the Bruins could find themselves having to wait to use their pick.
Another Team Has Claim on Bruins’ Pick
By virtue of conditions, the Panthers actually have another team with a claim on their original 2027 first-round pick.
Last season, the Panthers pledged their 2026 first-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in the deal that sent defenseman Seth Jones to South Florida. The deal seemed straightforward. The Panthers looked rock solid to finish strong this season. No one thought the Panthers would be in Lottery Pick territory.
But here they are. That 2026 pick is also top-10 protected. As such, the Panthers could recover their pick this season. While projections show the Cats picking 11th, they could move up into the top 10. That would allow the Panthers to recover their 2026 first-rounder and send their unprotected 2027 pick to Chicago.
Meanwhile, the Bruins end up getting an unprotected 2028 pick.
That’s quite a conundrum that the club faces. They could lose their 2026 first from the Toronto Maple Leafs and their 2027 first from the Panthers.
But there might be a silver lining.
Boston Could Have Two Solid First-Rounders in 2028
Even if the Bruins missed out on the 2026 and 2027 first-rounders, the club could end up with two solid first-rounders in 2028. Assuming the Leafs and Panthers continue on their downward trajectory, Boston could end up with two unprotected first-rounders. If, let’s say, the Leafs and Panthers end up picking in the top 10 in 2028, the Bruins could have two top-10 picks in 2028.
While 2028 may seem like a decade away, it might not be the worst thing in the world. The Bruins will need to replenish their prospect pool at some point soon. They managed that last season with the picks they got. The club will have more picks this year. But those two additional first-rounders in 2028? They could very well set up the Bruins for success down the road.

Radko Gudas injures another top NHL star

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Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas was ejected from the team’s 6-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night for a blatant knee-on-knee hit against Auston Matthews. Matthews did not return to the game, while Gudas could be facing the possibility of another suspension from the NHL.
It also continues a wild stretch for Gudas that has seen him deliver hits that have injured two of the NHL’s top stars.
Another top NHL star injured by Radko Gudas hit
The first star player to be injured by Gudas over the past month was Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. That incident happened during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Canada’s overtime quarterfinal win against Czechia.
That was more of a fluke play with an unfortunate result, but Crosby did miss the remainder of the tournament and has yet to play for the Penguins since returning from the Olympic break. He is, however, getting closer to a return and could even return this week on the Penguins’ road trip.
The play involving Matthews on Thursday was not quite as fluky. This was just a bad play by Gudas — and a reckless one that should result in a lengthy suspension.
Here is a look at the play.
Gudas has always been one of the NHL’s most physical players and often plays close to the line. When you are that physical, and consistently push the limits, you sometimes go beyond that. That has been the case with Gudas.
He has been suspended and fined multiple times throughout his career, including a 10-game suspension a slash to the neck of then-Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault. That extensive history of discipline could play a big factor in any potential suspension, as could a significant injury to Matthews.

2026 NHL Draft notebook: Cover getting noticed after journey from tropics

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The 2026 NHL Draft will be held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on June 26-27. NHL.com will take a closer look at some of the draft-eligible players to watch. This week, a profile on right wing Jaxon Cover with London of the Ontario Hockey League.
One might assume watching Jaxon Cover that the 18-year-old forward was raised in a rink and immersed in ice hockey culture from the day he was born.
Think again.
Even before Cover became an on-ice hit and was later chosen by the London Knights in the fourth round (No. 64) of the 2024 Ontario Hockey League draft, he was an inline roller hockey sensation from the Cayman Islands in the western Caribbean — an area of the world that has just one hockey rink and it’s built for roller hockey.

Trophy Tracker: Kucherov of Lightning choice for Hart as League MVP

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To mark the three-quarter point of the 2025-26 regular season, NHL.com is running its fourth installment of the Trophy Tracker series this week. Today, we look at the race for the Hart Trophy, given annually to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Dead heat. Possible photo finish.
The race for the Hart Trophy this season has a chance to be the closest in 24 years if the final quarter of the season is anything like the first three, according to 16-person panel from NHL.com.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid each finished this round of voting with 59 points. Kucherov, though, finished with the slight edge to win the MVP award because he received six first-place votes to McDavid’s three.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon was only two points behind and also received six first-place votes. San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini also received a first-place vote and 42 voting points.
“Tough call,” TNT analyst Brian Boucher said. “I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. Might be the tightest in a long time.”
It could be the closest vote since 2001-02, which is the only time the Hart Trophy has been decided by the first-place votes tiebreaker. Jose Theodore, then a goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, and former Calgary Flames forward Jarome Iginla each finished with 434 voting points. Theodore won the award because he had 86 first-place votes to Iginla’s 82.
One voting point separated winner Chris Pronger from runner-up Jaromir Jagr in 1999-2000, and two voting points were the difference between Mark Messier besting Ray Bourque for the Hart Trophy in 1989-90.
Go all the way back to the 1923-24, the first season the award was presented, and you’ll find that Frank Nighbor won the Hart Trophy with 37 votes ahead of Sprague Cleghorn’s 36 and John Ross Roach’s 35.
In 1931-32, Howie Morenz won it with 39 votes, one ahead of Ching Johnson’s 38.
This one could be as close as those years.
Even in a poll of broadcasters and analysts, the field was wide open.
NHL Network’s Mike Rupp said he would pick Celebrini right now, but he had no argument against Kucherov, who is tied for second in the League with 104 points (34 goals, 70 assists) in 59 games with the Lightning, who are second in the Atlantic Division behind the Buffalo Sabres.
Boucher’s initial choice was “McDavid slightly over MacKinnon, I suppose.”
McDavid leads the League with 110 points (36 goals, 74 assists) in 65 games. MacKinnon is tied with Kucherov with 104 points (43 goals, 61 assists) in 62 games.
The Oilers are tied for second place in the Pacific Division. The Avalanche have been the top team in the League all season and remain the leading contender to win the President’s Trophy.
“It’s a tough call,” Boucher said.
Brian Boyle, who does work for NHL Network and MSG Networks, said he agreed with the voting done by the NHL.com panel with Kucherov ever so slightly ahead of McDavid, who was ever so slightly ahead of MacKinnon.
“‘Kuch’ is my pick, usually,” Boyle said. “MacKinnon was running away with it early.”
But Boyle, too, has his eyes on Celebrini, who is fifth in the NHL with 90 points (33 goals, 57 assists) in 62 games.
The Sharks were not expected to be anywhere near the playoff race. They’re one point behind for the second wild card in the Western Conference.
“He has 90 points and a plus-6 on that team,” Boyle said. “And the next guy (Will Smith) has 45 [points].”
Kevin Weekes of ESPN and NHL Network was emphatic in his choice of Celebrini.
“Celebrini is Rudolph with a limited lineup of reindeer,” Weekes said.
But …
“Kuch is incredible,” Weekes said.
It’s all setting up for a frantic finish and a tight vote for the League’s most valuable player to his team this season.
“So very close,” Rupp said.
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis): Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning, 59 points (6 first-place votes); Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 59 (3); Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 57 (6); Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks, 42 (1); Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild, 7; David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins, 4; Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders, 4; Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres, 3; Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets, 2; Leon Draisaitl, Oilers, 1; Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars, 1; Quinn Hughes, Wild, 1

Avs’ Nathan MacKinnon has game misconduct rescinded, AP source says

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SEATTLE (AP) — Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon had his game misconduct reversed by the NHL, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday night.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league had not yet announced the reversal. MacKinnon received a major penalty and game misconduct for crashing into Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram on Tuesday night during Colorado’s 4-3 win.
Because of the reversal, MacKinnon would no longer receive an automatic one-game suspension if he were to receive another game misconduct this season.
After Tuesday’s game, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar expressed his frustration about Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse having collided with MacKinnon, propelling him into Ingram.
“There’s no chance he hits the goalie if Nurse doesn’t run into him,” Bednar said. “I don’t care if (Ingram is) injured, not injured, if it’s a severe crash, not a severe crash — it’s not a penalty. If you put guys into your own goalie, it’s not a penalty. … The goalie’s hurt, so it’s five (minutes). Again, I really don’t give a crap if the goalie’s hurt. That’s on their D-man, not our guy.”
The Avalanche played at Seattle on Thursday night. MacKinnon scored in the first period, his 44th goal of the season.
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Kadri scores 1st goal since rejoining Avs, MacKinnon adds his NHL-best 44th in 5-1 win over Kraken

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SEATTLE — Nazem Kadri scored his first goal since rejoining Colorado and Nathan MacKinnon added his NHL-leading 44th score of the season as the Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 5-1 on Thursday night.
Kadri, acquired from the Calgary Flames on March 6 , gave Colorado a 4-1 lead when he tipped a shot by Sam Malinski past Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer, who replaced Joey Daccord to start the second period. Kadri spent three seasons with the Avalanche, and won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022.

Alexander Breaks Wilt Chamberlain Record: When Could Thunder Star’s Feat End?

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It’s impossible to look past Wilt Chamberlain’s name in the NBA’s record book.
Well, his long list of records got one thinner on Thursday night as Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 or more points for the 127th game in a row. SGA tied the streak on Monday as he dazzled with a 35-point performance and a game-winning three against the Nuggets that may have been his MVP moment.
On Thursday against the Celtics, it was presumed he would break Chamberlain’s record. He hasn’t failed to reach 20 points in a game since 2024, so why now? He had a strong start to the game with 10 points in the first quarter, but the big shot wouldn’t come until the second half.
The moment came midway through the third quarter on a smooth fadeaway jumper over Boston’s Baylor Scheierman. You could see endless phones in the air to capture the history at hand as the Paycom Center crowd erupted once Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot snapped the net and tied the game.
Now that the longstanding Chamberlain record is Gilgeous-Alexander’s, the biggest question is how long it will last. He’s averaging 31.7 points per game this year after he led the league in scoring with 32.7 a night on his way to MVP honors for the first time last season. Odds are that SGA’s 20-point games streak will continue to grow, but let’s dig deeper.
Could SGA’s streak of consecutive 20-point games end this season?
It’s unlikely, but not impossible. For a streak like this, it just takes one off night or a premature exit to go back to zero. When you consider that Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t scored less than 20 points in 127 games and there are only 15 games left on the Thunder’s schedule, though, this thing will likely balloon for some time.
It is March, though, which means weirdness is the norm across the NBA. The Spurs remain just behind the Thunder for the Western Conference’s top seed and Gilgeous-Alexander must continue playing to remain eligible for key postseason honors, especially as the MVP frontrunner.
Seeing as SGA will likely be available as long as he’s healthy the rest of the way, let’s take a look at Oklahoma City’s schedule and how he fares against specific opponents. The Thunder’s toughest remaining games are against the Pistons, Celtics, Knicks, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Lakers (twice) and Magic.
Interestingly enough, Orlando is the one to circle of that group. Not because the Magic have surged as of late, but because Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points on the nose against Orlando last month. During that contest, he suffered an abdominal strain which kept him out for nine games. But he still played 28 minutes and barely kept the streak alive with a free throw at the end of the third quarter before he was subbed out with the Thunder up big.
Gilgeous-Alexander had another close call a couple weeks earlier with 20 points exactly in 33 minutes against the Rockets. He’s had two 23-point games early in the season, plus a 22-point night in a loss to the Spurs on Christmas Day and 21 as OKC was blown out by the Hornets on Jan. 5. None of those teams are left on the schedule, which leaves Orlando as the only opponent from a previous close call this season. The Pistons are another interesting opponent as a staunch defensive team who Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t played this season, inactive for the one previous matchup on Feb. 25.
You never know what any game could hold, though, as evidenced by Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night on Tuesday. With that in mind, here’s how SGA has performed against the toughest opponents the Thunder will play over the final chunk of the regular season:
What are the longest streaks of consecutive 20-point games in NBA history?
There have been some impressive streaks of consecutive 20-point games. Before Gilgeous-Alexander started to climb the mountaintop, Chamberlain held the two longest streaks. Here’s a look at the most consecutive 20-point games in NBA history according to ESPN:
Gilgeous-Alexander now stands alone in this piece of NBA history. The only question now is how far his streak will go.
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Spoelstra: ‘I apologize to absolutely no one’ over Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game

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MIAMI (AP) — Erik Spoelstra had a very clear message to those who didn’t like how the final minutes of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game played out.
Put simply, the Miami Heat coach doesn’t care.
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Mavericks 2026 tank tracker: What are Dallas’ chances of landing No. 1 pick in NBA draft?

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While the 2025-26 season hasn’t been a great one for the Dallas Mavericks, the team has a good chance of landing a premium pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
Luckily for Dallas, the team has run into some recent good luck in the draft lottery. The Mavericks won last year’s lottery despite having just a 1.8% chance of drawing the No. 1 pick. That put them in a prime position to select Cooper Flagg.
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Will the Mavericks’ lottery luck carry into 2026? Below, we’ll take a look at Dallas’ chances at landing the No. 1 pick and where the squad is currently projected among lottery teams:
Mavericks’ odds to land the No. 1 overall pick in 2026
(According to Tankathon.com, as of March 12)
Mavericks’ record: 22-44
Rank in the Western Conference: 12th
Rank in the NBA: 24th
Chance at the No. 1 pick: 7.5%
Chance at a top-four pick: 31.9%
Teams ahead of Dallas: Indiana, Sacramento, Washington, Brooklyn, Utah and New Orleans (whose pick would go to Atlanta).
A look at the current lottery order
(According to Tankathon.com, as of March 12)
How does the NBA draft lottery work?
Here’s a breakdown from our Mike Curtis from last year’s lottery:
Fourteen ping-pong balls, numbered 1-14, are placed in a hopper, with the potential for 1,001 different four-ball draws. Each team is assigned a certain number of combinations based on their final record.
At least three four-number combinations will be drawn, slotting teams with picks Nos. 1-3 in this year’s draft.
In the event that a team has one of its combinations drawn more than once, the balls are drawn again until three different teams have been determined.
What’s the Mavericks’ draft lottery history?
Before 2025, the Mavericks didn’t have the best luck in the NBA draft lottery. Last year marked the first time in 17 lottery appearances that Dallas drew a pick better than its odds dictated.
Here’s a look at the history and the players Dallas has selected or traded for via the draft lottery:
2025: Cooper Flagg
– Mavs win 2025 NBA draft lottery, have shot to take Cooper Flagg at No. 1
2023: Dereck Lively II, from Oklahoma City in exchange for Cason Wallace
– Mavericks keep their pick, miss out on Victor Wembanyama
2019: No one
– Mavs miss out on top 5, convey selection to Atlanta to complete Doncic deal
2018: Luka Doncic, from Atlanta in exchange for Trae Young
– Doncic-Young deal may have finally turned Dallas’ luck around
2017: Dennis Smith Jr. (9)
– In Smith, Mavs hoped for a point guard of the future
2013: Kelly Olynyk (13)
– The year Dallas passed on Giannis Antetokounmpo
2000: Etan Thomas (12)
– A really, really bad year to have a bunch of picks
1998: Robert Traylor (6)
– The major risk Dallas took with Dirk Nowitzki still on the board
1996: Samaki Walker (9)
1995: Cherokee Parks (12)
1994: Jason Kidd (2)
1993: Jamal Mashburn (4)
1992: Jim Jackson (4)
1991: Doug Smith (6)
1990: No one (pick was traded)
1989: Randy White (8)
1986: Roy Tarpley (7, via Cleveland)

Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game bad for NBA

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Gordon Hayward was not a fan of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game on Tuesday.
Hayward, who spent 14 seasons in the NBA with the Jazz, Celtics, Hornets, and Thunder, said on ESPN’s “Unsportsmanlike” radio show that Adebayo’s performance is not great for the league, and it feels “not legit.”
“I think Bam is one of the best two-way players in the league at his position, but he’s not a scorer, right?” Hayward quipped Thursday. “So for him to break [Kobe Bryant’s] record, I don’t think it’s great for the league. I think it kind of highlights how they’re already struggling. It kind of feels like a pickup game when you’re watching.
“And for him to shoot 43 free throws and 22 threes, when that’s not what he does, it almost feels like… and again, the Wizards too. With all these teams tanking, it kind of makes it feel not legit, I guess, is what I would say.”
Many have been critical of the method by which Adebayo achieved his massive scoring total, as the Heat intentionally fouled late in the game to stop the play clock so the big man had the chance to overcome Bryant’s 81-point performance on Jan. 22, 2006.
Play-by-play analyst Doris Burke said she was “uncomfortable” with the fouling and the fact Adebayo racked up an NBA-record 43 free throws, with 21 of his points in the fourth quarter coming from the charity stripe.
“Was I slightly uncomfortable with the six-minute mark and down with some of the intentional fouling and free throws? A little bit,” Burke said Wednesday night on ESPN.
“But I am taking nothing away from Bam Adebayo.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick added to the negative discourse, saying that the game’s final moments were a “different type of basketball.”
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra dismissed the blowback, however, saying that he has zero regrets over what went down.
“I apologize to absolutely no one. Period,” he told reporters ahead of the Heat’s 112-105 win against the Bucks on Thursday. “And going into the game, it’s a Tuesday night game against a team where they’re not playing for anything, where their organization is trying to lose.
“We’ve already lost a game, you know, in that kind of situation. We have players [who] are sitting out. And I spoke to Bam about what I want, as our best player and team captain, for him to be locked in and ready. And he sure was.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander breaks scoring record Wilt Chamberlain held for 63 years

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There are plenty of superlatives that could be used to describe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but none capture his particular brand of basketball brilliance better than consistency. The Thunder star guard brings it every single night. Keeping with that trend, Gilgeous-Alexander on Thursday posted 35 points in a 104-102 win the Celtics, scoring 20+ points in his 127th consecutive NBA game, snapping a long-standing mark held by the legendary Wilt Chamberlain.
The record breaker came, fittingly, on an isolation middy with 7 minutes left in the third quarter.
There will be remarks about scoring being easier in today’s game. The pace is faster. The best players control the ball more. Three-point volume has never been higher. All of this is true, and yet, no other active player has come anywhere near SGA’s mark.
Kawhi Leonard has the second-longest active streak at 43 games, while Kevin Durant is the only 21st-century player who has even hit half of Chamberlain’s prior record, scoring 20+ points in 72 consecutive games.
To put this scoring streak into proper perspective, let’s take a look at some of the greatest scorers in history and the longest 20-point streaks they were able to muster at any point in their careers.
PLAYERLONGEST 20-POINT STREAK
Oscar Robertson
79
Kevin Durant
72
Michael Jordan
72
Kareem-Abdul Jabbar
72
Elgin Baylor
64
Kobe Bryant
63
James Harden
57
Allen Iverson
57
Jerry West
52
George Gervin
47
LeBron James
49
Consider how the scoring prowess of Luka Doncic and how much he controls the ball every game. He’s never scored 20+ points in more than 36 straight games.
That’s what makes this streak so remarkable: Everyone has a bad game or gets injured eventually.
Except Wilt, who, amazingly, had his streak of 126 straight 20-point games ended because he was ejected inside of 4 minutes in game 127. He went on to score 20+ points in each of the next 92 games he played.
Without that ejection, Wilt’s number would be 219. SGA achieving that mark (or even matching Chamberlain with 20+ points in 219 of 220 games) would be considered highly unlikely. But now? This is a streak that can certainly continue indefinitely.
Most consecutive games with 20+ points
YearsPlayerGames
2024-Present
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
127
1961-63
Wilt Chamberlain
126
1963-64
Wilt Chamberlain
92
1963-64
Oscar Robertson
79
It is absolutely remarkable — considering the way defenses sell out to stop premier scorers these days — that a player can go through that many games without even one off night, one early ejection, one in-game injury.
Think about how consistently the Thunder have been blowing teams out to the degree that SGA hasn’t even gotten to play in fourth quarters.
It’s a testament to all the different ways SGA can put points on the board. He’s the best driver and arguably the best midrange scorer in the game. He’s become a knock-down 3-point shooter. On the off chance that his shot isn’t landing, he can basically get to the free-throw line whenever he wants, and he makes a lot of easy buckets off OKC’s turnover-machine defense.

Victor Wembanyama’s Nod Could Help Kevin Durant Win NBA Europe Expansion Race – Report

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NBA’s Europe league continues to grow on the ground. In the latest update during All-Star weekend, Adam Silver was encouraged by the developments. Talks are ongoing with FIBA, with several European teams interested in joining. Among the cities, Paris is seen as a hot hub. And one of the clubs interested in a revival could see Kevin Durant and Victor Wembanyama join hands as investors.
According to Sports Business Journal, Paris Saint-Germain is looking to restart a basketball franchise and compete in NBA Europe. Durant joined them as a minority investor last year, and could hence join in on their initiative. Silver has clarified that active NBA players could have a chance at being investors.
The Wembanyama part comes because of the competition. SBJ reports there are several teams in Paris interested in joining. In doing so, PSG could decide to partner with an existing club to launch its bid. Among the teams mentioned is Wemby’s boyhood team, Nanterre, which resides just outside Paris, according to L’Equipe.
Victor Wembanyama just joined the team as an investor. Essentially, if PSG decides to partner with Nanterre, it would need the Spurs star’s support. He does have a competitive relationship with Kevin Durant. That may bode well. Paris Saint-Germain will also have an opportunity to independently pursue its ambitions.
Notably, PSG ran a basketball club until 2000. However, they had to shut it down due to financial troubles. Since then, the team has been taken over by Qatar Sports Investments. They are said to have a keen interest in having a presence in the basketball sphere. As for Victor Wembanyama, he has yet to make any comments.
NBA Europe possible timeout, Kevin Durant interest
Silver is fully invested in launching NBA Europe. The NBA commissioner hasn’t confirmed a set deadline yet. For now, it’s proposed to begin in October 2027. At this point, Silver and the league are still confirming the teams and the format for the league. He also noted that the league views this as a long-term project.
None of that seems to intimidate Kevin Durant. He was asked about the possibility of being involved in the league with Paris Saint-Germain. The Rockets forward confirmed his intentions to help spread the game.
“I wouldn’t say I’m involved in the process. I’m prepared to talk about it if it presents itself. For now, I haven’t heard too much, just rumors and narratives. Once it starts to form, hopefully I can be a part of it, pushing the game all around the world,” KD said.
There’s a high degree of competition in claiming a team in Paris. But since that’s the development, Adam Silver appears open to have as many as three teams residing in the ‘City of Love’. KD, as is with anything, basketball hopes to be an ambassador to help the game reach every corner of Europe.
Do you want to see him team up with Victor Wembanyama or go solo? Let us know your views in the comments below.

Dwight Howard Admits Missing Wife Amy Luciani Amid Divorce Drama

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The announcement of Dwight Howard’s retirement from the NBA went along with the latest episode of the Above the Rim podcast. However, it appears this edition with Michael Phelps was recorded before a turbulent week. Dwight and his wife, Amy Luciani have begun legal proceedings in what could be a very bitter divorce. Amid another lawsuit, Howard decided to officially walk away from the court. But in the sitdown with the Olympic legend, Howard gave a raw and emotional admission on how he’d gotten disenchanted with basketball. Shockingly, he credited Luciani for rebuilding him just moments before their divorce proceedings.
“I think we be searching for love in different aspects of our life. So, in the first part of my life, basketball was my love… It was everything to me,” the 3x DPOY told Phelps in this episode that dropped at the same time as his retirement announcement on social media.
He goes on to say, “But then I played basketball for a whole phase. I traveled the world. Did everything. But I was missing something. You know what I’m saying? So, it was my wife and being able to have a partner. Yeah. So that was kind of like the big thing is having a partner and somebody I could share my experiences with.”
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Howard grew visibly reflective when discussing the isolation of superstardom, telling the fellow Superman, “Cuz it’s really when they say it’s lonely at the top. Oh, s—, it’s lonely at the top. So when you have somebody you could, like, you know, lean on, share stuff with, you know, be silly with, you want that because the industry that we in is so demanding.”
Howard’s comments indicate he had been building up to retirement long before his personal life deteriorated within a week. He stuck to the announcement timeline but it puts the connection between his NBA career and his marriage into perspective.
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Dwight Howard’s retirement meets a broken marriage
For almost five years, Dwight Howard had been in professional limbo. He played overseas and in the Big3 but hadn’t stopped trying to return to the NBA. When he was voted into the Hall of Fame, he went public with his relationship with Amy Luciani. It would be the first public relationship the father of five would reveal in years.
Perhaps when he was making these comments about how much Luciani matters to him, he couldn’t have predicted how their relationship would break down. On March 7, Luciani shared a series of Instagram videos leveling major allegations on Dwight. On March 9, 2026, Howard officially filed for divorce from Luciani.
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The filing followed a very dramatic year for this formal couple. A year ago, they secretly eloped but rumors of tension between them followed immediately. Along with Luciani, whose real name is Amber Rose, going on a social media detox and being quiet on DH12’s Hall of Fame festivities, things hinted at trouble in paradise. They briefly split and reconciled amid the Hall of Fame induction.
Things deteriorated within months with Luciani leveling distressing allegations against Howard. The NBA player’s also being sued by a former employee for over $40,000 in unpaid wages this week.
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This personal upheaval coincides with Howard’s official retirement on March 12, a decision he claimed was forced by the league rather than his own desire to quit. “I still had more left to give! Yeah, I did play professionally for 20 years and I’m grateful… but I can’t lie, seeing these other players still going at it at age 40 inspired me,” Howard shared in his retirement statement.
For fans, the Above the Rim interview provides a window into what Howard was seeking as his career wound down. His partnership with Amy Luciani to fill the void left by the hard legs of the NBA has also shattered. However, as the legal battle with Luciani intensifies, it appears the peace Howard sought in his post-basketball life remains just out of reach.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander breaks insane Wilt Chamberlain record

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The Oklahoma City Thunder possess the best record in the NBA and are primed to make another run at a second consecutive title this season, largely due to the consistent and historic play from guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
As much as the league MVP and Finals MVP from last season has accomplished so far in his career, Thursday night’s milestone may be his most impressive yet in a game the Thunder (52-15) won, 104-102.
Entering the matchup with the Boston Celtics (43-23), Gilgeous-Alexander was tied with Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain for the most consecutive 20-point games in the regular season in league history (126). That record now belongs exclusively to the Thunder star, and it barely took half the game to set the new mark.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive 20-point games in the regular season
With this two-point shot to tie the game at 69 five minutes into the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander officially broke the 63-year-old record dating back to Chamberlain’s run from 1961-63. He finished the game with 35 points (13-of-18 FG).
You have to go all the way back to a Nov. 1, 2024 game — a 137-114 win over the Portland Trail Blazers — to find when Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic stretch started. Well over one year later and with multiple accolades to his credit since, he now finds himself in possession of a league record that seemed impossible to break.
To be fair, he was held to less than 20 points in three playoff games last season. However, there appears to be no sign of the current regular-season streak coming to an end anytime soon.
He is averaging the second-most points per game this season (31.8 PPG), along with 4.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists and is shooting an impressive 55.4 percent from the floor. Not only is he versatile on both ends of the floor, but Gilgeous-Alexander is remarkably consistent when the ball is in his hands.
Unlike most players in the league who are usually dominant in one or two areas, his production is spread out at multiple spots on the floor. In addition to his overall field-goal efficiency, Gilgeous-Alexander shoots 38.3% from three-point range and 89.5% from the charity stripe, which is good for ninth in the entire league.
The fact that the Thunder star even came close to Chamberlain’s record speaks volumes to begin with. After all, the second-longest 20-point streak behind Chamberlain’s 126 also belonged to the Hall of Famer (92), followed by Oscar Robertson’s 79.
How does Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic pace compare to fellow 21st-century MVPs? It is not even close as Kevin Durant went 72 straight games and the late Kobe Bryant reached 63 before his streak ended. As for active 20-point games consecutively, that belongs to Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard (42).
Chamberlain still has the record for the longest streak of scoring 30 points (65 games), 40 points (14 games), 50 points (seven games) and 60 points (four games), but the consecutive 20-point games record no longer belongs to him after Thursday.
Oklahoma City is now a ridiculous 103-24 during Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic streak. As impressive as that win was against one of the top teams in the league, that was not the most eye-popping development that came out of the win.
That belongs to Gilgeous-Alexander, who continues to amaze and put his name in the history books with remarkable achievements.

NBA Star Luka Doncic Made History In Bulls-Lakers Game

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On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers played the Chicago Bulls (at home) in California.
The Lakers won by a score of 142-130.
Luka Doncic finished the win with 51 points, ten rebounds, nine assists, three steals and one block while shooting 17/31 from the field and 9/14 from three-point range in 37 minutes of playing time.
Luka Doncic Made History In Bulls-Lakers Game
Doncic also made NBA history with his incredible performance against the Bulls.
Real App wrote: “Luka Doncic now has the most 50-point double-doubles by a point guard in NBA history.”
Doncic had come into the night with outstanding averages of 32.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 47.3% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range in 53 games.
Ryan Ward of Lakers OnSI wrote: “Per Lakers: With his 40th point tonight vs. Chicago, Luka Dončić recorded his 13th 40-point game as a Laker, ranking ninth in franchise history.
The performance marked his 11th 40-point game of 2025-26, marking the eighth-most such games in a season in Lakers history.”
Doncic And The Lakers
Doncic is in his first full season playing for the Lakers, and has helped them go 41-25 in 66 games, which has them as the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
They are in the middle of a four-game winning streak (and have won seven out of their last ten).
Following the Bulls, the Lakers will host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote: “The Lakers beat the Bulls, 142-130, to win for the 7th time in their last 8 games. Luka 51 pts 10 reb 9 ast; Reaves 30 pts 7 ast 5 reb; Ayton 23 pts on 10-for-13 10 reb; LeBron 18 pts 7 reb 7 ast; Rui 15 pts. LAL hosts DEN on Saturday, which is just below them in the West”
Doncic and the Lakers lost in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

NBA Star Austin Reaves Made History In Bulls-Lakers Game

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On Thursday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls (at home) by a score of 142-130.
One of the biggest reasons for their victory was the play of Austin Reaves.
He finished with 30 points, five rebounds, seven assists and one steal while shooting 13/20 from the field and 4/7 from three-point range in 39 minutes of playing time.
Austin Reaves Made History In Bulls-Lakers Game
Reaves also made history during the game.
Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation wrote: “From the Lakers:
With his 24th point tonight vs. Chicago, Austin Reaves reached 5,000 career points.
Reaves becomes the second undrafted player to score all 5,000 career points with the Lakers (George Mikan). He’s the 46th undrafted player in NBA history to reach the mark.”
Reaves is in the middle of a fantastic season with averages of 23.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 49.5% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range in 39 games.
He is in his fifth NBA season (all with the Lakers).
Real App wrote: “Lakers to record 30/5/5 with 0 FTA:
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — Austin Reaves”
Reaves’ Background
Reaves played his college basketball at Wichita State and Oklahoma.
The 27-year-old is one of the best stories in recent Lakers history, as he only averaged 4.1 points per contest during his freshman season.

How Spy Photography Helps Formula 1 Teams Win Races

The new Formula 1 season is underway and teams are searching for every possible competitive edge. One little-known tool in their arsenal: photographers.
Motorsports photographer Jamey Price, who PetaPixel featured earlier this year, says that fans aren’t all that aware of spy photography.
Price explains that Formula 1 is a prototype series, meaning every team enters a slightly different car based on their interpretation of the formula rules.
“The teams utilize photographers to kind of figure out how to make their own cars go faster but also keep their competition in check,” says Price.
Price has been working in Formula 1 for over a decade, during which time he has developed personal relationships with team members. Some of those staffers will ask Price to take photos of a specific part of either their car or an opponent’s car.
Price says that teams will often hire a spy photographer for an entire season, making it a full-time job. The F1 2026 season is slated to run for 24 races.
It’s a very different kind of motorsports photography; Price says that he finds it “incredibly boring” from a photographic perspective, as there isn’t as much artistry to it.
“You’re just trying to freeze the cars so you can see all the nitty-gritty details, you can see tires degrading and marbling and all the things I don’t necessarily care about as a photographer doing artistic coverage.”
While fans may not be aware of F1’s spy photographers, he says the practice has been around for a long time — dating back to the 1980s. Back then, teams were forced to wait for film to be developed; now photos can be transmitted immediately from a photographer’s position on track, allowing teams to see what’s happening in real time.
There are all sorts of reasons that F1 teams want photos of their car or other teams’ cars; Price says that it sometimes means shooting with “crazy” settings like 40,000 ISO and a shutter speed of 1/12000 to ensure the car is frozen sharp.
One example he gives is Nico Hulkenberg’s maiden podium for Sauber at the British GP last year. Price says a big reason for the German driver’s success that day was the team’s photographer taking photos of Hulkenberg’s tires trackside so the engineering team could monitor wear.
Price adds that, despite the fact he doesn’t enjoy spy photography personally, he finds it fascinating that F1 teams will utilize high-res still images to help them achieve their goal of faster lap times.

Dickerson Alleges JGR Never Came Through On Trade; Refutes Allegations

As the legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing, its former competition director, Chris Gabehart, and Gabehart’s new team, Spire Motorsports, wages on, we keep being shown new layers of onion that possibly laid the groundwork for how these two race teams found themselves to be seated across from one another in North Carolina District Court.
In a declaration from Jeff Dickerson, a co-owner of Spire Motorsports, which was added as a defendant in the lawsuit by Joe Gibbs Racing last month, Dickerson says a conversation with Joe Gibbs on pit road following a March 2025 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Ty Gibbs and Carson Hocevar had a run-in on track, allowed him to sense that Gibbs needed a more mature and experienced group for JGR’s No. 54 team and its driver, Ty Gibbs.
Dickerson says soon after that race, he touched base with Gabehart, then JGR’s Competition Director, to float the idea that Spire Motorsports like had a crew chief and car chief that Joe Gibbs Racing would benefit from in regards to the No. 54 team.
Dickerson explained,

Joe Gibbs Faces $100,000 Scam Accusations as Spire Motorsports Cuts JGR Lawsuit Bluff

The legal tussle between Joe Gibbs Racing and Spire Motorsports has a new twist, this time from Spire’s side. So far, in response to JGR’s lawsuit and injunction filing, the judge had ordered a temporary restraining order allowing Chris Gabehart to work for Spire. Now, Spire Motorsports reportedly hit back with an explanation, pointing some serious fingers at JGR’s financial operations.
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Spire Motorsports hits back at Joe Gibbs Racing
According to a series of information shared by NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass, Spire Motorsports has filed a response to Joe Gibbs Racing’s motion for a preliminary injunction. In the tweets, Pockrass shared how Spire Motorsports highlighted a broken agreement worth $100,000.
According to reports, JGR and Spire agreed to let car chief Robert Smith go to Ty Gibbs’ car last year. In return, they reportedly agreed to trade a JGR competition employee. In case it does not take place, Joe Gibbs’ team would hand over $100,000 to Spire Motorsports.
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However, Spire alleged that neither happened, as JGR did not make the payment, nor provide an employee under the agreement. With this, Spire also shared a series of responses to JGR’s allegations.
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JGR alleged that the role of Gabehart at Spire is similar to that of its team. Responding to it, Spire said the scenario is more focused on the bigger picture and ownership roles than day-to-day competition.
“Whereas my position at JGR was confined to NASCAR Cup Series competition, my responsibilities at Spire focus on strategic initiatives and operational oversight across Spire’s entire multi-series motorsports enterprise,” said Gabehart.
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JGR further added that if Gabehart channels JGR info to Spire, it’d be hurt. In response to it, Spire stated that it does not need JGR’s info.
Lastly, Joe Gibbs Racing also alleged that Chris Gabehart was under a non-compete but met with Spire Motorsports’ owner, Jeff Dickerson, before being allowed. Responding to it, Spire alleged that JGR stopped paying him, and they met due to his 18-year-long friendship with Dickerson.
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All these responses surfaced after Joe Gibbs Racing filed a lawsuit against Spire Motorsports, alleging the theft of proprietary competition data for the benefit of the rival team. While the verdict of the lawsuit has yet to come out, JGR star Denny Hamlin shared his thoughts on it.
Denny Hamlin reflects on JGR-Spire Motorsports’ situation involving Chris Gabehart
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Denny Hamlin, who spent six long years with Chris Gabehart, shared his thoughts on the ongoing Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit situation against Spire Motorsports. Shedding light on it, Hamlin stated that information plays a crucial role, and it must be protected at every cost.
“I’ve shared the thoughts I had on Monday on why it’s really important for these teams to be able to protect their information because there’s honestly no going back. Yeah, if somehow your information gets out, there’s no going back until there’s another new car, and who knows when that will be,” Hamlin said.
Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart worked together for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2019 to 2024. During this time, Gabehart helped Hamlin to qualify in the Championship 4 thrice before moving into a new role within Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025.

Joe Gibbs Schooled Over His Hypocrisy Days After Carson Hocevar’s $75B Move Puts Grandson’s Career in Jeopardy

Joe Gibbs Racing and Spire Motorsports are leaving no stone unturned to go head-to-head. Their ongoing lawsuit isn’t the only enmity brewing between them. Monster Energy is eyeing Carson Hocevar for sponsorship, and JGR blames this on Spire for poaching Ty Gibbs’ longtime sponsor. But instead of sitting quietly, Spire has lashed out at them for being hypocritical of the business.
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Spire reminds JGR of the reality behind sponsors
While Gibbs and co. tried to take the high ground in court, Spire Motorsports was not ready to back down. In his official statement on Wednesday, Jeff Dickerson had some strong words against JGR and their accusations.
“Spire has every right to pursue sponsors, and that is part of the business. JGR knows this, because it is exactly what JGR does.”
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It is clear that Dickerson does not believe in playing nice when it comes to his team. However, the bigger issue lies for Joe Gibbs Racing and his associates. Monster Energy is no slouch when it comes to sponsorship.
Just like Red Bull energy, Monster energy has a massive brand name. It is a name that nearly every driver wishes to sport on their car. For the past seasons, Ty Gibbs has had the opportunity to do so.
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However, the lack of performance on his end is slowly taking away the chance from him. Monster is shifting focus. Carson Hocevar is the immediate step forward in their agenda for now. He is young and brash and already making moves in the Cup Series.
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In comparison, Ty Gibbs has been rather meek when it comes to his performance in the Cup Series. Not only that, but he was also accused of being involved in nepotism at Joe Gibbs Racing. Surely, Monster would want to associate itself with him under such conditions.
After all, they left Tyler Reddick owing to a non-happening season in 2025. Last week, Ty Gibbs had to run at Phoenix with AM/PM as his sponsor. Even though his top-5 finish at Phoenix put him at the forefront again. He is yet to earn the same level of reputation that Hocevar has.
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Veterans and analysts alike are comparing Hocevar to the likes of Dale Earnhardt. As such, it is clear that Monster wants to ride the momentum. For years, Monster has been partnering with some of the best drivers in the sport. They have worked with Kurt and Kyle Busch. They were also the title sponsor for the NASCAR Cup Series.
Currently, Monster Energy is the primary sponsor of Riley Herbst and Ty Gibbs. And if the latter does not prove his worth, he might end up losing it to JGR’s biggest rival.
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While that is one issue, there is another big revelation that has come to light from Jeff Dickerson’s end.
Joe Gibbs and co. accused of not coming through on trade
Spire Motorsports is accusing Joe Gibbs of not paying them over $100,000 in their trade of Robert Smith. According to Dickerson, “JGR would make good on our deal by the end of 2025.”
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It meant that Spire would get that amount from JGR since Robert Smith was allowed to start working immediately for Joe Gibbs. However, JGR allegedly refused to fulfill its end of the deal. Not only that, they are refusing to pay up in the future, either.
As a part of the non-compete clause in his contract with Spier, Smith should not have been working for Joe Gibbs immediately after release. Nevertheless, JGR’s promise of paying up the said amount was the only condition that Spire set up in order for him to start working with them immediately.
The trade deal and its subsequent fallout were also the reason behind Chris Gabehart’s and Jeff Dickerson’s meeting in October 2025. Dickerson wanted to consult Gabehart about their deal in order to convince Joe Gibbs and coax the amount from him without further delay.

Seater British Stadium With the Best Atmosphere He Ever Played in

Roy Keane saw and achieved almost everything during his long and decorated football career. The combative yet highly skilled midfielder dominated the Premier League with Manchester United and competed at the highest level in the Champions League during the club’s powerful era under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Captaining the club to seven league titles and a famous European Cup triumph, Keane remains one of the most influential figures in Manchester United’s history. Opponents often dreaded travelling to Old Trafford to face a Keane-led United side, with many feeling beaten before the match had even kicked off.
Whether it was the endless stream of elite players in Ferguson’s squad or the deafening support from the home crowd, United frequently won the psychological battle long before the physical contest began on the pitch. But among all the stadiums he visited, which away ground did Keane believe produced the best atmosphere?
Roy Keane in No Doubt About Best Atmosphere
Despite becoming accustomed to the incredible noise generated at Old Trafford every week, it still took something special to impress the Irishman. Yet when asked about his favourite away ground during an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Keane didn’t take long to answer:

Ohtani back in Miami, where he’s had some magical moments

MIAMI (AP) — Shohei Ohtani calls Miami’s loanDepot Park, the site of the knockout rounds of this year’s World Baseball Classic, one of his favorite stadiums.
It’s not hard to imagine why. It’s the place where he delivered two of baseball’s quintessential moments from the last few years.
It’s the ballpark where, on Sept. 19, 2024, he entered — created, really — baseball’s 50-50 club. All Ohtani did that night: go 6 for 6, hit three home runs, steal two bases, drive in 10 runs, become the first player ever to reach 50 homers and 50 steals in a season. And if that wasn’t enough, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a playoff berth that night to officially begin down the path of what has become back-to-back World Series titles.
And in 2023, the last time he wore the Japan uniform in Miami, Ohtani delivered the knockout punch in the WBC — striking out Mike Trout, his then-teammate with the Los Angeles Angels, on a full-count curve to seal Japan’s 3-2 win over the U.S. in the title game.
Ohtani is back, and so is Japan, looking for another title. They worked out on the Miami Marlins’ field Thursday, two days before they’ll take on Venezuela in a WBC quarterfinal game.
“This is the place I have very good memories,” Ohtani said through an interpreter Thursday.
Ohtani has won three consecutive MVP awards — one in the AL, then two in the NL since joining the Dodgers — and was the AL’s MVP in 2021 as well. That’s four in five seasons, something only Barry Bonds (who won four of his seven MVPs consecutively) has done in baseball history.
All four of Ohtani’s MVP awards have come in unanimous votes. He was MVP of the 2023 WBC as well, and if Japan — the only three-time champion in the event’s history — wins again, Ohtani will have yet another reason to celebrate in Miami.
It won’t end exactly the same way this year, since Ohtani isn’t pitching in this year’s WBC, but another title — however it arrives — would be good enough. He likes Miami, likes the memories he has there, but knows it’s time to create new ones.
“Of course, I’m not going to bring memories to the next game,” Ohtani said. “But I think there is a very positive influence to myself.”
___

Hutchins’ new barbecue restaurant in Dallas-Fort Worth is now open

Visitors to Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers games in Arlington might be able to smell the smoke from The Original Roy Hutchins Barbeque before they pull into the parking lot.
The massive new restaurant, open as of March 12, 2026, is situated between Fort Worth and Dallas on Interstate 30. Its 10 puffing smokestacks beckon tourists and locals alike for a bite of brisket. Crowds are welcome; there’s room for more than 450 people in the restaurant’s five sprawling rooms.
Zack Hutchins, grandson of the restaurant’s namesake and the director of operations, said expanding from Trophy Club into Arlington was important for the company growth.
Beyond football and baseball fans traveling to D-FW, the FIFA World Cup will bring people from all over the world to Arlington in summer 2026. Soccer games will take place less than a mile south of Hutchins.
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“It’s always nice to have regulars,” Zack Hutchins said, “but here, we also have a chance to feed people for the first time — to give them their first Texas barbecue experience.

BNP Paribas Open: Best Outfits and Status Symbols at Indian Wells

Krista Banuelos traveled from Texas to attend the tennis event in California.
She told Business Insider that the most expensive piece of her outfit sat across her eyes: Prada PR 16WS sunglasses. They retail for $518.
She paired them with a Lacoste top, a Talbots skirt covered in a tennis-racket print, and Adidas sneakers.
Nicholas Graves, an attendee from the San Francisco Bay Area, attended the BNP Paribas Open in an understated outfit. It included a vintage Ralph Lauren shirt, Uniqlo shorts, and New Balance sneakers.
His bracelet and watch, though, were designed by the Los Angeles designer brand Chrome Hearts.
Both were silver and appeared to have crystal detailing.
Elijah Flanders and Lindsay Flanders, a couple from Los Angeles, visited the tennis tournament with their 6-month-old daughter.
While they both looked sharp in eye-catching outfits with bold prints, their accessories really stole the show. They wore matching Rolex watches.
Elijah wore a Datejust 41 timepiece with a gold face and thick band, while Lindsay wore a more delicate version of the watch with diamonds around the face.
Sogol Akbary, from Los Angeles, was at the BNP Paribas Open in a cream-colored outfit comprised of high-end pieces.
Her cream-colored vest was from Dissh, an Australian fashion brand, while her cropped pants came from Agolde.
She also wore a green baseball cap, Baleen sunglasses, $585 leather ballet flats from Le Monde Béryl, and an assortment of metallic jewelry, which included a diamond tennis necklace and matching earrings.
Isis Anderson traveled to the tennis event from Connecticut and wore athletic attire upon arrival.
Specifically, she donned a blue Fabletics set comprised of a button-up tank top and a matching miniskirt.
Anderson also wore Adidas sneakers with ankle-length socks, thick sunglasses, and statement gold jewelry.

Gemini Rolls Out Ask Maps to Make Google Maps More Interactive

Google is introducing a new Gemini AI feature to the Google Maps app on Thursday called Ask Maps. Described as a

Intennse moves its rapid-fire tennis concept to Assembly Studios

A new tenant is joining the lineup of mainstays at Doraville’s sprawling Assembly Studios: fast-paced tennis concept Intennse.
Ahead of its 2026 season, Intennse is relocating from Electric Owl Studios to the largest stage in the Assembly campus. The stage, dubbed Stage 5, was built specifically for tenants with live audiences.
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Where to watch Aryna Sabalenka vs. Victoria Mboko today: Tennis free stream

Aryna Sabalenka will face Victoria Mboko in the BNP Paribas Open quarterfinals Thursday at 2 p.m. ET. Sabalenka and Mboko faced off for the first time ever at the 2026 Australian Open in January, where Sabalenka won in straight sets.
Sabalenka vs. Mboko will air on Tennis Channel, and streams live on FuboTV (free trial).
What: BNP Paribas Open, Quarterfinals
Who: No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 10 Victoria Mboko
When: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Where: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California
Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: Tennis Channel
Live stream: FuboTV (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial)
Here’s a recent tennis story from the Associated Press:
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka credits her new puppy, Ash, with providing “mental health support” as she continues to rack up victories and maintain her standing as the top-ranked player in women’s tennis.
Sabalenka brought her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to a post-match interview on the Tennis Channel following her round-of-16 victory over Naomi Osaka on Wednesday at the BNP Paribas Open.
“I feel like I’m much more settled, calm, more in control,” Sabalenka, who has a history of emotional, on-court outbursts, said while Tennis Channel commentators held and petted her dog. “Whenever I feel like going crazy on my team, I just pet Ash and I feel better.”
Sabalenka, who also recently announced her engagement to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis, shared news of her puppy in a social media post last week, introducing Ash as a “new addition” to Team Tiger, her support team of coaches, trainers and other staff.
She spoke more about Ash following her 6-2, 6-4 victory over Osaka.
Sabalenka said she had a deal with coach Anton Dubrov that if she won last year’s U.S. Open, she would get a dog.
She also considered getting a Dachshund, but decided on a spaniel because “my mom had a spaniel and I loved that dog,” adding that spaniels make good “family dogs.”
“Super attached to their owners, super chill, super cute, supper cuddly,” she said.
Sabalenka said she wanted her dog’s name to be related somehow to New York and the U.S. Open.
“Apple doesn’t sound right,” she said. So, she went with Ash as a nod to American tennis great and civil rights activist Arthur Ashe, after whom the main U.S. Open stadium court is named.

Tennis, Pickleball Programs Coming To Bridgewater For 2026

The Township Council approved a $60,000 contract with the Somerset Hills Tennis Association to manage youth and adult recreation programs.
BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Tennis and Pickleball programs are coming to Bridgewater for residents in 2026.
The Township Council recently approved an agreement with the Somerset Hills Tennis Association, LLC to provide tennis and pickleball instruction. The total cost for these services will not exceed $60,000.
Township officials confirmed the programs will operate at no expense to the municipal budget.

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Cam Norrie prediction: Tennis odds, picks, best bet for Indian Wells

It takes something special to beat Carlos Alcaraz these days.
Newly minted with a career Grand Slam after his triumph at the Australian Open, Alcaraz has taken his game to rarefied heights in 2026. The Spaniard has yet to lose a match this season, winning titles in Melbourne and then Doha.
Alcaraz is very likely to run his record to 16-0 on Thursday night. He’s a -3500 favorite to beat Cam Norrie in the quarterfinals at the Indian Wells Masters.
Indian Wells: Alcaraz vs. Norrie odds, prediction
The odds tell you everything you need to know about the tale of the tape for this match. Alcaraz is the far superior player. He’s a savant on the court, and he’s only getting better with each passing match. His offensive game is now unmatched, and he’s been the best defensive player in the sport for years.
He’s got a laundry list of superpowers. But Norrie may have his kryptonite.
Norrie, a former Indian Wells champion, has three wins in five matches against Alcaraz, including one in their last meeting at the Paris Masters late in 2025.
What’s interesting about Norrie’s success against Alcaraz is that the Brit doesn’t really have any weapons. He’s got a decent attacking game, and he’s a competitive defender, but he’s not going to blow you off the court with any of his tools.
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Norrie does bring one elite skill to the table, though it’s hard to measure on paper: Relentlessness. A speedy, tireless competitor, the former World No. 8 never gives up on a point, and will stick around in a match, hoping to capitalize on any dip in form or fatigue. If you give him an opening, Norrie will take it.
That ability to hang around always makes him an interesting option as an underdog, especially with the market getting so carried away with Alcaraz’s form.
I’ll take a shot on Norrie to stick around in this match and push Alcaraz to the brink. Something he’s done quite often in his career already.
The Play: Carlos Alcaraz to win 2-1 (+380, FanDuel)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.

Sabalenka and Sinner move to the BNP Paribas semifinals and Medvedev benefits from a disputed call

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka — the world’s top-ranked men’s and women’s tennis players — both won quarterfinal matches in straight sets during an eventful Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open.
Sabalenka held off Victoria Mboko, 7-6 (0), 6-4 to keep her in the running for her first title at Indian Wells. Alcaraz — who has opened 2026 by winning 16 straight matches — topped Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 to move within two rounds of his third title in four years at the ATP Masters 1000 event just outside of Palm Springs.
Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev also advanced to the men’s semifinals, with Medvedev benefiting from a disputed, overturned point late in his 6-1, 7-5 victory over defending champion Jack Draper.
Draper momentarily threw his arms to his side to signal he thought Medvedev’s deep forehand had landed long during a rally that ended several shots later when Medvedev’s backhand went into the net. Medvedev, already up one set, asked chair umpire Aurelie Tourte for a video review.
Tourte said that by rule, Draper’s gesture was “something different than you would do normally,” and that she felt compelled to award the point to Medvedev.
“We played two shots afterwards,” Draper protested calmly. “I get it if he missed the next ball, but he didn’t.”
The ruling, which drew boos from the crowd, put Medvedev up 0-30 en route to a break that allowed him to serve out the match one game later, setting up his semifinal showdown with Alcaraz on Saturday.
Medvedev said he would have accepted whatever ruling Tourte made and merely requested the review because the rules allow it.
“I don’t feel great” about it, Medvedev told Draper on the court moments after the match. Draper told Medvedev that he ”won the match fair and square,” but didn’t think his gesture distracted Medvedev enough to warrant the review.
Sinner and Zverev will meet in the other men’s semifinal.
Sabalenka plays her semifinal on Friday against 14th seed Linda Noskova of Czechia, a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 winner over unseeded Australian Talia Gibson.
Sabalenka hasn’t lost a set in the tournament, but was pushed by the 10th-seeded Mboko, a 19-year-old Canadian who won the 2025 Canadian Open — and whom Sabalenka defeated 6-1, 7-6 (1) in the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year.
“That was a tough battle today,” Sabalenka said. “Happy with the level I played in those key moments in each set.
After winning every point in a first-set tiebreaker, Sabalenka got the one break she needed to vanquish Mboko in two sets.
Also advancing to the semifinals for just the second time at Indian Wells was ninth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, who knocked off second-seeded Iga Swiatek, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Svitolina broke to go up 5-4 in the third set and held serve for the match. She’ll play Friday against Elena Rybakina, who beat American Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 7-6 (4).
Sinner served 10 aces while defeating 25th-seeded Learner Tien, 6-1, 6-2. The second-seeded Italian’s victory ended the run of the youngest American — at age 20 — to play in a quarterfinal at Indian Wells since his coach, Michael Chang, won the tournament in 1992.
Zverev put 72% of his first serves in play during his 6-2, 6-3 victory over France’s Arthur Fils.
Alcaraz was broken twice by Norrie, but broke back four times.
___

Sabalenka and Sinner advance in straight sets to the semifinals at Indian Wells

Aryna Sabalenka held off 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko, 7-6 (0), 6-4, in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open, keeping the top-ranked player in women’s tennis in the running for her first title at Indian Wells
March 12, 2026 at 6:59 p.m. EDT1 minute ago
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Aryna Sabalenka held off Victoria Mboko, 7-6 (0), 6-4, in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday, keeping the top-ranked player in women’s tennis in the running for her first title at Indian Wells.

Fort Collins’ Scarlett Marske named Blue FCU Girls Athlete of Week

Fort Collins tennis player Scarlett Marske was named the Blue Federal Credit Union Girls Athlete of the Week.
Marske won three consecutive singles matches to help her team start the season with a 3-0 record.
The junior tennis player received 30.1% of the fan vote to earn the weekly honor.
This week’s Blue Federal Credit Union Girls Athlete of the Week award is headed outdoors for some spring tennis
Fort Collins tennis player Scarlett Marske took top honors in the Fort Collins area for the week of March 2-7 after an impressive start to the season.
Marske won her season-opening match vs. Loveland on the No. 2 singles line, helping the Lambkins sweep the Red Wolves 7-0.
Then, the Fort Collins junior beat Erie’s Claire Nguyen in resounding fashion by a score of 6-1, 6-3. That led the way in a 5-2 team win over the Tigers.
For good measure, Marske followed that up with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 win over Greeley West, a difference-making result in Fort Collins’ 4-3 team victory for a 3-0 dual record.
It continues a strong career for the junior, who made the 5A state tournament as a doubles player in 2024 and earned a No. 2 singles alternate spot last season.
Marske is just the second tennis player to earn Blue FCU Athlete of the Week honors this season, joining Poudre boys player Owen Addington.
She’s also the third Fort Collins athlete to win the award, matching Lambkins girls basketball players Annika VanDalen and Lydia Childs.
Marske got 30.1% of the vote to finish ahead of these four other outstanding girls Athlete of the Week nominees:
Addison Geraets, Timnath track & field (runner-up with 23.7% of the vote)
Kiana Cumings, Windsor track & field
Nola Greenwald, Windsor basketball
Cadence Smith, Heritage Christian basketball
The Blue Federal Credit Union Athlete of the Week series features five nominees on Mondays, with voting at Coloradoan.com until 11:59 a.m. every Thursday.
Fans can nominate their favorite athletes (deadline: 11:59 p.m. every Sunday), and the Coloradoan Sports staff will ultimately select the nominees each week.
If you have nominations for a future Athlete of the Week, please send them via email to ChrisAbshire@coloradoan.com for consideration.
View the full results:
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.

