Alex Steeves’ belief in himself never wavered, even if that confidence wasn’t reflected on the scoresheet.
“I’ve always, as a player, told myself that if you are getting the chances, it’s going to come,” Steeves said on Long Island last week.
The 25-year-old forward — a Minnesota-born product who spent part of his childhood in New Hampshire — had accomplished plenty both in the collegiate ranks and in the AHL prior to this season.
But a legitimate shot at hockey’s highest level eluded Steeves after turning pro with Toronto in March 2021.
When Steeves put pen to paper on a one-year, $850,000 contract with Boston in July, he held court as the franchise leader in both goals (105) and points (216) for the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.
For those efforts, he logged just 14 career games with the Maple Leafs spread across four seasons — scoring one goal and three points over that stretch.
Amid those several stalled treks to the NHL, Steeves remained resolute. His opportunity was coming.
And on a Bruins team in desperate need of legitimate scoring punch, Steeves has found a spot to thrive.
“When he didn’t like to go down [to Providence], I remember he said’, I will be back and I’m going to do everything I can to show [you],’” Marco Sturm said. “That’s what I like. And the way he said it, I believe that. I knew his time would come.”
An early-season call-up amid a string of injuries, Steeves has cemented himself as one of Sturm’s most reliable forwards in short order. Be it as a fourth-line sparkplug or top-six scorer, Steeves has settled into a groove as of late — scoring five goals and six points in his last five games.
He continued his scoring salvo on Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues — posting two first-period points as part of a 5-1 victory at TD Garden.
A top line of Steeves, Morgan Geekie, and Elias Lindholm carved up the Blues’ defensive structure throughout the night, with the trio combining for two goals and eight total points in the victory.
“Call-ups are fighting tooth and nail, and I feel like I’ve been fighting tooth and nail for four years to be here,” Steeves said. “And to be on a line with the top goalscorer in the NHL [in Geekie] and a world-class, two-way center like Lindy is really special for me, and I want to make good on it.”
Steeves’ emergence as a scoring winger has come at a critical time for the Bruins, especially with David Pastrnak still working his way back from a nagging lower-body injury.
After lighting the lamp twice in a critical road win over the Islanders last week, Steeves has scored another three goals in four games since Pastrnak has been on the shelf — often skating in a top-six spot on Sturm’s shorthanded depth chart.
“That’s the nice part about it, is he can play any line, he can play any side,” Sturm said of Steeves. “Maybe not a centerman, but overall, I can use him. And I think that’s what coaches really like and that’s what I like about him.
“I brought him up from the minors, and I put him in more like a checking rule and a fourth-liner, and now look at him. So good for him. He’s a guy I trust. … It’s tough to get him out of the lineup, I can tell you that.”
It was Steeves’ who jumpstarted Boston’s scoring surge against Jim Montgomery, Jordan Binnington, and the Blues on Thursday.
While Geekie has doled out most of his damage as a goal scorer this year, he played the role of distributor on Steeves’ tally — dishing a cross-slot feed that his linemate one-timed into twine for his sixth goal of the season.
Steeves rewarded the favor later in the period.
Seconds before Geekie snapped home his 21st goal of the season, it was a furious forechecking effort from Steeves that started the sequence — tenderizing both Philip Broberg and Colton Parayko on the end boards and knocking the puck loose.
That skittering puck was gathered by Lindholm and fed into the slot for Geekie, who knocked it home to give Boston a 2-0 lead at the time.
Steeves finished with a game-high six hits in the victory.
“I don’t think I’m an NHL player when I’m not playing physically,” Steeves said. “So I want to be physical every night. And good things usually happen when I do that.”
While Geekie’s shot and Lindholm’s two-way game are well-established at this point, Steeves’ motor and physicality have helped generate Grade-A chances with regularity during their shifts.
In the 42:54 of 5-on-5 ice time that the Steeves-Lindholm-Geekie line has logged so far this season, the Bruins are outscoring opponents, 4-2.
The Bruins are still treading water as they await the return of both Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy.
But amid a season where injuries have plagued Boston’s roster, the Bruins have found no shortage of unsung contributors who are keeping this team afloat — and are poised to pull on the rope even further once more bodies return to the ice.
“Obviously, it’s tough when you’re losing guys the way we seem to have lost them, but I think that’s just kind of where the league’s at right now with the schedule and everything like that,” Geekie said. “But, I mean, for [Victor Soderstrom] to step in tonight and get an assist and play well.
” And guys that have been doing it all year — [Jonathan Aspirot] coming up, and Steever. All these guys mean a ton to us. And to be able to step in to make a difference like they all do, is super important.”
Finally given a shot, Steeves looks like impact player for Bruins
Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour Revamp Plans Pushes Analyst to Call Out Serious Concerns
Imagine a reduced PGA Tour schedule focused on the biggest markets and the best courses. This is how the 2027 season might look. Brian Rolapp and Tiger Woods reportedly gave a 90-minute presentation to the 20-man field at HWC, laying out the vision for these significant changes to the Tour schedule. The proposed changes come after an extended period of players’ and fans’ complaints, but these won’t be without scrutiny either.
In a video shared by Golf Channel on December 4, Eamon Lynch acknowledged what Rolapp and Woods are trying to do but expressed surprise that they had not detailed “what’s broken.”
“I hear a lot of people talking about what needs to be fixed. We’re going to fix it by doing this…I’ve yet to hear anyone articulate what’s broken. That’s the key here…What’s wrong with it that requires all of this conversation about a radical effect, and how radical does that fix need to be?” he said in the video.
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“Well, it’s not a voice they’re going to hear this week. It’s a small constituency of players; it’s a 20-man field in the Bahamas, and these are not 20 players who are going to be adversely impacted by any changes or shrinking of playing opportunities. But it does speak of how seriously Rolapp and the Tour are taking this idea of keeping the players updated,” he said.
Lynch noted that Woods and Rolapp need to engage in discussion with those players who will actually feel the brunt of the changes, and rightfully so. The current field at the ongoing Hero World Championship is elite and limited, and won’t be impacted much by the limited schedule and field. The up-and-coming golfers fighting for their place in events and the OWGR would be affected significantly. Ironically, they aren’t playing in the Bahamas.
Notably, Woods addressed a press conference on Tuesday, sharing details about the potential changes. He declared that the committee aims to prepare a 2027 schedule and that they would eventually have a product better than what they have now. That’s the aim!
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“Hopefully, we get to that point. We’re working with all of our partners to create the best schedule and product to deliver all that in 2027. I don’t know if we can get there, I don’t know if we will get there, but that’s what we’re trying to do,” Tiger Woods mentioned.
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These changes are warranted weeks after the PGA Tour pro Harris English mentioned discussions about starting the golf season in February, not January, to avoid competing with the NFL for viewership.
Amid widespread concern about the potential changes in the Tour, Jordan Spieth and Brian Harman expressed excitement about what is to come.
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Jordan Spieth and Brian Harman Looking Forward to Changes Despite “Ambiguity”
Spieth acknowledged that there was a lot of “ambiguity” when the announcements were initially made, saying, “Well, I think when some of the stuff was announced, I wasn’t sure what it actually meant.” However, he lauded the trio of Brian Rolapp, Tiger Woods, and Andy Weitz for being “pretty clear” about what they are looking to do. He also noted that they are trying to improve the product rather than changing the fundamentals.
“It’s like fine-tuning things with the help of sponsors and networks for how to make it better for the fans and get more engagement from the younger audience. There’s not a ton of detail yet, but they have a few plans that they’re going to work through in the coming months, definitely something we can get behind and be excited about,” he added.
Meanwhile, Brian Harman was glad that initiative was being taken to improve the sport as a whole through discussion. However, he did acknowledge the dual nature of the plans, saying, “Change is hard; it’s not fun, but you have to look down the road and try and figure out what makes our sport the healthiest, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
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Top 3 Takeaways as Tiger Woods & Brian Rolapp Hold Urgent Meeting About PGA Tour Future
Tiger Woods has been away from the limelight for most of this year. But he is back at the Hero World Challenge this week, not to play but to deliver a message to the players: the PGA Tour is about to change, and in a big way. Woods and Brian Rolapp met with the golfers on Tuesday to discuss a major overhaul coming in 2027. We are looking at a much shorter schedule, and Woods hinted that the changes might upset some golfers. From his explanation and the players’ reactions, we are decoding three standout takeaways about where things are heading.
1. Top players are still doubtful and unsure of the changes
Woods emphasized that the motivation behind the new structure is simple. It is to build a better product. “This is fan-based. We’re trying to give the fans the best product we possibly can,” he said. “If we’re able to give the fans the best product we can… the financial windfall could be fantastic for everyone who’s involved.”
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The proposed changes, which include planning the season around the Super Bowl, removing the Hawaiian swing, and adding more co-sanctioned events with the DP World Tour, are already on the table. But players still seem to be sorting out how it will all affect them.
Jordan Spieth admitted that when the changes were announced, he was confused. “I wasn’t sure once some of the stuff was announced what exactly it meant… There was some ambiguity to it,” he told Golf Channel. While he did praise Woods and Rolapp’s efforts for doing a “good job organizing and being pretty clear about what exactly they’re looking to do,” Spieth added that there “wasn’t a ton of detail” on what exactly is going to happen.
Brian Harman, on the other hand, was a bit more blunt about his opinion. “Change is hard. It’s not fun… In every situation, every decision that you make, there’s going to be people that benefit and people that don’t benefit…” he said. He appreciated that everyone was coming together to support this change, but his words hinted that the outcome of this might not be beneficial to many.
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2. Brian Rolapp’s bold ideas are earning player support
One noticeable shift is how players are responding to Brian Rolapp, a key figure driving the new schedule. Despite the scale of his ideas and the massive changes, Rolapp only received support and enthusiasm from the players. Scottie Scheffler was one of them.
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During a presser at the Hero World Challenge, Scottie Scheffler said of Rolapp, “He’s got a lot of ideas. He seems very smart and knowledgeable. He’s working really hard. I’ve been very pleased with the conversations that I’ve had with him and the things that I’ve been hearing. I think they’re looking at things the right way, and I’m excited about some of the changes they’re looking to make…”
Scheffler made it clear he trusts the direction Rolapp is pushing the Tour toward. Sure, they may be looking at some drastic changes in the coming few years, but Scheffler believes that the Tour is finally moving toward solutions that make sense.
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Even Jordan Spieth voiced his support for Rolapp, stating that communication is finally opening up. It was something players felt was lacking during Jay Monahan’s tenure. “I think they’re going to do a good job communicating that (speaking of the changes)…for players, the biggest thing is just open communication, open dialogue, and no hidden secrets,” Spieth said. “They seem open and willing to tell any member anything that was said last night…”
The Tour planning more meetings at upcoming events is another sign that players are being included more often, something that hasn’t always happened during previous changes on the tour.
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3. Some sponsors may be upset, but Tiger Woods says it’s necessary
Tiger Woods made it clear that this would be anything but a smooth process. Cutting or reshaping events means certain tournaments, sponsors, or players will lose out. As Golf Digest put it, “Given all the stakeholders involved, there are going to be hurt feelings and bruised egos. Woods, while again trying to underline that many voices are involved in this decision, did point out the obvious: some folks are not going to be happy…”
But Woods also stressed that transparency is a priority and that the aim is long-term stability. “It’s up to us at the committee to try to put it all together… This is something that’s going to be fantastic for all of the fans, for the players,” he quipped during the meeting.
His message was simple: the Tour can’t keep operating the way it has. And while not everyone will like the coming changes, he believes they’re essential for the future of professional golf.
Scottie Scheffler gives a frank view on The Open’s place in the game
Scottie Scheffler has put together an outstanding 2025 campaign on the PGA Tour, and many now view his Open Championship win as the standout moment of his career.
But at the time, it did not seem like that win meant any more to him than any of his other successes.
Before this year’s Open at Royal Portrush, Scheffler caused a bit of a stir by admitting that he does not get much personal satisfaction from winning tournaments.
He went as far as to say he was not sure why winning mattered to him in the first place.
Still, you could make a good case that this outlook is exactly what drives his success on the course.
Over the past year, comparisons between Scheffler and Tiger Woods have become more common, mainly due to how consistently he has been performing.
The July victory gave the Dallas native his fourth major title. If he continues at this pace – averaging one every two years until age 51, he would tie Woods’ total of 15 majors.
His victory at Royal Portrush in July may have been the most challenging one to secure.
Scottie Scheffler reflects on The Open Championship
Scheffler was in outstanding form at Royal Portrush, and his putting stood out in particular. He went on to win by four shots, never really looking troubled throughout the tournament.
He now has 19 PGA Tour wins under his belt, and he has recently spoken about what that specific win meant to him.
The 29-year-old, currently ranked number one in the world, is now looking to add another Hero World Challenge title to his name. Victory at Albany Golf Course would mark his third consecutive win at the event.
If he does win again, it would be his seventh of a remarkable season.
While speaking to reporters in the Bahamas, Scheffler was asked what memory from 2025 he thinks will stand out most when he looks back a decade from now.
“My fondest memory of this year? I mean, I think any season which you’re able to win major championships I think is very special, especially being able to win multiple majors. I think especially, I mean the PGA and The Open Championship – The Open Championship – the Claret Jug is a pretty cool trophy to have in your possession.”
“I think I underestimated what that feels like, and I’ve really enjoyed kind of having that at home and being able to celebrate with that.
“But I think a lot of times – the consistency that I played with this year I’m extremely proud of. I think for me to be able to put in as many top finishes as I did takes a lot of work and takes a lot of energy and focus to be able to do that.
“So I was proud of the discipline that I had throughout the season, and not only that discipline but also staying patient in the beginning of the year when things weren’t going as I’d hoped they would, I was still able to kind of ground out some decent finishes and keep myself in it, and then I started trending, trending and found myself in a really good spot in the middle of the year.”
Scottie Scheffler surprised with reaction to Open win
Scheffler has always been measured in his post-tournament remarks, and that did not change after his win at Portrush.
When asked about his emotions following his Open victory, he simply said: “Pretty good.”
His response drew a few raised eyebrows, including from Rich Beem, who called it “strange”.
Beem said: “It is a very strange phenomenon to hear someone who has just won that go ‘it feels pretty good’. It’s like really? Just pretty good.
“I think he is just masking some of it a little bit. I think inside there is a little bit more in there. I am assuming when he gets back home to the family and when he gets on the aeroplane they are going to pop some champagne and celebrate properly.”
Even though his reaction seemed subdued at first, Scheffler’s recent comments in the Bahamas show just how much that win meant to him.
He might not have fully realised it right away, but it is clear now that he understands just how significant his achievement was.
PGA hoping to identify 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captain by first quarter of next year
Tiger Woods revealed Tuesday that he’d not been asked about a potential U.S. Ryder Cup captaincy in 2027.
“No one’s asked me,” Woods said, twice actually while evading whether he’d even be interested in the gig.
The PGA of America wouldn’t confirm whether it planned on reaching out to the 15-time major champion about the lead job at Adare Manor in Ireland. Woods has previously served as a vice captain in 2016, and he also captained the 2019 U.S. Presidents Cup team.
However, a PGA spokesperson did share with Golf Channel this statement: “It’s our hope to identify the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captain by the first quarter of next year.”
Keegan Bradley, who captain this year’s U.S. side in its loss at Bethpage, said he’d love a second stint but reckoned that probably wouldn’t happen.
“Of course, I would love to do it again,” Bradley said. “I would love to avenge that loss, but that’s not up to me.”
Bradley added that the 2027 captaincy would be Woods’ if he wanted it.
“I think if Tiger wants to do this, he’s going to do it,” Bradley said. “Tiger is not only a hero to all of us that would be on his team, but he’s also an incredible leader and a person that everyone would love to play for. But I’m pretty sure when he wants to do this, he’s going to get to be able to do it.”
Other potential U.S. captains for Ireland include Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker.
The PGA typically announces its captain the spring of the year prior to the matches, though it didn’t select Bradley until July 2024.
Report: PGA to select Ryder Cup captain by first quarter of ’26
The PGA of America hopes to announce the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain in early 2026, Golf Channel reported Thursday.
PGA Tour Names Rookie Of The Year Finalists
The PGA Tour announced on Wednesday it’s five finalists for 2025 Rookie of the Year. Finalists were nominated by the PGA Tour Player Directors and the Player Advisory Counsel (PAC). Over the next week, PGA Tour members who played in a minimum of 15 official FedEx Cup events will vote and a winner will be announced. Below are the five finalists and some of their resumes from the 2025 season.
Aldrich Potgieter
The odds on favorite to win the award, the long-hitting Potgieter led the PGA Tour in driving distance this season. He used that power to win the Rocket Classic in Detroit. That win was on the heels of a playoff loss at the Mexico Open earlier in the season.
Potgieter was the only rookie on the PGA Tour in 2025 to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs. Although he only made the cut in 9 of his 26 events played, his win and playoff loss will make him the heavy favorite to win the award. Potgieter finished the FedEx Cup fall 56th place in the standings. He currently sits at 79th in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
William Mouw
Winner of the ISCO Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Mouw was propelled to a one-shot win with a final round 61 (-9). The former Pepperdine product, Mouw also had two other top 10 finishes this season at the 3M Open and Puerto Rico Open.
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For the season, Mouw made the cut in 14 of his 24 events played and finished the season in 89th place on the FedEx Cup fall standings. He is currently ranked 114th in the OWGR.
Steven Fisk
Steven Fisk had a very solid rookie season on the PGA Tour in 2025 making the cut in 16 of the 27 events he teed it up in. His solid play culminated in a victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi this fall.
For the season, Fisk had one other top 10 finish, which came at the Puerto Rico Open. He finished the season in 73rd place on the FedEx Cup fall standings. Fisk’s currently ranked 105th in the OWGR.
Karl Vilips
Karl Vilips, a Stanford graduate and wearer of Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red brand, is another finalist for the Rookie of the Year award. Vilips won the Puerto Rico Open for his first PGA Tour victory and made the cut in 12 of the 21 starts he made in 2025 on the PGA Tour.
Besides the win, he also had a top 10 finish while teaming up with Michael Thorbjornsen in New Orleans at the Zurich Classic. Vilips finished the FedEx Cup fall season at number 100 in the standings. He currently is ranked 141st in the OWGR.
Michael Brennan
Michael Brennan took the golf world by storm this fall as he won the Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert. Brennan only played in four events on the PGA Tour in 2025, but still finds himself a finalist for Rookie of the Year after a blistering fall season.
Besides becoming just the seventh player since 1970 to win a PGA Tour tournament within his first three starts with his win in Utah, Brennan made the cut in all four events that he played in. Despite playing in just four events, Brennan finished the season as the 98th ranked player in the FedEx Cup fall standings. He is currently ranked 35th in the OWGR.
PGA Tour Pro Can’t Hide Frustration With Brian Rolapp’s New Vision for the Tour
The PGA Tour spent years fighting LIV Golf’s threat to its identity. Now, under new CEO Brian Rolapp, it faces a different battle—one from within its own membership.
Kevin Kisner made that tension clear during his December 5 appearance on Trey Wingo’s ‘Straight Facts Homie!’ podcast. The four-time PGA Tour winner praised Rolapp’s leadership and acknowledged the Tour’s stability post-LIV. But his language revealed something else entirely. Wedged between optimism and endorsement sat three words that exposed the fracture: “I’m not in love.”
“I’m not in love with the designated or whatever they’re called events, signature events,” Kisner said. “You don’t really need to be having two different levels of the tour. Let’s just have 25 events. They all matter the same, and all the sponsors matter the same.”
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Kisner was talking about signature events. The limited-field tournaments that defined the Tour’s 2024 and 2025 restructuring. And his discomfort wasn’t subtle. His preference was direct. A unified structure where meritocracy still determined outcomes. Not a tiered system that separates the elite from everyone else.
“But I think Brian, I’ve talked to Brian Rolapp, the new CEO, a bunch, and I think he’s a great guy, and he really has some strategic ideas on how to elevate our game, elevate the game to the fans, and uh really take this whole organization to the next step,” Kisner explained about his meetings with Rolapp. He added, “So, he’s got a lot of great guys working for him and with them and and uh I feel good about it.”
To sum it up, that’s the friction Rolapp now faces. He arrived in June 2025 after more than two decades with the NFL as Chief Media and Business Officer. His resume includes creating Thursday Night Football and negotiating media deals worth over $110 billion. His mandate at the PGA Tour is similar: maximize engagement and apply NFL-style efficiency to golf’s traditional structure.
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But the signature events model creates opportunity gaps. Fields feature 70-80 players, $20 million purses, and 700 FedEx Cup points for winners. Five events have no cuts. Three player-hosted invitationals retain 36-hole cuts to the top 50 and ties.
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, who earned over $29 million in career earnings, still feel the squeeze. He represents the Tour’s veteran class—players who thrived under traditional meritocracy but now face limited access to the biggest purses.
And Kisner wasn’t afraid to name the risk. “Now, you’re going to have to lose some title sponsors when you get less events,” he said. “And how many people are you going to frustrate that don’t want to be strategic partners with you? I’m not smart enough to do that, but that’s why Brian’s got the job.”
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It was support. But it was also distancing.
Brian Rolapp’s NFL strategy divides PGA Tour players
Other players have been more direct. Jake Knapp, defending Mexico Open champion, told GOLF’s Subpar podcast he hadn’t heard anyone support the new direction “other than the top 10 dudes in the world that seem to be calling the shots.” Lucas Glover called signature events a “money grab” and “selfish.”
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Even analysts raised alarms. Eamon Lynch from Golfweek warned that Rolapp’s NFL instincts—focused on American football season avoidance—could harm golf’s year-round, global fan base. “Rolapp’s last job involved catering to NFL fans,” Lynch wrote. “He shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking his current job asks the same.”
Yet Rolapp’s strategies reflect his NFL roots. He’s exploring a post-Super Bowl season start to avoid viewership battles with football. The logic is sound. Golf can’t compete with the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl, which dominate U.S. sports media in January and February.
Kisner agreed with the approach. At least partially. “From a weather standpoint, why do we go to California in January when it’s fantastic there in March?” he said. “Obviously, we know we can’t compete with the Giant of the NFL.”
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But he also embraced Rolapp’s broader philosophy. When Wingo mentioned Rolapp’s statement—”We will honor the traditions but we won’t be bound by them”—Kisner didn’t hesitate. “I agree with that totally,” he said. “Just because it’s all the way you’ve always done it doesn’t mean it’s right.”
That’s the paradox Kisner embodies. He supports modernization. He trusts Rolapp’s vision. He acknowledges the Tour is healthier post-LIV. “I think the threat of them taking top players and us losing our product is pretty much gone,” he said.
Yet his reservations about signature events and sponsor fallout reveal the fundamental tension. Can the Tour adopt NFL-style efficiency without losing the meritocratic identity that differentiated it from LIV?
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At a recent Hero World Challenge meeting, Tiger Woods and Rolapp discussed major changes coming in 2027. Scottie Scheffler praised Rolapp’s ideas and called him “very smart and knowledgeable.” But Brian Harman offered a warning. “Change is hard,” Harman said. “In every situation, there’s going to be people that benefit and people that don’t benefit.”
Kisner’s comments suggest he’s caught between those outcomes. He’s vocal enough to express concern. Pragmatic enough to defer to leadership. But uncertain whether the changes will preserve the opportunities that built his career.
“I think they got a huge strategic decision on what the schedule starts to shake out,” Kisner said. And then he placed his faith where it needed to go. “I’m going to trust that he’s going to make the best decisions for the players and our equity stakes in the PGA Tour and we all want them to succeed because then we all make more money.”
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It’s guarded optimism at its finest. Public endorsement wrapped around quiet skepticism. And it reveals the question now facing Rolapp’s leadership: Will his business-first approach strengthen the Tour or alienate the very players and sponsors it needs to succeed?
Tiger Woods: What the Future May Hold For the PGA TOUR
The Man Who Won’t Stop Building
I’ve been in this game for nearly three decades, and I’ve watched Tiger Woods do things that seemed impossible. Winning 15 majors. Coming back from multiple back surgeries. That 2019 Masters win that had grown men crying in sports bars across America.
But here’s what strikes me most about Tiger right now: he’s not done building.
As he approaches his 50th birthday, just weeks removed from disc replacement surgery, Tiger isn’t sitting on a beach somewhere counting his money and reliving past glories. He’s chairing the Future Competitions Committee. He’s in daily meetings about the 2027 and 2028 PGA TOUR schedules. He’s interviewing CMOs, tournament directors, and media partners to figure out how to make professional golf better for everyone.
And I can’t help but wonder: is this the most important thing Tiger Woods will ever do for golf?
The Blank Slate Approach
What fascinates me about the Future Competitions Committee is how they’re approaching this. Tiger said something in his press conference at the Hero World Challenge that really stuck with me:
NFL mandates playing surfaces for all stadiums meet new standards by 2028 to enhance player safety
By JOSH DUBOW
The playing surfaces at every NFL stadium will have to meet new enhanced standards set through lab and field testing by the start of the 2028 season.
NFL field director Nick Pappas detailed the plans for the program on Thursday that will provide each team “a library of approved and accredited NFL fields” before the start of next season. Any new field will immediately have to meet those standards and all teams will have two years to achieve it, whether they are grass, synthetic or a hybrid.
Pappas said the fields will have undergone extensive testing and been approved by a joint committee with the NFLPA. He compared to the testing that has led to new standards for helmets.
“It’s sort of a red, yellow, green effect, where we’re obviously trying to phase out fields that we have determined to be less ideal than newer fields coming into the industry,” he said. “This is a big step for us. This is something that I think has been a great outcome from the Joint Surfaces Committee of the work, the deployment and development of devices determining the appropriate metrics, and ultimately providing us with a way to substantiate the quality of fields more so than we ever have in the past.”
Pappas said fields have been tested in labs and on site using two main tools with one called the BEAST that is a traction testing device that replicates the movements of an NFL player and another called the STRIKE Impact Tester that helps determine the firmness of each field.
The goal of the league is to find fields that are as consistent as possible across all 30 NFL stadiums, as well as at each stadium throughout the season. Pappas said the “key pillars” for a field are optimized playability, reducing injury risk and player feedback.
The NFL has no plans to require natural grass fields across the league with the league’s chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills saying there is no “statistically significant differences” in lower extremity injuries or concussions that can be attributed to the type of playing surface or a specific surface despite widespread preferences from players for grass fields and complaints about surfaces such as the one at MetLife Stadium where the New York Giants and Jets play.
“The surface is only one driver of these lower extremity injuries,” Sills said. “There are a lot of other factors, including player load and previous history and fatigue and positional adaptability and cleats that are worn. So surfaces are a component, but it is a complex equation, and so I’m excited about where we are in the work because I think we’ll get away from a very crude measurement of artificial here and the grass here, and now we can say for any individual surface, let’s look at the biophysical properties of that surface. How might those correlate with injury? And then, obviously, how do we optimize them?”
Pappas also shared plans for the Super Bowl to be held on Feb. 8 at the San Francisco 49ers home at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The field has been growing at a sod farm about two hours east of the Bay Area with Pappas making several visits over the past 18 months to monitor the field.
The league will plan to install the field around the third week in January — or later if the 49ers could be hosting playoff games.
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NFL mandates new playing surfaces for all stadiums by 2028 to enhance player safety
Each NFL stadium will have to install a new playing surface by the start of the 2028 season to meet standards set through lab and field testing.
NFL field director Nick Pappas detailed the plans for the program on Thursday that will provide each team “a library of approved and accredited NFL fields” before the start of next season. Teams will then have two years to install the new approved playing surfaces, whether they are grass, synthetic or a hybrid.
Pappas said the fields will have undergone extensive testing and been approved by a joint committee with the NFLPA. He compared to the testing that has led to new standards for helmets.
“It’s sort of a red, yellow, green effect, where we’re obviously trying to phase out fields that we have determined to be less ideal than newer fields coming into the industry,” he said. “This is a big step for us. This is something that I think has been a great outcome from the Joint Service Committee of the work, the deployment and development of devices determining the appropriate metrics, and ultimately providing us with a way to substantiate the quality of fields more so than we ever have in the past.”
Pappas said fields have been tested in labs and on site using two main tools with one called the BEAST that is a traction testing device that replicates the movements of an NFL player and another called the STRIKE Impact Tester that helps determine the firmness of each field.
The goal of the league is to find fields that are as consistent as possible across all 30 NFL stadiums, as well as at each stadium throughout the season. Pappas said the “key pillars” for a field are optimized playability, reducing injury risk and player feedback.
The NFL has no plans to require natural grass fields across the league with the league’s chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills saying there is no “statistically significant differences” in lower extremity injuries or concussions that can be attributed to the type of playing surface or a specific surface despite widespread preferences from players for grass fields and complaints about surfaces such as the one at MetLife Stadium where the New York Giants and Jets play.
“The surface is only one driver of these lower extremity injuries,” Sills said. “There are a lot of other factors, including player load and previous history and fatigue and positional adaptability and cleats that are worn. So surfaces are a component, but it is a complex equation, and so I’m excited about where we are in the work because I think we’ll get away from a very crude measurement of artificial here and the grass here, and now we can say for any individual surface, let’s look at the biophysical properties of that surface. How might those correlate with injury? And then, obviously, how do we optimize them?”
Pappas also shared plans for the Super Bowl to be held on Feb. 8 at the San Francisco 49ers home at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The field has been growing at a sod farm about two hours east of the Bay Area with Pappas making several visits over the past 18 months to monitor the field.
The league will plan to install the field around the third week in January — or later if the 49ers could be hosting playoff games.
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NFL, union agree to new model for picking playing surfaces
The NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed to a new model for selecting playing surfaces in stadiums, one that will require teams to choose from an approved set of manufacturers and styles for both natural and synthetic fields.
