While most professional golfers have a meticulous media schedule, one specific golfer on the PGA Tour is receiving heaps of praise for speaking his mind. Veteran NBC broadcaster and Golf analyst Steve Sands also believes the same. Sands even goes on to say that Jordan Spieth is even better than Scottie Scheffler or any other current professional in that aspect.
“Look, Scotty’s always accessible, but he doesn’t give you as much, per se, as Jordan Spieth. I think Jordan Spieth, to me, and Justin Thomas are the two who give the most and aren’t afraid,” Steve Sands said on The Smylie Show when asked about who handles the media best among today’s golfers.”
“Now, that doesn’t mean Scotty doesn’t give enough. That doesn’t mean Rory doesn’t give enough. I just mean if you’re going to take the combination of a great player, a Hall of Fame kind of player, and success on the golf course regularly, getting interviewed regularly, and not being afraid to give your opinion, and not just about whether we need to roll the ball back, I would say Jordan Spieth right now. I think Justin has grown into that role here in the last few years. But I think Jordan Spieth has handled that amongst the players today.”
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Steve Sands is someone who has asked questions to golfers across generations like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and much more. So if he says that Spieth is the clear winner here, he probably is. And this isn’t just a mere personal opinion, Spieth’s interactions with the media go on to prove his point.
Spieth has given blunt assessments of his own game, openly acknowledging when his swing, ball-striking, and putting are off. For instance, he was struggling with form in 2024. When Amanda Balionis interviewed him ahead of the John Deere Classic, he pointed out the hole where his concentration lapsed, and he ended with a bogey.
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Similarly, Jordan Spieth was open when addressing sponsor invitation criticism. Many golf analysts said that the high number of invitations he receives makes it unfair for others.
“Yeah, because I don’t… I didn’t like asking for exemptions this year at all,” Spieth said ahead of the Wyndham Championship. “I was fortunate to receive a lot of them, but you just never know.”
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Jordan Spieth has addressed the criticism, while many golfers choose to remain silent and let it all pass.
On the other hand, others like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy usually choose measured approaches. McIlroy recently made headlines for skipping or shortening media availabilities at majors. He even said that he is frustrated with the media and has “earned the right” to skip media press conferences if he chooses to do so.
The same goes for Scottie Scheffler, who tries to stay clear of any controversial topics. At the BMW Championship, Scheffler even showed irritation towards the line of questioning. When multiple press conferences veered toward Ryder Cup speculation instead of the current event, Scheffler showed irritation, steering answers back to the event at hand. Even around his 2024 arrest at Valhalla, his public remarks were tightly controlled.
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While Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are the current two golfers doing it right, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer are the ultimate best for Steve Sands.
Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer handled the media better than Jordan Spieth
Steve Sands says that a golfer or any other sports athlete needs to keep a balance of how much they share with the media. He reflected on a joke he used to share with Tiger Woods. Sands said that it is okay to tell the media what a golfer had for dinner, but not where he or she had it.
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According to Sands, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer knew how to maintain this balance perfectly.
“If you go back in time, nobody was better with the media than Jack and Arnie,” he said. “They understood you want them on your side. You don’t want to give them everything, but you want to give them enough that they’re going to give you a pass if you have a hiccup here or there down the road.”
Nicklaus has repeatedly said he always saw it as part of his job to face reporters. And he tried to be the same whether he played well or poorly. He emphasized never ducking the press after bad rounds and maintaining a calm, courteous tone.
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“And, for you to do your job, you need to talk to me,” the 18x major winner said.
This helped build long‑term trust and ensured his side of the story was always heard. While Jordan Spieth is good enough, he is not as good as Nicklaus and Palmer.
Arnold Palmer used to be the same as Jack Nicklaus when it came to interacting with the media. His rapport was a natural extension of how he treated fans. He made eye contact, listened intently, and spoke in simple, vivid language that broadcasters loved.
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His willingness to engage, sign autographs, and share stories helped create “Arnie’s Army.” Even reporters amplified and branded this fan moment in headlines. He was credited with making golf more popular than anyone else. This made him “The King” and golf’s first true TV superstar.
Jordan Spieth Isn’t ‘Afraid’ to Take Up Duties That Rory McIlroy Dislikes, Confirms PGA Tour Source
LPGA Legend Makes Feelings Clear as Nelly Korda & Co. Finally Get Same Privilege as PGA Tour Pros
For decades, the LPGA Tour has delivered world-class golf. And more often, the moments have remained hidden behind tape delays and fragmented coverage because of limited visibility. But now, fortunately, the imbalance is being directly addressed. Despite producing some of the most technically sound players in the sport, the tour has long been asked to grow without being fully seen. And it’s time for the impeccably talented girls to get the same rights as men that they never received.
It has just been 120 days since Commissioner Craig Kessler has been in the role. And he has introduced a vision that was indeed overdue. Record prize money, and a comprehensive live television coverage across North America. And this isn’t just a mere administrative move. It’s a step towards treating women’s golf as worthy of real-time attention and high-quality broadcasts. Right after this update hit the headlines, a retired LPGA Tour pro shared her unfiltered opinion on the matter.
Former LPGA Tour icon Michelle Wie West joined sports analyst RJ Ochoa in his Golf Talk podcast. While having a quality candid conversation, the host reflected on how the LPGA Tour has recently been introduced to a few changes under the administration of Kessler. He stated that it’s not about a “political gain” but how finally, people could manage to move past the stereotypes as the LPGA would be broadcast live. “Every single round will be broadcast live. That is such a huge thing… fans of golf have begged for this for forever”, the host added, asking for Wie West’s take on the scenario.
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Michelle Wie West immediately started off by stating, “I mean, it’s huge news, but it also at the same time feels so simple, right?” She explained her take and said, “It’s like wait, we haven’t been live. And it’s it’s those small steps that are hugely monumental. And I think what people don’t really understand is that, you know, we’re directly in competition, you know, with the men in terms of TV viewership, seasons, time, it’s not like one can play during the day. We’re playing exactly the same time. So, you know, 100% or almost 100% of our rounds being broadcasted live is huge.”
Wie West further continued, “I’m extremely excited for 2026, and you know for for golf giving space to fans to show up, and that is everything for women’s sports. We just have to provide space for the fans to show up and really look at it as a great media product.”
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Looking forward to better days, the retired tour pro stated, “I think they’re starting to integrate more and more technology Trackman data but we obviously have a ways to go still, and I think it’s just you know we’re just chipping away at it and chipping away to make the best media product that we can.” And Nelly Korda herself has voiced her excitement about this new change in the LPGA.
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Nelly Korda welcomes LPGA’s new era under Craig Kessler’s leadership
Right after joining the LPGA as the newly elected CEO, Craig Kessler was aiming for quite a few major changes to be introduced in the tour. And the one he chose to start off with was to sign a deal with mutual insurer FM for upgrading the broadcast production. Right before the end of the season, Commissioner Kessler stated, “When you start a partnership, it’s important to come out of the gates strong. And if you execute well, it opens up the possibility for lots of amazing things to happen. It’s no different here.”
Showing enthusiasm towards such huge news, Korda exclaimed, “For us to finally get our shot at having live TV and for people investing in our product out here has been amazing.” Nelly Korda further added, “I can’t wait to see where it’s going to go, but it all comes down to having great leadership, and that’s what we really do have here at the LPGA.”
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Kessler’s run towards getting better doesn’t stop here. He recently stated, “I hope the LPGA is quickly perceived as one of the best partners in all of sports. We do what we say we will do, and we’ll have to take that into account as we bring to life what we believe is the optimal schedule.” This change marks a major step forward for the LPGA.
Aldrich Potgieter Named 2025 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year
Aldrich Potgieter earned the 2025 Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year. The South African won the vote over a competitive field that included Michael Brennan, Steven Fisk, William Mouw, and Karl Vilips. Potgieter becomes the third South African to win the honor, following Ernie Els (1994) and Trevor Immelman (2006).
Potgieter’s Accomplishments
Potgieter was still not quite 21 year old when he became the ninth-youngest PGA Tour winner since 1983, after taking home first place at the 2025 Rocket Classic. He was one of five rookies to win on Tour this year, and the only one to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
“What Aldrich has achieved at such a young age is truly remarkable,” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp in a press release. “He has captivated fans across the globe including his home country of South Africa and the Tour is thrilled to see what his future holds.”
In addition to winning the Arnold Palmer Award, Potgieter led the Tour in driving distance, averaging 325 yards per drive. He totaled 35,754 yards across 110 measured drives, beating out World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who averaged 323 yards. Potgieter also led the Tour in ball speed. Taking 1st with an average 190.14 mph, well above the Tour average of 174.36 mph.
Currently ranked 81st in the Official World Golf Ranking, Potgieter has climbed as high as 49th. He boasts three top-10 finishes, and one PGA Tour victory.
Potgieter’s rise has been rapid. At just 17 years old, he won the 2022 British Amateur Championship, becoming the second-youngest winner in the event’s history. In 2023, he won the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley by 10 strokes and turned professional later that year. By 2024 he made history again as the youngest winner on the Korn Ferry Tour with his victory at the 2024 Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at age 19.
Potgieter’s Future
Potgieter was one of 36 rookies on Tour during the 2025 season. His strong performance earned him a No. 56 finish in the FedEx Cup Fall standings. This placement secured him an invitation to the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am as well as the 2026 Genesis Invitational.
Fellow PGA Tour players praised Potgieter’s performance following the announcement.
“He hits it long, I don’t know if you guys were aware,” Ben Griffin said with a smirk. “He hits it very far, farther than every other golfer on Tour. So its pretty incredible to see that.” Griffin went on to say, “Young kid. Tons of firepower, obviously tons of talent, got in the mix a few times this year. I think his future is incredibly bright and yeah he’s definitely done a lot to earn that Rookie of the Year.”
Andrew Novak echoed Griffin, stating, “I’ve played with guys who hit the ball far, and he hits it very far. Probably as far as any of them. Usually they don’t putt like he does. Usually like there’s something like okay this doesn’t work. He can play. From what Ive seen from his game, it is very very impressive.”
$223B Giant Signs Huge Deal With Scottie Scheffler Ahead of 2026 PGA Tour Season
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, who claimed his fourth consecutive PGA Tour Player of the Year award just hours ago, has added a new milestone ahead of the 2026 season. And no, it’s not another award! The 29-year-old Texan, after winning numerous tournaments in 2025 and becoming golf’s most consistent player, has inked yet another partnership.
That new deal? It’s with Huntington National Bank, a large regional bank based in Columbus, Ohio, with $223 billion in assets. The organization, which has been around since 1866, has made Scheffler its main golf ambassador. This is a big step forward in its sports marketing efforts. Well, both have been working together since 2018, when Scheffler initially teamed with Veritex Community Bank in Texas.
However, at that time, Veritex was his second corporate sponsor as he was still making his way up the professional ladder. Veritex, also known as the Golf Bank of Texas and led by C. Malcolm Holland III, helped him go from being a promising amateur to a major champion. So, when Huntington bought Veritex, it didn’t just get accounts; it also gained a connection with golf’s biggest star. However, the financial details of the deal haven’t been disclosed yet.
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Malcolm Holland, now chairman of Texas for Huntington, emphasized the depth of this connection. “We’ve grown with Scottie Scheffler, and like all of our relationships, the foundational value is trust,” he said. “It’s meaningful that the best athlete at his profession, in the world, shares a belief in Huntington’s values and will continue his journey with us.”
Holland noted that Scheffler represents character and integrity in their sport, qualities that align with the bank’s approach to business.
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So, what makes this deal different from others? Huntington will continue supporting philanthropic groups important to Scheffler. And those groups will include Behind Every Door and the College Golf Fellowship, which he has championed throughout his career.
Brant Standridge, president of Consumer and Regional Banking at Huntington, highlighted how the partnership reflects their broader philosophy. “With values that shine on and off the course, Scottie reflects the same people-first spirit that guides how we serve our customers, communities, and each other,” Standridge explained.
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Huntington’s logo will be on Scottie Scheffler’s golf bag, under his name. This way, the bank will be visible at every tournament the world number one plays in.
Vijay Konduru, Huntington’s chief marketing officer, reflected on the parallels between banking and golf. He said, “At Huntington, we see money as a craft. Just like golf, it requires skill, focus, and the right team.”
In the next few months, the bank will name more golf ambassadors. This is in addition to Veritex’s earlier promises to fund Texas golf programs, such as the Byron Nelson Junior Championship.
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The 2025 action doesn’t stop with traditional tournaments and million-dollar deals, though. The 19-time PGA Tour winner is taking center stage in a new format designed for primetime audiences.
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Scottie Scheffler’s leadership at the center of the Optum Golf Channel Games
Scottie Scheffler will lead his four-man squad at the 2025 Optum Golf Channel Games. This new primetime golf tournament incorporates timed and skills-based tasks. The world’s top two golfers will captain the December 17 event at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida. Scheffler’s Americans will play Rory McIlroy’s internationals. The format comprises fast-paced head-to-head challenges such as driving, short-game accuracy, a 14-club challenge, and team relays.
Scheffler’s team includes Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, PGA Tour champion Sam Burns, and rising star Luke Clanton. Meanwhile, McIlroy’s team will include veterans Luke Donald and Shane Lowry, as well as DP World Tour winner Haotong Li. This makes for a balanced yet tough fight between the two captains.
Unlike stroke-play contests, the Optum Golf Channel Games feature a fast-paced sequence of challenges that test basic skills under time and strategic pressure. Organizers said this format will illustrate how diverse and entertaining the players are, which will appeal to a large audience on Golf Channel and USA Network.
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PGA Tour Injury Update: Billy Horschel Opens Up on Grueling Rehab Months After Hip Surgery
Billy Horschel returned to the first tee at Wentworth in September as the reigning champion. It had been four months since he had played. He had hip surgery, which ended his hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup. He missed the cut by one stroke at the BMW PGA Championship, with rounds of 73 and 70 putting him one-under par, barely below the cutline. Months after that difficult return, the 38-year-old has finally opened up about his recovery period.
In May, Horschel was positioned 16th in the Ryder Cup standings after a runner-up finish at The Open. But he withdrew from the Zurich Classic. Reason? Hip surgery: A preventive measure, he confirmed.
“I was disappointed,” Horschel said on the Golf Channel. “Being in the best position of my career… to make a Ryder Cup team. I was coming off playing well in majors in ’24 and was really excited about ’25. I thought this was going to be the year I finally win a major and make a Ryder Cup team, finally checking some of the boxes that are still unchecked.”
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Still, Horschel found a way to channel that frustration. He had always prepared mentally for injury, having been a professional for close to two decades.
“I hit a lot of golf balls and I practice,” Horschel explained. “At some in time the body was going to just wear and tear, and something needed to be fixed.”
He considered himself fortunate that it was a hip issue and viewed it as “the easiest thing you can get fixed.”
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That break became unexpectedly valuable.
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Horschel reflected on the 16 years of his career, what he had done, what remained to achieve, and how he intended to start the next chapter post-surgery. He was concerned about how people saw him in public, especially on the ropes versus during TGL, where his Atlanta Drive team won the championship.
“When I’m competing, I can be very serious, and it doesn’t always look like I’m enjoying it,” the golfer said. “But inside, I am enjoying the challenge.”
However, the physical recovery tested his patience in different ways.
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The rehab followed a straightforward process, but the mental game proved harder. Around the eight-to-ten week mark, Horschel felt his hip was ready and wanted to push harder. He lifted heavier weights and accelerated training. His physical therapist, Sophie, kept applying what he called “a handbrake.”
“I gave her a hard time,” Horschel admitted. “But she was really good with my rehab. I thank her a lot for everything she’s done. We’re in a position we are now because of her.”
When Horschel returned to competition, the psychological hurdles matched the physical ones. He wasn’t worried about reinjury. When the body feels good and pain-free, confidence returns. But there was an issue he observed almost instantly.
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“There were just times, I’m like, ‘Gosh, I have no speed,’ and I feel like, ‘God, this sucks, am I going to be this slow for the next six years of my life?’” the golfer said.
As his body continued to improve, those fears faded. His mobility came back. He wasn’t completely happy yet because he knew he could still improve his speed after surgery. But he had gotten stronger because of it.
Horschel’s missed cut at Wentworth hurt, and he missed his chance of playing in the 2025 Ryder Cup. But he has promised to return as a full-time DP World Tour player in 2026.
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Billy Horschel eyes full 2026 slate with OWGR position in play
Billy Horschel will compete in 2026 thanks to his Official World Golf Ranking. He was rated 45th in the OWGR after tying for 11th at the Bank of Utah Championship in early December 2025. This kept him in the top 50 bubble, affecting his early-season starts and major invites.
He will receive an invitation to the 2026 Masters at Augusta National and a greater priority in early PGA Tour events if he maintains a position in the top 50 by year’s end. They get better signature event access. This allows them to design their schedule without sponsor exclusions or category reshuffles.
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A decent performance in Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas was enough to secure the PGA Tour veteran a qualifying spot.
Currently ranked 48th, Billy Horschel may play most PGA Tour tournaments in 2026 because he is exempt and in good standing.
Since returning from hip surgery and playing events in 2025, Horschel has maintained his ranking. Instead of resting, he is competing during the winter. This shows that he wants to build momentum and enter the biggest tournaments, including majors and other tours that shape the competitive arc in 2026.
Ludvig Aberg Calls Out the Brutal Slow-Play Problem Plaguing the PGA Tour
Slow play has long tested the fans’ patience with five-hour-plus rounds and endless routines. To curb this, the PGA Tour launched the Fan Forward initiative in 2024. Additionally, former Commissioner Jay Monahan announced a ‘Speed of Play Working Group’ to prioritize the viewer experience. So, the league started testing stroke penalties on the Korn Ferry Tour. But fast forward to now, and the slow play debate has ignited again.
A popular golf account, Skratch, recently posted a video clip on X, captioned, “Is Ludvig Åberg fast or is everyone else just…slow?” It featured a candid conversation between broadcaster Dan Rapaport and the Swedish golfer, in which Rapaport asked whether he feels he is actually that fast or if the standard for professional golfers is simply too slow. Åberg didn’t hesitate before answering: “Absolutely.”
And when Rapaport pressed him further about the golf world’s obsession with his rapid pace, Åberg answered, “Yeah, it’s more of a perspective, isn’t it? I think in college, I never thought of it once. That was just the way it was. And then turned pro, and it became more of a thing, like I’m pretty fast over the ball, but I’m not that fast when it comes to routine and process and talking to Joe [Skovron]. I don’t like to rush things. But is golf slow? Absolutely.”
Now, that isn’t just big talk. The data back him up. Golf Digest writer Christopher Powers put this reputation to the test at THE PLAYERS Championship. Powers used a stopwatch app to time every single shot Åberg hit on the front nine, and the results were massive, proving Åberg’s average time from arriving at the ball to impact was just 33 seconds. PGA Tour official Stephen Cox noted that the average time for a shot is typically 38 seconds.
Though five seconds seems small and might not sound like much, compared to the standard Tour pace it adds up significantly over a full round of 70 shots. So, the veteran writer complimented, “It’s something every player, regardless of status in the game, should aspire to. More importantly, it’s something we should celebrate.”
And you might think playing fast leads to sloppy mistakes, but the young Swede changes that stereotype entirely.
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Ludvig Åberg’s 2025 season silenced that argument
In February, Åberg claimed his second PGA Tour title at the Genesis Invitational. He fired a final-round 66 to win by one stroke at the historic Riviera Country Club. Then he contended brilliantly at the 2025 Masters, finishing 7th after a late Sunday stumble. Even in the pressure cooker of Augusta National, he refused to slow his natural speed. Then came the heroics at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage when his singles victory over Patrick Cantlay helped Team Europe to secure their back-to-back Ryder Cup in a hostile environment.
Åberg’s profile for the season tells the same impressive story of efficiency. He ranked 14th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and 14th in Driving Distance during the 2025 season.
“I would like to think that I’m quick, and I would like to think that I make my decisions pretty fast. I think that’s something that is a good thing,” Åberg said. “When I played, I didn’t want to be the guy that people were waiting for. I just don’t like playing slow, and I want the round to sort of have a nice tempo and a nice flow to it, I guess. So if it comes from that, I don’t know. But it stuck with me.”
The 6 winningest golf balls on the PGA Tour in 2025
This should come as a surprise to no one, but the winningest golf ball brand on the PGA Tour was once again the “No. 1 ball in golf.”
Titleist golf balls took the cake again this year by winning a whopping 26 of the 46 PGA Tour events played last season, which is more than triple the next closest competitor, which had eight victories.
Why is that unsurprising? Because Titleist has long been the most dominant player in the golf ball space on the PGA Tour and this past season, 73 percent of all golf balls played on the PGA Tour were Titleist, according to Darrell Survey, compared to nine percent for their closest competitor.
What’s interesting about Titleist’s winning ball count is that many of the victories come with previous model golf balls, which the company gladly continues to produce for specific Tour players. Golf ball tech certainly has improved year to year, but pros aren’t always looking to max out spin or speed. They usually like to keep whatever they are most comfortable with over their careers
For example, Scottie Scheffler’s six wins this season came with the 2021 model Titleist Pro V1. Viktor Hovland also won with the same ball at the Valspar. Altogether, the Pro V1 won 14 times, with the ’21 model accounting for half of that total. The current generation 2025 Pro V1 had four wins while the even older 2017 Pro V1 had three wins, being used by Harris English, Brian Harman and Adam Schenk.
The Pro V1’s spinnier sibling, the Pro V1x, accounted for the other 12 wins, with half of those coming from either the 2025 or 2023 models. Interestingly, two of those victories came with CPO prototypes in the 2023 Pro V1x+ for Aldrich Potgieter and the 2025 Pro V1x Double Dot for Cam Young.
Either way, it was another dominant year for Titleist golf balls on the PGA Tour. Keep reading below to see the winningest golf balls on the PGA Tour in 2025.
No. 1 Titleist Pro V1 (14 wins, 9 different players)
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
The Greatest Combination of Speed, Spin and Feel Pro V1 golf balls are the optimal premium performance choice for most players and the most played model in golf. Why Play Pro V1? Pro V1 is recommended to players who are looking for mid-trajectory flight, very low long game spin and maximum short game spin, with softer feel. Comparison to Pro V1x Due to its unique dimple pattern, Pro V1 has a lower flight than Pro V1x. A softer gradient core produces a softer feel and slightly less spin than Pro V1x.
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The Pro V1 is the softer, lower-spinning and lower-flying of the two retail Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. Scottie Scheffler’s six wins with the 2021 model make up the bulk of the victories here. Other winners this year include Harris English, Joe Highsmith, Viktor Hovland, Brian Harman, Garrick Higgo, Ryan Gerard, Michael Brennan and Adam Schenk. Young up-and-comers Highsmith, Higgo, Gerard and Brennan won with the latest ’25 V1.
No. 2 Titleist Pro V1x (12 wins, 12 players)
Titleist Pro V1x Golf Balls
Total Performance With Higher Flight And More Spin Pro V1x golf balls are the optimal premium performance choice for players looking for maximum distance, higher flight and more stopping power. Why Play Pro V1x? Pro V1x is recommended to players who are looking for high-trajectory flight, low long game spin with maximum short game spin, and firmer feel. Comparison to Pro V1 Due to its unique dimple pattern, Pro V1x has a higher flight than Pro V1. A high-gradient dual core produces slightly more iron and wedge spin than Pro V1.
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The Pro V1x was the winningest golf ball last season when considering individual players who won with the model. Ten of the 12 winners used retail versions of the ball, but Cam Young and Aldrich Potgieter used more elusive CPO versions of the Pro V1x. Potgieter won in his first week since switching to the even higher-spinning 2023 Pro V1x+. Likewise, Young won in his first start with the Pro V1x Double Dot, which we don’t have a ton of information on yet, but we believe to be a lower-flying Pro V1x variant. Ludvig Aberg, Justin Rose and Sami Valimaki won with the 2025 model.
No. 3 Srixon Z-Star XV (5 wins, 3 players)
Srixon Z-STAR XV Golf Balls
Z-STAR SeriesWhether you’re chasing major championships or your next personal best, the all-new Z-STAR series is the choice for serious players everywhere. Featuring reformulated cores and covers across the line, this generation of Z-STAR golf balls delivers greater distance, optimized spin, and tour-level stopping power around the green. It’s a formula designed to give you one thing: pure performance when it matters most. Z-STAR XV provides maximum ball speed for unmatched Driver and Iron distance. Its premium 3-piece construction gives skilled players complete tour performance, tee to green.
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Hideki Matsuyama, Sepp Straka and Ryan Fox all use the latest version of the Srixon Z-Star XV golf ball.
T4. Maxfli Tour X (3 wins, 1 player)
Maxfli Tour X Golf Balls
Best for golfers seeking more spin and speed with a higher launch, from every club in their bag.
While Titleist beat everyone in the win count, perhaps no golf ball brand had a more important year for its brand than Maxfli. Ben Griffin used the new 2025 Maxfli Tour X golf ball to win three times on the PGA Tour this season, the first three wins for the brand since 2002.
T4. TaylorMade TP5 (3 wins, 1 player)
TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls
The all-new 2024 TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls are the softest 5-layer Tour ball, delivering a notably softer feel and enhanced spin around the green with lower driver spin than previous generations. TOUR SPIN WITH NEW SPEED WRAPPED CORE The TP5, the softest 5-layer Tour ball, delivers a notably softer feel and enhanced spin around the green with lower driver spin than previous generations. It is engineered with a new Speed Wrapped Core that delivers a softer sound while promoting a faster, more responsive overall design. For golfers who prioritize touch and feel in their short game, the TP5 provides precision greenside performance. TP5 YELLOW WITH ENHANCED VISIBILITY & DURABILITY While many high-visibility golf balls rely solely on a painted finish, we doubled down for added durability. An enriched yellow urethane cover means that your golf ball stays brighter for longer with no chipped paint and better color retention.
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Rory McIlroy’s switch to the higher-spinning, lower-launching 2024 TP5 golf ball from his previous TP5x golf ball was the catalyst to the hot start to his season that ultimately ended with his career grand slam-clinching Masters win. McIlroy found the added control from the softer golf ball allowed him to add more 3/4 swings to his game, which helped his awesome ball-striking at the beginning of the year.
T4. Srixon Z-Star Diamond (3 wins, 3 players)
Srixon Z-STAR DIAMOND Golf Balls
Z-STAR SeriesWhether you’re chasing major championships or your next personal best, the all-new Z-STAR series is the choice for serious players everywhere. Featuring reformulated cores and covers across the line, this generation of Z-STAR golf balls delivers greater distance, optimized spin, and tour-level stopping power around the green. It’s a formula designed to give you one thing: pure performance when it matters most. With a blend of greenside control and long-game distance, the new Z-STAR ♦ DIAMOND also delivers the unique benefit of increased spin on long and mid Iron shots.
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J.J. Spaun, Keegan Bradley and Andrew Novak each used the latest 2025 Srixon Z-Star Diamond for their 2025 wins.
Want to overhaul your bag for 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.
Rory McIlroy confirms PGA Tour player signing for his TGL team ahead of new season
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 schedule isn’t over yet, with the Northern Irishman now looking ahead to the Golf Channel Games.
But after the exhibition match against Scottie Scheffler, he’ll get a break, something he’s probably looking forward to after a packed 2025 calendar.
It hasn’t just been busy; it’s been successful. His win at The Masters stands out as the headline moment of the year.
Add to that a Ryder Cup win and his involvement in TGL’s first season, and it’s clear why McIlroy might need some time off before thinking about what comes next.
Michael Thorbjornsen signs with Rory McIlroy’s TGL team for 2025
The league, co-founded by McIlroy and Tiger Woods, is scheduled to return for its second season in January. There’s already been a notable change to one of the teams.
McIlroy broke the news on The Shotgun Start: “We have a new member of the team who I practiced with this morning, Michael Thorbjornsen.
“I am breaking some news! So we have some fresh blood. I think that could make the difference.”
Speaking about why he made the decision, he explained: “Hideki and Adam are world travellers. Hideki will be in Japan and Adam will be in Australia for the first game we play on January 2nd.
“So Michael has come in and it’s going to be Michael, Keegan and myself. We are feeling pretty good!”
Who is Michael Thorbjornsen?
Thorbjornsen, an American player who turned pro in 2024, has made 45 starts on the PGA Tour up to this point.
While he’s still searching for his first win, he did finish second at this year’s Corales Puntacana Championship and also took third place at the Baycurrent Classic.
The 24-year-old has come close twice with runner-up finishes and has earned $3,568,248 so far in his PGA Tour career.
McIlroy says any Ryder Cup issues with Keegan Bradley are behind them
The topic came up again in 2025, this time because of his TGL teammate, Keegan Bradley.
When asked if any tension was still there, McIlroy said: “There might have been for like a week or two after that but we have gotten past that!”
Bradley didn’t take the loss well, having captained the US team to a disappointing defeat against Europe at Bethpage Black.
Since then, he’s played in The Skins Game alongside McIlroy’s Ryder Cup teammates Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood. He took home $2.1 million from that event – not a bad consolation prize – and with another TGL season coming up, there’s plenty for him to focus on outside of the Ryder Cup result.
Leon Draisaitl reaches 1,000 career points against Penguins, Skinner
PITTSBURGH — Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl became the fourth-fastest active player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points in the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Draisaitl had the secondary assist on a power-play goal by Zach Hyman at 11:38 of the first period. He sent a pass to Connor McDavid, who slid it in front to Hyman for a one-timer past Stuart Skinner.
Skinner was Draisaitl’s teammate before Edmonton traded him to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry on Friday. After Hyman’s goal, the Oilers’ bench emptied and congratulated Draisaitl on the milestone in the corner.
Draisaitl scored his 1,001th point 14 seconds later on a goal by McDavid. He has 416 goals and 585 assists in 824 games. Draisaitl and McDavid assisted on a goal for the 136th time in their career, passing Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky for fourth-most by a pair of teammates in NHL history.
Draisaitl, the No. 3 pick in 2014, became the 103rd player in NHL history, first German-born player and fifth in franchise history to reach 1,000 points.
Draisaitl, a four-time 50-goal scorer, who helped Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup Final the previous two seasons, is the fifth-fastest to reach the milestone among players born outside North America.
Tristan Jarry and Stuart Skinner, traded just 5 days ago, face off against former teams
PITTSBURGH (AP) — For the first time in NHL history, goalies that were involved in the same trade faced one another within seven days of the deal.
Tristan Jarry and Stuart Skinner, traded for one another just five days ago, starred against their former teams as Edmonton visited Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
The Oilers, on Friday, dealt Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for Jarry and forward Sam Poulin.
The Penguins honored Jarry during the first television timeout on Tuesday. Fans applauded as Jarry waved his stick to the crowd, tapped his chest and held his glove in the air.
The two-time Western Conference champions acquired Jarry from the Penguins in the hopes of shoring up a position that has cost them during their deep playoff runs in recent years. Jarry stopped 25 shots during his Oilers’ debut against Toronto on Saturday. Skinner made his Penguins’ debut Tuesday, as he and Kulak spent the weekend settling the immigration process.
Skinner, a 2017 third-round pick who has the fifth-most wins in Oilers’ history, helped Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup Final the last two seasons. Pittsburgh also has a deep prospect pool in goal, led by 21-year-old Sergei Murashov, in addition to 23-year-old Joel Blomqvist and 24-year-old Arturs Silovs, the backup to Skinner on Tuesday.
The Oilers’ problems in goal have played a role in keeping Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and company from getting over the hump and winning the Stanley Cup, particularly in the last two seasons against Florida.
Jarry, a two-time All-Star with Pittsburgh, starred for the Edmonton Oil Kings in junior hockey. He signed a five-year contract with Pittsburgh in 2023, but struggled so badly last season that the Penguins demoted him to their minor league affiliate. The 30-year-old Jarry bounced back under first-year Penguins’ coach Dan Muse, as he started the season 9-3-1 with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.
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Draisaitl picks up 1,000th point with 4 assists in 6-4 win over Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Leon Draisaitl had four assists and became the fourth-fastest active player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-4 on Tuesday night.
Draisaitl, who hit the milestone in the first period on a secondary assist, became the 103rd player in NHL history, first German-born player and fifth in franchise history to reach 1,000 points. He has 416 goals and 587 assists in 824 games for 1,003 points.
Connor McDavid scored twice, including a spectacular power-play goal and added two assists, as he and Draisaitl improved to 23-0-0 when both have at least three points in a regular-season game.
Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman each added a power-play goal and an assist, while Matt Savoie and Vasily Podkolzin also scored for the Oilers, who have won six of their last nine.
Sidney Crosby had an assist for Pittsburgh and moved within one point of tying Mario Lemieux’s franchise record of 1,723 points.
Tommy Novak, Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust and Danton Heinen scored for the Penguins, who dropped their sixth straight and failed to win at least once in a five-game homestand for the first time in team history.
For the first time in NHL history, goalies that were involved in the same trade faced one another within seven days of the deal. Tristan Jarry stopped 26 shots for his second win with Edmonton, and Stuart Skinner made 17 saves in his debut for Pittsburgh.
Justin Brazeau appeared to open the scoring for Pittsburgh at 7:55 of the first period, but the goal was overturned because of a coach’s challenge for offside.
Edmonton scored two power-play goals after three straight Pittsburgh penalties later in the period. The Oilers’ bench emptied to congratulate Draisaitl on his 1,000th NHL point after Hyman’s goal, and McDavid split Karlsson and Parker Wotherspoon with a spectacular power-play goal 14 seconds later.
Up next
Oilers: Travel to Boston on Thursday.
Penguins: Visit Ottawa on Thursday.
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Draisaitl picks up 1,000th point with 4 assists in 6
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Leon Draisaitl had four assists and became the fourth-fastest active player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-4 on Tuesday night.
Draisaitl, who hit the milestone in the first period on a secondary assist, became the 103rd player in NHL history, first German-born player and fifth in franchise history to reach 1,000 points. He has 416 goals and 587 assists in 824 games for 1,003 points.
Connor McDavid scored twice, including a spectacular power-play goal and added two assists, as he and Draisaitl improved to 23-0-0 when both have at least three points in a regular-season game.
Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman each added a power-play goal and an assist, while Matt Savoie and Vasily Podkolzin also scored for the Oilers, who have won six of their last nine.
Sidney Crosby had an assist for Pittsburgh and moved within one point of tying Mario Lemieux’s franchise record of 1,723 points.
Tommy Novak, Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust and Danton Heinen scored for the Penguins, who dropped their sixth straight and failed to win at least once in a five-game homestand for the first time in team history.
For the first time in NHL history, goalies that were involved in the same trade faced one another within seven days of the deal. Tristan Jarry stopped 26 shots for his second win with Edmonton, and Stuart Skinner made 17 saves in his debut for Pittsburgh.
Justin Brazeau appeared to open the scoring for Pittsburgh at 7:55 of the first period, but the goal was overturned because of a coach’s challenge for offside.
Edmonton scored two power-play goals after three straight Pittsburgh penalties later in the period. The Oilers’ bench emptied to congratulate Draisaitl on his 1,000th NHL point after Hyman’s goal, and McDavid split Karlsson and Parker Wotherspoon with a spectacular power-play goal 14 seconds later.
Up next
Oilers: Travel to Boston on Thursday.
Penguins: Visit Ottawa on Thursday.
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Capitals enjoying run of excellence, are ‘model for success in the NHL’
Legendary hockey reporter Stan Fischler writes a weekly scrapbook for NHL.com. Fischler, known as
Mailbag: Bedard’s status for potential Olympic run with Canada; next Makar contract
With Connor Bedard’s injury, does Canada still add him to the roster and then just replace him if he can’t go to the Olympics? — @CHI_guy08
Bedard deserves to be named to Team Canada on Dec. 31. From there, we’ll see, because being named to the roster and actually being available to play at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in February are two different things.
The Chicago Blackhawks center will be out for the rest of December with an upper-body injury and be reevaluated in January, coach Jeff Blashill said Monday. Nothing should change if Hockey Canada was already planning to pick Bedard for the Olympic team unless the management staff led by general manager Doug Armstrong has been told that the 20-year-old will not be ready to play at a high level come Feb. 12, when Canada plays Czechia in its first game. If that’s the case, Armstrong and Hockey Canada would have two firm legs to stand on and it wouldn’t make sense to name him to the team, but that information might not be available Dec. 31, and Canada doesn’t need it anyway. Bedard has played his way onto the team this season, so Canada can name him to the roster and then evaluate him like the Blackhawks are going to do in January.
There are Plan Bs and Plan Cs. Bedard might be getting healthy at another time a player Canada picks to be on the Olympic team is injured. The job is to not just pick the best team, it’s to plan for all possible scenarios in selecting that team. Name him, evaluate, and if he can’t play then you replace him. Seems simple to me.
You predicted Cale Makar will re-sign for eight years with an AAV of $16 million. Don’t you think Makar could take less money so the Avalanche have a deeper roster? What if the Avalanche is short money and can offer
Celebrini has 4 points, Sharks defeat Flames for 3rd straight win
Celebrini, who also had a goal and two assists in a 6-5 overtime win at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) over his past five games.
Barclay Goodrow had two goals and an assist, and John Klingberg and Tyler Toffoli scored for the Sharks (17-14-3), who won the first game of a three-game homestand. Yaroslav Askarov made 27 saves.
Blake Coleman, Ryan Lomberg, and Nazem Kadri scored for the Flames (13-17-4), who are 4-2-0 in their past six games. Dustin Wolf made 20 saves.
Klingberg put the Sharks up 1-0 at 1:02 of the first period. Celebrini fed a backhand pass to Klingberg at the edge of the left face-off circle, where his snap shot then deflected in off the right leg of Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson.
Goodrow increased the lead to 2-0 at 6:00. Vincent Iorio’s clearance down the ice was tipped by Zach Ostapchuk as it went into the offensive zone. The puck hit the end boards and slid directly to the front of the net, where Goodrow lifted it short side past Wolf.
Coleman cut the deficit to 2-1 at 11:01 with a slap shot from the right face-off circle over Askarov’s left shoulder that bounced off the back bar.
Lomberg evened it 2-2 at 14:23 with his first of the season, catching a breakout pass from Adam Klapka in stride in the neutral zone, skating into the Sharks’ defensive zone, and beating Askarov with a wrist shot from the right circle. San Jose was unable to score on a 3-on-1 just moments prior to the goal.
Goodrow scored his second of the period to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead at 19:41. Ty Dellandrea fed a pass from behind the net to Celebrini in front, where his shot squeaked through Wolf and sat in the crease. Goodrow pounced on the loose puck and tapped it over the goal line.
Celebrini made it 4-2 at 2:26 of the third period. He too a pass from Collin Graf after entering the offensive zone, spun around Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl and put a shot off Wolf’s stick that then hit off his right leg before popping into the net.
Toffoli scored at 12:53 to push the lead to 5-2. William Eklund picked up a loose puck in the left circle following a face-off win and skated behind the net. The puck came loose following his wraparound attempt and slid to Toffoli, who banked the puck in off Wolf from the goal line. The goal was Toffoli’s 300th in the NHL.
Kadri took a backhand pass from Jonathan Huberdeau and buried a wrist shot from the high slot at 13:31 to make it 5-3.
Celebrini shot into an empty net at 18:50 for his second goal of the night and the 6-3 final.
MacKinnon has two goals and an assist as Avalanche beat Kraken 5-3
SEATTLE (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon scored twice for an NHL-leading 28 goals this season and added an assist as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 5-3 on Tuesday night for their third straight win.
MacKinnon also extended his point streak to six games as Colorado won for the fifth time in that span. The Avalanche, who have the league’s best record, have earned a point in 24 of the last 25 games.
Artturi Lehkonen, Samuel Girard and Brock Nelson also scored for the Avalanche. Mackenzie Blackwood had 34 saves.
Chandler Stephenson, Shane Wright and Jordan Eberle scored goals for the Kraken, who have lost eight of their last nine. Philipp Grubauer stopped 33 shots.
The reeling Kraken put pressure on the league-leading Avalanche throughout the game and scored three goals in the second period to take a 3-2 lead going into the third.
MacKinnon tied the game early in the third period with a one-timer from the right circle, and iced the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
The Kraken had a chance to take a third-period lead when they were given a penalty shot as Josh Manson was whistled for covering the puck with his glove in the crease with 12:11 left in the game. Eberle’s shot hit the right post.
Less than a minute later Nelson scored the go-ahead goal for the Avalanche.
Lehkonen deflected a shot for the game’s first goal midway through the first period.
Up Next
Avalanche: Host Winnipeg on Friday.
Kraken: At Calgary on Thursday.
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Sharks’ Igor Chernyshov: Earns assist in NHL debut
Chernyshov logged an assist in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the Flames.
This was Chernyshov’s NHL debut, and he saw 12:20 of ice time, though he was listed on the top line at even strength. The 20-year-old tore up the AHL with 23 points in 25 games to begin his tenure in that league, though he is unlikely to match that pace at the NHL level. Chernyshov remains an intriguing long-term option for dynasty managers, but his stay in the NHL this year might not be enough to tip the scales for managers in redraft formats.
How seven NHL goalies leveled up their play this season
There’s a new sheriff in the State of Hockey. And a Swedish one, at that. His name? Jesper Wallstedt.
But you can call him The Wall of St. Paul. His teammates do. It’s a nickname befitting of a Minnesota Wild goaltender who’s rewriting the franchise’s rookie record books as one of the league’s breakout stars.
The Wild even made T-shirts to show their support. Wallstedt just wasn’t sure whether to join in on the fun or not.
Cowboys ‘dream scenario’ for final stretch of NFL season is pure delusion
The Dallas Cowboys entered December on a three-game winning streak, with momentum in their favor for a potential late-season run at the NFC East title. Unfortunately, reality slapped the team in the face, and the NFL playoff hopes evaporated.
Now, the Cowboys enter the final three-game stretch of the season with just a one percent chance at reaching the postseason.
At this point in the season, there is only one
Prisco’s Week 16 NFL picks: Seahawks-Rams prediction, plus more expert selections
There’s nothing like a good hot streak in December when it comes to picking NFL games.
For me, it’s been a bit of a heater.
I went 11-5 both straight up and against the spread last week, which has me feeling optimistic heading down the stretch of the regular season.
For the season, I am now 117-106-1 ATS and 151-72-1 straight up. To be 11 games over .500 picking every game each week is quite a feat, if I don’t say so myself.
Let’s hope as the weather gets frigid around the country, I can stay as hot as a July day at the beach.
All Week 16 NFL betting lines via DraftKings Sportsbook
Los Angeles Rams (-1) at Seattle Seahawks
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime
This game will go a long way in deciding the NFC West. The Rams beat the Seahawks earlier this year, but Seattle turned it over four times in that game. They won’t do that here. The Rams defense has been leaky lately, which is a concern. Sam Darnold struggled last week, and has struggled the last two times out against the Rams, but I think he plays better here. Seattle is the pick.
Pick: Seahawks 29, Rams 24
Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) at Washington Commanders
Saturday, 5 p.m. ET on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
The Eagles got back on track last week against the Raiders, while the Commanders won the road against the Giants. But this is a big step up for a Commanders team that has had defensive issues all year long. This rematch of the NFC Championship game goes to the Eagles just like that one did. Philly wins it.
Pick: Eagles 32, Commanders 17
Green Bay Packers (-1.5) at Chicago Bears
Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
The Packers are reeling after losing to Denver and losing key players, including star edge Micah Parsons for the year with a torn ACL. They beat the Bears two weeks ago at home, but this is a bigger challenge on the road. Chicago is playing well and that offense against the Parsons-less defense will be a lot to handle. But I think Jordan Love comes up big.
Pick: Packers 27, Bears 24
Buffalo Bills (-10) at Cleveland Browns
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
The Bills are coming off a big road victory over the Patriots and now play a second-consecutive road game against a team they should beat. Motivation could be key, but the Browns have offensive issues. Look for the Bills to take care of things in this one early to win it behind another strong game by Josh Allen.
Pick: Bills 27, Browns 14
Cincinnati Bengals (-1.5) at Miami Dolphins
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
The Bengals were shut out by the Ravens last week and eliminated from playoff contention, while Miami lost to the Steelers Monday night to also be eliminated. So this game means nothing. With that as a backdrop, give me Miami at home. Devon Achane will run it wild and have a big day.
Pick: Dolphins 30, Bengals 26
Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) at Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
The Chiefs have been eliminated from the playoffs and Patrick Mahomes is lost for the season. How focused will they be here? Does it matter. The Titans are bad and Gardner Minshew is more than capable of having a solid game. Chiefs win it.
Pick: Chiefs 24, Titans 17
Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
The Chargers have won two straight, while the Cowboys have lost two straight. Dallas is barely alive in the playoff race, and could be eliminated Saturday night if the Eagles win, while the Chargers are surging. But after beating the Chiefs last week, this could be a letdown spot for the Chargers. Dallas can score and I think they will here. Cowboys take it.
Pick: Cowboys 33, Chargers 27
Minnesota Vikings (-3) at New York Giants
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
The Vikings are playing consecutive road games, but they played well at Dallas. The Giants didn’t look good in the home loss to the Commanders last week. But I think they bounce back here and the defense plays better against J.J. McCarthy. The Giants win it at home.
Pick: Giants 24, Vikings 20
New York Jets at New Orleans Saints (-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
The Jets are out on the road for the second straight week, which is never an easy thing for a bad team playing for nothing. The Saints have showed some fight the past month, which I think continues in this one. Tyler Shough has played well and the Jets have little in terms of offense. Saints win it.
Pick: Saints 27, Jets 10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) at Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
This is for first place in the division. Both teams are coming off bad losses that have them at 7-7 and tied for the division lead. The Bucs have not played well on defense as of late, but the Carolina offense isn’t great. Look for Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense to get the best of the Carolina defense, while Bryce Young can’t keep up.
Pick: Buccaneers 23, Panthers 19
Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
These two are among the biggest disappointments of the year. The Cardinals are decimated by injuries, which shows up on defense. The Falcons showed they could score against Tampa Bay with Kirk Cousins at quarterback and that will continue in this one. Falcons win it.
Pick: Falcons 34, Cardinals 23
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos (-3)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
This is the one of the games of the week, featuring the top-seed Broncos against the third-seeded Jaguars. Both teams are playing much better on offense as of late, which could make this fun to watch. This a big proving game for the young Jaguars and I think they can come in and win it with a big day from Trevor Lawrence.
Pick: Jaguars 27, Broncos 26
Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans (-14.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
The Raiders are bad right now with little semblance of an offense, while the Texans are the best defense in the league. That’s a bad combination. The Raiders are also playing consecutive road games with no chance for the playoffs, while the Texans would be in the postseason right now and need it. Texans in a blowout.
Pick: Texans 31, Raiders 9
Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions (-7)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
This is a big game for both in their playoff quest. The Lions lost last week, while the Steelers are coming off a Monday night win over the Dolphins. The Steelers defense played well in that one, but this is a big step up in terms of matching offensive firepower. Both teams will score, but the Lions will get more.
Pick: Lions 33, Steelers 27
New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens (-3)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
The Patriots are coming off a tough loss at home against the Bills and now must head out to play a Ravens team that shut out the Bengals last week. The Ravens are also more desperate in the playoff race, which matters. Lamar Jackson wins it as the Patriots drop their second straight.
Pick: Ravens 30, Patriots 26
San Francisco 49ers (-5.5) at Indianapolis Colts
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
This will be the second start for Philip Rivers for the Colts after he almost won at Seattle last week. The 49ers are 10-4 and pushing for a playoff spot. They blew out Tennessee last week, but the defense wasn’t great. It won’t matter as the 49ers will limit Rivers and Brock Purdy will play well. The 49ers keep on winning.
NFL news: Giants waive Younghoe Koo
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The New York Giants have mostly failed at all three phases of a football game in 2025, and on Tuesday, the team hoped to amend part of their issues – the kicking game.
The Giants waived kicker Younghoe Koo after a tumultuous stint with the Big Blue. Koo, a one-time Pro Bowler, missed two field goals in the team’s 29-21 loss to the Washington Commanders. He was 4-of-6 on field goal attempts in five games with the Giants.
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Koo also suffered an inexplicable viral moment against the New England Patriots three weeks ago when his foot got caught in the turf. The result was a botched attempt and a turnover on downs for the Giants amid a blowout loss.
NFL picks for Week 16, score predictions, best bets today from self-learning AI
The Week 16 NFL schedule features 16 more games, including several with potential playoff ramifications. One such game is an NFC North battle between the Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) and the Chicago Bears (10-4). Green Bay is favored by 1 point as Jordan Love and the Packers face Caleb Williams and the Bears. Green Bay has won nine of the past 10 meetings with Chicago, including a 28-21 win at Lambeau Field two weeks ago. Another key matchup between two NFC contenders is the NFC South matchup between the division co-leading Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The teams are tied with 7-7 records, and play each other two times in the final three weeks.
The Buccaneers enter as 3-point road favorites. Sunday’s largest spreads include Raiders vs. Texans (-14.5), Bills (-10) vs. Browns, Steelers vs. Lions (-7) and Eagles (-6.5) vs. Commanders. Among the worst injuries suffered in Week 15 include Patrick Mahomes (knee) of the Chiefs and Micah Parson (knee) of the Packers. Before making any Week 16 NFL picks or NFL score predictions on those games or others, you need to see the NFL against the spread, over/under and money line predictions powered by the self-learning SportsLine AI.
Built using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques by SportsLine’s Data Science team, AI Predictions and AI Ratings are generated for each game. The AI predictions are determined by statistically learning from each team’s historical data and then quantitatively evaluating the strength of the opponent’s defense by assigning a numeric value out of 100 called a matchup score. It continuously refreshes on the most recent available data and can help you spot the biggest discrepancies in the lines. SportsLine’s AI PickBot has hit more than 2,000 4.5- and 5-star prop picks since the start of the 2023 season.
For Week 16 NFL betting, SportsLine AI has evaluated the NFL odds and provided NFL betting picks for all 16 games. You can only see the AI predictions for the Week 16 NFL schedule here.
Top Week 16 NFL AI picks
After analyzing every game in Week 16, the AI says the Broncos (-3, 45.5), who have won 11 in a row, cover comfortably against the Jaguars.
The Broncos have gone over in each of their last four games, while the over has hit in each of the last two Jaguars games. Bet the Over 45.5 in the latest DraftKings promo code, which offers $200 in bonus bets if your first bet wins:
Denver is looking for its 12th win in a row and is expected to win comfortably over the AFC South-leading Jaguars. A win will move the Broncos closer to clinching the AFC West title. SportsLine AI rates the Broncos as an A+ spread pick and also predicts a 27-20 win on average. See its other Week 16 football predictions and football picks at SportsLine, and bet the Broncos at DraftKings here:
How to make Week 16 NFL picks
In addition, the AI PickBot has generated more than two dozen highly-coveted A picks for Week 16. You need to see the AI’s NFL picks before making any Week 16 NFL bets of your own. You can only see them at SportsLine.
The ‘strange dichotomy’ of Myles Garrett’s historic sack chase: A record-breaking season amid Browns collapse
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Myles Garrett is on the verge of NFL history, sitting at 21.5 sacks with three games remaining and needing just 1.5 more to break the single-season record of 22.5 set by Michael Strahan and matched by T.J. Watt.
Yet what should be a moment of unequivocal celebration for the Cleveland Browns has instead become a complicated narrative about individual excellence amid team failure.
“Is it going to be weird if it’s like, 21-3 and they stop the game to celebrate Myles Garrett? Is there any awkwardness there?” podcast host Dan Labbe wondered during Wednesday’s episode. “There’s just weird vibes all around this record. I think it just speaks to him having this incredible season and the team just not being able to do anything with it. It’s not turning into victories.”
The awkwardness stems from the stark contrast between Garrett’s dominance and the Browns’ dismal 3-11 record. For a franchise desperately seeking relevance, having an all-time great individual season occur during another lost year feels almost cruel.
Utah Utes offensive tackle Caleb Lomu declares for 2026 NFL Draft
Utah left offensive tackle Caleb Lomu has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced in a social media post on Tuesday.
“I will always cherish my time at the University of Utah, and the support I have received through every high and every low from my family, friends, teammates and fans,” the redshirt sophomore said in his announcement. “With that being said, I am beyond grateful and blessed to announce that I will be declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.”
In 2025, Lomu became one of the best offensive linemen in the country. His performance helped lead the Utes to a 10-2 record and a No. 15 ranking in the country.
Lomu earned an All-Big 12 First Team selection at the end of the season. According to Pro Football Focus, Lomu has allowed just eight pressures, six hurries and has yet to allow a sack in 357 pass blocking opportunities this season.
He also played a pivotal part in Utah’s rushing offense, which ranks third in the nation, averaging 269.8 rushing yards per game and has accumulated 3,237 total yards on the ground.
Lomu is projected to be a first-round selection in 2026. ESPN draft analyst Field Yates has him being selected at No. 18 in his latest mock draft released on Dec. 10.
Utah is set to cap off its season versus Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
NY Giants Surprisingly Gain Ground in Latest MMQB’s NFL Power Rankings Poll
The New York Giants might have added another brutal loss to their now 2-12 record which is dancing with the possibility of creating a worse finish than their 3-14 record last season.
However, somehow, they still haven’t shown enough to be considered the most downtrodden franchise in the NFL, according to the latest MMQB power ranking poll.
New York actually managed to jump up one spot in the aftermath of Week 15, moving to No. 30, just ahead of their cross-market rivals in the New York Jets and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Really, at this point, there’s not much that can be said about the quality of football, so rankings compiler Conor Orr has been zeroing in on the other stories surrounding the Giants.
Travis Kelce Reacts to Chiefs Missing Playoffs, Patrick Mahomes’ Injury
Travis Kelce is getting brutally honest about the Kansas City Chiefs’ disappointing season after officially being eliminated from playoff contention.
Travis, 36, broke down his mindset heading into the final games of the season during the Wednesday, December 17, episode of his “New Heights” podcast, cohosted by Jason Kelce.
“We got three games left … the integrity of who you are as a professional, as a player, you gotta love this s***, man. And Chiefs Kingdom, we’re gonna give you everything we got. There’s no question about that,” he told listeners. “There’s only one way I do things, there’s only one way Coach Reid does things, and if we’re gonna go out there and play some football, we’re gonna do it the right way and keep trying to get these things fixed and end on the highest note we can.”
Throughout the NFL season — Travis’ 13th since being drafted in 2013 — questions arose about the tight end’s performance on the field. After losing to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, December 14, the Chiefs were knocked out of the postseason for the first time in more than 10 years.
Travis previously declined to speak with media after the game, which was attended by his fiancée, Taylor Swift, and more family members.
“Sorry guys, it’s not the time,” he told reporters in the locker room, per ESPN. “I’ll catch you guys during the week.”
While recapping the game on Wednesday, Travis noted that losing out on the playoffs is “unfamiliar territory” for some teammates.
“I’m the only one that’s been on the team long enough to see us not make the playoffs or to play a game that [ends that way]. You know, it’s obviously f***ed up, but it’s a new feeling. So all I know is to go out there and play my ass off and to show up, and you know, give my guys the best chance to win. And I think that’s the mentality,” he said. “There’s an integrity thing here that when you sign up for the gig, you’re living out your dreams, you’re living out a kid’s dream that never got a chance to do this. You’re playing this game, obviously to win Super Bowls. You’re playing this game to be in those playoff scenarios and stuff, but at the end of the day, man, you’re playing in the NFL. And that’s a f***ing blessing. That’s an honor.”
Travis continued, “It’s an honor to be out there, it’s an honor to feel the soreness after a game because you were actually out there. You’re f***ing doing it. And no matter if you’re getting the f***ing ball thrown to you, no matter if you’re blocking your tail off … it’s an honor to be out there in a uniform, playing for the guys around you, playing for your family, playing for the people back home that are watching you, that have known you since you were a little kid dreaming about this moment.”
Jason, 38, pointed out that “no two years are the same” while playing in the NFL, from roster changes to league standings. Travis insisted he’s still happy to be getting on the field, whatever the scenario.
“I’ll tell you what, man, if there’s a game to be had, I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna love f***ing playing in it, no matter if it’s a game that’s in the playoffs or gets us in the playoffs or a game that, you know, seems like it doesn’t have any implications of that,” he said. “That’s the integrity you gotta go out there with.”
Not only did the Chiefs lose out on another shot at the Super Bowl, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a gruesome injury, later revealed to be a torn ACL.
“Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s [sic] hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again,” he tweeted after the game on Sunday. “Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers.”
The Chiefs announced Monday, December 15, that the 30-year-old “successfully underwent surgery” and will begin the rehab process “immediately.” Gardner Minshew is expected to take the field when the Chiefs play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, December 21.
“He’s a warrior, man. I’m telling you,” Travis said of Mahomes on Wednesday. “This guy’s played through everything, battled through everything, has been crowned champion because he’s battled through everything. And he’s gonna battle through this, it’s the only way this guy is wired. He’s a fearless, fearless warrior when it comes to this football thing and he’s gonna make sure that he comes back stronger than ever. Hopefully the Chiefs can get him back as soon as possible. … I know he’s gonna be doing everything he can to get back on the field for the Chiefs as soon as possible.”
Travis added that “it’s never easy” seeing a teammate get hurt. “To see 1-5 go down like that, man … it was almost like it wasn’t real. S*** just sucks, man. For a guy that puts in that much and puts his body on the line, week in, week out … it sucks, man,” he said.
With the offseason approaching quickly, fans are eager to see whether Travis will return for another season or decide to hang up his cleats. (For those invested in the numerology of it all — IYKYK — Travis’ brother also played for 13 years before retiring from the Philadelphia Eagles. We don’t need to tell you who else loves the number 13.)
Travis didn’t offer any more clarity about next season, but before “New Heights” was released, Jason spoke candidly about Travis’ future in the NFL on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown.
“I’m curious too,” he confessed. “In my opinion, to nail that decision, you have to step away from the game for a little bit. Play these last three games, enjoy them with your teammates, enjoy them with your coaches. The team’s going to be different no matter whether you come back or not next year.”
Jason continued, “Enjoy these last three games and then let it sink in. It will come to you with time. There are so many emotions with this game right after a season, especially with the way this one’s been. … Right now, it’s just too fresh.”
Bills dream scenario includes No. 1 seed and a harsh reality
A Week 15 win over the New England Patriots reignited the hopes for the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
Buffalo has been the division champs for five consecutive seasons, but the Patriots have been in control of the East for the majority of the season. Their recent win, however, pulled the Bills to within one game.
MORE: Buffalo Bills have 7 players finish in top 10 of Pro Bowl voting
With three weeks left to play, the Bills could find a way to top New England. According to Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon, that would be their
Shedeur Sanders Might Have Played His Way Into Changing The Browns’ NFL Draft Plan
For years, Cleveland has searched for stability under center, cycling through draft picks, veterans, and short-term fixes without ever fully committing to a long-term vision.
But just four starts into Shedeur Sanders’ NFL career, that conversation is quietly shifting—even after the Browns selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback hasn’t been perfect—few rookies are. Yet Sanders has injected belief, energy, and perhaps direction into an offense that had grown stagnant. Around the league, there’s growing chatter that Cleveland may have seen enough to stop resetting the quarterback clock and finally start building forward.
From Boulder to Belief: Sanders’ Early NFL Rise
Sanders’ numbers through four starts won’t overwhelm at first glance, but they tell an important story. He’s thrown for 799 yards with six total touchdowns, consistently pushing the ball downfield and commanding the offense with the same confidence that defined his time in Boulder.
It easily could have been seven scores, but in Chicago’s freezing conditions, Sanders delivered a strike that bounced off Jerry Jeudy’s chest and into the hands of Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson—an interception that said more about circumstance than arm talent or decision-making.
That moment has come to mirror Sanders’ early NFL experience. The environment hasn’t always cooperated, but the traits Colorado fans grew accustomed to in Boulder have indeed translated to the NFL: poise under pressure, ball accuracy, toughness in the pocket, and an unwavering belief in attacking defenses.
Sanders thrived at CU under constant pressure and behind inconsistent protection. Now, Cleveland is seeing the same thing — that the calm doesn’t fade when the conditions worsen.
Building Around the Quarterback, Not Replacing Him
If Cleveland commits to Sanders, the draft conversation changes entirely.
Instead of using premium capital on another quarterback, the Browns could shift their focus to supporting pieces—particularly perimeter weapons who complement Sanders’ aggressive, timing-based style.
One intriguing name is Jordyn Tyson, widely viewed as one of the top wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Tyson isn’t just an elite prospect; he’s also familiar to Colorado fans. As a true freshman in 2022, Tyson led the Buffaloes in receiving yards, flashing separation ability and vertical speed before transferring to Arizona State.
Another potential option is Washington wideout Chris Brazzell II, a physically imposing outside receiver with deep speed and red-zone presence. Brazzell’s size, explosiveness, and advanced route-running mirror the type of perimeter threat Sanders has consistently elevated throughout his career.
MORE: New Colorado Buffaloes Recruit Shares Encouraging Update On High School Career
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MORE: What Colorado’s TV Ratings Say About Deion Sanders’ Impact
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Sanders thrived at Colorado by trusting receivers who could win one-on-one outside the numbers, and both Tyson and Brazzell fit that mold perfectly. Their size, route fluidity, and downfield ability could immediately give Sanders new options.
Protecting the Investment: The Offensive Line Factor
Of course, belief alone isn’t enough. If the Browns commit to Sanders, protecting him becomes non-negotiable.
Building around a young quarterback starts in the trenches, and reinforcing the offensive line—especially at tackle—will be a priority. Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor fits that vision as a long-term blindside anchor: massive, powerful, and athletic enough to handle elite edge rushers.
During his time at Colorado, Sanders showed that when given even modest stability, he becomes surgical. If Cleveland chooses to address the offensive line early, they have a chance to provide an environment Sanders has yet to play behind — which could unlock the next level of his game.
For Buff Nation, the moment feels familiar.
Sanders didn’t arrive in Boulder with universal belief either. He earned it through resilience, leadership, and production. Now, he’s doing the same thing in Cleveland—changing perceptions not through flash, but through on field command.
Sanders will finish out the season as the Browns’ starting quarterback. Mistakes will come, as they do with any rookie passer, but the larger question has shifted. It’s no longer about whether he belongs in the NFL — it’s whether Cleveland is ready to stop starting over and commit to a quarterback.
What the Brooklyn Nets Current Winning Ways Mean for the Future
While the bottom three teams in the Western Conference have continued their losing ways, there’s a different story for one of the bottom three teams in the Eastern Conference. Through six games in December, the Brooklyn Nets have won four, placing them four games back from a play-in spot.
The underlying goal coming into this season seemed to be to develop as much young talent as possible while also being in a position to get a top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Nets’ young talent is being properly developed, four of their five rookies have seen quality minutes along with other young prospects, but they are slowly ruining their chances of adding a true superstar player in what looks like a historic draft class.
Brooklyn’s season started as many had predicted, with a league-worst scoring offense entering December and a slightly better defense that created some close games. In this month, however, the Nets are averaging 116 points per game and they have held four teams to less than 105 points through six games.
A lot of the credit will be placed on veterans Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton, both having breakout seasons, but many of the rookies’ level of play has looked ahead of schedule as well.
Egor Demin has looked like a true all-around guard since being inserted into the starting lineup in November, and Drake Powell has been a key three-and-D player in 18 games off the bench. Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf saw more time in the G League, but since being called up, they have impacted both ends of the floor.
Brooklyn’s recent success means that the front office has confidence in its current young core and that they don’t believe a top 2026 prospect is needed to enhance this team. If the Nets can make a play-in push, a top 10 pick should still suffice for the rebuild as they build around the 2025 class.
It isn’t a sure-fire thing that this current strategy will pay off in the future, though. Making it to the play-in doesn’t do much for this team currently, and snagging even a top-five pick in the next draft cycle could push Brooklyn to a playoff contender in one season.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez clearly doesn’t believe in tanking culture and wants his roster to have a competitive mentality. This mindset could be good for the Nets’ player development, but it could also leave them right back in familiar mediocrity.
Charles Barkley rips NBA Cup prize money as Knicks, Spurs meet for title
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The New York Knicks haven’t won an NBA title since the early 1970s. It has also been more than a quarter-century since the franchise won the Eastern Conference and advanced to the NBA Finals.
On Tuesday night, the Knicks took the court in Las Vegas to compete for an NBA title — of sorts. The Knicks met the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas for the third iteration of the NBA Cup, the league’s rebranded in-season tournament.
While some players and coaches have praised the emerging concept, Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA analyst Charles Barkley remains unconvinced.
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Cavaliers vs. Bulls prediction, odds, time: 2025 NBA picks from proven model
Teams looking to get back on track meet when the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Chicago Bulls in a key Central Division matchup on Wednesday night. Cleveland is coming off a 119-111 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, while Chicago dropped a 114-104 decision to the New Orleans Pelicans that same day. The Cavaliers (15-12), who are 4-6 over the past 10 games, are 6-5 on the road this season. The Bulls (10-15), who are 2-8 over the past 10 games, are 6-6 on their home court. Cleveland center Evan Mobley (calf) and forward Larry Nance Jr. (calf) are both out. Ayo Dosunmo (thumb) is questionable for Chicago.
Tipoff from United Center in Chicago is set for 8 p.m. ET. The Bulls lead the all-time series 133-106, but the Cavaliers have won the last five meetings, including a 128-122 decision on Nov. 8. Cleveland is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Cavaliers vs. Bulls odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 243.5. Before making any Bulls vs. Cavaliers picks, check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
New users can target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $200 in bonus bets if your $5+ bet wins:
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight seasons. The model enters Week 9 of the 2025-26 NBA season on a sizzling 29-14 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Cavaliers vs. Bulls 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Bulls vs. Cavs:
New users can check out the latest bet365 bonus code to get $150 in bonus bets after placing a $5 bet:
How to make Cavaliers vs. Bulls picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the total. The total has gone under in two of the past three Cleveland games, including in the loss to the Hornets on Sunday, and in four of the last five Chicago games.
The SportsLine model is projecting Cleveland’s Donovn Mitchell to score 27.7 points on average and be one of six Cavaliers players to score 11.5 or more points. Chicago’s Josh Giddey, meanwhile, is projected to have 19.8 points as five Bulls players score 11 points or more.
The model also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.
NBA Trade Rumors: Do Timberwolves Need Darius Garland as Lead Point Guard?
A renewed desire by the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Darius Garland has once again become a topic of discussion, as rumors of a potential trade between the two teams have resurfaced.
Could he be the missing piece for the Wolves to finish this season strongly?
Why Darius Garland Is a Strong Fit for the Minnesota Timberwolves
From a basketball perspective, Garland appears to check many boxes for Minnesota. He is turning 26 in January, which aligns well with Anthony Edwards’ timeline, and he has proven himself as a reliable offensive scorer.
According to NBA analyst Jake Weinbach, the Timberwolves are now considered a
NBA Power Rankings: Cavaliers and 76ers cling onto contention
The third-annual NBA Cup concluded last night with the New York Knicks claiming the tournament trophy over the San Antonio Spurs and collecting their cash prize in Las Vegas.
Now, the regular season carries on as we reach the end of 2025 and ramp up play toward the back half of the season.
In the East, the Detroit Pistons continue their dominance over an injury-riddled conference, riding a four-game winning streak. However, expect a lot to change between now and the New Year as the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers are all one game apart.
In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain staunchly at the top of the standings, having been handed only their second loss of the season to the Spurs in the NBA Cup semifinals and 4.5 games ahead of the No. 2 Denver Nuggets. And keep an eye on the Western Conference play-in, as the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies have snuck their way back into contention as the year comes to a close.
Our NBA insiders break down and rank where all 30 teams stand as we approach the holiday season in this week’s Power Rankings.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) think teams belong this season.
Previous rankings: Preseason| Oct. 29| Nov. 5| Nov. 12| Nov. 19 | Nov. 26| Dec. 3 | Dec. 10
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
In the midst of the Thunder’s recent 16-game win streak, it suddenly felt reasonable to believe they had a chance to rip off an NBA trifecta — NBA Cup champs, regular-season wins record and NBA title. The Spurs put an end to that in Las Vegas, reminding the league that, while still the prohibitive title favorites, the Thunder aren’t invincible. Oklahoma City is a streaky 3-point shooting team and went 9-of-37 on 3s in the semifinal loss to San Antonio. But it’s fortunate timing for the league. The Thunder will get the Spurs in a rematch twice next week, including a Christmas Day matchup in OKC.– Anthony Slater
2. Detroit Pistons
The
Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves prediction, odds, time, spread: 2025 NBA picks from proven model
Surging Western Conference teams will clash on Wednesday’s NBA schedule as the Memphis Grizzlies visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both teams are 7-3 over their last 10 games. The Wolves (17-9) are coming off a 117-103 victory over Sacramento on Sunday, while Memphis (12-14) enters in off a 121-103 win over the Clippers on Monday. Minnesota leads the all-time series 58-54. Ja Morant (ankle) is questionable for Memphis, while Anthony Edwards (foot) is questionable for the Wolves.
Tipoff from the Target Center in Minneapolis is set for 8 p.m. ET. Memphis won two of three meetings last season as they’ll match up for the first time this year. Minnesota is a 7.5-point favorite in the latest Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 232.5. Before making any Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves picks, check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
New users can target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $200 in bonus bets if your $5+ bet wins:
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight seasons. The model enters Week 9 of the 2025-26 NBA season on a sizzling 29-14 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves:
New users can check out the latest bet365 bonus code to get $150 in bonus bets after placing a $5 bet:
How to make Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves picks
SportsLine’s model has simulated Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies 10,000 times and is going Under on the total (235.5). The Under is a combined 30-22 for the teams this season, with the setting also playing a factor in the model predicting under 235.5. The Under is 8-5 for the Wolves in home games this year, while the total hasn’t been reached in nine of 13 road games for Memphis. Minnesota home games have also seen the Under hit in three straight entering Wednesday’s contest.
Over the last 13 meetings between these teams, 11 have failed to reach 235.5 points. The Grizzlies don’t allow free points, as their opponents have made the fewest free throws this season, while the Wolves allow the fourth-fewest made 3-pointers per game. SportsLine’s model forecasts just two players to score more than 18 points, as the teams combine for 230 points per the simulations. Thus, SportsLine’s advanced model projects the Under to hit in 60% of simulations.
The model also says one side of the spread hits over 60% of the time in an A-rated pick. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.
La NBA analiza dar alivio salarial al Heat por el caso de apuestas que involucra a Terry Rozier
La NBA enfrenta una situación sin precedentes tras las investigaciones federales por apuestas ilegales que involucran al escolta del Miami Heat, Terry Rozier, y al entrenador de los Portland Trail Blazers y miembro del Salón de la Fama, Chauncey Billups. Así lo reconoció este martes el comisionado Adam Silver, quien admitió que la liga evalúa posibles soluciones, incluido algún tipo de alivio salarial para Miami, aunque sin garantías de que sea viable.
Rozier, quien se declaró no culpable de cargos de fraude electrónico y conspiración para lavado de dinero, permanece en licencia sin goce de sueldo, pero su contrato de 26,6 millones de dólares continúa contabilizando contra el tope salarial del Heat, ocupando aproximadamente el 17% del espacio disponible del equipo. El dinero está siendo depositado en una cuenta con intereses mientras se resuelve el proceso legal.
“Es una situación inédita”, afirmó Silver. “Hay un jugador que no puede prestar servicios al equipo y, al mismo tiempo, no ha sido condenado. No hay una solución obvia, pero estamos intentando trabajar algo con Miami”.
El problema se agrava para la franquicia floridana debido a que aún debe una selección de primera ronda del Draft a Charlotte, correspondiente a 2027 o 2028, como parte del traspaso que llevó a Rozier a Miami.
AFP__20250416__2210099528__v3__MidRes__WashingtonWizardsVMiamiHeat
Terry Rozier # 2 del Miami Heat conduce contra Tristan Vukcevic # 00 de los Washington Wizards durante el cuarto cuarto del partido en el Kaseya Center el 13 de abril de 2025 en Miami, Florida.
Megan Briggs/Getty Images/AFP
Según los fiscales federales, Rozier habría alertado a conocidos sobre su intención de abandonar anticipadamente un partido disputado en marzo de 2023 contra los New Orleans Pelicans, cuando aún militaba en los Charlotte Hornets. Los apostadores habrían ganado decenas de miles de dólares tras apostar en contra de su rendimiento estadístico. Rozier jugó apenas 9 minutos y 36 segundos, alegó una lesión en el pie y no volvió a disputar partidos esa temporada antes de ser traspasado.
Rozier se encuentra en libertad bajo fianza de 3 millones de dólares y no se espera que comparezca nuevamente ante la corte hasta marzo.
En un caso separado, Chauncey Billups también se declaró no culpable el mes pasado por su presunta implicación en un esquema para arreglar partidas de póker de alto riesgo vinculadas a la Mafia. Ambos, junto al exjugador Damon Jones, figuran entre más de 30 detenidos en octubre como parte de una amplia operación federal contra redes de apuestas ilegales relacionadas con el deporte profesional.
La NBA sigue de cerca el desarrollo de los procesos judiciales, consciente de que su resolución podría tardar meses y sentar un precedente clave para la gestión de contratos, sanciones y alivios salariales en casos extraordinarios.
Cooper Flagg Is Breaking NBA Records but Says He’s Still ‘a Kid’ (Exclusive)
Cooper Flagg turns 19 on Sunday. But until then, the Dallas Mavericks rookie seemingly figured he had a bit of unfinished business.
Like winning Western Conference Rookie of the Month, which he did in November.
Like setting an NBA record for most points (42) scored by an 18-year-old, which he did on Monday, Dec. 15.
And like shooting (and scoring with) his first State Farm commercial, which debuts on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Flagg is not like you or me, but maybe he is a bit relatable.
“I’ve got a car, an apartment, so, you know, big boy stuff,” he tells PEOPLE exclusively about his transition to playing in Dallas, while his mother Kelly Flagg looks on and exchanges knowing glances and a laugh with another mother in the room.
Minutes later, Cooper walks to the nearby soundstage to shoot the breeze with actor Kevin Miles — who is also known as Jake from State Farm.
The 6-foot-9-inch teenager from New England is living up to his nickname — “The Maine Event” — with an easy confidence, just over one year after he decided to reclassify, foregoing his final year in high school to play for Duke at the age of 17.
A standout season stopped short of netting a national championship, but a whirlwind followed when he was drafted No. 1 by the Mavs — who had 1.8% chance of landing the generational star — and since then, it’s been a blur of summer league games and getting acclimated to playing in the league.
“I wouldn’t say it’s been easy,” he tells PEOPLE days before the preseason began in October. “It’s tiring. Obviously all the traveling we’ve been doing and different things like that. And it takes a little bit to get used to, but I think I’m doing as good as I can, just kind of figuring out the balance and keeping my priorities straight. It’s been a balance, and trial-and-error, but we’ll figure it out.”
That seems to be the case.
Averaging 18.4 points per game through 26 starts so far, Flagg is a bright spot on the Dallas roster, which has struggled with injuries to key players in the wake of last season’s blockbuster trade that sent another generational star — Luka Dončić — to the Los Angeles Lakers.
In some ways, Flagg says he views himself as just another rookie, kicking back with fellow Mavs players Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse.
“Obviously we’re all going through the same thing at the same time, so just trying to figure it out together,” Flagg says. “I think it’s helped us and we’ve kind of all grown together … it’s been really cool to get to know some of the guys.”
Back at the State Farm shoot, the Newport, Maine native is getting to know his fellow cast mates.
As he films multiple takes for the spot’s opening moments in which he does a jersey swap with Jake, Flagg looks increasingly at ease, smiling and cracking up when the two improvise little moments of banter.
What results is a clever and funny addition to the latest in a series of the commercials starring iconic athletes like Patrick Mahomes and Caitlin Clark.
For Flagg, the moment is not lost on him.
“I grew up watching the different commercials and remember watching a lot of the Chris Paul State Farm commercials and stuff like that,” he says. “So it’s, it’s always been something I dreamed about.”
So far, Flagg’s season has been the stuff of dreams too. On Sunday, he’ll blow out the candles and celebrate how far he’s come — but he’s still The Kid from Duke.
Chase Elliott’s Prime Video Paint Scheme and 3
Prime Video, which debuted a three-race primary sponsorship with Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team last year, will officially return with another three-race schedule aboard the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion’s race car during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.
On Tuesday, Hendrick Motorsports revealed the three-race schedule for Elliott’s Prime Video sponsorship, and the race team even pulled back the curtain on the new look for the No. 9 Prime Video Chevrolet.
In 2026, Elliott will carry a much darker Prime Video look than last year’s blue and white Prime Video paint scheme. This time around, the base color of the scheme will be black. On the sides of the car is a jagged design featuring the iconic Prime Video blue, as well as accents featuring the yellow and red colors from NASCAR’s logo. Of course, 2025 marked the first year of a seven-year agreement for Prime Video to broadcast five NASCAR Cup Series races per season.
Elliott will carry the refreshed Prime Video paint scheme for the first time during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 26. Prime Video will return to the No. 9 Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 3, and again at the NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 17.
Last year, Elliott notched two victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, marking the first time since 2022 that Elliott had amassed a multi-win season. While he ultimately ended up eighth in the final championship standings, Elliott looked like he was starting to turn back into the championship contender that many had become to expect from 2018 to 2022.
In addition to his NASCAR Cup Series title in 2020, Elliott has amassed 21 wins, 115 top-five finishes, and 190 top-10s through 358 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series. Aside from 2023, a year where Elliott missed seven races (six due to injury and one due to a suspension), the Dawsonville, GA, native has made the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in every season of his career.
Elliott will look to hit the ground running in 2026 in the season-opening Daytona 500, but the driver will also do everything in his power to take the Prime Video colors to victory lane for the first time in the upcoming season.
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The Knicks can break NBA Cup curse, and accomplish so much more
The New York Knicks haven’t hung a championship banner inside Madison Square Garden since 1973. Leon Rose’s job was to change that, and lately he’s been acting like he’s running out of time.
The Knicks’ lead executive has made nothing but big swings, forcing open a championship window by mortgaging every future draft pick he could find to build a team of highly-paid, in-their-prime stars with five-out spacing, lockdown wing defense, and a true lead engine taking every big shot. The urgency of the Knicks’ mission pulses through every moment of this season, when the East has opened up thanks to a pair of untimely Achilles tears and more lucky ping-pong balls bouncing the West’s way. The Knicks have to win the East this year. Anything else would be considered a moral failing of just about everyone involved.
There’s no telling where the Knicks will hang their 2025 NBA Cup banner (yes, teams hang those), which they earned with an incredibly gritty 124-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. Maybe Madison Square Garden will display it alongside the Atlantic Division title banners that no one cares about, or the Billy Joel banner that was raised in 2006 at the nadir of New York’s organizational malaise. It’s not the banner Rose wants to hang, but it still serves as a proof of concept that this group has what it takes to win big games against the most talented teams in the NBA.
The Spurs might be young, but their performance in the Cup showed they already need to be taken seriously in the championship picture. San Antonio did the impossible by ending the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 16-game winning streak in the semifinals by riding the emotional high and 8-foot wingspan of Victor Wembanyama’s return to action. The Spurs are built to challenge the Thunder long-term with De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle growing into a trusted core around the 7’5 French alien, but in the Cup final they learned about all the ways proud, veteran teams will fight back, especially when Wembanyama is still on a minutes restriction.
Wembanyama splashed three straight jump shots at the end of the third quarter that would have ended a lesser team on contact. Not the Knicks. Jordan Clarkson ripped a three on the very next possession, and after a Knicks stop, Tyler Kolek knocked down another one to trim the deficit to five points by the third quarter buzzer.
In the fourth, Mitchell Robinson’s physicality swung the game. Robinson grabbed six of his 10 offensive rebounds on the night in the period, gashing San Antonio’s small lineup around Wembanyama by running through any would-be box outs. Jalen Brunson might have won Cup MVP, but even he couldn’t answer Taylor Rooks’ questions without lauding his teammates for what was a true group effort:
This was not a particularly good night by Brunson’s standards with 25 points on 27 shots with four turnovers, but in some ways proving them could win a high-stakes game against an elite opponent without Brunson at his best is exactly what this team needed. New York did it their way, earning 11 more possessions than San Antonio on the night (according to this formula). The NBA is becoming a possession league and the Knicks can win the possession battle every night with this team. OG Anunoby was spectacular on both ends. Josh Hart’s energy and rebounding just can’t be replicated. On a night when Miles McBride and Landry Shamet were out with injuries, Tyler Kolek stepped up with the best game of his career, and Jordan Clarkson gave his best effort of the season.
Can the Knicks ride their NBA Cup championship to real glory in the playoffs? There’s four more months until the postseason march begins, but a few things are already clear.
The Knicks are in their own tier in the East
The Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers were the two obvious favorites in the East entering the season, and both of them were in Finals-or-bust mode. So far, the Cavs have gone bust. Cleveland has had a nightmare season, with a recent Evan Mobley calf strain adding to Darius Garland’s banged up toe, Max Strus’ fractured foot, Ty Jerome’s free agent departure, and Jarrett Allen’s underwhelming campaign. The Cavs still have plenty of time and plenty of talent to get right, but at the moment they are not close to the Knicks, and it’s going to take a major turnaround for them to ever be.
The Detroit Pistons have risen in Cleveland’s stead, and look like the Knicks’ biggest rival. Detroit is leading the conference with an elite defense, clutch shot-making from Cade Cunningham, and an All-Star turn from young big man Jalen Duren. Detroit can absolutely push the Knicks again after pushing them in the first round last season, but for now New York feels like a solid favorite in that series.
The rest of the East? I’m not buying the Raptors, my preseason pick of the Orlando Magic just can’t figure out how to maximize their two best players, and the Hawks, Heat, and Sixers just don’t have the horses. Maybe Boston can challenge the Knicks if Jayson Tatum returns from his Achilles tear this season, but that almost sounds like too much to ask.
Is it crazy to think the Knicks might be a bigger favorite in the East than the Thunder are in the West. OKC has to deal with the Nuggets, Rockets, and Spurs, three teams that feel significantly better than any East challenger this year. The path to the Larry OB still runs through OKC, but there’s no doubt who the favorite is in the East. It’s the Knicks’ year. It has to be.
No NBA Cup champion has ever advanced in the NBA Playoffs
Okay, this is only the third year of the NBA Cup, but so far the Cup Curse is real.
The Lakers won the Cup in 2024 only to be eliminated in the first-round by Denver in five games
The Bucks won the Cup in 2025 and proceeded to get knocked out in the first-round for third straight year
The Knicks are going to win a series this year, because they won a series the past three years, and this is their best team yet. Making the Finals will be a different beast, the Knicks will be favored in every series.
New York still has its problems. Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns need to prove they can both be on the floor in big moments despite both wearing targets on their chest defensively. If KAT has to go to the bench, well, there goes the five-out spacing. Robinson is proving to be a huge difference maker for this team, but he’s one of the most injury prone players in the league. Can he really stay healthy for a full postseason run? It feels like New York needs him to be.
This the year Knicks fans have been waiting for. Giannis rumors will be waiting if they fall short any time before the Finals, and hell, maybe even if they reach the Finals. This isn’t the banner New York wants, but winning the NBA Cup at least shows the Knicks really can compete with the league’s best this year.
Hailie Deegan & Others Speculated to Fill NASCAR Seat After Star Driver’s Ugly Exit
What was supposed to be a fresh Xfinity Series chapter for Hailie Deegan with AM Racing in 2024 unraveled quickly, with struggles piling up and momentum never quite taking hold. And by midseason, the experiment was over.
Deegan was sidelined for the Chicago Street Race, was replaced by Joey Logano, and days later, the split became official. Four top-20 finishes, one flash at Talladega, and then silence. Now, with an unexpected vacancy shaking up the garage, Deegan’s name is back in the rumor mill (alongside several others) as NASCAR quietly searches for its next answer.
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A shock exit opens the door at Big Machine Racing
Most NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series teams already have their driver lineups locked in. This is exactly why the latest shakeup sent ripples through the garage. Big Machine Racing’s No. 48, one of the stronger entries in the series, suddenly became available after Nick Sanchez announced he would not return for the 2026 season.
The timing alone made the news jarring. Sanchez had previously indicated he’d be back, making the reversal all the more unexpected. Last week, Sanchez confirmed the split, admitting the decision blindsided him just as much as it did fans.
“Over the weekend, I was informed that I will not be driving the No. 48 for Big Machine Racing in 2026,” Sanchez said in a statement.
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Coming off a season where driver and team had proven they could win together, the move felt less like a performance decision and more like a sudden change in direction behind the scenes. With the seat now open, speculation has taken over almost immediately. Big Machine Racing doesn’t hand out opportunities lightly, and the No. 48 has quickly become one of the most intriguing rides available in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
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The silence from the team has only amplified the guessing game.
Then came a curveball from an unexpected source. Actor and NASCAR driver Frankie Muniz jumped into the conversation on social media, replying to a post from The Daily Downforce with a message that raised eyebrows across the fanbase. “I know who’s in it. Most will be surprised,” Muniz wrote. No names. No hints. Just enough intrigue to send theories into overdrive.
Suddenly, names like Hailie Deegan began circulating again, alongside other under-the-radar candidates who could shake up the series. So, which are the drivers that NASCAR fans think could end up in the No. 48? Let’s find out.
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Fan theories take over with Hailie Deegan being the frontrunner
With Big Machine Racing staying silent, fans have done what they do best – speculate loudly. Theories about who could land the No. 48 ride in 2026 range from logical to wildly hopeful, with a few tongue-in-cheek suggestions sprinkled in for good measure.
One fan commented, “Heim and a switch to Toyota or maybe deegan lol.” The attention largely turned to Hailie Deegan. Deegan, the daughter of Brian Deegan, moved to open-wheel racing in 2025, running a full Indy NXT season. However, strong rumors suggest a NASCAR return in 2026, despite her struggling in her earlier stint. However, at the current time of writing, she’s offered no confirmation.
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Then, some suggested the more grounded names. “Stefan Parsons? Mason Massey? Both has decent sponsorship I believe,” one fan wrote. And they aren’t wrong. Both bring respectable funding and familiarity with the Xfinity garage. Parsons, son of Phil Parsons and nephew of the late Benny Parsons, most recently competed for Alpha Prime Racing in the Bristol night race, driving the No. 45 Chevrolet.
Massey, meanwhile, ran part-time in the Xfinity Series in 2025, also with Alpha Prime. Backed by Mason Massey Racing, a marketing and sales firm founded by his father, he’s known for helping brands connect with Mason directly through his racing platform.
Then, as usual, came the chaos posts. One fan jokingly yelled, “WELCOME BACK TO RACING @markmartin‼️” However, the fan doesn’t know that this rumor was shut down by Martin himself a few days earlier. The Hall of Famer had already made his stance clear a week earlier when replying to a fan asking for his NASCAR return: “I’m done. I don’t have the desire to do it. I’m happy with the life I have now.” Nostalgia aside, that door is firmly closed.
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Others pushed for a more under-the-radar comeback story. “Would love for it to be a person like Michael McGuire, Kyle Benjamin, Mason Mitchell, or somebody who has been off the radar for a while who deserves a ride,” someone wrote. Now, these are drivers who’ve drifted off the mainstream radar but still carry raw talent and unfinished business. For some fans, giving a deserving driver a second chance feels more rewarding than a headline-grabbing hire.
Finally, one sentiment, however, was loud and consistent: “Anyone but a paid driver.” In NASCAR terms, that means avoiding drivers who buy rides purely through funding. Whether Big Machine listens remains to be seen. Who do you think will eventually end up in the No. 48?
Denny Hamlin calls out legendary NASCAR crew chief for remarks about antitrust lawsuit
With the settlement in the antitrust case between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR in the rearview mirror, NASCAR Cup Series driver and 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin took to social media on Tuesday to call out SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host and former NASCAR crew chief Larry McReynolds.
When 23XI and FRM initially sued NASCAR and the France family in October 2024, McReynolds, a legendary crew chief who was been a part of Fox’s NASCAR coverage since 2001 and is a co-host on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, called out 23XI for initiating litigation.
Florida Police Arrest Millionaire NASCAR Veteran Over Disturbing Public Misbehavior
NASCAR’s history isn’t short on moments where life off the track veered sharply into trouble. Kyle Busch’s 2023 detention in Mexico over a handgun violation was a reminder of how quickly a routine trip can spiral. Decades earlier, Junior Johnson’s moonshining arrest and prison stint became part of racing folklore. Those incidents, however, unfolded away from the public eye.
This time, the spotlight was far harsher. A disturbing beachside scene in Florida, captured on video and impossible to ignore, has now pulled a millionaire NASCAR veteran into an ugly legal storm, raising uncomfortable questions about behavior, accountability, and how fast reputations can unravel.
NASCAR veteran Ray Black Jr. in serious legal trouble
What started as a routine day of beach construction in Florida spiraled into chaos when NASCAR veteran Ray Black Jr. was arrested following a disturbing public incident that quickly drew law enforcement attention. According to video footage titled “Florida Millionaire Causes Chaos on The Beach,” Black repeatedly ran in front of active bulldozers, interfering with workers as they attempted to operate heavy machinery along the shoreline. This act posed a clear danger to both himself and others nearby.
When deputies from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, the situation only escalated. Officers reported that Black displayed erratic and aggressive behavior. This included punching one of his own friends while refusing to comply with instructions.
Witnesses told police that Black owned multiple homes, including a property in Orlando, and described him as a millionaire, adding another layer of shock to the unfolding scene. Friends on site suggested Black may have been experiencing an emotional breakdown. They linked it to his recent personal stress, including becoming a new father.
However, they denied any known history of mental illness or drug abuse. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, Black continued to resist officers and made alarming statements. At one point, he claimed he had taken psychedelic substances such as PCP, LSD, and mushrooms.
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As tensions rose and Black remained uncooperative, deputies were forced to use a Taser to bring him under control. He was taken into custody and charged with breach of peace and felony resisting an officer with violence. Authorities later confirmed that Black was released on a $4,000 bond.
The video documenting the arrest concludes by weighing possible explanations for Black’s behavior. They ranged from dehydration to substance use or a mental health crisis, while underscoring the serious risk his actions posed. Regardless of the cause, the incident serves as a stark reminder that public misconduct, especially involving heavy equipment and police confrontation, leaves little room for leniency. Even for well-known names from the racing world.
A look at Ray Black Jr’s racing journey
Long before his name made headlines for the wrong reasons, Ray Black Jr. built a respectable, hard-earned résumé across NASCAR’s national ranks. His motorsports journey began in familiar grassroots fashion. He launched out of Florida’s local racing scene at just 14 years old after being inspired (of all things) by racing video games.
That early passion quickly translated into results. In 2006, Black dominated the Florida Mini Cup Racing Association’s Junior All-Star division. He won the championship with remarkable consistency and rarely finished outside the top five. By 2013, Black had climbed into Pro Late Models, and a year later, he earned his first shot on NASCAR’s national stage.
His NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut came in 2014 at Martinsville Speedway with SS-Green Light Racing. Starting 29th, he brought the truck home 24th and went on to make seven starts that season, posting his best finishes of 18th at Chicagoland and Texas while leading his only career lap in the series.
The 2015 season marked the high point of Black’s career. Running full-time in the Truck Series and competing for Rookie of the Year honors, he delivered a career-best fifth-place finish at Daytona. Black regularly hovered around the top 20 and finished an impressive 11th in the final points standings. That momentum carried him briefly into the Xfinity Series, where he debuted late in 2015 at Texas with Rick Ware Racing.
Black ran full-time in Xfinity in 2016 with SS-Green Light Racing, finishing 19th in points despite lacking top-10 results. He returned again in 2019 and showed flashes of promise, highlighted by an eighth-place finish at Daytona in 2020. However, sponsorship issues and COVID-era family business struggles forced him to step away from full-time competition.
His Cup Series experience was limited to four starts between 2017 and 2018. However, none were better than 34th, after a planned full-time opportunity fell apart when family backing was withdrawn. By 2022, funding challenges had effectively pushed Black into retirement. It closed the chapter on a career defined by persistence, potential, and the harsh financial realities of modern NASCAR.
Connor Zilisch Trades NASCAR Disappointment For Daytona Endurance
If anyone needed a reset at the end of 2025, it was Connor Zilisch. The 19-year-old seem like a man possessed this past season winning 10 races for JR Motorsports in NASCAR’s middle tier Xfinity series with the sort of calm efficiency that makes veterans uncomfortable. Along the way he was labeled as the next big thing, a future superstar, and in August named as Trackhouse Racing’s newest full-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series starting in 2026.
He delivered everything, except the one thing that matters most in NASCAR. A championship. Zilisch lost the NASCAR Xfinity crown in the final race of the season to Jesse Love. The closing images from the track in 2025 showed a broken young man with tears in his eyes and the realization that even the best aren’t always untouchable.
A few weeks removed, the trophies have been put on shelves, families have been reintroduced, and engines have cooled. All the points earned in 2025 are now at zero. For most drivers it’s a chance to take a breath, reset, relax.
Connor Zilisch has other plans.
Only weeks after the bitter disappointment of that final race, he was at Daytona International Speedway testing. Not in a NASCAR stock car, but an endurance car. And that testing seems to have paid off.
This week, the teenager was officially confirmed as part of the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R for the 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona, joining an accomplished lineup that includes Earl Bamber, Jack Aitken and Frederik Vesti. The entry, run by Action Express Racing, places Zilisch in the top class of IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to open the 2026 season.
It is not a consolation prize. Cadillac does not hand out factory-backed GTP seats to drivers in need of a morale boost.
ForbesThe NASCAR Cup Series May Have Just Met Its Fast-Track Disruptor
“I’m excited to be with Action Express Racing for the Rolex 24 At Daytona,” Zilisch said. “The Rolex 24 is one of my favorite races and I’m thrilled to be with one of the best teams in the IMSA paddock. I’m very thankful to everyone at GM and Cadillac Racing for their help in making this happen.”
The opportunity marks Zilisch’s third straight Rolex 24 appearance, and his third in as many classes. In 2024, he debuted in the LMP2 category and won on his first attempt. Last January, he competed in GTD PRO with Trackhouse by TF Sport. In 2026, he moves to the summit in a Cadillac GTP.
That progression speaks to more than ambition. It speaks to adaptability.
Zilisch tested the Cadillac prototype during IMSA’s November test at Daytona International Speedway, describing a machine that blended familiarity with challenge. “Very different, but at the same time similar to things I’ve driven in the past,” he said. “It’s kind of a mixture between the LMP2 car and the Corvette GT3. More power, a little heavier, a lot of new controls. It was a lot of fun getting to feel it out.”
Daytona, too, is no stranger. Zilisch’s relationship with the road course began years earlier in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup, a detail that underscores how methodically his career has been built. “Racing the 24 hours is something I dreamed of as a kid,” he said. “Getting to drive in the highest class of IMSA has been really cool.”
The timing matters. In 2026, Zilisch will graduate full-time into the NASCAR Cup Series, where managing chaos, traffic, fatigue and pressure are daily requirements. Endurance racing offers a crash course in all four.
If 2025 taught Zilisch how to win, Daytona is teaching him how to endure. Championships may slip away. Careers, however, are shaped by what drivers do next.