The PGA Tour’s Potential Future Schedule Is Promising

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Welcome back to SI Golf’s Fact or Fiction, where we are not telling you how many balls we have hit into the water at 17 at TPC Sawgrass.
Following PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp’s significant news conference, we’re here to debate a series of statements for writers and editors to declare as “Fact” or “Fiction” along with a brief explanation. Responses may also (occasionally) be “Neutral” since there’s a lot of gray area in golf.
Do you agree or disagree? Let us know on the SI Golf X account.
In his press conference Wednesday, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp offered a rough outline of a Tour schedule with 21 to 26 “first track” events overall, inclusive of majors, the Tour postseason and Ryder/Presidents Cups. That’s just the right amount of big-time golf.
Bob Harig: FACT. It actually seems about right. There’s a balance between too little and too much and that number probably tracks. Perhaps more important, Rolapp outlined a plan that will increase the field sizes of the biggest tournaments.
Jeff Ritter: FICTION. It’s a nice target, but are Rory and Scottie really playing that many? It’s probably the right number for a first track or top tier or whatever they call it, but I’m skeptical they can all be “big time” events.
Max Schreiber: FACT. For a fan, yes. Star players might feel differently, though, playing that much in a short amount of time.
John Schwarb: FACT. The question right now is “can you get Scottie and Rory to play in everything?” and a number of Tour events in the 15-to-17 range might get that done (then you add the majors). This is the “scarcity” we’ve been hearing about and, right now, it sounds good.
Rolapp said match play could be in play for the FedEx Cup, either for the Tour Championship or across the entire postseason, “bringing win-or-go-home moments.” The playoffs should be all match play.
Bob Harig: FICTION. Win or go home makes sense but match play is very tenuous. All it takes is a final with two players nobody’s ever heard of and you’ll hear cries about it not working. The problem with the current system is there is virtually no risk for the top players. If that can change, then they’re onto something.
Jeff Ritter: FICTION. Good start, but not drastic enough. The full plan for a reboot is here.
Max Schreiber: FICTION. The Tour Championship, fine. The other two or more events? No. Early in the week, with so many matches going on, it makes for bad television, in my opinion, trying to follow everything at once. One event with that format, with just 30 players, works.
John Schwarb: FACT. Yes, in a “postseason” that is just the Tour Championship. Rolapp sounds committed to maintaining the three-event structure and that’s too bad—why not have all your signature events feeding into one finale? Then take 30 (maybe even 50 or 60) players and play 36 holes of stroke play to set a “Sweet 16” bracket and have a match play weekend.
Rolapp said the Tour wants to “open big with a marquee event at an iconic venue in the west,” which could be interpreted that Hawaii is history. If so, that’s a big loss.
Bob Harig: FICTION. Hawaii itself might be a loss but the timing is not. Perhaps the late January opening Rolapp noted could be played in Hawaii. But what appears obvious the Tour has no desire to go up against a huge slate of NFL playoff games early in the new year.
Jeff Ritter: FACT. If Hawaii is actually lost, that would sting. But based on Rolapp’s broad comments I’m not writing it off just yet. Why can’t there be a Hawaiian swing in the late fall? It would be a fantastic way to wind down that stretch of the season, or even the “second tier.”
Max Schreiber: FICTION. Is anyone watching the Sony Open on Golf Channel, going head-to-head with the NFL playoffs? No. Kapalua’s a little better, with big names, an interesting course and some airtime on NBC, but we can do without both and start the season at Torrey Pines or Phoenix a few weeks later.
John Schwarb: NEUTRAL. A lot of Midwesterners like me will miss those Hawaii views on our flatscreens in January. But I’m not ignorant to the fact that private equity now must be served and staging a golf tournament in the middle of the Pacific Ocean isn’t going to line investors’ pockets.
Questions about LIV Golf were largely brushed aside by Rolapp, including whether its players could become eligible for the Players Championship. While Rolapp also downplayed the Players-as-a-major talk, it’s hard to take the event seriously as a marquee event without LIV representation.
Bob Harig: FICTION. It’s a big event regardless, missing a few marquee names. But there’s no question that the event is better with everyone eligible, including LIV players. Now that LIV has OWGR accreditation, it’s easy to simply stick the top 50 OWGR designation. If anyone from LIV is in the top 50, let them play.
Jeff Ritter: FICTION. The Players delivers year after year, with or without LIV. It doesn’t need to be the fifth major—just keep being the best PGA Tour event.
Max Schreiber: FICTION. Essentially, this event is missing two players: Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. Maybe Cam Smith, Dustin Johnson and Joaquin Niemann. Perhaps there’s some people out there who want to see Mickelson and Sergio Garcia fight to make the cut for nostalgia purposes. But without them, it’s still the fifth-best stroke-play event in golf, with a loaded field and a diabolical golf course.
John Schwarb: FICTION. It’s absolutely a marquee event, just look at the scene around the 17th hole especially Friday and Saturday afternoon. The fact Rolapp downplayed the fifth major discussion matters—you can’t keep pounding that drum and keep out top players from elsewhere. But being the best event on the best tour is enough.
More Golf from Sports Illustrated

PGA Tour: Seagull and Golf Ball Square Off at The Players 2026

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The Players is off to a wild start. And by wild, we do mean animalistic.
At least, that was the story on the 17th green at TPC Sawgrass on Thursday. This hole has an interesting history of battling rough waters and feathered foes. But a golf ball stood its ground in Round 1 when a seagull landed on the green and started to challenge it.
Lucky for the competitor who had hit said shot — his name is cropped out of the footage — the seagull backed off instead of stealing the ball. He was already five over par at this point and didn’t need any man or bird making his job harder.
History of Seagulls on 17 at The Players
PGA Tour fans who regularly tune in to watch The Players know this particular seagull run-in could have gone much, much worse.
In fact, Thursday marked the 28th anniversary of a seagull stealing Brad Fabel’s golf ball at — drumroll, please — the 17th green at TPC Sawgrass. The winged resident at the Ponte Vedra Beach golf course carried the ball over the water and promptly dropped it in.
Fortunately for Fabel, he was able to replace the ball without being penalized.
This 137-yard par 3 is difficult enough to hit without winged warriors getting involved. The notorious “Island Green” is surrounded by water, except for a small walkway leading to it. According to CBS Sports, over 1,000 golf balls have been hit into the water on 17 since 2003.
Weather Marks Wild Start to The Players 2026
Resident fowl haven’t been the only threat in the first round of The Players 2026.
Play was delayed for just under half an hour on Thursday due to expected rain in the area. Action resumed just a little after noon Eastern time, with later tee times being pushed back by only 30 minutes.
Heavy Sports previously wrote that inclement weather is expected to hit this weekend’s event. Wind gusts are projected to hit over 20 mph, which could make the Island Green even harder to hit. The forecast also calls for scattered thunderstorms over the weekend, which could further postpone play.
Big Storylines Heading Into The Players 2026
Hopefully, this seagull wasn’t seeking fame, because there are bigger headlines at play heading into this tournament.
Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner Collin Morikawa was forced to withdraw from The Players just after he started the first round.
“I felt fine in warm-up. Like nothing’s been any signs of back problems. And teed it up on 11, and took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone,” Morikawa said, via Golfweek. “I just had the feeling before when it’s happened. And I just, I can’t swing through it. Trust me, I would play if I could. It’s just the worst thing in the world.”
Speaking of back issues, Rory McIlroy is scheduled to tee off later in the day. The defending Players champion bowed out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational just before the third round due to muscle spasms in his back. McIlroy took practice swings at TPC Sawgrass on Wednesday, but did not get a full practice round in.

Billy Horschel hits back at idea TGL has caused several injuries after Collin Morikawa’s withdrawal

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Billy Horschel has dismissed the idea that there is any connection between TGL and the spate of injuries to PGA Tour players after Collin Morikawa withdrew from The Players Championship.
Morikawa’s hopes of winning at TPC Sawgrass were dashed on his second hole of the day on Thursday. The 29-year-old withdrew due to pain in his back after taking a practice swing on the 11th tee.
It was a big blow to the world number four who went into the PGA Tour’s flagship event as one of the favourites.
Billy Horschel defends TGL after Collin Morikawa withdraws from The Players
Of course, all eyes were on Rory McIlroy heading into the week. The Northern Irishman withdrew ahead of the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a back problem of his own.
Elsewhere, Justin Thomas was making his first start of the season at Bay Hill after a number of months out injured.
Billy Horschel also missed a large part of 2025 due to injury. But Horschel has hit back at the idea that playing in TGL caused any of these problems.
Horschel was responding to a post on X that highlighted the number of TGL players who have been sidelined. He wrote: ‘Please stop! TGL had nothing to do with my injury. And I would suspect nothing to do with the other guys‘.
TGL is surely unlikely to be the culprit despite several high-profile injuries
It is difficult to see how TGL itself could cause a number of issues. The organisers appear to have tried to make sure that the surfaces the players hit from are as authentic as possible.
It is not as though they are hitting from the firm mats you often see at driving ranges.
Perhaps the travel could have an impact on the wear and tear that players are experiencing. Some players have gone straight from PGA Tour events to take part in TGL.
However, it is potentially much more likely that players are getting closer to pushing their bodies to the limit in the gym and finding that comes with its own risks.

Collin Morikawa’s WD Is Golf’s Latest Back Warning – and the Best Prevention Is Surprisingly Simple

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The timing only sharpened the point. Rory McIlroy arrived at TPC Sawgrass this week calling himself a “game-time decision” after hurting his back while warming up for the third round at Bay Hill, where he withdrew before his Saturday tee time. Jake Knapp’s Arnold Palmer Invitational withdrawal also became part of the same conversation, because while some initial reports labeled it an illness, later reporting indicated the issue was actually a slight back tweak tied to his heavy early-season workload.
In other words, in one week alone, three notable PGA TOUR players found themselves dealing with some version of the same problem.
This Story Didn’t Start Last Week
Of course, this isn’t new. Tiger Woods’ back history has been one of the defining physical storylines of modern golf. Reuters reported that Woods underwent surgery for a nerve impingement in September 2024 and later had lumbar disc replacement surgery in October 2025. Justin Thomas, meanwhile, spent months away from competition after back surgery in November before returning this season.
Modern medicine can get players back on the course. It just cannot erase what the golf swing asks of the body.
The One Thing That Actually Helps
That leads to the question every golfer should care about, from a Tour player to the guy rushing from the parking lot to the first tee on Saturday morning: can this be avoided?
Not completely. Golf is rotational, asymmetrical and repetitive, and at elite speed it puts serious force through the body. But if you are looking for the single best way to avoid tweaking your back, the best practical answer is this: do not make a hard golf swing with a cold body.
According to OrthoInfo, the patient-education arm of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, golfers should warm up before every round, get blood flowing, stretch key areas and hit balls progressively rather than jumping straight into max-effort swings.
That advice may sound almost too simple, but the injury data says the lower back is where golfers most often pay the price.
What the Research Actually Shows
A review published in the NIH’s PubMed Central reported that low back pain accounts for between 18% and 54% of all documented golf ailments, making it the most common golf injury in many studies. Another review found the prevalence of lower-back injuries has been estimated at roughly 15% to 35% in amateurs and up to 55% in professionals.
So while golfers love to obsess over elbows, wrists and shoulders, the lower back remains the game’s most common trouble spot.
That is why a real warm-up matters so much. Not a lazy bend-and-reach. Not two shoulder turns with a driver in hand. A real one.
The best warm-up raises body temperature first, then opens the hips, then gets the thoracic spine moving, then wakes up the glutes and trunk, and only then builds gradually into golf swings. According to OrthoInfo, golfers should work from shorter clubs to longer ones rather than launching into driver swings right away. According to Hospital for Special Surgery, pre-round mobility work should focus on the hips and upper spine because those areas help reduce strain on the lower back.
That is not fluff. That is load management.
Weekend Golfers Need This Even More
This may be even more relevant for recreational golfers than for elite players. Tour pros create more speed and endure more repetition, but they also tend to have better routines, better body awareness and more access to treatment.
The average golfer is the one more likely to go straight from sitting in the car to trying to smash driver. Research has also suggested that amateurs can expose their spines to substantial load, especially when mobility and sequencing are poor.
That is the hidden danger in the “I’m not swinging that hard” mindset. Plenty of weekend players are not powerful enough to be efficient, but they are absolutely forceful enough to get hurt.
The Bigger Picture
None of this means warm-up is a cure-all. Swing mechanics matter. Strength matters. Recovery matters. Training volume matters. If you practice too much, sit too much, move poorly and ignore warning signs, the back is going to collect that debt eventually.
The reviews in the medical literature consistently point to low back pain in golf as a multifactor issue, involving technique, mobility, strength, overuse and swing-specific loading patterns. But among all the preventive ideas golfers chase, the simplest one is still the best place to start because it addresses several of those variables at once.
So Morikawa’s withdrawal should resonate beyond this week’s leaderboard. McIlroy’s flare-up should, too. Woods’ surgeries. Thomas’ recovery. Knapp’s precautionary exit.
They all point to the same larger truth: golf is hard on the back, and the body does not always care how pretty the swing looks on video. But the best defense is also the most accessible one.
Before worrying about launch angle, swing speed or the latest recovery gadget, prepare the body to move. Warm up dynamically. Free up the hips. Get the upper back turning. Wake up the core. Build into speed.
For Tour stars and Saturday morning hackers alike, that remains the smartest way to keep one bad swing from becoming a bad month.
PGA of America Golf Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer who serves as Athlon Sports Senior Golf Writer. Read his recent “The Starter” on R.org, where he is their Lead Golf Writer. To stay updated on all of his latest work, sign up for his newsletter or visit his MuckRack Profile.

Justin Thomas shakes off rust in impressive first round at Players Championship

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Justin Thomas looked completely out of sorts in his 2026 PGA Tour debut. The two-time major champion finished dead last at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in his first start since undergoing a microdiscectomy to address a disc issue in his back last year, but that may have been all he needed to shake off the rust.
Just a few days later, Thomas fired a 4-under 68 in the first round of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. He currently sits in a tie for second place behind only Maverick McNealy, who shot a 5-under 67.
It was a shocking bounce-back from Thomas, who had one of the worst performances of his career just last week. At the API, the American shot +14 in two rounds, ranking last in the 70-man field in strokes gained from off the tee, 69th in strokes gained from putting and 68th in strokes gained on approach. There were no positives to take away from his 2026 debut, and his confidence must have been at an all-time low.
But golf is a funny sport, and Thomas proved just that a few days later.
Justin Thomas shows signs of life at Players Championship
Thomas bounced back in a big way at TPC Sawgrass in the first round of the Players Championship with six birdies and only two bogeys. He currently ranks eighth in the field in strokes gained from off the tee and fifth in strokes gained from putting.
What a difference a week makes.

Four PGA Tour Pros Become Victims of Brutal Conditions at TPC Sawgrass as They Are Stopped from Finishing The Players’ Round 1

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The PGA Tour cut its Players Championship field from 144 to 123 players partly to get everyone home before dark. On Thursday at TPC Sawgrass, darkness still had the final word.
Round 1 was suspended at 7:32 p.m. ET due to darkness, with four players unable to finish. Among them is co-leader Austin Smotherman, who faces a 14-foot birdie putt on hole 9 when play resumes at 8:50 a.m. ET Friday. Round 2 begins as scheduled at 7:40 a.m.
The day had already been disrupted once. Heavy rain forced a midday suspension at 12:09 p.m. ET. Play resumed 21 minutes later, but afternoon tee times were pushed back 30 minutes — enough of a ripple to chase the final groups into the night.
Maverick McNealy and Lee Hodges lead the clubhouse at five-under.

PGA Tour Pro Reveals Serious Illness Forced His Sudden Exit from Players Championship as Fans Show Support

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Ryan Fox came into TPC Sawgrass in 2026 as one of the PGA Tour’s most consistent players. He had four top-25 finishes, $1.7 million in earnings, and was ranked No. 44 in the world, all before a $43 million event. But five hours before his Thursday tee time, Fox withdrew. Kidney stones had sidelined him two days earlier, and surgery on Thursday morning left him with no choice but to pull out.
“Not exactly the week I had planned here @theplayers. Unfortunately, some kidney stones took me down on Tuesday night, and then I had to be dealt with surgically this afternoon. Devastated to miss out on such an amazing event, hoping to have a quick recovery and be back at it soon.” Fox posted on his Instagram.
Initially listed with an illness, Fox was diagnosed with kidney stones on Tuesday night. He underwent surgery on Thursday and missed his scheduled tee time, posting updates from his hospital bed.
Fox entered the week with a T24 at the WM Phoenix Open, another T24 at Pebble Beach, and a T7 at the Genesis Invitational, earning $603,200 in a strong field. He added a T24 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and finished the four-event stretch ranked 34th in FedExCup points with 287.
Fox ranked 21st in Strokes Gained: Total entering Ponte Vedra, with a driving distance of 314.4 yards, 17th on Tour. His approach play was 80th in SG: Approach, but overall, his form was improving. He was scheduled to tee off at 1:18 p.m. with Chris Kirk and Keegan Bradley. After Fox withdrew, David Ford, the first alternate, took his place in the group.
Fox’s Players Championship record showed progress: T-27 in 2023, a missed cut in 2024, and T-20 last year. His recent form suggested he was ready for a strong result at TPC Sawgrass. Despite his absence, the field still included 45 of the world’s top 50 players, and the tournament continued as planned.
Fox’s 2026 season has been strong so far. Missing this week does not define what remains ahead.
Golf fans rally around Ryan Fox after Players Championship exit
Fox’s Instagram post drew immediate attention, just like his play on the course.
Golf fans know Fox by one name. Foxy. The nickname carries the texture of genuine familiarity, the kind that forms over years of following a player through cuts and contention weekends, not just major headlines. When the post went up, the comment section moved fast.
One fan kept it clean and direct: “All the best for your recovery, Foxy!”
Others let more emotion through. “Gutted for you Foxy. Heal well. Sending love to gorgeous Annika too xxx” — a comment that reached past the professional disappointment and toward the personal.
Even the brief messages made an impact. “Get well soon Foxy xx.”
“Hope it’s a speedy recovery, Foxy 💪🏼.”
One comment summed up what matters most to fans: “Lots of love foxy 🦊🦊🦊 get yourself right for the masters x.” The Masters is five weeks away. Fans are already looking past the immediate setback and focusing on Augusta. That says a lot about Fox’s season so far.
This week, Fox will be away from the noise of the 17th green. His form is not lost. Once recovered, he will be back.

PGA Tour Pro’s Week at THE PLAYERS Championship Ends With Surgery

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With two PGA Tour wins under his belt, Ryan Fox had a lot of expectations coming into THE PLAYERS Championship. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the tournament due to illness.
Fox spent the previous day at the hospital and had his kidney stones surgically removed. Of course, the timing couldn’t have been worse. He provided an update on his condition in a social media post, sharing a picture of himself in a medical bed with a thumbs-up pose.
In the caption, he expressed his dissatisfaction, writing, “Not exactly the week I had planned here [THE PLAYERS Championship]. Unfortunately, some kidney stones took me down on Tuesday night, and then had to be dealt with surgically this afternoon. Devastated to miss out on such an amazing event, hoping to have a quick recovery and be back at it soon.”
The Kiwi star was on the rise ever since he won the OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic and the RBC Canadian Open in 2025. Before that, he won four events on the European Tour, including the 2023 BMW PGA Championship by a margin of one stroke.
Additionally, Fox has won three events on the PGA Tour of Australasia. He has 19 professional victories in his career.
On the Official World Golf Ranking, Fox is at the 44th position. Unfortunately, he had to be replaced at THE PLAYERS Championship.
Who Replaced Ryan Fox at THE PLAYERS Championship?
In Fox’s stead, David Ford will compete against the 123-man field at THE PLAYERS Championship. He’s teed it off at 1:18 PM at number 10, alongside Chris Kirk and Keegan Bradley.
I’m the first alternate this week. Hoping to get in the field,” Ford said ahead of the event in a clip, Golf.com posted on X.
“Even if I don’t, it’s been sweet to experience the THE PLAYERS as a player. I’ve been here as a spectator,” said the young golfer who finished first in the 2025 PGA Tour University’s college rankings.
Ford is now among the 15 players competing at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, for the first time in their career.

PGA Tour Looks to Future With Potential Changes

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Back in August 2025, the PGA Tour established the Future Competition Committee, designed to evaluate significant changes while enhancing the Tour’s value for both fans and players.
Recently, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp provided an update outlining the committee’s goals. The announcement included the potential changes being considered as the Tour continues to evolve. The committee, chaired by Tiger Woods, hopes to make significant updates to the PGA Tour while maintaining the traditions that have long defined professional golf.
The committee has identified six key focus areas: adjustments to the season structure, more consistent tournament fields, a marquee season opener, expanding events into major markets, increased promotion and relegation opportunities, and enhancements to the postseason.
Potential PGA Tour Changes
Currently, the PGA Tour season runs from late January through early December. However, according to Rolapp, the committee is considering shortening the schedule so that the season would end in early September.
Along with potential schedule changes, Rolapp noted that the Tour is exploring ways to enhance the postseason. One possibility under consideration is adding more drama to the playoffs, potentially through match-play formats.
Rolapp also emphasized the importance of expanding into major markets. Currently, the Tour hosts events in just four of the ten largest U.S. media markets. As a result, the committee is evaluating opportunities to bring tournaments to cities with stronger demand and large audiences. These include cities like New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston.
Overall, many of the proposed changes appear to focus on improving the fan experience while also increasing engagement.
Player-Focused Changes
The committee also focuses on improving competition for players. One of its priorities is ensuring stronger and more consistent fields at top events. Rolapp indicated that the Tour may move away from smaller-field, no-cut tournaments and instead return to events featuring approximately 120 players with a traditional cut.
Another potential focus includes starting the season with an iconic venue event, likely in the western United States. Rolapp said launching the season this way would allow the final round to finish in prime time for East Coast television audiences.
“We will continue to move with urgency, but we are more focused on getting this right,” Rolapp said. “We are proud of our history and just as focused on building the strongest possible future for our game and the fans.”
More information about the committee’s recommendations is expected to be shared in June during the Travelers Championship.
While many of the proposed updates aim to benefit both fans and players, the overall goal is to strengthen the future growth and appeal of the PGA Tour.

Russell Henley Avoids Disqualification at THE PLAYERS, Thanks to Fellow PGA Tour Pro

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One mistake nearly cost Russell Henley his tournament. It was only thanks to a timely warning from a fellow pro that he avoided a disqualification at THE PLAYERS Championship.
After beginning the tournament on the par-4 10th, Henley shot a one-under 35 and made par on the first hole. However, his progress was halted because of the rain, and he ran to the clubhouse from the green on the second.
While he didn’t keep track of time, fellow pro Ben Griffin knew it was only a 19-minute delay, and urged Henley to get back on the green.
Talking to the media after wrapping up the first round, Henley said, “I didn’t stay in place. I was beside the clubhouse, we ran in because I thought it was going to be like a tornado, it was raining really, really hard. When I went inside I was hitting the lunch table and Ben Griffin said, ‘You have a restart in four minutes.’”
Henley had no time to warm up in those 10 stressful minutes. After all, he’d have faced disqualification if he weren’t present at his position during the restart. But after reaching the course on time, he got to know that he was technically held in position.
“At the time, it was coming down really hard, like sideways, so I just ran into the clubhouse,” Henley continued. “I just, I didn’t think that would be a hold-in-position type of weather based off my experience. But it was.”
And he ended up laughing at his near misfortune. But is Henley satisfied with his first-round performance?
How Did Russell Henley Perform at THE PLAYERS Championship?
“I’ll take 4-under par here any day,” the 36-year-old confessed.
Although the course was “visibly intimidating,” Russell Henley committed to his shots. He had to face bad winds that changed direction and, of course, the heavy rain. Yet, he managed to hit a four-under 68 to currently land on T6.
“I had a really nice up-and-down on 6, I guess my 15th hole, from the left bunker,” the five-time PGA Tour winner revealed his favorite shot of the day.
“That’s something that I’ve felt uncomfortable with a little bit this year is my bunker play, and I’ve been working on it pretty hard and it was good to see that one go in there tight.”
Can he maintain his lucky streak in the coming rounds? Tell us what you think in the comments.

Connor Zilisch Twists His Words on Leaving NASCAR Weeks After Confessing F1 Ambitions

Fresh off the success of a 10-race winning Xfinity campaign, Connor Zilisch was flying high at the start of this year when he was promoted to the Cup. He even stated that he wouldn’t mind leaving NASCAR to pursue his F1 ambitions if things went well. But as it turns out, things haven’t been going well for the 19-year-old. And his F1 ambitions? They seem to be on hold for now.
Connor Zilisch wants to deal with NASCAR first
Earlier this year, Connor Zilisch took part in the 24 Hours of Daytona, where he confessed that if he had a ‘very successful’ few years in NASCAR, he wouldn’t mind pursuing F1. A few months from that, Zilisch is having a difficult start to his rookie season. His best result so far has been a 14th-place finish, while in the other three races, he has finished outside the top 20.
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Perhaps that is the reason why his ambitions beyond NASCAR have adapted given the current circumstances. During an appearance on the SPEED podcast, Zilisch was asked about what he wants to try outside of the Cup Series.
In his response, he mentioned wanting to settle and succeed in NASCAR. But omitted any mention of racing in F1. And instead of it, he expressed a desire to race in another iconic American motorsports event.
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“For me, I want to race in, there’s a lot of things I want to race. Obviously, first I want to be successful here. I don’t want to jump around in other things before I do well in what I’m doing. Obviously the Indy 500 is a big bucket list for me. But I’ve got a lot on my plate as it is. So, I got to figure this stuff out first,” Zilisch said.
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The 19-year old will be hoping to get his season back on track. After all, there was a lot of hype and expectations attached to his first full-time season in the Cup Series. Unfortunately, he’s gone through a series of bad races and not been able to show his true potential yet. Out of all four races so far, he’s only had one top 15 at COTA.
Zilisch arrived at the Cup level on the back of a legendary season in the Xfinity (now O’Reilly Auto Parts) Series, where he won 10 races, 7 of which almost came in a row, as after winning three in a row, he finished 4th in Iowa, which he then followed up by winning four in a row.
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But way before he was a full-timer in NASCAR, Connor Zilisch shared his views on NASCAR and F1.
Zilisch saw a huge difference between NASCAR and F1
In a 2024 interview, the then 17-year-old spoke about how big a difference he felt as a fan going to watch an F1 race and how NASCAR compares to it.
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“I went to a F1 race in 2020, and that made us (NASCAR) look like we were going to the county fair, almost,” Zilisch said as per Autoweek. “It was crazy how much money goes into every event in F1. I don’t think it’s really possible to do that for us just because … NASCAR isn’t F1.”
Zilisch mentioned that a lot of the fan experience is down to the hospitality. Having said that, he claimed that he isn’t sure of the logistics of how NASCAR would do it, or if it’d be possible in the first place. But for him, it became ‘an eye-opening experience.’
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Do you think NASCAR can learn a thing or two from F1? Let us know in the comments below.

Nick Carter, Olympians Named Officials for NASCAR Pennzoil 400

Fans attending NASCAR’s Pennzoil 400 weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will see more than just Cup Series action on the track.
Track officials announced that pop star Nick Carter, several members of the U.S. Olympic luge team and children’s entertainment personality Blippi will serve as honorary race officials during the race weekend leading into Sunday’s Pennzoil 400.
The guest lineup brings together music, Olympic competition and children’s entertainment as Las Vegas continues to build one of the most crossover-heavy race weekends on the NASCAR schedule.
Backstreet Boys Star Nick Carter Joins NASCAR Weekend
Carter rose to fame as a member of the Backstreet Boys, one of the most recognizable pop groups of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The singer is scheduled to take part in pre-race activities during the Pennzoil 400 weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
His appearance adds another entertainment crossover to the event as NASCAR continues to bring musicians, athletes and celebrities into race weekend ceremonies.
Olympic Luge Athletes Bringing Winter Games Speed to NASCAR
Members of the U.S. luge team will also take part in pre-race ceremonies.
The group is led by Ashley Farquharson, who captured a bronze medal in women’s singles at the 2026 Winter Olympics. She will be joined by fellow Olympians Zack DiGregorio, Ansel Haugsjaa, Jonny Gustafson and Marcus Mueller.
Mueller and Haugsjaa also made Olympic history in the men’s doubles event by setting a track record during the competition in Cortina.
Luge athletes are among the fastest competitors in winter sports, reaching speeds well above 80 miles per hour on ice tracks, making their appearance a natural fit for a weekend centered on high-speed racing.
Blippi Bringing Family Appeal to the Pennzoil 400
The honorary race official lineup also includes Blippi, the educational children’s character known for exploring vehicles, machines and how things work.
Blippi will participate in race day activities on March 15, helping introduce younger fans to the NASCAR experience during the Pennzoil 400 weekend.
The brand’s digital reach is massive, with a global audience of more than 100 million followers and billions of monthly views across YouTube and streaming platforms.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway General Manager Patrick Lindsey said the diverse guest list reflects the broad entertainment reach of the race weekend.
“This is one of the most dynamic and star-studded honorary race official lineups we’ve ever assembled,” Lindsey said.
The Pennzoil 400 has become one of NASCAR’s most entertainment-driven race weekends, blending sports, music and pop culture as the Cup Series returns to Las Vegas each spring.

Rick Hendrick’s NASCAR Protégé Reveals Ugly Financial Grind Behind Full-Time Racing Dream

One might think that a driver racing for names like Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Rick Hendrick would have no problems racing. But Rajah Caruth’s case challenges that notion. Because sometimes it doesn’t matter if a driver is backed by some of the biggest names in the sport, even that falls short in the face of one of the biggest, if not the biggest part of racing in NASCAR: sponsorship dollars.
Despite the backing of Rick Hendrick, Rajah Caruth remains looking
Rajah Caruth is currently splitting time between JR Motorsports and Jordan Anderson Racing in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He is also backed by the biggest organization in NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports. But despite that, in a recent podcast appearance, Caruth revealed the difficulties he is facing in making sure he gets to race on schedule.
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“We’re still selling sponsorship. It’s not easy by any means,” Caruth said. “We’re still fighting to get the rest of the 10 races sold, like I guess not now. And it’s not easy from that side of things. Side of obviously the differences in the organizations and the resources.”
Having said that, he thanked Rick Hendrick and his wife for their ‘amazing’ support and for keeping him ’employed.’ Caruth then expressed his gratitude towards Chevrolet for acting as a bridge to get him to Jordan Anderson.
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So far in his four starts in the O’Reilly Series, Rajah Caruth has had three top 10 finishes. At this stage of the season last year in the Truck Series, he had three finishes outside the top 20. Therefore, it can be said that in many ways, he has grown as a racecar driver and improved his craft.
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But for Caruth, it isn’t the competition side that is tricky. It is the commercial one, selling the sponsors and selling the races.
Rajah Caruth’s expectations in 2026
With eight top 10 finishes, four inside the top 5, and one win, Rajah Caruth impressed everyone with his talent and skill in the 2025 Truck Series campaign. This earned him a promotion to the O’Reilly Series with JR Motorsports, one of the most successful organizations in NASCAR’s second tier.
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Caruth was announced to run 23 races with JRM and 10 with Jordan Anderson Racing. But despite the fact that he’s having two runs in two separate outfits along with his sponsorship issues, he claimed he’ll ‘get the most out of the car’, regardless of it being a JRM car or a Jordan Anderson car. In fact, for JRM, Caruth has some pretty high goals:
“[With JRM], we expect to win and run up front. There is no reason why I can’t go and be competitive in the 32 car as well. I’m going to be working, putting my all in. There is no doubt in my mind that whatever car I’m in, I’m going to get the most out of it,” he said, according to NASCAR.
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For the 2026 season, he has a more mature mindset. Caruth claimed he’d trust himself more, work hard in the simulator more, be more involved with his team, and not compare himself to other people.
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Do you think Rajah Caruth can bounce back this season amid his problems with sponsorships? Let us know in the comments below.

Abandoned NASCAR Track Handed $4M Lifeline as Local Protestors Save Historic Speedway From Demolition

The future of Greenville-Pickens Speedway was in real danger when developers announced its demolition. The decision to replace it with an industrial park didn’t sit well with the local fans, whose efforts have now saved the track’s fate. The developers have withdrawn, and the historic track is on the verge of receiving a new fate, as a multi-million dollar project awaits.
Greenville-Pickens Speedway fetching a $4 million lease fee?
In a recent interview with Frontstretch, Jackie Manley, a potential buyer of the racetrack, shed light on how he came to know about it. When asked about it, he said:
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“From the meeting, one of the meetings here, either this meeting or the Pickens county board. They gave their card and said anybody interested? This is what we’re going to do. So I just reached out.
Following this, he was asked about the four-million-dollar loan, which is reported to be the cost of getting the lease.
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“Oh, the four million that they are asking us just to buy the upgrades. Yeah, the upgrades is after that, which is the way the community is. Behind it, I don’t see it being a problem to get it up and running. I don’t see a problem at all.”
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Notably, the Pickens County Planning Commission initially proposed to demolish the historic speedway to build an industrial park around it. The track, which was built around the 1940s, hosted NASCAR-sanctioned races, CARS Tour races, and the Upper South Carolina State Fair.
It is the second-oldest NASCAR track in the United States, and the venue from which the first race was aired back in 1971. Given the track’s history, locals and racing fans strongly opposed the demolition.
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Senior producer at FloRacing, Matthew Dillner, had also tweeted how the developer “lied” about the development plans and urged saving its legacy.
However, the racetrack’s future remains undecided, and amid this, a $4 million lease surfaced. Once the sale goes through, the buyer is expected to get it involved in racing duties, but if it does not go through, chances are that the developers will reapply for the park, something the RealtyLink group put emphasis on.
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Greenville-Pickens Speedway developer group inching closer to sale
RealtyLink group, the developers involved with the maintenance, repair, and selling of the Greenville-Pickens Speedway, said that they were close to finalizing a sale of the track. Speaking about this, Phil Wilson with RealtyLink said:
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“We’re really close on a contract. I actually thought it would be signed before tonight, and I think I would to help kind of, planning commission, to make a better decision, or at least a better decision for us, but it didn’t happen, so we’ll pick it back up tomorrow and hopefully we’ll get the contract complete and they get what they want, and we can get what we want.”
With that said, it will be interesting to see if the historic speedway gets another owner and potentially attracts future races. If not, one might expect the group to take over and see it turn into an industrial park.

NASCAR Race at Darlington Will Honor Greg Biffle With RFK Racing Tribute

The upcoming NASCAR race at Darlington Raceway will include a major tribute to Greg Biffle as RFK Racing honors the longtime driver during NASCAR’s Alumni Weekend on March 22. The special recognition will take place during the Goodyear 400, turning the NASCAR race into a moment of reflection for fans, drivers, and team members who followed Biffle’s career.
According to RFK Racing, all three of its entries will feature throwback paint schemes connected to Biffle’s time with the organization. The tribute is designed to celebrate his accomplishments while giving fans attending the NASCAR race a chance to remember one of the team’s most successful drivers.
NASCAR Race at Darlington Highlights Greg Biffle’s Legacy
The upcoming NASCAR race at Darlington Raceway is especially meaningful because of Greg Biffle’s history at the track. Darlington was one of his strongest venues during his NASCAR career, including back-to-back victories in 2005 and 2006.
Those wins helped establish Biffle as one of the drivers capable of mastering Darlington’s difficult racing surface. The track has long been considered one of the toughest stops on the NASCAR schedule, making success there particularly memorable.
According to the RFK Racing release, Biffle’s career included multiple NASCAR Cup Series victories along with a runner-up finish in the 2005 championship standings. His accomplishments across NASCAR’s national series placed him among a select group of drivers who found success at multiple levels of the sport.
RFK Racing president Chip Bowers said the upcoming NASCAR race provides the right setting for the tribute.
“The memory of Greg Biffle’s adventurous spirit, his fun-loving personality, and his endearing appreciation for his fans will forever be remembered and embraced by the NASCAR community. The three selected throwback color schemes, showcased by No. 6, No. 17, and No. 60, represent incredible moments in Greg’s storied career and offer fans, friends, and family alike an opportunity to reflect on the man and the competitor we’ll forever remember with fondness and reverence. Darlington Raceway, one of Greg’s favorite tracks, serves as the perfect backdrop for all to relive his indelible impact on sport.”
NASCAR Race Throwback Paint Schemes Honor Greg Biffle
RFK Racing will field three throwback paint schemes during the NASCAR race weekend, each inspired by cars that defined Greg Biffle’s career.
The No. 6 Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang Dark Horse, driven by Brad Keselowski, will feature fluorescent accents that recall several of Biffle’s early designs with the team. The look represents the era when Biffle emerged as a major competitor within the organization.
The No. 17 Fifth Third Bank Ford Mustang Dark Horse, driven by Chris Buescher, will feature a blue design inspired by Biffle’s pole-winning run at Texas Motor Speedway in 2011. That moment helped reinforce Biffle’s standing among the team’s top drivers.
Ryan Preece will drive the No. 60 Kroger, Oscar Mayer, and Heinz Ford Mustang Dark Horse with a design based on Biffle’s 2009 primary scheme. The bright yellow-and-red livery became one of the most recognizable cars associated with Biffle during his time with the organization.
RFK Racing also confirmed the cars will feature Biffle’s iconic No. 16 number style as part of the throwback tribute during the NASCAR race weekend.
The NASCAR race weekend at Darlington will include several fan tributes designed to celebrate Greg Biffle’s career and legacy.
Biffle’s No. 16 RFK Racing show car will appear in the track’s Fan Zone as part of the NASCAR Experience. Fans attending the NASCAR race will be able to sign a commemorative hood that will later be placed in the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum.

Justin Allgaier Set for TV Cameo as NASCAR Momentum Builds

Justin Allgaier’s upcoming appearance on““Wild Cards” comes during a busy stretch of his 2026 NASCAR season.
Fresh off a dramatic win at Phoenix Raceway, the JR Motorsports driver is now preparing for a different kind of appearance: a cameo in an upcoming episode of The CW’s scripted drama “Wild Cards.”
The television appearance comes as part of a growing partnership between The CW and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, which the network began broadcasting in 2025 as part of a multi-year media rights agreement.
Allgaier to Appear in ‘Wild Cards’ Episode
Allgaier will appear as himself in an upcoming episode of “Wild Cards,” a crime drama that airs on The CW in the United States and on CBC Television in Canada.
The episode is scheduled to air on March 30 at 8 p.m. ET and is titled “The Hostage Always Rings Twice.” According to the show’s synopsis, the storyline involves a hostage negotiation connected to a NASCAR race, with Allgaier appearing as part of the plot.
“It was great getting the opportunity to be a part of ‘Wild Cards,’” Allgaier said in a statement.
“To get the chance to work with that incredible group is just a testament to what this partnership truly is between The CW and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.”
The cameo reflects the continued collaboration between NASCAR and the network, which has worked to incorporate drivers into its programming as it expands its coverage of the series.
Allgaier Coming Off NASCAR Win at Phoenix
The television appearance comes during an already eventful stretch for Allgaier.
Last weekend, the JR Motorsports driver rallied late to win the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix Raceway. The victory marked his first win of the 2026 season and added another highlight to one of the most accomplished careers in the modern era of the series.
Allgaier has long been one of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series’ most consistent competitors. Over the course of his career, he has compiled dozens of wins and hundreds of top-10 finishes while becoming a perennial championship contender.
The veteran driver finished third in the 2025 season standings and has remained a central figure for JR Motorsports, the organization co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Another Opportunity Awaits at Las Vegas
Allgaier has also been part of another major NASCAR storyline this week.
Hendrick Motorsports announced that Allgaier will substitute for Alex Bowman in the No. 48 Chevrolet during the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The start will give Allgaier another opportunity to compete at NASCAR’s highest level while continuing his full-time role in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
The Las Vegas race weekend is expected to bring additional attention to the veteran driver as he balances his regular series schedule with the Cup Series opportunity.
A Busy Moment for One of NASCAR’s Most Experienced Drivers
With a race win, a Cup Series opportunity and a television cameo all arriving in the same stretch of the season, Allgaier has become one of NASCAR’s most talked-about drivers this week.
The upcoming appearance on “Wild Cards” also highlights the growing crossover between NASCAR and entertainment programming as the sport continues to expand its presence beyond the racetrack.
For Allgaier, it marks a rare moment where his career intersects with television drama, even as his focus remains on chasing wins during the 2026 NASCAR season.

Brad Keselowski Opens Up on Painful NASCAR Comeback as Ski Injury Continues to Test His Limits

Nearly three months on from his injury, Brad Keselowski has begun to find his feet once again. The RFK Racing driver and co-owner got injured in the off-season after slipping on the ice while skiing. But the comeback hasn’t been very memorable. Other than a P5 finish at Daytona, he’s had forgettable finishes, and among other factors, the injury is a major reason for it, something that he opened up on recently.
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Brad Keselowski’s injury and racing hustle
During an appearance on the Dale Jr. Download, Brad Keselowski explained how racing with an injury ‘is not fun.’ He claimed that he’s most comfortable in the car. But because of the injury, he finds walking to and from the car and getting out of it very difficult.
At the start of the season, Brad Keselowski not only had to pass a driving test at Charlotte to get behind the wheel of his racecar, but he also was relying on crutches to walk during the Daytona 500 weekend.
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“Even when you’re not hurt after you run a race, like you get out of the car and the first few steps, you’re like a baby deer, you know, like walking,” he stated. “You’re usually a little dehydrated, usually a little tired, hot, sweaty, etc. But then adding on top of that, like my leg, I get out and I have like all those, okay, this is what it’s like to stand again. And then my leg sore hurts a little bit like that’s like when it hits you, because the adrenaline starts to wear off.”
Keselowski added that once the adrenaline wears off, that’s when he begins to feel the effects and the pain in his leg. Having said that, he mentioned the worst part of having a leg injury while racing in NASCAR. It was him not being able to feel his own leg, to the point where he is now feeling like he’ll be over it anyway.
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In the past 173 starts, Keselowski has just won once in 2024 in recent years. He hopes to break his 63-race winless streak on Sunday in Vegas. Meanwhile, he also shed light on the playoff format’s exit.
Keselowski is relieved the playoffs are over
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During his conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski spoke candidly about his thoughts on the playoff format. The format, which was in practice from 2014 until 2025, was criticized a lot over the years by some major names in the sport.
Brad Keselowski was one of those names, too. However, he did his protests in private. He recalled having a conversation with Steve O’Donnell around 2018 where he told him, “The playoff format is killing the sport.”
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Keselowski further recalled how he ended up feeling like being in ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ in the middle of a season because of the playoff format. “I sit in meetings, and they’re like, ‘All right, Brad, uh you don’t get the good engine or the good car this week because someone else in the company isn’t locked in the playoffs, so they get all the good stuff for this week,’” Keselowski said.
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But he was told that when he gets to the playoffs he’d get the good stuff because he was the first car to lock in. So he found himself in the middle of the season at tracks like Pocono with an underpowered engine, a body with less downforce, 15th in practice, and knowing he would probably end up with a 10th-place finish, already locked in the playoffs. He claimed it made zero sense to him but he couldn’t even be mad at the team because they had to get their other cars in the playoffs.
Fortunately for Brad Keselowski and a big majority of NASCAR fans, the playoff format era is over. Keselowski claimed he is ‘a staunch supporter’ of the new format, a sentiment that resonates with a lot of drivers and fans too.

RFK Racing Refuses to Abandon NASCAR’s Throwback Tradition With Heartfelt Tribute to Greg Biffle

Greg Biffle left a lasting impact on NASCAR. An impact so lasting that even decades after his retirement, he was frequently mentioned in the garage. But after his unexpected passing earlier last year, the motorsports world was shaken. Teams and drivers paid endless tribute to Biffle’s lasting legacy. And even though NASCAR has now made changes to its Darlington ‘throwback’ race this year, RFK Racing doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
RFK Racing’s special Greg Biffle tribute
Heading towards this year’s Darlington race, RFK Racing will introduce special liveries for all three of its full-time Cup Series cars: Brad Keselowski’s #60, Chris Buescher’s #17, and Ryan Preece’s #60, all running Biffle’s old paint schemes with his special decals.
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“The memory of Greg Biffle’s adventurous spirit, his fun-loving personality, and his endearing appreciation for his fans will forever be remembered and embraced by the NASCAR community,” Chip Bowers of RFK Racing said.
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The Darlington race has always been special, as the teams are asked to run retro liveries. The fans love it, and it is a decent way for the teams to show dedication to the old timers. However, NASCAR relaxed the rule this year, making the retro liveries voluntary. While other teams are yet to reveal their plans, RFK was quick to announce theirs.
Greg Biffle spent almost the entirety of his Cup Series career with the team. Moreover, the Southern 500 at Darlington seemed to be his strength. He won the race there consecutively in 2005 and 2006. But his excellence wasn’t defined by just one race track. Throughout the years, Biffle proved the strengths he had.
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He competed with the best in the sport. His heated rivalry with Kevin Harvick was quite iconic. The two were never close friends, understandably. But when Biffle lost his life in the tragic plane crash, along with his entire family, even his harshest rival couldn’t find the words to express himself.
When Kevin Harvick set his rivalry aside
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Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle were two of the most competitive drivers on the field at one point of time. The result? They were involved in regular battles, and it seemed almost impossible for them to ever get along. There was also the time at Bristol in 2002 when they got into a physical fight because of an on-track incident.
Despite all of that, Harvick poured his heart out while paying a tribute to the late driver:
“It was never like we were best friends, but, I think from a competitor standpoint and just being able to appreciate who Greg was on the racetrack for what he did behind the wheel.”
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Harvick also mentioned the part when Biffle piloted his helicopter to help the affected people in North Carolina.
“I think that over the last several years, people have really got to see who Greg Biffle was and everything that he did from a giving standpoint, and flying his helicopter up to the mountains to help with the situation that they had with all the floods and everything up there. So, an intense competitor and, better than anything, a great human being off the racetrack,” he said.
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These small things made Greg Biffle a hero in the fans’ eyes. He was one of the most loved drivers on the field, and the news of his sudden passing did not sit well with many. It was hard to accept that it had happened. And while not a lot can be done, RFK’s special liveries seem to be the right way to honor his racing legacy on the track once again.

Jimmie Johnson Drops Huge News About Team’s Future

Jimmie Johnson ventured into the ownership side of NASCAR after retiring from full-time competition as a driver. The seven-time Cup Series champion became the co-owner of Legacy Motor Club in 2022 alongside fellow seven-time champion Richard Petty.
While the organization is still looking for its first win since the rebrand, Johnson plans to continue growing the team in 2027.
In an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the 83-time Cup winner dropped some news about the team’s future.
Jimmie Johnson says Legacy Motor Club will be a three-car team in 2027
Legacy Motor Club currently fields two full-time entries in the Cup Series. Meanwhile, Johnson has made part-time appearances in the No. 84 car for the team.
In 2027, the plan is to expand to a third full-time car in 2027. During an episode of “The Morning Drive” via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Johnson said he’s certain a third full-time LMC entry will be on track next year.
“Without question, we will have a third car on the grid next year. Very excited about that. As we continue to improve, we continue to go inside the industry. Our commitment to growth will be able to attract and recruit the right individuals to help come in and really grow the workforce for this third car,” Johnson said.
Johnson went on to say it will be an exciting time for LMC as they’ll reap the benefits of having a third car, such as more on-track time.
“All the benefits that come with running an additional car will help speed up our progress.”
LMC currently fields two full-time entries, driven by Erik Jones in the No. 43 and John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 42. After four races, Nemechek is seated 22nd in the points standings, while Jones sits in 28th.
Jimmie Johnson set for final race as a driver in 2027
As the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season came to a close, so did the illustrious career of seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson.
However, since stepping away from full-time competition, Johnson has competed part-time for his co-owned Legacy Motor Club. His best finish came in last year’s Daytona 500 when he posted a third-place effort.
During media availability for this year’s Daytona 500, Johnson addressed his future behind the wheel. The 50-year-old announced that the 2027 Daytona 500 will be his last as a driver.
Johnson’s decision to make “The Great American Race” the final of his career was because he believes it’s a race he can be competitive in.
“This car is so different than any generation of car I’ve driven before. To show up at Kansas and think that you’re going to have a shot to win, even when I ran a nine-race schedule, it’s just not a true fit that can really be seen or realized. Daytona, you can. Talladega, you can. Atlanta, for sure,” Johnson added.
Johnson is a two-time Daytona 500 winner with victories in 2006 and 2013.
Over his 19-year full-time Cup career, Johnson became arguably one of the greatest drivers of all-time. He scored a record-tying seven Cup titles, including an unprecedented five straight.
Johnson also won 83 career races, which ranks tied for sixth on the all-time wins list with Cale Yarborough.

Kyle Busch & Wife Samantha Goes Public on Their Faith as NASCAR Power Couples Leave Traditional Christianity

Kyle and his wife, Samantha Busch, have always been upfront about their religion and the way they practice it. They have often relied on it to navigate their personal struggles, their challenges with conceiving, and racing. So much so that they did not bother stepping back from traditional Christianity and carried their beliefs in a new form.
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Kyle and Samantha Busch’s religious affiliations
Samantha Busch recently invited her husband, Kyle, as a guest on her YouTube podcast, Certified Oversharer, where we saw Kyle living up to the show’s name. While speaking about how their faith has been an intricate part of their lives, the Richard Childress Racing driver said:
“Well, I think that obviously the closeness to God and the things of trying to mirror his way of how he was perceived on earth, and to help deliver his message and bring more people into the faith, and all that sort of thing into Christianity. And it’s just, I think you have certainly poured it on a lot over the last few years.
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Reiterating the same, Mrs. Busch opened up as she reflected on their common faith. Opening up on this, she mentioned how, as a catholic, she followed the ritual wholeheartedly since her childhood, but things changed after she started going to church.
“I know what you’re saying,” she said. “I grew up Catholic, and I never understood much of anything, and it was very much like—I don’t say like a ritual, but like you stood up, you knelt, you did this, and you did that. Where, like at a Christian church, I feel very much more at home because you get to sing, and I feel like the message is just so much more casual, and I’m able to like understand and apply it.”
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Both Samantha and Kyle Busch have grown up following Christianity, as they were catholic to be precise. However, the power couple resonated with the shift in belief as they started going to church, and things began to look more transparent for them, which was not the case in their Catholic upbringing, as they said in the podcast.
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In doing so, the couple grew a sense of strong belief, which they have often channeled into finding strength in God during difficult times, including experiencing miscarriages and, at one point, nearing divorce.
Moreover, their strong belief also led them to ‘give back’ to the world through philanthropic affiliations, such as the Bundle of Joy Fund, which helps couples with the costs of IVF treatments. While the Busch couple highlighted how religion plays a big part in their life, while picking up the racing number for their daughter, they went through an unconventional way instead of following it very religiously.
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Kyle and Samantha Busch pick their daughter’s racing number strangely
During the same podcast segment, Kyle and his wife, Samantha Busch, explained how they chose the racing number for their daughter, Lennix Busch. Speaking about it, the couple revealed that they resorted to numerology to choose the number.
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“Well, she already picked out her number,” Mrs. Busch said. “She’s already picked out her car, though. We’re changing her number. I mean, her number’s close. She wants 67 obviously, whereas we want her to be 777 because you’re seven years apart from your sibling.”
Reiterating the same, Busch said, “I am too, and so are Brexton and Lennix……so we thought 777 would be cool. And I also think there’s like the Vegas tie. It’s a lot. It was actually really cool.”
Notably, Kyle, Samantha, and Brexton all have a seven-year gap to their siblings. Kyle Busch’s elder brother, a former NASCAR driver, Kurt Busch, is seven years older than him, while Samantha and her sister, Sarah Harshman, also share a gap of seven years.
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Interestingly, Brexton Busch, who was born in 2015, has a seven-year gap to his sister, Lennix Busch, who was born in 2022 via surrogate. With the racing number locked in, it will be interesting to see if Lennix Busch follows the family tradition and gets down to race.

Yankees Veteran Calls Out Injustice Toward Spencer Jones as Brian Cashman’s Ulterior Motives Questioned

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Spencer Jones is not making the New York Yankees’ Opening Day roster this season. The franchise optioned its number 6 prospect to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Following the announcement, a Yankees veteran has called out the Yankees for their questionable attitude toward Jones.
The news of Jones’ reassignment to the minor leagues came on Monday, March 9. However, despite being optioned to Triple-A, Jones was in the lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies in the Grapefruit League.
Ex-Yankees Clint Frazier on Life After The Show podcast pointed out, “Now, the fact that Spencer is going to be optioned and then coming back over to play in the major league games for his fair share of games, to me, sounds like they are avoiding a meal money situation.”
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The former Yankee revealed that there is no fixed paycheck, but rather a fixed day (usually Thursday or Friday) on which players receive a particular amount of cash every week. But if they get optioned before payday, they will not get paid despite playing the whole week. However, Jones got optioned on Monday, so that is likely not the case with him.
The Yankees’ skipper, Aaron Boone, had dubbed the decision to option Jones to Triple-A as a transactional move. However, Frazier wasn’t buying it. “Whenever I read transactional move, my mind just goes to they’re trying to avoid something, you know,” he said. “Trying to avoid either him being on the IL or paying a meal money. I don’t think it’s the meal money, but I love to think that they like to save a couple thousand dollars at the end of the day.”
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He speculated that the club and maybe Brian Cashman are trying to save some money. Frazier also said that by moving him, they also avoid the risk of paying him an MLB standard salary in case he landed on the injury list.
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“Or what they are trying to do is avoid the fact that if Spencer Jones gets hurt in the game and he is on the 40-man roster, then he could be put on the major league injured list. And be paid money for a major league salary if he got hurt,” Frazier remarked.
However, Jones is not the only player to have been reassigned to the minor leagues. The Yankees have also optioned Elmer Rodriguez to Triple-A. Rodriguez is currently representing Puerto Rico in the WBC.
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Jones has emerged as an impressive power-hitter last season after recording 35 homers and a .274 batting average in the minor leagues, igniting hopes of an MLB debut.
But after the re-signing of Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, the Yankees’ outfield is full. With Randal Grichuk and Jasson Dominguez, there is not much space for depth pieces either. So, Jones’ MLB debut is delayed even more. It ultimately raises questions about what Cashman wants to do with Jones in the future and whether he will get his chance of debuting in the big leagues with the Bronx.
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Meanwhile, Jones revealed his feelings after being optioned to Triple-A.
Spencer Jones reacts to being optioned to Triple-A
Spencer Jones’ wait for a major league debut continues after the Yankees optioned him to Triple-A during Spring Training. MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reported that Jones feels that he can compete and is ready to contribute to the Yankees’ win.
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“The biggest thing that I’ve gotten out of this year is the feeling that I belong and I can compete, and I can do whatever to help the team win,” said Jones via Hoch on X.
One of the primary reasons behind Jones being optioned to Triple-A is his strikeout rate. He struck out 179 times in 2025 and 200 times in 2024. As ESPN’s Jorge Castillo pointed out, “His 35.4% strikeout rate last season would’ve ranked highest in the majors.”
Jones needs to improve his contact rate while maintaining his power. “You never want to hear it, but it is what it is,” said Jones after getting the minor league news, “I’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’ve got a whole, long season ahead of us. Opportunities are available, and it’s just about taking advantage of them.”
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Manager Aaron Boone also had words of encouragement for Jones, reported MLB.com.
“The reality is, he’s coming off a really strong season. I feel like he continues to make really solid adjustments. He came in here and has represented really well. You see the signs of him continuing to get better,” acknowledged Boone.
But for now, because of a packed outfield featuring Bellinger, Judge, and Dominguez, Jones will need to wait for his MLB debut.

Red Sox rookie who Alex Cora encouraged to ‘become monster’ not thinking about service time factor

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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox rookie Connelly Early is competing with righty Johan Oviedo for the fifth rotation spot.
Early, a 23-year-old lefty, has made a strong case. He has allowed three earned runs in 12 innings (2.25 ERA) across four outings (three starts) in Grapefruit League action. Opponents are batting .222 against him.
But his performance during spring training might not be the only factor that determines whether he wins the job. MLB service time rules could influence the decision.
If Early spends 35 days in the minor leagues this season, the Red Sox would receive an extra year of control. He would hit free agency after the 2032 season, not after 2031. As a result, the Red Sox have some incentive to send Early to the minors to begin the 2026 season. The team faces a similar calculation with fellow rookie Payton Tolle, who must spend 45 days in the minors for Boston to gain that extra year.
The Red Sox have been able to lock up several young players, including Roman Anthony, Brayan Bello, Kristian Campbell and Ceddanne Rafaela, to long-term extensions. But they have not approached Early about a contract extension to this point, according to an industry source.
Early said the service time factor isn’t on his mind.
“No, I don’t think about that,” he said. “I just go out there and throw the ball and we’ll see what happens at the end of spring training. But just going out there throwing the ball, trying to compete for your spot.”
The lefty pitched 3 ⅔ innings, allowing two runs (one earned), five hits (two doubles) and one walk while striking out one in an 8-5 loss to the Twins at Hammond Stadium on Thursday.
“I feel like I’m doing a solid job (this spring). Today, not a good enough job,” Early said. “But obviously with how the wind was, I want to keep the ball on the ground a little bit more. Didn’t do a great job of that, but still good enough with the pitch count. Shapes were really solid, so gotta look at the positives and just get back at it next week.”
Early topped out at 96.4 mph and averaged 94.9 mph with his 19 four-seam fastballs. He also mixed in 14 sliders, 12 curveballs, nine changeups, four sweepers and four sinkers, per Baseball Savant.
“If the velocity holds, that’s great, but I’d like a little bit more swing and miss in there and keep the ball on the ground a little bit more,” Early said.
The Red Sox promoted Early last Sept. 9 to make his major league debut. He posted a 2.33 ERA in four regular season starts, then started Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Early put on size this offseason and his velocity has ticked up. He has averaged 95.1 mph with his heater this spring, up from his average 94.0 mph last year. His fastball has a 96.0 mph perceived velocity.
“We saw this last year; the only thing now is that he’s stronger,” manager Alex Cora said. “I challenged him right after the season — him and Tolle. Basically similar to what we did the previous years. They got to become monsters. They got to be big and strong. It’s 162 (game season), 30 starts, if they’re here or whatever they’re at. So the more physical, the better. He did an outstanding job in the offseason, checking all the boxes. It was a good offseason for him and now he’s performing at this level.”