The policy will apply to any teams that plan to replace their surfaces for the 2026 season. By the 2028 season, all stadiums will be required to have approved fields.
Nick Pappas, the NFL’s field director, described the model as similar to the NFL/NFLPA helmet policy, where players must choose from a list of accredited helmet models.
NFL mandates new playing surfaces for all stadiums by 2028
Each NFL stadium will have to install a new playing surface by the start of the 2028 season to meet standards set through lab and field testing.
NFL field director Nick Pappas on Thursday detailed the plans for the program that will provide each team “a library of approved and accredited NFL fields” before the start of next season. Teams then will have two years to install the new approved playing surfaces, whether they are grass, synthetic or a hybrid.
Pappas said the fields will have undergone extensive testing and been approved by a joint committee with the NFLPA. He compared it to the testing that has led to new standards for helmets.
“It’s sort of a red, yellow, green effect, where we’re obviously trying to phase out fields that we have determined to be less ideal than newer fields coming into the industry,” he said. “This is a big step for us.”
Pappas said fields have been tested in labs and on site using two main tools. One called the BEAST is a traction testing device that replicates the movements of an NFL player. Another called the STRIKE Impact Tester helps determine the firmness of each field.
The goal of the league is to find fields that are as consistent as possible across all 30 NFL stadiums, as well as at each stadium throughout the season. Pappas said the “key pillars” for a field are optimized playability, reducing injury risk and player feedback.
The NFL has no plans to require natural grass fields across the league with the league’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, saying there is no “statistically significant differences” in lower-extremity injuries or concussions that can be attributed to the type of playing surface or a specific surface — despite widespread preferences from players for grass fields and complaints about surfaces such as the one at MetLife Stadium, where the New York Giants and Jets play.
“The surface is only one driver of these lower-extremity injuries,” Sills said. “There are a lot of other factors, including player load and previous history and fatigue and positional adaptability and cleats that are worn.
“So surfaces are a component, but it is a complex equation and so I’m excited about where we are in the work because I think we’ll get away from a very crude measurement of artificial here and the grass here, and now we can say for any individual surface, let’s look at the biophysical properties of that surface. How might those correlate with injury? And then, obviously, how do we optimize them?”
Pappas also shared plans for the Super Bowl to be held Feb. 8 at the San Francisco 49ers home at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The field has been growing at a sod farm about two hours east of the Bay Area, with Pappas making several visits over the past 18 months to monitor the field.
The league will plan to install the field around the third week in January — or later if the 49ers could be hosting playoff games.
With Safety in Mind, NFL Mandates New Playing Surfaces for All Stadiums by 2028
Each NFL stadium will have to install a new playing surface by the start of the 2028 season to meet standards set through lab and field testing.
NFL field director Nick Pappas detailed the plans for the program on Thursday that will provide each team
Reps: The World Cup, Olympics and More Are Coming to America-But a Bureaucratic Hurdle Risks Empty Stadiums | Opinion
The countdown to the world’s largest soccer tournament has begun. This week, the United States takes center stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, where the opening round of matchups will be set. With 48 nations vying for soccer’s ultimate prize—up from 32 countries in 2022—FIFA26 will be the largest in World Cup history.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just one of the major international sporting competitions the U.S. is hosting over the next 10 years, including the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. These events are a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the U.S. to deliver lasting economic benefits to communities nationwide while shining bright on the world stage.
The truest measure of a sporting event’s success is a stadium filled with fans from around the world. Yet, as the United States gears up for what is being called the “American Decade of Sports,” a bureaucratic hurdle risks upending our success: delays in issuing traveler visas.
As bipartisan members of Congress from California, the state poised to host the most international sporting events in the coming decade, we cannot overstate the unprecedented economic potential these games bring—or the colossal mistake it would be to let this opportunity slip through our fingers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, both domestic and international tourism accounted for an estimated 3 percent of all U.S. gross domestic product in 2023. We have the chance to surpass that during the American Decade of Sports.
The 2026 World Cup is projected to deliver a staggering $30.5 billion in gross economic output across 11 host cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco/Bay Area and Seattle. The tournament is also set to support more than 185,000 full-time equivalent jobs and contribute over $3.4 billion to government coffers.
Just two years later, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles are expected to generate $18.3 billion in output. The LA28 Games are anticipated to create upwards of 100,000 full-time equivalent jobs, along with more than $7 billion in wages and $1.5 billion in federal tax revenue. These economic impacts go far beyond LA city limits. Already, the Netherlands Olympic Committee has selected Mission Viejo as its primary pre-games training site, and Anaheim will be home to Olympic volleyball.
Combined, these two events alone are expected to generate more economic output than Vermont’s total GDP in 2023.
The key driver of this surge in economic activity is the striking disparity in spending between domestic and international travelers. According to the U.S. Travel Association, overseas visitors spend an average of $4,000 per trip in the United States—over eight times more than domestic travelers.
Securing these benefits for our communities depends on our ability to welcome international fans to host cities. So, you can imagine our alarm when we discovered that our visa system is not equipped for these games to succeed.
Currently, there are major delays in issuing visas for visitors from the 151 countries whose citizens require a visa to enter the United States. Due to high visa demand and limited resources at U.S. embassies abroad—where each applicant must be interviewed and evaluated—visa appointment wait times can extend to several months or over a year.
The scale of this challenge is staggering: An estimated 6 million fans will travel to the U.S. for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, followed by another 15 million visitors for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Of the 42 qualifying nations so far, fans in Algeria, Canada, Colombia, Mexico and Paraguay who wish to travel to the U.S. to cheer on their nations’ teams face visa wait times longer than six months, which is the amount of time remaining before the first 2026 World Cup match. Others who don’t plan their travels months in advance could face similar delays.
The Trump Administration has begun taking important steps toward confronting this challenge. Following a bipartisan letter we led to the administration in May, President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a federal Olympics Task Force to streamline credentialing and visa processing ahead of LA28. The administration has also launched FIFA PASS to fast-track World Cup visa appointments and cut wait times.
These actions are essential to improving capacity and getting ahead of demand, but we can’t take our foot off the gas.
Approaching the next 10 years as if it were business as usual would be a costly mistake. We risk self-sabotage and failure on the international stage if the State Department cannot manage the surge in visa processing needed to ensure our communities receive the benefits they have worked hard for and were promised.
Tackling this ticking time bomb requires swift and decisive action—the kind America excels at.
The first step is to ensure that our overseas diplomatic missions are adequately resourced to reflect our top priority: encouraging international participation in the World Cup, Olympics and beyond.
The next step is to implement innovative solutions that streamline the visa process. In our May letter, we proposed several key measures: reduce duplicative visa requirements for accredited attendees, expand processing capacity at U.S. consulates in countries with high fan demand and allocate dedicated diplomatic personnel to handle sporting event-related visa applications.
The first 2026 FIFA World Cup game on U.S. soil is just under 200 days away. Whether we’re capable of welcoming the world depends on our next steps.
As lawmakers committed to unlocking the full potential of the American Decade of Sports, we’re ready to work with President Donald Trump, Secretary Marco Rubio and colleagues across the aisle to ensure these historic games are a resounding success. The time for urgent and coordinated action is now. Let’s get to work.
Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove is in her second term representing California’s 37th District, which includes South Los Angeles and Culver City. In Congress, she serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees and as whip of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Congresswoman Young Kim represents California’s 40th District, spanning parts of Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. She chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific and serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
The views expressed in this article are the writers’ own.
NFL mandates playing surfaces for all stadiums meet new standards
The playing surfaces at every NFL stadium will have to meet new enhanced standards set through lab and field testing by the start of the 2028 season.
NFL field director Nick Pappas detailed the plans for the program on Thursday that will provide each team “a library of approved and accredited NFL fields” before the start of next season. Any new field will immediately have to meet those standards and all teams will have two years to achieve it, whether they are grass, synthetic or a hybrid.
Pappas said the fields will have undergone extensive testing and been approved by a joint committee with the NFLPA. He compared to the testing that has led to new standards for helmets.
“It’s sort of a red, yellow, green effect, where we’re obviously trying to phase out fields that we have determined to be less ideal than newer fields coming into the industry,” he said. “This is a big step for us. This is something that I think has been a great outcome from the Joint Surfaces Committee of the work, the deployment and development of devices determining the appropriate metrics, and ultimately providing us with a way to substantiate the quality of fields more so than we ever have in the past.”
Pappas said fields have been tested in labs and on site using two main tools with one called the BEAST that is a traction testing device that replicates the movements of an NFL player and another called the STRIKE Impact Tester that helps determine the firmness of each field.
The goal of the league is to find fields that are as consistent as possible across all 30 NFL stadiums, as well as at each stadium throughout the season. Pappas said the “key pillars” for a field are optimized playability, reducing injury risk and player feedback.
The NFL has no plans to require natural grass fields across the league with the league’s chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills saying there is no “statistically significant differences” in lower extremity injuries or concussions that can be attributed to the type of playing surface or a specific surface despite widespread preferences from players for grass fields and complaints about surfaces such as the one at MetLife Stadium where the New York Giants and Jets play.
“The surface is only one driver of these lower extremity injuries,” Sills said. “There are a lot of other factors, including player load and previous history and fatigue and positional adaptability and cleats that are worn. So surfaces are a component, but it is a complex equation, and so I’m excited about where we are in the work because I think we’ll get away from a very crude measurement of artificial here and the grass here, and now we can say for any individual surface, let’s look at the biophysical properties of that surface. How might those correlate with injury? And then, obviously, how do we optimize them?”
Pappas also shared plans for the Super Bowl to be held on Feb. 8 at the San Francisco 49ers home at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The field has been growing at a sod farm about two hours east of the Bay Area with Pappas making several visits over the past 18 months to monitor the field.
The league will plan to install the field around the third week in January — or later if the 49ers could be hosting playoff games.
2025 Northwest Herald Girls Tennis Players of the Year: Marian Central’s Jenna Remke and Julia Lukey
Marian Central senior Jenna Remke and sophomore Julia Lukey united to win the Chicagoland Christian Conference and Class 1A sectional doubles championships before capping off their standout season with a top-eight finish at state.
Remke (30-5) and Lukey (31-4) were each named to the All-State second team for their efforts this season. The Hurricane doubles duo opened the 1A state tournament with three wins in a row. After a win and a loss on the second day, the two bowed out with a loss in the consolation semifinals to earn a top-eight finish.
As a result of Remke and Lukey’s efforts, along with strong play from sophomore Jordan Cheng at singles, Marian Central took 10th out of 57 1A schools at the state tournament. Both Remke and Lukey were named to the Northwest Herald All-Area first team last year, with Remke also earning All-Area consideration as a sophomore.
For their performance, Remke and Lukey were selected as the 2025 Northwest Herald Girls Tennis Players of the Year from the sports staff, with input from area coaches. Huntley’s Ainura and Gulnura Baidylaeva, Crystal Lake Central’s Evie Johnson, Hampshire’s Isabella Kowalak and Huntley’s Ella Doughty also were considered for the honor.
Remke and Lukey spoke with Northwest Herald sports writer Russ Hodges about their season, favorite moments and more.
Where have you improved the most as doubles teammates from last season to this season?
Remke: As doubles teammates, Julia and I improved the most in our communication and court awareness, allowing us to play more confidently knowing we had each other’s backs in each and every point.
Lukey: Learning how to play with each other. Jenna’s a super good net player, so she can be really good at the net. I was definitely nervous coming into my freshman year, and it was a little scary playing doubles with someone I hadn’t met. We were able to find out connection, and it panned out really well.
How do your skills complement each other on the court?
Remke: Everyone watching us always said I was able to get to nearly any ball, and Jules was able to close out rallies with ease. This dynamic gave us many opportunities to win points and stay in control of the match.
Lukey: She’s a really good net and volley player and she knows when to be aggressive. I’m a pretty good baseline player, so with her being good at the net, it works out because I’m good at rallying it out and she’ll be really good at finishing at the net.
How are the two of you able to maintain good chemistry?
Remke: We are able to maintain good chemistry throughout the season by talking and giving high fives after every point and lifting each other up even in tough matches.
Lukey: Pumping each other up is the main thing. It’s super hard when you’re slowly starting to lose, but when you have a good partner and you know you can play well, we know that we can do it. We pump each other up and stay positive the entire time.
What were your favorite moments from this season?
Remke: My singular favorite moment from the season was saying a Hail Mary with Julia in the middle of our match tiebreaker in the quarterfinals. We always found time to thank the Lord for giving up the opportunity to compete.
Lukey: State. We had so many good matches against so many good girls and we really stepped it up, which was really fun.
What did it mean to be named to the All-State team this year?
Remke: It definitely meant so much to be named to the All-State Team. It was truly a reflection of all the hard work me and Julia put in throughout the season and the support of all of our coaches and family.
Lukey: I didn’t even know if I was going to go to high school or be homeschooled, so to be doing this well in high school tennis means so much to me, especially since I’ve played for so long. Being seen for an accomplishment like that feels unreal.
What’s your favorite thing to eat or drink before a match?
Remke: My favorite thing to eat or drink before a match was an iced coffee. Not super nourishing, but it became a part of my routine before early morning matches.
Lukey: Either Mott’s gummies or Goldfish and some sort of Liquid IV or water.
What kind of music pumps you up before a match?
Remke: On the bus on the way to matches, we would always sing to music as a team, whether it was our favorite country songs or just music to get us excited to play.
Lukey: I’m into all sorts of rock, so people like Deftones and Pink Floyd. I really like Gorillaz. On the more chill side, I really like Amy Winehouse.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Remke: My favorite athlete is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone because she dominates the 200 and 400 (meter) races in track and field, winning gold medals at the Olympics and World Championships, and does it all while praising the Lord.
Lukey: Jannik Sinner. I love watching him and I love looking up to him. He’s so amazing and he’s so fun to watch him play. I was in Italy once and I didn’t get to see him play, but I got to watch him practice his serves and it was unreal for me.
What’s an interesting fact people may not know about you?
Remke: An interesting fact people may not know about me is I am chasing the outdoor 400-meter all-time record at my school, following in the footsteps of my sister, who has the 300-meter hurdle record.
Russian Tennis Turns Heads As Players Shifting Allegiance Signals Deeper Troubles
Tennis may look like a solo sport, but it often carries the pride of an entire nation. Yet, sometimes players take a different path and switch nationalities, and that trend has taken hold this season. Four Russian players have already made that move, sparking plenty of debate and curiosity around the sport.
The latest is Anastasia Potapova, who revealed the change on December 4 through her Instagram. With that announcement, she became the fourth Russian star to do so this year, following Daria Kasatkina, Maria Timofeeva, and Kamilla Rakhimova.
“I am thrilled to announce that my naturalization request has been accepted by the Austrian government,” she wrote. “Austria is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home. I love being in Wien and look forward to making my second home there. As part of this I am proud to announce that starting from 2026 I will be representing my new homeland Austria in my professional tennis career from this point onwards.”
Potapova’s statement gives a glimpse into her personal reasons, but it also opens the door to a bigger question. What’s driving Russian players to change their sporting nationality? Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, athletes from Russia have competed without the right to represent their country. That’s a situation that continues to affect many. But is that truly the whole story, or is there more beneath the surface? Let’s dive in.
Daria Kasatkina makes a bold choice to change her nationality
Kasatkina, the World No.37 and former World No.8, made headlines earlier this year when she became the first player to switch from Russia to Australia. She officially began representing her new country in late March 2025, making a bold and emotional move that marked a fresh chapter in her journey both on and off the court. Later, in a candid chat with Sky Sports on April 22, just before the Madrid Open, Kasatkina opened up about the life-changing move. When asked what the experience felt like, she didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Well, that was a bit stressful, I’m not gonna lie,” she admitted. But the real reason behind the switch, she explained, came down to freedom. “Well, I mean, in my situation, I mean I end up in a situation where I had to make certain choices and if I want to live openly and freely as I want to, I had to make this tough, but I think important and the right, decision for my future and Australia, it goes well with my philosophy. The way I see the life, the way I want to live.”
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For Kasatkina, this decision was years in the making. Back in July 2022, she publicly came out in an interview with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko. She spoke about identifying as non-binary and confirmed her relationship with Russian-Estonian figure skater Natalia Zabiiako. The reaction to that openness was complicated, highlighting the immense pressure of “living in the closet” in a country where LGBTQ+ rights remain a tense issue.
That struggle slowly pushed her away from Russia, and for a while, Kasatkina found herself in a kind of limbo—a tennis player without a flag. But in Australia, she finally felt a sense of belonging. “So Australia, it’s an amazing country. I have been there like couple of times already and it’s a very welcome country where everyone is just, you know, just living all along together and it feels great and I’m really happy to be very welcome there,” she shared with a smile.
For Kasatkina, the change isn’t just about a new flag or a new passport. It’s about finding peace and starting over somewhere that reflects who she truly is. And as she continues her journey in tennis as an Aussie, it’s clear this move is about much more than sport, it’s about finally being free to live the life she’s always wanted. But this isn’t the only reason for the rest!
Family connections play a role for Maria Timofeeva
After Daria Kasatkina’s big leap earlier this year, another player has followed suit! In October, 21-year-old Maria Timofeeva officially changed her sporting nationality and will now compete for Uzbekistan. The Moscow-born player’s switch turned heads across the tennis world, marking another sign of shifting tides in Russian tennis.
“Yes, Maria Timofeeva has officially changed her nationality and is now competing under Uzbekistan’s flag. Her entire family – her mother and father – have been living in Tashkent for over six months. She personally came to the federation and obtained both her foreign passport and ID card,” confirmed Irina Tulyaganova, Vice President of the Uzbekistan Tennis Federation.
Currently ranked No.146 in the WTA standings, Timofeeva reached her career-high of No.93 earlier. Just a day before the news broke, on October 19, she claimed the ITF W75 title in Portugal, sealing the win right before unveiling her new chapter. With the change, she instantly became Uzbekistan’s top female player, overtaking veteran Vlada Ekshibarova, who sits at No.1012.
Maria’s journey has been an interesting one. Trained in Koper, Slovenia, under coach Anež Morel, she burst onto the scene in 2023 with a stunning WTA debut title in Budapest, defeating Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl in the final. An untimely injury led to a three-month break soon after, but she bounced back strong in 2024, making the fourth round of the Australian Open through qualifying. So far, she’s earned close to $800,000 in prize money.
As for why the move happened, there’s a bigger story beneath the surface. “We have a difficult situation in Russian tennis: no domestic tournaments, no functioning league, and no funding for player development,” Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpishchev told TASS. “Around a thousand of our players are competing abroad, and about 20 may soon start playing for other nations.”
Timofeeva seems to be part of that wave. Having trained abroad for years in Slovenia and Germany, her global exposure made the switch to Uzbekistan a natural step. For the Uzbek Tennis Federation, it’s a huge win, a new star to elevate the country’s growing presence in the sport. Neither Timofeeva nor the federation has made an official statement yet, but the WTA records make it official. And she’s just the latest name joining the list of players finding new homes on the court.
Kamilla Rakhimova eyes Olympics via Uzbek roots
On December 1, the Uzbekistan Tennis Federation confirmed the arrival of a new name under its banner: Kamilla Rakhimova. The 24-year-old, once a Russian representative, has officially switched nationalities and now plays for Uzbekistan. Ranked as high as No.60 in the world, Rakhimova has quietly built an impressive record since making her Tour debut in 2019. Her résumé includes a WTA 125 title in Mexico, two WTA doubles crowns, and third-round appearances in three of the four Grand Slams. Earlier this year, she even stunned Jasmine Paolini at Wimbledon, proving her place among the sport’s rising forces.
Though Rakhimova hasn’t spoken publicly about her decision, her roots tell a clear story. Her mother, Rufina Rakhimova, once played tennis for the Uzbek SSR, while her brother Timur was born in Tashkent. The Uzbek Tennis Federation greeted the switch as a landmark moment.
“The arrival of Kamila Rakhimova to the Uzbekistan national team is an event of historic significance,” said Secretary General Sador Kamilov. “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.”
Rakhimova has already kicked off her new chapter at the WTA 125 event in Angers, France, where she opened with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win over Alina Korneeva on Monday. She’s now one of only two top-200 players representing Uzbekistan. Back in Russia, however, the move drew predictable curiosity.
“This isn’t betrayal, but a desire to play. She remains Russian, but is simply changing her sporting citizenship,” Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpischev told TASS. “These moves are happening because of the upcoming Olympics. She (Rakhimova) wouldn’t have made our national team. She might make it for Uzbekistan. But it’s not a given that she’ll make it. To qualify for the Olympics, you have to be in the top 60 or top 70.”
Her switch is part of a wider pattern. Since the war in Ukraine, Russian players have been competing under neutral flags, while Russia remains banned from hosting or entering team events like the Davis Cup. For Rakhimova, the move blends both family pride and professional opportunity. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, gains another solid player to build its growing tennis profile.
And now, with Anastasia joining the list as well, it’s really showing a pattern that these players seem to be making a loud statement through their quiet decisions. What’s your take on it?
Tennis Players Dominate 2025 World Highest
It is almost the end of another year, which means it is time for one of our favorite traditions: poring over Sportico’s list of the highest-paid female athletes of 2025.
For the third consecutive year, Coco Gauff remains the top-paid athlete with $31 million. Additionally, tennis players dominated the list. Four of the top five and ten out of the top 15 earners were tennis players.
However, there were major shakeups. Most notably, our wish for Aryna Sabalenka to get paid more has come true. Sabalenka soared from fifth to a close second, making $30 million.
2025 Highest-Paid Female Athletes
Sabalenka leaped over Iga Swiatek and Qinwen Zheng, both of whom made less money in tournament prize money this year. Skiing legend Eileen Gu remains the only non-tennis player in the top five, but slid from second to fourth.
As Sportico pointed out in its reporting, tennis remains the only major professional sport where women’s pay is comparable to that of their male counterparts. While the WTA Tour still trails the ATP at many tournaments, prize money is the same at the Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events.
Additionally, women are doing better with sponsorships. Six women earned at least $10 million off the court, compared to four active men at $10 million-plus.
Changes From 2024 List
There were other notable shakeups in this year’s list. Elena Rybakina and Madison Keys made major gains, while Naomi Osaka tumbled in the rankings. Emma Raducanu and Jasmine Paolini fell off the list altogether.
Of course, Raducanu has lost key sponsorships over the past year. In April, it was reported that Raducanu lost Vodafone as a sponsor after
College Signings I: Todt Hill resident Bianca Bush will continue tennis career at this Boston school
BRADENTON, Fla. — To Bianca Bush, finding a school where she can continue her tennis career was only part of the equation.
For starters, the Todt Hill resident was adamant about joining a team where she’d fit in nicely. In addition, it was important to find an institution that would support her academic needs.
Enter Emerson College.
“It’s a place that just felt right and I was all in on,’’ Bush said after visiting the Boston school. ”I love the location, I love the team, the coach and there was no doubt it was the right fit for me.’’
Bush recently made her commitment to the Lions’ program official and she’ll be relocating north from her current stay at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, sometime before next fall.
The 17-year-old said an IMG guidance counselor put her in contact with Emerson head coach Burke Paxton and it immediately got things rolling with the Division 3 school.
“My college counselor suggested Emerson and after speaking to (coach Paxton), we got along well right from the start and went from there,’’ explained Bush. ”Again, I just thought it was the right fit immediately.’’
Bush will bring an impressive resume with her to Beantown.
The right-hander, who boasts a strong forehand, qualified for the IMG International Tennis Tournament (16-under, Level 2) and made it to the second round. She competed in the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Juniors tourney and took part in the J30 Tourney in Brazil.
Paxton hasn’t seen Bush play live yet, but he’s planning to make a trip to Florida soon to see her in person. He did, however, get a good indication of her ability through her Universal Tennis Rating (UTR).
“He recruits by the level and believes I’m good enough to be on the team and top-three on the roster‚’’ said Bush, who has been competing since she was approximately 7-years-old. ”Coach is coming to Florida in a week or so and I’m very excited about showing him what I can do.’’
Bush, who attended Staten Island Academy her freshman year before transferring to IMG, is planning to major in Sports Communication at Emerson.
She also received interest from Occidental College.
“Pathetic”: Top Coach Rips ATP for Obsessively Hyping Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner
The 2025 ATP season really turned out to be all about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, didn’t it? From the clay of Roland-Garros to the grass of Wimbledon and the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, the story of men’s tennis has been all about the thrilling rivalry between these two young superstars. They shared the four Grand Slam titles, swapped the world No. 1 ranking, and delivered matches filled with high drama that turned every meeting into a must-see event.
This captivated fans around the world and led to record television ratings in important markets like Italy. But this intense celebration of the “Sincaraz” era has really stirred up some strong reactions from people in the sport. Calvin Betton, a well-known coach on the doubles circuit, is the one sharing his thoughts.
According to Swish Tennis on X, Betton expressed his frustration, but it wasn’t aimed at the players. Instead, he took issue with the ATP’s ‘hyper-focus’ on Sinner and Alcaraz, feeling it overshadowed the rest of the tour and especially doubles tennis.
“There is zero marketing for this (doubles). Zero marketing,” Betton stated. “They’re obsessed with, whenever Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner cross each other in a corridor, they’ll stick a camera there and go ‘two legends meet’. This happens every week; there is no reason for you to get it on camera all the time. It’s pathetic.”
The coach’s outburst really brings to light a key tension in today’s sports marketing world.
The ATP sees the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry as a real treasure. Their matchups in 2025, featuring three big finals, created an engaging story for casual fans and highlighted a significant statistical milestone, showcasing one of the youngest rivalries for the No. 1 spot in decades. This approach is clearly all about making money, aiming to grab as much attention and viewership as possible. But Betton argues that this commercial success has its downsides.
Focusing so much on just two players could really overshadow the other hundred-plus singles players and the whole doubles scene. This might end up hurting the sport’s long-term health and diversity.
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But there were also other voices expressing concerns during the 2025 season about the favoritism in the Sincaraz rivalry.
Zverev feels Alcaraz and Sinner given an added edge
Joining the conversation about the tour’s emphasis on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev has openly claimed that tournament directors are tweaking playing conditions to give an edge to the younger players.
After a match at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, Zverev shared his thoughts on the uniformity of court speeds.
“I hate when [court speeds are] the same. And I know that the tournament directors are going towards that direction because obviously they want Jannik and Carlos to do well every tournament.”
But he just couldn’t shake off those memories of how things used to be on the ATP tour.
“We always had different surfaces — you couldn’t play the same tennis the same way on a grass court, a hard court, and a clay court. Nowadays, you can play almost the same way on every surface,” he said.
As we look toward 2026, the sport faces a real challenge in balancing the undeniable charm of its biggest stars with the need to promote the entire competitive field. This will be crucial in deciding whether the tour is creating a lasting legacy or just going after the next viral moment.
Old American Sensation Lands Daniil Medvedev’s Former Coach In Surprise Move
In late summer 2025, the tennis scene saw a big shake-up when Daniil Medvedev and Gilles Cervara decided to part ways after an impressive eight years together. After a season that didn’t quite go as planned for Medvedev, with some early exits at Grand Slams and slipping out of the top 10 for the first time in over two years, the decision was made. Cervara, who helped Medvedev reach World No. 1, win the 2021 US Open, and snag six Masters 1000 titles, shared the main reason in a detailed interview.
“That ‘something’ was the energy around Daniil. So we needed to change the people involved,” he said. “I talked to Daniil after the US Open. He himself raised the idea: ‘After eight years, maybe it’s time for something different.’ I said to him: ’Listen, that’s exactly what needs to happen in my opinion, because I don’t think I can continue to make you perform in the energy state we’re in right now. You need something new, something different, to transform.’”
However, the well-known coach has a fresh player to mentor, focusing his skills on one of the most exciting young talents in American tennis. Gilles Cervara has been named the new coach for 20-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy, according to Quindici Zero on X. This partnership is an exciting new chapter for both, with Cervara bringing his top-level experience to a rising star who’s on the way up.
Basavareddy went pro in December 2024 after having two amazing seasons at Stanford University, and he’s just coming off a fantastic 2025. He made it to his first ATP Tour semifinal in Auckland, hit a career-high ranking of No. 99, and even managed to take a set off Novak Djokovic in an exciting first-round match at the Australian Open. He’s qualified for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah for the second year in a row!
It’s such a big deal since it’s the year-end tournament for the top players who are 20 and under. It looks like Basavareddy’s team is really aiming high with this move.
By looking for a coach like Cervara, who has been recognized as ATP Coach of the Year, the American is clearly putting his money where his mouth is to speed up his journey from a promising newcomer to a steady presence on the tour. However, recently, Daniil Medvedev has started to share more about the split with his long-time coach.
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Daniil Medvedev still recalls the days they were together
Do you recall when Daniil Medvedev mentioned, “When people disperse, it can’t be just one reason; there must be many.” This comment was made during the Asian swing, following the end of his eight-year partnership with coach Gilles Cervara.
Recently, when the Russian was asked about his coaching changes and if he still speaks with Cervara, he mentioned, “I keep in touch with my former coach a little. But it will never be daily again. It just so happens that I already know who he’ll be coaching, because we’ll most likely be training with that player during the preseason. And we’ll see each other on tour.”
They’ve been a team since 2017, and their big moment came in 2019 when Cervara was recognized as ATP Coach of the Year for helping Daniil Medvedev rise to prominence. During that season, Daniil snagged his first two Masters 1000 titles. He went on to win the Nitto ATP Finals in 2020, snagged his first major at the 2021 US Open, and claimed the World No. 1 ranking in 2022.
They’ve both experienced everything during their time together. From achieving peak performance in the sport to tumbling in tricky, high-pressure situations. Indeed, the split was definitely tough.
Girls’ tennis players end season satisfied at CIF Individuals tournament
Some of the architects of a special season for Corona del Mar High girls’ tennis gathered in uniform one last time Wednesday at Biszantz Family Tennis Center.