The Fastest Way Out of NASCAR: How a Rookie Burned Every Bridge Without Turning a Wheel
Driving in NASCAR means more than just knowing how to wheel a heavy stock car. Top-tier Cup Series racers attend press conferences, participate in podcasts, and engage in other public activities to actively promote their image. There is a big spotlight on not only their careers and routines but also their personal tastes and characters. That is why a particular driver who had a solid grassroots story could not make it in the sport due to his highly questionable opinions.
A NASCAR driver’s tale of downfall
“I don’t even think you actually believe in half the s— that you say. You just say it to constantly stir the pot and push the limits as far as they can go,” wrote an enraged NASCAR fan earlier this year about one driver. “You literally didn’t check a single box under being a professional, showing up to signings and tank tops, having the cockiest attitude towards your team and competitors, just being a genuine mess across the board. There was no way you were ready and or understood the responsibility that came with being a driver in this sport.”
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This was the final nail in the coffin of an already maligned reputation of Cody Dennison, according to a YouTube video of Vanillawafer. The Hokes Bluff, Alabama-native broke into NASCAR in 2024, making 18 starts in the ARCA Menards Series in a full-time ride. He recorded a pair of top-10s, including a career-best seventh-place result at Salem Speedway. In January 2025, Reaume Brothers Racing roped him in to drive the No. 2 Ford F-150. However, as Dennison scaled up the ladder of his career, he dropped further in his reputation.
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Dennison first started off as a YouTuber, having created the CAMELOT331 channel back in 2013. Back then, his content was about the gaming industry, and one video gained overnight success. However, fast forward to 2025, and his public content turned more sinister. Cody Dennison posted controversial opinions about political matters, even posting overtly hateful stuff about women and the LGBTQ+ community, and expressing a crass affinity for a problematic section of Japanese anime.
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All these actions inevitably resulted in Reaume Brothers Racing shutting the door on Cody Dennison’s ambitions. After the Craftsman Truck Series team took a call, Dennison attempted to ‘expose’ the team’s truth. Dennison claimed he was ‘let go’ for being a ‘conservative’ and wanted to reveal recorded calls and messages. However, that endeavor did not go well for him and turned out to seal his fate further.
Clearly, Cody Dennison could not match NASCAR’s standard. His former team is now making further revamps for 2026.
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A new name for a new season
Reaume Brothers Racing, which is gearing up for its ninth full-time season, will host a new look for the 2026 Truck Series season. It will be rebranded to Team Reaume, reflecting the team’s growth and commitment. What started as a family organization will now leverage its platform to align with Fortune 500 companies. Over its lifespan, Reaume has taken pride in being the most diverse team in NASCAR, providing a springboard to 45 drivers, which also included Cody Dennison. Now, team owner Josh Reaume is looking ahead.
“Team Reaume represents who we are becoming,” said Josh Reaume about the rebranding. “It is not only a name change. It is a statement. We are building a place where talented people want to work, drivers want to race, partners want to invest, and fans can feel connected to our mission. This next chapter is about growth, professionalism, and raising the standard for what a Truck Series team can be.”
Under the new brand, Team Reaume will continue fielding the No. 2, No. 22, and No. 33 Ford F-150 entries. Notably, actor-turned-racer Frankie Muniz will come back for another full season in the No. 33.
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With Reaume turning over a new leaf, the future looks bright. Cody Dennison’s story will fade in the sport as an unfortunate tale of what could have been.
‘Inside NASCAR Cars’: Everything That Makes O’Reilly Cars Superior to Cup Cars
This year at Circuit of the Americas, NASCAR witnessed a curious phenomenon. Cars belonging to the Cup Series, the expected premier tier of the series, were slower than cars belonging to the Xfinity Series, now called the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Their qualifying pole timings registered almost a second of disparity – something which sent waves of depression in the Cup garage. And the reasons behind this are nuanced – in the intricate parts of every car.
Inside a NASCAR O’Reilly Car
“The body panels that make up a NASCAR Xfinity car,” champion racing mechanic and pit crew member Bozi Tatarevic wrote on X. He posted a picture of a car body belonging to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, dissected and taken apart for a magnified view. The notable parts include the lower front bumper covers and back extensions, which cater to superspeedway races, the rear spoiler, the rear window air deflector, the front splitter, and the grille inlet bezel, among others.
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Throughout the early to mid-2000s, the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series essentially ran the same type of car. But the Xfinity Series car was usually fitted with less horsepower. In the 2010s, Cup cars exhibited around 900 hp, which made up for a vast difference. However, things gradually changed with subsequent developments, like the Cup cars’ 550 hp package in 2019-2021. But with the introduction of the Next-Gen, the two series’ cars grew further apart.
The Next-Gen and the Xfinity cars differ in many areas, like the shifting/gearbox, tires, the underbody, the chassis, etc. Despite the Next-Gen’s intentions to perform better, the opposite was evident in 2025 with lower speeds. The aerodynamic drag produced by the Next-Gen car’s underbody and rear diffuser reduces top-end speed, particularly on lengthy straightaways like those at COTA. Cup vehicles are not as quick as Xfinity cars, even with larger tires, stronger brakes, independent suspension, and world-class drivers. On a brighter note, Cup cars will advance from 670 to 740 hp for 2026.
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“I know there’s talk about that much horsepower. We need that much horsepower. I think when you look at the short tracks and road courses, having too much power, I’d err to that side because there’s just no reason that the Cup cars should be the slowest thing there on the weekend. They should not be slower than ARCA,” 2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick ranted after ARCA cars were faster than Cup cars at Iowa. “I think it just takes away from being a Cup driver, and in the end, the cars are so damn slow they don’t race good.”
Although the glaring defects of the Next-Gen car, NASCAR had other reasons to continue with it.
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Revealing its vested interests
Last week, the NASCAR lawsuit reached a settlement. But even as Michael Jordan and Co. shook hands with the sport’s executives, the past two weeks’ jaw-dropping evidence lingered in the background. Some of it concerned the Next-Gen car; NASCAR has invested $14 million in developing the car and owns intellectual property rights on it. What’s more, it also possesses patents on the car’s underwing, the diffuser flap on the rear wing, and the car’s outer body.
According to John Probst, a mechanical engineer who is NASCAR’s chief racing development officer, that is all the more reason for the sport to stick to the Next-Gen model. “If Coca-Cola developed a new formula, would they give it to Pepsi?” he said.
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In addition to purchasing the Next Gen car and parts, Probst said a team running the entire season—36 point races and two exhibition events—would pay a big amount. That included a $134,000 entry fee to NASCAR, and the team’s driver’s license was $6,000.
Evidently, NASCAR’s Next-Gen story is more convoluted than it appears. Let’s wait and see if 2026 brings any positive change.
JR Motorsports Reveals
Arby’s has the meats, and, by proxy, so too does JR Motorsports. On Tuesday, the race team announced a multi-year partnership with the fast food chain that boasts a lineup of more than 3,500 locations in six global markets. Arby’s, which is never afraid to get its message across, is a major asset as a sponsorship partner, according to Dale Earnhardt Jr., the co-owner of JR Motorsports.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to have Arby’s partner up with our companies,” said Earnhardt Jr. in a press release. “Arby’s is very aggressive with their activation and we pride ourselves on being a tremendous asset when it comes to offering a variety of unique marketing platforms, so I’m looking forward to how we can work together to continue to grow their business.”
For the 2026 season, Arby’s will serve as an eight-race primary sponsorship partner of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team, and the eight race commitment will be shared between three drivers in the JR Motorsports stable.
Carson Kvapil will kick off the partnership with Arby’s as he will carry the brand’s colors on the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the event at EchoPark Speedway on Saturday, February 21. In all, Kvapil will carry the Arby’s logo in four races in 2026, while Sammy Smith (3) and Justin Allgaier (1) will fill out the rest of the Arby’s primary sponsorship slate.
Allgaier will also carry the company’s logo as a full-season associate sponsor on his No. 7 Chevrolet in 2026.
In addition to the sponsorship of the JR Motorsports team in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Arby’s will also enter into a personal service agreement with Earnhardt Jr., who is a NASCAR Hall of Fame driver, and Arby’s will also partner with Earnhardt Jr.’s media company, Dirty Mo Media.
“We’re thrilled to begin this multi-year partnership with JRM and Dirty Mo Media,” said Jeff Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Arby’s. “Arby’s has always been about delivering high-quality, impactful experiences with speed. Joining forces with such respected organizations in the racing community allows us to connect with NASCAR fans in meaningful new ways – both on and off the track. Plus, Arby’s food makes everything better, and can’t wait to deliver with JRM and Dale Jr. all season long.”
Last year, Arby’s served as a primary sponsorship partner for Rick Ware Racing, and its driver, Cody Ware, in 12 NASCAR Cup Series events.
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JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Confirm New Multi-Year Partnership
JR Motorsports announced a multi-year partnership with Arby’s that will begin during the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season. Arby’s will serve as a primary sponsor for eight races in 2026 and will also appear as a season-long associate partner on Justin Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet.
The agreement includes a personal services deal with JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. The partnership brings together JR Motorsports, Arby’s, and Dirty Mo Media as part of a broader marketing effort tied to racing and fan engagement.
The agreement also expands Arby’s involvement in NASCAR through digital media, in-market promotions, and coordinated campaigns designed to reach fans during race weekends and throughout the season.
Arby’s race schedule and driver assignments
JR Motorsports confirmed that Arby’s will serve as a primary sponsor across multiple cars during the 2026 season. Carson Kvapil, Sammy Smith, and Justin Allgaier will all carry Arby’s branding as part of the eight-race sponsorship package.
The partnership begins with Kvapil and the No. 1 Chevrolet at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 21, 2026. Arby’s will appear on Kvapil’s car for four races during the season. Smith’s No. 8 Chevrolet will feature the brand for three events, while Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet will carry Arby’s sponsorship for one race as a primary partner.
In addition to the eight primary races, Arby’s will remain on Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet as a season-long associate sponsor. The Atlanta race is scheduled to air on CW, with radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts to new partnership
Dale Earnhardt Jr. addressed the agreement in the team’s official announcement and pointed to the marketing potential between the organizations.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to have Arby’s partner up with our companies, Earnhardt said .” “Arby’s is very aggressive with their activation and we pride ourselves on being a tremendous asset when it comes to offering a variety of unique marketing platforms, so I’m looking forward to how we can work together to continue to grow their business.”
Earnhardt Jr. will also take part in promotional efforts as part of the personal services agreement. Those activities will be handled in coordination with Dirty Mo Media.
Arby’s leadership and team background
Arby’s Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Baker also commented on the partnership in the JR Motorsports release.
“We’re thrilled to begin this multi-year partnership with JRM and Dirty Mo Media, Baker said.” “Arby’s has always been about delivering high-quality, impactful experiences with speed. Joining forces with such respected organizations in the racing community allows us to connect with NASCAR fans in meaningful new ways, both on and off the track.”
JR Motorsports is co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller, and Rick Hendrick. The organization competes full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and has won championships in 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2024. The team currently fields four full-time entries.
Arby’s was founded in 1964 and operates more than 3,500 restaurants across six global markets. The company is part of Inspire Brands. Additional details, including paint schemes and promotional plans, are expected to be released ahead of the 2026 season.
Plugged into motorsports and automotive culture? Come and join the RACER.com team
For more than 30 years, RACER has set the standard for motorsports coverage in North America. Now, we’re widening our lens.
The Culture Editor will be responsible for writing and curating content relevant to motorsport and automotive culture. This is a wide-ranging brief that will allow to explore the competitive and performance automotive world from every angle: one moment you’ll be writing about upcoming auctions or vintage meetups; the next, you’ll be going into the weeds on sim racing rigs.
The focus is not so much the racing itself – that’s what the rest of the site is for – but more on everything that happens around it. A deep understanding of the many ways car and racing enthusiasts indulge their passion is essential to the role.
Experience in podcasting or other scenarios where you’ve been required to speak on camera will be viewed favorably.
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Take ownership of the new Culture section of RACER.com, producing and curating content relevant to the section’s scope under the direction of the RACER.com editor, and using a combination of original reporting and supplied assets
Develop industry relationships across the space
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Expansive knowledge of the automotive/motorsports world, and insatiable appetite for learning more about it – and sharing that knowledge and enthusiasm
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Basic video editing skills are a plus
Today’s Motorsports Tires are Tomorrow’s New SUV Tires
The tires on race cars today are part of mobile research labs as companies like Pirelli, Michelin and Continental test compounds under extreme conditions.
“We use the term track the street. There’s no tougher place to test your products than on the track,” Matthew Cabe, president and CEO of Michelin North America told Newsweek.
During a race, tires are exposed to the extremes of physics. “We believe that endurance racing is the place where you get the most out of that test in a in a short amount of time. You go out for 24 hours in Daytona, you go out for ten hours in Petite [Le Mans], and they are pushing the limits through all of those sessions. What we get is a real laboratory-type opportunity to see what [Michelin] can do,” Cabe said.
Customers are generally not going to drive their vehicle for a full day at a time, nor will they be driving 200 mph regularly, powered by engines designed to maximize power output over fuel efficiency.
The CEO explained: “Your average consumer is not going to drive at full capacity for 24 hours. Especially in [the] IMSA [motorsports performance driving series], we’re driving vehicles that are not so far away from the [ones] drive[n] on the road. Obviously, they’re way more powerful. Obviously, they’re able to push harder. But, the dynamics of those vehicles are not dissimilar to what we drive in every day.”
Not just that, but Michelin can change up its tire compounds to adapt to the results of the on-track action, getting new compounds to the track in a matter of weeks and months.
“We have the opportunity, in the next race, to be able to come back and to try something new and, to continue to innovate,” Cabe said. “We collaborate with all of the manufacturers there and real time and stress test ourselves really quickly.”
All those laps also result in Michelin having a test bed for the products of tomorrow, including those that contain increased levels of sustainable materials. The company is working across its upstream, operations and downstream product channels to deliver on short- and long-term sustainability goals.
Many electric vehicles were developed by automakers under similar sustainability goals. Hand-in-hand, Michelin worked to develop tires to take on the types of strain those models put on their rubber, which is different than what is presented by traditional internal combustion engined vehicles.
“We’ve been working with tires for with electric vehicles for quite a long time. Some of the challenges that come along with electric vehicles: the weight and incredible torque,” Cabe explained. “It’s interesting. You get high torque so it causes additional wear.”
Michelin isn’t developing tires just for electric vehicles. Their tires must be able to withstand the rigors of the vehicle they’re affixed to, regardless of powertrain.
“When we make a product, we want to make sure that it’s capable of not just delivering on one of those aspects that a consumer’s looking for in a product, but really delivering [capability in a meaningful way],” he said.
Michelin does not want its customers to feel as if they are compromising on any factor by choosing their tires, not on longevity, rolling resistance or handling in wet conditions.
Dale Jr Rivals Bubba Wallace’s $227B Partner With Iconic Sponsor for NASCAR 2026
Fast food and fast cars aren’t they a match made in heaven? And for Bubba Wallace, few partnerships have been louder, brighter, or more culturally visible than McDonald’s. If you’ve been following the sport for a while now, then you might remember that since 2020, the $227 billion global giant has been a founding pillar of 23XI Racing. The Golden Arches are splashing across Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota and turning marquee races like the Daytona 500 into rolling billboards of mainstream crossover appeal.
But now, as the 2026 NASCAR season approaches, that familiar formula is getting some company. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports is now stepping into the fast-food spotlight, setting up a sponsor rivalry that suddenly feels bigger than burgers and branding.
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Arby’s joins Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team ‘has the meats’ for the 2026 season. Per an official announcement, Arby’s is switching teams from Rick Ware Racing to JR Motorsports, beginning a multi-year partnership in the Xfinity (O’Reilly Auto Parts) Series starting in 2026. The deal brings serious star power, with Arby’s set to sponsor full-time JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, and Sammy Smith, while also entering a personal service agreement with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to have Arby’s partner up with our companies,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said, “Arby’s is very aggressive with their activation and we pride ourselves on being a tremendous asset when it comes to offering a variety of unique marketing platforms, so I’m looking forward to how we can work together to continue to grow their business.”
From Arby’s side, the enthusiasm is just as strong.
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“We’re thrilled to begin this multi-year partnership with JRM and Dirty Mo Media,” said Jeff Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Arby’s. “Arby’s has always been about delivering high-quality, impactful experiences with speed. Joining forces with such respected organizations in the racing community allows us to connect with NASCAR fans in meaningful new ways, both on and off the track. Plus, Arby’s food makes everything better, and can’t wait to deliver with JRM and Dale Jr. all season long.”
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Arby’s will debut as a primary partner with Kvapil and the No. 1 Chevrolet at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 21. Across the 2026 season, the brand will appear on Kvapil’s car for four races, Sammy Smith’s No. 8 Chevrolet for three events, and Justin Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet for one race.
Founded in 1964, Arby’s has grown into a global force with more than 3,500 restaurants across six markets and operates under the Inspire Brands umbrella. Now, the fast-food heavyweight is betting on Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports to take its NASCAR presence to the next level.
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When the ‘beef’ got personal
Last year, the fast-food rivalry didn’t stay in the drive-thru but spilled straight onto the racetrack. During the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race, Arby’s took a playful but pointed jab at Bubba Wallace and McDonald’s, turning a mid-race moment into a viral brand flex.
As Wallace’s No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota spun earlier in the race, it did so right in front of prominent Arby’s signage. Arby’s didn’t miss the opportunity. Sharing the image on X, the brand quipped, “He had to do a McDoubleTake,” implying Wallace was admiring the Arby’s branding rather than losing control of his car.
Now, this was classic Arby’s, witty, slightly savage, and perfectly timed. The moment immediately lit up social media, blurring the line between sponsorship and sport. To Wallace’s credit, the spin didn’t define his day. The 31-year-old clawed his way back into the top 10 as the race unfolded, showing resilience on one of NASCAR’s most chaotic stages. Unfortunately, the comeback unraveled late when Alex Bowman spun Wallace in the closing laps, dropping him to a frustrating 28th-place finish.
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The context made the jab even richer. Arby’s wasn’t just a bystander at Chicago. In fact, it was a founding partner of the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race, fully leaning into the event’s debut in Grant Park. The brand ran aggressive promotions throughout the July 4–6 weekend, from giveaways like Angus cheesesteaks to fan activations and driver appearances. Arby’s also sponsored Cody Ware’s No. 51 car, making its “We Have the Meats” branding impossible to miss.
Denny Hamlin Addresses NASCAR Media After Antitrust Settlement
Denny Hamlin is again at the center of NASCAR’s charter debate, this time after a major legal settlement. Following the end of the federal antitrust lawsuit between NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports, Hamlin publicly called for an apology from SiriusXM NASCAR Radio hosts. His comments came days after the case was settled in the U.S. District Court.
The lawsuit focused on NASCAR’s charter system and how teams share revenue and gain entry into races. Denny Hamlin, a co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan, said earlier criticism from media voices now looks misplaced based on the evidence presented during the trial. The dispute has added another chapter to the ongoing tension between team owners, NASCAR leadership, and media voices tied closely to the sport.
Lawsuit settlement restores charters
The antitrust lawsuit ended on December 11, 2025, after nine days in federal court. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports challenged NASCAR’s charter system after refusing to sign. Trial testimony included claims that NASCAR owed the teams $364.7 million and underpaid all chartered teams by $20.3 billion. The case settled before a verdict, restoring six charters to 23XI and Front Row Motorsports under undisclosed terms.
Denny Hamlin challenges the NASCAR media
After the settlement, Hamlin posted on social media and addressed SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, including Larry McReynolds. Responding to a promotional post for McReynolds’ show “On Track,” He wrote, “Good morning. Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out, will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?”
Hamlin followed up with another post, listing examples of remarks he believed were unfair. “I believe it was ‘how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough, and FRM wasn’t good enough. Also, how about ‘I don’t know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it’? Just to name a few examples.”
When the lawsuit was filed, 13 other teams signed the charter agreement. SiriusXM hosts, including McReynolds, questioned why 23XI and Front Row Motorsports did not follow the same path.
Fan reactions follow Hamlin’s comments
Hamlin’s posts sparked reaction from fans online, including listeners of SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Some echoed his call for accountability and pointed to past coverage of the lawsuit.
“I’m waiting for Moody’s apology for the shitty way he was when he interviewed Mr. Kessler at the very beginning. I’m sure you realize how many hours of On Track have been entirely devoted to you for the last year. Figdets said.”
Another fan expressed doubt that any apology would come. “Why would they! They don’t have the decency. But don’t worry, we all know all the B.S they spewed and how bad it makes them look. Greg said.”
The lawsuit itself arose from broader concerns among team owners regarding NASCAR’s control over revenue, intellectual property, and barriers to new teams. With the legal case resolved, attention now turns to how the charter system operates moving forward. NASCAR has said the agreement strengthens partnerships and focuses on long-term growth.
Departing NASCAR Star’s Father Pens Emotional Note After Parting Ways with Dale Jr.
Few have a dominating debut season, and Connor Zilisch is one among that elite list. Making his full-time debut with Dale Jr., he proved himself on the track, winning 10 races in the season’s second half, and earning a promotion to the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing.
There were quite a few iconic moments that he had throughout the season, and some of them stuck with him. Recently, the JR Motorsports crew gave him a surprise, as his father penned a heartwarming post on social media.
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Connor Zilisch’s father reacts to a gift from Dale Jr. and Co
Zilisch was quick to make an impression on Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his entire crew. He was given an opportunity to run a few races in the 2024 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (then called the Xfinity Series). Zilisch managed to win his debut race, confirming a seat for the future.
He followed a similar trend in the 2025 season and managed to earn the team’s respect owing to his performance. However, he won’t be a part of the crew in 2026. He is set to move to the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing, as mentioned.
The crew visited him before Christmas for a small party. His father, Jim Zilisch, penned a heartfelt post.
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“Some memories will stick with you for a lifetime,” he wrote. “Our season with this @JRMotorsports team will never fade. Hard to put into words how special it was. Had most of the team over tonight for some post-season fun & they brought the best gift ever, which is no surprise knowing them.”
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The team also brought him a special gift, the door panel from his car, marking all of his victories of the season, and some uplifting messages.
This was a special season for Zilisch. However, it didn’t start at the top. For two consecutive races, he was out of the top 20 and regularly fluctuated. However, between rounds 13 and 30 (Charlotte and Kansas), he formed a remarkable streak, finishing within the top five of all races and winning nine of those.
His performance in these rounds saw him climb the ranks and finish the season in second place. All of these wins were marked on the door panel that the team gifted him. However, there was also a good bit of humor in the gift.
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What was the secret message on Connor Zilisch’s gift?
One of the messages on the door panel was highlighted in bright yellow. It read “DO NOT STEP” and was placed on the window net opening. This was because of an incident that Zilisch had back in Watkins Glen. He won the race, which marked the first of the four consecutive wins he would have.
As he pulled the car into the victory lane, stepping on the window net to celebrate, his foot slipped, and he fell on his face. The fall was serious, and Connor Zilisch had to undergo collarbone surgery.
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Although this raised serious questions about the remainder of his season, he managed to get back on track for the next race at Daytona and conquered the track with a strong victory.
While the injury was serious, his recovery only made it a little blot on his racing portfolio, and the little joke Dale Jr’s crew played with his gift made it more iconic. The celebration was special for the departing driver. Now, however, he has a major challenge to face as he prepares to make his full-time debut in the Cup Series.
MLB Insider Shares Massive Bo Bichette-Blue Jays Update After Winter Meetings
The Toronto Blue Jays are not expected to sign Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker if the opportunity presents itself to land both players, MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand reported Tuesday.
Tucker, a four-time All-Star who spent last season with the Chicago Cubs, reportedly visited the Blue Jays’ training facility in Dunedin, Fla., before the Winter Meetings. Toronto signed former San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract earlier this month.
Feinsand added that if the Blue Jays do not sign Tucker, they could revisit a reunion with Bichette, who has been with the organization since 2016. However, Feinsand also suggested that the Boston Red Sox could pursue Bichette if third baseman Alex Bregman, who opted out of his contract after the World Series, signs elsewhere.
“That’s why these dominoes are all sort of interlocking,” Feinsand said, “and they all play off each other.”
What to Know About Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker
Tucker hit .266 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and an .841 OPS in nearly 600 plate appearances for the Cubs. He is a two-time Silver Slugger and earned Gold Glove honors following the 2022 season.
It is unclear whether Tucker would remain in right field or potentially move to left field, where he began his Astros career, if he signed with the Blue Jays. George Springer spent significant time at designated hitter after offseason acquisition Anthony Santander suffered a shoulder injury in May. Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with a 2030 team option last offseason, which would make it difficult for Toronto to have him come off the bench in the near future.
A back injury forced the Blue Jays to remove Santander from their postseason roster during the ALCS. He is expected to be a full go when spring training begins in February.
As for Bichette, the two-time All-Star returned to form following a frustrating 2024 season. He hit .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, 44 doubles, and a .840 OPS in 139 games before missing the end of the regular season with a knee injury. He returned in the World Series and batted .346 with one home run and six RBIs over 27 plate appearances, though he primarily played second base or served as the designated hitter.
There is no indication that either Tucker or Bichette intends to sign anytime soon. Those two, along with Bregman and New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger, are the top free-agent hitters available. Longtime New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles last week, and All-Star designated hitter Kyle Schwarber re-upped with the Philadelphia Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal.
MLB’s Chris Marinak leaving position with league: reports
MLB Chief Operations & Strategy Officer Chris Marinak is leaving the league office after 17 years, according to reports.
The Sports Business Journal reported Marinak left the position to pursue new opportunities.
Marinak, 45, was considered by industry folks to be a candidate for MLB commissioner before a memo was to MLB staff members Tuesday about his departure at the end of 2025.
Marinak will depart as MLB chief operations and strategy officer after joining the league office in 2008.
The exec was a a key figure in the introduction of instant replay and other on-field changes, including the processes that ultimately led to the pitch clock, per The Athletic.
Marinak is expected to announce his new position in the new year.
Diamondbacks interested in Alex Bregman in MLB free agency twist
A new Alex Bregman suitor has emerged.
The Post’s Jon Heyman reported Tuesday that the Diamondbacks “have interest” in Bregman, who is one of the top free agents on the market this winter.
Arizona has a major hole at third base after trading slugger Eugenio Suarez, who hit 36 home runs in a D-backs uniform last year, to the Mariners before last July’s trade deadline.
The franchise is also rumored to be shopping All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte, who could clear up some money and a spot on Arizona’s infield for Bregman if they move on.
Bregman spent the 2025 season with the Red Sox, who are reportedly in the mix for Marte, setting up what could be a quasi-swap between two star infielders.
USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Diamondbacks could move Jordan Lawlar from third to second base if Marte is traded and they sign Bregman.
While a return to Boston has appeared to be a possibility, Bregman has also been tied to the Cubs, Blue Jays, Mets and Tigers, among other teams.
Last season, Bregman hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs while making his third career All-Star team.
A year ago, Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox.
The deal had opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, which he exercised to test the open market for the second straight offseason.
Bregman, who turns 32 in March, is expected to get a deal somewhere in the range of $150-175 million.
The Diamondbacks are looking to improve upon their 80-82 finish last season, which followed two straight winning seasons, including a National League pennant in 2023.
Earlier this week, Arizona signed pitchers Michael Soroka and Merrill Kelly to shore up their starting rotation.
MLB Trade Rumors and 2025-2026 Free Agent News
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Dec. 16: Could this NL club be a dark-horse contender for Bregman?
A new contender has emerged in the sweepstakes for third baseman Alex Bregman, one of the top free agents on the market. The D-backs have expressed interest in Bregman, according to a report by MLB Network insider Jon Heyman on Tuesday.
The incumbent Red Sox and the Cubs have been the teams most strongly linked to Bregman so far this offseason, but Arizona has a vacancy at third base that the three-time All-Star could fill. Bregman is said to be Boston’s
Japan’s “Biggest Mystery” Faces Uncertain MLB Future as Blue Jays Wage Direct Battle With Yankees
The next front in the Yankees–Blue Jays offseason rivalry isn’t a proven MLB star, but the biggest mystery in baseball. Munetaka Murakami, Japan’s premier power hitter, has drawn serious interest from both teams despite never playing in MLB. Now, New York and Toronto appear ready to gamble on upside, turning Murakami into the latest point of tension between the division rivals.
For the Yankees, that intrigue has been building for weeks. Ever since the offseason began, New York has been heavily linked to the Japanese slugger, with some insiders even dubbing him “Aaron Judge 2.0.” Fans have been far more energized by the idea of Murakami in pinstripes than by the pursuits of Bichette or Bellinger. He’s also viewed as a potential long-term DH option, especially with Giancarlo Stanton’s future beyond 2027 uncertain.
However, the latest buzz is that the Blue Jays have jumped into the mix as well. Thus, turning this into another Yankees–Jays showdown. And both teams are seemingly willing to roll the dice on a mysterious name.
“He’s the biggest mystery in the market, because we haven’t heard many teams involved,” MLB insider Ken Rosenthal shared via Foul Territory.
Well, the biggest question mark with Murakami is pretty simple: he’s never been tested in MLB!
Still, his NPB numbers are exactly why teams like the Yankees can’t stop drooling over him. Reportedly, the left-handed slugger is projected to land an eight-year deal worth about $158.5 million.
At just 25 years old, Murakami has been attracting attention for his raw power. Notably, his 56-homer season in 2022 shattered Sadaharu Oh’s long-standing NPB record for a Japan-born player. So the hype isn’t coming out of nowhere.
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However, his real uncertainty is in his strikeout rate!
Murakami’s strikeout rate has hovered around 30 percent in each of the past three seasons. Moreover, as is often the case, hitters coming over from NPBoften see their strikeout numbers climb even higher in MLB. So, according to Rosenthal, the mystery around how Murakami’s game translates to the majors is exactly what’s made teams cautious and kept some suitors at arm’s length.
But that picture might be changing. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports that Murakami has drawn interest from a wide range of teams. This includes the Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, Phillies, Mets, and Jays.
The Yankees have long been viewed as a natural landing spot, especially given how much they value things like exit velocity. Murakami averaged 94 mph in exit velocity in 2025. Hence, the Yankees could easily convince themselves that they can turn that into big-league production. Now, though, the Blue Jays are firmly in the mix.
For Toronto, Tucker’s $400 million price tag is eye-watering, and players like Bichette and Bellinger have no shortage of options. So, taking a swing on Murakami for under $160 million could be the more realistic gamble.
And considering the Jays rolled the dice on a 40-year-old Max Scherzer last year, why not take a chance on a 25-year-old with that kind of upside?
The Blue Jays are contending for a few more Japanese names
Well, Munetaka Murakami is not the only Japanese player the Jays seem interested in. Instead, there are a few more in the list. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, “Japanese 3B/1B Kazuma Okamoto also has big interest, including from the Red Sox, Pirates and Jays.”
Just like Murakami, it’s Okamoto’s power that has the Blue Jays intrigued, but at a far more team-friendly price. MLB Trade Rumors projects Okamoto to land a four-year, $64 million deal. That’s a significant discount compared to what Murakami is expected to command!
And with that price, the Blue Jays could get someone who posted a .277/.361/.521 slash line with 248 home runs in NPB. And from 2018 through 2023, he topped 30 HRs in six straight seasons, peaking with 41 in 2023. Another big plus is his versatility as he’s logged extensive time at both first and third base. It would give the Jays flexibility across the infield and even at DH.
Now, with Toronto continuing to show strong interest in Japanese talent, it’s starting to feel like the Blue Jays are becoming the next Dodgers!
Angels add relievers Romano, Pomeranz on 1-year deals (sources)
The Phillies signed Romano, 32, to a one-year, $8.5 million deal in December 2024, hoping he could re-establish himself as one of the game’s top closers after a trying ’24 season that led to him being non-tendered by the Blue Jays.
That came after Romano made just 15 appearances with a 6.59 ERA for Toronto in 2024, missing significant time with a right elbow injury that eventually required surgery. He had one year of arbitration eligibility remaining after 2024, but the Blue Jays chose not to tender him a contract for ’25, making him a free agent.
A Canada native born in Markham, Ontario, Romano initially joined Toronto as a 10th-round Draft pick out of Oral Roberts University in 2014. Romano had a brief stopover with the Rangers, who purchased his contract from the White Sox after Chicago selected him in the 2018 Rule 5 Draft, but he was sent back to the Blue Jays’ organization in March ’19.
Formerly a starter, Romano moved into a relief role during the 2019 campaign. He made his MLB debut out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen that June, and while he went on to post a 7.63 ERA over 17 appearances in 2019, he found success (1.23 ERA) over 15 games during the truncated 2020 campaign.
Romano earned his first All-Star selection the following year and was selected again in 2023. He had 72 saves over those two seasons, ranking second in MLB behind the Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase (86).
Pomeranz, a 12-year veteran, was one of the most pleasant surprises this past season for the Cubs. After not appearing in the big leagues from 2022-24, he compiled a 2.17 ERA in 57 outings.
“I’d love to play longer,” Pomeranz said after the Cubs were eliminated by the Brewers in the NLDS. “We’ll see what happens. But like I said, I surprised myself. If you’d asked me that last year, I would’ve been like, ‘Ah, I’ll play for a little bit.’ But I felt great this year. Even out there today, it felt great. One pitch, ball goes out. But other than that, just an awesome year.”
Cody Ponce on return to MLB after time in KBO
Cody Ponce is far from the first Major Leaguer to go overseas and return having found something that makes him a better pitcher than his first go-around in the big leagues. Asked what he found, however, the new Blue Jays pitcher doesn’t cite a mechanical tweak, a new pitch or a knowledge of his what makes him great.
The inner child in Ponce is a big figure. He’s a Star Wars fanatic who not only collects memorabilia, but will watch Star Wars movies before a game. He wore No. 30 with Hanwha, he half-joked, because of his initials: He can’t be C-3PO, but he could be CP-30. As he talked with the media on Tuesday evening, he had a Star Wars-style helmet on the shelf over his shoulder that he wore walking out onto the field for the KBO All-Star Game.
“It’s not an All-Star Game like it is in the states, where it’s an actual game,” Ponce explained. “This is like a show, so everybody dresses up, everybody has their own personalities, everybody does different things. And I was like, ‘Wow, I get to express my little kid in me and turn into Darth Vader.’”
That little kid had gotten lost over the last few years as the struggles piled up, from an 0-6 record and 7.04 ERA with the Pirates in 2021 to three years of bouncing between the major and minor leagues in Japan.
A year ago, Ponce said, he was on the couch with his wife Emma debating whether to go to Korea or return stateside to play independent ball as they prepared to welcome their first child. His baseball career felt a little more like a business, one that appeared to be at a crossroads. A return to the Major Leagues seemed half a world away, whether he was on the other side of the globe or not.
“My wife and I had done three years in Asia at that point,” he explained, “and wanted to try to start a family, and wanted to be around our family a lot more. But I don’t think as a competitive ballplayer, you ever take away the opportunity of playing in the big leagues.”
“Not so much of a conversation between my brother-in-law and I,” Ponce said, “just like the way he plays the game of football. Being such an angry game, the way he talks about when he’s on the field and how he kind of jokes with people, I was like, ‘Wow, that’s got to be something different.’
“I am a huge Star Wars nerd, and I will always be a Star Wars nerd, but that was because he allowed me to remember those kind of things that I loved about when I was a kid. I saw the way he was playing the game of football, and I was in this view like, ‘Wow, you can play such an angry game and be having fun at the same time, yet still have this type of tenacity, this type of drive, this type of competitiveness, all at the same time.’
Not only did Ponce’s childlike enthusiasm join him in Korea, so did Emma, a big change from his time in Japan. He adjusted to the culture of the clubhouse and the country with help from new Hanwha teammate and former Blue Jays starter Hyun Jin Ryu, who also taught him to be less predictable in his repertoire. He connected with the Eagles’ analytics team and made some adjustments, throwing multiple versions of his offspeed pitches.
The result was KBO’s equivalent of the Death Star, and not only a return to the big leagues, but on a three-year, $30 million contract, a massive bit of stability as Cody and Emma welcome their first child, a baby girl.
“Every little kid’s dream, or 31-year-old’s dream, is still possible,” he said. “Did I think what happened this year was something that would transpire? No. I just wanted to go out there, perform the best I could and try to put the possibility of coming back [to the Majors] with at least one offer. Then this kind of all happened.”
MLB free agency reset: Predictions for top remaining targets
We’ve started to see some top free agents come off the board as the MLB offseason has gotten rolling: Kyle Schwarber back to the Philadelphia Phillies, Pete Alonso to the Baltimore Orioles and Dylan Cease to the Toronto Blue Jays. The closer market also moved quickly: Devin Williams to the New York Mets, Edwin Diaz then ditching the Mets for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Robert Suarez to the Atlanta Braves and Ryan Helsley to Baltimore.
That still leaves seven of the top 10 free agents from Kiley McDaniel’s top-50 ranking unsigned. Let’s look at that group and see where things stand. The team at the center of everything right now is the Mets: They have needs to fill and money to spend and will be a key player in how the rest of this offseason plays out.
We’ll list Kiley’s contract projections for each player — including updated projections for the four remaining big free agent hitters, based on how the deals for Schwarber and Alonso have reset that market. Then, of course, we’ll make some predictions that will certainly be correct.
Kyle Tucker, RF
2025 free agent ranking: 1
Initial projection: 11 years, $418 million
New projection: 11 years, $418 million (with potential deferrals)
Team that might be out: Phillies. The Phillies crossed off their top agenda item, re-signing Schwarber, and then filled a hole in the outfield with a one-year deal for Adolis Garcia. At the Garcia press conference, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the Phillies’ outfield is
Phillies to Give Top Prospect Justin Crawford Opportunity to Win MLB Job
Justin Crawford has been on a methodical rise through the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor league system. That rise may finally be over.
During a conference call to discuss the signing of new right fielder Adolis Garcia, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski talked about the franchise’s new outfield alignment for 2026. Garcia will play right field, even though incumbent Nick Castellanos is still under contract and likely to be traded. Brandon Marsh will play left field.
Crawford will get every chance to prove he’s ready to be the starting center fielder on opening day, Dombrowski said.
Nexo Announces Landmark Crypto Partnership with Tennis Australia for Australian Open and Summer of Tennis
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nexo, the premier digital assets platform, has entered a landmark multi-year global partnership with Tennis Australia, becoming the Official Crypto Partner of the Australian Open and the Summer of Tennis, including the United Cup, Adelaide International, Brisbane International, and Hobart International. This agreement marks the first time a digital asset company has partnered with a Grand Slam tournament, affirming Nexo’s prestige, long-term vision, and leadership at the intersection of elite sport and digital assets.
Antoni Trenchev, Co-founder, Nexo, noted: “The Australian Open stands at the intersection of excellence and ambition – precisely where Nexo positions itself. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to disciplined performance and long-term thinking. We are honored to join Tennis Australia in elevating the sport while showcasing the value of intelligent digital tools to a global audience.”
At the Australian Open, Nexo’s brand will take centre court through the Nexo Coaches Pod, with prominent branding on on-court coaching areas across Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena, and Kia Arena – highlighting the strategy, insight, and real-time decision-making behind elite performance.
“We’re excited to welcome Nexo to the Australian Open family,” Tennis Australia Chief Commercial Officer Cedric Cornelis said. As a brand built on innovation, expertise and next-generation thinking, Nexo is the first-ever crypto partner in Grand Slam history and is also a natural fit for the AO and our events across the Summer of Tennis.
“The Nexo Coaches Pod will shine a light on the strategy and teamwork at the heart of elite tennis on one of the sport’s biggest global stages. Together, we’re creating new ways for fans to connect with the game and the people behind it.”
As a global benchmark for foresight, the Australian Open’s innovative atmosphere aligns with Nexo’s commitment to technology-driven progress in today’s world. Meanwhile, in 2025 alone, Nexo became the Official Digital Wealth Platform of the DP World Tour, the Official Partner of the Acapulco Tennis Open, and the Official Crypto Partner of the Mifel Tennis Open.
About Nexo
Nexo is a premier digital assets platform designed to empower clients to grow, manage, and preserve their crypto holdings. Our mission is to lead the next generation of wealth creation by focusing on customer success and delivering tailored solutions that build enduring value, supported by 24/7 client care.
Since 2018, Nexo has provided unmatched opportunities to forward-thinking clients in over 150 jurisdictions. With over $11 billion in AUM and over $371 billion processed, we bring lasting value to millions worldwide. Our all-in-one platform combines advanced technology with a client-first approach, offering high-yield flexible and fixed-term savings, crypto-backed loans, sophisticated trading tools, and liquidity solutions, including the first crypto debit/credit card, with product availability varying by jurisdiction. Built on deep industry expertise, a sustainable business model, robust infrastructure, stringent security, and global licensing, Nexo champions innovation and long-lasting prosperity.
Official website: nexo.com
About Tennis Australia
Tennis Australia is the governing body of tennis in Australia and the organizer of the Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slams and one of the world’s most prestigious annual sporting events. Renowned for its commitment to innovation, excellence, and global engagement, Tennis Australia delivers tournaments across the country that celebrate performance, integrity, and the advancement of the sport. With its future-focused approach and pioneering technologies, Tennis Australia continues to set new standards for fan experience, athlete performance, and event innovation.
Top College Arenas Which Can Host NBA Cup: Everything You Should Know
The NBA mid-season tournament is a developing concept that’s here to stay. Perhaps the fourth edition will look a little different. The last three NBA Cup finals were held in Las Vegas, with the T-Mobile Arena serving as neutral ground. Now, Adam Silver is planning to bring it to the college level.
In an interesting new move, the big boys will be hosted at college venues for the 2026 NBA Cup final if the Commissioner’s plan goes through. Usually, an NCAA arena isn’t equipped with all the bells and whistles to handle a tenfold crowd. So, which venue could host the Cup matchup next year?
Which are the top college arenas that can host the NBA Cup: What makes them perfect?
Las Vegas, which had no basketball team or presence, became synonymous with the NBA Cup. That’s supposed to change under the new NBA media package. Over the last three years, the NBA has signed one-year contracts with T-Mobile Arena to host its games in the in-season cup.
A change already announced in September was that the semifinals would be held at home sites starting next year. The point being simply that Prime Video wants a more compelling broadcast, which it believes is generated by larger, more partisan home crowds. But now, according to Silver, the Finals are set to be rerouted as well.
“We’re talking with Amazon Prime about whether it makes sense to maybe go to some unique locations for the final game,” he said on Tuesday during the NBA on Prime pregame show. “They have suggested, for example, some storied college arenas. So we’re just looking at other ways we can do this.”
Some venues immediately meet the ‘storied’ criteria.
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A glance at the top 10 college venues ranked by the NCAA could make the NBA’s job easy in picking a neutral site for 2026.
Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium and the University of Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse are the top two frontrunners for the NBA Cup. Purdue’s Mackey Arena is a close third. If they want a place with more history, it would have to be The Palestra at the University of Pennsylvania.
Iowa State’s Hilton Coliseum, which has held NBA preseason games in the past, could be considered. The Bud Walton Arena in Arkansas and the Big Ten contender Michigan State’s Breslin Center also shouldn’t be ruled by any means.
Which are the top college arenas that can not host the NBA Cup: Know the reasons behind it
The only university arena that won’t be considered to host the NBA Cup is St. John’s. The school shares its venue with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The NBA Cup defenders would have to earn home-court advantage in the knockout rounds next year, but it surely won’t be a neutral site in the final.
The Cameron Indoor Stadium, Allen Fieldhouse, and Mackey Arena would also require additional provisions to host an NBA game. Prime Video drives this concept. Things like guardrails, extra seating, locker rooms suited for NBA players, and media facilities that would far surpass the March Madness aesthetic.
For now, though, Silver has left it open-ended. It’s a work in progress. But there are schools vying for the publicity and scouts that the premier event can bring this time next year.
Cubs Get Major Alex Bregman Update Amid Red Sox Link
The Chicago Cubs have reportedly revisited their interest in veteran infielder Alex Bregman. Chicago are losing Kyle Tucker, but they could look at another option who can bring championship experience and offensive contribution.
On December 4, The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma reported, citing sources briefed on the team’s offseason planning, that the Cubs have renewed interest in All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.
With Chicago being one team that appears keen on Bregman, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi shared the latest he’s hearing on the free-agent hitter who spent last season with the Boston Red Sox.
“If [Bregman is] able to keep the AAV or around the AAV that he had this past year in Boston and then multiply it over the longer-term deal that he wants, I think that’s exactly what Bregman is looking for,” Morosi said during a December 15 appearance on MLB Network.
“From what sources around the industry are saying, he probably still has the best chance to get that type of a deal in Boston. The question, of course, remains who else is going to be in there to potentially bid up the price? …These signs continue to point that Bregman is likely having his best fit with the Red Sox.
“We know the Tigers were involved last winter, as were the Cubs, but the situation is a bit different now with the Cubs being at least somewhat comfortable with Matt Shaw, unless they were to move Shaw to second and then trade Nico Hoerner—a possibility.
“The Tigers’ ability to spend some somewhat diminished by the fact that Gleyber Torres has accepted the qualifying offer. So you start to look around the different options. The Boston Red Sox, to me, still the clearest and best option of all for Alex Bregman.”
Cubs’ Previous History With Alex Bregman
Chicago previously made a push for Bregman during spring training but came up short. According to the Mooney and Sharma report, the Cubs’ ownership group approved Jed Hoyer to present a four-year, $115 million offer that included opt-out clauses after the second and third seasons.
Bregman ultimately signed with the Red Sox, agreeing to a three-year, $120 million contract. That deal also included opt-out provisions and a significant amount of deferred money.
Bregman played in just 114 games for Boston last season due to a quad injury, yet his offensive numbers stayed consistent. He ended the season with 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and an .821 OPS, figures that align closely with his postseason performance. In 102 career playoff games, Bregman has recorded 19 home runs, 55 RBIs, and a .791 OPS.
Alex Bregman Could Spell Bad News for Cubs’ Nico Hoerner
After a report that the Cubs are revisiting Bregman, former MLB general manager Jim Bowden believes Chicago could trade Hoerner, as Morosi also stated in his update.
Mets, Red Sox Receive Major Munetaka Murakami Update
The race to sign Japanese free agent Munetaka Murakami, reportedly attracting interest from the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and several other teams, is nearing its conclusion, with his MLB posting window closing on December 22. While many clubs have been linked to the slugger, no clear frontrunner has emerged.
Murakami appeared in just 56 games this past season due to an oblique injury, but still hit 22 home runs and posted a .273/.379/.663 slash line. The key question remains whether his success in Japan can carry over to the major leagues.
With his posting deadline nearing, FOX Sports’ MLB insider Ken Rosenthal shared the latest regarding what he’s hearing regarding Murakami amid a quiet market for him so far this offseason.
“You haven’t heard much about his market [but] that doesn’t mean there is no market,” Rosenthal said on the December 15 edition of “Fair Territory.” “I did have an executive tell me, ‘Boy, you don’t hear much about him. I wonder if he really has anything. Is the swing and miss concern that great?‘ It is, but at the same time, he’s 25 years old. Shohei Ohtani, who was younger when he came over, actually had a higher swing and miss rate in Japan.
“I do expect that he’s not going to go back to Japan. I do expect he’s going to sign by the time his 45-day negotiating window expires, but he remains the biggest mystery in this market because no one seems to know who is on him, and no one seems to know where this might end up, what the money would be, or what teams truly are interested. He is someone that I do expect will be with a major league club next season.”
Mets Among Teams Linked to Munetaka Murakami
Who are the teams having an interest in Murakami? On December 12, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi shared the latest regarding what teams are eyeing the 25-year-old.
“Murakami is of interest to teams like the Red Sox, the Mariners, the Tigers, the Phillies, the Mets, the Blue Jays, a lot of different teams,“ Morosi said on MLB Network.
“The Pirates, I have been told, are connected to Murakami. If you want to sign Murakami, you only have 10 more days to do it. So if the [Alex] Bregman market is going to continue into the new year, and if you’re thinking about Bregman or the power of Murakami.”
Why MLB Teams Are Hesitant Over Munetaka Murakami
In a December 5 ESPN article, Buster Olney notes that while the player has significant potential, teams remain cautious. That hesitancy may explain why he hasn’t yet signed a contract during his posting window.
“There’s a lot of talk among teams about Murakami, the free agent corner infielder who is making his way from Japan — and skepticism, in some front offices, about how his skill set will play in the big leagues, given his big swing-and-miss profile and the perception that his defense could be a problem,“ Olney wrote. “But all he needs in this bidding is for one team (or more) to fall in love with his big-time power.”
Braves Shock MLB World by Signing Korean SS for a Hefty $20 Million
As the NL East watches the Mets take a noticeably cautious approach, far removed from their usual big-spending reputation, the same division is seeing a completely different story unfold in Atlanta. While the Mets are catching heat for not opening their wallets enough this offseason, the Braves are doing just the opposite, spending aggressively and making their intentions clear.
And their latest splash, signing shortstop Ha-Seong Kim for $20 million, has grabbed plenty of headlines. But in a twist of irony, the Braves are now being questioned for spending too much on the Korean infielder.
“Ha-Seong Kim is returning to the Braves on a 1-year, $20 million contract, per multiple reports,” Fox Sports reports.
Well, Kim is headed back to Atlanta, agreeing to a one-year, $20 million deal that checks off one of the Braves’ biggest offseason needs. For the context, it’s a $4 million raise for Kim. He turned down a $16 million player option from the two-year, $29 million contract with Tampa Bay.
The 30-year-old South Korean infielder hit .234 with five HRs and 17 RBIs while splitting time between the Rays and Braves. So, not absolutely a bad buy for the Braves. However, landing Kim could mean the end of the road for Bo Bichette in Atlanta. With rumors swirling that Atlanta could be a serious contender for free agent Bo Bichette, the Braves ended up locking in Kim first.
Still, not everyone in the fanbase is celebrating!
A segment of fans feels that $20 million for just one year is steep, calling it more of an overpay than a bargain. But there’s another side to it. Bringing Kim back gives the Braves valuable defensive flexibility across the middle infield and even at third base. With Dubón filling a key utility role, Kim can settle in as the everyday shortstop.
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And as GM Alex Anthopoulos pointed out, this deal could be a win-win. If Kim puts together a strong 2026 season, it helps Atlanta right now and sets him up for a bigger, more extended contract down the road. However, the skepticism among fans is still very much there.
The fans are left shocked by the Braves’ move
While the inclusion of Kim seems fine with fans, they are left wondering what led the Braves to invest so much. “Can someone who actually knows ball explain how the f*** on earth this guy’s getting 20 million. Am I missing something………………… ik ball not why the f*** anyone would pay this guy 20 million,” one fan said. “I know bro is elite on defense, but 20 million is a lot,” added another.
Well, Kim’s real value has always been his glove. Notably, in 2024, he posted a Fielding Run Value of 4 per Statcast’s Baseball Savant. That was a clear sign of how much he can steady an infield. That kind of defense has been his calling card ever since he arrived in the majors.
Remember in 2023, he won a Gold Glove and even finished 14th in National League MVP voting. It was fueled by elite defense and a noticeable uptick at the plate. And then there’s the versatility. Kim can play shortstop, second base, and third, all at a high level, with great range, a strong arm, and a sharp baseball IQ. “Not happy it’s one year, but now the Braves have a legit SS. So let’s go,” one user agrees.
When you put it all together, this looks like a powerful utility addition for the Braves. And honestly, when you compare it to the price tags we’ve seen for other versatile players like Cody Bellinger, players like this rarely come cheap.
However, a few fans are skeptical about his injury history, which makes the money an overpay. “Out with a broken toenail by April 17th,” one user remarked.
Kim did spend some time on the injured list late in July with a lower-back strain before returning in August. And it’s been a pretty rough season health-wise for him. The 30-year-old shortstop also battled calf, shoulder, and hamstring issues, which limited him to just 23 games through August.
So yes, if those injury problems resurface, this contract could quickly start to look like an overpay. And given his recent track record, it’s fair to say durability is a real concern. “If Ha-Seong Kim, who’s about as average as a player can be, is worth $20 million a year, how the heck can we complain about $400 million team payrolls?” Another user wonders whether the big-market team’s outrageous payroll should then be questioned!
So, for most of the fans, Kim could be a great value addition for the Braves. However, with that $20 million AAV, a few bigger names could have been landed. Still, Kim is signed only for a year. Names like Bichette and Bellinger may come at that AAV, but with multi-year deals. Thus, as the Braves manager said, it’s a win-win situation for both!
Sabalenka named WTA Player of the Year for second straight season
Dec 15 (Reuters) – World number one Aryna Sabalenka has been named WTA Player of the Year for the second consecutive season after spending the entire year at the top of the rankings, the governing body of women’s tennis announced on Monday.
Sabalenka capped a dominant 2025 campaign by successfully defending her U.S. Open title, leading the tour in match wins and titles, reaching nine finals. She finished as runner-up at the Australian Open and Roland Garros and reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
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The Belarusian won four trophies overall and recorded 63 victories over the season.
As she retained the year-end number one ranking for a second straight year, Sabalenka also set a single-season prize money record of $15,008,519, the WTA said.
Amanda Anisimova was voted the Most Improved Player, having also been nominated for Player of the Year.
The American reached five finals, winning the first WTA 1000 titles of her career in Doha and Beijing, and advanced to her first Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Anisimova broke into the top 10 in July and qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time in her career, ending the year ranked fourth in the world.
Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend were named Doubles Team of the Year after claiming a second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, while they also reached the U.S. Open final.
Former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic received the Comeback Player of the Year award after becoming a mother in April 2024 and producing a strong run of results, highlighted by a victory over world number five Elena Rybakina to win the Abu Dhabi Open.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko was named Newcomer of the Season after surging to a career-high world ranking of 18, capped by her maiden WTA 1000 title on home soil in Montreal.
Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City Editing by Christian Radnedge
Men’s tennis adds heat rule similar to one for women since 1990s
The ATP Tour is adding a rule to address extreme heat during men’s professional tennis matches that will allow for 10-minute breaks during best-of-three-sets singles matches starting next season and is similar to what was put in place on the women’s circuit more than 30 years ago.
The ATP Board’s approval of the new policy, announced Monday, strengthens “protections for players competing in extreme conditions,” the tour said.
During the Shanghai Masters in October, some players called for the ATP to introduce guidance to help them in cases of extreme heat and humidity. Defending champion Jannik Sinner stopped playing a match there because of severe leg cramps; 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic lamented the conditions after vomiting during a victory.
“It’s brutal when you have over 80% humidity day after day,” Djokovic said then, “particularly for the guys when they’re playing during the day with heat, with sun.”
An Associated Press analysis in 2023 showed that the average high temperatures felt during the U.S. Open and the three other major tennis tournaments steadily had gotten higher and more dangerous in recent decades, reflecting the climate change that has created record heat waves.
The WTA first established a rule to protect players in the heat in 1992. The new ATP rule is based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which takes into account the heat, humidity and other factors. When the WBGT reaches at least 30.1 degrees Celsius (about 86.2 Fahrenheit) in one of the opening two sets of a best-of-three match, either player is allowed to request a 10-minute suspension of play.
If the WBGT exceeds 32.2 degrees Celsius (about 90 Fahrenheit), the match will be halted.
During the breaks, players can change clothing, shower, hydrate or use other ways to cool off — under the supervision of ATP medical staff — and they also can receive coaching.
That ATP said the rule is aimed at “safeguarding player health, while also improving conditions for spectators, officials, ball persons, and tournament staff.”
Grand Slam tournaments set their own heat policies. The U.S. Open, French Open and Wimbledon also have rules based on WBGT readings, as does the tennis competition at the Olympics, which is run by the International Tennis Federation. The Australian Open goes by something called the Heat Stress Scale.
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“Not the Same Thing”: Tennis Icon Draws Line Between Aryna Sabalenka & Nick Kyrgios Showdown and History
Tennis is about to take a bold step toward reviving a piece of its past, and not everyone is thrilled. Aryna Sabalenka is set to face Nick Kyrgios on December 28 in a modern-day tennis ‘Battle of the Sexes’, played under modified rules. The idea first surfaced months ago, sparking curiosity. Now, as the date draws near, the chatter is louder than ever. Even the legend Billie Jean King has joined the conversation.
Speaking to BBC Sport, King, who famously played the original ‘Battle of the Sexes’ against Bobby Riggs back in 1973, shared her thoughts on the WTA World No. 1 and the ATP star taking on the challenge. When asked if she saw any similarities between the two matches, King didn’t hesitate:
“The only similarity is that a man and a woman will face off,” she said. “That’s it, everything else is different. Our match was about social change. I hope it’s a great match, obviously I want Sabalenka to win, but simply it’s not the same thing.” But is that true?
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Well, yes! To recap, 52 years ago, the world tuned in to one of the most famous tennis spectacles ever staged. Bobby Riggs, once a top men’s champion from the 1930s and 40s, was 55 and full of swagger. Calling himself a “hustler” and a “male chauvinist,” he bragged that women’s tennis was weak that he could beat the best of them, even at his age. To prove it, Riggs crushed Margaret Court 6-2, 6-1, and his antics caught everyone’s attention.
That’s when Billie Jean King stepped in. She had turned down Riggs before, but now she knew she had to take him on. It wasn’t just personal, it was symbolic. Promoters hyped the showdown as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ and gave it primetime treatment. On September 20, 1973, inside the Houston Astrodome, 50 million Americans and another 90 million around the globe watched the drama unfold live.
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On the court, King delivered and beat Riggs in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, and pocketed the $100,000 winner-take-all prize. But this was never just about tennis. As King put it later, “I thought it would set us back 50 years if I didn’t win that match. It would ruin the women’s [tennis] tour and affect all women’s self-esteem. To beat a 55-year-old guy was no thrill for me. The thrill was exposing a lot of new people to tennis.”
Fast-forward to 2025, and the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ still stirs emotion. Some cheer it on, others not so much. However, after King’s comments, Kyrgios backed up Aryna Sabalenka, saying, “By the way, all the negative comments towards the Battle of the Sexes are doing nothing but giving it more attention. At the end of the day, Aryna will go down as one of the greatest players to play this game. I will have entertained crowds around the world.”
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He could be right. Love it or not, this year’s revival has everyone talking! From retired pros to renowned coaches and today’s top players.
Insiders share their thoughts on Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios’s upcoming match
On December 14, the Spanish former pro Garbine Muguruza didn’t hold back on her thoughts on the exhibition match. Seeing the unfair advantage a male player would have over a WTA star, she wasn’t convinced.
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“Male superiority is not based solely on strength, but also on physical endurance, muscle mass – it’s a combination of factors,” she said. “I remember never being able to beat my brothers, and even with non-professional male training partners, I never managed to win a set against them. A player ranked 1000th in the world, or even unranked, can be much better than a player in the WTA top 10.”
She’s not the only one raising eyebrows. Lleyton Hewitt’s former coach, Roger Rasheed, voiced his disappointment about the whole idea. “I’m not a fan of it, to be honest,” he said. From his view, the match makes little sense for the women’s game and offers no real upside.
“I think it’s a lose-lose for the women’s side … I actually think it’s quite insulting, to be perfectly honest,” Rasheed added. He questioned the move from Sabalenka’s camp. “I don’t see where there’s one minute, one second of win for the number one player in the world. If you are looking after Sabalenka commercially, is this a place where you want to be?”
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Still, the hype keeps building. The exhibition kicks off on December 28 in Dubai, and tennis fans can’t stop talking about it. Sabalenka comes in as world No. 1, while Kyrgios, ranked outside the top 600, is easing his way back from a serious wrist injury. He’s played only five matches in 2025, which adds to the mystery of how he’ll perform.
The twist? It’s a best-of-three with bold, experimental rules: one serve per point and a court nine percent smaller for Aryna Sabalenka, based on data showing women move nine percent slower, according to her agency Evolve. It’s risky, and it’s different. So, who’s taking this one, Sabalenka or Kyrgios? Tell us in the comments!
ATP Tour adding heat rule similar to one for women’s matches
The ATP Tour is adding a rule to address extreme heat during men’s professional tennis matches that will allow for 10-minute breaks during best-of-three-sets singles matches starting next season and is similar to what was put in place on the women’s circuit more than 30 years ago.
The ATP Board’s approval of the new policy, announced Monday, strengthens
The men’s tennis tour is adding a heat rule like the one the women have had for more than 30 years
The ATP Tour is adding a rule to address extreme heat during men’s professional tennis matches that will allow for 10-minute breaks during best-of-three-sets singles matches starting next season and is similar to what was put in place on the women’s circuit more than 30 years ago.
The ATP Board’s approval of the new policy, announced Monday, strengthens “protections for players competing in extreme conditions,” the tour said.
During the Shanghai Masters in October, some players called for the ATP to introduce guidance to help them in cases of extreme heat and humidity. Defending champion Jannik Sinner stopped playing a match there because of severe leg cramps; 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic lamented the conditions after vomiting during a victory.
“It’s brutal when you have over 80% humidity day after day,” Djokovic said then, “particularly for the guys when they’re playing during the day with heat, with sun.”
An Associated Press analysis in 2023 showed that the average high temperatures felt during the U.S. Open and the three other major tennis tournaments steadily had gotten higher and more dangerous in recent decades, reflecting the climate change that has created record heat waves.
The WTA first established a rule to protect players in the heat in 1992. The new ATP rule is based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which takes into account the heat, humidity and other factors. When the WBGT reaches at least 30.1 degrees Celsius (about 86.2 Fahrenheit) in one of the opening two sets of a best-of-three match, either player is allowed to request a 10-minute suspension of play.
If the WBGT exceeds 32.2 degrees Celsius (about 90 Fahrenheit), the match will be halted.
During the breaks, players can change clothing, shower, hydrate or use other ways to cool off — under the supervision of ATP medical staff — and they also can receive coaching.
That ATP said the rule is aimed at “safeguarding player health, while also improving conditions for spectators, officials, ball persons, and tournament staff.”
Grand Slam tournaments set their own heat policies. The U.S. Open, French Open and Wimbledon also have rules based on WBGT readings, as does the tennis competition at the Olympics, which is run by the International Tennis Federation. The Australian Open goes by something called the Heat Stress Scale.
Youth and experience unite for Team Czechia
Depth in the ranks has always been a signature of tennis in Czechia, a country of just 10 million people which has always punched above its weight on the world stage.
It will be no different at the United Cup in 2026, where the Czech team is headlined by a decorated Grand Slam champion and one of the men’s game’s fastest rising stars.
Barbora Krejcikova and Jakub Mensik will make a formidable pairing when they head to Sydney as one of the three countries drawn into Group D. And all eyes will be on them when they face Australia in a blockbuster at Ken Rosewall Arena, set for the evening of Tuesday 6 January.
Although the host country headlines the group as the fourth-seeded team, Team Czechia poses a significant threat as it looks to improve upon its semifinal finish in 2025, its best result in three United Cup campaigns.
MORE: Australia’s De Minaur and Joint a formidable pairing for host nation
TICKETS: Cheer on Team Czechia at the United Cup
Boosting the Czech line-up are former top-50 player Linda Fruhvirtova, impressive doubles talent Adam Pavlasek, Dalibor Svrcina and Miriam Skoch.
Mensik is the highest-ranked of the lot, already a top-20 star before he turned 20 in September. His 2025 season started strongly in January’s Southern Hemisphere summer, with quarterfinals in Brisbane and Auckland preceding a third-round finish at the AO, where he upset No.6 seed Casper Ruud along the way.
Team Norway, led by Ruud, are also in Group D, meaning a rematch with Mensik awaits.
Yet Mensik truly turned heads with his run two months later at the Miami Masters, where he beat three top-10 stars – Indian Wells champion Jack Draper, American star Taylor Fritz and 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic – to win his first ATP title.
Ranked outside the top 50 at the time, the then-19-year-old soared to world No.24 after out-steadying Djokovic in a pair of tiebreaks during a compelling final.
“My game was getting better and better. Actually, winning tonight against Novak in the tiebreakers, it feels crazy, incredible,” said Mensik, who played through a knee injury en route to the title.
“I was watching him growing up. Because of him basically I started to play tennis. So it just feels incredible that I had the opportunity for a second time to play against him. And to beat him in this tournament in the finals… it was just a dream to win an ATP tournament, and even better that it’s 1000 (smiling).
“Playing against Novak in the finals makes it more special.”
The story of injury is one familiar to Krejcikova. As Mensik was hoisting the biggest trophy of his burgeoning career, she was sidelined with a back injury and did not play her first match of the season until May.
It did not take her long to regain her form. In just her fourth tournament back, she reached the quarterfinals in Eastbourne, and then the third round at Wimbledon – where she was the defending champion – before running out of gas against Emma Navarro in a three-set battle.
“I was very much enjoying every match that I played here [at Wimbledon],” said Krejcikova, who also won the 2021 Roland Garros title. “I was enjoying me being on court, being able to play, being pain-free, having some good moments, having some tough situation, but overcoming them, enjoying all the atmosphere. I was also really enjoying the position that I was in.
“Unfortunately, yeah, it ended up this way, which is just very unfortunate and really sad and disappointing for me.”
She rebounded quickly, reaching the fourth round in Cincinnati, and her sixth Grand Slam quarterfinal at the US Open, before solid performances in Seoul and Beijing toward the end of the season.
Despite playing comparatively little tennis, she remained as dangerous as ever, going 15-5 from late June to late September and scoring three top-20 wins in that same period.
Mensik, who after Miami reached the Madrid Masters quarterfinals and Wimbledon third round, will no doubt benefit enormously from teaming with Krejcikova, a player almost 10 years his senior with a phenomenal representative career and doubles CV to boot.
His ascension in 2025, coupled with her resurgence, could prove perfectly timed with the United Cup beginning in just over two weeks.
Cumberland Valley’s Riya Srinivas is PennLive’s girls tennis Player of the Year
The Mid-Penn has seen its fair share of dominant players in all of its sports.
Mifflin County cross country runner Carter Smith, Harrisburg football’s Micah Parsons, Central Dauphin girls basketball’s Alyssa Thomas and State College swimmer Molly Workman just to name a few.
Cumberland Valley girls tennis star Riya Srinivas can rightfully call herself one of the Mid-Penn’s most dominant athletes as her career comes to a close.
After a season filled with accolades, Srinivas added to her loaded trophy room after being named PennLive’s girls tennis Player of the Year for the third time in her career.
Srinivas added a Mid-Penn 3A singles gold medal, Mid-Penn 3A doubles gold, District 3 3A singles gold, and District 3 team bronze this season. Just one year after missing her entire junior year with an injury.
She significantly strained her ankle during a tournament in May of 2024 following her sophomore year. Srinivas spent the next seven months rehabbing the injury, missing out on her junior campaign.
“I couldn’t play at all,” Srinivas said. “That was a really rough time in my life. Recovery was painful.”
The pain was two-fold.
She was obviously physically hurt, but the CV star also suffered mentally. Admittedly, the mental stress of not playing combined with school took a toll.
Srinivas struggled to cope with the fact that she was sidelined with the injury. Her source of “peace and inner calmness” was suddenly gone.
While her physical therapist helped with the physical pain, her family helped ease the mental rut she found herself in.
“I had a really great support system,” Srinivas said. “My parents and brother were there to help me.“
Missing the entire 2024 season wasn’t ideal, but it became motivation for Srinivas.
She came back fully healthy in 2025 and reminded not only the Mid-Penn, but District 3 who she was.
The four medals she added to her collection is more proof that she is one of the most dominant athletes the Mid-Penn has seen.
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Follow Rymir Vaughn on X —@RymirVaughn
Meet PennLive’s 2025 girls tennis All-Star team
The Mid-Penn had a strong 2025 girls tennis season.
The conference finished with a District 3 champion and had an athlete finish with fourth-place medal in the PIAA tournament.
Let’s go back and look at some of the top performers in the conference.
Here is PennLive’s 2025 girls tennis all-star team.
Pragnya Joshi, Cumberland Valley
Joshi has built quite the reputation for herself as a junior. She went further than any Mid-Penn athlete this season placing fourth in the PIAA 3A singles tournament. In addition to her Mid-Penn singles silver, she earned Mid-Penn district doubles gold and District 3 3A bronze.
Mia Schreader, Camp Hill
Schreader is always a contender for gold on the Mid-Penn 2A bracket. This season she ended with a silver medal and an appearance in the District 3 2A tournament.
Evyennia Raudenbush, Big Spring
Raudenbush’s unique situation doesn’t allow her to play regular season tennis, but she’s a true contender when the playoffs begin. This year she took home the Mid-Penn 2A championship over Schreader and finished in third place in the District 3 2A tournament.
Teagan Pardo, Bishop McDevitt
Pardo’s goal coming into the season was to get a medal and she did just that by earning a bronze medal in the Mid-Penn 2A tournament. She also qualified for the District 3 2A playoffs.
Jonna Liu, State College
Liu finished the season with a 10-1 record, leading the Lions to a silver medal in the District 6 team tournament.
Grace Livingston, East Pennsboro
Livingston was a huge part of East Pennsboro’s 11-2 record and team appearance in the District 3 2A playoffs. Personally, she qualified for the District 3 2A doubles tournament with partner Chelsea Hoover.
Ryma Saha, Mechanicsburg
Mechanicsburg wanted to get to the District 3 playoffs as a team. However, Saha was the only one to qualify for the District 3 3A playoffs in the singles bracket.
Aaruhi Jairath, Hershey
Jairath was one of the top players in the Mid-Penn, securing the No. 4 seed in the Mid-Penn 3A tournament. She made a run to the semifinals and earned a berth in the District 3 3A playoffs.
Riya Srinivas, Cumberland Valley (Player of the Year)
Srinivas worked her way back from an ankle injury that sidelined her for her junior season. She finished her high school career with multiple big-time victories, including in the Mid-Penn singles and doubles 3A and District 3 3A singles championships. She also went on a PIAA run to the quarterfinals.
Srinivas is now a three-time PennLive girls tennis Player of the Year.
Coach of the Year: Nick Mallos, Cumberland Valley
Mallos took home Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season after another sensational season from Cumberland Valley. The Eagles secured five medals, including four golds, during the Mid-Penn 3A championships, sent two athletes to the District 3 and PIAA tournaments and won a D3 team bronze medal.
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Follow Rymir Vaughn on X —@RymirVaughn
Victoria Mboko Receives WTA Honor for Incredible 2025 Season
After a breakthrough 2025 season, Victoria Mboko could have easily let fame overwhelm her at just 19. Yet the Canadian remains remarkably grounded, a rare composure in the fast-paced world of women’s tennis. And as the awards night concluded, she received the one major WTA honor for her incredible 2025 season, cementing her status as one of the sport’s brightest rising stars.
The Canadian teenager has been named the WTA’s Newcomer of the Year. The professional women’s tour announced its year-end award winners on Monday, confirming her rapid ascent.
Mboko, 19, from Toronto, climbed from outside the world’s top 300 to inside the top 20 during the 2025 season. The jump reflected consistency, confidence, and results across multiple levels of competition.
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The highlight of her year came in August. Mboko won the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Montreal. On her way to the title, she defeated four Grand Slam singles champions. The run ended with a victory over four-time major winner Naomi Osaka in the final, earning her first WTA Tour title.
Her season did not stop there. Mboko captured another WTA title in Hong Kong in November. Earlier in the year, she won four consecutive ITF World Tennis Tour titles. She also reached the third round of the French Open, showing her ability on clay.
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She was also recently welcomed by Prime Minister Mark Carney at his office on Parliament Hill. She became the fourth Canadian to win the WTA newcomer award, following Carling Bassett, Eugenie Bouchard, and Bianca Andreescu.
Along the way, the International Tennis Federation has also announced its Class of 2025. Five rising players earned the honor after dominant seasons on the ITF World Tennis Tour. Their performances led to breakthroughs at the highest level of the sport. An expert panel selected them for their standout progress.
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The Class of 2025 includes Canada’s Victoria Mboko, Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, Austria’s Lilli Tagger, Belgium’s Gilles Arnaud Bailly, and Croatia’s Luka Mikrut. They were chosen from a longlist of 19 candidates. The group now joins a respected pathway that recently featured Mirra Andreeva, Jakub Mensik, Learner Tien, and Iva Jovic. Victoria Mboko’s rise stands out even within that group.
And as she moves toward 2026, her coach has already sent a clear message after a historic season.
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Nathalie Tauziat outlines even bigger goals for Victoria Mboko
Nathalie Tauziat has played a key role in one of the biggest breakthroughs of the 2025 WTA season. As Victoria Mboko’s coach, she has guided the Canadian through a rapid rise on tour. Her experience has helped shape Mboko into a consistent top-level competitor.
Tauziat is a former world No. 3 and a former Wimbledon runner-up. She is known for tactical intelligence and long-term planning. Those qualities now define Mboko’s development. The transition from junior prospect to elite professional has been carefully managed.
Mboko’s improvement has been steady and clear. Her game now blends physical power with growing tactical awareness. This balance has allowed her to challenge and defeat higher-ranked opponents. She no longer relies on talent alone.
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In an interview with Clay Magazine, Tauziat praised Mboko’s landmark achievement in Canada. She said, “Victoria did something incredible by winning in Montreal, and now we have to set even bigger objectives. She is top-20 in the world, but she needs to improve her game further.”
Despite the scale of the success, Tauziat stressed that nothing changed internally. The Montreal title did not shift the team’s mindset or preparation. Long-term development remained the priority.
Tauziat explained the thinking behind that approach. “No, absolutely not. The tournament in Canada is always important, and we knew she was going to get a wild card. Doing well there was one of the goals for this year, and she did way more than we expected. We were really happy. The key was thinking only about the next match, about what comes next, and she did what she did.”
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As the 2026 season approaches, expectations naturally rise. Mboko now carries the pressure of results and rankings. The challenge will be sustaining the same level of performance.
With Tauziat’s guidance, the focus remains on progress, not shortcuts, as the next chapter begins in couple of weeks.
On To the Next One: Matches to make after UFC Vegas 112
Manel Kape had the chance to muscle his way into the flyweight title picture at UFC Vegas 112 and he more than took advantage of the opportunity.
It took a little over three minutes for Kape to remind everyone he’s the most dangerous knockout threat at 125 pounds as he took out Brandon Royval. Now, riding a three-fight win streak, he has his sights set on newly crowned champion Joshua Van. With a card in Van’s hometown of Houston around the corner, does it make sense to throw that together ASAP? And where does that leave presumptive No. 1 contender Tatsuro Taira?
On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss who Van is most likely to defend against first, who stole the show on the last UFC card of 2025, and who embarrassed themselves on the microphone. Additionally, we make future matchups for main card winners Kevin Vallejos, Cezary Olekziejczuk, Melquizael Costa, and King Green, and take matchup suggestions from the listeners.
Audio-only versions of the podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
Alex Pereira Leaks UFC White House News, Will He Fight Jon Jones?
The UFC is poised to make history in 2026 with an unprecedented event staged on the front lawn of the White House. For reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, this card could be the ultimate stage to fulfill his ambitious goals while he is at the peak of his career in terms of popularity and marketability.
“Poatan” has been vocally campaigning for his next fight to be at heavyweight, and if he does forge a path to an unprecedented third UFC title, the promotion could set up a potential superfight with the legendary Jon Jones. However, a recent, cryptic post from the Brazilian striker suggests his dream scenario may not materialize, leaving his immediate future unclear.
The accompanying caption read,
Alex Pereira’s White House Announcement Has Fans Turning On Dana White as Donald Trump’s UFC Plans Hit a Snag
The White House card was meant to feel untouchable. A once-in-a-lifetime UFC event wrapped in politics, spectacle, and legacy, with fans already discussing who deserved that stage more than who would actually headline it. Alex Pereira‘s name sat comfortably in the middle of the conversation like a done deal just waiting to be announced.
However, that announcement never came, and what fans got instead was nothing but a shocker. After a long period of no tease, no press conference chaos, and no Dana White soundbite to hype the event, the silence finally broke. And it wasn’t from the UFC at all. Instead, it came from ‘Poatan’ himself, as he threw the entire idea into question.
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Alex Pereira drops massive update on Dana White’s White House plans
The tension finally snapped when Alex Pereira shared a photo of himself with Dana White on Instagram with the caption, “Looks like the White House is a NO GO!!!” No context or clarification, just three exclamation points and an abrupt shift in momentum. For such a massive event, the lack of explanation amplified the message.
From there, fans did not hesitate to vent their dissatisfaction. Many people instantly turned on Dana White. Why? Because they were convinced this was another case of a fighter wanting something big and being quietly stonewalled. After all, Donald Trump did promise fans a night with several champions squaring off.
“When Dana can’t negotiate a contract, he puts the blame on the fighter,” a user commented. Others preempted the narrative entirely: “Incoming Dana White about to say, ‘Poatan just doesn’t want to fight. It’s as simple as that,’” followed by the now-familiar punchline, “KID DIDN’T WANNA FIGHT.”
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That resentment quickly escalated into something more dramatic: fans threatening to skip the entire event. “No Poatan in the White House, no more UFC,” one comment read, while another stated, “IF POATAN AIN’T ON IT, WE AIN’T WATCHING.” Some even went so far as to say they would not support the card unless ‘Poatan’ was made a part of it. To them, this was more than just one fight; Alex Pereira was the main event.
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However, not everyone chose a side. A significant portion of the fan base seemed more confused than outraged. “If there’s anyone who deserves to fight in the White House, it’s Alex,” one fan claimed, while another voiced the awkward question that hung over the entire situation: “The biggest event with no main event?” Others remained straightforward, asking the Brazilian directly, “What does this mean, Alex?” and “What happened???”
As of now, no official confirmation or denial has been made. But Alex Pereira’s brief message accomplished what months of speculation couldn’t: it revealed how shaky the White House plan truly is. Whether it’s a timing issue, a trust issue, or something still going on behind closed doors, fans have already started to draw conclusions. And once that happens, the pressure does not fade away; instead, it only grows.
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What’s next for ‘Poatan’ after the UFC White House snub?
Alex Pereira is now in a state of uncertainty. With the White House plan in jeopardy, the attention returns to familiar questions: defend the light heavyweight belt again, or pursue something greater while the timing is still favorable? ‘Poatan’ has never built his career around staying inactive. For him, it has always been about doing something that clearly sets him apart.
Heavyweight remains an obvious option. Pereira has mentioned two options there: a legacy fight with Jon Jones or a bid for a third UFC title. While his White House plans for a bout with ‘Bones’ fell through, there is still a chance to square off against Tom Aspinall once he returns. However, that demands a long wait, and even he admitted that most of the matchmaking is beyond his control.
For the time being, he is waiting to see which doors truly open, just like everyone else. If none do, the road narrows down to 205. A title defense becomes the likely next step, as critics argue he should stay put and clear out the division. Alex Pereira has not drawn a hard line yet. What is evident is that the White House was expected to provide direction. Instead, it left him with no clear path forward.
Anderson Silva’s key weapon that Joe Rogan says made him ‘invincible’ was also used by Tyron Woodley
Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley have both been involved in criticized UFC title fights.
One of the biggest fights of the year takes place this Friday, as Jake Paul attempts to pull off a huge upset when facing Anthony Joshua on December 19.
The matchup that is by far the biggest challenge that ‘The Problem Child’ has faced to date will take place after two of his former opponents meet for the first time.
Anderson Silva will face replacement opponent Tyron Woodley at the Kaseya Center in Miami in a clash of ex-UFC champions.
While both men have very different styles and careers, there is a tendency that they both share which was crucial in them having success at the highest level in MMA.
Joe Rogan highlighted how Anderson Silva would make fights boring on purpose
Anderson Silva first won the UFC middleweight title in 2006 before going on to produce one of the most iconic runs in the history of the sport.
His upcoming bout against Tyron Woodley is an interesting clash of styles considering where they excelled in MMA, but there is one key similarity.
During an episode of his podcast in 2024, Joe Rogan spoke about one of Silva’s greatest strengths that he believes made him “invincible” during the peak of his career.
“If he made the fight boring, it was also a strategy because then you’d be anxious and you would maybe do something to try and pick up the pace, then he’d crack you,” the long-time UFC commentator said during the Joe Rogan Experience #2176. “He was just so smart that he didn’t care if people were booing.”
Forcing his opponents to initiate the action allowed the Brazilian to make them fight the way that he wanted so he could capitalize with his lethal counter striking.
Rogan added that he never agreed with Silva receiving criticism for this from the UFC when fights ended up underdelivering, which is something that Woodley also faced in his career.
The American was often happy to wait for his opponents to act, with his explosive power and wrestling being such a significant threat that he knew he didn’t need to be the one forcing anything to happen.
“I was always of the mind that he’s doing the 100% correct thing,” Rogan said about Silva. “He’s the best fighter and to fight the best, you’ve got to know when to attack and when not to attack and sometimes you don’t attack at all. If he does something out of character and forces it, that was not his style.”
Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley’s similarity could make for a dull fight on December 19
Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley both implemented styles that relied on their opponents to make things happen so they could capitalize on mistakes.
Both men were so effective at this and happy to stick to this approach that it produced some boring fights where opponents were cautious about opening up and paying the price for it.
Given that Silva and Woodley would likely prefer to play the counter-puncher role this Friday, it wouldn’t be surprising if there are rounds that don’t make for a great viewing experience.
That being said, it’ll be interesting to see whether one of them does decide to open up a bit more in order to lead the dance.
Dana White Told to Pick a Lane as His Francis Ngannou Stories Highlight Hypocrisy
Dana White doesn’t usually blur his lines. When a relationship ends in the UFC, it is loud and clear. Francis Ngannou‘s exit initially followed a predictable pattern. Contract dispute. Frustration among the general public. A champion walks away as the promotion continues without him. Despite its chaotic nature, the plot seemed settled.
However, the conflict has reappeared in an unexpected way. Not through Ngannou. Instead, it came from Dana White himself when his account of a previous altercation began to change. Ariel Helwani stepped in, not to accuse, but to listen intently. And when the words were replayed side by side, the difference became hard to ignore.
Ariel Helwani calls Dana White’s change in tone story
Ariel Helwani did not exaggerate it. He just stated what many people were already sensing. “Does the story change a little bit?” Helwani asked on the Ariel Helwani Show. “Feels like the story changed a little bit. I mean, there is some touching involved, but it seems like a little less.” The question lingered because it did not require an answer. The contrast spoke for itself.
The previous version was sharp and confrontational. The UFC CEO reported that Francis Ngannou grabbed him by the shirt and pushed him back into an office. It ended with a distinct line in the sand. “Dude, get your f—— hands off of me.” It was presented as a moment of revelation. One reason why bridges couldn’t be repaired.
However, the newer version softened the edges. The grab became a hand on the chest. The aggression became a misunderstanding. “It’s not like Francis came in here and was, like, physical,” White explained. This is the same incident. The same frustration. Different weights.
So, Ariel Helwani circled back to the missing pieces. “And what about the, uh, ‘get your f—— hands off of me’ part?” he asked, almost nonchalantly. “Anyway, not, I guess, all that important.” Except, it was. What has not changed, according to him, is Dana White’s stance on the future.
“In the end, it sounds like he’s not interested in bringing him back. No surprise there,” he stated. But if you believe the hypocrisy ended there, you couldn’t be more wrong. Because right after claiming that Dana White’s intention of keeping ‘The Predator’ away from the UFC is firm, another piece of footage of the head honcho made the combat analyst question himself.
White’s 2023 claim on Francis Ngannou backfires on his own stance
That’s where Ariel Helwani dug deeper, not through speculation, but by rewinding the footage. He brought up Dana White’s statements from January 2023 and played them uninterrupted. The contrast was jarring. “What is going on?” Helwani asked, evidently puzzled. In today’s interviews, the UFC CEO maintains he has wanted Francis Ngannou gone for years. However, back then, he was standing on a podium saying the exact opposite.
Back in 2023, Dana White outlined an offer that would have made Francis Ngannou the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history. White stated that he was offering Ngannou more than Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez, and anyone who had ever held the belt. That was not the language of relief or indifference. That was language for retention.
Ariel Helwani spelled out the discrepancy clearly. “Which is it?” Helwani asked. “Did they offer him the biggest deal ever, or did he want to get rid of him seven years ago?” The question landed not as an accusation, but rather as a logical dead end that could not be explained away by tone or timing.
That moment reframed all that had gone before it. If Dana White actually wanted ‘The Predator’ gone, the record does not show that. If he wished to keep him, the current situation becomes harder to reconcile. Helwani did not say Dana White was lying. He did not need to. By juxtaposing the past and the present, he highlighted the conflict between control and convenience.
Merab Dvalishvili Handles His Own Medical Procedure as ‘Wild’ UFC 323 Injury Update Stuns Fans
“I don’t got any [injuries] in this fight. I was injured before, but not in this fight,” Merab Dvalishvili shared with his fans in a Hawaii vlog on his Instagram as he vied for a trilogy with Petr Yan. Apparently, his last run at UFC 323 is still a heavy topic for ‘The Machine.’ However, a bold, unsurgical method of removing stitches has surfaced on the internet, taking the fandom into a frenzy.
It’s not news that Dvalishvili’s face was seriously disfigured and brutally cut in his last fight with Yan, who used his heavy blows to shut down ‘The Machine’s wrestling. Now, more than a week later, Dvalishvili was ready to peel out the stitches on his own, without any medical aid.
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Merab Dvalishvili leaves fans slack-jawed with a suture-cutting video clip
In a recent Hawaii vlog, Dvalishvili detailed his willingness to avenge Yan, as he used regular scissors, not of medical grade, to cut the sutures. As he peeled them off from the still-open wound on his nose, he commented, “Boom, easy.” However, it’s important to note that this is not a safe practice, as many viewers were quick to point it out.
“Most people remove stitches at the doctor’s office. Merab? Nah, he’s out here in Hawaii treating it like a loose thread on his board shorts. 😂” one user expressed. Another user wrote, “Warrior mentality,” as he posted the iconic clip of Dvalishvili looking out in his fight with Usman Nurmagomedov, in his first title defense of the year, which he won dominantly.
On the flip side, some users pointed out the damage Yan had inflicted on Dvalishvili. A fan commented, “Bro this guy 🤦♂️ anyways yan really f***ed him up. I doubt the rematch will go any differently for Merab.” Obviously, not everyone is rallying for the ‘Machine.’ On a similar note, another user wrote, “Petr Yan is a threat man. Just look at what he did to Merab.”
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One commentator summed up the act in 4 easy words: “the guy is wild!!” Another user sarcastically noted the ASMR aspect of the video, writing, “There is something very satisfying about this.”
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One fan had nothing but respect for Dvalishvili’s mental groove and physical strength. They wrote: “Why doesn’t he spend his vacation and support the local economy in Georgia which he loves ? Ohhhh he have to be man first resssssssspeeeeeeeectttttttttttt.”
However, this is far from the first time Dvalishvili has left fans’ jaws hanging wide open with his injury antics. Less than a month before his title fight with Sean O’Malley last year, Dvalishvili revealed he had a cut on his face from his last fight, which he took up a notch by posting a clip of him removing his own sutures. Dana White couldn’t help but comment, “Isn’t he awesome? I think he’s just f***ing with me now, to be honest with you.”
But Merab Dvalishvili has never failed to deliver in his fights, and even after his disheartening setback against Yan, ‘The Machine’ is already eyeing his comeback, even as he cools his engine in Hawaii while training with Mark Zuckerberg.
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Merab Dvalishvili sets date for Petr Yan 3
Reeling from his loss to Petr Yan, Dvalishvili called out the UFC for a third chapter in their saga. While there are other contenders in line for the newly crowned champion, it looks like the UFC has agreed to another showdown between the fighters.
“The UFC contacted me and said, ‘Please rest as long as you want, your next fight is a rematch with Petr Yan for the belt. Rest as long as you want and call us when you’re ready,’” Dvalishvili shared. The promotion is anticipating a summer comeback for the Georgian wrestler. However, Dvalishvili himself is fine with an earlier date, sometime around April or May, as he shared in his Hawaii vlog.
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Moreover, he detailed how he didn’t sustain any major injuries except for a few cuts on his face.
With the trilogy now seemingly locked in and Dvalishvili already plotting his revenge, the stage is set for another blockbuster clash. Do you think Merab gets his belt back in the trilogy, or does Yan shut the door for good?
Ilia Topuria, doble campeón de UFC, denuncia intento de extorsión
El luchador español Ilia Topuria, actual campeón de UFC, hizo público este lunes un contundente comunicado en redes sociales en el que denuncia haber sido víctima de un intento de extorsión, situación que ha afectado directamente tanto a su vida personal como a su carrera deportiva.
El peleador, también conocido como “El Matador”, explicó que los hechos se han desarrollado durante los últimos meses y que incluyen amenazas relacionadas con acusaciones falsas, lo que lo ha llevado a tomar la decisión de renunciar temporalmente a defender su título y centrarse en el proceso judicial correspondiente.
Ilia Topuria denuncia presiones y amenazas personales
En su comunicado, Topuria explica el impacto que estas circunstancias han tenido en su vida:
“En las últimas semanas sabéis que he tenido que renunciar temporalmente a defender mi título. Algo que, como imaginaréis, no ha sido una decisión fácil. Pero cuando la vida te pone ante situaciones que amenazan tu paz, tu familia y tu nombre, llega un momento en el que hay que dar un paso al frente”.
El luchador asegura haber sufrido presiones intolerables, detallando la naturaleza de las amenazas:
“Durante los últimos meses he sufrido situaciones y presiones intolerables, amenazando con difundir infundadas acusaciones de malos tratos que solo desaparecerían a cambio de dinero, pero la verdad solo tiene un camino: los hechos”.
Proceso judicial y pruebas presentadas
Topuria subraya que los hechos denunciados cuentan con material probatorio sólido, el cual ya ha sido puesto en manos de la justicia:
“Todos ellos están perfectamente documentados -audios, mensajes, testimonios y vídeos- y están siendo puestos a disposición judicial para proceder legalmente, no solo por intento de extorsión, sino también por falsificación de pruebas, sustracción de dinero y objetos personales, además de por todas las amenazas recibidas”.
El peleador reconoce que había optado inicialmente por el silencio, pero decidió hablar públicamente por una razón clave:
“He intentado mantener silencio para proteger a mis hijos, que son los pilares de mi vida, pero he entendido que callar ya no es proteger: es permitir que la mentira siga creciendo“.
UFC toma decisiones deportivas ante su ausencia
Desde el punto de vista deportivo, la situación ha tenido consecuencias directas. Ilia Topuria no podrá defender su campeonato durante el primer trimestre de 2026, debido a la imposibilidad de entrenar con regularidad mientras atraviesa este conflicto personal y legal.
Ante este escenario, UFC optó por organizar un combate por el título interino de la división en el evento UFC 324, garantizando así la continuidad competitiva de la categoría.
Un mensaje final: confianza en la justicia
En la parte final de su comunicado, el campeón reafirma sus valores personales y su confianza en el sistema judicial:
“Hoy me toca dar un paso adelante y ser un ejemplo de que nadie debe ceder ante la presión, la manipulación o el miedo. Quienes me conocen saben que jamás he ejercido la violencia contra nadie y que mis valores siempre han sido los del respeto, la disciplina y la honestidad”, asegura.
Finalmente, Topuria pide respeto y adelanta que evitará hacer futuras declaraciones públicas sobre el caso:
“Doy este paso por mi familia, por mí y por todas las personas que necesitan ver que la verdad se defiende con hechos. Confío plenamente en la justicia y pongo en sus manos todo lo que he vivido. Como comprenderéis, por respeto a mis hijos y al proceso judicial, no haré más declaraciones. Solo pido que no se especule y que se respete la intimidad de mi familia en un momento tan delicado, algo que siempre habéis hecho y por lo que estoy profundamente agradecido. Mi verdad no necesita gritar; solo necesita ser escuchada”, concluye.
Tyron Woodley Vs. Anderson Silva Breakdown
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva boxes Tyron Woodley on December 19, as we preview the upcoming fight.
The bout will be contested at a 195-pound catchweight (Cruiserweight) and scheduled for six rounds. For Woodley, this fight represents a crucial chance to finally secure his first professional boxing win. He has an 0-2 professional boxing record, with both losses coming against Jake Paul. Woodley took the fight after ex-UFC Middleweight Champion pulled out with an injury. Silva holds three boxing wins in five professional bouts. Silva’s most notable win was against ex-WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. However, like Woodley, Silva also came up short against Paul.
Woodley’s goal must be to close the distance and cut off the ring to neutralize Silva’s length advantage. He needs to employ aggressive footwork to limit Silva’s lateral movement, preventing “The Spider” from circling out and dictating range. Woodley could use a powerful jab feint to step in and immediately follow with his right hand or a short left hook. To break down Silva’s defense, Woodley must mix up his targets, punishing the body early to slow Silva’s movement and output.
Silva’s tactical plan will rely entirely on his experience, ring generalship, and high-volume striking. Silva will use his superior reach and length to keep Woodley at the end of his jab. If Woodley is hesitant, Silva will utilize volume, consistently tapping the jab to bank rounds on the scorecards.
Silva’s key tactic against Woodley will be manipulating the tempo, using sudden stops and starts to frustrate the former welterweight champion, forcing Woodley to become predictable. Silva’s ability to punch off the pivot—especially landing a clean shot as Woodley steps into a pocket—will be a major factor.
Arman Tsarukyan announces shock plan for career after UFC… ‘It’s such an interesting hobby’
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has announced he has a surprising plan for a career after his tenure in the sport of MMA.
For what seems to be like an eternity, Arman Tsarukyan has been ranked at the top of the UFC 155lb division, without fighting for the title.
And although it seemed inevitable that he would fight for the title after Ilia Topuria announced he was temporarily stepping away from the sport, ‘Ahalkalakets’ was once again snubbed by Dana White.
Despite there seeming to be friction in their relationship, White recently claimed that he has no issues with the Armenian, despite continuing to deprive him of a title shot.
Tsarukyan already planning for life out of the UFC
Tsarukyan is still on the right side of 30 at just 29-years-old, somewhat in the peak of his career, however, he is already planning for life outside of the UFC.
It is well-documented that ‘Ahalkalakets’ comes from an extremely wealthy background, which is something he has been teased for continuously throughout his UFC tenure.
And with that, he knows that following his UFC career, he doesn’t need a career that is going to pay him a lot of money, and he will instead look to pursue a career in another one of his hobbies.
“No, no (I won’t stop training after my career), I’m going to take up triathlon,” he told ACBJJ.
“Well, I’m very good at riding a bicycle and I swim well, just add running and you’ll be traveling the world, there are competitions, the communities are diverse, you meet different people and it’s such an interesting hobby,” he continued.
Before his career in the UFC is said and done, though, he will hope to have realized his dream of becoming a champion in the promotion.
Not only that, but Tsarukyan is hopeful of one day becoming a double champion in the UFC, previously stating that he will move up to 170lbs after a few more lightweight fights.
Tsarukyan set to take on fellow UFC star outside of the promotion
Despite the fact that the 29-year-old likely needs at least one more win before he fights for the title, he has recently accepted two opportunities to compete outside of the UFC.
On December 30, ‘Ahalkalakets’ will take on fellow UFC star Shara Magomedov in a grappling match, which will mark his fourth grappling match of the year.