MLB Mock Draft: Cardinals Projected to Nab Standout LSU Outfielder

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The 2026 Major League Baseball regular season is right around the corner with Opening Day approaching in just two weeks, as of writing.
The season will begin for the St. Louis Cardinals on March 26 against the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s arguably going to be a fun season, no matter what the standings look like. When you have a team this young with players who have sky-high potential, like JJ Wetherholt, Masyn Winn and even Jordan Walker, it’s going to be fun to see if this team can put it together. The speed at which the young guys on the roster take a step forward will determine how long this reset period lasts.
St. Louis did the right thing this past offseason and really ripped the Band-Aid by trading veterans to the point that it has to see what it has with the young guys on the roster. There really isn’t a way around that. Over the course of the season, the Cardinals will have an opportunity to add even more talent when the MLB Draft rolls around in July. The Cardinals have the No. 13 pick in the first round to kick things off. The Cardinals also landed two picks in the Brendan Donovan trade, which only will give the club more ammo.
It’s a bit early to be thinking about the draft, but with a prospect-filled season coming, it’s okay. Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo dropped his first mock draft of the year and had St. Louis slotted to select LSU outfielder Derek Curiel at No. 13.
The Cardinals have the No. 13 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft

Aaron Judge Makes MLB History With $5.2M Feat, Beating Shohei Ohtani & Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

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At this point, Aaron Judge has stopped chasing records because records are now going after him. We already know how good Judge is on the field, but now, we are also witnessing his impact off the field.
It was recently reported by TOPPS, saying, “Aaron Judge has just set a new record for most expensive modern baseball card ever.”
Aaron Judge’s 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Pick Superfractor one‑of‑one autographed card sold for $5.2 million. It set a new modern baseball card record in a private sale through Fanatics Collect.
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The sale beat the previous record of $3.936 million, set by a Mike Trout card in 2020. This Judge card adds historical value, as it was printed four years before his official rookie card. The buyer and seller have not yet revealed their identities.
Judge’s card now ranks among the top 10 highest‑paid sports cards ever, tied with a Mickey Mantle and a LeBron James card at $5.2 million on the all‑time list. That list also includes the NBA’s $12.9 million Jordan/Bryant card and Mantle’s $12.6 million Topps.
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Before this, Judge’s most expensive sale was $324,000 in 2022 for the same card. Shohei Ohtani’s ultra‑rare 2025 Topps Chrome Gold Logoman autographed card sold for $3 million.
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Paul Skenes’ rookie patch card sold for about $1.1 million, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 2016 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Autograph sold for $552K. These numbers show Judge now stands above many star players in card value, including Trout, Ohtani, and Skenes.
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The ‘Gold Logoman’ cards are worth so much because they use real gold MLB logo patches worn by stars like Judge and Ohtani. MLB verifies these patches and links them to specific games.
The Ohtani Gold Logoman 1/1 shows a patch worn when he hit his seventh home run on April 29, 2025, versus the Marlins. That game‑verified history makes the patch tangible proof that collectors care about. Bidding for a dual Gold Logoman Judge/Ohtani card has already crossed $1.2 million.
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The meteoric rise in value from $324,000 to $5.2 million captures a rare emotional moment for fans and collectors alike. As one family saw with Ohtani’s Gold Logoman card, pulling a 1/1 can change lives overnight.
Judge’s record now sits among legends like Jordan, Mantle, and Ruth on the all‑time sales list. This modern market peak shows how deep collector passion has grown over the last few years.
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Aaron Judge backed after Team USA almost failed to qualify
Even though Aaron Judge’s cards are making huge numbers, it’s his performance on the field that has everyone talking. Team USA’s loss to Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic hit like a gut punch for fans, mainly because the rally fizzled and Judge struck out to end the game.
With the score 8‑6 and a runner on base in the ninth, Weissert struck out Judge to seal the USA’s fate. While the final strikeout felt like a massive blow, the damage had already been done at the start. Italy had built an early 8‑0 lead with home runs by Kyle Teel and Jac Caglianone.
The final strikeout against Italy should not overshadow the fact that Judge has been one of Team USA’s best hitters in the tournament. Over four games in this WBC, Aaron Judge averaged .250 with 2 home runs and a 1.054 OPS.
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Judge hit a two‑run home run in the 5‑3 win over Mexico that kept the U.S. in a strong position. He also drew 5 walks in limited at‑bats, showing good patience at the plate. These facts show Judge did more good than harm, and his strikeout should not be the entire story.
The real problem was starters like Nolan McLean crumbling under pressure. While stars like Bryce Harper and Cal Raleigh were on the bench for most of the game, it led to Judge mostly doing the heavy lifting.
Taken together, these moments and Aaron Judge’s strong overall stats suggest that placing all the blame on him ignores the many parts of this loss that really cost Team USA.

Red Sox roster contender evokes Rickey Henderson after breaking spring record

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Spring Training games don’t count for much.
Many of the players won’t make the Opening Day roster. Several games are only available on the radio. Major League Baseball’s Modern Era began in 1901, and the league only began tracking spring training stats in 2006.
Which is what makes it the perfect time to, as Gen Z’ers say, do something for the plot.
Like outfielder Braiden Ward, who’s been zipping around the Grapefruit League base paths like the Looney Tunes’ Road Runner.
In Thursday’s 8-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins, the Red Sox non-roster invitee stole his 17th base, a new spring training record. And to celebrate, he pulled the third base out of the dirt and held it aloft, Rickey Henderson-style.
Ward told reporters the Henderson tribute started off as a joke by teammate Marcelo Mayer, but the idea grew legs when manager Alex Cora didn’t nix it.
“I wasn’t going to do that in general but they were all egging me on, egging me on,” Ward told. “And then AC didn’t say no. … And then (Trevor) Story was like, ‘Yeah, sure.’ And then everyone was like, ‘You’ve got to do it. You’ve got to do it.’ ”
Henderson, who passed away last year, became MLB’s stolen base king in 1991, just 14 years into his 25-year Hall of Fame career. Nicknamed “Man of Steal,” he swiped 1,406 bags in all, including eight with the 2002 Red Sox during his penultimate season.
Much like Cy Young’s 749 complete games, Henderson’s record is unlikely to be broken. The game is too different now. The league’s active leader in career stolen bases is 36-year-old Starling Marte, who has 361 steals in 14 seasons and is one of just three active players to reach 300.
The Red Sox all-time leader is Harry Hooper, who stole exactly 300 bases in a 12-year Boston tenure that spanned the 1909-20 seasons. Hooper, Tris Speaker (1907-15) and Jacoby Ellsbury (2007-13) are the only players to steal more than 168 bases in a Red Sox uniform.
The Colorado Rockies selected Ward in the 16th round of the 2021 draft. He reached Triple-A last season, and has stolen 211 bases in 414 career minor league games. He’s 17 for 18 in stolen base attempts in his first Red Sox camp.
“I had no idea what the record was until someone had mentioned it on Twitter when I had 12,” Ward said. “And then I was like, ‘Wait, 16’s doable. 17’s doable at the rate I was going.’ AC was just like, ‘Go out there and run. Do your thing.’ ”
“He’s a good base runner,” Cora told reporters. “It’s not like he’s out there just running for the hell of it.”
Indeed, Ward is trying to crack a Red Sox roster overcrowded with All-Star and Gold Glove outfielders.
“I’m trying to impress him, impress the team, find a role on this team,” Ward said of Cora. “And so I’m just trying to do what I can do, and so hopefully we can get to 20, 25 and just keep going.”
The chances of Ward, who turned 27 on Jan. 18 and has yet to make his major league debut, coming close to Henderson’s career total are hair-thin, at best.
But that’s not what spring training is about.
“How often do you get to do something like that?” Ward said. “It’s for the boys, you know what I mean? It was something for us and for us to celebrate a little bit during spring training. Spring training’s supposed to be fun and laidback.”
Red Sox game notes
Connelly Early allowed one earned run and one unearned run on five hits, walked one and struck out one in his 3 2/3-inning start. He threw 62 pitches, 41 for strikes.
The Red Sox were out-hit 12-11, went 4 for 16 with runners in scoring position, and left eight men on base. Trevor Story and newcomer Caleb Durbin contributed multiple hits and a triple apiece. Story also doubled and scored a run in his 3 for 4 day.
The game featured four ABS challenges, but only Connor Wong proved successful.
Red Sox minor leaguer Noah Song allowed two hits and struck out one in his inning of work on Thursday, but has yet to allow a run through five spring training appearances totaling six frames.

Marlins Top Prospect Shining at the Highest Level in World Baseball Classic

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The Miami Marlins third ranked prospect has put on a show during the World Baseball Classic. Owen Caissie, whom the Marlins received during the Edward Cabrera trade this offseason from the Cubs, is playing for Team Canada.
Through four games of pool play, Caissie has looked the part of a future MLB star. The primary corner outfielder is batting .500 with a homer, three doubles, five RBI, and a 1.458 OPS.
That four-game stretch is better than virtually every All-Star on Team USA’s roster, and Canada, for that matter. Caissie is proving why he should start the 2026 season on the Marlins active roster, and he’s making a good point.
Owen Cassie Is Giving the Miami Marlins Every Reason To Believe He’s Ready for the MLB
In his lone stint in the majors with the Cubs last season, Cassie struggled. He picked up just five hits and struck out 11 times over a dozen games. While the big leagues weren’t too kind to him, he’s coming off one of his best minor league seasons yet.
Over 99 games at Triple-A Iowa, Caissie hit 22 homers, drove in 55 runs, and boasted a slash line of .286/.386/.551. He’s posted back-to-back full, strong seasons at Triple-A and has proven he’s ready for the MLB.
Even former MLB starter Jake Peavy noticed on MLB Network.

Nationals Once Again Connected to Collegiate Flamethrower in Latest Mock Draft

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The Washington Nationals have the 11th overall pick in the 2026 draft, and it will be a huge first year for Paul Toboni and his front office when it comes to adding even more talent to this pipeline.
Because this will be the first draft he’s run since becoming the president of baseball operations for the Nationals, it’s unclear what positions he’s going to target and if he’ll go with a collegiate or high school player. However, there is one name that continues to pop up in mock drafts when it comes to who Washington might take at No. 11.
Liam Peterson, the flamethrowing right-handed pitcher out of the University of Florida, has previously been linked to the Nationals. And in version 3.0 of Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report’s mock draft, he has them selecting the collegiate arm.
Upside of Liam Peterson Could Be Too Good for Natioanls to Pass Up

Red Sox Sign Danny Coulombe to One-Year Deal in MLB Free Agency

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The Boston Red Sox are making a notable addition on Thursday night by adding southpaw reliever Danny Coulombe to a one-year MLB contract, according to Ken Rosenthal. Coulombe, an 11-year MLB veteran, posted a 2.30 ERA last season with the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers.
A potentially underrated signing here for the Red Sox, who are quietly having one of the more active offseasons in the league. With just two weeks left until Opening Day, Boston adds another leverage southpaw, which had been an item of need, to their roster.
More MLB on Heavy: Yankees Get Strong Take on $70 Million Infielder’s Contract Situation
Boston to Sign Danny Coulombe in Free Agency
The financials of the deal have yet to be announced, but this story will be updated when those reports come in.
Danny Coulombe is a 36-year-old lefty reliever with 11 years of MLB experience. He had an exceptionally strong first half of the season in 2025, which led to the Twins dealing him in their firesale effort. However, Coulombe was much less effective down the stretch of the season in 12 innings with the Rangers.
He pitched to a 2.30 ERA over 43 innings last season. Over the last three seasons, although some not a complete body of work, Danny Coulombe has posted an ERA of sub 3.00.
More to come…

Dodgers’ Blake Snell Injury Timeline Revealed

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The Los Angeles Dodgers, like every other MLB team, are gearing towards a long season. Considering the Dodgers won the World Series last year, and Blake Snell gave heroic performances all the way to the Fall Classic, there is a bit of a rest, ‘hangover’ process that many pitchers endure after winning a title. Snell has notably been dealing with a shoulder injury, and it will likely land him on the Injured List to start the 2026 season.
According to multiple reports, Dodgers’ ace southpaw Blake Snell is dealing with a ‘cranky’ shoulder and is about six weeks away from being ready to pitch.
More MLB on Heavy: Red Sox Sign Danny Coulombe to One-Year Deal in MLB Free Agency
Blake Snell Set to Miss Beginning of Dodgers Season
If you know and understand Blake Snell’s trajectory as a starter in the regular season, this injury news should come as no surprise. Snell threw his first BP today in Dodgers’ spring camp, but it was then reported after that he will be sidelined to start the season.
Last season, the first year of a five-year, $137 million deal, Snell got injured just a handful of starts into the season and came back in August ready to roll. Snell posted a 2.35 ERA over 61.1 innings and 11 starts in 2025, and had one of the more dominant postseasons in recent memory.
Snell did not give up a run in either the NLDS or NLCS en route to Los Angeles’s back-to-back World Series victory. The two-time CY Young’s timeline shouldn’t be a concern for the Dodgers, but they will need some fill-in options to be productive in Snell’s absence.
More MLB on Heavy: Yankees Get Strong Take on $70 Million Infielder’s Contract Situation
Will Blake Snell’s Injury Impact the Dodgers?
This injury isn’t likely to hurt the Dodgers too much in the long run, as they have names like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, and Emmett Sheehan to pick up Snell’s slack in the rotation.
And as noted, Snell only made two starts at the beginning of last season before missing four to five months with a shoulder bug, and then he returned dominant as ever. The Dodgers shouldn’t be worried about this slight Snell inconvenience.
It will be interesting to see though if LA makes another small signing for another veteran starter that could make a handful of starts.
This isn’t uncommon with Blake Snell, either. He’s had plenty of years where he hasn’t been fully healthy to either start a season or endure some sort of injury that sidelines him during the year. Los Angeles didn’t sign him to make 30 starts; they started him to pitch in October.

Kiké Hernández explains why WBC ‘feels bigger’ than World Series

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PHOENIX –– Kiké Hernández has been to the MLB postseason 10 times, played in 103 playoff games and taken part in five World Series.
But what he experienced last week, while cheering on Team Puerto Rico from the dugout during two group stage games on his native island in the World Baseball Classic, might have rivaled anything he’s ever felt in his baseball career.
“Getting the W and having a stadium of 18,000 people singing a pretty significant song for our island all together, it’s a moment that I’ll never forget,” he said. “I’m still bummed that I don’t get to be a part of it, but I still support my people. I’m still hoping that they can win.”
Hernández is not participating in this year’s WBC, of course, as he continues to recover from an offseason elbow surgery that will sideline him for the first couple months of the season.
However, he got permission from the Dodgers to leave spring training last week to join Team Puerto Rico for the first two group stage games it hosted at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in the island’s capital of San Juan.
That meant, when Darell Hernáiz hit his epic walk-off home run in Puerto Rico’s extra-inning, come-from-behind win over Panama last Saturday, Hernández was there in the home plate celebration, pouring out of the dugout alongside his Puerto Rican teammates (including new Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz) in what instantly became one of the defining moments of WBC history.
“It’s not a walk-off homer in the World Series or anything like that,” he said. “But it’s still up there as one of those really cool moments that I’ll always remember.”
Afterward, Hernández also made headlines with postgame comments that went viral on social media, when he said in Spanish: “I’ve played in five World Series, and I don’t know if it’s because of what’s across my chest, but the Classic feels above that.”
On Thursday, Hernández expounded on that message, clarifying that the WBC often “feels bigger” than the World Series –– even if there is no apples-to-apples comparison for an MLB title.
“You don’t always choose who you play for (in MLB). Sometimes that’s not in your control,” he said. “But when you’re representing your country and playing along with your homies, sometimes you’re playing along with people that you grew up with. People back home are rooting for you.
“For us, coming from a little island, the things we can do for our island while the tournament is going on, it becomes a lot bigger than baseball, to where it not always feels that way when you’re playing for an organization in Major League Baseball.”
Hernández will rejoin Team Puerto Rico in Houston this weekend for its quarterfinal game Saturday against Team Italy –– joking that he texted Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman for permission immediately after last week’s walk-off win.
“He knows how much these games mean to me,” said Hernández, who still had his hair dyed white as part of Team Puerto Rico tradition. “It might have been an emotional text, but he was like, ‘After watching that game, it’s a pretty easy yes.’”
When asked if he would stay with Team Puerto Rico if it advances to the semifinal in Miami after that, Hernández then cracked a sly grin.
“I haven’t had that conversation yet with Andrew,” he said. “I only asked permission to go to Houston. So if we win again in Houston, he might get another text message asking if I can go along for the ride. But I haven’t decided that yet. We’re going to go one day at a time.”
Hernández’s rehab will factor into that equation. He said his progress is “starting to move along really rapidly” and that he has been able to take swings in the batting cage off a tee and against flipped balls from coaches.
Still, he wants to be there for as much of Puerto Rico’s WBC run as possible –– embracing his role as part cheerleader, part de facto coach on a team that has already surpassed expectations by reaching the knockout round despite missing most of its best MLB players because of insurance issues or injuries.
“I accepted the fact and came to peace with the fact that I couldn’t play,” he said. “Then you show up, you wear the uniform, you go out there for the anthem and you look around you can’t do it. It was really cool, but it was also really hard.
“I had to do a good job of hiding (that disappointment) and be there for the other guys that were there with less experience. It was tough being there (and not playing), but I’ll be there again in Houston, cheering them against Italy and providing whatever it is I need to provide as far as guidance or cheerleading. Whatever it is, I’ll be there. I’m all for it.”

After starting in Super Bowl, Anfernee Jennings released by Patriots

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NFL teams began announcing their contract agreements with free agents on Wednesday, the first day of the league’s 2026 business year. They also started announcing the players being released to create the salary-cap room to sign those free agents.
The New England Patriots announced they had released three players and traded one. Among the released players was former Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings. Let go after starting Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8, Jennings had one season remaining on a three-year, $12 million contract signed in 2024. Releasing Jennings shaved $3.868 million off New England’s salary-cap obligations for the 2026 season.
Coming off the most active season of his NFL career, Jennings did not carry that momentum through the offseason change in the Patriots’ coaching staff under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
But injuries down the stretch put Jennings on the field more. He played 144 of his regular-season total of 280 defensive snaps in the final five games before playing 131 and starting three times in New England’s four playoff games.
Of Jennings’ 2025 totals (including the playoffs) of 42 tackles, four sacks, eight tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits, he had 29 tackles, three sacks, seven tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits after December started.
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A two-time All-State selection and the 2014 Class 4A Lineman of the Year at Dadeville High School, Jennings joined the Patriots from Alabama in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
In his first three seasons, Jennings played in 30 games with seven starts, recorded 47 tackles and one tackle for loss while playing 635 defensive snaps. That action came in the 2020 and 2022 seasons. Jennings took the opt-out in the 2021 campaign under the NFL’s plan to play during the coronavirus pandemic.
Most of those snaps came as an inside linebacker. But in 2023 a torn biceps suffered by Matthew Judon opened a spot on the field for Jennings, and he played mostly as an edge defender as he started 14 times and made 66 tackles.
In 2024, Jennings started 16 games and reached career highs with 78 tackles and 2.5 sacks while playing 831 defensive snaps.

Former NFL Star Says ‘Sources’ Suggest Surprising Maxx Crosby Trade

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In one of the more shocking developments in recent NFL offseason memory, an agreed-upon trade that would have sent star pass rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks reportedly fell apart after Crosby failed his physical.
Physicals are part of the standard process for every trade, but everyone knew Crosby ended the season undergoing a torn meniscus repair — including the Ravens — so it was unlikely he would have been able to pass a physical in the month of March anyway.
However, something clearly led Baltimore to determine that Crosby either was not healthy enough or was not progressing on the trajectory they expected, ultimately giving the team cold feet ahead of the new league year beginning Wednesday.
More news: Bears Send Heartfelt Message to DJ Moore After Trade to Bills
More news: Giants RB Cam Skattebo Likens Injury Recovery to Outrunning a ‘Baby Hippo’
Now, with Crosby back in Las Vegas, everything appears to be on the table. While the Raiders are open to keeping him, former NFL star cornerback Adam Jones went viral after posting a video suggesting that his “really good sources” told him Crosby could be involved in a trade to the Cincinnati Bengals.
“So I ain’t Adam Schefter… but sources say — I’m just saying what my sources say, and I’ve got really good sources — Maxx Crosby might be in a Cincinnati Bengals uniform. We on the clock right now. I put that on my momma,” Adam Jones said.
“And y’all said Mr. Brown don’t want to spend no money, he ain’t gonna do this, he ain’t gonna do that… man, everybody do this. Shhhh.”
The Bengals making a trade for a superstar like Maxx Crosby would be historically rare for the franchise, especially if it meant giving up high-value draft picks. However, if Las Vegas were to potentially lower their asking price, Cincinnati could become a realistic landing spot if Crosby is ultimately dealt.

The ‘100-rushing-yard Super Bowls’ quiz

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The last time Kenneth Walker III was on a football field, he was winning Super Bowl MVP in the Seattle Seahawks victory over the New England Patriots. The next time he hits the gridiron, he’ll try to be part of a championship resurgence with the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming just the fourth Super Bowl MVP to leave for a new team in free agency.
Walker III agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with Kansas City, who went just 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes Era in 2025. Walker rushed for 1,000 yards for the first time since his rookie campaign in 2022, finishing the regular season with 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns to go with an additional 282 yards through the air. In the Super Bowl, he was the engine of the Seahawks offense, rushing 27 times for 135 yards as the bell cow running back in the absence of Zach Charbonnet.
Which brings us to today’s quiz. Walker’s 135 rushing yards in Super Bowl LX are tied for eighth all-time in the game’s history. With that being said, can you name the 23 players to rush for at least 100 yards in a single Super Bowl?
Good luck!
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Who is Sam Howell? 5 things to know about the new Dallas Cowboys quarterback

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The Dallas Cowboys are adding a new face at the quarterback position for the 2026 season.
While the Cowboys have mainly focused on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, they made a surprising move by agreeing to a one-year deal with Sam Howell. The quarterback is no stranger to the NFC East.
Here are five things to know about Howell:
1. The basics
Position: Quarterback
Birthday: Sept. 16, 2000 (25 years old)
College: North Carolina
Hometown: Waynesville, N.C.
Height: 6-1 Weight: 220 pounds
2. Has a history in the NFC East
Howell is already a well-traveled NFL quarterback. The Cowboys will be the third NFC East team he suits up for. He originally started his professional career in Washington, as he was drafted by the Commanders in the fifth round of 2022 NFL draft.
He later found himself in Philadelphia, where he spent the 2025 campaign. He has also made stops in Seattle and Minnesota.
3. He played a role in a record-breaking play for the Cowboys
Howell’s stint with the Commanders wasn’t exactly a smooth one. He started 17 games for Washington in 2023, throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
On Thanksgiving Day of 2023, Howell found himself on the wrong side of a record-breaking play. With Washington trailing Dallas 38-10 in the fourth quarter, one of the quarterback’s passes made its way to cornerback DaRon Bland. Bland quickly glided past Howell and into the end zone for a 63-yard touchdown return, recording his fifth pick-six of the campaign.
Here’s a look at the play:
4. He holds several records in North Carolina’s record books
Howell made his mark at the collegiate level, stamping his name in several spots on North Carolina’s record books.
Howell is the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (10,283), total offensive yards (11,292) and passing touchdowns (92). He’s followed closely in several categories by New England quarterback Drake Maye.
5. A Texas legend has great things to say about him
Howell played for Mack Brown at North Carolina from 2019-21. The former Texas head coach has shared praise for Howell on multiple occasions. In 2022, Brown said Howell reminded him of a former Longhorn standout.
“I think he’s a lot like Colt McCoy more than anything,”Brown said. “But the accuracy, wow. And Colt McCoy had those same qualities coming out.”
Brown and Howell reconnected in February, according to a social media post from the former head coach.

New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and siblings look to transfer stake in team to their children

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New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch is requesting his ownership stake in the team be transferred to his children, according to an internal NFL memo.
Tisch – along with his siblings Jonathan and Laurie Tisch – notified NFL chief executives and club presidents on Wednesday of their intentions to move “approximately 23.1%” of their remaining interests in the team into separate trusts for their children, according to the memo obtained by CNN.
“Following the transactions, the Sellers will no longer own any interest in the Club,” the memo said.
“This transaction is part of estate planning that has been going on for 3-4 years and has nothing to do with anything else. And everybody’s role remains same,” a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
The memo stated that the proposed transfers would complete a series of family estate planning transfers. “Prior transfers to these Trusts were completed pursuant to 2023 and 2024 Finance Committee approvals,” the memo reads.
The move is subject to approval by the NFL’s finance committee. CNN has reached out to the NFL and the New York Giants for comment.
Tisch was among several high-profile individuals impacted by the fallout after the Justice Department’s release of a massive tranche of documents related to its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender and disgraced financier.
Emails released by the department earlier this year revealed that Tisch sought out Epstein’s help connecting him with women more than a decade ago.
Tisch has not been accused of or charged with any crime in connection with Epstein.
In a statement to CNN in late January, Tisch said: “We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments. I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”

Kirk Cousins: New NFL Team Pursuing Former Vikings QB

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The Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Kirk Cousins were together from 2018 to 2023, and they shared some special moments together, but the two parties famous parted ways in March of 2024. Now, Cousins is a free agent once again after a period with the Atlanta Falcons.
As usual, Cousins is an in-demand free agent. His name is being mentioned a lot in NFL free agency, which officially kicked off on Wednesday, March 11. Even though he’s past his prime, Cousins is still a solid player with reliable numbers, and he could also be a mentor to a budding quarterback.
Cousins was initially drafted by the Washington Redskins, now the Commanders, in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft as the 102nd overall pick out of Michigan State University. After leaving the Vikings, he signed a four-year, $180 million contract, with the Falcons, according to Spotrac research.
Now, there’s one particular team who’s really interested in Cousins, and they think he would make a good mentor for their young quarterback.
Kirk Cousins is Garnering Interest From NFL Team With New Quarterback
One team that’s very much interested in Cousins, according to the Athletic’s Dianna Russini, is the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Expect the Las Vegas Raiders to show interest in Kirk Cousins as they look for a veteran QB addition to help develop presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza,” she stated on X on Wednesday.
Earlier the offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders made the move to release quarterback Geno Smith after just one season with the franchise. Smith and the Raiders notched two wins in 15 games last season, and he tossed 17 interceptions, the highest in the NFL for the 2025-26 season.
Smith’s leaving makes room for a veteran such as Cousins to be on the team’s roster. Cousins isn’t in his prime, but he can still be highly beneficial to a team like the Raiders, especially if he’s going to mentor Mendoza and help the budding quarterback develop and move to the next level.
Another Team Interested in Kirk Cousins
The Pittsburgh Steelers are waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers is coming back for another season, but they’re also interested in Cousins, according to a report.
“They’re supposedly waiting for Aaron Rodgers,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says in a Tuesday, March 10 feature. “If they do for the rest of the week, they’ll likely miss out on multiple affordable options — like Geno Smith, who could possibly be had for $1.3 million. Other potential candidates include Kirk Cousins.”
According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, the team likes Cousins, especially is Rodgers bails. “Former Vikings playoff quarterback Kirk Cousins is among the top options for Pittsburgh if Rodgers is not back, according to league sources, while the team is legitimately high on the upside of second-year quarterback Will Howard as well,” La Canfora stated in a Sports Boom report.

Cowboys free agency tracker: Is Dallas ready to ‘bust the budget?’

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The NFL’s free agency period has officially opened. Are the Dallas Cowboys ready to “bust the budget?

Former Oregon Ducks QB Marcus Mariota lands new NFL contract

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Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota has re-signed with the Washington Commanders, the franchise announced.
Terms of the deal have not been reported.
The 11-year NFL veteran will enter his third season with Washington in 2026. Last year, Mariota, 32, appeared in 11 games, making eight starts in place of injured starter Jayden Daniels.
Mariota completed 139 of 227 attempts for 1,695 yards and 10 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
In 104 NFL games, Mariota has passed for 17,879 yards and 107 touchdowns with 62 interceptions, playing for Tennessee, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington.
In three seasons at Oregon, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner passed for 10,796 yards and 105 touchdowns. He also rushed for 2,237 yards and added 29 scores on the ground.

NHL UFAs list looking bleak as Nick Schmaltz re-signs with Utah Mammoth

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With Schmaltz now off the board, the list of notable pending UFAs looks something like this:
– Alex Tuch
– Rasmus Andersson
– John Carlson
– Jack Roslovic
– Jacob Trouba
– Evgeni Malkin
– Michael Bunting
– Jaden Schwartz
– Mason Marchment
– Anthony Mantha
– Oliver Bjorkstrand
– Boone Jenner
– Anders Lee
– Bobby McMann
– Scott Laughton
How likely is Tuch to re-sign in Buffalo? We’d say it’s likely, given what the Sabres are on the cusp of ending their long playoff drought and that Tuch stuck with them through the lean years. Would that leave Jack Roslovic as the top leading scorer?
Potential impact of a lean UFA market for the players and for the Canucks
One thing that will be interesting to see is just how much the market inflates. With the cap going up — and rumoured to be continuing to go up even more in the coming years — teams have money to spend, and we’ve already seen some inflation taking effect with deals that have been signed lately. For example, Kiefer Sherwood getting five years at $5.75 million annually from the San Jose Sharks certainly carries a level of sticker shock, but nobody can really earnestly suggest he wouldn’t have gotten at least a similar number on the open market. Could second and third-line centres start to see their earnings balloon to over $6 million per year? And will they get term?
After signing his one-year show me deal in Philadelphia, Christian Dvorak recently signed an extension with the Flyers to stay on for five years at $5.15 million per year. That’s presumably a higher number than what Dvorak was being offered on July 1st, and with him out of the way, a player like Roslovic — who also took a one-year deal to prove his worth to the league and cash in on a weaker free agent pool — must be licking his chops in anticipation of hitting the open market this summer.
Of course, if you’re a Canucks fan, you’re hoping that the lack of options available on the free agent market will make teams look long and hard at the Canucks’ players, and be willing to give up some premium assets in order to bring them in. We’re talking your Jake DeBrusks, Marco Rossis, Brock Boesers, Elias Petterssons (but we really just mean one), etc.
It’s a phenomena we got a glimpse of at this year’s Trade Deadline. With the cap going up and the options dwindling, the Columbus Blue Jackets had no problem giving up a 2nd and a 3rd round pick to bring in Conor Garland, knowing full well that they’d be on the hook for his $6 million cap hit for the next six seasons after this one. Teams need players, and if there’s no players out there to sign, they’ll look at other avenues to bring in players they like.
That’s something we explored just yesterday, and you can read about it by clicking below!

Flyers prepare for what could be Alex Ovechkin’s final game in Philly

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When the clock strikes noon on July 1, the league’s all-time leading goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin, will be an unrestricted free agent at the age of 40. Although he hasn’t confirmed anything, rumors are swirling that he could head home to Russia.
Ovechkin, who has 24 goals this season, has reiterated a few times that he would like to play for Dynamo Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League again. He played for his hometown team in what was then the Russian Superleague, leading them to the RSL title before coming to the NHL. He also played 31 games during the 2012-13 lockout-shortened NHL season.
Wednesday night could mark the last time “The Great 8″ plays an NHL game in Philly (7:30 p.m., TNT, truTV, HBO Max). And although many in the crowd will be looking forward to seeing the greatest goal scorer in NHL history up close for what could be the last time, Flyers defenseman Cam York has a different thought.
» READ MORE: ‘Hope and pray’: Flyers goalies past and present discuss trying to stop Alex Ovechkin
“I feel like every time we play, I’ve never taken it for granted,” he said. “Obviously, watched him a ton as a kid, and he’s been an idol for so many guys. He’s grown the sport so well.
“I’ll never forget when he broke my foot, my first year on a one-timer. It was like my welcome to the NHL moment. So it’s super cool, and if it is the last one, thank God.”
Of his 921 regular-season goals, Ovechkin has scored 52 goals in 80 career games, including 28 tallies in Philly, against the Flyers. It is his third-most against any NHL franchise, with the Atlanta Thrashers-turned-Winnipeg Jets at No. 1 (58) and the Carolina Hurricanes second (53). He’s added seven more goals in 14 playoff games against the Orange and Black.
“I’ve just never seen someone love hockey goals more than him,” forward Garnet Hathaway, who played almost four seasons with Ovechkin (2019-23). “Like doesn’t even matter, if he’s on the ice, if he’s on the bench, if he’s scoring them.”
“It’s his shot, his shot is so lethal,” added captain Sean Couturier. “He can score from everywhere. Usually, you try to take guys away from the middle of the ice, and you give them the outside; him, even from the outside, he can score from there — he can score from the corner, probably too.
“The puck just always finds a way to go through goalies like good goal scorers do, and he’s the best of all time. So always a tough opponent to play against.”
Sam Ersson will start in goal for the Flyers on Wednesday and has allowed three goals to Ovechkin in five games. The last one was fittingly No. 888 for Ovechkin, when he somewhat whiffed on the puck but still found the back of the net in Washington, D.C., last March. As for the others, “One off a faceoff, they won it back, he shot it low glove,” Ersson said a year ago. “[And] a point shot was going 10 feet wide and hit [him] in the pants and goes in.

Sharks rookies thrust into NHL playoff race, where mistakes are magnified

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Plenty of young San Jose Sharks players in recent years have had plenty of moments they wanted back during their rookie NHL seasons.
None of them, not even Macklin Celebrini, has experienced such moments with the Sharks in the thick of a playoff race, where each game has meaning, and every miscue is magnified.
As the Sharks get ready for Thursday’s game against the Boston Bruins, rookie defenseman Sam Dickinson had a moment to forget – or more likely learn from – in San Jose’s 6-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
With the Sharks trailing by one early in the second period Tuesday and pressing for the equalizer, Dickinson, 19, was being pressured by Sabres forward Beck Malenstyn as he tried to play a puck that had been sent into the neutral zone.
Dickinson never gained control of the puck as he started to back up, and instead of playing the body, tried to stick-check Malenstyn. But a hard-charging Malenstyn was able to pass the puck ahead to himself through Dickinson’s legs before he beat Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov low to the glove side for a 3-1 Sabres lead at the 4:59 mark of the second period.
It was far from the Sharks’ only miscue in what became their third straight loss, but it served as a reminder that some of their younger players are learning on the fly in a pressure-filled environment, as they became the latest team to lose to the Atlantic Division-leading Sabres.
The Sharks (30-26-6) have also now lost five straight games away from home.
“I think sometimes we think we’re working hard, but that’s a whole other level,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said of the Sabres. “That team works. They skate, they skate to close, they skate in all three zones, they skate with the puck to get on the attack. It’s a good hockey team.”
In San Jose’s 3-2 overtime loss at home to St. Louis last Friday, Dickinson was listed as having seven of the Sharks’ 23 giveaways, and was trying to check Robert Thomas before the Blues forward redirected a loose puck with his skate into the San Jose net.
Warsofsky had the option of scratching Dickinson, the 11th overall pick in the 2024 draft, and dressing call-up Nolan Allan for the following night’s game against the New York Islanders. Instead, Dickinson was back in the lineup and played over 17 minutes in what became a Sharks’ 2-1 loss, although Dickinson was on the ice for Bo Horvat’s winning goal in overtime.
“He’s a young kid. He’s going through his first NHL season,” Warsofsky said of Dickinson after the loss to the Blues. “I know you guys expect these players to be perfect every night and not make mistakes, but unfortunately, they do. That was a night for Sam that he learned that the National Hockey League is an everyday league, and if you don’t bring it, you’re going to get put on your heels quickly.”
In that game against the Blues, Dickinson led a Sharks rush in the third period that resulted in a game-tying goal by Kiefer Sherwood.
“Give him a lot of credit,” Warsofsky said of Dickinson, “he pushed through and made a good play in the third that helped create that tying goal. He did some good things, and some things that he’s going to learn from as a first-year NHL defenseman.”
Dickinson has 10 points and has averaged just over 16 minutes in ice time in 52 games this season. That ice time has ticked up a notch as he played in 26 of the Sharks’ last 27 games, as he simultaneously goes through a crucial stage of his development while his team tries to nail down a playoff spot.
“That’s kind of exactly where you want to be,” Dickinson, a Memorial Cup champion, said late last month of being in a playoff race. “It’s a lot better to be in a position like this rather than at the bottom of the league and just going through the motions.
“I think it brings out the best in everybody. I think I’m the same. I think when games start to matter the most is when I play the best. I don’t think that’ll change this last part here, knowing that we have to fight for some big points.”
Center Michael Misa, also 19, and also a Memorial Cup champion, is playing a significant role for the Sharks right now as a middle-six center on the second power play unit. He’s played in each of the Sharks’ last 18 games, and in that time, is tied for fourth on the team in scoring with 10 points.
He’ll need to keep it up, as the Sharks, with 66 points, have now been caught by the Nashville Predators, as both teams enter Thursday one point back of the Seattle Kraken for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Kings are tied with Seattle but have played one more game.
“It shifts the games to kind of more playoff-style games and every point matters for every team,” Misa said last week. “You can really see after the (Olympic) break, the hockey’s ramped up even more. We’re going to have to find ways to bear down.”

Matthew Tkachuk Announces Exciting Personal News After Winning Olympic Gold

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It’s been a very memorable few weeks for NHL superstar Matthew Tkachuk. He’s back with the Florida Panthers after a two-week run with USA Hockey at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan.
Headlined by Tkachuk and the rest of their talented roster, Team USA faced off against Team Canada in a thrilling showdown. They came out on top with a 2-1 overtime victory, claiming gold for the first time since 1980.
Now, weeks later, during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s podcast, Tkachuk and his wife Ellie announced that they are expecting their first child together. The couple is still waiting to learn the baby’s sex.
“We aren’t finding out,” he said. “We’re going old-school, which I wasn’t too fond of at first because it’s right there. All we have to do is look.”
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When asked about the hope that it might be a boy, and his desire to have a son at some point, the 28-year-old Tkachuk said it’s something they’ll eventually plan for.
“Yes, I mean, at some point, we’d definitely have to have a boy,” Tkachuk told Hannity. “I’ve been explaining to [my wife], because she has just a sister and no brothers, what youth hockey is like. And I think I’m more excited for youth hockey one day than my current hockey right now.”
“Honestly, I can’t wait for the road trips. I can’t wait for the family to come. I can’t wait for the parents to be in the hotel lobby bar at night, talking about the day — just the little things,” he added.
The two-time Stanley Cup winner revealed that he plans to get his child on the ice as soon as possible, teaching them the game that has brought him so much success.
“Oh, I’m lacing them up,” he said. “The second they can at least stand, I’m going to carry them around the ice.

Where to watch Flyers vs. Capitals NHL game tonight on free streams, TV

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The Washington Capitals visit the City of Brotherly Love to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night as the nightcap of a short, two-game NHL schedule for the day. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET with TV coverage on TNT and streaming on-demand.
How to watch Flyers vs. Capitals on TV and stream without cable
When: Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
TV channel: TNT
Streaming on: DirecTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | HBO Max ($19.99/mo.)
Flyers vs. Capitals: The matchup
The Capitals are listed as narrow betting favorites (-115) on the road in this one after a scoring binge led them to a 7-3 home win over the Calgary Flames on Monday night. That victory snapped a three-game losing streak and helped Washington hang in the Eastern Conference’s Wild Card picture with its 32-26-7 overall record and 71 points. The Caps trail the Boston Bruins by eight points for the second of the East’s two Wild Card bids and are also eight points behind the New York Islanders for the No. 3 position in the Metropolitan Division.
The Flyers are watching the calendar as they attempt to get back into both races, as well, having found a rhythm with a 4-2-1 record over their past seven games. Philadelphia is 29-23-11 on the season and just two points behind Washington in the Wild Card and Metropolitan races, making Wednesday’s matchup at the Flyers’ Xfinity Mobile Center a pivotal one for their long-shot playoff hopes.
Flyers vs. Capitals: Know your live streams
DirecTV (free trial): DirecTV offers a 5-day free trial and a total of $30 off over the first three full months for the Choice Package, which includes 125-plus channels and access to ESPN Unlimited, a $29.99 standalone value featuring all ESPN channels and ESPN+.
SlingTV (low intro rate): First full month of streaming runs as low as $29.99 with current offer for 50% off Sling’s Orange & Blue Plan. Day passes are also available for 24 hours ($4.99), as well as three-day ($9.99) and seven-day access ($14.99).

PWHL in talks with NHL Senators to keep Charge in Ottawa

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A PWHL official said Wednesday that there have been constructive conversations in potentially teaming with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators to secure its women’s hockey franchise a long-term future in the Canadian capital.
The discussions center on the Ottawa Charge playing home games at the Senators’ arena, the Canadian Tire Centre, PWHL senior VP of business operations Amy Scheer told The Associated Press. The Charge’s future is in Ottawa is uncertain beyond this season due to the city going ahead with renovations that will reduce the team’s current home’s capacity by about 2,000 seats.
“We’ve got a long ways to go to figure out where we are for the future of Ottawa, but the relationship with the Senators has blossomed,” Scheer said during a video conference call.
She referred to Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder as being “a gem to work with.” Scheer and league officials also met with Senators owner Michael Andlauer while attending the women’s tournament at the Milan Cortina Games last month.
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The PWHL has already established a partnership with the Senators, with the Charge scheduled to play Montreal at the Canadian Tire Centre on April 3.
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“The game is selling really well, so hopefully that’s the first of a really positive road for us to skate down,” Scheer said.
Leeder looked forward to the Senators hosting the game, and further discussions with the PWHL.
“We can confirm we’ve had positive dialogue with the PWHL and the Ottawa Charge, which is consistent with our desire to grow the game for women, men and youth in our Ottawa-Gatineau community,” Leeder said in a statement the Senators released to the AP.
The Charge were one of the PWHL’s original six franchises, and have spent the first three seasons playing at the city’s centrally located TD Place, which is also home to the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67s. The aging facility has a capacity of about 8,500 for hockey but the renovation will reduce seating to about 5,700, with an additional 900 standing-only spots.
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The PWHL said the cuts make it financially unfeasible to stay at the arena. The Charge averaged about 7,000 fans per outing over the first two seasons, with that number jumping to 7,225 over the team’s first nine home games this year.
Scheer previously said the league was exploring all options, including the possibility of relocation. “We will not go backwards,” Scheer said in November.
The PWHL expanded to eight teams this season, with plans underway to add 2-4 teams for next season.
The Senators’ home arena is located in Kanata, about a 40-minute drive outside of downtown. The team, however, is in the early planning stages of building a new home closer to downtown.

Rangers’ Jonathan Quick passes Henrik Lundqvist on NHL shutout list

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When an athlete reaches the latter stages of a Hall of Fame career, the company he keeps on various statistical lists is always impressive.
Rangers backup goalie Jonathan Quick surpassed franchise legend Henrik Lundqvist for 17th on the NHL’s career shutout list with his 65th in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over the Flames at the Garden.
Next up is Islanders head coach Patrick Roy with 66.
“It was something we were talking about on the bench the whole third period, it was competing hard for Quickie, to help him there,” Mike Sullivan said. “I was told at the end of the game that he just passed Hank. That’s a remarkable accomplishment in this game.
“It just speaks volumes for how good of a goaltender he’s been for so long. His competitive spirit I think is inspiring, the way he goes about his business every day, watching his work ethic. I just think he has such a great influence on our group. So when he has the ability to get a shutout like this, I know his teammates were thrilled for him, and we were every bit as thrilled for him.”
The 40-year-old Quick has the most shutouts ever for any American-born goalie, 20 more than Connor Hellebuyck of the Jets.
The two-time Stanley Cup winner also ranks 12th all-time with 409 wins. But only five of those victories have come in 22 appearances (5-15-2) this season.
“Any time you’re mentioned with Hank‘s name with anything, it’s special,” Quick said about passing Lundqvist. “I know what he means to this city and this organization, what he’s done for goaltenders everywhere, with a lot of young guys looking up to him.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST NHL STANDINGS AND RANGERS STATS
“So just being in the same conversation with him with anything, with any stat or anything like that, it’s humbling.”
Mika Zibanejad recorded his 800th career point Tuesday night, and he is closing in on another milestone — his 1,000th NHL game — at 993 entering Thursday’s visit to Winnipeg.
“It feels surreal,” the 32-year-old Zibanejad said. “I think when I was starting to play hockey, I don’t know if that’s what I was dreaming about.
“Coming into the NHL, I don’t know if it’s been a number or a milestone I’ve allowed myself to dream of or even thought about, honestly … It’s obviously fun, but I’m hoping I have a lot of good hockey left to play.”

Is Utah becoming a destination for NHL players? Nick Schmaltz’s contract extension suggests that it is

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If you’re a real estate agent in the Salt Lake area, you might want to get to know Nick Schmaltz and his fiancée, Abby. They just came into a large sum of money and they’re looking to plant their roots in Utah.
Schmaltz, a star forward with the Utah Mammoth, just signed an eight-year contract extension worth $64 million.
“My fiancée and I love it here, so we’re super excited to get settled down and hope we can find some real estate here,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday following the announcement of his extension.
But it was far from an easy deal to get done. GM Bill Armstrong admitted that the thought of losing Nick “left me sleepless, night after night after night, thinking about what he was going to get in free agency.”
After one of Schmaltz’s hat tricks at the Delta Center this season (he’s had two already), Armstrong scanned the crowd, taking it all in, when he caught the gaze of a woman in the audience, who seemed to be looking directly at him.
It was the soon-to-be-Mrs. Schmaltz.
He looked away, questioning what he saw, but a second look confirmed it.
“I look back down and she’s glaring right at me. She’s locked right in. She’s like, ‘Yeah!’” Armstrong explained with a smile on his face and laughter coursing through the conference room.
It’s safe to say both the Armstrong and Schmaltz households will sleep easier from now on.
Why did Nick Schmaltz want to stay in Utah?
Going through a rebuild isn’t easy on anyone. Armstrong mentioned that in the Arizona days, they had plenty of people bail on them.
Schmaltz got to the Coyotes at age 22 after being traded from the Blackhawks. The Coyotes had finished third-last in the entire league the previous season, while the Blackhawks had won the Stanley Cup three of the past nine years.
A trade like that can be discouraging for a young player, but the idea was that if he stuck around, he’d be able to help the team rise to success. They’ve since moved cities, changed names and technically created a new franchise, but the group is largely the same — and now is the time that they start to see the results of all their hard work.
“When you go through a rebuild, as we did, you really understand the character of a person,” Armstrong explained. “We had a lot of people bail on us. We had a lot of people not play well, not hard, didn’t want any part of it. Nick was actually the opposite. He bought into it, he embraced it and he drove through it.”
Schmaltz described himself as a “pretty loyal guy.”
“I committed to Arizona for seven years, and obviously it was some tough times there, but I don’t know. I just liked the group we had, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I knew at some point it had to turn around, and I wanted to see it through and be a part of the rebuild and kind of build it from the ground up.
“… I’m super happy that I did that and I think it means a lot to grind through those years, because then it makes the good times that much better.”
Is Utah becoming a destination for NHL players?
A major part of the free agency discussion in recent years is whether a given team is considered a “destination.”
For example, the Vegas Golden Knights have created a place where players want to be. The weather is nice during the season, there’s no state tax, the fans are passionate and the team wins. The Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, among others, have become destinations for similar reasons.
Utah doesn’t have palm trees and there is state tax (although it’s much lower than many other NHL markets). So what would make a player want to play there?
Ownership can make a huge difference — and that’s something Schmaltz mentioned in his opening statement on Wednesday.
“Ryan and Ashley, they’ve given us every single tool to get better every single day,” he said. “They built this amazing practice facility, they’ve done stuff at the Delta Center, renovations to make the building better. It just seems like they’re all-in on us. They do whatever it takes to win and they make our job easy, just to go out and perform.”
Schmaltz is one of several players to sign long-term deals in Utah, but he’s the first to do so as an unrestricted free agent. Had he waited four more months, he could have chosen any city in the league as his new home — and as the biggest free agent on the market, there’s a good chance he would have gotten even more money.
But if Utah truly is a destination for NHL players, staying becomes an easy decision.
“I think people are starting to see, ‘Utah’s actually a place I want to live,’” said Mammoth owner Ryan Smith. “… You leave this facility, you’ve got that beautiful mountain range right in the back. You can get anywhere around here. You can fly anywhere. Utah’s pretty special and I think everyone is starting to see that.”

Verbeek talks Carlson trade, Ducks’ playoff push in 1-on-1 with NHL.com

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Pat Verbeek wasn’t looking to bring up the subject of John Carlson’s potential availability in trade talks with the Washington Capitals, primarily because he didn’t think the veteran defenseman was in play.
The Capitals had other ideas.
So says Verbeek who, in a 1-on-1 chat with NHL.com, discussed all things Anaheim Ducks including an inside look at the surprising deal that brought Carlson to the West Coast on March 5.
“I never mentioned the subject just because, you know, he’d been with that organization for a long time,” the Ducks general manager said. “It was like a lot of our GMs calls where we discuss a lot of things and tell each other what we’re trying to do to help our individual teams to improve.”
Verbeek remembers telling the Capitals that the Ducks might be looking to shore up their defense.
“And then they brought up the name,” he said. “They asked if we’d be interested in John Carlson.”
The answer was an immediate yes, leading to the deal that landed the 36-year-old with Anaheim for a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
Carlson is close to returning from a lower-body injury and could make his Ducks debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, KCOP-13, Victory+), although a more realistic target is against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre Saturday or versus the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre Sunday.
Whatever the case, this much is certain: The Ducks are one of the feel-good stories of the 2025-26 season.
To that end, consider this: The Ducks (36-25-3), who have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2018, enter play Thursday in first place in the Pacific Division, three points ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers. In a division that features stars like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and Macklin Celebrini, that’s an impressive feat.
One that Verbeek, who was named GM on Feb. 3, 2022, hopes the Ducks can springboard into postseason success.
First off, how excited did you get when the Capitals first mentioned Carlson, who’s in the final season of an eight-year, $64 million contract?
PV: “He’s a heck of a player. I played against him when I was playing for Tampa. And he’s having a heck of a year this year (46 points; 10 goals, 36 assists). I think he’s one of the top defensemen in 5-on-5 production with points. And so for me, bringing someone like this in was really important for our group. And so we’ll be able to slide our defensemen into different positions. And I think it’s also going to give Joel (Ducks coach Quenneville) a different matchup down this stretch here for the playoffs … hopefully into the playoffs. So just going to allow us to do different things and give us a lot of depth on defense now. The schedule has been so crazy as far as how many games we’re playing. They’re coming fast here. And so when your guys get tired, there’s a little bit of a tendency for injuries to happen. I hope we can avoid it. But if we can’t, we still have depth to kind of keep pushing through.”
The Carlson acquisition symbolized a change in philosophy for the Ducks, who in recent years have been sellers at the NHL Trade Deadline. How much does it mean to your players to see firsthand efforts of management to help them land their first postseason appearance in eight years?
PV: “I think it’s important for our group to make the playoffs. For the past three years, I’ve always been selling. But this year, we have a lot of belief in the group. The team, the players, they believe in the group that we have. And so, we had an opportunity to add a really good player to the group. And I think that created more excitement among the players because they understand that management believes in them too. So, it’s just a snowball effect in the sense of where the confidence grows. And obviously the expectation is to make the playoffs and keep pushing forward.”
Do you have any interest in re-signing Carlson after this season?
PV: “I think the answer is yes. But I think that, like all my other guys, you know, I’ve got other UFAs, I’ve got RFAs. I think the whole mindset is just, ‘let’s just play hockey, let’s get in the playoffs,’ and then we’ll let all that stuff take care of itself at the appropriate time. And so all of us are focused on playing the games. All that other stuff, like I said, will take care of itself.”
Sometimes the term “all in” is overused, but you’ve definitely shown that this is the season management has stepped on the gas pedal. As noted earlier, that’s a departure from what we’ve seen from you in your first few years on the job. How difficult was it in those times to stay patient in your build until it finally got to this stage?
PV: “I was part of a similar build when I was working for Tampa. So I understand how you know what it looks like and how long it takes. I’ve obviously been scouting for a long time. I’ve watched Chicago do it. I watched Colorado go through it. You certainly have to be patient. And you have to trust the process, in the sense that we’ve drafted some really good players. At some point you’re going to realize and get to that spot where they’re ready. And at that point you try to push it or accelerate it as fast as you can. But sometimes it doesn’t quite go that way and sometimes it takes a little bit of time. My experience has always been when these players start reaching 23, that’s when they take the huge step. About 23, 24, is when the young players, they’ve been around in the League a little longer and they understand. They know the players that they’re playing against, and so the game slows down for them. They’re more mature off the ice. They’re more professional, they’re more business-like with their games. And so there’s a lot of things that they have to learn. And it all slows down for them, but they understand the process. They understand.”
Joel has obviously put himself in the coach-of-the-year conversation with the job he’s done. You obviously expected him to have an impact when you hired him. But this much, this fast?
PV: “Yes. Definitely. I expected exactly this.”
Why were you so confident he’s get this team to the next level this quickly?
PV: “The reason why I say that is because we’re in a very similar situation or position that he was in when he took over the Chicago Blackhawks (in 2008). I kind of view our team in the same way as I do that one: a very young team with some good older players. Kind of a nice mix. He has a different way in how he allows players to play with their creativity. And you’ve seen some of the guys like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier and Mason McTavish, they can play the way they feel free to play, the way they want to play, within the structure, if that makes sense.”
Finally, how much excitement is there about the team right now in the Anaheim market?
PV: “They’re great fans. And home has kind of been a friendly place for us to play. Obviously, they’ve been a huge part of that. And at home, I can tell you that we make it exciting, more exciting than I would like it to be, sometimes. It’s just an overall good feeling for the fans and for the players.”

Canadiens Call-Up Could Signal Montembeault’s Days Numbered

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The Montreal Canadiens’ issues with goaltending this season have been no secret. The club had high hopes for Samuel Montembeault at the start of the season. The hope was that he could take over the starting role full-time.
However, that has not been quite the case this season. Montembeault has struggled at various points in the season, forcing the Canadiens to rely on 24-year-old Jakub Dobes.
To his credit, Dobes has been solid this season. He has a 2.97 GAA and an .892 SV% in 31 games this season. Those are decent numbers, but not the kind that will overwhelm opponents. That situation has prompted the Habs to call up 21-year-old Jacob Fowler.
With Fowler back up in the NHL, it seems that Montembeault’s days could be numbered. Now, there are a couple of issues with this move.
First, the Canadiens are currently carrying three goalies. They can get away with that since Dobes has a $965K cap hit, with Fowler carrying a $923K cap hit of his own. Fowler is waivers-exempt as well. That condition makes it easier for the Habs to move him up and down between the NHL and the AHL.
But there’s another dimension to this situation.
Fowler’s determination seems to be the defining characteristic in his drive to remain in the NHL.
“I want to be a Montreal Canadien. As long as I can and as soon as I can.”
The comments, as reported by Marco D’Amico of R.org, highlight Fowler’s mindset. And it’s that attitude that could very well push Montembeault out of the lineup.
Canadiens Auditioning Fowler for Playoffs
The next 20 games or so could be an audition for the Dobes-Fowler tandem. Depending on how the two young goalies play, they could be the duo that heads into the postseason.
It would be a tough break for Montembeault after getting a taste of the postseason last year. But it was his lackluster showing against the Washington Capitals last season that led to this experiment.
While Fowler has a great relationship with both Montembeault and Dobes, at the end of the day, business is business.
“It’s hard,” he said. “I’m really close to both those guys and you’re rooting for them, but at the end of the day, you want to be in that net every night. It’s part of the job.”
With the way things are going, it could just be that Fowler will get the inside track on a postseason job.
What Do Habs Do about Montembeault?
The biggest question mark will be what the Canadiens do about Montembeault. He’s under contract for one more season at $3.15 million. Perhaps the Habs could explore the trade market for Montembeault this offseason. There might be some legit interest in a club willing to give him another shot.
However, $3.15 million for, say, a backup netminder is a little steep. Unless the Canadiens were willing to retain some of his salary, trading him would be tough. There’s always the possibility of burying his cap hit in the AHL.
It’s unlikely anyone would pick him up off waivers. That’s why, depending on how Fowler responds to his audition, the path in Montreal could be winding down.

DraftKings Promo Code: Get $200 Bonus for NBA Games + 100% NCAA Tournament Profit Boost

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Houston Rockets @ Denver Nuggets (10:00 PM EDT)
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Minnesota Timberwolves @ LA Clippers
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Luka Doncic on fire since Max Kellerman’s criticism

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Two weeks ago, Max Kellerman severely criticized Luka Doncic on his podcast and called Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics a better player. Since then, Doncic has been on fire and the Los Angeles Lakers have gone 6-1.
Kellerman said, among other things, that if Doncic ever got a statute, it would depict him

LeBron James Only Considering Two Teams As A Free Agent

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NBA icon LeBron James is anticipated to continue his playing career when he enters free agency this summer. The Los Angeles Lakers hope to contend this season with James on the roster, but nothing is confirmed after this season as they look to build around new face of the franchise Luka Doncic. Rumors have circulated about LeBron’s future potentially putting him on a new team to end his career away from the Lakers.
However, Lakers Daily reports that the Lakers are one of two teams that James will seriously consider as a free agent:
As one source told Lakers Daily, “A farewell tour with the Warriors would make no sense at all. It’s Lakers, Cavaliers or retirement.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the other team that could get LeBron to sign a deal and end his career there. James is still considered the greatest player in Cavaliers franchise history and arguably the most beloved athlete in Cleveland sports history.
The 2016 NBA Championship made LeBron an iconic figure forever after leading the Cavaliers to their first and only NBA Title. A return home to end his career with the franchise most synonymous with LeBron would make logical sense after rumors started picking up earlier this season.
How The Lakers Can Keep LeBron
The Lakers are expected to play hardball with James and not just hand out another massive contract to him. Despite having a lot of cap space coming off the books, reports suggest that getting new talent that fits better with Doncic will be the top priority.
Austin Reaves is anticipated to receive a huge contract offer to become the second highest-paid superstar on the team. James reportedly will have to take a smaller contract for the Lakers to add better talent and improve the depth for a stronger NBA Championship chance.
This plan caused many to question if LeBron would want to return to a place that may not want him as badly. However, James could easily opt to stay in the place where he’s most comfortable and retire playing alongside his son Bronny James on a contender. The Lakers would have to convince LeBron that the roster is elite to keep him under a smaller contract.
How Cleveland Can Steal LeBron Away
Cleveland also makes a lot of sense as the other team named by the source close to James. The most recent Lakers game visiting the Cavaliers saw the Cleveland fans and franchise giving him a hero’s welcome, in case it was his final game in the chance he retires this summer.
James would also need to take a pay cut here and may need to settle for near a minimum contract to make this deal work. The Cavaliers have to sign James Harden to an extension after trading for him at the deadline this season

Lakers’ Luka Doncic looks calm outside of Manhattan Beach bachelor pad amid drama

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The breeze from the Pacific Ocean drifted into the sun-drenched Manhattan Beach neighborhood of Lakers superstar Luka Doncic on Wednesday.
The NBA’s leading scorer and the most talked-about man in basketball this week arrived at his $25 million home — that he bought from tennis champ Maria Sharapova in September — in a black Cadillac Escalade and appeared unbothered by the off-the-court storm swirling around his personal life.
The California Post exclusively captured photos of Doncic arriving at his beachfront bachelor pad, stepping out in a black Lakers track suit, dark sunglasses shielding his eyes, and a black duffle bag. Flanked by personal security and his chief brand officer and business manager, Lara Beth Seager, the 27-year-old guard looked calm — almost serene — despite the drama with his ex-fiancée Anamaria Goltes.
Doncic’s Tuesday morning began with the NBA fining him $50,000 for what the league called an “inappropriate and unprofessional gesture” directed at a referee during the Lakers’ 110-97 win over the Knicks on Sunday. Hours later, another headline detonated across the sports world: Goltes, a Slovenian model and influencer, had filed a petition for child support and attorney fees in a Los Angeles court.
The legal filing ignited a custody battle over their two daughters — Gabriela, born in 2023, and Olivia, born in Slovenia last December.
Doncic confirmed the breakup in a statement to ESPN later in the afternoon.
“I love my daughters more than anything,” Doncic said. “I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement.”
Behind the scenes, the situation has been complicated and emotional for the Lakers star. According to sources, Doncic was surprised by the California filing, noting that one daughter spent only three months in the state while the other has never been there.
The relationship between Doncic and Goltes stretches back nearly a decade. The pair met in their youth and began dating in 2016 before the Lakers star proposed in July 2023.
According to the court filing, Goltes moved back to Slovenia on May 5, 2025, and remained in Slovenia for the birth of Olivia last December. The fracture reportedly widened when Doncic arrived at Kranj Maternity Hospital on Dec. 6.
According to a police report obtained by ESPN, officers responded to a dispute between Doncic and Goltes after a disagreement erupted about travel plans for their older daughter. Police later concluded there was no criminal wrongdoing, and Doncic left peacefully before returning to the United States.
Since then, the distance has grown colder.
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Doncic hasn’t seen his daughters since that trip and recently filed an interim injunction in Slovenian court seeking immediate contact with them.
Yet through all of it, he’s dominated on the court.
Doncic leads the league with 32.5 points per game, and just hours after the child-support news broke Tuesday night, he poured in 31 points in the Lakers’ 120-106 victory over the Timberwolves.
Three straight wins. Helping the Lakers leapfrog into fourth place in the Western Conference.
And on Wednesday afternoon, as he disappeared behind the doors of his Manhattan Beach home, Doncic looked exactly like he has all season.
Unbothered.
Focused.
And still very much in control of the game that made him a global superstar — even if the one off the court has suddenly become far more complicated.