Two singles players and two doubles teams had all been knocked out in either the round of 16 or quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Individuals Tournament. Looking at the larger picture, it was impressive that the Sea Kings had six players among the final 48 still in contention across the section.
Coach Jamie Gresh told the players that their season was rare and extremely special.
“I wish I could play another year,” senior Emilie Lew told him, and he smiled.
“We’ll have you another year,” Gresh joked.
There will be no extended eligibility for the senior group, but their legacy is deep after helping CdM earn the CIF Southern Section Division 1 title, the SoCal Regional crown and advance to the CIF State championship match.
Senior twins Polina and Sasha Briggs, Lew and doubles player Isabel Roytman were all four-year varsity players.
“The season has been really, really fun,” Polina Briggs said. “Just having everyone here, I love hanging out with them. I think we’re just a really good team.”
CdM sophomore Julia Cross and freshman partner Sienna Lynn advanced the furthest at CIF Individuals, to the quarterfinals. They beat a team from Harvard-Westlake 6-4, 6-2 in the round of 16 before succumbing to No. 2-seeded Ava Min and Cassie Blakely of Palos Verdes, 6-2, 6-1, in the quarterfinals.
Cross and Lynn, the Sunset League doubles champions, play United States Tennis Assn. tournaments together often and are good friends. Lynn also was part of a strong freshman class at CdM, along with players like her usual doubles partner Addie DiNicola, Brynn Patterson and Olivia Lew. Those players will likely be future leaders.
“I thought it was really nice,” Lynn said. “I play outside of high school a lot with them, and we’re all really good friends. It was nice that we all got to play with each other and cheer each other on, watch each other. I definitely think that we all got a lot better this season, especially at doubles. It’ll be fun to practice more with them outside of high school.”
Both of CdM’s singles entrants lost in the round of 16. Lew, the Sunset League singles champion, fell to Valerie Machikawa of Whitney, 2-6, 6-4 and 11-9 in a match tiebreaker. Polina Briggs beat Michelle Qi of Westlake 6-3, 6-3 in the round of 32 before losing to No. 4-seeded Aashi Patel of Cerritos 7-5, 6-4 in the round of 16.
Briggs grinded against Patel, as the first set was 5-5 and she battled back from a 5-2 deficit in the second set. Serving to stay in the match, luck was a bit unkind to Briggs. Patel had a pair of shots hit the net cord and fall over during that final game.
“I feel like it hasn’t really kicked in yet,” Briggs said of her high school tennis career ending. “I feel like we’re just going to have another match next week. Next week, I’ll probably be more sad when I realize that the season is officially over.”
CdM’s other doubles team, Sasha Briggs and Roytman, lost 7-5, 6-1 to Sahana Chakravarthy and Payton Nguyen of Portola in the round of 16.
Rebecca MacCallum represented for Laguna Beach High at CIF Individuals. MacCallum, a junior who won the Pacific Hills League singles title, beat Adelaide Games of Mater Dei 6-2, 6-1 in the round of 32 before succumbing to No. 2-seeded Sophia Dimitrascu of Yorba Linda, 7-5, 6-3, in the round of 16.
MacCallum battled back from 5-2 to 5-5 in the opening set against the left-hander Dimitrascu. At that point, Dimitrascu called for a line judge. The final two games of the set were close, but the No. 2 seed won them both.
“I’m always happy as long as I compete well,” MacCallum said. “I think that’s very important, and I’m proud of that. I’m proud that I was able to come from being down so far as well, even though I didn’t end up winning the set. Her calling for a line judge, it didn’t really throw me off. It did halt my momentum a little bit, of course, because I had to wait, but we still had two pretty good and close games afterward.”
It was just the second loss of the season for MacCallum, the third of four tennis siblings to compete for the Breakers. Older sisters Sarah and Jessica both now compete at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, while younger brother Jacob is a freshman who will compete for the Laguna boys in the spring.
Rebecca MacCallum said she enjoys the atmosphere that high school tennis provides.
“I think it’s very nice to be able to play to your fullest potential, just because you don’t have so many stressors on you,” she said. “Even this match, I felt like I was really able to go for my serve and hit my shots, because I’m not worried about ratings and stuff. I think [high school tennis] is really fun and it brings back a love for tennis for a lot of people.”
Inaugural Atlanta Cup will feature tennis stars Naomi Osaka, Ben Shelton
The Gas South event will also include No. 1 women’s player Aryna Sabalenka and Australian men’s player Nick Kyrgios
The new Atlanta Cup exhibition at Gas South Arena will feature popular tennis players Naomi Osaka (left) and Ben Shelton, who was born in Atlanta and competed in the Atlanta Open twice. (AP)
After the ATP Tour killed off the Atlanta Open after 15 years last year, the city known for a thriving tennis culture was bereft of pro tennis.
So Jason Dolan, a former advertising executive, wanted to fill the void.
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Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is the top women’s tennis player in the world and will be Atlanta on Saturday. (Fatima Shbair/AP)
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FILE – Nick Kyrgios of Australia will play Ben Shelton on Saturday in Atlanta. (Ng Han Guan/AP)
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Coastal Canyon League selects its top performers from fall season
Sophomore Avyn McGugan of league champion Oak Park High was named the Most Valuable Player for the 2025 Coastal Canyon League girls volleyball season.
Selected to the first team were Andrea Mise and Eileen Dresel of Oak Park; Rhyan Muraoka and Mia Giorgi of Camarillo; Jaidan Alexander and Lauren Lacy of Royal; and Samantha Collins and Payton Holliday of Moorpark.
Selected to the second team were Julianna Galstian and Samantha Liba of Oak Park; Neariah Fasavalu and Sophia Addison of Camarillo; Ella Ragland and Emerson Moss of Royal; Lilliana Busch of Moorpark; and Kira Blakemore of Simi Valley.
Josh Giron of Oak Park was named the Coach of the Year.
FLAG FOOTBALL
Mya Rei Smith of league champion Camarillo was named the Most Valuable Player.
Stella Alessi of Camarillo was named the Offensive Player of the Year and Riley Kavanagh of Camarillo was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Selected to the first team were Riley Scupine of Oak Park; Payton Fraser and Camilla Rosalez of Moorpark; Mikaela Jones and Laila Gutierrez of Royal; Marlirose Demate of Camarillo; and Monique Ruiz and Alexis Scott of Simi Valley.
Selected to the second team were Chloe Joseph and Kyara McCarthy of Camarillo; Sonali Banerjee and Teagan Blakemore of Simi Valley; Hadiah Haidari and Claire Murray of Oak Park; Samantha Olivas and Zara Phillip of Moorpark; and Natasha Paloian and Annabelle Isaacs of Royal.
Michaeltore Smith of Camarillo was named the Coach of the Year.
BOYS WATER POLO
Reynold Owings of Camarillo and Marco Sanfelippo of league champion Royal were named the co-Most Valuable Players and Brent Sanders of Oak Park was named the Goalie of the Year.
Selected to the first team were Callan Kluck-Hodgins and Luca Bazerkanian of Thousand Oaks; Patrick Shea, Noah Conley and Connor Pagels of Royal; Mac Barlow and James Davis of Camarillo; and Trey Williams of Oak Park.
Named to the second team were Asher Mulford and Jacob Lev of Royal; Theodore Huzinschi and Roman Fox of Oak Park; Eric Shea and Hunter Collins of Thousand Oaks; and Matthew Willard and Christian Minero of Camarillo.
Ramiro Saldain of Royal was named the Coach of the Year.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Kean Castaneda of league champion Oak Park earned Runner of the Year honors.
Earning first-team honors were Ethan Marley, Dimitri Natale and Dhruv Kulkarni of Oak Park; Zackary Hatch of Moorpark; Jack Maynard of Camarillo; and Daniel Azcona of Simi Valley.
Earning second-team honors were Isaac Garcia and Saish Nemani of Moorpark; Ashton Curtis, Jaiden Chan and Ari Kalan of Oak Park; Roberto Loza Mendez of Camarillo; and Jesse Allegro of Royal.
Steve White of Oak Park was named the Coach of the Year.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Kathleen Lambe of league champion Oak Park earned Runner of the Year honors.
Earning first-team honors were Jenna Murray and Caylie Wight of Moorpark; Aine Pitillo and Sophia Perez of Oak Park; and Cecilia Vasquez and Acacia Rojas of Simi Valley.
Earning second-team honors were Michelle Vu, Tabitha Brown and Saoirse Boehm of Oak Park; Angela Busco and Madison Boucher of Royal; and Anabelle Espinoza and Angelica Espinoza of Simi Valley.
Steve White of Oak Park was named the Coach of the Year.
GIRLS GOLF
Nina Xu of league champion Oak Park earned MVP honors after winning the league individual title.
Earning first-team honors were Bianca Magnifico of Oak Park; Mei Li Root and Mason Heite of Camarillo; Ashley Dunbar of Moorpark; and Amanda Rozdial of Simi Valley.
Earning second-team honors were Mylei Chairuttanativech and Alexandra Chen of Oak Park; Brooke Skarie of Moorpark; and Elizabeth Marez and Anjali Suresh of Simi Valley.
GIRLS TENNIS
Niyati Guram of league champion Oak Park earned Singles Player of the Year honors and Reilly Ricasata and Amber Koh of Camarillo earned Doubles Players of the Year honors.
Earning first-team honors were Anya Luo, Melody Tu, Grace Hu, Amilya Chapovsky and Keira Ayivi of Oak Park; and Cookie Young of Moorpark.
Earning second-team honors were Kayleigh Fukumoto, Sofia Beckmann, Holly Herzenach and Nikitha Ashok of Simi Valley; Maddy Ng, Ella Morey and Natalie Ng of Oak Park; Kaci Colby of Camarillo; and Brooke Petritz of Royal.
Adam Nielsen of Oak Park was named the Coach of the Year.
Santa Margarita doubles place second at CIF-SS girls tennis individuals
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CLAREMONT — Santa Margarita’s Emily Gao and Grace Kersenbrock united as gritty teammates and best friends to make school history at the CIF-SS girls tennis individual championships Thursday.
Donned in matching uniforms with white visors, the seniors shared encouraging words, high-fives and plenty of shot making to force a third set in the doubles finals against Calabasas at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center.
Gao and Kersenbrock fell 4-6, 7-5, 2-6 against Alena Koltsova and Giana Mucci but celebrated their backstory and the achievement of becoming the first Santa Margarita girls — singles or doubles — to reach the individual finals.
“We go down in history,” Gao said. “It’s nice. We’ve been at this school for four years so it’s good to have a name here and end on a good note.”
“I really hope this is going inspire everyone coming up,” veteran Santa Margarita coach Eric Michaut added. “They played a great match but the other team just played incredible and you have to give them credit. They earned.”
Gao and Kersenbrock, the Trinity League champions in doubles, showed their desire in the second set.
After dropping a close first set, the tandem rallied from a 4-1 deficit to win five consecutive games to take a 5-4 lead against Koltsova and Mucci, who helped Calabasas capture the Division 2 team title.
The run started with Gao and Kersenbrock earning their first break point of the match. The pair captured the set with another break point.
“We started having fun more,” Kersenbrock said of the second set. “We just work really well together. We’ve known each other for a while. We know what each other needs to do and what each other is good at. Good chemistry.”
Early in the third set, Gao was slowed by a cramp in her leg that limited her mobility but the Eagles made no excuses after the left-handed Mucci ripped a forehand down the line for the championship point.
“It was disheartening,” Gao of the cramps. “Movement is a big part of my game … but we played some good points out there. I tried my best.”
In the semifinals, Gao and Kersenbrock defeated Crestview League champions Huiqing Sun and Zhinan Wang of Crean Lutheran 7-6 (3), 6-2.
After the final, Gao and Kersenbrock recalled how they were foes in the 12-and-under divisions on the local USTA junior circuit.
“I didn’t like her when we were like 12 in junior tennis because she kept beating me,” Gao said. “I was like, ‘Oh, gosh, I don’t like this girl.’ “
Kersenbrock’s father Rick even showed the girls a picture Thursday of their girls holding trophies at Anaheim Tennis Center.
“I had the bigger (trophy),” Kersenbrock said as the girls laughed.
The girls plan to stay close in college.
Gao, who maintains a 4.5 grade-point average, is committed to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Kersenbrock, who holds a 4.6 GPA, will attend nearby Pomona Pitzer.
Both will play tennis for the Division III colleges. And they’re both interested in studying science.
The girls are so close, their Instagram accounted are linked.
“We became best friends in high school and we’ve been best friends ever since,” Gao said. “Hopefully in college, as well, we’ll be best friends.”
In singles final, Louisville sophomore Ania Zabost rallied past Anna Shtrikman of Milken Community 1-6, 6-3, 6-0.
WWE President Applauds Dana White’s UFC 324 as Zuffa Boxing Takeover Heads to Congress
Dana White’s announcement of the UFC 324 and 325 fight cards didn’t include the number one contenders for both the featherweight and lightweight championships. This left most fans scratching their heads. But the WWE President, Nick Khan, was not only excited about the card but is also certain that the UFC CEO has hit the jackpot with the card. So, what does Khan see in the card that the fans can’t?
Nick Khan praises Dana White for putting together a match card where Justin Gaethje goes head-to-head against the ‘Baddy’ Paddy Pimblett for the interim title in the main event, along with the co-main event featuring Bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison and the returning Amanda Nunes. UFC’s historic $7.7 billion era begins on the 24th of January.
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Nick Khan shares why Dana White’s UFC 324 card is ‘special’
During the latest episode of the Daniel Cormier show, Nick Khan had an interesting insight about both the main event and the co-main event.
“The UFC card that was announced at the Paramount+ premiere on January 24th. I love that card, I don’t know it like you know it. I know Nunes vs Kayla, I know Gaethje vs Paddy. These I perceive as matchups that are 50/50 matchups. It’s one of the things that has made the UFC special.” Khan said.
Well, the WWE president actually pointed out the quality of the UFC 324 card being top-notch, and honestly, it is. But it also has to be recognized that Dana White potentially put a halt to 155 lbs contender Arman Tsarukyan and 145 lbs top-ranked fighter Lerone Murphy’s dream to fight for the championship, something many fans who truly understand the sport didn’t appreciate. Still, Khan highlights that the top brass remains the best matchmaking team the UFC could ever have.
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“The champ fights the number one contender. If the number one contender isn’t available, the number two contender comes in. Or whatever that might be. If you look at Dana and Fertitta, and subsequently, Dana with Ari, Lawrence, and Mark Shapiro, everybody has built. That’s the model of what the fight team should look like.” Khan added.
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Now, it’s true that under the TKO umbrella, with Dana White and the top brass leading the way, the UFC has been climbing to new heights. Still, there’s been some scepticism about whether their existing UFC model, including the matchmaking that Nick Khan praises so much, would actually work in Zuffa boxing. Well, as that ongoing debate heats up, TKO’s stakeholders made some moves as they reached Congress with their strong backing of the Ali Revival Act.
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TKO pushes hard for the UBO model in the recent congressional hearing
After turning the UFC into a multi-billion-dollar mega-empire, the head honcho took on the challenge of making boxing great again. He firmly believes his Contender Series model can outperform the current boxing system, which remains tied to four major sanctioning bodies: WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF. To disrupt boxing’s operating model, White, under the Zuffa/TKO banner, pushes hard for their UBO system, which would require amending the Muhammad Ali Act. And they’re pretty serious about making those changes.
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In the recent Congress hearing, UFC COO Lawrence Epstein and California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster strongly advocated for updating the law, pointing out fighter benefits in health protections, anti-doping measures, and much more. And that’s not all. The WWE president, who also sits under TKO’s boxing promotion group, stressed that they would even remove the commissions’ 3 % cut from a fighter’s purse, giving boxers a bigger share of their own earnings.
“We’re not looking at one word of it. We’re not looking to change one comma. But in addition to what exists will be this new option, where you don’t have to use these sanctioning bodies and pay 3% of your purse, and there’s a super champion in recess. All of this chaos and nonsense that we think in part ruined boxing, our effort is going to be to do away with that.” Nick Khan further added in Daniel Cormier’s YouTube interview.
Recently, we witnessed a boxing drama where Terence Crawford was stripped of his undisputed title because he refused to pay the sanctioning body’s fee. So for ‘Bud’, this new model might actually feel far more appealing since he clearly has problems with the current system.
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That said, as TKO looks to take over MMA, boxing, wrestling, and combat sports in general, would this actually benefit the sport more with such great minds pushing behind it? Let us know in the comments section below.
Merab Dvalishvili Slams Petr Yan With Fierce Declaration as Trilogy-Talk Heats Up Ahead of UFC 323
The UFC 323 media day was meant to be routine, with the champion on one side and the challenger on the other, both pretending they hadn’t watched their first fight a thousand times. But this one cracked open quickly. Petr Yan came in calm, discussing changes in his fight game and confidence. Merab Dvalishvili, on the other hand, was not hiding the tension that was boiling behind the polite setup.
And all it took was one sentence to change the mood in the room. When ‘No Mercy’ stated that he fought their first fight “with one arm,” what followed wasn’t trash talk, but the champion’s patience snapping in real time. Suddenly, ‘The Machine’ was defending more than just his title; he was protecting the truth about what took place the last year. And he wanted answers before anyone jumped on the rematch hype.
Merab Dvalishvili goes berserk on Petr Yan
Petr Yan sought to stay focused on the rematch, relying on his track record of performing better the second time around. In an interview just a few days ago, ‘No Mercy’ claimed to have been “100% better” in his rematches with Magomedov and Sterling and predicted that Saturday would follow suit.
In his mind, this is the Petr Yan that fans have forgotten: someone who learns fast, adapts faster, and aims to return the belt to Russia. He also looked beyond Saturday, saying a trilogy would be “cool” if he won, because a guy like Merab Dvalishvili deserves that type of closure. But whatever long-term strategy Yan was devising crashed straight into Dvalishvili’s refusal to give anything up.
When ‘No Mercy’ talked about being injured in his first fight against the champion, ‘The Machine’ interrupted him mid-thought, raising his voice without hesitation: “Petr, you’re better than this, bro. Stop making excuses. What’s going to be your excuse when I beat you on December 6?” This wasn’t a soundbite; it was genuine irritation, perhaps offense, that his decisive victory was being undermined by injury talks.
He pressed harder: “Do you have any injuries now?” “Yes or no?” To this, Yan simply replied with a calm, “On Saturday, we’ll see,” only tightening the tension. Outside of the flashpoint, Yan showed Merab Dvalishvili respect in the earlier interview. He referred to him as a “great warrior,” praised the Georgian’s remarkable run, and admitted that defeating someone so powerful is precisely what makes the rematch noteworthy.
“Imagine this Saturday, ‘No Mercy’ beats this great Merab,” he added, letting it hang in the air as if he wanted it to manifest. However, ‘The Machine’ was not interested in future headlines or hypothetical trilogies. He wanted clarity right now. He didn’t want any excuses on Monday morning. In his opinion, the rematch is either clean or not at all—and the challenger is not allowed to offer justifications for why the first battle looked the way it did.
That’s why he pressed, wanted a yes or no answer, and rejected anything that sounded like injury insurance. ‘The Machine’ wasn’t opposing Petr Yan‘s confidence; he was fighting the narrative that might come after it. And while it is yet to be seen whether Dvalishvili manages to retain his title at UFC 323, one thing we do know is that he won’t be offering Umar Nurmagomedov a shot at it.
Merab Dvalishvili snubs Umar Nurmagomedov rematch
Coming off that demand for a clean, excuse-free rematch with Yan, it became clear why Merab Dvalishvili isn’t looking back at old opponents in 2026. He’s defending his belt on his own terms, and he’s not interested in reliving old bouts. With the division moving quickly and his momentum growing even faster, Umar Nurmagomedov simply does not fit into the picture he wants to paint next year.
Instead, ‘The Machine’ has moved his focus to Aiemann Zahabi. He addressed him without hesitation, citing his seven-fight winning streak and the fact that Zahabi adds something unique to the table. “I’d like to fight a fresh opponent,” he told Aaron Bronsteter, and the message was clear. Even though Nurmagomedov’s side anticipates a rematch after UFC 324, the champion believes Zahabi is the more deserving and exciting test right now.
Other names have entered the mix, including Song Yadong if he beats Sean O’Malley and Payton Talbott if he continues to rise. None of them are fighters he has already faced, which is precisely the point. Merab Dvalishvili’s plan for 2026 isn’t revisiting old battles; it’s clearing new ones. And that is why Umar Nurmagomedov is not on the list.
How Many Kids Does Alexandre Pantoja Have? All About His Sons Cauã and Nicolas
When Alexandre Pantoja wrapped UFC gold around his waist at UFC 290, fans saw a champion celebrating a dream realized. But the real story happened seconds later, when he looked straight into the camera and asked the father who had abandoned him years earlier, “You proud of me dad? You proud of me?”
It was a moment that revealed far more than any highlight reel could. Behind the toughest flyweight in the world is a man shaped by family, both the one that raised him and the one he is now raising with fierce devotion. And as Pantoja marches toward his fifth title defense against Joshua Van at UFC 323, the questions grow louder. How many children does the champion have? What kind of father is he? And how did his past shape the way he parents today? Let’s break it all down.
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Alexandre Pantoja’s children: Cauã and Nicolas Pantoja
Alexandre Pantoja and his wife have two boys, named Cauã Pantoja, who was born in 2011, and his younger brother, Nicolas ‘Nick’ Pantoja, born in 2014. Now in their early teens, both have grown up watching their father turn adversity into a career that has carved his name into flyweight history.
The UFC flyweight champion’s sons haven’t given any indication whether they’ll follow in their father’s footsteps to be an MMA fighter, but they’ve shown their support to Pantoja on several occasions during his fights with their presence in the arena.
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Pantoja has spoken about his deep love for his children, saying that he has dedicated his life to the well-being of his family. ‘The Cannibal’ is a committed family man, and one of the reasons behind his deep love for his family is his own childhood. But to understand why he clings so tightly to his sons, you have to look back at the childhood that shaped him.
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Family life and fatherhood for Alexandre Pantoja
Very few people lead lives without having to worry about any struggles. But things were different for Alexandre Pantoja. He grew up in a family with two other siblings under the care of his mother. His father had abandoned his entire family. Pantoja revealed during an interview that his father had problems with alcohol abuse.
“My dad drank a lot and I see a lot of fights with him and my mom,” ‘The Cannibal’ told Ariel Helwani.
With the struggles he went through because of his father’s abandonment and his mother having to look out for all the kids on her own, Alexandre Pantoja is making sure that the same thing doesn’t happen to his wife and kids, whom he claims are his real family now.
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“My wife, my kids, that’s the real family, you know. That’s the best thing that’s happened in my life,” the 125-pound champion added.
Alexandre Pantoja’s dedication to his sons’ future
Having met each other in 2008 in Rio De Janeiro, Alexandre, and his wife, Gabryella Pantoja, have been a closely knit couple for more than a decade. The UFC champion’s partner is a stay-at-home mother, estimated to be around 29-30 years old, who’s primarily focused on the needs of her children and, of course, her husband.
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Just like her husband, Gabryella Pantoja was also born in Brazil and follows Christianity. Fans have caught glimpses of Gabryella on more occasions than once when she attends ‘The Cannibal’s UFC fights, just like her sons. While Pantoja worked his way to the top, she was there beside him throughout his journey.
When the Brazilian finally reached the biggest point of his career by winning the UFC’s 125-pound gold, he said “I just want the love of my dad” in the post-fight octagon interview, showing the emotional scar his father’s abandonment left in his psyche.
And now, as he prepares to defend his belt at UFC 323, that purpose returns to the forefront. Will Cauã and Nicolas watch their father continue one of the most dominant flyweight reigns ever? Or will the division finally catch up to him?
Aspinall Slams Jones For Continued Trolling – ‘I Thought This Guy Was The GOAT?
UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall has hit back at Jon Jones, who continues to troll him following his no-contest against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October.
Aspinall’s first defense ended in a no-contest after an accidental double eye-poke in the first round from Gane left him unable to continue. Jones responded by changing his social media profile picture to a cartoon duck wearing an eye-patch, thus suggesting he quit. Jones later appeared at a Dirty Boxing Championship event arriving on a horse, which had one eye covered with an eye-patch.
Bones claimed to have “learned a lot about Tom”, specifically labeling the champion’s grappling “overrated.” Aspinall has since been diagnosed with Bilateral Brown’s syndrome, a rare eye condition that hinders vision, and has told Jones to focus on himself, especially since he had been chasing him for a fight, only for that to fail.
“Good for him, man. Good for him. I thought this guy was the GOAT? Focus on yourself bro, you’ve retired; just do your own thing. If you’re so much better than everyone else, just go enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about what I’m doing. I was trying to get a fight with him, but realized that wasn’t going to happen. But Jon is just doing some damage to himself out there, so I’ll let him do his thing,” Aspinall said
The Perception
And yet, this has raised questions over whether Tom has dealt with it the right way. Arnold Allen, who will face Jean Silva at UFC 324 in January, has had his say on the matter. Arnold is well aware of what it takes to suffer injuries, believing that he had broken his hand during his fight against Giga Chikadze at UFC 304. Should Aspinall have surgery then that is expected to keep him out for some time. Arnold has advised the heavyweight champion to stop complaining, which is only damaging his image.
Dana White’s UFC Commitment Questioned
Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley has questioned Dana White’s enthusiasm, noting a lack of excitement when announcing the promotion’s first two major pay-per-view events for 2026.
White’s recent fight announcements for UFC 324 and UFC 325 caught O’Malley’s attention, leading Sean to wonder if White’s passion for matchmaking is waning. UFC 324 features Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, with some questioning if Paddy deserves this bout, especially since Arman Tsarukyan is the leading contender. UFC 325 is headlined by Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2, a rematch scheduled less than a year after Volkanovski defeated Lopes by unanimous decision at UFC 314. O’Malley was surprised by White’s lack of passion when announcing the news, while Ariel Helwani also criticized the UFC’s marketing.
O’Malley Reacts
“I’m just used to Dana being excited, and turning red he’s so excited about the next fight. It’s the halftime show on Thanksgiving, so many people are watching. But I feel like it was supposed to be Paddy vs. Ilia, Ilia vs. Justin, Ilia was supposed to fight. Moving pieces, it kind of falls out, and Dana wants to see the biggest fight. I think maybe it fell through, and now he’s kind of doing [less promotion],” O’Malley said
Granting Pimblett an interim title shot is arguably a promotional decision, not a merit-based one. Pimblett bypassed the clear number one contender, Arman Tsarukyan. Arman’s social media reaction, “Make it make sense,” encapsulates the criticism. The fight is questionable from a competitive standpoint, leaning heavily on Pimblett’s popularity to create a major headline for the Paramount+ debut.
And yet, there is another side to this. The biggest change for 2026 is the end of the traditional PPV model, with numbered events now included in the Paramount+ subscription. White’s excitement may have been focused more on the business model—telling fans, “no more pay-per-view… While the main events have flaws, the undercards are universally praised as “stacked.”
Merab Dvalishvili Reveals Hawaii Vacation Plans With Mark Zuckerberg After UFC 323
With only days left for UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili is already making plans for his vacation after his title defense against Petr Yan inside the T-Mobile Arena. Maybe it is a well-deserved break for The Machine.
This year, the reigning bantamweight champion stayed insanely busy as he’s preparing to fight four times. To emphasize it even more, the Georgian champ dominated Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 in October, then came back just two months later in December for UFC 323. Insane! But even a machine like Merab needs some time off to recharge. So, how does the Bantamweight Champion relax? How about chilling in one of the most popular islands with a social media juggernaut?
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Merab Dvalishvili receives an invite from Mark Zuckerberg
“I love to be active, but I will take some time because Mark Zuckerberg invited me to Hawaii in a couple of days, and after my fight, I will go there.” Merab Dvalishvili revealed to Kairouz Bros on YouTube.
Well, the current 135 lbs king and Meta’s Chief Executive Officer have built a friendly relationship based on their mutual love for MMA. Zuckerberg has shown up at several of Merab’s fights to cheer him on, and they’ve even teased training together. So it’s definitely going to be an exciting link-up, and this time we might actually see them hit the mats together. However, ‘The Machine’s plan doesn’t stop there, as he’s also going to meet Ilia Topuria in Spain.
“Right after, I’m going to go hang out with Ilia in Spain. But, it’s gonna be training. Training with Mark Zuckerberg, training with Ilia. It’s gonna be an active vacation.” Merab Dvalishvili added.
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Interestingly, Merab has visited Spain before and even met the Topuria brothers there. He once told influencer Nina Drama about a hilarious moment when someone on the streets of Spain mistook Ilia Topuria for Conor McGregor. With that funny incident in mind, we can expect Merab to share something equally entertaining this time as well, along with some solid training footage.
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But as the UFC bantamweight champion looks forward to his vacation, it’s not the only thing on his mind. Merab has already lined up a few upcoming challengers in his head for his next title defenses, and he’s quietly preparing for whoever steps up next.
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‘The Machine’ eyes Aiemann Zahabi and Song Yadong next
At UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili is definitely going to face a familiar challenge, but it’s pretty clear he would face a better Petr Yan this time. Still, there’s no doubt that the Georgian would have the majority of fan votes to beat his opponent once again and create history. After that, many believed Merab would jump into the featherweight division, searching for new challenges. But it seems he’s actually eyeing some pretty solid contenders in his own division.
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“I’m excited. [Aiemann] Zahabi is coming from a long winning streak, which is good. Song Yadong has a fight against Sean O’Malley. If Yadong wins somehow, of course I’m cheering for Sean O’Malley, but if Yadong wins, I’d like to fight him too. And then there are other guys who have other fights too and if they win, I will have a next contender.” Merab said at the UFC 323 media day.