Conor McGregor Rival Backed for UFC White House Return as Michael Chandler’s Spot Comes Under Threat
Just when it was starting to look like Michael Chandler would finally get the Conor McGregor fight, another old rivalry of the Irishman’s has found the spotlight. Nate Diaz stepped away from the UFC after a submission win over Tony Ferguson in 2022. Since then, the Stockton legend has hung up his MMA gloves, shifting his gears to focus on boxing matchups against influencer boxers like Jake Paul. However, it appears Diaz is finally ready to make his much-anticipated comeback to UFC at the White House event next year, and Michael Bisping already has a potential matchup at his disposal.
The White House fight night on President Donald Trump‘s birthday next year is reportedly set to house 8 title fights. Among the top names vying for a bout are Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. However, Diaz’s return to the UFC scene has ignited the scene with a newfound buzz, as Chandler’s spot hangs in the balance.
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Michael Bisping says Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor trumps the Michael Chandler bout
“Conor McGregor versus Michael Chandler, right? Who’s lost four out of his last six—no disrespect, Michael Chandler—or Conor McGregor versus Nate Diaz, right? Ask yourself that question. I think the answer is very obvious. I think we would all rather see Conor McGregor versus Nate Diaz three,” Michael Bisping shared in a YouTube video.
Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor have a colorful history, marked by two of the most intense fights UFC has ever seen. In their first encounter, the Irish striker came in hot, winning the first round with penetrating shots. However, in the second round, Diaz flipped the narrative, pressuring forward while absorbing shots to get the RNC finish.
That handed McGregor his first career loss, setting the stage for their iconic rivalry. ‘The Notorious’ settled the account with a majority decision win over Diaz in their rematch. That fight was one to watch, delivering one of the most intense five-round bouts ever.
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Tying their results, this duology laid the foundation for the age-old debate in the UFC fanbase over dominance between Diaz and McGregor. This potential trilogy could settle that debate once and for all, amassing massive numbers. In contrast, McGregor vs Chandler fails to deliver the same buzz. Chandler’s recent string of losses only hurt the narrative.
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While the bout with Chandler is a business bout, Diaz vs McGregor commands historic legacy and a decorated rivalry. “That fight needs to happen at some point—in a car park, in a pub, in a restaurant, or better yet, at the White House in the UFC’s Octagon,” Bisping added. However, Nate Diaz himself has a much different vision for his big comeback.
Nate Diaz names UFC White House opponent
Nate Diaz maintained an amiable relationship with the UFC, with a potential Dustin Poirier bout in talks over the past few years. However, it seems Diaz is past that promised return, setting his eyes on another lightweight challenger—Paddy Pimblett. In an Instagram video, when asked about his next opponent, Diaz replied: “S—, I’m looking at Pimblett. Probably Pimblett.”
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The Liverpudlian is scheduled to fight for the interim lightweight belt with Justin Gaethje, after division king Ilia Topuria set his crown down for the first quarter of 2026. However, whether the 40-year-old Diaz will get a shot at Pimblett is under high scrutiny from the MMA fandom.
Branding Diaz as delusional, fans quickly jumped in against a Pimblett vs Diaz White House fight. Even Bisping added how Diaz should shift his focus to the Irish striker to settle his past dues. “That would be a fight that we all want to see, and I think it kind of needs to happen. Anyway, so that’s what Nate Diaz should be targeting. That’s what he should be talking about,” Bisping added.
Whether it’s a risky callout of Paddy Pimblett or a long-awaited trilogy with Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz continues to keep himself at the center of the UFC spotlight. With fans and legends like Michael Bisping weighing in, the question remains: which fight truly makes sense next?
Youth football’s teachings transcend the game itself
For more than 150 years, football has been an energizing and enduring part of the American experience.
At USA Football — the sport’s first-ever national governing body — we’ve had a front-row seat to what this game means to players, families and communities. We’ve seen it light up small-town fields and big-city stadiums. We’ve watched it inspire teamwork in schoolyards, bring out the best in college athletes, and — with the rise of flag football — welcome more kids into the fold than ever before.
When considering football’s real importance — whether tackle or flag — we shouldn’t focus solely on the scores. The true measure of football is found in the lessons it teaches and the people it shapes.
That’s why expanding access to football matters. Every child should have a chance to participate in the ultimate team sport, gaining life skills that last long after the final whistle, such as character, confidence and resilience.
Teamwork is the heartbeat of football and one of the most important lessons any young person can learn. It teaches kids to communicate, compromise and find common ground. It proves that the fundamentals contribute just as much to success as the highlight reel. That understanding — doing your job so the team can succeed — builds humility, accountability and a sense of purpose.
Football also teaches leadership through action. When a young player rallies their teammates after a setback, or sets the tone through hard work, they’re learning how to lead. Accountability pays big dividends between the lines. It also turns into responsibility beyond the hash marks — in classrooms, careers and community volunteerism.
And then there’s resilience. Football teaches you to get back up when life knocks you down. As a former college athlete — and as the parent of two collegiate athletes — I can say that it’s one of the most valuable things our young players can learn. Our sport instills the fortitude to face adversity, manage setbacks and keep striving toward goals.
I’ve lived it firsthand. It wasn’t easy quarterbacking a high school team that lost nearly all our games in back-to-back seasons, but those experiences shaped who I am today, as a parent and an executive. I’m better for it.
These lessons come to life through efforts like the USA Football Heart of a Giant Award, presented each year in partnership with the New York Giants and Hospital for Special Surgery. It recognizes high school students from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut who demonstrate unparalleled work ethic, character and passion for football. Their stories are proof that football’s victories are also measured in the strength and spirit of our children.
Every year, these finalists — boys and girls, representing tackle and flag — inspire us to continue reducing barriers to participation. As a football community, we’ve had tremendous success, particularly among girls, who have become the driving force behind the growth of flag football.
USA Football is offering youth football grants to help leagues launch and sustain their operations. The NFL and its clubs have been front and center in the movement, too. Nearly 20 states — including New York — have now approved girls’ flag football as a varsity sport, enabling female student-athletes to get in game in astounding numbers. Today, it’s one of the fastest growing girls’ high school sports, with a 60% increase in participation from last year alone.
Similarly, we’ve evolved our approach to contact football in a way that meets kids and parents where they are, creating new pathways for leadership and belonging.
USA Football’s Football Development Model (FDM) reduces contact, provides multiple entry points into the sport — from flag to limited contact to tackle — and supports whole-person development. Pop Warner was the first national organization to adopt the FDM, and we’re proud to have extended our partnership just this month.
We’re raising the bar by requiring all Pop Warner tackle and flag coaches to complete USA Football’s Youth Coach Course. This will improve fundamentals for hundreds of thousands of young players. Just as important, by setting a higher standard, we’re encouraging more young people and their parents to consider football.
With flag football’s debut in the Olympics set for 2028, we’ll soon have a chance to expose these teachings to the world.
As we develop new pathways to competition, let’s not lose sight of the big picture. Every run, catch or punt passes along something greater: the lessons that shape capable and courageous people.
Cadillac returns as sponsor for PGA tour event at Trump National Doral
The Cadillac Championship will be held the first weekend in May on the course once dubbed the “Blue Monster.” Doral first became part of the PGA Tour schedule in 1962, and it was held each year through 2016 until becoming a World Golf Championship under various names.
Brian Rolapp, the CEO of the PGA Tour, referred to Trump National Doral as a “legacy venue on our schedule.”
“We appreciate the support of Cadillac as we bring a new era of the PGA Tour to our fans in Miami,” Rolapp said in a statement.
Cadillac was the title sponsor of the WGC at Trump National Doral from 2011 through 2016. But the automaker chose not to renew its contract, the PGA Tour could not find a replacement sponsor for Doral in 2016 when President Donald Trump was the presumptive Republican nominee and the WGC event was moved to Mexico City.
Doral is among eight courses that has held a regular PGA Tour event for at least 50 years — the others are Riviera, Pebble Beach and Torrey Pines in California; Colonial (Texas), Waialae (Hawaii), Harbour Town (South Caroline) and Muirfield Village (Ohio).
It returned to the golf landscape in 2022 by hosting a LIV Golf event each of the last four years until returning to the PGA Tour schedule for 2026. The tour designated Trump National Doral a signature event before it signed Cadillac as the title sponsor.
Laurie Canter: LIV Golf return ‘opposite’ of having cake and eating it, too
Englishman Laurie Canter chose to return to LIV Golf despite qualifying for a PGA Tour card.
Canter told The Times of London that the decision had to do with the point he’s reached in his career and personal life and that he won’t be turning his back on the DP World Tour, either.
LIV members are currently allowed to play on the DP World Tour (formerly known as the European Tour) provided they pay fines for competing in LIV events that conflict with the tour’s own schedule. The Saudi-funded golf league has been paying those fines for their players, but will stop doing so in 2026.
How Does PNC Championship 2025 Work? Format Of the Unique PGA Tour Event Explained
Every December, major winners and their relatives select from the same two shots, walk the same 36 holes, and chase the same trophy — but the rules governing how they play together set this event apart from any other scramble in golf.
The PNC Championship operates on a two-player scramble format. Both team members hit tee shots. They evaluate the results — distance, lie, angle of approach — and select the most advantageous position. Both players then hit their next shots from within one club-length of that spot, no closer to the hole. This recursive process continues until the ball is holed. The team records one score per hole.
The format transforms probability. In individual stroke play, a poor approach might cost a golfer a stroke. In a scramble, the odds of both players missing simultaneously drop dramatically. This dynamic creates a strategic split: one player anchors with a safe shot, the other attacks. Winning scores regularly exceed 20-under par. In 2024, the Langers set the benchmark at 28-under.
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The 2025 edition runs December 20-21 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, with a pro-am preceding on December 19. Twenty teams compete across two rounds. Tiger Woods continues recovering from back surgery, meaning Team Woods will sit this one out. The spotlight shifts to John Daly and son John Daly II, whose grip-it-and-rip-it power suits the scramble perfectly. Nelly Korda partners with father Petr, bringing the world’s No. 1 female golfer into a field stacked with major champions. Bernhard Langer and son Jason return as defending champions, chasing a seventh title.
The event is not an official PGA Tour tournament, a recent report noted, meaning it does not count toward the FedEx Cup or official money list — though it remains sanctioned by PGA Tour Champions. The total purse stands at $1,085,000, with the winning team claiming $200,000 and the Willie Park Trophy.
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But format alone doesn’t explain why this event stands apart. The eligibility architecture does.
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How the PNC Championship format differs from other team events
The Zurich Classic pairs two professionals in alternate-shot and four-ball formats. Pro-ams mix touring players with amateurs but rarely over competitive rounds. The PNC Championship does something different: it pairs a major champion with a family member who cannot hold active tour status.
The professional must have won a major championship or The Players Championship. The partner must be a relative — son, daughter, father, or grandchild. No current touring professionals allowed on the family side. This rule prevents super-teams while preserving the generational dynamic at the event’s core.
The tee system accommodates the skill and age disparities that this creates. Gold tees stretch to 7,106 yards for active PGA Tour professionals under 52 and family members aged 16-53 with collegiate-level games. White tees measure 6,578 yards for professionals 54-63, LPGA players, and family partners 14-15. Red tees at 6,036 yards serve professionals 64-72 and partners 12-13. Blue tees around 5,500 yards allow super-seniors like Lee Trevino, 86, and juniors 11 and under to compete.
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The format has remained consistent since the tournament began as the Father/Son Challenge in 1995. Organizers chose the scramble specifically because it allows players of vastly different abilities to contribute meaningfully. A 14-year-old can sink a birdie putt that counts. An 86-year-old can stripe a fairway finder that sets up the approach.
The 2020 rebrand to PNC Championship reflected an expanded definition of family, but the competitive architecture stayed the same. The scramble remains the mechanism that makes a family competition viable at the professional level.
A Year of Excellence: Celebrating Scheffler’s Dominance and Potgieter’s Breakthrough
Look, what can you even say about Scottie Scheffler at this point that hasn’t been said a hundred times already? The 29-year-old from Texas has basically turned consistency into an art form. He’s now tied with Tiger Woods as the only players to win Player of the Year four or more times in a row. Tiger did it from 1999 to 2003, you know, when he was basically playing a different sport than everyone else. The fact that Scheffler’s in that conversation tells you everything about where he stands in golf history.
Let’s talk numbers for a second, because they’re kind of ridiculous. Six wins this season. Two majors, the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. That Open win at Royal Portrush? That’s the third leg of the career Grand Slam, something only a handful of players ever pull off. He’s also just the second guy since 1983 to win six or more tournaments in multiple seasons. He had seven wins last year, by the way.
But here’s the thing: the stats don’t really tell the whole story. Scheffler’s consistency is almost comical at this point. Twenty starts, twenty finishes inside the top 25. Seventeen top-10s, including 15 straight. Zero missed cuts. He won the Byron Nelson Award for lowest scoring average (68.131) for the third year running. And get this: he led the Tour in scoring average for all four rounds. Nobody’s done that since Tiger in 2000.
Remember that win at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, where he went 31-under to tie the lowest 72-hole score on Tour? That’s Scheffler showing he can go nuclear when he needs to. His title defense at the Memorial? That’s the mental toughness. And that chip-in on 17 at the BMW Championship to hold off Robert MacIntyre? Pure clutch.
What gets me most about Scheffler is how boring he makes greatness look. There’s no theatrics, no manufactured drama, no excuses when things don’t go his way. He just shows up and beats everyone. In a world where everyone’s trying to build their brand and go viral, there’s something refreshing about a guy who just plays incredible golf and goes home to his family.
Potgieter’s Power and Promise
If Scheffler’s the established king, Aldrich Potgieter is the kid knocking on the door with a sledgehammer. The South African had a rookie season that was pretty wild to watch. His win at the Rocket Classic, where he outlasted Chris Kirk and Max Greyserman in a playoff, was the highlight, but it wasn’t the whole story.
When Potgieter won that tournament, he was 20 years, 9 months, and 16 days old. That made him the ninth-youngest PGA Tour winner since 1983 and the youngest South African to ever win on Tour. Out of 36 rookies this season, he was the only one to make the FedExCup Playoffs. He finished 56th in the FedExCup Fall standings. Five rookies won this year, but Potgieter’s got something different going on.
The kid hits it a mile. Like, an absurd distance. He led the Tour in driving distance at 325 yards, which is 6 yards past Rory McIlroy and 26 yards longer than the average Tour player. His ball speed sits above 190 mph, which is the kind of number most pros dream about hitting in practice. More than 85% of his drives go over 300 yards. Over half of them clear 320.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Potgieter didn’t come up playing junior golf tournaments his whole life. He played rugby and wrestled. Actually won a national wrestling championship at 11 in Australia. And according to him and his coach, Justin Parsons, that’s where the power comes from.
El estadounidense Scottie Scheffler es nombrado Golfista del Año por el PGA Tour
El golfista estadounidense Scottie Scheffler, actual número 1 del ranking mundial, fue reconocido este lunes como Jugador del Año 2025 del PGA Tour, confirmando su dominio absoluto en el circuito profesional. En tanto, el sudafricano Aldrich Potgieter fue distinguido como Mejor Jugador Joven del Año, tras una temporada de irrupción histórica.
Scottie Scheffler firma una temporada histórica en el PGA Tour
Scheffler cerró el 2025 con seis victorias en el PGA Tour, rendimiento que lo llevó a convertirse en el segundo golfista en la historia en ganar el premio al Jugador del Año cuatro o más veces de forma consecutiva, una hazaña que solo había logrado Tiger Woods entre 1999 y 2003.
El galardón, que lleva el nombre de Jack Nicklaus, leyenda viva del golf mundial, refuerza el estatus de Scheffler como el referente indiscutido del circuito en la actualidad.
Scheffler se impone a McIlroy y Fleetwood en la votación
Con apenas 29 años, el golfista estadounidense sumó su cuarto premio al Jugador del Año tras imponerse en las votaciones a rivales de primer nivel como el inglés Tommy Fleetwood, el estadounidense Ben Griffin y el norirlandés Rory McIlroy.
El reconocimiento se suma a una temporada brillante en la que Scheffler también ostenta la medalla de oro olímpica lograda en los Juegos de París 2024, consolidando su lugar entre los mejores golfistas de su generación.
Aldrich Potgieter, el mejor joven del PGA Tour en 2025
El sudafricano Aldrich Potgieter fue distinguido con el premio al Mejor Jugador Joven del Año, galardón que honra la memoria del legendario Arnold Palmer.
Con solo 20 años, Potgieter se convirtió en una de las grandes revelaciones del circuito al conquistar el Rocket Classic 2025, siendo uno de los cinco novatos que lograron una victoria en el PGA Tour durante la temporada.
Un novato que ya compite entre la élite
Además de su triunfo, Potgieter fue el único novato que logró clasificarse a los playoffs de la FedExCup, un logro que subraya la madurez competitiva del joven sudafricano.
En la votación final, superó al inglés Michael Brennan, a los estadounidenses Steven Fisk y William Mouw, así como al australiano Karl Vilips, confirmando su impacto inmediato en el máximo circuito del golf profesional.
Cadillac Becomes Title Sponsor of New PGA Tour Signature Event
The PGA Tour announced Monday that Cadillac has signed on as the title sponsor of its newest Signature Event, the Cadillac Championship, marking the luxury automobile brand’s return to Tour golf after nearly a decade away. The multi-year agreement will see the tournament take place at Trump National Doral’s historic Blue Monster course in Miami from April 27-May 3, 2026.
Cadillac’s involvement signals a major boost for the PGA Tour’s schedule and highlights the brand’s long-standing connection to professional golf. This marks the first time Cadillac has held naming rights on a PGA Tour event since its previous stint as sponsor of a World Golf Championships event at Doral from 2011-2016.
A Homecoming at Trump National Doral
The Blue Monster at Trump National Doral is one of the most storied venues in American golf, having hosted PGA Tour events continuously from 1962 until 2016 and returning to the schedule in 2026 with this Signature Event. At its height, the property staged the WGC-Cadillac Championship, an elite invitational that drew the sport’s top stars, including multiple victories by Tiger Woods and other legends.
“For more than half a century, Trump National Doral has been lucky enough to host the PGA TOUR, and the WGC-Cadillac Championship has been a big part of that story,” Eric Trump, executive vice president of The Trump Organization, said. “We are excited to welcome Cadillac back – an iconic brand and a longtime friend – for the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, one of the most celebrated golf destinations anywhere in the world.”
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp lauded the partnership, calling Cadillac “a world-class brand whose partnership with the PGA TOUR is synonymous with Trump National Doral.” He highlighted the return to Miami as a welcome addition to the Tour’s growing roster of Signature Events and a way to bring competitive golf back to a city with deep ties to the sport.
What the Cadillac Championship Means for the Tour
The Cadillac Championship will be one of the Tour’s $20 million Signature Events on the 2026 schedule, slotting into a prime spring window between The Masters and the PGA Championship. Signature Events are a tier above regular Tour stops, offering elevated purses, enhanced fan experiences, and typically drawing stronger fields due to their prestige and financial rewards.
The event will be broadcast across major outlets including CBS/Paramount+, Golf Channel, PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+, Sirius XM, and the Tour’s World Feed, giving fans global access to what promises to be a marquee stop on the calendar.
The Championship’s return at Doral also reinstates a strong traditional stop in a major golf market.
A Legacy Sponsorship Reimagined
In the years since Cadillac’s departure, the Blue Monster remained a respected but dormant venue on the PGA Tour schedule, with the event eventually moving to Mexico City and later other locations. LIV Golf held events at Doral from 2022-2025, but the course now returns to its PGA Tour roots with a renewed identity and a luxury partner.
“The Cadillac Championship builds on our legacy with the PGA Tour while connecting with luxury customers through culturally significant events,” John Roth, Cadillac global vice president, said. “From our presence at Monterey Car Week to Cadillac Racing’s relentless pursuit of victory, we create iconic experiences that celebrate performance, craftsmanship and innovation, elevating the sport, its athletes and our brand.”
Scheffler earns top award for 4th time
Scottie Scheffler earned another comparison with Tiger Woods on Monday, joining him as the only players to win PGA Tour player of the year at least four times in a row.
Scheffler made an easy case to pick up another Jack Nicklaus Award. His tour-leading six victories were twice as many as anyone else and included two majors, the PGA Championship and the British Open, to leave him on the cusp of a career Grand Slam.
He became the first player since Woods in 2000 to lead the PGA Tour with the lowest scoring average in each of the four rounds and had 15 consecutive tournaments in the top 10 to end his remarkable season.
Player who frustrated Min Woo Lee earns PGA Tour card nine months after controversy
The final stage of PGA Tour Q-School wrapped up over the weekend, with five players securing their place for the 2026 season.
Most of the spots had already been filled during the FedExCup Playoffs and Fall Series over the past few months.
Even so, there was still one last window for players to grab a spot before the new campaign began. Dylan Wu, Marcelo Rozo, Adam Svensson, and A.J. Ewart all made good use of it.
Dylan Wu, Marcelo Rozo, Adam Svensson, and A.J. Ewart took advantage of the opportunity. Also among them was another player who made headlines for different reasons nine months ago.
Alejandro Tosti secures PGA Tour card nine months after Houston Open headlines
Alejandro Tosti secured the fifth and final PGA Tour card at Q-School, finishing in a tie for second place at TPC Sawgrass.
While most players at the event were looking to make their first impression, golf fans may have already heard of Tosti’s name.
He played alongside Min Woo Lee and Ryan Fox in the final round of the 2025 Houston Open, a tournament that brought him plenty of attention.
Tosti’s actions on the back nine also drew criticism for what was widely seen as unsportsmanlike behavior.
The tension began when Lee spent around half an hour deciding whether to take a drop and how to play his next shot on the eighth hole.
This led to one of the most debated moments from that event. Many felt he had crossed a line with his conduct, with Lee later acknowledging he took longer than he should have.
Tosti’s talent is clear. But while his place on Tour is well-earned, there’s no denying that opinions about him are split.
Tosti’s actions at Houston Open were called ‘incredibly unfair’ by analysts
Two well-known commentators highlighted Alejandro Tosti’s behaviour during the final round of the Houston Open.
Kevin Kisner pointed out during the broadcast that Tosti’s intentionally slow play must have affected Min Woo Lee.
“He is just not a very happy camper right now. You never know how this is going to affect the guy you are playing with, because if you are picking up on it, Min Woo Lee certainly has,” Kisner said.
Meanwhile, Jim “Bones” Mackay gave a much harsher response to Tosti’s gamesmanship in Houston.
“He certainly could have. Obviously, he is really in this ball game right now, given that he is trying to post his first win,” Bones replied. “But the bottom line is this is incredibly unfair on a 26-year-old trying to get over the line for the first time.”
Jack Nicklaus Sends Support to Rory McIlroy as Masters Win Goes in Vain
Scottie Scheffler‘s 2025 season surely left the world in awe. He had one of the most dominant seasons we’ve seen in recent times, with six victories, including two majors. The 29-year-old claimed the Jack Nicklaus Award as PGA Tour Player of the Year for the fourth consecutive time, prompting even Jack Nicklaus to offer his congratulations.. While he lauded Scheffler’s brilliance, he also cheekily acknowledged the stiff competition he faced.
Nicklaus chose Instagram to tip his hat to Scheffler. But it wasn’t just about Scheffler. Nicklaus also acknowledged Rory McIlroy’s run this season, and the threat that he posed to Scheffler. After all, it’s always your competitive nemesis who pushes you to put out the best that you can. Nicklaus made sure Rory McIlroy’s season found some highlight despite the lack of a Masters win.
“Congrats to @scottie.scheffler for his four-peat and winning the Jack Nicklaus Award as PGA TOUR Player of the Year. Even with @rorymcilroy and his wonderful year—along with very talented and greatly improved @bengriffingolf and inspiring @officialtommyfleetwood—giving Scottie a run as finalists, it’s very hard to overlook six victories in one year, including the @memorialgolf and two majors. Right now, Scottie is at the top of the game! Arguably in a class by himself…”
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And while Scottie Scheffler is indeed in a class by himself, Nicklaus, too, acknowledged that players like Rory McIlroy put up a tough fight against Scheffler. The Northern Irish star completed his career Grand Slam this year, won three tournaments, including the Masters, and recorded eight top-10 finishes.
In fact, Rory McIlroy has himself won the Player of the Year Award thrice, a feat that only he, Tiger Woods, and Scheffler have achieved. But this season, despite McIlroy’s remarkable achievements, Scheffler’s sheer consistency made the difference.
In 2025, Scottie Scheffler finished first in 30% of his 20 starts, placed in the top 10 in 17 events, and managed a top-25 finish in every tournament he entered. “I think overall the thing that I’m most proud of when I look at the last couple of years is just consistency,” Scheffler told the media via a teleconference on Monday.
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“It’s not very easy to just show up and finish in the top 10 each week. I think that’s something very difficult to do, and something I’m very proud of, bringing the intensity that I need to in these tournaments and being prepared as I need to in order to perform well week in and week out,” he added. Now, Scheffler is the only golfer besides Woods to have won this award for the fourth year in a row.
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Beyond the wins, Scheffler also captured the Byron Nelson Award for best scoring average (68.13) for the third consecutive season. He ranked first in scoring average in each of the four rounds he played in, a feat not achieved since Tiger Woods in 2000.
But beyond his wins on the golf course, Nicklaus also praised Scheffler’s approach to life and how he does not make his entire life about just his playing career.
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Jack Nicklaus lauds Scottie Scheffler’s approach to golf
Jack Nicklaus didn’t just congratulate Scottie Scheffler on yet another astonishing season, but also spoke of his mindset towards the game. In his Instagram caption, Nicklaus continued, “Scottie doesn’t make golf his major priority, and I like that approach. I think you live a much happier and healthier life that way. After all, golf is a game, and Scottie Scheffler sure does a great job at playing that game.”
That perspective isn’t just praise from a legend, but it’s echoed in Scheffler’s own reflections on his approach towards life. The world No. 1 has openly said that faith and family come before golf, noting that golf isn’t the most important thing in his life. In fact, during a press conference at the 2025 Open, Scheffler even stated bluntly that he’d walk away from golf if his career ever affected his family and his bond with his son.
He explained that while winning and competing bring him tremendous joy, they “don’t fulfill the deepest places of your heart” the way being a husband and father does. He told reporters that he’d “much rather be a great father than be a great golfer.”
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Scheffler’s candid view of life and priorities has not only shaped his approach to golf but also earned him admiration for how he defines success. And that’s what impressed Jack Nicklaus the most about him, that Scottie Scheffler knows how to win at golf without losing sight of what truly matters in life.
Bruins looking for scoring winger ahead of NHL trade deadline (Report)
The Boston Bruins just wrapped a three-game road trip during which they earned four of a possible six points, which places them in a tie for second place in the Atlantic Division with a 19-14 record.
The B’s have exceeded expectations in many areas to this point, which is a testament to how well Marco Sturm is doing in his first year as the team’s head coach.
The NHL trade deadline isn’t until March 6, but it doesn’t hurt to start exploring potential deals now.
More Bruins coverage
What kind of player might the Bruins target before the trade deadline? One name in the rumor mill is Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matias Maccelli. The Leafs acquired him from the Utah Mammoth back in June.
Brock McGillis Says ‘Heated Rivalry’ Won’t Help Gay NHL Players Come Out
Brock McGillis is pushing back at the narrative that HBO’s new Heated Rivalry series might help more hockey players come out.
McGillis, who is regarded as the first openly gay professional hockey player, told the website PinkNews on Monday, Dec. 15 that he “wholeheartedly” disagrees with fellow retired hockey player Sean Avery’s recent comments that the show could help encourage other players to come out.
“It’s probably more likely to have an adverse effect on a player coming out,” McGillis, 42, told the website. “And I hate to be negative because I really enjoy the show. But I also don’t believe that many hockey bros are going to watch it. And I don’t think, if they are watching it, they’re talking about it positively.”
The hit series, based on author Rachel Reid’s popular novel series Game Changers, centers around two gay players in the fictional equivalent of the NHL who navigate a secret relationship over the course of eight years while both are two of the league’s biggest stars.
Starring actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, Heated Rivalry was originally adapted for the Canadian streaming service Crave but began streaming on HBO Max on Nov. 28, and was picked up for a second season on Friday.
Last week, Avery — a former NHL player-turned-romance novelist himself — told Rolling Stone that he believes the series’ success could inspire gay NHL players to come out.
“Heated Rivalry’s success should open the door for the first gay NHL player, if there is one,” Avery told the magazine.
But McGillis, who came out in 2016 after he had retired from a semi-professional hockey career that included several seasons in the Ontario Hockey League and the United Hockey League, disagreed.
“It might help the people around [players] understand a little more if they’re dating somebody; hopefully,” the retired hockey player and current LGBTQ+ activist told PinkNews in response to Avery’s comments, adding that NHL players “didn’t jump out of the closet” when he came out in 2016 and began doing interviews.
“Nobody’s like, ‘Oh, yeah. This came out and now I’m ready [to come out],’ ” McGillis told the website. “It’s not happening.”
McGillis says hockey has a problem with homophobia, which is normalized in the sport and
St. Louis Blues Recall Otto Stenberg
The St. Louis Blues announced today that forward Otto Stenberg has been recalled from the club’s AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.
The move puts Stenberg, 20, in a position to potentially make his NHL debut as soon as tonight during the team’s contest against the Nashville Predators. The club selected Stenberg No. 25 overall at the 2023 draft, the middle selection in the team’s trio of first-round draft choices that year. 2023 No. 10 pick Dalibor Dvorsky has already landed in the NHL, playing in a total of 25 career games so far, while No. 29 pick Theo Lindstein is still waiting, like Stenberg, to make his debut.
Stenberg is in the midst of his second season playing professional hockey in North America, and this year is his first year beginning the season in North America. In 2024-25, Stenberg began his season in the SHL before crossing the Atlantic to play in the AHL after the conclusion of the World Junior Championships. The 5’11” center has been solid at the AHL level, scoring 25 points in 59 games, and drawing positive reviews for the pace and work rate in his game.
Avalanche Being Connected to Canucks Top Trade Target
The Vancouver Canucks made a franchise-altering blockbuster move late last week, as they dealt superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. With this move, the Canucks moved on from their former captain and officially began their latest retool in the process.
The Canucks certainly ended up landing a big return for Hughes. This is because the Wild sent over forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and their 2026 first-round pick to the Canucks to bring in Hughes. With this, the Canucks landed three good young players who they are hoping will be a big part of their future and a first-round pick that they will look to hit with at the draft.
While the Canucks traded Hughes, there is no question that they have plenty more work to do. The Canucks are open for business, and with them being at the bottom of the NHL standings, more of their players are expected to be on the move. Pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) forward Kiefer Sherwood, however, is their biggest trade candidate now that Hughes has been dealt to the Wild.
With Sherwood having a bargain $1.5 million cap hit and in the middle of a strong season for the Canucks, he is expected to continue to generate a ton of interest as the season rolls on. Now, the best team currently in the NHL has been named a dark horse potential landing spot for the gritty Canucks winger.
Avalanche Named Dark-Horse Potential Landing Spot for Sherwood
In a recent article for theScore, John Matisz argued that the Colorado Avalanche could be a dark-horse club to watch in the Sherwood sweepstakes.
“Consider Colorado a dark horse. The (23-2-7) Avalanche may be the last team that needs to make a splash, and the front office should be turning over every stone to ensure the roster’s as deep as possible. Sherwood, a former Av, would have no issue keeping up in coach Jared Bednar’s high-paced system,” Matisz wrote.
When looking at the Avalanche’s roster, it is fair to argue that they would benefit by adding Sherwood to it. The 30-year-old forward would have the potential to be a strong addition to the Avalanche’s top nine, as he would not only provide them with more secondary scoring but also far more grit. Thus, he could be a great player for the Avalanche to bring back to Colorado as they look to win the Stanley Cup.
In 32 games on the year so far with the Canucks, Sherwood has posted 13 goals and 17 points. He has also recorded a whopping 140 hits this campaign, so there is no question that he would have the potential to be a big pickup for a contender like the Avalanche.
Avalanche Would Have a Ton of Competition for Sherwood
While Sherwood looks like he could be a great fit on the Avalanche, the same can be said for several other teams. Sherwood’s scoring ability, grit, and cheap contract make him a very appealing trade target. Thus, the Avalanche would have a lot of competition for him if they entered the sweepstakes.
A few teams that have been connected to Sherwood so far this season include the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, and Montreal Canadiens. Yet, it will be interesting to see if the Avalanche can end up being the team that lands the Canucks winger.
Buffalo Sabres Fire GM Kevyn Adams; Jarmo Kekalainen Takes Over NHL Team
Still looking to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2011, the Buffalo Sabres parted ways with GM Kevyn Adams on Monday.
Jarmo Kekalainen, who was hired by the team as a senior advisor last May, now steps into the general manager’s role. The 59-year-old native of Kuopio, Finland previously served as the general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets for just over 11 years, and became the NHL’s first-ever European GM when he was hired in Columbus back in 2013.
When Adams, 51, moved into Buffalo’s GM chair in June of 2020, the Sabres were already nine years removed from the post-season. With 68 points in 69 games before the 2019-20 campaign was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Buffalo sat 13th in the Eastern Conference, three points shy of qualifying for the NHL’s 24-team summer ‘bubble’ playoffs.
Terry and Kim Pegula purchased the Sabres in 2011. In November of 2013, they moved on from longtime GM Darcy Regier. He had run the team since 1997 and overseen its lone run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999, as well as delivering a Presidents’ Trophy in 2006-07.
Tim Murray then guided the ship for the next 2.5 years, drafting Sam Reinhart second overall in 2014 and Jack Eichel at No. 2 in 2015. But Alex Nylander was a miss at No. 8 in 2016 and the Sabres failed to gain ground in the standings. After last-place finishes during a rebuilding phase in his first two years, Buffalo moved up to 23rd in 2015-16 and regressed to 26th before Murray was let go in April of 2017.
Jason Botterill, now the GM of the Seattle Kraken, oversaw the next three seasons. He acquired some key players when he picked up goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the second round in 2017, defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson in 2018 and center Dylan Cozens at No. 7 in 2019. But still, there was minimal upward movement in the standings. The Sabres finished 31st (last), 27th and 25th under Botterill’s watch.
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All the while, Adams had been working in various roles with the Sabres. The right-shot center retired from playing in 2008, after 540 NHL games with six different teams. In 2009, he came to Buffalo as a development coach, then spent several seasons deeply involved with the team’s youth hockey program, the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. Eventually, he moved into the team’s business operations side while building a strong relationship with the Pegulas.
When Adams succeeded Botterill in the GM chair in 2020, the move was framed as a cost-cutting measure amid the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic. At the same time, many jobs within the organization were eliminated entirely.
With no front-office experience, Adams was regarded with skepticism by the Sabres’ savvy fanbase. During his tenure, he gave them few reasons to reconsider. The high-water mark was a 20th place finish in 2022-23, just one point out of a playoff spot. But the Sabres then backslid from 91 points to 84 in 2023-24 and 79 in 2024-25.
This season, despite just having wrapped up a six-game road trip with three-straight wins out west, the Sabres are currently tied with the Blue Jackets for last place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 14-14-4. But because the Eastern Conference is so tightly packed, they’re not completely out of the post-season mix — just six points away from a wild-card spot.
Kekalainen’s hiring in May looked like a signal that the Pegulas might be ready to move on from Adams if their hockey team didn’t get off to a good start. That notion was reinforced by Terry Pegula’s statement on Monday.
“The hiring of Jarmo was the result of an extensive search process in which Jarmo stood out as our top choice for the senior advisor position,” Pegula said. “Jarmo has distinguished himself over the last eight months, and his experience, professionalism, and drive speaks for itself. I am looking forward to him leading our organization to the next level.”
In addition to the Sabres’ inability to gain ground in the standings, Adams’ time in Buffalo will be remembered for the players who thrived after he traded them away.
That trend began under Botterill. He made the 2018 deal that sent an unhappy Ryan O’Reilly to the St. Louis Blues, where he promptly won a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy.
Adams quickly found himself at odds with Jack Eichel, who wanted to deal with a neck issue with a surgical procedure that didn’t pass muster with the Sabres’ medical team. Both sides dug in before Eichel was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in November of 2021, and underwent the procedure of his choice. He went on to win a Stanley Cup in 2023, finished fifth in Hart Trophy balloting in 2024-25 and his currently ninth in NHL scoring with 41 points in 31 games — a career-best pace of 108 points over a full 82 games.
In the summer of 2022, Adams traded Sam Reinhart to the Florida Panthers for a first-round draft pick and goaltender Devon Levi. A consistent 20-goal scorer with Buffalo, Reinhart jumped to 33 goals and 82 points in his first year in Florida, then exploded for 57 goals in 2023-24 — and has been a crucial part of the Panthers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.
Not every deal was a dud: the 2024 swap that brought back defenseman Bowen Byram in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt was solid, and Ryan McLeod has taken a step forward since being acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in the summer of 2024.
But the 2025 deadline deal that sent Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a package headlined by Josh Norris hasn’t paid off yet. Cozens has 40 points in 52 games with his new team, but the change of scenery hasn’t altered Norris’s tendency to find himself on the injured list. He has played just nine games for Buffalo but when he is in the lineup, he’s productive — with 10 points in those nine games.
Ultimately, Adams will remembered as an out-of-the-box hire who wasn’t able to improve on the results of the two GMs who came before him. He leaves with a record of 178-196-42.
In Kekalainen, the Sabres are getting an experienced general manager with a steady hand who took the Blue Jackets from a club that made the playoffs once in their first 12 years of existence to a squad that made the playoffs four straight years during his tenure. They also pulled off one of the biggest upsets of all time when they swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2019 post-season.
During Kekalainen’s time in Columbus, the team’s record was 409-362-97. And while the small market made it difficult for the Blue Jackets to retain players, Kekalainen took some big swings in trades. His draft list includes 2025 Norris Trophy finalist Zach Werenski, and he shocked the hockey world when he was able to sign Johnny Gaudreau as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2022.
Adams is the first NHL general manager to be fired during the 2025-26 season. Remarkably, no in-season coaching changes have been made yet, after nine teams started the year with new bench bosses.
The Kekalainen regime will officially begin on Thursday, when the Buffalo Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers.
Reinhart scores twice, Panthers defeat Lightning
Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and an assist, and Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell also scored for the Panthers (17-13-2), who have won five of six and closed out their four-game road trip with a 3-1-0 record. Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves.
J.J. Moser and Max Crozier scored for the Lightning (18-12-3), who are 2-2-1 in the past five games. Jonas Johansson made 19 saves.
Reinhart gave Florida a 1-0 lead with a short-handed goal at 2:16 of the first period. Aaron Ekblad chipped the puck up to Reinhart in the Panthers’ defensive zone and Reinhart skated down the ice on a 2-on-1 before beating Johansson five-hole with a wrist shot from the right face-off circle.
Lundell extended the lead to 2-0 at 3:48 when he finished on 3-on-1 rush, burying a wrist shot far side from the right circle.
Marchand made it 3-0 at 11:48 of the second period when he deflected a Verhaeghe pass under Johansson’s right pad from the low slot.
Reinhart scored his second on the power play to push the lead to 4-0 at 18:08 with a wrist shot from the left circle off a cross-ice pass from Mackie Samoskevich.
Crozier scored his first NHL goal to make it 4-1 at 19:27 with a slap shot from above the right circle that beat Bobrovsky to the far post through a screen.
Moser cut the deficit to 4-2 at 2:11 of the third period with a wrist shot from the left circle to the short side.
Verhaeghe extended Florida’s lead to 5-2 at 6:37. Uvis Balinskis took the puck after Crozier broke his stick in the neutral zone and passed it forward to Verhaeghe who scored with a backhander off the right post as he cut to the net.
Dalibor Dvorsky scores twice but Blues lose 5-2 to Predators
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Hockey Fights Cancer daily digest
Welcome to the Hockey Fights Cancer Daily Digest. Though Hockey Fights Cancer is now a year-round campaign, most teams will be having their Hockey Fights Cancer nights during the month of November. NHL.com will provide all the highlights from each night as well as stories about the campaign.
Dec. 15
The St. Louis Blues welcomed back a familiar face who helped serve as an inspiration on Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
Former forward Kelly Chase, who spent eight of his 11 NHL seasons with the Blues, addressed the crowd and thanked them for the support. Chase was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a form of blood and bone marrow cancer in November 2023. He made an emotional address to fans in attendance.
Bowen discusses final season as Maple Leafs broadcaster in Q&A with NHL.com
In NHL.com’s Q&A feature called
A look at J.T. Miller’s Rangers captaincy – the highs, lows and how he’s changing the culture
The number of people who have asked me what the “J.T. Miller Experience” has been like since the Rangers brought the impassioned forward back to New York is comical.
Coming off of his well-documented ups and downs during his time with the Canucks in Vancouver, where the phrase appeared to be coined, the question is often asked with a negative connotation to it.
The 32-year-old has been a magnet for opinions over his 14-season NHL career, but I believe the Rangers received the most authentic and mature version of Miller in the club’s second go-round with the J.T. Miller Experience.
NFL Playoff Picture 2025: Updated AFC and NFC standings, bracket, tiebreakers for Week 15
The Broncos and Rams became the first two teams to clinch playoff berths on Sunday, and they have the inside track to the No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC. Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks after Monday Night Football in Week 15:
AFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Broncos (12-2) If they win out, they’re the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
2. Patriots (11-3) Their lead in the AFC East still looks safe, but they’ll have a tough time catching the Broncos for the No. 1 seed.
3. Jaguars (10-4) The clear favorites in the AFC South.
4. Steelers (8-6) Have a one-game lead over the Ravens in the two-team race for the AFC North.
WILD CARDS
5. Chargers (10-4) First in the wild card race thanks to a better AFC record than the Bills.
6. Bills (10-4) Probably won’t catch the Patriots in the AFC East even after they won on Sunday, but in great shape for a wild card.
7. Texans (9-5) Just need to keep winning to clinch the final AFC wild card berth.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Colts (8-6) A valiant effort from Philip Rivers in a loss in Seattle, but it’s now an extreme long shot the Colts make the playoffs.
9. Ravens (7-7) Stayed in the AFC North race by beating the Bengals.
10. Chiefs (6-8) Mathematically eliminated.
11. Dolphins (6-8) Mathematically eliminated.
12. Bengals (4-10) Mathematically eliminated.
13. Jets (3-11) Mathematically eliminated.
14. Browns (3-11) Mathematically eliminated.
15. Raiders (2-12) Mathematically eliminated.
16. Titans (2-12) Mathematically eliminated.
NFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Rams (11-3) Own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Seahawks in the NFC West.
2. Bears (10-4) If they run the table they win the NFC North.
3. Eagles (9-5) Playing the hapless Raiders was a good way to turn things around.
4. Buccaneers (7-7) Two games remaining against the Panthers will determine who wins the NFC South.
WILD CARDS
5. Seahawks (11-3) Need to win their rematch with the Rams on December 18.
6. 49ers (10-4) Despite a lot of injuries, they remain in playoff position.
7. Packers (9-4-1) Fell behind the Bears in the NFC North with an ugly, injury-filled loss.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Lions (8-6) Running out of time to turn their season around.
9. Panthers (7-7) Fell out of first place in the NFC South by losing to the Saints.
10. Cowboys (6-7-1) Any realistic hope of making the playoffs ended on Sunday night.
11. Vikings (6-8) Mathematically eliminated.
12. Falcons (5-9) Mathematically eliminated.
13. Saints (4-10) Mathematically eliminated.
14. Commanders (4-10) Mathematically eliminated.
15. Cardinals (3-11) Mathematically eliminated.
16. Giants (2-12) Mathematically eliminated.
NFL Week 16 Power Rankings: Packers’ injuries flip NFC playoff race
It’s amazing that in a season full of defining moments, just two plays from one game might change a team’s outlook. Yet that’s exactly what happened to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Two plays.
Season flipped.
The Packers led the Denver Broncos 23-14 in the third quarter when Jordan Love took a deep shot to wide receiver Christian Watson. The pass was intercepted by Patrick Surtain II, instantly changing the feel of the game. Watson also suffered an injury on the play and didn’t return.
Two series later, with Green Bay clinging to a 23-21 lead, the Packers lost pass rusher Micah Parsons for the season with a torn ACL. The team was visibly deflated after that, and Denver went on to win the game.
In the span of less than an hour, the Packers went from looking like a potential top seed in the NFC to a team hanging on for dear life in the playoff race. Green Bay now sits seventh heading into a crucial road matchup against the Chicago Bears, who lead the NFC North.
Watson is the speed that makes the offense go. Parsons is the player who makes the defense go. Without them, what now?
And it wasn’t just those two losses. The Packers are also without tight end Tucker Kraft, who was having a career year, along with a slew of other key contributors. Against Denver, they lost right tackle Zach Tom — their best offensive lineman — and safety Evan Williams, arguably their best player on the back end this season.
How do they overcome all of that? I’m not sure they can.
The Packers drop to No. 10 in my power rankings this week after the loss to the Broncos. I picked Green Bay to reach the Super Bowl before the Parsons injury, but these injuries will be tough to overcome.
Is it impossible? Not if Jordan Love plays out of his mind and players like Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness emerge as dominant edge rushers. But it certainly won’t be easy.
The NFL being a survival test was on full display Sunday in Denver. The Packers’ season changed in a big way in less than an hour.
Bears QB Caleb Williams Trolls Analyst for Shedeur Sanders Take
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is doing more than just tuning out the outside criticisms about his game — he’s laughing at them on social media.
Before the Bears took on Cleveland in Week 15 at Soldier Field, former NFL running back LeSean McCoy used his platform on the “Speakeasy” show with Emmanuel Acho to push a baffling narrative about Williams’ development as an NFL quarterback and how he stacks up against Shedeur Sanders, the Browns’ newly christened starter.
“I think he’s better than Caleb right now, to be honest,” McCoy said of Sanders during December 12’s episode of the sports talk show. “I don’t see Caleb playing like this. I see Caleb playing off script, running the ball, great, running the ball, great. I don’t see him playing like this. Yo, Shedeur is doing this in his second start.”
That’s not quite how things unfolded for Williams and Sanders in Week 15, though.
While Williams threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover in the blowout win over the Browns, Sanders struggled to get into rhythm against the Bears, failing to score a touchdown for the first time in four starts and throwing three picks.
Afterward, Williams had a little fun at Sanders’ expense, reposting a TikTok in which someone cut up McCoy’s disparaging comments about the Bears quarterback and wove it together with a montage of Williams’ best throws in the romp against the Browns.
Caleb Williams Also Set NFL Record in Win Over Browns
Williams made some excellent throws to help the Bears pummel the Browns, including a how-did-he-do-it missile that found veteran wide receiver DJ Moore in the back of the end zone. For the eighth time this season, he also finished the game without throwing an interception. It’s a trend that helped him achieve a new career milestone on Sunday.
On his seventh pass against the Browns, Williams became the NFL record holder for the fewest interceptions thrown (12) in a quarterback’s first 1,000 career passing attempts. He has thrown only six interceptions through his first 14 starts this season. He has also thrown more than one pick in the same game only twice in his first 31 career starts.
That’s taking care of the football at an extremely high level.
Williams could still chase a few more records before the end of the 2025 season. He is just 850 yards away from becoming the Bears’ first 4,000-yard passer with three games left to play. While he would need to average roughly 283 passing yards per game for the rest of the way, he has a live arm that, when accurate, is capable of throwing 300-plus.
Williams would also need 10 touchdown passes over the final three games to surpass Erik Kramer’s single-season record of 29. Neither is likely, but both remain attainable.
Bad Game Does Not Define Shedeur Sanders’ Potential
Sanders undoubtedly played his worst game to date against the Bears. He completed just 51.4% of his passes, the lowest mark of his four starts this season for the Browns. He locked in on his targets too often and threw three interceptions, doubling his total on the season. And worst of all, he and the offense contributed exactly zero points.
Even still, Sanders should not be judged too harshly for one bad start as a rookie.
Sanders has shown promise as a passer despite only winning one of his first four starts. While his accuracy (52.2%) needs work and his interception total (six) is too high, he has also shown good touch on his deep passes, seemingly making at least one “wow” throw downfield in each of his first four performances.
Sanders had two of those types of throws against the Bears on Sunday. He connected with Isaiah Bond on a 42-yard dart in the second quarter. He also linked up with him for a 49-yarder in the third quarter. The Browns failed to score on both drives, though.
Sanders might still have a long way to go before the Browns will anoint him their new franchise quarterback. Even still, he has time left to put the loss to Chicago behind him.
NFL Week 16 Power Rankings: Broncos, Bills surging, 49ers lurking as we pick team MVPs
Editor’s note: Every week, Josh Kendall and Chad Graff rank and analyze all 32 teams from first to worst.
The Broncos, Bills and 49ers are making moves as the NFL season nears its finish, and the Week 16 power rankings take a look at the MVP for each team as we try to sort out where everyone fits.
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
Last week: 1
Sunday: Beat Lions 41-34
MVP: Matthew Stafford
The Salt-and-Pepper Slinger topped 350 passing yards for the third time this season, going 24-of-38 for 368 yards. He’s second in the league in passing yards (3,722) and first with 37 touchdown passes. That’s four short of tying his single-season best (set in 2011 in Detroit and matched in 2021 in Los Angeles), and it’s a staggering number considering he has only five interceptions. Losing Davante Adams (hamstring) would hurt, though.
Up next: at Seahawks, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
2. Denver Broncos (12-2)
Last week: 4
Sunday: Beat Packers 34-26
MVP: Nik Bonitto
Bo Nix made a late run at this distinction Sunday with a 302-yard, four-touchdown day, but the Broncos have gotten to the top spot in the AFC with their defense. Bonitto is the best player on that unit with 12.5 sacks and 80 splash plays, according to TruMedia. Denver has won 11 straight, and its two losses came by a combined four points.
Up next: vs. Jaguars, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
3. Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
Last week: 3
Sunday: Beat Colts 18-16
MVP: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
After posting his ninth 100-yard game of the season (seven catches, 113 yards), Smith-Njigba leads the league with 1,541 receiving yards, which already is the 14th-best receiving season in the last 10 years. His yards per route run (3.97) is the best of the last 10 years, and if he hits his average the next three games, he’ll finish with 1,871 yards, tied for the third most in the last 25 years.
Up next: vs. Rams, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
4. Buffalo Bills (10-4)
Last week: 6
Sunday: Beat Patriots 35-31
MVP: Josh Allen
The Bills were down 21-0 at one point and 24-7 at halftime Sunday, and then Josh Allen happened. Buffalo’s quarterback leads the league in second-half EPA per dropback (0.38) and has 15 second-half passing touchdowns, which is second in the league. Allen’s overall yards per game, completion percentage, passer rating and yards per carry are all better than last year, when he was the league MVP.
Up next: at Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
5. New England Patriots (11-3)
Last week: 2
Sunday: Lost to Bills 35-31
MVP: Drake Maye
As a rookie last season, Maye posted a 3-9 record with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. After Sunday, he is 11-3 with 23 and seven, and sits second in the league in EPA per dropback (0.23). The most remarkable part of Maye’s season is that he is among the top five in the league in completion percentage (70.9) and average air yards per attempt (8.9). He might be the actual MVP this year.
Up next: at Ravens, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
Last week: 7
Sunday: Beat Titans 37-24
MVP: Christian McCaffrey
The ninth-year running back leads the league in touches per game this year (24.64) and in the last three years combined (22.03). He’s third this season in scrimmage yards (1,742) — behind Bijan Robinson (1,858) and Jonathan Taylor (1,761) — after another 87 Sunday in the Niners’ fourth straight win.
Up next: at Colts, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
7. Houston Texans (9-5)
Last week: 9
Sunday: Beat Cardinals 40-20
MVP: Will Anderson Jr.
The defensive end is ninth in the league in sacks (10.5) and leads all players with more than 100 pass-rush snaps in pressure percentage (21.3 percent). He’s also first in splash-play rate (21.5 percent, according to TruMedia). That means he makes a game-altering defensive play on one of five snaps. He’s top five in the league in quarterback pressures, third- and fourth-down stops and forced fumbles, but he left Sunday’s game after seemingly getting poked in the eye.
Up next: vs. Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
8. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
Last week: 5
Sunday: Lost to Broncos 34-26
MVP: Jordan Love
The Packers quarterback is second in the league in EPA per dropback (0.22) and has 23 touchdowns versus just six interceptions, but he probably can’t play well enough to overcome all that has befallen Green Bay. Micah Parsons’ expected ACL tear on top of Tucker Kraft’s ACL tear earlier this year on top of Christian Watson’s chest injury on top of a myriad of offensive-line injuries feels like it’s too much to overcome, even for a really good team.
Up next: at Bears, Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
Last week: 13
Sunday: Beat Jets 48-20
MVP: Trevor Lawrence
He didn’t earn this designation until Sunday, and all it took was one of the best games in NFL history. No joke! Lawrence became the first player in NFL history with five passing touchdowns, 50-plus rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in a game. Lawrence, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara are the only players to account for six touchdowns in a game since 1999. Lawrence is only 21st in the league in EPA per dropback (0.02), but the Jaguars held onto first place in the AFC South with the win.
Up next: at Broncos, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
10. Chicago Bears (10-4)
Last week: 10
Sunday: Beat Browns 31-3
MVP: Drew Dalman
The Bears’ new center is serving as a representative here for the remade interior of Chicago’s offensive line, which also includes guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. The Bears lead the league in yards per carry before contact (2.09) and rushing first downs/touchdowns (123) and are second in rushing yards overall (2,126). Chicago ran the ball 33 times Sunday on the way to overpowering a very good Browns defense.
Up next: vs. Packers, Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET
11. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
Last week: 11
Sunday: Beat Chiefs 16-13
MVP: Tui Tuipulotu
Maybe this should go to quarterback Justin Herbert, but Tuipulotu just keeps making plays. He had two more sacks and nine more pressures as the Chargers chased the Chiefs out of the playoff race Sunday. Tuipulotu is now tied for fifth in the NFL in sacks (12) and fourth in splash-play rate (15.7 percent). He has seven additional tackles for loss.
Up next: at Cowboys, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
12. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
Last week: 12
Sunday: Beat Raiders 31-0
MVP: Quinyon Mitchell
The offense finally got going Sunday, but this team is still led by its defense. That defense has a lot of stars, but none has played better this year than Mitchell. The cornerback does not have an interception, but Sunday was his seventh game of allowing 10 or fewer yards in coverage, according to Next Gen Stats. His 15 pass breakups rank fourth in the league.
Up next: at Commanders, Saturday, 5 p.m. ET
13. Detroit Lions (8-6)
Last week: 8
Sunday: Lost to Rams 41-34
MVP: Jahmyr Gibbs
Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is having a great year (third in splash plays), but it’s hard to laud anybody on this defense. Offensively, there are plenty of candidates, but Gibbs edges out Amon-Ra St. Brown because Gibbs is second in the league in touchdowns with 16 and fifth in scrimmage yards with 1,594. It’s going to be a shame if he’s not in the playoffs, and the Lions only have a 25 percent chance of making it after this loss.
Up next: vs. Steelers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
Last week: 17
Monday: Beat Dolphins 28-15
MVP: Derrick Harmon
The rookie defensive tackle has quietly been one of the most impactful players in the league this year. In the nine games Harmon has played, the Steelers have allowed 96 rushing yards per game. In the five games he has missed, they have allowed 165.8. With Harmon out again Monday night with a knee injury, the Dolphins gained just 63 on the ground, but that was mostly because they threw the ball for much of the second half as they tried to catch up.
Up next: at Lions, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
15. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
Last week: 21
Sunday: Beat Bengals 24-0
MVP: Derrick Henry
There aren’t a lot of great candidates in Baltimore, which is probably why the Ravens are .500 even after Sunday’s win. Henry did top 1,000 yards again Sunday, though, gaining 100 yards on just 11 carries. He has topped the 1,000-yard mark in seven of his last eight seasons. Henry is fifth all time in rushing touchdowns (116).
Up next: vs. Patriots, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
Last week: 14
Sunday: Lost to Falcons 29-28
MVP: Emeka Egbuka
At one point, Baker Mayfield was in the NFL MVP race. But he’s played so poorly since Week 7 that we have to go with Egbuka. The rookie wide receiver was great early in the season, but the problem for Tampa Bay is that everyone is struggling now. That’s why the Bucs lost for the fifth time in six games Thursday night. In Weeks 1 through 10, the rookie averaged 75 receiving yards per game and had six touchdowns. In Weeks 11 through 15, he averaged 38.6 yards per game and didn’t score.
Up next: at Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
17. Carolina Panthers (7-7)
Last week: 15
Sunday: Lost to Saints 20-17
MVP: Rico Dowdle
With apologies to Derrick Brown, who has been great and whom we sincerely don’t want to make angry, Dowdle has been a spark for this team. Since his breakout in Week 5 against Miami, the Panthers are 6-4 and Dowdle is third in the league in rushing (895 yards). He couldn’t get going Sunday, though, averaging 3.1 yards per carry as Carolina wasted a great chance to take the NFC South lead.
Up next: vs. Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
18. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
Last week: 16
Sunday: Lost to Seahawks 18-16
MVP: Jonathan Taylor
Taylor leads the league in rushing (1,443) and touchdowns (18), and he’s going to have to step it up even more with the Colts’ season slipping away. Indianapolis has now lost four in a row and five of its last six and has an 8 percent chance of making the playoffs after starting the season 7-1.
Up next: vs. 49ers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
19. Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
Last week: 22
Sunday: Beat Cowboys 34-26
MVP: Jonathan Greenard
Despite Sunday night’s offensive outburst, this has to be a defender, and Greenard is the most obvious candidate among a balanced group. The bad news in a bad-news kind of season for the Vikings is that he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury after recording his third sack of the season against Dallas. That sack total is not impressive, but he has 46 pressures and is tied for seventh in non-sack tackles for loss (eight).
Up next: at Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
20. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
Last week: 18
Sunday: Lost to Vikings 34-26
MVP: Dak Prescott
Prescott would be in the actual MVP conversation if Dallas’ defense wasn’t so bad. He leads the league in passing yards (3,931) and is tied for the lowest off-target rate among regular starters (8.2 percent). The Cowboys are fourth in the league in scoring (29.1 ppg) but are essentially out of the playoff race because they’re 31st in scoring defense (30 ppg allowed). Dallas has only won once this year when scoring fewer than 30 points.
Up next: vs. Chargers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
21. Miami Dolphins (6-8)
Last week: 19
Monday: Lost to Steelers 28-15
MVP: De’Von Achane
Achane is third in the league in rushing (1,186) and fifth in scrimmage yards (1,636) after Monday night, but he only had 60 yards on the ground against the Steelers because the Dolphins could only get him the ball 12 times as they played catch-up most of the night. Miami had its four-game winning streak snapped and was officially eliminated from the playoff race with the loss.
Up next: vs. Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
22. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
Last week: 20
Sunday: Lost to Chargers 16-13
MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes, who tore his ACL in the fourth quarter Sunday, will see his streak of seven straight AFC Championship Game appearances end because the loss eliminated the Chiefs from the playoff race. The disappointing season has been the offense’s fault, but the problem has not been Mahomes. He hasn’t been Superman, but he’s 10th in the league in EPA per dropback (0.12) and fourth in passing yards (3,587). Now, we’ll all wait to see if he can be healthy for Week 1 next year.
Up next: at Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
23. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)
Last week: 24
Sunday: Beat Buccaneers 29-28
MVP: Bijan Robinson
The third-year running back leads the league with 1,858 yards from scrimmage, which is just 30 shy of his career high, with three games left to play. Robinson, who tied his season high in catches Thursday night (eight), has had more than 100 yards from scrimmage in nine games this year. “Sorry you guys won’t get a chance to watch him in the postseason,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said.
Up next: at Cardinals, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
24. New Orleans Saints (4-10)
Last week: 25
Sunday: Beat Panthers 20-17
MVP: Demario Davis
This is something of a lifetime achievement award, but Davis has been good this season. He leads the Saints with 123 tackles, which is pretty remarkable for a 36-year-old who has played more than 1,000 defensive snaps since joining the league in 2012. The Saints have three NFC South wins in their last five games, including two over Carolina.
Up next: vs. Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
25. Washington Commanders (4-10)
Last week: 26
Sunday: Beat Giants 29-21
MVP: Marcus Mariota
Mariota is the most unlikely player on this list. The 11-year veteran has started seven games in place of Jayden Daniels this season, and he’s slinging it. He’s not always completing it (he’s 29th in completion rate at 62 percent), but he leads the NFL in air yards per target (10.1) by a full yard, and he’s a respectable 16th in EPA per dropback (0.05). Mariota had a 109.8 passer rating Sunday and rushed for 43 yards. He should start the rest of the way after Daniels was officially shut down Monday.
Up next: vs. Eagles, Saturday, 5 p.m. ET
26. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
Last week: 23
Sunday: Lost to Ravens 24-0
MVP: Ja’Marr Chase
Joe Burrow certainly isn’t any happier after being shut out for his first time as a pro on Sunday. “When your quarterback plays like that, your team is not going to have a chance,” he said after the game. But with all of the Bengals’ struggles, and the list is long, it’s amazing how well Chase has done. He had 10 catches for 132 yards against the Ravens and is fourth in the league with 1,147 yards this season.
Up next: at Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
27. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
Last week: 27
Sunday: Lost to Texans 40-20
MVP: Trey McBride
Honestly, there aren’t a lot of great options in Arizona, and head coach Jonathan Gannon may be on the way out after Sunday’s embarrassing loss. McBride, though, has been excellent. He had 12 catches Sunday for 134 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first tight end in NFL history to have 100-or-more catches in back-to-back seasons. He leads the league with 105 receptions and is sixth in receiving yards with 1,071.
Up next: vs. Falcons, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
28. New York Jets (3-11)
Last week: 28
Sunday: Lost to Jaguars 48-20
MVP: Isaiah Williams
Williams leads the league in punt return yards (396) and has returned two for touchdowns. What would have been his third was called back by penalty on Sunday. He’s 15th in kickoff return yards (653). And, on top of that, he had career highs in catches (six) and receiving yards (53) against the Jags. All of that is good enough for MVP honors on this team.
Up next: at Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
29. New York Giants (2-12)
Last week: 29
Sunday: Lost to Commanders 29-21
MVP: Cam Skattebo
Yes, we know Skattebo hasn’t played since Week 8, but it was his spirit, which has been carried on by quarterback Jaxson Dart, that at least gave this Giants season some hope. The fourth-round rookie running back had 101 carries for 410 yards before his injury. Despite what New York fans’ memories may tell them, he wasn’t John Riggins (Skattebo is just 23rd in the league in yards per carry after contact with 3.04), but he did start changing the Giants’ vibe, which was much needed.
Up next: vs. Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
30. Tennessee Titans (2-12)
Last week: 30
Sunday: Lost to 49ers 37-24
MVP: Cam Ward
Not much has gone right in Nashville, but the Titans might have their quarterback if they can find the right coach for Ward in the offseason. This year’s No. 1 pick is 38th in EPA per dropback (minus-0.17), and that’s admittedly not great. But there have been some flashes in an otherwise awful season. On Sunday, he had a 101.2 passer rating and threw a touchdown to defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, so that was fun.
Up next: vs. Chiefs, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
31. Cleveland Browns (3-11)
Last week: 31
Sunday: Lost to Bears 31-3
MVP: Myles Garrett
Garrett had another 1.5 sacks Sunday, putting him at 21.5 on the season and on the doorstep of breaking the official league record of 22.5 shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. The NFL has only tracked sacks since 1982. Pro Football Reference lists Detroit’s Al Baker as the unofficial single-season leader with his 23 in 1978. Garrett could pass both marks against Josh Allen this week.
Up next: vs. Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
Last week: 32
Sunday: Lost to Eagles 31-0
MVP: Maxx Crosby
The Raiders are desperately trying to catch the Titans for the worst point differential in the league. Sunday helped as Las Vegas was outgained 387-75 in a game that lasted just two hours and 31 minutes. At least Crosby got another sack. He’s 10th in the league with 10 now.
As NFL stars deal with season-ending injuries, let’s end the 18-game season talk
As Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons hobbled to their respective locker rooms Sunday evening, moments after each tumbled to the turf and writhed in pain while trainers and team doctors rushed to their aid, a sickening feeling settled over all who watched.
Two of pro football’s brightest stars, we soon learned, each tore an ACL in an otherwise spectacular day of late-season football. Now, Mahomes and Parsons face surgeries, long recovery roads and uncertainty over when/if they will regain their elite forms. The three-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback and the 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year joined hundreds of their football brethren who have landed on injured reserve this season. (According to NFLPA figures, 309 players have been placed on IR through 15 weeks of regular-season action, which is slightly down from 319 through 15 weeks in 2024, but up compared to 274 through this point in 2023.)
The Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl dreams took a major hit. Also in jeopardy: the Kansas City Chiefs’ chances of quickly rebounding next season from a disappointing 2025.
The football gods are cruel. Or, are they trying to tell us something?
Just last week, the NFL announced a $32 million investment to launch professional women’s and men’s professional flag football leagues in conjunction with the anticipated wave of excitement stemming from the sport’s debut in the 2028 Olympic Games. Also, last week, the NFL announced that it will host games in Munich, Germany, next season and in 2028. The push to globalize America’s most popular sports league remains in full force. NFL officials and team owners envision a day when games rival the Premier League in popularity.
The driving force behind that goal: continue driving the annual revenue of this cash cow to $25 billion and beyond.
Another leg of those revenue-generating plans involves the eventual expansion from 17 regular-season games to 18. Few fans would argue against such a move. The appetite for football is voracious. However, the sight of Mahomes and Parsons sidelined by injury offered a painful reminder that the altar always demands a sacrifice, and eventually, even the game’s brightest and best fall prey.
The adage, “Injuries are part of the game,” is true. Yet, with each torn knee ligament (entering Week 15, 59 players were on IR with such injuries) and popped Achilles tendon (11 seasons have ended in such fashion), it grows harder to grasp the prudence of further expansion of the regular-season schedule.
More football is great, but at what cost? Will the unquenchable thirst for more — more money, more games — eventually take its toll and lead to the shortening of careers and the deterioration of the game?
The NFL has invested in many technological advances to ensure that players use the top-of-the-line equipment. The league hopes that rigorous testing will soon ensure games take place on only the highest quality of playing surfaces (whether natural or synthetic). Officials implement rule changes every couple of years and declare the game safer than ever. Injuries remain inevitable, however, even in this modern age where athletes are bigger, faster and stronger than ever.
Changes to the offseason program, training camp, preseason workload and regular-season preparation process may have alleviated some of the pounding those bodies sustain leading up to game days. However, year-round training, which seems like necessary preventative maintenance, replaces some of the wear and tear. And don’t forget that ever-expanding college football seasons mean some athletes come into the NFL with more mileage on them than ever. So, is it any wonder that even the most diligent and dedicated players struggle to make it through a season unscathed?
It’s still too early to know what kind of long-term impact 17 regular-season games, an expanded postseason and shortened offseason is having on athlete bodies (feels like we know, but the answers aren’t concrete); however, the last thing that any pro football player needs is another 50-plus plays worth of collisions before postseason action even begins.
And yet, NFL owners want more.
The NFL has long operated with a “next man up” attitude. If a man goes down, scrape him up, plug another in and the show goes on. It’s what happened when Mahomes, Parsons, Malik Nabers, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Tyreek Hill, Michael Penix Jr., Daniel Jones, Najee Harris and others went down with season-ending injuries at various points this season. Indeed, the show will go on. Yet how appealing is a league whose stars only last a portion of the season and second-rate/mistake-prone backups fill their roles?
It’s impossible to predict when the injury bug will strike. Any of those players had the same chance of getting hurt in Week 1 as they did in Week 15. However, players feel it is unwise to heighten the risk of injury by expanding their workload with a longer regular-season schedule. Sure, you can trim the preseason further, but most veterans don’t play in those contests anymore anyway. You can implement a second bye week, but the pounding will still pile up.
Fortunately for the players, true negotiations towards such an expansion have yet to take place. The controversy-laden resignations of NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell and chief strategy officer J.C. Tretter have caused a leadership void, and the ongoing search for replacements has bought them some time. Yet, expansion talks are coming — likely this offseason after the players union elects its next full-time executive director — well before the expiration of the current CBA, which runs through 2030.
If NFL team owners are smart, care about the quality of the game and the investments that make the league go (the players), they would abandon thoughts of an 18th game. Yet, we all know where their priorities lie. That’s why the players — once they finally get their leadership structure figured out — should resist at all costs.
You’re talking about a war, but the best move from the player camp would involve coming to that future negotiation table with the stance of “We want to go back to 16 games, and we want the same economic structure that we have now.” Owners would have a coronary. Even so, with players now coming out of college with the security of NIL money and the added asset of their multi-billion dollar company, OneTeam Partners, players would be better equipped for a lockout.
That will never happen, though. It was hard enough for NFLPA leaders to get the player body on the same page for the last two CBA negotiations. Such a bold move — although effective — would scare too many players.
And so, owners will again have the upper hand. They already hate the revenue split they agreed to in the last CBA and how much they’re spending in terms of salary cap and player benefits. So it’s expected that the owners would attempt to keep the current economic structure in place as long as they get an 18th game and recoup some of that. Players — desperate to hold onto what they have — will relent, unwittingly giving the NFL an 18th game basically for free.
Except it doesn’t have to be that way. The NFL doesn’t need an 18th game to grow the pie. Operating according to the current playbook of gradually expanding the international slate, and continually auctioning prime games to streaming services (We all grumble about the latter, but keep forking over the bucks), league revenue will still increase by roughly $1 billion a year.
Opting for quality over quantity would best serve everyone. The players avoid the increased risk of injury and shortened playing careers, and the owners receive a stronger product to dole out to the world.
Injuries are indeed an unfortunate part of the game, but unnecessarily embracing heightened risk defies logic.
Patrick Mahomes Injury Update: NFL Doctor Shares Worrying Report on Chiefs QB Following Successful Surgery
While a 16–13 defeat in Week 15 knocked the Kansas City Chiefs out of playoff contention this season, it also cost them something more troubling. Late in the fourth quarter of the Week 15 game, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went out with an injury. Chiefs fans feared the worst, and now a well-known sports doctor has just revealed that those fears may be justified.
“Patrick Mahomes underwent surgery tonight to repair his ACL,” Dr. David J. Chao wrote via his X post. “The timing and the surgeon who performed the surgery essentially confirms he also tore his LCL, which makes his recovery more difficult.”
The Chiefs’ QB suffered the injury in the Week 15 game as he tried to scramble out of the pocket during a play. As Mahomes looked to throw the ball, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Da’Shawn Hand chased him down. Soon, Mahomes’ left knee buckled outward, a sign that fans immediately worried about. Now, according to Dr. Chao, who has spent more than 17 years as a head team doctor in the NFL, the video replays revealed the nature of Mahomes’ injury right away.
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“In-game on Sunday from the six score war room, we indicated, based on the video, there was worry for ACL and LCL,” said Dr. Chao in the clip attached to his X post. “If you go back and look at the video, his knee bows outward, stretching the lateral collateral ligament, and buckles, tearing the ACL. That was always the worry. And this news tonight essentially confirms it.”
Dr. Chao then also pointed to another detail that confirmed that the Chiefs’ QB tore his LCL. He mentioned that the surgeon who operated on Mahomes in Dallas has a strong specialty in LCL repairs. And this is the same surgeon who repaired Houston Texans linebacker Jaylon Smith’s LCL coming out of Notre Dame. More recently, Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter traveled to the same surgeon for LCL surgery.
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“Patrick Mahomes likely has that [LCL] as well as the ACL,” said Dr. David J. Chao. “Also, that’s the reason for early surgery. Micah Parsons, with an isolated ACL, has not had surgery yet same day as a tear of Patrick Mahomes – same level of superstar. The reason to hurry and do the surgery for the LCL is that it is a true repair. So, it is multi-ligament, what it seems for Patrick Mahomes, more than just ACL.”
As the NFL doctor pointed out, the Chiefs would not have rushed their star QB into surgery so quickly if it were just an ACL. Then, Dr. Chao even compared Mahomes’ case to Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, who reportedly tore his ACL in his Week 15 game but did not undergo immediate surgery.
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Parsons will end this season with 12.5 sacks. Meanwhile, through 14 games this season, Patrick Mahomes has recorded 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. So, both are elite stars, but why the different approach? The answer, according to Dr. Chao, points again to a multi-ligament injury, which is no joke. That kind of injury will demand patience, discipline, and time from Mahomes. Still, Dr. Chao offered some hope.
“The good news is he’s [Mahomes] on the road to recovery, and he still has a chance to be ready for this upcoming season,” Dr. Chao concluded. “But the road is harder with now essentially confirmation based on insider knowledge, not insider information, of likely a multi-ligament injury for Patrick Mahomes.”
He acknowledged the long recovery ahead, but he also said the Chiefs’ quarterback could still be ready for next season. That update offers a positive note for fans, especially after Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid shared the latest health news on Mahomes.
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Andy Reid shares Patrick Mahomes’ recovery plan after surgery
After Patrick Mahomes left the Week 15 game with the injury, head coach Andy Reid told reporters that it did not look good. Later, an MRI revealed that Mahomes had a torn ACL in his left knee. Still, he sought a second opinion on his injury and later underwent surgery.
On December 15, Dr. Daniel Cooper performed the surgery on the Chiefs’ QB in Dallas and cleared him to begin rehab immediately. After receiving the news of Mahomes’ successful surgery, Reid then sounded confident in his QB’s mindset.
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“He’ll [Mahomes] attack it [rehab] just like he does everything else,” Reid told reporters. “There’ve been some pretty good quarterbacks that have had the same injuries. They’ve done pretty well after they came back. So, he’ll get after it. He’s got good people here to rehab him. And again, he’ll be right on top of all that.”
That optimism matters. But is it enough? History offers reassurance for Patrick Mahomes. While playing as the QB for the New England Patriots, Tom Brady tore both his ACL and MCL in 2008. But he then returned in 2009 to lead the Patriots to the playoffs with a 10-6 record. He even won Comeback Player of the Year. So, the injury clearly did not hold him back.
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Could Patrick Mahomes follow a similar path to recovery as Brady? It’s possible. But it won’t be easy. But as Reid and Dr. Chao pointed out, a comeback next season is very much possible for Mahomes.
Unexpected name lands with Bills in latest 2026 NFL mock draft
The Buffalo Bills pulled to within one game of the AFC East by shocking the New England Patriots in a comeback win this weekend. Even if they don’t win the division, they’re still in excellent shape and can clinch a playoff berth as early as Week 16.
Despite their 10-4 record, the Bills have had their share of struggles this season, with their lack of a No. 1 wide receiver getting much of the attention. While they need someone to take some of the pressure off the shoulders of Josh Allen and James Cook, the Bills have another major issue to address.
MORE: Veteran CB, much-maligned EDGE headline Bills’ top-5 defenders from Week 15
Through 14 games, the Bills are 30th in the NFL in rushing yards surrendered (2,004) and 32nd in rushing touchdowns given up (23). That’s why College Football HQ’s Nick Merriam has them targeting a defensive tackle rather than a receiver in his recent 2026 NFL mock draft.
Pick No. 24: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
With their first selection, Merriam has Buffalo grabbing Ohio State nose tackle Kayden McDonald. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, McDonald took over for 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams, and the Buckeyes’ defense didn’t miss a beat.
Is the 2025 NFL draft enough to save Andrew Berry’s job? Hey, Mary Kay! (Podcast)
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Following the Browns’ 31-3 loss to the Chicago Bears, Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe tackle the biggest question facing the Cleveland Browns: What does the future hold for head coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry?
They kick off the Hey, Mary Kay! edition of the Orange and Brown Talk podcast by debating whether one or both could be fired and if Berry’s successful 2025 draft class is enough to secure his position.
The conversation quickly turns to the franchise’s most glaring need: a quarterback.
Dan and Mary Kay discuss the immense pressure on the front office to finally find their guy, questioning the trust in Andrew Berry’s evaluation skills for the league’s most important position.
Then they get into Shedeur Sanders’ performance, analyzing his recent step back against the Bears. Where does Sanders need to improve? How will the Browns get a full enough evaluation on him?
Here’s the latest podcast:
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Two years after hitting bottom, the Denver Broncos are the Super Bowl contender you didn’t see coming.
The Denver Broncos were no one’s idea of a Super Bowl contender two years ago.
Stumbling to an 0-3 start in 2023, they allowed 70 points in a game, the third most ever scored in NFL history. There was so much trader’s remorse about quarterback Russell Wilson — whom the team had acquired to great fanfare less than two years earlier — that they benched him and later agreed to eat $85 million of his contract.
By that season’s end, the Broncos had missed the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.
In a sign of how quickly fortunes can flip in the parity-filled NFL, Denver (12-2) now boasts one of the league’s best defenses, a quarterback it believes in and an 11-game winning streak. And after Sunday’s 34-26 win against Green Bay, a team with its own credible aspirations of a deep playoff run, the Broncos have become the Super Bowl contenders no one saw coming even midway through last season.
Cleveland Browns legend Paul Wiggin dies
Paul Wiggin won an NFL championship with the 1964 Browns and found comfort nearly 52 years later when Cleveland’s drought without a major professional sports title ended.
Wiggin died on Dec. 12 at the age of 91, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced along with the Minnesota Vikings.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection at defensive end, Wiggin spent his entire NFL playing career with the Browns (1957-67). Drafted in 1956 by the Browns in the sixth round (No. 73 overall), Wiggin never missed a game in 11 seasons.
When the Cavaliers broke Cleveland’s championship curse by capturing the NBA title in 2016, Wiggin rejoiced during an interview with the Beacon Journal.
Cooper Flagg becomes youngest player to score 42 points but laments Mavericks’ overtime loss to Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Cooper Flagg scored the most points by an 18-year-old in NBA history, but he couldn’t enjoy the accomplishment because it came in a loss.
Flagg had 42 points — topping the previous mark of 37 set by LeBron James on Dec. 13, 2003 — in a 140-133 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
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Cooper Flagg becomes youngest player to score 42 points but laments Mavericks’ overtime loss to Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Cooper Flagg scored the most points by an 18-year-old in NBA history, but he couldn’t enjoy the accomplishment because it came in a loss.
Flagg had 42 points — topping the previous mark of 37 set by LeBron James on Dec. 13, 2003 — in a 140-133 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
“Obviously we didn’t win. So it’s tough for me to want to be happy, or any of that, but obviously it’s a success,” said Flagg, who had a bag of ice on his ankle after rolling it at the end of regulation.
Flagg also became just the fifth rookie to record 40 points, five rebounds and five assists in the last 15 years as he finished with seven board and six assists.
“The more time he spends on the floor, the more he sees, the better he gets. He displayed it all tonight,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said.
Flagg has been playing his best basketball the past few weeks as the No. 1 overall draft pick has averaged 25.7 points in the last seven games. He’s also playing aggressive enough to get to the line and went 15 for 20 against Utah.
“It’s come a long way from the start of the season, so I’m proud of that fourth quarter,” Flagg said. “It’s a new game … but I am getting more and more comfortable … and just settling in, honestly, just being myself and letting the game come to me.”
He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and made a savvy play to get the game into overtime when he missed a free throw on purpose with such a big carom that teammate Max Christie got the rebound with 3.9 seconds remaining and was fouled.
With Anthony Davis out and Dallas missing several other teammates to injuries, this game may be a harbinger of things to come as Flagg becomes a centerpiece of the Mavericks’ offense.
“We were going to Coop. He was killing them the whole game, so they finally tried to double him.” P.J. Washington said. “It doesn’t surprise me at all. I know exactly what he’s capable of. He’s a special player so there will be a lot more to come.”
Flagg also tied Mark Aguirre for the most points by a rookie in Mavs history as he begins to make his mark on the franchise. But he couldn’t stop thinking of what he could have done to get the win despite the throbbing ankle. The Jazz made a late 11-0 run and then dominated in overtime as Flagg didn’t score a basket in the extra period.
“I gotta be better. I had a couple of dumb turnovers, missed a couple easy ones, but I gotta be better, executing down the stretch like that,” Flagg said.
Setting records might be nice but Flagg feels it just means he’s consistently improving and that’s been his goal all season.
“I’m not really focused on a lot of that stuff (the records). I’m more just focused on being present, day to day, and trying to get better and and getting our team as many wins as we can,” Flagg said.
___
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What channel is Knicks vs Spurs today? NBA Cup final TV info, prediction
It all comes down to this as the New York Knicks (18-7) and San Antonio Spurs (18-7) square off in the NBA Cup final Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
The Knicks advanced to the title game with a convincing 132-120 victory over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday night.
It was the opposite for the Spurs, who overcame a double-digit first-half deficit to pull off a 111-109 victory as 9.5-point underdogs over the heavily-favored Oklahoma City Thunder, who came into the game tied for the best start in NBA history (24-1) and had their 16-game winning streak snapped.
A big reason was the return of Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama, who scored 22 points and was a +21 in only 21 minutes of action. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick had missed the previous 12 games with a left calf strain he suffered on Nov. 14.
This is the first of three meetings between these two franchises, as the next head-to-head matchup will come in the Lone Star State just over two weeks from now, when the Knicks travel to San Antonio to face the Spurs on New Year’s Eve.
The third and final regular-season contest will be a Sunday afternoon matinee at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2026, with the game being televised on ABC.
Here’s everything you need to know on how to watch, stream and our prediction on who will win this year’s NBA Cup between the Knicks and Spurs on Tuesday night:
What time is Knicks vs Spurs NBA Cup final today?
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: T-Mobile Arena
The Knicks-Spurs NBA Cup championship matchup begins at 8:30 p.m. from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What channel is Knicks vs Spurs NBA Cup final today?
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
The Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Cup final will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, which has an 11-year deal with the NBA.
Stream Knicks vs. Spurs live on Amazon Prime Video
Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Cup final betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Dec. 16:
Spread: Knicks by 2.5 points
Over/under: 228.5 points
Moneyline: Knicks (-135), Spurs (+110)
Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Cup final, prediction
A winning streak will come to an end here with everything on the line in the NBA Cup championship game as the Knicks have won five straight and the Spurs winners of three in a row.
Wembanyama has only played the Knicks three times so far in his young career but was dominant in two of those head-to-head meetings. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman dropped 40 points and 20 rebounds against the Knicks on March 9, 2024 and followed it up last season with 42 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks and four assists on Christmas Day but the Spurs came up short in a 117-114 loss to the Knicks at MSG.
This should be an exciting, back-and-forth contest in the desert, but with Webanyama likely playing more than the limited action he saw in the semifinals over the weekend (21 minutes), I’m giving San Antonio the slight advantage here as the Spurs win their first ever NBA Cup in the league’s third installment of the in-season tournament.
Webanyama will nearly put up a 40/20 performance again to earn tournament MVP honors, joining the likes of superstars in Lakers’ forward LeBron James and Bucks’ forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to win the award.
Spurs 119, Knicks 112
NY, San Antonio meet in Cup final
LAS VEGAS — The NBA Cup final doesn’t count. New York will enter with an 18-7 record. San Antonio will enter with an 18-7 record. And when Tuesday night’s game between the Knicks and Spurs is over, those records will be unchanged.
But the game will have plenty of meaning. The teams are sure of that.
A trophy, some bragging rights and a ton of money will be at stake when the Knicks and Spurs play in the NBA Cup title game at T-Mobile Arena. It’ll be the first time those franchises have met with a trophy on the line since San Antonio topped New York in the 1999 NBA Finals.
How to watch star-studded lineup, TV, streaming
Kevin Perrington-Turner
Asbury Park Press
Dec. 16, 2025, 4:55 a.m. ET
The NBA will feature a five-game slate on Christmas Day for basketball fans.
The day’s matchups include superstars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Nikola Jokic.
Basketball fans are getting the best present they could ask for on Christmas Day – a long lineup of televised NBA games.
This year has some high-profile matchups both casual and diehard fans will relish as they see superstars hit the hardwood floor on Dec. 25 (a Thursday).
Here’s the lineup:
Noon – In the first game the New York Knicks will host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. This is the first of FIVE games. .
2:30 p.m. – The Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champs, will host 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama and his San Antonio Spurs with former Rutgers star Dylan Harper also in the lineup. The MVP winner of last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, plays for the Thunder.
5 p.m. – Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors will host 2025 No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg and his Dallas Mavericks.
8 pm. – Superstars LeBron James and Luka Dončić will try to lead the Los Angelas Lakers to a win over the Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
10:30 p.m. – Anthony Edwards and his Minnesota Timberwolves will head to Denver and try to get a win over three-time MVP winner Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets.
Stream NBA games on live on Fubo (free trial)
How to watch Christmas Day NBA games
All games will be aired on ABC and ESPN.
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Cooper Flagg Breaks LeBron James Record vs. Jazz
History followed Cooper Flagg into Salt Lake City on Monday night. The win did not.
The Dallas Mavericks rookie delivered the most explosive performance of his young NBA career, pouring in a career-high 42 points against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. In the process, Flagg broke a record that had stood for more than two decades.
Even so, the night ended in frustration. Utah survived late drama and pulled away in overtime for a 140–133 win, wasting a performance that will live in NBA record books.
A Record LeBron James Once Owned
At just 18 years old, Flagg set a new NBA benchmark.
With his 42-point outing, the No. 1 overall pick surpassed LeBron James for the most points ever scored in a single game by an 18-year-old. James previously held the record with 37 points, set during his rookie season in December 2003 against the Boston Celtics.
The context matters. In league history, only James and Flagg have ever topped 24 points multiple times before turning 19. Monday night pushed Flagg into rare territory, not just historically, but stylistically. He was not simply scoring. He was controlling stretches of the game.
Flagg finished with 42 points on 13-of-27 shooting, added seven rebounds and six assists, and lived at the free-throw line, converting 15 attempts. He scored 14 points in the first quarter, setting the tone early, then added 12 more in the fourth as Dallas tried to close.
Flagg Tried to Drag Dallas Across the Finish Line
The Mavericks had opportunities.
Dallas led late in the fourth quarter and looked poised to escape with a win behind Flagg’s shot-making. With seconds remaining in regulation, Flagg intentionally missed a free throw, setting up a frantic sequence that ended with Max Christie converting at the line to force overtime.
It was clever. It was desperate. It worked.
Briefly.
Overtime belonged to Utah. The Jazz opened the extra period on an 11–4 run and never let Dallas recover. Flagg did not disappear, but the burden finally became too heavy for one player to carry alone.
Utah Survives Behind Star Power of Its Own
While Flagg stole headlines, Utah answered.
Keyonte George led the Jazz with 37 points, repeatedly punishing Dallas’ perimeter defense. Lauri Markkanen added 33 points and 16 rebounds, controlling the paint late and sealing the win.
The victory marked Utah’s second straight and pushed the Jazz to 10–15 on the season. Dallas, meanwhile, fell to 10–17, another reminder that growth and results do not always arrive together.
What This Night Means for Cooper Flagg
The loss will sting. The record will not fade.
Flagg also matched Mark Aguirre for the most points ever scored by a rookie in Mavericks history. He now trails only James and Kobe Bryant for the most total points scored by a player before turning 19.
He turns 19 later this week.
The Mavericks’ season remains uneven. The standings are unkind. But Flagg’s trajectory is unmistakable. Nights like this are not flukes. They are signals.
Dallas did not get the win. Cooper Flagg still left with something bigger.
History.
NBA Cup faces pressure to terminate its partnership with Emirates over UAE’s alleged role in Sudan crisis
Multiple human rights organizations are petitioning the National Basketball Association (NBA) to drop Dubai’s government-owned Emirates airline as a sponsor of the league’s in-season tournament, the Emirates NBA Cup, due to allegations of sportswashing.
“The NBA is letting itself be used as a pawn to distract people from what the UAE is doing in the world. This partnership is not innocent – it is sportswashing and it hides the suffering of millions of Sudanese people behind a trophy,” the Speak Out On Sudan petition, which is co-sponsored by 14 organizations, says on its website.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has repeatedly denied that it is playing any role in Sudan’s civil war, particularly accusations that it provides military, financial and logistical support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been accused of crimes against humanity by a number of human rights organizations.
Sportswashing is the practice of a government or organization supporting sports or organizing sports events to enhance its reputation. The term was popularized by the Sport for Rights campaign in 2015.
After years of strategic planning, the NBA developed an in-season tournament to drum up excitement among fans ahead of the marquee Christmas fixtures and make the entirety of the marathon 82-game season more relevant to viewers. It was not sponsored for its first edition in 2023 but has subsequently been named after international airline Emirates over the last two seasons.
The UAE wants to project a modern image and invests a lot of money into curating that brand while it faces accusations of complicity in atrocities in Sudan, said Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International, the organization that is leading the Speak Out On Sudan petition in collaboration with Sudanese groups and leaders.
The NBA and Emirates airline did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
The NBA Cup final takes place at 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas.
What is happening in Sudan?
For nearly three years, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary RSF have viciously competed for territory. In January this year, the United States accused the RSF militia of committing genocide. Later, in a case at the International Court of Justice, Sudan’s acting justice minister, Muawia Osman, alleged that the RSF had “the support and complicity” of the UAE.
The UAE has been repeatedly accused of supplying weapons to the RSF. The UAE has vehemently denied the allegations, even though an expert panel appointed by the United Nations Security Council said last year they were “credible.”
Earlier this year, top members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee called for the RSF to be officially designated as a terrorist organization, and said that “foreign backers” including the UAE have “fueled and profited from the conflict.”
Khalil al-Anani, a professor of politics and visiting researcher at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University, told CNN that the UAE’s primary objectives in Sudan are to “to control its natural wealth, including agriculture and gold.” At the same time, he said, the UAE “does not want to see a successful democratic transition in Sudan.”
In an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson last month, the UAE president’s diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, said the UAE’s interests in Sudan aren’t economic, but it does have geostrategic interests. He said the UAE wants to see Sudan as a “contributor to stability in the region” and for that to happen, the Muslim Brotherhood and “other extremist groups” must have no influence.
In response to CNN’s request for a comment, the UAE’s foreign ministry referred to a statement from its embassy in Washington, DC, saying the country condemns attacks against civilians in Sudan.
“The warring parties, including the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), along with allied militias and extremist-linked actors, share responsibility for atrocities committed against civilians and for blocking humanitarian access. The UAE reaffirms the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring rapid and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Sudan and stresses the need for perpetrators to be held accountable for their crimes,” the statement said.
It also noted the UAE’s humanitarian and ceasefire efforts in Sudan. UAE officials have said that the UAE is second only to the United States in aid deliveries to Sudan.
‘Jekyll and Hyde quality’ to the UAE’s role in the world
The UAE’s role in the world has a “Jekyll and Hyde quality,” Refugees International president Konyndyk said.
“They want to project a positive image – a modern, a lively country that is engaged in the arts, is engaged in culture, is engaged in sports, is sponsoring football teams and basketball tournaments, is sponsoring concerts and musical events. And they invest really heavily in curating a particular global brand,” he told CNN.
“At the same time, they are also doing and enabling and supporting and fueling horrible mass atrocities in Sudan.”
The campaign to urge the NBA to drop the UAE partnership started in 2024 when Emirates first signed on. Refugees International wrote to NBA commissioner Adam Silver along with deputy commissioner Mark Tatum expressing their human rights concern about the partnership.
Tatum, in a letter, said the NBA believes its partnership is “consistent with the NBA’s mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the game of basketball.”
With the lack of action on this request, organizations continue to petition the NBA and are now hoping to spread awareness of their cause.
“We’re appealing to the court of public opinion,” said Mutasim Ali, a survivor of the Darfur genocide and legal advisor at the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights. “The players should be concerned, the fans should be concerned.”
Denny Hamlin Discloses the Massive Figure Teams Pay Because of NASCAR’s Sponsorship Restrictions
Denny Hamlin addressed growing frustrations a few months ago following NASCAR’s move to fully standardized parts in 2022. While the shift was intended to control costs, its ripple effects have extended far beyond that goal.
Competitive balance has tightened to the point where cars now mirror one another almost perfectly, leaving drivers with fewer tools to create separation on track. Passing has become more difficult, short-track racing has lost much of its edge, and teams have found themselves boxed into purchasing expensive components from approved suppliers, even when those parts fail to suit their setups or when alternatives elsewhere in the market might outperform them.
Hamlin explained that once NASCAR signs a category partner, teams lose their entire freedom within that space. If the sanctioning body locks in a fuel or tire partner, teams cannot seek sponsorship from a competing brand in the same category.
That restriction applies regardless of competitive benefit or financial upside. According to the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, the most critical performance elements on a race car, fuel and tires, sit squarely within those locked categories, yet teams remain unable to leverage them commercially.
Hamlin expanded on that point with a concrete example, saying, “I think we probably pay about $700,000 a year in tires. In tires. I mean, Goodyear is the official provider of NASCAR tires, but we have to purchase them. They’re not given to us. We have to purchase them.
“But that’s an agreement that they have with NASCAR itself. And again, it’s a category where we couldn’t go get a Michelin to sponsor our car.”
The structure has contributed to broader consequences across the garage. Mechanical innovation has slowed as teams operate within the limits of a spec car. Distinct driving styles carry less influence when equipment behaves the same across the field. At the same time, safety and performance concerns tied to mandated components often leave teams powerless to act independently.
NASCAR’s requirement that teams purchase parts exclusively from approved vendors has shifted problem-solving authority away from the organizations that race the cars weekly.
Manufacturers have felt the effects as well. Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota now have limited room to highlight engineering identity or technical evolution. With fewer avenues to differentiate, their ability to connect innovation to on-track performance has diminished, a factor that could affect long-term investment and fan engagement.
When flaws emerge in a required component, the impact becomes universal. Every team must wait for NASCAR and its supplier to address the issue. The early version of the Next Gen chassis highlighted that risk. Its excessive stiffness failed to absorb impact energy effectively, contributing to a series of injuries and concussions before adjustments were made.
Tires present another constraint. With Goodyear serving as the sole supplier, teams cannot explore alternative compounds or manufacturers to better match track characteristics or driving approaches.
That strategy exists in other forms of motorsport. Formula 1, while also operating under a single-supplier model with Pirelli, still allows teams to select from multiple compounds. NASCAR’s low-profile Next Gen tires have further altered feedback, reducing the tactile “feel” drivers rely on to manage grip and balance.
Although standardization was intended to reduce costs, several teams argue that the economics remain unfavorable. The mandated parts come with high purchase prices, yet teams do not retain ownership, as the components remain NASCAR property. That imbalance has fueled recent antitrust litigation, prompting teams to question the model’s sustainability.
Now, with NASCAR signaling openness to restoring limited innovation and increasing horsepower, optimism has begun to surface. If implemented, those changes could reintroduce speed, improve race quality, and give teams greater control starting next season.
Kenny Wallace Explained Why Fans Cheered During NASCAR’s Lawsuit
The recent antitrust lawsuit involving NASCAR did more than raise legal questions. It also revealed how many fans feel about the sport right now. During the case, a noticeable reaction spread across social media. Some fans were openly cheering against NASCAR itself.
Retired driver and NASCAR analyst Kenny Wallace noticed it and spoke about it on “Coffee With Kenny.” According to Wallace, this response was not about lawyers or court filings. It reflected long-running frustration among fans.
The lawsuit, filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, brought those feelings into the open. While NASCAR later settled, Wallace believes the fan reaction during the case tells a larger story about trust, change, and dissatisfaction within the sport.