Bam Adebayo’s 83 shows how much game has changed

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If nothing else, Bam Adebayo’s stunning 83-point explosion reminded everyone of two things: One, Bam is a terrific player who’s easy to root for. And two, the NBA record book doesn’t always tell the whole story.
As Andscape’s Jesse Washington pointed out, Adebayo’s outburst technically places him second on the league’s single-game scoring list — right between Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 and Kobe Bryant’s 81. But context matters, and Washington’s point was simple: the game today isn’t the same game Wilt or Kobe played.
Chamberlain’s century came in 1962 without a three-point line, while Bryant’s unforgettable 81 in 2006 arrived in a gritty comeback against a Raptors team actually trying to win. Adebayo’s night? It came against the Wizards, a franchise that has spent the better part of recent seasons looking toward the draft lottery.
Washington also noted how the modern NBA favors offense in ways previous eras simply didn’t. Faster pace means more possessions, rules discourage physical defense, and free throws come easier.
Adebayo went 36-for-43 from the line — a reflection of a league where attacking the rim often means marching to the stripe.
None of that diminishes the feat. Dropping 83 in the NBA still requires elite talent, relentless effort and a bit of history lining up just right. As Washington made clear, Adebayo deserves every bit of the praise he’s receiving.
Still, the larger takeaway isn’t that Bam somehow surpassed Kobe. It’s that the sport has evolved dramatically.
And if scoring eruptions keep happening like this, the real question may not be about No. 2 on the list. It might be how long Wilt’s 100 lasts.

A Broken Engagement, a Custody Battle and an NBA Fine

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Luka Doncic is having a particularly rough few weeks. The Lakers star is working through a breakup, dealing with a nasty custody battle, and has just been fined by the NBA for making an “inappropriate gesture” towards a referee. Here’s everything that has been going on in Doncic’s life in recent days.
Luka Doncic’s engagement is over.
Luka Doncic made a big announcement this week. While the point guard generally tries to keep his off-the-court life a bit more private than most, he did open up about his recent split. On March 10, Doncic announced that he was in the midst of navigating a split from his longtime fiancée, Anamaria Goltes. Doncic made the announcement through a statement to ESPN. That announcement came just after news that Goltes had filed legal paperwork began circulating.
Dončić and Goltes met as teenagers in Slovenia during separate family vacations. They began dating in 2016, with Goltes following Doncic to the United States for his NBA career. While Doncic proposed in 2023, around the time they welcomed their first child together, things were complicated from the start. In 2025, their second child was born. While Doncic announced the birth, it seems the couple had already split by then. At the very least, the romance was on thin ice.
A custody battle is heating up
Luka Doncic and Anamaria Goltes’ split might be pretty fresh, but the former flames are not wasting any time hashing out custody, and it looks like there might be a bit of a battle. According to Parade, Doncic wants his two daughters with Goltes to spend time with him in the United States during the NBA season, but Goltes isn’t interested. Doncic told ESPN that he will fight to spend time with his two children.
Goltes, who seemingly returned to Slovenia after the split, has filed for child support. That paperwork was filed in the United States. Doncic reportedly filed his own legal paperwork in Slovenia to assert his right to custody of his two daughters. No rulings have been made at this time, though. The international nature of the dispute might complicate matters.
Luka Doncic is having trouble on the court, too
Luka Doncic is known for having a bit of a temper on the court, and it seems he is taking out his personal frustrations there. Just a few days before he announced the end of his engagement to Goltes, he played an action-packed game at Crypto.com Arena against the New York Knicks. While the Lakers ultimately won by a large margin, Doncic let his frustration get the better of him.
According to several sources, the famed point guard, angered by a call, made a hand gesture that suggested the referee had been paid off. While lying on the floor after the play, he rubbed his fingers together in a “money” gesture toward the referee. While nothing happened initially, the NBA reviewed the interaction and fined Doncic. He must pay $50,000 to the league for an inappropriate hand gesture.
Doncic has opted not to comment on the incident. This is a developing story.

Deandre Ayton “Lost Trust” in Media as Leaked Conversation Triggers Bizarre Behavior: Reports

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When Deandre Ayton signed for the Los Angeles Lakers last summer, he was expected to be the final piece of the puzzle that would propel them to NBA Championship contenders. But as the season has progressed, Ayton has had his ups and downs, averaging 12.5 points and 8.3 rebounds over 56 games. The Bahamian made headlines last month following his controversial “I’m not no Clint Capela” outburst following the Lakers’ 11o-109 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Ayton, who bagged a double-double (21 points, 13 rebounds) in that game, was frustrated at the lob-finishing, rim-running role that coach JJ Redick has him playing as opposed to his skilled offensive game. He was heard yelling out, “They’re trying to make me Clint Capela,” which immediately went viral the next day.
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Since then, Ayton has been moving differently, avoiding the media and throwing shade at reporters, including Daniel Starkand. “I definitely think it has to do with that Capela article, and that was something, you know, he kinda said walking out of the locker room, and people just heard it. I do think there is an aspect of him kinda losing trust in the media because that got put out,” he said while on Lakers Nation with analyst Trevor Lane.
Starkand went on to add that Ayton has been actively dodging reporters after recent games. He claimed that the former Phoenix Suns man also refused to speak to the media following team practice earlier this week. In fact, he was ‘awkwardly’ avoidant of Starkand last night too, following the Lakers’ big win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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But Starkand defends his colleagues’ actions, claiming they’re just doing their jobs. “DA needs to know that if he says something out loud when reporters are in the locker room like that’s considered ‘on the record’, like that’s fair game, you know, whether he likes it or not. And if he doesn’t want something like that to be published, then he should just not say it,” he concluded.
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Deandre Ayton Looks to Silence the Haters by Balling Out
After his ‘Clint Capela’ comments made headlines, Ayton bombed miserably in the next game vs the Suns. He managed just two points and four rebounds after spending 23 minutes on the court. Former Laker Shaquille O’Neal and NBA legend Charles Barkley roasted him on TNT’s Tip-Off, with the latter saying Ayton should embrace the ‘Capel’ role.
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Ayton kept his head down and focused on working on his craft. And since the start of March, he’s been a pivotal player for LA as they’ve climbed up the Western Conference standings to occupy the fourth seed. He played a crucial role last night in the 106-120 win over Minnesota, bagging a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds).
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Michael Jordan sent a message to Bam Adebayo after his 83-point game

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Bam Adebayo even managed to impress His Airness with his 83-point fever dream this week.
The Miami Heat big man Adebayo appeared Wednesday on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” following his game-of-a-lifetime on Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards. Adebayo revealed during the interview that he received a text message from Michael Jordan congratulating him on his 83-point explosion.
“[He] just [said], ‘Congratulations,’” said Adebayo of Jordan. “Just short and sweet. If you know Mike, he’s not talking a lot.”
Adebayo, a three-time NBA All-Star at 28 years old, surpassed Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006 as the single highest scoring performance of the modern basketball era. In the all-time history of the NBA, now only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game back in 1962 tops the 83 points that Adebayo erupted for this week.
As for Jordan, now 63 years old, his single-game career-high was “only” 69 points (set in 1990 with the Chicago Bulls during an overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers). Jordan does however still hold the NBA’s single-game playoff scoring record of 63 points, set with the Bulls in 1986 during a double-OT loss to the Boston Celtics.

Jaylen Brown Hints at MVP Bias, Reveals Why He’ll Never Win the Award

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The Boston Celtics defied the preseason predictions by climbing and staying in the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference. Despite leading this short-handed ragtag squad by being the literal definition of a ‘valuable player’ to the team, Jaylen Brown feels the opposite. His expectation is rock bottom because of what he perceives as a fundamental bias in the NBA’s most prestigious individual race. For Jaylen Brown the bar for MVP is always just a few inches higher than where he stands.
Speaking on The Cousins podcast with Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter, Brown suggested that the goalposts for the MVP award are constantly shifting to exclude him. He’s seemingly resigned to a grim conclusion: he will likely never take home the Michael Jordan Trophy.
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“It’ll be cool, it’ll be nice,” Brown told Carter about the idea of winning MVP. However, he’s reset his priorities. “But in terms of like winning MVP versus winning the championship, it’s a big gap for me.”
Brown emphasized his team-first mentality instead by saying, “I’d like to play for another championship, but it’ll be nice… but you know that’s not in my control. I feel like I fit the criteria for it. Especially what people were saying about me before the season, that I couldn’t do it or I wasn’t capable of being this or being that.”
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The 2024 Finals MVP’s frustration stems from a perceived moving target in the voting narrative. “I’ve been able to kind of shoulder that and then also help lead my team to where we’re at now, but people constantly just move the bar,” he explained.
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“Now we fast forward and I don’t have enough to fit the criteria. I probably never will (fit the criteria to be MVP), no matter what I do.”
Shortly after he recorded this podcast, Jaylen Brown got his second career ejection on Tuesday night against the Spurs. So his sentiment is not related to an ejection he didn’t know was coming in a few days. It was a commentary on a broader sentiment in the league.
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Jaylen Brown’s own excellence came in the way of MVP potential
For most of the season, the MVP race was split between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s potential back-to-back win and Nikola Jokic’s fourth MVP campaign. Until Victor Wembanyama and Jaylen Brown made solid cases to upset the odd. But somehow the hype Wemby gets is not the same as JB.
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Many analysts wrote the Celtics off following a season-ending Achilles injury to Jayson Tatum and the breakup of the 2024 championship squad. Brown was the pillar of the Celtics’ narrative shift. He defied those expectations, averaging a career-high 28.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game as of March 2026.
This perceived snub has caught the attention of the league’s elder statesmen. Following a Celtics victory over the Lakers in late February, LeBron James went on the record to call the race a “popularity contest.” James told reporters, “This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about as well… Nobody gave them a shot to start the season and he’s averaging just under 30? I have my own personal issues with [the award criteria].”
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Shaquille O’Neal echoed these sentiments on Inside the NBA, using Brown as a prime example of how voting has shifted toward advanced analytics over raw impact and leading a winning team through adversity.
Proving their point is the perspective in the media, among the MVP voters, as the Celtics remained contenders. The narrative shifted from “Jaylen Brown is carrying them” to “the team is simply too deep,” effectively diluting his individual MVP case. It’s probably what spurred him to tell Vince, “I don’t have enough to fit the criteria.”
The consensus among these legends is that Brown is being punished for the Celtics’ collective competence, even as he serves as the primary engine driving their 38-20 record. Only Jaylen Brown himself has gotten over that. His singular goal is only the rewards at the end of the season.

N ot everyone pleased about Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night : NPR

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MIAMI — The Miami Heat led the Washington Wizards by 25 points with 2:56 left. The game was essentially over, the outcome decided. And Bam Adebayo got called for an offensive foul that, under normal circumstances, would not have mattered.
These were not normal circumstances.
Adebayo already had 77 points on Tuesday night and the Heat wanted more. So, coach Erik Spoelstra emphatically challenged that offensive foul call. Every Heat player, assistant coach and staffer jumped off the bench, celebrating that decision. The challenge failed — refs got the call right — but it was clear what the moment meant to Miami.
Adebayo wound up scoring 83 points. It was the second-highest total by any player in any game in NBA history, passing Kobe Bryant’s 81 and trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100.

Orlando City, coach Oscar Pareja parting ways after 3 losses to open the season

Orlando City and head coach Oscar Pareja have agreed to part ways just three games into the Major League Soccer season.
Orlando City is coming off a 5-0 loss to New York City FC on Saturday, the team’s third straight defeat.
Pareja became head coach of Orlando ahead of the 2020 season. The team went to the playoffs in each year of his tenure and reached the semifinals in 2024.
Assistant coach Martín Perelman will take over as interim head coach.
“I want to thank Oscar for the dedication, leadership and professionalism he brought to our club,” Ricardo Moreira, Orlando’s general manager and sporting director, said Wednesday in a statement. “He delivered one of the most significant moments in Orlando City’s history with the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and helped establish the competitive foundation that has propelled us forward, highlighted by our active club-record run of six straight playoffs appearances, which is currently the longest streak in MLS.”
Pareja, who is from Colombia, had previous head coaching stints with FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, as well as Liga MX’s Tijuana.
He finishes his career at Orlando with a 103-72-66 record at the helm.
“Together, we shared moments that will stay with me forever,” Pareja said about his time in Orlando. “While it is the right time for both me and the Club to move in new directions, I leave proud of the work we did and with deep appreciation for the people who made it possible.”
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NBA draft prospect Alijah Arenas refuses to see his dreams derailed

Barely a minute or two ticked away at Galen Center last month,but USC freshman Alijah Arenas already was exhausted. His legs felt like anchors dragging across the court. Every trip down and back left his lungs howling.
Not 48 hours earlier, Arenas was confined to his bed, sick with a particularly unforgiving form of the flu. The virus sapped him of the strength he’d built during his first seven games at USC — another frustrating setback during a season with too many to count.
At practice the day before, Arenas felt so tired he spent most of the session lying down, trying not to move. But after all the games missed and all the opportunities lost during the past 10 months, Arenas would never willingly give up another.
He came to USC, after all, as a surefire NBA lottery pick, a sinewy playmaking marvel capable of creating his shot anywhere, anytime. He seemed like the sort of tantalizing five-star talent who could change not just the present but future of a program.
But he spent almost three-quarters of what could be his only college season sidelined. So, with a top-10 Illinois team coming to town, Arenas fought to play. He ended up slogging his way through 18 minutes and scored eight points. USC lost to Illinois by 36, its largest margin of defeat of the regular season.
That was three weeks ago. USC hasn’t won a game since. It opens Big Ten tournament action against Washington on Wednesday in need of a miracle run just to make the NCAA tournament.
Arenas isn’t one to make excuses. “I’m not going to blame it on [being sick,]” he said the day after the Illinois loss.
There has been plenty of blame to go around during USC’s seven-game losing streak. But Arenas blames himself. He should have been more prepared for this season, he says. He should have been working out harder, recovering faster.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Arenas said. “I just have to point out the obvious.”
He thinks about his little brother, Aloni. He’s only 14. He’s been hounding Alijah about getting in the gym. Why hadn’t he listened?
“It’s becoming a problem,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been talking about striving for perfection, instead of actually practicing it.”
He’s spent all night thinking about this. Obsessing over it.
But on the other hand … maybe he’s being a bit hard on himself.
One morning last April, Arenas was driving home from the gym when his Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, crashed into a tree and burst into flames, briefly trapping him inside. He managed to escape, but he was placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery from smoke inhalation and hospitalized for six days. Then, within days of finally being cleared to practice during the summer at USC, Arenas learned his meniscus was torn. He had one surgery on his knee, only to learn he needed a second about a month later.
Doctors told Arenas at the time that the knee injury was likely season-ending. But he refused to accept that fate. When his knee responded well to the second surgery, doctors conceded he might be able to return sometime in February. He ran with it.
“He worked so hard to come back,” said Zach Becerra, Arenas’ trainer, “that he got it to mid-January.”
But while his knee might’ve technically been healthy as he suited up against Northwestern on Jan. 21, Arenas didn’t have his stamina back. It’d been 10 months since he last played five-on-five basketball.
Arenas still played 29 minutes. He shot 3 of 15. Afterward, USC coach Eric Musselman worried he might’ve thrown the freshman into the fire too soon.
But Musselman told the Arenas family from the beginning that he would give Alijah a blank canvas on which to create and the space to make mistakes, to grow. So he kept his word — and kept giving Arenas the ball. Musselman stuck with the freshman even as he shot just 29% and struggled to find his footing during his first four games. And he has continued to stick with his star freshman, even as USC’s season unraveled.
He’s done so because Musselman and his staff have seen glimpses of what Arenas could be.
During a three-game stretch in early February, Arenas showed the world his sky-high potential. He dropped 29 against Indiana, 25 at Ohio State and hit a game-winner at Penn State. It seemed, at the time, like he was on the brink of his long-awaited breakout.
Then, he got sick.
“It’s a shame that the circumstances were what they were,” USC assistant coach Michael Musselman said. “Because I truly know that [Arenas] would have been one of the best players in the country with a full season.”
Arenas, though, doesn’t waste any time feeling sorry for himself. Even that stellar three-game stretch, he says, “wasn’t what I was waiting for.” He calls it “decent towards bad.”
Two days later, USC blew a lead to Oregon in the final minute. The ball was in Arenas’ hands during the final two possessions. He missed a contested jumper on the first trip. On the second, he drove into traffic and lost the ball.
After the game, Becerra said Arenas was “crushed.” “He feels like, ‘It’s all on me. ‘It’s all on my shoulders.’”
Arenas took a half-hour after the game to shoot and clear his head.
When he finally got home that night, Arenas headed straight for his father’s sauna. He sat inside for a while, alone, hoping to sweat away whatever was holding him back.
Seventh grade was when it all started to click. That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
Back then, he said, it was fun to set his alarm for 4 a.m., getting to the gym hours before another soul would show up.
“I was a very disciplined kid in seventh grade,” he says. “I’d get eight workouts a day in.”
Eight? Really? Yes, at his middle school, Core Prep Academy in Northridge, Arenas’ entire day was consumed by hoops. There were pre-dawn workouts, mid-morning core, mid-afternoon skills training and late-night shooting sessions. Lunch was usually sacrificed to get up extra shots. Sometimes he’d get in a short morning nap on a couch in an office. Classes, somehow, were crammed in the between workouts.
It was a pretty grueling schedule for a seventh grader. But Arenas chose it. He fell in love with the work. “That kid was obsessed,” Arenas says of his younger self. “Nothing distracted him. No outside noise, no talking, no anything. Just gym, school, sleep, repeat.”
Becerra, his trainer, saw that shift firsthand. He’d started training Arenas’ dad, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, when Alijah was in the fifth grade. Alijah was only 5-foot-4 when Becerra took him on as a client, too.
“But he was already a madman,” Becerra said. “He gets that from his dad.”
That motivation wasn’t the product of his famous father nudging him. Alijah said Gilbert never put any expectations on him to follow in his father’s footsteps.
In middle school at Core Prep, Alijah was pinned against older, stronger prospects on a daily basis. When it came time to choose a high school, instead of sending him to Sierra Canyon, where other local top prospects congregated, Alijah enrolled at Chatsworth High, the local public high school.
“I just think Gilbert wanted him to have to fight,” said Etop Udo-Ema, the founder of Compton Magic, Arenas’ AAU program. “You’re gonna do everything [at Chatsworth.] You’re gonna have to carry the team and wear every game on your shoulder.”
Some nights, Chatsworth coach Sam Harris would ask Alijah to play the point. Others he played center. He posted up in the paint, with his back to the basket. He initiated the offense. He rebounded. He even did the opening tip.
“He had to learn to do everything,” Harris said.
Arenas ended up staying all three of his high school seasons at Chatsworth. Most nights, Arenas was the sole focus of opponents’ game plans. Still, in three seasons, he became the Los Angeles City Section’s all-time leading scorer.
He developed an uncanny ability to create his own shot under the most difficult of circumstances, manipulating defenses and contorting his way through the lane with ease. He learned how to elevate his teammates, putting them in positions to succeed. And he also sprouted up to 6-foot-7, which didn’t hurt.
“Every game I was getting triple teamed,” Arenas said. “At first it was frustrating. But then I realized, like, that’s just preparing me for the next level. I had to learn how to read the game differently, how to stay patient, how to trust my work even when things weren’t going right.”
Those lessons have been tested at USC, where very little has gone as planned for Arenas so far this season. The Trojans have lost nine of the 13 games in which Arenas has suited up. They dismissed leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara last month and their NCAA tournament hopes are on life support.
It hasn’t been easy. But whenever life has been the hardest, he has found himself thinking of his Cybertruck crash. It’s made him slow down, made him take a breath.
“I just tell myself, like, ‘You’re still here,” he said.
In the same breath, Arenas refuses to let himself off the hook. He insists again this season hasn’t been good enough, that he hasn’t been good enough.
His former coaches, however, happily come to his defense. They insist this version of Arenas is, as Udo-Ema put it, “a shell of what he’s going to be.” They point to the fact that he’s only just now in playing shape.
That’s what the Compton Magic founder has told any NBA teams who have asked. “If he’s not a top-10 pick, there are 10 dumb NBA teams that are going to miss out,” he says.
Harris, the Chatsworth head coach, said Arenas is still just getting comfortable. He was supposed to be a high school senior, but he chose to reclassify and head to college early. Then suddenly he was thrust into the fire of a Big Ten slate at midseason.
“It’s just growing pains,” Harris said.
Stepping in during the final six weeks certainly required adjusting — not just from Arenas, but also his teammates. At Chatsworth, Arenas did everything because he had to. At USC, that instinct has sometimes led him to try too hard, to do too much.
“He can get a shot off whenever he wants, which is super unique,” said Michael Musselman, the USC assistant. “So he’s trying to figure out, ‘When do I need to use that?’ versus ‘When do I need to find my teammates or get other guys involved?’”
It may be too late to figure it all out at USC. The expectation has long been that Arenas would play one season of college basketball before declaring for the NBA draft. But considering how the past year has gone, could that change in the coming weeks as we learn more about how the NBA views Arenas’ limited freshman tape?
No one is ruling anything out. But those closest to Arenas assure that his struggles this season have done nothing to alter his trajectory in the NBA.
“Just the things he can do, the IQ he has, what he can see, the way that he moves, the length, the size — he’s the most talented guy I’ve ever seen,” Udo-Ema said. “Now realizing that talent is a whole different story. But let’s say everything perfect happens for him, he’s going to be the face of the NBA.”
Of course, nothing has gone perfectly to this point for Arenas. But if this past year has taught him anything, it’s how critical it is to keep on course. He won’t allow himself to veer any further.
“Because talent isn’t enough at this level,” Arenas said. “Everybody is talented. So if I’m not out working people, I’m behind.
“I know what I’m capable of. And I’m not there yet. Simple as that.”

Justin Allgaier replaces Alex Bowman for NASCAR race at Las Vegas

Justin Allgaier will substitute for Alex Bowman in the No. 48 car at Las Vegas.
Justin Allgaier is the next pinch hitter off the bench.
After Anthony Alfredo subbed for Alex Bowman in the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports car at Phoenix Raceway last weekend, the organization announced Allgaier will fill in March 15 as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Las Vegas.
Bowman exited his Chevrolet late in the race at COTA two weeks ago. The 32-year-old was diagnosed with vertigo, and the timetable for his return has not yet been determined.
“Alex continues to work closely with doctors toward being medically cleared, but he’s still experiencing some lingering symptoms,” Hendrick president and general manager Jeff Andrews said in a statement. “He’s put a lot into the recovery process, and we will continue to support him every step of the way. Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Allgaier brings plenty of experience to Bowman’s usual ride. The 39-year-old already ran one Cup race this season, finishing 38th in the Daytona 500 with JR Motorsports.
He competes in the O’Reilly Series with the same team and has enjoyed tons of success. He captured the 2024 championship, and across 17 years, he has collected 29 victories. The most recent came March 7 at Phoenix.
Allgaier does not have a Cup Series win in 84 career starts.
Bowman kicked off the 2026 campaign with finishes of 40th, 23rd and 36th. In his absence, Alfredo placed 33rd last week.

Vertigo sidelines Alex Bowman for NASCAR race at Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss a second consecutive NASCAR race because of vertigo and will be replaced by Justin Allgaier at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to work closely with doctors toward being medically cleared, but he’s still experiencing some lingering symptoms,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “He’s put a lot into the recovery process, and we will continue to support him every step of the way. Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Bowman was too ill to continue during the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas in Texas and was replaced midrace. Anthony Alfredo dove the No. 48 Chevrolet for Bowman at Phoenix Raceway.
Allgaier won in NASCAR’s second-tier series at Las Vegas a year ago while driving for JR Motorsports, an affiliate of Hendrick Motorsports. He has 84 career starts in the Cup Series and raced in the Daytona 500 to open this season. Allgaier was involved in an early crash and finished 38th.
Bowman has eight career wins in 364 career Cup Series starts. He has been driving for Hendrick full time since the 2018 season and made the playoffs in all but one season.
He missed five races in 2022 with a concussion and missed three races the next season with a broken back. Bowman finished a career-best sixth in the Cup standings in 2020.
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Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss on the challenge of making the grid in Australia with an all-new F1 team

For the first time in a decade the Formula 1 grid featured 11 teams and 22 cars when the contenders lined up for the start of the Australian Grand Prix last Sunday in Melbourne.
Cadillac were the F1 newcomers, and the first all-new team to join the sport since Haas arrived back in 2016. Such is the challenge of modern Formula 1, just getting two cars on the grid for a race is a huge achievement in itself. But Cadillac’s ambitions stretch much further than that.
In this week’s Beyond The Grid podcast, team CEO Dan Towriss takes host Tom Clarkson back to the start of the story.
He explains how he and his TWG Motorsports company first became involved in discussions about F1, their conversations with General Motors and Cadillac, the work to build a team, choosing their race drivers and making their F1 debut in Australia.
Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are the first drivers selected to represent the famous American brand in Formula 1, so what do they bring to a new team? What does the future hold for the team’s reserve driver, IndyCar star Colton Herta?
And what are the team’s aims in their first season? The learning curve is steep at the pinnacle of motorsport, but as Dan explains,

Alex Bowman to Miss Cup Race at Vegas due to Vertigo

Alex Bowman will remain sidelined for a second consecutive week as the Hendrick Motorsports driver continues to battle vertigo.
Bowman will be replaced by JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier for this weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Allgaier, a JR Motorsports driver in the O’Reilly Series (formerly Xfinity) who has 84 career Cup starts and does frequent at-track data-gathering testing for Chevrolet, won the O’Reilly race last March at Vegas.

Hollidaysburg boys tennis team sweeps Clearfield in opener

CLEARFIELD — The Hollidaysburg Area High school boys tennis team opened its 2026 season on Tuesday, downing Clearfield, 5-0.
The Golden Tigers received singles wins from Michael Waibel, Alex Arbogast and Aamir Azad. Doubles victories were earned by the teams of Cooper McAleer and Colin Gardner, along with Nolan Lloyd and Evan Davies.
SINGLES: 1, Waibel, H, def. O’Link, 6-1, 6-1; 2, Arbogast, H, def. Libertori, 6-0, 6-0; 3, Azad, H, def. Rumfola, 6-0, 6-0.
DOUBLES: 1, McAleer-Gardner, H, def. Thomas-Flanagan, 6-0, 6-0; 2, Lloyd-Davies, H, def. Chimenti-Campdong, 6-0, 6-0.
Records: Hollidaysburg (1-0), Clearfield (0-1).

26-YO Russian Pro Banned for Nearly 4 Years and Fined $30,000 Over Match Fixing Scandal

Match-fixing has become a serious problem in tennis in recent years. First reported back in 2003, it generally takes place in lower-level tournaments today. There is no place for match-fixing in any sport, and strict punishments are handed out to players who are found guilty. The issue has surfaced once again in tennis, as another match-fixing case has emerged—this time involving a Russian player.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has handed Alana Tuayeva a suspension of three years and nine months for fixing two of her matches at the ITF World Tennis Tour level during 2023 and 2024. Additionally, she has been fined $9,000 for the offense and a $21,000 fine on the condition that she does not commit another offense. The player has admitted to all the charges against her.
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“The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirms today that Russian tennis player Alana Tuayeva has accepted a suspension of three years and nine months, along with a fine of $30,000 (of which $21,000 is suspended), after admitting to breaching the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP),” the ITIA stated in a press release.
Notably, the 26-year-old had been provisionally suspended on December 19 last year and will now be serving a ban that will go on till September 18, 2029, provided that she pays the required fine. During this period, she will not be able to play, attend, or coach any event sanctioned or authorized by the ITIA, including ATP, WTA, ITF tournaments, and all four Grand Slams as well.
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Tuayeva, whose ranking peaked at No. 1282 in the world when it comes to women’s singles, made her last appearance at the W15 Maanshan in July last year. She was suspended earlier in January under section F.3.b.i.4 of the anti-corruption program. This kind of suspension is only issued when the athlete is likely to have committed a serious offense.
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“There is a likelihood that the Covered Person has committed a Corruption Offense which is above Category C2 of the Sanctioning Guidelines and in the absence of a Provisional Suspension, the integrity of tennis would be undermined, and the harm resulting from the absence of a Provisional Suspension outweighs the Hardship of the Provisional Suspension on the Covered Person,” the section reads.
While the ITIA takes an offense like match-fixing very seriously, scandals like these still keep on happening from time to time.
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The recent match-fixing scandals in tennis
Earlier in February 2026, the ITIA had handed a two-month ban to Argentina’s Hernán Casanova for violating the illegal betting and integrity rules. He was also handed a fine of $2,000 and a $1,500 fine on the condition that he does not commit the offense again. Casanova admitted that he had placed bets on tennis matches between 2023 and 2025.
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He isn’t the only Argentine to have committed the shameful act recently. Just days after Casanova got suspended, Leonardo Aboian got banned for six years and nine months for match-fixing. He had admitted to 30 breaches of the anti-corruption program and was fined $40,000, with $25,000 of that amount suspended.
However, it was Thailand’s Jatuporn Na Lamphun who faced arguably the strictest punishment from the ITIA for match-fixing. Back in September 2025, he was found guilty of being involved in the fixing of 22 encounters in 2023 and 2024. In addition, he also refused to cooperate with the ITIA in the investigation. As a result, he was banned from tennis for life and was also handed a fine of $115,000 for his corrupt practices. Notably, the player had been given an 18-month suspension for similar reasons in 2016.
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Three major match-fixing offenses have already been reported in 2026 so far, and it doesn’t look like these scandals are going to stop anytime soon. This really begs the question as to what the officials need to do in order to reduce these corrupt incidents.

Andy Murray and Theo Walcott join hands for a premium golf investment

Andy Murray has taken another step into the business world after retiring from tennis, joining a group of high-profile investors backing a premium golf apparel brand.
The former world No.1 has increasingly embraced golf since ending his playing career in 2024. Now he has turned that interest into a business, moving alongside several well-known British figures.
Andy Murray joins Theo Walcott in premium golf brand investment
The Sun reported that Murray has invested in Manors Golf, a UK-based premium golf apparel company that is targeting a younger generation of players.
“The product is great, but on its own it’s not enough,” Murray said. “They’ve gone beyond that and created something really special and I truly believe they can escalate from here to build a really successful business long-term.”
The company has already attracted several notable backers, including former Arsenal and England forward Theo Walcott.
TV presenters Ant and Dec are also part of the investor group, while actor Nicholas Hoult is another high-profile name supporting the brand.
Manors Golf has been expanding its presence internationally, with reports suggesting roughly 40 percent of its sales now come from the United States.
Andy Murray’s growing connection with golf after tennis
Murray has spent more time around the sport since retiring from professional tennis two years ago.
The three-time Grand Slam champion has previously revealed he picked up golf seriously after stepping away from tennis in 2024.
He is currently competing in the Sunningdale Foursomes in Berkshire alongside two-time DP World Tour winner Eddie Pepperell.
Murray has also spoken about the possibility of caddying for fellow Scotsman Robert MacIntyre in the future.
The investment in Manors Golf therefore reflects not only a business opportunity but also Murray’s growing involvement in the sport.

American Stars Raise Concern as Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul and Others Skip Monte Carlo

As the Indian Wells Open gathers momentum, the tour edges closer to the clay season, beginning with the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship after the Miami Open. Yet now, many American stars are skipping the Monte-Carlo Masters. The absence has left fans puzzled about why several US players are avoiding the clay opener in Europe.
The Monte-Carlo Masters has released its entry list for the 2026 edition. Just like last year, players like Tommy Paul, Jenson Brooksby, Learner Tien, and Alex Michelsen have all decided to skip the event. Ben Shelton and Brandon Nakashima, who played the event last year, have also skipped this year. The tournament is not mandatory. Therefore, they can miss it without facing ranking penalties.
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This decision allows those players to delay the start of their European clay season. Instead of traveling early, they can begin their preparations a week later. Many players often use this flexibility in their schedules.
Another notable absence is Holger Rune. The Danish star is currently dealing with injury issues. Because of that, he will not feature in Monte Carlo this year.
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Scheduling may also be one reason behind the American withdrawals. The U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship begins on March 30 and runs until April 5. Meanwhile, the Monte Carlo event starts on April 5 and continues until April 12.
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This tight calendar makes travel difficult. Players would have to fly from the United States to Monaco almost immediately after Houston ends. For many athletes, that quick transition can be exhausting.
Another challenge lies in the type of clay courts available in the United States. Most American clay courts are green Har-Tru rather than the traditional red clay used in Europe. This difference changes how the ball moves and how players construct points.
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Clay matches usually feature longer rallies. The surface rewards patience, stamina, and tactical awareness. Players must solve problems during extended exchanges rather than relying on quick winners.
Training regularly on clay can also shape smarter players. The slower surface encourages variety and creativity in shot selection. It forces athletes to build points carefully instead of ending them quickly.
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However, clay courts are still relatively rare in the United States. This lack of exposure means many American players grow up mainly on hard courts. When they face elite clay specialists abroad, the adjustment becomes difficult.
There is also a psychological factor. For decades, a stereotype has existed that American players struggle on clay. That mental barrier can be just as challenging as the physical demands of the surface as well.
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And this is not a new trend among players like Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, as American players have historically chosen to skip the Monte-Carlo Masters in Monaco.
Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe skipped the Monte-Carlo Masters in 2024
In 2024, several American ATP players skipped the Monte-Carlo Masters. Players such as Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe chose not to travel to Monaco for the prestigious clay-court event.
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Instead, many of them stayed in the United States. They competed at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship. That year, Shelton produced a strong run. He eventually won the title after defeating Tiafoe in the final. The victory made him champion of the American clay-court ATP 250 event.
And perhaps, to understand why Americans often skip Monte Carlo, we must look at history. The tournament has rarely been kind to players from the United States. Very few American names appear on its honor roll.
Who do you think was the last American to win the Monte Carlo Masters? If you answered Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, or Andre Agassi, then you would be mistaken. The correct answer is Hugh Stewart. However, the name may not sound familiar to many tennis fans. That is because his victory came long ago.
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You would have to travel all the way back to 1956. That was the last time an American lifted the trophy in Monte Carlo. Since then, the title has been dominated by players from other regions.
And what about the last American to reach the final? That honor belongs to Aaron Krickstein. He played in the Monte Carlo final in 1992.
To be honest, the United States has produced many great champions during the Open Era. Yet American players remain largely absent from the clay tournament in Monaco. Their record there is surprisingly modest.
Many Americans also say skipping Monte Carlo helps their schedules. Staying home allows them to spend more time with family. The months from April to July are among the busiest on the ATP calendar.
Players can still prepare for the clay season later. Events like the Barcelona Open, the Madrid Open, and the Italian Open offer valuable preparation before the French Open.
This year, however, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe are expected to compete in Monaco. With several fellow Americans skipping the event, fans now wonder whether these two Americans can make a deep run and build momentum for Roland Garros.

Aryna Sabalenka credits her new dog with providing ‘mental health support’ at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka credits her new puppy, Ash, with providing “mental health support” as she continues to rack up victories and maintain her standing as the top-ranked player in women’s tennis.
Sabalenka brought her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to a post-match interview on the Tennis Channel following her round-of-16 victory over Naomi Osaka on Wednesday at the BNP Paribas Open.
“I feel like I’m much more settled, calm, more in control,” Sabalenka, who has a history of emotional, on-court outbursts, said while Tennis Channel commentators held and petted her dog. “Whenever I feel like going crazy on my team, I just pet Ash and I feel better.”
Sabalenka, who also recently announced her engagement to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis, shared news of her puppy in a social media post last week, introducing Ash as a “new addition” to Team Tiger, her support team of coaches, trainers and other staff.
She spoke more about Ash following her 6-2, 6-4 victory over Osaka.
Sabalenka said she had a deal with coach Anton Dubrov that if she won last year’s U.S. Open, she would get a dog.
She also considered getting a Dachshund, but decided on a spaniel because “my mom had a spaniel and I loved that dog,” adding that spaniels make good “family dogs.”
“Super attached to their owners, super chill, super cute, supper cuddly,” she said.
Sabalenka said she wanted her dog’s name to be related somehow to New York and the U.S. Open.
“Apple doesn’t sound right,” she said. So, she went with Ash as a nod to American tennis great and civil rights activist Arthur Ashe, after whom the main U.S. Open stadium court is named.

Where to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Casper Ruud today: Tennis free stream

Carlos Alcaraz will face Casper Ruud in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET. Alcaraz is 5-1 all time against Ruud, with Ruud’s sole win coming in 2024.
Alcaraz vs. Ruud will air on Tennis Channel, and streams live on FuboTV (free trial).
What: BNP Paribas Open, Round 4
Who: No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 13 Casper Ruud
When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Where: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California
Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: Tennis Channel
Live stream: FuboTV (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial)
Here’s a recent tennis story from the Associated Press:
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Venus Williams lost again in her return to the BNP Paribas Open, falling in the first round Thursday, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1 to Diane Parry of France.
The 45-year-old Williams, who has dropped her last eight WTA singles matches, received a wild card into the singles and doubles draws for the tournament in the Southern California desert. It came 30 years after she made her Indian Wells debut in 1996 when she was 15.
After Williams rallied in the second set to tie it, the 23-year-old Parry, ranked 111th in the world, took control and cruised in the third.
It was Williams’ 10th career appearance in the tournament and first since 2024, when she also lost in the first round as a wild card. The seven-time major winner was given a wild card last year, but didn’t accept it.
“Of course losing isn’t fun, but it’s great to play in front of a home crowd,” the Southern California native said. “They were behind me the whole way, and that was really fun for that.
“I have amazing fans that believe in me and it’s fun to play for them, or even in practice when they come out. It’s very thrilling. Yeah, today was a tough one, but that’s sport and that’s life, and I’ll take what I need from it.”
Parry will face 15th-ranked American Madison Keys in the second round Saturday.
Williams entered the BNP Paribas Open having lost her last seven matches, with the only win in her comeback to the tour coming in her return at Washington last year.
She competed in the Australian Open in January and lost in the first round in both singles and doubles. Williams was the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open singles main draw, surpassing the mark set by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round in 2015.
Williams most recently participated in the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, last month as a wild-card entry and lost in the first round of singles to Ajla Tomljanovic.

Top prospect Schoolcraft flashes big potential in Padres camp

The 2025 25th overall pick can draw a crowd, as he did Monday during a three-inning appearance in an intrasquad game at Peoria Sports Complex with coaches, front-office members and fellow players all gathering behind home plate for a look at San Diego’s top prospect and the No. 88 overall talent on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.
Schoolcraft sat 94-96 mph with his fastball in the outing – a pitch that plays up with seven feet of extension from his large frame and solid overall command — while getting increased in-game use of his slider, the only one of his three offerings not to earn plus grades yet. He struck out four of the 13 batters he faced, giving the aforementioned crowd a taste of why he’s already so well-regarded before his first full season.
“His body moves well,” said San Diego assistant director of player development Mike Daly. “He repeats his delivery. It’s very consistent. His head’s on the target. There are a number of positives that Kruz had worked on for many, many years before he got drafted, and we are fortunate to have him in the system.”
What might be most intriguing about Schoolcraft’s profile in his first Spring Training is that he’s fully focused on the mound now as a pro. As an Oregon high-schooler, the massive left-hander got two-way looks as a pitcher and a first baseman, and he held on to the belief that he could do both at a high level right up through his senior year. As the Draft process was ramping up, it became clear that his highest potential was on the mound, and from the sounds of it, the two-way dream wasn’t a difficult one to give up.
“I get that focus of just pitching and really trying to maximize that and not having a bunch of different things moving me in a bunch of different directions,” Schoolcraft said. “It gives me a lot more time to recover. I think that’s one thing that I really needed, was time to recover from playing three games a week — pitching in the first one and then hitting in the next two. Using that time and rest gives me more time to learn about the other hitters I’m facing. I think it was a really good decision, and I know eventually it’s going to pay off.”
The upper echelon of the Top 100 prospects list is full of former two-way players. Nolan McLean (No. 6) and Bubba Chandler (No. 11) both got at-bats in the Minor Leagues, but took off when they moved to the bump full-time, while Carson Benge (No. 16) was a John Olerud Two-Way Player Award finalist at Oklahoma State, but has been outfielder-only since he signed.
Moving to a singular focus unlocks another level of already supremely talented players, and as Schoolcraft noted, gives them proper recovery time needed to stay healthy. In his specific case, a full offseason of honing the slider could help him take off in the California League, where he made one start for Single-A Lake Elsinore after the Draft. Of the 38 pitches tracked in that outing by Synergy, only one was a breaking ball. Schoolcraft noted he’s trying to throw something “not sweepy” and with a more consistent shape he can command better. It’s an experiment that will carry beyond Peoria and into the regular season.
“The good part is he throws a lot of strikes on his fastball,” Daly said. “He has feel for his changeup. He should be in a lot of positive counts to be able to throw his slider, be able to get it in zone, get it out of zone. … We will have a much better idea of what that best version looks like towards the end of the year than we do here.”
Formerly considered one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball, Salas fell out of the Top 100 this offseason after posting just a .599 OPS over 111 games at High-A Fort Wayne in 2024 and playing only 10 games with Double-A San Antonio last season due to a stress reaction in his back.
On the positive front, he’s had a relatively normal camp as a Major League non-roster invitee and went 2-for-9 (.222) with three walks and a strikeout in eight appearances before being sent back to Minor League camp on Monday. And even when the teenage catcher wasn’t hitting when healthy, he still looked like a potential plus-plus defensive backstop. That hasn’t gone away after all the missed time, turning the focus more on finding results at the plate.
“His hands work exceptionally well with blocks, throwing, accuracy,” Daly said. “He continues to build up on the swings and work on the bat — tighter moves, more consistency on the barrel accuracy aspect, staying in the middle of the field. The most important thing is he’s been able to get his work in every single day.”
The 2023 eighth-rounder didn’t make his professional debut until last May after shoulder injuries, including surgery to address a labrum tear, waylaid the start to his career. The 6-foot-6 right-hander split his 2025 between the Arizona Complex League and Single-A before being pushed to the Arizona Fall League a month after his 21st birthday. He touched 99.5 mph with his fastball in the desert and only allowed one run across six appearances (seven innings).
“Going into the Fall League, it was probably viewed as a little aggressive in terms of putting him out there, but he pitched very well,” he said. “He’s taken that into camp here. Six-foot-six Texan, big righty, sinking fastball, hard [upper-80s] slider. He’s definitely opened a number of eyes out here.”
A $1.5 million signing out of the fifth round in 2024, Fountain is still trying to find his foundation in pro ball. He underwent Tommy John surgery in the fall after joining the San Diego organization and dealt with hamstring and knee injuries that limited him to 65 games between the ACL and Lake Elsinore last summer. Known for his power potential from the right side, he slugged just .309 over 230 at-bats in ’25, all while moving from third base to first to protect his elbow.
Fountain is a better runner than might be expected for someone with his 6-foot-4 frame, and the Padres are hopeful they’ve found something that can help his bat flourish and keep him on the field – a move to the outfield, right specifically.
“If he’s hitting 30 homers in a year or two, we can always bring him back to first base,” Daly said. “He’s big and athletic. Put him out there in the outfield, let his athleticism play out there, let his bat play. He’ll go to [Lake Elsinore] and, if he gets going, we would love to send him to Fort Wayne.”

2026 girls tennis previews for the Front Range

Class 5A
Granite Peaks League
Teams: Broomfield, Erie, Fairview, Horizon and Legacy.
Broomfield Eagles
Coach: Ted Schmidt
Last year’s result: Did not qualify for the team state tournament.
Spotlight: Senior Layla Zainy (No. 3 singles) qualified for the individual state tournament, and will reprise her role in the final singles lines this year.
Scouting report: The Eagles field an upperclassmen-heavy squad, but freshman Kinley Kohls is taking on the mantle of leadership as the No. 1 singles player this year. Junior Ada Walker (2 singles) helps round out the top of the ticket, as six of the seven lines have already picked up a win this spring.
Erie Tigers
Coach: Bob Olson
Last year’s result: No state qualifiers.
Spotlight: Senior Brooke Jordan made the jump from 3 singles last year to 1 singles this year. “She is not only a great tennis player, but a proven leader with a mental toughness that helps push her through tough matches,” Olson said.
Scouting report: Emily Park, Claire Nguyen, Maris DeMers and Ofelia Palacios join Jordan as senior leaders on the team, with Olson noting, “I’m looking for the leadership and experience of our five seniors to lead us to a winning season and a chance to play in the team state tournament at the end of April.”
Fairview Knights
Coach: Tanya Cumalat
Last year’s result: Reached quarterfinals of the 5A team state tournament; qualified all seven lines for individual state.
Spotlight: Junior Julia Gao rose from No. 4 doubles as a freshman to No. 3 singles last year and is competing for a singles spot this season.
Scouting report: “Returning seven state qualifiers from the previous season, the roster has filled in nicely with quite a few freshmen and sophomores jumping into a competitive and deep line-up,” Cumalat said. She’ll look to junior Joana Volkamer-Pastor, senior Madeleine Sieper and senior Madeleine Grandsaert to help lead the way.
Legacy Lightning
Coach: Jeff Zinke
Last year’s result: Reached the 5A team postseason and lost to Fossil Ridge in the opening round, while five lines reached the 5A individual tournament.
Spotlight: Freshman Lynnsey Lu, who is rated a five-star recruit by the Tennis Recruiting Network, has started the season as the Lightning’s ace.
Scouting report: “We’re hoping to win the Granite Peaks League,” Zinke said. “I should have a very strong singles with Lu, Kat Tran and Macy Black leading the team. My No. 1 doubles team of Claire Tsai and Maddy Gorrell might make a deep run. I have confidence in my other 3 doubles teams to possibly make state.”
Rocky Mountain League
Teams: Boulder, Mountain Range and Prairie View.
Boulder Panthers
Coach: Elizabeth Korevaar
Last year’s result: Senior Tessa Botha (1 singles) reached individual state, winning one match.
Spotlight: Freshman Kylee Reiss will take on the 1 singles line this year, with Korevaar describing her as “a club player with all the tools needed to be one of Colorado’s top players in the next few years.”
Scouting report: The Panthers field a senior-heavy lineup thanks to Botha, Jessie LeBlang, Maddie Gebhardt, Shelby Rosato and Miller Wood. “We have some good depth, so I am hoping to place well in league play and send most of the team to states,” Korevaar said.
Class 4A
Region 4
Teams: Dakota Ridge, Frederick, Greeley Central, Loveland, Mead, Mountain View, Northridge, Thompson Valley and Windsor.
Frederick Golden Eagles
Coach: Jami Revielle
Last year’s result: No state qualifiers.
Spotlight: “Kylie Quattlebaum is one of our few returning seniors, she is stepping up to be a great leader,” Revielle said. “She organized the preseason workouts and has inspired a lot of our underclassmen.”
Scouting report: The Golden Eagles are fielding a young team this year, but with the help of Quattlebaum, Karrington Savage and Taylor Pike, Revielle is hoping the team can trend in the right direction.
Mead Mavericks
Coach: Ben Holskin
Last year’s result: Reached the 4A individual tournament at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles.
Spotlight: Junior Maya Crotser returns after a strong sophomore season at No. 1 singles. “Experienced,” Holskin said, “and continuing to improve.”
Scouting report: The Mavericks are coming off a solid 2025 season, when they won six of 10 duals and placed 10th out of 18 teams at the Granite Peaks League Tournament. Crotser should benefit from the experience she gained last year. She’ll be joined on the singles line by freshman Ellie McGilbray. Others to watch include the No. 1 doubles team of senior Alexa Hardy and junior Ava Stains, and the No. 2 doubles pairing of senior Brooke Schliep and junior Lauren May.
Region 5
Teams: Centaurus, Longmont, Monarch, Niwot, Silver Creek, Standley Lake and Thornton.
Centaurus Warriors
Coach: Julie Daniel
Last year’s result: No state qualifiers.
Spotlight: Junior Lucy Piccolini will repeat at 1 singles for the third year in a row. “Lucy continues to work her tennis in the off season, so it will be interesting to see how that off season effort translates into her competitions this season,” Daniel said.
Scouting report: The Warriors return most of their lineup, including juniors 2 singles Francie Messenbaugh, 3 singles Kendall Dornier, and seniors 1 doubles Aiden Byers, and 2D Liana Hollender and Izzy Lesperance.
Longmont Trojans
Coach: Cade Kloster
Last year’s result: Reached the 4A team postseason and lost to Air Academy in the opening round, while four lines qualified for the individual tournament.
Spotlight: Two of the Trojans’ singles players from last season return in juniors Jill Uppdegraff (No. 1 singles) and Sylvie Wilcox, who reached the No. 3 singles quarterfinals last spring.
Scouting report: Uppdegraff and Wilcox lead the way in singles play. Meanwhile, the No. 3 doubles team of senior Shea Graham and junior Sofia McMurry — who have been together for three years — also returns after qualifying for the state tournament. The No. 2 doubles pairing of juniors Reese Wieder and Ruby Schaefer and the No. 4 doubles team of sophomore Brecken Pool and junior Brielle Wach are also back. “We’re hoping to get back to the state team tournament and qualify as many girls as possible for state,” Kloster said. “We’re going to need some girls to step up and fill the shoes of the seniors who graduated.”
Monarch Coyotes
Coach: Billy Downs
Last year’s result: Three lines reached the 4A individual tournament.
Spotlight: Sophomores Quinn Sartell and Hannah Corujo return after reaching the 4A individual tournament at No. 2 doubles last spring.
Scouting report: Sartell started the season at No. 2 singles for the Coyotes, while Corujo opened at No. 1 doubles alongside senior Grace Hartmann. Hartmann returns after reaching the state tournament last year at No. 4 doubles with senior Penelope Morris, who has started this season at No. 3 doubles. Junior Nellie Hjelmaker, meanwhile, starts as the team’s ace. “We have a very young team with some nice talent,” Downs said. “With the returning players putting in extra effort and helping lead the new players forward, we should have a good year.”
Niwot Cougars
Coach: Aimee Hites
Last year’s result: Reached the 4A team quarterfinals before falling to Air Academy, while five lines qualified for the individual state tournament.
Spotlight: Freshman Emilie Lewkowski is taking over the No. 1 singles spot for the Cougars this season.
Scouting report: Saha Kolli, the Longmont Times-Call Player of the Year, is out at the No. 1 singles spot after finishing as the 4A runner-up last season, leaving the ace role to a freshman. Behind Lewkowski on the singles line are sophomores Janice Holmes (No. 2) and Emory Rich (No. 3). Others to watch include seniors Eliana Spiridellis and Jordan Rutkowski, along with junior Hazel Awsumb. “We are young and athletic and expect to compete in every match,” Hites said.
Silver Creek Raptors
Coach: Lizzy Cole
Last year’s result: Did not qualify for either the team or individual state tournaments.
Spotlight: Per former coach Sara Whiteley, Cole is the Raptors’ new coach. Whiteley retired after a long sting ahead of the tennis programs at Silver Creek.
Scouting report: The Raptors will have a new look this season after graduating their top three singles players — Katie Reitz, Anna Longenecker and Jadin Ruth. The Raptors, who went 6-4 in duals a season ago, are now coached by Cole and led by senior captains Ellie Buehler and Koral Guttridge.
Class 3A
Region 2
Teams: Denver Christian, Holy Family, Justice, Prospect Ridge Academy, Skyview and Wheat Ridge.
Holy Family Tigers
Coach: John Alderman
Last year’s result: Reached the 3A team state semifinals.
Spotlight: Senior Lauren Stonehocker has worked her way to the top of the ladder for the Tigers as their 1 singles this year.
Scouting report: The Tigers expect their doubles teams to continue to excel and, despite big losses to graduation, they still believe that they can aim high in the classification this year. Other names to watch out for include sophomore Anna Bardeau, freshman Liesl Bennett, seniors Mallory Clerkin, Theresa La, Reagan Leary and junior Kyla Hermes
Prospect Ridge Academy Miners
Coach: Ari Finkelstein
Last year’s result: Finished as the 3A team runner-up and qualified for the 3A individual tournament at all seven lines.
Spotlight: Senior Maya Anderson returns after winning the 3A No. 3 singles title last season, beating Vail Christian’s Heidi Iverson in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0.
Scouting report: The Miners return seven players from last year’s 3A runner-up team. Among them, junior Shannon Schmidt and Anderson will play singles this season. Schmidt finished third at No. 2 singles a year ago. Other returners include seniors Yazhini Godwin and Zerren Lutska (No. 1 doubles quarterfinalists in 2025), sophomores Stephanie Miller and Kate Nelson (No. 2 doubles, quarterfinalists), and junior Elsie Schuler (No. 4 doubles, third place). “Our sights are set high,” Finkelstein said. “Even with losing four starters from last year, we should still be a very competitive team.”
Region 5
Teams: Berthoud, Brush, Dawson, Fort Lupton, Peak to Peak and University.
Dawson Mustangs
Coach: Marissa Cloutier
Last year’s result: Qualified for the 3A team state tournament; qualified all seven lines to individual state
Spotlight: Cloutier said sophomore Olivia Kirby, who played 2 singles last year, practiced all year and is ready to compete.
Scouting report: Overall, the Mustangs are young and rebuilding, but she believes that freshman Quinna Donohue will be a name to watch. “She has been doing really well in challenge matches and will be a strong addition to the team,” Cloutier said.
Peak to Peak Pumas
Coach: Leslie Lewis
Last year’s result: Won the 3A team title, beating Prospect Ridge Academy in the finals. Sent six lines to the individual tournament and won three more titles.
Spotlight: Senior Sydney Parkinson starts the season at No. 2 singles after she won the 3A title at No. 1 doubles last spring.
Scouting report: All three of the Pumas’ singles players from last year — including No. 2 singles champion Sydney Lewis — graduated. Junior Kayla Fanger, who played at No. 4 doubles a year ago, opened the season at No. 1 singles in the team’s dual against Boulder last week. Parkinson was at No. 2 singles and junior Sophie Sims at No. 3. Last spring, the Pumas won 3A titles at No. 2 singles and at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.

Who Is Alex Eala? Meet the Rising Professional Tennis Star

If you haven’t heard the name Alex Eala yet, consider this your official heads-up.
The 20-year-old from the Philippines has been on an absolute tear through the WTA, knocking off some of the biggest names in women’s tennis — and she hasn’t even turned 21. (Her birthday is May 23, for anyone who wants to mark the calendar.)
We’re talking wins over Iga Świątek, Madison Keys, Jeļena Ostapenko, and Coco Gauff. That’s not a wish list. That’s her actual résumé. And her most recent results should push her into the top 30 for the first time in her career.
Alex Eala’s Miami Open Run Was Genuinely Wild
Let’s rewind to the 2025 Miami Open, because that’s when Eala went from “name to watch” to “wait, who is she and how is she doing this?”
Eala, who was 19 at the time, entered as a wildcard. She then proceeded to defeat Ostapenko, Keys, and Świątek — all in straight sets — before falling to Jessica Pegula in the semifinals of the Miami Open.
She was the first wildcard in history to beat three major champions in straight sets at a single WTA event, and the first Filipino woman to defeat a major champion at a tour-level event in the Open Era.
That run shot her into the WTA’s top 100 for the first time — another first. She ended March 2025 ranked No. 75, then climbed to No. 50 by the end of the season.
Alex Eala Brought the Drama at the 2026 Indian Wells Open
Eala carried that energy straight into 2026. At the Indian Wells Open, she reached the fourth round of singles before losing to Linda Noskova.
A fourth-round finish at a WTA 1000 event is a real statement for a player still building her ranking.
But the match everyone was talking about? Her second-round battle against world No. 52 Dayana Yastremska. It lasted 2 hours and 43 minutes — the longest match of the entire day — and Eala pulled out a three-set win.
The stadium stayed packed the whole time, with fans sticking around past midnight.
“For them to make the effort to stay up late and stay in the cold and cheer me on, it really added to the feelings and the emotions,” Eala told reporters after the match.
She followed that up with a third-round win over Gauff (another major champion), who withdrew in the second set due to injury.
The Fan Energy Around Alex Eala Is Next-Level
Here’s where the Eala story gets really fun. She’s not just winning matches — she’s drawing the kind of crowds you’d expect for Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner.
Fans are packing stadiums for her matches. Hundreds are even showing up just to watch her practice.
“I did not expect this sort of fanbase or crowd rallying behind me,” Eala told Front Office Sports in an interview published March 7. “But it’s an incredible privilege to have, I tell you. And it’s not something your everyday person can experience, so I’m always so grateful.”
A huge part of that energy is coming from the Filipino community. Longtime Filipino sports journalist TJ Manotoc put it bluntly for FOS.
“The country has been hungry for the next Manny Pacquiao,” Manotoc told FOS. “When he was at his peak, life stopped. When there’s a fight, nothing’s on the road. Everyone’s watching.”
Eala is generating that kind of national excitement — in a sport that hasn’t traditionally been the Philippines’ primary athletic export.
Alex Eala Has Been Making Her Mark on Women’s Tennis Since She Was 14
Eala turned pro in March 2020 at age 14, about six months after making her junior Grand Slam tournament debut at the 2019 US Open. She won the girls’ doubles title at the Australian Open in January 2020.
Things moved fast from there. In January 2021, she became the youngest and lowest-seeded junior reserve to win an ITF title at the W15 Manacor event in Spain. That win got her into the WTA rankings for the first time, inside the top 1000.
She made her WTA Tour debut in August 2021 at the Winners Open in Romania, becoming the first Filipino to win a tour-level match.
Then came the junior Grand Slam breakthrough: she became the first Filipino woman to win a junior Grand Slam singles title at the 2022 US Open, at age 17.
She entered Grand Slam qualifying for the first time at the 2023 Australian Open, and by the end of 2024 had racked up five ITF singles titles and three ITF doubles titles.
Sports Runs in the Family for Alex Eala
The competitive fire makes sense when you look at Eala’s family.
Her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, won a bronze medal in the women’s 100m backstroke at the 1985 Southeast Asian Games, according to Rappler.
Rizza’s sister is a former national swimmer, and her brother played tennis for the University of the Philippines varsity after competing as a swimmer.
Alex’s older brother, Miko, is also a tennis player at the Rafael Nadal Academy — the same academy Alex Eala came out of.
And the family connection to Filipino sports goes even deeper: she’s related to former sports commentator and PBA commissioner Noli Eala, who led the pro basketball league from 2003 to 2005.
As for her rise in the tennis world, the numbers tell the story.
Eala went from No. 75 at the end of March 2025 to No. 50 by season’s end, and she’s about to break into the top 30 before her 21st birthday.
She’s beaten three major champions in straight sets at a single event, survived a nearly three-hour marathon against a top-60 opponent, and attracted the kind of fan frenzy most players spend entire careers hoping for.
If you’re looking for the next big name in women’s tennis, she’s already here.