Well, adding to Merab’s list, Umar Nurmagomedov and Deiveson Figueiredo will also fight at UFC 324, and the winner of that matchup might jump ahead of Zahabi or Yadong. The reason is simple. ‘Deus da Guerra’ is a former flyweight champ, so he might get the shot based on legacy. But the UFC might actually favor ‘The Young Eagle’ more since he and Merab already share a bit of animosity, as ‘The Machine’ defeated him at UFC 311 to defend his belt.
That said, the UFC bantamweight division might be in the best possible position right now with an exciting champion and some really strong matchups on the horizon. So do you think Merab Dvalishvili would return quickly if he beats Yan at UFC 323, maybe even as early as next February? Or would he take more time off? Let us know in the comments section below.
Tom Aspinall warned to not ‘fight’ with Dana White by UFC legend who experienced a similar scenario
Tom Aspinall aired some grievances when speaking for the first time since UFC 321.
The UFC heavyweight champion recently posted his first video and did his first interview since the disappointing end to his title defense.
Aspinall shared medical records which showed the damage that was done to his eyes courtesy of Ciryl Gane’s eye pokes in the main event of UFC 321.
This seemingly put to bed the criticism that the Brit had faced for not being able to continue due to his loss of vision inside the Octagon.
Aspinall may have replied to Jon Jones and the fans that questioned him, but they weren’t the only people whom the champion commented on.
Who should Tom Aspinall fight in his UFC comeback
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Henry Cejudo says Tom Aspinall shouldn’t take Dana White’s comments personally
In a video on his YouTube channel, Tom Aspinall made it clear that he wasn’t happy with Dana White’s comments in the immediate aftermath of UFC 321.
The UFC president’s comments at the post-fight press conference led fans to speculate that White was lashing out at Aspinall by stating that the champion “didn’t want to continue”.
After the Brit shared his thoughts on this without going into too much detail, a former UFC champion who has found himself in similar situations advised him to avoid this.
Henry Cejudo is planning on retiring after his return at UFC 323 this weekend.
Will Henry Cejudo stay retired after UFC 323?
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‘Triple C’ hasn’t always seen eye-to-eye with the promotion, with his initial retirement in 2020 being something that clearly frustrated White.
Cejudo has also been on the receiving end of fight-ending eye pokes, with his last bout against Song Yadong ending in the fourth round due to his compromised vision.
“The biggest thing that Tom [Aspinall] needs to take from all this is he has to remember that Dana White’s a promoter,” Cejudo told Shakiel Mahjouri during fight week. “He’s a fighter. Dana White has never fought in the cage before.
“I don’t think he’d be able to take anything personal because you’re an employee under the boss so don’t fight with him, bro,” Cejudo advised having admitted to being frustrated with the UFC president in the past. “It is what it is. That’s probably what makes Dana a good promoter, he’s gonna say what he feels and more importantly, I kind of appreciate it.”
Henry Cejudo recently contradicted his own advice to Tom Aspinall
Despite telling Tom Aspinall to avoid “fighting” with Dana White, that’s exactly what Henry Cejudo recently did.
Cejudo recently told White and the athletic commissions to “man up” regarding changes to the rules surrounding eye pokes.
“I get a warning, like, that’s not fair, everybody needs to f—— man up and step up and create this, make this (change) official. Someone could lose an eye,” Cejudo stated in an interview with Full Send MMA.
“It needs to be immediate and if not man, people need to be held accountable for that stuff, if I was to lose an eye, dude, f—. Imagine that, like ‘Oh yeah, dude’s a warrior’, oh okay, well who’s going to give my eye back. Everybody needs to step up, including Dana White.”
Merab Dvalishvili aims to extend winning streak against Petr Yan in UFC 323
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Merab Dvalishvili said fighters can win and be respectful at the same time, and even if his opponent Saturday night, Petr Yan, takes an occasional verbal jab, he’s not going to sweat it.
Besides, Dvalishvili will have plenty other things to sweat about, such as making weight, which he sounded confident he would do when he puts his bantamweight belt on the line in UFC 323.
“I never like to make it drama,” Dvalishvili said. “It’s a fight. We are professional fighters. The people will watch anyway.
“I don’t like to talk trash for no reason. I don’t like somebody to disrespect me for no reason.”
This is the last UFC pay-per-view fight because it agreed to a seven-year contract with Paramount Plus under which future bouts will be on the streaming service.
Dvalishvili, who lives on New York’s Long Island and has dual American and Georgian citizenship, is a substantial -425 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook.
The 34-year-old enters on a 14-match winning streak and is 21-4. A victory over the 32-year-old Yan (19-5) would move Dvalishvili into a tie with Kamaru Usman for the third-longest streak in UFC history. The record holders are Anderson Silva and Islam Makhachev with 16 each.
Dvalishvili seems to be racing toward that record. This will be his fourth title match this year,.
“That was my goal to be busy this year,” Dvalishvili said. “Thank you to UFC for making this happen.”
His last defeat occurred on April 21, 2018 when Ricky Simon won by submission.
Then Dvalishvili began his winning streak, and along the way defeated Yan by unanimous decision in a nontitle fight on March 11, 2023. That bout was known as much for the nasty build-up — the Russian shoved Dvalishvili at the weigh-in — as the fight itself.
“That time, it was personal for me,” Dvalishvili said. “Now, it’s more competition. We fought once and I beat him. Every time he was fighting, I was cheering for him. Look at Instagram. He’s a great father. He’s a good fighter. The only problem I have with him is he was bullying. He was talking trash about me, about (Aljamain Sterling), about our team. He doesn’t give us respect.
“No matter what happens, I will shake his hand and wish him the best.”
Yan was mostly respectful this week, referring to Dvalishvili as “a great warrior” and “a deserving champion.” As the third-ranked challenger, Yan said he thought should have been No. 1 in line for the championship, a point will make clearly if he pulls off the upset victory.
But Yan wasn’t quite over what he thought would be a working relationship with Dvalishvili as coaches for a reality show in Thailand. Yan said Dvalishvili gave every indication he would be there, but decided not to make the trip.
“At the very end, he got scared and didn’t come out and sent Sterling instead of him,” Yan said through an interpreter. “So I was there for a month big-brothering Sterling.”
Dvalishvili said he was advised not to go, but other than that, didn’t offer a lot of details about the supposed snub.
Now they get to put on another kind of reality show when both step into the octagon.
“Just think about this,” Yan said. “I flew across the entire planet. I come back to rematch Sterling or Merab in their hometown. Everything’s against me. Just think about how much pressure that is. Just think about hard that it is. Obviously, it’s much harder for me than it is them.”
In the co-main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (30-5) of Brazil takes on No. 1 challenger Joshua Van (15-2) of Myanmar.
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Who Is Jan Blachowicz’s Wife Dorota Jurkowska? Manager & Life Partner
Despite never getting a title shot after the draw against current champion Magomed Ankalaev in 2022, Jan Blachowicz remains one of the UFC’s top fighters. While he’s not the kind of fighter who loves too much public attention, there are still a lot of fans who want to know the Polish star from a personal standpoint. So without further delay, let’s explore a bit about his personal life.
By personal life, we mean Jan Blachowicz’s relationship status because the former UFC light heavyweight champion is off the market. The 42-year-old veteran has been married to his wife, Dorota Jurkowska, for a while now. So ahead of his Octagon return this weekend at UFC 323, check out the details of his significant other.
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Meet Dorota Jurkowska, Jan Blachowicz’s wife
They say behind every successful man stands a strong woman, and for Jan Blachowicz, that has certainly been the case. From his girlfriend to his fiancée, and now his wife, Dorota Jurkowska has been by his side through thick and thin since they first met in 2007.
While the exact date of their marriage remains private, what many might not know is that Jurkowska also manages the former UFC champion’s career. On top of that, she is a successful entrepreneur.
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Dorota has been a constant pillar of support for Blachowicz. “She’s a big part of my life, and she’s been with me when I had nothing, no money, nothing. Now, when I have almost everything, she’s still with me… without her, I don’t think I would be the champion, you know,” Blachowicz told RT Sport MMA. Together, they have built both a family and a career, and along the way, they have welcomed children into their lives.
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Jan Blachowicz and Dorota’s relationship: From 2007 to marriage
The exact moment when Jan Blachowicz and Dorota first met remains unknown to many. Still, they have built an incredible journey together, both personally and professionally. Jan Blachowicz not only shares a professional bond with Dorota but also marries her, making their relationship deeply personal.
“One month before the fight, we are just business people, we don’t talk about love and relationships. She brings sparring partners, you know, everything that I need… One month before the fight, we are business partners, after the fight, everything is back to normal, and we are lovers again and a family,” Jan Blachowicz explained in a candid interview.
The couple has one child, Jan Blachowicz Jr., named after his father. In fact, the UFC star introduced his son to the world at birth and even postponed his fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 to welcome him.
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How Dorota Jurkowska saved Jan Blachowicz’s UFC career during his losing streak
Before fighting for the title belt, Jan Blachowicz faced a tough start under Dana White & Co. Although he had already made a name for himself in the Polish MMA scene, his early UFC career was underwhelming. In his first six bouts, he went 2-4, and the promotion seriously considered releasing him. That’s when his then-girlfriend and manager, Dorota Jurkowska, stepped in to help.
Between 2015 and 2017, Blachowicz went through a rough patch, with a losing streak that put his UFC future at risk. At this critical moment, Dorota took charge, leveraging her managerial skills to reach out to the UFC matchmaking team and emphasize that Blachowicz was a major star in Poland.
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“I pushed them so hard to give Jan one more chance. I told them that Jan is a huge star in Poland, and I knew they wanted to hold an event in Poland. I told them, ‘He needs to be on this card!’ That was my last argument for him not to be fired,” Dorota Jurkowska told ESPN.
Now, Jan Blachowicz faces a situation similar to what he experienced earlier in his career. After suffering two consecutive losses in his last fights, he has an opportunity to make a comeback this weekend at UFC 323. Can the Polish star bounce back at the age of 42? Share your predictions below.
NHL roundup: Cole Caufield’s shootout goal lifts Habs past Jets
Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes outdueled Winnipeg’s Eric Comrie by the narrowest of margins, and the host netminder got a little help in the end as the Canadiens pulled out a 3-2 shootout victory over the Jets.
Cole Caufield had the most important contribution of the night, netting the only goal in the shootout. Dobes stonewalled Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele before getting a little help from the post as Gabriel Vilardi couldn’t keep the game going.
Caufield also registered an assist, while Juraj Slafkovsky and Oliver Kapanen buried markers for Montreal. Dobes stopped 29 of 31 shots, and Ivan Demidov, Nick Suzuki and Alexandre Texier tallied helpers as well.
Comrie matched Dobes with 29 saves on 31 shots before blinking first in the shootout. Scheifele and Connor each potted their team-best 14th goals of the season while assisting on each other’s markers, and Vilardi and Dylan DeMelo had a helper apiece. Winnipeg has now dropped six decisions in seven games (1-5-1).
Stars 3, Devils 0
Jake Oettinger made 30 saves for his 14th career shutout and second of the season as Dallas defeated New Jersey in Newark.
Defenseman Miro Heiskanen had a goal and an assist and Jason Robertson and Mikko Rantanen also scored for the Stars, who extended their point streak to eight games (6-0-2). Jamie Benn and defenseman Esa Lindell each had two assists.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 25 of 28 shots as the Devils lost their third straight game. Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon was honored before the opening faceoff for playing in his 1,000th career game Monday.
Mammoth 7, Ducks 0
Lawson Crouse and Dylan Guenther scored goals in the opening 11 minutes and Utah ended a four-game losing streak with a dominant road victory over Anaheim.
JJ Peterka tallied two goals and two assists, Clayton Keller notched a goal and two helpers and Guenther and Ian Cole each had a goal and an assist. Karel Vejmelka made 27 saves for his first shutout of the season and seventh of his career as the Mammoth earned their first win in the fourth contest of a six-game road trip.
Ducks goaltender Ville Husso got the start with Lukas Dostal and Petr Mrazek out due to injuries, making 17 saves on 21 shots in two periods. Vyacheslav Buteyets turned aside 10 of 13 shots in the third period in his NHL debut.
Flyers 5, Sabres 2
Travis Konecny, Noah Cates and Bobby Brink each had a goal and an assist to guide Philadelphia past visiting Buffalo.
Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett also scored for the Flyers, who won for the sixth time in eight games. Samuel Ersson made 27 saves.
Jason Zucker and Bowen Byram scored for the Sabres, who failed in a bid for their first three-game winning streak of the season. Colten Ellis turned aside 30 shots.
Capitals 7, Sharks 1
Rookie Ryan Leonard scored two goals and had two assists and Alex Ovechkin added two goals as visiting Washington earned its sixth straight victory.
It was the 181st multi-goal game of Ovechkin’s career, second only to Wayne Gretzky’s 189 in the NHL history. The two goals were No. 910 and No. 911 of his career, extending his league career record. Brandon Duhaime had a short-handed goal and an assist, Matt Roy logged three assists and Sonny Milano and Dylan Strome scored a goal apiece for Washington.
Pavol Regenda scored a power-play goal for San Jose, which has alternated wins and losses for eight games. Alex Nedeljkovic, who took over for starter Yaroslav Askarov at the 17:07 mark of the first period, finished with 15 saves. Askarov stopped eight of 12 shots before being pulled.
‘It feels like a dream’: Mammoth beat Ducks 7-0 in Daniil ‘Cheeks’ But’s NHL debut
Everyone knows that Disneyland is where dreams come true, but now you can add the Honda Center, located 10 minutes down the road, to the list.
Daniil But realized his dream of making it to the NHL, while the Utah Mammoth woke up from the nightmare that was the month of November, with the best outcome they could have hoped for.
Here’s the story.
Quick catchup
Utah Mammoth: 7
Anaheim Ducks: 0
Where do we even start?
This game was all Utah, all night long. They scored twice in the first period, twice in the second and three times in the third. All but four of their forwards recorded points, as did three of their six defensemen.
It was an equally big night for Karel Vejmelka, who registered his first shutout of the season after being pulled 13 minutes into Monday’s game.
Liam O’Brien was among Utah’s goal scorers. In 28 games last season, “Spicy Tuna” didn’t register a single goal. Through nine games this year, he already has two.
Utah’s win puts them back into a playoff spot — the first wild card position in the Western Conference. If they can stack a few wins on top of each other, they’ll find themselves in a great position going forward.
Tidbits and takeaways
A deep breath
Questions regarding this Mammoth team have swirled around NHL circles for weeks. The team’s 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday seemed to be the final straw for much of the fan base. The team was falling in the standings and confidence was at an all-time low.
Needless to say the Mammoth needed a win.
After that loss in San Jose, head coach André Tourigny hinted that he’d make some changes in the name of accountability. They came in the form of scratches for underperforming regulars Barrett Hayton and Brandon Tanev (who were both at fault for goals against on Monday), replacing them with But and Liam O’Brien.
“We came into this game with something to prove,” said Ian Cole, who had two points and two blocks on the night. “We had a pretty rough meeting after the San Jose game, and guys knew that we needed to step up, and we did.”
Now, the question is whether they’ll roll with the same lineup in Vancouver on Monday. On one hand, you never want to change a winning lineup. On the other hand, they need Hayton and Tanev to succeed, and they can’t do that from the press box.
More than one De-“But”
That subhead pun works for two players in this game: Mammoth forward Daniil But and Ducks goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets both made their first NHL appearances on Wednesday.
It was also the first contest of the year for Maveric Lamoureux, who saw games’ worth of ice with Utah last season.
But was one of four Mammoth forwards without a point on Wednesday, but don’t take that as any indication of failure. At no point did he look out of place.
“It feels like a dream,” But said after the game. “I don’t think I understand yet where I am, and I need to keep going.”
The same can’t be said about Buteyets, who allowed three goals on 13 shots. You can’t help but feel bad for the guy, who will probably won’t get a wink of sleep tonight.
Lamoureux registered a primary assist in his season debut, teeing up Cole, his defense partner, for the game’s third goal. He also blocked what looked like a sure goal late in the game, keeping the shutout alive for his goaltender.
“I thought he did great today,” Cole said of Lamoureux. “I thought he handled a highly skilled team well over there in Anaheim, and we’re going to keep moving forward, just as he is.”
First-line success
Utah needed a win as a team, and Utah’s first line needed a win as a group.
They got exactly what they needed: Four points for JJ Peterka, three for Clayton Keller and two for Nick Schmaltz. Two of their goals, both scored by Peterka, came on beautiful tic-tac-toe passing plays.
It was a big night for Keller especially, who has struggled on the ice — as most would — since his father passed away on Thanksgiving Day.
“I don’t think I’d be able to do that, and I think that just goes to show how strong he is,” O’Brien said of his captain. “He’s our leader, he’s our captain, and we’re really lucky to have him. I’m really proud of the way he handled all of it.”
Much-needed big night for Vejmelka
Karel Vejmelka’s biggest battle this season has been consistency. He’s had a number of good games, but they’ve been overshadowed by some stinkers.
Monday’s game fell in the latter category. After giving up three goals on nine shots, Vítek Vaněček came in to replace him. That happened just 13 minutes into the game.
Vejmelka came back big time on Wednesday, recording 27 saves for his first shutout since Jan. 23.
As is the case with any shutout, there was a bit of luck involved. In this case, it came in the form of a successful coach’s challenge after the Ducks went a couple inches offside prior to putting the puck in the net. But that shouldn’t take away from Vejmelka’s solid night.
Best nickname in hockey?
Hockey has some lazy nicknames (anything that involves throwing a “Y” or an “S” on the end of someone’s last name) as well as some of the greatest ever:
Larry “Izzy” Goodenough
“The Rempire State Building” (6-foot-8 New York Ranger Matt Rempe)
“The Dominator” (Dominik Hasek)
Another can now be added to the list: “Cheeks,” as Cole referred to But after the game.
Goal of the game
Guenther’s partial breakaway
Dylan Guenther has expressed a desire to be more versatile in his goal scoring. He did that on Wednesday as he put the Mammoth up 2-0 on a speedy partial breakaway.
NHL Awards Watch: Who’s leading for Hart, Norris, Calder?
The story of the NHL season so far, besides inexplicably bizarre off-ice injuries, has been the incredible performances from hockey’s next wave of stars.
Players like Macklin Celebrini, Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson and Matthew Schaefer are populating nightly highlight reels and leading their teams into unexpected playoff contention. Could flirtation with the postseason lead to postseason hardware for these young standouts? Or are the NHL awards still on lock for the league’s established stars, like the ones leading the Colorado Avalanche to an historic start in the standings?
Welcome to the NHL Awards Watch for December. We’ve polled a wide selection of Professional Hockey Writers Association voters anonymously to get a sense of where the wind is blowing for the current leaders. We’ve made sure it’s a cross section from the entire league, trying to gain as many perspectives as possible.
Keep in mind that the PHWA votes for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke and Lady Byng finalists, broadcasters vote for the Jack Adams and general managers handle the Vezina.
All stats are from Hockey-Reference.com, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.
Jump ahead:br/>Ross | Richard | Hartbr/>Norris | Selke | Vezinabr/>Calder | Byng | Adams
Art Ross Trophy (points leader)
Click here for the updated point-scoring standings.
Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy
Click here for the updated goal-scoring standings.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
The Avalanche are in the midst of one of the greatest starts to a season in NHL history. Through 26 games, they’re 19-1-6 for a .846 points percentage. For context, the Boston Bruins had a .823 points percentage in 2022-23, when they amassed an NHL-record 135 points and 38 wins. They opened that season 20-3-0. Colorado went 17-1-5 in that span.
The primary reason Colorado sits upon the throne this season with a plus-50 (!) goal differential is MacKinnon, the NHL’s leader through 26 games in goals (22), points (46) and plus/minus (plus-32). Heading into Wednesday night, MacKinnon had more even-strength points (35) than all but six players had total points this season.
MacKinnon earned 82% of the first-place votes after earning 10% of the votes last month.
Yankees free agency targets as MLB Winter Meetings arrive
NEW YORK – Trent Grisham accepted the $22.025 million free agent qualifying offer last month, having a dual effect on the Yankees’ winter strategy.
At least they had some insurance in center field, a thin position in MLB’s marketplace.
But it’s already a hefty 2026 contract for a club that – ideally, per owner Hal Steinbrenner – would like to lower its $319 million payroll of 2025.
That “ideal’’ plan could also “go bye-bye in two seconds,’’ Steinbrenner said recently, based on player recommendations presented by GM Brian Cashman.
“The job right now is to find out what’s available,’’ Cashman said in the leadup to MLB’s Winter Meetings. “And those all have different price points.’’
Let’s examine where the Yankees – who routinely inquire on nearly all impact free agents – might go in this winter’s market.
Yankees’ free agent priority: Cody Bellinger
Asked about Bellinger last month, Cashman said “we’d be better served if we can retain him. If not, we’ll have to look at alternative ways to fill it and see where it takes us.’’
If the deep-pocketed Dodgers, Phillies and Mets are in pursuit, would it be surprising to see Bellinger commanding $30 million annually for at least five years?
After Kyle Tucker, the 30-year-old Bellinger is the best outfield option in free agency, and Tucker’s final price might land above $400 million.
And if Tucker signs first, agent Scott Boras likely gains further negotiating leverage by representing the clear-cut best outfield option remaining in free agency – one with a track record of success in L.A., Chicago and New York.
Yankees potential free agent position targets
Asked about the potential to sign a Japanese free agent, Cashman said he’d “play in those markets if it’s a fit for us.’’
Based on scouting reports, right-handed hitting corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto’s power, plate discipline and plus defense could provide a solid complement to lefty hitters Ben Rice and Ryan McMahon.
By shifting between first and third (if that’s even appealing), Okamoto could get regular at-bats, especially if Rice remains a catching option.
After his bounce back season in Seattle, switch-hitter Jorge Polanco could be a consideration for his versatility and .896 OPS versus lefty pitching in 2025.
A one-year reunion with infielder Amed Rosario can’t be ruled out, with the added benefit of his leadership and New York experience.
Speaking of reunions, Cashman has checked in with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s rep (.981 OPS vs. lefties in ’25). Old friend Miguel Andujar has been lethal against lefty pitching, though his defense at third base and left field remains subpar.
And on the high-end side, if the Yanks fail to reel in Bellinger, would they use those savings to pursue first baseman Pete Alonso?
In need of a right-handed hitting backup catcher, AL East veteran Danny Jansen might be a pricey one-year option suited to more regular play, but he’s a solid choice worth exploring.
Yankees potential free agent pitching targets
There’s an acute need to improve the Yankees’ setup relief, but they’re likelier to find relievers via trade – as they did with Devin Williams and Fernando Cruz last winter.
Bidding on big, free agent bullpen arms – led this time by Edwin Diaz – hasn’t been a Yankee trait in recent years, and they’re also likely to see Luke Weaver follow Williams (Mets) to another club.
Steinbrenner’s stated satisfaction with his rotation doesn’t rhyme with a pursuit of big-name starters, a group that includes Japan’s Tatsuya Imai.
Last year, Max Fried ($218 million) made it a trio of expensive, pinstriped free agent starters, joining Gerrit Cole ($324 million) and Carlos Rodon ($162 million).
But Cole, Rodon and Clarke Schmidt will start the season on the injured list, and there’s incentive to add a one-year veteran option – perhaps inviting Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer into the conversation.
Mets’ free agency targets, and where their own free agents might sign
The Mets struck early once again Monday night when they agreed to bring in former Yankees reliever Devin Williams on a three-year deal.
The club’s restoration has started in full force, with Williams now occupying a late-inning role and David Stearns hatching a trade to bring in Marcus Semien at the expense of Brandon Nimmo.
That opened up a need in the outfield that had not been anticipated heading into the offseason.
The work is far from over, with the futures of Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz still up in the air, a need to bolster the starting rotation and several remaining holes in the bullpen. Baseball’s Winter Meetings, which begins Sunday in Orlando, Florida, can begin to provide a roadmap for how the rest of the offseason could play out.
With some moves already made and a few more set to come down the chute, here are some free-agent targets for the Mets in each of their areas of need:
Mets free agency targets: Outfielders
Cody Bellinger
With the trade of Nimmo, the Mets have a clear hole in left field, but Cody Bellinger could provide more than cover for that position. On top of that, he has great bat-to-ball skills and quality pop.
The allure of Bellinger is the 30-year-old could provide elite defense at all three outfield positions — the Mets need some help in left and center — and first base, where there is a noticeable void at this point in the offseason.
Kyle Tucker
A month ago, it did not appear the Mets would be fishing in the pool of top free-agents, but then Nimmo’s departure opened up a glaring need where the top offensive free agent fits.
Kyle Tucker is a toolsy player who is two years younger than Bellinger. Since the 2021 season began, he is a four-time All-Star while slashing a combined .277/.365/.514 in those five seasons. He piles up extra bases, flashes decent power and steals bases.
Adolis Garcia
Beyond the two top outfield targets in free agency, there is a decent drop-off to the next crop.
At one point, Garcia appeared to be a cornerstone piece for the Rangers after winning ALCS MVP on the club’s path to the 2023 World Series. This offseason, he was non-tendered by the team after posting his second straight sub-.700 OPS season.
This would be a gamble on upside. Garcia has two 30-home run seasons and another two 100-RBI seasons since 2021. And he played above average defense with a rocket of an arm.
Mets free agency targets: First Base
Pete Alonso
A departure of the Mets’ homegrown superstar would cut deep into their offensive production. Alonso is coming off one of his best offensive seasons as he provided a .871 OPS with 38 home runs and 126 RBI. He has driven in more than 115 runs in three of the last four seasons with no fewer than 34 home runs.
Alonso is not only an offensive stalwart but one of the most durable players in the game, playing all 162 games in the last two seasons. These factors could make the market more lucrative for Alonso this time around after he was backed into a corner and signed a two-year, $60 million deal last season.
While the defense is a worry, the bat might be too good for the Mets to lose.
Kazuma Okamoto
Kazuma Okamoto is one of two Japanese corner infielders who have piqued the interest of major league clubs, alongside Munetaka Murakami. At 29 years old, the right-handed hitting Okamoto does not have the same upside as the 25-year-old Murakami, but he brings a higher floor.
In Nippon Professional Baseball, Okamoto has better than .800 OPS in each of his last eight seasons, eclipsing 30 home runs six times and five 90-RBI seasons. He has spent an even amount of time between third base and first base over the last few seasons.
Ryan O’Hearn
If the Mets cannot manage to retain Alonso, Ryan O’Hearn would provide a bit of positional versatility and a left-handed weapon in the lineup. In addition to first base, O’Hearn also saw time in the corner outfield spots in 2025 in his two stops between the Orioles and Padres.
O’Hearn produced at least an .800 OPS in two of his last three seasons, including 2025 when he earned his first All-Star selection and finished with 17 home runs and 63 RBI. As the antithesis to Alonso, O’Hearn finished with a +5 outs above average last season.
Mets free agency targets: Starting Pitchers
Michael King
Since transitioning from a spot starter/reliever role with the Yankees to becoming a full-time starter with the Padres, King has proven to be a capable top-of-the-rotation piece. His best season came in 2024 when he finished 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts to finish seventh in NL Cy Young voting.
The 30-year-old righty was impacted by a right shoulder impingement and knee inflammation last season, limiting him to 15 starts. He finished 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA. He won’t command the top dollar that other top free-agent starters will get, but he boasts the potential with his command of a wide repertoire.
Tatsuya Imai
One of the more intriguing starting pitching options is the 27-year-old righthander Tatsuya Imai, who is one of the hardest throwers to come stateside, with a sharp slider and changeup to match.
In the NPB, Imai has not posted an ERA above 2.70 since 2021, and struck out 178 batters across 163⅔ innings for the Seibu Lions last season. His sidearm release would bring a different profile to the Mets’ rotation.
Mets free agency targets: Relievers
Edwin Diaz
The Mets’ course of action might have changed when they agreed to sign Devin Williams to a three-year deal, but Diaz remains one of the top closers in the game, and it would be hard for the Mets to stomach seeing him exit New York.
But Diaz has the track record to draw in the top spenders in MLB to drive up the bidding. He has won the NL Reliever of the Year Award in two of his last three seasons, striking out a combined 218 batters in 128⅔ innings between his 2022 and 2025 campaigns. The 31-year-old right-hander seems intent on seeking a long-term deal for stability into his mid-30s.
Would the Mets be willing to shell out in excess of $35 million dollar per season to form a dynamic 1-2 punch of Diaz and Williams in the late innings?
Robert Suarez
If the Mets cannot bring back Diaz, they might pivot to targeting a handful of the high-end relief prizes to fill in the gap in a piece-meal fashion.
Next to Diaz and Williams, Suarez is arguably the best reliever on the market. The 34-year-old righty, who has spent all four of his seasons with the Padres since arriving from an extended stay in Japan, is coming off his best season. He secured a league-high 40 saves while positing a 2.97 ERA and 0.90 WHIP.
Michael Kopech
In his first two seasons at the helm, Stearns has had a knack for pulling off the risk-reward play to try and cut down some of the team’s cost. It has paid off in the case of reclamation projects in Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and with Clay Holmes’ transition.
Could Michael Kopech be that next gamble?
With a vicious fastball, Kopech is tough to hit at his best. After being acquired by the Dodgers in 2024, he struck out 29 batters in 24 innings, while limiting opponents to three runs. Last season, the 30-year-old righty dealt with a right shoulder impingement and torn meniscus, which could bring down his cost.
Watch:: ‘Drained’ Merab Dvalishvili Talks About Tough Weight Cut Ahead of UFC 323 to Create History
Merab Dvalishvili has established himself as one of the most dominant champions of the modern bantamweight era, extending his run through consistent high-level performances. Ahead of UFC 323, he discussed the challenges of his ongoing weight cut as he prepares to defend his title against Petr Yan. The bout marks another pivotal moment in his championship tenure.