The lawsuit that triggered the reaction
The lawsuit was filed in late 2024 by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. The teams accused NASCAR of anticompetitive behavior tied to the charter system. Charters were introduced in 2016 and guarantee teams entry into Cup Series races along with a share of revenue. Teams argued that NASCAR held too much control over the system, limiting their ability to operate freely.
The lawsuit moved forward for months before NASCAR settled with the teams. The agreement ended the case before it reached a full trial.
While the legal fight focused on business terms, Wallace said fans reacted emotionally. He saw it across social media and in comments on his own platforms.
“During the NASCAR trial, I noticed a psychological shift, Wallace said.” “The fans were very excited that NASCAR was being sued.”
What Kenny Wallace saw from fans online
Wallace said the fan reaction went beyond simple curiosity. He noticed fans openly celebrating the idea of NASCAR losing in court. “It was bringing the fans a lot of happiness, Wallace said.”
According to Wallace, many fans were not supporting the teams directly. Instead, they were reacting to NASCAR as an organization. He said the volume of those comments stood out.
“There was a larger group of people that like NASCAR losing that trial, Wallace said.” “They’re like, ‘Yeah, yeah, NASCAR’s losing the trial.”
Wallace explained that fans were not focused on legal details. Their reaction came from years of disagreement with the decisions NASCAR has made. He said the lawsuit became a symbol of accountability in the eyes of fans.
Longstanding issues fans keep pointing to
Wallace connected the fan response to specific changes NASCAR has made in recent years. He said fans often mention the placement of car numbers and the current playoff points system.
“They’re getting what they deserve, Wallace said.” “Because they won’t move the number to the middle of the car, and they won’t go back to normal points.”
The number placement changed with the introduction of the Next Gen car, which debuted in 2022. NASCAR moved the numbers forward on the doors to create more space for sponsor logos. The playoff system, introduced earlier, replaced the season-long points format with an elimination-style championship.
Wallace said these topics came up again as soon as news of the settlement broke.
“Within one hour, I seen my timeline filling up, Wallace said.” “What about the car? What about the points? What about the number on the car?”
He added that fan reactions happen quickly online. “Fans move fast, Wallace said.”
The settlement ended the lawsuit, but Wallace believes the fan reaction showed unresolved issues. The cheers during the case were not about the courtroom. They reflected frustration that many fans feel has gone unanswered.
Why Short Tracks Dropping Playoffs Put NASCAR on the Clock
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will return to a full-season points system in 2026. The series confirmed the change after being acquired by FloSports. Instead of a playoff format, the championship will again be decided by total points earned across the entire season. Series officials described the move as a return to a system many drivers consider the fairest.
The decision has drawn attention because many racing series have copied NASCAR’s playoff model over the last two decades.
Veteran racer Kenny Wallace says this move matters because it shows short-track racing is no longer following NASCAR’s lead. Instead, he says, grassroots racing is choosing stability and consistency at a time when NASCAR faces pressure to defend its own system.
Kenny Wallace Points to a Shift in Racing’s Power Structure
Kenny Wallace discussed the change on his “Coffee with Kenny” show. He said the move stood out because it came before any similar action from NASCAR. “This is the first time I’ve seen it be the opposite,” Wallace said. “This is the first time where I’ve seen a short track series say, ‘Nope, we’re making the move before NASCAR does. We’re going back to normal format next year.”
Wallace added that the shift reflects a larger change in the sport. “That’s how far NASCAR has fallen, he said.” “That’s how wounded NASCAR is.”
The series has not cited NASCAR directly as a reason for the change. Officials have said the goal is to reward consistent performance across the season.
NASCAR’s Playoff Format Under Pressure
NASCAR introduced its playoff system in 2004. The format has gone through several revisions, including elimination rounds and stage racing. The goal was to create more drama late in the season and keep more drivers in title contention.
The system has also drawn criticism over the years. Critics say it places too much weight on late races and can allow a champion to be decided by a single incident. The discussion has intensified following NASCAR’s recent antitrust settlement.
Calls for Change Grow Louder
Wallace said the combination of the settlement and the LOLMDS decision has increased pressure on NASCAR to act. “NASCAR cannot go back to normal points quick enough,” he said.
Wallace also pointed to Hall of Famer Mark Martin, who has long supported a season-long points system. After the LOLMDS announcement, Martin reacted simply with, “Great news.”
Wallace echoed that view. “The hell with it. Just go all 36 races,” he said. “Give Mark Martin what he’s been asking for. Mark’s been right so far.”
Martin has previously said most fans prefer a championship decided by results over the full season rather than a playoff reset.
For Wallace, the timing matters. He said the settlement gives NASCAR a chance to reset. “Now they got this opportunity to come together and do all the right things,” he said.
With short-track racing moving back to traditional points, NASCAR faces renewed focus on its own format. The decision from LOLMDS shows that not every series believes that playoffs are the future. Whether NASCAR follows that path remains unanswered, but the timeline for change is now under close watch.
Dale Jr. Questions NASCAR’s Priorities as SRX Struggles Are Laid Bare After Surprise Executive Concerns
It is safe to say that the NASCAR lawsuit revealed a lot of ugly truths. The recent revelations about SRX are turning heads. Leaked messages show NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell and other top brass expressing frustration as fans began noticing how closely SRX mirrored NASCAR.
In one particularly striking exchange, O’Donnell reportedly wrote, “This is NASCAR. Pure and simple. Enough. We need legal to take a shot at this.” And that was enough to make NASCAR veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s jaw drop. The side venture, which was supposed to be fun, suddenly sparked alarm at the highest levels, leaving Junior shaking his head in disbelief.
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Dale Jr. takes aim at NASCAR for picking on SRX
The 51-year-old NASCAR Hall of Famer didn’t hold back. Talking on his Dale Jr. Download, Junior was baffled by NASCAR feeling threatened by another series.
“I am surprised by some of the comments I read from O’Donnell and a couple people, ‘Man we gotta put an end to this or we gotta go take a look at this,’” Junior said. “Why are we worried? I’m not alarmed by that. I never saw, no disrespect, but I never would’ve worried or considered SRX a problem.”
During the ongoing legal proceedings, the two teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, lead attorney Jeffrey Kessler questioned O’Donnell about the nature of his concerns regarding SRX.
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According to Kelly Crandall, O’Donnell testified, “I was concerned with what was happening on the racetrack.”
Kessler pressed further about O’Donnell’s suggestion to have the NASCAR legal team review the series.
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Exhibits presented in the case included a screenshot shared by Phelps of a fan comment on SRX ‘s social media page, noting that the series was beginning to resemble NASCAR in the same way LIV Golf mirrored the PGA Tour.
And that was enough for Steve Phelps also to respond with a “need to put a knife in this trash series” message.
But what really left Junior scratching his head was that SRX posed no real threat to NASCAR, hence these comments weren’t needed.
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While O’Donnell emphasized the similarities between the two series, Junior personally saw SRX as a separate, entertaining venture that offered fans a unique experience without encroaching on NASCAR’s core operations.
“To hear that they were even remotely the least bit threatened is so surprising to me because they’re this giant that’s NASCAR, and SRX is just this little thing,” Junior added. “They were like 12 cars just barely getting by financially. They’re tearing up so much sh-t; they had no idea they were gonna tear up so much sh-t.”
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But with the antitrust lawsuit trial ending with a settlement, all seems to have simmered down; however, Dale Jr cannot help but take a dig at NASCAR for other reasons.
Dale Jr. sets the record straight on North Wilkesboro drama
Though the case has come to an end, Junior has opened up about the drama, revealing how he was dragged into leaked text messages criticizing him despite having no involvement in the charter lawsuit.
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Even with his prominence in the sport, the 51-year-old faced criticism in chat from NASCAR officials, including Steve O’Donnell, Steve Phelps, and Ben Kennedy.
Speaking candidly, he admitted he didn’t know all the inner workings of NASCAR or why certain decisions had such strong reactions, including the North Wilkesboro race.
The NASCAR Hall of Famer made it clear the return of North Wilkesboro as a points-paying race was due to Marcus Smith and not NASCAR leadership.
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“I don’t know everything about how they run things, and I certainly didn’t know how they felt about some things, and how these text messages have unveiled some things. North Wilkesboro came back because of Marcus Smith. NASCAR, you know, they didn’t play any role,” he said.
With the North Wilkesboro race now avoiding points after nearly 30 years and changes to the Window World 450 increasing it to 450 laps, the sport has seen significant developments.
Though the lawsuit exposed unsettling truths, NASCAR retains an upper hand post-settlement and will now look to recover from its 2025 losses and aim for a stronger future.
NASCAR Distances Themselves From Commissioner Steve Phelps After Public Embarrassment Claims Insider
“NASCAR, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are pleased to announce a mutually agreed-upon resolution that delivers long-term stability and creates the conditions for meaningful growth for all teams in a more competitive environment,” read the press release after the teams, led by Michael Jordan, and NASCAR, settled the antitrust lawsuit. On the surface, it was a clean ending to a messy chapter. But when the settlement was formally announced in court, one familiar figure was noticeably absent.
That was NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps. According to an insider, that absence might not have been accidental. And now, it raises a question whether public embarrassment has begun reshaping NASCAR’s leadership dynamics.
Why Steve Phelps was missing
Steve Phelps’ absence at the time of settlement didn’t go unnoticed, and fans were quick to ask questions. One user put it directly for veteran NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass: “Why wasn’t both Steve’s in the video at the courthouse?” The answer added fuel to an already smoldering conversation.
Pockrass replied that Steve O’Donnell was present in court when the settlement was announced to the judge, while Steve Phelps was not.
“Obviously a lot of controversy with Phelps throughout so my guess is that is likely the reason although can’t rule out just timing of how quickly settlement got finalized,” he said.
Pockrass feels the backlash surrounding the commissioner likely played a role. But he also noted that the timing of how quickly the settlement came together could have also been a factor why he wasn’t there.
That caveat mattered, but the optics were already doing damage. The controversy Pockrass referenced traces back to leaked text messages from 2023, exchanged between Steve Phelps and NASCAR Vice President Brian Herbst during tense charter negotiations.
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In those messages, Steve Phelps repeatedly insulted team owner Richard Childress, calling him “an idiot,” suggesting he should “sell your charter and get out,” and going as far as saying Childress needed to be “taken out back and flogged,” labeling him a “stupid redneck.” The texts surfaced publicly during the lawsuit, igniting widespread criticism across the garage and fanbase.
Under oath, Phelps admitted he was “not proud of” the messages and apologized for them, an acknowledgment that did little to fully calm the fallout. Since then (and especially after the antitrust settlement), Phelps has largely disappeared from public view. On the other hand, O’Donnell has taken on a more visible role.
That contrast is what’s driving speculation. NASCAR hasn’t announced any change in leadership, nor has it commented on Phelps’ courtroom absence. And as Pockrass emphasized, his explanation remains educated guesswork. Still, in a sport hyper-aware of optics, the decision to have O’Donnell front and center while Steve Phelps stayed out of sight has only intensified questions NASCAR may not be ready to answer publicly (yet).
Pockrass provides update on 2026 format
As questions swirl around leadership optics, fans are also pressing NASCAR on something just as contentious: the points system. One fan asked Bob Pockrass directly if there was any news on the format for next season. His response was blunt and telling.
“Wouldn’t expect anything new on the points format for next year until January.” he said.
He said that whatever direction NASCAR chooses, it’s still very much behind closed doors.
That silence hasn’t slowed the backlash. A growing segment of the NASCAR community continues to push hard for a return to a season-long, traditional points system. The argument is familiar but louder than ever: reward consistency, not chaos. Many fans believe the current playoff structure places too much emphasis on winning the “right” races at the “right” time. This often allows strong full-season performers to be undone by one bad night in the postseason.
Critics argue that the championship should reflect sustained excellence over 36 races, not a late-season reset that turns strategy and survival into deciding factors. While the playoffs undeniably deliver drama, detractors say they’ve also diluted the meaning of dominance, creating champions who peak late rather than excel throughout the year.
Internally, NASCAR appears to have reached a checkpoint. Managing director of racing communications Mike Forde revealed last month that the playoff committee’s work is effectively done. “Where it stands right now… I don’t think the playoff committee is going to meet again. I think we have gotten all the feedback that we needed from them. Awesome job, by the way, from the playoff committee. Now, it’s in NASCAR’s hands,” Forde said last month.
That final line is key. With feedback gathered and pressure mounting, the next move belongs to NASCAR itself. Whether the sanctioning body tweaks the format or stays the course, any decision (or continued delay) will only intensify scrutiny as 2026 draws closer. We just have to wait and watch!
Is the Grand National Bash a NASCAR Event? Everything You Need to Know About Tommy Joe Martins’ Brainchild
“All of us are racing for something. No matter the size of the organization, racing at this level is a big deal… and that should be celebrated.” Those words from Tommy Joe Martins capture the spirit behind the Grand National Bash, an award concept born out of a simple realization: Effort doesn’t diminish just because the spotlight does.
Drivers in the Xfinity and Truck Series work just as hard as those in the NASCAR Cup Series, yet the rewards often fall far short. Recognizing that imbalance, Martins created a way to give these competitors the appreciation they’ve long deserved. He has everything you need to know about the awards!
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The Grand National Bash celebrates Xfinity and Truck teams!
For the first time ever, the award ceremony debuted Sunday night with JR Motorsports emerging as the recipient of the Premier Organization of the Year honor, and they didn’t miss a beat in thanking the Grand National bash.
“It takes an incredible group of drivers, team members, and sponsors to make it all possible. Thank you to the [Grand Bash] and the voting committee on this great honor!” JR Motorsports posted on X.
While the event honors NASCAR drivers and teams, it is independent of NASCAR’s official awards ceremonies. It’s organized by the fan communities and not by NASCAR itself.
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For Tommy Joe Martins, the CEO and co-owner of Alpha Prime Racing, the moment carried deeper significance. Much of his racing career has been spent competing against underfunded teams that rarely receive recognition, and his goal with the event was simple: to pause the sport and acknowledge their contribution.
“Throughout my career, I’ve primarily competed with smaller organizations… I’ve often felt the effort it takes to simply participate gets overlooked and underappreciated,” Martins said last month.
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In his view, these teams aren’t just participants; they are the backbone of NASCAR.
The awards were presented by ChaLew Performance, and the event took place at the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius, North Carolina. Moreover, the divisions within the awards were drawing eyeballs.
The Grand National Bash divides organizations into four distinct tiers: Premier, Affiliate, Independent, and Breakout.
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Nominees are selected by a panel that includes media members, drivers, agents, and team representatives, with performance data from Racing Insights helping guide the final selections.
Recognition extended beyond team awards as well. Crew chiefs were also honored, with nominees such as Jim Pohlman, Joe Shear Jr., and Danny Stockman earning consideration.
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On the driver side, contenders included Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, Corey Heim, and Jesse Love, among others.
Events like the Grand National Bash serve a larger purpose, offering long-overdue validation to competitors in the OAPS and Craftsman Truck Series, an acknowledgement that their work matters just as much.
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Which teams and drivers stole the spotlight?
Beyond GRM claiming the top honor of the night and co-owner Kelley Earnhardt Miller expressing her appreciation, the Grand National Bash recognized several other standout performances of the year.
Joe Gibbs Racing was among the notable winners, earning pit crew of the year for its No. 20 Xfinity Series team driven by Brandon Jones.
Rising star Parker Retzlaff was also celebrated, taking home lap of the year for his dramatic second-place finish at Rockingham, his best career result after missing the pole by just 0.001 seconds.
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On the Craftsman Truck Series side, TRICON Garage’s No.11 team, led by Corey Heim, captured Crew of the Year honors, while Layne Riggs was named Breakout Driver of the Year.
Rounding out the major awards, Martins’ Alpha Prime Racing owned the Independent Team of the Year award.
All in all, it was a win for pretty much everyone, and with the excitement and buzz created around the inaugural event, it can be set with much certainty that this tradition will follow through for years to come
Displeased Fans Rip Into NASCAR’s Format Silence Amidst Growing ‘Disappointment’ Fears
The NASCAR lawsuit was settled earlier this week, with the tide not in favor of the sanctioning body. Across two weeks, the trial divulged jaw-dropping evidence that tainted NASCAR’s reputation further. Hence, the sport’s executives settled with Michael Jordan and Co., agreeing on a permanent charter model. Given this recent defeat, fans are also getting restless about their own demand.
No blip on the format radar
“Wouldn’t expect anything new on the points format for next year until January,” journalist Bob Pockrass wrote in response to a fan’s question. NASCAR has rolled out hints of tweaking the Cup Series playoff format for a few months, raising anticipation levels across the garage and the fanbase. After all, Joey Logano’s worst average finish of 17.1 as the 2024 Cup champion and Kyle Larson’s besting of Denny Hamlin last month are memories that fans would not forget easily.
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In mid-November, NASCAR announced that it may be considering a return to the 10-race Chase for the Championship used from 2004 to 2013. The focus is on an elimination format that culminates with an eight-driver four-race points chase. However, NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications, Mike Forde, also said that the news of the change will be late. The sport will announce its playoff tweak before the Clash race in February – hence Pockrass’s latest update follows from that.
Nevertheless, the pressure is heavy for NASCAR. Unlike many racing series copying NASCAR’s model for years, a local sprint racing series reversed that trend. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will return to a full-season points system in 2026. The series confirmed the change after being acquired by FloSports and after following a playoff model for the last three years. Even Kyle Larson denied pursuing playoffs in his own series, High Limit Racing.
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“This is the first time I’ve seen it be the opposite,” Xfinity veteran Kenny Wallace said about NASCAR setting trends. “This is the first time where I’ve seen a short track series say, ‘Nope, we’re making the move before NASCAR does. We’re going back to normal format next year.” Wallace added, “That’s how far NASCAR has fallen. That’s how wounded NASCAR is.”
Fans may agree with Kenny Wallace, as tides of discontent ruled the crowd.
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NASCAR fans raise their eyebrows
Just after 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports bested NASCAR, the spotlight is on the sanctioning body’s next actions. True, the NASCAR lawsuit trial ended in a settlement – but since the terms favored the teams more, it could be seen as NASCAR’s loss. So a fan scrutinized its silence on the playoff format at this time: “Not sure that’s smart. Dinner conversation for the holidays will now be about how NASCAR got owned and questioning if they’ve learned their lesson. Announce full season points now and instead it’s about how NASCAR is back.”
The lawsuit revealed holes in NASCAR’s relations with Cup teams deeper than what fans expected. Bob Jenkins’ loss of over $100 million and Rick Hendrick’s failure to turn profits in the past five years, despite winning three championships, were some. So fans are questioning the sport more: “Which is nuts. I would have thought they would have seen timing is key to starting to fix relations. But sure.” Another fan highlighted the playoff format delay: “Continuing nascar’s tone deafness because if they were smart they’d do it today and get positive talk about nascar out there.”
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The lawsuit also revealed eye-opening evidence in the executives’ personal messages. Commissioner Steve Phelps is in the center, with his derogatory texts on Richard Childress and fans eliciting outrage. “Why hasn’t Steve Phelps resigned yet?” one fan wrote. Somebody else put off even the playoff announcement for this. “NASCARs next announcement needs to be the resignations of Phelps and O’Donnell. As just some redneck fan, I can’t read so I asked a non-NASCAR fan to help me write this.”
Clearly, the sanctioning body’s moves are under careful scrutiny. Let’s wait and see what unfolds as 2026 comes around the corner.
Five most heartbreaking championship losses in NASCAR history
Auto racing is an inherently cruel sport, and NASCAR racing has seen its fair share of heartbreaking championship losses. Here are five that has been particularly painful for the driver that came out on the losing end.
5. Lee Petty, 1950
Bill Rexford claimed the 1950 Cup Series title over Fireball Roberts, but it was Lee Petty who was the recipient of heartbreak. At that time, NASCAR president Bill France Sr. did not allow NASCAR drivers to race in other racing series — a rule that Petty broke and was subsequently heavily penalized for. Petty was docked all of his points in July, and would’ve easily won the title without the penalty.
4. Darrell Waltrip, 1979
The 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season started out with Darrell Waltrip finishing runner-up to Richard Petty in the Daytona 500 and ended with Waltrip finishing runner-up to Petty for the championship.
Waltrip led Petty by two points going into the season finale at the Ontario (Calif.) Motor Speedway, but finished eighth to Petty’s fifth-place result. That was enough to lift Petty over Waltrip for his seventh and final Cup Series championship.
3. Bill Elliott, 1992
The 1992 NASCAR championship battle is mostly known for the triumphant story of underdog Alan Kulwicki, who won the championship in what could only be described as the culmination of a Hollywood story. But Elliott’s heartbreaking loss — which came after Kulwicki earned the bonus points for leading the most laps in the season finale by one lap over Elliott — was the other side of the story.
Elliott won the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway that day, but ended up 10 points shy of Kulwicki for the title. Softening the blow was Elliott’s 1988 championship, which was the only one he earned during his legendary driving career.
2. Carl Edwards, 2016
Edwards, a 28-time Cup Series winner, had already won nearly everything there is to win in NASCAR going into the 2016 championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Edwards was one of the four drivers eligible for the championship during the season finale, and looked to have the title all but sewn up in the closing laps.
With 15 laps to go, however, the caution flew, re-racking the field for a late-race restart. In a desperation move, Edwards attempted to block fellow championship contender Joey Logano on the restart, which resulted in Edwards hitting the inside wall and Jimmie Johnson winning his record-tying seventh championship.
As shocking as the heartbreak of losing the championship was, it was nothing compared to the shock felt around the NASCAR world when Edwards announced his sudden retirement from NASCAR competition in January 2017. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in February 2025.
1. Denny Hamlin, 2025
Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner and future Hall of Famer in his own right, has won 60 Cup Series races. He looked to be well on his way to a 61st and a long-awaited championship on Nov. 2, leading the championship race with three laps to go.
However, a blown tire from fellow title contender William Byron resulted in a late-race restart. Hamlin decided to take four tires on the final pit stop, while Kyle Larson took two and was suddenly in the cat bird’s seat in regard to the championship outlook.
Larson stayed ahead of Hamlin in NASCAR overtime to secure his second title and leave Hamlin still chasing his first going into Hamlin’s 21st season of competition in 2026.
NHRA to launch 2026 Countdown playoff series at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park
NHRA announced today that U.S. 131 Motorsports Park will have a Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event in 2026, with the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals set to open the 2026 Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
The event will take place Sept. 18-20 at the facility in Martin, Mich., serving as the 15th of 20 races during NHRA’s special 75th anniversary season and the first of six playoff races. Tickets go on sale for the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals on Feb. 1.
It marks the first NHRA national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, giving NHRA four new national event facilities during the 2026 campaign and further displaying NHRA’s growth during the special milestone season.
“Hosting an NHRA national event underscores our continued commitment to excellence, safety, and delivering unforgettable motorsports entertainment,” U.S. 131 Motorsports Vice President of Operations Jason Peterson said. “We are honored to welcome the NHRA, its competitors, sponsors and fans, and we look forward to showcasing our facility, our staff and our passionate racing community that makes this region so special.”
The first two races in the Countdown to the Championship will be at two new facilities in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, as the Great Lakes Nationals is followed by a trip to historic Rockingham Dragway for the NHRA Nationals at The Rock. Both U.S. 131 and Rockingham are preceded by first-time stops at South Georgia Motorsports Park on May 1-3 and Maryland International Raceway on May 29-31.
Known as “The Fastest Track in Michigan,” U.S. 131 Motorsports Park has maintained its status as one of the Midwest’s premier drag racing facilities for decades, drawing fans from nearby markets in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo. A favorite for both racers and fans alike, the Peterson family has built the track into a marquee destination for more than two decades, making it a prime candidate to host an NHRA national event.
That comes to fruition in 2026, hosting a must-see playoff race during NHRA’s massive 75th anniversary season.
“We are thrilled to welcome U.S. 131 Motorsports Park to the NHRA national event schedule in 2026. It’s a historic milestone for the facility and it’s another terrific way to celebrate our 75th anniversary season, bringing the incredible action of NHRA drag racing to the passionate fan base in Michigan,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said.
“Opening the Countdown to the Championship at U.S. 131 will be extremely meaningful during our 75th anniversary season, as it reflects NHRA’s continued commitment to growing the sport and bringing championship-level NHRA racing to outstanding venues. The track’s dedication to its racers and fans, and its enthusiasm as a new NHRA Member Track makes it an excellent addition to the national tour, and we look forward to launching the Countdown there in 2026.”
Dale Jr & JRM’s Cup Dreams in Shambles as NASCAR Charters Break $100M Barrier
For years, the idea of JR Motorsports leaping into the NASCAR Cup Series felt less like a business plan and more like destiny. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has spent his entire life in the sports shadow and spotlight, so it was only natural that fans assumed ownership was inevitable. In fact, his business partner and sister, Kelley Earnhardt, was extremely clear about a potential shift to the Cup Series amid the NASCAR lawsuit.
She said, “Just continue to watch the landscape in the Cup Series and what the charters are doing and all that to see where we end up.” But now, after the antitrust lawsuit settlement, as the NASCAR charter market explodes past imagination, the long-held dream is starting to look more like a financial nightmare. Unfortunately, timing and money both may be conspiring against Dale Jr.
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NASCAR charter prices skyrocket amid Dale Jr.’s Cup dreams
In the aftermath of the legal settlement involving 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR, the exact financial details remain under wraps. But Junior floated the idea that NASCAR Cup charters could climb as high as $150 million.
“They’re no longer charters. They go from franchises worth around $25 million to charters worth about $150 million or more,” said the 51-year-old veteran on his latest podcast. “And so overnight—and so I’m just saying like once you become a series that has 36 franchises, they are now way over here on an island, even more than ever unrelated to Xfinity, Truck, and everything below it—ARCA, regional, local.”
While he doesn’t currently own a Cup team, JRM is a powerhouse in the Xfinity Series, a division that operates without a charter system and therefore without the same financial barrier to entry.
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Industry insiders speaking with Sports Business Journal confirmed that charter values spiked immediately after the settlement. Optimistic executives now peg those numbers in the $90-$100 million range, a staggering leap in a sport that once handed these assets out for free.
That’s exactly what happened in 2016 when NASCAR awarded charters at no cost to select full-time teams. Those charters guaranteed a starting spot in every Cup race, and a slice of NASCAR shared revenue while also becoming tradable commodities on the open market.
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Before the settlement, the most recent charter sale closed at $45 million, and even that came with uncertainty. At the time, the charter system itself faced a potential expiration in 2031 if a new agreement couldn’t be reached.
And now that the charters are evergreen, the revenue-sharing terms will still require renegotiation at the end of each contract. Teams are guaranteed the right to sell their charters, even if they are forced out due to penalties or other issues.
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However, NASCAR will continue to reserve up to four open spots every couple of races for non-chartered teams, keeping a narrow door open for organizations like JRM as they plan to walk through the door again in 2026, entering the Daytona 500 for the second year after Justin Allgaier’s impressive ninth-place finish in the season’s opener this year.
Still, hope doesn’t pay the bills. With charter prices skyrocketing and no signs of cooling off, the NASCAR Hall of Famer’s vision of JRM as a full-time team now looks painfully out of reach.
Moreover, Junior fears that the permanent charters will turn into a billionaire club, excluding the teams in the lower series from entering the Cup Series. But still, the 51-year-old veteran driver may have something else to smile about.
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JRM gets a prestigious award!
In the aftermath of a crushing finish at Phoenix, JR Motorsports had little reason to celebrate until a quiet moment reminded them of the bigger picture.
Kelley Earnhardt Miller, the team co-owner and CEO alongside her brother Dale Earnhardt Jr., shared the news on X: JR Motorsports has been named the Premier Organization of the Year at the Grand National Bash.
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There was no grand announcement or elaborate presentation. Just one image, understated but meaningful, especially for a team that had come agonizingly close to an Xfinity championship only to see it slip away at the final hurdle.
The honor carries real weight within NASCAR development ranks. Teams and drivers in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series put in the same grind as those at the Cup level, yet rarely receive the same recognition.
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To close that gap, Tommy Joe Martins created the Grand National Bash, an awards night designed to spotlight excellence beyond NASCAR’s top tier.
JRM prevailed by strength in numbers. Each and every driver in their organization delivered. Connor Zilisch led the way with 10 wins, Justin Allgaier added three, and Sam Smith contributed another.
Three of the four championship contenders came from the same organization.
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Dodgers tienen deuda superior a los mil millones de dólares en pagos diferidos
Los Angeles Dodgers continúan acumulando compromisos financieros a largo plazo y la cifra ya supera un umbral histórico en las Grandes Ligas. De acuerdo con información de ESPN, la organización angelina debe más de mil millones de dólares en pagos diferidos que se extenderán hasta el año 2047, una consecuencia directa de su agresiva política de contrataciones y de la estructura de varios de sus contratos estrella.
Según el reporte, “los Dodgers ahora tienen compromisos por $1,064,500.000 dólares hasta 2047, adeudados a Edwin Díaz, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Blake Snell, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Tommy Edman, Tanner Scott y Teoscar Hernández”. La cifra incluye salarios diferidos y bonos pactados en distintos acuerdos firmados en los últimos años.
Uno de los casos más recientes es el del relevista Edwin Díaz, quien firmó durante el invierno un contrato por tres temporadas y $69 millones de dólares. El acuerdo contempla pagos diferidos entre 2036 y 2047. De acuerdo con el mismo informe, Díaz recibirá un salario base de $14 millones de dólares en 2026, además de un bono por firma de $9 millones. Posteriormente, cobrará salarios base de $23 millones en las temporadas 2027 y 2028, aunque el club diferirá $4,5 millones de dólares en cada uno de los tres años del contrato.
Una práctica que redefine el poder financiero en MLB
El compromiso asumido con Díaz resulta relativamente menor si se compara con otros contratos vigentes en la organización. Shohei Ohtani encabeza la lista, con $680 millones de dólares diferidos entre 2034 y 2043, mientras que Mookie Betts tiene salarios aplazados por $115 millones de dólares entre 2033 y 2044. Estas cifras reflejan la magnitud de una estrategia que ha permitido a los Dodgers mantenerse competitivos sin que el impacto inmediato se refleje plenamente en su nómina anual.
Ante las dudas sobre cómo el equipo afrontará estos pagos en el futuro, el periodista Joon Lee recordó en octubre que los Dodgers ya habían recuperado la totalidad de los $700 millones de dólares comprometidos con Ohtani durante su primera temporada con el club, gracias a ingresos comerciales, patrocinios y el impacto global del jugador japonés.
La organización también confía en que sus ingresos continúen creciendo en los próximos años. El tamaño del mercado de Los Ángeles, sumado a la enorme popularidad del equipo en Japón por contar con figuras como Ohtani, Roki Sasaki y Yoshinobu Yamamoto, refuerza la percepción de que el dinero difícilmente será un problema para la franquicia a largo plazo.
Brewers’ Freddy Peralta Exit Almost Confirmed As AL East Link Deepens, Per Top MLB Insider
Craig Breslow could be facing his best chance yet to shift the narrative around his Red Sox tenure. A rough trade deadline and a quiet offseason without impact signings have fueled growing frustration, with some insiders, including Terry Cushman Jr., openly calling for his resignation. Now, an unexpected opportunity connected to Milwaukee may offer Breslow a timely path to reset perceptions and steady the franchise’s direction.
But if there’s one thing baseball is known for, it’s surprises!
Just when Red Sox fans seemed resigned to missing out on big names like Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber, a new possibility has popped up in Milwaukee. And interestingly enough, word around the league is that Boston is being viewed as the most likely landing spot. And if that move materializes, it could buy him the goodwill he desperately needs.
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“I do expect him to go.” MLB insider Gordo quoted Ken Rosenthal about the probability of Freddy Peralta leaving the Brewers.
Well, it’s definitely surprising to hear that the Brewers might even be open to moving Peralta, especially after the season he just had. The guy had a 2.70 ERA over 33 starts, with 204 strikeouts in 177 innings. That’s ace-level production.
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That said, there’s a bigger picture at play. Peralta is set to hit free agency in 2026, and it’s not hard to imagine the kind of payday he’ll be in line for. And for a small-market team like Milwaukee, that price tag might be tough to swallow. So if you’re the Brewers, why not cash in now while his value is sky-high, even if it’s as a near-term rental?
Moreover, Milwaukee isn’t exactly thin on pitching. They’ve got plenty of depth waiting in the wings, from Quinn Priester and Jacob Misiorowski to Brandon Woodruff, Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, and Tobias Myers. That makes the idea of dealing with Peralta a little easier to take on.
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Now, on the Red Sox side, the timing makes a lot of sense. Boston is still hunting for another frontline arm to pair with Garrett Crochet. Yes, they brought in Sonny Gray. But there are still questions about whether he can fully carry that momentum alongside Crochet. Add Peralta to a rotation with Crochet and Gray, though, and suddenly the Red Sox look like a serious problem for the rest of the league.
But yes, it won’t come cheap. If Boston wants Peralta, fans should brace themselves for a handful of familiar Red Sox names heading to Milwaukee.
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Freddy Peralta might cost huge for the Red Sox
According to FanSided’s Cody Williams, the price for Freddy Peralta would be steep. The proposed return to Milwaukee includes Jarren Duran, Franklin Arias, and Juan Valera. And that’s a big package because Duran is a proven big-league regular, and Arias is currently the Red Sox’s No. 1 prospect!
That said, Duran has been in trade rumors for a long time now.
Even insiders like Terry Cushman have criticized Breslow for not moving him when his value was high. So if you’re flipping Duran for someone like Peralta, it actually starts to look like solid value. Moreover, Duran led the AL in triples and finished with a .774 OPS. That was better than what Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick put up while playing most of the Brewers’ outfield innings.
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However, the tougher pill to swallow is giving up Arias!
Dealing away your top prospect is always risky and could come back to haunt you down the line. But Peralta might be Boston’s best shot at landing a starter who’s as dependable as Garrett Crochet, if not even more so.
Dodgers Eye Two-Time Cy Young Winner After MLB.com Update
The Los Angeles Dodgers keep finding their way into the center of every major pitching conversation, and the latest update on Tarik Skubal only reinforces why. MLB.com just listed the Detroit Tigers ace as the top pitcher among seven who could still be traded this offseason, and once again, the Dodgers loom as the most obvious—and dangerous—suitor.
The Winter Meetings passed without a single blockbuster involving a frontline starter, but that silence hasn’t cooled the Skubal market. If anything, it has clarified it. Detroit is listening. Contenders are circling. And Los Angeles has both the motivation and the ammunition to strike.
MLB.com Puts Skubal at the Top of the Trade Board
MLB.com laid out the Skubal dilemma in blunt terms. The Tigers control him through 2026 via arbitration, but extension talks remain stalled. That leaves Detroit staring at a familiar fork in the road: trade the best pitcher in the sport now for a historic return, or risk losing him a year from now for nothing more than draft-pick compensation if he rejects a qualifying offer.
From a pure baseball standpoint, Skubal checks every box a contender could want. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 193 innings, 234 strikeouts, a 2.30 ERA, and a 0.91 WHIP. Statcast crowned him MLB’s most valuable pitcher by run value last season, and his changeup graded as the single most valuable pitch in the sport. Any team that acquires him isn’t just upgrading its rotation—it’s making a statement about winning the 2026 World Series at all costs.
The downside, MLB.com notes, is obvious. Skubal is represented by Scott Boras, and Boras clients rarely skip free agency. Any trade partner must be comfortable paying a massive prospect price for what could amount to one year and one postseason run.
That risk hasn’t scared the Dodgers before.
Why the Dodgers Keep Coming Up in Skubal Talks
The Dodgers’ name refuses to leave the Skubal conversation because they exist in a different competitive tier. They already addressed their most glaring weakness by signing closer Edwin Díaz. They already possess one of baseball’s deepest farm systems. And they already operate with a payroll that allows them to absorb risk other teams can’t.
David Vassegh of “Dodger Talk” reported that people familiar with Detroit’s asking price believe the Tigers want a package comparable to what the Padres sent the Nationals for Juan Soto—even though Skubal would technically be a one-year rental. That’s a staggering ask, but Vassegh also pointed out the uncomfortable truth for the rest of the league: the Dodgers actually have those kinds of players to offer.
KTLA’s David Pingalore went a step further, reporting that Andrew Friedman has actively tried to work a major deal for Skubal. While no front office has confirmed that report, it lines up with how Los Angeles has operated for years. When elite talent becomes available, the Dodgers don’t wait for perfect conditions.
Even inside the clubhouse, the idea has traction. Tyler Glasnow recently acknowledged that the Skubal reports feel “relatively real” and didn’t hide his enthusiasm, calling Skubal “a perfect fit.” That’s not a front-office confirmation, but it does reflect how seriously the Dodgers’ own players are taking the possibility.
None of this comes cheap. Detroit will demand a haul that hurts, and the Dodgers must weigh whether surrendering elite prospects for a Boras client makes sense. But Los Angeles also understands something crucial: flags fly forever, and windows don’t.
With an aging core, a rotation built on both dominance and injury risk, and a chance to chase a third straight World Series title, Skubal represents more than a luxury. He represents control in October.
MLB.com didn’t just list Skubal as tradable. It placed him at the very top of the board. And if history is any guide, when the most valuable piece becomes available, the Dodgers rarely watch from the sidelines.
MLB Writer Lists Cons For Teams Looking to Acquire Marlins Starting Pitcher
To say that the beginning of the offseason has been quiet is an understatement. President of baseball operations Peter Bendix has reportedly been fielding calls on his starting pitchers in terms of potential trades.
The two most often brought up names are Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara. Ryan Weathers has reportedly been drawing interest as well. Cabrera and Alcantara are the two names most frequently mentioned. Miami has not decided one way or another as to whether they will trade one.
If they do, they could get a good return from most clubs. Cabrera and Alcantara are both top-of-the-rotation starters that could solidify a contender’s rotation for 2026 and beyond. Brian Murphy of MLB.com listed the pros and cons of the top 7 pitchers who could be traded. Cabrera ended up on the list, and his pros that Murphy listed could end up scaring some teams off.
Edward Cabrera Cons Could Scare Away Teams in Trade
Cabrera had a really good 2025 season and certainly raised his trade value. He went 8-7 with a 3.53 ERA in a career-high 137.2 innings with 150 strikeouts and just 48 walks. He had a 2.8 WAR, and Murphy believes interested teams need to figure out if 2025 was a season that is a sign of things to come or not.
Red Sox, Nationals exchange pitching prospects
The Nationals will receive right-hander Luis Perales (the Red Sox’s No. 7 prospect, as ranked by MLB Pipeline at the time of the deal) in exchange for left-hander Jake Bennett (Nationals’ No. 11). Both clubs have confirmed the trade.
Perales, 22, has a relatively short professional resume and hasn’t seen much action over the last two seasons, having undergone Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He only made it back in the final days of the 2025 MiLB season, squeezing in three appearances between Double- and Triple-A and a further six in the Arizona Fall League. Despite allowing 16 runs (15 earned) over 13 2/3 combined innings, he also tallied 23 strikeouts, an encouraging return to form; at the time of his injury in 2024, he had a 2.94 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings (14.97 K/9).
Bennett, 25, was a second-round pick by the Nationals in 2022. He, too, was coming off Tommy John surgery in 2025, although he had considerably more time to settle in, having undergone the procedure back in Sept. 2023. He made 19 appearances (18 starts) this year, pitching to a combined 2.27 ERA. Bennett, like Perales, has minimal high-Minors experience to this point in his career; he made his Double-A debut in July 2025.
Deals exclusively involving prospects are uncommon, but there is a likely explanation in this case. Paul Toboni, who took over as the Nationals’ new president of baseball operations in October, spent almost a decade working in amateur scouting and player development with the Red Sox from 2015-23 before being named Boston’s assistant general manager ahead of the 2024 season.
Ha-Seong Kim in agreement on 1-year deal with Braves (source)
Infielder Ha-Seong Kim is returning to the Braves on a one-year deal worth $20 million, a source told MLB.com. The club has not confirmed the news.
Kim, 30, became a free agent after declining his $16 million player option with the Braves for 2026. The option was part of the two-year deal he signed with the Rays as a free agent last offseason that guaranteed him $31 million. Atlanta claimed Kim off waivers on Sept. 1.
It was a frustrating campaign for the Bucheon, South Korea, native, whose debut with the Rays was delayed until July as he rehabbed from surgery the previous October to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He played around a right calf strain in July and twice landed on the IL with back injuries.
Limited to just 48 games on the year — 24 for Tampa Bay and 24 for Atlanta — Kim slashed .234/.304/.345 (83 OPS+) with five home runs. He also had -3 Outs Above Average on defense.
The campaign stood as an outlier to his previous work, especially with the glove. The shortstop joined the Padres on a four-year, $28 million deal in December 2020, coming over to Major League Baseball after seven seasons in Korea’s KBO. Over those four years, Kim produced a .242/.326/.380 slash (99 OPS+) with 47 homers and 78 steals in 540 games, adding 23 OAA.
Kim had his best season in 2023, setting career highs in homers (17), steals (38), OPS (.749) and bWAR (5.4) and winning a Gold Glove at the utility spot. The Padres made Kim their full-time shortstop in 2024, even after having signed shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million deal in December 2022.
Shohei Ohtani Fear Fades as 36-Year-Old Teammate Terrifies MLB Managers Amid Rising Dodgers Dominance
You can’t just call Shohei Ohtani a Japanese phenom now. Not after he has etched his name in baseball “greats” after all he did in 2024 for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 50-50 club entry and the otherworldly gameplay that got him his MVP and first World Series ring—all are proof. But he didn’t stop there; his 2025 encore was almost unfair.
Ohtani hit .282/.392/.622 with 54 home runs and also added 47 innings on the mound with a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts. So not just hitting but also pitching. Even then, when MLB managers were asked about one hitter they least want to see the game on the line, the answer was not Ohtani.
It was Freddie Freeman.
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And that’s where things get scary for the rest of baseball.
Skip Schumaker of the Texas Rangers laid it plainly—Freeman hits righties, hits lefties, stays inside the ball, uses the whole field, and never chases. Schumaker was straight, “Obviously Ohtani is the best hitter, but I don’t want to see Freddie.”
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Even Torey Luvullo said the same—if one needs a single, Freeman gets you a single; if double, then he finds a gap.
Even the managers who had openly said that Ohtani was the best hitter said that they would rather take their chances with him than face Freeman.
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Freeman is now 36, and he doesn’t hunt the headlines, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t do amazing things. In 2025, he posted a .295 average, .367 OBP, .869 OPS, 24 home runs, and 90 RBIs across 147 games. It was his fourth straight All-Star season with LA.
That is what makes the Dodgers’ dominance so prominent. Managers mentioned Freddie Freeman and the Dodgers multiple times. The only other player they mentioned was Kyle Schwarber.
Now Freeman’s Dodgers tenure has already got two championships, which also includes that unforgettable 2024 World Series walk-off grand slam. It’s something no one has ever done before. And not just his on-the-field presence, but also his off-the-field presence, his leadership, and his calm presence make him one of the most liked characters in the league.
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As the Dodgers eye a three-peat, then Ohtani might still be the face of the sport—but Freeman is the one keeping the managers up at night. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have again become the “enemy” of the internet!
Edwin Díaz’s Dodgers deal has the internet mad again!
The same old story—the Dodgers being the enemy clan, having signed another big market player, Edwin Diaz. The internet responded right on cue with major lash-back and finger-pointing about how the Dodgers are the evil empire of baseball and bad for the sport. This time, the target is Diaz, and while the whining is predictable, the frustration seems misplaced, to say the least.
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Yes, Diaz landed a three-year $69 million deal, and that’s serious money for a reliever. But it’s not like the Dodgers have keys to some forbidden locker—every team had the chance to compete, but most didn’t. Plus, the contract details have just dropped, and the Mets won’t be happy about it.
The deal includes $13.5 million in deferred money. That’s it. No Shohei Ohtani-level deferral that would require a major accounting magic trick. Deferred money is a common thing across baseball, but somehow it becomes a major issue when the Dodgers are doing it.
However, what sent people spiraling was actually the $6.5 million team option for 2029. On paper, it looks rather cheap for Diaz’s caliber. But that is also conditional and tied to the health and performance of the player. Plus, this is the cost of joining a team that’s on a championship run every season.
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Is this bad for baseball? Not really close. If the Mets are angry, then the frustration should not be west. This is because Diaz is open to returning to New York, but they were the ones who didn’t use the resources they have or beat the deal.
The LA Dodgers didn’t break the system; they simply used it efficiently.
Analyzing MLB free agent, trade markets in mid-December
We’ve seen a number of signings since the conclusion of last week’s Winter Meetings. But with fewer than 10 days remaining in the holiday shopping season, there are still plenty of deals to be made.
Unlike that celebrated stretch in the retail industry, the Hot Stove season will surely linger into January (and possibly February). So where do things stand as we enter the second half of December?
Dylan Cease’s $210 million, seven-year deal with the Blue Jays was seemingly an indication that the market for starting pitching was going to be hot this offseason. Yet in the weeks since, the top free-agent starters remain unsigned.
Michael King appears to be the most likely to sign next, with suitors including the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Cubs and Mets. The belief is that King will sign a deal for four years, while the other top starters – namely Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai and Ranger Suárez – are looking for at least five years.
Imai’s situation will have to be resolved by Jan. 2, when his posting window ends – more on that later – but it remains to be seen when Valdez, Suárez and Zac Gallen land deals. There is plenty of depth on the high-end starting pitching market, though Cease’s deal might have raised expectations of what those pitchers will command.
Three notable hitters have signed big deals this winter, all of them coming in the first base/designated hitter market: Pete Alonso (five years, $155 million with the Orioles), Kyle Schwarber (five years, $150 million with the Phillies) and Josh Naylor (five years, $92.5 million with the Mariners).
Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette should see their markets begin to heat up, especially with few players on the trade market of their caliber.
Tucker has already visited the Blue Jays, though the Yankees, Mets and Dodgers are lurking as potential suitors. Bellinger could wait until Tucker sets the market before making his decision. However, the inclusion of the two New York teams among those interested in Bellinger – the Yankees would love to bring him back after a successful first year in pinstripes – could push him to sign first.
The markets for both Bregman and Bichette aren’t as defined. The Cubs, Tigers and Red Sox are believed to be among the teams pursuing Bregman, while the Blue Jays, Braves and Red Sox have been connected to Bichette.
Of course, the longer they go unsigned, we could begin hearing about some infamous “mystery teams” emerging for any of these four players, especially if they remain available as the calendar turns to January.
Edwin Díaz’s three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers set a record for average annual value for a reliever, but a number of others have signed eight-figure contracts. Other three-year relief deals include Devin Williams ($51 million with the Mets), Robert Suarez ($45 million with the Braves) and Tyler Rogers ($37 million with the Blue Jays).
Ryan Helsley signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Orioles, Emilio Pagán got two years and $20 million from the Reds and Kyle Finnegan returned to the Tigers on a two-year, $19 million deal. Raisel Iglesias inked a one-year, $16 million deal with the Braves, while Kenley Jansen joined the Tigers on a one-year deal, the terms of which remain unknown.
Clubs still seeking back-end bullpen help don’t have many proven options to choose from, with Pete Fairbanks the clear-cut No. 1 choice. Fairbanks has drawn interest from a number of clubs and, according to sources, has at least one team aggressively pursuing him. Given the lack of competition on the market – Luke Weaver is the next-best option – Fairbanks should be able to take his time before making a decision.
One key reason for the slow-moving free-agent market could be the potential for some major trades as teams weigh all options before shelling out nine-figure deals.
All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte appears likely to be moved, even after Arizona signed Merrill Kelly to a two-year free-agent contract. The Red Sox, Blue Jays and Mariners are among the teams interested in Marte, who can block trades to five teams. The Athletic reported those teams are the Athletics, Yankees, Pirates, Giants and Cardinals.
On the pitching side, Freddy Peralta continues to be the most sought-after arm on the market. The Brewers have received significant interest in both Peralta and closer Trevor Megill, with sources saying Milwaukee is likely to move one of them this offseason. Peralta will earn $8 million in 2026, making him an affordable front-line option for pretty much any club in the Majors.
Washington’s MacKenzie Gore – an All-Star this past season – is also expected to be traded, putting another reasonably priced – and unlike Peralta, controllable through 2027 – arm on the market. The Nationals could also deal shortstop C.J. Abrams (who is under control through ’28), though sources said Washington appears more motivated to deal Gore.
There has also been some intriguing talk about the Padres’ willingness to trade closer Mason Miller, whom San Diego acquired at the Trade Deadline in a megadeal that saw Leo De Vries – the game’s No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline – traded to the Athletics.
Then there’s Tarik Skubal, who will continue to be the source of trade rumors from now until next summer’s Trade Deadline. The price tag for Skubal – assuming the Tigers would even move him – will be astronomically high, though if there’s a pitcher worth paying such a haul for, it’s Skubal.
Murakami’s posting window closes on Dec. 22, meaning he must make a decision in the coming days or return to Japan for another season. The slugger has power that should translate to the Majors, though there are questions about both his defense – most clubs project him as a first baseman rather than at third – and his history of high swing-and-miss rates in Japan.
Okamoto is considered the more complete overall hitter, though his defensive ability at third base is also a question mark. Okamoto’s posting window closes on Jan. 4, giving him more time to decide on a big league club.
Braves re-sign Ha-Seong Kim, addressing shortstop need
The Braves have their shortstop, re-signing veteran Ha-Seong Kim, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirmed. It continues an aggressive offseason in which the team has tackled nearly all its glaring needs.
Kim is returning on a one-year, $20 million deal, according to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, who was first to report the signing.
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ESPN Insider Loses Faith in David Stearns After Pete Alonso- Jorge Polanco
After losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz on back-to-back days, the Mets tried to steady things by signing Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal. But instead of calming the situation, the move has drawn criticism from an ESPN insider, who believes it doesn’t actually fix what the Mets just lost. The concern is straightforward. Polanco doesn’t replace Alonso’s power, and the lineup still lacks protection for Juan Soto. What was meant to stop the bleeding has only raised more questions about David Stearns’ plan moving forward.
To MLB analyst A.J. Pierzynski, it didn’t. He called it a “panic signing.” And now, ESPN’s Jim Bowden echoed that sentiment, saying the move was as confusing as it gets and may have actually made the Mets more vulnerable instead of fixing their problems.
“Why do the Mets make this move? And where is he going to play? And what’s his role going to be?” Bowden wonders. “This year, you’ve got rid of the lineup protector for one Soto, because now you have Polanco as your DH. Headscratcher.”
Now that the Mets have landed Polanco, the big question is simple. Where is he even going to play?
Polanco is a natural second baseman, but that spot is already spoken for. The Mets have committed Marcus Semien to second, while Jeff McNeil and Luisangel Acuña remain part of the infield mix. Brett Baty and Mark Vientos occupy third base, and Francisco Lindor firmly locks down shortstop. That leaves one obvious question: where exactly does Polanco fit? With the rest of the infield settled, first base or DH appears to be the only realistic options.
According to Jim Bowden, “They said primarily first base and DH. He’s played exactly ONE inning of ONE game at first base in his Major League career.”
But here’s the catch! Polanco’s lone appearance at the first came on April 6 last season against the Giants, when he came in with two outs in the ninth. That’s it. So, no wonder there’s concern about what the Mets are actually planning for next season.
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And then there’s the elephant in the room: who did Polanco replace? Pete Alonso?
Alonso wrapped up 2025 with 38 HRs and a .272 average. In contrast, Polanco is coming off a season with 26 HRs and a .265 average. So on paper, Alonso was clearly the more reliable bat, especially as protection behind Juan Soto. Still, David Stearns moved on from the team’s home run leader and replaced him with someone who, statistically at least, doesn’t match that production.
The financial angle doesn’t fully clarify things either. Reportedly, Alonso signed with the Orioles for $31 million AAV, while Polanco got $20 million AAV from the Mets. So, for an extra $11 million per year, the Mets let go of their proven veteran slugger.
Well, if you’re also scratching your head, you’re definitely not alone.
The Mets’ new culture is under scrutiny
Well, there may be arguments about the Mets’ former manager, Terry Collins, saying, “This core has not won. Maybe it’s time to go with a different core.” And guess what, Stearns may have just listened to this suggestion. He broke down the team’s core by letting go of Alonso, Nimmo, and Díaz. However, for Bowden, this approach might work for a small-market team like the Brewers but not for the Mets.
“What we’re doing is we’re trying to win as we won in Milwaukee, and winning in Milwaukee works in a small market. This is a different job in New York,” Bowden added. For the unversed, before joining the Mets, Stearns ran the Brewers from 2015 to 2022, and his track record there was solid. During that stretch, Milwaukee posted a 554–479 record, good for a .536 winning percentage, and made the postseason four years in a row.
But big-market teams, especially in New York, operate differently. Success is usually built around a stable core. Look at the Yankees: they shuffle pieces all the time, but cornerstone players like Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole remain untouched. That’s the foundation.
So, the concern is that by breaking up the Mets’ own core, Stearns is trying to apply his Brewers blueprint in a market where that approach may not be practical. For Bowden, that’s a recipe for disaster.
That said, Stearns’ strategy does have its defenders. Former MLB president David Samson backed the decision, arguing that keeping Alonso on a long-term deal didn’t align with financial efficiency. But that raises an obvious question—hasn’t financial efficiency always been the language of small-market teams?
If that mindset is now being applied in New York, Mets fans may need to brace themselves for a cultural shift. And if that’s the case, Bowden’s concern doesn’t sound unreasonable at all.
Red Bulls appoint USMNT legend Michael Bradley as head coach
Michael Bradley, the former U. S. Men’s National Team midfielder, will be the next head coach of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls.
The Red Bulls announced Bradley’s appointment on Dec. 15.
While this will be Bradley’s first senior coaching position, he has a long history with the Red Bulls franchise: he began his playing career there are a youth prospect in 2004. When he was ready to begin his coaching career two decades later, Bradley returned, taking over the MLS PRO youth franchise known as the New York Red Bulls II. He led the squad to a national title in his debut season.
“Michael had an exceptional playing career and has demonstrated a bright future in coaching, especially after leading our Red Bull New York II to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup this past season,” said Red Bulls sporting director Julian de Guzman, via mlssoccer.com.
“He leads with calm confidence and has great way of connecting with people. We are excited for Michael to bring his philosophy to our first team and continue to lead our club towards success.
Inter Miami Make Robert Lewandowski Transfer Decision
Inter Miami CF intends to pair Lionel Messi with Robert Lewandowski to win the 2026 MLS Cup, according to recent reports.
After being crowned Major League Soccer champion by defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 on Dec. 6, the Miami franchise is already planning for the next season.
Messi, 38, said goodbye to Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who decided to retire from professional soccer after the recently concluded campaign, and with Luis Suarez’s future still in doubt, it is not yet known who will be the third Designated Player who will accompany Inter Miami’s number 10 and Rodrigo De Paul in 2026.
Robert Lewandowski Could Leave Barcelona to Join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami
The Polish striker is under contract with FC Barcelona until June 30, 2026, so at the end of the current European season, he will be out of contract to sign for another club.
Lewandowski has been gradually losing prominence in Hansi Flick’s team, mainly due to the good performance of Ferran Torres.
Last season, the former Bayern Munich player played 52 games and scored no less than 42 goals, considering all competitions, in addition to providing three assists.
In the 2025/26 campaign, he has played 17 games, and he has registered eight goals and one assist. Despite his age, every time he plays, he continues to show that he still has the physique and quality to perform at a high level, which is why the Herons have been interested in pairing him with Messi.
According to Jozwiak’s report, Inter Miami has already decided to sign him. We will have to wait to know the conclusion of this transfer saga.
Red Bull New York Lands European Transfer in Michael Bradley’s First Move as Manager
Red Bull New York announced on Monday, Dec. 15, the appointment of Michael Bradley as head coach for the 2026 Major League Soccer season, and the manager will arrive with a first European signing.
Liga MX Giant Makes Bid for FC Cincinnati’s $5.3 Million Star Player
FC Cincinnati aims to maintain the high level shown in the 2026 Major League Soccer season, but a Liga MX club threatens to take away one of its best players.
The Orange and Blue finished the regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference with 65 points, just one behind the Philadelphia Union.
Despite its good campaign, Cincinnati fell in the Conference Semifinals 0-4 against champion Inter Miami. The club’s goal of staying at the highest level has just gotten more complicated, since an important club has made an offer for one of its stars.
According to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, Liga MX side CF Monterrey has made an offer to sign winger Luca Orellano.
Liga MX’s Monterrey Makes Offer to Sign FC Cincinnati’s Luca Orellano
Orellano, 25, played 35 games in the 2025 season, scoring three goals and providing six assists. In the 2024 campaign, he accumulated 42 appearances, recording 12 goals and five assists.
Gilbert Arenas’ Son Alijah Arenas Nears College Debut for Injury-Hit USC
The USC Trojans‘ early-season success has come with its fair share of uncertainty. While the team continues to stack wins, the roster has been held together by duct tape, patience, and necessity. Injuries continue to test the limits of their resilience. However, much-needed help may finally be available and on the way. It comes in the form of one of the program’s most anticipated freshmen, Alijah Arenas, especially when head coach Eric Musselman is “desperate.”
Following the Trojans’ 68-61 win over the Washington State Cougars on Sunday, Musselman has confirmed that five-star recruit Alijah, son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, is closing in on his long-awaited college debut. The young star has spent the last few months recovering from a torn meniscus suffered in July.
“The plan is for Alijah to start practicing on Tuesday or Wednesday,” Musselman told the media, outlining a cautious ramp-up process.
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While Arenas will initially be limited to no-contact work, the expectation is that he could be game-ready by mid-January if all goes well.
“Obviously, we play Wednesday night, so Thursday probably off,” Musselman continued. “Then Friday would be a practice practice. He’s doing great. He worked out today. He sat in my office for three hours after shootaround, talking about a whole bunch of stuff. But yeah, he’ll be a shot in the arm or whatever word you want to use. And we’re desperate for that.”
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The Trojans also remain without point guard Rodney Rice, whose lingering shoulder injury has kept him sidelined since the Maui Invitational game last month. Rice, before going down, was averaging 20.3 points and 6.0 assists per game. He served as a vital offensive counterbalance to Chad Baker-Mazara, who ranks among the nation’s top scorers.
Without Rice, the Trojans have leaned heavily on lineup improvisation, and while many fans hope to see the young star back on the team, Musselman said, “there’s a possibility” he might remain sidelined for the 2025-26 NCAA season.
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“But there’s no finality on what happens,” Musselman concluded.
Even with the lack of depth because of injuries, the Trojans have exceeded everyone’s expectations. They sit in the top 40 of both KenPom and the NET rankings, a feat even the coach has openly acknowledged was unexpected, given the dire circumstances.
While Alijah Arenas’ arrival won’t instantly fix everything, as he hasn’t played a competitive college minute, his scoring ability, athleticism, and positional flexibility offer something the Trojans have been sorely lacking: another body capable of creating offense.
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The team is also missing another veteran player, Amarion Dickerson, who will be out for three or four months with a right hip injury. Given his estimated timeline, he is likely to stay out for the season.
For now, though, all eyes are on Arenas. As the Trojans try to sustain momentum through a grueling stretch of the season, the freshman’s long-awaited debut could mark a turning point, not just for depth, but for how high the team’s ceiling truly is once healthy.
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How have the USC Trojans stayed competitive without Alijah Arenas?
The Trojans currently have 10 wins and one loss this season. The sole loss came against the Washington Huskies, where they fell short by just 8 points. With three key players sidelined, the team is being led by Baker-Mazara, who has been Musselman’s go-to guard. He was reportedly suspended last month over a physical altercation with the coach. But it was soon officially confirmed that the whole thing was a bandwagon of rumors stemming from a parody account.
The senior guard is averaging 21.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
The Trojans are scoring 87.5 points per game, but they are successfully holding off their opponents to 76.9 points. But they are also struggling with fouls. The team is ranked 6th nationally in fouls per game (19.7 PF/G), which puts their opponents on the free-throw line more frequently than they would like.
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The Trojans will lock horns with the UTSA Roadrunners for their next game on December 17. They will then play against the Brown Bears on December 21. But it will specifically be the games after this that fans are most excited about. Musselman’s team will face two high-ranked teams back-to-back.
The No. 2-ranked Michigan Wolverines on January 2.
The No. 9-ranked Michigan State Spartans on January 5.
With January shaping up to be the Trojans’ toughest stretch of the season, the timing of Alijah Arenas’ return could not be more critical.
The best VRAI created diamond tennis jewelry gifts for holidays 2025
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Below, we’ve highlighted a few top choices for lab-grown diamond tennis jewelry this holiday season:
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WTA Player’s Misbehavior With Ball Kid Triggers Backlash From Former Tennis Pro
Tennis thrives on drama as much as brilliance. While the sport celebrates athletes who embody respect and inspire the next generation, it also grapples with figures whose conduct sparks frustration and divides fans. As awards season unfolds on tour, that contrast sharpens. This time, the spotlight turns uncomfortably toward Yulia Putintseva, whose recent actions have pushed her into headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The Nothing Major crew recently discussed which players belong on the “naughty or nice list” for 2025. During the conversation, Steve Johnson placed Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva firmly on the naughty list. He pointed to her repeated involvement in on-court controversies as the main reason for his stance.
“It’s Yulia Putintseva, she always seems to be in controversy,” said Johnson. He then focused on her treatment of ball kids during matches, which he strongly criticized. Johnson made it clear that respect toward everyone on the court is non-negotiable.
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“She got the staring at the ball kid; you don’t do anything to the ball people,” Johnson added. “Ball kids, ball adults, you’ve got to treat them fully with respect, you can’t dog those people while you’re out on the court. I don’t like that.” His comments reflected the frustration shared by many fans.
The incident he referred to occurred during Putintseva’s third-round defeat at last year’s US Open. In her 6-3 6-4 loss to Jasmine Paolini, Putintseva stood still and appeared to ignore a ball girl who was trying to hand her balls during the match.
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Afterward, Putintseva issued a public apology on social media. She wrote: “I want to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was, when she was giving me balls. Honestly speaking it was not about her. I was really p****d at myself by not winning the game from the breakpoint and then got empty with my emotions and deep in my thoughts, that I was not even focusing on what’s going on and who gives me the ball… All the ball kids were doing amazing as always at the open.”
Despite the apology, backlash followed quickly. Boris Becker criticized her behavior on X, writing: “Who does [Yulia] Putintseva think she is? Terrible behaviour towards the ball girl!”
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For many observers, this was not an isolated case, as Putintseva has faced several similar incidents throughout her career.
Jack Sock calls out Yulia Putintseva’s controversial ‘shoelace’ stunt
This year, world number one Carlos Alcaraz won the ‘Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award’ for the second time in his career. Last year, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur also received praise after winning her third straight ‘Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award’. These honors highlighted players known for respect and fair play on tour.
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However, during the same episode of the Nothing Major Podcast, the focus shifted to the opposite end of the spectrum. While Steve Johnson revisited Yulia Putintseva’s US Open incident, Jack Sock highlighted another controversial habit. This time, the discussion centered on her time-wasting tactics during matches.
“Have you seen her shoelace stunt, by the way?” Sock asked Johnson. He explained that the pattern appears whenever matches turn against her.
“When she’s losing, she always packs shoelaces, puts them in her bag,” Sock said. “Whenever it’s a pivotal time in the match, she’ll slide to the ball and immediately say she ripped the shoelace on her thing.” He added that the delay disrupts opponents and momentum.
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“It’s a tactic, takes minutes on minutes, changes the shoelace, and the other girl is always freaked out,” Sock continued. “It’s a full thing, naughty.” His remarks reinforced the growing criticism surrounding Putintseva’s on-court behavior.
Beyond controversy, her 2025 results also raised concerns. Putintseva won only five Grand Slam matches all year. She lost in the third round of the Australian Open and the French Open, in the first round at Wimbledon, and in the second round at the US Open. Those results dropped her ranking to 71.
Next season, though, she is expected to return before the Australian Open on Sunday, January 18. Only time will tell if she rebounds and avoids further controversy in 2026.
John Isner Takes Dig at Tennis Schedule for ‘Overrated’ Off-Season
Flavio Cobolli and Jaume Munar closed the 2025 season at the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna on November 23, yet the next campaign begins just 40 days later at the United Cup on January 2, 2026. With exhibitions further shrinking recovery time, the off-season debate is heating up. Now, former Wimbledon semifinalist John Isner has weighed in, adding his voice to the growing discussion.
During the latest episode of Nothing Major Podcast, John Isner shared his views on the tennis off-season. He admitted his opinion might divide fans and players. “This might be a controversial take, but the off-season is so overrated,” Isner said. He focused on how priorities change once players reach their late twenties.
“Especially once you’ve sort of established yourself, when you get to your late 20s, you’re not re-inventing the wheel,” he explained. Isner stressed that players should focus on staying healthy.
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“You just need to maintain and keep yourself healthy,” Isner added. “Obviously, be really professional, but you don’t need to absolutely kill yourself during the course of three weeks.” He emphasised basic habits. “Work hard, sleep well, eat well, and just get ready for the next year.”
The former Wimbledon semifinalist then discussed younger players. “If you’re 20 and you’re new on tour, yes, you need to get your body stronger,” he said. He explained that early in a career, the off-season plays a much bigger role.
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“At the beginning of your career, the off-season is very important to get that base,” Isner continued. “But once you’ve established yourself, it’s about maintaining and keeping things smooth.” He also highlighted recovery. “Treatment becomes just as important as the gym work.”
Sam Querrey also questioned whether an off-season still exists. “Is there even an off-season in tennis anymore?” he asked. Querrey listed events filling the calendar. “There’s exhibitions going on right now, there’s UTS, Davis Cup was a week ago, United Cup probably starts December 30.”
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Querrey summed it up bluntly. “Why do we even say there is an off-season in tennis?” he said. “Guys go on vacation for a week, and they just start practising again.” Steve Johnson agreed and compared tennis to golf.
“It’s one of those things, you have to say it,” Johnson said. “Every other sport has an off-season.” He added, “But in the tennis world, no, there’s not really an off-season.”
As the discussion continued, the panel also took a swipe at the growing number of exhibition events staged during the off-season.
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Steve Johnson casts doubt on the significance of exhibition events during the off-season
After the 2025 season ended at the Davis Cup, the off-season featured several exhibition events. Top players stayed busy on the court, keeping fans engaged and the sport visible during the break.
Carlos Alcaraz has already played exhibitions against Frances Tiafoe and Joao Fonseca this year. He is set for another high-profile exhibition at the start of 2026 against his rival, Jannik Sinner, in South Korea.
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On the women’s side, Venus Williams and Madison Keys competed in a recent exhibition at the Charlotte Invitational on December 4, 2025. Keys won decisively, 7-6, 6-0. A brief line-calling glitch added a comical moment that confused both players and fans. It also highlighted ongoing debates about electronic line calls in tennis.
However, Alcaraz acknowledged that exhibitions are less physically and mentally demanding than tournaments. “It’s normal for people to think this way and not understand why we complain about the schedule when we then schedule exhibitions. For me, the biggest difference is that in a tournament you have to maintain concentration, and it is demanding both physically and mentally,” he said.
And now, Steve Johnson praised players for taking part in exhibitions despite fan criticism. He emphasised the benefits of staying active and promoting the sport.
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“There will be guys who play 35 weeks a year, plus exhibitions,” Johnson said. “But there’s really no off-season; it’s good for the guys, like Carlos [Alcaraz] and these guys who have such a limited schedule compared to most because they win everything, to do these exhibitions, because I think it does grow the game immensely. When you see him and these guys at events, trying to grow the game in certain areas.”
With the off-season now underway, the debate over exhibitions and player schedules continues. What are your thoughts on the off-season and exhibition discussion? Share your views below.
Emma Raducanu is Reportedly Leaving Nike in 2026
Emma Raducanu began her tennis career with ASICS before switching to Nike in 2018. According to tennis podcaster Craig Shapiro, Raducanu is leaving Nike for Uniqlo in 2026.
Shapiro described the situation as
Russian Tennis Hit Hard as Another WTA Player Forfeits Citizenship
The ripple effects of geopolitics continue to reshape the landscape of professional tennis. After Maria Timofeeva, Kamilla Rakhimova, another name, has joined the growing list of Russian-born players choosing a new flag. Who is it?
This time it’s the 22-year-old WTA star, Polina Kudermetova. The sister of the former world number 9, Veronika Kudermetova, is now set to compete under the banner of Uzbekistan. According to her updated WTA profile, Polina Kudermetova has officially switched her allegiance from Russia, marking yet another high-profile nationality change in the women’s game.
Nationality switches have become an increasingly common storyline on the WTA Tour in recent years, particularly after 24 February 2022. With Russian athletes facing ongoing restrictions and competing under neutral status at various events, several players have opted for a fresh start – both professionally and symbolically – by representing other nations. For Polina Kudermetova, the move signals a new chapter at a formative stage of her career.
Born on 4 June 2003 in Moscow, Russia, she first came to prominence in 2023 when she made her Grand Slam debut at the AO. Kudermetova has been ranked by the WTA as high as number 54 in singles (on 14 April 2025) and number 203 in doubles (reached on 15 September 2025). If we take a closer look at her singles career, she has won 9 ITF titles so far, and her best record at the majors has been reaching the second round at the 2025 US Open.
Still carving out her place on tour, Polina Kudermetova now joins Uzbekistan’s growing tennis presence, a nation that has actively welcomed players seeking stability and opportunity on the international stage. Uzbekistan eyeing BJK Cup success? Let’s check out what the Uzbekistani tennis officials had to say about these recent additions to their team.
Reactions to tennis stars boosting the Uzbek national team
There are, of course, quite a few benefits of switching one’s sporting allegiance away from Russia. This will remove the current barrier to entry for international team events (like the BJK Cup and the United Cup), which hold both immense prestige and precious ranking points. Uzbekistan’s tennis authorities have reacted positively to the recent switch of allegiance of some high-profile tennis players from Russia, viewing the move as a major boost to the nation’s growing presence on the global tennis stage. Here’s what the FTU Secretary General, Sador Kamilov, had to say about the addition of Kamila Rakhimova recently:
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“The arrival of Kamila Rakhimova to the Uzbekistan national team is an event of historic significance. She has already proven herself to be a strong, competitive tennis player capable of playing on equal terms with the world’s top players. We are delighted to welcome Kamila to our team and are confident that she will achieve great victories, go far, and set new records under the Uzbekistan flag.”
It’s needless to mention that the addition of Polina Kudermetova will certainly strengthen their team further. Even during Maria Timofeeva’s switch, Russian sports website Sportbox.ru called it “a loss for Russian tennis.” With multiple WTA players now flying the Uzbek flag, officials believe the momentum could inspire a new generation of local talent. But for Russian, this high rise of nationality switches is now a big concern. Who else is in this list, though?
Well, players Daria Kasatkina, Varvara Gracheva, Elina Avanesyan, Natela Dzalamidze, and a few others are also in that list of tennis players who have changed allegiance from Russia.
But interestingly, Polina Kudermetova’s sister, Veronika Kudermetova, was recently spotted expressing her love for playing in Russia. She spoke about how much she loves spending time in her home country.
“Just the realization that you’re playing in Russia, that everyone around you speaks Russian—whether they’re your relatives or complete strangers who came to watch tennis—makes a difference compared to the tournaments during the season, which for us are all held outside our country now. The atmosphere in St. Petersburg feels different — very home-like.”
Russia has not been hosting any tournaments in the men’s and women’s tours since 2021. However, they have been conducting Northern Palmyra Trophies on a constant basis since 2022. Veronika’s statement reflects her emotions about getting the chance to play on her home soil. She also spoke about how she loves visiting Russia and spending her time in her hometown, Kazan. Two sisters, two different paths. What are your thoughts on this increase in nationality switches in tennis?
Jack Draper Details the Andy Murray Lesson That Stuck During His Comeback
More than a year after stepping away from the sport, Andy Murray’s legacy still echoes across British tennis. Defined by grit, greatness, and historic triumphs, his influence continues to shape the next generation. That enduring impact now finds a clear voice in Jack Draper, one of the United Kingdom’s brightest prospects, who stands as living proof that Murray’s resilience still inspires long after the final match.
Jack Draper recently appeared as a guest on the YouTube channel The Tennis Mentor. During the discussion, he revealed a valuable piece of advice he received directly from Andy Murray. The tip focused on how to handle left-handed opponents more effectively.
“One important thing Andy Murray taught me regarding the difficulty of reacting against left-handers. Indeed, if you are on the deuce side, position yourself a bit closer to the center line to close off their angle. Psychologically, you think you’re leaving the other side of the court open, but on the contrary, you force them to serve flat, which they hate.” Draper explained.
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His struggles against left-handers are not new. Earlier in his career, he also faced challenges off the court. Ahead of Roland Garros, he revealed how difficult it was to find practice partners when he was lower-ranked.
“I remember being 340 in the world and I got a wild card into the Miami Open. I wrote my name down for practice, and no one wanted to hit with me. They were all just crossing out my name and putting someone else’s,” he told SkySports. The experience highlighted the reluctance many players feel toward practicing with left-handers.
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This issue is common across the tour. At this year’s Australian Open, fellow left-hander Ben Shelton admitted it is nearly “impossible” to secure practice partners. Players usually agree only if they are about to face a lefty in competition.
“People get very paranoid about hitting with someone who is a lefty if they’re playing a righty,” Draper explained during a pre-tournament press conference in Paris. “I do understand it. It’s probably not what you’re going to face.” His comments reflected a broader mindset on tour.
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Left-handers naturally create different problems. Their forehands target backhands, often the weaker wing. Their wide serves open sharp angles and unusual spins. Even left-handers admit they struggle against similar styles.
On court, the Brit has not competed since the US Open due to an arm injury. The issue affected him throughout the year. He is now set to return at the United Cup, representing Great Britain with Emma Raducanu and Mimi Xu.
For the Brit, the comeback promises to be tough, as he recently withdrew from the UTS Grand Finals in London.
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David Law expressed concern over Draper’s extended return to tennis
Jack Draper’s withdrawal from the UTS Grand Finals raised concerns across the tennis world. Fans had been eagerly awaiting his return after a long absence from the tour.
On social media, Draper explained his decision. “I’ve been working hard to get ready for the UTS, but frustratingly, I’m just not quite ready. It’s a tough call as I want nothing more than to compete but I’ve been advised to take more time. Sorry to let down fans and miss out on the event.”
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The injury came at a particularly unfortunate time. Draper had just claimed his first Masters title at Indian Wells and reached the final of the Madrid Open. He was beginning to establish himself as one of the world’s top players.
However, on The Tennis Podcast, David Law shared his concern about Draper’s long-term comeback. “It concerned me hearing it because we heard just how motivated he was, how upbeat he felt about managing to get out there on the court again and start hitting serves,” he said.
Law added that Draper had been clear about his plans to play the event. “And we’ve seen some video clips of that. And he was very clear that he was going to play this event, and this would be his first sort of little dipping the toe back in, and then the goal was to get out there and be properly out there in Australia and relaunch his season. Let’s not forget just what an amazing first six months of the year he had in ’25. And that’s what he’s looking for again, and then hopefully more beyond that. Going straight into competition is really hard.”
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He also emphasised the importance of easing back into competition. “You don’t really want to be doing that sort of thing from zero to that. You want something like these semi-competitive exhibition-type events, where you can feel some of the nerves and the pressures.”
With the 2026 season approaching, all eyes are on Draper. Fans will be hoping he can rebuild his form, gain momentum, and make a strong return ahead of the Australian Open.
Ranking college football’s top 25 postseason venues, from Rose Bowl to Independence Bowl
Editor’s note: This article is part of our College Football Stadium Rankings series, highlighting the most interesting venues across the country.
Bowl season opens Saturday, with the LA Bowl kicking off major college football’s five-week, 46-game postseason. Several bowls boast histories that belong in the first chapter of the sport’s annals. Others are footnotes that rarely end up in the index. But all have a place in shaping college football.
Setting aside the Rose Bowl, the stadiums hosting bowls don’t receive nearly as much discussion as the games themselves, but they also have a major role to play. No matter how difficult it is to compare NFL palaces alongside small, on-campus or community-owned facilities, let’s not shy away from doing so.
Entering the 2025-26 postseason, we’ve ranked the top 25 active bowl venues, with descriptions of the other sites below. (Note: This ranking does not include the four on-campus College Football Playoff first-round games.)
1. Rose Bowl
Name/location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.
Opened: 1922
Capacity: 89,702
Matchup: Indiana vs. Oklahoma/Alabama, Jan. 1 (Tickets)
No venue brings the magical blend of scenery, history and character of the Rose Bowl. Viewing the marquee in person produces the same reaction among football fans as a child’s first glimpse of presents under a Christmas tree. In the sports world, only the blooming azaleas at Augusta National can compare with the aesthetic beauty of the sunset hitting the San Gabriel Mountains. The structure is old, but in American sports, the Rose Bowl is the Sistine Chapel.
2. Sugar Bowl
Name/location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
Opened: 1975
Capacity: 76,468
Matchups: Sugar Bowl — Georgia vs. Ole Miss/Tulane, Dec. 31 (Tickets); New Orleans Bowl — Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss, Dec. 23
As indelible as the Rose Bowl is to college football, the Sugar Bowl is its near-equal to SEC fans. The Superdome is among New Orleans’ most recognizable structures, with a roof that covers 9.7 acres, or 440,000 square feet. Several renovations have improved the structure (especially since Hurricane Katrina) but haven’t altered the iconic look of the stadium that has hosted seven Super Bowls.
3. Fiesta Bowl
Name/location: State Farm Stadium; Glendale, Ariz.
Opened: 2006
Capacity: 63,400
Matchup: CFP semifinal, Jan. 8 (Tickets)
The Fiesta Bowl long has been considered an interloper for positioning itself as the fifth New Year’s Day bowl, but its warm-weather climate makes it a great destination. When the game moved into the current stadium nearly 20 years ago, the Fiesta Bowl enjoyed modern comforts and amenities to go along with the perfect location. State Farm Stadium has a retractable roof and possesses as good of a big-game feel as any venue in the country.
4. Cotton Bowl
Name/location: AT&T Stadium; Arlington, Texas
Opened: 2009
Capacity: 80,000 (expandable to 100,000)
Matchup: Ohio State vs. Texas A&M/Miami, Dec. 31 (Tickets)
“Jerry World” changed the game like few football stadiums have. The Cowboys’ massive palace with a retractable roof cost $1.15 billion nearly two decades ago and has forced communities to change how they build new stadiums. The Cotton Bowl moved out of its Fair Park namesake in 2010, and the postseason classic returned to the big time when the Bowl Championship Series morphed into the College Football Playoff four years later.
5. Peach Bowl
Name/location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Atlanta
Opened: 2017
Capacity: 71,000 (expandable)
Matchup: CFP semifinal, Jan. 9 (Tickets)
A modern architectural marvel, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a retractable roof with a pinwheel design that can fully open in 12 minutes. The structure has allowed the Peach Bowl to go from the least of the New Year’s Six bowl games to a critical postseason player. It’s still catching up on prestige and history, but collectively the Peach Bowl and Mercedes-Benz Stadium have elevated Atlanta to its rightful place on college football’s national scene.
6. Orange Bowl
Name/location: Hard Rock Stadium; Miami Gardens, Fla.
Opened: 1987
Capacity: 64,767
Matchups: Orange Bowl — Texas Tech vs. Oregon-James Madison winner, Jan. 1 (Tickets); CFP championship, Jan. 19
With its amazing weather and world-renowned beaches, Miami tops the destination list for perfect bowl locations. Hard Rock Stadium doesn’t have the mystique as its CFP stadium colleagues, but the open-air facility has improved significantly since its 2015 renovation. With incredible history and upcoming events, including this year’s CFP championship game, the Orange Bowl has a lot going for it.
7. ReliaQuest Bowl
Name/location: Raymond James Stadium; Tampa, Fla.
Opened: 1998
Capacity: 65,857
Matchups: ReliaQuest — Vanderbilt vs. Iowa, Dec. 31; Gasparilla—NC State vs. Memphis, Dec. 19
If the College Football Playoff expands to 16 teams and adds two bowls to the quarterfinal/semifinal rotation, it would be a crime not to consider the ReliaQuest Bowl. It’s one of the industry’s best-run bowl destinations, and Raymond James Stadium is a perfect place for holiday season football. It has charisma and texture, both inside and outside the structure. It’s difficult to believe the open-air stadium is nearly 30 years old, but it’s in great shape.
8. Las Vegas Bowl
Name/location: Allegiant Stadium; Paradise, Nev.
Opened: 2020
Capacity: 65,000
Matchup: Nebraska vs. Utah, Dec. 31
Like the ReliaQuest Bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl deserves a shot at moving up if another two games are added to the CFP rotation. While this bowl has longevity, it doesn’t have the tradition because it only recently became a game featuring two Power 4 conference teams. However, Allegiant Stadium and its translucent fixed roof make any sporting event feel like the big time. Plus, Vegas is an attraction all to itself.
9. Texas Bowl
Name/location: NRG Stadium; Houston
Opened: 2002
Capacity: 72,220
Matchup: LSU vs. Houston, Dec. 27
The NFL’s first retractable-roof dome, NRG Stadium has hosted the Texas Bowl since 2006. It’s no longer considered a state-of-the-art facility, but it still provides a fantastic football environment. Currently a mid-level contract bowl for the SEC and Big 12, the Texas Bowl remains a solid postseason destination. It’s just too bad organizers didn’t revive the name Bluebonnet Bowl, which represented Houston from 1959 to ’87.
10. Citrus/Pop-Tarts Bowl
Name/location: Camping World Stadium; Orlando, Fla.
Opened: 1936
Capacity: 60,219
Matchups: Citrus Bowl — Michigan vs. Texas, Dec. 31; Pop-Tarts Bowl — BYU vs. Georgia Tech, Dec. 27; Cure Bowl — Old Dominion vs. USF, Dec. 17
With three bowl games over two weeks, Camping World Stadium is football’s busiest place just 16 miles from the world’s happiest place. The open-air stadium itself is not up the standard of its high-level bowl matchups — especially the Citrus Bowl — which is why it’s located at No. 10 on this list. However, that will change. Last month, the Orlando City Council approved a $400 million renovation, which will boost the capacity and the give the stadium modern touch and amenities.
11. Holiday Bowl
Name/location: Snapdragon Stadium; San Diego, Calif.
Opened: 2022
Capacity: 35,000
Matchup: Arizona vs. SMU, Jan. 2
Some of college football’s most entertaining postseason games were Holiday Bowls at the old Jack Murphy Stadium. After the old stadium’s demolition in 2020, the Holiday moved into brand-new Snapdragon Stadium three years ago. It’s a tighter home and much nicer than the old stadium, which was decrepit in its final years.
12. Gator Bowl
Name/location: EverBank Stadium; Jacksonville, Fla.
Opened: 1946
Capacity: 69,132
Matchup: Missouri vs. Virginia, Dec. 27
One college football’s oldest postseason games, the Gator Bowl is approaching its third iteration as a stadium. It remained largely unchanged for its first 50 years before Jacksonville landed the expansion Jaguars in 1995. Then it was rebuilt for the NFL and hosted a Super Bowl in 2005. Now, it will undergo another major renovation which will limit capacity next year and force the bowl to relocate in 2027. Then, EverBank Stadium will surge near the top of the list of open-air stadiums.
13. Music City Bowl
Name/location: Nissan Stadium; Nashville, Tenn.
Opened: 1999
Capacity: 69,143
Matchup: Illinois vs. Tennessee, Dec. 30
The Music City Bowl’s home has shifted through a laundry list of names over the years, but it’s been a solid site, and its location is perfect, along the Cumberland River and near downtown Nashville. This is the penultimate Music City Bowl for this stadium. After the 2026 game, a new $2.1 billion dome will replace the current Nissan Stadium, and it should usher Nashville into a top-tier status with CFP championships, Final Fours and perhaps a Super Bowl in its future.
14. Alamo Bowl
Name/location: Alamodome; San Antonio, Texas
Opened: 1993
Capacity: 64,000
Matchup: TCU vs. USC, Dec. 30
A longtime facility that has more than served its purpose, the Alamodome has helped build the Alamo Bowl from a lower-tier postseason game into one of the top three bowls outside the CFP. It has great sightlines, and it remains a staple for other high-level sporting events, such as the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
15. Sun Bowl
Name/location: Sun Bowl Stadium; El Paso, Texas
Opened: 1963
Capacity: 51,500
Matchup: Arizona State vs. Duke, Dec. 31
There’s something regal and classic about the 90-year-old Sun Bowl and its generations-long relationship with CBS. The telecast provides a portal to a simpler time in college football, and the ambiance surrounding the stadium feels familiar. The stadium is aging by modern standards, so comparing it to the NFL palaces is unfair. But as a setting, the Sun Bowl remains undefeated.
16. Birmingham Bowl
Name/location: Protective Stadium; Birmingham, Ala.
Opened: 2021
Capacity: 47,100
Matchup: Appalachian State vs. Georgia Southern, Dec. 29
Old Legion Field saw plenty of history from legendary Iron Bowls to the first SEC Championship Game, but it wasn’t cracking the top 20 of this list. But new Protective Stadium has underrated qualities, from a gorgeous exterior to great view of the field. If the Birmingham Bowl gets the chance to move up in the bowl lineup, people will see it’s one of the nation’s better mid-sized open-air stadiums.
17. Frisco Bowl
Name/location: Ford Center at The Star; Frisco, Texas
Opened: 2016
Capacity: 12,000
Matchups: Frisco Bowl — Ohio vs. UNLV, Dec. 23; Xbox Bowl — Missouri State vs. Arkansas State, Dec. 18
The Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility has turned into a bowl hotspot. The Star provides an intimate yet modern environment that provides a great atmosphere for bowls involving Group of 5 teams. This year, ESPN Events shifted the Bahamas Bowl to Frisco, with Xbox securing sponsorship rights. Now there are two bowls at The Star.
18. Fenway Bowl
Name/location: Fenway Park; Boston
Opened: 1912
Capacity: 37,751
Matchup: UConn vs. Army, Dec. 27
Its inarguable that Fenway Park is one of sports’ most iconic viewing environments, right there with the Rose Bowl, Wrigley Field and Augusta National. But this list strictly relates to bowl games and their environments, which is why it isn’t ranked in the top two. It cracked the top 20 for one reason alone: People will tune in to see Fenway Park host a bowl game. They might not even know — or care — who is playing.
19. Liberty Bowl
Name/location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium; Memphis, Tenn.
Opened: 1965
Capacity: 50,000
Matchup: Navy vs. Cincinnati, Jan. 2
Few communities work harder to maintain their place in the bowl lineup than Memphis, which has nurtured a 60-year partnership with the Liberty Bowl. The facility doesn’t have the modern amenities of newer bowls, but what it has seen — including Bear Bryant’s final game at Alabama — gives the stadium character, and on television, tradition trumps luxury.
20. Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Name/location: Bank of America Stadium; Charlotte, N.C.
Opened: 1996
Capacity: 75,037
Matchup: Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State, Jan. 2
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl game action has become the curtain raiser to the ceremonial mayo dump for the winning coach. But that fun moment aside, the game delivers a good vibe on television, and the blue seats are a difference maker. Now in its 30th season, the stadium will take on an $800 million renovation that should vault it into one of the best open-air stadiums in America.
21. LA Bowl
Name/location: SoFi Stadium; Inglewood, Calif.
Opened: 2020
Capacity: 70,000
Matchup: Washington vs. Boise State, Dec. 13
As a stadium, nothing compares to SoFi. At a cost of $5 billion-plus, SoFi Stadium is the best in the world and its translucent canopy roof provides the stadium with a unique covering. The LA Bowl’s lack of history (it enters its fifth and potentially final year this weekend) is the only reason why it’s not higher on this list. But SoFi has hosted a CFP championship game, and that’s likely to happen with more regularity.
22. Game Above Bowl
Name/location: Ford Field; Detroit
Opened: 2002
Capacity: 65,000
Matchup: Northwestern vs. Central Michigan, Dec. 26
As a domed stadium, Ford Field is perfect for the Lions. The environment really pops on television and the raucous crowd carries well. It doesn’t have the same vibe for the Game Above Bowl, which is understandable. It’s not a slight on the structure; it’s just difficult to bring out a modicum of the excitement for a lower-level bowl matchup.
23. Rate Bowl
Name/location: Chase Field; Phoenix, Ariz.
Opened: 1998
Capacity: 48,330
Type: Minnesota vs. New Mexico, Dec. 26
The Phoenix area easily ranks among the best bowl locations with its temperate climate in late December. This game used to be played at Arizona State University, but it has been moved to Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, which is equipped with a retractable roof. To improve fan visibility and broaden the viewing experience, the bowl brings in bleachers behind one of the sidelines, which is helpful.
24. Pinstripe Bowl
Name/location: Yankee Stadium; Bronx, N.Y.
Opened: 2009
Capacity: 46,537
Matchup: Penn State vs. Clemson, Dec. 27
Similar to Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium has few peers as a baseball environment. It doesn’t have the century-old charm of Fenway to bring in casual viewers, but the Pinstripe Bowl hit a home run (or a foul ball, depending on your perspective) with its matchup this season.
25. Independence Bowl
Name/location: Independence Stadium; Shreveport, La.
Opened: 1924
Capacity: 50,000
Matchup: Louisiana Tech vs. Coastal Carolina, Dec. 30
The Independence Bowl has become a postseason outlier of sorts. It somehow has survived for nearly 50 years without a consistent television contract, a shiny new stadium or prominent matchups in a non-destination location. Its perseverance is a credit to its bowl staff and the city of Shreveport’s upkeep of Independence Stadium.
And now, the rest of the bowl venues that didn’t quite make our top 25…
68 Ventures Bowl
Name/location: Hancock Whitney Stadium; Mobile, Ala.
Opened: 2020
Capacity: 25,450
Matchup: Louisiana vs. Delaware, Dec. 17
A new facility that replaced legendary Ladd-Peebles Stadium in 2020, Hancock Whitney Stadium has the functionality required to stage a quality bowl game. It’s best known for the Senior Bowl, which welcomes many of the nation’s top NFL Draft prospects in late January and early February.
Boca Raton Bowl
Name/location: Flagler Credit Union Stadium; Boca Raton, Fla.
Opened: 2011
Capacity: 30,000
Matchup: Louisville vs. Toledo, Dec. 23
A nice open-air stadium which doubles as the home of FAU football, the Boca Raton Bowl has great aesthetics coupled with a fantastic location. The palm trees around the stadium give it that perfect South Florida feel. Despite its place in the bowl pecking order, players will root for a trip here over other locations.
Armed Forces Bowl
Name/location: Amon G. Carter Stadium; Fort Worth, Texas
Opened: 1929
Capacity: 47,000
Matchup: Rice vs. Texas State, Jan. 2
Home of TCU football, Amon G. Carter Stadium had two major renovations in the last 15 years, which makes it one of the friendliest mid-sized stadiums in the country — ironic considering the stadium’s nickname is “Hell’s Half Acre.”
Military Bowl
Name/location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Opened: 1959
Capacity: 34,400
Matchup: East Carolina vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 29
Once held at Washington D.C.’s RFK Stadium, the Military Bowl moved to the Naval Academy in 2013. The hillside circling one of the end zones gives it a unique flair.
Salute to Veterans Bowl
Name/location: Cramton Bowl; Montgomery, Ala.
Opened: 1922
Capacity: 25,000
Matchup: Troy vs. Jacksonville State, Dec. 16
A century-old facility, Cramton Bowl once hosted the Philadelphia A’s in spring training, staged Auburn and Alabama games through the early 1950s and was best known for the annual Blue-Gray all-star football game between players from the North and South through 2001.
First Responder Bowl
Name/location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium; Dallas
Opened: 2000
Capacity: 32,000
Matchup: UTSA vs. FIU, Dec. 26
When the Cotton Bowl Classic left for Jerry World, the Cotton Bowl stadium started its own bowl game in 2011. It ran through 2018 before moving to SMU’s cozy on-campus stadium.
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Name/location: Brooks Stadium; Conway, S.C.
Opened: 2003
Capacity: 26,000
Matchup: Western Michigan vs. Kennesaw State, Dec. 19
The teal turf gives the home of Coastal Carolina football a little panache. What is most striking about the facility is Adkins Fieldhouse located outside the north end zone. It looks like a giant golf clubhouse overlooking the football field. This year’s matchup is perhaps the best among Group of 5 programs, with two conference champions going head-to-head.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Name/location: Albertson Stadium; Boise, Idaho
Opened: 1970
Capacity: 36,387
Matchup: Utah State vs. Washington State, Dec. 22
It’s interesting how this bowl has stayed in place for nearly 30 years. Although it’s a hidden gem as a city, Boise doesn’t attract many visitors in December. Yet, several thousand fly to Idaho for this bowl game. Every year one of Boise State’s conference rivals plays on the blue turf, sometimes after losing badly there during the regular season.
New Mexico Bowl
Name/location: University Stadium; Albuquerque, N.M.
Opened: 1960
Capacity: 39,224
Matchup: San Diego State vs. North Texas, Dec. 27
If you look at University Stadium itself, there’s nothing special. But if you step inside, you can see the mountains outside of Albuquerque, and that makes your trip worthwhile.
Arizona Bowl
Name/location: Casino Del Sol Stadium; Tucson, Ariz.
Opened: 1928
Capacity: 50,782
Matchup: Fresno State vs. Miami (Ohio), Dec. 27
Home of the Arizona Wildcats, the newly named Casino Del Sol Stadium once staged the Copper Bowl in the early 1990s. What the facility lacks in aesthetic beauty it makes up for in location. Tucson’s surroundings are breathtaking and visible from the upper deck.
Hawaii Bowl
Name/location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex; Honolulu, Hawaii
Opened: 2015
Capacity: 15,194
Matchup: Hawaii vs. California, Dec. 24
The stadium is a makeshift facility that is smaller than many high school football programs’ homes. But nobody really cares about comfort at a football game when you’re watching in Hawaii, right?
The College Football Stadium Rankings series is part of a partnership with StubHub. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Stunning Plans to Revamp City Ground Unveiled
An English club outside of the traditional “big six” is aiming to own one of the largest stadiums in the Premier League, having unveiled plans to expand its capacity to 52,000. English football continues to evolve, and a number of clubs have recently explored ways to improve or redevelop their stadiums, including Portsmouth, Birmingham City and Manchester United.
Elsewhere, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Everton have all carried out major work on their home grounds in recent years, with the latter two even relocating entirely. As the game moves further away from its traditional guise, the shift from terrace culture to a commercialised, multi-billion-pound entertainment industry has meant that much of its history has been lost along the way.
That said, the move from smaller, boxed-in stadiums to higher-capacity venues is not always a bad thing. And for one historic club with ambitions of returning to the top of the football pyramid, it feels like a long time coming.
English Club Unveil Plans For 52,000 Capacity Upgrade
Nottingham Forest have unveiled fresh plans to expand the City Ground to hold 52,000 fans – and their vision has been backed by the Mayor of the East Midlands. The Tricky Trees have been at their home since 1898, and owner Evangelos Marinakis has been keen to take the club to the next level.
Forest already have approval to increase the capacity of the City Ground to 35,000 by demolishing and rebuilding the Peter Taylor Stand. But there are plans to submit a fresh planning application which would see the stadium increase to 52,000 seats. See the plans below:
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward is keen for the stunning project to be approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council. She told the BBC: “I think, understandably, there are many fans who feel that they’ve been at this point in the past with talk about change, and they wonder: will it happen?