Saugus boys’ tennis secures narrow win over Hart

The Saugus boys’ tennis team secured its third win of the Foothill League season on Tuesday over the Hart Hawks, 10-8, and fifth overall win of the regular season.
In singles play, the Hawks (1-4, 1-3) and Centurions (5-3, 3-2) split the points and went 5-4 across all three rounds.
For the Hawks, Nixon Liescheidt won in each of his three matchups in singles play, 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 and was the biggest performer for Hart on Tuesday.
The Centurions relied on strong play from Grant Schlotfelt and Joaquin Veizaga, who each won two matches.
In the first round of doubles play, the Centurions won 2-1 with the pairings of Augustine Siepak and Mykhail Tezai and Cayden Varney and Samuel Payne winning their respective matches.
In the second round, the Saugus paring of Michael Soto and Sean Harper picked up a win over the Hart pairing of Kenzie Viantono and Micah Selwa.
The Centurions completed the total team win in the third round of doubles play with the lone win for Saugus coming from the pairing of Harper and Soto winning 7-6 over the Hart duo of Ross Smith and Sham Molla.
The Centurions picked up their fifth win of the season and will look to build upon their momentum with a road matchup against the Grizzlies at Golden Valley High School.
The Hawks fall to 1-3 in Foothill League play and play again at home Thursday against the visiting Castaic Coyotes.
Both games are set to begin at 3 p.m.
After Tuesday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
West Ranch 12, Valencia 6: The West Ranch Wildcats (5-1, 5-0) picked up their fifth win of the season and remained unbeaten in league play with a victory over the Valencia Vikings (2-3, 2-1).
The Wildcats play again on Tuesday, March 17, at Hart High School against the Hawks with the first set to begin at 3 p.m.
Golden Valley 17, Canyon 1: The Golden Valley Grizzlies (5-2, 3-1) picked up their third Foothill League win of the season over the Canyon Cowboys (1-6, 0-4) on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies have won five games throughout the season and play their next league match on Thursday at home against the visiting Saugus Centurions at 3 p.m.
The Cowboys will look to bounce back on Thursday on the road against the Valencia Vikings with first set scheduled for 3 p.m.

Scottie Scheffler and Co. Await Clarity After PGA Tour CEO Refuses Clear Stance on Controversial Rule

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Brian Rolapp has confirmed that the PGA Tour will see some huge changes come 2027. A shorter schedule, more Signature events, and larger fields will increase the level of competition on the fairway. But that’s not the only thing the CEO discussed. He also gave a vague response regarding another rule that will be implemented in a few more years from now. That might not please Scottie Scheffler & Co.
Speaking about the ball rollback proposal, Rolapp told the media during the PLAYERS Championship presser, “I got this question last August, and I knew virtually nothing about it. I’ve learned a lot since then. I think this is clearly a complex issue. From what I can tell, it comes down to two questions: Is distance a problem, and should it be addressed, question number one. Question number two: Does the current rule being proposed accomplish that?”
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Long hitters like Rory McIlroy and Aldrich Potgieter have forced the PGA Tour to take the critical decision. They are able to hit long-range shots so often and accurately that it becomes unfair for the rest of the field. Hence, the ball rollback rule was proposed. It will make the manufacturers cut down the distance on the ball by 5-10%. Rolapp also inquired with everyone about their opinions on the rule.
“I’ve spoken with players; I’ve spoken with obviously the governing bodies; I’ve spoken with golf ball manufacturers; I’ve spoken to fans; I’ve spoken to everybody. What’s clear to me, everybody has an opinion, and those opinions are clearly not consistent on both those questions.”
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The rollball proposal has raised some conflicting opinions from everyone. There are some who believe that it should be practiced; others are against it. McIlroy was someone who fiercely backed the rule after it was initially proposed. However, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler are against it. But Rolapp knows that they would still adapt to it. Such conflicting opinions have left Rolapp confused.
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“As far as our players, I know they’re hitting prototypes. I hear all different things from them. Some are impacted, some that expected to be impacted are not impacted. So as far as the PGA TOUR is concerned, we have not taken a position. We have not made our mind up of where this is, and when we get comfortable with the rule and the data, at that point we’ll make a decision.”
As he confirmed, the PGA Tour is still undecided on whether they will go ahead with the ball rollback issue or not. With three more years to go, Rolapp will witness enough action on the Tour to come up with a concrete decision. Until then, he can continue researching the subject and get a better understanding of it.
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However, if he is looking for a pattern in how the opinions of the players are affected, he can relate it to their driving game.
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Why Scottie Scheffler & Co. are against the ball rollback rule?
Recognizing the pattern between the player’s strengths and their opinion on ball rollback isn’t difficult. The likes of Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, and Sam Burns are not often considered long-range hitters. The same goes for Scottie Scheffler, whose expertise lies with the iron more than the driver.
Interestingly, all of them hold the same opinion about the ball rollback rule. They are against the PGA Tour implementing the rule. As they are already unable to reach the distance as their peers, cutting down the distance will push them further away from the best off the tee.
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As far as Rory McIlroy & Co. go, they are able to cover great distances off the tee. That helps them gain strokes with their driver instead of relying on their iron play. Hence, a 5-10% drop in distance won’t affect them as much as their peers. Even though they might lose more distance. Hence, Rolapp might face less resistance from them if the ball rollback rule is implemented.

The Players Championship 2026: TV Schedule. How to Watch, Stream All the PGA Tour Golf From Anywhere

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When to watch The Players Championship 2026
The tournament runs from Thursday to Sunday.
Where to watch
The Players Championship 2026 will air in the US on Peacock.
See at ESPN
Watch The Players Championship 2026 in the US
ESPN Select
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See at Peacock
Carries coverage of all four days for $11 a month
Peacock
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See at YouTube TV
Carries Golf Channel for $83 a month
YouTube TV
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See at Hulu with Live TV
Carries Golf Channel for $90 a month
Hulu with Live TV
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See at Fubo
Carries Golf Channel for $85 a month
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CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Colonial could see change under PGA Tour’s two-tiered plan

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PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp somewhat tried to cushion the force of his Wednesday message, describing plans to streamline and revamp the tour schedule as a work in progress.
“This,” he said, “by no means is a baked cake.”
But Rolapp’s 49-minute news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. gave every indication that the confection is hot, the timer’s on the verge of buzzing and all that will remain is icing, slicing and doling out portions.
That last part is of vital concern to Dallas-Fort Worth’s two longstanding tour events. Judging from the “six key themes” Rolapp laid out, there’s every reason to believe the CJ Cup Byron Nelson or Charles Schwab Challenge will achieve elevated status, but elementary math indicates it won’t be both.
Rolapp described a near future in which the current 38-event PGA Tour schedule will be consolidated into 21 to 26 Tier 1 tournaments and unspecified others will be relegated to Tier 2 tournament status.
“It was kind of what I expected, to be honest; that’s kind of what we had heard,” CJ Cup Nelson tournament director Jon Drago told The Dallas Morning News, adding of Rolapp: “He’s really transparent. Clearly no decisions have been made yet.”
Rolapp was named CEO last June. Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is transitioning out and has ceded day-to-day leadership to Rolapp.
Rolapp said the tour’s Future Competition Committee, chaired by Tiger Woods, has met more than 30 times since last August and canvassed a cross-section of groups, including TV partners and corporate sponsors gathered in Ponte Vedra Beach for this week’s Players Championship.
The committee has zeroed in on six themes:
playing a late-January-to-early-September schedule;
having 120-player fields in the Tier 1 events;
opening the season with a marquee West Coast event;
adding more tournaments in major media markets;
creating promotion and relegation among the two Tiers;
and enhancing the postseason.
Since 2023, the tour schedule has included eight events that initially were labeled “elevated” and now are named “signature.” This year those signature events have $20 million purses.
By creating a Tier 1 of 21-26 tournaments, the tour plans to at least double the number of signature events. None of Texas’ four longstanding tournaments — the Nelson in McKinney; Schwab in Fort Worth; Houston or San Antonio — has had signature status.
The competition committee’s stated desire to play in the nation’s largest media markets seemingly bodes well for at least two of Texas’ tour stops.
“The PGA Tour competes in only four of the top 10 largest U.S. media markets,” Rolapp said. “That is an opportunity. We are evaluating markets like New York; Chicago; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; Boston; and many other places where there is a strong fan demand for our sport and a chance to reach new fans.”
The top 10 media markets that currently have tour stops are No. 2 Los Angeles, No. 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, No. 6 Houston and No. 7 Atlanta.
If major markets indeed are an emphasis, it’s hard to imagine the tour not having a Dallas-Fort Worth or Houston event as part of Tier 1. But it’s also hard to fathom Texas nabbing three of the eight new signature spots; or North Texas getting two.
Regardless, Drago, who is at TPC Sawgrass this week as both the Nelson tournament director and a Players Championship rules official, liked what he heard from Rolapp on Wednesday and believes the CJ Cup is strongly positioned.
McKinney’s TPC Craig Ranch recently underwent a $23 million makeover by the Lanny Wadkins design group. The contract to play the tournament at Craig Ranch was extended to 2030. CJ Group’s 10-year title sponsorship runs through the 2033 tournament.
And the $10.3 million purse for this year’s May 21-24 Nelson is the highest among non-signature, regular tour events. Oh, and its reigning champion is World No. 1 and Dallas product Scottie Scheffler.
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“As I’ll tell our team when I get back, we’re gonna focus on executing 2026,” Drago said. “We’ve got World No. 1, a local guy who’s friends with a lot of people in town; community support; and a title sponsor that couldn’t be more engaged right now.”
Rolapp said he expects the tour’s new vision to become more concrete after the PGA Tour’s board meets in June. He said he also expects changes to the tour’s structure to be phased in over a two- to three-year period.
Many golf industry experts believe the tour wants to have all changes in place by 2028, when it’s expected that the NFL will negotiate its media rights contracts.
Certainly in the Nelson’s case, the PGA Tour will seek player feedback to the TPC Craig Ranch changes to gauge whether it’s signature-event worthy, but Drago says all he and his staff and the host Salesmanship Club can do is try to have the best 2026 possible.
“We’re in the fourth biggest market in the United States,” he said. “We’ve got a golf course that just went through a $22 million renovation.. We’ve got the bigness factor that [Rolapp] talked about with fans. We’ve got the legacy of Mr. Nelson. So yes, we feel really positive right now.”
Colonial officials, too, have reason for optimism. Colonial Country Club is one of the tour’s more iconic venues, hosting Fort Worth’s PGA Tour event since 1946.
The Schwab Challenge’s $9.9 million purse is the third-highest among regular tour events, just behind the Nelson and Detroit’s Rocket Classic ($10 million) and tied with Houston’s Texas Children’s Open.
Schwab’s eight-year sponsorship of the tournament is set to expire after this year’s May 28-31 event, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Any tournament that hopes to become a signature event with a projected $20 to $25 million purse will need new title sponsor terms, anyway.
The reality, though, is while one North Texas event appears likely to have a future of elite fields peppered with World Top 50 players, the other seems just as likely to be Tier 2 — clearly relegated to the have-nots, no matter how much Rolapp tried to say otherwise Wednesday.
“They’ll be tied together in a competitive system that is much easier to understand, standings that are much easier to understand, the terms of promotion and relegation between the two tiers is easy to understand,” he said of the two tiers.
“And so what you will have is a true meritocracy leading into the competitive nature of golf in a more seamless way. So when you watch any one of those tournaments, you’ll know exactly what the stakes are.”
It’s a potential future that’s hard to fathom in a region that has produced the likes of Nelson, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, Justin Leonard, Jordan Spieth and Scheffler.
With the PGA Championship coming next May to Frisco’s Fields Ranch East Course, part of the home of the PGA of America, this region might well host three tour events in consecutive weeks.
After that, though? Meritocracy might decide Dallas-Fort Worth’s new golf order.

The latest PGA Tour-NFL theft is an old-school strategy

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Rory McIlroy isn’t an NFL fan. The five-time major champion can watch cricket for days, but the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win over the Patriots didn’t exactly capture his attention. While McIlroy isn’t among the masses yearning for a Week 4 game between the 49ers and Rams, one part of the NFL does speak to him — how it keeps its fans hooked 24/7/365.
“It’s a short season and then once it goes away, people miss it. From a marketing perspective, it’s genius, right?” McIlroy said of the NFL at Pebble Beach. “They drip-feed things. It’s the Combine, then it’s the draft, then it’s preseason. It’s like OK, the season is short, but they drip-feed just enough to keep you really interested the whole way through the year. As we as golfers are contemplating going to more of that scarcity model, there’s certainly a lot to be learned from the NFL from that standpoint.”
Look at your phone for 10 seconds (we’ll wait) and you’ll understand what McIlroy is talking about.
The NFL hasn’t played a down in six weeks, and yet, it is always topic 1A in the sports world. It’s omnipresent. Every month is something new. Right now, it’s the nullified Maxx Crosby trade. A week ago, it was Kenyon Sadiq’s 40 time. Next month it’ll be about how the Chiefs have bolstered the roster around Patrick Mahomes via the draft. Then it’s OTAs, minicamp, training camp, the preseason and the real games are back. It doesn’t stop. The NFL always has something for its rabid fan base.
The “scarcity” model being discussed by new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and others is less about cutting tournaments and more about heightening the importance of every event on the PGA Tour, creating space to keep fans wanting more while ensuring no inventory is wasted. Pro golf needs a “drip-feed” of its own, in a sense, to be able to play in the same pool as the other non-NFL sports vying for our attention. For that to happen, fans need something to talk about and look forward to. Those things have to have meaning.
Rolapp, who cut his teeth at the NFL and served as executive vice president under commissioner Roger Goodell, plans to bring a little bit of The Shield to the PGA Tour, using the lessons and expertise he learned at 345 Park Avenue to grow the popularity and profitability of pro golf.
Those lessons were on display Wednesday at PGA Tour headquarters, when Rolapp gave his much-anticipated state of the PGA Tour address ahead of the Players Championship. After months of talk about a re-worked PGA Tour schedule and the potential for seismic changes to the competitive structure, Rolapp’s address was this week’s headliner at the PGA Tour’s flagship event.
But there were no concrete details about Rolapp’s vision, which is being aided by Tiger Woods and the Future Competitions Committee. Instead, Rolapp described six themes for the new PGA Tour, gave a broad overview of each and then explained that he would hold another press conference this summer at the Travelers Championship after further discussions and a board meeting.
“I can’t emphasize this enough; nothing has been finalized,” Rolapp said. “We are still doing our work and gathering input from our players, our partners, and other key stakeholders. No recommendations have gone to our player-led boards. Looking ahead, we expect to make more meaningful progress by this summer. … Once decisions have been made and finalized, changes will be implemented through a rolling approach.”
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Rolapp’s vision, as he outlined Wednesday, should excite fans. The top level of the PGA Tour will have 21 to 26 events, including majors and the Ryder Cup, and will be held from late January through September in Ryder Cup years. Fields will have 120 players, and there will be a cut. The Tour wants to start with a big, primetime event on the West Coast (probably Pebble Beach) and get into more big markets (New York, Chicago, Boston, etc.). There will be a promotion and relegation system and the postseason will be elevated in a way that allows the PGA Tour season to tell a cohesive story about the importance of each event and create “win-or-go-home moments.” Match play is on the table for the playoffs.
All this is designed to help the PGA Tour be in a position to compete for the non-NFL slice of the sports media pie when rights negotiations begin. There have been rumors that the NFL might look to get out of its current media deal to re-negotiate a bigger one. If true, that only enhances the urgency for Rolapp to create something others want a part of.
“If you start doing that math and you’re anyone other than the National Football League, you start to ask yourself the questions: Next time I go to the media market, how do I make sure I have the most compelling product for fans and for our media partners so that we can compete in what is a very complicated media ecosystem that’s changing all the time,” Rolapp said. “You see fans are changing their habits, television versus streaming. You see the companies and the economics of the media industry changing. If you are in the sports business, it behooves you to put your house in order as much as possible.”
What does an in-order house look like for the PGA Tour? Those details will come later, but Rolapp gave everyone enough meat to chew on for a few months. That’ll drive conversation and interest ahead of his next address.
Grabbing and keeping attention is Priority A, B and C in today’s screen-obsessed world. It’s something golf has to address. It can’t dominate the news cycle year-round like the NFL, but perhaps it can get to a point where, from January through September, there is a monthly tournament with defined stakes that creates a season that holds attention and builds to a crescendo before the NFL kicks off.

2026 The Players Championship: Preview, Props & Best Bets

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The PGA Tour has toned down the rhetoric around promoting this week’s event as the

Rory McIlroy Reacts to PGA Tour Boss’s Announcements: ‘Lot of Cooks in the Kitchen’

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PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp just announced the upcoming changes in the tour’s schedule. With The Players Championship right around the corner, Rory McIlroy reacted to his ‘cooks in the kitchen’ analogy.
Talking about the outline of Rolapp’s announcement, the world number two told the media at TPC Sawgrass, “I think it’s all pretty positive.”
“I think he’s got into this job and realized how difficult it is to turn this big ship around, and there’s a lot of cooks in the kitchen and a lot of opinions,” added McIlroy.
Rolapp is certainly navigating around the opinions of the fans and professionals. But at the end of the day, McIlroy believed, “what he said today was obviously a really good direction of where the TOUR should be going.”
The PGA Tour boss brought about six major changes in the tour’s schedule. He’s planning to increase the number of Signature Events from eight to around 21-26, including the major championships, THE PLAYERS Championship, and the postseason games. The fields will be more consistent with around 120 players.
Rolapp wants the tour to open with a big marquee event in the West and finish on network TV on prime time by the East Coast. He’s also looking to expand the major markets. The PGA Tour is strengthening its merit-based system. And finally, the team is trying to make the postseason more interesting with match play and creating win-or-go-home moments.
With the NFL holding $12 billion of the $30 billion media market, Rolap is trying to compete. “You start to ask yourself the questions: Next time I go to the media market, how do I make sure I have the most compelling product for fans and for our media partners,” explained the CEO.
Rory McIlroy Knew About the Changes Long Before the Announcement
When the media asked the five-time major champion if he watched Rolapp’s press conference, McIlroy revealed that he had already talked to the PGA Tour boss about it.
“I spoke to Brian for about an hour,” Rory McIlroy said. “I was supposed to meet with Brian on Monday night up here, so I spoke to him for about an hour on the phone on Monday. So he just sort of took me through everything that he was going to say to you guys today.”
However, Rolapp just gave his proposals, and they’re yet to be finalized. He seemed hopeful that things would become clearer by June 2026.
But do you agree with McIlroy’s assessment? Give us your opinion in the comments.
You can read more at Club Golf!

PGA Tour CEO Supports Controversial Criteria Helping Struggling Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth Despite the Backlash

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For the past two years, the PGA Tour has told its members that only performance counts. Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth have spent that time finding out where that idea falls short. Both relied on sponsor exemptions through 2025 to play in top events they couldn’t qualify for based on ranking, and they faced criticism from fans and other players all season. On Wednesday, the Tour’s leader made his position clear.
“We are starting to get to that in the committee discussion. It is my opinion that we need a better competitive model because we should be delivering fields to the sponsors. We shouldn’t make them work hard to put together a field.”
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Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour CEO, made it clear at TPC Sawgrass. The Tour, he argued, must deliver full fields to sponsors. The exemptions for Fowler and Spieth are not accidents; they are the result of a system the Tour designed and now struggles to justify.
In 2025, both players have faced steady criticism. Fowler played in six of eight Signature Events thanks to exemptions, earning almost half his FedEx Cup points this way. The numbers tell the story. Spieth received five exemptions and admitted he was criticized by other players who didn’t like the invitations, no matter how he performed. At the Arnold Palmer Invitational, host Sam Saunders refused to give exemptions to either player, saying it wouldn’t be fair.
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Analyst Brandel Chamblee also said publicly that picking players for Signature Events had become “popularity-based,” which goes against the Tour’s claim of being a meritocracy, as Chamblee’s comments pointed out. Rolapp addressed the player protection argument directly.
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“I also have an appreciation for the fact that professional golfers are independent contractors. So their level of job security is in some part in these exemptions that they have earned.”
Professional golfers have no guaranteed contracts or salary floors. Fowler and Spieth believe that the criticism is misguided. These invitations are not handouts—they are the product of a system the Tour created and still refuses to fix. The tension between meritocracy and reality is not new. Rolapp himself acknowledged it earlier in the same press conference.
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“Players have told me repeatedly that meritocracy is our greatest strength, and we intend to build on that even further. The committee’s focus has been on a competitive model built on meritocracy. This is not a closed shop.”
There is a clear conflict between the commitment and the unchanged exemption system at Signature Events through 2025. Rolapp did not resolve this issue on Wednesday. Instead, he acknowledged it and left the decision to the committee.
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“It’s a balance. Those are all discussions we are having with the committee to make sure we can provide for those things, but also deliver the purest competition that fans want.”
The changes in structure explain why this debate intensified through 2025. Full-field events were reduced from 156 players to as few as 120. From the top 125 finishers, only the top 100 received Tour cards. The Players Championship field also fell from 144 to 120 players. Despite these cuts, Signature Events still kept four unrestricted sponsor exemptions per tournament. With fewer ways to qualify automatically, those four invitations became much more valuable than before.
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The policy changes set for 2026 only solve part of the issue. The bigger question about special invitations, like those for Fowler and Spieth, is still unresolved as the June 22 board meeting approaches.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and the Sponsor exemption policy changes for 2026
For 2026, the Tour made a clear change. Restricted sponsor exemptions, which used to allow up to four spots per event for players from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and Q-School, are now gone. Those places now go to the following players on the priority list. The restricted category is tighter, but the unrestricted exemptions remain untouched.
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Unrestricted exemptions for Signature Events remain in place. Sponsors can invite four PGA Tour members to each tournament as they see fit. Fowler and Spieth used this route in 2025, and Rolapp’s committee is still reviewing it. The 2026 changes only touched the edges of the exemption system. The main question remains: should top names continue to receive these invitations to the Tour’s biggest events? That decision is still waiting as the June 22 board meeting approaches.
Rolapp has made his stance clear in this debate. Now, it is up to the Tour to decide if the committee’s final model will follow his lead. The deadline is June.

Golfers Prepare for Wild Weather at The Players Championship

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Florida may be one of the warmest spots in the country right now. But there could be some nasty weather in store for competitors at The Players Championship this weekend.
The PGA Tour returns to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, where the daily high temperature has been reaching the low 70s. (Quite the contrast to other spots on the eastern seaboard.) However, sunny conditions are expected to be interrupted by less-than-ideal conditions once the event tees off on Thursday.
“The weather might be a challenge during this tournament this week,” The Weather Channel’s website warns. “The forecast says Thursday has a 70% chance of rain, so expect wet conditions during the first round, with sustained winds of 10-16 mph and gusts hitting 22 mph.”
How Wind Impacts The Players Championship
As we’ve previously discussed, it takes an elite golfer to play through 20-mile-per-hour winds.
“While 20 mph may seem like a lot, with a bit of skill and know-how (and lots of practice), it’s perfectly possible to make a success of your game on the golf course,” Glenmuir says. “Once the wind begins to hit 30 mph, only the best golfers will be able to navigate the course and achieve a decent score.”
Wind will, unfortunately, play a big role at The Players this weekend, even when the rain stops.
“Friday dries out, but don’t expect blazing hot temperatures, as there will be a high of 73 degrees with stronger winds pushing 12-18 mph and gusts up to 24 mph,” The Weather Channel continues.
“Saturday will have the best weather of the tournament: 77 degrees, no rain, and winds calming down to 10-15 mph. But don’t get too comfortable because scattered thunderstorms are back in play on Sunday, which means potential delays and the worst conditions when it matters most.”
History of Bad Weather at TPC Sawgrass
Postponing a round of golf due to weather is never fun. But, not surprisingly, delaying a round at The Players wouldn’t be all that odd. Mother Nature has been in a foul mood plenty of times during this event, which has been held at TPC Sawgrass since 1982.
In 2011, storms brought rain, lightning, and 38-mph winds to the links. That year, the event had to be completed on Monday because play was suspended on three consecutive days.
Conditions weren’t much better in 2025, when Rory McIlroy was battling for his second career victory at The Players. The fourth round “turned into a race against time,” ESPN said, because thunderstorms were rolling in. McIlroy had secured a one-shot lead before play was suspended for four hours. The Irishman weathered the elements, however, and won The Players on Monday in a playoff against J.J. Spaun.
Can Rory McIlroy Weather the Storm Again?
McIlroy has been in the spotlight this week, although storm clouds aren’t the issue he’s trying to weather this week.
The world No. 2 golfer had to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to muscle spasms in his back. He arrived at TPC Sawgrass a day later than regularly scheduled, although he was able to get some swings in on Wednesday ahead of the main event.
“It’s better than it was,” McIlroy told reporters on Thursday, via Golfweek writer Cameron Jourdan on the X platform. “I’ve got about 20 hours before I have to tee off tomorrow, so we’ll see. I’m sort of taking it hour by hour, but it feels better.”
We’ll see if the weather holds off long enough for him to get into the swing of things on Thursday.

Rory McIlroy Makes Feelings Clear as CEO Brian Rolapp Announces 6 Drastic Themes That Can Change PGA Tour Forever

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The PGA Tour, as fans know it, is officially on the clock, with a two-year deadline for a radical overhaul. Former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy weighed in on the changes, and he seems to be on board with Rolapp.
When Rolapp was appointed as the CEO in June last year, McIlroy saw it as a really positive thing for the PGA Tour. He was appreciative of what Rolap had done with the NFL over the past two decades and looked forward to him bringing a similar experience to the American golf scene. So, it’s only fair that McIlroy is eager to see the new side of the PGA Tour in the coming years.
The PGA Tour is planning a series of changes, with many set to roll out in 2028. The idea is to boost Tour earnings and create a competitive, fan-friendly model. The six changes are:
A Streamlined Schedule: Introduction of an elevated series of events, featuring top players and higher purses, which includes major championships, the Players Championship, and the FedExCup Playoffs. The main playing window would run from late January through early September.
Increased Field Consistency: A move away from limited-field, no-cut events, with a preference for larger fields (roughly 120 players) with a cut.
A “Big” Opening to the Season: Launching the season with a high-profile, marquee event at an iconic venue on the West Coast in late January.
Promotion and Relegation System: Implementing a merit-based, two-track system where players can earn their way into the elevated “first track” events based on performance in the “second track” of tournaments.
Expansion into Major Markets: Targeting top US media markets such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Boston to increase fan engagement.
Enhanced Postseason Format: Exploring the integration of match play, potentially for the Tour Championship or throughout the playoffs, to create a “win-or-go-home” climax.
Most of these changes seem likely to create more opportunities within the PGA Tour, which is why it’s hard to imagine someone like McIlroy opposing. However, golf traditionalists may see things differently.
PGA Tour’s proposed changes are met with criticisms
If we look at the reactions from people like 2x major champion Curtis Strange and 7x PGA Tour winner Peter Jacobsen, it’s clear that not everyone shares the same enthusiasm as Rory McIlroy.
“You can have an elevated event. But a cut, it’s part of the fabric of the Tour. It’s making longstanding events into a feeder tour to the other Signature Events.”
Strange believes some of the proposed changes risk altering the very identity of the Tour. Moreover, it could undermine the structure that has defined the Tour for decades.
“It’s a huge gamble trying to remake the PGA Tour,” Jacobsen added.
And honestly, it’s hard to completely dismiss those concerns. For instance, scheduling doesn’t just affect players but can also impact the communities that host these tournaments. A PGA Tour event often brings significant economic activity to a region, and many tournaments are closely tied to local charities. The events in Hawaii are a good example. Much of the money generated there goes directly into charitable causes in the area, which is why it was such a big deal when The Sentry was cancelled.
Still, as McIlroy has suggested, bigger changes rarely happen overnight. It usually takes time to bring everyone along. The hope is that these proposed adjustments will help push the PGA Tour forward while still preserving what golf stands for.

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp Shares His Stance on Possible LIV Golf Unification

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PGA Tour executive Brian Rolapp addressed the future of professional golf on Wednesday. At TPC Sawgrass, he clarified that unifying with LIV Golf is not his current focus. His priority remains improving the PGA Tour for its members and fans.
During the press conference on March 11, 2026, the media pointed out that people have heard nothing about the unification in a long time. Is it still a part of the PGA Tour’s evolution?
“I think I’ve been clear about this,” the PGA Tour CEO said. “My brief is to make the PGA TOUR better. I’m open to whatever makes the PGA TOUR better. That is my brief. Better for fans, better for our members. So that’s what I’m focused on, and that’s where I put all my efforts.”
The golf community certainly wishes to see the best golfers compete against each other. And for that, star performers from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf need to come together on the same course. It’s been the case since 2022. Whenever’s we’ve seen them come together, it usually results in incredibly results.
That usually happens in the U.S. Open and The Open Championship, after high-ranking LIV Golf members enter the field. However, THE PLAYERS Championship is a bit different. But will the PGA Tour consider allowing LIV members into the tournament, provided they’re eligible for the same?
“That’s not sort of a priority I’ve put on my list,” Rolapp stood firm in his take. “So that’s not something I’ve sort of considered to date. There’s other priorities other than that.”
One of these priorities is growing the game, a goal LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil shares.
Scott O’Neil and Brian Rolapp Already Share a Similar Vision
Back in November 2025, during his appearance in Sportico’s Invest in Sports Conference, O’Neil revealed that he’d had a few discussions with Brian Rolapp regarding the future of golf. But it was his revelation regarding Rolapp’s goals that hinted at a possible unification of the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed league.
“Generally we have a common view on what could be or should be the landscape of golf over the next several years,” O’Neil said. “There’s an opportunity for the whole golf world to come together and grow this pie.”
The PGA Tour is mostly focused on events in the USA. Meanwhile, LIV Golf jumps between 14 events in ten countries. A unified tour could significantly grow the sport’s global audience.

Sports Illustrated Resorts Sponsoring NASCAR Event in Nashville

Nashville Superspeedway announced Tuesday that the venue’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event on May 30 will be sponsored by Sports Illustrated Resorts.
The collaboration aligns one of the most recognized brands in sports media with Middle Tennessee’s premier racing venue. The Sports Illustrated Resorts 250 highlights the expansion of Sports Illustrated Resorts, a new, experiential vacation club from leading leisure travel company, Travel + Leisure Co.
Travel + Leisure Co. recently announced plans for a Sports Illustrated Resorts destination in Nashville. The resort is scheduled to welcome guests in the second half of 2026, located on Music Row just minutes from downtown Nashville.
“Nashville is a city where sports and entertainment are part of the culture every day,” said Matt Greci, general manager of Nashville Superspeedway. “Aligning our NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race with Sports Illustrated Resorts connects our event to a brand that sets the pace when it comes to thriving at the intersection of hospitality, sports and entertainment.”
Sports Illustrated Resorts will be on-site throughout the weekend as the Official Vacation Club Partner of Nashville Superspeedway, engaging with fans about its flexible, points-based ownership model designed for travelers who follow their favorite sports teams.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Sports Illustrated Resorts brand to Nashville Superspeedway and to be part of an event that captures the excitement of sports and entertainment in Music City,” said Geoff Richards, chief operating officer at Travel + Leisure Co. “This partnership reflects our mission to create unforgettable experiences for fans who love to combine their passion for sports with premium vacation experiences.”
Nashville Superspeedway will welcome all three of NASCAR’s national series on May 29-31, 2026. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series kicks off the weekend with the Flote 200 on Friday, May 29.
The Sports Illustrated Resorts 250 welcomes the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Speedway to Nashville on Saturday, May 30, while the Cracker Barrel 400 takes the green flag for the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, May 31.
Nashville Superspeedway’s 1.33-mile D-shaped concrete surface hosts its sixth NASCAR Cup Series event in 2026. Kyle Larson won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event at the track in 2021.
Last year, Ryan Blaney scored the NASCAR Cup Series victory at Nashville, while Justin Allgaier won the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event.

2026 NASCAR Odds: Kyle Larson Opens as Early Favorite for Las Vegas

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When Ryan Blaney got into Victory Lane last week at Phoenix, he broke Tyler Reddick’s three-win hot streak, while getting manufacturer Ford across the finish line for the first time this NASCAR season.
Now, the Cup Series heads to Vegas for the Pennzoil 400, where neither is favored.
Instead, Kyle Larson opened as the early favorite at +500. He’s trailed closely by Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell, who are tied at +700.
Which driver takes the checkered flag this weekend when Cup goes green Sunday at 4 p.m. ET on FS1?
Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 11.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 2026
Kyle Larson: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Denny Hamlin: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Christopher Bell: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
William Byron: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Tyler Reddick: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Ryan Blaney: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Joey Logano: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Chase Elliott: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Chase Briscoe: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Ross Chastain: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Bubba Wallace: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Chris Buescher: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Carson Hocevar: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Ty Gibbs: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Josh Berry: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Kyle Busch: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Ryan Preece: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Connor Zilisch: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Justin Allgaier: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Austin Cindric: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
Erik Jones: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Brad Keselowski: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Daniel Suarez: +7500 (bet $10 to win $760 total)
Shane van Gisbergen: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Michael McDowell: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
AJ Allmendinger: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Noah Gragson: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
John Hunter Nemechek: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Austin Dillon: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Zane Smith: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)
Todd Gilliland: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)
Ty Dillon: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Riley Herbst: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Cole Custer: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Cody Ware: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
The Favorites: When the series last raced in Vegas in Oct. 2025, Kyle Larson led 129 laps but finished second behind Denny Hamlin. Now, Larson comes into this race with two top-10 finishes and one top five. He’s led 55 laps over the first four races but hasn’t managed to get into Victory Lane. Similarly, Hamlin has two top 10s and one top five with no wins in 2026. In addition to winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the fall of 2025, Hamlin started the race from the pole. And let’s not forget about Christopher Bell, who’s tied with Hamlin at +700 and finished the Vegas fall race in 2025 third.

Rick Hendrick Taps Dale Jr.’s NASCAR Champ Amidst Alex Bowman Uncertainty

The growing uncertainty around Alex Bowman‘s future has taken a new twist. As he is diagnosed with vertigo and is set to miss the upcoming race at Vegas, Rick Hendrick has now turned to a familiar name from Dale Jr.’s JR Motorsports.
As per the latest update, Justin Allgaier is set to drive the No. 48 car this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Alex Bowman’s stead. This will be Allgaier’s second Cup Series start after the Daytona 500 this year.
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Currently the best O’Reilly driver according to standings, Justin Allgaier is pretty accomplished to drive for Hendrick Motorsports. He is a veteran racer having won 29 races as of recently in the O’Reilly Series. His most recent victory came last Saturday at Phoenix Raceway.
While the team focuses on Bowman’s recovery, they are trying their best to mitigate his absence. With major crashes in the first two races of this season, Bowman sits in 36th place in the driver standings. As for Justin Allgaier, this won’t be the first time racing for Rick Hendrick. He has previously substituted Jimmie Johnson in 2020 and Kyle Larson in 2024.
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Allgaier’s first Cup outing this season wasn’t exactly good. He was involved in a nasty wreck that endangered the entire field. However, he is ready to look beyond those initial woes with O’Reilly success and his history of winning the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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On the other hand, the current situation mirrors Bowman’s 2022 campaign. That time, he ended up missing five races straight due to a concussion. Bowman would again stay absent for three weeks in the following season due to a vertebral injury.
For now, it seems like Bowman is far away from his best season in the Cup Series. 2020 was the last year he had a really good season, as he ended up finishing in P6 in the driver standings. The other drivers and veterans like Denny Hamlin are already counting him out of the season, owing to his history of underperforming and the Chase format’s obligations.
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It is a massive blow to his hopes of renewing his contract with Rick Hendrick and co. this year. In front of powerhouse, championship-caliber teammates, Bowman’s resume falls short of wins and meaningful seasons, even though it is because of a string of unlucky injuries.
Bowman’s last replacement at Hendrick Motorsports was Anthony Alfredo. Alfredo was doing well in Phoenix until he got involved in a wreck. Before his race-ending crash, Anthony Alfredo was running in P7 and looking forward to a top-10 finish from Phoenix Raceway.
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His performance earned him the approval from Denny Hamlin, who was highly appreciative of his skills.
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Denny Hamlin applauds Alfredo as the worthy substitute
Denny Hamlin is highly supportive of Alex Bowman during his time of crisis. He understands the implications of watching someone racing in your shoes. During his podcast, Hamlin’s words reflect his respect towards Bowman.
“The guy is wearing your jersey, and he wears his hair the same as you. It’s like a clone of you because in a car, you don’t see the person; you just see the helmet and the gloves. You see the car. Trust me, it’s very weird as a driver seeing someone else in your suit and in your car. It’s wild and it’s certainly not pleasant.”
At the same time, Hamlin understands that the guy replacing Bowman is not just some random driver. He is very experienced and ready to take up the challenge.
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“Tough ask for Anthony. I mean, he is the sim driver over there at Hendrick, and he runs so many Cup laps. He probably has more laps in a Cup car than some of their Cup drivers because of all the sim laps he runs on a weekly basis.
“Tough ask for Anthony but probably the most qualified to do it based on being very familiar with the team. He probably communicates with the team on the regular, giving them feedback on their setups.”
While Alfredo had the necessary know-how from the simulation runs, he was unable to convert it into a great finish last Sunday. Hamlin thinks that it was given, considering the lack of real-world experience. However, in his eyes the way he was driving was very impressive last week.

NASCAR Qualifying Order Set for Las Vegas Motor Speedway Weekend

The NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series travel to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend as the 2026 season continues. Teams now know when they will hit the track after NASCAR released the official qualifying orders for both series on March 11.
FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass shared the lists ahead of the race weekend.
The order determines when drivers will participate in practice and qualifying sessions.
NASCAR uses its metric formula based on finishing position, fastest lap, and owner points from the previous race. Drivers are divided into two practice groups before single-car qualifying sets the starting lineup.
NASCAR Qualifying Orders: Cup Series Group 1 at Las Vegas
Group 1 includes the drivers with the highest metric scores entering the weekend. Chase Briscoe leads the order in the No. 19 car with a score of 35.800. Cole Custer follows in the No. 41 with 35.000, while Justin Allgaier sits third in the No. 48 with 33.900.
Austin Cindric appears next in the No. 2 with 32.800, followed by Noah Gragson in the No. 4 with 32.700. Josh Berry holds sixth in the No. 21 with 31.700.
Ross Chastain in the No. 1 records 26.500, just ahead of Cody Ware in the No. 51 with 26.400. Daniel Suarez in the No. 99 posts 24.500. Zane Smith in the No. 38 follows with 24.600.
Ty Dillon in the No. 10 sits at 24.500. John Hunter Nemechek in No. 42 and Joey Logano posted 23.800 in the No. 22 cars.
Austin Dillon in the No. 3 enters with 19.900. Riley Herbst in the No. 35 has 19.800. Carson Hocevar in the No. 77 closes Group 1 with a score of 18.200.
NASCAR Qualifying Orders: Cup Series Group 2
Group 2 begins with Kyle Busch in the No. 8 with a metric score of 17.900. Chase Elliott follows closely in the No. 9 with 17.300, while AJ Allmendinger in the No. 16 sits at 17.200.
Todd Gilliland records 16.200 in the No. 34. Erik Jones follows with 15.400 in the No. 43. Brad Keselowski posts 15.300 in the No. 6.
Ryan Preece enters the weekend with 14.500 in the No. 60. Chris Buescher records 12.500 in the No. 17.
Shane van Gisbergen sits at 9.200. Michael McDowell posts 8.700 in the No. 71, while William Byron records 8.200 in the No. 24.
Ty Gibbs enters with 7.300 in the No. 54. Denny Hamlin follows with 7.100 in the No. 11. Tyler Reddick records 5.900 in the No. 45.
Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace both sit at 5.100 in the No. 5 and No. 23. Christopher Bell records 3.200 in the No. 20. Ryan Blaney closes the order in the No. 12 with a score of 1.300.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying order for The LiUNA! Race
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will also split drivers into two groups before qualifying.
The No. 35 started group one entry with a metric score of 41.600. Josh Williams in the No. 92 follows with 41.000. Dawson Cram in the No. 174 is third with 36.900, while Ryan Ellis in the No. 02 records 35.300. Myatt Snider in the No. 30 posts 35.200, and Carson Kvapil in the No. 9 has 35.000.
Group 2 begins with Brennan Poole in the No. 44 at 23.400. Austin Green, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Sieg follow. The order closes with Sammy Smith, Sheldon Creed, Connor Zilisch, Jesse Love, and Justin Allgaier.

Vertigo sidelines Alex Bowman for NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss a second consecutive NASCAR race because of vertigo and will be replaced by Justin Allgaier at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to work closely with doctors toward being medically cleared, but he’s still experiencing some lingering symptoms,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “He’s put a lot into the recovery process, and we will continue to support him every step of the way. Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Bowman was too ill to continue during the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas in Texas and was replaced midrace. Anthony Alfredo drove the No. 48 Chevrolet for Bowman at Phoenix Raceway.
Allgaier won in NASCAR’s second-tier series at Las Vegas a year ago while driving for JR Motorsports, an affiliate of Hendrick Motorsports. He has 84 career starts in the Cup Series and raced in the Daytona 500 to open this season. Allgaier was involved in an early crash and finished 38th.
Bowman has eight career wins in 364 career Cup Series starts. He has been driving for Hendrick full time since the 2018 season and made the playoffs in all but one season.
He missed five races in 2022 with a concussion and missed three races the next season with a broken back. Bowman finished a career-best sixth in the Cup standings in 2020.

Insiders Caution NASCAR Community Against Judging Connor Zilisch Too Soon in 3 Words

Coming off a 10-race winning season in the Xfinity (now O’Reilly Auto Parts) Series in 2025, Connor Zilisch and his fans had high expectations for his rookie season in the Cup. But things haven’t gone that way at all, as he’s been on the bad side of luck so far, with only one finish under top 20. But while some of his doubters have already started writing him off, a few NASCAR insiders believe otherwise.
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Connor Zilisch is waking up to the level of difficulty in the Cup Series
During a recent episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Freddie Kraft, Tommy Baldwin, and Randy LaJoie shared their thoughts on Zilisch’s difficult start to the season. Kraft claimed that the Trackhouse rookie is having a ‘hard go’ at life in ‘little different’ Cup Series.
“I think and Conor’s running well. I mean, he’s got speed, but he’s just those you can’t make those mistakes,” the spotter said. Baldwin added that Connor Zilisch would have to ‘grow up’ following his step-up from the Xfinity Series. “It’s a whole different world, man. Cup Series is no joke,” he claimed.
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Having said that, Baldwin suggested that sooner than later Connor Zilisch will get his mojo back and start delivering the results. But before that happens, he’d have to go through the rough patch he is currently going through.
“There’ll be a switch. And he’ll be fine. He just going to have to go through this stuff, you know,” Baldwin stated.
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Zilisch’s first four results in the Cup Series have been 33rd, 30th, 14th, and 29th. The results from his first four races last season in the Xfinity Series were 27th, 34th, 1st, and 16th.
Having said that, while Zilisch is a 19-year-old rookie, the level of competitiveness in the Cup Series is as true for multiple Cup champions as well. Someone like Kyle Busch, who has won 2 Cup titles and 63 races, hasn’t finished inside the top 10 even once this season so far.
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Justin Marks has high expectations from Zilisch
One thing common across most NASCAR legends and superstars is how they started young, immediately grabbed attention, began delivering on the expectations, and remained consistent for a sustained period of time. That has been the case for Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, and others as well.
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In Zilisch’s case, he is young, he has the attention, but he hasn’t started delivering now that he’s in the Cup Series. However, his boss, Justin Marks, is hopeful that not only is Zilisch capable of great things, but he can also potentially push the sport to a bigger stage. He claimed that the success or failure of any sport is how much the fans are attracted to the athletes. Marks gave examples of Tiger Woods in golf, Lance Armstrong in cycling, Conor McGregor in UFC, names that ‘transcended the sport’ and elevated it.
In fact, even in NASCAR’s case, drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon took the sport to newer heights. Marks believes Connor Zilisch can do the same.
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“Connor has that opportunity in NASCAR. He’s a generational talent, a compelling personality and a great story. His ceiling is so high. He has the potential to be one of the biggest stars in NASCAR,” Marks said as per NYT.
Do you think Connor Zilisch is capable of achieving all that is expected of him? Let us know in the comments below.

Brad Keselowski Refuses to Write Off Chase Briscoe Despite Unlucky Run

To call Chase Briscoe’s start to the season unfortunate would be an understatement. The Joe Gibbs Racing star, who had a stellar 2025 season, stumbled upon multiple roadblocks coming into 2026, especially in his last two races at COTA and Phoenix. Despite this, fellow NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski has full faith in him, as the RFK star predicted a turnaround for the No. 19.
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Keselowski’s take on Chase Briscoe
Brad Keselowski was the guest on the recently released episode of the Dale Jr Download podcast, where the RFK Racing driver shed light on Chase Briscoe and his unfortunate start to the season.
“Where’s the 19 car? Chase Briscoe. I don’t even know where he’s at on here. He’s had a terrible start to the year. That one’s probably the biggest surprise,” Keselowski said. “But Briscoe, this is a guy that ended the year last year and I don’t know if there was anybody better. I know Denny dominated Phoenix. I know Larson ended up winning the championship, but if you sample size the last 15 16 races of 2025, Chase Briscoe was the guy, and he has started off this year not the guy. Things have not gone his way.”
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Following this, Keselowski highlighted how Briscoe’s bad start was not his fault. Back-to-back issues with wrecks and mechanical failures put the #19 driver in 33rd place after four races, with just 47 points. Speaking about this, Keselowski added, as he put all faith in Briscoe:
“It’s not necessarily been his fault. I mean, he’s broke down two races. Yeah. Well, he doesn’t read the map. You just if you just read the map, you’d be okay. The DVP map. So he didn’t have a great… He hasn’t had a great start to the season. What’s going to be really interesting is with this points format, can he work his way in the top 16? Absolutely. No doubt in my mind.”
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Notably, Chase Briscoe suffered from multiple issues right from the start of the season. At Daytona, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver suffered from a wreck in the early laps and finished his race in 37th place.
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Briscoe bounced back at Atlanta with a second-place finish, but suffered back-to-back mechanical failures at COTA and Phoenix. Firstly, it was a right-front tire failure, followed by a broken transaxle.
As a result, Briscoe is down in the drivers’ standings. However, as Brad Keselowski mentioned, Briscoe can still make it to the Top 16 by the end of 26 races and qualify for the Chase.
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Meanwhile, his teammate Denny Hamlin also feels the same.
Denny Hamlin puts faith in teammate
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Despite the early setbacks, Denny Hamlin believes Chase Briscoe can still turn things around and qualify for the Chase after 26 races, and then push for the championship.
“He’s gotta get hot,” Hamlin said Monday on his Actions Detrimental podcast. “Listen, if he goes, and he wins two of the next five races and stacks some top 5s and 10s in the other ones, I think we’re talking, ‘look at this charge he just made, he’s only 100 out of the points lead.’ [It’s] a little too early for that.”
Last year, Chase Briscoe finished the season in third place with 5019 points, behind winner Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. Despite having a fairly underwhelming start, Briscoe claimed three wins and went on to qualify for the Championship 4 in his first year for JGR.

NASCAR drivers assigned to Coronado squadrons ahead of June’s historic races

Ryan Preece has visited a lot of tracks during his nine seasons driving on NASCAR’s Cup Series.
But as he looked around Naval Base Coronado on Wednesday afternoon, Preece admitted he had entered a different element.
“This is an eye-opening experience,” said Preece, who was part of NASCAR’s latest visit to the site of June’s historic three-race weekend on the base to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
“When you think NASCAR, you think American — and what could be more American than a Navy base? Drivers are talking about the Coronado race. Racing on a military base on this historic occasion, sharing our sport with military personnel, every driver I know, every crewman I know is excited.
“Being out here today, meeting with servicemen, seeing the aircraft, looking across the bay at San Diego and the ships, it’s an amazing experience … and we’re not racing yet.”
Preece and fellow drivers Christopher Bell and Ty Dillon all visited the base on Wednesday. Preece and Bell also visited with patients at Rady’s Children’s Hospital.
Since NASCAR announced the inaugural race over a road course at Naval Base Coronado last October, more than a dozen drivers have visited the site and shared time with servicemen.
The latest link between the Navy and NASCAR was established Wednesday, when 38 Cup drivers were assigned spots with Navy commands at Coronado.
Each driver will spend time with sailors at his assigned command during the June 19-21 races. The drivers will also display their commands’ insignias on their cars.
Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson drew the Black Jacks of Helicopter C Combat Squadron 21. Other drivers were assigned to amphibious construction units, demolition teams, air wings and carrier deck commands.
“NASCAR and the drivers love this coming event,” Bell said. “And from talking to other drivers who have visited the base and experiencing what I’m seeing today, the servicemen love the idea of what is happening, too. Everyone is excited. It’s a great feeling.”
Bell said he plans to arrive in San Diego at least a day early to spend time with his new unit.
“I’m looking forward to the entire week,” he said. “The Navy and the servicemen have embraced us. People have been supportive and super welcoming. I don’t know if we’ve ever had a race weekend like this one.”
Another contingent of NASCAR drivers will visit Coronado on May 26 for the groundbreaking on the track’s construction.
“My hope is that they don’t change the roads too much,” said Chastain. “Keep it bumpy, demanding. And I love the plans that have our cars racing past aircraft carriers, helicopters and fighter jets. It’s going to be an iconic experience for everyone – drivers, fans, servicemen, guys working in the pits.”
“We drivers recognize this as another connection that NASCAR is developing with our military community,” said Preece. “This is a great step to take.”

Ross Chastain Clears the Air on Joey Logano Phoenix Incident

Ross Chastain was sitting in the sixth position with 96 circuits remaining in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix. On a lap 217 restart, the Trackhouse Racing driver got a bump from behind by Joey Logano.
The contact loosened up Chastain’s No. 1 car, and when Logano tried to avoid in his No. 22 machine, the two came together again. This sparked a vicious three-car crash involving Chastain, Anthony Alfredo, and Austin Cindric.
Logano avoided the wreck, but Chastain wasn’t as fortunate. Although he managed to finish the race, Chastain posted a 28th-place finish when the checkered flag flew.
After the dust settled in the desert, Logano took the blame for Sunday’s pileup. In an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Chastain gave his side of the story.
Ross Chastain on Joey Logano incident: ‘Don’t believe it was malicious’
Chastain couldn’t nail down restarts in last Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 500. In the lap 217 restart, the Florida native again couldn’t get going, which put him in the clutches of Logano.
“He [Logano] timed it well. … He just got me right at the transition. I don’t believe it was malicious. He was trying to go to the left. I was also going to the left to take the shortest distance to turn one and got me right at as the rear bottoms out on that transition,” Chastain said.
Despite both drivers being known for their aggressive driving style, there weren’t any hard feelings after Phoenix.
That’s due in part to the connection established between the two drivers. Because of their driving styles, Chastain felt it was incumbent upon he and Logano to be on the same page when worse came to worst.
“We’re so alike. We don’t get along well on tracks, so we have just an understanding. We’ve figured out that if we don’t do this in a working way, it’s going to be brutal for both of us. We’ve had some crazy blocks thrown on us throughout the years. … We’ve got a lot better working relationship now,” Chastain said.
Logano’s Phoenix race didn’t pan out how he hoped either. On lap 254, the three-time Cup Series champion was clipped by AJ Allmendinger on the frontstretch. The contact sent Logano spinning.
The Team Penske driver proceeded to slide up the track and into the path of Josh Berry, Daniel Suarez, and others. Logano wound up posting a DNF in the 31st position.
Ross Chastain enters Las Vegas 23rd in the standings
While Chastain has shown speed through the first four races of the season, it hasn’t translated to great results.
The six-time Cup Series winner is currently 23rd in the points standings. The 33-year-old posted a third-place finish at EchoPark Speedway. Aside from that, Chastain has failed to post another top-10.
Chastain finished 20th in the Daytona 500, 35th at Circuit of The Americas, and 28th at Phoenix. He enters Las Vegas looking for his first win since the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte last May.
Chastain is amid his fifth season with Trackhouse Racing. He’s won all six of his career Cup races with the organization.

Ross Chastain Finally Feels the Other Side of NASCAR’s Payback Game as Joey Logano Clash Hands Reality Check

Sometimes the best way forward is acceptance. It is no secret that Ross Chastain and Joey Logano have locked horns before; take last year’s race in Chicago as an example. But when the two tangled again last weekend in Phoenix, the reaction felt different. After the race, Chastain kept a cool head and admitted he isn’t ready to pin the blame on Logano just yet.
“We’re so alike, we don’t get along well on track, so we have a… just an understanding,” he said. “We’ve figured out that if we don’t do this in a working way, it’s going to be brutal for both of us, and we’ve had some crazy blocks thrown on each other throughout the years, and racing for 15th. It didn’t matter that we’ve got a lot better working relationship now, and yeah, it was nice.”
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Despite the late race contact at the NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix last Sunday, Ross Chastain isn’t holding a grudge against Joey Logano. The 33-year-old driver explained that the incident appeared to be more of a racing miscalculation than anything intentional.
The trouble unfolded on lap 217 restart when the field charged back toward Turn 1 and the two drivers converged at a tricky transition on the track. The contact sent Chastain around and triggered a wreck that also swept up Anthony Alfredo and Austin Cindric, adding more frustration to what was already a chaotic moment in the race.
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Although Chastain managed to keep his car running, the damage and time lost in the aftermath proved costly. By the time the checkered flag waved, he had fallen 25 laps behind the race leader.
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Logano initially continued after the incident but unraveled later when he was caught in another crash on lap 254 that left the No. 22 car heavily damaged, but he first refused to take up any ownership of the wreck.
In the moments after the first wreck, Logano quickly accepted responsibility, first over his team radio and later in a phone call to Chastain to offer an apology, a gesture that seemed to settle any lingering tension between the two.
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The early part of the season has also seen the drivers sitting in very different spots in the standings. Chastain finds himself 23rd with 74 points, while Joey Logano, a three-time NASCAR Cup champion, holds seventh place with 113 points as the championship picture begins to take shape.
While this stirrup, where Chastain was caught up in a mess, may be the first of its kind, he is usually the one drawing fire for his aggressive racing.
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Back in 2023, with the leaders all jockeying for position during the final laps of the Toyota Owners 400 in Richmond, Bell in the No. 20 Toyota Camry tried to move up and out of the middle lane just as Chastain in the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro made a move to power forward into the bottom lane of the track. The maneuver caused Bell’s car to make contact with the rear of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro, piloted by William Byron, spinning him around to bring out the caution.
“The bonsai came in and put us three wide,” Bell said post-race. “The wrecking ball [Chastain] came in and made us three wide at the last second, and there wasn’t enough room to be three wide.”
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Chastain is one driver in the Cup Series who regularly finds himself in hot water with other drivers, including Denny Hamlin, who NASCAR slammed with a $50,000 fine and 25 driver points for publicly admitting on his Actions Detrimental podcast that his retaliatory fencing of Chastain in Phoenix was intentional.
Moving on, as the dust settles on Phoenix Raceway, Chastain is completely unbothered by something else as well.
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Ross Chastain offers an unbothered stance on the Chase format
Early in the revamped championship structure of the NASCAR Cup Series, Ross Chastain summed up his thoughts in just three blunt words:
“I don’t care.”
For the Florida native, the debate around formats and point systems simply isn’t something that keeps him up at night. As long as he can strap into the No.1 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing and chase speed every weekend, the method used to crown the champion doesn’t make much of a difference to him.
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The series introduced a significant change in 2026, moving away from the four-round elimination playoff system that had long defined the modern era. In its place, NASCAR rolled out a modified version of the Chase for the Cup, a 10-race points-based championship reminiscent of the format used between 2004 and 2013 to determine the season’s champion.
And Chastain’s stance on this is straightforward. The format may evolve, the points may change, and the championship math might look different, but for him, the focus remains exactly where it has always been.
“That’s the short answer because whatever they do, I’ll go race. Sign me up for whatever the France family and NASCAR want. If they want to flip everything upside down, it doesn’t matter to me. I just need the rulebook. Just give me the schedule, the rules for the cars, and the on-track procedures, and I’ll go race,” he added.
And now, as the NASCAR Cup Series gears up for the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Logano and Chastain have buried the hatchet and cannot wait to get back to racing.