Dvalishvili’s reign has featured decisive victories over multiple generations of contenders, reinforcing his grip on the division’s top spot. He defeated Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov in consecutive championship fights. At UFC 320, he added Cory Sandhagen to that list with another disciplined showing. Each win further elevated the standard he set as champion.
UFC 323 positions Dvalishvili to accomplish a rare milestone as he approaches his fourth title defense within a single calendar year. Few fighters have matched this level of activity, especially against elite opposition. This accelerated schedule highlights his durability and competitive drive. His recent comments on his weight cut show the final challenges he must manage heading into fight night.
Its a mental game you know. Right now, I am cutting weight and my weight’s high, I know I will make it but I feel low energy. Its always hard.
Merab Dvalishvili via ESPN MMA
The Georgian’s trademark cardio continues to define his competitive identity, powering the relentless style that earned him the nickname ‘The Machine.’ His ability to maintain pressure across all five rounds consistently overwhelms opponents. This conditioning advantage has become one of his most reliable assets. It remains central to his strategy whenever championship stakes are on the line.
His preparation centers on extreme and unconventional training methods designed to push physical limits. Dvalishvili is known for running long distances in harsh weather, training outdoors in freezing conditions, and drilling relentless scramble sequences. He regularly uses high-intensity circuits, such as rubbing stinging nettles over his body and swimming in running streams.
As UFC 323 nears, Merab Dvalishvili enters a matchup carrying implications that stretch beyond a standard title defense. A win would further solidify his place among the most active and successful champions of the era. It would also influence long-term matchmaking within a crowded division. The stakes undoubtedly underscore Dvalishvili’s expanding legacy in bantamweight history.
Merab Dvalishvili lays out his plans for the 2026 calendar
Merab Dvalishvili has nearly cleared out the top ten of the bantamweight division and currently sits at No. 3 in the pound-for-pound rankings. Despite his dominance, several contenders continue pushing for a title opportunity. Rising prospect Aiemann Zahabi has drawn attention, while Song Yadong remains in contention as he prepares to face Sean O’Malley at UFC 324.
If Dvalishvili successfully defends his belt against Petr Yan at UFC 323, he will wrap up one of the busiest championship schedules in UFC history. His activity has positioned him at the center of long-term planning within the promotion. Dvalishvili recently outlined his vision for 2026, identifying potential new opponents and fresh matchups. His next year appears poised to expand his competitive range.
Just fighting the best contenders in my weight class. Now there is Zahabi on a six fight win streak. There is Song Yadong fighting Sean O’Malley if he will win this fight. I have to keep beating upcoming contenders to change weight class, if the UFC wants me to do that no problem but if not then whoever the UFC puts in front of me.
Merab Dvalishvili via TNT Sports
‘Injection in Eyeball’ – Tom Aspinall Reveals Timeline on When He’ll Return to UFC
Tom Aspinall fought Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in a heavyweight title bout that unexpectedly ended after an accidental poke. The British champion was unable to continue following the incident, which forced the officials to stop the highly anticipated championship fight immediately.
The bout was ruled a no-contest, leaving fans extremely disappointed as the abrupt ending completely derailed expectations for a decisive outcome. Following the incident, Aspinall consulted doctors who gave a detailed diagnosis, and fully supported his difficult decision to stop fighting.
The UK native felt unhappy with the outcome and remains eager to secure a highly sought-after rematch for the heavyweight championship against Gane. In a recent interview, the champion discussed his recovery progress and addressed possible timelines regarding his determined return to competition.
With eyes you’ve got to be careful. They don’t really know when I’m gonna be back. I’m still not even cleared to train. They’re talking about doing surgery on both eyes. I have to get an injection in the eyeball soon.
Tom Aspinall via The Ariel Helwani Show
According to medical reports, Aspinall was diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome caused by severe orbital soft tissue trauma impacting his vision. Doctors also indicated a potential fracture in his right medial orbital wall, adding further concern to his already complicated situation.
Aspinall criticized Gane by calling him a cheater and shared footage allegedly showing repeated attempts to eye poke him intentionally. Tom Aspinall blasted critics for months of harsh accusations, calling them losers who constantly attack elite fighters regardless of circumstances.
The UK native expressed frustration toward fans who labeled him a quitter despite doctors confirming legitimate injuries that required immediate protective action. Aspinall criticized UFC leadership for failing to support his health-first decision, emphasizing that fighters deserve respect when prioritizing long-term well-being today.
He voiced disappointment with CEO Dana White for downplaying his injuries, insisting athletes should never be punished for protecting themselves fully. Tom Aspinall believes that all this has made him more motivated to make a huge comeback and end his rivalry with Ciryl Gane.
Tom Aspinall slams Jon Jones for mocking him
Following the controversial eye poke incident at UFC 321, Jon Jones began relentlessly trolling Tom Aspinall online, seizing every possible opportunity openly available. Jones repeatedly posted sarcastic comments implying Aspinall exaggerated injuries, provoking heated discussions among fans who questioned the heavyweight champ’s toughness.
He shared edited memes depicting the stoppage as cowardly, further fueling tensions and reviving lingering hostility between both heavyweight stars. Jones even referenced their older rivalry, reminding audiences of previous callouts where Aspinall sought a fight Jones never formally entertained.
Through persistent jabs and online theatrics, Jones intensified public interest, pushing narratives portraying Aspinall as vulnerable while elevating himself boldly. In a recent interview, Aspinall took this opportunity to hit Jones with a sneaky jab.
I thought this guy was a GOAT. Focus on yourself. Bro, you’re retired. Just do your own thing. If you’re so much better than everybody else, enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about what I am doing.
Tom Aspinall continued.
Jones used the eye-poke controversy to redirect his full attention toward a matchup with Alex Pereira at the upcoming White House event. Several UFC legends criticized Tom Aspinall heavily, claiming his emotional reactions demonstrated unnecessary vulnerability unbecoming of a rising heavyweight contender.
Henry Cejudo Opens Up Ahead Of UFC Retirement Fight
TMZSports.com
Henry Cejudo is returning to the Octagon at UFC 323 … question is, will it be the last fight for arguably the most decorated combat sports athlete ever?!
That’s what we asked Triple C when he joined the
Former champion gives his UFC 323 main event prediction
Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili captured the 135-pound title by defeating Sean O’Malley in September 2024. He’s defended the belt three times this year and will put it on line for a fourth time in 2025 this weekend in the UFC 323 main event.
Dvalishvili faces former champion Petr Yan in a rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. The two first fought at UFC Fight Night 221 in March 2023. Dvalishvili defeated Yan that night in Las Vegas via unanimous decision. It was the last time Yan lost a fight. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker believes Dvalishvili will pick up a second win over the Russian.
Tatsuro Taira Ethnicity: Japanese Roots, Parents & Cultural Background
Alexandre Pantoja’s championship train rammed through the old guard and is taking on the new one. If he gets past Joshua Van this weekend, there is another next-gen star waiting for him. Who is it, you ask? Well, it’s none other than Tatsuro Taira. The flyweight star has bounced back from his loss to Brandon Royval in October last year with a win over HyunSung Park in August. Now, in his upcoming match, Taira is committed to maintaining the momentum.
With 17 victories and 1 loss in his professional career, Tatsuro Taira’s record speaks for itself. The 25-year-old is slated to square off against former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323 on December 6. And ahead of his clash against Mexico’s flyweight sensation, let us have a look at Taira’s nationality, beliefs, and so on.
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Where is Tatsuro Taira from?
Born on January 27, 2000, Tatsuro Taira was always fascinated by the art of fighting. A native of Naha, Okinawa, Japan, he started his fighting career with the security that his parents never forced him to do anything that he didn’t like. Interestingly, Taira played baseball when he was in the third grade of elementary school. However, he was not passionate about the sport.
As of today, Taira is ranked No. 5 on UFC’s flyweight rankings and is about to face the No. 2-ranked contender in a bid to further his title dream. A dominant win could propel him to the top of the rankings and potentially get him a shot at Alexandre Pantoja. That being said, his parents have majorly contributed to Taira’s success.
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Tatsuro Taira’s parents’ influence on his fighting career
Tatsuro Taira is already doing his nation a big service as he is one of the prospects for the flyweight title. Taira believes that Japan has many world-class fighters who could dominate the UFC as well. “There are many fighters from Japan who could compete and do well on the international stage today. I hope more fighters from Japan continue to get opportunities to represent the country in the UFC’s Octagon,” said Taira in a conversation with UFC.
He further added that if it had not been for his parents, then he would not have been here, “I never thought I was fighting like a veteran. This is just me. I have a lot of experience, and my parents did a great job of raising me, and I have a great team behind me. I want to continue competing at the highest level, and truly become a veteran of the UFC.”
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How Tatsuro Taira’s older brother inspired his combat sports journey
Tatsuro Taira’s path to becoming one of Japan’s brightest MMA prospects took root before he ever took his first steps in a cage. And it started at home. When he was in junior high school, the 25-year-old wasn’t involved with MMA or fighting at all. But everything changed when his older brother began learning kickboxing at Palaestra Okinawa.
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Obviously, his brother’s involvement in combat sports piqued his curiosity, and Taira followed him to the gym. While there, he was introduced to a world that would soon shape his future. He initially stepped away from club activities and began training, eventually coming under the guidance of Ryota Matsune. That’s when his true MMA journey took off.
“I started playing baseball at the age of 10 and continued till the age of 15. By then, my older brother brought me to the MMA gym, and that’s where I saw what MMA was, and nine years from then, I am here,” Taira told The Telegraph Online. He hasn’t looked back.
The Japanese star is days away from clashing against Brandon Moreno. Do you believe that the Japanese fighter can continue winning? Will this be the turnaround moment of his career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Paddy Pimblett makes ‘100%’ guarantee about his UFC 324 title fight with Justin Gaethje
Paddy Pimblett says the UFC judges can head home early on January 24 .
‘The Baddy’ will face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in the UFC 324 main event.
Whoever wins will go on to unify the division when Ilia Topuria returns to action in the summer of 2026.
Paddy Pimblett believes the big star of UFC 324 will be walking away with a highlight-reel finish.
Paddy Pimblett previews UFC 324
Paddy Pimblett has guaranteed that his fight with Justin Gaethje will not go the full five rounds.
The British fan favorite is confident he’ll score a KO or submission win to realize every MMA fighter’s dream.
“Someone’s getting finished,” Pimblett told CoinPoker.
Does Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett need to rethink his nickname?
The UFC 324 star is being praised by fans after getting ‘knocked out’ in a boxing match.
Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say Comment Like or Comment
“One hundred percent, that’s not going to judges.
“I’m feeling great. I can’t wait. Gaethje is a legend, and to be able to share the cage with him is an honor.
“But that all gets put to one side when I actually get in the cage with him, and I have to put a beat down on him.
“Obviously, I wanted it to be for the undisputed belts against Ilia Topuria.
“But I’m still going to be a world champion once I beat Gaethje and lift that interim belt.”
Is Paddy Pimblett’s UFC record strong enough to deserve a title shot?
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The only downside of headlining UFC 324
Paddy Pimblett is known for his love of junk food and ballooning up in weight between fights.
Christmas is typically the time of year when we all eat a bit more than we probably should.
Until now, Pimblett has never had to worry about his weight during the festive period.
“This is the earliest I’ve fought,” he added.
“I’ve fought in late February before, but I’ve never fought in January.
“So it’s going to be a rough Christmas dinner! There will be no cheese and crackers afterwards and stuff like that. I’m going to have to do a long run that day!
“It’s the biggest fight of my life and my career to date. We’ve still got eight weeks to go, but everything is flying so far.”
Joe Rogan Pressures Dana White to Sign Jon Jones’ Next UFC Heavyweight Champ Pick
The UFC Heavyweight division is yet to find its top prospect, especially after Jon Jones retired. Tom Aspinall might have been the one to fill that void, but following the eye poke incident at UFC 321, he is under medical suspension and will be out for several months. So, who could save the division? UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan might have the answer.
During his recent Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode with Derek from More Plates More Dates, he emphasized that the heavyweight division is struggling. “The heavyweight division is so devoid of talent,” Rogan said. And his solution has everything to do with MMA’s fast-rising prospect Gable Steveson, who is currently being mentored by none other than former heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
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Joe Rogan reveals what he texted Dana White after watching Steveson
“Gable Steveson is the f***king guy. Yeah, that’s the guy. He’s not even in the UFC yet,” Rogan told Derek. Joe Rogan raved about Steveson’s achievements and physicality even at the highest weight division, branding the 25-year-old a “freak athlete” who “moves like a cat.” Notably, Steveson is an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling (125 kg), winning at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a dramatic last-second comeback against Geno Petriashvili.
He is also a two-time NCAA Division I national champion (2021, 2022) and the 2021 Dan Hodge Trophy winner while wrestling for the University of Minnesota. He also was training to become a WWE Superstar but now, he seems to take a different rout. Clearly, Steveson has a lot of hype around him, which is only amplified by his last appearance in the Octagon. “I sent a text message to Dana White, I sent him a video of Gable’s last fight,” Rogan added, in his effort to convince Dana White to sign the rising heavyweight to the UFC.
“I said, ‘Everyone’s f**ked when this guy comes out,’” Rogan continued during his podcast. “He KO’d this guy with a left hand and then took him down as he was knocked out. Watch this knockout because it’s so f**king crazy, the speed that this guy has.” Steveson improved to 2-0 in his MMA career in November after he knocked out Kevin Hein cold with a left hook 24 seconds into the first round.
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“First of all, really good striking already and he’s only been striking for like a f**king year,” Rogan added. “I mean, that’s just nuts, man. That kind of speed is nuts for a heavyweight… And he can do back flips and s**t. When he fought in Dirty Boxing, he knocked the guy out, and… just leaps over the top rope with like effortless.” At DBX 4 on October 30, Steveson secured a knockout victory just 15 seconds into Round 1 against Billy Swanson.
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The UFC top brass aren’t unfamiliar with Steveson either, having watched the 25-year-old in action live in the audience. So, a contract with the UFC might be in the future. And Jon Jones feels Steveson is going to dominate.
Is Jon Jones mentoring a ‘guaranteed’ future UFC champion?
Jon Jones has touted Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson as a guaranteed future UFC champion, praising the 25-year-old’s potential after watching his rapid transition into MMA. Steveson, who dominated collegiate wrestling before winning his debut at LFA 217 in just 98 seconds, has been training closely with the former UFC champion as both a coaching project and a partner in the gym.
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Jones says there’s no doubt where Steveson is headed. “It’s not a matter of if he can, it’s a matter of when,” Jones wrote on X. “I’ve had many great teammates over the years, but I’ve always said if I [were] ever [to] be a coach, it would have to be a wrestler who was completely committed to success. I found my guy.” Steveson’s path to MMA has included stints in WWE and even an NFL tryout, but under Jones’ guidance, he appears locked in on a future UFC title run.
With backing from people like these, Gable Steveson isn’t far from the day he receives his UFC contract. However, do you think he is really as good as Joe Rogan and Jon Jones claim he is?
Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek Headline Tennis’ Takeover of 2025’s Highest-Paid Women
Money continues to flow into women’s sports, with athletes in basketball, hockey, soccer, softball, and volleyball all benefiting. But tennis still leads the way, thanks to rising prize money and major endorsement deals that WTA stars consistently attract. In 2025, the trend remains the same as Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and other top tennis players dominate the list of the highest-paid female athletes.
Sportico has released its latest list of the top-earning women’s athletes. Once again, tennis players dominated the rankings. Ten of the top 15 highest-paid female athletes in 2025 came from tennis. Coco Gauff led the field with an impressive total.
Gauff earned $31 million in 2025. Of that amount, $23 million came from endorsements. She added $8 million in prize money from her strong season. Earlier in the year, she launched Coco Gauff Enterprises with talent firm WME. This move marked her shift away from Roger Federer’s Team8 after seven years. WME does not own any part of her new business.
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Her biggest endorsement deal is with New Balance. The company signed her when she was only 14. They renewed the contract in 2022, making it one of the richest in women’s tennis. She now works with more than a dozen partners. Her list includes Baker Tilly, Bose, Head, Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, and Chase Bank. The variety of brands reflects her popularity and market value.
Aryna Sabalenka also had a record-setting season. She lost the Australian Open and French Open finals. But she won the US Open and two WTA 1000 tournaments. Her US Open title alone earned her $5 million, an increase from $3.6 million in 2024.
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Her total prize money for the year reached $15 million. This broke Serena Williams’ 2013 record of $12.4 million. Sabalenka has now earned $45.2 million in career prize money. She is second all-time but still far behind Williams’ $94.8 million.
Iga Świątek also delivered a strong year on the WTA Tour. She finished second in the year-end rankings behind Sabalenka for the second straight season. She is also close behind Sabalenka in total career earnings.
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Świątek collected $10.1 million in prize money and $13 million in endorsements this year. Her total reached $23.1 million, securing her place among the top earners.
Many other tennis stars made the list. Zheng Qinwen ranked fifth with $20.6 million. Madison Keys placed eighth with $13.4 million. Elena Rybakina followed in ninth with $12.6 million. Naomi Osaka ranked tenth with $12.5 million. Amanda Anisimova came in twelfth with $10.8 million. Jessica Pegula took thirteenth with $10.5 million. Venus Williams placed fourteenth with $10.2 million.
Because of these results, even Billie Jean King highlighted this achievement with the message, “10 of the Top 15 are tennis players. 👏”
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Yet, tensions between tennis authorities and players remain. Issues like the massive pay gap continue to spark debate, as Coco Gauff has already spoken publicly about these concerns.
Coco Gauff criticises tennis for its significant pay gap
Coco Gauff recently earned a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. She appeared there as a leading figure in both sport and fashion, and also stands out as the world’s highest-paid female athlete. Her influence now stretches far beyond her results on the court.
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And in a newly released video from Forbes, she speaks openly about the pay gap that still exists between the ATP and WTA at combined events.
“In Grand Slams, we’re obviously there when it comes to the prize money, but on the Tour it’s a very big gap. And I think the start is for sure targeting the ATP and WTA combined events, because for me there’s no reason we’re both playing two out of three sets, playing at the same venue, and sometimes there are female players like me, Aryna [Sabalenka], Iga [Swiatek], Jess [Pegula], who are selling out some of these stadiums more than some of the other guys and they’re getting paid way more.”
While Grand Slams offer equal prize money, most other tournaments do not. Even at events hosted together, men often receive higher payouts. This structure has frustrated players for years. Gauff has chosen to challenge it directly.
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Even after she reached the China Open semi-finals, she spoke again about another issue. She called attention to the ongoing revenue-sharing debate between top players and Grand Slam organisers. She chose not to avoid the topic or soften her message.
“For the long run of our sport and kind of the whole ecosystem, I think that it’s really important.” Her comments point to long-term sustainability and equality.
As one of the WTA’s most influential voices, Gauff’s message is gaining attention. More players have begun to echo her concerns.
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With the 2026 season approaching, many wonder what will happen next. Fans and players alike will watch to see if more tennis stars rise into the sport’s top earnings lists.
Taylor Fritz Gets Slapped in Japan After Girlfriend Plans Bold Surprise
Taylor Fritz thought he was in for a calm, cozy night in Tokyo – a simple off-season date with his girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, after a long year on the ATP Tour. The neon-lit streets of Tokyo were buzzing, the air crisp, and Fritz, like any trusting boyfriend, followed Morgan without a hint of suspicion. After all, a bar in Tokyo? Sounds normal enough. But little did he know, Morgan had crafted a plot twist worthy of a travel-comedy series.
As the couple stepped through the doors of what Fritz assumed was an ordinary bar, he froze. Instead of soft music and dim lights, he was greeted by the sight of towering, muscular women flexing proudly, patrons cheering, and an atmosphere that could rival a pro-wrestling weigh-in. This wasn’t just any spot – it was Tokyo’s famous ‘muscle girl‘ bar. Morgan’s face lit up with mischief. Fritz’s face lit up with immediate confusion. She recently shared a video clip on her IG handle with the caption, “(dw they loved it 🫠).” In the video, Fritz looked a bit amused when he was lifted off the ground by a muscular bartender quite effortlessly in her arms.
But the moment the internet can’t get enough came right after. “telling our boyfriends we’re going to a ‘bar‘ in tokyo, but it’s actually the muscle girl bar.” Her playful caption didn’t quite give a hint about what was waiting for her partner, Taylor Fritz. Still holding court in the middle of the bar, the same bartender gently – but theatrically – delivered a playful slap to Fritz’s cheek. Looking at his expression after that, one thing I can say is that it was definitely not a light slap, but a really tight one…
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But Fritz, now fully aware he’d been set up, could only shake his head and laugh along. For a player who has spent the season battling the world’s toughest opponents, it turns out his most unexpected challenge came off the court – courtesy of his girlfriend and a Tokyo bartender built like a superhero. However, talking about challenges, well, Morgan Riddle really got off to a challenging start to this trip. How?
Just a few days ago, “the most famous woman in men’s tennis” shared a screenshot of her search history, and it clearly suggested that she had perhaps suffered from food poisoning that required medical attention. She even added a sarcastic caption to it. “Japan has been great so far.” But this wasn’t the first time she had traveled to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun.‘ Riddle loves traveling with Taylor Fritz during the Tour, and she visited this beautiful country last year, also during the Tokyo Open.
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Looking at their lovely chemistry makes fans perhaps wonder how long she has been with Fritz, though, and how they met each other. Well, we get you covered, but before that, let’s check out some of the reactions that have come in on their recent trip to Japan.
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Tennis world reacts to Taylor Fritz and his girlfriend’s Japan trip
Taylor Fritz thought he was simply signing up for a peaceful off-season getaway in Tokyo with his girlfriend, Morgan Riddle. But somewhere between the bright city lights and Morgan’s mischievous grin, the tennis star unknowingly became the main character of a video that would send the entire tennis world into hysterics.
After seeing Fritz getting playfully slapped, Jessica Pegula commented, “This is incredible lol.” Madison Keys also chimed in. “I’m crying. This is so good. Even Asia Muhammed couldn’t hold her laughter. “Hahahhahah.” Even Desirae Krawczyk commented on that post. For a community used to high-stakes tiebreaks and nail-biting rallies, this unexpected Tokyo adventure was a refreshing, comedic break.
Morgan Riddle even received a special request from Grigor Dimitrov’s girlfriend, Eiza Gonzalez. After seeing a post where Riddle was seen feeding food to deer, she wrote, “Bring me one,” perhaps referring to the beautiful animal.
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However, the most interesting comment about their trip came from renowned tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg. He dropped a very interesting comment on the reel featuring their recent visit to the muscle girl bar. “Hard to overstate how much more enjoyable of an off-season this Fritz Tokyo trip looks like than all those Maldives pilgrims.”
Now, coming to the chemistry between Taylor Fritz and Morgan Riddle, well, they’ve been dating each other since 2020. The couple first met on Raya, a members-only dating app. During a previous interview with People magazine, Riddle spoke about their relationship, which consists of a lot of traveling to different places.
“We travel so well together, which people always ask me, ‘How do you guys spend that much time in a hotel room together without wanting to rip each other’s heads off? But we get along really well, which is why I think we’ve been able to make it work the last couple of years.”
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Even Taylor Fritz has time and again highlighted how Morgan Riddle’s presence has helped him stay focused, be healthier, and push for further excellence in life. What are your thoughts on this beautiful couple?
Thanasi Kokkinakis Eyes Comeback After Risky Surgery No Tennis Player Has Attempted
Injuries are an unavoidable reality in any sport, but in tennis, they cut especially deep, where a relentless “pay-as-you-play” grind forces athletes to stay healthy just to survive. The ATP Tour demands constant presence, yet its physical toll often makes that impossible. And recently, Thanasi Kokkinakis, long battered by the sport’s intensity, has now revealed the ‘risky’ and unprecedented surgery he chose in a desperate bid to extend his career and reclaim his place on tour.
Thanasi Kokkinakis recently spoke openly to the Australian news outlet TODAY about the hardest chapter of his career. He described the major risk he took with his latest surgery. For years, he had struggled with a torn pectoral muscle, an injury that made playing back-to-back matches almost impossible.
“The surgery I did, it’s risky, no tennis player has ever done it. A few surgeons didn’t want to do it, but I had to take a chance and bite the bullet if I wanted to have a crack at the rest of my career. This is my toughest injury I’ve had yet, and it will be my toughest recovery. I’m still optimistic, hopeful that I’ve made the right decision, but yeah, it hasn’t been easy and when you speak to surgeons and tennis players and no one’s seen this injury or had a surgery like this before in tennis, pretty daunting, but I knew I had to have a crack and yeah, why not be the first?”
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Kokkinakis revealed that the surgeons transplanted part of his Achilles tendon into the damaged area. Later, he also stated that without the surgery, his career would likely have ended.
“Yeah, I think so. I could have played one match a week the rest of my career, but in tennis, you can’t do that; you have to be able to string together back-to-back if you want to make any inroads in your career or ranking. So, yeah, for me, it was at a do-or-die point, I was like, I can’t keep going like this. It was mental torture,” he said.
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His last appearance came at the 2025 Australian Open. He battled Jack Draper for five sets in a dramatic match. He lost 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. After that defeat, he disappeared from the ATP Tour. For fans, there were no updates. But behind the scenes, Kokkinakis was fighting just to save his future in tennis.
Throughout his career, injuries have followed him. Shoulder issues, surgeries, and constant setbacks have tested him repeatedly. But he has not lost his determination. Even now, with another major operation behind him, he remains motivated.
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At 29, he still believes he has more to give. He is counting the days until he can return to the Australian swing. He hopes to compete again in front of his home fans. His comeback journey is far from easy, but he refuses to give up.
And as he prepares for the new season, Kokkinakis has also reflected on the areas he needs to improve.
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Kokkinakis reveals focus on improving his serve before returning
It’s almost ironic that both Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios are sidelined at the same time. Their careers have become closely connected, especially after their incredible Australian Open title run in 2022.
Since that success, the demanding tennis schedule has taken a toll on both players. Kokkinakis only played the Australian Open in 2025, while Kyrgios managed just four singles matches throughout the year.
Kyrgios is now preparing for the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ against Aryna Sabalenka. Meanwhile, Kokkinakis is focusing on rebuilding his game and planning a full comeback.
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He admitted that his serve has required the most work after the difficult surgery he underwent. As he said, “The most complicated part is the serve, that’s what I’m working on the most to recover it, we’ll see. My goal is to return to the circuit in 2026, I’m enjoying this moment, the restart from scratch, playing without pain, something I could almost never do in my career,” during a podcast, as reported by Ubitennis in September.
Despite the challenges, Kokkinakis seems motivated and refreshed. He is enjoying playing without pain for the first time in years.
With a new season coming and renewed energy, it will be exciting to see the Aussie return to the tour and try to make some deep runs again.
The 10 most difficult golf courses on the PGA Tour for the 2025 season
All the 2025 PGA Tour events are done and accounted for. That means all the 2025 PGA Tour stats are now complete and we can take a deeper dive into some of the more interesting numbers.
For example, which golf courses played the most difficult. It’s probably no surprise to anyone that the U.S. Golf Association set up the most challenging layout, as Oakmont Country Club played more that four strokes over par on average for the U.S. Open. Weather did play a factor this year but it’s a reminder just how good J.J. Spaun was that week in June.
Where did the four major venues rank in difficulty in 2025?
So again, the U.S. Open had the most difficult golf course. Behing it were Quail Hollow Club, which hosted the PGA Championship, in third; Augusta National, home of the Masters, checking in at No. 7; and Royal Portrush at No. 10 for the Open Championship.
10 most difficult golf courses on PGA Tour in 2025
Both golf courses in La Jolla, California, for the Farmers Insurance Open made the top nine.
Just missing the top 10 was TPC Sawgrass for the Players Championship, which was 13th most difficult in 2025.
In all, 17 golf courses had an average score of over par.
PGA Tour Injury Report: Viktor Hovland Drops Recovery Update Before New Season Kicks Off
Months after a neck injury forced Viktor Hovland out of the Ryder Cup, he’s back in South Africa with a strategy that contradicts everything modern golf demands.
Hovland told Viaplay Golf Norge this week that he has spent the last couple of months working hard to ensure his neck doesn’t get worse. The plan ahead of the Nedbank Golf Challenge? Keep the driver in the bag—or at least limit its use. But there’s reason for optimism: practice sessions over the past two days have been “very, very good,” Hovland said, adding that it will be a matter of getting comfortable during the tournament.
It’s a delicate balance. Hovland sounds confident, but the course in South Africa demands something his body might not be ready to give.
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Hovland’s neck issues first surfaced in June 2025 at the Travelers Championship, where he withdrew just two holes into the final round after his neck “cracked” during a warm-up swing. An MRI in September confirmed the diagnosis: a disc bulge. The injury flared again at the Ryder Cup in late September, forcing him out of both Saturday’s four-ball session and Sunday singles.
He returned at the DP World India Championship in October, finishing tied for sixth. But even that performance came with caveats. Hovland revealed he was still taking painkillers during the tournament to manage the injury, though he noted the pain wasn’t affecting his golf swing since he avoided hitting drivers. The Nedbank Golf Challenge is different. South Africa’s layout demands more regular driver usage than India did, testing whether Hovland can protect his neck while remaining competitive.
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Hovland’s driver-limiting strategy isn’t just a personal adjustment—it’s part of a larger shift happening across professional golf. More players are making difficult choices between competitive advantage and physical preservation, particularly when it comes to the sport’s most demanding club.
The Norwegian admitted the driver causes him the most pain, but he’s far from alone in that calculation.
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The modern game rewards distance above nearly everything else, but the physical cost of generating that power is forcing a reckoning at the highest levels. Players nursing back injuries, shoulder issues, and neck problems are increasingly relying on conservative club selection and short-game excellence to stay competitive.