Andrew Novak partners with Lauren Coughlin to win Grant Thornton, pick up another team title
NAPLES, Fla. — Andrew Novak made three straight birdies on the back nine and Lauren Coughlin finished off their 9-under 63 in modified fourballs for a three-shot victory Sunday in the Grant Thornton Invitational, the second team title this year for Novak.
They were challenged primarily by Chris Gotterup and Jennifer Kupcho until the par-5 17th at Tiburon Golf Club.
Gotterup and Kupcho both missed the green in tough spots and had to work hard for par. Novak and Coughlin were in the final group behind them, and Novak poured in a 6-foot birdie putt that gave them a a two-shot lead going to the final hole.
Coughlin’s birdie putt helped them set a tournament record at 28-under 188.
They finished three ahead of Gotterup and Kupcho (63), Denny McCarthy and Nelly Korda (63), and Michael Brennan and Charley Hull (65).
Novak also won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Ben Griffin, the only team event on the PGA Tour. He jokingly said it would be the “modern day grand slam” to get the mixed-team title that pairs PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players.
Novak said he didn’t get a sense of how close it was until seeing a leaderboard on the 13th green, and even then knew he and Coughlin had one advantage.
“We had more holes than anyone else,” he said, referring to the number of birdie chances down the stretch. Novak holed a 7-foot birdie putt on the 13th, followed by a pair of 10-foot birdie putts on the 14th and 15th and what effectively was the clincher on the 17th.
In modified fourballs, both players hit tee shots, then play the other’s golf ball the rest of the way with the low score counting on the card.
Novak and Coughlin each earned $500,000. It was the largest payoff for Coughlin, who won twice on the LPGA last year.
Korda missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have given her and McCarthy a little hope, and at worse put them alone in second. Korda gets one more chance at winning this year, teaming with her father next week in the PNC Championship.
Dylan Wu wins playoff as five players – including two surprises – earn 2026 PGA Tour cards at Q-School
Dylan Wu made a 20-foot birdie putt on the first hole of sudden death to earn the fifth and final 2026 PGA Tour card via Q-School.
Wu and Ben Silverman finished 72 holes of regulation at Dye’s Valley Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, tied for fifth place. In previous years, both would have been awarded Tour cards for next season. But with the circuit nixing ties, the two men went back to the 18th hole.
A.J. Ewart had earlier wrapped up medalist honors, shooting 66 Sunday to finish at 14 under par. Adam Svensson (66), Alejandro Tosti (67) and Marcelo Rozo (69) tied for second at 12 under.
Both Wu and Silverman found the fairway in the extra session. Wu hit first and landed his shot 20 feet short of the hole. Silverman followed and left his approach on a similar line, but 35 feet away. After Silverman, who finished 140th in FedExCup points this past season, narrowly missed his birdie effort, Wu sank his.
The 29-year-old Wu split time between the PGA and Korn Ferry tours this past season, finishing well outside the number for full 2026 PGA Tour status in both.
Ewart, a 26-year-old Canadian who attended Barry University, has played in only two career PGA Tour events — a pair RBC Canadian Opens with a pair of missed cuts. He was 15th in points this season on the PGA Tour Americas.
While Svensson and Tosti will both be making return trips to the primary circuit, Rozo will join Ewart as a rookie. The 36-year-old from Colombia has four career Tour starts, and none since 2021. He was 45th in points this past season on the Korn Ferry Tour.
The top 40 players and ties beyond the top five this week earned guaranteed starts on the 2026 KFT.
Tour Confidential: The most important golf figures of 2025
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 the most important golf figures of the last 12 months, the drama of PGA Tour Q-School and more.
As we count down the final days of 2025, let’s take a quick moment to reflect on the year that was. Who were the most important golf figures of 2025?
Jack Hirsh, associate equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): Important? I think it’s got to be new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and new LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler. Both have taken over legacy properties badly in need of fresh ideas and new perspective. Already we’re hearing talks of massive changes for the PGA Tour schedule as soon as 2027. Whether you like them or not, the Tour is clearly looking for something that will put its LIV Golf problem to bed. With Kessler and the LPGA, a new TV deal seems like it could be the spark to get the Tour to ride this new wave of interest in women’s sports around the world. There are certainly more important names in the golf world right now, but none will have more pressure to achieve their goals in 2026 than these two.
Zephyr Melton, associate game-improvement editor (@zephyrmelton): Jack laid it out well, but I’ll go ahead and give Tiger Woods his obligatory mention. The popularity of the sport still ebbs and flows with Tiger — as evidenced by the heaps of coverage when he so much as posts a swing video. His competitive career may be behind him, but his influence on the game remains unmatched.
Josh Sens, senior writer (@JoshSens): Good answers above. To them, I’d add Rory McIlroy for providing the most compelling entertainment of the year at both the Masters and the Ryder Cup. And Tommy Fleetwood for best feel-good story. But that’s more about rooting interest than importance. Beyond those guys, some non-traditional golf figures come to mind, especially at a time when the game is stretching increasingly beyond its old boundaries. Caitlin Clark getting into golf. LeBron James going viral with every swing posted online. And though I’d rather get a root canal than watch a bunch of “influencers” knock it around, clearly people are interested, as we saw with the success of the Internet Invitational. Welcome to the future, for better or worse.
And who — not mentioned above — might we be talking about in this space a year from now as a key figure of 2026?
Hirsh: I think it will be someone like Jon Rahm. His prominence in the game has seemed to diminish since his move to LIV, but he’s still played pretty well and I think will start making more of an impact in majors. He still hasn’t won one since the 2023 Masters.
Melton: How bout Brooks Koepka? Speaking of LIV, he’s long been rumored to want out of his LIV deal in order to get back to the PGA Tour. Could 2026 be the year we see a LIV star defect back to the Tour? If it is, BK is likely the first domino to fall.
Sens: Bryson. His impact shows no sign of slowing.
Five players earned Tour cards for 2026 via PGA Tour Q-School Sunday at TPC Sawgrass. Which outcome — the good or bad — stuck out to you the most?
Hirsh: Sad to see one of the Tour’s great people, Camilo Villegas, come up one shot short of a playoff to keep full playing status on the Tour. He’ll still be around as a former winner, but I wouldn’t be surprised if former winners hanging onto fringe status is exactly what shrinking the number of exempt players from 125 to 100 is targeting.
Melton: Alejandro Tosti is headed back to the Tour — and the content gods thank him.
Sens: Villegas’ final missed shorty on 18 was painful. But it was touching to see him stick around to celebrate with his friend and countryman Marcelo Rozo. Personally, I was rooting for Spencer Levin, who has been around the block and then some and just didn’t have his best stuff today.
Speaking of the Tour’s aforementioned card changes, are five cards from Q-School enough? Too little? And is Q-School still a key part of the Tour’s construction?
Hirsh: We absolutely need Q-School, especially now that Monday Qs are gone. I think five is a good number, especially with the Korn Ferry Tour shrinking to 20 cards. I also like the hard five instead of the ties, because a playoff, like we got this year, for the last PGA Tour card of the season is pretty awesome. But I’d also like to use this space to mention we still need Monday Qs.
Melton: I’d like to see Q-School give even more cards. We always talk about “life-changing” weeks in pro golf, but there’s no tournament where that’s more true than the Final Stage of Q-School. The drama of it is unlike anything else in the sport, and that makes it one of the coolest weeks of the year.
Sens: Five feels about right. And eliminating ties only adds to the excitement. Nothing like a sudden-death playoff to cap a four-day stress test.
Our Josh Sens recently wrote about a golfer who just broke a world record for most courses played in a year. What’s your number? And if you could pick one course you have already played to tee it up on for the rest of your life, which is it?
Hirsh: First of all, that’s a level of golf sicko-ness of which I’m not familiar. Bravo! I have no idea what the most courses I’ve ever played is. Probably around 20. I’m sure Zephyr has played some ungodly number of courses the last couple years. If I had to pick one course though, it would probably be Royal Dornoch. Links golf is undefeated.
Melton: I wish I played half as much golf as my co-workers think I play. I only logged 40 rounds in 2025! As for the most courses, it’s likely in the range of 30 or so. When you don’t belong to a club, variety is the name of the game. As for one course for the rest of my life? Give me Pasatiempo. Elite course. Elite vibe. Elite logo.
These 5 players just earned their PGA Tour cards for 2026
With apologies to Bobby Jones, there is hit-and-giggle golf and there is career-on-the-line golf, and they are not at all the same.
Sunday showcased the difference between them.
For the light-hearted former, fans had the pleasure of the Grant Thornton Invitational in Naples, Fla., a joint PGA and LPGA Tour production pitting 16 two-player teams in a mixed-format competition imbued with all the tension of a birthday party at a putt-putt course. In the third and final round of that feel-good affair at Tiburón Golf Club, Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak pulled away from the pack with a 9-under 63 in modified four-ball (each hitting their own drives, then playing the other’s ball and recording the better score on every hole), giving them a tournament total of 28-under and a three-shot win over three teams that included a trio of the LPGA Tour’s biggest names (Nelly Korda, Charley Hull and Jennifer Kupcho).
That was the fluffy, wallet-padding stuff.
For nail-biting action with no purse on the line, you had to turn elsewhere in the Sunshine State—Ponte Vedra Beach, to be precise—where the annual dogfight known as Q-School Finals was unfolding. At Q-School, the math is always unforgiving. This year, though, it was crueler than ever, as, owing to an offseason format change, only the top five finishers made it through. Previously, the top five finishers and ties earned their cards.
The stage was set for heartache and heroics on the Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, and, per custom, Sunday’s final round delivered both. One especially agonizing moment involved the popular Tour veteran Camilo Villegas, who flubbed a short birdie putt on 18 that he knew he likely needed. Sure enough, the miss left him at 10-under, a torturous single stroke out of a playoff. (Villegas stuck around, though, to join a celebration that we’ll get to shortly.)
For Spencer Levin, a 41-year-old who has been grinding in the pro game for two decades with varying degrees of status, the pain came in slower drips throughout the day. After a 63 on Saturday, Levin was in position to regain the PGA Tour card he lost in 2017. But his Sunday was a frustrating 1-over struggle that dropped him into T13.
Then there was the case of Ben Kohles, who was tied for the lead when he went viral for all the wrong reasons. His unfortunate turn occurred on the par-4 8th hole, where Kohles blocked his drive into the trees and then was penalized for causing his ball to move while fussing with debris around his lie: double bogey. Kohles backed that up with a water ball on the next hole and another double bogey that drowned his hopes for good.
You know what they say, though: every shot in golf makes someone happy. And by day’s end, five players were especially pleased. Here’s a look at who got through and how they did it.
A.J. Ewart
A 26-year-old Canadian and the son of a teaching professional, Ewart grew up in a cold climate but went on to play in balmy weather at Barry University in Florida. He won seven times in college and turned pro in 2023. This past year, Ewart lost in a playoff at the Victoria Open, bagged four top-10s on the PGA Tour Americas and narrowly missed his Korn Ferry Tour card. But by winning Q-School with a 14-under total, he now has something better.
Adam Svensson
Same country of origin as Ewart. Same college alma mater, too. But Svensson, 31, is older and more seasoned, with several Tour campaigns under his belt, along with a win at the 2022 RSM Classic. After finishing 167th in the FedExCup standings in 2025, Svensson needed a big week to regain full status in 2026. He delivered with a T2 finish.
Alejandro Tosti
True to his name, Tosti can get toasty. In his young career, the fiery Argentine has been caught up in confrontations with fellow players and tournament officials. At the 2023 Albertsons Boise Open, he was suspended for what was reported to be an expletive-laced outburst directed at his playing partner, Kyle Westmoreland. More often, though, Tosti’s play has spoken for itself—and it has held up under pressure. This is the second consecutive year that he has earned full Tour status by way of Q-School.
Marcelo Rozo
When his par putt dropped on 18, guaranteeing him a T2, Rozo pointed to the sky and broke into tears. It was the day’s most outwardly emotional finish, and no wonder. After a serious wrist injury in 2022, Rozo thought he might never play competitive golf again. He sat out all of 2023 and earned his real estate license as a backup career. A native of Colombia, Rozo is 36, and his triumphal moment Sunday was a long time coming.
One of the day’s most touching scenes followed soon after, as Rozo celebrated with family members alongside his countryman Villegas and Villegas’ family. Villegas had stuck around to share in Rozo’s moment after coming painfully close in his own bid.
Dylan Wu
The lone American to punch his card this week, Wu did so in emphatic fashion, with a birdie on the first hole of a two-man playoff against Ben Silverman. Since turning pro in 2019, Wu, 29, has toggled between the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, gaining experience that came in handy Sunday. After two back-nine bogeys threatened his chances, Wu responded with an eagle on 16 and two gutty pars on the final two holes before coming up big in sudden death.
Jon Rahm Influences Pro to Cut Ties With PGA Tour Despite $1.2 Million Penalty
Jon Rahm’s decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in late 2023 sent shockwaves through the golf world. And the consequences that followed this were even more fiery. An indefinite PGA Tour suspension, removal from FedExCup eligibility, and a flood of mixed reactions from fans and media questioning his motivations and legacy. However, recently, the scenario has been noticing a prominent shift. A shift that is even guiding another tour pro to make a crucial decision in his career.
Yet, amid constant scrutiny, Rahm has made sure to hold on to his elite status in LIV Golf. Rahm’s move from the PGA Tour to LIV was backed by a historic contract that was reportedly worth more than $300 million. A few reports even claimed that the total value potentially climbed up to $500 million. However, now, Rahm’s influence is once again reshaping the sport. And that has convinced Laurie Canter to take up the LIV Golf offer despite the penalty amount being fixed at $1 million.
The DP World Tour offered little flexibility to the LIV Golf players. They were routinely suspended and fined, with no exceptions made if they wished to compete in DP World Tour events. Rahm’s situation, however, has forced a rethink. More so because of the importance Rahm’s presence carries for the Ryder Cup. Notably, that has acted as a driving force behind Laurie Canter accepting the LIV Golf offer.
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Sitting for an interview with The Times, Canter reflected on the matter and stated, “I think there is a big shift in the mood music about how players who’ve gone to LIV and come back are treated now, especially guys like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell [Hatton]. I think the traditional rhetoric in 2022 was fronted by Keith Pelley [the former DP World Tour chief executive], and he’s gone now.”
Jon Rahm’s value to Europe’s Ryder Cup ambitions has put the DP World Tour in a difficult position. They did not shy away from imposing a hefty fine on Rahm, but after he publicly stated that he would not pay any fines, the DP World Tour has had to rethink whether holding on to their demands while risking the absence of one of Europe’s most influential players on golf’s biggest team stage would be beneficial for the sport or not.
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Canter further stated, “The tour has to do what’s best for itself, but as to whether I’m having my cake and eating it, I feel like I’m doing the opposite. I’m not leaving the DP World Tour. I’m playing LIV instead of playing on the PGA Tour. I will have to start paying fines myself [LIV will no longer subsidise them in 2026] and I’m not over the moon to drop £1million to stay a member, but I want to be involved.” Notably, this converts to $1.17 million.
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And now, the situation for Jon Rahm is taking further turns as the CEO of the Saudi-backed league has shared a new update.
LIV Golf shifts stance on fines as Rahm, Hatton futures questioned
Amid the chaos that erupted between LIV Golf, against the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour, it’s the future of Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton that has faced the biggest interrogation mark. Ever since these icons have become a part of the Saudi-backed league, LIV Golf has borne the hefty fines that have been imposed on their stars. But that narrative has noticed a major shift recently.
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The league has decided not to impose any more fines on behalf of Rahm and Hatton. However, they have claimed to sort the matters out with the authorities of the DP World Tour. Scott O’Neil, the LIV Golf Commissioner, has stated, “This is something that needs to be settled, and I’m looking forward to that day. We’re having constructive conversations with Guy Kinnings [the DP World Tour chief executive] and his team. We are hoping that before the season starts, we can all come together in the best interest of golf and put this behind us.”
Amid this, Rahm’s 2025 Ryder Cup participation, too, dealt with a lot of back and forth. Rahm was allowed to play the Ryder Cup in Bethpage Black just because the legal court proceedings and the hearings were adjourned. However, his future for the upcoming Ryder Cup still remains questionable as the final judgment is still awaiting. Only time can tell how the future of these LIV golfers will turn out.
Pro Golfer Breaks Down in Tears as Q-School Crushes PGA Tour Card Hopes
The 41-year-old has ground out a 20-year pro-life after a highly decorated amateur career with one victory in a PGA Tour event in 408 starts so far. Still, Spencer Levin got something left in the tank and advanced to the third round of PGA Tour Q School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, hoping for a massive breakthrough. That didn’t happen, and the pro golfer breaks down in tears agonizingly.
“I mean, it just I don’t know. Just hoping today was gonna be a day, but it wasn’t, so that’s it. I don’t have much else to say,” Levin said before a long pause, holding somehow his tears back when asked what’s kind of going through your head right now. Levin added then, “Yeah, um, today, you know, you wake up thinking it’s… could be the day and… felt good. Everything felt good. I slept good last night. Usually I don’t sleep good before days like this and I did. Um, I just… there were some putts I needed to make that I didn’t make.”
Five Dreams Realized: Q-School Finals Deliver Drama and Redemption at Sawgrass
The sun was setting over TPC Sawgrass on Sunday evening, and Dylan Wu stood over a 20-foot birdie putt that would change his life. Again.
This wasn’t just any putt. This was the culmination of 72 grueling holes at Q-School Finals, where careers are made and broken in the span of four days. Wu and Ben Silverman had finished tied at 11-under, forcing a sudden-death playoff for the fifth and final PGA Tour card available. One would walk away with full status for 2026. The other would head to the Korn Ferry Tour.
Wu rolled it in. The former hockey player showed ice in his veins when it mattered most, securing his return to the big leagues with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
When Second Chances Actually Come
Professional golf can be brutally unforgiving. Miss your number by one spot, and you’re watching the playoffs from home. Finish 126th instead of 125th, and suddenly you’re scrambling for starts. The margins are razor-thin, and the consequences are real.
That’s what makes Q-School Finals so compelling. It’s not just about talented players trying to break through. It’s about veterans fighting their way back, about careers hanging in the balance, about the raw human drama that unfolds when everything is on the line.
Adam Svensson knows this better than most. The 31-year-old Canadian has been through the wringer. He’s won on Tour. He’s made the FedExCup Playoffs. He’s also watched his status slip away. This week at Sawgrass, he fired a second-round 64 and never looked back, finishing T2 at 12-under to punch his ticket back to the Tour.
“It’s a week that defines dozens of careers,” the Tour’s official recap noted. That’s not hyperbole. For Svensson, it meant redemption. For others, it meant something even more profound.
The Long Road Home
Marcelo Rozo turned professional in 2012. That’s 13 years of grinding, of Monday qualifiers, of PGA Tour Latinoamérica events, of Korn Ferry Tour starts that didn’t quite add up to the magic number. He’d come close before, finishing 47th on the Korn Ferry Tour points list in 2019, 62nd in 2022. He even pushed Scottie Scheffler to a playoff at the 2019 Evans Scholars Invitational.
But close doesn’t get you a Tour card.
At 36 years old, with just four PGA Tour starts to his name across more than a decade as a professional, Rozo finally broke through. His T2 finish at Q-School Finals earned him full PGA Tour membership for 2026. He’ll be a rookie at an age when many players are thinking about their next chapter.
The beauty of golf is that it doesn’t care about your timeline. Rozo’s journey proves that persistence matters, that the dream doesn’t have an expiration date.
The Kid Who Got It Right the First Time
While veterans were clawing their way back, A.J. Ewart was writing a different story. The 26-year-old Canadian had never played Final Stage before. He’d never had a PGA Tour card before. He’d spent the past few years grinding on PGA Tour Americas, where he won the 2024 Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open and finished 15th on the 2025 points list.
Ewart didn’t just earn his card. He won the whole thing, posting rounds of 66-67-67-66 to finish at 14-under and claim medalist honors. Five birdies against one bogey in the final round. Steady, composed, ready.
He’s a Barry University alum, just like Svensson, and just like Svensson, he won the Jack Nicklaus Award as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year. That was in 2022. Three years later, he’s a PGA Tour member.
The Others in the Fight
Alejandro Tosti made it back for the second straight year via Q-School, eagling the 16th hole on Sunday to secure his spot. The 29-year-old Argentinian has now earned his Tour card three different ways: through the Korn Ferry Tour, through Q-School in 2024, and now again in 2025. He’s determined to make it stick this time.
And then there’s Wu, whose playoff heroics capped off a week of high drama. He’d played in the conditional 126-150 category in 2025, which means limited opportunities and constant uncertainty. Now he’s got a full season ahead of him.
What It All Means
Q-School Finals isn’t just a tournament. It’s a referendum on perseverance, on talent, on the ability to perform when the pressure is suffocating. The top five finishers walked away with PGA Tour cards.
Everyone else got varying levels of Korn Ferry Tour status or headed back to the drawing board.
Five players. Five different paths. Five dreams realized on the same December weekend in Ponte Vedra Beach.
That’s the magic of Q-School. That’s why we watch.
Five Players Earn PGA Tour Cards at Q-School Final Stage
The grueling final stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School presented by Korn Ferry concluded Sunday at TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., with just five players securing full PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season. Across four demanding rounds with no cut, these golfers emerged from a field of 176 competitors to earn one of the most coveted prizes in professional golf, fully exempt status on the PGA Tour.
Q-School has always been one of the sport’s toughest tests, a week where careers can change dramatically with every swing. With only five cards awarded under the Tour’s updated exemption system, margins were razor-thin and pressure intense throughout the final stage.
A.J. Ewart Tops the Leaderboard
A.J. Ewart led all competitors at 14-under-par over four rounds to top the Q-School leaderboard and secure his first fully exempt PGA Tour card. The Canadian played steady golf all week, finishing with rounds of 66-67-67-66 for a 266 total that kept him ahead of the pack.
Ewart’s performance was noteworthy not just for his consistency, but also for his ability to handle pressure in a setting where every shot can have season-defining implications. His strong showing reflects success on other circuits as well; earlier in 2025, Ewart competed on PGA Tour Americas, where he had four top-10 finishes and a runner-up result among seven top-25s.
“I came here with the goal to win a golf tournament,” Ewart said. “It wasn’t necessarily to finish in the top five or 25. It was to go and prepare to win a golf tournament. So to do it feels kind of like the old saying of ‘aim small, miss small.’ I try to look at any tournament you go out and try to win. If you set your standards a little below that, you’re going to sell yourself short a little bit.”
With this achievement, Ewart joins a growing Canadian contingent on the PGA Tour that will include established names like Corey Conners, Nick Taylor, Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes and Sudarshan Yellamaraju in 2026.
Svensson, Tosti and Rozo Also Get Full Status
Tied for second at 12-under were Adam Svensson, Alejandro Tosti and Marcelo Rozo, all of whom earned their own PGA Tour cards alongside Ewart. Svensson, also from Canada, has previously competed extensively on the PGA Tour, playing 159 events since 2019 and winning the RSM Classic in 2022.
The top-five finishers tied at 12-under highlight the depth of competition in Q-School; Tosti (Argentina) and Rozo (Colombia) both held their own amid a stacked international field. Their performances reflect success at other professional stops, including Korn Ferry Tour starts and global events, and solidify their place among the Tour’s newest membership class.
Dylan Wu Wins Playoff for Final Card
The final PGA Tour card, the fifth and most dramatic, came down to a sudden-death playoff between Dylan Wu and Ben Silverman. On the opening hole of the playoff, Wu made a clutch birdie to clinch the final spot, capping a memorable week for the young pro.
Wu’s path to Tour status was defined by resilience. Already experienced on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he has competed in more than 100 events, Wu’s ability to convert in the most pressure-packed moment of the week underscored his readiness for the next level.
That playoff finish provided some of the most dramatic moments of Q-School, a reminder that in this high-stakes environment, qualification often hinges on a single putt or tee shot.
Pressure of Q-School Leads to Withdrawals, Disqualification
For many players, PGA Tour Q-School represents the most stressful week of their careers, with livelihoods and future playing rights on the line. The high-pressure environment leaves little room for error, and once a player falls well off the pace, the reality of missing out on status can quickly set in.
That reality played out during this year’s final stage, as four players (Carson Young, Trey Mullinax, Robby Shelton and Braden Thornberry) withdrew following their rounds on Thursday and Friday. In addition, one competitor was disqualified for failing to report to his tee time, a rare but sobering reminder of how unforgiving the process can be.
The disqualification involved Norman Xiong, who opened with an 8-over-par 78 at Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, leaving him more than 10 shots back of the top five positions required to earn a PGA Tour card. Xiong was scheduled to tee off Friday morning at Sawgrass Country Club, but officials later confirmed he did not show up for his 10:25 a.m. tee time, resulting in an automatic disqualification.
Meet the 5 Players Who Earned PGA Tour Cards
As the year draws to a close, the golf world just witnessed another high-stakes battle. The pressure cooker reached a boiling point at the windy TPC Sawgrass of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, because the PGA reduced the “Safe List” from the top 125 players to the top 100 for the 2026 season. This forced many talented veterans back to Q-School presented by Korn Ferry, where a field of 176 hopefuls competed across 72 holes for a guaranteed Tour card.
To make matters worse, the tour offered only five cards with absolutely no ties allowed. Previous years allowed anyone tied for fifth to advance, but this year, the players knew a tie meant a sudden-death playoff where one golfer would come out on top. But in the end, five men had to conquer this ruthless environment on the final round, and they did it. Now, let’s look at the warriors who proved they belong on the biggest stage in golf for the upcoming season.
A.J. Ewart
A.J. Ewart didn’t just survive the test; he dominated the entire class. Ewart played clinical golf to finish as the medalist at 14-under par, posting four consecutive rounds in the 60s, a feat no one else matched. And with that, the 26-year-old Canadian completes an unusual journey, bypassing the traditional Korn Ferry Tour ladder almost entirely. He played on the lower-level PGA Tour Americas last season and missed a promotion by inches.
But that near-miss heartbreak couldn’t shatter the former Barry University alumnus as he sealed his victory on Sunday with four clutch birdies on the 10th, 13th, 14th, and 16th holes in the back 9 of the final round.
“I came here with the goal to win a golf tournament,” Ewart said. “It wasn’t necessarily to finish in the top five or 25. It was to go and prepare to win a golf tournament.
Adam Svensson
Adam Svensson started slowly with a 70 but ignited his week with an impressive 64 on Saturday. So, the Canadian veteran only needed to remain steady, and he perfectly accomplished that with a calm 4-under 66. A massive birdie on the 16th hole finally secured his return to the promised land.
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Svensson, who previously played in 159 events on the PGA Tour since 2019, carded 5 birdies and 1 bogey to finish tied for second place with Alejandro Tosti and Marcelo Rozo.
“I was nervous the whole day. My heart rate was going 90 per cent of the day,” the 31-year-old said. “I’m just so happy it’s over. I’m extremely happy. To get back after a rough year, it’s special.”
Alejandro Tosti
The Argentine star went 69-67-65-67 and finished tied with Svensson and Rozo for second at 12-under par to earn his card again. Tosti’s performance turned the tournament magical when he drained a massive eagle putt from the front of the green at the par-5 16th hole to grab the lead. That cushion allowed him to survive a bogey on the 17th without panicking.
Alejandro Tosti finished 129th in the FedExCup standings in 2024, which placed him just outside the usual safety zone for full PGA Tour status. He played on the PGA Tour in 2025, making cuts and securing several strong finishes, including top-10 results.
Marcelo Rozo
Marcelo Rozo delivered one of the most nerve-wracking finishes of the entire group, starting the front 9 of the final round with 2 bogeys and zero birdies. But on the back nine, the 36-year-old Colombian successfully carded 3 birdies, including his back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th holes, and needed a par on the treacherous 18th hole to avoid a playoff.
With hands shaking, Rozo drained the par putt to post 12-under and secure his job. Despite playing 255 Tour-sanctioned events across the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Latinoamérica, Rozo had never held full PGA Tour status until this moment.
Dylan Wu
And Dylan Wu delivered the most dramatic moment of the entire week to snatch the final card. He started the day outside the top five and needed a miracle to advance. The 29-year-old delivered that miracle with a 30-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole. That heroic shot moved him to 11-under par and forced a sudden-death playoff against Ben Silverman on the 18th. Wu then drained a 20-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to win in walk-off style. After competing in more than 100 events on the Korn Ferry Tour, Wu screamed with relief. He is finally back on the PGA TOUR!
Ben Griffin’s Wife Dana Myeroff Opens Up on PGA Tour Reality Days After Wedding
Golf analysts Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner named Ben Griffin the “biggest overachiever” after he collected three PGA Tour wins and joined elite company in 2025. The 29-year-old stunned everyone with a season that saw him in the runner-up spot twice and twelve times in the top-10. A December wedding to Dana Myeroff capped off the year, and in Sunday’s PGA Tour video, his wife revealed what she believes made the difference.
“Golf is funny,” she said, “because it’s an individual sport, but when you surround yourself with the right team, it leads to amazing results, and I think this year just goes to prove he’s surrounded by the right people.”
While golf demands solo execution under pressure, she recognized that Griffin’s achievements stemmed from a carefully chosen circle of support. And even Griffin himself acknowledged this foundation.
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“Knowing that you have support in your corner, and fortunately for me, I had a good group around me that all wanted me to succeed,” he added.
And that group includes more than just coaches and trainers.
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Among them is Doug, who Dana described as “a really important person” in Griffin’s life and who officiated their wedding. Doug reflected on this bond, too.
“It was an incredible honor to be able to officiate Ben and Dana’s wedding, but he’s really grown to be almost a part of the family,” he said. “Ben’s done a really, really smart job of putting the right people around him and creating an incredible environment for excellence.”
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Pro golfer Ben Griffin married Dana Myeroff in a ‘refined tropical luxury’-themed wedding on Dec. 6 in Palm Beach, which was attended by 125 guests. Given that the couple was “on the road” most of the year due to the PGA Tour’s “really demanding schedule,” they heavily relied on their wedding planner. Meredith Falk of GLDN Events, to craft their dream wedding weekend.
The festivities began on Thursday, Dec. 4, with a family-only dinner at upscale-casual restaurant Buccan, followed by time back at The Colony Hotel’s bar with everyone in town. The next afternoon, on Friday, Dec. 5, was a rehearsal lunch aboard the private yacht Mariner III, then a welcome party at The Brazilian Court Hotel.
Coming back to Griffin’s grind, he works daily with Derek Smith, his trainer in Jupiter, Florida. “I’m very blessed and grateful for a lot of people in my life that have given me this opportunity,” he said.
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Now, looking back at his 2025 journey, the support backs what his wife said.
Ben Griffin achieved his big breakthrough in April at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he and Andrew Novak won their first professional title together. He won his first solo title at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial on May 25. In November, he won the World Wide Technology Championship, setting a competition record with a final-round score of 63. Griffin finished that tournament with a total of 259 strokes, two strokes ahead of the second-place player.
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These three wins put him on a list alongside Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as the only players to reach that number in 2025. Those performances earned him a nomination for the PGA Tour Player of the Year Award. Now that’s pretty fancy stuff for a guy who hadn’t won on tour before 2025 and who once (briefly) walked away from pro golf for a 9-to-5 desk job.
His grind through the 30 events on the PGA Tour showed not only his talent but also the support of his team in helping him succeed. But can he keep it up for the coming season?
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Ben Griffin is locked in for key 2026 PGA Tour events
Ben Griffin’s great results in 2025 have guaranteed him a spot among the early commitments for important PGA Tour events in 2026. Tournament directors have already confirmed his participation in the American Express event in January.
Griffin will arrive in the Coachella Valley as one of golf’s biggest stars after making his first U.S. Ryder Cup team. His T-7 finish at the 2025 American Express foreshadowed his breakout season. The tournament lasts for 54 holes and takes place on three courses. The top 65 pros will play in the final round.
The American Express will be held from January 19 to 25, 2026, in the Coachella Valley. It will feature 156 professionals and 156 amateurs competing on three courses: the Pete Dye Stadium Course, the Nicklaus Tournament Course, and the La Quinta Country Club.
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The support system powered Griffin’s remarkable 2025. As the American Express unfolds in January, the question remains: can that foundation carry him through another championship season?
Sidney Crosby Calls Sharks Rookie One of the Best in NHL
Sidney Crosby doesn’t throw around compliments lightly. When one of the greatest players in NHL history calls someone
Best bets for Vikings vs. Cowboys, NBA, NHL, CBB on Sunday, Dec. 14
The Dallas Cowboys returned from their bye and posted three consecutive victories to give themselves an opportunity to earn a playoff berth, but they made their path to the postseason much more difficult with their 44-30 road loss to the Detroit Lions last week.
Dallas’ playoff chances weren’t great prior to the matchup with Detroit, but they became much slimmer with the defeat as the Cowboys (6-6-1) will need plenty of help before they host the Minnesota Vikings (5-8) at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday Night Football. Their best shot at a postseason spot is overtaking the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (8-5), who enter Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season with a three-game losing streak, for the NFC East title.
The San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears occupy the final two wild card spots in the conference with 9-4 records, and a loss to the Vikings would effectively end the Cowboys’ chances to grab one of those berths. But even with a win, Dallas would need Philadelphia’s struggles to continue, and the Eagles are hosting the 2-11 Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday and face the 3-10 Washington Commanders twice over the final three weeks of the season.
Minnesota ended its four-game slide with a 31-0 rout of Washington last week and would like nothing better than to deal a major blow to Dallas’ playoff hopes. The Vikings will have to find a way to slow down CeeDee Lamb, however, as the Cowboys star receiver is expected to be in the lineup after exiting last week’s contest with a concussion. The 26-year-old wideout was extremely effective against the Lions prior to leaving in the second quarter, hauling in six passes for 121 yards.
Eight games are on Sunday’s NBA schedule, including a matchup between the Golden State Warriors (13-13) and Portland Trail Blazers (9-16) at 9 p.m. ET at the Moda Center. The Trail Blazers have lost six of their last seven contests but won both of their previous meetings with the Warriors this season.
Meanwhile, the NHL has six games on its slate, one of which has the Montreal Canadiens (16-11-4) hosting the Edmonton Oilers (15-11-6) at the Bell Centre at 7 p.m. ET. The Oilers enter with a point streak that reached five games with their 6-3 road triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
There also are plenty of college basketball games on Sunday, including a matchup between Washington State (3-7) and USC (9-1) at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. The Cougars are in the midst of a four-game losing streak, while the Trojans bounced back from their lone defeat of the season with a 94-81 triumph over San Diego last time out.
The Cowboys are 5.5-point favorites against the Vikings in the latest consensus NFL odds. The Warriors are 4.5-point favorites against the Trail Blazers, the Oilers are -130 favorites on the money line against the Canadiens and USC is a 14.5-point favorite against Washington State.
Below is a snapshot of what to watch and bet for Sunday, Dec. 14. All times Eastern
NFL best bets, where to watch
Vikings at Cowboys
Time: 8:20 p.m. | Location: Arlington, Tex. | TV: NBC | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine picks — Model: Cowboys -5.5 (-112) | Expert: J.J. McCarthy Over 28.5 pass attempts (-123)
The teams are meeting for the first time since 2022, when the Cowboys outgained the Vikings 458-183 in total yards and rolled to a 40-3 victory at Minnesota. It was Dallas’ fifth win in its last six matchups against the Vikings but first in that span by more than four points. The SportsLine Projection Model sees another comfortable triumph by the Cowboys, who cover the spread in 61% of its simulations. SportsLine fantasy football expert Dave Richard (11-2, +980 on his last 13 NFL player prop picks) believes J.J. McCarthy will be throwing the ball often since Minnesota’s ground attack may not be effective against Dallas’ defense.
More NFL best bets
Titans-49ers Over 44.5 (-108, Sportsline model A-rated play)
Packers -115 (R.J. White)
Model’s best anytime TD scorer picks for Week 15
NBA best bets, where to watch
Warriors at Trail Blazers
Time: 9 p.m. | Location: Portland | TV: NBA League Pass | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine picks — Model: Under 234.5 (-111) | Expert: Warriors -4 (-108)
Neither team is an offensive juggernaut, as they are averaging a combined total of 231.2 points this season. The Warriors have exceeded their 113.7-point average in back-to-back games after producing 112 or fewer in five consecutive contests, while the Trail Blazers have scored more than their average of 117.5 points in three of their last five outings. And even though Golden State and Portland combined for 250 or more points in both of their previous meetings this campaign, the SportsLine Projection Model’s simulations say the Under for Sunday’s matchup hits almost 71% of the time. SportsLine expert Bruce Marshall (33-19, +1206 on his last 52 NBA ATS picks) likes Golden State to cover since the Trail Blazers are reeling and Stephen Curry, who averaged 36.5 points against Portland over the first two showdowns, is back from his quad injury.
NHL best bets, where to watch
Oilers at Canadiens
Time: 7 p.m. | Location: Montreal | TV: NHL Network | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine pick — Model: Canadiens +109
Both teams were on the road Saturday, with Edmonton posting a three-goal victory in Toronto and Montreal dropping an overtime decision to the Rangers in New York. The Canadiens have won only one of their last four contests both overall (1-2-1) and at home (1-3-0), while the Oilers have won three straight on the road. However, that streak has only improved Edmonton’s record away from home to 7-8-3, and the SportsLine Projection Model thinks the run will end as Montreal wins in 54% of its simulations.
CBB best bets, where to watch
Washington State at USC
Time: 7:30 p.m. | Location: Los Angeles | TV: FS1 | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine pick — Model: USC -14.5 (-112)
Watch the NHL’s mascots in action
Mascots from the NHL, including Florida’s Stanley C. Panther and Buffalo’s Sabretooth, race against mascots of professional teams from Western…
Youppi, the Montreal Canadiens and Expos mascot, takes his time leaving the ice between periods of a Sabres-Canadiens game at the Bell Centre …
It’s the World Series, and Toronto Maple Leafs mascot Carlton leads the roar at Scotiabank Arena.
Tusky is the Utah Mammoth’s mascot, and the NHL’s newest anthropomorph. He’s everywhere along the Wasatch Range.
Pittsburgh Penguins mascot IceBurgh seems to find many corners of PPG Paints Arena.
The Colorado Avalanche’s mascot, Bernie, patrols the corridors and the ice at Ball Arena in Denver.
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty kicks off game introductions as the Flyers take on the Buffalo Sabres at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphi…
Harvey the Hound, the mascot of the Calgary Flames, took to the ice Monday night at Scotiabank Saddledome, joined by local youth hockey players.
Edmonton Oilers mascot Hunter the Lynx plays Santa, beats the drum and makes friends at Rogers Place.
Vancouver Canucks mascot Finn gets into the holiday spirit as the Canucks take on the Buffalo Sabres at Rogers Arena on Thursday.
Rachel Lenzi
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NHL Weekend Rumors: Devils Cap Crunch, Quinn Hughes Market, and Oilers Trade Pressure
Talk about a busy few days in the NHL. The league’s trade market offered up two of the biggest storylines of the season this week as two big trades — Quinn Hughes to Minnesota and Tristan Jarry to Edmonton — dominated the news cycle. And, things might not be slowing down. According to multiple insiders, teams are calling, prices are being set, and frustration is mounting as contenders try to find workable paths forward.
Devils Tried to Add, But Cap Space Remains the Roadblock
The New Jersey Devils were in on Quinn Hughes and are actively attempting to make moves, but Elliotte Friedman made it clear that they weren’t able to pull of the trade of this season because they couldn’t clear the necessary cap space to get it done.
That will inevitably lead to questions about GM Tom Fitzgerald and the previous moves he’s made, but what else he might be looking at. If trade partners aren’t willing to take salary back, the Devils are being forced to explore alternative routes to clear space. How quickly can New Jersey can act? If they’re stuck, what happens to “Fitzy” if he can’t improve the roster?
Maple Leafs, Maccelli, and Ongoing Trade Exploration
Friedman also touched on Toronto Maple Leafs’ forward Mattias Maccelli, noting that the winger hasn’t been an ideal fit in Toronto. Trade talk is circulating.
The Maple Leafs weren’t alone in their interest last summer, and Friedman believes some of those same teams could circle back if Maccelli becomes available. Meanwhile, Toronto continues to be one of the league’s most active callers, according to Frank Seravalli, as the team searches for a way to reshape its roster without sacrificing long-term flexibility.
Latest on Philip Danault and the Canadiens
Phillip Danault is another familiar name popping up and talk out of Los Angeles is that he could be on the move. Frank Seravalli reported the Montreal Canadiens have reached out to the Kings about a potential reunion, while Darren Dreger downplayed that possibility. Dreger wonders if Danault may simply be seeking a fresh start.
Flames and Stars Monitoring Defensive Options
In Calgary, Rasmus Andersson appears unlikely to reach an extension with the Calgary Flames. Seravalli described talks as amicable but fundamentally misaligned, with both sides far apart on term and value. Friedman added that Andersson has legitimate history with the Dallas Stars, and Jamie Oleksiak is another defenseman who could make sense as a reunion option for Dallas.
The Stars are also dealing with sudden urgency following Tyler Seguin’s injury. Friedman believes Dallas is surveying the market to determine what’s available, how much it will cost, and where best to allocate resources.
Quinn Hughes Market Included 6 Teams
Quinn Hughes was the centerpiece of league talk over the past 48 hours. He was traded to the Minnesota Wild, but not before teams like the Rangers, Capitals, Hurricanes, Red Wings, Devils, Sabres and others kicked tires.
The Wild stepped up, and the deal got done quickly, with Canucks’ President Jim Rutherford saying no one got close to what the Wild offered. It was the original offer tabled by Wild GM Bill Guerin that the Canucks chose to accept, and Hughes has given Minnesota no guarantees he’ll re-sign.
Nashville, Stamkos, and Marchessault
Tampa ‘Deserved’ An NHL Outdoor Game And The Lightning’s Jersey Hits Home
In unveiling the team’s Stadium Series jersey, Kevin Preast, who oversees venue operations for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vinik Sports Group, noted how the uniform serves as a “true tribute to our community and to Lightning hockey, honoring the deep connection between the two.
NHL nationally televised games for week of Dec. 15
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 11th week of the regular season.
Highlights include the Ottawa Senators visiting the Winnipeg Jets on
Zizing ‘Em Up: Matthews adds to Olympic hype, talks Team USA with NHL.com
TORONTO — Auston Matthews knows how close the United States came to winning the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.
Only too well.
And it has stoked his appetite and anticipation for what lies ahead at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in less than two months.
In a performance teammate Zach Werenski described as
Draisaitl’s legend with Oilers, in Germany growing on cusp of 1,000 NHL points
EDMONTON — Growing up in Cologne, Germany, Leon Draisaitl never envisioned joining the NHL’s exclusive 1,000-point club.
“It’s certainly something that I never thought would be possible, something that was only truly a dream,” Draisaitl said. “So, to be closing in on that and hopefully being able to achieve that in the near future is something that is hard to explain.”
The dream is about to become a reality for the Edmonton Oilers forward.
Draisaitl pulled within one point of the milestone with three assists in a 6-3 win at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, bringing his NHL career total to 999 points (416 goals, 583 assists in 823 games).
He did not get a point in a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, but his next chance to reach the milestone will come on Tuesday, when the Oilers travel to face the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena (7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SNW, SNO, SNE).
“It’s impressive how fast he’s been able to do it,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid said. “He’s been such a great player for us for so long, and it’s special to see him get there. It’s always exciting when someone gets to a big milestone.”
Only 102 players in NHL history have reached the 1,000-point plateau, and Draisaitl would be the first German-born player to get there.
The 30-year-old has single-handedly raised the profile of hockey in his home country, paving the way for a new generation of NHL players from Germany. Draisaitl’s popularity is likely to rise to unprecedented levels when he leads Germany at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in February.
“Leon is a rock star in Cologne,” said Utah Mammoth forward JJ Peterka, a native of Munich. “It helps a lot If you have a superstar in the NHL who plays as good as Leon does every night. It’s covered more in the media, it’s noticed everywhere, and more kids look up to him. They look over to North America and see a German there racking up so many points, it influences a lot.”
Selected by Edmonton with the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, Draisaitl has long surpassed Marco Sturm (487 points) as the highest-scoring German-born player, and he will continue to elevate the bar. He is in his 12th NHL season and the first season of an eight-year, $112 million contract ($14 million average annual value) he signed with Edmonton on Sept. 3, 2024.
“He’s the best German player to ever play the game, that’s for sure,” said Sturm, who is the current coach of the Boston Bruins. “He’s a guy that’s going to hit a lot of milestones coming up. I don’t know anyone else even in the future who is going to be that good. He’s a special player, a special person. For me, it’s so much fun to look at him and watch him play the game.”
But Draisaitl isn’t just considered the best German-born player in the NHL. He’s also looked upon as one of the best of his generation from any country.
Among his accolades, Draisaitl won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy after scoring a League-leading 52 goals. In 2019-20, he won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player, the Ted Lindsay Award, which is given to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted on by members of the NHL Players’ Association, and the Art Ross Trophy as the League’s leading scorer after putting up 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists) in 71 games.
In his first 11 NHL seasons, Draisaitl has scored at least 50 goals four times and finished with at least 100 points six times, including a career-high 128 (52 goals, 76 assists) in 80 games in 2022-23. Since 2018-19, Draisaitl ranks second in the NHL in points with 792 (341 goals, 451 assists) in 554 games, behind only McDavid (878 points in 536 games).
He helped the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons, and he has 43 points (17 goals, 26 assists) in 33 games this season.
“Leon is a top five player in the world. That’s the category that he is at,” said Minnesota Wild forward Nico Sturm, a native of Augsburg, Germany. “For me, he is already the best German player to ever play the game. Hopefully, if everyone stays healthy, he should be the face of our team at the Olympics, and we need that because we don’t have the media coverage that maybe soccer gets. Whenever you have stars, they attract fans. You need those kind of players.”
Draisaitl has inspired young Germans to take up hockey and will get international exposure at the men’s Olympic hockey tournament, which will be held from Feb. 11-22. In June, he was one of six players named to the preliminary roster for Germany, which is in a group with the United States, Denmark, and Latvia.
“He’s our guy. He’s a bright star that is just shining in the spotlight as he should be and as he deserves,” said Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider, who is from Zell, Germany. “We’re fortunate enough to have him on the national team, and we’re proud of that and it just shows how much of an impact he has on a daily basis. He doesn’t just show up here and there, he shows up every single game, and I think that’s the most remarkable thing and it kind of reflects on the points, for sure.”
Perhaps more impressive than reaching 1,000 points is the number of games it will take Draisaitl to get there. He’s in the same neighborhood as Pat LaFontaine (847) Adam Oates (830), Mark Messier (822), Brett Hull (815), and Joe Sakic (810).
“It’s a huge accomplishment, but I think if you ask him, he would say he accomplished more by going to the Final twice and making a push to win the Stanley Cup,” said Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle, who is from Viersen, Germany. “So, yeah, he’s a special player. I love watching him. It’s a pleasure to be able to play with him for the Olympics.”
Draisaitl is one of 40 German-born players (34 skaters, six goalies) to play at least one game in the NHL. He only trails Sturm (938), Dennis Seidenberg (859) and Jochen Hecht (833) in games played.
By the time Draisaitl is done, he will hold every NHL record for a German-born player.
But that’s not what drives him.
“I don’t want to start a competition with other Germans or whoever,” Draisaitl said. “I am the player I am. I want to have the best career that I can possibly have in team success and individual success. I don’t compare myself to anyone nor do I want to. Those were all amazing hockey players, but I try to write my own history, my own story.”
That story will include a 1,000-point celebration with his teammates.
“I’m going to try to enjoy it in the moment, of course,” Draisaitl said. “Sometimes those moments can be hard to enjoy because you’re in the heat of the battle, and you never know how that specific game is going to go. Sometimes it depends on the situation of the game. I’m certainly going to try to enjoy it, but I think that’s certainly something that comes after the game and potentially years later.”
NHL.com independent correspondents Darrin Bauming and Craig Merz, and NHL.com senior director of editorial Shawn P. Roarke contributed to this report
The NHL’s best this week: Battle of Florida continues Monday
On Monday, the next installment of the Battle of Florida will be contested between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, a rivalry that has certainly intensified in recent years.
The two teams entered the league one year apart. The Bolts in 1992 and the Cats a year later.
Although the Panthers miraculously made it to the Stanley Cup Final in their third season, the state of Florida wasn’t truly on the hockey map until the Lightning won the title in 2004.
But for most of the two teams’ existence, the rivalry was purely geographical, with the hockey world largely focusing on other feuds or thriving franchises. Despite achieving far less success in the 23 years after they made the Cup Final in 1996, the Panthers won the lion’s share of games against the Lightning. In that same 23-year span, the Cats had a sub-.500 record against the Lightning in only seven seasons, and the club’s all-time record against their in-state rival is 79-54-29.
But this truly became the
Injuries to Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons ruin NFL’s Week 15
First, Patrick Mahomes went down. Then, it was Micah Parsons.
The NFL lost two of its all-time greatest players to serious knee injuries in a span of a few hours on Sunday, ruining a day filled with exciting comebacks and fascinating stories.
Forty-four-year-old Philip Rivers played his first game in 1,800 days and nearly led the 14-point underdog Indianapolis Colts to a stunning upset against Seattle before Jason Myers kicked a 56-yard field goal with 29 seconds left to lift the Seahawks to an 18-16 victory.
Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills from a 21-0 deficit to a 35-31 victory at New England, snapping the Patriots’ 10-game winning streak and preventing them from clinching the AFC East.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough rallied the New Orleans Saints to a 20-17 comeback victory over the Panthers capped by Charlie Smyth’s 47-yarder as time expired, damaging Carolina’s chances to win the NFC South and boosting Tampa Bay’s hopes.
Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams overcame a 10-point deficit and rolled past the Lions 41-34, dampening Detroit’s playoff bid. The Rams lost three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to a hamstring injury in the game. He could miss Thursday night’s game at Seattle, a battle for first place in the NFC West.
Jalen Hurts played like the Super Bowl MVP and the Philadelphia Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak with a 31-0 rout over the woeful Las Vegas Raiders.
But the injuries to Mahomes and Parsons overshadowed everything else that happened in Week 15.
Even the Chiefs being eliminated from playoff contention was secondary to the news about Mahomes.
The three-time Super Bowl MVP tore the ACL in his left knee late in the fourth quarter of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that ended Kansas City’s streak of 10 straight playoff appearances and seven consecutive trips to the AFC championship game.
“Don’t know why this had to happen,” Mahomes posted on social media before the diagnosis was announced. “And not going to lie it hurts. But all we can do now is trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back stronger than ever.”
Parsons is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a person with knowledge of the All-Pro pass rusher’s injury told The Associated Press on Sunday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the severity of the injury hadn’t been confirmed by tests.
“I’m sickened,” Parsons told the AP in a text message.
Parsons’ injury is a devastating blow to the Green Bay Packers, who lost 34-26 to Denver on Sunday to fall a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears.
Parsons was steps away from another sack when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground, grabbing at his left knee.
Asked about the possibility that Parsons tore his ACL, coach Matt LaFleur responded: “It doesn’t look good. I’ll leave it at that.”
With Parsons, the Packers were Super Bowl contenders. Without him, it’ll be much more difficult to get there. The Packers take on the Bears in a showdown for first place on Saturday night.
“We all know what type of player he is and the impact he’s had on our football team and to lose somebody like that, it’s tough,” LaFleur said. “Like I said, nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. We’ve got to find a way and guys have got to rally around one another.”
Mahomes and Parsons will not only miss the rest of this season but their status for the start of 2026 is uncertain. Players typically return from ACL injuries in 9-12 months.
Running back Adrian Peterson tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee on Dec. 24, 2011. He was back on the field for Week 1 the next season, ran for 2,097 yards in 16 games and became the last non-quarterback to win the NFL MVP award in one of the most remarkable comebacks in league history.
Quarterback Carson Wentz tore his ACL, LCL and sustained damage to his IT band and meniscus on Dec. 17, 2017 and ended up watching the Eagles win the first Super Bowl in franchise history from the sideline. He returned to the starting lineup in Week 3 the following season, and threw for 3,074 yards, 21 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 102.2 passer rating in 11 games.
If Mahomes and Parsons didn’t damage other ligaments, it increases the possibility they could return for the 2026 season opener.
Regardless, both star players have a long, grueling rehab ahead.
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AP Sports Writers Dave Skretta and Pat Graham contributed to this report.
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Micah Parsons, Patrick Mahomes injuries headline Week 15 in the NFL
Sunday’s NFL slate was an especially significant one in terms of attrition.
With only three weeks left in the regular season — and with the start of the playoffs less than a month away — the importance of each game is only increasing. And that means the serious injuries multiple star players sustained in Week 15 could be major factors down the homestretch.
Here are some of the players who went down Sunday — and the fallout from their injuries.
Patrick Mahomes
Instead of pulling off yet another signature comeback, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes finished his season prematurely with a torn ACL during the Chiefs’ 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mahomes was driving into Chargers territory with under two minutes to go when he hurt his left knee. Five plays later, his backup, Gardner Minshew, threw an interception that sealed the loss — which eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention.
“Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts,” Mahomes wrote on X. “But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back stronger than ever.”
The immediate aftermath of the injury is obvious. Instead of Mahomes keeping the team’s season alive, the Chiefs will now miss the playoffs for the first time in his career. And now, in part depending on how soon he can undergo surgery, his status for the start of next season is also unclear.
One more player to keep an eye on: Travis Kelce, the legendary tight end who is close with Mahomes. Kelce, 36, is in the final year of his contract, and while he has bounced back from a subpar 2024 season, he is still a lesser player than when he was a consistent 1,000-yard receiving option. Will Kelce be tempted to play another year to go out on a higher note with Mahomes?
Micah Parsons
Green Bay Packers star pass rusher Micah Parsons is feared to have torn an ACL, as well, a source told NBC Sports’s Mike Florio.
Parsons sustained the injury late in the third quarter of the Packers’ 34-26 defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos. As Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur put it after the game, the Parsons injury is a “double whammy.”
The Packers are 9-4-1 and in the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC. They will travel to Chicago next week to play the Bears, a game that will have massive implications in the playoff race. With a win, Green Bay could win the division and host a playoff game. With a loss, the Packers could be in danger of falling out of the postseason field entirely.
A plus for Green Bay? It holds a tiebreaker over the eighth-place Detroit Lions, who also lost Sunday. A minus? The Packers will also have to play a desperate Baltimore Ravens team in Week 17 and go on the road to play the Minnesota Vikings to end the regular season.
“It’s obviously tough,” LaFleur said about Parsons. “We all know what kind of player he is and the impact he’s had on our football team. To lose someone like that, it’s tough. But no one is going to feel sorry for us. We need to find a way. Guys have to rally around each other.”
Davante Adams
Don’t worry, Los Angeles Rams receiver Davante Adams didn’t tear an ACL. But he did pull up lame with a hamstring injury in the second half of the Rams’ 41-34 win over the Lions, and the timing is brutal.
Adams has been a major part of Los Angeles’ offense this season, catching 60 passes for 789 yards and a whopping 14 touchdowns. The team seems doubtful he will be able to suit up for its next game, as the Rams have a short turnaround before a Thursday night showdown on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.
“I can’t imagine that’s good for Thursday with just the short amount of time, but I certainly wouldn’t rule him out quite yet,” Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay said after the game. “But it didn’t look good.”
Thursday’s game is another one with big consequences. The winner will take the lead in the NFC West, while the loser will fall into a wild-card spot. A Rams win would put them in the driver’s seat for the division crown, as Los Angeles would then also own the tiebreaker over the Seahawks.
If the Rams lose, they could still win the division and host a playoff game, but they would need help from others in that scenario. A loss Thursday could ultimately be the difference between the second seed or the five seed for either Los Angeles or Seattle.
Injuries to Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons ruin NFL’s Week 15
First, Patrick Mahomes went down. Then, it was Micah Parsons.
The NFL lost two of its all-time greatest players to serious knee injuries in a span of a few hours on Sunday, ruining a day filled with exciting comebacks and fascinating stories.
Forty-four-year-old Philip Rivers played his first game in 1,800 days and nearly led the 14-point underdog Indianapolis Colts to a stunning upset against Seattle before Jason Myers kicked a 56-yard field goal with 29 seconds left to lift the Seahawks to an 18-16 victory.
Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills from a 21-0 deficit to a 35-31 victory at New England, snapping the Patriots’ 10-game winning streak and preventing them from clinching the AFC East.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough rallied the New Orleans Saints to a 20-17 comeback victory over the Panthers capped by Charlie Smyth’s 47-yarder as time expired, damaging Carolina’s chances to win the NFC South and boosting Tampa Bay’s hopes.
Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams overcame a 10-point deficit and rolled past the Lions 41-34, dampening Detroit’s playoff bid. The Rams lost three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to a hamstring injury in the game. He could miss Thursday night’s game at Seattle, a battle for first place in the NFC West.
Jalen Hurts played like the Super Bowl MVP and the Philadelphia Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak with a 31-0 rout over the woeful Las Vegas Raiders.
But the injuries to Mahomes and Parsons overshadowed everything else that happened in Week 15.
Even the Chiefs being eliminated from playoff contention was secondary to the news about Mahomes.
The three-time Super Bowl MVP tore the ACL in his left knee late in the fourth quarter of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that ended Kansas City’s streak of 10 straight playoff appearances and seven consecutive trips to the AFC championship game.
“Don’t know why this had to happen,” Mahomes posted on social media before the diagnosis was announced. “And not going to lie it hurts. But all we can do now is trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back stronger than ever.”
Parsons is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a person with knowledge of the All-Pro pass rusher’s injury told The Associated Press on Sunday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the severity of the injury hadn’t been confirmed by tests.
“I’m sickened,” Parsons told the AP in a text message.
Parsons’ injury is a devastating blow to the Green Bay Packers, who lost 34-26 to Denver on Sunday to fall a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears.
Parsons was steps away from another sack when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground, grabbing at his left knee.
Asked about the possibility that Parsons tore his ACL, coach Matt LaFleur responded: “It doesn’t look good. I’ll leave it at that.”
With Parsons, the Packers were Super Bowl contenders. Without him, it’ll be much more difficult to get there. The Packers take on the Bears in a showdown for first place on Saturday night.
“We all know what type of player he is and the impact he’s had on our football team and to lose somebody like that, it’s tough,” LaFleur said. “Like I said, nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. We’ve got to find a way and guys have got to rally around one another.”
Mahomes and Parsons will not only miss the rest of this season but their status for the start of 2026 is uncertain. Players typically return from ACL injuries in 9-12 months.
Running back Adrian Peterson tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee on Dec. 24, 2011. He was back on the field for Week 1 the next season, ran for 2,097 yards in 16 games and became the last non-quarterback to win the NFL MVP award in one of the most remarkable comebacks in league history.
Quarterback Carson Wentz tore his ACL, LCL and sustained damage to his IT band and meniscus on Dec. 17, 2017 and ended up watching the Eagles win the first Super Bowl in franchise history from the sideline. He returned to the starting lineup in Week 3 the following season, and threw for 3,074 yards, 21 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 102.2 passer rating in 11 games.
If Mahomes and Parsons didn’t damage other ligaments, it increases the possibility they could return for the 2026 season opener.
Regardless, both star players have a long, grueling rehab ahead.
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AP Sports Writers Dave Skretta and Pat Graham contributed to this report.
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Fan of the Year uses Packers games to teach first-grade students
Green Bay Packers fans are everywhere, even Middlebury, Connecticut, where first-grade teacher Ashley Christensen might be creating more.
Christensen is Green Bay’s Fan of the Year and nominee to be NFL Fan of the Year. The contest celebrates football fans whose fandom go above and beyond to inspire others. The winner will be announced during Super Bowl week in February.
Packers fans have had good results in recent contests. Tom Grossi was named the NFL Fan of the Year for 2023, while Matthias Kraus won the German NFL Fan of the Year award and was the Packers’ International Fan of the Year nominee for 2024. Both Grossi and Krause announced draft picks from the stage during the 2025 NFL Draft held at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
Voting is open until Feb. 4. Fans can vote here.
Christensen, who was born and raised in Connecticut, uses the Packers’ season to teach first-graders.
Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman declares for NFL Draft after tumultuous college career
Jay’Viar Suggs took an unconventional path to the Wisconsin Badgers last winter in the transfer portal.
Now, he’s hoping his unconventional path will take him to the NFL.
On Sunday, the seventh-year defensive lineman formally declared for the NFL Draft in a post on Instagram.
He projects as a long shot to hear his name called on NFL Draft weekend, but his whole career has been a bit of a long shot.
He first enrolled at Division-II Grand Valley State, where current Badgers outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell was the head coach, and Suggs redshirted his freshman season in 2019.
His 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID, and then he didn’t see any game action in 2021. He finally earned playing time in 2022 and 2023, and he did enough to attract an offer from LSU in the transfer portal for the 2024.
Suggs came off the bench in Baton Rouge and entered the transfer portal again last winter when he joined a Wisconsin defensive line in need of added bulk up front.
He became a starter this season, playing the second-most snaps of any Badgers defensive lineman behind Ben Barten. Now, Suggs has exhausted his eligibility after seven years in college, and he’s off to the pros.
He projects as an undrafted free agent, given his lack of high level college experience and his advanced age for an NFL rookie.
He played just over 450 snaps at the Division-I level in his college career and doesn’t have the type of production that gets players drafted.
But scouts could still fall in love with Suggs’ traits and upside to give him a shot as an undrafted free agent or a rookie minicamp invitation at the very least.
More Wisconsin Badgers News:
Wisconsin Badgers defense has underrated problem Luke Fickell must address in transfer portal
Wisconsin Badgers quarterbacks reached new levels of disappointment in rough 2025 season
Wisconsin Badgers injuries don’t excuse coaching missteps from Luke Fickell in bad 2025 season
Philip Rivers: It was a blast being out there, but we’ve got to win
There was a storybook ending to Philip Rivers’ return to the NFL on Sunday, but he and the Colts were on the wrong side of it.
Rivers completed a key third down pass to Alec Pierce to set up Blake Grupe’s 60-yard field goal with 47 seconds left to play in Seattle and the kick put the Colts ahead on the road in a game they desperately needed to boost their chances of making the playoffs. The lead would not hold, however. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold completed a pair of passes that set up a 56-yard field goal that Jason Myers hit to make the Colts 18-16 losers in Rivers’ first game since 2020.
After the game, Rivers said it was “a blast” to be back on the field but a disappointment because the Colts are “scrapping like crazy to try to stay alive and get in the postseason.” They didn’t help that cause on Sunday and Rivers knows that time is running short for the team to rescue itself.
“If I can stay healthy, I feel good, and it is going to get better as we go,” Rivers said. “But the catch is that we’ve got to win. It doesn’t really matter if it’s getting better as we go if we don’t win because it’s going to be over in three weeks. So that’s the catch there. But it’s going to continue to get better. I mean, this is obviously the first one. We’re talking about three days of practice.”
Rivers gets an extra day to prepare for Week 16 because the Colts will be at home against the 49ers next Monday night and the Colts will need to be at their best if they want to have a chance at being on the right side of a fairy tale in Week 18.
NFL playoff picture: Rams and Broncos clinch in Week 15
Week 15 saw the first two teams clinch playoff spots for the NFL postseason, while an incredible run of success came to a brutal end for a storied franchise.
Both the Los Angeles Rams and the Denver Broncos locked up playoff spots with their wins on Sunday. The Rams’ win over the Detroit Lions clinched at least a Wild Card spot for Los Angeles, while Denver booked their spot in the playoffs with a win over the Green Bay Packers. Similar to the Rams, the Broncos have not yet clinched their division.
But staying in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs joined the ranks of those teams eliminated from playoff contention, meaning that the Chiefs will be at home during the playoff for the first time since 2014. Add in the fact that Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in his left knee late in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and it was a brutal Sunday for Kansas City fans.
Here is how Week 15 shaped the standings.
AFC Playoff Picture
Here is the full AFC playoff picture following Sunday’s games:
Denver Broncos (12-2) – x
New England Patriots (11-3)
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
Buffalo Bills (10-4)
Houston Texans (9-5)
Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
Miami Dolphins (6-7)
Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) – e
Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) – e
New York Jets (3-11) – e
Cleveland Browns (3-11) – e
Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) – e
Tennessee Titans (2-12) – e
Let’s start at the top of the AFC, where the Denver Broncos became the first team in the conference to clinch a playoff spot with their win over the Green Bay Packers. While the Broncos have not clinched the AFC West yet — they can clinch in Week 16 — they at least know they are in the playoffs.
Things also improved for Denver in the race for the No. 1 seed. With the New England Patriots losing to the Buffalo Bills, the Broncos now have a one-game lead over New England, plus they have already clinched a tiebreaker over the Patriots based on their record in common games.
Instead of looking ahead, the Patriots might be checking the rear-view mirror. After losing to the Bills, and missing out on a chance to clinch the AFC East, the Patriots now can see the Jacksonville Jaguars coming. Jacksonville’s win over the New York Jets moved them to within one game of New England for the No. 2 spot.
At the other end, the Kansas City Chiefs joined the ranks of eliminated teams with their loss to the Chargers. Andy Reid and company will miss out on the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
If the NFL playoffs began today, these would be the matchups on Wild Card Weekend:
No. 7 Houston at No. 2 New England
No. 6 Buffalo at No. 3 Jacksonville
No. 5 Los Angeles at No. 4 Pittsburgh
NFC Playoff Picture
Here are the full standings in the NFC:
Los Angeles Rams (11-3) – x
Chicago Bears (10-4)
Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
Detroit Lions (8-6)
Carolina Panthers (7-7)
Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
Minnesota Vikings (6-8) – e
Atlanta Falcons (5-9) – e
New Orleans Saints (4-10) – e
Washington Commanders (4-10) – e
Arizona Cardinals (3-11) – e
New York Giants (2-12) – e
As in the AFC, the NFC saw the first team clinch as the Los Angeles Rams are booked into the postseason. The Rams have not clinched the NFC West yet, as they still have the same record as the Seattle Seahawks. But the Rams’ win earlier in the year over Seattle gives them the tiebreaker edge right now.
And sets up a massive game on Thursday Night Football when those two teams meet again.
With the Chicago Bears winning and the Green Bay Packers losing, those two NFC North rivals flip spots both in the division, and the conference. Chicago is back up to the No. 2 spot from No. 7, while the Packers drop from No. 2 to No. 7. Chicago now leads in the NFC North, but those old rivals are set to meet on Saturday night in a game that could go a long way to deciding the division.
Tampa Bay remains in the lead in the NFC South. Both the Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers lost this week, and the Buccaneers maintain the division lead due to a better record in common games (5-4 versus 4-5).
If the NFL playoffs began today, these would be the three first-round matchups:
No. 7 Green Bay at No. 2 Chicago
No. 6 San Francisco at No. 3 Philadelphia
No. 5 Seattle at No. 4 Tampa Bay
What about Steelers-Dolphins?
One game remains on the Sunday slate, Monday Night Football between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins.
For the Dolphins, this is an elimination game. With both the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans winning on Sunday, the Dolphins will be eliminated with a loss to the Steelers. A victory over Pittsburgh will keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
As for the Steelers, they are currently leading the AFC North, even with the Baltimore Ravens winning on Sunday. A win would keep them in the division lead with an 8-6 record over the Ravens, who are currently 7-7.
A loss would still see the Steelers atop the division, thanks to a better record in division play. Pittsburgh’s record in AFC North games is 3-1, while Baltimore’s is now 3-2 after their win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
NFL winners and losers: The Chiefs are out, and have reached their crossroads
The Chiefs have been inevitable for a long time. There’s an entire generation of young football fans who have no memory of Kansas City being anything but elite, led to consistent greatness by Patrick Mahomes’ arm, Travis Kelce’s hands, Chris Jones’ motor, and Andy Reid’s mustache. No matter what problems appeared on paper, or the issues that presented themselves on the field, the Chiefs always had a MacGyver-like way of escaping problems to return to greatness.
Then 2025 came along, an early losing streak, and finally a trap that Kansas City couldn’t Houdini their way out of. Now the franchise is at the crossroads for the first time in over a decade, and there’s a lot of soul searching to do.
There is nothing that can take away how impressive the Chiefs were in 2023. This was a team that battled through having mediocre weapons, and questionable talent outside of a handful of transcendent players to win a string of one-score games, then move through the playoffs with superior coaching, and win another Super Bowl. It not only shut up everyone who doubted the Chiefs, but established them as a terrifying team to watch in 2024 — because it was assured that the Chiefs would upgrade at several key positions. While Kansas City did improve, and they did make it back to the Super Bowl, this time they were overmatched — but again, the expectation was that the Chiefs could somehow get even better because of all the areas they were lacking.
There’s no sugar coating what a disappointment this year was. Everything collapsed, and the tough part is that there aren’t any excuses. The Chiefs got bodied, time and time again, opening the fissures in the roster and turning them into caverns. Now Kansas City is facing a season-ending injury for Patrick Mahomes’ with a torn ACL in his left knee, and there’s no real reason to even think of starting him in these final meaningless football games.
The question now is how big this reset needs to be, and only the Chiefs can answer these questions. Obviously Mahomes will be back, and he’ll be fine — but there can’t be deference to a bygone era anymore. Tough decisions are going to have to be made, and there’s a lot of longstanding veterans who don’t have a place anymore, so long as Kansas City is serious about trying to compete again.
This season marked the third straight year of Travis Kelce’s regression. In terms of tight ends he’s still a high-tier talent, but Kelce is no longer someone who can carry the Chiefs’ offense. There were far too many times that Mahomes looked for Kelce on a critical third down and was met with either a dropped pass, his target being just out of position, or seeing his once-reliable target unable to get the separation he needed to feel comfortable making a throw. Kelce is on pace for a career-low in first down catches, which is what so much of this Chiefs offense was predicated on.
The running game needs a total overhaul. Relying on Isaiah Pacheco and the ghosts of running backs past in Kareem Hunt and Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn’t do the team any favors in taking pressure off the passing game and forcing Mahomes to bail out the offense with hero ball.
The offensive line isn’t good enough. In 2025 we saw Mahomes under pressure on 23.5% of his pass attempts, which is the highest pressure rating he faced since his rookie season. Meanwhile the run game averaged 4.4 yards-per-attempt, which was a small improvement — but not at the expense of the passing game taking a step back.
Chiefs receivers weren’t great. Hollywood Brown isn’t effective anymore. JuJu Smith-Schuster is cooked. Xavier Worthy is inconsistent. Rashee Rice might not be a true No. 1 receiver long term. There’s so much work to do on the offensive side of the ball to make Mahomes’ life easier, because there’s too much at stake to have his career peter out because you didn’t do enough to support him.
The saving grace from all this is that the defense is still very, very good and the bright spot of this organization right now. Chris Jones had a down year by his very high standards, but was still one of the best interior linemen in the league. Meanwhile George Karlaftis is quickly becoming one of the best young pass rushers in the league, and the secondary is still great.
All this was wrapped up and distilled in a loss to the Chargers. Los Angeles is a good team, but not a great one. Its the kind of game the Chiefs of the past would have asserted themselves in more, instead of limping to a sad finish to their season.
The soul searching begins now. With this many holes to plug it might be time to question whether the structure in place is the right one. Is the correct move to have Andy Reid usher in a new era that requires a partial rebuild? Or is it time to turn this team over to Steve Spagnuolo, who appears to be the heir apparent in Kansas City? It’s not a question of ability, but pragmatism. Reid remains one of the best coaches in the NFL, one of the greatest of all time. There still needs to be a very candid conversation about how long Reid wanted to keep this going. Had the Chiefs found a way to win the Super Bowl would he have retired? How much more is his heart in this? Does he have the fortitude to oversee the overhaul that needs to happen now?
For the first time in over a decade the Chiefs have real questions to answer. Existential questions about the future of their organization. How they handle the next six months will establish their trajectory for the next 10 years. This is the first time in forever that Kansas City enters an offseason with more questions than answers.
And now onto the rest of the winners and losers in Week 15.
Winner: Trevor Lawrence
This is a cautionary tale in why you never write off a quarterback too soon. There’s been a lot of “BUST” talk around T-Law this season, and at times it’s been understandable — but Sunday’s performance against the Jets was the culmination of what Lawrence has quietly been doing for weeks now.
Sure, you can write this performance off with the understanding that the Jets are a dumpster fire, but the Trevor Lawrence of a year ago didn’t have the tools to throw for over 300 yards, with five passing touchdowns, and another on the ground. This is the effect that Liam Coen’s offense has had on Jacksonville, which has finally given Lawrence the tools and confidence to play at the level he was always capable of.
We’ve said time and time again that QB talent is vastly overrated when players enter the league, and the differentiating factor is the fit. Remember this when you next write off a QB, because this season alone we have Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, and Daniel Jones (before injury) all shining in a new situation. This stuff matters.
Winner: The Bills
Buffalo didn’t necessarily need this win to solidify a playoff spot or save their season, but they needed it to know that this team still has it. The Bills aren’t willing to go gently into that good night when it comes to abandoning being the best team in the AFC East, at least not yet.
Going into Foxboro and wrestling a win away from the AFC East leader was a statement for the playoffs as much as anything else. If these teams meet again in the playoffs, as they very well could, it made them know that they can go toe-to-toe with New England and walk away the victor. Those kind of things are important in a season, even if they seem like small victories in the moment.
Loser: The Panthers being their own worst enemy
What a kick in the teeth for fans in Carolina. Fate handed the Panthers a chance to move ahead into an almost-guaranteed NFC South win for the first time in a decade, and they totally crapped the bed in New Orleans. It was a masterpiece in beating themselves, as a typically-disciplined team gave up 103 yards in 11 penalties, went to a soft prevent defense in the fourth quarter with no teeth, and made some inexplicable key play calls that doomed the team on offense.
Bryce Young is the lightning rod for criticism in Carolina, but oftentimes he’s the figurehead for the deeper issues of this franchise. The Panthers’ consistent inconsistency is far beyond the pale, and as goofy as their nonsensical nature is, at the same time there need to be answers. Losing 12-straight games when you’re the favorite is symptomatic of larger issues. Managing to beat the NFL’s best teams, and lose to its worst ones is an abomination.
If nothing else, someone needs to explain how running a prevent defense inside the red zone when you’re up by one score makes sense, because I’ve never seen anything like it. The Saints won, but the Panthers beat themselves.
Loser: Joe Burrow
Welcome to the emo Joe Burrow era. This is a man who already went through his dyed hair phase, and he’s quickly moving to locking his door, playing songs by “The Cure,” and writing dramatic poetry about his parents.
You know things are getting weird when Ja’Marr Chase is talking about needing to be Joe’s therapist through a difficult time.
We have to get everyone with talent out of Cincinnati before it’s too late. Too many promising careers have gone there to die.
Read it and keep: Rams will win the Super Bowl title in 2026
Who’s going to beat them?
Who’s going to stop the unstoppable offense? Who’s going to score on the persistent defense? Who’s going to outwit the coaching genius?
Who can possibly halt the Rams on their thunderous march toward a Super Bowl championship?
After yet another jaw-dropping Sunday afternoon at a raucous SoFi Stadium, the answer was clear.
Nobody.
Nobody can spar with the Rams. Nobody can run with the Rams. Nobody can compete with the Rams.
Nobody is talented enough or deep enough or smart enough to keep the Rams from winning their second Super Bowl championship in five years.
Nobody. It’s over. It’s done. The Rams are going to win it all, and before you cry jinx, understand that this is just putting into words what many already are thinking.
The Rams’ second-half domination of the Detroit Lions in a 41-34 win should again make the rest of the league realize that nobody else has a chance.
The Seahawks? Please. The 49ers? No way. The Eagles? They’ve been grounded. The Bears? Is that some kind of a joke?
The Patriots? Not yet. The Broncos? Not yet. The Bills? Not ever.
The Rams trailed by 10 points at one juncture Sunday and then blew the Lions’ doors off in the second half to clinch a playoff berth for the seventh time in nine seasons under Sean McVay, setting them up for the easiest ride in sports.
With a win in Seattle on Thursday night — and, yes, they should beat a team that just barely survived Old Man Rivers — the Rams essentially will clinch the NFC’s top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
That means they have to win only two games at SoFi to advance to a Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. That means they can win a championship without leaving California, three games played in the sort of perfect climate that gets the best out of their precision attack.
And as Sunday proved once again, they’re good enough to win three essentially home playoff games against anybody.
“I love this team,” McVay said.
There’s a lot to love.
They have an MVP quarterback, the league’s most versatile two-headed running attack, an interior defense that gets stronger under pressure, and the one weapon that no team can match.
They have Puka Nacua, and nobody else does.
Is he unbelievable or what? He is Cooper Kupp in his prime, only faster and stronger. He caught a career-high 181 yards’ worth of passes on yet another day when he could not be covered and barely could be tackled.
“He’s unbelievable,” McVay said. “He’s so tough, a couple of times he just drags guys with him … he epitomizes everything we want to be about … he’s like Pac-Man, he just eats up yards and catches.”
Pac-Man? The Rams even score on their old-school references.
In all, it was another Sunday of totally fun football.
They outscored the league’s highest-scoring team 20-0 at one point, they outrushed the league’s toughest backfield 159-70, they racked up 519 total yards against a team once thought destined for a championship.
And they did it with barely a smile. With the exception of Nacua repeatedly banging his fist to his chest — can you blame him? — the Rams are steady and steadfast and just so scary.
”All we want to do is go to work and find a way to be better,” said Matthew Stafford, who likely answered the crowd’s chants by clinching the MVP award with 368 yards and two touchdown passes. “It’s a fun group right now but we understand there’s more out there for us.”
Lots, lots, lots more.
This year a similar column appeared in this space regarding the Dodgers. By the first round of the playoffs, one just knew that they were going to run the table.
The same feeling exists here. The Rams look unrelenting, unfazed, unbeatable.
“Guys just kept competing, staying in the moment,” McVay said.
This moment belongs to them. One knew it Sunday by the end of the first half, which featured a Stafford interception and a struggling secondary and Jared Goff’s vengeful greatness and a 10-point Lions lead.
Then the Rams drove the ball nearly half of the field in 30 seconds in a push featuring Stafford and Nacua at their best. Stafford connected with Nacua on a brilliant 37-yard pass in the final moments that led to a Harrison Mevis 37-yard field goal to close the gap to seven.
“Right before that I told the guys, ‘Let’s go steal three,’” Stafford said.
Turns out, they stole a game.
“One of the key and critical sequences,” McVay said of that late first-half hammer, which led to a dazzling third quarter that finished the flustered Lions.
“We never panic,” Blake Corum said. “Because we know … what we have to bring to the table.”
What they’ve increasingly been bringing is a running attack that perfectly complements the awesome passing attack, as evidenced Sunday by Corum and Kyren Williams combining for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
The Lions’ more vaunted backfield of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery? Seventy yards and one score.
“We push each other to the limit,” Corum said of Williams.
Potentially disturbing was how one noted Ram may have pushed past his limits, as receiver Davante Adams limped off the field early in the fourth quarter after apparently reinjuring his troublesome hamstring.
To lose him for the playoffs would be devastating, as he frees up space for Nacua and is almost an automatic touchdown from the five-yard line and closer.
Then again he’ll have a month to heal. And the Rams still have a bruising array of tight ends led Sunday by the touchdown-hot Colby Parkinson, who caught 75 yards’ worth of passes and two scores, including one inexplicable touchdown in which he clearly was down at the one-yard line.
The Rams got lucky there. But even if the right call was made, they would have scored on the next couple of plays. The way the Rams attacked, they could have been scoring all night.
“You knew that it was going to be that kind of game where there was some good back-and-forth,” McVay said. “You needed to be able to know that points were going to be really important for us, and our guys delivered in a big way.”
Just wait. By the time this season is done, McVay’s guys will have delivered a trophy representing something much bigger.
It rhymes with Strombardi.
NFL power rankings Week 16 see shakeup after Patriots, Packers losses
For the past six weeks, the New England Patriots have been the No. 1 team in our NFL power rankings. But not this week.
New England’s close loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 14, opened the door for a new team to take over the top spot in our NFL Week 16 power rankings, the first time this team has sat atop our power rankings this season.
It is the sixth team to be ranked No. 1 in our power rankings poll since play began this season, joining the Philadelphia Eagles (Weeks 1-5), Detroit Lions (Week 6), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 7), Indianapolis Colts (Weeks 8-9) and Patriots (Weeks 10-15).
Many teams could make an argument to be No. 1 right now, including the 11-3 Seattle Seahawks, 11-3 Los Angeles Rams and 12-2 Denver Broncos.
Who is the new No. 1 team in our NFL power rankings now? Check out our Week 16 NFL power rankings to find out. Previous ranking in parentheses. These rankings will be updated after the Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers game on Monday Night Football tonight (Dec. 15).
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32. Las Vegas Raiders (32)
The Raiders have now lost eight straight games. They are just 2-12 in Pete Carroll’s first year. Big changes could be coming in Las Vegas.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles, 31-0
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Houston Texans (Dec. 21)
31. Tennessee Titans (31)
The Titans have struggled mightily on defense, having given up the second-most points in the AFC. They have given up at least 25 points in four straight games.
NFL Week 15: Lost to San Francisco 49ers, 37-24
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs Kansas City Chiefs (Dec. 21)
30. New York Giants (30)
The Giants’ losing skid has now reached eight games. Jaxson Dart has shown promise for New York, but this team has a lot of issues.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Washington Commanders, 29-21
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs Minnesota Vikings (Dec. 21)
29. New York Jets (28)
Brady Cook was 22-for-33 for 176 yards and a touchdown, with three passes intercepted in the loss. Who is going to be the starting QB for the Jets next season?
NFL Week 15: Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars, 48-20
NFL Week 16: Sunday at New Orleans Saints (Dec. 21)
28. Cleveland Browns (26)
Shedeur Sanders fell back to earth with an 18-for-35, 177-yard performance, with three passes intercepted. Cleveland is now 3-11.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Chicago Bears, 31-3
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs Buffalo Bills (Dec. 21)
27. Arizona Cardinals (27)
Arizona has now dropped six straight games to fall to 3-11 on the season. Will Jonathan Gannon get another season as the Cardinals’ coach?
NFL Week 15: Lost to Houston Texans, 40-20
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs Atlanta Falcons (Dec. 21)
26. Cincinnati Bengals (23)
This team didn’t bother to show up to its home game against the Ravens. 4-10 for Cincinnati? A 24-0 loss at home? Inexcusable.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Baltimore Ravens, 24-0
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Miami Dolphins (Dec. 21)
25. Washington Commanders (29)
The Commanders ended an eight-game losing streak with the win over the Giants. Their reward? The Eagles, Cowboys and then Eagles again over the last three weeks of the season.
NFL Week 15: Beat New York Giants, 29-21
NFL Week 16: Saturday vs Philadelphia Eagles (Dec. 20)
24. New Orleans Saints (25)
The Saints have defeated the Buccaneers and Panthers in back-to-back weeks and have the Jets and Titans up next. Tyler Shough (24-for-32, 272 yards, one touchdown) is showing promise for New Orleans.
NFL Week 15: Beat Carolina Panthers, 20-17
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs New York Jets (Dec. 21)
23. Atlanta Falcons (24)
Did Kirk Cousins earn himself another starting gig in the NFL next season with his 30-for-44, 373-yard, three-touchdown performance?
NFL Week 15: Beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 29-28
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Arizona Cardinals (Dec. 21)
22. Kansas City Chiefs (18)
The Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss, something we did not see coming this season. To make matters worse for Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes was injured late in the game.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Los Angeles Chargers, 16-13
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Tennessee Titans (Dec. 21)
21. Dallas Cowboys (19)
This will be looked back upon as a season of missed chances for the Cowboys, who fell to 6-7-1 with the loss to the Vikings.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Minnesota Vikings, 34-26
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs Los Angeles Chargers (Dec. 21)
20. Minnesota Vikings (22)
The Vikings might not be that far away from contending in the NFC North with J.J. McCarthy as QB. He was 15-for-24 for 250 yards with a pair of touchdown passes and one pass intercepted in Minnesota’s second straight win.
NFL Week 15: Beat Dallas Cowboys, 34-26
NFL Week 16: Sunday at New York Giants (Dec. 21)
19. Miami Dolphins (20)
NFL Week 15: Monday Night Football at Pittsburgh Steelers (Dec. 15)
NFL Week 16: Sunday Night Football vs Cincinnati Bengals (Dec. 21)
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17)
The Buccaneers led the game against the Falcons in the fourth quarter, 28-14. Ouch. They are now fighting for the playoffs.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Atlanta Falcons, 29-28
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Carolina Panthers (Dec. 21)
17. Carolina Panthers (16)
The Panthers blew a shot to take over first in the NFC South over the Buccaneers, who they play in two of the final three weeks of the season.
NFL Week 15: Lost to New Orleans Saints, 20-17
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Dec. 21)
16. Baltimore Ravens (21)
Kyle Van Noy’s interception, then handoff to Alohi Gilman, who returned it for a touchdown, was a thing of beauty.
NFL Week 15: Beat Cincinnati Bengals, 24-0
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs New England Patriots (Dec. 21)
15. Indianapolis Colts (15)
Indianapolis has now lost four straight and ends the season with the 49ers, Jaguars and Texans. But we were impressed with Philip Rivers’ performance off the street for the Colts.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Seattle Seahawks, 18-16
NFL Week 16: Monday Night Football vs San Francisco 49ers (Dec. 22)
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (14)
NFL Week 15: Monday Night Football vs Miami Dolphins (Dec. 15)
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Detroit Lions (Dec. 21)
13. Detroit Lions (11)
The Lions’ playoff hopes took a hit with the loss to the Rams. At 8-6, Jared Goff and Detroit could need help to make the NFC postseason.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Los Angeles Rams, 41-34
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Dec. 21)
12. Philadelphia Eagles (13)
Philadelphia’s 3-game skid is over. Jalen Hurts looked more like Jalen Hurts. Saquon Barkley looked more like Saquon Barkley. Good signs for the Eagles.
NFL Week 15: Beat Las Vegas Raiders, 31-0
NFL Week 16: Saturday at Washington Commanders (Dec. 20)
11. Houston Texans (12)
The Texans have now won six straight games, and they have one of the NFL’s best defenses. Could this team be a Super Bowl contender?
NFL Week 15: Beat Arizona Cardinals, 40-20
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs Las Vegas Raiders (Dec. 21)
10. Los Angeles Chargers (10)
How big was the win over the Chiefs? Los Angeles is now 10-4 on the season and closer to a playoff berth. But we still have questions about the Chargers’ offensive line.
NFL Week 15: Beat Kansas City Chiefs, 16-13
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 21)
9. Green Bay Packers (5)
Green Bay’s 4-game win streak ended with the loss at Denver, and the Packers fell out of the NFC North lead. Saturday’s game against the Bears will be pivotal.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Denver Broncos, 34-26
NFL Week 16: Saturday at Chicago Bears (Dec. 20)
8. Chicago Bears (9)
The 10-4 Bears have been a huge surprise, but tough games against the Packers, 49ers and Lions remain to close out the regular season.
NFL Week 15: Beat Cleveland Browns, 31-3
NFL Week 16: Saturday vs Green Bay Packers (Dec. 20)
7. San Francisco 49ers (8)
The 49ers have won four in a row. They are 10-4. And they are somehow in third place in the NFC West, which is proving to be the toughest division in the NFL.
NFL Week 15: Beat Tennessee Titans, 37-24
NFL Week 16: Monday Night Football at Indianapolis Colts (Dec. 22)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (7)
Yes, it was the Jets, but Jacksonville has now won five straight. Trevor Lawrence had five touchdown passes and a touchdown run in the win.
NFL Week 15: Beat New York Jets, 48-20
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Denver Broncos (Dec. 21)
5. Buffalo Bills (6)
The Bills rallied from a 21-point deficit to stay in the AFC East race. James Cook’s 22 carries for 107 yards, with two touchdown runs, were a big reason why.
NFL Week 15: Beat New England Patriots. 35-31
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Cleveland Browns (Dec. 21)
4. New England Patriots (1)
The Patriots’ reign as the No. 1 team in our NFL power rankings is over, but New England showed us that it can contend for the AFC title in the loss to the Bills.
NFL Week 15: Lost to Buffalo Bills, 35-31
NFL Week 16: Sunday at Baltimore Ravens (Dec. 21)
3. Seattle Seahawks (4)
Jason Myers had six field goals for the Seahawks against the Colts, accounting for all of Seattle’s points. The Seahawks needed every one of them.
NFL Week 15: Beat Indianapolis Colts, 18-16
NFL Week 16: Thursday Night Football vs Los Angeles Rams (Dec. 18)
2. Los Angeles Rams (3)
Puka Nacua had nine catches for 181 yards in the win for the Rams. He was targeted 11 times. Los Angeles might be the team to beat for the Super Bowl.
NFL Week 15: Beat Detroit Lions, 41-34
NFL Week 16: Thursday Night Football at Seattle Seahawks (Dec. 18)
1. Denver Broncos (2)
The Broncos have won 11 straight games. They are 7-0 at home and could be a very difficult out on the NFL playoffs, especially if they get homefield advantage in the AFC postseason. This team deserves to be No. 1 right now.
NFL Week 15: Beat Green Bay Packers, 34-26
NFL Week 16: Sunday vs Jacksonville Jaguars (Dec. 21)
NFL’s highest paid players in 2025: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive linemen | D-linemen | Cornerbacks | Safeties | Linebackers | Edge rushers | Highest paid NFL players: Overall | By position | By team
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Matas Buzelis to defend more on the perimeter as Bulls experiment with lineups
Bulls forward Matas Buzelis has had to guard up the positional spectrum and defend bigger forwards as the Bulls’ optimal power forward.
Buzelis added 10 pounds of muscle to endure more of that contract and dish out some punishment of his own. But as the Bulls tinker with lineup configurations to escape this recent skid they’ve been on, Buzelis’ role might get changed around. The Bulls have started pairing Zach Collins and Jalen Smith in lineups together to address some of the team’s rebounding woes.
But how the shift affects Buzelis is worth monitoring as he shifts to a small forward role. Offensively, coach Billy Donovan said, not much will change for the talented second-year forward. He’ll still handle the ball in pick-and-roll settings and attack closeouts when the opportunity presents itself. Buzelis entered Sunday averaging 13.8 points on 46.9% shooting.
But defensively, it is where the learning curve is more challenging for younger players. And for Buzelis, the issue will come from guarding more perimeter-oriented players.
“I think Matas has the foot speed and length to be able to do that,” Donovan said of Buzelis guarding on the perimeter. “Certain guys will be a little bit more dynamic and [a] little bit more challenging, but I feel pretty confident with his foot speed and his length that he can guard multiple positions.”
‘Where are we?’
Coach Billy Donovan was flummoxed pregame.
He couldn’t understand why the Bulls have been getting outscored in transition while failing to attack the offensive glass. The Pelicans blitzed the Bulls for 143 points in their last meeting, thriving in transition and being comfortable playing at the high-octane space the Bulls try to impose on teams.
“They have been incredibly dominant in the paint [and] incredibly dominant at the rim,” Donovan said. “Nw that that happens from a variety of different reasons: [It’s] them playing off the bounce [and] getting to the rim, it’s the offensive rebounding, it’s the cutting, getting some layups and and all those things kind of coupled together have enabled them to, you know, put up some really remarkable numbers at the at the rim, so that that’s going to be certainly a priority.”
Donovan has also been dismayed by his team’s lack of resistance in transition.
“Where are we?” Donovan said. “So much of the game now is about [answering] back. Whether you score, [you’re] answering back to defense, or whether you get scored against, answering back to offense. We’ve got to be better there.”
The Bulls entered 22nd in offensive rebounding rate and 21st in points allowed per 100 possessions in transition. The key for the Bulls, as currently constructed, is to beat the other teams in transition at a breakneck pace.
Banged up Bulls
Guard Ayo Dosunmu (right thumb sprain) was out for Sunday’s game against the Pelicans. Donovan said the hope is that Dosunmu returns for the Cleveland game on Wednesday.
Victor Wembanyama finally got a real NBA test – and he aced it
LAS VEGAS — Victor Wembanyama has accomplished a lot during his young NBA career — winning rookie of the year honors, making the all-star team and leading the league in blocks — but his first two seasons came and went without a single high-stakes game. The young San Antonio Spurs were too early in their rebuilding cycle to vie for a spot in the play-in tournament or the playoffs, and the 2023 No. 1 draft pick’s second season was cut short by a blood clot in his shoulder.
When the 7-foot-4 phenom carried France to the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, it felt like an extended-length movie trailer for what might be possible once the Spurs grew up. And when he poured in 42 points to enthrall the Madison Square Garden crowd during a loss to the New York Knicks last Christmas, Wembanyama again hinted at a long-presumed NBA takeover that has unfolded in fits and starts.
Saturday night finally brought a real test: Wembanyama, 21, returned to the court after missing 12 games with a calf strain for an NBA Cup semifinal matchup with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder at T-Mobile Arena. The NBA cleared the rest of its calendar to highlight this showdown between the Spurs, who have vaulted up the standings despite injury issues, and the Thunder, which entered at 24-1 while riding a 16-game winning streak and on track for the best record in NBA history.
Wembanyama led the Spurs to a stunning 111-109 upset by posting 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks and acing the most significant test of his NBA career to date. His game-changing impact was obvious: The Spurs (18-7) outscored the Thunder by 21 points in his 21 minutes, and they were outscored by 19 points in the 27 minutes he was on the bench. San Antonio advanced to face New York in Tuesday’s championship game; the Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic, 132-120, in Saturday’s other semifinal thanks to 40 points from Jalen Brunson.
“This is not a typical regular season game because we know that if we lose, we’re out,” Wembanyama said. “Some people are built for these moments, and some aren’t. But we definitely are, and it shows.”
In the run-up to the semifinals of the NBA Cup, the in-season tournament introduced in 2023, Wembanyama made it clear that he was in Las Vegas for the competitive test and to put the Thunder on notice, rather than for the $530,000 in prize money that goes to each member of the tournament champion.
“Poor Vic needs more money, right?” he quipped at Friday’s media day. “Just stacking money hasn’t really been a goal of mine.”
Wembanyama proceeded to tell ESPN that he thought Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — but not Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic — were in contention for the NBA’s “best player” label. Then he added, “When I come back on the court, I think it’ll be me.”
And in an interview with Prime Video, Wembanyama downplayed his individual matchup with Thunder center Chet Holmgren. “The MVP is on that court,” he said, referring to Gilgeous-Alexander. “He’s our main focus. Anybody is hard to guard when you have to help on the MVP.” Dirk Nowitzki, the Hall of Fame player turned broadcaster, later scolded Wembanyama for being “too swaggy [and] too dismissive of Chet” given Holmgren’s key role during the Thunder’s championship run.
But Wembanyama proceeded to back up his big talk after making a fashionably late entrance to the semifinal. The Spurs sought to limit Wembanyama to 20 minutes in his first game since Nov. 14, so he came off the bench for the first time in his career and remained sidelined for the entire first quarter.