Who Is Aaron Nola? Italy’s Starting Pitchers’ Net Worth, Wife, Parents, Siblings, Ethnicity & MLB Contract

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Team Italy and Team USA will face each other in a high-stakes match on March 11. This match has put Aaron Nola, who is starting for the first time in the WBC 2026, in an interesting position. His contribution while playing for Italy will be important for his team and for the USA. After losing to the Italians, they now depend on Mexico losing to Nola and Italy to try and make it to the quarterfinals.
Before the high-stakes match that decides whether Team USA will advance into the quarterfinals or not, here’s everything to know about Aaron Nola.
Who is Aaron Nola?
Aaron Michael Nola is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was born on June 4, 1993, in Baton Rouge, LA. The Toronto Blue Jays first drafted him in the 22 round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft from Catholic HS. Then the Philadelphia Phillies drafted him in the 1 round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from Louisiana State University.
Nola made a historic MLB debut in 2015. He became the first Phillies pitcher since Pat Combs in 1989 to make a major league debut the very next season after being drafted. Since then, he has remained with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Who Is Aaron Nola’s Wife?
Aaron Nola married his high-school sweetheart, Hunter Jayde Harrington, on Dec. 31, 2022, at Barnsley Gardens Resort and Spa in Georgia. They got engaged in December 2021 during their trip to Yonah Mountain, Georgia.
Though little is known about Hunter’s current professional status, she was on the track and field team at the Pickеns County High School.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Scottie Brooks, on March 16, 2024. On November 30, 2025, they also announced that they are expecting another child in 2026.
Who are Aaron Nola’s Parents & Siblings?
Aaron Nola was born to A.J and Stacie Nola. His father was the Little League Coach until high school for Aaron and his older brother, Austin Nola.
The brothers also made history in 2022. They became the first sibling duo to face off as pitcher and batter in MLB postseason history during Game 2 of the 2022 NLCS.
Austin Nola, after playing for the Colorado Rockies in 2025, transitioned to coaching and currently serves as the bullpen coach for the Seattle Mariners.
What is Aaron Nola’s Ethnicity & Nationality?
Aaron Nola is an American national, being a native of Baton Rouge. He is of Italian descent from his paternal side and follows Christianity.
Nola’s great-grandparents originally belonged to Sicily, Italy, before they emigrated to the United States. His Italian heritage makes him eligible to play for the country in the WBC.
What is Aaron Nola’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Aaron Nola’s wealth is estimated at somewhere between $20 million and $56 million. Some of his earnings, outside of his MLB contract, come from endorsements. Yuengling Brewery and Skechers are some of the brands that add to his net worth. However, his earnings from the endorsements are not publicly disclosed.
What is Aaron Nola’s MLB Contract & Salary?
Nola is signed through the 2030 season under a 7-year, $172 million, no-trade contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, agreed on November 2023.
As per Spotrac, he earned a base salary of $24,571,428 with a luxury tax of $24,571,429 in 2025. The cumulative cash he earned totaled to $73,714,284.
He had earned a career total of $105,999,209 as per Spotrac.
A breakdown of his year-by-year salary can be seen below:
What Are Aaron Nola’s MLB Career Highlights?
Aaron Nola has been with the Phillies since he made his MLB debut in 2015. At 32-years-old, he is the longest-tenured Phillie and has pitched in 285 games with a 109-89 record. He has posted a career ERA of 3.83 across 1715.2 innings pitched with 1876 strikeouts.
Nola had his career-best season in 2018, when he went 17-6 with a 2.37 ERA, 224 strikeouts in 212 1/3 innings. He also became an NL All-Star that year and finished third in the Cy Young voting. He is also a two-time NL Shutouts Leader in 2022 and 2024.
During the Phillies’ 2023 postseason run, Nola anchored the rotation across his four starts. He posted a 3–1 record with a 2.35 ERA, 23 strikeouts in 23 innings, and allowed only six earned runs.
Nola has thrown seven scoreless innings against the Miami Marlins in the Wild Card series. Against the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, he struck out nine, helping the Phillies progress. Nola pitched six scoreless innings and seven strikeouts against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS Game 2.
Nola has logged 200 strikeouts in five seasons, which include 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. His start against Mexico, after an injury-filled 2025 season, might be a career-defining moment. And this moment holds the future of two countries in the balance.

Prospect predictions for each MLB team 2026

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Blue Jays: Juan Sanchez, 3B/SS (No. 7)
Toronto’s praise of the 18-year-old infielder has been consistent since his signing in January 2025, and he certainly helped fuel that fire with his 1.004 OPS in the Dominican Summer League last season. Now that he’s stateside, Sanchez will continue to show a promising mix of discipline and power and not only reach the Florida State League in his age-18 season but jump into the Top 100, giving Toronto three infielders in that group alongside Arjun Nimmala and JoJo Parker.
Orioles: Samuel Basallo, C/1B (No. 1/MLB No. 8)
It really doesn’t matter where he’s playing — it’s looking like DH mostly, but there should be some rotating in at first and behind the plate — we know Basallo is going to hit. We were happy the abdominal discomfort that forced him out for a few days this spring wasn’t anything serious and he has time to get in sync for the year. The power is very real, and after he finished the 2025 season in the Minors with 151 wRC+ and a .319 ISO (that led all Minor League hitters with 300 or more plate appearances), we’re so confident his bat will play in the big leagues that we’re predicting he’ll win American League Rookie of the Year honors.
Rays: Jacob Melton, OF (No. 4)
Tampa Bay sought out Melton in trades as it looked to address its center-field options because of his intriguing plus raw power, plus speed and great defense. The left-handed slugger was even showing solid gains with his approach at Triple-A, when healthy before the deal, and those could point to better MLB numbers than he’s shown in his previous stint with Houston. Melton will eventually win the center-field job full time and earn a spot on AL Rookie of the Year ballots by the end of the summer.
Yankees: Dax Kilby, SS (No. 4/MLB No. 94)
The 2025 Draft was loaded with high school shortstops, and Kilby was somewhat overshadowed as the 14th selected — though he went 39th overall. He started to make a name for himself by heading straight to Single-A and batting .353 with 16 steals and more walks (13) than strikeouts (11) in 18 games. He’ll continue to increase his stock by outhitting all his fellow 2025 prep shortstops, thriving at High-A at the end of his first full pro season and ranking as the Yankees’ best prospect by year’s end.
Guardians: Ralphy Velazquez, 1B/OF (No. 4/MLB No. 89)
The 23rd overall pick in the 2023 Draft, Velazquez scuffled in his first full pro season before leading the High-A Midwest League with 17 homers in 94 games and then posting a .994 OPS at Double-A last year. He’ll continue his upward trajectory, establishing himself as the best first-base prospect in baseball before debuting in Cleveland late in the summer.
Royals: Kendry Chourio, RHP (No. 3)
Chourio exploded onto the scene in 2025 with 63 strikeouts and only five walks across 51⅓ innings while climbing from the DSL to Single-A Columbia. His mid-90s fastball and upper-70s curveball both receive strong reviews, but it’s the ability to command the ball that has Kansas City officials so excited about his future. It’ll also help him rank among the Minors’ top five in K-BB% (min. 70 IP) in just his age-18 season.
Tigers: Bryce Rainer, SS (No. 3/MLB No. 35)
Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark give the Tigers two high-ceiling prospects in the overall top 10 ranks, and there are some across the industry who believe Rainer is just as, if not more, talented overall. The No. 11 pick in the 2024 Draft has plus power potential and is an above-average athlete at shortstop, when he isn’t sidelined by the right shoulder that limited him to only 35 Single-A games in 2025. Once he returns to regular playing time in ‘26, Rainer will become a top-10 overall prospect by the midseason update.
Twins: Dasan Hill, LHP (No. 6)
The Twins went over slot in 2024 to sign Hill, the No. 69 pick in the Draft for $2 million, and they were thrilled with the strides the super-projectable high school lefty made in his first full season. He struck out better than 12 per nine (31.1 K percentage) and held hitters to a .196 average over his 62 innings. Now the gloves can come off a little bit and he’s clearly gaining strength, with early reports this spring of him touching triple digits. He’s a huge breakout candidate, one who will jump onto the Top 100 and be considered one of the top five lefty pitching prospects by the end of the season.
White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS (Draft No. 1)
Not only will Cholowsky go No. 1 in the 2026 Draft, he’ll rank as the No. 3 overall prospect on the Top 100 Prospects list following his pro debut, trailing only fellow shortstops Jesús Made (Brewers) and Leo De Vries (Athletics). The best all-around college shortstop since Troy Tulowitzki, Cholowsky has launched nine homers in his first 16 games for UCLA this season. He’ll get a cup of coffee at Double-A this summer, setting him on course to reach Chicago at some point in 2027.
Angels: Tyler Bremner, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 81)
He might have surprised many when he was taken No. 2 overall in last year’s Draft, but when we worked on our Top 100 in January, we got a lot of feedback that a lot of teams with high picks liked him a lot. And why not? He’s got great stuff and a good feel for the zone. In breaking the Santa Barbara career strikeout record in 2025, the right-hander finished with a 35.8 strikeout percentage while walking just 6.1 percent. That 29.7 K/BB% would have placed him behind only Jonah Tong in the Minors last year and we think he’s going to do it again, but this time he’ll lead all Minor League pitchers in K/BB%.
Astros: Kenny Alvarez, OF (No. 1)
For the third time in the past five years, the Astros don’t have a single representative on MLB Pipeline’s preseason Top 100 Prospects list. But they’ll have three Top 100 Prospects by the end of the year, the most since they had six on our preseason 2019 rankings. That trio will be Alvarez (the best hitter in the system), shortstop Xavier Neyens (their best power prospect) and outfielder Ethan Frey (their best combination of both tools). All three signed last year, Alvarez as one of the most polished position players in the 2025 international class and Neyens and Frey as Houston’s top two Draft picks.
A’s: Jamie Arnold, LHP (No. 2/MLB No. 41)
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, but the A’s like to move guys through their system quickly. Now, not everyone can move with Nick Kurtz level speed, and it would probably be unfair to expect a pitcher to be up in late April, like Kurtz was last year en route to his Rookie of the Year campaign. But Arnold, the A’s first-rounder last year, has advanced stuff, a slider than can probably get big leaguers out now and a fantastic competitive streak. We can easily see him starting at an advanced level — Double-A, maybe? — and then finish the year with meaningful innings in the big leagues, including in the postseason as the A’s earn a Wild Card spot.
Mariners: Lazaro Montes, OF (No. 4/MLB No. 43)
There are few prospects with more raw power than Montes, and he carries a career .518 slugging percentage and a .245 ISO into the 2026 season. Yes, there’s swing-and-miss to worry about with a 29 percent K rate last year, but he also draws walks. He has established a pattern of earning an in-season promotion, struggling initially at the new level then conquering it the following year. Look for him to do that back at Double-A this year, earning a boost to Triple-A and upping his season home run total to 40 after hitting 21 in 2024 and 32 a year ago.
Rangers: Caden Scarborough, RHP (No. 2)
An unheralded sixth-round pick in 2023, Scarborough worked just 10 1/3 innings in his first two pro seasons while dealing with a strained lat, then dominated at two Class A levels last year. He’ll continue his ascension in 2026, ranking among the Minor League leaders in strikeouts and K/BB ratio and blossoming into the third-best righty pitching prospect in the game, behind only Seth Hernandez (Pirates) and Ryan Sloan (Mariners).
Braves: JR Ritchie, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 90)
A lot went right for Ritchie in 2025, the season we got to see the real right-hander another year removed from his Tommy John surgery two years earlier. He amassed 140 total innings, starting the year at High-A Rome and finishing it with 11 Triple-A starts, and the 2025 Futures Game starter’s stuff ticked up along with his bat-missing ability. He recently made his first Grapefruit League start, a sign of things to come. We’re actually a little surprised his name hasn’t come up more as possible rotation pieces right out of the gate given the question marks around starting pitching in Atlanta, but he’ll get there soon and make at least 15 starts in the big leagues this season.
Marlins: Owen Caissie, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 42)
In the trade that sent Edward Cabrera to the Cubs in January, Caissie was the key pickup for the Marlins. One of the game’s top power prospects, he totaled 41 home runs during the past two seasons as one of the youngest players at Triple-A and hit his first big league long ball last August. He’ll keep the pop coming this year, when he breaks Dan Uggla’s franchise record for home runs by a rookie with 28.
Mets: Nolan McLean, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 6)
The National League Rookie of the Year race promises to be loaded, but there’s only one pitcher in the competition with elite spin rates, a six-pitch arsenal and significant Major League success already. That’s McLean, the top pitching prospect in baseball entering 2026, and he’ll exit it as the fifth Mets pitcher to win Rookie of the Year honors, joining Jacob deGrom, Dwight Gooden, Jon Matlack and Tom Seaver on that illustrious list.
Nationals: Eli Willits, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 13)
Call it the Konnor Griffin track or the Jesús Made route. Whichever way you name it, there is a recent history of talented shortstops climbing quickly in their first full seasons stateside and touching the upper Minors way ahead of schedule. Willits — a potential plus hitter from both sides who draws raves for his speed and defense — could very well fall in line as an advanced talent compared to many of his peers. We’ll say last year’s No. 1 overall pick reaches Double-A for at least one week before his age-18 season comes to an end.
Phillies: Dante Nori, OF (No. 7)
We know Nori has a tremendous approach at the plate (13.0 percent BB rate vs. 14.7 percent K rate in 2025), we know he can run (52 steals) and we know he can really play center field. What we’ve been unsure of is the impact at the plate after he slugged .372 last year, though he’s well aware of the need for improvement on that side of the game. We’re not extrapolating too much from his 5-for-10 showing with two homers and a double for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, but it doesn’t hurt. With Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford making the Opening Day roster and Aidan Miller soon to follow, there’s a good chance the top three prospects in the system will graduate, leaving it wide open for a new No. 1. We think it will be Nori who will ascend to the top spot on the Phillies’ Top 30 while splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A.
Brewers: Jesús Made, SS/2B (No. 1/MLB No. 3)
Let’s get it out of the way. Made will be the No. 1 overall prospect by the fall. That isn’t a hot take for someone two spots away right now (with two probable 2026 graduates ahead of him), but Made will earn it as a switch-hitter who can hit for average and power and steal plenty of bags. If you want a hotter take, Made will get more Triple-A playing time than Jackson Chourio did in his age-19 season (six games) and put himself in strong position for an early 2027 debut.
Cardinals: Rainiel Rodriguez, C (No. 3/MLB No. 37)
The owner of a .596 slugging percentage through his first two Minor League seasons, Rodriguez has turned himself into one of the most prominent power-hitting prospects in the game very quickly. He clobbered 20 homers in only 84 games in 2025, and you can bet he’s eager for an encore. In 2026, Rodriguez will lead all Minor League catchers in homers, finishing with at least 28 (which would have led the category last season).
Cubs: Ethan Conrad, OF (No. 3)
Conrad probably wouldn’t have lasted 16 picks into the 2025 Draft if he hadn’t dislocated his left (throwing) shoulder diving for a ball a month into his junior season at Wake Forest. When he makes his pro debut this year, he’ll make an immediate impact by giving the Cubs a 20-homer, 20-stolen base Minor Leaguer for the fifth straight season. He’ll follow in the footsteps of B.J. Murray (2025), Matt Shaw (2024), Pete Crow-Armstrong (2023), Alexander Canario and Jake Slaughter (both 2022).
Pirates: Konnor Griffin, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 1)
While it’s been fun seeing all the buzz surrounding Griffin, the top prospect in the game, this spring, fans ain’t seen nothing yet from the 19-year-old phenom. Sure, he’s hit three homers this spring and shown off all five of his outstanding tools in glimpses. After a first full season in which he hit 21 homers and stole 65 bases while reaching Double-A as a teenager, predicting that he’ll go 20/20 in 2026 isn’t exactly a big reach, but we’re putting a marker down now to say he’s going to do it in the big leagues.
Reds: Sal Stewart, INF (No. 1/MLB No. 22)
After Stewart came up to the big leagues last year, posted an OPS of .839 over 18 games while leading the Reds with five homers in September, we figured it was a slam dunk he’d be on the Opening Day roster. The signing of Eugenio Suárez made things a little crowded for a minute, but Stewart has cemented things by hitting .308/.400/577 over his first 10 Cactus League games, and he’ll be the Reds’ first baseman. This guy hits wherever he goes and it’s not going to stop, with him contending for the NL batting title in 2026.
D-backs: Kayson Cunningham, SS (No. 2)
The Arizona system only claims one Top 100 prospect now in outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt (No. 59), who seems likely to graduate this summer. No matter, this is a deeper system than him alone, and the organization will finish the season with at least three Top 100 prospects with Kayson Cunningham, Slade Caldwell, Demetrio Crisantes and JD Dix all prime candidates. In other words, the D-backs’ love of players with strong hit tools will pay off.
Dodgers: Kendall George, OF (No. 14)
After pilfering 72 bases in his final 53 games last season to lead the Minor Leagues with 100 swipes, George will clear the century mark at a more leisurely pace in 2026 and finish with 108 steals. The 2023 supplemental first-rounder may be the fastest player in the Minors and will become the first player at that level to reach 100 steals in consecutive seasons since Billy Hamilton in 2011-12.
Giants: Josuar Gonzalez, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 44)
Though the Giants currently have two Top 100 prospects and first baseman Bryce Eldridge will graduate to the Majors this year, they’ll lead all of baseball with seven Top 100 dudes at the conclusion of the season. Besides incumbent Gonzalez, candidates to join him include fellow shortstops Luis Hernández, Jhonny Level and Gavin Kilen; outfielders Dakota Jordan and Bo Davidson; left-hander Jacob Bresnahan; and the No. 4 overall choice in the 2026 Draft.
Padres: Ethan Salas, C (No. 2)
Salas’ struggles both at the plate and with his health (primarily a stress reaction in his back last year) have been widely told at this point, but the Padres believe the 19-year-old backstop can still be at least a special defender in the Majors. By getting healthy and picking up the at-bats needed for an offensive turnaround, Salas will post an OPS above .750 in his return to Double-A and push his way back onto the Top 100.
Rockies: Charlie Condon, 1B (No. 2/MLB No. 70)
Things have not exactly gone according to plan since Condon was the No. 3 pick in the 2024 Draft after putting up otherworldy numbers en route to winning the Golden Spikes Award at Georgia. Injuries have played a huge part with a hand issue hampering him during his pro debut and then a broken wrist suffered last spring shelving him early, and sapping him of strength for much of the season. He hit well in the Arizona Fall League last year but without power, and he has a career 26.9 percent K rate in his Minor League career. We think he’s turning the page now, though, and he’s going to use his outstanding Cactus League showing (.400/.448/800 with three homers over 29 plate appearances) as a springboard into the 2026 season, hitting at least 30 homers at the upper levels this season.

Blue Jays World Series Hero Issues Stern Warning Over “Criminal” Move as MLB Stares at Possible Work Stoppage

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MLB is facing the lockout challenge, and as the current CBA is set to end by December 2026, time is ticking. According to former Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt, MLB and the players’ union are on the verge of making a ‘criminal’ mistake that could derail the sport’s momentum. His proposed solution is simple, but one the league has historically failed to execute.
“For years, we’ve fought to get growth in our game, and for years we’ve fought to have the fans love this sport and do everything we possibly can. And then for this to possibly get in the way would be insane. It would be criminal.” Bassitt responded as Foul Territory’s A. J. Pierzynski said, “Let’s start negotiating for real right now. Why? Why don’t they?”
The upcoming CBA negotiations are projected to be dominated by a few disagreements, like the salary cap. So, getting the discussions underway well ahead of the deadline could make all the difference.
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Chris Bassitt believes negotiations should start sooner rather than later, as he believes that dragging things out only increases the risk of a lockout. He even compared it to how teams often wait until the last possible moment to make arbitration offers to players. And with baseball currently growing at a strong pace (+27% rise in 2025 playoff viewership), starting the negotiations now might be the best way to make sure a lockout doesn’t interrupt that momentum.
“I mean, that’s literally the thing that would piss me off,” Bassitt said when talking about the possibility of delayed negotiations behind the scenes. In his view, putting off the talks until the deadline gets close would almost guarantee trouble, and that’s why he called it “criminal.”
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Pierzynski also agrees because one of the biggest sticking points in the next CBA negotiations would be the idea of a salary cap. Interestingly, Pierzynski sees this less as a direct fight between players and owners and more as an issue among the franchises themselves.
Reportedly, big-market teams like the Dodgers and Yankees invest big in players and end up paying luxury tax penalties. For instance, the Dodgers have paid $169.4 million in MLB luxury tax for the 2025 season. Small-market teams like the Pirates and Marlins receive this payment, along with the TV rights revenue share, to maintain competitive equality. However, they are mostly accused of not spending enough on the players.
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Hence, as per Pierzynski, the salary cap is more of a fight between the franchises to stop the free flow of revenue.
Still, whether that actually becomes part of the next deal will ultimately depend on how MLB owners and the MLBPA manage to find common ground during the negotiations, and that’s rarely a quick or easy process. Therefore, as Bassitt stated, begin negotiations now to prevent a last-minute lockout.
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Chris Bassitt is not buying the concept of the salary cap
Even though the idea of a salary cap keeps getting pushed as a solution, Chris Bassitt isn’t convinced, and his opinion matters. That’s largely because he’s part of the subcommittee for the MLBPA. So what he says often reflects how the union is thinking.
Now, Bassitt has been pretty clear about where he stands. In his view, bringing in a salary cap “doesn’t fix anything.” Reports suggest that MLB owners are likely to push hard for one when the current CBA expires in December, hoping it will slow down the massive spending and free flow of money across the league.
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However, as per Bassitt, MLB still enjoys one of the best competitive equities compared to some other leagues, despite teams like the Dodgers and Mets being miles ahead in spending.
So, we are all certain that the upcoming CBA negotiations will witness some bad blood between the owners and the MLBPA regarding the salary cap. No matter whether the negotiations are set to begin now or later, tensions are inevitable. Still, starting the negotiations early would help both parties to buy out some time before the 2027 season starts.

Icons Juan Marichal, King Félix help kick off DR-Venezuela heavyweight matchup in style

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MIAMI — The Dominican Republic and Venezuela both brought out a legendary pitcher from their country to kick off their matchup at the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday.
First, Juan Marichal — MLB’s first Dominican-born Hall of Famer — threw out the ceremonial first pitch at loanDepot park.
Then Venezuelan Cy Young Award winner Félix Hernández delivered the game ball to the mound before his countrymen took the field for the top of the first inning.
Wednesday’s game between the D.R. and Venezuela, who have met many times at the World Baseball Classic over the years, will determine who wins Pool D of the 2026 Classic.
The 88-year-old Marichal still has his iconic windup, and the energy to match the young Dominican superstars on the 2026 WBC team. The Giants legend was recently captured dancing in the D.R. clubhouse after the team’s win over Israel on Monday to clinch a spot in the WBC quarterfinals.
King Félix is one of the greatest Venezuelan pitchers in MLB history, along with current Team Venezuela pitching coach Johan Santana. Hernández has the most wins (169) and strikeouts (2,524) of any Venezuelan-born pitcher, along with his 2010 Cy Young Award with the Mariners and six All-Star selections.

Padres’ Manny Machado Makes Feelings Known About ABS Challenge System

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Major League Baseball has implemented an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System in 2026, allowing players to challenge balls and strikes calls for the first time in the sport’s history.
The ABS Challenge System has been tested in the minor league since 2022, and is finally making its way to the MLB regular season. Major Leaguers had the opportunity to try it out during last year’s spring training, and again this season ahead of Opening Day.
Only three players — the pitcher, catcher and batter — are allowed to challenge a call, and it must come immediately after the pitch without any assistance from the dugout. Each team gets two challenges, but a successful challenge is retained. Thus, players need to be sure about their challenge to not risk hurting their team later in the game.
Players have had mixed reviews regarding the change this spring. San Diego Padres superstar Manny Machado is among those that don’t seem to be in favor of it.
“I don’t like it,

Fernando Tatis Jr. delivers bat flip of the year during World Baseball Classic

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Fernando Tatis Jr. has managed to produce the bat flip of the year … even before the start of the MLB season.
The San Diego Padres star Tatis was suited up for his native Dominican Republic during Wednesday’s World Baseball Classic game against Venezuela in Pool D play. In the fourth inning at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla., Tatis came up to bat with runners on the corners and two outs.
Tatis tattooed a 1-1 offering from Venezuela’s Antonio Senzatela into the left-field seats for a three-run home run to give the Dominican Republic a commanding 7-3 lead. But perhaps even better than the dinger was the bat flip that Tatis uncorked.
In the same motion after launching the pitch from Senzatela, Tatis helicoptered his bat down the third-base line. The bat then landed on the dirt with a dramatic thud as the local crowd in Miami roared in approval.
Here is the video.

Netflix’s plans big splash for MLB Opening Night

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Details have started to emerge about Netflix’s plans for MLB Opening Night, and the streaming giant apparently wants to make a splash with its baseball debut.
Literally.
Netflix reportedly plans to station 73 red kayaks in McCovey Cove behind Oracle Park’s right field wall for the March 25 game between the Giants and Yankees that marks the official start of MLB’s regular season.
The plan, first reported by the San Francisco Standard, is an homage to Barry Bonds’ single-season home run record the Giants legendary slugger set during the 2001 season.
Nine of Bonds’ 73 bombs that season reached the San Francisco Bay — and 35 of the 108 ever hit by a Giant, despite only playing seven seasons in a ballpark that celebrated its 25th birthday last year.
Bonds, who rarely grants interviews, has been rumored to be targeted by Netflix to appear as an analyst on the broadcast. His name was not among the seven members of the broadcast team revealed on Wednesday, but the announcement did tease an eighth, yet-to-be-named “special guest.”
Matt Vasgersian, recently named the voice of the weekly Sunday morning game on Peacock/NBC, will provide play-by-play with popular former players from each side serving as color analysts.
Hunter Pence will provide the Giants’ perspective, while CC Sabathia will represent the Yankees. Pence, a folk hero from the Giants’ World Series dynasty, still lives in San Francisco and has done commentary for NBC Sports Bay Area, as well as Apple TV. Sabathia went in to the Hall of Fame wearing a Yankees cap, but he was born and raised in Vallejo, about 30 miles northeast of Oracle Park.
The broadcast will also feature a live set on site hosted by Elle Duncan with another Hall of Famer, Albert Pujols, commentating with Anthony Rizzo, the former Yankees and Cubs first baseman. Lauren Shehadi will report from the field and the teams’ dugouts, and comedian Bert Kreischer will reprise his role from Netflix’s NFL broadcast.
The streamer made football its first foray into the major American sports market when it aired its first Christmas Day game in 2024. With its global audience, Netflix has recently been speculated as a natural landing spot for the NFL’s increased slate of international games.
Netflix’s baseball strategy appears to follow its football footprint, targeting high-profile keystone events.
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In addition to Opening Night, Netflix acquired the rights through 2028 to air the Home Run Derby and one “special event” per season, beginning this year with the Field of Dreams game set for Aug. 13.
The Bay Area-based company appears to be going above and beyond the typical broadcast.
According to the Standard, Netflix will also host a “pop-up bullpen,” where fans can test their arms. The kayaks, branded in Netflix red, will reportedly be available for use by fans.
McCovey Cove, one of the sport’s iconic attractions, figures to be on center stage.
Whether Netflix gets its wish and truly makes a splash remains to be seen. The water sits about 20 feet behind a 25-foot brick wall in right field, and San Francisco’s marine layer only adds another obstacle.

MLB 2026 World Baseball Classic quarterfinal matchups

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Eight teams — two from each pool — are still alive in their pursuit of a WBC title as the event takes on a tournament-style, single-elimination format. The quarterfinals begin with a two-game slate on Friday, with two more games to follow on Saturday.
Right now, two of those matchups are set. Team USA will take on Canada on Friday night (8 p.m. ET, FOX), while Italy battles Puerto Rico on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, FS1).
The other two quarterfinal matchups will be finalized later on Wednesday night, contingent on the result of the Pool D game between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
How they got here: Canada clinched the top spot in Pool A with a 7-2 win over Cuba on Wednesday, finishing pool play with a 3-1 record. That was tied with Puerto Rico for first place in Pool A, but Canada’s win over Puerto Rico on Tuesday gave the Canadians the head-to-head tiebreaker. Canada began pool play with a win over Colombia on Saturday before suffering a one-run loss to Panama on Sunday, its lone blemish in the tournament thus far.
The U.S. tore through pool play with three wins in as many games before a surprising loss to Italy on Tuesday. Team USA out-scored its first three opponents by a total of 20 runs, but faced potential elimination before Italy’s win over Mexico on Wednesday pushed the Americans through to the quarterfinals.
What’s at stake: This is the first time that Canada has qualified for the WBC quarterfinals, and the national team will look to keep this magical ride going with another monumental victory. On the other hand, the Americans are still alive in their quest for a third-consecutive championship game appearance. The winner of this game will advance to the semifinals to play the winner of Venezuela/Dominican Republic vs. Korea on Sunday.
Matchup history: It’s been 20 years since Canada’s lone win over the U.S. in a WBC contest, an 8-6 game that came as part of Pool B play back in the inaugural Classic in 2006. The U.S. beat Canada in pool play in each of the next four tournaments, with 2026 marking the first WBC in which the two North American neighbors fell into separate pools. Most recently, in 2023, the U.S. drubbed Canada 12-1 in a game that ended in seven innings because of the run rule.
How they got here: Puerto Rico finished as the runner-up in Pool A with a 3-1 record in pool play, losing out to Canada on a head-to-head tiebreaker. Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Canadians was Team Rubio’s only defeat, as Puerto Rico won its three other games in pool play, including a dramatic 10-inning victory over Panama in walk-off fashion.
Italy’s stunning 8-6 win over the U.S. highlighted a 4-0 record in Pool B play, booking Italy a trip to the quarterfinals for the second straight WBC. On Wednesday, Italy closed out pool play with a historic 9-1 win over Mexico, headlined by a three-homer game from first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino — the first three-homer game in Classic history.
What’s at stake: Puerto Rico will look to improve on its 2023 WBC run, which ended with a crushing loss to Mexico in the quarterfinals. Puerto Rico is hoping that this trip to the quarterfinals results in another trip to the title game, as it did in 2013 and 2017.
Meanwhile, this is the third time that Italy has advanced past pool play. It’s still looking to win a game in the quarterfinals. The winner of this quarterfinal showdown will advance to the semifinals to play the winner of Japan vs. Dominican Republic/Venezuela on Monday.
Matchup history: Puerto Rico and Italy faced off in WBC play in both 2013 and 2017, with Puerto Rico coming out on top both times. In the first matchup between the two countries, Puerto Rico’s 4-3 win in a second-round elimination contest set the stage for an improbable run to the championship game. The two were both part of Pool D in the 2017 Classic, with Puerto Rico beating Italy 9-3 en route to finishing in first place in pool play.

Falefa was out by feet in Dodgers’ controversial World Series Game 7 play

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For months, the play had been argued, analyzed and debated in baseball’s collective memory.
Frame by frame. A lifted spike. A desperate slide.
Blue Jays fans stare at the replay the way gamblers stare at dice still rolling across the felt, convinced that somehow the outcome might change if they watch long enough.
Baseball fans argue that Isiah Kiner-Falefa should have taken a bigger lead. Their anger and ire directed at him until he revealed it was the third base coach who drew a line in the dirt and told him how big of a lead to take.
Millions watched from home believing that the outcome of the 2025 World Series was determined by inches.
Now MLB has delivered the final verdict — and it’s not even close.
According to a recently released MLB report provided to The Associated Press, the infamous Game 7 play at the plate between the Dodgers and Blue Jays wasn’t decided by inches, a sliding foot or the controversial moment when Dodgers catcher Will Smith briefly lifted his spike off home plate.
Kiner-Falefa was already dead in the water.
“After reviewing all relevant angles, the replay official definitively determined the catcher’s foot was touching the plate when the ball contacted the interior of his mitt,” MLB wrote in the report.
Translation: The out happened the instant Miguel Rojas’ throw smacked Smith’s glove.
Three feet before Kiner-Falefa ever arrived.
The play itself unfolded like chaos wrapped in tension. Bases loaded. One out. Bottom of the ninth in a 4-4 Game 7. Blue Jays third base coach Carlos Febles had drawn a conservative line in the dirt, telling Kiner-Falefa not to stray too far from third while Yoshinobu Yamamoto battled Daulton Varsho at the plate.
Varsho chopped a grounder. Rojas briefly stumbled at second before firing home. Smith caught it. The plate umpire barked the call: out.
“I just cared that he was out,” Smith said later.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider admitted the moment may haunt him forever.
“I’ll think about it until the day I leave this earth,” Schneider said.
But the numbers don’t lie. The replay doesn’t, either.
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The Blue Jays didn’t lose the World Series by inches.
They lost it by 3 feet.
And hours later, Smith crushed the exclamation point — a towering home run in the 11th inning that helped seal the Dodgers’ second straight championship, while the most argued play in baseball history quietly slipped from controversy into cold, hard fact.
The California Post recently asked Smith if he had gone back to watch the play.
“I honestly haven’t rewatched it,” said Smith, who admitted he’s afraid the outcome might change if he did.
Now he doesn’t have to worry about that.

Oldest MLB players in 2026

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Marking your age by how it compares to MLB players is a risky proposition; I’m still reeling from the fact that Placido Polanco — a former big leaguer who was born on Oct. 10, 1975, the same day as me — has been retired since 2013. But life moves on, inexorably, regardless.
The good news for wretches like us is that there still are some old guys hanging around. Now that the season is upon us, we take our annual look at the 10 oldest players in MLB. To qualify for this list, players simply must be in a Major League camp, even if they’re currently injured. (And we old people know how it is to always feel injured.)
Not included on this list are some players who recently concluded their careers or who remain free agents in need of a team. That group includes the likes of Justin Turner, Wade Miley, Yuli Gurriel, Adam Ottavino, and, of course, Rich Hill, who at age 46, says he’s not searching for a team but is also not officially retired … which means there’s still a chance!
Verlander hasn’t done that since August 2017; he has won two World Series rings and two Cy Young Awards since then. He won’t be expected to win any more of the latter this time around, but that won’t be necessary with Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez alongside him in the rotation.
Verlander is second all-time in Tigers history in strikeouts, seventh in wins, eighth in innings pitched and ninth in bWAR (second among pitchers). It will be very, very cool to see him get to add to those numbers … and maybe even have a chance to get one of those rings for his original team, which would be its first in 42 years.
Scherzer actually had a pretty rough 2025, putting up a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts for the Jays, but no one remembers that now because he was so vital during their run to the World Series. Obviously, the Jays, wanting to get back there and win it this time, weren’t too concerned about the regular-season results.
First off, can we talk about how wild it is that there are no 40-year-old position players in baseball anymore? That’s sort of a shame: Some of our favorite memories are from graybeard dudes launching baseballs deep into the night like they’re beer-league softballs.
Santana had the worst offensive season of his career in 2025, putting up a career-low .308 OBP, nearing 50 points below his career average of .352. If he puts that up again in 2026, he is unlikely to be back in 2027. But the Diamondbacks signed him, hoping there’s still some oomph in that bat — he’s 15 homers away from 350 for his career.
Martin was, as always, effective last year. He put up a 2.98 ERA in 49 games for the Rangers, who happily brought him back on a one-year, $4 million deal. Is there any reason to think he can’t keep doing this for another decade? He should have plenty of bullets left: He has never once, in his 10 big league seasons, thrown more than 56 innings.
Darvish gets an asterisk on this list because he will miss the 2026 season after undergoing right elbow surgery in November. He did push back on reports that he was retiring and voiding his contract, so he remains on this list for now, although “for now” seems like the key phrase there. If Darvish doesn’t void the contract or retire, remember that he still has two more years on the six-year contract the Padres signed him to before the 2023 season.
We actually waited to update this list from last year until we know Cutch was going to be back: We put it together as soon as he signed his Minor League contract with the Rangers. It’s still a little bit of a shame he won’t play with the Pirates this year, but there remains life in that bat, with a .700 OPS last year. He will get playing time against lefties, and we’re grateful: We are not ready to say goodbye to him yet.
It just wouldn’t be a list of old baseball players if it didn’t have at least one Met on it. García has appeared in 603 career games in relief but has only 17 saves, which is the sort of odd achievement that tends to be a commonality among players who stick around a long time. It’s as if the best way to last as a reliever is not to have everybody staring at you at the end of every game.
Thielbar made his debut in 2013 and pitched three seasons with the Twins before bouncing around the Minors and independent leagues for five years. He finally returned during the COVID season in 2020. He hasn’t left since, and 2025 was the best year of his career, with a 2.64 ERA in 67 appearances for the Cubs. He does not have any career at-bats, but if he ever got one, he’d be one of the few right-handed-batting left-handed throwers in MLB history.
Carrasco is barely hanging on, a part of Braves camp as a non-roster invitee, though considering all the injuries that team is dealing with, opportunities keep presenting themselves for Carrasco, and any other pitcher in the Braves camp. He had a rough 2025 for both the Braves and the Yankees, with a 7.09 ERA in 11 games, nine of them starts, and it has now been a decade since he was receiving Cy Young votes. But considering what Carrasco has dealt with on and off the field, seeing him still hanging around the big leagues is undeniably inspiring.
It was 2019 when Yates had a league-leading 41 saves and finished ninth in Cy Young voting, but he’s never been better than he was in 2024. At the age of 37, he had 33 saves and a 1.17 ERA for the Rangers.

OL Trey Pipkins agrees to return to Chargers

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Drafted in 2013, Geno Smith was the Jets’ starting quarterback for both of his first two years in the NFL. That ended after he was sucker punched by linebacker IK Enemkpali in the locker room during August 15.
Since then, the Jets have had 13 different starting quarterbacks. (Technically, Smith started one game in 2016, his last year with the Jets.)
They were: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty, Josh McCown, Sam Darnold, Luke Falk, Trevor Siemian, Joe Flacco, Mike White, Tim Boyle, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook.
Now, Geno returns. (Unless the Jets back out of the trade with the Jets.) He’ll presumably be the starter again.
Their next moves remain to be seen. Fields presumably will be cut. They may draft someone. They may sign another veteran. (Fields and Cook are the only two currently under contract.)
Geno Smith will be the guy, until further notice. And they got him for only $3.3 million in 2026.

Steelers Sign Safety Darnell Savage to Bargain Deal: Report

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2026 will be a different season for Ryan Day because his staff is markedly different this year. He has a mix of old and new coaches in his camp, making this year a bigger experiment for him. To make their time in Columbus more worthwhile, Ohio State is going big on the financial front.
According to Eleven Warriors, OSU football will be paying $15.3 million in total to its assistant coaches, the program’s largest such total ever. The figure notably includes the contract extension of defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, hiring Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, and salary hikes of the other assistant coaches. It is a $3.5 million jump from the $11.775 million spent in 2025.
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Matt Patricia will make $3.75 million for the 2026 season, followed by a raise to $3.85 million in 2027 and 2028 in his new contract, which is worth $11.45 million in total. His base salary for the 2026 season dethrones Jim Knowles as the highest-paid assistant coach, who is earning $3.1 million at Tennessee. The heights Patricia reached last year were a defensive masterclass for everyone in the league.
Ohio State finished No. 1 nationally in both scoring and total defense, allowing a stingy 9.3 points per game. Most of the Buckeyes heading to the draft are defensive stars, like Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, and Arvell Reese. All of this brilliance was why the NFL wanted him back; Athletic Director Ross Bjork said that there were “touch-and-go” moments in his fight to retain Patricia.
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New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will reportedly make $1.5 million in 2026, as part of a two-year contract. It increases to $2 million in 2027. Head coach Ryan Day might be hoping for him to follow the Matt Patricia trajectory in Columbus, as Smith is a 17-year NFL veteran. This one is also a bigger gamble than OSU hiring Patricia, since Smith replaces Brian Hartline, a staple figure in the offensive staff.
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Next, OSU offered new two-year contracts to Keenan Bailey (co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach), James Laurinaitis (linebackers coach), Carlos Locklyn (running backs coach), and Billy Fessler (quarterbacks coach). The 2026 salary chart sees Bailey leading at $1 million after a $350K raise and Laurinaitis jumping to $900,000 with a $400,000 increase. Fessler is hitting $750,000 with a $275,000 bump, and Locklyn is reaching $700,000 with a $50,000 raise. In 2027, Bailey rises again to $1.1 million, while the others add $50,000 more.
Tim Walton (co-defensive coordinator and secondary) will be earning $1.8 million; his pay remains unchanged. Matt Guerrieri (defensive pass game coordinator and safeties coach) and Tyler Bowden (offensive line coach and run game coordinator) will be earning $1 million each, which is $100,000 more than what they earned last year.
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OSU does not compromise when it comes to quality, and that rings true even when it comes to coaches. However, a bad memory from the past could be why Ryan Day is breaking the bank for his assistants to remain happy at Columbus.
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A heartbreak behind Ryan Day’s big pay strategy for Ohio State staff
It has been a trend for Day to increase the salary of the coaches. Back in 2023, Brian Hartline landed the biggest salary jump on the Ohio State Buckeyes football staff. After taking over as offensive coordinator from Kevin Wilson, Hartline’s base pay climbed to $1.6 million, a 68.4% surge from his 2022 salary. However, in one case, Day failed to come up with an offer that would have saved Ohio State from parting with former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
Kelly was set to earn roughly 6 million in his 3-year contract with the Buckeyes. But after OSU won the National Championship, the Las Vegas Raiders came up with an offer for Day’s coach as their new offensive coordinator. The base pay alone was 6 million, which prompted Kelly to bid Columbus goodbye. It made Kelly the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL.
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Moreover, Kelly’s contract didn’t turn out to be value-for-money for Day. The former coach’s offense struggled at times in the 2024 season, especially in the Michigan game. Kelly was also fired by the Raiders in 2025. Ryan Day is also paying Arthur Smith less than what he paid Kelly.
Ohio State, however, has fared well since Chip Kelly’s departure. Though it was yet again without an offensive coordinator after the 2025 season, Ryan Day was not going to make the mistake he made with Kelly. He got a better coach in Arthur Smith, and will not back out from fighting to keep the better coaches on his staff.

Ex-Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Linked to Surprise NFL Team

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The Chargers are re-signing veteran offensive lineman Trey Pipkins to a two-year, $10 million deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. Pipkins can earn up to $12M with playtime incentives.
Pipkins, 29, arrived with the team as a third-round pick in 2019. He has spent his entire seven-year career with the Chargers.
In 2025, Pipkins played 13 games, starting 10, on an injury-plagued offensive line. Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are returning from season-ending injuries, so Pipkins’ return provides the Chargers with insurance.
He has appeared in 97 games, with 66 starts, in his career.
Pipkins has played 4,459 offensive snaps.

Chargers Retain 2025 Starting Tackle On $10 Million Contract

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The Pittsburgh Steelers found safety depth in former first-round pick Darnell Savage late on Tuesday night. Savage also came for a bargain price.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Steelers agreed to a 1-year deal with Savage. Over the Cap, per Steelers Depot, added the contract will have a base salary of $1.3 million.
That’s the league minimum for the 2026 season.
Savage will also receive a $187,500 signing bonus and possess about a $1.26 cap hit for 2026.
Just two years ago, Savage was a starting safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last year, he appeared in 12 contests for the Jaguars, Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills.
The Green Bay Packers selected Savage at No. 21 overall in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent his first five seasons with the Packers before joining the Jaguars in 2024.

Baltimore Ravens stunningly back out of Maxx Crosby trade with Raiders

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The Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Kirk Cousins had a lengthy history together from 2018 to 2023, but as they say, all good things must come to an end, and they cut ties in March of 2024. Now, Cousins finds himself a free agent again, following a short stint with the Atlanta Falcons.
So, Cousins is a free agent, and he’s one of a handful of veteran quarterbacks still available to sign. That puts him in an elite category, and he’s getting interest from a range of teams. One of those teams is surprising.
Cousins was first drafted by the Washington Redskins, now the Commanders, in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft as the 102nd overall pick out of Michigan State University. After leaving the Vikings, he signed a four-year, $180 million contract, with the Falcons, according to Spotrac research.
With those numbers, he’s not a a “value pick,” as they say. But, he certainly adds value.
Kirk Cousins Projected to Land With Team That’s Currently in Quarterback Limbo
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers is coming back for another season, and it’s pretty much expected that he’ll be back. But, why go through the drama of waiting if there’s another seasoned quarterback available who’s willing to jump in right away?
“They’re supposedly waiting for Aaron Rodgers,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes in a Tuesday, March 10 feature. “If they do for the rest of the week, they’ll likely miss out on multiple affordable options — like Geno Smith, who could possibly be had for $1.3 million. Other potential candidates include Kirk Cousins.”
According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, the team is seriously looking at Cousins. “Former Vikings playoff quarterback Kirk Cousins is among the top options for Pittsburgh if Rodgers is not back, according to league sources, while the team is legitimately high on the upside of second-year quarterback Will Howard as well,” La Canfora stated in a Sports Boom report.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has also said Kirk Cousins is a “definitely” an option for the Steelers, according to sports personality Andrew Fillipponi, if Aaron Rodgers decides to not play for them in 2026.
Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings is Another Option
In a March 4 feature in Essentially Sports, via Yahoo News, Luke Hubbard predicts where a handful of NFL free agents will land, and for Cousins, he predicts that he’ll be back in Minnesota.
The Vikings certainly don’t have full faith in quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who had a shaky second year with the team in 2025. In the story, Hubbard notes that even though he’s “not sure exactly where Cousins and the Vikings stand relationship-wise” that it’s “hard to say this wouldn’t be a match made in heaven for both sides.”
“Cousins wants to be a starter again, and he wants to play for a team that’s ready to make a run at the Super Bowl in the next few years,” Hubbard adds. “The Vikings are the only team that really fits that bill. Maybe Pittsburgh, but with Rodgers likely returning, that doesn’t seem like a likely landing spot for Cousins.”
Hubbard brings up that the Vikings aren’t sold on McCarthy and “should be looking to bring someone else in to challenge McCarthy for the starting job.”

Chiefs Lose Super Bowl Hero to the Commanders

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The Los Angeles Chargers continue to revamp the offensive line in the 2026 NFL Free Agency.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero revealed that the Bolts have agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with tackle Trey Pipkins. The O-lineman can earn another $2 million with playing time incentives.
Pipkin, who has been with the Chargers his entire career, was a key member of the offensive line after the injuries to Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt (Alt, who plays on the right, switched to left tackle after Slater’s injury).
The offensive lineman has played all over the offensive line in his professional career and will likely become a depth piece if the Chargers are to be plagued by injuries again.
LA retaining Pipkins is the third offensive line move the Bolts have made this free agency, alongside signing center Tyler Biadasz and guard Cole Strange.
Trey Pipkins received a 58 pass block grade and a 42.7 run block grade from Pro Football Focus after the 2025 season. The lineman received a 42.7 overall grade from the publication, ranking Pipkin 84th out of 89 qualifying tackles.
Bolts Fail to Retain Starting Offensive Lineman
After the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line suffered many injuries in the 2025 season, retaining the best player on the squad would make sense.
Left guard Zion Johnson was among the better performers on a depleted O-line and having a healthy, revamped offensive front could help him perform better.
On the opening day of the free agency’s legal tampering period, Johnson signed a three-year, $48 million deal with the AFC North’s Cleveland Browns.
LA had the cap space to offer the guard a similar contract offer, but appears to have decided against it — the Bolts had one of the most cap spaces when free agency began.
There is still time to figure out the left guard spot, but with players getting snagged, it would be hard for Los Angeles to get a quality option unless they look at the upcoming draft.
Getting Back Starting Tackles
Mike McDaniel won’t have to worry about the offensive line as much in his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, as mentioned, both suffered season-ending injuries, leaving the O-line heavily impeded.
Both players will return healthy next season and provide Justin Herbert some protection off the edges.
Slater is a two-time Pro Bowl and signed a $114 million deal in the offseason before the 2025 season. Alt played in 6 games for the Chargers this season and earned a Pro Bowl nod, showcasing his capability to be one of the better protectors in the league.
With a healthy offensive line with McDaniel as playcaller, the Bolts offense appears to be lining up for success.

No Maxx Crosby trade? What now for NFL free agency, Ravens, Raiders

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The Kansas City Chiefs formed an all-time class in the 2022 NFL Draft. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, defensive end George Karlaftis, safety Bryan Cook, linebacker Leo Chenal, cornerback Joshua Williams, cornerback Jaylen Watson, and running back Isiah Pacheco made an immediate impact as rookies. That group was crucial to the Chiefs winning back-to-back Super Bowls in 2022 and 2023.
Now, only Karlaftis remains in Kansas City. He signed an extension last July. So far this offseason, there has been a mass exodus in Kansas City. The Chiefs agreed to trade All-Pro McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams last week, and Watson agreed to terms with the Rams when the legal tampering window opened on Monday. Impending free agents Cook agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals, Williams agreed to join the Tennessee Titans, and Pacheco is on his way to Detroit.
Chenal completed the pattern on Tuesday evening. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Chenal will sign a three-year, $24.75 million contract with the Washington Commanders. Chenal emerged as a stalwart in Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. The 25-year-old consistently shot gaps and helped shut down the running game. He also came up huge in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII and LVIII wins.
Against Philadelphia in Super Bowl LVI, Chenal recorded six tackles (four solo), one sack, and one tackle for loss. Against San Francisco in Super Bowl LVIII, Chenal forced 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey to fumble on the opening drive, and he blocked an extra point that would have put San Francisco up 20-16 in the fourth quarter. Chenal will also be remembered for blocking a last-second field goal to cement a 16-14 win over Denver in November 2024.
As for the Commanders’ perspective, Chenal injects youth into what was the league’s oldest roster last season. So far during the legal tampering window, Washington has made a concerted effort to remake the oft-injured group that ranked at the bottom of the league across the board in 2025.

Two of NHL’s biggest players square off to fight in Bruins-Kings game

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BOSTON — The was a lot of swinging, a little jawing and not much connecting when two of the NHL’s biggest guys squared off to fight on Tuesday at TD Garden.
It’s unclear exactly what Nikita Zadorov was riled up about in Boston’s game against the Kings. After a collision near the blue that sent he and Taylor Ward sprawling, the Bruins defenseman got up and went after Samuel Helenius, one of the few Los Angeles players in his weight class.
The 6-foot-7 Russian defenseman and the 6-foot-6 forward from Texas each used their left arms to prevent the other from getting off any clean swings with their right hands creating a tangled tango that the officials eventually broke up.
The five minute infraction with 6:35 left in the second brought Zadorov’s league-leading penalty minute total to 132.

Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer, Ryan Pulock relying on each other

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ST. LOUIS — The night before he made his NHL debut, Matthew Schaefer followed Ryan Pulock back to his hotel room after dinner.
They were talking about nothing and everything, the 31-year-old Pulock asking the 18-year-old Schaefer how excited he was to play his first game the next night.
Schaefer, who is thinking about getting a tattoo, then asked Pulock about his tattoo: a Maple Leaf over his heart with two hockey sticks. He has it in memory of his brother, Brock, who died at 13 years old after injuries sustained in a car crash. Ryan was in the backseat.
He’s told the story publicly before, but not often. Schaefer didn’t know it. Ryan, well aware of Schaefer’s own experience with losing his mother, recounted it.

Sharks unable to overcome defensive woes in loss to Buffalo Sabres

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The San Jose Sharks’ top priority if they want to continue challenging for a playoff spot down the stretch is keeping the puck out of their net.
The Sharks’ game Tuesday night against one of the NHL’s best teams was pretty much a disaster in that regard, as they allowed two goals in both the first and second periods and an especially deflating one early in the third in a 6-3 loss to the red-hot Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.
Macklin Celebrini, Kiefer Sherwood, and Alex Wennberg all scored for the Sharks, with Sherwood’s goal at the 19:29 mark of the second period cutting the Sabres’ lead to 4-2, giving San Jose some life.
But the Sharks, caught running around in their own zone, allowed a second goal to Jack Quinn 33 seconds into the third period and never fully recovered as they opened a five-game road trip with their third straight loss. Quinn completed the hat-trick, the first of his NHL career, with an empty-net goal with 2:46 to play as the Sabres won their eighth straight game.
Celebrini’s goal, his 33rd of the season, gave him 90 points on the season, and Sherwood set a new career-high with his 20th goal of the season.
The Sharks gave up an odd-man rush on Quinn’s first goal to open the scoring in the first period, and allowed net-front goals to Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker in the first and second periods, respectively. A Sam Dickinson puck-handling miscue also led to a Beck Malenstyn goal early in the second period.
The Sharks now have a goal differential of -26 on the season, and were 29th in the NHL in goals allowed per game (3.46) before Tuesday.
The Sharks trailed 2-1 after an entertaining first period that also featured two fights and a highlight-reel play from the Sharks’ top line.
The Sharks allowed goals to Quinn and Tuch and trailed 2-0 after the opening 5:39, but started to find their game as the period went on.
William Eklund and Shakir Mukhamadullin each had quality scoring chances before a Celebrini forecheck caused Tuch’s errant pass inside the Buffalo zone. Will Smith pounced on the loose puck, and fed Celebrini, who won the race to the front of the net and beat Sabres goalie Alex Lyon.
Only four players have scored at least 90 points in one season for the Sharks. Joe Thornton had 114 in 2006-07, 96 in 2007-08, and 92 in 2005-06 when he joined the Sharks in November of that season. Jonathan Cheechoo had 93 points that year, and Erik Karlsson had 101 points in 2002-23 in his third Norris Trophy season.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is among the legion of coaches impressed by Celebrini, who entered Tuesday as the NHL’s fifth leading scorer involved in 47% of the Sharks’ 189 goals this season.
“He scares me,” Ruff said Tuesday morning. “Incredible talent. I watched him in the Olympics. He’s an unbelievably talented kid. He’s a team driver, can drive your offense, and is unbelievably competitive. He can make plays that a lot of people can’t make.
“We know he’s one of those guys you try to limit. You’re not going to take away his opportunities, but you’ve got to try to limit the really good opportunities, because he’s a game changer.”
This road trip is arguably the Sharks’ most challenging of the season, as every team the Sharks play, as of Tuesday, was either in a playoff spot or just outside.
It’s easily the most important.
The Sharks entered Tuesday one point back of the Seattle Kraken for the second and final wild card spot in the Western Conference. With a trip of .500 or better, the Sharks would put themselves in an ideal spot for the stretch run, with only four of their final 16 games coming against teams that are now in a playoff position.
A losing record on the trip, which continues with stops in Boston, Montreal, Ottawa, and Edmonton, and the Sharks risk losing ground in a tight Western Conference playoff race while adding more importance to their remaining games.
Askarov was coming off a 32-save performance in the Sharks’ 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday to close a six-game homestand. In four starts since the Olympic break, Askarov before Tuesday, was 2-1-1 with an .885 save percentage. This was Askarov’s first career start against the Sabres.
NOTABLE
The Sharks made one lineup change from Saturday’s loss, re-inserting forward Philipp Kurashev into the lineup with scratching Ryan Reaves. Kurashev was a surprise scratch against the Islanders, but started Tuesday’s game on a line with Alex Wennberg and Kiefer Sherwood.

Quinn gets 1st NHL hat trick, Sabres top Sharks for 8th win in row

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It was Quinn’s first four-point game in the NHL.
Rasmus Dahlin and Ryan McLeod each had three assists, and Jason Zucker had a goal and an assist for the Sabres (40-19-6), who have recorded multiple eight-game runs in a single season for the first time in their history. They won 10 straight from Dec. 9-31.
Alex Lyon made 18 saves.
Macklin Celebrini scored four the fourth straight game, and Alexander Wennberg had a goal and an assist for the Sharks (30-26-6), whose five-game point streak ended (3-0-2). Yaroslav Askarov made 20 saves.
Quinn gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead at 4:12 of the first period, burying a wrist shot under the bar from low in the right circle off a pass from Zucker on a 2-on-1. It was Quinn’s first goal in 13 games.
Alex Tuch tipped Dahlin’s point shot past Askarov blocker side to make it 2-0 at 5:39.
Celebrini cut it to 2-1 at 12:54. Will Smith intercepted Tuch’s clearing attempt and sent it over to Celebrini, who was alone in front to put a backhand under Lyon’s right arm.
Beck Malenstyn pushed it to 3-1 when he pushed a bouncing puck through Sam Dickinson’s legs, went around the defenseman to collect it and put it past Askarov’s glove at 4:59 of the second period.
With Askarov at the left of the crease following a save on a one-timer from Quinn, Zucker backhanded the rebound at the back door to increase it to 4-1 at 8:51.
Kiefer Sherwood narrowed it to 4-2 at 19:29 with a one-timer from the left circle that beat Lyon bar down on the far side for his NHL career-high 20th goal.
Quinn scored 42 seconds into the third, one-timing a feed from McLeod from the top of the slot past Askarov glove side to increase it to 5-2.
Wennberg backhanded a shot from his knees from the slot on the power play that went past Lyon’s right pad to cut it to 5-3 at 6:56.
Quinn completed the hat trick with an empty-net goal at 17:14 for the 6-3 final.