The driver generates more torque and rotational force than any other club in the bag. That explosiveness separates elite ball-strikers from the rest of the field, but it also places tremendous strain on the body’s most vulnerable points—the lower back, shoulders, and cervical spine. For players managing chronic injuries, every driver swing carries risk.
But the real stakes are more personal. Hovland’s 2024 season was challenging, marked by inconsistency and physical setbacks. His T6 finish in India offered a glimpse of his potential, but that performance came on a course that allowed him to avoid his biggest weapon.
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Viktor Hovland’s Nedbank Golf Challenge strategy tests injury management
Hovland’s approach, that is to rely less on the driver at Nedbank, reflects a growing acknowledgment that sustainability matters as much as performance. This week carries significant weight.
The Nedbank Golf Challenge offers a $6 million purse, with $1.025 million to the winner. Race to Dubai points are critical, and then there are OWGR points matter for major championship access. For European players like Hovland, Ryder Cup points are also on the line.
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Nedbank is the litmus test. Can Hovland contend at a high level while managing chronic injury? Can he protect his body and still chase seven-figure payouts and critical ranking points? It remains to be seen.
NFL Rumors: J. J. McCarthy’s Vikings Career Is All but Over After Kevin O’Connell’s QB Decision
When the Minnesota Vikings took J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 draft, the message seemed obvious: this was the quarterback they planned to grow with. But a rookie season cut short by a torn meniscus and a bumpy follow-up year have changed the tone around the building. And it seems like Kevin O’Connell may already be bracing for life beyond McCarthy.
The rumor mill is loud. With McCarthy struggling, the Vikings are being linked to veteran options for 2026. Names like Daniel Jones and even Aaron Rodgers have surfaced as possible targets. None of this is subtle.
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“The likeliest way they can keep [Justin Jefferson], or make him happy, is Daniel Jones,” ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky pushed the thought.
And then there’s former Viking Anthony Barr, who once delivered the hit that fractured Rodgers’ collarbone and created years of tension between the two. Oddly enough, he’s advocating for the Vikings to sign Rodgers next year. Not because he thinks Rodgers is the long-term answer, but because he wants McCarthy to sit and learn.
“Yeah, too early to give up on him… imagine he had a year to learn from… dare I say… Rodgers,” he wrote on X.
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There’s logic to both ideas. Jones has looked reborn in Indianapolis after signing a one-year, $14 million deal this offseason. He’s thrown for 3,041 yards with 19 touchdowns and a 101.3 passer rating, leading one of the more efficient offenses in football. And he hasn’t been shy about crediting O’Connell for helping him grow.
“But going to Minnesota, I saw how Sam [Darnold] prepared. I saw how Kevin [O’Connell] prepared those guys, Josh McCown, Grant Udinski, that crew, and how detailed they were, day in and day out, on every little bit of the plan. How they’re going to study it. What they’re looking for, walking through it, quizzing each other in the quarterback room,” Jones said.
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He claimed that the small tenure behind Sam Darnold and under O’Connell made a big impression on him. So yeah, he’s bound to be a good fit.
Rodgers, meanwhile, practically offered himself to Minnesota last offseason. He pitched the Vikings on a “one-year run at a Lombardi,” even promising to mentor McCarthy. Minnesota passed at the time. Would Rodgers even consider them now after being turned away? It’s hard to know. Add in the constant talk about retirement, and it gets even cloudier.
So, whether it’s Jones or Rodgers, McCarthy’s development just took a major hit.
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What’s next for J.J. McCarthy?
Kevin O’Connell’s message this week is pretty straightforward: he doesn’t want McCarthy drowning in mechanics right now. The footwork, the leg-whip motion, all of that can be cleaned up later. What he wants at this moment is a quarterback who sees the field clearly and makes the right choices. That’s why he keeps stressing decision-making, because the turnovers have piled up, and he knows you can’t win games when you keep giving the ball away.
“It’s purely about decision making at this point,” O’Connell said. “I want him to have a clear head and a clear mind to just go play, but play with an understanding of the decisions that I make…I don’t want him overthinking or worrying about – if the fundamentals need to be changed, if they need to be adjusted, if we need more time on task on that, that’s one thing. But let’s just make the throws. Let’s just throw and catch. Let’s just play with great rhythm and understanding of the plan.”
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It’s hard not to wonder what the season in Minneapolis would look like had the Vikings kept Sam Darnold on the franchise tag instead of turning things over to J.J. McCarthy. At this point, you get the sense the front office might be replaying that decision in its head.
Darnold is steering a Seattle Seahawks offense that’s humming along, while McCarthy’s year has been defined by stops and starts. Injuries have already taken six games from him, including the trip to Seattle after he landed in concussion protocol following the Week 12 loss to Green Bay.
And when he has played, it’s been a mixed bag. There have been a handful of encouraging stretches, but the full body of work isn’t close to what the Vikings hoped for. In six starts, he’s 2-4 with a 54.1% completion rate, 929 yards, six touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
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In this league, flashes don’t get you very far if they don’t last four quarters. Right now, it’s clear he’s still learning on the job. If Minnesota actually pursues Daniel Jones or Aaron Rodgers, McCarthy better hope it’s Rodgers. Jones isn’t signing a one-year patch job, not with the way he’s played in Indianapolis.
If he lands in Minnesota, he’s coming in as the starter for a while, and McCarthy would slide into a backup role with no guaranteed path back. And at this point, it’s hard to imagine another team handing him a starting job.
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Rodgers, on the other hand, would likely arrive on a one-year deal, and that would almost certainly be his final lap in the league. That scenario gives McCarthy a mentor, one of the best to ever play the position, and a chance to sit, watch, and reset.
Kevin O’Connell has always tilted toward long-term thinking, and it’s tough to picture him hitching his plans to a 42-year-old quarterback. Either way, any move in that direction would be a major blow to McCarthy’s trajectory.
Marcus Freeman Potential Candidate to Replace Browns’ Stefanski
The Cleveland Browns might be looking for a new quarterback and a new head coach come next spring if things continue as they have through 12 games this season.
Cleveland in 3-9 and still has zero answers offensively. Zac Jackson of The Athletic outlined why new starting QB Shedeur Sanders deserves a bit more time to prove himself as a viable option, while the rest of the offense — including head coach Kevin Stefanski — does not.
“The story of the day is that the Browns are just bad, have completely wasted a strong defense and embarrassed themselves versus the 49ers,” Jackson wrote November 30. “Last year’s Browns went 3-14 with a horrible offense, a quarterback carousel and long-term worries about roster quality in important areas. This year’s Browns are similar in many ways and worse at punt coverage. This offense stinks out loud, even with Sanders showing some level of promise and [tight end Harold] Fannin and running back Quinshon Judkins putting up strong numbers.”
Quick turnarounds are possible in the NFL, particularly given the parity. Mike Vrabel has the New England Patriots (11-2) with the best record in the league, while fellow first-year head coach Ben Johnson has the recently hapless Chicago Bears (9-3) currently holding onto the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The Browns field one of the better defenses in the sport and have some pieces on offense. As such, hiring the right coach who can find the right QB could have Cleveland competing in a real way come next season, or 2027 at the latest.
It is possible that Marcus Freeman, the lead man at Notre Dame, could be that guy.
Marcus Freeman Getting NFL Buzz Ahead of 2026 Season
Browns fans will no doubt be familiar with Freeman, who has coached the Fighting Irish back to relevancy just a four-hour jaunt down Interstate 80.
Notre Dame is currently projected as the No. 10 seed in the College Football Playoff, per ESPN, and has won 10 games in a row following two consecutive losses to ranked opponents to begin the year. The team made it to the CFP title game last season, losing to Ohio State by in the championship.
Freeman, 39, coached one game in 2021 and took over full-time head duties the following season. He is 43-12 at Notre Dame and 5-2 in bowl games, including three wins last postseason.
“NFL teams, including the Bears last year, have inquired about Freeman in recent years amidst his meteoric rise in coaching, from his first [graduate assistant] job at his alma mater (Ohio State) in 2010 to his appointment as head coach of one of college football’s most iconic programs (Notre Dame) 11 years later,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network wrote on November 19. “He’s an engaging presence who will win the interview — if and when he’s willing to take one.”
Cleveland Media Calling for Kevin Stefanski’s Job
Stefanski, meanwhile, is 43-53 with the Browns over a six-year span. Cleveland is also 1-2 in two trips to the playoffs on his watch.
Media members in Cleveland have been on Stefanski all season, first for his handling of the quarterback situation and delayed decision to play Sanders, and now some like Tony Rizzo are outright calling for his job.
“Folks, I’m going to tell you something right now. I know owners of sports teams who would have fired these people on the spot yesterday. Enough. Enough of this. You have to be out of your mind to watch this garbage. The Browns are garbage,” Rizzo said Monday on ESPN Cleveland. “How in the hell does Stefanski have a job? … I’m done with everybody. Get out, everybody.”
The Browns have two first-round picks in next year’s draft, theirs and one from the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland’s own selection should end up somewhere in the top 10. That will put the Browns in prime position to move up in the draft for a top signal-caller in a much deeper class than existed in 2025, during which the team selected two rookie QBs.
If Stefanski is unlikely to finish next season as the head coach absent a drastic turnaround, then logic dictates the Browns move on from him after this year and let his successor — be that Freeman or some other new coach — make the call on the team’s next swing at a franchise quarterback.
It’s getting close to crunch time in the NFL season. Here are 5 things to watch from a loaded Week 14
Week 14 of the NFL season is here, and suddenly everything feels a little heavier.
For some teams, it’s win or wave goodbye to the playoffs. For others, it’s a chance to grab hold of their destiny before the calendar flips to crunch time.
Either way, the stakes are real — and rising fast.
Here are five things to know heading into a loaded Week 14:
Chiefs’ last stand
If the postseason started today, the Chiefs wouldn’t just miss the playoffs – they wouldn’t even be close. At 6-6, Kansas City sits 10th in the AFC, trailing the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6), Houston Texans (7-5) and Buffalo Bills (8-4) for the final wild card spot.
Sunday night against Houston is as close to a “must-win” as the Patrick Mahomes era has seen. A loss drops the Chiefs to 6-7 and hands the Texans the head-to-head tiebreaker. Kansas City has already lost tiebreakers to the Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars, so the margin for error is basically gone.
And this isn’t great timing for a must win if you’re KC. Houston’s defense – powered by Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. – ranks No. 1 in yards allowed and points allowed per game. The Texans don’t just stop you. They smother you.
Can Mahomes muster enough magic for one last stand? The Chiefs have reached at least the AFC championship game every year he’s been the starter. The last time Kansas City missed the playoffs was 2015.
The dynasty’s back is officially against the wall.
AFC South showdown
The Indianapolis Colts opened the season red hot at 8-1. Now? They’ve dropped three of four and are watching the division slip through their fingers. A loss Sunday to Jacksonville could knock Indy out of first place and potentially out of the playoff picture entirely if the Texans win.
Quarterback Daniel Jones is still battling through a fractured fibula but plans to play. But how well will Jones be able to move around? His mobility was a big reason for the Colts’ hot start.
For the Jaguars, this is one of the biggest home games in recent memory. A win puts them firmly in control of the AFC South before a Christmas-week rematch in Indianapolis. Jacksonville has only won the division twice in its history: 2017 and 2022.
Bears vs. Packers: A rivalry with extra spice
When the Bears and Green Bay Packers renew their rivalry Sunday at Lambeau Field, Chicago has a chance to make history.
In more than a century of battles, the Bears have never won at Lambeau twice in the same calendar year; Chicago beat the Packers on January 5 to end last season.
Green Bay leads the all-time series 107-95-6, but this meeting comes with even more on the line: first place in the NFC North.
The Bears enter on their first five-game winning streak since 2018, and Ben Johnson’s debut season could not be going better. Chicago hasn’t felt this energized since the team’s Super Bowl run nearly two decades ago.
The Packers, meanwhile, are rested and riding momentum after a 31-24 Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions. These two teams will be sick of each other by Christmas – Sunday is the first of two matchups in the next three weeks.
Burrow’s Bengals are back (maybe)
Joe Burrow returned last week for the first time since his Week 2 toe injury – and immediately delivered a shocker, leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a 32-14 Thanksgiving night upset of the Baltimore Ravens.
Because the AFC North is currently the worst division in football – no team has a winning record – the 4-8 Bengals are somehow still alive. Barely. To make the playoffs, Cincinnati likely needs to run the table.
That starts with their toughest remaining test: a trip to Buffalo to face the Bills. After that, the schedule softens – Ravens at home, then the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns.
It’s been a chaotic season in Cincy, but if Burrow rattles off six straight to get the Bengals to 9-8 and into the postseason, it’ll be one of the wildest turnarounds in recent memory.
Ravens vs. Steelers: Old rivals, new questions
The Ravens and Steelers enter Sunday deadlocked at 6-6 and locked in what feels like a season-defining showdown in the AFC North.
Steelers fans weren’t shy about their frustrations last week, booing the team off the field after a 26-7 loss to the Bills – Pittsburgh’s fifth defeat in the past seven games. Mike Tomlin didn’t dodge it, saying he agreed with the fans and the team “has to play better.”
Aaron Rodgers turned 42 this week, and the hits he took on Sunday made him look every bit of it. He’s dealing with an injured non-throwing wrist, and over his past three games he’s totaled just 394 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Is a late-season Rodgers revival still possible? The Steelers desperately need one. Otherwise, their season – and maybe the division – could slip away in Baltimore.
Ravens fans, meanwhile, are still trying to figure out what’s going on with Lamar Jackson. The two-time MVP threw just one touchdown in the entire month of November and never looked fully comfortable. Is he more banged up than the team is letting on?
Baltimore will need a vintage Lamar performance if the Ravens want to beat Pittsburgh on Sunday and keep the Bengals at arm’s length in the AFC North.
Full Week 14 schedule
Away @ home
Thursday
Dallas Cowboys @ Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m. ET
Sunday
Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
Washington Commanders @ Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Bengals @ Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
Denver Broncos @ Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. ET
Monday
Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Chargers, 8:15 p.m. ET
NFL quarterback accuracy: Ranking all 32 starters by bad-target percentage in 2025
CLEVELAND, Ohio — There are a number of ways to do quarterback rankings. Usually, it’s based off the eye test, or how many team wins their play led to.
We’ll do things a little differently this time around.
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Kevin Stefanski on preparing for the Titans, Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and more: Transcript
We are going to rank the top 32 NFL starting quarterbacks based off percentage of bad throws.
Every pass isn’t crisp.For every handful of on-target attempts, there is an off-target attempt.
We’ll rank quarterbacks using data from Pro Football Reference, which displays the percentage of poor throws, while excluding spikes and throwaways.
Note: Quarterbacks must have either started half or more of their team’s games through Week 13, or they’re the current starter, and are likely to remain the starter going forward.
QB rankings by bad-target %
J.J. McCarthy
It has been a tough season for McCarthy.
Injury-riddled, lack of wins, and the worst percentage for bad-target passes (24.4%), per Pro Football Reference.
Despite only playing six games, McCarthy’s lack of on-target passes has shown itself in various forms.
From tying for fourth in interceptions (10) to the worst quarterback rating among quarterbacks in the rankings above (24.4).
Daniel Jones
People are still trying to figure out if the credit of Daniel Jones’ rejuvenated season pertains to his work ethic or the Colts’ system in place.
It’s subjective. But the one area Jones definitely holds his own in is within his efficient passing.
Jones currently ranks fourth in lowest bad-target passing rate (12.1%), per Pro Football Reference.
Since entering the NFL in 2019, Jones’ current rate is on track to be his career-best.
His tendency for giveaways in the past stemmed from a higher rate of off-target passes, which contributed to his 22 combined interceptions in his first two years in the league.
Jones put the work in to better his efficiency on passes and it’s led to ranking eighth in completion percentage (67.9%), fifth in passing yards (3,041), and tying for seventh in touchdowns (19).
Spencer Rattler
Some outsiders were surprised when Spencer Rattler beat Tyler Shough, New Orleans’ 40th overall pick, for the starting job.
It’s understandable. The then-rookie Rattler struggled and hadn’t even won a game as a starter.
Yet, there were components that Rattler improved in.
And despite losing the starting job going into Week 9, Rattler still holds the second spot for lowest bad-target percentage (11.0%).
It’s actually a big jump from his rookie year rate of 18.2%, per Pro Football Reference.
And if anything, it’s overlapped in a couple other areas.
Such as his completion percentage jumping from 57.0% his rookie year to a present-day rate of 68.0%, which is seventh among all quarterbacks.
His rookie year, he averaged 2.79 seconds in the pocket. This year, Rattler has the seventh fastest time to throw (2.66 seconds), per Pro Football Focus.
Rattler’s bad-target percentage decreased because of the tangibles he wasn’t perfecting. And though he still has work to do, Rattler’s visibly made progress.
Geno Smith
Analytics can be funny sometimes.
Despite Geno Smith tying for first in interceptions (14), his bad-target percentage of throws is the lowest among all quarterbacks (10.5%).
The interceptions would usually paint a picture of a quarterback making wild throws and just giving it to the other team.
Furthermore, Smith ranks 20th in passing yards (211.0), 31st in completed air yards (4.1) and 32nd in quarterback rating (30.8).
Yet, the Las Vegas quarterback actually holds a higher on-target rate than some might expect.
His passes, per the data, are on point to his target more times than not.
In fact, Smith’s 77.9% on-target percentage is seventh among all quarterbacks, per Pro Football Reference.
While his 10.5% bad-target rate is currently his second-lowest rate through a full season, with his first coming last year at 10.4%.
So if anything, when Smith’s pass is not on-target, it’s most likely an interception.
That’s a dangerous dilemma for a quarterback. No middle ground, just two sides of a coin and nothing in between.
That is more than likely what’s contributed to the Raiders entering Week 14 one of four teams with two or fewer wins.
Full list of Week 14 straight-up picks with confidence levels
The playoff push is officially upon us. The NFL has passed Thanksgiving and moved into December, which means we only have five weeks left in the regular season. Nobody can clinch a playoff berth this weekend, but we’re quickly approaching playoff scenario season.
We did not see a ton of huge upsets, but underdogs had a strong weekend. On Thanksgiving, all three underdogs won their matchups, with the Packers, Cowboys, and Bengals all winning. The Bears secured a huge road win over the Eagles, and that coupled with the Rams loss to the Panthers means we head into Week 14 with Chicago sitting atop the NFC.
Last week was a down week for overall entertainment value, with Sunday in particular being a bit down aside from the Panthers wild win over the Rams. This week, we get a sizable load of matchups with playoff implicatios. Games involving two teams with at least .500 records include Cowboys-Lions on Thursday Night Football, Colts-Jaguars, Steelers-Ravens, Bears-Packers, and Texans-Chiefs on Sunday, and Eagles-Chargers wrapping things up on Monday Night Football.
I’m back after a week that turned out better than expected in spite of some ugly losses. In my weekly confidence picks, I was 2-2 with my high confidence picks, but more than made up for that with my 3-0 low confidence picks. I hit my two upsets, picking the Packers and Jets to win. I was 6-3 on my medium confidence picks, resulting in an 11-5 week.
On to my Week 14 picks!
Buccaneers over Saints
Packers over Bears
Rams over Cardinals
Lions over Cowboys
Seahawks over Falcons
Broncos over Raiders
Ravens over Steelers
Eagles over Chargers
Chiefs over Texans
Dolphins over Jets
Commaners over Vikings***
Jaguars over Colts***
Bills over Bengals
Browns over Titans
Rob Gronkowski Accuses NFL Refs of Ruining Patriots’ 10-0 Streak Against Broncos With Bad Calls In 2015
Even by their own ridiculous standards, the New England Patriots were rolling toward something special in 2015. 10-0 record, playing clean football, winning close ones, looking every bit like a team capable of running the table. Then came Denver and a 30-24 overtime loss in Week 12 that still gnaws at a few people inside that old locker room. Rob Gronkowski, for one, hasn’t let it go.
And he believes it was the questionable refereeing that put an end to their streak.
“We were 10-0, then we lost to the Broncos, which was kind of a BS loss,” Gronk said on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams. “I mean, there were a couple of penalties that went against us. That kind of ruined the streak. We were kind of iffy from there on out after that.”
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Back then, the game devolved into a debate about the officiating. For instance, a defensive holding call on Patrick Chung erased what would’ve been a huge sack in the fourth quarter. Instead of third-and-goal from the 15, the Broncos got a new set of downs and punched in the go-ahead touchdown.
But it wasn’t the call that ‘Gronk’ still gets angry about. His moment came on the third-and-5 in the fourth quarter, when he picked up a 10-yard gain… only to see it wiped out by an offensive pass interference flag. New England punted a snap later. It was the fifth time he had been hit with OPI that season. It was the most in the league that year, and even then, he was publicly wondering why the calls kept finding him.
Gronkowski believed that he was being targeted with all those pass interference calls, and he even tweeted “Agree” on an article making that exact point.
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Patriots fans haven’t forgotten that game either. They watched a perfect season flicker away in a fourth quarter filled with whistles. You’ll still hear arguments about which call was worse: Chung’s hold or the OPI on Gronk. The answer would depend on whom you ask, really.
And yes, all those penalties were just part of a larger, messy night in Denver.
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Why was the loss to the Broncos so difficult for the Patriots?
The Patriots’ first loss of the 2015 season was more than a mark in the standings. It felt like a night when everything that could tilt against New England did. Denver offered the full menu: a loud road crowd, weather that shifted by the minute, shaky officiating, and another key player going down for the Patriots at the worst time.
Snow games tend to invite weird outcomes, and this one fit the bill. The forecast called for a light coating, an inch or two at most, but nothing showed until kickoff. Once it started, it didn’t let up. The field was already painted white during the second quarter. By the time the teams came out for the third, footing was an adventure, and visibility wasn’t any better.
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And then came the moment that mattered more than the calls that frustrated everyone. Late in regulation, Rob Gronkowski took a low shot to the knee and stayed down. He was carted off, ruled out immediately.
The Patriots had already lost Dion Lewis for the season. Julian Edelman was out as well. Danny Amendola was sidelined. New England had been thinning out on offense for weeks, and Gronkowski going down pushed them to the edge. The loss had consequences beyond that night.
The Patriots and Broncos finished the season tied at 12–4, but Denver owned the head-to-head tiebreaker because of this game. That was the difference between the No. 1 seed and the No. 2.
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And when the Patriots dropped their regular-season finale in Miami, that margin became definitive. The Broncos rode it all the way to a Lombardi.
And you can’t help but ask the familiar question in New England: if that snowy evening in Denver had panned out even a little differently, would the rest of the 2015 season look the same?
Every Week 14 window has a high-stakes game
Sometimes, the schedule set in May results in a late-season clunker or two. Sometimes, the NFL nails it.
For Week 14, the schedule couldn;t get much better.
Here’s the key. Each of the five windows for the weekend has a game with very high stakes.
It begins tonight, with the surprisingly surging 6-5-1 Cowboys facing the suddenly slumping 7-5 Lions. Both desperately need a win to remain viable in the chase for their respective division titles, or for one of the three NFC wild-cards. The loser won’t be eliminated, but it will get dicey. For the Lions, 11-6 should be good enough. For the Cowboys, however, a loss would make their best possible record 10-6-1. Anyone with an 11-6 record (obviously) would jump them, without the application of a single tiebreaker.
On Sunday, the 1:00 p.m. ET window has three must-watch games. The 6-6 Steelers visit the 6-6 Ravens for first place in the AFC North. (They play again in Week 18.) The 8-4 Colts, who haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014, play the 8-4 Jaguars for first place in the AFC South. (The rematch happens in Week 17.) And the 4-8 Bengals, whose slim chances of jumping the Steelers and Ravens are hanging by a thread, visit 8-4 Buffalo, which could still jump for the playoff table — and miss.
At 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, the 9-3-1 Bears and the 8-3-1 Packers renew the NFL’s oldest rivalry at Lambeau Field, with round two set for a Saturday night only 13 days later. It’s the most significant home-and-home for Chicago and Green Bay since the merger, and the biggest game between them since the 2010 NFC Championship.
Rarely are both teams good this late in the season. From the early 1970s through 1988, the Packers were more often than not non-contenders. From 1990 on, the Bears only had sporadic high-level seasons. This year, the black-and-blue planets have aligned perfectly.
On Sunday night, the Texans return to Arrowhead Stadium, where they lost twice in less than a month last season. On a Saturday night in December, Houston kept it within one score, 27-19. In the divisional round of the playoffs, the 23-14 outcome was uncomfortably close for the three-time AFC Champions.
Now, the Texans have won four in a row to get to 7-5. And the Chiefs, at 6-6, have slipped into “run the table” mode. With the first game coming against arguably the best defense in the league.
It all ends on Monday night, when the 8-4 Eagles visit the 8-4 Chargers. Philly has sputtered for weeks on offense, and the Chargers have shown a propensity to step into a periodic pothole. If the Cowboys start Week 14 with a win, the Eagles will be at risk of seeing their lead in the NFC East slip to a half game, 8-5 vs. 7-5-1.
So, yes, December is coming in like a lion. Hopefully, it will go out like a Tyrannosaurus Rex, with four weekends of NFL action setting the stage for one of the craziest final weekends of the regular season we’ve ever seen to start 2026.
What channel is Cowboys vs Lions on today? Time, odds for NFL Week 14
The Dallas Cowboys head to Detroit to take on the Lions in this week’s
Week 14 NFL Survivor pool strategy with safe, value, trap picks
The NFL has made it through Thanksgiving and we’re coming into the home stretch of the 2025-26 regular season. There are five weeks remaining and that means your favorite team is hopefully firming up its playoff position, and you are maybe still battling it out in the closing stages of a Survivor pool.
Last week, I was dealt a crushing defeat thanks to the Rams. I was one of the final 11 entries in a pool of 345. Two got knocked out picking the Eagles over the Bears on Friday. I listed Rams over Panthers as a strong value pick in my column last week. That turned out poorly as the Rams never could quite get things going. Matthew Stafford was a turnover machine, and their defense could not get the stops they needed.
I have two entries in a double-elimination pool where I’m down a strike with each. I took the Dolphins value pick and also rolled the dice with what felt like a trap pick in the Chargers over the Raiders. Those both panned out, so I remain alive heading into Week 14.
Safest picks
Rams over Cardinals
The Rams burned me, but it feels like a nearly obvious result that they handle their business this week. A divisional game pick is not ideal, but I think the Rams bounce back handily.
Best value picks
Bucs over Saints
Seahawks over Falcons
Another divisional pick, but the Saints are awful. Maybe it ends up close, but this is the week you take the Bucs if you have not yet. Their remaining four games against the Falcons, Panthers, Dolphins, and Panthers are all tough ones and the value isn’t there.
The Falcons can be dangerously inconsistent. I think Seattle handles their business, but this could be a game where you’re on the edge of your seat. Seattle has value because I don’t think you use them the rest of the way against the Colts, Rams, Panthers, or 49ers.
Trap picks
Broncos over Raiders
The Broncos keep winning in spite of themselves. There’s not much value left on their schedule (Packers, Jaguars, Chiefs, Chargers), so if you do want to fire them off, this would be the week. But of all the divisional games on the schedule, this is the one I would probably avoid.
Lakers Hit With Reality Check on Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers don’t have the pieces to pull off a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, reckons former NBA player Chandler Parsons.
During Wednesday’s episode of “Run it Back” on Fan Duel TV, Parsons felt that a package built on Austin Reaves won’t be enough to woo the Milwaukee Bucks. Reaves added that the Knicks are in a far better position to pull off a deal with the Bucks.
“The Lakers have nothing that the Bucks will want for Giannis,” Parsons said.
“I guess Austin Reaves would be good, but I’d rather have an All-Star caliber player KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns] from the Knicks and [Mikal] Bridges or someone like that.”
“It’s physically impossible for the Lakers,” added Parsons. “I just don’t see it. I don’t see the pieces coming back to equal Giannis… don’t see this happening.”
Austin Reaves, a Free Agent
It’s worth noting that, since Reaves has the option to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, the Bucks may not have interest in him unless he and his representation express interest in playing in Milwaukee. As such, he’s likely off the table in a potential deal.
Parsons stressed that teams such as the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and even the Oklahoma City Thunder are better-positioned to pull off a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade due to the abundance of draft picks and young players at their disposal.
The Spurs could potentially build a package around Dyland Harper and/or Stephon Castle, along with multiple first-round picks. The Rockets could similarly build a package around Reed Sheppard or Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and picks.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have only one tradeable first-round pick.
Spurs to Be ‘Aggressive’
Incidentally, the Spurs are fascinated with the idea of pairing Antetokounmpo with franchise star Victor Wembanyama. According to the Dallas Hoops Journal, the Spurs will “aggressively” pursue a potential deal for the two-time MVP.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo’s days in Milwaukee could be numbered. On Tuesday, the NBA insider reported that Antetokounmpo’s representation began “active talks” with the Bucks on his future with the franchise.
“Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, are having conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP’s future — and discussing whether his best fit is staying or a move elsewhere, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
“A resolution to these talks is expected in the coming weeks, sources said, which will shape whether Antetokounmpo is available ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.”
You don’t need to have fun at work-take it from NBA head coach Joe Mazzulla: ‘Fun is a cop-out’
“I struggle with that, to be honest with you,” Mazzulla said. “I think everyone has a different definition of fun, and you have to find one as a team. I think fun’s a cop-out sometimes when things aren’t going well, everyone likes to say, ‘Well, let’s just have fun.’ Well, what does that mean, you know? So you have to define what fun looks like as a team and you have to go after that. But that phrase can be a cop-out sometimes. So as you get older, kid, don’t use it. You know? ‘I just want to have fun.’ Well, what does that mean?”