To pass the time as Oklahoma City built a 31-20 lead, Wembanyama stayed warm with stretching exercises and a jostling match with teammate Bismack Biyombo. When it was his turn to take the court to open the second quarter, Wembanyama sat for a quiet moment with his head bowed, his eyes closed and his hands clasped before leaping to his feet and ripping off his warmup pants.
“My thoughts before the game were that this is the kind of game you have to make things happen, no matter the conditions,” Wembanyama said. “[Coming off the bench with a minutes limit] is just a slight detail. I can do all right with three quarters. … Looking back, I think it was a good formula. It was a good system to do it like this. I just tried to make the most out of it.”
Wembanyama got straight to work with a tip-in basket on his first offensive possession, followed by an offensive rebound and an assist to set up a Dylan Harper three-pointer on his second. Within minutes, he had grabbed his first steal and committed his first of five turnovers while playing with a bit too much haste.
After connecting on two lobs at the rim in the first quarter, the Thunder suddenly found it inadvisable to enter the paint. Oklahoma City, owner of the NBA’s best defense, generally wanted no part of the NBA’s best individual defender. During a rare moment of head-on ambition, Holmgren lofted a turnaround jumper over Wembanyama that wound up smothered as soon as it left his fingertips.
The Spurs were within three after Wembanyama hit a deep three-pointer shortly before halftime. When he reentered the game midway through the fourth quarter, the Thunder’s lead was just one point. The final minutes were a sight to behold as Wembanyama finished a lob dunk, drilled a tough jumper over Alex Caruso and made four free throws to help ice the win.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 29 points, but Oklahoma City was eliminated from the NBA Cup in the semifinals one year after falling to the Bucks in the tournament’s championship game. Holmgren and Jalen Williams added 17 points apiece for the Thunder.
“[Wembanyama was] huge, obviously,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “He’s got great two-way impact. He’s obviously a rim deterrent. He’s a problem on the glass, and he was early. Then he caught his rhythm offensively and made some really tough shots down the stretch.”
Along the way, Wembanyama savored every sequence. After being fouled by Cason Wallace on a drive, Wembanyama grinned while flexing in a display of strength. After absorbing two swipes from Caruso and hitting a clutch fadeaway jumper, Wembanyama pointed his finger at the Thunder guard. After Holmgren missed a crucial free throw with eight seconds left, Wembanyama roared his approval. And after the final buzzer, he triumphantly raised both hands over his head.
“It was the worst-case scenario fcoach Mitch Johnson said. “It was going to be a little bit of a wild card. I thought he played unapologetically. I thought he played relentless. I thought he played too fast at times, and it was all for the right reasons and with the right intentions. I wouldn’t change any of it.”
This was the type of comprehensive dominance that many expected when Wembanyama entered the NBA as the most hyped prospect since LeBron James. On Saturday, he displayed the inherent advantages that come with his unprecedented combination of height and skill but also the same competitive spirit that left him in tears when France lost to the United States in the gold medal game in Paris.
Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged Saturday that it’s “definitely a possibility” that the Thunder and Spurs are headed for a long-term rivalry given their deep pools of young talent. Though Oklahoma City is a few years ahead of San Antonio’s pace, Wembanyama and teammates De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Harper appear poised to make up ground quickly. Fast forward a few years, and it’s possible that this win will be remembered as the Spurs’ coming-out party.
Before Saturday’s festivities were complete, Wembanyama delivered one last flourish. As the Thunder has stockpiled blowout wins in recent years, opposing fan bases have accused Gilgeous-Alexander of foul-baiting tactics and Oklahoma City’s physical defense of getting away with illegal contact. As Wembanyama gushed about the Spurs’ 9-3 record during his injury absence, he tacked on an aside that could be read as a subtle dig at the Thunder’s polarizing reputation.
“I’m just glad,” he said, “to be part of something that’s growing to be so beautiful — pure and ethical basketball.”
LaKeith Stanfield Cast as Dennis Rodman in New Bulls Movie
The Dennis Rodman biopic has officially found its new lead. LaKeith Stanfield has boarded 48 Hours in Vegas, a film centered on the Chicago Bulls star’s infamous midseason disappearance during the 1998 NBA Finals, a story that later became one of the most memorable moments in ESPN’s The Last Dance documentary, per EW.
Stanfield confirmed his involvement through a statement tied to the project, signaling a major casting shift after the film previously moved on from Jonathan Majors. The movie focuses on Rodman’s chaotic 48-hour trip to Las Vegas, a gamble that somehow fit within the Bulls’ championship run and Phil Jackson’s unconventional approach to managing personalities.
“I’m genuinely excited to help create an exhilarating, joyful work that both honors and thoughtfully examines the legacy of Rodman and fellow trailblazers,” Stanfield said in a statement. “Those who moved to the beat of their own drum, undeterred by the obstacles placed before them, then and now.”
Revisiting Rodman’s Wildest Bulls Chapter
Fans who watched The Last Dance will remember the Vegas story vividly. In the third episode of the 10-part series, Michael Jordan recalled how Rodman requested a break during the season as Scottie Pippen worked his way back from injury. What followed became NBA folklore.
“Dennis says, ‘I need a vacation,’” Jordan said during the documentary. He explained how Jackson ultimately agreed to a tightly controlled window. “‘Dennis, well, can your vacation be, like, 48 hours?’” Jordan recalled Jackson saying, a compromise that gave the film its title.
Rodman’s ability to disappear into chaos and return locked in became a defining part of his legend. The upcoming film aims to capture that tension, the balance between freedom and discipline that helped power one of the most dominant teams in league history.
The project originally planned to reunite Stanfield with The Harder They Fall castmate Jonathan Majors, but Majors exited the film less than a month after being found guilty of one count of assault and one count of harassment in a 2023 domestic violence trial. Stanfield now steps into the role, reshaping the direction of the biopic.
Rick Famuyiwa and a Familiar Creative Team
The film will be directed by Rick Famuyiwa, who also plans to write a new draft of the script. Famuyiwa previously directed The Wood and Brown Sugar, and penned the 2007 biopic Talk to Me. His more recent work has lived largely on television, including the pilot for The Chi and episodes of The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.
Famuyiwa and Stanfield have crossed paths before. Stanfield appeared in a minor supporting role in Famuyiwa’s 2015 film Dope, making 48 Hours in Vegas a more substantial reunion between the two.
Production duties fall to Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Aditya Sood, the team behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and the upcoming Project Hail Mary. Their involvement signals a stylized approach to a story already packed with personality.
Stanfield arrives at the role with an extensive resume that spans television, biopics, and franchise films. He starred for four seasons in FX’s Atlanta and earned an Oscar nomination for Judas and the Black Messiah. His recent work includes roles in Die My Love, Roofman, and Play Dirty. Up next, he will appear in I Love Boosters and the action thriller F.A.S.T.
With Stanfield now attached, 48 Hours in Vegas moves forward with fresh momentum and a lead known for channeling complex, unconventional figures, much like Rodman himself.
JJ Redick Takes Shot at Refs After Lakers’ Ugly Win Over Suns
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick was not too thrilled with the officiating in their 116-114 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Redick threw some shade toward the referees after the game, though he acknowledged that he was also at fault for the Lakers’ near-collapse in the fourth quarter.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Redick thought that the Lakers made a lot of mistakes against the Suns. They were up by as much as 20 points, but Phoenix took the lead with 12.2 seconds left. He admitted to being wrong for using their challenge too early on a Jake LaRavia play, while also subtly taking shots at the refs.
“I thought we made a lot of mistakes tonight. Lot of mistakes, myself included. I shouldn’t have challenged that even though apparently in the NBA, you’re now allowed to grab a guy’s jersey as he goes up for a layup, which they acknowledge that Jake’s jersey was being grabbed as he went for layup, but apparently, that doesn’t affect guys anymore,” Redick said.
Redick was talking about late in the third quarter when Devin Booker blocked LaRavia’s shot. The Lakers called a timeout, and the coach decided to challenge because his player’s jersey was grabbed.
However, the officials didn’t think a foul occurred, so the challenge was unsuccessful.
Redick Calls Win Over Phoenix Ugly
At one point in the third quarter, the Lakers had a 20-point lead over the Suns. Things appeared to be over, but the home team made a furious rally late in the fourth quarter.
Just when it looked like the Lakers had solved their defensive issues with Jarred Vanderbilt, they went back to their old ways and allowed the Suns to get back into the game.
Luckily for the Lakers, Dillon Brooks‘ tomfoolery and LeBron James‘ clutch free throws and block were enough to win. JJ Redick described the victory as “ugly,” which is a good sign for the team.
“It’s going to sound sick, but love winning games like this. Wish it had not been a one-possession game, not been down with 12 seconds, like all that stuff. But, you know, winning ugly is actually really fun because it means you got in the trenches and you fought, and we did that tonight,” Redick said, via Spectrum Sportsnet.
The Lakers improved to 18-7 for the season, putting them in fourth in the West standings behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets.
What’s Next For The Lakers?
The Lakers will continue their four-game road trip on Thursday, when they visit the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. They then face the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday before going back to Phoenix for a rematch against the Phoenix Suns on December 23.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Not Worried About Sixth Man Award Race, Focused On Winning Games!
TMZSports.com
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is the current favorite to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award … but he tells TMZ Sports he’s not thinking about his trophy case … all he wants to do is win games.
The Miami Heat role player has been great off the bench this season … averaging nearly 16 points a game, 5.8 rebounds, and five assists a contest so far.
When we caught up with the 24-year-old this week … he said he’s doing his best to keep the team first … and not let the online chatter about his chances at 6MOY get to him.
Does Tyrese Maxey have a case to be a top-10 NBA player?
ATLANTA — The 76ers headed into State Farm Arena on Sunday evening looking to continue their ascension in the Eastern Conference standings.
Didn’t happen.
They suffered a 120-117 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, dropping to 14-11 and seventh in the standings.
However, they were in fourth place before the game, a half-game behind the third-place Boston Celtics, who take a 15-10 record into Monday’s game against the first-place Detroit Pistons. A victory over the Hawks (15-12) would have also given the Sixers five wins in six games since suffering a 142-134 double-overtime loss to the Hawks on Nov. 30 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The Sixers now have a couple of days of practice before resuming play this weekend. At that point, we’ll see if they can get back to winning.
But for the time being, here are some answers to a few of your mailbag questions.
Missed out on the party? No worries. Submit questions for next time by tweeting @PompeyOnSixers to X with the hashtag #PompeysMailbagFlow.
A: Thanks for starting the mailbag, Hector! And yes, Maxey definitely has a legitimate case for being considered a top-10 player in the NBA.
So far, the point guard is having one of the best seasons in franchise history. That’s a statement in itself, considering the Sixers’ storied history.
Maxey is third in the league in scoring at 31.5 points per game behind Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Dončić (35.0) and Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.4). Maxey finished with a career-high 54 points and nine assists in an overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 20. He and Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain are the only players in franchise history with at least 50 points and nine assists in a game.
Maxey’s 54-point effort in a game ranked second this season heading into Sunday’s contests. James Harden (Nov. 22), Nikola Jokic (Nov. 12), and Gilgeous-Alexander (Oct. 23) have scored 55 points in a game.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Maxey is fourth in the league in three-pointers made (84) and ninth in assist average (7.2).
There are a lot of outstanding guards in this league, including Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, and Devon Booker. But one can argue that Maxey has been the league’s third-best guard behind Dončić and Gilgeous-Alexander so far this season. And that should speak volumes, considering that SGA is the reigning MVP and Dončić is this season’s MVP front-runner. That’s why he has a legitimate case.
A: Embiid and George both had a great game during Friday’s 115-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Embiid’s 39 points marked his highest regular-season scoring output since scoring a franchise-best 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 22, 2024. Meanwhile, George finished with season highs of 23 points and five assists to go with six rebounds.
Then on Sunday, George finished with a season-high 35 points while making 7 of 10 three-pointers. Meanwhile, Embiid finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks to post his first double-double of the season.
Embiid and George are getting more minutes as they ramp up getting in shape while managing left knee injuries. Some believe taking it easy is the best way to ensure that they’ll be healthy for the postseason. However, they need valuable playing time with their teammates to build chemistry. That will also allow the coaching staff to see what works.
So I would play them alongside Maxey whenever possible, rather than looking to trade one of them. You have to see how they mesh with teammates and how successful they can be before entertaining that thought.
A: The Sixers have been playing it close to the vest regarding Oubre’s return from a left knee ligament sprain. The small forward has been sidelined for four weeks since suffering the injury in a 115-104 road loss to the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. The recovery time for a mild Grade 1 lateral collateral ligament sprain takes one to four weeks. A Grade 2 sprain (moderate) typically takes four to 12 weeks to heal, while a Grade 3 sprain (severe/complete tear) may take three to six months to recover fully.
Oubre was reevaluated last week. Asked Sunday whether there was an update on Oubre’s status, coach Nick Nurse said he didn’t have one.
“Nothing new,” he said. “He’s out there walking around a bit. He’s on the court a bit. I’m hoping there’s some. … It looks like there’s some progress there. And just like you, I want him out there ASAP and then back.”
Oubre participated in his first on-court individualized workout before Sunday’s game. The workout consisted of light shooting.
If it’s a Grade 1 sprain and everything goes well, one would assume he could be back as early as one of the Sixers’ upcoming games. They’ll face the New York Knicks on Friday at Madison Square Garden before hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
But Oubre has yet to practice with the team. One would think he’d have to be cleared to practice this week to play against the Knicks or Mavs. If not, his return is expected to take longer.
Regarding the starting lineup, I keep going back and forth between Oubre and Barlow as the fifth starter. Both have played great and deserve to be in the lineup. Last week, I said Oubre, George, Embiid, Edgecombe, and Maxey would make up my starters. Barlow would be the seventh man behind Quentin Grimes.
I’m starting to change my mind. That’s because I feel Barlow’s rebounding is an asset to begin games alongside Embiid. I also think that George might have an easier time guarding small forwards on the perimeter than power forwards in the post.
But Oubre had been the Sixers’ X factor before his injury. He’s had success guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player and plays well off the other starters. That’s why he deserves to start. However, I’m beginning to think Barlow might be the right choice. In that scenario, Oubre would be the sixth man while playing starter’s minutes.
Oubre has several steps to take before returning to action.
NBA Puts Out Statement On LeBron James Grabbing Official in Suns Game
Grudges and rivalry were the theme of the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers’ second matchup of the month. But this level of intensity even left fans confused. LeBron James and Dillon Brooks continued their longstanding personal rivalry through petty antics and fouls. It got the notorious Suns star eventually ejected, the Lakers an edgy 114-116 win, and James almost had his wallet ready to pay up. Then came that Pool Report…
The techs would define the outcome of the game. But the plot twist was the official report after the game. Crew Chief Tyler Ford was asked about that moment when James put his hands on the referee. His answer raised brows.
“During instant replay review, we have the ability to review all unsportsmanlike acts. There was no unsportsmanlike act observed for making contact with a referee.”
Unlike how the last Suns matchup went, James had 26 points in a foul-heavy game. Brooks drew a tech for shoving him in the first quarter. In the third quarter, Brooks made contact with the Lakers veteran again, this time by swatting the ball out of his hands, but into his shoulder.
Well, James did not like that at all.
He mouthed off at Brooks, then argued with the referee. It was getting ugly enough for Rui Hachimura to step in and diffuse it. But not before 6’9″ James jostled the referee (read that again). He got a tech for his actions, but that was for bodying up Brooks, not for confronting the referee with physical force.
The NBA rules dictate that a $2,000 fine punishes any unsportsmanlike conduct at a minimum. The incident is also reported to the League Office. But this pool report throws all assumptions off.
Now, fans are either confused about whether this lets James go scot-free or whether the NBA is exercising double standards here…
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Fans left baffled by LeBron James escaping rare ejection vs Suns
At first, the biggest shocker was that James wasn’t immediately punished for grabbing the referee, apart from the tech handed to him. Those watching also wondered why the referee was so non-reactive.
“Ref’s flabbers were gasted. He was really trying to understand the anger lol. Never occurred to him that he could throw buddy out for that,” a fan theorized.
“Any other player does that to a ref and they’re getting ejected lol,” another fan wrote.
That is precisely what happened.
In the last seconds of the game, Brooks put the Suns on a one-point lead (113-114). James apparently ran through him, and that annoyed him enough to shove the veteran. This time, Bron backed off entirely and let the ref handle it. Brooks got his second tech and, consequently, was immediately ousted from the game.
Ironically, Ford defended that ejection in the pool report.
“Brooks was ejected because he received his second technical foul for making unsportsmanlike contact during the dead ball.”
Not surprisingly, anyone who saw James shove the ref felt…
“They gave lebron a lot of leeway to touch the ref like that,” a fan wrote.
That tech got James to the free-throw line. He and Marcus Smart then made enough of their free throws and got the Lakers barely over the line.
“Im a Lakers fan… LeBron should know better than to touch the ref like that and shouldn’t have gotten away with it,” a fan posted.
In year 23, just days shy of his 41st birthday, and with all that experience, it’s safe to assume that James knows the tricks of the trade.
“I just like to compete,” James said of the matchup with Brooks after the game. “He’s going to compete. I’m going to compete. We’re going to get up in each other’s face.”
Lastly, there are those who are enjoying this stuff while it lasts and goading James to…
“Final year. Take a swing, Bron. It’s worth it,” a fan wrote.
Now it remains to be seen whether the NBA will levy a fine.
Did you know: LeBron James has only been ejected twice in his NBA career. Once in 2017, when he was with the Cleveland Cavaliers, for misbehaving with official Kane Fitzgerald. And the second instance came in 2021, when the Lakers star drew blood on Isaiah Stewart’s face while boxing him out for a rebound.
As NBA trade season opens, here are Bucks players eligible to be moved
The NBA’s first major transaction window for the 2025-26 season opens on December 15.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers says the team is not in a panic to make roster changes.
Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is eligible to be traded but is under team control through the 2026-27 season.
The first major transaction window for the 2025-26 NBA season opens on Dec. 15, as players who were signed in the offseason as free agents can begin to be traded. The trade deadline is 2 p.m. CT Feb. 5.
The Milwaukee Bucks are currently the last team in the Eastern Conference play-in picture.
Head coach Doc Rivers was asked following practice Dec. 9 if he had been in communication with general manager Jon Horst about potential roster changes to help spark the team.
“We talk every day,” Rivers said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you what we’re talking about, but we’re not in a panic here. We’re not saying, ‘oh my God we need to change our team’ or anything like that. You can be. We’re not. We’re not at all.”
Here is a look at the Bucks roster and who is now eligible, or ineligible, to be traded beginning Dec. 15 (in alphabetical order):
Trade ineligible
AJ Green
The 26-year-old guard is not able to be traded until the offseason because he signed a 4-year, $45 million contract extension in mid-October. Green has developed into one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, and he has made 48.5% of his shots from beyond the arc in 24 games this season.
No-trade clause
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
The 33-year-old forward returned to the Bucks this season on a one-year free agent deal after missing the 2024-25 campaign with a torn Achilles tendon. He has signed multiple contracts with the Bucks since 2019, and by inking another one-year, veteran minimum deal to return to the team, he has an implied no-trade clause in his contract. That means Antetokounmpo must approve any deal that may include him.
Jericho Sims
The Bucks were excited to bring the 27-year-old back as the team’s fourth big man on a one-year deal, and he also received an implied no-trade clause upon his return. It is unlikely the team felt he would play the 30 minutes per game he averaged Dec. 3-6 before Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injuries, Sims recorded five DNP-CD in the first 11 games and played roughly seven minutes per game otherwise. From Nov. 20-Dec. 6 he averaged 5.8 rebounds per game.
Trade eligible
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The 31-year-old superstar is under team control through the 2026-27 season. He has a player option worth $62.7 million in 2027-28, but such options are rarely picked up by players of his stature. He is eligible to sign another extension next October worth $275 million over four additional seasons. Antetokounmpo was in the early MVP conversation by averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists but he has now missed nine full games and parts of two others with adductor and calf strains. He may not play again until January with a right calf strain suffered Dec. 3.
Cole Anthony
The 25-year-old backup point guard has been mired in a terrible slump since Nov. 1, seeing his minutes decrease from about 20 per game down to mop-up duty or “did not play, coach’s decisions (DNP-CD).” In 14 games from Nov. 1-26, Anthony averaged nearly as many turnovers (2.6) as shots made (3.0). Once Porter returned, Anthony has been relegated to the deep bench. He bounced back against Boston on Dec. 11 when pressed into duty due to foul trouble by the starting guards, scoring nine points and handing out five assists in 19 minutes.
Amir Coffey
Teased a potential starter depending on certain matchups in the preseason by Rivers, the 28-year-old Coffey has not played much after Nov. 12. In a nine-game stretch from Oct. 28-Nov. 12 when he played 11 minutes per game, he didn’t attempt more than two shots on average and was just 1 of 7 from behind the 3-point line. Rivers had spoken highly of Coffey’s on-ball defense, but even without the injured Taurean Prince available the 6-7 wing has largely been seen in late game situations.
Gary Harris
Signed to a one-year deal with a player option in the offseason, the 31-year-old had seven DNP-CD in the first 10 games of the season and didn’t play much until Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered his first muscle strain Nov. 17. Since, Harris has played about 17 minutes per game. But he’s averaging less than two shots per game and is 2-for-6 from behind the 3-point line in eight games from Nov. 20-Dec. 6. He logged 33 minutes against Boston on Dec. 11, but was 0-for-3 with two assists and a blocked shot.
Andre Jackson Jr.
The team could have waived the 24-year-old in the summer without any penalty but instead pushed his salary guarantee date to the start of the season. Jackson made the roster out of training camp but remains just a deep bench play either due to foul trouble or blowouts. The Bucks hold a team option on Jackson for next season.
Kyle Kuzma
The 30-year-old forward begun the season playing off the bench, and in his first 10 games (he missed one due to an injury) the Bucks were 7-3 as he subbed in for Antetokounmpo. He averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 25 minutes per game in that stretch and shot 55.3% overall, with most of his attacks coming at or around the rim. In the last 14 games (including nine starts), however, he’s shooting just 45.7% overall and averaging 12 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in about 27 minutes per game. Against the Celtics, starting in place of an injured Antetokounmpo, Kuzma scored a season-high 31 points on 13 of 17 shooting (including 11 of 13 in the paint) and pulled down six rebounds.
Kuzma has one year left on his current contract for $20.3 million.
Kevin Porter Jr.
The 25-year-old guard re-signed in the offseason on a 2-year, $10.5 million deal that includes a player option for next season. Porter waived his implied no-trade clause.
Porter began the season as the Bucks’ starting point guard but was injured in the first quarter of the first game, and he missed 19 games with a left ankle sprain and then right knee surgery. In his first five full games from Dec. 1-11, he put all-star level numbers with 25.2 points, 8.0 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game while shooting 58% from behind the 3-point line and overall. He is also making 89% of his free throws in that time.
Bobby Portis Jr.
Portis re-signed in the offseason on a 3-year, $44 million deal that includes a player option for 2027-28. The veteran big man is playing his fewest minutes per game (21.9) and therefore is averaging his fewest shots (9.9), points (12.0) and rebounds (5.8) since his first year in Milwaukee in 2020-21. Against the Celtics on Dec. 11, however, he played 26 minutes and recorded his first double-double of the season with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
Taurean Prince
Prince re-signed in the offseason on a 2-year deal, $7.1 million deal that includes a player option. He waived his implied no-trade clause.
Prince had developed into one of the league’s top 3-point shooters in his first year-plus in Milwaukee, but he suffered a herniated disc in his neck that required surgery and he is out indefinitely. He said the surgery was necessary to play again and that is his intent, though he is unsure if that means he’ll be back this season.
Gary Trent Jr.
Trent re-signed in Milwaukee on a 2-year, $7.5 million deal that includes a player option for next season. He waived his implied no-trade clause.
Trent, who will turn 27 in January, has been in and out of the starting lineup this season and is shooting 37% from behind the 3-point line and 39.9% from the field. It is his lowest 3-point number since 2022-23 and lowest overall percentage since his rookie year in 2018-19.
Myles Turner
The premier free agent of the 2025 offseason, Turner signed a 4-year, $108 million deal with the Bucks that includes a player option for 2028-29. On Dec. 15, a 15% trade kicker, or bonus, activates.
The Bucks would have to pay that in any deal, though Turner could waive all or part of it should he choose to. Turner is averaging 12.3 points on 38.2% 3-point shooting and is pulling down 5.6 rebounds per game.
Not eligible until Jan. 15
Ryan Rollins
The 23-year-old guard has been a revelation this season after signing a 3-year, $12 million deal to return to the Bucks. He is averaging over 17 points, six assists and four rebounds per game and is in the conversation for Most Improved Player.
The Jan. 15 date applies only to certain players, specifically if they re-signed using “Bird” or “Early Bird” rights to a deal that is 20% or greater than their previous deal and their team is over the salary cap.
Victor Wembanyama keeps delivering on ‘phenom’ hype for Spurs
LAS VEGAS — Dwyane Wade knows what it’s like to see a “phenom” up close, having been teammates and winning two championships with LeBron James with the Heat.
Entering the draft, Victor Wembanyama — the No. 1 pick in 2023 — was as close as it got to James in terms of hype and expectations.
Now in his third season in the NBA, that attention appears justified, as he does things on a nightly basis that we really haven’t seen before at his size and physique.
“I think the hardest thing, for someone to have so much talent like Wemby, is trying not to use all his weapons at once,” Wade, now an analyst for Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage, said in an interview with The Post. “He has so many of them. That’s gonna be the challenge for him. I like everything about his game, there’s nothing I don’t like. It’s just that you don’t want him to use them all at the same time.
LeBron James Gambling Scandal: All You Need to Know, Legacy in Jeopardy
LeBron James has built one of the most carefully protected reputations in modern sport. However, a widening NBA betting investigation has pulled his name into the headlines, even as league officials insist he has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
The controversy stems from allegations that confidential Lakers information was leaked to gamblers by Damon Jones, a former NBA player and longtime James associate. Although James is not charged or named in the indictment, the case has raised broader concerns about access to non-public information in the era of legalised sports betting.
How LeBron James’ Name Got Involved
The NBA opened an internal review after federal prosecutors accused Jones of selling inside information related to player availability. According to the NBA gambling investigation involving LeBron James’ Lakers circle, two Lakers employees connected to James were contacted by investigators, prompting questions about how sensitive information was handled within the organisation.
While James himself was not accused of participating, the proximity of the league’s biggest star to the investigation has made the situation uncomfortable for both the NBA and the Lakers.
What Prosecutors Allege Happened
Federal court documents allege that Jones used personal relationships to obtain non-public injury and availability updates. In one case, prosecutors say Jones tipped off a bettor that James would miss a February 2023 game before the information was made public. James ultimately sat out, and the Lakers lost.
Jones is also accused of sharing confidential health details about another Lakers star ahead of a January 2024 game. Prosecutors claim Jones received payments for the information through peer-to-peer apps. Jones has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges.
NBA Says LeBron James Was Unaware
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, league sources have moved quickly to distance James from the wrongdoing. Reporting confirmed that LeBron James was unaware of leaked gambling-related information and had no knowledge of Jones’ alleged actions.
An NBA spokesperson said the league is fully cooperating with federal authorities, while stressing that James is not under investigation and has not violated league rules.
Why the Case Matters for the NBA
The NBA has faced growing pressure to protect the integrity of its games as sports betting expands across the United States. Even indirect connections between star players and betting networks can damage public confidence, especially after earlier scandals involving insider wagering.
League executives are concerned less about James personally and more about the precedent the case sets. If confidential information can be monetised through informal relationships, it exposes vulnerabilities that could affect every franchise.
What This Means for LeBron James’ Legacy
For James, the situation highlights how quickly narratives can form, even without evidence of misconduct. While there is no indication that the investigation will alter his on-court legacy, the episode underscores the risks elite athletes face when trusted associates become entangled in legal trouble.
Ultimately, transparency and swift resolution will determine how long the story lingers.
The Bottom Line
LeBron James is not accused of gambling or wrongdoing. However, the NBA betting probe shows how modern scandals can expand beyond those charged, drawing in high-profile figures by association alone. For the league, it is a warning sign. For James, it is an unwanted reminder that even spotless careers can be tested by proximity.
Frankie Muniz says moving to Arizona saved his life after Hollywood
Frankie Muniz says trading Los Angeles for Arizona changed everything.
The 40-year-old actor, who rose to fame as one of Hollywood’s highest-paid child stars, told Fox News Digital that stepping away from Los Angeles gave him perspective he didn’t have before. Muniz spent many years in L.A. while starring in
What Is NASCAR’s 5-Strike Rule That Could Change Its Future? Check All Details Here
Change is on the horizon, and it looks good so far. The antitrust trial involving 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR ended in a settlement, which included several modifications. Many will recall the controversial three-strike rule, a provision that effectively allowed teams to lose their charters if they pushed back too firmly against the sanctioning body.
The clause served as a mechanism for NASCAR to maintain firm control over teams when introducing new regulations. That rule nearly derailed the Charlotte Roval race several years ago when teams openly threatened to strike. Now, a revised version has resurfaced with meaningful changes.
NASCAR teams gain a new voice!
As put together in layman’s terms, Bob Pockrass explains the five-strike rule.
“Any rule change that will cost teams significant money gets put to a vote. If the teams vote no and NASCAR proceeds anyway, that is a strike. If NASCAR gets five strikes before the deal ends, then the teams can race in other stock-car series without violating the agreement.”
A five-strike rule has replaced the three-strike system. According to NASCAR journalists Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck, this represents a governance win for the teams.
Under the previous three-strike rule, teams faced consequences after just three instances of NASCAR overriding their objections to costly rule changes. Rather than facing immediate consequences for dissent, organizations can now have greater latitude to challenge decisions without risking their competitive standing.
While the rule does not guarantee the team complete independence, it does provide a more balanced framework for dialogue. In a sport long governed through centralized authority, even a modest shift toward shared decision-making marks a significant step forward.
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The teams basically gain a formal check. If NASCAR implements rule changes that would harm revenue without team approval, accumulated strikes could allow teams to compete elsewhere without breaching their agreements.
This restores bargaining power to teams and forces NASCAR to engage in more negotiated rule-making.
Moreover, permanent charters sharply raised the cost and value of cup-level entry. The settlement makes existing charters evergreen, turning a temporary race entry right into a franchise-style asset, and investors already see values jumping well above prior estimates.
This concentration of power and money will bring mixed competitive effects. On the upside, evergreen charters and expanded revenue-sharing, including international revenue pools, could stabilize team finances, attract outside investment, and support long-term planning in facilities and R&D. And this isn’t the end of the evergreen charter story. For charter owners, there’s still plenty to celebrate.
Teams secures added revenue in the charter deal
According to Bob Pockrass’s reporting, the new charter structure includes several built-in safeguards. A 2/3 majority of teams must approve any system renewal.
Organizations that choose not to renew will still retain ownership of their charters and will be granted at least one year, potentially longer, to complete a sale.
Teams that fall below defined performance standards will be required to sell their charters, but they will be given significant time to do so. Under the revised terms, NASCAR’s share of charter sale proceeds increases to 10%, up from the previous 2%.
In addition, teams will now receive an undisclosed share of NASCAR’s International media rights revenue, our revenue stream from which they had previously been excluded.
They will also be entitled to 1/3 of new commercial agreements tied to team-owned intellectual property. And now that Christmas comes early for NASCAR’s teams, it’s only a matter of time before we see how well the teams are adjusting to the new system.
Concerned NASCAR Fans Raise Red Flags Over Safety Issues Ahead of the Daytona 500
62 days more before the crown jewel of NASCAR roars back to life at Daytona International Speedway. For more than six decades, the NASCAR Daytona 500 has been the sport’s ultimate proving ground. It’s a place where legends are made, careers are defined, and history is written at 200 mph. From Richard Petty’s dominance to Dale Earnhardt’s emotional 1998 triumph, Daytona carries a weight unlike any other race. But the upcoming excitement is paired with unease.
Fans are buzzing not just about contenders and storylines, but primarily about the safety. They question today, that despite all the significant improvements in safety, is NASCAR doing enough to stay ahead of any hidden risks?
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NASCAR Daytona 500 return raises safety concerns
If you take a look back at NASCAR’s early years, then you’ll find that safety was often an afterthought rather than a priority. You had drivers racing without full-face helmets, proper fire suppression systems, or energy-absorbing barriers. Then, the tracks, too, were lined with concrete walls, cars were built more for speed than survival, and the culture leaned heavily on toughness over caution.
Wrecks were brutal (to put it in a simple way), injuries were common, and fatalities (while never normalized) were grimly accepted as part of the sport’s risk. However, that mindset was shattered on February 18, 2001. On the final lap of the NASCAR Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Sr. crashed in Turn 4. What initially looked like a ‘routine’ superspeedway accident turned fatal, as the seven-time champion succumbed to basilar skull fractures.
The loss of NASCAR’s biggest icon sent shockwaves through motorsports and forced the industry into an uncomfortable but necessary reckoning. Earnhardt’s death became the catalyst for sweeping change. NASCAR accelerated the development and mandatory use of the HANS device, reinforced seat and belt systems, improved cockpit padding, and introduced the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) Barrier at major tracks, including Daytona.
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Car designs evolved to better manage impact forces, and data-driven crash analysis became central to safety planning. The result was a measurable reduction in life-threatening injuries over the following decades. Yet safety in NASCAR has never been a finished project. As cars get faster and competition tighter, new concerns continue to surface.
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And that’s where today’s debate begins. Because fans are once again asking hard questions. On Reddit, a simple but chilling prompt has sparked intense discussion: What’s the biggest safety flaw in NASCAR right now that could be responsible for a fatal crash?
The answers reveal a community that remembers the past and refuses to ignore warning signs in the present.
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Fans spell out NASCAR’s most alarming safety gaps
As the 2026 Daytona 500 inches closer, the responses to the aforementioned Reddit question weren’t dramatic hypotheticals. They were grounded fears, rooted in history and in what fans see every single weekend. Pit road topped the list almost unanimously. One fan put it bluntly: “100%. We have crew guys running out on pit road with cars at highway speeds driving just a couple feet away.”
While NASCAR does enforce pit road speed limits, they vary by track. Superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega are capped at 55 mph, intermediates around 45 mph, and short tracks near 30 mph. Even at those limits, the margin for error is razor-thin when crew members step into traffic. One mistimed release or a car getting pinched, and the consequences could be catastrophic.
That concern only grows at tracks like Daytona and Talladega. As another fan pointed out, “Exposed pit roads at Daytona and Talladega. One day they’ll be an accident coming out of turn 4 while green flag stops are taking place, or going across the trioval similar to Steve Park’s accident, either of them will be catastrophic.”
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During the 2001 NASCAR Daytona 500, Park was one of eighteen cars involved in a crash that happened on Lap 173. He escaped unhurt. And it was during the same race that, on the final lap, Dale Earnhardt suffered the fatal crash. Fans are concerned that while Park escaped unharmed, another driver might not be as lucky.
Another recurring theme was aggressive driving. “Jackass driving from drivers that don’t fear for their safety like they used to,” a fan explained. And their concern is justified. The 2025 season offered examples, including Carson Hocevar’s overly aggressive moves at Atlanta that drew the ire of Kyle Busch. From a safety standpoint, desperation blocks and late dives into tight packs increase the odds of massive, unpredictable wrecks.
Then came the darkest fear: roof-first impacts into the catch fence. “My biggest fear is a car getting over or through a catch fence and going into the stands. We’ve been close several times. I hope it never happens.”
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And history has shown how terrifying such crashes can be. Russell Phillips’ fatal 1995 crash at Charlotte, where his body became entangled and was mutilated by the track’s steel catch fence and light fixtures, remains one of NASCAR’s most horrifying reminders of what can go wrong.
Finally, fans questioned the single-lug wheel system. “With the number of wheels that have fallen off since the introduction of this car it’s amazing to me that one hasn’t ended up in the stands yet,” said a fan.
Since its 2021 introduction, wheels coming loose have become alarmingly common. As recently as the March 2025 Pennzoil 400, Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet lost a right-rear wheel and slammed the wall. The unsettling thought? One of those wheels hasn’t reached the grandstands. Yet (thankfully and hope it doesn’t in the future too).
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For fans, these aren’t complaints. They’re warnings. Let’s hope NASCAR’s listening.
Chase Elliott’s Popularity Hits New Low as Dale Jr.’s Daytona 500 Return Triggers Record-Breaking Sale
For nearly a decade, Chase Elliott has worn NASCAR’s popularity crown like it was custom-fit for him. Every November since Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepped away in 2017, the fan vote followed the same script. Elliott at the top, and the applause on cue. In 2025, that tradition held firm once again as he claimed his eighth straight Most Popular Driver Award, a streak that felt untouchable. But popularity, as it turns out, is a tricky thing to measure.
While Elliott still reigns in ballots, the marketplace told a slightly different story this year. When Lionel Racing revealed its best-selling die-cast list, one familiar name unexpectedly stole the spotlight. And no, this time it wasn’t NASCAR’s reigning fan favorite.
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Die-cast sales rewrite Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s popularity
The biggest surprise on Lionel Racing’s 2025 best-seller list wasn’t just who topped it, but what that name represented. Justin Allgaier’s Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet finishing as the No. 1 die-cast of the year was more than a sales win. It was a statement. Allgaier, a longtime JR Motorsports driver, delivered a historic moment by guiding Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team into its first-ever NASCAR Cup Series entry at the 2025 Daytona 500.
For fans, that car wasn’t just metal and paint; it symbolized JR Motorsports crossing a long-anticipated threshold, blending nostalgia with a new chapter of ambition. Unsurprisingly, collectors rushed in. But that Dale Jr. effect didn’t stop there.
Junior himself claimed the second spot on the list with his Budweiser Speedway Classic Late Model Chevrolet. His placement so high on the list proves that even years after retirement, his pull with fans remains almost unmatched. The result felt like a reminder NASCAR has seen before: some legacies never really fade, they just change form.
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Amidst this, Chase Elliott’s placement, however, raised eyebrows. Despite winning the 2025 Cup Series Most Popular Driver Award for the eighth straight year, Elliott landed fourth on the die-cast list. It’s not a bad result by any stretch, but in a season dominated by familiar faces, it’s certainly a new dip for him, hinting at a shift.
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Fan voting still favors Elliott, yet purchasing behavior suggests that emotional connection, nostalgia, and milestone moments can outweigh popularity titles when wallets come out.
“Each die-cast tells a story of triumph and tradition, and we’re proud to bring these moments to fans and collectors everywhere,” said Howard Hitchcock, Lionel Racing CEO, a sentiment that fits this list perfectly.
As the official die-cast of NASCAR, Lionel Racing works closely with the sanctioning body and teams to recreate iconic cars with exacting detail, turning race moments into permanent collectibles. In 2025, those stories spoke loudly. And with Dale Earnhardt Jr tipping Chase Elliott, it proved that they didn’t always follow the expected script.
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Dale Jr. stunned by NASCAR’s view on SRX
Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hide his disbelief when recent court documents revealed NASCAR executives once viewed the Superstar Racing Experience as a legitimate concern. Speaking on The Dale Jr. Download podcast, the Hall of Famer admitted the reaction caught him completely off guard, especially given how modest SRX was by design.
Junior explained that SRX co-founder Ray Evernham’s vision was never about competing with NASCAR at the highest level. To him, it was a nostalgia-driven concept meant to celebrate racing, not disrupt it.
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“When he started talking about SRX and what he wanted to do, in his mind, he wanted to re-create IROC,” Earnhardt said. “The initial idea of SRX as a series that would go into these local markets, and you would bring out these retired guys and some unique personalities, different forms of racing, and offer up a car to the local hero.”
He was also candid about his own distance from the project.
“I will say, though, I wasn’t interested in it, personally. Out of the gate, I just didn’t have the bandwidth to get into it. I wasn’t a fan; I didn’t really watch too much of it,” he said, adding quickly, “No offense to anybody out there that was SRX fans or anybody that worked in the series… but I wasn’t into it.”
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That context made NASCAR’s internal concerns even harder for him to understand. “To hear that they were even remotely the least bit threatened is so surprising to me because they’re this giant that’s NASCAR, and SRX is just this little thing,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
“They were like 12 cars just barely getting by financially.” He pointed out the high costs and sustainability issues, noting, “They’re tearing up so much shit, they had no idea they were gonna tear up so much shit… In the end, they couldn’t make the money work.”
The lawsuit revelations left him shaking his head. “I am surprised by some of the comments I read from O’Donnell and a couple people of, ‘Man, we gotta put an end to this or we gotta go take a look at this,’” Dale Earnhardt Jr. simply said, “Why are we worried?”
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The remarks provided an unusual glimpse into how NASCAR perceived even minor outside projects while navigating mounting legal and business pressures.
NASCAR 25 Open to Bringing Back Dale Jr’s Iconic Paint Schemes After Facing Heavy Backlash
“We made our Cup debut in February. Now, you can drive the No. 40 Chevrolet across the entire Cup Series schedule in @Nascar25Game. 👀” JR Motorsports recently revealed on X. Now, what should have been a feel-good moment for Dale Earnhardt Jr and JR Motorsports fans quickly turned into something else entirely.
When fans chose their favorite cars, they expected them to look the same as they do on TV, with which they’ve fallen in love in the first place. Be it Justin Allgaier’s Traveller Whiskey No. 40 or Dale Jr. in his iconic No. 8 Budweiser. But the game’s version has quietly taken all of that iconic branding off, saying how video games are still predominantly for kids, so having alcoholic beverages goes against that. But developer Matt Lewis has three good words to say about it.
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“Never say never,” says Matt Lewis
For a fanbase that’s grown used to modern NASCAR games reflecting the sport as it actually looks on Sundays, the absence of those iconic paint stripes felt like a step backward. Fans were not happy at all. But Lewis then explained the ‘why’ behind that call.
“For better or for worse, there’s still a perception out there that video games and kids are sort of hand in hand,” Lewis said. “And even though the vast majority of our audience for this game are well above, not just 18, but even the drinking age, there is that concern.”
That pretty much explains it. Plus, the rules for the iRacing paint scheme also have a ban on alcoholic advertising as a part of their statement reads, “Your Paint Schemes may not…promote or otherwise refer to tobacco products, alcohol or illicit drugs.”
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And it’s not just that. Lewis also mentioned how the hesitation is from the sponsors too.
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So in a lot of cases, it’s the beverage companies themselves who say, ‘We don’t really need to be in a video game because that’s predominantly kids.’”
Lewis noted that technical solutions like age-gating do exist and have been used before. Still, he made it clear that nothing is guaranteed year to year. While he didn’t promise a fixed return, his simple response was, “Never say never.”
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“We have the conversation almost every year,” Lewis said. “So it’s another one that I would say is on the radar. We’ll kind of see how things play out.”
Dale Jr tops die-cast sales in 2025
When Lionel Racing, the Official Die-Cast of NASCAR, released its sales list this year, it offered a snapshot of what moments and personalities fans connected with most in 2025. The top of the chart was dominated by emotional milestones, historic firsts, and names that carry serious weight in the garage and grandstands alike.
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Sitting at No. 1 was Justin Allgaier’s Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, a die-cast that represented far more than just a clean paint scheme. The car marked JR Motorsports’ first-ever NASCAR Cup Series entry, making it a landmark moment for the organization owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
It was also Allgaier’s first appearance at the very top of Lionel Racing’s annual best-seller list, underlining how strongly fans responded to that Daytona 500 moment. For many collectors, the die-cast symbolized JRM finally stepping onto NASCAR’s biggest stage.
Right behind it at No. 2 was Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Budweiser Speedway Classic Late Model Chevrolet, a reminder that Jr.’s popularity doesn’t fade with time. Even without weekly Cup starts, his name still carries generational loyalty. The throwback feel of the Budweiser scheme tapped straight into nostalgia, blending Earnhardt Jr.’s grassroots roots with his Hall of Fame stature.
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Allgaier made another appearance at No. 3 with the Traveller Whiskey Raced Version Chevrolet, reinforcing just how impactful that Cup debut was. The raced version, complete with the imperfections fans love, gave collectors a more authentic snapshot of the moment. Rubber marks, battle scars, and all.
Richard Childress & Johnny Morris Make Patriotic Power Moves Days After Causing NASCAR’s Collapse in Courtroom
NASCAR’s settlement in the antitrust lawsuit marked the end of one of the biggest arguments in recent history. With veteran car owner Richard Childress being a part of the conversation, the lawsuit had escalated, considering his time in the witness box, where he was made to accept a potential deal to sell an ownership stake in his team. Interestingly, this was supposed to be under an NDA.
Ultimately, the teams seemed to be happy with the settlement. Understandably, Childress also sided with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports during the trial, and seemingly, he has been glad with the outcome. And now, the 80-year-old recently made a public appearance, reflecting his patriotism in a long-awaited football game. He was joined by Johnny Morris, one of NASCAR’s biggest sponsors, whose open letter was a key element in bringing NASCAR down to the settlement.
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Richard Childress and Bass Pro Shops CEO spotted together
Following the NASCAR season, several sporting events remain, and football is one of them. The long-awaited Army-Navy game recently took place. Apart from the action-filled game, there was another eye-catching moment for the fans as Richard Childress made a surprising appearance with Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris. They were also accompanied by Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg.
This was a special appearance, considering the value that Morris’ Bass Pro Shops holds in NASCAR. It is a major sponsor for the teams and has added great value to the sport. Being a close friend of Childress, he also gained quite some traction amongst the media, owing to a letter he wrote.
Childress was the subject of racial slurs in the text messages that were publicized before the trial. One of the messages also mentioned that he “needs to be taken out back and flogged.” In the letter that Morris wrote, he expressed the disappointment he felt regarding the racial messages.
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“We are extremely upset by the recent disclosure of shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR Steve Phelps. For the Commissioner and his allies, to attack one of the pillars of the sport is incredibly irresponsible and a disservice to everyone involved in NASCAR and its partners, sponsors and fans.”
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Childress was also made to admit that he was in talks to sell an ownership stake in his team. However, he claimed that this was under an NDA, which was seemingly leaked. The letter from Morris, along with this leak, was two major hits on the sport’s side of the hearing. These were understood to be some of the biggest reasons for NASCAR’s decision of a settlement.
What does the NASCAR settlement say about permanent charters?
The antitrust lawsuit was primarily focused on the 2025 Charter Agreement. Teams claimed that the media share wasn’t enough for teams to operate their cars throughout the season, and asked for permanent charters. However, this would have meant that NASCAR would lose the control it had over the charters, and understandably, the sport did not agree to it.
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However, with the increasing tension within the courtroom during the trial, an undisclosed settlement was made between NASCAR and the plaintiffs (Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan‘s co-owned 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports).
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While most details of this settlement were kept confidential, it was revealed that the charters would be made “evergreen.” Simply meaning, permanent, and the teams could keep their current charters indefinitely.
This was a major victory for the teams and veteran owners like Richard Childress, not just giving them more financial stability, but also security for the upcoming seasons.
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The reunion between Richard Childress and Johnny Morris is more than just two old friends hanging out. It represents the strong victory that the teams had, with the support of the sponsors, over NASCAR.
Greg Stimmel Brings WWE Playbook To NASCAR Sponsorship Strategy
When Greg Stimmel joined NASCAR as Senior VP and Chief Commercial Officer in 2024, he brought with him a playbook written by the sports, spectacle, and storytelling of the WWE where he led global sales and partnership.
The WWE and NASCAR might seem worlds apart, one scripted, one not, but Stimmel sees a striking similarity.
“I think WWE and NASCAR are similar and different all at the same time,” Stimmel said. “When you look at how WWE is constructed… it’s very much about the everyday American, right? And how do you speak to them and how do brands tell stories in that way? That was the through line.”
His mission then: translate the showmanship, engagement, and brand storytelling he honed at WWE to the racetrack, all without undermining NASCAR’s authenticity. “When we were able to tell a story in a different way for a brand at WWE, it’s the same thing we’re trying to do with brands here in NASCAR now,” Stimmel said. “It’s about blending tradition with creativity—bringing fans and sponsors into the sport without being on-the-nose or heavy-handed.”
That WWE experience shapes how he approaches one of NASCAR’s biggest challenges: helping brands navigate an ecosystem that is as much about culture and lifestyle as it is about cars and speed. “We’re very unique as a company where we can take storytelling from the league level down to the track level and partner with teams, and tell that story in such a way that not a lot of other sports can,” he said.
Stimmel points to the competitive product, the close finishes, parity among teams, and unpredictable races, as the hook that draws fans in and keeps brands engaged. That drama, that tension is NASCAR’s secret sauce. It’s what gives sponsors genuine, high-stakes moments to associate their brands with.
But authenticity is just as important as excitement and the WWE lessons aren’t limited to storytelling; they extend to timing, spectacle, and emotional engagement. He compares NASCAR’s biggest races to WrestleMania moments: “Each track has its own personality, and each race has its own. If you want to partner and tell a camping story, Talladega is the spot. Daytona 500? That’s our WrestleMania. It’s the biggest show, the flyovers, the pageantry—it’s a one-of-a-kind moment for any brand.”
ForbesCase Dismissed As NASCAR Races Ahead With Sponsorships In 2025
Looking ahead, Stimmel sees the potential for further evolution. “We’re going to create new assets that we might not even know about yet. Maybe something floating in Lake Lloyd at Daytona. Maybe a rooftop experience. There’s a million things we could do that other sports can’t replicate. That’s our secret sauce.”
For brands, the message is clear: NASCAR offers more than a logo placement. It provides a narrative, a moment, and a connection. And for Stimmel, WWE’s lessons in spectacle, storytelling, and fan loyalty have proven a perfect primer for bringing that vision to the racetrack.
“With the competitive product, the story, and authentic engagement, we’re not just selling sponsorships—we’re giving brands a way to be part of an American cultural touchstone,” Stimmel said.
As for the future of NASCAR and its partnerships, the goalpost is ambitious but set to a level by what’s already been achieved by sports like Formula 1 and the NFL.
“I think invariably what those guys have been able to build over the course of time is extremely impressive, right?” Stimmel says. “And I think that it’s taken them years, if not decades, to get there. And that’s what our aspiration should be, is to go up and do that. So I think that every– League has a unique element. And I think to that point, the NFL is on for whatever it is, 18 weeks, right? And we’re on for 36. And that to me is our secret sauce, is that we are on throughout the year.
We are connected to Middle America unlike anyone else. Our resonance back with the heartland of America and who we are and how we’re going to talk about the brand is very unique. So I think we’ll continue to tell our story, but do I think we have a seat at the table soon? I think so.”
In other words, NASCAR’s playbook for brands isn’t just about selling to an audience, it’s about being part of American culture, every week, all season long. Stimmel’s WWE-honed approach proves that when spectacle, story, and authenticity align, sponsorship becomes something far more compelling than a name on a car: it becomes an experience fans want to be part of.
Case Dismissed As NASCAR Races Ahead With Sponsorships In 2025
NASCAR spent much of the 2025 season defending itself, but now the gavel has dropped, and the courtroom lights have been turned off. NASCAR can finally look back on what actually mattered this year; the product being delivered on the track. Because that product continued to deliver results that kept companies knocking on the door.
While insults were being hurled, and headlines focused on legal maneuvering, NASCAR’s business engine never lifted. The cash register kept ringing; sponsorships climbed by roughly 10 percent year-over-year, a surge fueled not just by legacy partners doubling down, but by new brands deciding to climb over the pit wall.
Not only have blue-chip brands like Coca-Cola, and Anheuser-Busch continued to engage with fans, but relative newcomers such as Freeway Insurance increased their presence by moving up to Premier partner status. There was also the return of Red Bull after a 13-year hiatus.
All of this isn’t just a revenue metric for NASCAR; it’s also a credibility signal. Verifiable proof that the sport’s competitive product, cultural relevance, and fan engagement are once again aligned.
“First and foremost, it’s always the competitive product,” Greg Stimmel NASCAR Senior VP, Chief Commercial Officer said. “If the product is not good, it’s very difficult for brands to then tie into.”
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And it’s that competitive product that most argue has never been better. A record 9 races were decided by a last lap pass in 2025, the most in Cup series history, and there were 835 lead changes the most since 2011.
“You’re never going to watch a NASCAR race and see a 40-point blowout, and you turn the race off, right?” Stimmel says. “You have to watch until the very end because someone is always going to be competing to win.”
It’s those finishes, the parity and the unpredictable drama that’s helped gain the attention of sponsors, but that’s just part of the story.
“Those things are really important for us,” Stimmel says. “Then I think the authenticity on how we tell the brand story is also important. You can’t just logo slap anymore.”
That means there is also no clear path for every brand. And different ways for a brand to measure their ROI.
“I think that as we go in and have conversations with brands, everyone has a different success metric,” Stimmel admits. “But the one that is a through line in a down economy is selling things. They need to sell and move cases of product. And I think that NASCAR is uniquely positioned to any sport where the sponsorship element is actually tied into the success of their favorite race car or the race itself.
So when you see Tide on pit road, there’s an association that Tide is helping cars do better on the track at that given point. If you see the activation with Slim Jim, it’s the taste of victory, and there’s this positive association with the sport that I think is unique.”
No one brand learned this lesson better in 2025 than Arby’s. They signed on as a sponsor for Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 car early in 2025. But it wasn’t long before they were all in, stepping in as a founding partner of the Chicago Street Race in July. It was there they promoted their new Angus Cheesesteak.
“Powered by Inspire’s in-house unified data platform and analysis engine, we have a unique look into where our guests engage most,” said Jeff Baker, CMO at Arby’s. “This data showed a significant overlap between Arby’s fans and NASCAR enthusiasts, making the partnership a natural fit. The NASCAR Chicago Street Race—one of the most viewed and distinctive events—was the perfect opportunity for Arby’s to reach both existing and new fans in a bold, memorable way.’
In Chicago Cody Ware’s No. 51 car was wrapped in Angus Cheesesteak glory, trackside arrows shouting, “This Way for Arby’s Cheesesteak,” and an RV bringing the brand straight to fans along with broadcast elements. The payoff? Sixty thousand sandwiches sold in two days and a social media storm proving that when a sponsor shows up with personality and authenticity, fans don’t just notice—they act.
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The activation in Chicago not only built momentum for the product, but it also allowed Arby’s to see how it would resonate in such a high-energy environment. It was one of Arby’s most successful launches in years.
“What we saw was clear: our presence not only energized existing customers but also sparked strong interest from a completely new NASCAR audience,” said Baker.
It was the payoff of an idea borne from a pitch deck that proved it was worth doing.
“We challenged ourselves to create messaging that would stand out both on TV and live at the track,” Baker said. “Race for the Cheesesteak” delivered on both, with on-track signage of “This Way for Arby’s Cheesesteak” guiding drivers to the finish line and a commercial that brought the race car experience into viewer’s homes. The concept captured the speed and excitement of NASCAR while giving fans a fun, timely way to engage with the launch of our new Cheesesteak product.”
NASCAR fans can be a fickle bunch. While they understand that sponsorships keep the sport they love going, they can punish brands who seem fake, and reward those who are clever. In the end Arby’s was rewarded not only by moving over 60,000 cheesesteaks in Chicago but with helping the brand build long-term customers.
“Early indicators like strong social engagement, positive fan sentiment, and in-store excitement showed us that fans weren’t just noticing Arby’s, they were actively participating with the brand,” Baker said. “The partnership with NASCAR helped make the launch of the cheesesteak one of our most successful product launches in recent years.”
They built off that success three months later at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when the brand brought a Steak Nuggets-branded No. 51 Ford to the track and even had driver Cody Ware serving up samples from an Arby’s food truck in the fan zone — turning spectators into tasters and cars into billboards for a product they could taste right there.
“Our primary goal for the Vegas race weekend was to drive social engagement, and we saw results that exceeded expectations across all channels,” Baker said. “A secondary focus was product sampling, which performed exceptionally well throughout the weekend. After the race, we felt confident that fans weren’t just noticing Arby’s, they were engaging with the brand in meaningful ways.”
So what’s ahead? Well Arby’s entered NASCAR with a sandwich and now has a playbook.
“We are continuing to evaluate both big and small moments across the full NASCAR schedule that align with our product calendar and business objectives,” Baker said. “With the proven success of our 2025 activations, we see even more opportunities in 2026 to engage fans, add value during the season, and extend the excitement into the off-season.”
As NASCAR turns the page on 2025, the sport’s pitch to future partners is clearer than ever: this isn’t sponsorship by logo; this is sponsorship by story. The competitive product — close finishes, lead changes, unpredictable drama — keeps eyeballs glued. That drives engagement. That drives value. That drives results.
And that, more than any courtroom ruling or press release, may be the clearest sign of where NASCAR stands as 2025 ends and 2026 gets closer: If you bring something real to the track, fans will meet you halfway. Sometimes all the way to the concession stand.
NASCAR Faces Uncomfortable Reality as Grassroot Racing Series Rejects Its Formula, Claims Insider
Most say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but in this case, grassroots racing has one-upped NASCAR in a big way. The current playoff, which has taken the NASCAR community by storm, has been one of the hottest topics of the year. With critics like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chase Elliott among those calling for a return to a full-season point-paying system, the 2026 playoff format appears headed for change.
But grassroots racing, the very foundation of NASCAR, chose a different path and stuck to its own vision. Now, one NASCAR insider can’t help but applaud the series for breaking away from NASCAR’s approach.
Kenny Wallace didn’t hold back. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the veteran and ex-FOX broadcaster couldn’t help but cheer for Team Grassroots.
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“It’s always been monkey see monkey do business,” Kenny Wallace said. “NASCAR comes up with these ideas and then a lot of the short tracks copy what NASCAR does. I will say this is the first time I’ve seen it be the opposite. This is the first time where I’ve seen a short track series say, “Nope, we’re making the move before NASCAR does. We’re going to—we’re going back to normal format next year.”
Since 2023, the Lucas Oil Late Model Series has followed a chase-style playoff format, borrowing heavily from NASCAR‘s elimination-driven approach.
Under the system, drivers earned points during the regular season to qualify for a championship showdown, after which points were reset and the title was decided over the closing races with an emphasis on wins, consistency, and high-pressure moments.
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The goal was clear: heighten urgency, manufacture drama, and keep the championship battle alive until the very end, much like the NASCAR playoff model. But that experiment is now coming to an end.
“For the 2026 season, we’re gonna return to a traditional points format for next year and go away from the Chase format. So we’ve tried something. We wanted to elevate our program,” Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series director Rick Schwallie announced, confirming a significant shift in direction for one of dirt racing’s premier tours.
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This return to roots aligns with other major motorsports series. IndyCar awards its champion based on cumulative points across the entire season, explicitly rejecting a NASCAR-style playoff despite promoter interest, as confirmed by president Doug Boles.
Formula 1 also runs a straight, season-long points race, paying 25 points for a win down to 1 point for 10th, with no mid-year resets or eliminations, so the title goes to the driver who is consistently the best over the whole calendar, rather than just the hottest at the end.
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That is why Lucas Oil’s move back to a full-season championship fits a wider motorsports bias toward rewarding week-to-week consistency, in contrast to NASCAR’s deliberately volatile, playoff-style format that leans into jeopardy and late-season chaos.
Under the traditional format, every race carries equal weight, rewarding seasonal consistency, durability, and adaptability, core values deeply rooted in dirt racing.
For Wallace, the solution lies at the grassroots level.
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“So, a shout-out to the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series for doing something on their own instead of following what NASCAR does. And that leads me to this. That’s how far NASCAR has fallen. That’s how wounded NASCAR is,” he admitted.
Rather than relying on short, high-stakes stretches, championships are won through sustained performances across the entire schedule. As a result, the move for 2026 feels less like a step backward and more like a return to the series’ foundation.
Recently, NASCAR has been embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit throughout the year. And with it, it brought some ugly truths about NASCAR leadership, like Steve Phelps calling Richard Childress a “stupid redneck.”
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Amid all this, Kenny Wallace believes that it’s time to change a few things around in that department.
Wallace names leaders who could potentially save NASCAR
Kenny Wallace has voiced concerns about NASCAR’s current leadership amid the ugly lawsuit drama, stressing the need for experienced voices paired with fresh thinking to help navigate ongoing challenges.
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He pointed to Mark Martin and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt‘s daughter, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, as two figures he believes could bring meaningful change.
According to Wallace, both would be better equipped than outsiders to address NASCAR’s issues, with Martin in particular showing an ability to recognize problems before they become widely apparent.
“I didn’t see it… My defense was that I didn’t think it was a big deal cuz we went for years and nobody said a thing about it. And then all of a sudden this year, Mark came up and said, ‘There’s a reason those old NASCAR races on YouTube get such a big viewership, ’” he said.
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But that didn’t stop there; the 61-year-old veteran praised Earnhardt Miller’s leadership and analytical skills, citing her experience managing race teams, sponsorships, and personnel.
He also highlighted Mark Martin’s business background, shaped by his father’s trucking operation, which gave him early exposure to the business side of racing.
He emphasized that these fresh perspectives are crucial for NASCAR’s future.
“That’s what (bring a fresh perspective with a fresh mind) Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Mark Martin could do for NASCAR,” he admitted. “While we dream that they would be great for NASCAR, I don’t think he’d want that job. Us fans, we’d love it. But I think both of them, I think Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Mark Martin are millionaires over and over as it is right now…”
However, Wallace acknowledged that neither may want the burden of a full-time leadership role, given their financial success and current lifestyles.
Instead, he suggested they could still contribute as advisors, offering insight through occasional discussions without taking on the day-to-day pressures of NASCAR management. Only time will tell if this idea comes to life.
How the NASCAR Charter System Works After the Antitrust Settlement
NASCAR’s charter system has shaped how teams compete and do business in the Cup Series since 2016. Built to give teams stability and predictable income, the model guarantees race entry and shares revenue with charter holders.
That system came under sharp focus during an antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, a case that ended in a December 2025 settlement.
While the lawsuit did not remove charters, it led to changes that now define the system’s future. Here is how the charter system works, why teams challenged it, and what changed after the settlement.
How the NASCAR charter system is structured
NASCAR introduced charters in 2016 to replace the old owner-points model. Under the system, 36 charters were awarded to teams that showed long-term commitment and regular participation over the prior three seasons. A charter guarantees entry into every points-paying Cup Series race and ensures a share of race purses and other revenue.
Each Cup race allows up to 40 cars, leaving four open spots for non-chartered teams. These open teams must qualify on speed and receive less guaranteed money. Charters can be sold or leased, with NASCAR approval, and their value has increased sharply over time.
Sportico reporter Brendan Coffey noted that Spire Motorsports paid about $40 million for a charter before the 2023 season, a major jump from earlier deals that were closer to $10-$15 million.
Charter ownership is capped at four per organization. NASCAR.com explained that when the system was announced, it was designed to deliver “stability and long-term value to existing team owners” while keeping Cup Series fields full and competitive. Revenue distribution among charter teams is not equal and depends on recent performance and owner standings, a structure detailed by Motorsport.com reporter Matt Weaver.
Why teams pushed back against the system
Despite rising charter values, many teams argued the system did not cover their costs. According to Sportico, charter-related payouts are widely estimated at $8–$9 million per team each year, while the cost to operate a single Cup car can reach $10 million or more. That gap leaves teams heavily dependent on sponsorship revenue.
The dispute grew louder after NASCAR signed a new media rights deal set to begin in 2025, valued at roughly $1.1 billion per year. Teams wanted a larger share of that money. Brendan Coffey of Sportico reported that team owners believe NASCAR keeps too much of the media revenue, while NASCAR has countered that teams do not fully account for the expense of owning, operating, and maintaining racetracks.
These tensions led 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to file an antitrust lawsuit in late 2024. The teams alleged that NASCAR used monopoly power to control competition, restrict teams from racing in other series, and impose unfair charter terms. During the trial, testimony included economic analysis claiming teams were underpaid by hundreds of millions of dollars under the existing structure.
What changed after the 2025 settlement
The lawsuit reached federal court in Charlotte but ended with a settlement on December 11, 2025, before jury deliberations.
Charters are now permanent and cannot be revoked. Revenue sharing increased, a significant rise from previous levels. Restrictions that limited teams from competing in other racing series were also eased.
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, said the settlement “levels the playing field without dismantling what works.”
The NASCAR charter system remains in place, but with stronger protections for teams. It continues to guarantee full fields and business stability while reflecting changes prompted by the legal challenge that reshaped NASCAR’s approach to team economics.
The family ties at the heart of NASCAR were highlighted throughout the trial
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The theme of family ties in motorsports was woven through Michael Jordan’s federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, with witness after witness testifying to their emotional connections to the top motorsports series in the United States.
It began on the opening day when three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin broke down in tears talking about his dying father introducing him to racing and financially leveraging the entire family to help his son make it to NASCAR.
Next came Jordan himself, a basketball Hall of Famer who was raised going on family weekend vacations to NASCAR races across the South with his father, a fan of Richard Petty. So began a love affair that led him to partner with Hamlin to launch 23XI Racing in 2021.
Bob Jenkins formed Front Row Motorsports after falling in love with NASCAR as a teenager in East Tennessee, and he’s hoped to hand the team down to his four sons.
Joe Gibbs Racing is a family business, the daughter-in-law of the Hall of Fame NFL coach testified, and Richard Childress said his 60-year-old team is meant to go to his grandsons, both current Cup Series drivers.
And then there is NASCAR itself: Bill France Sr. founded the sport in 1948 and to this day it is privately owned by the Florida-based France family. His youngest son is chairman, his granddaughter vice chair and great-grandson an executive on NASCAR’s board of directors.
It was core principles that Bill France passed down to his two sons that shaped the hardline stance Jim France took with teams as NASCAR chairman in negotiations for the 2025 revenue-sharing agreement.
The teams wanted charters — the equivalent of a franchise in other sports — to become permanent and not renewable. In NASCAR, a charter guarantees cars a spot in the 40-car field each week, as well as specified financial terms, and Jim France never considered permanency an option.
The case was abruptly settled Thursday when NASCAR relented and agreed to permanent charters, and the two teams and their attorneys headed to a Charlotte steakhouse for a celebratory lunch. Hamlin posted a photo on Instagram of a toast with Jordan and their lead attorneys
“My history for this sport, and certainly my passion, this doesn’t happen unless you’ve got a fire to really help and grow this sport, and that’s what happened today,” Hamlin said outside court. “I feel like everything within the settlement is going to grow this sport, and it’s going to be better for everyone, there’s no doubt about it.”
The case had not been going well for NASCAR through the first eight days of testimony. When NASCAR began its defense on Wednesday, it seemed focused on mitigating damages rather than showing it didn’t engage in anticompetitive behavior.
Jim France had testified that he relied on the core principles drilled into his head over dinner growing up in negotiations. His mother, credited with helping her husband build NASCAR from nothing, told her two sons to always pay their bills. Bill France Sr. advised them “do what you say you’re going to do.”
“I’ve just seen so much change over the years and things are changing at a fast pace and I don’t know how to put something in place — I don’t know how we could come to an agreement that covers forever,” he testified.
He later tied it directly to his parents’ advice: “I don’t have a sightline for the future and I don’t feel comfortable making a promise I can’t keep forever.”
France was also asked on the stand whether anyone can take NASCAR away from the family. France referenced the pandemic, when NASCAR shut down for nearly two months before leveraging its ownership of racetracks to become the first sport back up and running, albeit without fans in the grandstands.
“I don’t know,” he slowly said. “We were in business in 2020 of March and we woke up weren’t in business. I don’t know how to answer that.”
On Thursday, France left the courthouse with the family business still intact.
“I learned a lot of things,” he told The Associated Press. “And I always enjoy new learning experiences.”
___
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Michael Jordan speaks out after 23XI Racing, Front Row settlement with NASCAR
The NASCAR antitrust trial came to an abrupt end as Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, along with Front Row Motorsports, agreed to settle. NASCAR and the teams came together this morning after eight days of a contentious trial.
Michael Jordan was in court every day of this trial. He was fully invested in this trial from start to finish. This morning, to the delight of the Plaintiffs and many fans, the case was settled with improved terms for all teams in the Cup Series.
Teams will be sent a new charter agreement to sign. Among the changes are permanent, “evergreen,” charters. It will essentially set up a franchise system for NASCAR. It will also likely lead to an increase in value for an individual charter on the market.
As a co-owner of 23XI Racing and one of the most famous humans to ever live, Michael Jordan is an important partner in the sport. After this case and the settlement, perhaps his importance has increased along with charter values.
“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress. It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans,” Jordan said in a statement released to the media. “With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come. I’m excited to watch our teams get back on the track and compete hard in 2026.”
Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin celebrate settlement
Of course, Denny Hamlin, a co-owner of 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, is excited. Both Hamlin and Jordan testified as witnesses for the Plaintiffs in this case. The co-owners, along with Curtis Polk, have secured meaningful concessions from NASCAR in this settlement. Not just for their own team and themselves, but for the Cup Series as a whole.
It is hard to tell what led to this settlement at this time. There are a lot of factors, of course. But NASCAR had begun its defense on Wednesday. Then, they came into court the next morning and settled. There was also the Johnny Morris letter.
Wednesday night, Morris, the CEO of Bass Pro Shops, wrote a letter to NASCAR and released it publicly. The letter touched on the comments made by Commissioner Steve Phelps about Richard Childress being a “stupid redneck,” among other insults. Morris also asked the France family to “reflect carefully on the damage that’s being done to NASCAR in the ongoing dispute and dig deep and strive hard for compromise.”
However, the settlement came about, and it is likely a good thing overall. The sport won’t be torn apart completely. Nothing is going to happen with the race tracks. 23XI Racing and Front Row have regained their charters for the 2026 season, meaning they will each have three. On top of that, charters are now permanent. A new era in the sport without taking the nuclear option.
Chevy Team to Enter Kyle Larson’s Series as Michael Jordan Ends NASCAR’s Monopoly
Fresh off the courtroom on Thursday, the NASCAR antitrust lawsuit has just been settled. The major wins for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row are that they can now enjoy their charters permanently and even have a stake in 1/3rd of the intellectual property revenue. As it ends NASCAR’s ‘monopoly’ and opens up opportunities, Spire Motorsports is the first one to grab it.
Spire Motorsports prepare their debut in Kyle Larson’s HLR Series
The team has announced its entry into Kyle Larson’s High Limit Racing in the 2026 season, along with its Cup Series entry. The lawsuit settlement has made the teams more financially stable, so this surely helps them.
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Sprint racing is set to be a new turf for Spire Motorsports in the 2026 season. High Limit Racing, co-owned by Kyle Larson and his brother-in-law, Brad Sweet, is highly anticipated owing to the challenge it provides. Understandably, entering two completely different racing series can be a financial strain on teams, but would that be the case with Spire?
NASCAR’s lawsuit settlement has allowed the team to make its Charters “evergreen.” This will make the Charters higher in value and give the teams more financial stability to keep racing in the Cup Series. This is positive news for Spire as they prepare for their debut in the dirt.
“Going on the road with High Limit is like a dream come true and to do this with people I have deep respect and appreciation for makes it even better,” Spire Motorsports’ co-owner, Jeff Dickerson, said.
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24-year-old Giovanni “Gio” Scelzi is set to pilot Spire’s entry in Kyle Larson’s series. He is the son of former NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car champion Gary Scelz. Scelzi has proved his competitiveness, having won multiple races at the national level.
NASCAR was never too happy with its drivers and teams participating in other racing series. While no written rule stopped teams from running in other series, the reaction coming from the Superstar Racing Experience was solid proof. However, that wouldn’t be the case after the lawsuit’s settlement.
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How will the teams benefit from the lawsuit settlement?
23XI and Front Row Motorsports filed the joint antitrust lawsuit in October 2024 after not signing the Charter Agreements. They claimed monopolistic practices from NASCAR, and one of their primary ask was for the Charters to be made permanent.
There seemed to be quite some resistance from the defendants initially, but a little over a week into the trial, NASCAR agreed to a settlement. The exact details of the same weren’t made public, but one thing is for sure: the teams will benefit from this.
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As mentioned, the Charters will be made “evergreen,” meaning the teams can keep them indefinitely. Not only does this increase their valuation, but it also gives NASCAR less control over them. Moreover, there are expected to be changes in the revenue that teams will earn from the media rights deal, keeping them more financially stable.
Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin were the main faces representing the teams in the courtroom. The duo, who together own 23XI Racing, are responsible for changing the fundamentals of the sport, all for the teams.
With this financial stability, teams can now look into other investments. As for Spire, they will soon be heading into the dirt, leaving a strong trail in Kyle Larson’s HLR Series.
Michael Jordan y NASCAR llegan a un acuerdo en demanda antimonopolio
Front Row y 23XI alegaron que los estatutos eran injustos y no otorgaban a los equipos suficientes derechos ni dinero.
Los dos equipos acusaban a la NASCAR y a su director ejecutivo, Jim France, de operar sin transparencia, sofocar la competencia y controlar la competición para su propio beneficio.
En un comunicado conjunto emitido este jueves, las partes enfrentadas anunciaron un acuerdo, en virtud del cual la NASCAR emitiría una enmienda para los actuales titulares de
Jeffrey Kessler told everyone, including NASCAR, this was going to happen
On Oct. 2, 2024, the day two NASCAR teams shocked the industry by filing a joint antitrust lawsuit against the sport, Jeffrey Kessler, their lead counsel, made no bones about what was to come.
“This is reminiscent for me of many sports that have gone through a transformative model,” said Kessler. “(It’s) sort of a moment when the legal system basically confronts them and says, either you’re going to voluntarily change or you’re going to be changed and you can either get on the bus or get run over by the bus. No one wanted this litigation but NASCAR didn’t really give these teams any choice – you either submit to the bully or you fight. They’re going to fight.
“We think at the end of the day, NASCAR’s going to have to change because that’s what the legal system is going to require.”
It took 435 days for those words to come true.
NASCAR settled with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports on Dec. 11. It happened after there had been eight days of dirty laundry aired in court, which followed the dirty laundry that had previously come out during hearings and discovery over the last 14 months.
Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan and Bob Jenkins are taking their victory lap. They are being celebrated as heroes, game changers, and brave for taking the action that they did and prevailing. For some, David took down Goliath. Or the bully was finally put in its place.
The sport will indeed change. But the question is, how will that be shown going forward?
Judge Kenneth Bell said from the bench, after reviewing the settlement deal before allowing the parties to execute it, he was happy with what it comprises. Bell praised both sides for finally reaching an agreement and for their hard work, though he wished it had happened sooner.
“This is going to be great for NASCAR,” Bell said. “The entity NASCAR, the industry NASCAR, the teams, the drivers and, as you have said yourselves, ultimately the fans.”
It was a long way from Bell saying in June, “I am once again amazed at the effort going on to burn this house down over everyone’s head, but I’m the fire marshal, and I’ll be here in December if need be.”
Bell, by the way, served as an excellent main character of this saga alongside a host of lawyers (seriously, there were so many lawyers) that showed everyone why they are the best in their respective fields and feisty when need be. He was the right man for the job of overseeing what will go down as NASCAR’s trial of the century, with both humor and take-no-crap approach.
Cup Series teams now have permanent charters. Mission accomplished: they got one of the four pillars they wanted during those two years of negotiations.
It appears that the revenue split will also be adjusted. Another mission accomplished from what the teams originally wanted. But it’s hard to imagine that variable will have any effect outside the race shops. Money makes the world go round, so its impact can’t be discounted.
A seat at the table, or having a voice, has been given back to the teams. They argued that NASCAR’s elimination of its three-strike rule left them with no say in the sport’s governance. It appears they will now have a five-strike rule.
At the heart of it all, the teams wanted to feel valued as both partners of the sport and in their bank accounts. Again, time will tell if that happens, but for now, as one of the lasting images of the case, Michael Jordan and Jim France were standing side by side, telling everyone that a compromise has been reached and now it’s time to focus on racing.
“On behalf of the France family and for the sake of the 75 years they’ve invested in building this sport into what it is today and for the fans and for the sport,” John Stephenson Jr., the personal attorney of Jim France, said, “we’re glad to put these differences behind us in this lawsuit, lock arms, move together preserving the charter system for the benefit of all the stakeholders and growing this sport and the fan experience to be the greatest in all of sports.”
Do not be fooled, though; it might have been just business to some, but there were a lot of personal feelings involved, too. All of the handshakes and friendly mingling in the courtroom after the settlement was reached aren’t going to erase that and NASCAR, as a sport, has gone through a very public and ugly battle.
The court of public opinion is unhappy. NASCAR has taken a beating in that area, and they are going to have to reckon with that.
The comments made via text messages and emails were not intended to be made public. If we’re honest with ourselves, it’s human nature to say regretful and even horrid things behind someone’s back. But when it’s done by high-profile people – and made public – there needs to be a reaction.
NASCAR needs to show it has integrity and respect for its competitors. The garage needs to be able to respect and trust those they are working with. And the fans need to feel like there are adults in charge.
For now, though, fortunately, the biggest and ugliest fight is over, and we buckle up to see how it shapes the future. But in the end, it’ll never be forgotten that Jeffrey Kessler was right all along.
Spire Motorsports Sets 2026 Crew Chief Lineup for Cup, Truck Programs
Spire Motorsports has officially locked down its competition lineup for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) campaigns, the team announced on Friday.
The organization’s lineup for the coming season doesn’t include any brand-new hires, but instead, features a shuffling of positions (and job titles) for several members of the Spire Motorsports family — many of which have been with the team for several years.
Matt McCall, a four-time race-winning crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series (with Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski), has been promoted to the position of Competition Director within the organization’s framework at NASCAR’s top-level. McCall joined the organization at the start of this season as Director of Vehicle Performance.
Ryan Sparks, who spent the majority of last season serving in a dual role as Competition Director and crew chief of the No. 7 Chevrolet (which, at the time, was driven by Justin Haley) will get the opportunity to focus on being shot-caller of the No. 7 in 2026, driven by Daniel Suarez.
Both Travis Peterson (who joined Spire Motorsports with Michael McDowell in 2025) and Luke Lambert (who moved with Carson Hocevar from LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in 2024) will retain their positions as crew chief of the No. 71 and No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro, respectively.
In their first season together at Spire, McDowell and Peterson collected three top-fives and six top-10s, finishing 22nd in NASCAR Cup Series points, one spot in front of teammate Carson Hocevar, who with the help of Luke Lambert, collected two top-fives and nine top-10s.
Spire Motorsports has also made some slight changes to its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program’s competition lineup for the upcoming campaign.
Veteran NASCAR National Series crew chief and long-time Spire Motorsports employee Kevin
Spire Motorsports Sends Clear Message With 2026 Crew Chief Lineup
Spire Motorsports is sticking with familiarity while elevating from within as it sets its leadership structure for the 2026 NASCAR season. The team confirmed its crew chief lineup, retaining several key figures across its three-car Cup Series program while preparing for a full-time return to the Craftsman Truck Series.
After the 2025 campaign, Spire leaned on continuity and experience, promoting internal leaders and retaining veteran crew chiefs with championship and race-winning backgrounds.
Cup Series lineup and leadership structure
Matt McCall has been promoted to Cup Series Competition Director. McCall previously served as Spire’s Director of Vehicle Performance. Kevin Rutherford of Frontstretch reported that the move was part of a broader restructuring announced alongside the Truck Series return. McCall is a former Cup Series race-winning crew chief and joined Spire at the start of the 2025 season.
Ryan Sparks will serve as crew chief for the No. 7 Chevrolet driven by Daniel Suárez. Sparks spent much of last season in a dual role that included competition leadership. Joseph Srigley of Racing America reported that Sparks will now “focus on being the shot-caller of the No. 7 in 2026, driven by Daniel Suarez.” Sparks replaces Rodney Childers, who left Spire after the 2025 season.
Travis Peterson will continue as crew chief for Michael McDowell and the No. 71 Chevrolet. Peterson joined Spire with McDowell in 2025. Srigley reported that in their first season together, the pairing recorded several top-five and top-10 finishes while competing full-time.
Luke Lambert also remains in place as crew chief for Carson Hocevar and the No. 77 Chevrolet. Lambert moved to Spire with Hocevar ahead of the 2024 season and will continue working with the driver in 2026.
Truck Series program details for 2026
Spire Motorsports will field the No. 7 and No. 77 trucks in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team last competed full-time in the series before shifting its main focus to Cup racing. Rutherford reported that the Truck Series return was confirmed at the same time as the Cup Series promotions.
Kevin “Bono” Manion has been named Truck Series Competition Director. Manion previously served as crew chief for Spire’s No. 71 truck and brings championship-winning experience to the role.
Brian Pattie will serve as crew chief for the No. 7 truck, while Chad Walter will continue as crew chief for the No. 77 entry.
Context from the Spire Motorsports 2025 season
Spire Motorsports campaigned three full-time entries in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season: the Nos. 7, 71, and 77 Chevrolets.
The team did not record a victory and finished outside the top tier in the final points standings. Rodney Childers, a prominent, championship-winning crew chief, joined the No. 7 team for the start of the 2025 season but parted ways.
Joseph Srigley of Racing America described the new lineup as having “no brand-new hires,” instead pointing to a reshuffling of roles for long-time members of the organization. Rutherford also emphasized that the announcements tied the Cup and Truck leadership under one unified plan.
With the crew chief lineup now finalized, Spire Motorsports is expected to share more updates later in the offseason as preparations continue for the 2026 NASCAR season.
Roger Penske Lands HMS Icon in IndyCar as He Distances Himself From NASCAR’s Mistakes
NASCAR’s judgments may have worked fine for them, but they haven’t always gone down well with the garage and fans. Their officiating history is not short of controversies, whether it was the 2013 “Spingate” Scandal at Richmond, or something as bizarre as Dale Jr being penalized for saying ‘sh-t’ on TV post-race in 2004. They have faced a lot of criticism in day-to-day officiating as well, which includes issues like how the yellow line penalties on superspeedways are often given unfairly or are biased. Whether NASCAR has learned from this or not, IndyCar surely has.
Roger Penske’s IndyCar officiating gets a revamp
Recently, Roger Penske-owned IndyCar made a huge announcement ahead of the 2026 season. The series will now have an independent, non-profit officiating system in place, run by three board members. And one of them includes a veteran from his rival team, Hendrick Motorsports.
Ray Evernham, the HMS icon, is one of the board members who will share the table with former Ford executive Raj Nair and FIA representative Ronan Morgan. Evernham and Nair were selected via voting between the IndyCar owners, the ones who are charter members. While Morgan was selected via the Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA).
INDYCAR Officiating Inc. is the official name. As the board is a non-profit one, it will appoint a Managing Director of Officiating (MDO) and establish an annual budget for itself.
While the three race members will take care of the overall officiating, the managing director will report directly to them. And nobody, whether IndyCar or Penske Entertainment, can interfere in their decision. The MDO will also be responsible for hiring staff for race control and technical inspection. FIA too, will only appoint this person and do nothing else beyond that.
Evernham, former crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports, played a key role in Jeff Gordon’s career. Together, they won three Cup Series championships. Evernham was also responsible for Dodge’s return to NASCAR when he was handling Evernham Motorsports.
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The other board members also have a rich connection with the sport. Raj Nair has 30 years of experience at firms like Singer Group, Inc., Multimatic, Inc., and Ford. All Ford programs, whether in NASCAR or IMSA, were under him when he was the CTO and executive VP of Ford’s product development.
Speaking of Morgan, he brings his 50 years of motorsport experience, donning many hats in the industry — as an official, promoter, organizer, or competitor. Not just NASCAR, he was the sporting manager of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2009 to 2021, too.
What NASCAR and F1 can pick from IndyCar’s move
IndyCar used to have an in-house officiating board, recruited by Roger Penske. However, this could very easily be seen as a conflict of interest, so an independent board was necessary. Unlike IndyCar and Formula 1, NASCAR operates with a different system. The stock car racing series makes use of race directors, track officials, and advanced data systems to manage races. All decisions and sanctions are made from a central race control tower, with the help of technology and officials who make technical calls. Though it’s similar to IndyCar’s previous setup, where the control is still internal.
Meanwhile, in Formula 1, they operate under a race steward system. The FIA appoints these officials to interpret and enforce the regulations. However, the biggest drawback is that there has been a lack of consistency because the stewards are mostly volunteers. As such, there is no proper payment plan in place for these officials. Owing to the inconsistencies, drivers have called for permanent stewards.
In fact, Mercedes driver George Russell said, “Somebody’s got to stick their hand in their pocket to pay the stewards the correct amount. It would be to have consistent stewarding over the course of 24 races. At the end of the day, it’s a job. These people…it’s a multibillion-dollar sport. We shouldn’t be having volunteers having such great power in certain roles. So somebody’s got to pay for these people, in my eyes.”
Maybe what is happening in IndyCar now is a step in the right direction. A step that both NASCAR and F1 can look up to.
While NASCAR Clings to Playoffs, Rival Motorsports Series Makes Bold Return to Traditional Points System
“I don’t think the playoff committee is going to meet again. I think we have gotten all the feedback that we needed from them. Now, it’s in NASCAR’s hands,” NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications, Mike Forde, said a month ago. And, well, that pretty much sums up the uneasy pause hovering over the sport.
All through the 2025 season, the championship format has been the elephant in the room. Drivers, fans, and insiders have all had their share of opinions. Even if a change comes, it’s expected to be some tweak in the playoffs, as that’s expected to stay. But while NASCAR weighs its options, another major motorsports series has already made a bold, decisive move to go back to its roots.
Late Model Dirt Series returns to its traditions
“For the 2026 season, we’re gonna return to a traditional points format for next year and go away from the Chase format. So we’ve tried something. We wanted to elevate our program,” Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series director Rick Schwallie announced recently and confirmed a major philosophical shift for one of dirt racing’s premier tours.
If you’ve been following the series, then you might be aware that since 2023, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has operated under a Chase-style playoff system, which mirrors the elimination-style drama seen in NASCAR. Drivers, throughout the regular season, accumulate points to qualify for the Late Model Dirt Series Chase.
Once the field is set, points are reset, and championship contenders battle through the final stretch of the schedule with stage-like emphasis on wins and consistency during the closing races. The idea was simple: inject urgency, create must-win moments, and keep the title fight alive deep into the season. Just like how NASCAR does!
And ultimately, with the same format, it also brought in the same criticism for them, like NASCAR. A full season’s worth of consistency could be minimized by a single bad night during the Chase. Mechanical failures, bad luck, or unavoidable incidents late in the year carried outsized consequences. Now, this is something that the dirt racing purists (and even the NASCAR community) have long pushed back against.
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On the contrary, in the traditional points format, every race matters equally. It rewards grinding reliability throughout the season over short bursts. This perfectly mirrors dirt racing’s roots, where mechanical endurance and adaptability matter most. That’s why the return to a traditional season-long points format for 2026 feels like a reset rather than a retreat.
As NASCAR continues debating how much “playoff drama” is too much amid growing community hate and declining viewership, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is choosing clarity. It is now betting that authenticity wins.
FloSports ushers in a new era for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
“Lucas Oil has been at the forefront of grassroots racing since Forrest Lucas launched the Lucas Oil Series, and this partnership with FloSports opens a new chapter for the Series,” FloSports CEO and co-founder Mark Floreani said. “We entered into this partnership to expand on the legacy of Dirt Late Model racing, and to deliver the best possible product to its fans across our platform for many years to come.”
With that statement, FloSports officially confirmed it has acquired ownership of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series from Lucas Oil Products. Now, this marks one of the most significant shifts in dirt racing’s modern era. While Lucas Oil steps away from day-to-day operations after running the series since 2005, it isn’t disappearing.
Instead, the company will remain deeply involved through a multi-year exclusive title sponsorship agreement, preserving the Lucas Oil name and legacy within the championship. For FloSports, this move represents far more than a branding exercise. Having served as the exclusive media rights holder for the national tour since 2022, FloSports now gains full operational control.
This allows FloSports to integrate live event production, marketing, content creation, advertising sales, and business operations under one roof. The goal is simple: increase exposure, streamline operations, and push the series into its next growth phase. Continuity remains a priority.
Series director Rick Schwallie and the entire LOLMDS staff will stay in place, with longtime announcer James Essex continuing as the voice of the tour. FloRacing’s broadcast booth will also feature Dustin Jarrett at select events, with Ben Shelton reporting from pit road.
The timing aligns with an ambitious 2026 calendar. The series will feature 58 races at 26 tracks across 15 states, beginning with the traditional Georgia-Florida Speedweeks offering more than $650,000 in purse money. The season will conclude with Carl Short’s Dirt Track World Championship, where a $100,000 winner’s prize awaits.
This acquisition builds on FloSports’ growing dirt racing portfolio. After taking a minority stake in High Limit Racing in 2023, FloRacing delivered massive engagement in 2025, including over 30 million video views from the Kubota Gateway Dirt National alone. In total, dirt racing content generated more than 220 million video views and 1.2 billion live minutes streamed.
Now, these are numbers that explain exactly why FloSports is betting big on dirt.
Permanent charters pivotal to NASCAR antitrust lawsuit settlement
In the lawsuit, the racing teams called NASCAR and the France family “monopolistic bullies” that forced racing teams to accept, under duress, a revenue-sharing agreement and a lack of permanent charters.
The financial terms of the settlement were not released.
“This resolution reflects our shared commitment to maintaining a fair and equitable framework for long-term participation in America’s premier motorsport, one that supports teams, partners and stakeholders while ensuring fans enjoy uninterrupted access to the best racing in the world,” NASCAR and the racing teams said in a joint statement. “ The agreement allows all parties to move forward with a unified focus on advancing stock car racing and delivering exceptional competition for our fans.”
The lawsuit was “about making progress,” Jordan, co-owner of the 23XI Racing team, said in a statement.
“It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans,” Jordan said. “With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come. I’m excited to watch our teams get back on the track and compete hard in 2026.”
A major goal of the lawsuit was to create “a more sustainable model” for teams, Curtis Polk, another co-owner of 23XI Racing, said in a statement.
“The result brings NASCAR and the chartered teams into better alignment and supports future growth and sustainability for all stakeholders and a better sport for the fans,” Polk said.
Jordan, testifying during the trial, said he had been a fan of racing since childhood – his father was a big Richard Petty fan – but felt the lawsuit was needed to stop teams from being shortchanged by NASCAR.
“Someone had to step forward and challenge the entity,” Jordan testified. “I sat in those meetings with longtime owners who were brow-beaten for so many years trying to make change. I was a new person, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge NASCAR as a whole. I felt as far as the sport, it needed to be looked at from a different view.”
Jim France, NASCAR CEO and chairman and grandson of founding family member Bill, said in a statement that the settlement provides “flexibility and confidence to continue delivering unforgettable racing moments for our fans.”
MIKE JOHNSON STOKES CONSERVATIVE BACKLASH WITH NCAA-FRIENDLY SPORTS BILL
NASCAR, an acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, was organized in late 1947 by Bill France Sr. in Daytona Beach, with the first race in February 1948 on the beach in Daytona. The circuit was long known as a fixture of the South until unprecedented growth in the 1980s made it national.
Since the turn of the century, races have been held in Canada and Mexico.
Cubs’ Dansby Swanson Announces News Away From MLB on Sunday
The Chicago Cubs remain hopeful of making another trip to the MLB playoffs in 2025. The front office is expected to make additions to the roster in order to contend for first place in the NL Central. If they do return to the postseason, a major reason will be the play of Dansby Swanson, who is entering his fourth season with the Cubs.
The 31-year-old veteran shortstop has consistently provided elite defense up the middle along with steady offensive production since signing a seven-year, $177 million contract with Chicago in December 2022.
In 2025, Swanson posted a .244 batting average, a .300 on-base percentage and a .717 OPS, while adding 24 home runs and 77 RBIs across 159 games.
As Swanson enters the offseason, his focus has momentarily shifted away from baseball. The Purpose and Calling Foundation, founded by Swanson and his wife Mallory, aims to inspire youth through sports, offering unique experiences such as meeting them, hearing messages about purpose and attending games to build confidence and community.
“This morning, the Purpose and Calling Foundation had the honor of donating and wrapping more than 300 presents for the incredible kids at LYDIA Home thanks to the generosity of @malpugh and @dansbyswanson,” Swanson posted on Sunday.
He went on to explain that LYDIA Home’s Residential Treatment Program provides a structured, therapeutic environment for foster children facing serious behavioral challenges, many of whom have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. For these kids, the holidays look very different than they do for most.
“These gifts represent the one time each year the children can ask for items that are not necessities but items that allow them to feel comfortable, confident and like their peers. More than anything, they are a reminder that they are seen, valued and cared for. We are grateful to be part of a moment that helps these children feel a little more normal, a little more hopeful and deeply loved. Thank you to everyone who made this morning possible and showed these kids that there are good people in the world who care about them. We can’t wait for them to be opened on Christmas Day,” the post continued.
Swanson’s charitable work underscores the leadership qualities he brings to the Cubs. Just as he invests in building confidence and community off the field, he provides stability and guidance in the clubhouse. That balance of compassion and competitiveness makes him invaluable to Chicago’s pursuit of another postseason run.
Three Early Contenders for Astros First
The Houston Astros won’t have this much to do in the first round of a Major League Baseball draft since 2015.
The Astros have two selections in the first round of next July’s draft. One is their pick, the No. 17 overall. The other is a prospect performance incentive pick that the Astros are getting for pitcher Hunter Brown finishing in the top three in American League Cy Young voting. That pick is No. 28 overall.
Two sites — Baseball America (subscription required) and MLB Pipeline have already put together their first mock drafts of the 2026 cycle. BA had the Astros taking prep outfielder Blake Bowen out of JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. MLB Pipeline had the Astros taking Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese.
General manager Dana Brown and his staff have several months to figure it out. But, based on the rankings at these two services, here three other players to watch, aside from Bowen and Reese, at No. 17 overall, based on each service’s overall player rankings.
Jackson Flora
The UC Santa Barbara star is considered perhaps the best college pitcher in the draft. If he’s taken as the top college aged pitcher, he’ll be the third USCB pitcher to be that selection in 11 years.
He went 6-3 with a 3.60 ERA last season, including 86 strikeouts and 17 walks in 75 innings. He finished the season as an All-Big West first-team selection and was named the CBWA National Pitcher of the Week and Big West Pitcher of the Week after he threw his first career complete game shutout against Cal Poly on April 19. He spent last summer in USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp.
Carson Bolemon
Bolemon would be a buy-in to developing a prep pitcher. He’s throwing for Southside Christian High School in Simpsonville, S.C. He’s among the elite tier of prep pitchers. Baseball America scouted him and praised his repeatable delivery, his fastball which already hits 96 mph and emerging secondary pitches.
If the Astros go this way, he would be the first prep pitcher they’ve taken in the first round since Forrest Whitley in 2016 out of Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas. Whitley never panned out, due in part to injuries. Prep pitchers are notoriously hard to project when it comes to development.
Eric Becker
Becker could be one of the steadiest players in the draft. The two-year star at Virginia figures to stick at shortstop and would give Houston another option long-term if they lose Jeremy Pena when he hits free agency in two years, along with Brice Matthews.
The ACC power produces pro talent on a regular basis. In two seasons with the Cavaliers, he slashed .366/.459/.637 with 17 home runs and the scouts at Baseball America call his swing “clean and simple.” He has the from to move to second or third base, if needed.