Oilers milestones: Draisaitl passes Messier for fourth in franchise games played, Frederic plays 400th NHL game

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A couple of players have hit some notable milestones.
When the puck dropped between the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, forward Leon Draisaitl officially dressed in the 852nd game of his NHL career, while fellow forward Trent Frederic appeared in the 400th game of his career in the big leagues.
Draisaitl’s appearance is notable, as he takes sole possession of fourth place in franchise history in games played, surpassing former Edmonton captain and Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier.
The German sniper was the third overall pick of the 2014 NHL Draft and has been an everyday part of the Oilers’ lineup since the 2015-16 season. Alongside captain Connor McDavid, the two have driven the franchise back to prominence and back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals.
Draisaitl became one of the NHL’s most lethal goal scorers, beginning with the 2018-19 campaign, when he reached 50 goals and 100 points for the first time. His persistent production has continued ever since. The Cologne native has reached the century mark in points six times in the past seven seasons, and is well on his way to hitting 100 points once again. He’s also scored 50 goals four times in his career, finally winning the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy last season, when he potted 52 goals in 71 games.
Draisaitl’s best year came in 2019-20, when he led the NHL with 110 points in the COVID-shortened season, earning the Art Ross and Hart Trophies, as well as the Ted Lindsay Award.
Draisaitl sits third all-time on the Oilers’ goal-scoring list with 433 goals and 1,048 points, and fourth in assists (615). This year, he has notched 34 goals and 58 assists for 92 points, sitting second behind McDavid in all categories.
Frederic came to the Oilers via trade with the Boston Bruins last March. He was brought in to provide a little depth and toughness for a team looking to get over the hump. He spent parts of over six seasons with the Bruins, having now appeared in 63 regular-season games with Edmonton, scoring four goals and five points so far this year.

Canadiens’ Lane Hutson sets record for most assists by NHL defenseman within first 150 games

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Hutson achieved the feat during Tuesday’s 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, doing so on the Canadiens second goal of the game with just over five minutes remaining in the first period. After Jakub Dobes handed the puck to Hutson behind the Montreal net, he skated the puck up the ice before handing the puck off to his defense partner, Kaiden Guhle, in the neutral zone. Guhle got the puck past center ice before dumping the puck in, but the puck took a weird bounce off of the boards and careened towards the slot for Phillip Danault to collect and bury past Joseph Woll, giving Montreal the 2-0 lead and the eventual game-winning goal.
In doing so, Hutson gets the 116th assist of his NHL career, giving him the most by an NHL defenseman within their first 150 games. He surpasses Hall-of-Fame defenseman Sergei Zubov to achieve the feat, as Zubov had 115 through his first 150 NHL games, all with the New York Rangers.
Hutson also has some room to add to that record, as he’s only played 147 career regular season games. The Canadiens next three games are Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators, Saturday against the San Jose Sharks and Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks.

Jonathan Quick close to matching NHL legend on all-time list

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A trying season for Jonathan Quick and the New York Rangers still includes some history for the veteran netminder. Quick’s shutout of the Calgary Flames moved further up the ladder on the NHL’s all-time list.
In the Rangers’ 4-0 blanking of the Flames, Quick, 40, saved all 21 shots sent his way.
Jonathan Quick will match a legend and Islanders head coach with his next shutout
He now has 65 shutouts for his career, placing him just one away from tying Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche legend and current New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy (66) for the 16th most.
The win marked Quick’s first since Jan. 26 and only his fifth of the season. His record improved to 5-15-2 when in the net for New York during the 2025-26 campaign.
Out of his five wins so far this season, two of them are shutouts, with the other coming back on Oct. 28 in Vancouver against the Canucks.
Jonathan Quick has a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration
In the midst of his 19th NHL season, Quick has 409 career regular-season wins, 49 more in the postseason, a cumulative goals-against average of 2.51, a .910 save percentage, three All-Star appearances, three Stanley Cups (two as a starter and one as a backup), a couple of William M. Jennings Trophy’s for giving up the fewest goals allowed and the 2012 Conn Smythe Award as playoff MVP.
It’s unclear how much longer Quick will play, but these shutouts show he can still turn back the clock occasionally.

Trophy Tracker: Makar, Werenski in close race for Norris as top defenseman

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At the quarter-point and halfway point of the NHL season, Cale Makar was the unanimous choice to win the Norris Trophy as the League’s best defenseman, according to an NHL.com poll. All 16 voters selected the Colorado Avalanche star to win.
But with the season hitting the three-quarter point last week, the race is as close at it gets. Makar remains the choice, but received seven of the 16 first-place votes and 80 total voting points, with Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets also receiving seven first-place votes and 79 points. Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild and Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers received the other first-place votes.

Saros makes 43 saves, Predators hand Kraken 3rd straight loss

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Tyson Jost and Reid Schaefer scored, Jonathan Marchessault had two assists, and Ryan Ufko scored his first NHL goal for the Predators (29-27-8), who have won two of their past three.
Kaapo Kakko and Matty Beniers scored for the Kraken (29-25-9). Joey Daccord had 23 saves.
Kakko put the Kraken up 1-0 at 2:14 of the first period. Shane Wright’s shot from the right face-off circle bounced off Saros’ right pad into the slot, and Kakko lifted the rebound into the net.
Beniers made is 2-0 at 9:46 when he roofed a shot over Saros’ left shoulder from a sharp angle below the right face-off circle.
Jost cut the deficit to 2-1 at 4:13 of the second period. Marchessault caught Fedor Svechkov in stride into the offensive zone, and Svechkov then sent a cross-ice pass to Jost in the left circle, where he beat a sprawling Daccord with a wrist shot to the blocker side.
Wright appeared to put Seattle up 3-1 at 9:46, but Ryker Evans’ skate caught a piece of Predators defenseman Nick Perbix and Evans slid into Saros before the puck went in.
Schaefer tied it 2-2 just 33 seconds later at 10:19. Matthew Wood drove past Kraken forward Ryan Winterton and slid the puck to the top of the crease, where Schaefer tapped it into an open net.
Ufko put Nashville ahead 3-2 at 14:25 with a highlight-reel goal. Following a face-off win in the left circle by Ryan O’Reilly, Marchessault collected the puck and fed it to Ufko at the blue line. Ufko danced through the Kraken defense before going backhand-forehand and tucked the puck around the left skate of Daccord.
Ufko, playing in his fourth NHL game, was recalled from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League on March 5 along with Schaefer and Svechkov.
Steven Stamkos scored an empty-net goal at 19:55 of the third period for the 4-2 final.

Ryan Ufko scores his first NHL goal as the Predators beat the Kraken 4-2

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SEATTLE (AP) — Ryan Ufko scored his first NHL goal with 5:35 to play in the second period to put the Nashville Predators ahead to stay in a 4-2 win over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night.
The rookie skated in from the right of the goal, dodged between two defenders and tucked the puck past Seattle goalie Joey Daccord to give the Predators a 3-2 lead and two critical points in their chase for a wild-card playoff spot. Right now the team is on the outside of the playoff picture.
Tyson Jost and Reid Schaefer also scored second-period goals to erase Seattle’s 2-0 first-period lead and Steve Stamkos added an empty-netter for his 31st goal of the season.
Jonathan Marchessault had a pair of assists for Nashville, which had lost four of its previous five, and Juuse Saros made 43 saves.
Kaapo Kakko scored just 2:14 into the game and Matty Beniers scored at 9:46 of the first period to give the Kraken a 2-0 lead. Beniers scored from a tough angle, firing from the bottom of the right circle and over the shoulder of Saros just inside the far post.
Daccord finished with 23 saves.
Seattle’s Shane Wright scored a goal in the second but it was waved off because of goalie interference when Ryker Evans slid into Saros and took out his feet.
The Kraken were without left wing Jaden Schwartz, who was hit in the face by a skate during Seattle’s 7-4 loss to Ottawa on Saturday.
Kraken, clinging to a wild-card slot, have now lost five of their last seven games.
Up next
Predators: Visit Vancouver on Thursday night.
Kraken: Host Colorado on Thursday night.
___

Bam Adebayo scores 83 points, 2nd-best in NBA history, sets FT records in Heat win over Wizards

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By TIM REYNOLDS
MIAMI (AP) — Bam Adebayo scored 83 points, the second-best scoring effort in NBA history, to carry the Miami Heat to a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.
Adebayo had 31 points in the first quarter, 43 by halftime and 62 by the end of the third quarter. He finished 20 for 43 from the field, 36 for 43 from the foul line and 7 for 22 from 3-point range.
Adebayo’s free throw makes and attempts both set NBA records for a game. The record for attempts was 39 by Dwight Howard — who got to the line that many times on two occasions. The record for free throws made in a game was 28, set by Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley.
Chamberlain got the 28 free throws on the night he scored 100 points in 1962 — the only game better than Adebayo in NBA history. Adebayo passed his basketball idol, Kobe Bryant, for the second-highest scoring game ever; Bryant’s career-best was 81.
LeBron James had the previous Heat single-game scoring mark; his 61-point effort against Charlotte happened on March 3, 2014. Denver’s Nikola Jokic had the previous season high in the NBA this season with 56.
Adebayo passed them both in the third quarter — and just kept going.
Simone Fontecchio scored 18 points for Miami (37-29), which has won six straight and moved a season-best eight games over .500. The Heat were without Norman Powell (groin), Tyler Herro (quadriceps), Nikola Jovic (back) and Andrew Wiggins (toe).
Alex Sarr had 28 points for the Wizards, who were without Trae Young — held out with right knee injury management. Will Riley added 22 and Jaden Hardy scored 17 for Washington, which has lost nine straight.
Besides Towns and now Adebayo, only three other players in the last 30 seasons had at least 31 points in a quarter.
— Klay Thompson had an NBA record for any quarter with 37 for Golden State against Sacramento in the third quarter on Jan. 23, 2015.
— Kevin Love had 34 for Cleveland against Portland in the first quarter on Nov. 23, 2016.
— Carmelo Anthony had 33 for Denver against Minnesota in the third quarter on Dec. 10, 2008.
The previous Heat record for points in a first quarter was 25, done by LeBron James at Cleveland on March 18, 2014. James had the only other 25-point quarter in Heat history, part of his team-record, 61-point game against Charlotte on March 3, 2014.
Before Tuesday, Adebayo had never scored more than 19 points in a quarter.
43-point half
Adebayo’s 43-point first half was the NBA’s second-best in at least the last 30 seasons — going back to the start of the digital play-by-play era that began in the 1996-97 season.
Towns had 44 for Minnesota against Charlotte on Jan. 22, 2024.
The NBA record for points in a first half is 53, shared by Denver’s David Thompson and San Antonio’s George Gervin — who famously did it on the same day, April 9, 1978. That was the final day of that regular season, as those two dueled (albeit in separate games) to decide the league’s scoring title.

LeBron James, Kevin Durant and other superstars react to Bam Adebayo’s 83 point night

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Eighty-three points and counting for the Miami Heat’s captain Bam Adebayo tonight against the Washington Wizards.
Sets an NBA scoring record, only trailing Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game.
The NBA world was quick to react to this historic night in basketball history.
Olympic teammates LeBron James reacted to his big night. Adebayo actually passed James in some Heat history in this game, as his 31 point first quarter marked the most points scored in a quarter in Heat franchise history, passing James’ 25 points which he did twice.
Damian Lillard is another former Olympic teammate of Adebayo, and close friend, as he called into The Association to tell NBA reporter Chris Haynes that he

A’ja Wilson Has the Perfect Response After Boyfriend Bam Adebayo Rewrites NBA History

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Bam Adebayo saw the Washington Wizards one fine Tuesday night and decided to channel his inner Kobe Bryant. The Miami Heat Center sent the entire basketball world into a frenzy after dropping 83 points in the 150-129 win over the Wizards. Adebayo was everywhere during the game and was found in the arms of his girlfriend, A’ja Wilson, after scripting history. Wilson was on the sidelines, watching Adebayo play the game of his life. Once it was all said and done, she had the perfect words regarding Adebayo’s fortunes.
Adebayo passed ​Kobe Bryant (81 points in 2006) for second place on the single-game scoring list. Wilt Chamberlain’s infamous 100-point game still stands as ‌the record since 1962. “Welp, won’t have the highest career high in the house anymore, but at least it gives me something to go after,” Wilson wrote on twitter. A’ja Wilson herself holds the record for most points in a WNBA game with her 53 points against Atlanta in 2023 (tied with Liz Cambage).
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“God is really just really special for him and God doesn’t play about Bam,” Wilson said in the post-match press conference. Adebayo’s statline is something very unique, even beyond the points. He went 20 of 43 from the field, 36 of 43 from the foul line, and 7 of 22 from 3-point range.
Adebayo also broke the Free throw attempt and made a record in the process. And not without reason, he was getting double-, triple- and what once appeared to be a quadruple-team from a Wizards defense that kept sending him to the foul line. It was his day, but Adebayo also took time to credit Wilson as one of the drivers behind his effort.
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“She’s been gone for about a week. She was joking about how I got my 10,000th point and saying she wanted me to wait until she was there. So having her here for my 83rd is very special,” Adebayo said. “The behind-the-scenes work, the workouts, and the conversations are very motivating. Obviously, you see what she does and get inspired by it every day. I’m thankful to have her in my life.”
A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo have always turned up for the important moments of each other’s careers. When Wilson won the MVP last year, it was Adebayo who handed her the trophy. They have openly shared learning from each other during their workouts and propelled each other to new heights. Bam also took a page out of Wilson’s book during the game after he met with an exclusive problem.
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Bam Adebayo Dips In A’ja Wilson’s Formula During His 83-Point Game
By the fourth quarter, it was clear both teams were fighting over one thing: Bam Adebayo’s scoring record. Heat was actively trying to get Bam the ball and get his numbers up while the Wizards were giving him extra attention. Defenders swarmed around Adebayo and Bam continued getting and-ones. After the game, he joked about seeing the same situation happening with Wilson.
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“Turning around and you got four people guarding you. I’ve seen that before,” Adebayo said while not so subtly pointing towards Wilson sitting beside him, who laughed heartily. “Obviously when they just don’t want you to get the ball…I don’t even know how to put this night into words, man. Like I’m still feeling lightheaded. I don’t even know, like, how to really respond for real.”
Wilson is famous for leading the WNBA in freethrows because of the sheer attention she gets. Not without reason, she is a 4-time MVP who can score from anywhere. Her playstyle forces teams to defend her with multiple players. Remember Game 3 of the WNBA finals against the Phoenix Mercury?
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With the game tied, Wilson took a dribble left and spun right while being guarded by DeWanna Bonner. Alyssa Thomas, an All-Defensive team member, joined in for a double team. But Wilson did not care. She fired the winner from mid-range with 0.3 seconds left, taking the Aces closer to the title, which they eventually won in Game 4.

Jaylen Brown’s Ejection Shouldn’t Have Happened, and the NBA Knows It

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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to San Antonio for Tuesday’s matchup between the Boston Celtics and the San Antonio Spurs, featuring Victor Wembanyama and Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and De’Aaron Fox, Tyler Ford and Suyash Mehta.
Wait … who?
If you missed it, Ford and Mehta are the referees who tagged Brown with a pair of technical fouls late in the second quarter of the Spurs’ 125–116 win over the Celtics, ejecting Boston’s All-Star from the game. Brown was hot after a no-call on Stephon Castle caused a turnover, and he let Ford know it. When Ford T’d him up, Brown aggressively moved toward him. That’s when Mehta, from across the floor, hit him with another.
Goodbye, Jaylen.
Look: Brown came into this game a little prickly. In January, Boston shot four free throws in a 100–95 home loss to San Antonio. Brown popped off after the game, telling reporters “it’s the same s— every time we play a good team. It’s, like, they refuse to make a call, then they call touch fouls on the other end.” The NBA dinged Brown with a $35,000 fine.
So Brown, who has an elephant-like memory, likely came into the game with a chip on his shoulder. He probably earned the first tech. And he put himself in the position for Ford to eject him when he went after him aggressively enough that multiple teammates had to hold him back.
But Ford didn’t eject him. That came from Mehta, the umpire, who injected himself into the situation from the basketball equivalent of right field. Ford told a pool reporter after the game that Brown was given the first tech “for aggressively pointing and using profanity and resentment to the no call.” The second, Ford said, was because Brown “aggressively approached a game official while pointing and using profanity.”
Minutes after getting toss, Brown posted from the locker room, “This the s— I be talking about.”
Did Brown earn the technicals? Sure, if it was a midseason game between Boston and the Brooklyn Nets. But it wasn’t. It was a nationally televised game between two of the top four teams in the NBA. It featured two MVP candidates in Brown and Wembanyama. Brown had eight points in 14 minutes and left with the Celtics holding a two-point lead. They ended up losing the game by nine.
More importantly, this wasn’t Mehta’s call to make. Ford was the crew chief. He was the one who T’d up Brown and he was the one taking his abuse. If Ford, the more experienced official, believed Brown had gone too far, he should have tossed him. Mehta, who was never involved in the play, should not.
That it was Mehta, not Ford, who tossed Brown, didn’t go unnoticed by Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “I just give a ton of credit to my high school principal,” said Mazzulla. “He had the balls to throw a student out. He didn’t leave it to the hall monitor.”
Yikes.
NBA referees generally do an excellent job. It isn’t easy to manage a game played at these speeds by these kind of athletes. And, as NBA commissioner Adam Silver reminded me last fall, a lot of how the game is called is dictated by the league. There are certain actions they have to call. Wave your hand at an official? That’s a tech. Clap at one? That’s another. Slap the stanchion in frustration. You are going to get whistled.
These are rules that are constantly evolving. For example: Silver said the league recognizes the need to allow players to show more emotion without fear of getting T’d up for it. “I think we may have gotten to a point where we had disallowed some of the spontaneous emotion on the floor and created some bright line leading to technicals that I think were not necessary to control the game and not the official’s fault,” said Silver. “I think that’s the league office’s fault.”
Brown needed to have a cooler head in that situation. But referees need to exercise more discretion, too. More than 19,000 fans packed the Frost Bank Center on Tuesday for what could have been an NBA Finals preview. They got nearly two quarters of it. After that, they got something else.
More NBA from Sports Illustrated

Heat’s Bam Adebayo scores 83, 2nd only to Wilt in NBA history

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By Tim Reynolds
MIAMI (AP) — It’s Wilt, then Bam.
Bam Adebayo had a night for all time on Tuesday, with a point total second to only Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA record books. Adebayo scored 83 points, setting league marks for free throws made and attempted in a game for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards.
“An absolutely surreal night,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Adebayo started with a 31-point first quarter and never stopped rolling. He was up to 43 at halftime, 62 by the end of the third quarter. And then came the fourth, when the milestones kept falling despite facing double-, triple- and what once appeared to be a quadruple-team from a Wizards defense that kept sending him to the foul line.
His final numbers: 20 of 43 from the field, 36 of 43 from the foul line, 7 for 22 from 3-point range. It was a stat line unlike any other in NBA history, and a night like none other for Adebayo.
He was in tears as he hugged his mother, Marilyn Blount, before leaving the floor after the game.
“Welp won’t have the highest career high in the house anymore,” Adebayo’s girlfriend, four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, wrote on social media, “but at least it gives me something to go after.”
Adebayo’s dunk with 22 seconds left in the third quarter gave him 62 points for the game, breaking the Heat single-game record of 61 set by LeBron James on March 3, 2014.
The NBA’s previous best this season was 56, by Nikola Jokic for Denver against Minnesota on Christmas night. The last player to have 62 points through three quarters: one of Adebayo’s basketball heroes, Kobe Bryant, who had exactly that many through three quarters for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas on Dec. 20, 2005.
He wound up passing Bryant for single-game scoring as well. Bryant’s career-best was 81 — a game that was the second-best on the NBA scoring list for two decades.
Until now.
And Adebayo only needed the first half to set a career high, too.
Adebayo scored 31 points in the opening quarter against the Wizards, breaking the Heat record for points in any quarter — and tying the team record for points in a first half before the second quarter even started.
He finished the first half with 43 points, a team record for any half and two points better than his previous career high — for a full game, that is — of 41, set Jan. 23, 2021, against Brooklyn.
Adebayo’s season high entering Tuesday was 32. He matched that with a free throw with 5:53 left in the second quarter, breaking the Heat first-half scoring record.
31-point quarter
Adebayo had the NBA’s highest-scoring quarter — any quarter — since Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 for Minnesota in the third quarter of a game at San Antonio on March 14, 2022.
Besides Towns and now Adebayo, only three other players in the last 30 seasons had at least 31 points in a quarter.
— Klay Thompson had an NBA record for any quarter with 37 for Golden State against Sacramento in the third quarter on Jan. 23, 2015.
— Kevin Love had 34 for Cleveland against Portland in the first quarter on Nov. 23, 2016.
— Carmelo Anthony had 33 for Denver against Minnesota in the third quarter on Dec. 10, 2008.
The previous Heat record for points in a first quarter was 25, done by James at Cleveland on March 18, 2014. James had the only other 25-point quarter in Heat history, part of his team-record, 61-point game against Charlotte.
Before Tuesday, Adebayo had never scored more than 19 points in a quarter.
43-POINT HALF
Adebayo’s 43-point first half was the NBA’s second-best in at least the last 30 seasons — going back to the start of the digital play-by-play era that began in the 1996-97 season.
Towns had 44 for Minnesota against Charlotte on Jan. 22, 2024.
The NBA record for points in a first half is 53, shared by Denver’s David Thompson and San Antonio’s George Gervin — who famously did it on the same day, April 9, 1978. That was the final day of that regular season, as those two dueled (albeit in separate games) to decide the league’s scoring title.

AJ Dybantsa scores 40 as No. 10 seed BYU beats Kansas State 105-91 in the Big 12 Tournament

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — AJ Dybantsa had 40 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and No. 10 seed BYU use a big second-half run to break open a close game with No. 15 seed Kansas State and roll to a 105-91 victory in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Tuesday night.
Robert Wright III added 14 points and six assists, and Kennard Davis Jr. had 15 points for the Cougars (22-10), who set a single-game tournament scoring record while advancing to play seventh-seeded West Virginia on Wednesday night.
P.J. Haggerty matched Dybantsa into the second half and finished with 27 points for the Wildcats (12-20), who played their final game for interim coach Matthew Driscoll, who had taken control of the program after the firing of Jerome Tang last month.
Nate Johnson had 19 points for Kansas State. Khamari McGriff finished with 13.
The fact that BYU was playing at all Tuesday night was somewhat surprising.
Dybantsa could be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this year. Wright has been a star in his own right. At one point early in the season, the Cougars were ranked seventh in the AP Top 25 and living up to the lofty expectations of their expensive lineup.
But things went sideways beginning with a four-game skid in January and February, and floor leader Richie Saunders was lost for the rest of the season to a torn ACL. The Cougars lost three of their last four games, and tiebreakers put them at the No. 10 seed.
They jumped out to a quick lead Tuesday night, though, as Haggerty and Dybantsa began to duel. And while they led just 50-49 at the break, the Cougars went on a 17-2 run beginning with about 9 1/2 minutes to play that allowed them to pull away.
Up next
The Cougars march on to face West Virginia, which beat them 79-71 a couple of weeks ago.
Kansas State turns its focus toward hiring its next permanent coach.

Bam Adebayo erupts for 83 points in NBA’s highest-scoring game since Luka Doncic in 2024

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MIAMI (AP) — It’s Wilt, then Bam.
Bam Adebayo had a night for all time on Tuesday, with a point total second to only Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA record books. Adebayo scored 83 points, setting league marks for free throws made and attempted in a game for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards.
“An absolutely surreal night,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Obviously, we’ve been blessed to have been part of a lot of big moments in this arena. This one, it just happened. Moments happen and I’m grateful that we’re all able to be a part of it and witness it.”
Chamberlain’s record of 100 points has stood since 1962. Kobe Bryant — one of Adebayo’s basketball heroes — was No. 2 on the list with 81. Adebayo never thought he’d be in that club.
And then came a night he’ll never forget.
“Wilt, me, then Kobe,” Adebayo said. “It sounds crazy.”
Adebayo’s final numbers: 20 of 43 from the field, 36 of 43 from the foul line, 7 for 22 from 3-point range. It was the most points in an NBA game since then-Dallas Maverick Luka Doncic scored 73 against the Atlanta Hawks in January 2024.
He was in tears as he hugged his mother, Marilyn Blount, before leaving the floor after the game. Emotions were kept in check, until then.
“For me, it was just remaining calm, remaining locked in and understanding that I can go for something special,” Adebayo said. “I didn’t think it was going to be 83. But to have this moment is surreal, because like I said, man, to be able to do it at home, in front of my mom, in front of my people, in front of the home fans, this is a mark in history that will forever be remembered.”
Adebayo’s career high, before Monday, was 41.
That was passed by halftime.
“I looked at the stat sheet. It was pretty crazy: 40 shots, 40 free throws, 20 3s, that takes a lot of stamina, man,” Houston star and Adebayo’s USA Basketball teammate Kevin Durant said. “It takes a lot of energy to go out there and put those shots up and also make them, set a record, surpass Kobe as the second highest-scoring player in the history of the game. I mean, damn. Congrats to him. Huge, huge accomplishment, something we’re going to be talking about forever.”
Adebayo started with a 31-point first quarter and never stopped rolling. He was up to 43 at halftime, 62 by the end of the third quarter. And then came the fourth, when the milestones kept falling despite facing double-, triple- and what once appeared to be a quadruple-team from a Wizards defense that kept sending him to the foul line.
“BAM BAM BAM,” former Heat forward LeBron James posted on social media. James had the Heat single-game record of 61 points, set on March 3, 2014. He’s now No. 2 on the team list — by a wide margin.
The NBA’s previous best this season was 56, by Nikola Jokic for Denver against Minnesota on Christmas night. The last player to have 62 points through three quarters was Bryant, who had exactly that many going into the fourth for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas on Dec. 20, 2005.
Adebayo got to the line 16 times in the fourth, and the game had some comical moments. The Heat made clear they kept wanting Adebayo to get the ball and get to the line, even in a blowout. The Wizards tried to foul others — but couldn’t stop the scoring onslaught.
“You’ve got to give him credit,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. ”In the first half he shot the ball terrific, he scored the ball really well. Obviously, he came out and had a little bit in the third, too. They obviously kept him in the game, and there was a lot of fouls called — 16 free throws in the fourth quarter. I was trying to take the ball out of his hands, he still got some free throws 40 feet from the rim. I can’t explain some of those calls. That’s all I got to say on that.”
And Adebayo only needed the first half to set a career high, too.
Adebayo’s 31 points in the opening quarter broke the Heat record for points in any quarter — and tied the team record for points in a first half before the second quarter even started.
He finished the first half with 43 points, a team record for any half and two points better than his previous career high — for a full game, that is — set Jan. 23, 2021, against Brooklyn.
Adebayo’s season high entering Tuesday was 32. He matched that with a free throw with 5:53 left in the second quarter, breaking the Heat first-half scoring record.
He was just getting started.
“I would say once he got to 50, then we’re thinking, all right, maybe he can get to 60,” Spoelstra said.
He got to 60, late in the third.
“And when he got to 60, it just kept on going,” Spoelstra said. “We might as well go for 70.”
He got to 70,
“And then, I didn’t dare even think about taking him out at that point,” Spoelstra said. “We just kept on going.”
When Spoelstra finally declared Adebayo’s night over, he was waiting to greet the center with a big hug. Teammates did the same, as did some of the Wizards after the final buzzer. Adebayo made his way over to Heat managing general partner Micky Arison for congratulations, before eventually getting to the locker room.
Everyone wanted his jersey, which he kept. The game ball was secured. The nets were cut down as souvenirs. A’ja Wilson, Adebayo’s longtime girlfriend and the four-time WNBA MVP, could barely keep from crying.
“I know he says that I’m his inspiration,” Wilson said. “But I don’t think he has a clue how much he inspires me to continue to be the person that I am.”
Finally, Adebayo made his way to the parking garage, exhausted. He never had an opportunity to meet Bryant, who died in 2020, and often wonders what it would be like to have him as a confidant. He had those same thoughts Tuesday, after topping Bryant’s 81.
“Just a surreal moment,” Adebayo said, “being in the company with somebody I idolized growing up.”

Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo makes NBA history with 83-point game

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Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo made NBA history on Tuesday night.
Adebayo scored 83 points, all while setting league marks for free throws made and attempted in a game for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards. It is the second-highest scoring game for a player ever, only to Wilt Chamberlain’s famed 100-point game.

Bam’s night: Inside the numbers of an 83-point game

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MIAMI (AP) — A look inside the numbers from Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game for the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, the second-highest total in NBA history:
83 points
Start with the obvious one. Only Wilt Chamberlain with his 100-point game is now ahead of Adebayo on the NBA single-game list.
Kobe Bryant — Adebayo’s idol — had the No. 2 spot, with 81 points.
“It speaks volumes for his hard work,” Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “I know Bam. He works his butt off every single day. He never cheats the game. Seeing a guy like him doing something like this is incredible.”
The 40-40 club
Adebayo is the first player in the NBA’s play-by-play era — dating back to the start of the 1996-97 season — to have 40 points in both halves of a game.
He had 43 points in the first, 40 in the second.
The closest anyone has come to that in the last 30 years is Luka Doncic, who had 41 in the first and 32 in the second for Dallas against Atlanta on Jan. 26, 2024.
Chamberlain is the only other 40-40 member — barely. He had 41 in the first half of his 100-point game, then 59 more after halftime.
The free throws
Adebayo made 36 free throws and took 43, both of which are NBA single-game records.
Chamberlain made 28 on the night that he scored 100, March 2, 1962, in Hershey, Pennsylvania for Philadelphia against New York. Utah’s Adrian Dantley also made 28 free throws, in Las Vegas, against Houston on Jan. 4, 1984.
The record for free throws attempted was 39, done twice, both times by Dwight Howard. He took that many for Orlando against Golden State on Jan. 12, 2012 — then did it again for the Los Angeles Lakers, against Orlando, on March 12, 2013.
The 3-pointers
Adebayo attempted 22 3-pointers, making him the seventh player in NBA history to try that many in a game.
The others with at least that many: James Harden has done it four times and Stephen Curry twice, while Damian Lillard, Marcus Smart, J.R. Smith and Klay Thompson all did it once. Thompson has the record for attempts in a game with 24, done for Golden State on Oct. 29, 2018, against Chicago.
Thompson had a record 14 made 3s that night as well.
For perspective, Adebayo averaged — averaged! — 15 3-point attempts per season over his first seven years in the league.
43 shots
Adebayo’s 43 field goal attempts wasn’t even a season-high in the NBA. Cade Cunningham took 45 in a game for Detroit on Nov. 10.
Scoring average
In one night, Adebayo’s average went from 18.9 to 20.0 points per game.
Heat records
Among the many Heat regular-season records that Adebayo set on Tuesday night:
— Most points in a quarter (31, previous was LeBron James with 25).
— Most points in a first half (43, previous was 31 by James, Dwyane Wade and Sherman Douglas).
— Most points in a second half (40, previous was 37 by James).
— Most shots in a game (43, previous was 39 by Wade).
— Most 3-point attempts in a game (22, previous mark was 17, done on six occasions).
___

Bam Adebayo pulls off statistical shock with historic 83-point outburst

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His nickname is the same as the sound caused by hitting everyone over the head with what he just did, because of course it is. Yes, this morning or afternoon, whenever you read this, you are certainly asking yourself what just happened and still woozy from the Bam!
Wilt Chamberlain, 100 points.
Kobe Bryant, 81 points.
And now, freshly wedged between those immortal single-game scoring totals is a player known for defense, a player whose previous scoring high was 41 points, a player who wasn’t an All-Star last month, a player whose career could generously be described as pretty good but hardly legendary.
Everything changed on a random yet manic March night in Miami with this entry:
Eldrice Femi “Bam” Adebayo, 83 points.
This perhaps qualifies as the biggest statistical surprise in NBA history. Is that prisoner-of-the-moment talk? Maybe not, because it came so unexpectedly, and it involves the glamorous art of scoring, and it’s now in the company of Wilt and Kobe, and it’s more than Michael Jordan or LeBron James ever managed, and …
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra opened his postgame press conference by saying: “Anything happen tonight?”
If Bam’s 83 becomes widely judged by the basketball gods as a fluke because of certain late-game antics and circumstances that contributed, so be it and so what?
It was witnessed by a disbelieving crowd cheering on Adebayo on Tuesday in Miami, teammates who deliriously did whatever necessary to help make it possible, the powerless Washington Wizards, and thousands around the country who rushed to their computers or phones and crashed NBA League Pass as the game progressed and his scoring total went stratospheric.
“It’s a special moment,” he said. “It’s Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy.”
He shot 20-for-43 from the floor. Almost half of those attempts, 22, were on 3-pointers. This was a good player on a hot night, which happens frequently in the NBA, just not to this level or anywhere close, actually.
Before Tuesday, Adebayo averaged 4.8 free-throw attempts per game this season. He finished this game with an astounding 43 attempts, making 36 — which is rather impressive for a 77% shooter. His attempts and makes are single-game NBA records.
His teammates conspired to put him in the books. They fouled purposely down the stretch and early in the shot clock, sometimes as soon as the ball was inbounded, to get the ball back to Adebayo as much as possible, even with a comfortable lead that would eventually swell into the 30s. And Spoelstra was clearly co-signing this by keeping Adebayo in the game and throwing in his two cents.
With three minutes left, two Wizards players purposely took a charge against Adebayo. The Heat were up 25 but Spoelstra challenged the call to try to get Adebayo two more free-throw attempts. It was unsuccessful but again, everyone was in on it.
“The last six minutes of the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter I was a fan,” said Spoelstra. “This one came out of nowhere. This one snuck up on us. It snuck up on all of us. Once it kept on going, we knew we could be part of something special.”
Once Adebayo crept toward Kobe’s mythical 81, which is worshiped by the current generation, Spoelstra admitted: “You’re caught up in the moment like everyone else. And I didn’t want to get in the way. And I damn for sure wasn’t going to take him out.”
Adebayo did have 31 points in the first quarter and 43 at halftime. That raised possibilities. That was legitimate, with no theatrics by his teammates and against a full Wizards squad. Speaking of the Wizards, they benched their two best starters after three quarters, in particular Alex Sarr, their promising center, and therefore contributed to the cause.
In that situation, giving such player multiple cracks at the all-time single-game scoring list becomes an obligation by his coach and teammates, to measure how high and where he can take this performance. Any team will feed a hot player to see what happens next. And in this instance, it was a lot.
He had 63 points after three quarters. That was the tipping point. That’s when everyone knew something really unique was brewing. That was just six points fewer than Wilt’s total through three quarters in Hershey, Pa., on March 2, 1962 and 10 more than Kobe’s three quarters 20 years ago.
According to the book Wilt, 1962, an account of his record scoring night, his Philadelphia Warriors teammates constantly fed Wilt the ball in the fourth and stood by and watched. The Knicks, the opponent, began fouling all Warriors except Wilt. So those twin strategies went back and forth and Wilt was caught in the middle as the crowd screamed “give it to Wilt.”
As for Kobe’s 81, the Lakers didn’t conspire to help Kobe in the fourth quarter as much as Kobe helped himself. He took 13 of his team’s last 17 shots, although unlike Heat-Wizards, the game was competitive at that stage.
Sam Mitchell, the coach of the Toronto Raptors that night in LA, recently told NBA.com: “Go back and look at what types of shots he made. It’ll blow your mind. He was pump-faking three, four times and then spinning opposite of the defense while shooting … it was Kobe freaking Bryant, man. Whatcha gonna do?”
Adebayo mentioned Kobe after his own record night, and added: “I wonder what he would say, to be 83 and pass him, my mind is like, what would he say to me? ‘Cause I always wanted to have a conversation with him … he would probably tell me to do it again. Just a surreal moment to be in the company of somebody you idolized growing up.”
The Wizards became an understandable victim because the club has long veered toward the bottom of the East and toward the draft lottery. Washington, like most teams in such a situation, is using the final few weeks of the season to force-feed playing time to young players, essentially judging them now for the future. The downside is this philosophy made the Wizards vulnerable to … this.
So these historic games are part-freakish, part-concocted and partly due to talented players who can’t miss. None are completely pure or explainable. They just happen — and in the case of Bam Adebayo’s night, so inexplicably out of nowhere and by a very unlikely player.
“Unreal,” he said.
* * *

Federico Bernardeschi reveals Juventus denied him the number 10 shirt

Federico Bernardeschi was a Juventus player between 2017 and 2022, before leaving to join Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. The winger arrived at Juve from Fiorentina, where he had been one of Serie A’s standout performers, despite La Viola doing everything possible to prevent the transfer from taking place.
During his time at Juventus, Bernardeschi was regarded as one of the club’s more talented players and was relied upon in several key matches. His versatility and attacking flair made him a valuable asset in various tactical setups, and he quickly adapted to the demands of a top club competing for major honours.
The Number 10 Ambition
Upon his arrival, Bernardeschi expressed a desire to wear the number 10 shirt, a number historically associated with some of the club’s most iconic figures. At that time, the shirt was vacant, and the young Italian hoped to continue the legacy associated with it.
However, Juventus had other plans. The club decided not to award him the number immediately, and the shirt was soon given to Paulo Dybala, who was already in his third year at Juventus and widely considered to have earned the honour. The decision sent a clear message regarding the club’s view of Bernardeschi’s readiness to assume such a prestigious role.
Reflecting on the Past
Bernardeschi has recalled the moment and shared his perspective on the situation. As quoted by Tuttojuve, he said, “The number 10 at Juve? I asked to have the number 10 shirt, they told me I was too young and had to wait at least a year. Then Dybala took it, who was already in his third year at Juventus, and that train passed for me.”
The experience highlighted both the challenges of stepping into a club with a rich history and the patience required for young players to make their mark. Despite not receiving the number 10 shirt, Bernardeschi went on to contribute significantly during his five years with Juventus before embarking on a new chapter in North America with Toronto FC.

Where to stay for March Madness

The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament

Yamaha Motor Co. to move U.S. HQ to Georgia

Yamaha Motor Co., which already has a big presence in Georgia, is about to get even bigger here after announced shift of home office from California.
Yamaha’s FSH Sport at the marina at the Miami International Boat Show on February 11, 2016. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Yamaha Motor Co., LTD )
After a half-century in California, an international motorsports company is moving its American home base to Georgia.
Yamaha Motor Co. announced it will relocate its U.S. headquarters to Kennesaw, where the Japanese company already operates a marine sports campus. The move will happen in stages through 2028 and will vacate Yamaha’s longtime corporate home near Los Angeles.
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The Yamaha Motor Co. headquarters in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Yamaha is backing hydrogen as a clean and viable option for reaching carbon neutrality and will develop it as a source of fuel, President and Chief Executive Officer Yoshihiro Hidaka said. (Akio Kon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Kim Speciale, left, Ben Speciale, president of Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit , Gov. Brian Kemp, first lady Marty Kemp, Mike Chrzanowski, Yamaha Motor Corporation’s US president, and Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling celebrate the official grand opening of the Yamaha Marine Innovation Center in Kennesaw on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. The facility is dedicated to creating the next generation in outdoor sport connected technology and is specifically recruiting local university students for engineering and technical jobs. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)
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NWSL Ambition Rankings: All 16 clubs judged by the big moves they are or aren’t making

Welcome to year three of ESPN’s NWSL Ambition Rankings, the semi-scientific way to determine which franchises are pushing boundaries, and which are just trying to keep up.
NWSL franchise valuations continue to rise to record highs, and the balance of ownership groups across the league keeps shifting in favor those with more money and bigger ambitions. But some teams continue to step up for than others.
Two new teams, Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, will play their first games in a few days, and their debuts on the ranking adds some shake-ups. Atlanta, which will begin playing in 2028, is sure to challenge for the top spot before even playing a game.
For this ranking to be useful in an ever-growing league (16 teams and counting), we have simplified our process. Criteria remain the same, with key factors being the willingness of franchise owners to invest in their teams on and off the field.
We’re asking: Is the team pushing the limits of the salary cap (and the new, fluid High Impact Player rule) to build a contender? Has team ownership spent money on a training facility or stadium improvements? Quite simply, are their stated goals ambitious (win a championship, be the best team in the world) or do they have a low ceiling?
One important reminder: Ambition is not the same as execution. There are teams that have lofty aspirations, but have failed to successfully realize them. There are teams with more modest ambitions who over-perform. We have absolutely deducted points for poor execution, but the willingness to aim high — even if it means falling short — outweighs not trying at all.
The original idea is inspired by the late Grant Wahl, who annually did a similar ranking for MLS. Measuring ambition, especially for a league as young as the 14-year-old NWSL, is a worthwhile endeavor. Let’s get to it!
• Watch Gotham vs. Boston: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, live on ABC
• Stream NWSL matches live on ESPN+ all season (U.S.)
• NWSL kit rankings: See every new jersey from all 16 teams
16. Chicago Stars FC (Last year: 13)
While the Stars’ ranking dipped this year, there is finally progress in Chicagoland.
The team’s move to Martin Stadium is a temporary, but necessary, step to move on from the abyss of Bridgeview. The Stars had to do something, and they did. They also recently announced plans to build a dedicated training facility, which will be relatively small but, again, was one of many pain points for this team.
Where do they play beyond 2026? That still needs to be resolved, which is hardly ideal.
On the field, they finished last for the second time in three years. And yet, their biggest offseason move was selling forward Ludmila to San Diego. Mallory Swanson’s return from maternity leave can’t come soon enough.
15. Houston Dash (Last year: 14)
The Dash remains for sale after one of the most bizarre stories in a decently long list of them failed to produce a new owner. Until there is a new, motivated owner with a clearly stated direction for the team, it’s impossible to fully understand the ambitions of the Dash.
The good news: there is progress on the soccer front. Houston was inconsistent last year as another rebuild got underway, but the Dash have talent and more direction than before. Houston has also built out a robust technical staff — including the recent addition of Twila Kilgore as technical director — that is larger than most of its peers in this section of the rankings, which requires investment.
14. Racing Louisville FC (Last year: T-10)
Louisville’s facilities are great and plenty of teams would love to have them. Of course, those facilities are more expensive to build in bigger markets, and the rub on having a nice stadium is that there need to be butts in the seats. Louisville finished last in average attendance in 2025 and recorded its worst attendance in its five-year history. That is ominous.
Those struggles stand in stark contrast to what happened on the field. Bev Yanez won NWSL Coach of the Year for galvanizing a gritty team and earning Racing’s first playoff berth. Louisville was a difficult opponent for every team last season and could build upon that success this year — even while being outspent by other teams.
13. North Carolina Courage (Last year: T-10)
A reported $40 million investment from team owner and billionaire Marc Lasry, per Sportico, could be a sign of this team moving forward and making long-term, much needed investments.
Attendance improved to over 7,600 fans per game in 2025, the team’s best since it arrived in the market in 2017. First Horizon Stadium still needs major modernization, but improved attendance is a good sign for a team that struggled to gain a local foothold even during its successful years. Long-term, the Courage still need to either gut the stadium or finally build one inside Raleigh limits.
On the field, the team regressed and missed the playoffs in a chaotic season that included the confusingly messaged firing of head coach Sean Nahas and the abrupt re-sale of USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw (who ended the year by winning a title with Gotham FC) eight months after acquiring her.
12. Utah Royals (Last year: 12)
We’ve been begging Utah to splash some more cash on the field to compete, so the $800,000 transfer fee to get Kiana Palacios from Club América is a welcomed sign. Now, what does this team want to be? For two straight years, the Royals have endured miserable starts to the campaign before salvaging results and playing the role of spoiler late in the season.
The Royals have their own training ground, and they play at the (too empty, too often) America First Field, which is from a previous wave of MLS stadium projects. The facilities are there, and there are new owners since we last did our ambition rankings. This year will be telling of their ambitions.
11. Seattle Reign FC (Last year: 9)
This is the point in the rankings where there’s nothing inherently wrong with what a team is doing; our task is to compare them to the rest of the NWSL.
The Reign’s joint ownership with the Sounders allows for bigger thinking and better staffing, including more support staff than ever around head coach Laura Harvey. On the field, the Reign made major improvements in 2025, finishing fifth and conceding the third-fewest goals (an Achilles heel in 2024).
But nobody has yet solved the riddle in Seattle: Why do the Reign still struggle to crack the local market the way the Sounders have? Reign attendance dropped last year, and 8,000 fans is always an aesthetic struggle in a cavernous NFL stadium. It’s time to take bigger swings.
10. Orlando Pride (Last year: 5)
Average attendance in Orlando improved for the third straight year following the team’s 2024 NWSL Shield and Championship double, although the Pride are still fighting for better crowds and local relevance in a tough media market.
Orlando already has the soccer-specific stadium that it shares with its men’s team, and they will soon upgrade their training facility. What’s next? Their encore on the field in 2025 was respectable — a whisker away from making it back to the final. Haley Carter has moved on from her VP/sporting director role, and Caitlin Carducci is tasked with pushing the team forward.
Elimination in the group stage of Concacaf play was a failure, though a healthy Barbra Banda should help them return to championship contention again. And to the Pride’s credit, the $1.5 million transfer fee to acquire Jacquie Ovalle last summer was a world record at the time.
9. Boston Legacy FC (Last year: N/A)
Here we have a perfect example of the dichotomy between ambition and execution. It would be a disservice to sugarcoat the early years (!) of Boston’s launch. The club wasted that historic lead time on a name, BosNation, that was almost immediately ridiculed and scrapped, anchored by a disastrous

Photos of families in southern Lebanon fleeing Israeli airstrikes and taking shelter in Beirut

A displaced man who fled Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon receives a haircut in the playground of a school turned into a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
A displaced woman who fled Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon looks through a classroom window at a school turned into a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
A girl displaced by Israeli airstrikes, looks on at a school used as a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Displaced people fleeing Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, arrive at a school turned into a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Children displaced by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, play in the courtyard of a school used as a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Displaced people fleeing Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, settle at a school turned into a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
A nurse, left, measures the blood pressure of a woman who fled Israeli airstrikes in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, at a school turned into a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
A displaced boy who fled Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon with his family plays on a bicycle in a classroom corridor at a school turned into a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Displaced people fleeing Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, sleep at a school turned into a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Displaced children run between tents set up inside the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, which has been turned into a shelter for people displaced by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A displaced man who fled Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon receives a haircut in the playground of a school turned into a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Clothes hang to dry outside a school in Beirut, used as a shelter for people displaced by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A displaced boy who fled Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon with his family sits on the backyard school that turned into a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
A displaced child plays past tents set up inside the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, which has been turned into a shelter for people displaced by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A roundup of Sarasota and Manatee high school results for March 9-14

Sarasota, North Port, Lakewood Ranch, and Palmetto all secured wins in Monday’s high school softball games.
In baseball, Braden River defeated Knoxville Catholic in a 10-inning game.
A roundup of Sarasota and Manatee high school sports for the week of March 9-14, 2026.
MONDAY
Softball
Sarasota 4, Braden River 1: Gemma Mulhollen improved to 5-0 in the circle, allowing 1 run with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts for the complete-game win, and hit a two-run home run.
North Port 18, Southeast 0 (3 Inn.): Lauren Boff went 2 for 2 with a home run, 4 RBIs, and 3 runs scored. Hailey Perez also hit a home run with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
Lakewood Ranch 16, Cardinal Mooney 4: Payton Burdick and Kylie Green each scored 3 times and drove in 3 RBIs, and Isabella Toscano went 5 for 5 with 5 RBIs.
Palmetto 8, Bradenton Christian 7: LeiLani Cruz and Kaylee Varnadore (RBI) each went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 runs scored, and Emma Hague went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Palmetto. Grace Smallwood went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 runs, and Jaden Lipsey went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs for the Panthers.
Baseball
Braden River 5, Knoxville Catholic 4 (10 Inn): Jackson Williams (run) and Chaz Templeton (RBI) each had 2 hits. Tristan Tallo went 1 for 3 with 2 runs and an RBI and pitched 3 innings, allowing a hit, an unearned run, and striking out 3.
Palmetto 15, Southeast 0

Indian Wells apologises as Williams, Fernandez miss out on doubles over draw error

March 10 (Reuters) – Organisers of the Indian Wells tennis tournament apologised to Venus Williams and her playing partner ​Leylah Fernandez after a clerical error ahead ‌of the women’s doubles draw denied the wildcard duo the opportunity to compete.
Seven-times Grand Slam champion Williams, 45, was ​beaten in the opening round of the ​singles tournament by Diane Parry while Canada’s ⁠Fernandez lost to Katerina Siniakova in the second ​round.
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However, organisers said they had made an error and ​failed to certify the doubles wildcard entry of the pair ahead of the draw.

Chris Eubanks goes off on Coco Vandeweghe in awkward Tennis Channel scene

A routine broadcast segment turned into a awkward on-air exchange in the Tennis Channel booth at Indian Wells on Monday.
Former pros Chris Eubanks and Coco Vandeweghe, along with comedian Hannah Berner, recorded a speed serve test for the broadcast Sunday.
Eubanks hit 103 mph, while Vandeweghe notched 113 mph on the radar. Berner reached as high as 87 mph.
The segment was aired for viewers Monday and the broadcast panned to the two analysts afterwards where Vandeweghe challenged Eubanks’ serving speed ability, which led to a viral moment.
“Is this going to be a thing now, like we’re just gonna keep every week being like, ‘Oh, can you break 103 mph?’” Eubanks, the former Wimbledon quarterfinalist, said on the broadcast.
“We could go back out today and try it on,” Vandeweghe responded. “I’ll wear this dress and throw down maybe 115 mph. I’ll keep rising.”
Ticked off and frustrated, Eubanks fired back a critique of Vandeweghe.
“See, here is the thing about me and you, Coco. I don’t like to just bask in my own career and accomplishments. I like to focus on the players,” he said. “I don’t want to talk about myself and what I did and what my serve was.
“I understand we’re a little different, I get that. Let’s just try to focus on the players. These are world-class athletes, that’s where the focus should be. Not on you and I sitting up here in our little fancy clothes out there trying to test our serve speed.”
There was a moment to conclude the on-air tiff, but Vandeweghe did not utilize the opportunity.
Instead, she fired back.
“Well, the difference also between you and I is that I keep recreating a new career,” she said. “And I just did it yesterday, but Hannah and I had a great time, Chris. It was a revenge of our revenge match from the 14-and-unders.”
Eubanks noticeably rollied his eyes at that comment.
During the pre-recorded serve segment, Berner and Vandeweghe were asked about Eubanks hardly cracking 100 mph on his serve.
“It was sad,” Vandeweghe said at the time.
Vandeweghe, 34, reached as high of a world No. 9 ranking in 2018 and made the semifinals of both the Australian Open and U.S. Open in 2017.
She won two WTA titles and won a major doubles title at the 2018 U.S. Open.
The New York native retired in 2023 and quickly transitioned into the broadcast booth.
Eubanks, who reached a career high of No. 29 after the storied run in Wimbledon in 2023, is a fresher face on broadcast after he just retired from the sport at 29 last November.
He previously dipped into the media industry to analyze the major tournaments, but now he will be permanently on fans’ screens.
Eubanks signed a three-year deal in February with the Tennis Channel and Indian Wells marks his debut as an on-air commentator and host.

Where to watch Aryna Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka today: Tennis free stream

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will face former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka at the BNP Paribas Open Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET. The last time Sabalenka and Osaka faced each other was the 2018 US Open, where Osaka beat a 19-year-old Sabalenka.
Sabalenka vs. Osaka will air on Tennis Channel, and streams live on FuboTV (free trial).
What: BNP Paribas Open, Round 4
Who: No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 16 Naomi Osaka
When: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Where: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California
Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: Tennis Channel
Live stream: FuboTV (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial)
Here’s a recent tennis story from the Associated Press:
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.

Defending champion Mirra Andreeva loses at Indian Wells, erupts at fans

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Tennis star Mirra Andreeva had a total meltdown on the court after losing to Katerina Siniakova 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the Round of 32 at Indian Wells in Coachella Valley on Monday.
Andreeva, 18, entered the tournament as the defending champion, but her emotions got the best of her throughout her match with Siniakova.
Andreeva rallied from a 0-3 deficit to win the first set 6-4, but things spiraled from there. After she lost the second set in a tiebreaker, she took out her frustrations on her racket, earning a code violation. During the tiebreak, while smashing her racket, she asked her team to leave the court.
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After she lost the match, Andreeva flung her racket toward the bench and briefly shook hands with Siniakova. She then erupted and let the fans hear it as she screamed

Tennis Pro Aryna Sabalenka Wants Engagement Ring to Distract

Tennis pro Aryna Sabalenka is a huge fan of her engagement ring from entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis.
Sabalenka, 27, gushed about her massive sparkler at a press conference during the Indian Wells Open, which takes place in Palm Springs, California, and concludes on Sunday, March 15. When asked why she decided to keep her diamond ring on while playing, Sabalenka answered, “We double checked if there’s a possibility to lose a diamond, and there’s none, so I was pretty confident wearing this ring.”
She added, “It feels pretty comfy. It feels shiny.” Sabalenka also laughed, “I hope that my opponent will get distracted by this diamond and it’s going to benefit me.”
Fans shared their reactions in the comments section. “QUEEEEEEEN,” one gushed. A second added, “You are the biggest diamond💎❤️,” while a third commented, “Diamond of the season 😍.”
Sabalenka first announced her engagement on March 4 via Instagram. She shared a sweet video of Frangulis, 37, getting down on one knee and proposing with an oval diamond set on a band with even more stones. The ring, which is estimated to be 12-carats, cost around $1 million, per Diamond World.
The couple were surrounded by flowers and candles when he popped the question. Sabalenka put her hands over her mouth while beaming. She rocked blue jeans and a white T-shirt with her blonde hair worn in a braid.
“You & me, forever ♾️ 3.3.26 💍🤍,” she captioned the post.
Elsewhere on social media, Sabalenka showed off a zoomed-in photo of her ring while giving Frangulis a kiss. “I can finally call him something else… FIANCÉ 💍,” she wrote beside the photos. Celebrities congratulated her in the comments section.

Aryna Sabalenka credits her new dog with ‘mental health support’

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka credits her new puppy, Ash, with providing “mental health support” as she continues to rack up victories and maintain her standing as the top-ranked player in women’s tennis.
Sabalenka brought her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to a post-match interview on the Tennis Channel following her round-of-16 victory over Naomi Osaka on Wednesday at the BNP Paribas Open.
“I feel like I’m much more settled, calm, more in control,” Sabalenka, who has a history of emotional, on-court outbursts, said while Tennis Channel commentators held and petted her dog. “Whenever I feel like going crazy on my team, I just pet Ash and I feel better.”
Sabalenka, who also recently announced her engagement to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis, shared news of her puppy in a social media post last week, introducing Ash as a “new addition” to Team Tiger, her support team of coaches, trainers and other staff.
She spoke more about Ash following her 6-2, 6-4 victory over Osaka.
Sabalenka said she had a deal with coach Anton Dubrov that if she won last year’s U.S. Open, she would get a dog.
She also considered getting a Dachshund, but decided on a spaniel because “my mom had a spaniel and I loved that dog,” adding that spaniels make good “family dogs.”
“Super attached to their owners, super chill, super cute, supper cuddly,” she said.
Sabalenka said she wanted her dog’s name to be related somehow to New York and the U.S. Open.
“Apple doesn’t sound right,” she said. So, she went with Ash as a nod to American tennis great and civil rights activist Arthur Ashe, after whom the main U.S. Open stadium court is named.
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Where to watch Jannik Sinner vs. Joao Fonseca today: Tennis free stream

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner will face Joao Fonseca in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET. Sinner has never faced Fonseca, an up-and-coming 19-year-old from Brazil.
Sinner vs. Fonseca will air on Tennis Channel, and streams live on FuboTV (free trial).
What: BNP Paribas Open, Round 4
Who: No. 2 Jannik Sinner vs. Joao Fonseca
When: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Where: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California
Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV: Tennis Channel
Live stream: FuboTV (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial)
Here’s a recent tennis story from the Associated Press:
Former U.S. Open tennis champion Daniil Medvedev has indicated he’s one of what the ATP Tour calls “a small number of players and team members” it is trying to help leave Dubai as the war in the Middle East causes a widespread travel shutdown that has also caused issues for athletes heading to the Paralympics.
Medvedev’s Instagram account reposted on Monday a report from a Russian-language tennis outlet, Bolshe, which said he was safe and staying at a friend’s apartment in Dubai, amid flight cancellations after winning the ATP event there last week.
“The health, safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our priority. We can confirm that a small number of players and team members remain in Dubai following the conclusion of the recent ATP 500 event,” the ATP Tour said in a statement Monday.
“They and their teams are being accommodated in the tournament’s official hotels, where their immediate needs are being fully supported.”
Medvedev and others are due to play at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, where main-draw matches start Wednesday.
“We are in direct communication with those affected, as well as with tournament organizers and security advisors,” the ATP said. “At this stage, travel assessments remain subject to ongoing assessment in line with airline operations and official guidance. We will continue to provide appropriate support to ensure players and their teams can depart safely when conditions allow.”
The Winter Paralympics open in Italy on Friday and some athletes are facing travel difficulties, the International Paralympic Committee said.
“We are in close contact with all delegations competing at the Games as well as other stakeholders. Many of the teams are already in Europe attending training or holding camps, but the closure of airspace in the Middle East is impacting the arrival of some stakeholders,” the IPC said in a statement.
The IPC confirmed to The Associated Press that the affected stakeholders include athletes.
“We would prefer not to comment on the status of individual delegations or stakeholders at this stage but can provide assurance that we are working diligently with Milano Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected,” the IPC added.
Iran has one cross-country skier expected to compete at the March 6-15 Paralympics.
Cricketers from England and Pakistan’s men’s developmental teams were in the United Arab Emirates at the weekend ahead of Sunday’s game that was cancelled.
Youth basketball players also faced travel issues when a EuroLeague tournament there was canceled at the weekend.
Numerous sports events in the region have shut down, with Asian Champions League soccer games and the Qatari league on hold. The governing body which oversees Formula 1 said Monday it will focus on “safety and wellbeing” as it considers upcoming races in the region.