The comments, which sparked broader discussions about the role of enjoyment in professional settings, aren’t particularly surprising coming from Mazzulla, whose emotionless nature on the sidelines—never too high, or too low—is well-documented. (Mazzulla’s intensity, including his eccentric practice methods and his esoteric love of things such as European soccer, mixed martial arts and even jiu-jitsu, is also widely known in NBA circles.)
Days later, in an interview with The Athletic, Mazzulla elaborated on his complicated relationship with happiness. “Just in general, I don’t get joy from winning,” Mazzulla said. “Not even a championship … I get the most joy and fulfillment when I feel like it was done right, regardless of if we’ve won or lost. And that’s really it. I’ve left the arena after wins being empty and pissed off.”
This philosophy runs contrary to a growing body of workplace research suggesting fun enhances productivity. A study from the University of Warwick found happy employees were 12% more productive than their less satisfied peers, while research from BrightHR suggested 79% of employees believe workplace fun contributes to increased output. Gallup has also linked engaged, satisfied workers to a 21% rise in organizational profitability.
Yet, Mazzulla’s results are difficult to argue with. He holds a 190-71 regular-season record as Boston’s head coach and guided the Celtics to their record 18th NBA championship in 2024—their first title in 16 years—at age 35, making him the youngest coach to win a championship since (the great Celtic) Bill Russell in 1969. The Celtics went 64-18 that season en route to the title, then followed that up with 61 wins the next season.
Academic research does suggest nuance in the fun-at-work equation. A 2022 study published in Cogent Psychology found that while workplace fun can function as a job resource that activates engagement, its effectiveness depends on context and employee trust. Other research has shown that some individuals react cynically to mandated fun activities, viewing them as “artificial and unauthentic attempts to build unity.”
You can watch Mazzulla’s candid response to the young reporter’s question below.
NASCAR Classic: Relive Dale Earnhardt’s Infamous 6-Word Excuse After Dumping Terry Labonte
NASCAR’s short-track racing action has been unmatched by any other ovals or speedways. It’s a spectacle for race fans to see cars go bumper to bumper and churn out laps while conserving their tires. For some, this is the purest form of stock car racing, and it’s certainly entertaining. However, the 1999 Bristol Night Race is the one that stands out from the rest.
After 1992, the track at the half-mile Bristol was paved with concrete to replace the asphalt, and ever since, this surface has produced some iconic races. The night race from 1999 is famously known as the “cage rattler,” largely because Dale Earnhardt was at the center of a legendary race finish.
Back in the day, Bristol race wasn’t a part of the playoffs. Well, to be fair, NASCAR didn’t have the playoffs. But despite this, the night race at Thunder Valley was a big TV event for race fans.
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Earnhardt didn’t have the best of the qualifying rounds and started 26th. This also meant that he would have to settle for a backstretch pit stall, which was a big disadvantage. But the driver of the #3 Chevy didn’t hold back and mounted a charge. He worked his way up the field, and by Lap 380, he managed to take the lead for the first time.
He wasn’t uncontested. Terry Labonte swapped the lead with Earnhardt multiple times as laps kept ticking to set up late race theatrics. However, after a fierce battle, Labonte got clear of his rival and looked to be on his way to a win. But then came the late caution flag. Instead of racing back to the line under caution, the HMS driver let his foot off the gas and got tagged by Darrell Waltrip. He was spinning on the track and lost the lead for the win.
Labonte was forced to make a call now as his lead just vanished in a split second. He opted for four tires under caution and restarted in fifth place. The guy leading the field was Earnhardt with just 10 laps to go. Committed to getting his lead back, Labonte charged through the field. He passed Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, and even got by Tony Stewart on the next lap. The only car in front of him was the #3 Chevy, and time wasn’t Labonte’s best ally.
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With just 2 to go, he nudged Earnhardt in Turn 3 and got by him in Turn 4 while taking the white flag. Tires played a big role as Earnhardt was on the older tires, and he knew he only had one shot to beat Labonte. Going into Turn 1, the Intimidator just spun the #5 HMS Chevy car and caused a big pile-up.
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Earnhardt took the checkered flag, and what followed next has to be the most iconic post-race interviews of all time. ESPN’s Jerry Punch asked Dale to share his thoughts on the closing laps of the race. To this, the RCR driver responded, “Terry got into me in the middle of 3 and 4. I was gonna get back to him and just rattle him. I wasn’t going to wreck him. But I got to him and turned him around. Didn’t mean to turn him around.”
Then came the kicker: Earnhardt followed this up with, “Meant to rattle his cage, though.”
Years later, Labonte confessed he had planned to T-Bone the #3 car during Earnhardt’s victory lap in Bristol. The only thing that kept Labonte from retaliating against his rival was a mechanical malfunction. However, in the heat of the moment and after a failed wreck attempt, Labonte played it cool in the post-race interview.
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“Wasn’t my night, I passed him down the front straight-away, and he hit me in the corner down there in 1 and 2 and turned me around. That’s about it,” Labonte said. It was a memorable night of Bristol racing, and the announcer Bob Jenkins knew that this was going to be etched in NASCAR history. “They’ll talk about this one for a long time.”
NASCAR accused of being a monopolistic bully in federal antitrust case
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins was back on the stand Thursday to testify on the fourth day of the explosive antitrust case that accuses NASCAR of being a monopolistic bully in violation of federal antitrust laws.
Jenkins began his testimony Wednesday and the fast-food franchiser said he was a passionate NASCAR fan who fulfilled a longtime dream when he was finally able to own a car in the top motorsports series in the United States.
But he said he has lost $100 million since becoming a team owner in the early 2000s and that’s even with a 2001 victory in the Daytona 500. His love of the sport and belief that it can be profitable have kept him going, but what he believes is a no-win revenue model led Front Row to join 23XI Racing in a federal lawsuit against NASCAR.
23XI is owned by Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. Jordan has the funding to fight NASCAR and Jenkins joined the battle when he became offended by NASCAR’s “take-it-or-leave-it” offer on charter agreements.
A charter is the equivalent of the franchise model used by other sports leagues, but in NASCAR it guarantees a team a spot in the field for all 38 races plus a designated percentage of revenue. Front Row was one of the teams that received two charters for free when NASCAR created the system in 2016 and Jenkins thought the agreements were lousy then — but a step in the right direction.
All 15 Sprint Cup organizations fought for more than two years for better terms on the charter extensions that began this year. But when NASCAR’s final offer was presented at 6 p.m. on a Friday last year with six hours to sign the 112-page document, Jenkins balked because it went “virtually backward in so many ways.
“It was insulting, it went so far backward,” he testified Wednesday. “NASCAR wanted to run the governance with an iron fist, it was like taxation without representation. NASCAR has the right to do whatever it wants.”
He said he was “honestly very hurt” by the sequence of events and believed NASCAR “knew we had to blindly sign it. Some of these owners have $500-$600 million facilities, long-term sponsors. They couldn’t walk away from that.”
Jenkins testified that Joe Gibbs personally apologized to Jenkins for signing the deal, and most owners reluctantly signed the agreement.
“Not a single owner said, ‘I was happy to sign it.’ Not a single one,” he testified. “100% of the owners think the charter system is good,” Jenkins said. “The charter agreement is not.”
Front Row and 23XI were the only two organizations out of 15 that refused to sign and instead went to court in a trial that could completely rework NASCAR’s framework.
The extensions ended more than two years of bitter negotiations in which neither NASCAR or the teams budged.
Team losses
NASCAR executive vice president in charge of strategy Scott Prime testified Wednesday that a study he worked on as a consultant found the longevity of the sport was in danger if NASCAR didn’t act to improve the health of their race teams.
Prime said NASCAR became concerned about the threat of a breakaway stock car series during 2024 charter negotiations.
Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for the teams, told the jury Monday that over a three-year period almost $400 million was paid to the France Family Trust and a 2023 evaluation by Goldman Sachs found NASCAR to be worth $5 billion. The pretrial discovery process revealed NASCAR made more than $100 million in 2024.
NASCAR contends it is doing nothing wrong and has not restrained trade or commerce by its teams. The series says the original charters were given for free to teams when the system was created in 2016 and the demand for them created a market of $1.5 billion in equity for chartered organizations.
The new charter agreement upped the guaranteed money for every chartered car to $12.5 million in annual revenue, from $9 million. But Hamlin and Jenkins have both testified it costs $20 million to bring a single car to the track for all 38 races and that figure does not include any overhead, operating costs or a driver’s salary.
Both testified they don’t have the ability to slash costs and teams are too reliant on outside sponsorship to survive.
“It’s offensive to say I’ve overspent. We have a model that works for us,” Jenkins testified. “I have never turned a profit. And it’s not from malpractice. The level we compete at is just so expensive.”
Prime testified as much and noted in his consulting role he discovered in 2014 that teams lost a combined $85 million, or an average of $1.3 million a car. He also learned that under the system before charters, when cars had to qualify for a race based on speed, a team would lose $700,000 if it failed to make the field.
The trial is expected to last two weeks with Jordan, Rick Hendrick and Roger Penske still set to testify. Jordan has been in court each day and is occasionally demonstrative, either laughing at funny remarks or shaking his head at testimony he disagrees with.
NASCAR is owned and operated by the France family, which founded the series in 1948.
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NASCAR Trial Turns to Scott Prime as Emails Reveal Internal Tensions
The NASCAR trial in Charlotte, North Carolina, has continued to reveal how the company handles its charter system and how teams say the process limits their power. The case, led by Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, centers on claims that NASCAR pressures teams into unfair charter deals.
Jury selection earlier in the week of the NASCAR trial removed people who showed clear bias, including fans of Jordan. Opening statements focused on the teams’ lack of alternatives outside NASCAR. Denny Hamlin also testified and talked about the financial strain the current model creates.
By the third day, the attention of the NASCAR trial turned toward internal emails and recorded comments from NASCAR executive Scott Prime.
Scott Prime Pressed on Warnings and the Structure of the System
In testimony reported by Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Prime said that during his time at McKinsey, he wrote a 2014 report raising “concerns over the longevity of the sport” if team finances did not improve. That report suggested a “medallion” concept, which later became NASCAR’s charter system.
Jeffrey Kessler argued that teams still lacked negotiating strength, pointing to a 2019 request from a team for a better business model. According to Gluck’s reporting, Prime responded on the stand by saying, “We presented the offer, and they accepted it.”
Kessler then stated that teams had “nowhere else to go,” and Gluck wrote that Prime answered, “NASCAR is the premier stock car racing series today, yes.”
Emails, Hardball Options, and Internal Tension
Prime sent an email during the 2024 charter negotiations calling the teams’ demands “quite disappointing.” The teams said that if NASCAR did not agree, they would be “forced to recommit our energy to exploring all our options.” Gluck reported that the message raised concerns inside NASCAR leadership about a possible breakaway series.
Prime’s email laid out possible NASCAR actions, including reducing the number of charters, setting a hard deadline, rewriting charter terms, or even dissolving the charter system. Gluck reported that then-president Steve Phelps replied, “They are playing with fire. Pick a date, and they can sign or lose their charters. It is that simple.”
Kessler argued this language showed monopoly power. Gluck wrote that NASCAR did later issue a take-it-or-leave-it offer on September 6, 2024. Prime had previously described that type of approach as “a gun to your head,” though Gluck noted he said he did not support using it.
Internal tension also came up in court. According to Jeff Gluck, Prime wrote a text saying, “No bueno with Jim on charters… it was a brick wall,” referring to NASCAR chairman Jim France. When asked what France wanted, Prime replied, “I don’t know what he wanted.”
The “goodwill provision” also came under question. Kessler said it operated like a non-compete, since even a minority owner of 10 percent could not join or invest in another stock car series for more than a year. When asked whether he believed it was goodwill, Prime answered, “I do.”
IP Limits, Revenue Debate, and What Comes Next
Prime had previously written that removing intellectual-property protections for the Next Gen car “increases risk… of the creation of a copycat series.” The court also heard Prime say that the rules preventing teams from using the Next Gen car outside NASCAR were standard and, in his words, “It was never an issue with the teams.”
Gluck also reported Prime’s comments against permanent charters. On the stand, he said, “You can’t write a contract today that’s going to last forever.”
Bubba Wallace & Toyota Deliver Life-Changing Miracle on National TV in Emotional BGCA Reveal
The last few weeks in NASCAR have felt like a courtroom drama with no commercial breaks. Lawsuits, charter fights, executives on the stand, drivers tweeting when their lawyers are asleep. It has been heavy, tense, and sometimes downright ugly. Everyone needed a breath of fresh air. And right then, Bubba Wallace walked onto the TODAY Show set with Toyota and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and gave everyone exactly that.
Wallace and Toyota turn a morning show into a surprise party
At first, it looked like a standard celebrity guest segment, where Wallace was smiling in a sharp jacket, a shiny Toyota Tundra parked on set, a bed covered in toys. Then the real magic happened. Wallace and Toyota handed over the keys to that truck, a mountain of gifts, and most importantly, a check for $265,000 to a local Boys and Girls Club.
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The kids lost their minds. The staff cried. The hosts teared up. Wallace just stood there with the biggest grin, soaking it all in. That money is not just a nice photo op number. It is new programs, hot meals, safe places after school, college scholarships, and a thousand little things that turn hard days into hopeful ones. The truck means kids who could not get to the club before now can.
The toys mean Christmas came early for families who thought it might not come at all. Bubba Wallace has been quietly doing work like this for years through his Live to Be Different foundation, but teaming up with Toyota and putting it on national television took it to another level.
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Millions of people watched a race car driver use his spotlight not to talk about himself, but to change lives. In a week when the sport has been arguing over millions in court, Wallace and Toyota handed a quarter million dollars straight to kids who needed it most. No lawyers, no fine print, just pure good.
It was the kind of moment that cuts through all the noise. Fans who have been stressed about charters and contracts suddenly remembered why they fell in love with racing in the first place: the people. One segment showed the whole country that NASCAR drivers can do a lot more than turn left. They can turn hearts, too.
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Ultimately, Wallace’s gesture was a big, warm, feel-good reminder that racing is still full of good people doing great things.
And while he was making kids scream with joy on morning TV, Dale Earnhardt Jr was on a podcast asking NASCAR to make fans scream with excitement at Daytona and Talladega.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. just wants the big tracks to feel magical again
He told the Bussin’ With The Boys hosts that if he could change one thing in NASCAR, he would fix the package at Daytona and Talladega. The Next Gen car has made short tracks tough to watch, and everyone knows it, but Dale Jr says the big tracks are not living up to their old magic either.
Too much pack racing, too little horsepower, cars stuck together like magnets. It is not terrible, but it could be so much better.
“I wish we could figure out a new package for those two places,” he said. “The details of how the cars race and why they do some of the things they do… It’s not as great as it used to be. Or it could be better than what it is today.”
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He does not claim to have the exact answer, no magic horsepower number or spoiler height, but he wants to be in the room when they figure it out. He wants the cars to dance again instead of just following the leader in one giant blob. Two different moments, same sport.
One guy using his platform to change kids’ lives with money and hugs. Another guy begging for the sport to remember how to put on a show that makes fans jump out of their seats the same way those kids jumped when they saw that check.
Wallace gave families hope on national TV. Dale Jr is asking NASCAR to give fans the kind of racing that feels like hope every February and October. Ultimately, both are trying to make racing feel good again, just in their own way.
Jimmie Johnson & Co. Robbed of Millions as Court Exposes Disastrous Fallout of Jim France’s ‘No Bueno’ Decision
Jimmie Johnson-owned Legacy Motor Club might have suffered from a major loss in collateral damage from the ongoing NASCAR charter lawsuit. LMC has been interested in expanding its Cup Series operation with a third full-time entry, and recently finalized a deal with Rick Ware Racing.
They successfully acquired a third charter for the 2026 season for an estimated $45 million. But NASCAR CEO Jim France’s “no bueno” text, which was revealed during the antitrust lawsuit’s trial, hints that the team might have lost millions in terms of the charter value.
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Jimmie Johnson’s undervalued charter purchase highlighted in a major revelation
As the lawsuit trial is full on fire right now, crazy revelations have been coming in every day. Many text conversations from the sport’s top authorities were published before the trial. One of the conversations with NASCAR exec Scott Prime revealed that Jim France had not been in favor of permanent charters for teams.
And when the teams demanded it, he simply responded with “no bueno.”
But that’s not the shocker.
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Interestingly, if those charters were made permanent, which the teams ultimately wanted, today, each charter could be valued up to $100 million, as Scott Prime mentioned. This puts Jimmie Johnson’s purchase of the $45 million charter largely undervalued.
Among other important figures, Joe Gibbs is one of those who has actively voiced out his opinion to make the charters permanent.
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“I have repeatedly expressed my strong desire for the charter system to become permanent in nature, and I continue to hold out hope that will one day be the case. Doing so would, in my view, solidify the financial health and well-being of the Cup teams and the sport as a whole,” Gibbs said.
Nonetheless, as of now, NASCAR doesn’t plan on doing that anytime soon.
Even though teams pay millions to earn a full-time entry in the Cup Series through the Charter Agreement, none of the charters are actually permanent. They are more like limited contracts that can last as long as the current Charter Agreement. This can be up to a few years. Currently, there’s a seven-year extension given to the teams till 2031. The same one that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports have refused to sign.
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And even if the teams wanted to transfer charters, nothing can be done without NASCAR’s approval.
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NASCAR accused of making profits at teams’ expense amidst charter debate
The reason 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed the lawsuit against NASCAR, refusing to sign the new charter agreement, is because of the ‘monopolistic nature’ of the sport, as they claim.
And as for charters, they are essential in the sport ever since their introduction in 2016. They promise teams guaranteed entry in all races during the Cup Series season. Moreover, the teams are also given a part of the profit that NASCAR makes from the media and broadcasting. However, the teams have also asked for a larger part of the cake from the sport, citing the cost of maintaining the cars.
In the trial recently, Jeffrey Kessler (representing the plaintiff teams), claimed that most teams in the 2024 season suffered from losses, while NASCAR enjoyed a major profit.
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“What the evidence is going to show is Mr France ran this for the benefit of his family at the expense of the teams and sport,” Kessler told the court.
This is also understood to be one of the reasons why NASCAR hasn’t made the charters permanent. Because if their value had indeed gone above $100 million, as Prime indicated, the sport would lose the control and authority over the system that they have built all these years.
Is Chevy’s Risky Yet Subtle Camaro Overhaul Enough to Hold Toyota & Ford’s Growing Dominance?
Chevy fans have had a rough couple of seasons. The Camaro has still grabbed some wins, but Toyota and Ford have been quietly taking bites out of that lead. As soon as NASCAR tweaked the cooling rules and race packages, Ford and Toyota rolled out brand-new bodies built just for those changes. Chevy, on the other hand, stuck with small fixes and tried to make the old setup work a little harder.
Now Chevy is finally swinging back for 2026 with a reworked Camaro ZL1. The changes look subtle at first, nothing flashy, but almost every allowed surface has been touched up to help on short tracks and intermediates. At the big places like Daytona and Talladega, the new look aims to cut drag and run straighter.
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Chevy’s Camaro refresh hits every panel, but will it be enough?
For the new changes, every body part NASCAR lets teams touch has been updated in the Camaro. No crazy redesigns, but enough tweaks have been made. The hood outlets have gotten special attention because that’s where cooling air goes in and out, and it’s one of the few spots where manufacturers can make a real difference.
Eric Warren, the big boss for GM Motorsports, owned it straight up.
“We’ve felt like we’ve been a little behind. Short tracks showed it. Aero balance and front downforce were limiting the heights and setups we could run.”
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In plain English, Toyota and Ford figured out how to stick the nose without overheating the engine, while Chevy has struggled to find the sweet spot.
When Next Gen started, NASCAR gave everyone freedom on radiator airflow. Some guessed wrong on cooling, and some overdid the downforce. Neither was ideal, so the league stepped in with minimum requirements. That’s when hood louvers popped up everywhere in 2023.
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Ford and Toyota folded those changes into all-new bodies. Chevy didn’t have a fresh street Camaro coming, so they patched the old one and kept testing. The 2026 version has already turned laps at Bristol with Alex Bowman and will do more at North Wilkesboro. Early talk says it’s more stable in dirty air, grips better on entry, and cuts drag on the straights.
But here’s the million-dollar question: is it enough? Ford’s Mustang and Toyota’s Camry already showed what a full redesign can do in 2025. Chevy’s approach feels like a smart tune-up, not a total rebuild. If they nailed the details, they might claw back the edge. If not, they’ll be chasing two manufacturers who proved they can turn rules into results faster.
The Next Gen era has been a war of small gains, and Chevy is betting that subtlety wins when the field is this tight. Teams are already lining up test days, and the 2026 opener will show whether the Camaro is ready to defend its throne or if Toyota and Ford have already claimed it.
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Chevy’s new Camaro is hitting the track just as NASCAR is rewriting the playbook. Starting in 2026, every Cup car gets A-post flaps at all tracks to stop airborne flips and keep things safer. That’s good for the sport, but it changes how cars handle in traffic and at speed.
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NASCAR drops aero and power rules that could flip Chevy’s script
Bigger news is that Bristol, Darlington, Dover, Nashville, and World Wide Technology Raceway all switch to the short-track and road course package with engines bumping up to 750 horsepower. That’s a healthy jump from the current 670, and it could make those places feel fresh again.
For Chevy, this is double-edged. The Camaro tweaks were built with short tracks in mind, so the package fits like a glove. More power means the new aero can shine without choking the engine. But the flaps add weight and drag, and if the balance isn’t perfect, the car could push or get loose in the pack.
In other words, Chevy isn’t just racing Ford and Toyota anymore. They’re racing a whole new rulebook, too. How well the refreshed ZL1 adapts could make or break the season. If it clicks, Chevy reclaims the throne. If it doesn’t, 2026 becomes the year the other two finally take over for good.
“Premier Means…Only One” – NASCAR Exec Trapped Into Admitting ‘Monopoly Status’ in Disastrous Courtroom Testimony
There are days in sports where the drama on the track feels secondary to what is happening behind closed doors. For NASCAR, this trial has become one of those moments. What started as a legal dispute between the sanctioning body and two race teams has now turned into a public examination of how the sport operates, who holds the power, and whether the system is built to grow racing or control it.
Continuing on that topic, Day 3 of the lawsuit trial had that conversation. And NASCAR exec Scott Prime became a victim of that trap.
NASCAR exec Scott Prime falls into his own trap
More people are watching. More note-taking. More side glances from lawyers who looked like they were waiting for the right moment to land something meaningful. And then Scott Prime walked into the witness chair.
Attorney Jeffrey Kessler began patiently, working through whether the 2025 charter deal was a negotiation or a deadline dressed up as one. Prime tried to soften the language, but eventually admitted what teams had suspected all along. It was a yes or no document, not a collaborative contract.
That was the opening Kessler wanted.
He asked whether that approach existed because NASCAR held monopoly power. Prime responded by calling NASCAR the premier stock car racing organization. Kessler pushed back, asking if Premier meant there were no other viable stock car leagues comparable in size or influence. After a noticeable pause, Prime delivered the sentence that echoed across group chats before lunch.
“Premier means there is only one of them.”
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The courtroom fell silent. No objection. No walk back. Just a statement that landed heavier than any accusation from the plaintiffs.
From that moment forward, the tone changed. Kessler presented emails about how the Gen 6 car lacked intellectual property protections, and how the Next Gen platform was built to ensure NASCAR alone controlled its design. He showed internal discussions where Prime outlined five possible futures.
One option mirrored Speedway Motorsports’ rules. Another kept only the first 32 teams to sign. Others eliminated charters entirely or returned NASCAR to an open-entry model. Then there was the one that made everyone sit up a little straighter: Project Gold Codes, a system where NASCAR would own everything related to competition.
Steve Phelps replied to that message with a warning that felt almost prophetic: “They are playing with fire.”
Then came the detail that will likely be referenced long after this trial ends. The final charter draft was sent just before 5 PM with a midnight deadline. In a private message to colleagues, Prime wrote, “Do not want to put a gun to their head unless they want that.”
By the time the court recessed, one reality was hard to deny. The plaintiffs no longer needed to argue that NASCAR controlled the system. A NASCAR executive had effectively said it himself, on record.
The trial is far from over, but day three delivered something the garage had been waiting for. Confirmation. Clarity. And a moment where years of whispers became a sentence spoken into a microphone.
No matter how this ends, NASCAR cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube. The power structure that once operated quietly behind rulebooks and closed meetings is now being read into the record for everyone to hear.
Denny Hamlin and the whole garage feel every word Prime said
He explained those were promotional appearances, not the full story he’s telling now.
He also told the jury the charter deal came with a twenty-four-hour deadline late last year and would lock teams into a future with no real upside. He and Front Row Racing are asking for two hundred five million in damages because, in his words, the system controls parts, tracks, sponsors, everything.
When he got home after day two, Hamlin did exactly what his lawyers told him not to. He posted on X that he loved the fans and wouldn’t stop fighting. One day later, Scott Prime basically proved why Hamlin felt he had to say it.
Prime’s “premier means only one” moment wasn’t just a slip. It was the whole case in four words. No other series can pay the bills, no other series can run the big tracks, no other series can give sponsors what NASCAR gives. Teams either sign whatever NASCAR hands them or they vanish.
Hamlin has been yelling that from the rooftops. Now, NASCAR’s own executive said it under oath. The trial still has days to go, but Wednesday felt like the turning point. Premier means only one. And now a jury gets to decide what that really means.
Rusty Wallace’s Son Rips Into Denny Hamlin’s ‘Burn It Down’ Approach as $1.5B NASCAR Lawsuit Turns Volatile
The NASCAR lawsuit recently went into trial and has made some crazy revelations so far. We’re seeing the raw side of everybody who’s coming to the witness stands, including Denny Hamlin. In fact, last night, he went overboard and even tweeted outside legal advice just to tell his fans how much he loved them and is fighting for them. And while his words sound very true, one person isn’t convinced.
Rusty Wallace’s son, Greg Wallace, isn’t too happy with the lawsuit. He recently posted on X, revealing the true hidden agenda that he thinks is behind Hamlin’s ’emotional’ tweet.
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Greg Wallace is fed up
Greg Wallace claims that the likes of Hamlin are only fighting for monetary benefits, and claimed that the outcome of the lawsuit could potentially destroy NASCAR.
Hamlin had tweeted, “My lawyers dont want me to tweet, Or X or whatever this is, but they are asleep. I just wanted to tell you that I love you guys and I will not stop fighting for you and what is right.”
Greg Wallace went unfiltered on this, posting a tweet that started with the word “Translation” of Hamlin’s words.
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“Translation: My lawyers told me to tweet this because they know that jurors get on social media. We want to get attention and win public sentiment so we can get more money.
“This isn’t a social justice crusade. At the end of the day, it’s all about money. This whole thing has the potential to destroy the sport that tens of thousands of people spent their entire lives—blood, sweat and tears—building.
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“A lot of people involved in this drama could really care le$$. Shame on all of them. I hate this whole situation so much.”
Wallace begins by making it very clear that everything Hamlin wrote was orchestrated and was under the full guidance of his lawyers, even the line “My lawyers don’t want me to tweet”. According to him, it’s all being done to win the sentiment of the fans to use as their leverage.
He claims that while NASCAR does require some fundamental changes, this lawsuit is not going to help with it. He further claimed that NASCAR has helped people throughout its existence, including Hamlin and his entire career, suggesting that they should be thankful to the sport for the opportunities it has provided.
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“Without NASCAR, would Denny Hamlin, for example, be living in a 25,000 square foot mansion on Lake Norman? Heck, the tax value on that thing alone is 225x the median annual income in the US. Would he even know Michael Jordan? Probably not,” he wrote. “For all of their faults, NASCAR has done a lot of good things for a lot of people and we’re thankful for that.”
Wallace further claimed that Denny Hamlin’s lawsuit is “burning” NASCAR and its system down, and it will not help change the sport’s fundamental aspects that need attention.
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“There are definitely things NASCAR could do better, but I’m just not convinced that Curtis Polk and Denny potentially burning down the whole thing is the best course of action.”
As the lawsuit moves further, however, it is tough to say whose side the jurors agree with. Both the plaintiffs and defendants have been making strong arguments in terms of the sport’s profits and the share they have agreed upon with the teams.
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Could NASCAR be under pressure as the trial moves further?
“What the evidence is going to show is Mr France ran this for the benefit of his family at the expense of the teams and sport,” Jeffrey Kessler told the court, representing 23XI Racing.
The charter system was introduced in 2016 and was supposed to be a way to help teams with a guaranteed entry in all races throughout the Cup Series season. This entry also attracted sponsors, and at the same time, the teams also earned a share of the broadcast profits that NASCAR earns.
However, with the increasing costs of maintaining cars, both FRM and 23XI claim that the deal is unfair, and the sport is making use of its monopoly. Kessler’s statement to the court seems to support the same claim.
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At the same time, the publicized text messages reveal that CEO Jim France was not positive about the idea of permanent charters. The teams apparently wanted this and would have increased their value as well.
At the same time, it is worth noting that the maximum team owners had not signed the new Charter Agreement until NASCAR reportedly gave them a deadline to do so. These aspects could make a strong case in the court of law.
As the trial progresses, there seems to be too much in the hands of the teams to play with against the sport. However, there’s also the public support that NASCAR has gained from entities like Greg Wallace, who are not in favor of the lawsuit.
Ovechkin scores twice as Sharks no-show in blowout loss to Capitals
SAN JOSE – Alex Ovechkin scored the 910th goal of his NHL career at the 8:25 mark of the first period on Wednesday night as the Washington Capitals took an early lead over the San Jose Sharks.
Then the Capitals kept pouring it on, and the Sharks looked helpless to stop them.