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Free agent starting pitchers who succeed without high velocity
Fastball velocity increases year after year. The average fastball — four-seamer or sinker — thrown by a Major League pitcher in 2025 was 94.3 mph, the highest of the pitch tracking era. Ten years ago, it was 92.8 mph. In 2008, the first year velocities were tracked league-wide, it was 91.4 mph.
Now that Dylan Cease has signed, there just aren’t many free-agent starters this winter who throw hard — at least not in the mid-to-upper levels of the market. That’s pretty interesting.
Basically, the one big-name starting pitcher still out there with above-average fastball velocity for an MLB pitcher is Tatsuya Imai, who’s coming over from Japan with a 95 mph fastball that could tick higher in the Majors if he throws with max-effort velocity more regularly.
Or there’s Framber Valdez, whose 94.2 mph average fastball velocity in 2025 was just a fraction below the overall MLB average, but was at least solidly higher than the left-handed pitcher average (93.1 mph).
But if you’re a team looking for a big fastball to add to your starting rotation right now, there just aren’t a ton of options out there. The top group of MLB starters still available — Valdez, Ranger Suárez, Michael King and Zac Gallen — all sit in the 90-to-94 mph range.
And once you get past Imai and Valdez, the fastest heaters you’ll get are basically from 42-year-old Justin Verlander and 41-year-old Max Scherzer. Those future Hall of Famers had two of the most explosive fastballs of their generation, and they can still dial up the heat on occasion, but they’re at the end of their careers.
Of the top remaining free-agent starting pitchers who pitched in MLB in 2025, basically none had a fastball velocity that ranked in the top half of the league.
There are still several pathways available to teams looking for an impact starter — except the Blue Jays, who got an elite 97 mph heater with Cease and another likely above-average fastball with Cody Ponce, who returns to MLB after four seasons in Japan and Korea. Those pitchers just aren’t centered on high-end velocity.
Let’s revisit the names on the list above. Those free-agent starters succeed with a variety of styles. Plenty fit into more than one category:
The top-tier starters left on the market all have standout qualities other than heat. Valdez is a ground-ball machine. Suárez has elite command and an unpredictable pitch mix. King generates insane horizontal movement on his sinker, sweeper and changeup and uses that to freeze hitters in the box. Gallen, when at his best, owns every part of the strike zone.
Or say you don’t need a front-end starter like Valdez, Suárez, King or Gallen. Teams looking for rotation depth have options too. In that middle tier, there are a lot of crafty veterans who get outs in other ways than by dialing up their fastballs.
MLB has always had room for pitchers with different profiles and different approaches. Even in the modern age of velocity, that remains true.
Those other types of pitchers are still quite valuable to have in a rotation. You’ve seen that in some of the starters who have come off the board already, like reliable veteran Merrill Kelly, who just returned to the D-backs with his 92.0 mph heater on a two-year, $40 million deal, or the two starters who accepted the $22.025 million qualifying offer for 2026, the Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff and the Cubs’ Shota Imanaga.
Woodruff had an average fastball velocity of 93.0 mph in 2025 but still generated a 32% strikeout rate and was one of the best pitchers in the Majors at suppressing opposing hitters’ quality of contact, to the tune of a 2.20 expected ERA. Imanaga’s rare lefty splitter keeps hitters off-balance, and even though his fastball is only 90.8 mph, it generates strong rising movement that lets him get plenty of strikeouts with it.
You’ll see the rest of those
Holiday gifts for baseball fans
He’s about to start his 14-year, $500 million extension, so you know that you — or the person you’re giving the gift to — won’t see this shirt go out of style anytime soon. Guerrero jerseys fill Rogers Centre each night and that will only continue to grow as he builds his case for becoming the greatest Blue Jays player of all time in the coming years. But for now, you can’t go wrong with “Guerrero Jr.” and the No. 27 on the back. — Keegan Matheson
The value of Holliday rookie cards could soon be on the rise, as the 22-year-old is a prime candidate for a breakout season in 2026. The former top prospect showed a lot of improvement in ’25 — a significant step up from his tough 60-game debut showing in ’24 — and he could be on an upward trajectory from here. This would be a great gift for a Holliday fan, an Orioles fan, a card collector or somebody who’s all three. — Jake Rill
Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s the anticipation of the Rays returning to Tropicana Field in 2026 after a season spent outdoors. Maybe it’s just an appreciation for how far the franchise (and graphic design) has come since the Devil Rays’ first game against the Tigers on March 31, 1998. Whatever it is, this 12-by-16 print of the club’s inaugural Opening Day commemorative program has it. Seems like a fitting gift for any longtime fan looking to display a piece of history. — Adam Berry
With Roman Anthony set to be the star of the next era of Red Sox baseball, fans are going to want to wear merchandise related to him. The team shop is offering red and navy blue T-shirts with his 19 on the back. Pro tip: The red top is particularly sharp. For those who want to spend a little more, authentic Anthony game jerseys are also available. Of all the players on the Red Sox, Anthony merchandise is likely to go the quickest during this holiday season. — Ian Browne
Whether you were there to witness history or just wish you had been, any Yankees fan would be proud to display this collection of framed replica ticket stubs from each of the team’s most recent World Series appearances — 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009. The colorful ticket designs inspire nostalgia and would be an eye-catching addition to any home or office. Similar options are also available for the franchise’s early years and mid-century. — Bryan Hoch
It’s cold in Cleveland right now, and baseball season feels far away. But you can stay warm and rock the Guardians all winter long with the oversized City Connect themed blanket, which measures a comfortable 66 inches by 95 inches. And if you’re looking for other ways to rep Cleveland while staying warm the next few months, there are a few sweet winter knit hats available as well. — Tim Stebbins
Bringing home a souvenir from a baseball game is one of the best ways to remember the experience. And if that souvenir happens to be an actual baseball — whether autographed or caught in the stands — you’ll want to both display and preserve it for everyone to see. Here’s a fun case that has your favorite team’s image on the back. This doesn’t have to be for someone who has a ball already, either — gift it with the promise of bringing them to a game this season or down to Spring Training, and bring a ball back for the case! — Anne Rogers
Artist S. Preston created a great collection of minimalist artwork depicting current Major League parks a few years ago, starting a series of baseball collections. This poster depicts the Tigers’ beloved old home park with a simple rendering of the street sign showing the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. It’s a great item for a nostalgic Tigers fan to hang on the wall. — Jason Beck
Have Buck on your desk year-round, whether the Twins are playing or not. This laser-cut figure displays Buxton at the ready, about to uncoil on a pitch. It’s perfect to display in your workspace, fan cave, mantel, or wherever you want to be reminded of the joy of watching Buxton play ball. — Matthew Leach
The 9-8 victory for the White Sox over the Yankees in Dyersville, Iowa, stands as one of the top moments from the last rebuild coming before this current rebuild. Jose Abreu hit the first Major League home run in Iowa, and of course Tim Anderson’s
MLB spreads holiday cheer, ‘great memories’ with kids in need
It’s the second consecutive year that volunteers traveled to a local Boys & Girls Club rather than hosting the event in MLB’s New York office. The league’s 30-year partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of America serves more than 3.3 million youth across 5,200 clubs and all 50 states, creating opportunities on and off the field.
“At the Boys & Girls Club, it’s really about creating memories,” said Stanley King, the program director of the Thomas S. Murphy Clubhouse at the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in Flatbush. “Thanks to partners like Major League Baseball, we created some great memories today.”
The memory-making process began last month, when the kids compiled a wish list and sent it to MLB Together. The list was distributed to MLB employees, who signed up to buy a specific gift.
At the event, the kids could hardly contain their excitement. Upon hearing their name called, they hopped out of their seat and bounded towards the table full of presents, which included scooters, musical instruments and athletic equipment.
“There’s no greater time to give back to the community than during the holidays,” said April Brown, senior vice president of social responsibility and diversity at MLB. “Major League Baseball has the special opportunity every year to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, who we’ve had a 30-year partnership with. To come to a local club here in Brooklyn, it’s amazing. To see the youth in person, bring some cheer and some gifts for the holidays, is what MLB Together is all about.”
“What I love about this is, whenever I come to the Boys & Girls Club, the kids believe in the magic of the holidays,” Masters said. “We’re already looking forward to coming back next year.”
“It brightens the day of our young people,” King said. “I was definitely looking forward to it. Christmas is always a magical time, even for us adults. It takes us back to our childhood. To be able to see the smiles on their faces, it was just a great day of work.”
“MLB Together emphasizes our corporate values of giving back to communities across the country and across the globe,” Brown said. “It’s the most important work that we do off the field. To be able to empower youth, to be able to provide resources, and to partner with those organizations that do that every day on the ground.”
MLB News: Juan Soto Makes His Feelings Knows on Mets Not Bringing Back Pete Alonso
Back in early November, our headline read: Juan Soto would love to see Pete Alonso back on the Mets roster next season. Soto didn’t hide how he felt at the time.
“He’s one of the best power hitters of this generation,” Soto said then. “I really enjoyed my time with him in a Mets uniform, and I hope we can have many more moments together.”
Fast forward to now, and that hope has never come to fruition. Alonso is gone, signing a five-year deal with the Orioles, leaving Mets fans wondering what could’ve been.
Given how outspoken Soto was just a few months ago during the captaincy discussions involving Francisco Lindor and Starling Marte, many expected him to be just as candid about the Mets losing their all-time home run leader. So, what’s Soto feeling in the aftermath, watching a teammate he publicly wanted end up elsewhere?
“Before the news came out, we already knew what was going to happen, as I said, I always keep in contact with the team. We got along well, Pete is a tremendous player, tremendous person, a person that cares about his team and wants the best for his team,” Soto said.
Well, based on what Soto has said, it seems like he knew where things were headed with Alonso and understood that a return to New York wasn’t guaranteed. Now, that naturally leads to the bigger question: was it that the Mets weren’t interested in keeping Alonso at all, or were they simply unwilling to go as far as a five-year commitment?
When Soto called Alonso a “tremendous player,” it also felt like an admission that he’ll miss having him hit behind him in the lineup. If you remember, Soto has talked about this exact dynamic before, especially when he shared the field with Aaron Judge.
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“I had the best hitter in baseball hitting behind me,” Soto once said. That Judge-Soto combo was about as close to a perfect one-two punch as you can get. Both were dangerous, smart power hitters who fed off each other.
Something similar was starting to take shape with the Mets, with Alonso gradually filling that Judge-like role behind Soto. Now, that dynamic is gone too. And Soto hasn’t shied away from acknowledging how much he enjoyed playing alongside Alonso. With the latest rumors hinting at tension between Soto and the Mets’ front office, this could end up being yet another layer in an already complicated situation.
Starting pitcher trade candidates 2025-26 MLB offseason
Why Detroit could trade him: Skubal is heading into his final season before free agency, and with contract extension talks at a standstill, the Tigers are facing the possibility of watching the best pitcher in the sport depart for another team one year from now and getting maybe only a Draft pick in return, assuming they extend him the qualifying offer. So, it might be in Detroit’s best long-term interests to see what it can get for the highly coveted ace. And Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris is listening to trade proposals.
Pros: He’s the American League Cy Young Award winner two years running, is entering his age-29 season and has averaged 193 innings, 234 strikeouts, a 2.30 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP over the past two years. Is that good? Any team that acquires Skubal isn’t just gaining a top-shelf starter; it is sending a clear signal to the rest of the league that it will do whatever it takes to win the 2026 World Series. Skubal was MLB’s most valuable pitcher by Statcast’s pitching run value metric last season, and his changeup was the game’s most valuable pitch.
Cons: It’s expected that any Skubal suitor will have to pony up a haul of players for his services and even then, there is no guarantee that his next team will have him for more than one year. The sensational southpaw is represented by Scott Boras, who typically likes for his clients to reach the open market. Thus, teams interested in Skubal have to ask themselves if it’s worth possibly mortgaging their future for 30-35 starts from Skubal — and one postseason run — before he bolts in free agency.
Why Washington could trade him: Gore might be the most popular starting pitcher on the trade block, with reports that more than half of the league has checked in with the Nationals about him. The return for him figures to be enormous, and Washington still has enough starters to construct a rotation for next season as its roster currently stands. A move would ostensibly boost the Nationals’ farm system, which ranked 23rd in MLB this past summer. Ultimately, multiple executives expect Gore to be traded, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Pros: Gore has been considered a star in waiting since he was the third overall pick of the 2017 Draft by San Diego and the centerpiece of the Nationals’ return for Juan Soto in 2022. In 2025, he really started to put it all together. He was named an All-Star for the first time and entered the break with a 3.02 ERA and a 2.96 FIP across 110 1/3 innings. He boasted a 30.5% strikeout rate and a K-to-BB ratio of nearly 4-to-1 at the time. Gore has shown during those stretches that he can be a bona fide ace, and there is probably some untapped potential remaining in the 26-year-old left-hander.
Cons: Although the first half of last season was evidence of Gore’s ceiling, the second half showed his floor. He had a few disastrous starts out of the break and produced a 6.75 ERA and a 5.49 FIP over his final 11 turns. Gore made it through six innings only twice during that stretch, saw his K rate plummet to 20.7%, walked 29 batters in 49 1/3 innings and spent time on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation and a right ankle impingement. He finished with a 4.17 ERA and a 4.37 expected ERA. Gore’s xERA has been 4.20 or worse in each of the past three seasons.
Why Milwaukee could trade him: The Brewers have plenty of recent history of trading star pitchers ahead of their final year under club control. They traded ace Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season and reliever Devin Williams the next offseason, each prior to their last season before free agency. In 2022, they traded closer Josh Hader about 14 months before he was slated to reach the open market. Now, they could do the same with their Opening Day starter from the past two seasons.
Pros: The 29-year-old Peralta is coming off a year in which he registered a career-best 2.70 ERA over 176 2/3 innings. He also topped the 200-strikeout mark and had a whiff rate better than 30% for the third consecutive season.
Mets to Show Exit Door to 4 Players As Padres Open Door on $56M Names In Aggressive Move: MLB Trade Rumors
The Padres have reportedly shown interest in the Mets’ young talent, including pitchers Jonah Tong, Will Watson, and Jack Wenninger, and infielder Mark Vientos. Trade talks between the two have started to pick up. And it seems the Mets might let these four go to land Nick Pivetta and Mason Miller.
As per Danish Bartels of the New York Post, “Potential packages of Nick Pivetta-Mason Miller, Nick Pivetta-Ramón Laureano, and Nick Pivetta-Jeremiah Estrada could be in the recent Padres-Mets trade talks, per source. Jonah Tong is a name to watch from the Mets’ end. An improvement to the Mets’ bullpen and rotation.”
Interestingly, back in the day, the Mets held “substantial” trade discussions with the Oakland Athletics regarding Miller. However, the Padres eventually acquired him at the 2025 trade deadline. Hypothetically, if the Mets and Padres do agree on a package, the Padres would receive infielder Mark Vientos along with three of the Mets’ top pitching prospects, like Jonah Tong (No. 4), Will Watson (No. 11), and Jack Wenninger (No. 13).
In return, David Stearns would acquire pitchers Nick Pivetta and Mason Miller.
Speaking of Miller, he appeared in 22 games for the Padres last season. In those, he allowed only two runs on seven hits, including one home run. He struck out 45 and walked 10 over 23.1 innings. The 27-year-old is under team control through the 2029 season.
Nick Pivetta, on the other hand, signed a four-year, $55 million deal with the Padres. Before that, he spent the first half of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies (2017–20) and Boston Red Sox (2020–24). Across 31 games last season, the 32-year-old went 13–5 with a 2.87 ERA over 181.2 innings. He posted career highs with a 5.3 WAR and a 0.985 WHIP.
Both pitchers are undeniably impactful, but many insist the Mets need to be careful if Jonah Tong is part of trade discussions. After all, the right-hander was named Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Year in 2025.
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The Mets do value him highly. But at the same time, they are “listening” to the offers, as per Jon Heyman. While Tong, Watson, and Wenninger are being seen as potential trade chips, rookie phenom Nolan McLean is considered to be “off limits” from the Mets’ side. After the Mets lost Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, and several other key players to free agency, they are facing significant offseason pressure. That is why the trade rumors have intensified, and they’ve even been linked to an Astros star.
New York Mets could pursue $190 million Astros ace
Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut recently predicted that the Mets could land Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez on a sizable free-agent contract.
The Mets have added Devin Williams and Jorge Polanco this month. While neither matches the star power of the players they lost, they’ve still made smart moves. But the team still needs to make additional moves to strengthen the roster moving forward.
If the Mets pursue Valdez, it’s worth noting the possibility that the Baltimore Orioles could also be in the race for him. However, with Pete Alonso’s contract already weighing on the Orioles’ payroll, it seems less likely they’d commit to a five-year deal for Valdez.
For the record, Valdez’s market is somewhat constrained. Some clubs are reportedly wary of his attitude following last season’s catcher incident. That factor opens the door for the Mets. They would want someone to settle for a short-term deal. Valdez would still likely push for four or more years. However, the Mets might be able to convince him to sign a three-year contract.
Not to forget, he’s projected to command a massive $190 million deal.
MLB managers survey: Skippers on rules, players, each other
Which slugger would your favorite team’s manager least like to face with the game on the line? Which ace would they most want to have on their side? And which manager do other managers respect the most?
With all 30 MLB skippers on hand at last week’s winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, we took the opportunity to find out the answers to those questions, plus get their thoughts on the state of the game, next year’s biggest rule change and more.
Here are our favorite responses.
If you were commissioner for a day, what is the one change you would make to MLB?
Craig Albernaz, Baltimore Orioles: That’s a great question. I wouldn’t make any change. I love the game the way it is.
Warren Schaeffer, Colorado Rockies: Every Monday off. Just like the minor leagues — every Monday off. In Coors, you can go six-man rotation. You have a whole day of prep for the next opponent. Every week, you get that rest, and maybe filter in off-days in between them.
Pat Murphy, Milwaukee Brewers: Shadows? Eliminate shadows. Can’t have shadows — dangerous for players. Or devices to communicate for outfielders, so they don’t run into each other.
How do you feel about MLB’s new ball/strike challenge system coming next season?
Albernaz: Just like anything where a new rule change comes in, you just have to see and adapt to it. Strategy coming in, yeah, we’ve talked about it. We have some strategies how it’s going to work in real time. Luckily last year in Cleveland, our stadium was one of those challenge system hubs, so we kind of got a firsthand look at it.
Craig Stammen, San Diego Padres: I think it’ll be exciting. It will be exciting for the fans. It will be another piece of strategy that you involve into baseball that we’ll have to dive into and think about how we’re going to use those two challenges, and when, where and who, so I think it’ll be exciting.
Clayton McCullough, Miami Marlins: In spring training, they rolled it out a little bit … I think it brought a different level of engagement at different points of the game. Giving the players an opportunity to have some say, impactful moments in the game, I’m excited to see how it plays out.
And I’ll also say that the umpires who are back there, it’s a very difficult thing, 300 pitches a night with the type of stuff they’re seeing. They do an exceptional job. Now Major League Baseball has done a good job recently enacting some things that have enhanced our fan experience. And this is another one that has a chance to go over well.
Blake Butera, Washington Nationals: I’m really excited about it. I’ve obviously seen it in Triple-A for a while. One thing it does is you always hear the chatter from the dugout getting on the umpires. It’s like,
The Whitecaps and city of Vancouver agree to explore new stadium
The city of Vancouver and Major League Soccer’s Whitecaps have agreed to pursue plans for a new stadium, which could help prevent a move out of the city if the team is sold.
Under a memorandum of understanding announced Thursday, the city and the team will exclusively negotiate the terms for development of a stadium and entertainment district in the Hastings Park area over the next year.
The agreement comes as the Whitecaps’ lease with BC Place expires at the end of this year and the team seeks a new lease with more favorable terms. The Whitecaps have also been up for sale for the past year, with no guarantee that a new buyer would keep the team in Vancouver.
Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said the MOU was a first step in making sure the team stays. Other details, including the cost of the stadium and who would pay for it, were not part of the agreement.
“When we announced one year ago that this club is up for sale, I told everyone, this is not an end, this is a beginning. A beginning of something new, that we want to develop something new,” Schuster said. “We want to build the future of the club in Vancouver.”
Ahead of the Whitecaps’ loss to Inter Miami in the MLS title match earlier this month, MLS Commissioner Don Garber was critical over a lack of progress in both plans for a new stadium and securing a favorable lease. He suggested “tough decisions” might be made if there wasn’t movement.
“The MLS team, its owners, its fans, its players have done everything to earn the support that they’re not getting today from the city and from the province and that’s an untenable situation,” Garber said. “What we have there has to change. And right now, we’re not necessarily on a path to do that. … We had a very positive meeting with the mayor. We’re looking at getting a better lease at BC Place right now. There’s been no movement on that and it’s been a month.”
Vancouver’s owners — Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luzco, Jeff Mallett and former NBA star Steve Nash — announced last December that the club was for sale. Mallett suggested this past summer that the group’s strategy may include adding a new partner.
Mayor Ken Sim was blunt about the prospects of the team’s future in the city without a new stadium.
“Let’s just call it what it is, there’s probably absolutely no path for the Vancouver Whitecaps to remain in Vancouver without this MOU,” Sim said.
___
The Whitecaps and Vancouver agree to explore new stadium in hopes of fending off possible move
The city of Vancouver and Major League Soccer’s Whitecaps have agreed to pursue plans for a new stadium, which could help prevent a move out of the city if the team is sold.
Under a memorandum of understanding announced Thursday, the city and the team will exclusively negotiate the terms for development of a stadium and entertainment district in the Hastings Park area over the next year.
The agreement comes as the Whitecaps’ lease with BC Place expires at the end of this year and the team seeks a new lease with more favorable terms. The Whitecaps have also been up for sale for the past year, with no guarantee that a new buyer would keep the team in Vancouver.
Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said the MOU was a first step in making sure the team stays. Other details, including the cost of the stadium and who would pay for it, were not part of the agreement.
“When we announced one year ago that this club is up for sale, I told everyone, this is not an end, this is a beginning. A beginning of something new, that we want to develop something new,” Schuster said. “We want to build the future of the club in Vancouver.”
Ahead of the Whitecaps’ loss to Inter Miami in the MLS title match earlier this month, MLS Commissioner Don Garber was critical over a lack of progress in both plans for a new stadium and securing a favorable lease. He suggested “tough decisions” might be made if there wasn’t movement.
“The MLS team, its owners, its fans, its players have done everything to earn the support that they’re not getting today from the city and from the province and that’s an untenable situation,” Garber said. “What we have there has to change. And right now, we’re not necessarily on a path to do that. … We had a very positive meeting with the mayor. We’re looking at getting a better lease at BC Place right now. There’s been no movement on that and it’s been a month.”
Vancouver’s owners — Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luzco, Jeff Mallett and former NBA star Steve Nash — announced last December that the club was for sale. Mallett suggested this past summer that the group’s strategy may include adding a new partner.
Mayor Ken Sim was blunt about the prospects of the team’s future in the city without a new stadium.
“Let’s just call it what it is, there’s probably absolutely no path for the Vancouver Whitecaps to remain in Vancouver without this MOU,” Sim said.
___
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LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls & Chicago Fire Pursue $3 Million-Rated MLS Talent
The Major League Soccer season has come to an end, and clubs are already preparing for 2026. Such is the case for the LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, and Chicago Fire.
After Inter Miami’s victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Dec. 6, the 2025 season concluded, but all MLS clubs are already working behind the scenes to best prepare for the next campaign.
The New York Red Bulls are about to enter a
Brian Gutiérrez, el primero de los refuerzos que reporta con las Chivas
Brian Gutiérrez, primero refuerzo de las Chivas, arribó este viernes a la ciudad de Guadalajara para firmar su contrato por los próximos cuatro años procedente del Chicago Fire y donde se convertirá en una de las peticiones que hizo el técnico Gabriel Milito para apuntalar la formación del Guadalajara.
Después de aterrizar y salir de las salas de abordaje, fue esperado por Jesús Sánchez, el encargado de recibirlo en nombre de la directiva del Club Deportivo Guadalajara y de ahí cruzó toda la terminal aérea, donde fue reconocido por algunos aficionados que le solicitaron unas fotografías.
Tras salir de la terminal aérea, el oriundo del estado de Illinois con 22 años y de ascendencia mexicana, antes de ser recogido por un par de vehículos de Chivas, se detuvo con los medios de comunicación para emitir un breve mensaje. “Muchas gracias por recibirme. Estoy muy contento por lo que viene. Es un sueño hecho realidad y arriba las Chivas”.
Gutiérrez deberá someterse a las pruebas médicas y físicas para después ser presentado oficialmente como el primer refuerzo de las Chivas para el torneo Clausura 2025 y en donde el técnico Gabriel Milito tiene cifradas esperanzas de que pueda convertirse en un hombre importante junto con Fernando “Oso” González y Omar Govea, después de que Erick Gutiérrez perdió protagonismo en el cuadro titular de las Chivas.
Cuanto durará el acuerdo con Brian Gutiérrez
Brian Gutiérrez firmará por cuatro años con las Chivas después de concretar una operación de compra venta de sus derechos de transferencia con el Chicago Fire, escuadra donde empezó desde abajo en las fuerzas formativas del equipo norteamericano.
Brian Gutiérrez junto con Ricardo Marín, que regresa procedente del Puebla, serán las dos novedades en la pretemporada del Guadalajara y solo estarán a la espera de Ángel Sepúlveda, procedente del Cruz Azul, para apuntalar su delantera que con la salida de Javier Hernández y Alan Pulido, necesitaban un hombre de experiencia para apoyar a Armando “Hormiga” González, Yael Padilla y Ricardo Marín, quienes serán los encargados de las labores ofensivas.
Sus números en la MLS
Brian Gutiérrez con el Chicago Fire disputó 35 partidos tanto en temporada regular, playoffs y US Open, donde anotó 11 goles y dio cuatro asistencias de gol en los cinco años que vistió la camiseta del cuadro de la ciudad de los vientos.
Club cool interest in Mohamed Salah as leading contender to sign him is named
Any hopes of seeing Mohamed Salah in Major League Soccer appear to be on hold for now.
According to The Athletic, San Diego FC, the MLS expansion team owned by British-Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour, are not expected to make a move for the Liverpool superstar during the January transfer window.
While Mansour’s Egyptian roots and Salah’s global stature once made a U.S. move seem plausible, sources close to the club have dismissed the possibility, describing it as “unrealistic” and not a priority at this stage.
San Diego FC’s focus remains on building a sustainable long-term project rather than pursuing marquee signings prematurely.
Mohamed Salah is unlikely to move to the MLS
The club is prioritising the recruitment of younger players from South America and Europe to lay the foundation for their debut campaign.
Despite MLS Commissioner Don Garber publicly stating that the league would “welcome Salah with open arms,” insiders maintain that the logistical and financial challenges of signing the 33-year-old forward make such a deal highly improbable in the short term.
An MLS move would involve not only a complex salary structure but also competition from multiple Designated Player slots, making it a poor strategic fit for a club still finalising its infrastructure and squad framework.
While San Diego may not be an option, Salah’s future remains a hot topic elsewhere. Multiple reports suggest that Saudi Pro League sides, including Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Qadsiah, are preparing new approaches for January.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF)-backed clubs have made Salah their top target for 2026, viewing him as the ultimate marketing icon to elevate the league’s international profile.
Salah faces uncertain future at Liverpool
Report: Galaxy finalizing deal for Union’s Jakob Glesnes
The Los Angeles Galaxy are close to acquiring former Major League Soccer Defender of the Year Jakob Glesnes from the Philadelphia Union, The Athletic reported Saturday.
Terms of the reported deal were not immediately known.
Glesnes, 31, was named the Union’s first-ever MLS Defender of the Year in 2022. The three-time All-Star finished second in the voting in 2025, just behind Tristan Blackmon of the Vancouver Whitecaps and ahead of teammate Kai Wagner.
The Galaxy allowed 66 goals during the 2025 season, tied for second most in MLS and behind only Sporting Kansas City (70). Los Angeles won just seven games and missed the playoffs after they were MLS Cup champion in 2024.
Signed to a contract extension in August, Glesnes recorded one goal and two assists in 31 matches (30 starts) this past season.
Named to the MLS Best XI in 2022 and 2025, the native of Norway has totaled nine goals and 10 assists in 181 career matches (178 starts) with the Union.
La Cámara de España ve primordial las ayudas para que España tenga más empresas exportadoras
El director de Competitividad de la Cámara de España, Julián López-Arenas, defiende como prioridades para una mayor internacionalización de la economía española que crezca de forma relevante la cifra actual de empresas exportadoras y que cobre mayor peso la presencia comercial en mercados como el asiático o el latinoamericano.
Durante el diálogo sobre ‘Internacionalización de las pymes para mejorar la competitividad de la economía’, organizado en Servimedia, este directivo de la Cámara de España explicó que, de tres millones de empresas que hay en España, solo 132.000 venden fuera. “Eso significa que la base exportadora española es de tan solo un 2,8%, es ridículo”, señaló.
A su juicio, resulta llamativo que, de esas 132.000 empresas exportadoras, únicamente 54.000 operen con una actividad exportadora regular, lo que representa solo un 1,7% del total.
Para la Cámara de España, las empresas exportadoras tienen que aumentar en tamaño y estar menos atomizadas, y que no ocurra como ahora, que las mil mayores compañías copan el 64% de las exportaciones totales españolas.
No salir a lo loco
Otra de las “debilidades de la internacionalización” de España es, a juicio de López-Arenas, su “concentración” en el mercado europeo. “Llevamos años intentando que las empresas no se focalicen en Europa. Es verdad que es más fácil hacerlo aquí por está más cerca, hay poder adquisitivo y es más fácil a nivel logístico, pero es un mercado maduro y hay que intentar no poner todos los huevos en la misma cesta”, afirmó el responsable de Competitividad de la Cámara de España.
En su opinión, hay que apoyar a las pymes para que se vuelquen más en vender en Asia, Latinoamérica y Estados Unidos. Sobre el gigante norteamericano, remarcó que ahora la actividad está muy concentrada en alimentación, automoción y bienes de equipo y hay que expandirse a más sectores.
A su entender, el acuerdo arancelario de la UE con la Administración Trump ha resultado “positivo” y va a ayudar a dotar de más “estabilidad” al comercio con Estados Unidos, después de que la Comisión Europea haya optado por un camino “conciliador” que ahuyenta una guerra que no interesa a ninguno de los dos bloques.
Ayudas
Para conseguir que crezca la base de empresas exportadoras españolas y ampliar nuevos mercados, López-Arenas dijo que son fundamentales las ayudas a las pymes, como las de Xpande y Xpande Digital, que tiene en marcha la Cámara de España a través de la red de Cámaras de Comercio y que cuentan con la cofinanciación de la Unión Europea a través de los fondos Feder.
El programa Xpande consta de dos fases, una primera en la que se construye un plan de internacionalización estructurado en base a la selección de mercados, y una segunda que desarrolla el proyecto con el respaldo de ayudas económicas, que pueden llegar hasta un 85% de los gastos elegibles, y un presupuesto máximo por empresa de 8.000 euros.
Opinión
Además, el programa Xpande Digital elabora un plan de acción de marketing digital adaptado a cada empresa con el propósito de orientar su desarrollo de forma estratégica. Para ello, puede recibir hasta un 85% de subvención con un presupuesto máximo por empresa de 5.000 euros.
En estos dos programas, junto al de Pyme Global, la Cámara de España canaliza unos 10 millones de euros para ayudas con el apoyo de los fondos Feder. Según López Arenas, son iniciativas que tratan de ayudar a las empresas a dotarse de un plan que les permita “no salir a lo loco” a la hora de salir al extranjero, sabiendo qué nichos de mercado y regiones son más factibles o qué competencia se van a encontrar.
“Nosotros nos encargamos de plantar la semilla y la empresa de salir al exterior y decidir en qué mercados entrar”, indicó el director de Competitividad de la Cámara de España, que destaca la labor a posteriori que se hace también con estos programas en cuanto a seguimiento del desembarco en el exterior o la introducción de mejoras para futuras iniciativas.
López-Arenas subrayó la buena colaboración que tienen las cámaras con la Administración central a través del ICEX (Instituto de Comercio Exterior) y con los organismos autonómicos, para coordinarse en el apoyo a las empresas.
Palanca transformadora
En este diálogo organizado en Servimedia, intervino también el coordinador del Departamento de Exterior de la Cámara de Murcia, Leonardo Pérez, que calificó de “muy positiva” la coordinación institucional que se ha logrado entre administraciones “para evitar duplicidades” en las ayudas a la internacionalización de las empresas.
Pérez juzgó especialmente relevante el respaldo que proporcionan a la digitalización de las pymes en el objetivo de ganar músculo de capacidad exportadora. “La digitalización ha sido realmente una palanca transformadora para el comercio internacional, porque ha eliminado barreras tradicionales que sufrían las empresas, y, al mismo tiempo, ha reducido costes de entrada en nuevos mercados”, manifestó.
Desde su punto de vista, las empresas que operan fuera han ganado mucho con las posibilidades que ofrece la presencia en redes sociales de los mercados locales, y con herramientas como la videollamada o la traducción simultánea, que han agilizado mucho la relación con los clientes.
Rock Music Struggles to Draw Crowds as Tour Earnings Drop
Rock and roll was the music genre that defined generation after generation, but that may no longer be the case.
Rock music is showing signs of struggle in 2025, with touring revenue and chart dominance beginning to shift away from its traditional stronghold. Billboard’s year-end Boxscore charts for 2025 reveal that while rock acts such as Coldplay, Imagine Dragons and Iron Maiden still appear among the top-grossing tours, the genre’s overall share of the live-music revenue pool has declined. Rock accounted for only about 30.2% of the Top 100 tour grosses in 2025, a drop from its greater dominance in past decades.
This shift comes as pop, R&B and hip-hop tours continue to outgross most rock outings. In the age of the Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour, rock has taken a backseat. Despite Coldplay being the top-grossing rock tour of 2025, it only grossed $465M, a mere quarter of the Eras Tour’s gross.
Part of the shift likely stems from how audiences consume music today. Rock’s influence remains culturally significant, and while rock shows still fill arenas, streaming trends and shifting listener tastes favor pop, R&B and hip-hop, genres that consistently produce new hit singles and chart-topping albums. That translates into larger, more frequent tours with broader market appeal.
Interestingly, it’s largely classic rock artists that made Billboard’s list of top-grossing rock tours, not newer bands. While Coldplay and Imagine Dragons took the top two spots, Iron Maiden, Eagles, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Paul McCartney, and Guns N’ Roses took up several spots, pointing to a bigger cultural shift: While rock music was once the soundtrack of the rebellious, progressive younger generation, nowadays other genres speak to teens and young adults more directly.
Rock, however, isn’t dead. Many rock bands still sell tens of thousands of tickets, and will continue to do so. But, the overall touring revenue picture suggests that rock, once the centerpiece of the concert industry, is no longer the undisputed powerhouse it once was.
For fans and artists alike, 2025 feels like a pivot point. Rock remains vibrant live, but its box-office dominance now exists alongside, rather than above, a diversified music landscape.
LLMs Fail to Match Specialized AI Trading Bots That Adjust for Risk
AI-powered trading hasn’t yet reached an “iPhone moment,” when everyone is carrying around an algorithmic, reinforcement learning portfolio manager in their pocket, but something like that is coming, experts say.
In fact, the power of AI meets its match when faced with the dynamic, adversarial arena of trading markets. Unlike an AI agent informed by endless circuits of self-driving cars learning to accurately recognize traffic signals, no amount of data and modeling will ever be able to tell the future.
This makes refining AI trading models a complex, demanding process. The measure of success has typically been gauging profit and loss (P&L). But advancements in how to customize algorithms are engendering agents that continually learn to balance risk and reward when faced with a multitude of market conditions.
Allowing risk-adjusted metrics such as the Sharpe Ratio to inform the learning process multiplies the sophistication of a test, said Michael Sena, chief marketing officer at Recall Labs, a firm that has run 20 or so AI trading arenas, where a community submits AI trading agents, and those agents compete over a four or five day period.
“When it comes to scanning the market for alpha, the next generation of builders are exploring algo customization and specialization, taking user preferences into account,” Sena said in an interview. “Being optimized for a particular ratio and not just raw P&L is more like the way leading financial institutions work in traditional markets. So, looking at things like, what is your max drawdown, how much was your value at risk to make this P&L?”
Taking a step back, a recent trading competition on decentralized exchange Hyperliquid, involving several large language models (LLMs), such as GPT-5, DeepSeek and Gemini Pro, kind of set the baseline for where AI is in the trading world. These LLMs were all given the same prompt and executed autonomously, making decisions. But they weren’t that good, according to Sena, barely outperforming the market.
“We took the AI models used in the Hyperliquid contest and we let people submit their trading agents that they had built to compete against those models. We wanted to see if trading agents are better than the foundational models, with that added specialization,” Sena said.
The top three spots in Recall’s competition were taken by customized models. “Some models were unprofitable and underperformed, but it became obvious that specialized trading agents that take these models and apply additional logic and inference and data sources and things on top, are outperforming the base AI,” he said.
The democratization of AI-based trading raises interesting questions about whether there will be any alpha left to cover if everyone is using the same level of sophisticated machine-learning tech.
“If everyone’s using the same agent and that agent is executing the same strategy for everyone, does that sort of collapse into itself?” Sena said. “Does the alpha it’s detecting go away because it’s trying to execute it at scale for everyone else?”
That’s why those best positioned to benefit from the advantage AI trading will eventually bring are those with the resources to invest in the development of custom tools, Sena said. As in traditional finance, the highest quality tools that generate the most alpha are typically not public, he added.
“People want to keep these tools as private as possible, because they want to protect that alpha,” Sena said. “They paid a lot for it. You saw that with hedge funds buying data sets. You can see that with proprietary algos developed by family offices.
“I think the magical sweet spot will be where there’s a product that is a portfolio manager but the user still has some say in their strategy. They can say, ‘This is how I like to trade and here are my parameters, let’s implement something similar, but make it better.’”
The Thunder, now 24-1, really look like they’re going to break Warriors’ 73-win record
The Oklahoma City Thunder and pre-Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors share a number of similarities.
The superstar point guard who won his first MVP, and first title, two years after his first All-Star selection.
The shooting-guard wingman who became the second All-Star (Klay Thompson and Jalen Williams).
The dominant defense built on like-sized switchers and the pressure they provide.
The hidden gem in Draymond Green (drafted in second round) and Lu Dort (undrafted).
The defensive-ace acquisition (Andre Iguodala and Alex Caruso).
The first-time head coach.
Those Warriors felt the cynicism surrounding their first championship. They heard the critics pointing to the opponent injury luck they’d enjoyed along their postseason path. Nobody called it outright luck. But to say that team was universally accepted as the best in the league would be a lie.
People pointed to the 2-1 hole in which those Warriors found themselves against Memphis in the second round, and the fact that Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love combined to play one game in the Finals, as evidence that they weren’t actually as dominant as they’d been made out to be. The Warriors heard it all, and used it as fuel to bombard the league the following season to the tune of a 24-1 start en route to an NBA-record 73 wins in the 2015-16 season.
It’s the same deal for these Thunder, who had their dominance questioned after needing seven games to squeak past the Nuggets in the second round before being on the right side of Tyrese Haliburton’s blown Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals. Were the Thunder actually the best team?
Yes, they were. And like those Warriors, they have used the stage of this season to drive that point home. No championship hangover. No mercy. Their most victim was the Suns, who took a 49-point thrashing (Phoenix’s most-lopsided loss in team history) in the NBA Cup quarterfinals Wednesday night, which ran OKC’s record to …24-1.
These Thunder have virtually mirrored those Warriors at every turn, and it begs the question: Is Golden State’s 73-win record in jeopardy? Yes, it is.
Personally, I’d go so far as to say I’ll be surprised if the Thunder don’t break the record. The odds don’t agree. Caesars currently has the over 73.5 wins mark for these Thunder at +325, and the under at -500, which makes sense as we’re talking about a win total that has never been reached. Things happen. Players get hurt. Schedule losses show up.
I get all that, and I’m still saying I’ll be surprised if Oklahoma City doesn’t win 74 games. This is a team that entered Wednesday demolishing its opponents by 15.9 points per 100 possessions, which would shatter the current NBA record. And that was before they beat Phoenix by 49.
Injuries are the obvious X-factor, but ask yourself who’s going to get hurt that’s going to upend Oklahoma City’s attack? Jalen Williams is the second-best player on the team, and they started the season 18-1 with him in street clothes. Even the one loss never should’ve happened as it required the Thunder blowing a 22-point lead to the Blazers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP of the league for crying out loud, and on paper the Thunder don’t even need him to bury you alive. Seriously, the Thunder are carving opponents up by 16.2 points per 100 possessions when SGA’s not on the floor, per CTG, which is a number no logical mind can wrap itself around.
Speaking of insane numbers, the Thunder have now outscored their opponents by 439 points this season. That’s the highest point differential in history through 25 games by an almost laughable margin.
TEAMSEASONPOINT DIFFERENTIAL
Oklahoma City Thunder
2025-26
+439
Boston Celtics
1967-68
+380
Golden State Warriors
2017-18
+375
Milwaukee Bucks
1972-73
+367
New York Knicks
1970-71
+358
Last season the Thunder outscored opponents by 12.9 points per 100 possessions, which was the best net rating in history. This season they are annihilating their own record with an utterly absurd +17.5 through 25 games.
As noted in Michael Pina’s recent piece for The Ringer, Oklahoma City entered play on Wednesday having played 18% of its minutes this season with at least a 20-point lead. On Wednesday the Thunder had their first 20-point lead less than a minute into the second quarter and they played the entire second half leading by at least 26.
So often are the Thunder blowing the doors off their opponents that Gilgeous-Alexander has only had to play the fourth quarter in 12 of his 24 games so far, and yet he still leads the league in total clutch points.
There’s no hole to potentially exploit here. No single player, not even SGA, dominates the ball, so OKC isn’t susceptible to its superstar having an off night, if he ever plans on actually having one of those. He’s scored at least 30 points in 19 of his 24 games this year, and dating back to last regular season SGA has scored at least 20 points in 97 straight games.
The guy is averaging nearly a point per minute. That’s Wilt territory (and Giannis, who’s actually averaging 0.99 points per minute this season, per NBA.com).
To have arguably the best offensive player in the world paired with the best defense in history is like putting prime Aaron Rodgers on the 2000 Ravens. That’s what we’re talking about with the Thunder, who have so many
Thunder blow out Suns, match 73
OKLAHOMA CITY — How will the Oklahoma City Thunder handle the distractions that come along with being historically dominant?
That’s the kind of challenge the defending champions face after the Thunder have followed up last season’s title run by matching the best 25-game start in NBA history.
Oklahoma City punched its ticket to Las Vegas with a 138-89 win over the Phoenix Suns in Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinals at the Paycom Center. It was the most lopsided loss in Phoenix history and the biggest blowout of this season, but the Thunder have made routs seem routine during a 24-1 start, which had only been done before by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors.
Oklahoma City has outscored opponents by an average of 17.4 points this season, putting the Thunder on pace to obliterate the record they set last season of a plus-12.9 average point differential. Seventeen of the Thunder’s wins have come by double-digit margins.
Lakers fall to Spurs and are eliminated from NBA Cup contention
Any chance the Lakers had at trying to capture a second NBA Cup championship in the third season of the tournament evaporated for good in the fourth quarter against a young, fast and athletic San Antonio Spurs team missing its best player.
The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup title in 2023 and had designs on winning it again in 2025 and the $500,000 cash that goes to each player on the championship team.
But it was not to be — not with the Lakers unable to slow down the Spurs during a 132-119 quarterfinal loss Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers got down by as much as 24 points in the fourth and made a run to get to within eight points late in the fourth quarter.
But the Lakers got no closer and now will face the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday.
The Spurs will meet the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night in Las Vegas in the semifinals.
Luka Doncic had 35 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Marcus Smart came off the bench to score 26 and LeBron James had 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. But that wasn’t enough against a Spurs team that had seven players score in double figures.
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 30 points and De’Aaron Fox had 20.
When the Lakers needed someone to lift them when they got down by 18 points in the second, someone to provide them a spark when there wasn’t one for so much of the quarter, they finally got it from the oldest player on the court, 40-year-old LeBron James.
James drove down the lane and threw down a thunderous dunk over Spurs 7-1 center Luke Kornet, bringing the Lakers to within eight points and charging up the crowd in the process.
James growled and yelled in the face of the reeling Kornet. The crowd stood and cheered, now happy that there was a Lakers’ awakening.
But the Lakers couldn’t hold on to that momentum, falling behind 70-58 at the half.
And then when the third quarter started, the Lakers came out flat, giving up back-to-back threes and two more easy baskets for the Spurs to fall into an 80-60 hole early in the third.
The Lakers didn’t make it easy on themselves either.
Doncic got a technical foul in the first quarter after no foul was called after Kelly Olynyk smacked him in the face and Lakers coach JJ Redick was called for a technical foul in the second quarter.
When the Lakers last faced the Spurs a little over a month ago here, San Antonio superstar Victor Wembanyama played in a game L.A. won, but speedy point guard De’Aaron Fox did not.
It was the opposite this time, with Fox playing and Wembanyama out with a left calf strain.
The 7-5 Wembanyama has been out for almost a month and the super-quick Fox has been back during that time, which has changed the dynamic of the Spurs, which meant the Lakers had to shift how they played defense against San Antonio.
The Spurs are more guard-oriented with Fox, Castle and Dylan Harper.
The Lakers got a taste of how much faster the Spurs are now in the first quarter, when L.A. gave up 39 points and trailed by nine after the first frame.
The Spurs show 56% from the field in the first, 50% (six-for-12) from three-point range.
Keldon Johnson came off the bench to score 13 points in the first quarter for the Spurs.
“Yeah, they’re running a lot of pick and rolls with Fox, a lot of pick and rolls with Castle and Harper,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said pregame about the Spurs’ new way of playing. “And all those pick and rolls lead to drives, those pick and rolls lead to kick-outs and catch two threes and then more drives. So, we’ve got to do a good job of containing the basketball and do a good job of contesting.”
Stephon Castle scores 30 to lead Spurs into NBA Cup semifinals with 132-119 win over Lakers
Stephon Castle scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half, and De’Aaron Fox added 20 points in the San Antonio Spurs’ 132-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in an NBA Cup quarterfinal.
Keldon Johnson had 17 points and eight rebounds as the Spurs maintained a healthy double-digit lead for most of the final three quarters to claim the last Cup semifinal spot in Las Vegas, where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
Luka Doncic scored 35 points and LeBron James had 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers, who lost for only the third time in 12 games. Los Angeles trimmed its deficit to eight points late in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get closer.
Marcus Smart scored a season-high 26 points with eight 3-pointers for the Lakers, and Austin Reaves had 15 points.
San Antonio has won nine of 12 overall after steadily controlling this meeting of two Western Conference teams hoping to challenge the defending champion Thunder, both this week and in the postseason.
Castle was outstanding in his second game back from a 10-game absence with a hip injury, adding 10 rebounds and six assists. Eight Spurs scored at least eight points, and their bench outscored Los Angeles’ reserves 48-31.
The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023, and they went unbeaten through group play this fall before running into the Spurs.
San Antonio made a 17-2 run and jumped to an 18-point lead in the second quarter, with Castle and Harrison Barnes exploiting Los Angeles’ season-long struggles in perimeter shooting defense.
Victor Wembanyama missed his 12th straight game with a calf injury, but he traveled with the Spurs.
Up next
Spurs: Face Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Lakers: At Phoenix on Sunday.
Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs Player Stats, Box Score and Game Recap (Dec 10) – 2025 NBA Cup Quarterfinals
Once more we’re not getting the LeBron vs Wemby matchup of the season we envisioned. But this is the most anticipated NBA Cup game of the West. The Lakers and Spurs are the realest threats against OKC’s undefeated dominance. It’s so serious, the Lakers left out the “dangerous” NBA Cup court to ensure player safety. They’re also bringing the star trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. The Spurs were missing Victor Wembanyama but emerged as real underdogs, taking down the Lakers 119-132. The Spurs will now face OKC in the semifinals.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers player stats and box score
Los Angeles Lakers
San Antonio Spurs
Lakers vs Spurs: Game summary and key moments
Without Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs were grossly underestimated and the Lakers were favored to win. Yet the Spurs held the lead at the end of each quarter. The Lakers kep it close
NBA Cup quarterfinal winners and losers: Stephon Castle leads Spurs’ upset of Lakers, Thunder destroy Suns
The 2025 NBA Cup quarterfinals came to a close on Wednesday with the Western Conference half of the bracket. As expected, the Oklahoma City Thunder made easy work of the Phoenix Suns to improve to 24-1 on the season and tie the best 25-game start in league history. Later on, the San Antonio Spurs put together a brilliant offensive display to upset the Los Angeles Lakers.
On the Eastern Conference side of the bracket on Tuesday, the Orlando Magic came back from a 15-0 deficit to defeat their in-state rivals, the Miami Heat, while the surging New York Knicks used a dominant second quarter to race past the Toronto Raptors and win for the eighth time in their last nine games.
The semifinals of the NBA Cup are set for Saturday in Las Vegas:
Knicks vs. Magic, 5:30 p.m. ET — Amazon Prime
Spurs vs. Thunder, 9 p.m. ET — Amazon Prime
Before the Cup action resumes, here’s a look at the winners and losers from the quarterfinals:
Loser: Anyone in the Thunder’s way
The Thunder are the defending champs and were 23-1 entering Wednesday night, so there was no confusion about their status as the league’s best team. Still, their destruction of the Suns had to be demoralizing for the other 29 teams, and particularly those hoping to challenge for the title.
This was the first time the Thunder have had anything at stake in a single game since Game 7 of the Finals, and if this is what it looks like when they actually step on the gas, good luck to everyone else. Sure, the Suns were shorthanded, but the gap between the Thunder and the next best teams looks bigger than ever.
The Thunder have now won a franchise record 16 games in a row, and their 24-1 start is tied for the best in NBA history with the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. Their 49-point win on Wednesday was the biggest margin of victory in the league this season and was their fifth win already by 30-plus points (the record in a season is 10).
If you want more proof of their dominance, check out this stat, courtesy of Ben Golliver:
Winner: Stephon Castle
Stephon Castle was the near-unanimous Rookie of the Year last season, but was dismissed in some corners as simply the best of a bunch of bad options. But while his class may not go down as an all-timer, Castle has proven this season that he was no charity case. His effort on Wednesday night to lead the Spurs to the semifinals was his latest piece of evidence.
Castle, who only recently returned from a hip flexor injury that sidelined him for over three weeks, finished with a season-high 30 points, 10 rebounds and six assists on 10-of-14 shooting from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range. He was all over the place on both sides of the ball, and joined Tim Duncan and Victor Wembanyama as the only Spurs players to have a 30/10/5 game at age 21 or younger.
Wembanyama and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper rightfully receive so much attention, but Castle’s performance against the Lakers was a strong reminder that he’s a big piece of the Spurs’ future, too.
Loser: The Lakers’ defense
The Lakers entered Wednesday night’s quarterfinal with the 21st-ranked defense in the league (116.2 defensive rating). That number is only going to look worse after their no-show against the Spurs.
The Spurs poured in 39 points in the first quarter and never looked back. They crossed the 30-point mark in each of the first three quarters — they
Lakers blitzed by Spurs in NBA Cup quarterfinal loss
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers’ chances of another trip to Las Vegas – and a shot at winning the NBA Cup’s ultimate prize of $530,000-plus per player – passed by them almost as quickly as the San Antonio Spurs’ variety of speedsters did on Wednesday night.
Because even with Spurs star big man Victor Wembanyama sidelined for the 12th consecutive game because of a calf strain, the Lakers had no answers for San Antonio’s speed advantage.
The Spurs broke down and got into the teeth of the Lakers’ defense at Crypto.com Arena, built a comfortable lead behind strong 3-point shooting and handed the hosts a 132-119 defeat to knock them out of the in-season tournament in the quarterfinals despite Luka Donic recording 35 points, eight assists and five rebounds and leading a late-game comeback attempt.
Wednesday was the Lakers’ first loss in NBA Cup tournament play after they went undefeated (4-0) in Group Play.
The Lakers next face the Phoenix Suns, who also lost their quarterfinal matchup to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, on Sunday in Arizona.
The Spurs will square off with the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinal game on Saturday in Las Vegas, while the Orlando Magic will meet the New York Knicks in the East semifinal, also in Las Vegas.
The Lakers (17-7) kept up with the Spurs’ pace early, leading by as many as six midway through the first quarter via a ball screen-heavy offense and sturdy paint defense.
But once the Spurs (17-7) took advantage of their speed, and got out in the open court, the Lakers couldn’t keep up.
Whether it was Stephon Castle (30 points, 10 rebounds, six assists) or De’Aaron Fox (20 points, four rebounds, three assists) leading the way, the Spurs (17-7) consistently put pressure on the Lakers’ defense with their perimeter speed.
San Antonio outscored the Lakers 15-4 in the final 2½ minutes of the first quarter to grab a 39-30 lead going into the second.
San Antonio went on a 17-2 run and opened an 18-point lead in the second quarter, with Castle and Harrison Barnes exploiting the Lakers’ season-long struggles in perimeter shooting defense.
The Spurs, who held a 70-58 lead at halftime, led by as many as 24 (114-90) early in the fourth quarter behind their strong 3-point shooting. San Antonio made 17 of its 38 3-point attempts, in addition to 29 of 36 free throws – with the latter being an advantage the Lakers usually have.
Late shot-making from Marcus Smart (season-high 26 points, eight 3-pointers) and a small-ball lineup helped the Lakers trim their deficit to 122-114 in the final minutes, but that was the closest they got.
Castle’s 3-pointer with 1:41 left gave the Spurs a 130-116 lead and essentially ended the Lakers’ comeback bid.
LeBron James recorded 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, but Austin Reaves again struggled with his shot, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists but shooting 6 for 16 from the field.
Keldon Johnson added 17 points and eight rebounds for the Spurs. Eight Spurs scored at least eight points, and their bench outscored Los Angeles’ reserves 48-31.
More to come on this story.
Spurs Coach Gets Honest on Victor Wembanyama After Lakers Win
Victor Wembanyama missed the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Cup action against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
As the Spurs advance to the next phase of the tournament, the team’s head coach, Mitch Johnson, dropped a major update on the star center following Wednesday’s game.
When asked if Wembanyama could be available on Saturday, the head coach told reporters, “Very much so.”
“He had a very intense day this morning and we’ll have to see how he responds and reacts tomorrow.
Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka Says ‘Sorry’ After Jimmy Fallon Stunt
Aryna Sabalenka showed off her infectious charm and energy during her recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. However, her surprising move made her send playfully apology to the host.
The World No. 1 is making the most of her visit to New York for The Garden Cup at Madison Square Garden, where she played an exhibition match against Japanese player Naomi Osaka.
Apart from this, she joined the late-night show for a special feature.
The Belarusian player slayed in an all-black ensemble, looking like a rockstar in a leather coat dress paired with sheer stockings and high-heeled pointy shoes.
As for her glam, she kept it understated, letting her natural beauty take center stage.
During her visit, Sabalenka’s playful antics left both Fallon and the audience laughing, proving she’s just as daring in the spotlight as she is on the tennis court.
While she is used to being asked for an autograph on just about anything, the four-time Grand Slam winner went ahead and signed the award-winning host’s forehead, but promised one thing.
“I’m going to make it look fancy,” she told Fallon, who responded with a mix of confusion and hesitation as he handed her a marker.
“How do you get a Sharpie off my face?” he asked, but Sabalenka assured him that it would come off, hinting that she’d done it before.
True to her word, the tennis star made it “fancy” by signing just above Fallon’s eyebrow and for a second, it looked like it was a tattoo.
The comment section was flooded with reactions saying it was a total vibe.
“Idk, I think this is a look,” Wilson Tennis’ official Instagram said.
WTA playfully commented, saying, “Please get this tattooed, @jimmyfallon.”
On the other hand, Sabalenka marked the special moment and posted the highlights during her appearance on the show.
She shared some behind-the-scenes snaps, including meeting Emily in Paris star Lilly Collins, who was also a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and a photo of the host visiting her dressing room.
The two-time US Open winner captioned her post with a playful apology to Fallon for signing his forehead.
“Thank you for having me @fallontonight. Sorry for signing your forehead @jimmyfallon,” she wrote.
Her Instagram update garnered a sweet reply from her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, who said, “You killed it as always. So proud.”
New York has always been a favorite city of the tennis star, not only because it hosts the US Open.
UFC’s matchmaking slammed by Islam Makhachev following Dana White’s recent comments about his old rival
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has defended his old rival following Dana White’s comments this past Saturday.
After successfully capturing the vacant lightweight title earlier this year following Islam Makhachev‘s title vacation, Ilia Topuria recently announced he is taking a break from the sport to focus on personal matters.
And with that, the promotion put together an interim lightweight title fight, which the majority of the fanbase believed should include longtime number one contender Arman Tsarukyan, however, he was snubbed.
Instead, the interim title fight will be contested between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, which doesn’t sit well with Makhachev, who has slammed the UFC matchmaking in a recent interview with Red Corner MMA.
Makhachev slams UFC’s matchmaking and defends Tsarukyan
‘Ahalkalakets’ is seemingly still paying for withdrawing from his lightweight title fight against Makhachev earlier this year, despite having picked up an impressive win over Dan Hooker since.
And even this past weekend in the UFC 323 post-fight press conference, Dana White stated that Tsarukyan still has some ways to go before re-earning a title shot.
“That’s the way it played out in the war room. I wouldn’t say (Tsarukyan) is the odd man out. You know, he had an opportunity and you guys know how that played out. I don’t give a s— what the (rankings) say, he’s gonna have to work his way back,” White continued to claim.
However, Makhachev believes Tsarukyan is being hard-done by, and despite having somewhat of a past feud with him, he is supporting his old rival.
“The organization may not like it but they make more and more fights that I don’t understand. Of course, I think Arman should’ve gotten the title shot.
“Let’s be honest, Arman is not going to fight any time soon, it’s Pimblett vs Gaethje, whoever wins, he gets a shot against Topuria meaning one more year layoff for Arman, it’s tough.
“I’ve had the same period in my career, I had a ten-fight win streak before getting a title shot, so Arman should probably wait a bit and be patient,” he continued.
Instead of sitting out inactive, the Armenian is making sure that he stays active, even if it’s not inside the UFC Octagon.
This Wednesday afternoon, it was announced that Tsarukyan will take on UFC middleweight Shara Magomedov in a grappling match.
Makhachev’s comments come ironically after he picked his next opponent
Although the Russian champion has criticized the recent matchmaking in the promotion, he himself has been under scrutiny from the fanbase after picking who he would like to defend his welterweight title against next.
Following his win at UFC 322, Makhachev stated that he would like to fight Kamaru Usman next, despite the fact that the former champion is 1-3 in his last four fights.
Francis Ngannou: PFL contract could end in time for UFC event at White House
Francis Ngannou wants the elusive fight against Jon Jones and calls the UFC’s upcoming White House card a perfect venue for it. Ngannou revealed on Wednesday that his PFL contract will expire in time for next year’s White House card, but it would require fences to be mended with Dana White and UFC.
Ngannou left the UFC in January 2023, vacating the UFC heavyweight championship and later signing with the PFL. Since then, he’s fought once in mixed martial arts, knocking out PFL heavyweight tournament winner Renan Ferreira.
Islam Makhachev’s Next Opponent Revealed as Top UFC Star Drops Insider Info on Dana White’s Plan
Following Islam Makhachev’s stunning victory over Jack Della Maddalena, the leading contenders in the welterweight category are now vying for the championship fight. The division is alive with action, and demand for confrontations is quick. Ian Garry, after defeating Belal Muhammad, has been calling out Makhachev every time, but the Dagestani star and his crew appear to have another rival in mind. Ali Abdelaziz has been teasing about a potential encounter with Kamaru Usman, thus keeping the audience in suspense.
Carlos Prates, who knocked out Leon Edwards on the same night as Makhachev’s main event, has recently revealed some insider info. However, Dana White holds the final word, approving the biggest fights, and it looks like Makhachev’s next opponent could be the one with the biggest name in the category.
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Carlos Prates drops a bold claim about Islam Makhachev’s next opponent
That’s exactly where Carlos Prates steps in with the kind of confidence only someone plugged into backstage conversations could have. “I believe that if Kamaru Usman fights for the belt, I’ll need another fight,” Prates said. “If it’s not Kamaru, I think it will be me.
“There’s what Makhachev wants, [he and Usman] have the same management,” Prates added. “Usman is already one of the greatest of all-time in the division — for me, the greatest. So whatever happens, it’s fine. I believe if I don’t get the title fight next, I’ll get one more fight, then go.”
Prates doesn’t expect Makhachev vs. Usman to be “easy,” but he isn’t siding with the former champ either. “I don’t think Usman wins,” he said.
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Kamaru Usman has managed to score just one win since 2021, which was a comeback win over Joaquin Buckley, while he has lost to Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards twice. Islam Makhachev, on the other hand, just won the welterweight title with an impressive finish over Jack Della Maddalena, thus raising the level of competition in the division.
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Prates knows that timing and politics play a crucial role in everything at the top. He is optimistic that he will get his chance at UFC gold in 2026, but he also realizes that “there’s a lot involved” when the company announces its title fights. His momentum definitely works in his favor — he knocked Leon Edwards out at UFC 322 to make his UFC record 6-1, with all six wins being knockouts. His performance earned him another $50,000 bonus, and he rated the entire experience a very confident nine out of ten.
There has been significant chatter about Makhachev’s potential opponent. But does he want to fight Usman?
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Islam Makhachev pushes for Kamaru Usman as his next big test
Islam Makhachev has not been ambiguous at all in expressing his inclination. He chooses Kamaru Usman as the only one who can challenge him among the already mentioned contenders. The king of the octagon considers the ex-welterweight kingpin to be his hardest trial and the collision that accounts for the most considerable profit.
When Makhachev was asked who he ideally wants next, he didn’t hesitate.
“I said that I wanted to fight Kamaru Usman next, although the media does not believe in this fight as I can see,” he explained. He pushed back on the idea that newer contenders are the tougher matchup, adding, “Usman would steamroll through each of these up-and-comers like [Michael]Morales, Prates the striker, those guys have not been checked yet.”
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For Makhachev, the motivation isn’t just legacy. It’s the challenge and the spectacle.
“I think Usman would be the hardest fight for me, and in terms of media, we could build it up,” he said. He pointed to Usman’s résumé as the selling point: “Like a former champion, the most title defenses in my weight division. We could promote this fight well and make it fun to watch.”
A showdown with Usman is the challenge Makhachev wants, and he’s making sure the spotlight stays pointed in that direction.
No Bets Barred: Closing out 2025 with UFC Vegas 112 and PFL Lyon
The final UFC event of 2025 is upon us.
This Saturday, UFC Vegas 112 takes place at the world’s mightiest APEX, the final UFC event of 2025. On top of that, there’s a PFL card with weekend with a couple of marquee fights, so No Bets Barred is here to break it all down for the last time this year.
This week, host Jed Meshew flies solo to look at UFC Vegas 112 and PFL Eruope. Topics discussed include whether Brandon Royval will actually fight Manel Kape, if the Giga Chikadze vs. Kevin Vallejos fight is a true “so-main event,” some undercard gems from the UFC, the massive favorites at PFL Lyon, the fall from The Climb at UFC 323, and more.
Tune in for episode 145 of No Bets Barred.
New episodes of the No Bets Barred podcast drop every Wednesday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you find your favorite podcasts. The latest episode can be heard below.
Conor McGregor Goes Against TKO COO After Receiving Bad News for UFC White House
The UFC’s White House event is uncharted territory for the promotion due to the sheer scale. But the moment TKO COO Mark Shapiro revealed there would be no tickets sold to the public, the conversation shifted. Fans weren’t just stunned, they were shut out. And that’s when Conor McGregor stepped in. Because when the gates close for everyone else, ‘The Notorious’ doesn’t stand outside knocking. He kicks the door open.
Shapiro’s confirmation, shared by Jed I. Goodman on X, was blunt, “There will be no ticket sales for the UFC White House event.” Why? Shapiro explained that the spectacle isn’t built for revenue. It’s built for reach, prestige, and media dominance. But fans don’t care about branding strategies; they care about seats.
And as the debate brewed online, McGregor posted a simple Instagram story aimed directly at the firestorm, “I’ll have tickets @realbetio.”
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That single line did two things. It signaled the Irishman’s intention to be part of the event, and it contradicted TKO’s top executive in the most McGregor way possible.
Shapiro, meanwhile, continued laying out the company’s thinking. He said the June 14 card, scheduled on Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s birthday, will be a “spectacle on steroids.” He repeated that “there will be no ticket sales,” insisting the UFC will make up the lost gate with “brand reach, engagement, notoriety, press, earned media [and] advertiser interest.”
So if there are no tickets, who exactly gets in? VIPs? Politicians? Sponsors? The roster? It’s one of many unanswered questions swirling around an event still being built from the ground up. And then President Trump threw gasoline on the hype.
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At the Kennedy Center Honors, he teased a card featuring “eight or nine championship fights,” claiming Dana White is “holding back fights right now for six months so he can do it for 250.” Hyperbole? Maybe. Ambition? Definitely.
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But nobody is leaning into that ambition more than Conor McGregor. Just days earlier, he confirmed he expects to fight at the White House. Despite still awaiting the UFC’s matchmaking call, his intent was ironclad as he told Bloody Elbow, “The White House is on. We’re just waiting for a full confirmation. I assume around February, they’ll come reaching out, and we’ll go into the contract negotiations and matchmaking orders, that’s what they say. So I’m just staying ready in the gym, two times a day.”
McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021, withdrew from UFC 303 due to injury, and remains without an official opponent. Michael Chandler is still waiting. The UFC hasn’t begun building the card. The entire event exists in a strange limbo between presidential hype and executive caution, but for ‘The Notorious’, his return isn’t just about the White House card!
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“Triple crown” in Conor McGregor’s crosshairs as he takes aim at Islam Makhachev
If Conor McGregor does come back, he doesn’t just picture himself on a novelty card or a ceremonial victory lap. He sees gold. He sees legacy. And he’s already plotting which throne he wants to steal next. So, who does a man who’s already held titles in two divisions set his sights on? According to McGregor, the answer is simple: Islam Makhachev.
During his aforementioned conversation with Bloody Elbow, McGregor didn’t disguise his ambition. He said, “I’m motivated. I’m self-motivated and I for sure want a crack at that belt. I for sure want a crack at that 170-pound belt to go for the triple crown.”
But can he really jump straight into a title fight against the welterweight king? That’s where the story gets interesting. Makhachev sits atop MMA Fighting’s pound-for-pound rankings. McGregor hasn’t won since January 2020, his fight against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.
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And then there’s the history. The Irish superstar’s rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov still casts a long shadow, and Makhachev is ‘The Eagle’s protégé. That alone adds a layer of fire that few matchups can replicate. McGregor knows it, and he knows what kind of storyline the UFC loves to sell.
According to him, “It would be a good fight, a good scrap, Southpaw, southpaw. It was a good performance out of him and fair play to him, he had the courage to do it, to go up. So yeah, I’m excited for it, let’s see what happens. Let’s get back in the mix. ”
So while fans scramble to understand who will or won’t get access to the White House event, McGregor isn’t worried about tickets. He’s worried about thrones. And whether the UFC gives him Makhachev or someone else, one thing is already clear, Conor McGregor plans to return where he believes he belongs, at the center of the spotlight!
Joe Rogan Reacts to ‘Weird’ Khamzat Chimaev-Ian Garry Altercation
Rogan’s Analysis
During a recent episode of
Youngest UFC winner ever earned one of 11 bonuses despite Dana White’s outrage after PPV event
On this day in 2022, a lot of bonuses were handed out at the final PPV event of the year.
Dana White has confirmed that fighter pay will increase as a result of the promotion’s US broadcast deal with Paramount that gets underway in 2026.
While he hasn’t shared details, many have pushed for some time for the post-fight bonuses that are awarded to be higher from the start of next year.
This has been implemented for events in the past, though White felt burned after doing this for UFC 304 last year only for the card to not live up to expectations.
One event in recent history saw the promotion break its usual pattern of bonuses, not in terms of how much they are worth, but with the quantity that was awarded.
Dana White awarded every UFC 282 fighter that got a finish a bonus
UFC 282 on December 10 of 2022 is widely remembered for the two fights that topped the bill.
Dana White admitted to zoning out of Jan Blachowicz vs Magomed Ankalaev after the two men fought to a draw in their clash to crown a new light heavyweight champion, leaving the UFC with an issue.
Paddy Pimblett has since admitted that he was “lucky” to beat Jared Gordon in the co-main event, with the fight producing one of the most controversial outcomes in some time.
However, what might have been forgotten is that up until the two decisions that ended the night, each and every bout had ended in a finish.
As a result, the promotion chose to award every fighter that got a finish a Performance of the Night bonus, meaning that it made history for the most bonuses given out at a single event with 11.
The only fighter who got a bonus despite not winning was Darren Till, whose loss to Dricus du Plessis was awarded the Fight of the Night bonus.
Among these bonus winners was the history-making Raul Rosas Jr., whose submission win over Jay Perrin in the featured prelim made him the youngest fighter to win a bout inside the Octagon at 18 years old.
Justin Gaethje Rejects Arman Tsarukyan’s Aid for Paddy Pimblett Fight Over One Reason
As Justin Gaethje prepares for one of the most high-stakes fights of his career, an interim lightweight title clash with Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, the offers to help are rolling in. And one of them came from an unexpected source, Arman Tsarukyan, a man many believe has what it takes to be a future champion himself.
But instead of excitement, Gaethje saw something else. Why would one of the division’s most dangerous contenders offer to help him beat Pimblett? And why now, when Tsarukyan is still fuming from being passed over for this very title shot? Those questions set the stage for Gaethje’s response on Submission Radio, where he made it clear that this was an invitation he wouldn’t be accepting.
In a clip of his interview shared on X by Red Corner MMA, the interviewer asked Gaethje directly, Tsarukyan wants to help you train, did you see that? Gaethje didn’t hesitate. Yes, he saw it. And no, he wasn’t buying the spirit of generosity that Tsarukyan framed it with.
According to him, “Yeah, I saw that. That’s I would say that from my perspective, that was more of him trying to go against Paddy rather than help me.”
In other words, Arman Tsarukyan’s offer wasn’t about elevating Justin Gaethje. It was about sinking ‘The Baddy’. But even if the intentions were pure, Gaethje explained he wouldn’t make sweeping changes this late in his career.
He said, “But, you know, I’m not going to go and start making drastic changes in my training camps when it comes to getting ready for these fights. And I trust the team that I have. I will bring in training partners. But ultimately, I’m not going to bring in guys that I’m probably and possibly gonna fight in the future. I have nothing against him, he’d be a great training partner, ah but ultimately I might have to fight him one day. So that’d be not smart.”
Bringing in training partners is normal. Bringing in someone he may have to fight? Not a chance. Yet, Tsarukyan’s offer didn’t come out of nowhere. The Armenian contender has been loudly frustrated since being left out of the interim title picture, especially with Pimblett, whom he openly mocked, being awarded the shot instead.
He didn’t hide his feelings, telling ESPN, “But I hope Justin is going to beat his a– and we’re going to forget about Paddy for all our lives. They give him easy fights because they know he’s going to lose to (lightweight champion) Ilia (Topuria).”
Maybe that’s why Justin Gaethje isn’t thinking about division politics. He’s thinking about the possibility that after Pimblett, Tsarukyan might be next. And why sharpen the sword of a man who may soon stand across the cage from you? However, according to a former champion, there might be a gap in ‘The Highlight’s arsenal that may come back to haunt him in his clash against ‘The Baddy’!
Aljamain Sterling claims Justin Gaethje’s “jiu-jitsu is non-existent” with a bold critique
What happens if Justin Gaethje gets the fight he wants on the feet, only to end up on the mat? According to Aljamain Sterling, that’s where the real danger lies, not in Paddy Pimblett’s hype, but in a hole Gaethje has carried for years. On a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sterling didn’t sugarcoat a thing. He argued that Gaethje’s jiu-jitsu simply isn’t at a championship level.
In Sterling’s own words, “It’s non-existent. I’m sure Justin Gaethje would admit that his jiu-jitsu is non-existent. I don’t even know if he actually goes to jiu-jitsu class. He better for this fight. I swear to God, if this guy gets submitted with a rear-naked choke, I’m going to be pis**d. It’s the most basic thing you could go and say I could learn this.”
Is that harsh? Maybe. But does he have a point? Gaethje’s two title-fight losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira both ended by choke. And Pimblett? As per Tapology, eleven of his career wins have come by submission. That’s enough to make even Gaethje’s biggest supporters shift a little in their seats.
Still, Sterling balanced the criticism with optimism. The Justin Gaethje of today, he argued, is not the reckless berserker who fought ‘The Eagle’. He sees a smarter athlete now, someone who uses his wrestling defensively, picks his shots wisely, and doesn’t willingly march into chaos.
“I will say of late he has fought a lot smarter, a lot more intelligent. … He used his wrestling, too.” Sterling noted.
And that’s what makes this matchup so fascinating. Arman Tsarukyan sees Paddy Pimblett as a prop the UFC is pushing. Sterling sees submission danger written in bold letters. Yet Gaethje sees only one thing, a belt he believes should have been his long ago.
So, what version of ‘The Highlight’ will walk into UFC 324? The smarter, disciplined veteran, or the old gunslinger who let chaos decide his fate? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Francis Ngannou Gives Final Verdict on UFC Return Amid Refusal to Entertain Dana White’s Assault Allegations
Francis Ngannou has spent nearly three years outside the UFC, yet somehow, the shadow of his departure still looms over every conversation about his future. The former heavyweight champion has crossed into boxing, returned to MMA, and watched the UFC move on without him, but any discussion of a comeback always circles back to the same two things: Dana White and the unresolved tension between them.
And now, with the UFC’s historic White House card planned for next summer, and Ngannou’s PFL contract nearing its end, the questions surrounding him have grown louder. Could he return? Would he return? And what does he make of White’s recent claim that their split once turned physical?
Francis Ngannou chooses not to engage with Dana White’s claims of an altercation
Those questions set the tone when ‘The Predator’ joined The Ariel Helwani Show, and instead of diving into rebuttals, he made an unexpected choice. Ariel Helwani opened the door immediately, asking Ngannou directly whether he’d ever laid hands on White. The former champion didn’t dodge the question, he dismantled it with a jab of sarcasm.
Ngannou repeated, “Who, Dana White?” before adding, “Then he must be the only person that I ever put my hand on.”
From there, he held his ground without taking the bait. When Helwani pointed out that White claimed Ngannou grabbed both him and Hunter Campbell by the collar, Ngannou simply noted, “In his office, that’s what he said, right? Well, I’m sure he has a lot of cameras there.”
But when Helwani asked if that was an invitation for White to prove it, Ngannou shut it down, “I’m not inviting him to do anything. I’m not in court.”
So why not deny it outright? ‘The Predator’ explained that responding to every accusation isn’t a battle he’s interested in fighting anymore. Over time, he said, constantly being expected to answer for what others say becomes exhausting.
He added that he simply scrolled past White’s comments, concluding, “I get past it. I wasn’t even, yeah. I mean, I should be thinking that you’re going to ask me that I just leave it. I’m long gone from that. I kind of like at some point here, very annoying to just have to be responsible of what people say. If Dana said this, then I’m out here going to basically defend myself of what Dana said or whomever if he’s in peace with, it’s okay.”
As such, his refusal to fire back wasn’t weakness, it was a declaration. Francis Ngannou is done giving oxygen to old conflicts. But if he won’t talk about the past, what about the future? That’s where the conversation took a turn.
Ngannou wants to “wait” before thinking about a UFC return
With his PFL contract expiring before the White House card, and with fans still dreaming of a super-fight with Jon Jones, Helwani pressed him on whether a return to the UFC was possible.
Ngannou revealed that he had tried to reopen dialogue in the past, saying he was already willing to talk “before he fell off.” But when Helwani asked whether he’d consider it again once his current deal ends, Ngannou gave a measured answer with, “I don’t know. Wait until it’s over.”
Not a yes. Not a no. A deliberate pause. That approach lines up with everything we’ve seen from him in the past year.
Ngannou’s goals, whether boxing Deontay Wilder, chasing the long-elusive Jon Jones fight, or fighting on the UFC’s White House lawn, all hinge on timing and leverage. And timing, at least right now, appears to be on his side.
While he’s only fought once in MMA since leaving the UFC in 2023, ‘The Predator’ has remained one of combat sports’ most polarizing figures. His split-decision war with Tyson Fury and his brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua only amplified his global profile. Ultimately, what Ngannou made clear is that he’s not interested in reliving old grievances, and he’s not ready to map out a UFC return.
But he’s also not closing any doors. Fighting Jon Jones? Possible. Fighting at the White House? Also possible. Working with Dana White again? If the deal is right and the drama stays elsewhere, nothing is seemingly off the table.
Hot Property: $1.9M Baltimore County estate is sports lover’s playground
Address: 8 Glenberry Court, Phoenix
List price: $1,850.000
Year built: 1993
Real estate agent: Heidi Krauss, Krauss Real Property Brokerage
Last sold price/date: $1,799,900 / Aug. 25, 2022
Property size: 5.14 acres
Unique features: This Georgian estate should suit a sports lover. There’s a full-sized tennis court and a heated saltwater pool. There are five acres for hiking and a finished basement fit for a sizeable home gym. And with five fireplaces, there are lots of logs to be split.
With one-quarter acre (10,540 square feet) of living space, the four-level brick residence boasts six bedrooms, arched windows, skylights and lofty ceilings. There are seven bathrooms, plenty for any occasion. Flooring ranges from sparkling marble in the foyer to polished hardwood. The living room has a striking brick fireplace wall. The master suite features spacious walk-in dressing rooms, its own sitting room and a private porch.
Outside, there’s a stone-framed koi pond, a hot tub and spa. A stone patio overlooks the custom-made pool with its trickling waterfall. The brick pool house has its own kitchenette and grilling space. Beneath that structure are three car bays, which complement the attached three-car garage. The tennis court is fenced and lighted for play after dark and on those hot summer days. The home sits in a neighborhood that feeds a stellar public school system.
Have a news tip? Contact Mike Klingaman at jklingaman@baltsun.com and 410-332-6456.
Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams Will Co-Chair 2026 Met Gala
A music superstar, an Oscar winner, and a tennis legend take over the Met Gala … we don’t know if there’s a punchline yet — because we’ll have to wait and see what happens since Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams have been named co-chairs of the event!
The three stars have been tapped to work with industry icon Anna Wintour — who always heads up the annual fashion extravaganza — on next year’s edition of the event … with Vogue announcing the news via Instagram Wednesday morning.
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The gala has a
Netflix-Paramount bidding wars are pushing Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav toward billionaire status-he has one rule for success: ‘Never be outworked’
The 65-year-old executive has long been one of the media’s highest-paid leaders, taking home a compensation package of $51.9 million in 2024 alone—even as the company weathered layoffs and strategy turmoil.
And earlier this year, Zaslav signed a new contract packed with more stock options that could exceed $420 million in value, with the ultimate payout influenced by whether Netflix’s $27.75-per-share cash-and-stock bid or Paramount’s hostile $30-per-share cash offer wins out.
If either deal pushes through, the package could propel Zaslav’s net worth past $1 billion, according to Bloomberg—placing him alongside a rare group of non-founder CEOs like Tim Cook, Satya Nadella, and Jamie Dimon who’ve joined the billionaire ranks.
David Zaslav missed out on being a tennis star—and vowed to never be outworked again
Zaslav began his career in corporate law before bringing his passion for strategy and negotiation to media—joining NBC in 1989 and helping launch CNBC. He rose to become president of NBCUniversal’s cable and domestic TV and new-media distribution before being tapped to lead Discovery Communications as CEO in 2006, overseeing brands like TLC and Animal Planet.
In 2022, Zaslav orchestrated the landmark Discovery-WarnerMedia merger, handing him control over powerhouse assets, including HBO, CNN, and TBS—plus Warner Bros’ vast film and TV studios.
But Zaslav maintains his real edge hasn’t been timing or luck; it’s been an almost obsessive work ethic.
He learned that lesson the hard way as a teenager chasing tennis greatness. After showing early promise, he eased up on practicing, assuming talent alone would carry him. A few months later, reality hit. His coach—professional tennis legend Althea Gibson—told him bluntly he wasn’t putting in the work. And by then, it was too late.
“By the time I was 14 years old, I was getting beat by most of the people I was used to beating,” Zaslav recalled at Boston University’s commencement in 2023. “I had already watched all the players I grew up with blow right by me. It was a painful experience. It’s painful to be outworked. I lost a little piece of my identity—but I vowed that day I would never be outworked again.”
Zaslav tells Gen Z that working hard is the most important key to success—he still wakes up at 4:45 a.m. to grind
Armed with his own experience, Zaslav warned Boston University graduates that talent is important, but just an “entry ticket.” More importantly, you have to commit yourself to working hard—and that doesn’t stop even once you reach the top.
“If you really want to realize your full potential, you cannot focus solely on what you’re good at—that’s the easy stuff,” Zaslav added. “You’ve got to put more effort toward the things you’re not good at and work at getting better at them. It’ll make a huge difference.”
Zaslav still puts his commitment to hard work into action every morning—beginning with a 4:45 a.m. wake-up call. He then hits the streets of Manhattan, often walking an hour and a half from his home on Central Park West down to his office on 19th Street—either on the phone or listening to music.
That same discipline shaped the guidance he shared with Gen Z graduates—and may even put them on a billionaire track like himself one day.
“Create your own opportunities, and even if you have to make a big change, find a way to do what you really love,” Zaslav said at Boston University, adding: “Never, never, never get outworked.”
Aryna Sabalenka has fiery response to ‘testosterone’ tennis drama
Tennis superstar Aryna Sabalenka isn’t just firing back with bikini snaps.
During an appearance Tuesday on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” the world No. 1 was asked about controversial comments attributed to fellow tennis player Marta Kostyuk, whose October interview with Tennis365 caused a stir when the publication “inserted a comment asking if Kostyuk was ‘intimidated’ by” Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek and a response of “different biological structures” spread like wildfire.
“That’s so funny that we even talk about someone like Marta Kostyuk’s comments, but all I hear here is just excuses,” Sabalenka said. “And it’s actually quite funny because she’s a strong girl. She probably has more muscles than I do, and she looks fit and strong, and I think that’s not the case in all of the matches she lost against top players.”
Kostyuk, currently ranked No. 26 in the world, spoke with Tennis365 at the Wuhan Open about battling the sport’s premier players, such as Sabelnka, 27, and Swiatek, 24, and the challenge that presents.
“With Iga, when I have played her, I wasn’t ready to play her at all,” the 23-year-old Kostyuk began. “I played her over a year ago. With Aryna, I don’t know, to be honest. When I look at these players, I have my own skills, but at the end of the day, they are all much bigger than me, much taller than me, much stronger than me. We all have different biological structure. Some have a higher level of testosterone, some have lower. I know players who are good players who have higher levels of it. It’s just natural, they don’t take anything. I’m sure of that. It’s just the biology of their body. Obviously, that definitely helps.
“I’m trying to see how I can beat these players with the tennis skills I have, but I have to work more than they have to win the points. I need to run a lot more. I am much more of, like, an athletic player. I cannot just hit the ball hard, sweeping players out of the court with my power. I cannot make myself suddenly 10kgs bigger or five centimeters taller, so I have to find ways to use everything I have at 100 percent. For other players, they have more of an advantage in other things. This is just the way I am. My body, I’m really small. I look at the pictures when we are on the court and I look so much smaller than everyone. I cannot be bigger! It’s just part of the sport. I think it’s a very cool challenge, if I think about it. I really have to sit down and think, okay, what can I do to get make better against these players. I’m sure there are many, many things I can do better.”
Tennis365 published a follow-up post to the original interview and provided the full question Kostyuk was asked: “When you play Sabalenka and Swiatek, how close do you feel you are? What makes them a little better? Their consistency or their mental strength?”
“These comments were an honest reflection of how Marta feels on court, but they have been spun to insinuate Kostyuk was criticising her opponents, which was never her intention,” the outlet stated.
“… Tennis365 is a platform that has always prided itself on promoting the game in a positive light and we hope the clarification in this article will end any debate over comments that have been spun wildly by other areas of the world’s media.”
Around the same time Kostyuk’s comments went viral, Sabalenka — who defeated her twice in 2025 — posted bikini photos with some speculating if it was a clapback.
“Just wanted to make sure that she sees the real picture,” Sabalenka told Piers Morgan on Tuesday.
Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams named Met Gala 2026 co-chairs
Music superstar Beyoncé, actress Nicole Kidman and tennis legend Venus Williams have been named co-chairs of the 2026 Met Gala, alongside Anna Wintour, Vogue announced Wednesday.
Beyoncé is returning to
Serena Williams to Lead ‘Trailblazing’ New Prime Video Series
Key Points
Serena Williams stars in and executive-produces Prime Video docuseries
Martina Navratilova says she wouldn’t defect to US today under Trump presidency
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Tennis legend Martina Navratilova said in a video advertisement that she would not defect to the United States if today’s situation were around when she left Czechoslovakia.
Navratilova made the video for
Kubrat Pulev: ‘I’m Happy To Have This World Title In Bulgaria And I’m Going To Win This Fight’
DUBAI, UAE – December 10, 2025 – In a charged atmosphere thick with anticipation, WBA World Heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev and challenger Murat Gassiev came face-to-face for the first time today at the official press conference for BETCITY IBA Pro 13, held at the opulent Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
The Bulgarian veteran and the power-punching Russian knockout artist engaged in a tense stare-down, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most explosive heavyweight bouts of the year on Friday, December 12, live on DAZN.
Umar Kremlev, IBA President, said: “There are so many opportunities for athletes and coaches to compete in the best fights possible. And for the fans, we’re offering better conditions and more competitive match-ups, not just boxing, but the best boxing in the world at IBA. That’s our main goal. Our primary mission is to create a platform where boxers can fulfill their dreams, and where coaches can realize theirs as well — doing what they love while earning a proper living. We aim to increase prize funds for both amateurs and professionals.
“This fight, between Kubrat Pulev and Murat Gassiev, is another example of the IBA’s commitment to delivering the biggest events around the world. Both men are tremendous ambassadors for the sport and I am eager to see them compete for the WBA Heavyweight championship.”
Al Siesta, Director General of IBA Pro, said: “This fight is a phenomenal showcase of the highest level of sport – the heavyweight championship of the world. Pulev vs Gassiev is breaking new boundaries by becoming the first heavyweight title bout to be held in the United Arab Emirates and we are so proud of this.
“On December 12, live on DAZN, I am certain that both Kubrat Pulev and Murat Gassiev will deliver a spectacular show befitting the occasion. It is a true 50-50 fight, which is the hallmark of IBA and IBA Pro, and I can’t split the two men. May the best man win!”
Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs), the 44-year-old ‘Cobra’ from Sofia, Bulgaria, enters the ring to defend his WBA Heavyweight crown for the first time since capturing it earlier this year via a dominant unanimous decision over Manuel Charr.
A former IBF interim title challenger, Pulev has recorded three straight victories, showcasing the granite chin and technical savvy that have defined his 20-year professional career. Despite a mandatory defense having been ordered against rising British star Moses Itauma, Pulev’s team secured a special sanction from the WBA to face Gassiev, with the winner obligated to meet Itauma next.
Reigning WBA Heavyweight Champion, Kubrat Pulev, said: “To be a world champion was my dream and the dream of my father. That’s why we started boxing, because my brother, my father, they were in love with boxing. That’s why we love this great sport.
“I have come a long way, I have more than 300 amateur fights and also a lot of professional fights. I have a lot of experience. Thanks to God, I have the chance to fight for a world title. I’m happy to have this world title in Bulgaria and I’m going to win this fight.”
His opponent, the 32-year-old Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs) from Vladikavkaz, Russia, brings devastating power and an unyielding pressure style honed as a former unified cruiserweight champion. With standout victories over Yuniel Dorticos and Denis Lebedev, he now plans his assault on the heavyweight division. A win over Pulev would see ‘Iron’ become Russia’s first heavyweight champion in thirteen years – with no shortage of national pride at stake, Saturday’s bout marks Gassiev’s first step toward heavyweight immortality.
Challenger Murat Gassiev said: “Thank you to Umar Kremlev for this opportunity. This is the heavyweight division – one punch can change any plan, any strategy, any tactic and you need to be ready 100% at any second.
“Kubrat Pulev is a heavyweight champion. He has a lot of experience. Many people said that he is old, at 44 years, but it’s only numbers. He has great experience, he is always in good shape – he looks perfect. I’m 100% sure that he is ready for twelve rounds, and I know this is one of the toughest fights of my professional career. We have had a good training camp and we’re ready for everything.”
The press conference, attended by global media and buzzing with energy, highlighted the cultural clash between Pulev’s old-school resilience and Gassiev’s modern menace. The event underscores the growing prominence of IBA Pro Boxing, now a cornerstone of the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) ecosystem, blending elite amateurs and professionals in a “Festival of Boxing” from December 2-13.
Aryna Sabalenka Claims Playing Transgender Competitors Is ‘Not Fair to Women’
Aryna Sabalenka shared her thoughts on the participation of transgender athletes in women’s tennis during an interview with Piers Morgan released on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
The world No. 1 tennis star, 27, weighed in on the debate when asked by the British host if she agrees with former player Martina Navratilova’s take that
Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter: Tennis stars Aryna Sabalenka, Nick Kyrgios weigh in on trans athlete debate
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Welcome to the Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
COURT CLASH – Before their
U.S. House passes bill to help stadiums combat drones
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Because marijuana remains illegal federally, dispensaries can’t advertise on TV or the radio. So in Michigan they bought up billboards across the state.
The result: Michigan highways are lined with a forest of distracting signs pushing pot, with puns like “Stop by and say high!”
(My personal favorite was a banner trailing from an airplane that said “Weed and bud.” My mom thought it was for a garden store.)
Ohio won’t be so loaded with billboards, though, after the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review waved through a state ban on such signage.
The Outdoor Advertising Association of Ohio warns the rule could violate companies’ First Amendment rights. But even Detroit has recently curtailed the ads. Marijuana and vaping ads are now banned from within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, libraries and other spots where kids congregate.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Messy wintry mix
Top Stories
Marijuana advertising: Ohio is banning advertisements of recreational marijuana dispensaries on billboards, radio, television or the internet and in stadiums and arenas, reports Laura Hancock.
Baseball award: Paul Hoynes, the dogged baseball voice of The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Career Excellence Award — the highest honor a baseball writer can receive. Joe Noga reports that a year after Guardians broadcasting legend Tom Hamilton enjoyed his moment in Cooperstown, N.Y., Hoynes will be celebrated there during the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s induction weekend in July.
Today in Ohio: U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi recently brushed aside allegations of discrimination tied to the administration’s firing of a Cleveland immigration judge. We’re talking about the lawsuit filed by Tania Nemer, a Summit County attorney, on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
Statehouse and Politics
ACA subsidies: U.S. Sen. Jon Husted is proposing legislation to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies for two years, introducing new restrictions like a $5 monthly minimum premium and citizenship requirements. Sabrina Eaton reports the bill aims to address the upcoming expiration of enhanced tax credits while implementing measures to reduce potential fraud.
Hemp regulations: The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 56, which prohibits sales of hemp-based items with over 0.4 milligrams of THC outside licensed dispensaries and makes significant changes to the state’s recreational marijuana law. Jeremy Pelzer and Mary Frances McGowan report the legislation includes restrictions on marijuana transportation, landlord rights, and creates new criminal penalties for certain marijuana-related activities.
Spending restrictions: The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case brought by Vice President JD Vance challenging limits on political party spending in coordination with federal candidates. Sabrina Eaton reports the case explores potential corruption risks and First Amendment free speech rights in campaign finance regulations.
Sloopys: Cleveland.com is hosting the 2025 Sloopy Awards, with voting open for categories like Biggest Windbag and Funniest Politician, Jeremy Pelzer reports.
Northeast Ohio News
Cleveland schools: Cleveland’s school board unanimously approved a plan Tuesday night that drastically consolidates the school district’s footprint ahead of the 2026-27 school year, Sean McDonnell reports. Cleveland Metropolitan School District will close 23 buildings and operate 29 fewer schools, changes CEO Warren Morgan says are needed to confront steep drops in enrollment and a looming $150 million deficit.
Stadium funding: A federal judge on Tuesday denied a request to stop the state of Ohio from raiding $1.7 billion from its unclaimed property fund to help build a new Cleveland Browns stadium, among other projects, Jeremy Pelzer reports.
IT upgrade: Cuyahoga County must upgrade its IT system again, but this time, officials say the process won’t be nearly as painful or as costly as the first overhaul, reports Kaitlin Durbin. The county’s initial transition to the Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP, platform starting in 2016 quickly unraveled into a budget‑busting, delay‑ridden, leadership‑challenged undertaking.
Waterfront development: Cleveland’s waterfront development organization is nearing the selection of a developer for the current Browns stadium site, with proposals including entertainment, housing and public spaces, Rich Exner reports.
Pickleball: Rocky River has resumed adult pickleball at the Civic Center after a month-long pause due to behavioral issues, now requiring registration and extra fees to ensure a welcoming environment, reports Cory Shaffer.
Tanisha’s Law: Cleveland City Council is considering Tanisha’s Law to send clinicians instead of police to some 911 calls, with other cities already implementing similar programs, reports Sean McDonnell.
Traffic stops: Cleveland police made nearly 16,000 traffic stops in 2024, mostly for speeding and registration issues, with Black drivers 3.7 times more likely to be stopped than white drivers, reports Adam Ferrise.
RTA change: RTA’s Cleveland State Line will be no more, but the same bus service will continue on the same routes through the West Side and western suburbs, Rich Exner reports.
Mentor election: A single vote decided Mentor’s at-large city council race, final results showed Tuesday, when the Lake County Board of Elections certified recounts in two of the closest contests from the Nov. 4 election, Molly Walsh reports.
Splash pad: Mentor approved a $5.94 million contract for a new splash pad and bathhouse at Garfield Park, aiming to serve the growing south side, reports Molly Walsh.
Watershed plan: Lake County officials seek public input at a Dec. 19 meeting on updating the Red Creek-Grand River Watershed Plan, which would improve water quality and address flooding concerns, reports Molly Walsh.
Lorain megasite: Lorain County residents protested a proposed industrial megasite, citing concerns over funding gaps, environmental impacts, and lack of public input, despite the county receiving $67.4 million for infrastructure upgrades, reports Hannah Drown.
Health Care and Business
Epilepsy rates: A Case Western Reserve University study shows higher epilepsy rates in Northeast Ohio counties, linked to socioeconomic and environmental factors like extreme heat, reports Julie Washington.
RubberDucks: Prospector Baseball Group has acquired the Akron RubberDucks from Ken Babby, also taking over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, with no announced name change. Marc Bona reports on the sale of the Cleveland Guardians Class AA affiliate and the team’s future plans. The new owners describe the team as “one of the iconic franchises in all of minor league baseball,” reports Joe Noga.
Layoff notice: Property management company PK Management is closing its facility in Richmond Heights, resulting in the loss of nearly 70 jobs, Cliff Pinckard reports.