Plainfield News, Breaking News in Plainfield, IL

Will County Children’s Advocacy Center
The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center was founded in 1995 by State’s Attorney James Glasgow to partner with multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) comprised of law enforcement, DCFS investigators, medical personnel, prosecutors, and Will County CAC forensic interviewers, family advocates, and trauma therapists in response to reports of severe physical abuse, sexual abuse, commercial exploitation, neglect, and exposure to violence of children, in Will County, IL.
Our Will County CAC intake/MDT coordinator, forensic interviewers, family advocates, and trauma therapists provide the following services:
* Forensic Interviews: After a child is referred to the Will County CAC by law enforcement or the IL Dept. of Family Services (DCFS), our Intake Coordinator schedules a forensic interview for the child. One of our 4 forensic interviewers listens to the child’s story and asks non-leading, developmentally-appropriate questions as the child talks about the trauma he/she has experienced. Law enforcement, prosecution, DCFS, and mental health professionals observe the interview from a separate room. This reduces trauma for the child and provides a stronger foundation if the case goes to court.
* Family Advocacy: Our family advocates are committed to helping each family navigate the complex systems that a family enters when a child makes an outcry of abuse. As each case goes through the investigation, prosecution and healing process, the team is there to help the family understand the process, learn about their rights and successfully access resources that will help their family during crisis.
* Trauma-Focused Therapy: Our team of licensed clinical social workers provide short-term, trauma informed therapy to children who have received a forensic interview. Since child abuse affects the whole family, the services are available at no cost to both the child and their non-offending family members. Individual and group therapy is offered in English and Spanish.
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Timbers of Shorewood
For the fourth consecutive year, the Timbers of Shorewood has been voted

Players Championship prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions

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The world’s top players are teeing it up this week at the iconic TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, for the 2026 Players Championship. It’s one of the biggest events of the year, with a purse of $25 million and $4.5 million going to the winner. The first round from the Stadium Course begins on Thursday morning.
Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Players Championship from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to win his third Players Championship this week, coming in at +450 on the outright odds board. The defending champion, Rory McIlroy, has the second-shortest odds at +1400, followed by AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am champion Collin Morikawa (+1800).
The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is a par 72 and plays at 7,352 yards long, but by no means is it a course that long hitters can overpower. It requires accuracy and shot-shaping off the tee, positioning yourself on the proper side of the fairway to avoid interference from trees on approach shots. The winning score has been between 10-under and 20-under par every year since 2010, with McIlroy winning at 12-under in 2025.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Players Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 5:22 p.m. ET.
Collin Morikawa (+350)
Morikawa is red hot right now and it’s worth riding that wave for at least another week at a course where he has a 13th and 10th in his last 3 trips here. He’s finished top 7 in each of his last 3 starts this season, including that win at Pebble.
Players Championship: Outright winner bets
Si Woo Kim (+500)
Kim won the Players in 2017 and more recently finished sixth in 2024. In the last 3 months, his 2.38 strokes gained from tee to green ranks first among all players in the field this week, showing just how well he’s striking the ball.
Rory McIlroy (+250)
McIlroy’s status for this week will be determined by how he feels Wednesday after he withdrew due to a back injury Saturday at Bay Hill. That’s not exactly encouraging, and he may not even play a practice round, so monitor his status before placing this bet. Still, he’s someone who could fly blind into Sawgrass and still play well, given his experience here (2-time champ).
Players Championship – Top-10 picks
Sepp Straka (+375)
Straka continues to play well, especially in signature events. Despite a final-round 76 on Sunday at Bay Hill, he still managed to finish 13th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational – and that was with an unsightly triple-bogey on Thursday. He’s come in ninth, 65th, 16th and 14th in his last 4 starts at Sawgrass, showing he can navigate this challenging course, even when the wind picks up.
Akshay Bhatia (+350)
Bhatia chased down Daniel Berger last week at Bay Hill with a stellar back 9 Sunday, and he’ll try to carry that momentum into Sawgrass where he finished third last year. If he can keep his driver in the fairway, or at least close to it, he’ll put himself in position to contend again.
Ludvig Aberg (+225)
Aberg is only making his third start at the Players, finishing eighth in his debut in 2024 and missing the cut last year. He was hardly the only big name to miss it last year, along with Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick and Hideki Matsuyama, but his game is tailor-made for Sawgrass. He hits it high and straight, allowing him to hold the greens and find the fairways.
Players Championship – Top-20 picks
Sahith Theegala (+250)
Theegala has 4 top-22 finishes in his last 5 starts this season, getting back on track after a rocky 2025 season. He’s still losing strokes off the tee in the last 3 months but he’s gaining shots everywhere else, which is important.
Aaron Rai (+275)
Rai has had back-to-back top-30 finishes in his last 2 starts after a slow open to the year. He’s quietly had a great track record at the Players, too, coming in 19th, 35th and 14th in his 3 career starts since 2023.
Ricky Castillo (+333)
Castillo claimed the crown at the Puerto Rico Open Sunday after also coming in fifth at the Cognizant Classic. It’s only his second start at the Players, but his game is in strong form.
Players Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Ludvig Aberg (-105) vs. Xander Schauffele (-118)
Like a lot of players, Schauffele has had his share of struggles at Sawgrass, perhaps more than most elite players. He missed the cut 3 straight years from 2019-22, and finished 72nd last year after making. the cut. He was the runner-up in 2024 and 2018, but in terms of recent form, Aberg may have a better shot than X-Man.
Jake Knapp (-105) vs. Robert MacIntyre (-118)
MacIntyre missed the cut in 2021 and 2024 before finishing ninth last year. Knapp has gone 45-12 in his 2 starts at the Players, and his recent form is outstanding; he’s finished 11th or better in 5 straight starts this season.
Players Championship – Top Asian
Si Woo Kim (+188)
Hideki Matsuyama (+300) is the biggest competition to Kim in this market, because Ryo Hisatsune (+800) is inexperienced at Sawgrass and Sungjae Im (+1100) is only making his second start of the season. Take Kim, who’s a past champion and is one of the best ball strikers in the world right now.
Players Championship – Top Australasian
Adam Scott (+260)
Scott is playing exceptionally well, making a run at the Genesis Invitational and performing at a high level again at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Min Woo Lee (+160) is in great form, too, but Scott is worth a shot as an underdog.
Players Championship – First-round leader
Akshay Bhatia (+4500)
Bhatia is riding some momentum after his Arnold Palmer Invitational win and after contending at Sawgrass last year, he could be in for another good week. He was just 1 shot off the lead on Thursday last year after shooting 67 in the opening round.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
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2026 The Players Championship expert picks, predictions and odds

Kevin Kisner’s split world as golf analyst, player go hand in hand

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The world’s top players are teeing it up this week at the iconic TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, for the 2026 Players Championship. It’s one of the biggest events of the year, with a purse of $25 million and $4.5 million going to the winner. The first round from the Stadium Course begins on Thursday morning.
Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Players Championship from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to win his third Players Championship this week, coming in at +450 on the outright odds board. The defending champion, Rory McIlroy, has the second-shortest odds at +1400, followed by AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am champion Collin Morikawa (+1800).
The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is a par 72 and plays at 7,352 yards long, but by no means is it a course that long hitters can overpower. It requires accuracy and shot-shaping off the tee, positioning yourself on the proper side of the fairway to avoid interference from trees on approach shots. The winning score has been between 10-under and 20-under par every year since 2010, with McIlroy winning at 12-under in 2025.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Players Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 5:22 p.m. ET.
Collin Morikawa (+350)
Morikawa is red hot right now and it’s worth riding that wave for at least another week at a course where he has a 13th and 10th in his last 3 trips here. He’s finished top 7 in each of his last 3 starts this season, including that win at Pebble.
Players Championship: Outright winner bets
Si Woo Kim (+500)
Kim won the Players in 2017 and more recently finished sixth in 2024. In the last 3 months, his 2.38 strokes gained from tee to green ranks first among all players in the field this week, showing just how well he’s striking the ball.
Rory McIlroy (+250)
McIlroy’s status for this week will be determined by how he feels Wednesday after he withdrew due to a back injury Saturday at Bay Hill. That’s not exactly encouraging, and he may not even play a practice round, so monitor his status before placing this bet. Still, he’s someone who could fly blind into Sawgrass and still play well, given his experience here (2-time champ).
Players Championship – Top-10 picks
Sepp Straka (+375)
Straka continues to play well, especially in signature events. Despite a final-round 76 on Sunday at Bay Hill, he still managed to finish 13th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational – and that was with an unsightly triple-bogey on Thursday. He’s come in ninth, 65th, 16th and 14th in his last 4 starts at Sawgrass, showing he can navigate this challenging course, even when the wind picks up.
Akshay Bhatia (+350)
Bhatia chased down Daniel Berger last week at Bay Hill with a stellar back 9 Sunday, and he’ll try to carry that momentum into Sawgrass where he finished third last year. If he can keep his driver in the fairway, or at least close to it, he’ll put himself in position to contend again.
Ludvig Aberg (+225)
Aberg is only making his third start at the Players, finishing eighth in his debut in 2024 and missing the cut last year. He was hardly the only big name to miss it last year, along with Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick and Hideki Matsuyama, but his game is tailor-made for Sawgrass. He hits it high and straight, allowing him to hold the greens and find the fairways.
Players Championship – Top-20 picks
Sahith Theegala (+250)
Theegala has 4 top-22 finishes in his last 5 starts this season, getting back on track after a rocky 2025 season. He’s still losing strokes off the tee in the last 3 months but he’s gaining shots everywhere else, which is important.
Aaron Rai (+275)
Rai has had back-to-back top-30 finishes in his last 2 starts after a slow open to the year. He’s quietly had a great track record at the Players, too, coming in 19th, 35th and 14th in his 3 career starts since 2023.
Ricky Castillo (+333)
Castillo claimed the crown at the Puerto Rico Open Sunday after also coming in fifth at the Cognizant Classic. It’s only his second start at the Players, but his game is in strong form.
Players Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Ludvig Aberg (-105) vs. Xander Schauffele (-118)
Like a lot of players, Schauffele has had his share of struggles at Sawgrass, perhaps more than most elite players. He missed the cut 3 straight years from 2019-22, and finished 72nd last year after making. the cut. He was the runner-up in 2024 and 2018, but in terms of recent form, Aberg may have a better shot than X-Man.
Jake Knapp (-105) vs. Robert MacIntyre (-118)
MacIntyre missed the cut in 2021 and 2024 before finishing ninth last year. Knapp has gone 45-12 in his 2 starts at the Players, and his recent form is outstanding; he’s finished 11th or better in 5 straight starts this season.
Players Championship – Top Asian
Si Woo Kim (+188)
Hideki Matsuyama (+300) is the biggest competition to Kim in this market, because Ryo Hisatsune (+800) is inexperienced at Sawgrass and Sungjae Im (+1100) is only making his second start of the season. Take Kim, who’s a past champion and is one of the best ball strikers in the world right now.
Players Championship – Top Australasian
Adam Scott (+260)
Scott is playing exceptionally well, making a run at the Genesis Invitational and performing at a high level again at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Min Woo Lee (+160) is in great form, too, but Scott is worth a shot as an underdog.
Players Championship – First-round leader
Akshay Bhatia (+4500)
Bhatia is riding some momentum after his Arnold Palmer Invitational win and after contending at Sawgrass last year, he could be in for another good week. He was just 1 shot off the lead on Thursday last year after shooting 67 in the opening round.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
PGA Tour’s TourCast Range gives fans a new look at practice
2026 The Players Championship expert picks, predictions and odds

UL golfer makes history with successive La. Classics titles

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PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Kevin Kisner’s reputation as golf’s “everyman” has defined much of his career.
He’s the fan favorite whose self-deprecating charm bridges the gap between the common golfer and a successful PGA Tour pro.
After 14 years of holding a full-time PGA Tour card that garnered four wins and an Official World Golf Ranking as high as No. 14 in 2016, Kisner, 42, has transitioned to only playing in select events.
Now prioritizing a career in the media, Kisner is at peace with leaving his best days on Tour behind him — he’s just doing it without sacrificing his devotion to golf, or the relationships he’s forged.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get to that point,” Kisner told The Post. “I want to continue to play so I can be amongst the guys. Understand, you know, it’s only gonna help my broadcast and my brand by playing more. But I don’t have any want to play 25 times a year, 30 times a year at 42 years old with three kids.”
Kisner’s time is now primarily split between serving as the lead golf analyst on NBC, competing on the Jupiter Links Golf Club in the TGL indoor simulation league and most recently, joining Barstool Sports’ “Fore Play” golf podcast.
The combination of his off-the-cuff commentary, veteran experience and bonds with current players makes him an asset in the NBC broadcast booth alongside Dan Hicks. Last year, Kisner called flagship events such as the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, the Players Championship, the FedExCup Playoffs and the Ryder Cup.
Adding commentary that reflects perspective without compromising his standing within the clubhouse is Kisner’s balancing act, so criticism must come judiciously.
“I always wanted to be the guy that [players] felt like, whatever I said, that was right, and I was never gonna do anything to lose their trust or say anything that would be offensive to them,” he said.
In TGL, Kisner competes under a three-on-three alternate-shot format where relationships with teammates serve as an asset. Matches are 15 holes and are played inside a 1,500 capacity arena specifically built for an intimate, yet energetic golf viewing experience.
It’s a theatre that’s tailor-made for characters like Kisner: Players wear Bluetooth earpieces not only to communicate with teammates and adjust what they hear, but to chat candidly with the ESPN broadcast crew during play.
“I would say the relationship with the players is why I continue to [compete in TGL] as well as broadcast,” Kisner said. “I never want to be seen as the broadcaster that just sits up in the booth and talks about players he doesn’t know or doesn’t interact with.”
While the long periods between shots have made individual consistency a challenge for Kisner in TGL, the drive to contribute to a team effort supplants those adjustments.
“I was such a rhythm golfer throughout my career, and the format here kind of doesn’t ever let me get going, but I love the team atmosphere,” Kisner said. “The three-man alternate shot is so cool when you’re hitting on a roll, you’re getting momentum. You can feel the energy and the juice, and you really want to perform, and that’s what I love doing.”
One of Kisner’s most viral “one of us” moments came in his TGL debut: a bladed-bunker shot struck the flagstick and bounced off the green, which had his Jupiter Links teammates — Tiger Woods and Max Homa — roaring with laughter.
In TGL’s second season, Kisner helped his Jupiter Links reach their first playoff berth by besting Wyndham Clark on the final hole of a winner-take-all regular season-finale.
He hasn’t made a PGA Tour appearance since the RSM Classic last November and his last top-10 finish came in July at the ISCO Championship. Kisner, who won $29.4 million in PGA Tour career earnings, retained his playing privileges by using a top-50 career money exemption in 2025 despite finishing outside the top 125 in the 2024 FedEx Cup Standings.
He made three of 17 cuts in 2025, but Kisner’s idea of success is now measured more than just by leaderboard finishes. It’s about life balance and “building your brand.”
“I’m in a great spot, man,” Kisner said. “I get to go work for NBC. I get to come play [TGL]. I get to play a few handful of events that I really love, and I still get to go see my kids and go to their sporting events as well.”
When The Post noted that it sounded like the best of both worlds, Kisner quipped, “Yeah, trying, anyway. Until I get fired from something.
“Then I gotta find another job.”

2026 Players Championship Betting Models, Picks: TPC Sawgrass Demands Positional Excellence

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In the 41-year history of the Louisiana Classics Golf Tournament, winners have included Ryder Cup players, one major champion and multiple PGA Tour winners.
But none of them accomplished what Malan Potgieter did Tuesday, when he etched his name into the UL golf record book once again.
One year ago, the Kirkwood, South Africa, native became the first Ragin’ Cajuns player to win the Louisiana Classics individual title. On Tuesday, he became the first player in tournament history to claim medalist honors in back-to-back years.
Potgieter carried a four-stroke lead into Tuesday’s final round over the 6,898-yard par-72 Oakbourne Country Club layout. His 3-under 69 in the final round left him at 15-under 201 for a three-stroke advantage over runner-up Carter Maneth of Middle Tennessee State.
“With the mental fortitude and the golf IQ he has, he’s a professional golfer playing in a college field,” UL coach Theo Sliman said. “It’s something special to watch. I’m really proud of the grit he showed over the last two days, because it’s not easy to win at home.”
Potgieter won last year’s tournament title in a three-hole playoff. In Monday’s opening round, he birdied the first three holes he played to take the lead from the opening tee shot. On Tuesday, he birdied his first two holes.
“That gave me a lot of confidence, settled some of the nerves,” said Potgieter, who has now finished in the individual top four in seven of UL’s eight tournaments this year. “It’s always nice to start hot, and I was able to take it from there.
“(Monday) I was coasting, and everything went well. Today I had a few bumps in the road, but I held it together and finished strong.”
Potgieter had 14 birdies and two bogeys in Monday’s 36-hole opening day. He added six more birdies on Tuesday but had three bogeys along with a double-bogey at the par-five 13th hole (his fourth hole of the day after starting on No. 10) that temporarily dropped his lead to one shot when playing partner Maneth birdied that same hole.
But Potgieter came back with two birdies in a four-hole stretch, and he put away the individual title when he birdied the par-four sixth and eagled the par-five seventh for a four-shot lead going into the final two holes.
“I had planted a little seed this morning, knowing how fickle this game can be,” Sliman said, “and he knew the message I was giving him. He doesn’t need a lot of speeches, he just goes out and gets locked in.”
“It’s pretty cool to have your name up on that board twice,” Potgieter said while looking at the sign listing the 40 previous individual winners.
The UL team dropped two spots in Tuesday’s final round and finished ninth in the 16-team field, with a final-round 2-over 290 score that left the Cajuns at 5 under for the tournament. Freshman James Holtsclaw shot his third straight subpar round and finished tied for 19th at 71-71-71—213 for UL’s next-highest finisher.
Texas A&M, ranked 29th nationally, entered the final round with an eight-shot lead and was never caught, winning its fourth Louisiana Classics title in the last five years with a 24-under 840 total.
The Aggies did not have a player finish in the individual top seven, but they had four top-20 finishers. Jaime Montojo led the Aggies with an eighth-place finish at 6-under 210.

2026 Players Championship odds, favorites

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Whether you consider it the fifth major or not, we can all agree that the Players Championship is, bar none, the most fun event on the PGA Tour every year. It’s always a delight to return to TPC Sawgrass, a Pete Dye design that demands accuracy, positional golf, a complete game, and brings in the Florida-swing volatility that we know and love as well. And I’m not expecting anything different from the 2026 tournament.
TPC Sawgrass’s Stadium Course was opened in 1980 and has hosted the Players Championship since 1982. Pete Dye and Alice Dye designed the tract, which measures out at 7,352 yards on the scorecard for the par-72 layout. The iconic island green on the 17th hole highlights the water trouble that awaits around numerous turns throughout the venue, but it’s also a challenging course with Dye’s signature deceptive eyelines and some harsh green complexes to manage as well.
The Players Championship always tests, well, the players—even the very best in the world. That’s why we see roller-coaster results from even top players who have enjoyed success at TPC Sawgrass in the past. That also makes modeling this event tough, but nonetheless, still quite fun. As for that, let’s dive into the numbers and try to get some big winners this week.
Key Stats for TPC Sawgrass
Strokes-gained approach over last 24 rounds
At a positional golf course, you always need to be able to both take advantage of good spots off the tee, but also make something happen when that’s not the case. So, naturally, we’re giving strokes-gained approach its weekly love as a key factor in the model.
Austin Smotherman (+1.177)
Si Woo Kim (1.120)
Shane Lowry (1.115)
Collin Morikawa (0.982)
Zecheng Dou (0.910)
Strokes-gained around the green over last 24 rounds
While the ever-important approach play matters, finding ways to save a score when you miss the green is just as important. So, much to my chagrin, we have to weight around-the-green play pretty heavily for the second straight week.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout (+0.664)
Jason Day (0.617)
Hideki Matsuyama (0.607)
Justin Thomas (0.552)
Stephan Jaeger (0.551)
Fairways Gained over the last 24 rounds
There’s more than just finding the fairway at TPC Sawgrass as a positional golf course. Having said that, being in the short grass surely doesn’t hurt the cause, and we’re looking at fairways gained in relation to the field.
Joel Dahmen (+2.222)
Andrew Putnam (1.981)
Si Woo Kim (1.609)
Lucas Glover (1.344)
Matt Fitzpatrick (1.307)
Birdie-or-Better Gained Percentage
Scores can always vary at the Players, but you definitely need to rack up some birdies in relation to the field in order to win. So we have to take a look at the players who have been successful relative to the field in terms of circles on the scorecard.
Scottie Scheffler (1.541)
Andrew Putnam (1.248)
Rory McIlroy (1.243)
Jacob Bridgeman (1.233)
Rick Castillo (1.224)
The Players Championship model rankings this week
I honestly ended up baking more into the model this week than expected, but it’s to get a complete picture of the unique test that TPC Sawgrass provides. We start with strokes-gained approach over the last 24 rounds (20%) followed not far behind by strokes-gained around the Green in the last 24 (15%). We then get a solid blend of fairways gained, birdie-or-better gained percentage, and strokes-gained TPC Sawgrass over the last 24 rounds (10% each). We then sprinkle in a lot more with strokes-gained putting on Bermuda (8%) and strokes-gained par-5s (7%) before rounding out with bogey avoidance, good drive percentage, strokes-gained short courses (5% each) and then some Pete Dye comp courses with strokes-gained TPC River Highlands (3%) and Harbour Town (2%). Here’s how the Top 10 of the model shakes out after we plug in those numbers.
Rory McIlroy
Tommy Fleetwood
Scottie Scheffler
Matt Fitzpatrick
Si Woo Kim
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Hideki Matsuyama
Collin Morikawa
Russell Henley
Alex Noren
2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational picks
Ludvig Åberg +2700 (DraftKings)
While Ludvig Åberg doesn’t crack the top 10 of the model (he’s 22nd, for what it’s worth), this is a trending play that the last 24 round numbers don’t fully appreciate. And it seems like the strapping young Swede is about to peak at a place where he quietly has a solo eighth finish to his credit here back in 2024.
As he’s clearly started to get healthier, Ludvig has been on a steady trend upward since missing the cut at Farmers. He’s improved his strokes-gained off the tee and strokes-gained approach in each of his last three starts, including gaining 9.786 strokes tee-to-green as he finished T3 at the API. When his ball-striking is in form and on a surface in Bermuda where he’s been a positive putter, his scoring ability makes him exceptionally dangerous.
This is definitely trying to be ahead of a trend while I still think the number is quite good, and I’m going to bet on Åberg getting back to his winning ways in a big-time event as he can capture his first Players victory.
Matt Fitzpatrick +4000 (DraftKings)
If you’re looking for the right balance, then you should probably look no further than Matt Fitzpatrick right now. The results—especially after a wildly bad tee-to-green week at the API—haven’t fully mirrored how well he’s playing, but it does feel as if he’s still in the right form to make a splash at the Players.
As with anyone, I’m not worried about MCs at the Players, but rather what the highs have looked like. In his last five starts at TPC Sawgrass, Fitzpatrick has a solo fifth and a T9 finish working his way. When you then consider that he’s 10th in strokes-gained approach and fifth in strokes-gained putting on Bermuda, not to mention fifth in fairways gained as well, then you start to see how things could absolutely line up for him to make a run this week.
More importantly, after what happened at Bay Hill last week, I suspect a lot of the Fitzpatrick backers will be off him. That looks like the outlier so far this season, and I’m willing to try and swoop in with a depressed price and cash with Fitzy at the Players.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout +10000 (FanDuel)
We love a longshot and there is reason to believe that Bezuidenhout could fit the bill this week. He’s coming off a T8 finish in Puerto Rico last week, and has four top-40 finishes in five starts this season. That’s not overly impressive, but the profile shows a lot to like about how he’s been finding success in relation to what TPC Sawgrass asks of players.
Bezuidenhout is 17th in strokes-gained approach, first in strokes-gained around the green, eighth in strokes-gained putting on Bermuda, top 20 in fairways gained, and top 30 in bogey avoidance as well over the last 24 rounds. The only worry with him is that he’s actually been sub-average in terms of birdie-or-better percentage, but the formula for him to find success this week specifically could be there.
The South African quietly finished T13 here in back-to-back years in 2023 and 2024, which goes to show how he can have success at the Players when his game is firing. It might not be all cylinders, but it certainly seems like most of it is firing right now, which makes a 100 to 1 shot worth it.

Adam Scott on future of PGA Tour schedule: ‘It can’t sit still’

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The 2026 Players Championship gets underway at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., beginning on Thursday. Often referred to as the unofficial fifth major on the PGA Tour, this event always features a high-end field, and it now has a $25 million purse, surpassing even the Signature Events with that number. The latest 2026 Players Championship odds from FanDuel Sportsbook have Scottie Scheffler atop the board as the +480 favorite (risk $100 to win $480), with Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa behind him at +1600.
Other Players Championship favorites include Si Woo Kim and Ludvig Aberg at +2200. Russell Henley (+2500) and Tommy Fleetwood (+2700) is the only other Players Championship 2026 contenders lower than +3000 on the PGA odds board this week. Before locking in any 2026 Players Championship picks, entering any Players Championship Invitational one and done contests, or making any PGA DFS picks on sites like FanDuel or DraftKings, be sure to see the golf predictions and projected leaderboard from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
SportsLine’s proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, simulated every PGA Tour event 10,000 times and reveals golf betting picks that have a history of being extremely profitable.
This same model has also nailed a whopping 16 majors entering the weekend, including the 2025 Masters — its fourth Masters in a row — as well as last year’s PGA Championship and Open Championship. Anyone who has followed its sports betting picks could have seen massive returns on betting sites.
New users can bet the 2026 Players Championship with the latest DraftKings promo code, which offers $200 in bonus bets instantly after any $5+ bet:
Now that the 2026 Players Championship field is locked in, the model simulated the tournament 10,000 times, and the results were surprising. Head to SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard, which you can use for PGA picks, one and done contests or golf DFS lineups.
2026 Players Championship predictions
One major surprise the model is calling for at The Players Championship 2026: Schauffele barely cracks the top 10 of the projected leaderboard. He’s a golfer to fade this week. The 32-year-old only has one top-10 finish this season. He also really struggled over the weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, shooting a 73 and 74, respectively, on Saturday and Sunday. He finished T2 at this event in 2024, but had a three-year run of missing the cut from 2021-23, and he finished 72nd last year. See who else to fade here.
Another surprise: The model says Aberg is one of the top values. After a disappointing start to the season, Aberg is rounding into form. He’s improved his finish position in his past four events, and his T3 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week signals that he’s ready to contend against a strong field. He missed the cut in this event last year, but did finish solo eighth at TPC Sawgrass in 2024. See who else to pick here.
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How to make 2026 Players Championship picks
The model is also targeting four other golfers with odds of +3000 or higher who make a run for the top of the leaderboard. You can only see the model’s picks here.
Who will win the 2026 Players Championship, and which massive longshots will stun the golfing world? Check out the 2026 Players Championship odds below and then visit SportsLine to see the projected leaderboard, all from the model that’s nailed 16 golf majors, including three in 2025.
2026 Players Championship odds, favorites
Get full 2026 Players Championship picks, best bets and predictions here.
(odds via FanDuel and subject to change)

7x PGA Tour Champ Highlights Critical Flaw in Tiger Woods’s Schedule Shake-Up Plans

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For three years, the PGA Tour has been reacting. There have been elevated events, limited fields, no-cut formats, and bigger purses. Now comes the version that might be permanent: a revamped schedule in 2027, and one of golf’s most respected voices, 7x PGA Tour winner Peter Jacobsen, is sounding the alarm before the ink dries.
“It’s a huge gamble trying to remake the PGA Tour. I’ve read a lot of the players saying, ‘We all know the PGA Tour has to change,’ and I ask the question, ‘Why?’ It was working really well before, and if the players wanted to have tournaments where the good players play more often together, they have that at LIV. Go join LIV,” said Jacobsen, criticizing the idea of restructuring the calendar to cluster top players more frequently.
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Jacobsen also warned that cutting events could weaken the charitable and community foundations that many long-standing tournaments rely on, and it is absolutely correct. Take the Sony Open, for instance.
It is one of the PGA Tour’s longest-running events and a fixture of the Hawaiian swing since 1965 and is reportedly to be eliminated under the 2027 restructuring plan. The Sony Open raises money through Friends of Hawaii Charities, with support from the Hawaii Community Foundation, to help local nonprofits that serve individuals with special needs and families in need across the islands. Brian Rolapp calls the concept at the center of the debate “scarcity,” so it surely won’t be the last name on the list.
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This move did not happen in a vacuum. When LIV Golf began pulling marquee names in 2023, the Tour responded with Signature Events, guaranteeing stronger fields and larger purses. It was damage control dressed as innovation. By 2024, limited fields and no-cut formats had quietly become the norm across the calendar. Then, in August 2025, Rolapp gave the direction a name at the Tour Championship, calling it “scarcity.”
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What began as a reaction to an outside threat has slowly become the Tour’s own blueprint. The restructuring under discussion would cut the Tour’s annual slate of roughly 45 to 46 events down to somewhere between 20 and 25. The idea is straightforward: fewer tournaments means stronger fields, which means bigger television numbers and a product that feels more consequential week to week.
Alongside the schedule reduction, the Tour is also exploring a shift toward major American cities—New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia—and a summer-heavy calendar that would give the circuit room to breathe without going head-to-head against the NFL, NBA, and NHL. And also, the big names are playing against each other more instead of skipping regular events.
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Tiger Woods, one of the more influential voices in discussions about the Tour’s future, has clearly articulated the case for the new model. He argued that pulling back on volume could actually drive more attention to the remaining events, reasoning that a shorter window of competition naturally commands more focus from fans.
“We’re trying to figure out what is the best schedule possible so we can create the best fields and have the most viewership and also the most fan involvement,” Woods said.
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Others see a different risk in that math. Sam Saunders, who carries forward the legacy of his grandfather Arnold Palmer at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, pushed back on the notion that a leaner tour serves the game’s broader competitive health. He pointed to how fiercely players fight just to earn and keep a tour card and recalled that Palmer himself believed in throwing the doors open, not narrowing them.
“I would love to see more guys here. There are so many great players. It’s so hard to see some of the names that aren’t here sometimes,” Saunders said.
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The comparison to LIV Golf looms over it all. That circuit was built on exactly the blueprint now being debated: a compact schedule, intimate fields, and guaranteed matchups between the game’s biggest names at virtually every stop. The skepticism, it turns out, runs well beyond one man’s opinion.
Insiders don’t support the PGA Tour’s scarcity philosophy
The skepticism runs deeper than just one generation. Former Tour commissioner Deane Beman, who built the circuit into a powerhouse, never needed Jack Nicklaus in every city to make it work, but the Tour thrived anyway.
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“I don’t think he ever played in Hartford,” Beman noted.
Veteran agent Mac Barnhardt argues the scarcity logic simply doesn’t hold. The majors already own golf’s biggest audiences, and chasing that model for regular Tour events will only cannibalize what little broad viewership remains.
Barnhardt also invoked Tiger Woods, not as a blueprint but as a warning. Woods transcended demographics in ways no schedule tweak can manufacture.
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Restructuring the calendar won’t conjure another 15x major winner. It will just leave fewer events behind when the experiment falls short.
Curtis Strange directly addresses the competitive nature of the argument. Weekend cuts aren’t just about formatting; they’re about accountability, as golf is a different sport than football. Golf’s not a six-month audience thing.
Stripping away that weekly drama, he warns, risks turning proud legacy events into little more than warm-up acts.

Justin Rose Calls for Clarity From PGA Tour Leaders Amid Evolving Schedule

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PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp is all set to unveil the changes in the tour’s schedule. And golfers, including Justin Rose, are looking forward to gaining some clarity regarding the ongoing talks about the upcoming changes.
Talking about his expectations from the PGA Tour CEO, Rose said, “But I feel like for the fans’ sake and the players’ sake, just to sort of get some clarity. We’re halfway through — well not halfway through the season, but we kind of feel like we’re getting into the meat of the season now, so I think it’s probably fair to the players to know if there’s going to be a change this year or next year or is it going to be the year after or whatever it is, what’s at stake.”
The golf community is about to enter the “meat of the season” with THE PLAYERS Championship right around the corner. And that will be followed by a major in every single month. So most PGA Tour pros would like to understand the sport’s direction before getting into the Spring Rush.
“So I think now would be a good time just to get some clarity from the players’ point of view, but obviously from a fans’ point of view, because ultimately that’s Brian’s job is to grow this TOUR and to engage.”
However, as per Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, who reached out to several stakeholders, who explained that many title sponsors haven’t been contacted, so a major update may not come soon.
But if we go by the changes that we saw previously, there could be significant movement to the schedule, such as when the PGA Championship moved to May to improve the schedule. Such a big shakeup would have players looking for some advance warning.
Justin Rose Isn’t the Only One Looking for Clarity
During the pre-tournament presser at TPC Sawgrass, Adam Scott revealed that no one has a clear understanding of the changes coming into the tour. “I can’t be specific because we don’t have the specifics,” he said.
The common belief in the community is that the tour should look to improve, even if it brings major changes. It simply “can’t sit still” to remain the strongest golf tour.
“I think Brian and his team are now challenged with the task of looking years into the future of how it needs to look to continue to be the strongest tour in the world. That’s where their expertise lies, and I’m confident in his ability to guide the Tour into the future.”
The intrigue around Rolapp’s news conference grew after it was moved from the typical media center to the PGA Tour’s ‘Global Home’ headquarters. The shift possibly means that the announcements would be more significant than we initially expected.

NASCAR on FOX Announcer Apologizes to Alex Bowman

Alex Bowman was sidelined from Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix due to vertigo. After prematurely exiting the Cup race at COTA the week prior, the driver of the No. 48 was diagnosed with the illness.
During Sunday’s FOX broadcast of the Cup Series race, longtime announcer Mike Joy said Bowman’s diagnosis wasn’t related to the driver missing the Phoenix event.
On Tuesday, Joy issued an apology to the Hendrick Motorsports driver as he said he misspoke about his condition. Joy followed up by sending Bowman well wishes and explained how he got the information wrong.
Mike Joy on Alex Bowman mishap: ‘Apologies to Alex’
It was brought to Joy’s attention that he misspoke about what led to Bowman being sidelined for last Sunday’s race at Phoenix.
Joy claimed on the broadcast that the driver’s vertigo diagnosis wasn’t related to why he exited the race at COTA. In an X post on Tuesday, the play-by-play announcer apologized to Bowman and said he would clarify his statements on the next broadcast.
“I misspoke Sunday about [Alex Bowman’s] vertigo, which he experienced during the COTA race. Apologies to Alex; I’ll correct and update on Sunday’s telecast. Hope he’s recovered and back on track soon,” Joy wrote.
Joy followed up with another X post explaining how he got the information wrong.
The 76-year-old said he meant to say Bowman’s Phoenix absence had nothing to do with any prior concussions, rather than saying it wasn’t due to his vertigo diagnosis.
“For some who asked for details.. I mistakenly said Alex Bowman’s vertigo that sidelined him for PHX wasn’t related to the COTA situation. It was a continuation of that. I intended to say it wasn’t related to a prior concussion (per HMS’ Jeff Andrews), and that got crossed up,” Joy wrote.
Bowman retired from last week’s Cup race at COTA with just over 20 laps to go. Myatt Snider filled in for the eight-time Cup Series winner the remainder of the race, posting a 36th-place finish in the end.
Anthony Alfredo was the fill-in driver for Bowman this past Sunday at Phoenix. The 26-year-old started the race 31st and wound up posting a DNF after getting caught up in a crash with Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric.
Alex Bowman not listed for Las Vegas Cup race yet
As of Tuesday afternoon (March 10), Alex Bowman’s status for the upcoming Cup Series race at Las Vegas remains unclear.
Jeff Andrews, President and General Manager of Hendrick Motorsports, made it clear that the organization supports Bowman in his road to recovery.
In an interview with SiriusXM Radio last week, Andrews said the organization anticipates Bowman’s return to the seat of the No. 48 car.
“We’ll support him however long this takes and that seat will be ready for him when he gets ready to get back in that car,” Andrews said.
After four races, Bowman is currently 36th in the Cup points standings, which is last among full-time drivers. The Arizona native failed to finish top 20 in a Cup race this season.

Brad Keselowski Urged NASCAR to Change Points Format

Brad Keselowski was not a fan of NASCAR‘s previous championship format. The driver of the No. 6 recently reflected on how vocal he was to the sport’s higher ups to make a change.
With the old win-and-you’re-in, elimination-style format, the Michigan native felt there were races during the regular season that didn’t matter.
In turn, the return to the Chase format ahead of this season was a positive change in the 2012 Cup Series champion’s mind.
Brad Keselowski on the previous playoff format: ‘Killing the sport’
With Dale Earnhardt Jr. on vacation, Keselowski filled in as the host of Tuesday’s “Dale Jr. Download” with co-host TJ Majors, Keselowski’s spotter in the Cup Series.
During the episode, the co-owner of RFK Racing was asked about the return to the Chase points format. Keselowski said where a driver is in points is more “relevant” today, which has him checking the standings more often in 2026.
Mostly in private, Keselowski expressed to NASCAR that he wasn’t a fan of the last playoff format. He recounted a conversation with President of NASCAR Steve O’Donnell around 2018 where he voiced his opinion on the points system.
“I told them, ‘Dude, the playoff format’s killing the sport.’ I remember he said to me, ‘What do you mean it’s killing the sport?’ Well, I had won two or three races earlier in the year. I’m in the middle of the season and I go to the racetrack and I’m asking myself, ‘What am I doing here?’” Keselowski said.
Previously, a win all but guaranteed a driver a spot in the playoffs, while a driver with multiple wins never missed the playoffs.
Keselowski went on to say he remembers sitting in meetings and being told he wouldn’t get the best equipment as it needed to go to a teammate of his that wasn’t locked into the playoffs.
Because of this, many races during the regular season felt pointless.
“You couldn’t even really be mad at the team. Putting yourself in their shoes, they’re like, ‘Man, we’ve got to get our other cars in the playoffs,’ so you couldn’t really be mad at them, you just felt trapped by the format. That was a lot of what was happening,” Keselowski said.
Brad Keselowski believes they aren’t ‘skipping’ races under Chase format
Unlike the last playoff format, Keselowski is a fan of The Chase returning for this season.
The 42-year-old feels like he’s not being shafted with the lesser equipment and that every race this season matters.
“I like this format because there’s no race where the team’s like, ‘Hey, you don’t get the good engine.’ I really appreciate that because I don’t feel like we’re quote-unquote skipping races,” Keselowski said.
Brad Keselowski has competed in all four races to start the 2026 season, despite suffering a broken femur last December. The 36-time Cup Series winner posted a fifth-place finish in the Daytona 500, his sole top-five finish of the campaign.
Keselowski sits 16th in the Cup Series points standings, currently the last driver in The Chase. He is two points above Daniel Suarez in 17th.

NASCAR Cup: Joey Logano Takes Blame for Phoenix Raceway Wreck

Joey Logano’s strong start at Phoenix Raceway ended in frustration during the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 on March 8, 2026. The Team Penske driver showed speed early in the race after starting from the pole and leading laps, but his afternoon unraveled through two separate incidents. The first came during a tense restart that triggered a multicar crash involving Ross Chastain and several other drivers.
Later in the race, Joey Logano’s own day ended in another wreck while racing three wide entering Turn 1. Despite the outcome, Logano said the team brought fast cars to begin the season and showed a competitive pace again at Phoenix.
Joey Logano Reflects on His Race-Ending Wreck
Joey Logano addressed reporters outside the infield care center after his race ended in a crash late in the event. The incident happened on Lap 254 as drivers battled for position entering Turn 1.
“I’m not really 100% sure what happened there. I guess I didn’t realize we were three-wide, but it still seemed like there was some room there. Just ran out of space into (Turn) 1. Just seemed like racing, I guess. It is what it is.”
Logano also explained that the team had executed many parts of the race well before the crash ended their day.
“We got points in both stages and were in desperate need of a race finish without a crash, and we did not get that today. It’s a shame because I felt like we did all the right things throughout the afternoon, so that’s racing. I’m not discouraged by any means. It’s a long season. My team has brought me four fast race cars to start the year.”
NASCAR Cup Restart Contact With Ross Chastain Triggers Crash
Earlier in the race, Logano was involved in another major incident during a restart with fewer than 100 laps remaining. Strategy played a role in how the field lined up. Some teams stayed out on older tires while others took fresh rubber.
Logano restarted seventh after taking four new tires. Ross Chastain lined up directly ahead of him in the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.
When the green flag waved around Lap 217, Logano gained momentum through the dogleg past the start-finish line. As he closed in on Chastain, the two cars made contact. The bump unsettled Chastain’s Chevrolet and caused it to fishtail before spinning up the track.
The spin collected several other drivers. Anthony Alfredo, who was driving the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in place of Alex Bowman, was also caught up in the crash. Austin Cindric slammed the No. 2 Team Penske Ford into the outside wall during the crash. Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota also suffered heavy left side damage.
The incident added to a caution-heavy race that tied Phoenix Raceway’s record for yellow flags.
Ryan Blaney Wins Chaotic Phoenix Race
While Logano’s race ended early, the event finished with a comeback victory by his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney. Blaney faced problems earlier in the race, including loose wheels and penalties that dropped him deep in the field.
He recovered during the second half of the race and worked through traffic. In the closing laps, he passed Ty Gibbs to take the lead and held the position to win.
The victory marked Blaney’s first win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season and the 18th of his career.

Joey Logano Eyes Vegas Rebound After Phoenix Mistakes

For much of Sunday’s NASCAR race at Phoenix Raceway, it looked like Joey Logano might be headed toward one of the strongest runs of his season.
The Team Penske driver started from the pole, led 73 laps and ran comfortably inside the top 10 for the majority of the race. Logano also finished third in both Stage 1 and Stage 2, putting together one of the most competitive overall performances in the field.
Then, in a matter of laps, everything unraveled.
Two separate incidents, both involving the three-time Cup Series champion, turned what had been shaping up as a potential victory into a 31st-place finish that didn’t reflect the speed he showed all afternoon
Yet the real takeaway from Phoenix may not be the wrecks. It may be the speed.
And that could make the timing of the next race especially interesting.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway has long been one of Logano’s best tracks, and it arrives immediately after a race that showed just how competitive the No. 22 team can be when everything clicks.
Logano Had a Race-Winning Car at Phoenix
Phoenix was shaping up to be a strong day for Logano from the moment the green flag dropped.
Starting first after winning the pole, Logano quickly established himself as one of the drivers to beat. He led 73 laps and consistently ran near the front of the field, rarely falling outside the top 10. By the time the race reached its midpoint, Logano had already collected valuable stage points with third-place finishes in both of the opening stages.
Statistically, it was the kind of performance that often produces a win.
Logano’s average running position of 8.29 reflected how consistently the No. 22 Ford ran near the front throughout the afternoon. Even as the race evolved through pit cycles and restarts, Logano remained in position to contend.
But two moments late in the race ultimately changed the outcome.
The first came on Lap 217 during a restart when Logano made contact with Ross Chastain entering the corner. The contact sent Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet spinning into Anthony Alfredo and Austin Cindric, triggering a crash that reshuffled the field.
Logano continued racing afterward, but a second mistake proved far more costly.
On Lap 254, Logano attempted to merge back onto the racing surface from the dogleg apron. His car slid into the side of AJ Allmendinger, sending the No. 22 Ford spinning into traffic and collecting multiple cars in the crash. The damage ended Logano’s race and left him with a finish that didn’t reflect how competitive he had been earlier in the afternoon.
Still, Phoenix revealed something important about Logano’s team: the speed is clearly there.
Las Vegas Has Historically Been One of Logano’s Best Tracks
If Logano is looking for a place to quickly move past the frustration of Phoenix, Las Vegas Motor Speedway may be exactly that track.
Few active drivers have been as successful there.
Logano has four career NASCAR Cup Series wins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, including playoff victories in 2022 and 2024 that helped propel him to eventual championships.
His recent consistency at the track is just as impressive. Logano has one win and three top-10 finishes in his last four starts at Las Vegas, making it one of the most reliable venues on the schedule for the No. 22 team.
The 1.5-mile intermediate track has historically played to the strengths of both Logano’s aggressive driving style and the setups developed by Team Penske on similar ovals.
That combination is why the upcoming race carries an interesting narrative.
Phoenix showed that Logano still has the speed to run at the front and lead races. The results simply didn’t follow.
Las Vegas, however, has repeatedly been a place where Logano turns raw speed into trophies. And after what unfolded at Phoenix, it may offer the perfect opportunity to prove it again.

Tyler Reddick Refuses to Get Bogged Down After Falling Short to Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy at Phoenix

Tyler Reddick had a remarkable start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup season. Defying expectations, he seized victory in three consecutive races to assume a commanding championship lead. Heading into the Cup race at Phoenix, he was clearly one of the favorites to win. Regrettably, Ryan Blaney emerged victorious on Sunday.
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Tyler Reddick spoke about missing out on four in a row
Post race, he caught up with pit reporter Jamie Little to break down his day in the office. She commiserated with the #45 driver’s lost chance at extending his dominance. However, Little did note that Tyler Reddick looked pretty strong during the race. In fact, he hovered around the top 10 for much of the race before ending the day in 8th.
Tyler Reddick told Little, “Yeah, you know. We just kind of find handling it a little bit difficult. It seemed like our Jordan-brand Toyota Camry had good speed. Just kind of back and forth on which direction we needed to go in our Camry. We kind of had it around 5 all day, and we took those two tires there. It just got a little tight on us at the end; all in all, it would have been nice to make it four. Looking at the board over here, scored the fourth-most amount of points on the day. That’s kind of what we need to just keep doing all year to keep the lead that we have and try and hang onto it. Just saw out the day; if we’re not going to win, these are the kind of days we need to have. Glad to get out of here with some points.”
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It was a shame, too, because Reddick was eyeing history in the making. Had he won, he would have been the 9th driver to achieve the feat. The last person to do it was none other than 7-time champion Jimmie Johnson. Others who achieved the feat were Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Harry Gant, Bill Elliott, Mark Martin, and Jeff Gordon.
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The 23XI Racing driver was not too torn up about losing the win
Sure, he was disappointed, but the trade-off was that he still managed to extend his championship lead. Since there are no playoffs or ‘win, and you’re in,’ everything depends solely on points. In other words, Blaney’s Phoenix win does not automatically put him in title contention. Instead, Reddick’s 3-win advantage places him firmly in the lead.
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Then again, the season is long, and there are plenty of opportunities for three things to happen. First and foremost, Reddick could continue to add more Cup wins to his tally and potentially wrap up the championship early. Secondly, Ryan Blaney could pick up some momentum and pose a serious threat to the #45 driver with more wins. Finally, other top drivers like Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, William Byron, and more could join the party with their wins. What helps Blaney’s case is that he finished in the Top 10 in the last two races. That was enough to propel him to second in the standings.
Although Reddick is tied with Johnson and the other legendary drivers, one thing sets him apart. His hat-trick of race wins came at the start of the season, from the Daytona 500 onward. He is the only driver so far to ever achieve that hat-trick in the first three races of the season. We now await the unfolding of the remaining races, commencing with Las Vegas this weekend.

Richard Petty Sounds Off on Modern NASCAR Cars After Phoenix Tire Scare

NASCAR has changed rapidly. When even the modern drivers are not very fond of the Next Gen car, it becomes only apparent that the legendary Richard Petty might find it confusing as well. He was one of the earliest prodigies in the sport, winning 200 Cup races alone, setting the benchmark for generations to come. And now, when he looks back at NASCAR in the current era, Petty sounds confused, almost. Moreover, the tire situation at Phoenix left him appalled.
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Richard Petty reacts to the chaos at Phoenix
“You’re lucky on a track like that to run all day,” said Petty. “They just don’t put enough air in those tires. You’re lucky on a track like that to run all day. They did not have trouble. And the big deal is, I noticed two or three of the wrecks were caused by the same guy.”
Petty comes with enough experience to pass a comment on the current NASCAR teams and drivers. He stated that the primary cause of the extensive tire issues was the cars’ insufficient tire pressure. There were a couple of reasons that caused the issues, and Petty found them hard to miss.
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The race was filled with chaos. The major change introduced by NASCAR was an increase in horsepower, from 600 to 750 hp, for the short tracks this year. These modifications also increased the chaos that went on the track. Daniel Suarez even mentioned that he could not see the wreck that had happened in time to react and slow down.
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Although the first stage was largely uneventful, chaos ensued in the subsequent two stages, with multiple cautions issued throughout the race. Richard Petty’s mention of the tire issue underscored its significance.
NASCAR’s tire drama at Phoenix
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Goodyear had warned the teams about the recommended tire pressure well before the race began, mentioning that the numbers were not random guesses. Yet, seemingly, some of the teams went overboard with how much air they filled in the tires, and the chaos began soon enough.
Despite claims that debris on the track caused some early flats, the issues persisted later in the race. Another major cause was the massive increase in horsepower. The harder acceleration put more stress on the tire; paired with the Arizona sun on the tarmac, it proved disastrous for the tires.
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Ultimately, the right strategy became the only way to win the race, and Team Penske clinched it when they pitted Ryan Blaney to change only two tires. He edged out the race win, marking Ford’s first of the season.
So even though Richard Petty feels that NASCAR is changing massively now, considering the chaos that ensued on the track, the teams did manage to find a way to cope with it. However, it is quite understandable that the cars have changed massively, but as Petty said:
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“Well, they’re NASCAR cars now.”
It seems that the sport is now giving more into defining its unique personality. The cars are different, and even though the drivers have mostly had a love-hate relationship, they seem to be adapting well.

Kyle Busch Reveals Scary Injury Nearly Sidelined Him Before NASCAR Season

Kyle Busch was almost watching the start of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season from the sidelines. The driver of the No. 8 suffered a freak injury at his home that required 24 stitches.
The two-time Cup Series champion appeared as a guest on his wife, Samantha’s, podcast. Fans of “Certified Oversharer” got to hear a chaotic story as Kyle Busch recounted the details of what happened.
Kyle Busch suffered leg laceration from an accident at his home
Just days before the Cook Out Clash exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium, it was a regular day at the Busch household.
But it turned into anything but an ideal day when Kyle went to fix a faulty smoke detector on the upstairs level of his house. With it being a “shorter” ceiling, all Busch needed was an 18-inch step stool to reach the smoke detector.
Busch assembled the stool and climbed up, but when he reached up, something went wrong.
“I get up on the stool and as I’m reaching up with my second arm, the stool explodes,” Busch said.
Initially, Busch felt as if he was OK as he landed on his feet and had his hands on the wall. That was until his son, Brexton, comes out and immediately tells his father he’s bleeding.
“As soon as he said, ‘You’re bleeding,’ I look down, and it’s not like you’re bleeding like a nosebleed. It is like pouring. Like, you’re gushing. … I’m like, ‘This is hospital grade,’” Busch said.
As shown in an image on the podcast, Busch had suffered a deep laceration on his right leg. Samantha immediately drove Kyle to the hospital with his leg propped up on the dashboard of the car covered in towels.
At first, Busch’s wife recalled a physician assistant (PA) was going to stitch his leg up, but was reluctant because he was a NASCAR driver and didn’t “want to mess up his leg.”
When Samantha saw the injury, it was as gruesome as her husband described.
“When they lifted up his leg, he’s not kidding. This flap was down and it was just gushing,” Samantha said.
Kyle Busch needed 24 stitches after home accident
Eventually, the doctor came in and ensured there wasn’t any porcelain inside the wound. Luckily, the laceration just missed a muscle in Busch’s leg.
“Just sliced the fat, folks. Didn’t even get a muscle,” Kyle Busch said.
The injury required 24 stitches. Fortunately, as Samantha noted, the injury wasn’t worse, as the freak incident happened just days prior to the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray.
“Thank God, though, because this was less than a week out before Bowman Gray. Like, you would not have been racing,” Samantha told Kyle.
Busch ended up being ready to race as he proceeded to qualify on the pole for this year’s Daytona 500, the first time he’s done so in his career. Aside from that, however, results have been difficult to come by.
The Richard Childress Racing driver has failed to post a top-10 finish in 2026. His best finish after four races was 12th at Circuit of The Americas. Busch currently sits 20th in the points standings.

Roger Penske’s Insider Reveals How IndyCar Star’s Post-Race Taunt Pushed the NASCAR Crew to Deliver

The 2026 Phoenix race weekend was a doubleheader affair for Team Penske, as they won both the IndyCar Series and the NASCAR Cup Series races. With IndyCar being the first race that Roger Penske’s team won, the pressure to win in NASCAR inevitably fell on them, something Team Penske’s president shed light on recently.
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Penske executive’s revelation on IndyCar’s push on NASCAR
In a recent interview with Cup Scene on YouTube, Team Penske Racing South’s President Michael Nelson highlighted how Josef Newgarden’s victory on Saturday and his post-race taunt were behind the push. Speaking about this, he stated that the NASCAR side would have done the same.
“Yeah, no, he put the pressure on us. We had an event last night with our sponsors and all of our drivers,” Nelson said. “He definitely pushed hard on us to try to keep up our end of the bargain. We would have done the same. We’re just glad we were able to get it done and bring it home today. He had a great race yesterday. Really great for Team Penske.”
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Echoing Nelson’s comment, Jonathan Hassler, who was sitting with him during the interview, also shared his thoughts. Hassler, who serves as Team Penske’s crew chief, stated that he liked the doubleheader event.
“Yeah, same thing. I echo what Michael said. To see those guys do well, it was a really fun race to watch. I really like this event. There were a lot of the NASCAR guys and crew members that stayed after and watched the race, and got to experience firsthand what we don’t get the opportunity to see. Great weekend for everybody, fans included. So pretty cool,” Hassler commented.
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Notably, Ryan Blaney arrived in Phoenix as a favorite, carrying impressive statistics. Having won the 2025 Championship race here last year, Blaney was oozing confidence at this oval.
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Besides this, Team Penske came to race here, having secured six wins in the last few races, by far the most by any team. As a result, there were increased expectations—one to keep their stellar run at the Phoenix race going and, secondly, to match Team Penske’s IndyCar driver, Josef Newgarden.
With the victory at Phoenix, Ryan Blaney finished Tyler Reddick’s race-winning streak, which started from Daytona and continued at Atlanta and COTA. Despite Reddick’s sadness at losing the winning streak, his day was not entirely wasted.
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Tyler Reddick is happy with Phoenix outing despite Ryan Blaney’s victory
As Tyler Reddick finished the race in eighth place after battling a handling issue, he was content with his performance on Sunday. Despite the broken streak, 23XI Racing noted that his total, which was 39 at the end of the race, provided some relief.
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“Yeah, we just kind of found handling a little bit,” Reddick said at the end of the race. “It seemed like our Jordan brand toy Camry had good speed. It was just kind of back and forth on which direction we thought we needed to go with our Camry, and so we kind of just hovered around fifth all day. But looking at the board over here, he scored the fourth most points on the day. That’s kind of what we need to just keep doing all year to keep the lead that we have and try to hang on to it. So yeah, just a solid day.”
Blaney claimed the most points (65) from the race, followed by Christopher Bell (54) and Denny Hamlin (47). Thanks to his eighth place, Reddick was able to take his championship tally to 255 points. Blaney, the winner at Phoenix Raceway, is in second place with 165 points.

Brad Keselowski Drops Radical Ideas To Fix NASCAR’s

The inclusion of Cleetus McFarland in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series line-up by Richard Childress Racing gathered ample criticism. However, it was not more than what NASCAR received after their surprising decision to allow him to race in the second tier of stock car racing. Pointing it out, Brad Keselowski shared his thoughts and proposed a radical idea to prevent such situations in the future.
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Keselowski’s take on the system following Richard Childress’ driver’s inclusion
“The problem that we have—this is NASCAR’s industry as a whole—is for whatever reason we completely abandoned the identity of those four series,” Keselowski said on Dale Jr.’s podcast. “Not necessarily the Cup series, but those four series—kind of like the pecking order—have been thrown away. And it started with removing the Cup drivers from the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.”
Keselowski mentioned how ARCA was the starting point for every stock car racer after their jump from Late Models. Following this, the Truck Series used to be for veteran drivers who were around 35-40 years old, but now it is for inexperienced drivers around 17-18 years old. However, the double approval of Cleetus McFarland in the Truck and O’Reilly Auto Parts in a span of two months and one race made Keselowski change his mind.
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Following this, the RFK driver revealed what he thought was the perfect way to get the Truck Series approval from ARCA and then improve further to the O’Reilly Auto Parts and the Cup Series. Here’s what he further added:
“Personally, I think that the 3 series should have three different approval criteria, with the Truck series being approved. So, here’s my opinion. If you want to run ARCA and you know you have less than 100 starts in any major or even minor league form of racing. Yeah. Okay, cool. ARCA is your place. You, in my mind, should not be allowed to run the Truck series unless you’re like, “I have 100-plus starts across the country.”
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Notably, Keselowski’s concern surfaced after NASCAR allowed Cleetus McFarland to race in the Truck Series after just six ARCA races. What shocked fans and experts more than anything was that NASCAR allowed him to run in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series just after one race in the Truck Series!
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NASCAR allowed McFarland even though he only ran four laps at Daytona before crashing his truck in his debut. This was something many experts, including current Cup Series driver Kyle Busch, criticized.
Kyle Busch criticized NASCAR over Cleetus McFarland’s approval
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Kyle Busch did disagree that NASCAR allowed Cleetus McFarland to run in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series despite having just seven races to his name. Drivers often regard O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races as a gateway to the Cup Series.
Busch, who has himself had to wait two full years (he started racing in Trucks in 2001 and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, known as the Busch Series then, in 2003) before stepping into O’Reilly, compared McFarland with his son, Brexton, and stated that the latter has more races than the YouTuber.
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“I mean, he just, I don’t know,” Busch said in an interview with Fox8. “I don’t know how many races he’s run. Denny Hamlin ran 10,000 before he got here, right? So, I don’t know if Cleetus has run 10 or not, but there’s definitely a need to have ample experience. My son has probably run more races than he has, and he’s 10 years old. You know what I mean? So, I don’t think that sits well with many of us.”
In February of this year, NASCAR allowed Cleetus McFarland to race in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, following which he signed up with Richard Childress Racing. He will drive the #33 Chevrolet Camaro SS entry at Rockingham Speedway this year, the same ride Kasey Kahne drove last year.

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