Crime and Courts
Safety Patrol lawsuit: A former supervisor of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office’s Downtown Safety Patrol unit permanently injured an unarmed motorist during a routine traffic stop, according to a civil rights lawsuit filed Monday, David Gambino reports.
Hopkins arrest: A suspect was taken into custody at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Sunday evening after making threatening statements about activity there, Olivia Mitchell reports.
Guilty plea: An 89-year-old Parma man has pleaded guilty after being charged with a hit-and-run accident that wounded a mother and her 2-year-old child, Lucas Daprile reports.
Meth trafficking: Three men are charged with funneling large amounts of meth from Mexico to Cleveland, Adam Ferrise reports. The indictment details shipments from Sonora and Arizona, with authorities using wiretaps to establish the connection.
Arts and Entertainment
Ask Yadi: Yadi Rodriguez discusses how to handle sharing difficult medical news, emphasizing keeping family informed until more details are known and advising on communicating with employers, all while respecting the patient’s wishes.
Alison Krauss: Alison Krauss and Union Station will tour in 2026, performing in Akron on June 24, supporting their album “Arcadia.” Malcolm X Abram writes about the bluegrass group’s return to the stage with new material.
Ski openings: Ohio’s Snow Trails ski resort in Mansfield will open Thursday, making it the first in Ohio to start the season, with Mad River Mountain near Columbus opening the next day, reports Susan Glaser.
Film events: The Greater Cleveland Film Commission will host multiple events in January, including a gala with David Lester from “Star Wars” and a free production assistant workshop to promote the region’s growing film industry, Joey Morona reports.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a nearly 30-year holiday tradition, requiring extensive logistics. Peter Chakerian highlights Cleveland’s deep connection to their success and annual performances.
Orchestra finances: The Cleveland Orchestra reported a strong fiscal year with a balanced budget, increased endowment and expanded audience reach, reports Zachary Lewis.
Congressional baseball: Cleveland-born author J.B. Manheim explores the history and ongoing popularity of the congressional baseball game, which started in 1909 and raises millions for charity, Marc Bona reports.
‘Kitchen Fables’: Lake Erie Ink’s “Kitchen Fables” is a community cookbook mixing recipes, stories, poems and artwork from Clevelanders of all ages, celebrating creativity and connections, Alex Darus reports.
You’re all caught up
Don’t forget, you can always find the latest Cleveland news by visiting cleveland.com. If you value the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber.
— Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard.
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Doug Ghim, Adam Hadwin, Cameron Champ among players to watch in PGA Tour-Q School final stage
The holidays are right around the corner, and many professional golfers are hoping for something more than just presents. The final stage of PGA Tour Q-School takes center stage this week in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, continuing two weeks of survive-and-advance style of golf to earn playing privileges on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour next season.
The penultimate stage was held last week across five sites scattered throughout the United States, where five different 72-hole stroke-play competitions were expected to take place. Due to weather, two sites were shortened to 54 holes. A total of 88 players advanced to the final stage from these five locations with this run of golf representing both a sprint in terms of quality of game and a marathon in terms of mental toughness.
PGA Tour Insider Rejects LIV Golf Poaching Reports With Blunt Statement
Rumors were that LIV is poaching two South Korean golfers on the PGA Tour. One of them was Si Woo Kim, and the other was Sungjae Im. There is no official confirmation on the rumors yet. However, while Si Woo Kim’s involvement is unknown, a source close to the PGA Tour denies any truth in Sungjae Im joining the rival circuit.
“There’s “zero truth” to the Sungjae Im report, per a source,” wrote Cameron Jourdan in an X post.
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Reports from Flushing It Golf suggested Si Woo Kim was deep into talks to join LIV Golf’s Iron Heads GC for 2026. But it was not just Si Woo Kim. The same discussion also looped in Im as a potential addition. That idea gained momentum after Josh Carpenter noted the possible effect such exits could have on the International Presidents Cup team. Reposting the same, Cameron Jourdan denied any truth to Sungjae Im’s involvement, per a close source.
Meanwhile, Sliced Podcast’s host Sam Harrop echoed that stance through his own post, stating he had it on “very good authority” that Sungjae Im is staying where he is. Im’s schedule backs up that assessment, as he continues to be one of the most active golfers on the PGA Tour with 28 starts in 2025. He sits at No. 42 in the world and has represented the International side in three Presidents Cups.
Sungjae Im’s name now appears cleared, while Kim’s next steps remain under watch. As the landscape shifts, clarity around each player’s direction will shape upcoming international team dynamics.
Report: Si Woo Kim leaving PGA Tour for LIV Golf
South Korea’s Si Woo Kim reportedly has a deal to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf.
The four-time PGA Tour winner is in
Golf Fans Voice Same Complaint as Draft of Tiger Woods-Designed PGA Tour Schedule Goes Viral
A possible 2028 PGA Tour calendar sketches a dramatic shift in how the schedule may look. The early proposal, shaped through conversations with several players and the Future Competition Committee led publicly by Tiger Woods, imagines a campaign that begins the week after the Super Bowl. It kicks off with the WM Phoenix Open in February and runs till August.
“🚨🗓️⛳️ #NEW — Golf Channel has unveiled a potential 2028 draft schedule based on conversations with a half dozen players that would see a post Super Bowl start in Phoenix, a week off after every major and playoff event venues that include Pebble Beach and Riviera,” NUCLR GOLF reported in a tweet.
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Scott O’Neil had revealed that the Woods-led Future Competition Committee (FCC) will play a major role in drafting the new schedule. The potential schedule shared by Golf Channel is grounded in parity, scarcity, and simplicity, the three goals stated by the FCC. It contemplates shrinking the current 38-event (non-fall) schedule to about 25 events.
“We started with a blank slate — what would the best product we can possibly create, what would it look like?” Tiger Woods told Golf Channel.
The FCC and Tour leadership say the idea is to create scarcity so top players converge on most events. The aim is to boost viewership and make each week an “appointment” for fans.
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In the new calendar, Signature stops occupy most of the calendar. Miami and the Arnold Palmer Invitational in February and March, and THE PLAYERS in March. Then comes a tightly arranged run of Houston, Austin, and the Masters heading into April. A planned week off follows each major to help with recovery, broadcast pacing, and build-up for the next stretch.
A reworked summer is central to the concept. The U.S. Open remains in June alongside the Canadian Open and Travelers. However, the Open Championship slides into early August because of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. That change compresses the late-season flow and pushes the playoffs to a striking West Coast finish. Pebble Beach and Riviera host the first two postseason stops before the Tour Championship wraps things up.
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While most FCC and leadership insiders support this draft, there’s a mixed response overall. Some, like Billy Horschel, highlight the need to place more tournaments in major U.S. markets to generate broader attention.
“We need to go to the biggest markets — right now we are in five of the 30 biggest markets [in the United States]; we need to make it 12 to 15,” Billy Horschel said.
Horschel feels that at least one-third of the total events on the PGA Tour should be in major markets. This could potentially attract more sponsors and help broaden the reach. However, some view this as a bad move. Voices such as Tom Hoge caution that fewer stops shrink flexibility for those outside the top tier.
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“I don’t love this idea of a reduced schedule,” he said.
Hoge gave an example of the days when golfers had the opportunity to decide what events they wanted to play. He said that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson usually didn’t play the same events most of the time. However, they carried out the events they chose to play in. The reduced schedule mitigates this flexibility, as most PGA Tour members would want to compete in the remaining events to make a living.
While the potential new schedule has more supporters than haters on the inside, fans tell a completely different story.
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Fans’ backlash at the possible new schedule
Fan pushback gathered under the NUCLR GOLF post reflects a mix of frustration and disappointment. Much of it is aimed at the proposed late start.
“Sorry, NO golf in January sucks. When golfers in the north zone of the USA & Canada cant play because of the crap cold weather, we look forward to watching Hawaii/California golf tournaments to get us thru the winter. Cut off golf after Thanksgiving but leave January alone,” one user wrote.
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Unlike other sports, such as football and baseball, most golf fans actually enjoy playing the game themselves. But colder events can prevent golf enthusiasts from playing outside. Viewers in colder regions say January broadcasts from Hawaii and California help them feel connected to the sport during these months when playing outside isn’t possible. Losing that stretch feels like losing a seasonal ritual. Some fans even argued that the Tour could trim December instead of removing an early-year window.
While the late start is worrisome for some fans, others feel like there’s no need to make any major changes.
“1. Not everyone in the world watches NFL. This conflict for a few weeks is way overblown. 2. Not enough golf. Too focused on top players. I for one like to see emerging PGA stars get a chance to actually emerge. This schedule is so biased to established players,” a fan said.
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One of the biggest reasons for making this schedule change is to avoid a clash with the NFL. The NFL enters playoff season in January, and most American audiences are glued to their TVs to watch these games. The PGA Tour leadership feels that this declines the viewership. Hence, they are trying to move the schedule down for a February start to avoid the conflict. But fans note that golf has a niche audience that does not want a later start.
This comment also reflects what Tom Hoge said. While Hoge pointed out flexibility, the fan wants to point out that if all elite golfers started playing in every event on the PGA Tour, it would significantly affect new and emerging stars.
Tradition is another major theme. A few comments question how the Tour can celebrate its heritage while outlining a plan that reshuffles core pieces of the season.
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“How do you talk about playing for history and tradition for years and then do this? Are there plans for another tour that plays under the PGAT umbrella that is in between the KFT and PGAT?” the fan wrote.
“20 years ago I remember someone, probably in Golf Digest, saying that Golf has to be careful not to become Tennis. It’s happening before our eyes. This ridiculous schedule. LIV. TGL. Grass league. It’s freaking sad,” another user said.
The comment points to a larger pattern of fragmentation. Not just golf, but many other sports are becoming less engaging for fans. The accumulation of new leagues and revised structures makes the entire landscape feel unstable.
Reflecting on a similar backdrop about tradition and courses, another user wrote, “No Torrey Pines- and Pebble in February- You have to be kidding.”
For these fans, the schedule doesn’t just change dates; it disrupts familiar markers that have shaped how they follow the sport as a whole.
Scheffler prepares for Golf Channel Games and jokes about his lefty ability
Scottie Scheffler has been at the top of the golfing world for a while now, setting the pace across multiple areas of the game.
Scottie Scheffler has been the standout player of his generation, adding six PGA Tour titles in 2025 — including the PGA Championship and The Open — to reach 19 career victories and four majors. But as he prepares for the new Golf Channel Games alongside Rory McIlroy later this month, Scheffler has admitted there is one department of his game that is far from elite: playing left-handed.
The made-for-TV event, hosted at Trump Jupiter, will include unique challenges such as timed driving and a 14-club test, where players may be forced to hit from their non-dominant side. For Scheffler, that presents a problem.
Scheffler admits his left-handed game is ‘not very good’
Speaking to Golf Channel, Scheffler did not sugar-coat his weakness.
“My lefty game is not very good, to say the least,” he said. “And Sam [Burns], one of my partners, his is not much better either. Maybe that’s something that I’ll hit a few lefty shots this next week [in preparation].”
McIlroy, meanwhile, revealed he is “fairly confident” in his opposite-hand abilities — although he joked that his driver travels only about 180 yards when swung left-handed.
The Golf Channel Games will pit Scheffler and McIlroy, currently ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, as opposing team captains. Scheffler will partner with Burns, Keegan Bradley and Luke Clanton, while McIlroy teams up with Shane Lowry, Luke Donald and Haotong Li.
McIlroy explains why he agreed to the exhibition with Scheffler
McIlroy said the motivation behind the event was to bring something fresh to golf entertainment — a format reminiscent of the NFL Combine, the NBA Three-Point Contest or MLB’s Home Run Derby.
“Scottie and I have been a part of some of these matches before, and they’ve hopefully provided some entertainment,” McIlroy said. “But this is an opportunity to do something different.
“To lean into other sports in a way… it’s just a chance to try something new, try something different. And I think we’ve put together a collection of pretty good players, different personalities, different skillsets.”
Whether fans embrace the experimental format remains uncertain, but the event will cap off a demanding season for both Scheffler and McIlroy. With the 2026 season fast approaching, the two stars are expected once again to set the standard in world golf — even if one of them may want to avoid hitting left-handed whenever possible.
The PGA Tour Evaluates Franchise Model: Gary McCord’s Bold Solution
Gary McCord sat down with the SubPar podcast to discuss his bold vision for the future of the PGA Tour following its partnership with SSG, a plan that includes the creation of multiple leagues and franchises.
“Our pyramid has been upside down. It’s been pointing at one guy, Tiger Woods. We’re going to succeed because of Tiger. It’s not a good business plan for the long term. We have no base,” McCord explained on the Chamblee podcast. “One hundred guys out of all the great golfers in the world? That’s it? There will be no more signature events. Whatever they call that crap. That’s insane. The other guys have to play beyond belief to get in, that’s bullshit.”
Source: https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/pga/2025/12/01/gary-mccords-vision-pga-tour-jack-nicklaus-tiger-woods-leagues/87550715007/#
McCord envisions a bifurcated league split into two divisions (“Tiger” and “Jack”). Each division would be able to draft its own players, host its own tournaments, and crown a division winner based on end-of-year earnings. The model allows for the addition of more golfers as the tour expands, reducing the number of tournaments available to individual players but increasing the total number of events for fans following both divisions.
“We’ve taken the Tour from 100 guys — 110 on this side, 110 on this side — to 220. With less tournaments,” McCord told SubPar hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. “That works. That works pretty good.”
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Source: https://golf.com/news/gary-mccord-bold-plan-reinvent-pga-tour/?srsltid=AfmBOoruP0rMvvQMfV_w3PT2JA62PFO_357spGtuqEOkHGmLP4CbjrYd&=1
McCord pointed to SSG’s history of success with sports franchises as one of the key reasons behind his proposed model. Two divisions would allow for defined team and league identities, giving fans new rooting interests beyond individual players.
The revenue opportunities, he argues, would extend well beyond league structure. His plan includes a competitive bidding process for hosting tournaments, putting local, regional, and national sponsors in direct competition to secure events and display their branding. Tournaments would also be allowed to “poach” players by offering appearance-based incentives to draw big names.
“Think about it, we’re going to reduce the number of tournaments played and more than double the amount of players that are exempt to play. All those guys who are crying on TV losing their jobs at 100, 101, we’re going to have 220. We’ve got the economics figured out, the ROI for SSG and future revenue streams within each franchise,” he told Golfweek.
Source: https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/pga/2025/12/01/gary-mccords-vision-pga-tour-jack-nicklaus-tiger-woods-leagues/87550715007/#
McCord’s message appears to be gaining traction. He has already met with Brian Rollap of the PGA Tour and Arthur Blank of SSG. He’s no stranger to structural change either; he led the push 40 years ago to expand the number of fully exempt PGA Tour players from 60 to 125.
McCord will now turn to a grassroots political campaign aimed directly at PGA Tour professionals, using a bottom-up strategy similar to the one that worked decades earlier. For players who fail to crack the top 100, his proposed system may sound especially appealing.
Four-Time PGA Tour Winner Reportedly Nearing Deal With LIV Golf
Si Woo Kim appears poised to become the latest PGA Tour standout to make the jump to LIV Golf, with the four-time winner reportedly in advanced discussions to join the rival league for the 2026 season.
Kim, 30, currently sits at No. 47 in the Official World Golf Ranking after a 2025 campaign featuring three top-10 finishes. His PGA Tour resume includes wins at the 2016 Wyndham Championship, the 2017 Players Championship, the 2021 American Express, and the 2023 Sony Open in Hawaii.
If he signs, this would stand as one of LIV Golf’s biggest additions since the arrivals of stars like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in 2024–a clear signal that LIV remains aggressive in recruiting established talent.
What Kim’s Move Could Mean
For Kim personally, the shift might be about opportunity. Joining LIV would likely bring more financial security, different format dynamics, and a new challenge–potentially offering stability and a fresh start outside the cut-heavy grind of the PGA Tour.
For LIV Golf, adding a consistent, top-50 player would strengthen the league’s credibility and competitive depth. As LIV prepares for its 2026 season under its new 72-hole format, securing players of Kim’s caliber could be a strategic move to improve tournament quality and, perhaps, help LIV in its ongoing quest for world-ranking points.
But the move would also underscore the continuing tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. As players continue to defect, the Tour must ask how it can retain talent when alternative formats, with big money and fewer rounds, remain attractive.
Other Players Who Recently Made the Switch
This year’s offseason has already seen Laurie Canter, a former PGA Tour-DP World Tour cardholder, formally abandon his 2026 PGA Tour privileges to rejoin LIV Golf. After earning his card via the DP World Tour, Canter turned down the PGA-status offer and signed with LIV’s Majesticks GC.
Shortly afterward, Victor Perez became the first confirmed PGA-Tour-to-LIV switch of the 2025-26 off-season, joining LIV’s Cleeks GC. The 33-year-old French pro withdrew from the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic once the move was announced.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve had the best two seasons in America,” Perez said. “I played decent, but I didn’t have high enough finishes to be in a position to contend. And I just felt the way the PGA Tour was ranking events was putting me at a huge disadvantage.
“Not being in the Signature Events was a big sticking point my end. I could have played better, obviously, but at the same time, I felt like it was really ‘top heavy’. And once you start falling outside the top 10, you’re not really capitalizing on the weeks, which is a little bit of what happened to me.”
Between the shrinking opportunities and constantly shifting criteria, Perez felt the ladder to climb the rankings was being pulled away faster than he could adjust.
“On a personal note, it was quite difficult to get to the PGA Tour in ’24 and [see] the rules changing right away,” he said. “It started with the elevated events, which I wasn’t in, and then this year they were like, ‘Oh, we’re only going to have 100 cards, instead of 125.’ And it seems like another change is coming next season, or maybe the following season.
“So I struggled with that instability. They changed CEOs, and there are plenty of things that have happened that have made it quite difficult to really believe in the product.”
Waiting on Confirmation, Watching the Fallout
Recent coverage from Today’s Golfer suggests “multiple PGA Tour winners” could be headed to LIV next season. This doesn’t necessarily confirm names beyond Kim, but the reference shows a growing momentum behind interest in the Saudi-backed tour.
One name mentioned was two-time PGA Tour winner Sungjae Im. However, according to a source close to Sports Illustrated, “there is a 0%” chance he is leaving the PGA Tour.”
Im’s caddie, Willy Wilcox, had fun with the rumor, posting on social media, “This just in.. Sung Jae signs deal with NASA to play in new space tour with events on Mars and Neptune.”
As of now, the Kim deal is still unconfirmed. “Late stage negotiations” means there’s room for change, and until Kim officially signs, the move remains speculative.
Odds, picks, predictions for the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational
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Korean PGA Tour Star Drops 2-Word Message Amid Boiling LIV Golf Rumors
As several reports noted, Si Woo Kim‘s alleged move to LIV Golf, a second name kept lingering on everyone’s mind. Speculations clouded that Sungjae Im‘s negotiating a deal. As the gossip spread like wildfire, Im has finally cleared the air.
Posting a screenshot of NUCLR GOLF’s tweet, which claimed Im’s admission to LIV, the 2-time PGA Tour winner wrote a massive “Fake news,” distinguishing the fire. With a big thumbs down, Im has reaffirmed his loyalty to the PGA Tour.
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The talks have emerged after Si Woo Kim’s likely move to the Saudi-backed league. He’s reportedly in “late-stage negotiations” and will apparently fill a spot on Kevin Na‘s Iron Heads GC. The team is all-Korean/Korean American, and was short of a place after Jang Yu-bin‘s relegation.
From valleys, figuratively and literally, to PGA Tour? That’s the dream for Tyler Leach
Guy and Wendy Leach bought a golf course in western Wisconsin in 1998. The next year, they had a son, and they named him Tyler. The family lived across the street from the 12th tee at Spring Valley Golf Course, which shares the name of the town it belongs to, a town of only 1,400 people. Tyler and his older sister, Taylor, would spend about half the week at daycare and the other half with Wendy, who worked in the clubhouse. One day, Tyler discovered the practice green, and he never looked back.
“I could just walk across the street and tee it up whenever I wanted to,” Leach said. “I basically lived there. I hardly spent any time in my home.”
You can probably find some PGA Tour dreams at Spring Valley, a tree-lined, public layout that lacks a driving range and still costs less than $30 to play on Saturday mornings. But it’s not exactly the spot where you’d expect any of them to materialize.
And yet, Leach, now a 25-year-old Marquette grad, finds himself on the cusp of a dream realized. Leach’s PGA Tour Q-School journey began three stages ago, at pre-qualifying, and continues at this week’s final stage in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where Leach is among the 176 players vying for five PGA Tour cards.
Only one of them has experience trying to thread shots through the tight corridors on Spring Valley’s closing nine. Spring Valley tips out at barely 6,000 yards, but Leach warns of its difficulty. He was the Big East Freshman of the Year for the Golden Eagles, and even he couldn’t break 7-under 65 there.
The pines, Leach says, “taught me how to hit it straight.” And no range meant more actual golf, which taught Leach how to score. He arrived at Marquette a skilled ball-striker who didn’t miss a start his first year, then caught fire as a sophomore, winning his first tournament and averaging 71.9 in seven events before the pandemic canceled the remainder of the season. He’d play five seasons for the Golden Eagles, twice earning first-team All-Big East honors and bookending his career by helping Marquette to Big East titles and NCAA regional berths.
But for as good as Leach could flush the ball, his putting held him back toward the end of college and into Leach’s professional career, which began two years ago.
“You might even say I had the yips,” said Leach, who recalled the low point at the 2022 Wisconsin State Amateur, where he lost over 16 strokes putting to the PGA Tour average in four rounds and still tied for sixth. “That was pretty demoralizing,” he added.
The next summer, he turned pro anyway.
“My expectations were to put in some work every day and just start climbing the ladder,” Leach said. “I knew I wasn’t good enough when I first turned pro, but I felt like if I kept putting in the work, I could definitely get there. I started to see some progress, but the one thing that just kept lacking was the putter. I just couldn’t quite figure that out.”
It wasn’t for lack of trying, and Leach tried just about everything – left hand low; hips and shoulders open, closed; firm grip, weak grip; lots of face rotation, and none at all. The only place he never went initially was the long putter.
“I actually made fun of people who used the broomstick or the arm lock,” Leach admitted. “I said, there’s no way I’m going to use that. I’m going to putt conventionally and figure this out.”
Marquette head coach Steve Bailey lauds Leach’s self-belief, which Bailey calls his “X-factor.”
“Even during stretches of college when he wasn’t playing his best, he had a superpower of being unfazed by adversity,” Bailey said. “Tyler had his unique way of deflecting hurdles and never doubting his ability.”
Leach’s stubbornness with his stroke eventually wore off this past June, when Leach’s wife, Abby, told him, essentially, “It can’t hurt,” referring to the broom. So, Leach threw a center-shafted L.A.B. Mezz.1 Max in his bag. In his first event with the broomstick, he missed a mini-tour cut by nine. He stuck with it, and good thing; Leach recorded his first pro win at the Minnesota State Open in July, rolling it beautifully.
“Once you have a great putting week, you kind of prove to yourself like, OK, I’ve done this once, I can certainly do this again,” said Leach, who has a mere two career PGA Tour-sanctioned starts to his name, both in Canada.
Through three stages of Q-School, Leach is gaining over a shot and a half per round, about three shots better than his average in college. He’s medaled in two straight stages, too, including last week’s second stage in Tucson, Arizona. Leach started the final round at Starr Pass three shots outside the number before firing 7-under 63, over seven shots better than the field average that day. The round was capped with seven birdies in Leach’s final nine holes.
“It was just one of those days where you black out,” Leach said. “You’re trying not to think about anything. I knew there was a lot at stake, but I was so locked in.”
Leach, among five players at final stage who started at pre-qualifying, was also one of two second-stage medalists out of Marquette. Hunter Eichhorn shot 21 under in Savannah, Georgia, to advance to final stage for the first time since he turned pro in 2022. Eichhorn is from a town even smaller than Spring Valley – Carney, Michigan, located in the U.P. and home to less than 200 residents. He won six times for the Golden Eagles and was thrice the Big Ten Player of the Year. He also was Leach’s roommate for three years and a groomsman in Leach’s wedding.
The two buddies have already played some practice rounds together this week as they look to become the first and second Marquette alums ever to earn PGA Tour cards.
“And neither guy has ever had a swing coach,” Bailey said. “Such a great story.”
Leach, ranked No. 4,896 in the world rankings, doesn’t mind allowing himself to ponder the prospect of such an achievement.
“I’ve been in some pretty dark places with my putting, and it’s definitely a huge accomplishment to climb out of that because it’s hard to make it in professional golf if you can’t make putts,” Leach said. “I went through two or three years there where I was struggling and certainly had my doubts. But if I could finish in the top five, it would mean I overcame that hurdle and accomplished my dream, which is amazing to think about.”
Leach’s parents recently sold Spring Valley, but it will always be home – and that practice green, the beginning of a dream that in a few days could finally come true.
Stars have significantly improved their defensive play
One of the best teams in the NHL thus far has been the Dallas Stars, and it isn’t just because of their offensive weapons.
The Stars are currently fighting it out with the Colorado Avalanche for not only the top spot in the Central Division, but also the entire league. A lot of that can be credited to the team’s depth scoring and goaltender Jake Oettinger. However, Dallas is also showing great improvements without the puck.
Through 31 games, the Stars have given up just 80 goals, good for sixth in the league, and just 10 more than the Avs. There have been multiple assets that have helped the cause, as they’ve worked on perfecting their defensive game.
On Wednesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Steve Peters joined Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton to discuss how the Stars have been a much better defensive team than they were in the past.
Steve Peters: With the Dallas Stars, they’re a team that’s got points in 10 straight…Their balance scoring, their goals-for is top five. Goals against, top five. Power play, top five. When you put those three categories and their PK is top 10, you put all of that together, it’s a good hockey team. It’s a balanced hockey team.
One thing I worry about with Dallas is what we saw a year ago with Dallas down the stretch, is their ability to continually defend in front of their goaltender. They left Oettinger out to dry over the last ten games a year ago, and it really carried into the playoffs…It is going to come down to Dallas and Colorado again, and it’s so disappointing that you’re going to see those two teams not meet in the Western finals, but they’re going to meet probably in the second round again and somebody’s going to be gone. It’s too bad, because I think Dallas is getting there. They’re close. If Oettinger can be the difference, it’s the team that can beat the Colorado Avalanche.
You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…
Avalanche’s puck movement toward the net is a key to their success
The Colorado Avalanche are the class of the NHL with a 21-2-7 record that has them one point away from 50 while only one other team has eclipsed 40.
Nathan MacKinnon is laying the groundwork for a rock-solid Hart Trophy case, as he has 24 goals and 27 assists for a 51-point mark that has him seven clear of Connor McDavid in second place.
Colorado leads the NHL with 118 goals scored, and while MacKinnon is running away with the scoring lead, significant contributions are coming from all up and down the lineup.
On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Tyler Yaremchuk and co-host and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton were joined by former NHL video coach Steve Peters to discuss Colorado’s unique aggression and skill set that allows them to be so dynamic offensively.
Tyler Yaremchuk: I want to start with Colorado. They’re so damn good, but it’s too easy to just say it’s Nate and it’s Makar and it’s their superstars that push them. What else makes this Avs team so damn good?
Carter Hutton: It is more than their top stars. However, their top stars are their top players right now… Colorado is doing everything right right now… When you go to the film on what they do well, it’s all of the little things. Look at the movement that this team has in their offensive zone and their ability to get to the net… This is what’s driven their offense. It’s not just their third and fourth line guys that get to the net, it’s their top line. And you look at every guy on that top line, Necas, Lehkonen and MacKinnon, this is the top line in hockey right now; 5-on-5 goals scored they’re No. 1. Why? Because they find open areas in the slot, but secondarily, they get there.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube Blasts the NHL over Recent Ruling
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost forward Bobby McMann for their upcoming matchup against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, as he was suspended for a high-sticking infraction against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.
He was tossed from their recent game against the Lightning when he retaliated for a hit on his teammate Dakota Mermis from Tampa’s Gage Goncalves, as he swung his stick near the head of Bjorkstrand during the ensuing on-ice scrum.
Goncalves was assessed a five-minute major and thrown from the game for his own actions.
McMann earned an ejection and an automatic hearing with the National Hockey League Department of Player Safety, resulting in his one game-ban. Meanwhile, Goncalves escaped discipline for his actions against Mermis.
It’s since been revealed that Mermis will have to miss at least a month with his injury, which naturally upset head coach Craig Berube for the lack of punishment against Goncalves while noting that he didn’t feel McMann’s actions warranted a suspension.
“We lose a guy for probably a month at least,” Berube said. “There’s nothing. And that hurt. I thought it was more of him getting bumped and his stick (came up). I know you gotta be in control of your stick, but I don’t think it’s worth a suspension.”
However, Berube expressed approval over Goncalves’ ejection.
“Well, it is a knee. I think it is a good call, the five-minute major,” Berube said of that penalty.
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann was ejected from Monday’s game vs. the Lightning
McMann’s ejection took place in the first few minutes of the third period of Monday evening’s game between the Maple Leafs and Lightning at Scotiabank Arena.
Because of his suspension, McMann will forfeit $7,031.25 of his salary, which will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
While Goncalves was thrown from the game for his actions against Mermis, there have been no reports of any further supplemental discipline. Meanwhile, Mermis is expected to miss at least the next month with the effects of the injury.
Not only was Berube was particularly frustrated that Goncalves wasn’t suspended, but he also expressed doubt on whether McMann’s ejection was warranted.
“That is a tough one. It really is,” Berube said of McMann’s penalty. “I have to look at it more closely, which I didn’t. From our view on the bench, I couldn’t really see it too well. I’ll take a look at it, but I had a tough time with that, to be honest with you.”
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Maple Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis will miss a month
The Maple Leafs have placed Mermis on Injured Reserve retroactive to December 8 when the injury took place again the Lightning.
In his stead, the Maple Leafs have called up defenseman Henry Thrun from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). Mermis has played 11 games with the Maple Leafs this season and has scored a goal while averaging 13:01 of ice time; he’s also played two games with the Marlies.
So far this season with the Marlies, Thrun has appeared in 19 games in the AHL and has three goals and six assists.
Inside the Nuggets, Avs and Broncos hot starts, by the numbers
It’s a good time to be a Denver sports fan.
The Broncos (11-2) are currently holding onto the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Nuggets (17-6) are off to their best start since joining the NBA in 1976, and the Avalanche (21-2-7) is leading the NHL in points after a scorching-hot start.
So, is this collectively the best Denver’s pro basketball, football and hockey teams have ever been?
Here’s a look, by the numbers:
Historical look
Before the 2025-26 seasons, the Broncos have started 11-2 or better six times in the history of the franchise, reaching the playoffs each time and winning the Super Bowl twice (Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII), according to Stathead.
Of those, the only time Denver had playoff teams in all three sports was 1977-78. Under head coach Red Miller, the Broncos finished 12-2 and reached Super Bowl XII, losing to the Cowboys, 27-10. The Nuggets had a 48-34 record — the best in the Midwest division — and advanced the Western Conference finals, losing to the Seattle Supersonics in six games. Meanwhile in hockey, the Colorado Rockies (who later became the New Jersey Devils) reached the playoffs despite an awful 19-40-21 regular-season mark. They were swept by the Flyers in the preliminary round.
A look at the other years:
1984-85: Broncos finish 13-3, lose in divisional round; Nuggets finish 52-30, lose in conference finals; no NHL team.
1996-97: Broncos finish 13-3, lose in divisional round; Nuggets finish 21-61, miss playoffs; Avs finish 49-24-9, lose in conference finals.
1997-98: Broncos finish 12-4, win Super Bowl; Nuggets finish 11-71, miss playoffs; Avs finish 39-26-17, lose in conference quarterfinals.
1998-99: Broncos finish 14-2, win Super Bowl; Nuggets finish 14-36, miss playoffs; Avs finish 44-28-10, lose in conference finals.
2013-14: Broncos finish 13-3, lose in Super Bowl; Nuggets finish 36-46, miss playoffs; Avs finish 52-22-8, lose in first round.
The one common theme under this criteria is that two of the three pro teams have done well but never all three at the same time.
If the threshold is lowered to 10 wins through 13 games for the Broncos, it adds five more seasons to the list (1986-87, 1989-90, 2005-06, 2012-13 and 2014-15). Of those years, only 2005 had all three teams reach the playoffs.
2005-06: Broncos finish 13-3, lose in conference championship; Nuggets finish 44-38, lose in first round; Avs finish 43-30-9, lose in conference semifinals.
What oddsmakers are saying
The Nuggets and the Avs entered the 2025-26 seasons among the favorites to win their league’s championships. But the Broncos were a bit more of an underdog, having the 11th-best odds entering training camp at +2,800 — meaning a $100 bet would win $2,800 — according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Fast forward to Dec. 10 and all three teams have seen their betting odds improve.
The Broncos are tied with the fifth-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +1,000, according to BetMGM. The Nuggets are second to the Thunder at +600 and the Avs are the favorites to raise the Stanley Cup at +320.
What the national experts are saying
The Nuggets are ranked No. 2 by NBA.com’s latest power rankings.
ESPN puts the Avs at No. 1 in its latest power ranking: “Months remain before the Stanley Cup playoff picture crystallizes into its final form. It’s a decent bet, however, that the Avs and (Las Vegas) Knights will both be skating into late April and beyond.”
The Broncos are currently ranked between No. 2 and No. 6, according to most outlets. Except for the Washington Post, who has them at No. 12.
“Denver’s 11-2 record outpaces its underlying strength because the Broncos win close, low-margin games that the model views as unstable,” Washington Post’s Neil Greenberg writes.
Broncos inside the numbers
55
The total number of sacks Denver’s defense has entering Week 15. The group is on pace for 72, which would tie the mark set by the vaunted 1984-85 Chicago Bears.
Broncos defense closing on NFL’s sack record, but still not pleased with performance late vs. Raiders
+73
The points differential for the Broncos this season, ranking them ninth in the NFL.
10
Denver’s current win streak.
5
How many fourth-quarter-comeback wins quarterback Bo Nix has led the Broncos to this season.
Keeler: Think Broncos are NFL playoff frauds? Not when Sean Payton calls game like he did vs. Raiders.
12.5
How many sacks edge rusher Nik Bonitto has this year.
Nuggets inside the numbers
25.0
How many points guard Jamal Murray is averaging this season.
Jamal Murray is backing up preseason talk. Will he be finally rewarded as an All-Star?
29.2/12.3/11.0
The averages for points, rebounds and assists for three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
10
The Nuggets’ current winning streak on the road.
11
The number of triple-doubles Jokic has this season.
3
The number of times Nuggets players have scored 50 or more points in a game this year. Jokic, Murray and Aaron Gordon each reached the mark this season.
Avs inside the numbers
51
How many total points Nathan MacKinnon has this season. He’s leading the NHL.
24
How many goals MacKinnon has this season. He’s leading the NHL in this category, too.
Keeler: While Broncos, Nikola Jokic own Denver’s eyeballs, Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon quietly putting up best season in Colorado history
+35
MacKinnon’s plus-minus stat this year. He leads the league, ahead of teammates Martin Necas (+28), Cale Makar (+27) and Artturi Lehkonen (+25).
Despite historically great start, Avalanche has a weakness to fix — the power play
118
How many goals the Avs have scored this year, the most among all NHL teams.
70
How many goals the Avs have allowed this year, the fewest among all NHL teams.
Celebrini of Sharks eying ‘huge honor’ of Olympic roster spot with Canada
TORONTO — Macklin Celebrini admits the prospect of playing for Team Canada at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 was on his radar dating back to this past offseason.
Of course, being a 19-year-old entering his second NHL season, the San Jose Sharks center wasn’t sure just how realistic that target was.
Now, 31 games into the 2025-26 regular season, he’s definitely caught the attention of Team Canada’s management team, given that he was third in League with 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists) entering Wednesday.
“I mean, for sure, in the summer, yeah,” he said Wednesday, having just finished practice in preparation for San Jose’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs here on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, NBCSCA). “That’s a goal.
NHL looking into consolidating Jets’ franchise records
There’s a chance that the NHL may be giving the Winnipeg Jets the franchise records of the original Jets.
During a media availability in Winnipeg, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly mentioned that Jets owner Mark Chipman has asked about consolidating the records of the original Jets franchise with the current franchise.
According to Bettman, the NHL is looking into it, but mentioned that it’s not as simple as just doing it.
“It’s not so much a process,” Bettman said at the availability. “It’s what the end result would look like and can we make it make sense? The process is trying to figure it out, which is what we’re trying to do.”
“I don’t know if you’ve looked at it with respect to other teams in other leagues,” Daly said. “They’re kind of all over the map in terms of how they’ve done it. Some have worked more well than others, so it’s tricky.”
Due to the unique and complicated process of how the now-Utah Mammoth came to be, the franchise records of the original Jets franchise that then became the Arizona Coyotes do not belong to any team at this point in time.
Instead of the traditional route of relocating the Coyotes to Utah, the Coyotes were instead deactivated in 2024, with the league then expanding to add Utah, and the team granted access to all of the Coyotes’ players and staff, with all of their franchise records only tracking from 2024-25 onwards. The reasoning behind this was so that then-Coyotes owner Alex Merulo could retain the Coyotes brand when an arena deal was finally settled.
However, Merulo has since walked away from the Coyotes franchise, and his exclusive rights to bring hockey to Arizona has expired. This puts into question that, should hockey return to Arizona, whether or not it will exist as the previous Coyotes franchise like originally intended. This also means the records of the old Arizona franchise (and the old Jets franchise) may not be affiliated with the new team.
The other interesting wrinkle in all of this is how it will affect current Jets franchise records. While Connor Hellebuyck would still maintain his Atlanta Thrashers/Jets franchise records, Mark Scheifele, who set franchise records in goals (352) last season and points (842) this season, would have to re-achieve those records, as Dale Hawerchuk had 379 goals and 929 points with the original Jets.
The original Jets played in Winnipeg from 1979 to 1996 before they were relocated to Arizona, where they existed as the Coyotes until 2024. The current Jets originally existed as the Thrashers from 1999 to 2011 until they were relocated from Atlanta to Winnipeg.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman voices concern over Milan Cortina rink delays
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Wednesday expressed concern about the construction delays regarding the hockey rink for the Milan Cortina Olympics.
The slow construction of the main rink is “disappointing,” he said at the Winnipeg Jets’ facility.
“I’m not trying to pile on on this, in all of the prior Olympics, whether they built permanent or temporary facilities, it’s never been this late for a completion in the building of ice, and so that’s why we are cautious,” Bettman said.
The NHL has previously expressed concern about the quality of the ice surface. The league is sending its own experts to Italy to ensure the ice is safe.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly has said the completion date of the main rink is set for Feb. 2. The women’s tournament is scheduled to start Feb. 5 and the men’s hockey competition is scheduled Feb. 11-22.
The facility features rinks smaller than NHL standards but still within the International Ice Hockey Federation’s standards.
Daly previously said there’s nothing the NHL or organizers can do about the dimensions of the 16,000-seat Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and secondary Rho facility.
The NHL was caught off guard when it became apparent the two rinks’ dimensions will be slightly wider and 3 feet shorter than what the league and International Ice Hockey Federation agreed upon. Daly said the league and NHL Players’ Association have reminded the IIHF that they expect the ice surface to be standard NHL size at the 2030 Olympics in France.
___
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Bettman: Slow construction of Milan Cortina rink ‘disappointing’
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Wednesday expressed concern about the construction delays regarding the hockey rink for the Milan Cortina Olympics.
The slow construction of the main rink is
Bucyk enjoying Bruins’ success on 70th anniversary of 1st NHL goal
Johnny Bucyk doesn’t remember the finest details of his first NHL goal, scored Dec. 11, 1955.
But on this 70th anniversary, the Boston Bruins legend remembers what’s important:
“I was a rookie with the Detroit Red Wings, it was against the New York Rangers, I scored it on Gump Worsley and we won 2-0,” Bucyk said with a laugh, turning back the clock to his first of 556 regular-season NHL goals.
Seven decades later, the hugely popular man affectionately known as “Chief” holds court every home game in the Bruins alumni suite at TD Garden, an endless stream of guests and star-struck fans appearing at his side for photos and autographs and perhaps to share a special memory.
They’re happier nights this season than they were last, when the Bruins failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs after eight consecutive trips to the postseason. Today, Boston (18-13-0) is flirting with top spot in the Atlantic Division, riding a three-game winning streak after a 5-2 win at the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, and Bucyk is enjoying every minute of it.
“I think they’re starting to jell,” he said Monday. “There are so many new players. They’re starting to work together, the chemistry is good, they care for each other and the goaltenders have had some strong games.
“They weren’t great at the beginning of the year (three season-opening wins followed by a six-game losing streak). But goalie Jeremy Swayman was under a lot of pressure. Right now he’s playing excellent hockey (having won four of his last five games) and he gives the team a chance to win every night.
“Marco (Sturm) is doing a great job as coach and he’s got the players listening to him, so that means a lot. They’re working, playing together. (Forward) Morgan Geekie is unreal (a team-leading 22 goals in 31 games, his 32 points tied for the lead with David Pastrnak). He knows what to do and he’s in the right place at the right time.”
Bucyk chuckles at the sepia memories of his first NHL goal, coming in one of those games that Worsley surely considered when he replied “the Rangers” upon being asked, while with New York, which team gave him the most trouble.
The Red Wings outshot the Rangers 47-9 that night at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium, the Gumper standing on his head with 45 saves in a 2-0 defeat.
Glenn Hall faced three shots in each period to record his fourth of 12 shutouts that season, probably the easiest of the 84 he would earn with Detroit, the Chicago Black Hawks and the Blues.
Shots on goal weren’t an official NHL statistic in the day, but the League’s Dec. 11, 1955, scoresheet gave Bucyk four shots on Worsley. Red Wings legend Alex Delvecchio, who assisted on Bucyk’s second-period power-play game-winning goal, was credited with five.
Defenseman Red Kelly, who scored Detroit’s second goal early in the third period, fired 11, outshooting the entire Rangers roster by two.
It was the only goal Bucyk scored during his 38-game rookie season, coming in his 16th NHL game. He would add eight assists, then score 10 goals with 11 assists in his second year before his June 10, 1957, trade, with cash, sent him to the Bruins in exchange for future Hall of Fame goalie Terry Sawchuk.
Bucyk’s economical output with Detroit wasn’t indicative of his talent; it was more a reflection of the fact he was parked on the end of coach Jimmy Skinner’s bench, the Red Wings’ Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay and Delvecchio skating miles with barely the time to catch their breath between shifts.
“My first two NHL years with Detroit, I usually got on the ice if we were up five goals or down five goals,” Bucyk said, laughing again. “I used to sit on the end of the bench, catch cold and watch Gordie Howe.
“Growing up, Gordie was always my idol. I watched him all the time, even when I was sitting on the end of the bench. I could tell you some stories that no one else ever knew.
“I remember Gord Hannigan of the Maple Leafs once checking Gordie for the entire game. When the play was at the other end of the ice, he’d grab Gordie and hold him so he couldn’t get back into the play.
“I kept watching Gordie to see what he was going to do. The play went down to their end, and wham-o! Gordie nailed Hannigan flat on his butt. No whistle, no penalty, no nothing. Everybody was trying to figure out why the guy was lying in the corner. I knew because I saw it and I’ll never forget it.”
Bucyk would see much more ice and score many more goals during his 21 seasons with the Bruins, the team that has been his family for nearing seven decades. He is the unofficial mayor of Boston’s TD Garden, the star attraction in the team’s alumni suite and far beyond.
At age 90, the Edmonton-born icon remains one of the Bruins’ busiest alumni, adored at every stop by fans who remember him from the club’s 1970 and 1972 Stanley Cup championships or simply know of his legend.
From his late-1950s reunion in Boston with Edmonton minor-pro linemates Vic Stasiuk and Bronco Horvath, dubbed the “Uke Line” for their common Ukrainian heritage, Bucyk would go on to captain the Bruins in 1966-67 and from 1973-77, twice win the Stanley Cup and register 1,339 points (545 goals, 794 assists) for the spoked-B through his retirement in 1978.
To this day, he remains Boston’s all-time leader in goals, 86 ahead of second-ranked Phil Esposito’s 459, and ranks second to fellow Hall of Famer Ray Bourque in assists (1,111-794) and points (1,506-1,339).
Even with that rough edge on his six-foot, 215-pound frame, his crushing hip checks often putting opponents into low orbit, Bucyk spent only 493 minutes in NHL penalty boxes, winning the 1971 and 1974 Lady Byng Trophy as the NHL’s most gentlemanly player.
His No. 9 retired by the team on March 13, 1980, he was voted among the 100 Greatest NHL Players as part of the League’s 2017 Centennial Celebration, and in October 2023 was voted among 20 players on the Bruins’ All-Centennial team.
For a half-century, Bucyk held the record as the oldest NHL player to score 50 goals in a season, 35 years and 308 days when he scored his 50th of the 1970-71 season. Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin was 36 years, 215 days when he scored his 50th of the 2020-21 season.
“Chief” is often asked about his 500th career goal, which came Oct. 30, 1975, on Blues goalie Yves Belanger in a 3-2 Boston Garden win. By coincidence, Belanger faced 47 shots and faced four of Bucyk’s in that milestone game, just as Worsley had 20 years earlier in 1955.
It’s not often that he revisits that maiden goal, his performance that night even more impressive for his physical presence.
“The thundering play of John Bucyk is encouraging for the Wings,” wrote Lewis H. Walter in the Detroit Free Press. “Even more inspiring than Bucyk’s goal was his body checking. He steamrollered several Rangers, his bashing one of the reasons the Wings were able to hold the Rangers in check.”
Bucyk can still feel the effects of his rugged style of play, having had his left hip replaced and both shoulders surgically repaired.
“I used both hips to check,” he joked. “The secret was timing. That was very important. If players today were using the hip check the way I did, they’d be spending a lot of time in the penalty box.
“One night in Toronto, (Maple Leafs captain) George Armstrong was coming around the net with Bronco (Horvath) chasing him. Just as George came around, boom! It felt so good. But when I looked, I realized that I’d missed George and hit Bronco.
“They took him to the dressing room on a stretcher. He came back out but during the intermission he asked me, ‘What the (heck) were you doing, hitting me?’ ”
In fact, Bucyk recalls with mischief, he hit Horvath so hard that his teammate needed to change some of his equipment.
Shoulder surgeries were the result of freak collisions with Maurice “Rocket” Richard and Pierre Pilote, legends with the Montreal Canadiens and Black Hawks.
“All the Rocket did was take me into the boards very politely and my shoulder got stuck on the top of the boards,” Bucyk recalled. “I went down and my shoulder stayed up. Same thing happened when Pilote did the other one.”
Seventy years later, Bucyk remembers his first goal with his focus sharply on this year’s Bruins, hoping his team builds momentum and will be a factor come the playoffs.
“I never imagined I’d be part of the Bruins family for going on 70 years. The Jacobs family, especially Charlie, have been so good to me,” he said, speaking of owner Jeremy Jacobs and his son, Charlie, the team’s chief executive officer. “I don’t know how to explain it. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done. And Cam (Neely, the Bruins’ president) for keeping me on.
“I’ve been wonderfully treated for all of these years by the Bruins ownership and its management and the fans,” he said, already looking forward to the Bruins’ return from the road and a five-game homestand that begins Dec. 16 against the Utah Mammoth.
“I’ll be there,” Bucyk said brightly. “I’ve never stopped working. Why stop now?”
Top photo: Boston Bruins legend Johnny Bucyk speaks with reporters before his team’s Centennial Game at TD Garden on Dec. 1, 2024.
Philip Rivers Set Up to Fail at Colts’ Practice by Backup Amid 44-YO QB’s NFL Comeback
Philip Rivers’ return to an NFL practice field came with an unexpected welcome, courtesy of a backup quarterback half his age with a competitive streak. The Indianapolis Colts pulled the trigger after Daniel Jones tore his Achilles, and the other backups were dealing with injuries. They added the 44-year-old to the practice squad. But his practice sessions did not go as Rivers expected.
While talking to the media, backup quarterback Riley Leonard explained how the whole thing unfolded. He said it started with a simple competition drill. And that’s where Leonard set Rivers up to fail.
“We always finished our sessions with some type of competition, whether it’s throwing to the net or something, and I used to get out there,” Leonard explained. “When it was my day to pick the competition, I would have us sprint out as fast as you can and throw on the run or something like that, and if I got him that day in particular, he sent me like a voice memo at 11 P.M. at night complaining about how I cheated and how I picked an unfair drill.”
However, in the interview, Leonard insisted the 44-year-old “still got it.” Interestingly, Rivers and Leonard have a very close relationship that few people know about.
Leonard’s parents live just five minutes from Rivers’ home. Before last season, Leonard even arranged a throwing session for his Fighting Irish teammates in Alabama. It happened in Rivers’ backyard, which honestly looks like a private training camp with a 50-yard turf field and full end zones.
Earlier this year, Rivers also spoke about Leonard on The Last Word, the Colts’ in-house podcast. He shared why he enjoyed being around the 23-year-old.
“(Leonard’s) just a real pleasant and enjoyable guy to be around. Just really humble, but really competitive and wants to just soak up all he can. You always want those young guys to be confident but also have that humility that, ‘I got a long way to go.’”
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Now Leonard is showing progress on the field. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards and an interception. What’s more, Leonard loves having Rivers around and sees him as his mentor.
Philip Rivers mentored Riley Leonard before the NFL
As mentioned, Riley Leonard trained with Philip Rivers in Alabama while working with QB Country. Back in April, Leonard talked about one of those sessions.
“We actually threw [recently],” Leonard said of Rivers. “I went over to his house. He’s got a really cool place in his backyard where he’ll throw. And I was able to throw with his younger son—who is an outstanding talent, by the way—Gunner Rivers.”
Since then, Leonard has been open about how much he looks up to Rivers. He sees the 2026 Hall of Fame semifinalist as a real mentor. And now both quarterbacks wearing the same uniform might be one of the wildest twists of this 2025 season.
Leonard also explained what stuck with him during those workouts.
“The biggest thing that I learned is just how intentional he is about every little thing. Like if we’re doing the warmup and we’re taking five-step drops, those five-step drops have to be pristine in order for them to be good enough for him…”
Terry Bradshaw Delivers Worrying Verdict on Patrick Mahomes & Share Grim Chiefs Reality
The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a tough reality check this year. Patrick Mahomes & Co. have dropped to 6-7 after the Week 14 loss against the Houston Texans. NFL legend Terry Bradshaw revealed his stance on their remaining season, which will break the fans’ hearts even more.
“They had no continuity, no rhythm, no rhyme to their offence. And so they’re going to be written off. And this year, I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs,” he said on the December 10 episode of the Morning Mayhem podcast.
He then revealed how the injuries have also marred their season in 2025.
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“The Chiefs have not been healthy all year long. And it’s not like they’re losing 35 to 6, you know. I mean, they’re losing close games,” Bradshaw added. “But once they get their people healthy, you cannot overlook them.”
Giants-Commanders matchup is an appetizer of what’s to come
The Giants will have to wait for the first Jaxson Dart-Jayden Daniels matchup.
This means the quarterback the Giants really wanted and could not get in 2024 and the quarterback they really wanted in 2025 and made sure they procured will have to wait before meeting on the field with their NFL teams.
Dart will be out there Sunday to face the Commanders at MetLife Stadium but Daniels has been ruled out of that game after he aggravated a left elbow injury that cost him three games earlier this season.
So, it will be Dart vs. backup Marcus Mariota, which does not have the same appeal. On the subject of appeal, this game features the Giants at 2-11 and the Commanders at 3-10, with both sides riding long losing streaks — seven consecutive games for the Giants, eight for the Commanders.
For Dart vs. Daniels, tune in in 2026.
“He’s a great dude, a great player and it’s gonna be fun to compete against him again,’’ Dart said Wednesday after practice. “We’re going to be playing against each other a lot the next coming years so, just fun to have that competition.’’
Dart and Daniels squared off three times in college. Daniels and Arizona State beat Dart and USC 31-16 in 2021.
Daniels and LSU beat Dart and Ole Miss 40-25 during the 2022 season and the two put on a clinic in 2023, with Dart and Ole Miss winning 55-49.
Dart and Daniels both threw four touchdown passes and no interceptions and both ran for a touchdown in that shootout.
The Giants wanted to trade up to No. 2 in the 2024 draft to get Daniels but the Commanders were never going to make a deal. The Giants tried to move up from No. 6 to No. 3 to get Drake Maye but the Patriots were not interested.
The Giants got shut out in that quarterback cycle and selected wide receiver Malik Nabers.
One draft later, they traded back up into the first round to land Dart at No. 25 overall.
Dart and Daniels have known each other for years. Since high school, they have worked with the same quarterbacks coach, John Beck. In 2021, they were together in the Pac-12 Conference and then they met up in the SEC.
“I mean, on the football field we’re always competing but we have a really good relationship off the field,’’ Dart said. “He has a great family, so it’s been fun to kinda have our journeys cross paths along the way.’’
Dart returns to finish up a season of dramatic highs and unforeseen lows. He won two of his first three starts and has not won since. He returns to a passer rating of 94.1, a completion percentage of 63.6, 11 touchdown passes, three interceptions, 23 sacks and a 2-6 record in his eight starts.
Dart returns to face the Commanders, Vikings, Raiders and Cowboys, with Week 17 in Las Vegas the only remaining road game.
Dart returns after the Patriots in their 33-15 Monday Night Football victory seemed to go out of their way to try to teach him a lesson by smacking him around every chance they could, especially when Dart was tiptoeing the sideline instead of running out of bounds.
The first bye week in Dart’s NFL journey has now come and gone.
“Yeah, he seemed refreshed, energized,’’ interim head coach Mike Kafka said. “He looked good, excited and ready to go. I had a couple conversations with him over the bye, and I think everyone’s excited.’’
Dart did not get away from football in his first bye week. He said he reviewed every snap he has taken with the Giants, self-scouting to see what went right, what went wrong and where he can improve.
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“You just have conversations with the coaching staff, we’re able to have that extra time to watch all the games back, all the reps back and try to find those things where maybe you’re making a few of, like similar mistakes,’’ Dart said. “Maybe there’s past concepts that you need to improve at, making sure your mechanics are in the right spots so you have a little extra time to not really worry about game planning and take the time on the field to walk through your mechanics based on different actions or whatever it may be. I felt like it was beneficial.’’
Dart is extremely self-aware and he did not shy away from praising what he believes he has done well.
“I felt like my decision-making has been pretty good,’’ he said. “Not putting the ball in harm’s way and situationally felt like I didn’t really try to force things too much, I tried to kinda let the game come to me. I was happy with that. I was happy with our offense — don’t feel like we took a ton of negative plays. Those were good things. Obviously the Patriots game was a tough one, but I felt, as an offense, we’ve been able to be pretty explosive and do some good stuff.’’
Riley Patterson and Jake Moody Head Our Week 15 Fantasy Football Kicker Streamers
So, you made your fantasy football playoffs! That is awesome. Okay, there is one problem. You need a kicker to stream because of some crazy injury or your kicker missed two extra points in one week. Hey, these things happen.
We will sidestep Thursday night’s game between Atlanta and Tampa Bay. Our goal is to focus solely on the Sunday games.
All the kickers are on board for Week 15 as there are no more bye weeks. Thank the fantasy football gods for that! Here a couple of must start kickers for this week as well.
Riley Patterson — Miami Dolphins
Patterson quietly moves up the kicking hierarchy for the fantasy football playoffs. Over the past three weeks, the kicker has hit double digits every single time. A high ceiling like that is great for a Miami team that has figured things out just enough. Sure, it is too late for the Dolphins’ playoff chances but great for fantasy football owners.
The problem is the first three have been gobbled up in so many leagues. Patterson truly becomes the one best option left. The Miami kicker has a 92% accuracy rate. Patterson has only missed one extra point in 29 attempts.
Drawing a Pittsburgh team that likes to give up yards but not always touchdowns is a pretty ideal scenario. Acrisure Stadium can be a bit suspect when it comes to footing and it will be cold. However, Miami won a game with the temperature below 45 degrees last week. So, why not try for another stream out of Patterson before it loses steam.
Jake Moody – Washington Commanders
Again, this is taking a huge leap. However, the New York Giants specialize in giving up bunches of points at the worst possible time. In a way, it is good that Marcus Mariota starts. The offense should be able to get going against the Giants. Both teams are bad defensively which sets up well for either kicker.
At this point, trusting Jake Moody is not the best idea but it is a streamable one. Moody had zero points last week but the Washington offense was a giant mess to be kind.
Moody was hammering 60 yard attempts in warmups before this game. The long snapper seemed fine to us. If Minnesota can bounce back after getting blanked, Washington could this week too. Moody is owned in very few leagues at this point.
Brandon McManus — Green Bay Packers
Going for the jugular here leads us to McManus. The problem with the Green Bay kicker is he only had to boot four extra points in Week 14 against Chicago. He is going home so to speak to Denver. This is where he kicked for nine seasons.
McManus knows Denver almost too well. Simply, this has been his worst kicking season of his pro career. Yes, his 71.4% accuracy rate is worse than his last year in Denver (77.8%). The question gets asked. Why choose a kicker who is only averaging 2.1 field goal attempts a contest? The rarified air may add a few yards to his kicks too.
The last three weeks have been more like the McManus glory days from Super Bowl 50. Denver does not allow too many touchdowns. Their 40% red zone touchdown rate is by far and away tops in the NFL. Field goals it will be so McManus get your leg loose.
Fantasy On SI Content:
Chiefs Projected to Land Celebrated 1,400
The Kansas City Chiefs have a serious problem on offense that has existed stretching back seasons — they simply can’t run the football.
For years, head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have been able to supplement the rush attack with short, quick-hitting pass plays. But defenses have caught up to them, and the team’s inability to line up under center, post a threatening yards-per-carry average, force teams to respect the run and open up the pass game downfield via play action has withered due to a lack of certain personnel and a stale scheme in need of an update.
Field Yates of ESPN predicted in his first NFL mock draft of the season on Wednesday, Dec. 10, that Kansas City will address its greatest offensive deficiency by selecting Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame as the successor to current RB1 Isiah Pacheco.
Read More: Andy Reid Sends Strong Message on Patrick Mahomes After Chiefs’ 7th Loss
Bills Predicted to Add Game-Changing WR for Josh Allen In 2026
The Bills will need to improve their receiving corps during the offseason. Buffalo’s receivers have struggled this season, and Pro Football Focus has ranked its receiving unit as the 16th best in the league.
One effective way for the Bills to strengthen their receiving corps is through the NFL Draft. There are expected to be several talented wide receivers available in the 2026 NFL Draft. Buffalo could take advantage of this opportunity by adding a receiver in the first round.
Bills Predicted to Draft Denzel Boston
ESPN’s Field Yates published a mock draft on Wednesday, projecting that the Bills will select Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston with the 25th pick.
“It’s no mystery that the Bills are still looking for a game-altering receiver after Keon Coleman’s down year and Khalil Shakir’s inconsistent campaign, Yates wrote. “Boston has the potential to check that box for Buffalo with his size at 6-4 and alignment versatility. He routinely got the better of defenders in the red zone over the past two seasons, using his frame to snag 19 receiving touchdowns. He was dependable in the big slot role, too, with two drops on 189 targets since 2024. The Bills have 15 attributed drops this season, which is tied for 17th in the NFL.”
Boston has accumulated 755 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns over 11 games this season, bringing his total to 1,655 receiving yards over four seasons at Washington.
The Bills could greatly benefit from adding a player like Boston, who could be a game-changer for quarterback Josh Allen.
Buffalo Needs WR Depth
Since trading wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Texans last offseason, the Bills have been on the lookout for a true No. 1 wide receiver.
Shakir emerged as a top wide receiver last season, recording 76 receptions for 821 yards and four touchdowns. This impressive performance earned him a four-year, $60.2 million contract during the offseason.
He mostly kept the same production this season, recording 585 receiving yards and four touchdowns over the course of 13 games.
The Bills are going to need more from Shakir moving forward, and pushing him to the No. 2 receiving role and letting Boston come in as the No. 1 guy would be major for Buffalo.
Boston’s Scouting Report
PFF’s Trevor Sikkema has revised his draft board, now ranking Boston as the 24th overall player and the 4th best wide receiver.
“Boston is a smooth criminal for a big receiver. He’s quick with varying releases versus press and shows good cuts in his routes despite his bigger size,” Sikkema wrote on Monday. “With that frame comes the plus things you want to see: He has a big catch radius that he can maximize at any time with strong hands and great hand-eye coordination. He also aims to produce after the catch and create explosive plays in general. Boston’s production dipped when defenses keyed in on him at the end of 2024, but they did so for a reason.”
It will be interesting to see if the Bills draft a receiver in the first round and if Boston would be a guy who could be available.
NFL Weighing Massive Overhaul to Officiating Crews: Report
NFL fans can’t agree about much when they sit down to watch their favorite team play, but they can align on one thing: the feel the referees are out to get their team.
Luckily for those fans, things might be changing very soon in the world of NFL officiating, as news today points to massive shifts in 2026.
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent informed all 32 teams on Wednesday that the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association will end in May of 2025.
More news: Rams’ Puka Nacua Ignites Locker Room Drama After Violating NFL Rules
More news: Will Philip Rivers Start for Colts vs Seahawks? Here’s What Shane Steichen Said
The last time the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement resulted in the 2012 debacle with replacement referees, where multiple late-game decisions were bungled due to the inexperience of the substitutes.
The tenured refs missed three weeks of the season before the two sides came to an agreement to resume play as normal.
While there is no indication yet that the two sides are as far apart in negotiations as they were over a decade ago, the end of the CBA means there could be changes to how officiating works in the NFL.
One sticking point that could be written into the agreement is an incentive-based model that ties compensation and postseason assignments to a ref’s performance throughout the year.
Texans Make Announcement After NFL Delivers Final Decision
Quarterback C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans are preparing to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15, but the NFL had a big change for the franchise.
Houston has done well to overcome their 0-3 start this season. They also lost Stroud for three games due to a concussion, to sit 8-5 on the season with a legitimate chance at winning the AFC South still.
The NFL wants to ensure plenty of fans get to see the Texans fight on.
NFL Flexes Texans-Chargers Into National TV Slot
The Texans and Los Angeles Chargers have known they would square off against one another in Week 17 of this season. They also knew it would take place in SoFi Arena. However, the time slot for the contest remained to be determined.
That is, until Wednesday, when the Texans announced on X, “Our game vs. the Chargers has been flexed to 3:30PM CT on Saturday, December 27 on NFL Network.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on December 10 that “The NFL finalized its Week 17 schedule: Saturday, Dec. 27 will feature a doubleheader starting with the #Texans at #Chargers at 4:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network and ending with the Peacock Holiday Exclusive featuring the #Ravens at the #Packers at 8 p.m. ET.”
There should be plenty at stake for both the Texans and Chargers.
“The two games should have plenty of playoff implications as the 2025 NFL season reaches a close,” The Around The NFL Staff wrote on December 10. “The Texans (8-5) and Chargers (9-4) currently are the Nos. 7 and 5 seeds, respectively, in the AFC.”
This would be a rematch of the 2024 AFC Wild Card Playoffs. Then, the Texans defeated the Chargers, advancing to the Divisional Round.
Houston lost in the next round to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Stroud and the Texans have already exacted a measure of revenge for that loss, defeating the Chiefs on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 13. They have a fitting opportunity to prove their 2024 meeting was no fluke and bolster their positioning for the postseason.
League Could Flex Another Texans Game
Stroud and the Texans are still awaiting final word of their Week 18 tilt against the Indianapolis Colts, which, like the Chargers tilt, has initially been slated as a 1 p.m. Sunday game.
That matchup seemed destined to remain in its previously assigned time slot.
The Colts lost quarterback Daniel Jones for the season to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the AFC South’s top team. The injury cast tremendous doubts on the Colts’ outlook amid an 8-4 record on the year.
However, the Colts lured former starter (and Chargers icon) Philip Rivers out of retirement. He has not played since 2020.
Still, Rivers is on track to start in Week 15. He would presumably be the Colts’ QB1 in Week 18 if healthy. He is also an eight-time Pro Bowler and was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2013. All of that could entice the league to flex that matchup for Ryans and the Texans, too.
What Is Jon Gruden’s Net Worth in 2025? All About HC’s Earning From NFL, Salary, Contract & More
It’s been four years since Jon Gruden last took to the sidelines. He stepped down as Las Vegas Raiders head coach on October 11, 2021, and hasn’t led an NFL or college team since. Despite the hiatus, Gruden’s name is circulating as a potential candidate following Sherrone Moore’s firing at the Michigan Wolverines. Here’s a look at his financial standing.
What is Jon Gruden’s net worth?
Over his twenty-two years of coaching, Gruden has hopped between multiple programs. As per the reports of Celebrity Net Worth, Gruden’s net worth is $30 million.
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Gruden’s head coaching journey began with the Oakland Raiders (1998–2001) before he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2002 to 2008. After a nearly decade-long stint as an ESPN analyst, he returned to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2018, only to resign in October 2021 amid an email scandal.
Jon Gruden’s contract breakdown
Gruden inked a 10-year, $100 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, the longest coaching contract in NFL history, according to Adam Schefter. For context, his Tampa Bay Buccaneers contract was five years for $17.5 million, per ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio.
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The Oakland Raiders’ compensation package included first- and second-round draft picks in 2002, a first-rounder in 2003, a second-rounder in 2004, plus $8 million in cash spread over three years.
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Jon Gruden’s salary
Gruden had two stints with the Raiders. The first one was from 1998 to 2001. The Raiders traded Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won a Super Bowl against the Raiders. He went on to coach the Buccaneers until 2008.
The Raiders swung for the fences when Mark Davis reeled Gruden back to the sideline with a 10-year, $100 million mega-deal, the biggest coaching contract the NFL had ever seen. It was a clear attempt to revive the magic Gruden created from 1998 to 2001, when he steered the team to a 38-26 mark without a single losing season.
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Jon Gruden’s career earnings
A decade in the broadcast booth didn’t cool his fire. If anything, it sharpened his big-picture understanding of the game. Sure, dropping $10 million a year on a coach who’s been away that long raised eyebrows, but Gruden returned with the same trademark intensity and a broader view of modern football.
As an ESPN commentator, Gruden earned $6.5 million per year. However, the exact figure of his career earnings is not available.
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A look at Jon Gruden’s college and professional career
Born on August 17, 1963, Gruden grew up steeped in football, thanks to his father, Jim, who coached at Indiana Hoosiers and later at Notre Dame Fighting Irish. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Gruden went on to play quarterback for three years at the University of Dayton.
He launched his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 1986-87, then bounced through several college stops as an offensive assistant before breaking into the NFL in 1990 with the San Francisco 49ers.
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Lately, after Moore’s firing, Michigan alum Dave Portnoy is strongly rooting for Gruden as a good fit for the job. To make his claims stronger, the Wolverines booster tweeted an old 1984 Gruden media guide bio. It revealed a wish Gruden had that not many knew about: “After graduation, he would like to become the head coach at the University of Michigan.”
Even though Gruden’s Michigan wish did not come true, he had an illustrious career in the pro league.
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Gruden posted a total 117-112 NFL record, including winning Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He tried his luck outside the gridiron, too. Gruden was an on-air analyst for ESPN from 2011 to 2018.
What are the brands endorsed by Jon Gruden?
During his coaching timeout, the then-55-year-old Gruden turned into a commercial regular. He starred in a half-dozen Hooters ads and popped up in spots for GoPro, Corona, Nationwide, Dunkin’ Donuts, Bridgestone, and GMC. Gruden even jumped in to help promote The Dark Knight Rises back in 2012.
Jon Gruden’s investments and business ventures
Not much information is available about Gruden’s business investments. However, he focused on charitable endeavors. Gruden created the FFCA (Fired Football Coaches Association) in 2009 after his exit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The group’s mission included helping fund the development of young athletes at the school level.
Jon Gruden’s house and cars
Gruden and his wife, Cindy, owned 21.5 acres in Jefferson County, Tennessee, and also a custom Las Vegas–area estate that hit the market for $7.5 million. They bought the 8,684-square-foot home for $4.3 million in August 2021, just before his resignation.
Located in the exclusive Southern Highlands community, also home to quarterback Derek Carr, the property included five bedrooms, high ceilings, retractable glass walls, a wine room, a gym, an office, and an infinity pool with mountain and city views. Not much information is available about Gruden’s current residence.
In July 2020, the Southern Nevada Ford Dealers welcomed Gruden to Las Vegas by presenting him with a custom Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Before that, Gruden had owned an ultra-rare, low-mileage 2015 Shelby GT350R, one of just 37 produced that year.
Fans are now eagerly waiting for Jon Gruden to make a comeback to head coaching after four years, this time in college football.
Notre Dame football losing LB coach Max Bullough, per reports
Max Bullough, a former Michigan State player, spent three seasons at Notre Dame, first as a graduate assistant and then as a full assistant.
He was instrumental in recruiting top linebacker prospects and developing multiple NFL draft picks.
Senior defensive analyst Andy Buh is considered a potential internal replacement for Bullough.
SOUTH BEND — Max Bullough made a huge impact on Notre Dame football linebackers, both as a teacher and a recruiter, over the past three seasons.
Now, the high-energy assistant is headed home to Michigan State for a promotion, according to multiple reports.
Bullough, 33, will serve as co-defensive coordinator under new coach Pat Fitzgerald, according to Football Scoop. Michigan State visits Notre Dame Stadium next Sept. 19, followed by a return visit for the Irish to East Lansing in 2027.
A Traverse City, Mich., product who starred as a third-generation linebacker for the Spartans, following his grandfather Hank Bullough, uncle Chuck Bullough and father, Shane, the younger Bullough also had Notre Dame roots through his grandfather, former Irish running back Jim Morse.
A team captain in 1956, the late Morse died in 2023, and his legacy continues through an endowed football scholarship in his name.
Previously a graduate assistant at both Cincinnati and Alabama, Bullough was hired as a Notre Dame GA in early 2023 when James Laurinaitis returned to his alma mater, Ohio State, to coach linebackers.
Promoted to a full assistant in 2024, Bullough saw three of his former Irish linebackers drafted into the NFL: third-rounder Marist Liufau (2024), fifth-rounder JD Bertrand (2024) and fourth-rounder Jack Kiser (2025).
Bullough’s recruiting prowess helped the Irish land four-star linebackers Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Madden Faraimo in back-to-back recruiting cycles. A former first-team all-Big Ten linebacker and three-year pro with the Houston Texans, Bullough brought along team captain Drayk Bowen and fellow linebackers Jaylen Sneed and Jaiden Ausberry for vital rotation roles.
After two seasons with Al Golden coordinating the Irish defense, Bullough adjusted to the style of first-year coordinator Chris Ash in 2025 after Golden returned to the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals.
“Anytime our Notre Dame linebackers go on the field, we expect to be the most physical and dominant group,” Bullough said in late October. “That’s how we live and that’s what we are.”
With Bullough’s departure, senior defensive analyst Andy Buh would be a logical replacement. A former defensive coordinator at Stanford (2008-09), Nevada (2010-11), California (2013), Maryland (2016-18) and Rutgers (2019), the 52-year-old Buh worked with Ash at both Rutgers and Wisconsin (2012).
While Buh worked mainly with the nickelbacks this season, teaching freshman Dallas Golden the position in a matter of days before facing Purdue, Buh has coached linebackers at the vast majority of his stops, including Arizona (2020) and Illinois (2021-23).
He spent 2024 as a defensive analyst at Purdue, following former Illini defensive coordinator Ryan Walters.
“Coach Buh is an extremely detailed guy,” Irish defensive back DeVonta Smith, an Alabama graduate transfer, said in late November. “I’ve never been taught so detailed in my run coverage, my hand placement, my eyes, in playing the different coverages that we play. He’s just brought so much to me to help me stay detailed in my game.
“My pre-snap reads, getting all those down, learning all that, he’s allowed me to reach that next level as a football player. I’m tremendously grateful that I have him with me right now.”
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
Four Illini in 2026 NBA Mock Draft – Including a Surprise First
We have hammered it home all season long: Illinois is extremely talented. In fact, we’ve gone so far as to say there may not be another college team that boasts as much talent as the Illini. But now you don’t have to take our word for it. Just ask Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, who released his latest 2026 NBA mock draft on Tuesday.
In his updated two-round draft projections, an impressive four Illini were listed as likely future draftees. Two unexpected names made their respective mock draft debuts, one of which skyrocketed into the first round. We’ll break down each below:
Four Illinois players projected in latest 2026 NBA mock draft
No. 58: Tomislav Ivisic
A bit of a surprise considering his relative struggles to open the season (although he was fantastic against Tennessee), Tomislav Ivisic has stuck around at the very edge of projections due to his coveted skill set of shooting and passing at 7-foot-1.
No. 54: Kylan Boswell
The real shocker in Wasserman’s projections is Kylan Boswell. The senior guard has blossomed into a bucket waiting to happen when he gets downhill, and he has also bumped his three-point percentage up to 30.4 this season – though that number still needs to climb higher.
Still, Boswell’s rim-attacking ability, defense and pick-and-roll decision-making appear to provide enough potential for NBA teams to have a strong interest.
No. 50: Andrej Stojakovic
Andrej Stojakovic, a gifted scorer with ballet-dancer footwork, solid explosion and great finishing ability around the cup, also has his fair share of fans in NBA front offices. His downhill ability and growing defensive influence will almost surely guarantee he gets drafted in 2026, but his three-point shot will determine how early the 6-foot-7 wing goes.
No. 29: Keaton Wagler
Keaton Wagler has exploded onto the scene in his first year of college basketball. Illinois coach Brad Underwood had made it abundantly clear he expected Wagler to be a key piece of the rotation heading into the year, even predicting that Wagler – who was a consensus three-star recruit in the class of 2025 – could be a one-and-done prospect.
Just over a month into the season, Underwood’s prediction is aging like fine wine. Wagler put together a career-best performance against Tennessee on Saturday, then one upped himself on Tuesday vs. Ohio State.
An unbelievably sound decision-maker and pick-and-roll operator, Wagler has NBA-level IQ, along with a sweet jumper and a creative package around the basket. His limited athleticism will remain a question mark and perhaps keep him from ever climbing into the NBA Draft lottery, but he is well on his way to being plucked off the board in the first round.
Why Was Grayson Allen Ejected During Thunder vs Suns NBA Cup QF?
Tonight’s game between the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder took an unexpected turn when Grayson Allen became the focus of an incident that silenced the crowd at Paycom Center. Known for his steady demeanor, the guard found himself at the center of a heated exchange that ultimately resulted in his ejection following an official review.
The replay made everything clearer. During a defensive possession, Allen went straight at Chet Holmgren, looking to run through a screen. Instead of avoiding it, he threw his body into the center, elbowing him in the face. As Holmgren crashed to the floor and whistles blew, both teams quickly approached the situation, creating immediate tension on the court.
Emotions ran high. When Jalen Williams approached to stand up for his teammate, Allen reacted dismissively, causing Williams to shove him, forcing teammates and officials to intervene. The referees convened, reviewed the sequence, and quickly delivered their decision: Allen was ejected from the game, leaving both teams on edge as play resumed.
Nets trying to make most of break right as things could get interesting
The Nets showed some signs of life through the past two weeks, starting with a victory over the Celtics in Boston on Nov. 21.
They’ve won games they were supposed to win and at least been competitive against better teams. As they head into Friday’s game in Dallas, the Nets have won three of their last four.
But in a scheduling quirk due to the vagaries of the NBA Cup, they haven’t played since Saturday’s win over New Orleans.
“The break is kind of tough because you get into a rhythm of playing every other day,” Nic Claxton said following Wednesday’s practice in Brooklyn.
They’ve tried to make the most of their time off, using it to practice with a young, inexperienced team.
Jordi Fernández said the key to the break in the schedule was in “taking care of their bodies and using the days to rest and get better… [and] work on different concepts.”
At 6-17, they are a bit more than a quarter of the way through the regular season.
“We’re 23 games in and we’re looking at the next 20 games,’’ Fernández said. “Can we sustain [it]? Can we get better? Then we look at the next 20. The process is the most important thing for us and the development of the group, not just one player.”
And things could get more interesting in Brooklyn and around the league. Starting Monday, players who signed with teams prior to the season can begin to be traded.
The Nets could well be involved in some of those moves, in part because they have the financial flexibility to take on salary, which they could do in exchange for assets like more young players or draft picks.
A year ago, they saw Dennis Schröder and Dorian Finney-Smith — among others — leave Brooklyn before Cam Johnson was traded over the summer.
“It’s like a reality TV show,’’ Claxton said. “It’s like that every year around this time. It’s about to start up.”
But Claxton, like Fernández, wants the attention to stay on the players who are still with them.
“You may hear your name in trade rumors and you see teammates come and go,’’ Claxton said. “But you’ve got to focus on who’s here and [let] management handle all that stuff and roll with it.”
CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND NETS STATS
Fernández added: “It’s that part of the year and we all have to deal with it. It’s not the most enjoyable part of the year, but we love our guys. We’re gonna keep focusing on working and getting better and competing. We cannot control anything on the outside, even though we know things may happen. … We’re not the ones thinking or talking [about trades]. We want work, we want accountability [and] we want competitiveness. That’s what we focus on.”
To that end, the Nets have played markedly better defense over the past few weeks after their ugly start to the season.
“All teams go through peaks and valleys and the season is so long,’’ Claxton said. “We have a lot of fresh faces, a lot of guys who haven’t seen any kind of NBA action [and] also a new core. We all had to figure it out and get on the same page with the coaches. It’s starting to happen, but we’ve got to keep building.”
NBA Legend Guarantees Thunder Breaking Warriors Record
The Oklahoma City Thunder remains a dominant NBA force currently having a historically great start to the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has led his defending NBA Champions roster to a 24-1 record and a pace that could see them making some history. One loss so far this season came against the Portland Trail Blazers in a one-possession game that had a tired Thunder team on the second half of a back-to-back.
Opposing teams are struggling to even keep the games close vs Oklahoma City, and NBA legend Kendrick Perkins had some strong praise about their chase for history:
“They’re trying to win everything. They’re trying to win. They might go 80-2. This is a real thing, and I mean this with every big bone in my body. That 73-9 record that Golden State got? OKC beating that this year. Hands down. They’re not trying to go for it. They’re just that damn good.”
Perkins appeared on the Road Trippin’ Show with Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson to discuss the state of the NBA. The former NBA Champion had extremely high praise for the Thunder to basically guarantee they’ll surpass the Golden State Warriors’ record of 73-9 for the best regular season ever.
Can Thunder Dominate All Season Long?
The Thunder will have to continue playing at this historic pace to keep improving the odds of winning 74 games. Oklahoma City must go 50-7 for the rest of the season to ensure the record is theirs. The trajectory looks great since they’re currently at the pace to win 78 games if they keep winning this frequently.
Golden State started the 2015-2016 season with an incredible 24-0 record before suffering their first defeat. Both teams had the identically same 24-1 record through 25 games of the season. The Thunder being relatively young with strong roster depth means that their players can remain consistent all season.
Health is the biggest concern for Oklahoma City, but they already survived missing Jalen Williams for the first month of the season. The rest of the Western Conference having many tough teams could harm their pace if they endure a difficult week or two. Thunder players must avoid any negative stretches to keep the goal alive.
Thunder Players Want To Make History
Not every NBA team having a great start will care about the potential of making history. Organizations with veteran rosters will sit out older players or be cautious about back to backs. Oklahoma City’s best players all being young means they have less variables working against them.
Comments from Gilgeous-Alexander and other players have confirmed they like the idea of being a great all-time team. The Thunder sealed their spot in the Las Vegas portion of the NBA Cup tournament to add more success earlier in the season.
Oklahoma City has the chance to break the wins record, win the NBA Cup trophy and defend the NBA Championship all in the same season. All three of those feats see the betting odds strongly on their side. Perkins’ guarantee may come true given the hunger and motivation of the Thunder to keep winning.
OG Anunoby shows how vital he is to Knicks since return from injury
There are few players in the NBA that impact overall winning the way OG Anunoby does.
After the Knicks came out sluggish Tuesday night and were outscored by four points in the first quarter, Anunoby was the catalyst for their dominant second quarter, when they outscored the Raptors by 21 points en route to their 117-101 win in Toronto, earning them a spot in the NBA Cup semifinals.
“OG, he was all over the place,” Josh Hart said after the game. “He really helped start that run and then we were able to get stops, play fast, get out in transition and play to our strength. Huge shoutout to him, really changed the tide of the game.”
“All over the place” is a perfect way to describe Anunoby’s impact. With a quiet and subdued personality, he prefers to stay away from the limelight off the court. But on the court, he makes his presence felt in all facets of the game.
The Knicks held their own in the nine games Anunoby missed with a hamstring strain, going 6-3.
But in the three games since he has returned — in which they went 3-0, two of which were against current playoff teams — it has been evident how much better they are with Anunoby on the court.
The numbers are eye-popping.
Since the Knicks acquired him from the Raptors during the 2023-24 season, they are 76-36 in the regular season when Anunoby plays, good for a .679 winning percentage.
Without Anunoby, they are 25-20 in that same time span — good for a .556 winning percentage.
This year, the Knicks are 11-4 with Anunoby, representing a .733 winning percentage.
Their 6-3 record without him was good for a .667 winning percentage.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS
Digging further into the Knicks’ efficiency numbers with Anunoby on and off the court paints a clearer picture of where Anunoby is most valuable.
The Knicks have averaged 124.3 points per 100 possessions with Anunoby on the court compared to 123.3 without Anunoby on the court this season, according to Cleaning the Glass.
So, they are slightly better offensively with Anunoby.
But defensively, it’s stark.
They have given up an average of 108.0 points per 100 possessions with Anunoby on the court this year, compared to 119.0 without him — a whole 11-point difference.
In total, the Knicks have outscored opponents by 16.3 points per 100 possessions with Anunoby on the court, compared to 4.3 without him.
That plus-16.3 net for Anunoby is in the 95th percentile among all players in the NBA.
He might not always have the sexiest box score stats, but he’s become invaluable to the Knicks’ success — and their ambition to be title contenders.
“The versatility that OG gives us, it’s unbelievable,” coach Mike Brown said. “… Having that size and versatility from OG defensively is huge. He can guard one through five. Then you flip it, his shooting, his ability to attack the rim, all those things, at his size, are huge for us.”
His ability to guard anyone on the court means he can usually match up with opponents’ best scorers, regardless of how small or big they are.
That takes pressure off Mikal Bridges to be the point-of-attack defender, where he has struggled, and allows him to play as a help defender, where he has thrived this year.
Though the Knicks don’t fall off as dramatically offensively without Anunoby, he’s been as efficient on that side of the ball as ever in his career.
His 15.7 points per game are down from last year, but his 47.8 percent shooting from the field and 39.4 percent shooting from 3-point range are both improvements. And it’s how he’s scoring that is notable.
Brown’s system emphasizes 3-point shooting, particularly from “sprays” — the term Brown uses to describe threes derived from drives into the lane and kickouts to the perimeter.
It requires catch-and-shoot ability from deep, and that is where Anunoby has thrived.
Of Anunoby’s 3-pointers this season, 45.6 percent have been via catch-and-shoot, according to NBA.com tracking stats — way up from 36.3 percent last year.
Rather than pulling up and firing, he is enjoying higher quality catch-and-shoot looks, which helps to stretch the floor as a whole.
But characteristically, it was his defense that stood out on Tuesday. Anunoby was Brown’s defensive player of the game.
“He had a monster game,” Brown said.
There have been quite a few of those.
Thunder iguala el mejor inicio de 25 partidos en la NBA con paliza sobre Suns
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anotó 28 puntos, y el Thunder de Oklahoma City igualó el mejor inicio de 25 partidos de una temporada de la NBA al dominar a los Suns de Phoenix 138-89 en los cuartos de final de la Copa NBA el miércoles.
El récord de 24-1 del Thunder empata con el de los Warriors de Golden State de 2015-16, quienes ganaron sus primeros 24 juegos antes de finalmente perder.
Chet Holmgren añadió 24 unidades y ocho rebotes para el Thunder, que estableció una marca de franquicia con su 16ta victoria consecutiva. Avanzaron a las semifinales el sábado contra los Lakers de Los Ángeles o San Antonio.
Parecía que este podría ser un partido difícil para el Thunder. La victoria de Oklahoma City por 123-119 sobre los Suns en el grupo de la Copa NBA el 28 de noviembre fue su juego más reñido durante su racha de victorias.
Pero la estrella de Phoenix, Devin Booker, se perdió su tercer partido consecutivo debido a una distensión en la ingle derecha. Anotó 21 puntos en el enfrentamiento anterior y expresó en la rueda de prensa posterior que el “secreto ha salido a la luz” sobre la defensa líder de la liga del Thunder.
Parece que los Suns tienen más que aprender. Lanzaron un 39.3% desde el campo y anotaron su total de puntos más bajo de la temporada. Dillon Brooks lideró a los Suns con 16 unidades, pero solo encestó cuatro de 16 tiros. Fue la menor cantidad de puntos que Oklahoma City ha permitido esta temporada.
Jalen Williams encestó un triple al sonar la bocina del medio tiempo para darle al Thunder una ventaja de 74-48. Gilgeous-Alexander anotó 17 puntos en la primera mitad a pesar de solo intentar ocho tiros.
Gilgeous-Alexander llegó a 96 juegos seguidos con al menos 20 puntos. Alcanzó el total con una volcada en un contraataque que puso al Thunder arriba 84-50 con 9:15 restantes en el tercer cuarto.
El guardia de Phoenix, Grayson Allen, fue expulsado después de empujar a Holmgren y derribarlo al suelo.
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Lakers again use traditional court for NBA Cup quarterfinal vs. Spurs
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers once again used their traditional court at Crypto.com Arena for Wednesday night’s NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup against the San Antonio Spurs instead of their bright yellow Cup court.
Multiple Lakers players noted how slippery the Cup Court was for their Nov. 25 Group Play victory over the Clippers, which was the first – and only – time the Lakers used the alternate court this season.
“That was bad,” forward Rui Hachimura said. “I felt it right away. It just felt weird. Like oily, slippery.”
Star guard Luka Doncic was also critical of the court in the immediate aftermath of the game against the Clippers, going as far as to call the Lakers’ Cup Court “dangerous.”
“It’s just slippery,” Doncic said at the time. “I slipped a lot of times and you could see a lot of players slipped. And that’s dangerous, man.”
The Lakers used their traditional court for their final Group Play matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 28 after technicians from the league’s court vendor deemed the Lakers’ Cup court unplayable.
“I really appreciate the Lakers and the league,” Doncic said. “They did us a favor. I was talking about it, so I really appreciate both of them.”
The Cup court was sent back for repairs with the expectation it would be ready if the Lakers hosted their quarterfinal game, but that didn’t come to fruition.
The Orlando Magic also used their traditional court instead of their Cup court in their quarterfinal victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
All 30 NBA teams have used unique, colorful courts for Group Play and quarterfinal games hosted in-market, with a neutral Cup Court to be used for the semifinals and final in Las Vegas.
SMART BACK
Veteran guard Marcus Smart made his return to the court on Wednesday after sitting out the previous six games because of back ailments, most recently being listed as out for Sunday’s road win against the Philadelphia 76ers because of left lumbar muscle strain.
The 12th-year guard averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds and a team-best 1.8 steals in the 14 games he played (nine starts) entering Wednesday.
Although the Lakers went 4-2 in Smart’s absence, their defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 122.9 in the six games Smart was out ranked 25th in the league over that span.
“I would say the biggest things are the physicality, the disruption and then being another communicator on the court,” Lakers coach JJ Redick responded when asked what Smart brings to the team defensively.
Teammate Austin Reaves added: “He does a lot on that end. He obviously competes at a high level. When he plays, that energy is contagious to the whole team. So when you don’t have a guy like that, your energy shouldn’t go down, but you don’t have that kind of boost when he gets in the game and then starts picking up 94 [feet], taking charges and all those kinds of stuff.”
Why Lakers Aren’t Playing in NBA Cup Court vs Spurs in Quarterfinal?
The Los Angeles Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs in Crypto.com Arena for a high stakes quarterfinals in the NBA Cup. But the shiny NBA Cup court that’s been a staple for the last two tournaments will only be a sentiment. Because the real deal was proven unsafe. Thanks to Luka Doncic for advocating for player safety, the NBA has taken this issue seriously.
The Lakers and Spurs will play on the standard court the players are familiar with and used to in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Sources confirmed that players, not excluding Doncic, had issues “with the slippery surface of the alternate bright yellow Cup court during the group stage.”
The Lakers went undefeated on that court but there were slips and injuries. Prompting concerns, the NBA decided to not have a different visual for the NBA Cup court “out of an abundance of caution.”
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Irrespective of this decision, it’s not going to look like a regular game. The NBA Cup’s six-figure cash prize makes it a whole other atmosphere.
This is a developing story.
Thunder match Warriors’ dynasty with historic start to season
The moment the Oklahoma City Thunder became champions, NBA fans and media started discussing whether they were going to become the league’s next dynasty.
Now 25 games into the 2025-26 season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have matched the NBA’s last dynasty in a historic way.
With their 138-89 domination of the Suns in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals, Oklahoma City is now only the second team to ever open a season 24-1.
And the last team to reach that level of dominance early in a season, the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, ended up with the best regular-season record in history.
The Thunder’s depth was on display against the Suns
The Thunder also flexed their muscles and depth to secure their 24th win and their 16th in a row. Oklahoma City even won by 49 without anyone surpassing 30 points on the night.
As always, Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 28 points in 27 minutes to go along with two rebounds and eight assists. He shot a staggering 73.3% from the field, connecting on 11-of-15 shots.
Chet Holmgren put up 24 of his own with the reverse of eight boards and a couple of assists. Jalen Williams, who was only playing in his sixth game of the season after missing the beginning of the season following wrist surgery, posted 15 points with five rebounds and five assists.
But going beyond the top three stars, 13 Thunder players scored in the game, including six who reached double-digits.
Comparing this season’s Thunder to the 2015-26 Warriors
Like this year’s Thunder team, that Warriors squad was on the heels of winning their first title as a group the season before. Then, the Stephen Curry-led Warriors finished off their 24-1 start by going 73-9, breaking the single-season wins record set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who went 72-10.
But while tying the Thunder are thrilled to tie the Warriors’ hot start, they hope for a different outcome in the subsequent postseason. Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and company would go on to capture three more championships together.
While the Warriors returned to the NBA Finals, they blew a 3-1 series lead to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers and failed to complete the success of their season with another championship.
The pressure is now on Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Williams to not only beat the Warriors’ regular-season record but to win it all again.
Jay-Z, Blue Ivy attend Lakers vs. Spurs NBA Cup game
It was daddy-daughter date night at Crypto.com Arena for Jay-Z and Blue Ivy on Wednesday — and the two had a pair of sweet seats for the big Lakers game.
With LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the rest of the Lakers taking on the Spurs in the last NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup of the week, and Hov and his 13-year-old girl sat courtside for the Western Conference tilt.
The Lakers showed love to their special guests on their X account just after tip-off, sharing a photo of two looking stylish in their chairs.
“No reintroduction needed,” the team captioned the pic. “Jay-Z & Blue Ivy courtside.”
There was no sign of Beyoncé, but there were plenty of other celebrities in the venue.
Winnie Harlow — the model fiancée of former Laker Kyle Kuzma — was there, and WWE superstars Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins also had tickets to the game right next to Jeanie Buss.
Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley and defensive back Tony Jefferson made it out as well, fresh off their big “Monday Night Football” victory over the Eagles.
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, meanwhile, sat just feet away from the Chargers stars.
While San Antonio is playing without Victor Wembanyama, who’s still dealing with a calf injury, it’s still giving the Lakers all they can handle, holding a 70-58 lead at the end of the first half.
Dale Jr. Reveals the Only Way for NASCAR to Fix Tarnished Image With “Pi**ed Off” Fans
For the longest time now, fans haven’t been happy with NASCAR’s current playoff system. Especially because of the type of competition it creates on the field, rewarding clutch performances over consistent results. The format’s definitely going to change next year, we just don’t know into what. If that wasn’t enough, there’s the ongoing charter lawsuit trial’s burden now, that’s further hampering the sport’s image. Amid all this backlash, where does NASCAR go? What can it do? Dale Jr. might just have a solution.
NASCAR’s olive branch, according to Dale Jr
The playoff system was originally introduced in 2004, and was then called The Chase for the Championship. However, that system has witnessed quite a few changes in the past two decades. With the inclusion of the elimination style and the stage racing system, there has been quite a lot of criticism from fans.
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Speaking on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, however, Dale Earnhardt Jr. seemed to add in a positive suggestion to NASCAR for the long-time fans of the sport, especially in light of the damaged image it’s facing.
“NASCAR is going to have a new playoff point system next year,” he said. “They’re probably going to make what would amount to a significant shift[…] I doubt that we’ll get 36 36-race full-season deal. It’s probably going to be a playoff of some sort, but more than likely I’ll be satisfied.”
While this does sound like a positive change, the fact that the system will still not include a 36-race system is not a deal breaker. This would simply mean that the playoff system will still exist.
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This is exactly what the fans actually want, claimed Dale Jr. Discussing the antitrust lawsuit and how the trial has progressed recently, he mentioned that introducing a complete season would be great news for fans.
“NASCAR is also taking a beating publicly in terms of perspective. And that’s unfortunate. So it would be a good opportunity for them to bring back the full season 36 race schedule as an olive branch to the race fans that they pi–ed off,” he added.
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Over the Silly Season, there have been countless options on how this could go. Some suggested the final race be split into four, and things like that. But Dale Jr is speaking out of concern for NASCAR, for their well-being. He wants them to just give fans what they want for now, to balance things out.
However, that will happen when it has to happen. ‘If’ it ever does. But for now, fans have the present to complain about. And Junior’s message, though about improving the system, once again reminded them of the present problems.
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Fans lash out at NASCAR
There have been many moments through the years when fans felt that the most deserving driver did not win the Championship. As recently as 2020, Kevin Harvick managed to win nine races throughout the season, but he couldn’t make it into the playoffs. This led some fans to compare NASCAR’s France Family to former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone. “The France family has turned into Nascar’s version of Bernie Ecclestone.”
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The sheer power the France family holds in NASCAR’s decision-making has seemingly created a very negative perspective for fans, as someone wrote: “What this trial has shown is there’s no “NASCAR” there is only Jim France. It’s whatever Jim wants.”
However, there seems to be changes happening, and the change being introduced to the playoff system is proof of the same. But, it still hasn’t made a large part of the fanbase very happy. In fact, some even claim that NASCAR does not care for its fanbase: “NASCAR doesn’t give two f**ks about it’s fanbase – they only care about TV contracts and $$$.”
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“It was never about the fans, Dale,” wrote another fan. But is that really the case? Well, it’s seemingly hard to say. The playoff system is largely criticized for several reasons, and the one-race decider is one of them. While the sport could switch to a different method, it may incur them losses in the final races, if the Champion is decided earlier.
Many fans believe this is the reason they will continue with the system: “Narcissists never cave. They will have playoffs and tell us to like it.”
Although there seems to be no clear indication, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s statement on the possible changes to the playoff could take place in 2026. But will that be enough for the fans?