Ovechkin’s goal, his 13th goal of the season, opened the floodgates for the Capitals, who scored four first period goals in a span of 8:42 and were never threatened the rest of the way in a 7-1 win over the Sharks before an announced crowd of 15,466 at SAP Center.
The Sharks also allowed first period goals to Sonny Milano and Ryan Leonard before Brandon Duhaime scored while shorthanded at the 17:07 mark to give the Capitals a 4-0 lead.
Duhaime’s goal caused Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky to yank starting goalie Yaroslav Askarov, who stopped eight of 12 shots, in favor of Alex Nedeljkovic.
The move did little to inspire or wake up the Sharks, as Ovechkin, playing in what might be his final game in San Jose, scored his second goal, again from right beside the Sharks’ net, for a 5-0 Capitals lead at the 2:41 mark of the second.
Dylan Strome and Leonard both added goals to round out the scoring for the Capitals, handed the Sharks their most lopsided home loss of the season.
The last time the Sharks lost by six or more goals on home was on Nov. 2, 2023, when they were hammered 10-2 by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Dmitry Orlov scored hist first of the season for the Sharks’ lone goal at the 12:58 mark of the third period.
The Sharks created a handful of scoring chances in the first half of Wednesday’s game but heir biggest issues Wednesday came in their own end, specifically in front of their goalies.
The Sharks were a mess in their own zone as they failed to pick up sticks on the first period goals from Milano and Leonard. On Duhaime’s goal, defenseman John Klingberg, on a Sharks power play, lost control of the puck inside the Capitals zone. He then could not slow down Aliaksei Protas, who, on a breakaway, passed it back to Duhaime for an easy goal on a nearly wide open net.
The Sharks begin a five-game road trip against the Dallas Stars on Friday.
The Capitals only visit the Sharks once per season, and Ovechkin is in the final year of a five-year, $47.5 million contract. He has not indicated at any point that this will be his last year in the NHL, but he’s also not definitively said that he’ll return in 2026-27 for a 22nd season.
“I just take day by day,” Ovechkin said in October before the Capitals began their season. “You have to have fun, you have to enjoy yourself, and try to do it as best as you can.”
Certainly, Ovechkin hasn’t slowed down much.
Ovechkin scored 44 goals last season – tied for third-most in the NHL — on his way to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals in April.
Except for the pandemic-shortened 2020-2021 season, Ovechkin has scored at least 31 goals every year he’s been in the NHL. A nine-time winner of the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading single-season goal scorer, Ovechkin has scored at least 50 goals nine times.
This year, after a somewhat tepid start with two goals and seven points in the Capitals’ first 12 games, Ovechkin, in his last 15 games, had 10 goals and 20 points, tied for 11th most in the NHL in that time.
Mammoth hand Ducks their most lopsided loss of the season
ANAHEIM — The Ducks were down to their minor-league goalie tandem and they did them few favors defensively in a 7-0 walloping by the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday night at Honda Center.
It was the Ducks’ most lopsided loss of the season; they hadn’t lost by more than three goals. They were shut out for the second time in 2025-26, and this time neither Lukáš Dostál nor Petr Mrázek was available in net.
Ville Husso stopped 17 of 21 shots before being relieved by Vyacheslav Buteyets, who made his NHL debut and nine of 12 saves in one period of action. Beckett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson had their scoring streaks of eight and seven games, respectively, snapped.
J.J. Peterka led the Utah assault with two goals and two assists. Clayton Keller notched a goal and two assists. Dylan Guenther and Ian Cole added a goal and an assist apiece. Lawson Crouse and Liam O’Brien also scored, and Nick Schmaltz and Jack McBain each chipped in two assists. Karel Vejmelka had 27 saves to earn his first shutout of the season.
After scoring first in consecutive games, the Ducks surrendered the first goal again.
And the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh as well.
Despite an early push in the first period and their dominance in the faceoff circle through 20 minutes, the Ducks found themselves down 2-0 at the first intermission. They were aggressive in the second as well, but their hole had only grown deeper, to 4-0, through 40 minutes.
Crouse got the Mammoth moving, 5:59 after puck drop, after they out-worked the Ducks along the walls and below the goal line. There, Michael Carcone’s backhand feed allowed Crouse to traverse the goal crease and score off his backhand.
Jacob Trouba, who was on for five goals by Utah, stepped up in the neutral zone to play a long pass. Guenther skated into the loose puck with speed and zoomed past a diving Pavel Mintyukov. Guenther’s combination of velocity and confident stickhandling opened up Husso’s five hole with ease, 10:30 into the game.
The Ducks contracted low in their defensive zone, leaving Cole space to glide into the left circle for a shot that seared past both Trouba and Husso, 5:43 into the second period.
With 7:04 to play in the middle frame, the Ducks appeared to score off a slick exchange between Cutter Gauthier and Mason McTavish. McTavish’s tally was nullified, however, by an offside challenge by André Tourigny.
Instead it was Utah slathering on another goal, and the hosts headed to the dressing room with one more shot on net but four fewer goals than the visitors.
Off a set breakout, three overcommitted forwards left the Ducks with just two defensemen to defend an odd-man break. Clayton Keller gained the zone with speed, moving the puck to Peterka on the flank. Two cross-ice passes later, the Mammoth held a 4-0 lead at the 14:34 mark.
Immediately after making his first NHL save, Buteyets received a rude reception to the league. His pad save sent the puck off the end boards and directly to O’Brien, whose spinning bid banked in off Drew Helleson’s skate, 1:41 into the third period.
After O’Brien turned down a vociferous invitation to fight from Ross Johnston, who was assessed a roughing penalty. On the ensuing power play, some overly cute penalty killing and a puck that eluded Mintyukov at the blue line exposed Trouba to a three-on-one Utah rush, which culminated in Peterka’s power-play goal with 9:54 left.
Utah kicked the extra point through the uprights 2:46 later, when Keller’s fling in the general direction of the net bounced off LaCombe to pour salt in the Ducks’ wounds.
More to come on this story.
Mizzou Defensive End Accepts Senior Bowl Invite: The Buzz
As senior players wrap up their final collegiate season, the top talent has begun to think about the impending 2026 NFL Draft.
Missouri Defensive End Zion Young has found his name on a couple draft boards and is looking to increase his stock. In order to do so, he accepted an invite to the Panini Senior Bowl that is set to take place on Jan. 31, 2026. He is the first Missouri Tiger to accept an invite to a senior bowl this season.
Young is already joined by other SEC players, such as Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green and LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn. It is expected that other Missouri and SEC players join Young in the Senior Bowl.
In the 2025 season, Young recorded 38 total tackles and 6.5 sacks, two of the sacks coming against Auburn. He also forced fumbles against Kansas and Alabama. The 6.5 sacks in a career-high for Young, who previously topped out at 2.5 in a season last year.
Fellow senior Connor Tollison accepted an invite on Tuesday for the 2026 American Bowl, where he will try to win over scouts.
Here’s the buzz info for Thursday, Dec. 4.
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Former Missouri Tigers quarterback Aidan Glover signed with UT Martin on National Signing Day. After entering the transfer portal last season, he ended playing at Northwest Community College.
Following the conclusion of the Mizzou volleyball’s season, the team lost assistant coaches Cullen Irons and Jhenna Gabriel. They will have two assistant coach vacancies to fill.
Missouri volleyball player Caylen Alexander signed to play professionally in Puerto Rico for the Leonas de Ponce in the 2026 season.
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Winter Meetings usually the time for Rangers to get cooking
On Wednesday, MLB.com Rangers beat reporter Kennedi Landry held an Ask Me Anything on Reddit with Rangers fans at r/TexasRangers ahead of baseball’s annual Winter Meetings next week. This mailbag features questions and answers from there. The full AMA can be read here: https://www.reddit.com/r/TexasRangers/comments/1pckafo/ama_with_beat_reporter_kennedi_landry/
History in the Chris Young era has told us it will be during or around the Winter Meetings, which will start on Monday in Orlando. That’s not indicative of what will happen this winter, but the Rangers have been good at cooking up multiple things at once and dropping the news when you least expect it. It could be a busy week in Orlando as dominoes begin to fall around the league.
It goes without saying, but having an offense that isn’t bottom five in almost every major category would be a good place to start. That’s easier said than done, but the front office is obviously already taking steps in that direction. This roster is already looking a lot different with Adolis [García], Jonah [Heim] and Marcus [Semien] gone. There’s an additional new hitting coach in place on Skip [Schumaker’s] staff as well.
It’s unrealistic to expect the pitching staff to do the exact same thing next season, but if the rotation can remain in the top third of the league and the Rangers can produce a league-average offense, that spells contender to me.
I think Caratini could be a perfect, semi-affordable option for the Rangers behind the plate. He hit .259/.324/.404 in 114 games for the Astros in 2025 and would pair well with Kyle Higashioka behind the plate. It doesn’t hurt that he has a history with new hitting coach Alex Cintrón, who held the same position for years with the Astros.
That being said, he is one of the best catchers on the open market, so that could potentially drive his price up. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Rangers explore trades for another catcher (and further depth at the catching position as well).
How do you feel about some of the younger, maybe looked over in the national media prospects? Anyone that you are a believer in that is a bit under the radar? Also, what is the deal with Paulino Santana? I like everything I’ve read about him but I have not seen him play in a game.
One guy I’m really excited for in 2026 is AJ Russell, the right-handed pitcher out of Tennessee. The Rangers selected him in the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft after a late-season return from Tommy John and seeing him with a starter’s workload will be really fun, especially with Texas’ recent success with developing starting pitching throughout the system.
I haven’t had a chance to see Santana play in person yet, though he dominated the DSL in 2024 and did get a promotion to Single-A Hickory this season. He could shoot up the Rangers prospects rankings as he adjusts to A-ball in 2026.
Which players do you think will need to make the biggest jump in quality in order for us to make the postseason?
Maybe not just, per se, but I think a healthy Evan Carter can go so far for the Rangers. We’ve all seen what he can do when his body is right and he just hasn’t fully gotten there since 2023. He can be an elite leadoff hitter, or really bat anywhere in the lineup, and really provide the plate appearances the Rangers were especially missing in 2025.
I also think Jake Burger figuring out the first half/second half splits — career .232/.277/.433 in the first half and .272/.330/.527 in the second half of a season — could do wonders for putting the Rangers in a position to succeed this season.
Burger also had multiple IL stints in 2025: June 21-July 2 with a left oblique strain, July 16-Aug. 7 with a left quadriceps injury and Aug. 18-Sept. 1 with the left wrist sprain. If he can be healthy and consistent across the entire season, the Rangers could be in a great place come September.
Austin FC Must Be Smart to Improve This Offseason
When the final whistle blows at the conclusion of a star-studded MLS Cup final Saturday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale, the Major League Soccer offseason will officially begin.
Most clubs, though, have been in offseason mode for weeks, and that includes Austin FC. The Verde and Black are coming off a generally encouraging – but by no means satisfying – campaign that culminated in a return to the playoffs for just the second time in club history, along with an ugly first-round ouster at the hands of LAFC. It’s clear Austin’s stock is trending up, and equally clear that the club has a long way to go before it is capable of seriously competing for the league’s biggest prizes.
What is less clear, though, is how Austin FC goes about improving its roster this offseason. With limited salary cap space, zero open DP slots and ironically few positions of obvious need, what can sporting director Rodolfo Borrell do this winter to position Austin FC for another step forward in 2026?
That process began prior to the holiday break when the club announced several roster decisions related to players’ contract options. ATX opted to trigger the 2026 option years for Dani Pereira, Stefan Cleveland, and Riley Thomas, while Brendan Hines-Ike’s option was triggered automatically based on performance metrics.
On the other hand, the club parted ways with one of its inaugural players in Julio Cascante, along with Diego Rubio (who had previously announced his retirement) and Jimmy Farkarlun.
In addition, club captain Ilie Sánchez agreed to a new contract to keep him in Austin next season (with an option for 2027) likely at a significantly reduced salary from the $600,000 figure attached to his previous deal.
All of that leaves Austin FC with 24 players under contract for 2026 – 18 players on the senior roster, and six players on the supplemental roster. If no other departures were to occur, that would leave the club with the ability to sign two additional players to its senior roster, which is capped at 20, per league rules.
The club also has one U22 Initiative slot available, though it does not currently have any available slots for international players. Those, however, can be traded for.
Salary-wise, the club should have a fair amount of flexibility due to the combined $1.1 million in wages freed up from Cascante, Farkarlun, and Rubio, plus whatever the club is saving from Sánchez’s restructured deal. A pair of impactful players should be attainable within that budget.
But if Borrell wants to seriously increase Austin’s cash reserves, his likely only option is to accept an offer for one of the club’s young midfielders, Dani Pereira or Owen Wolff. Pereira seems the far more likely candidate in the immediate term. His departure would free up an additional senior roster spot, while Wolff is still a supplemental player. Pereira, 25, is also five years older than Wolff, and his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season. MLS clubs can convert up to $3 million in transfer revenue to salary cap resources, though it’s unclear whether Pereira would draw offers in that ballpark, whereas Wolff likely would.
Identifying areas of need on the pitch is also not as straightforward as you’d think. Right wing, striker ,and goalkeeper are solidly covered, as is Owen Wolff’s position (be that left wing or attacking midfield… the kid is versatile). Beyond that, there’s a lot of “decent” on the roster: no positions desperate for help, but also no other positions that can’t reasonably be upgraded. A true creative No. 10 in midfield almost certainly would make the biggest difference, but without an open DP slot, it’s very unlikely to acquire a player of that profile.
In all likelihood, this offseason won’t bring the kind of transformational overhaul some Austin FC fans might wish for. But if Borrell can continue making savvy moves on the margins and capitalize on his opportunities, the impact could still be plenty important.
This article appears in December 5 • 2025.
Islam Makhachev-Kamaru Usman Bombshell Drops as Dana White’s Hidden January Plan Emerges
At the Cowboys vs Chiefs halftime show, Dana White announced UFC 324 and 325, kicking off the Paramount+ era. On January 27th, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will headline the event. Then, about a week later, we’ll see Alexander Volkanovski in action against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 main event in Australia. However, with both fights already stirring controversy, it seems the head honcho had other plans for January, mainly putting Islam Makhachev against Kamaru Usman.
After the Dagestani champ became a two-division king at UFC 322, he immediately called out Kamaru Usman as his preferred opponent on the About Last Fight podcast. The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ accepted Makhachev’s callout during his conversation with MMA Fighting, saying it would be a fan favorite, while leaving a small door open for Jack Della Maddalena as well. However, all in all, the Nigerian star looks far more interested in fighting for the title, and according to their manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Dana White has pitched them for the January showdown.
Ali Abdelaziz claims Dana White wanted to matchmake Islam Makhachev vs Kamaru Usman in January
“The UFC reached out to me, and they were asking to fight main event on June 27th.” Ali said in an interview with MMA Junkie, which drew a quick response from the reporter Mike Bohn, who asked, “The White House card?”
The reason Bohn asked this question was because Makhachev, in his UFC 322 victory speech, called for U.S. President Donald Trump to receive him and host the fight at the White House. So he assumed that would be the plan, but in a total surprising twist, Abdelaziz corrected himself and revealed White and company actually pushed Makhachev to fight in January with Ian Garry and Kamaru Usman in the mix.
“ No, January 28. No, he thought about it, and then Khabib said, ‘Hey.’ Honestly, Kamaru’s name was in the mix. I can tell you that. For January 28. Honestly, Ian Garry’s name was in the mix, too.” Ali Abdelaziz added during the interview with MMA Junkie.
Well, so far, White has announced UFC 324 for January 24 and UFC 325 for January 31 or February 1 (USA/Australia time), and right now there’s no event scheduled for January 28. So, which event did Abdelaziz talk about? No idea.
Maybe Dana White planned some secret January card we aren’t aware of, or maybe he just didn’t recognize the date. However, it still feels unlikely that Islam Makhachev and his camp would consider fighting Usman or Garry in just two months without a proper training camp.
Also, with ‘The Future’ getting a massive win at UFC Qatar, most fans want to see him face Makhachev down the line. Ali believes that would be a horrible matchup, as he feels Garry would get beaten by both the Dagestani and the Nigerian.
Ali Abdelaziz claims Kamaru Usman will beat Ian Garry
At the UFC’s inaugural event in Qatar, Ian Garry impressed everyone with his performance against Belal Muhammad in the co-main event. He decimated the former champ by using his elite takedown defense and precision striking. After winning the bout, the Irishman called out Makhachev for a title shot, and considering that Garry has a solid reputation in terms of both performance and personality in the UFC, Dana White might grant his wish. But Ali Abdelaziz believes otherwise.
Continuing the MMA Junkie interview, the Dominance MMA CEO said, “He wanna make Kamaru look bad. But he doesn’t have to. If he fights Kamaru, I guarantee you in a five-round fight, Kamaru will beat him. Stylistically, Kamaru is a horrible matchup for him. Islam is the worst matchup for him. He wouldn’t last two more rounds with Islam.”
Here, Ali referred to Garry mocking Usman for having no knees during the UFC Qatar media day, further claiming that he wouldn’t get past Makhachev’s grasp. That might be true, but it’s also true that despite the former welterweight champ posing some level of competition for the Dagestani, he has only one win after three straight losses. On the other hand, Garry is riding a two-fight winning streak, with his latest victory coming against a former champ.
In that case, ‘The Future’ actually makes a better case than Usman. But it will be left to Dana White to decide where he wants to take the division with matchmaking. So, what do you think the future holds for Islam Makhachev and the welterweight division?
Petr Yan downplays Merab Dvalishvili defending title 4 times in 2025: ‘It’s very easy to fight in your backyard’
Petr Yan stands in the way of history this Saturday when he challenges Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title in the main event UFC 323.
Should Dvalishvili win, it would mark his fourth successful title defense of 2025, setting a UFC record for the most successful defenses in a calendar year. It’s undeniably an impressive goal, but one that Dvalishvili believes comes with an asterisk.
Yan’s qualm with Dvalishvili’s achievement stems from the fact that Dvalishvili currently splits time training between New Jersey and Las Vegas. His title defenses this year have taken place in New Jersey, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles (a four-hour drive from Vegas). Yan views that as a home-field advantage of sorts, which takes away from what Dvalishvili is one win away from accomplishing.
“It’s very easy to fight in your backyard,” Yan said via a Russian translator at UFC 323 media day on Wednesday. “Here, or Los Angeles, it’s basically like fighting at home. You can fight at home every single weekend in your backyard, you can fight all the time. When I signed a contract in 2018, I had five fights that year as well, they were not at home. If I could fight at home every one of those fights, I could fight 10 times that year.”
In 2018, Yan made his UFC debut and immediately began a push to a title opportunity, winning five fights from June 2018 to June 2019 and later going on to defeat Jose Aldo for a vacant bantamweight title in 2020. He lost the belt in his first defense when he was disqualified after landing an illegal knee on a grounded Aljamain Sterling. After beating Cory Sandhagen for an interim title, Yan went on to lose his rematch with Sterling via a controversial split decision.
Yan is 1-1 in rematches, having avenged a loss to Magomed Magomedov prior to joining the UFC. He aims to have that same success against Dvalishvili, who defeated Yan in a Fight Night main event in March 2023.
“Obviously, we have a lot of information that we downloaded about each other,” Yan said. “We know each other better, but if you look at my first two rematches with Magomedov and Sterling, you can see that I was 100 percent better in the second fight so I am determined to make sure that I’m much better in this second fight against Merab.
“I’m sure they also watched the rematch against Sterling, this whole sitting behind the back, dragging out the fight, all of that, but I’m sure I got the victory in that fight as well.”
Despite winning three straight fights since his clash with Dvalishvili, Yan is a huge underdog heading into Saturday. He acknowledged that the deck is stacked is stacked against him, which is nothing new for the 11-year veteran.
“Just think about this, I flew across the entire planet, I come back to rematch Sterling or Merab in their hometown,” Yan said. “Everything’s against me, just think about how much pressure that is, just think how hard it is, obviously it’s much harder for me than it is for them.”
Kayla Harrison ‘grudge match’ backed to do bigger numbers than Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor
If her manager is to be believed, an even bigger fight could await Kayla Harrison after UFC 324.
Harrison is just over a month away from her first defense of the UFC bantamweight title, having reached the top of the division after just three fights inside the Octagon.
The two-time PFL title winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo submitted Julianna Pena with ease before facing off with the previously retired Amanda Nunes at UFC 316 this past June.
Facing her former teammate proved to be too enticing for the ‘Lioness’ to resist, and the ex-double champion will return in early 2026. Nunes is set to challenge Harrison at UFC 324, with the pair co-headlining a card topped by Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje.
While that undisputed title fight was not deemed noteworthy enough to be the main event on January 24, Ali Abdelaziz believes more than just a headliner could be in store for Harrison later in the year.
Will Kayla Harrison become the WMMA GOAT?
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Ali Abdelaziz says Kayla Harrison vs Ronda Rousey could be the biggest UFC fight ever
The Nunes clash is not the only super-fight Harrison has her eyes on next year.
Harrison plans to target Valentina Shevchenko after ‘whooping’ Nunes, hoping to convince the flyweight champ to return to 135 pounds. Wins over both Nunes and ‘Bullet’ in 2026 would move the American closer to her goal of becoming the greatest women’s fighter of all time.
But Harrison also has a more ambitious hope for her second title defense. She would favor a huge fight with fellow ex-judoka and former teammate Ronda Rousey.
If that were to come to fruition, Abdelaziz believes it could surpass the records set by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in 2018.
“Maybe we’ll have Amanda, she’ll smash Amanda, she’ll stop her under three rounds,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “After that, maybe Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano fight and ultimate grudge match: Kayla Harrison-Ronda Rousey, for all the marbles.
“There’s a lot of beef. In the judo days, a lot of bad things happened between these two teams, and I think it’ll be one of the biggest – it’s not Amanda. I think Ronda Rousey-Kayla Harrison is one of the biggest fights in UFC history.
“It might do bigger numbers than Khabib and McGregor because there’s a lot of nasty s— in the closet,” he continued. “I don’t think they like each other. I don’t think they respect each other. Kayla can say whatever she wants, but I know deep down inside she doesn’t like Ronda.”
UFC 229 broke PPV records for the promotion, with Nurmagomedov and McGregor’s feud drawing in 2.4 million buys.
During her career, Rousey surpassed one million buys twice, with her losses to Nunes and Holly Holm both achieving 1.1 million.
Ronda Rousey looks to have her sights on a different fight
Rousey sparked talk of a comeback earlier this year after posting footage of her hitting the pads on social media. In the caption, the former UFC champ revealed she was rediscovering her love for martial arts.
While the focus had been on a potential MMA return, a recent report revealed a much different plan for ‘Rowdy’s’ combat sports comeback.
Rousey is in talks to box Katie Taylor, a two-time undisputed champion in the ring. That crossover super-fight has come as a surprise to many given how the American’s final UFC two fights unfolded. The former Strikeforce titleholder was knocked out by both Holm and Nunes in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Is it sensible for Ronda Rousey to return to combat sports, no matter how much money she will earn?
Is Petr Yan Muslim or Christian? All About Ex-UFC Champ’s Religion
As Petr Yan prepares for his high-stakes rematch with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323, conversations around the former champion naturally drift toward fight tactics, conditioning, and legacy. But another question often emerges in fan circles, one that has nothing to do with jabs, takedowns, or scorecards.
It might seem surprising that a man known for his cold precision and iron composure inspires such curiosity about spirituality. Yet ‘No Mercy’s mixed heritage, disciplined upbringing, and rare comments about life outside fighting have pushed many to wonder whether he identifies as Muslim, Christian, or something else entirely. So what’s the real story behind Yan’s beliefs?
What religion does Petr Yan practice?
Born in Dudinka, Siberia, to a Russian-Chinese family, Yan’s cultural and spiritual roots have been a point of curiosity for fans who seek to understand the man behind the fighter. Though Yan does not frequently discuss his faith in public, glimpses into his life suggest a connection to Christianity, a prevalent influence in Russia’s cultural landscape.
Russia, home to Orthodox Christianity, has long been shaped by its religious traditions. Many people, even those who do not actively practice, are culturally aligned with Orthodox values. For Yan, who grew up in a challenging environment, this spiritual framework may have provided a grounding force. His humility, discipline, and respect for tradition, traits evident in his fighting career, are often attributed to such values.
While Yan does not wear his faith on his sleeve, the few instances where he has spoken about his upbringing reflect an awareness of life’s greater purpose. He’s mentioned the importance of hard work, respect, and perseverance, which are principles that resonate with both religious and philosophical teachings.
In moments of reflection after grueling battles, Yan’s demeanor exudes a quiet gratitude, hinting at a belief in something greater than himself as he has been spotted making the sign of the cross across his torso. Let us now take a look at his roots and the background he comes from.
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Petr Yan’s cultural background and how it shapes his faith
Yan comes from a culturally diverse family, with Russian and Chinese heritage influencing his upbringing. This blend of backgrounds instilled in him a sense of discipline and respect for tradition, traits that would later define his fighting style. Despite the challenges of growing up in an isolated region, Yan’s competitive spirit found an outlet in combat sports. He initially trained in Taekwondo, quickly earning a reputation as a fierce competitor with an unwavering work ethic.
His paternal grandfather was Chinese, and his paternal grandmother was Russian; as a result, his father was half-Chinese. Thus, Petr Yan has partly Chinese roots and has a mixed ethnic background. The former bantamweight champion mostly speaks Russian. He used to speak very little English and often required a translator during interviews, although in recent times, he has been showing off a much-improved command of the language!
And as he heads into UFC 323 for another chapter in his rivalry with Merab Dvalishvili, one thing is clear: whatever beliefs shape his worldview, they’ve helped fuel the inner strength behind one of the most technically gifted fighters in the bantamweight division.
Aljamain Sterling predicts Merab Dvalishvili to do something he hasn’t done in four years at UFC 323
Merab Dvalishvili’s teammate foresees another statement-making performance.
The Georgian will make history when he enters the Octagon at UFC 323, as the reigning bantamweight champion makes a record-breaking fourth title defense of this calendar year.
After getting past Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and Cory Sandhagen, Dvalishvili will face Petr Yan in a rematch of their UFC Fight Night main event in 2023, which ‘The Machine’ comfortably won.
Dvalishvili has already established himself as a leading contender for bantamweight GOAT status, and another of the division’s best ever expects him to further cement his grip on that crown with a rare result on December 6.
Is Merab Dvalishvili the greatest bantamweight of all time?
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Aljamain Sterling is backing Merab Dvalishvili to knock out Petr Yan at UFC 323
The bantamweight king has just one finish in his last seven fights. Dvalishvili submitted O’Malley at UFC 316 to break a streak of decisions, before needing the scorecards again to spoil Sandhagen’s title hopes.
Despite that trend, however, Aljamain Sterling is predicting Dvalishvili to get his first knockout since 2021.
“I am picking Merab to get a finish,” Sterling said on The Weekly Scraps podcast.
“I could see it happening possibly in the third or fourth round…TKO.
“That would be insane,” he continued. “I think Yan is hard to submit. I had that guy’s neck and I was being smart (and couldn’t submit him).
“Whatever happens, win or lose, (Dvalishvili) is officially the bantamweight GOAT.”
Dvalishvili beat Marlon Moraes via TKO at UFC 266 in September 2021. That result came after the Georgian star escaped an early scare and mounted a memorable comeback.
Merab Dvalishvili is clearing out the UFC bantamweight division
Dvalishvili is quickly running out of fresh contenders in the 135-pound division.
The Georgian already began lapping the top contenders when he recorded a second win over O’Malley this past June. Should he get past Yan for a second time at UFC 323, yet another rematch could await ‘The Machine’.
Nurmagomedov is pursuing a second shot at the belt and hopes to secure it by defeating Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 324 early next year.
Who’s the biggest threat to Merab Dvalishvili?
UFC bantamweight rankings:
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Dvalishvili beat Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025, pulling away in the latter rounds of their five-round title showdown in Los Angeles.
In terms of new faces for the champ, both Aiemann Zahabi and Song Yadong are in the mix. While the Canadian is coming off a win over ex-title challenger Marlon Vera, the Chinese contender will fight O’Malley at UFC 324.
No Bets Barred: Will Merab Dvalishvili make history at UFC 323?
The final UFC pay-per-view ever is here.
This Saturday, UFC 323 takes place in Las Vegas, the final pay-per-view of 2025, which means the last PPV ever, as the UFC’s new broadcast rights deal with Paramount will shake things up. And for their final PPV, the UFC is delivering the good, with two title fights and several big names for the penultimate card of 2025, and No Bets Barred is here to break it all down.
This week, host Jed Meshew is joined by the Luke Noseda of Morning Kombat and the Main Card Minute to take a look at all things UFC 323. Topics discussed include whether Merab Dvalishvili can make history against Petr Yan in the main event, Joshua Van’s chances at pulling off the upset over Alexandre Pantoja in the co-main event, whether the publis has simply forgotten about Brandon Moreno and Henry Cejudo, the next step of The Climb, and more.
Tune in for episode 144 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.
Henry Cejudo admits one fight would end his post-UFC 323 retirement to settle a feud the UFC ’caused’
Henry Cejudo is planning on retiring for the second time this weekend in Las Vegas.
Cejudo’s decision to make this his last fight was mocked, considering that he has done this in the past only to return several years later.
However, his three consecutive losses since coming back in 2023 have led many to believe that this would likely be the case regardless of the matchup that he received.
Fans were then surprised to see Cejudo get paired with Payton Talbott for his last dance, with this being a huge opportunity for the exciting unranked bantamweight.
There is one fight that has eluded ‘Triple C’ that he would still like to tick off the bucket list even if it means cutting another retirement short.
LATEST NEWS: Henry Cejudo tells Dana White to ‘man up’ during impassioned rant ahead of UFC 323 retirement fight
Will Henry Cejudo stay retied after UFC 323?
Do you believe ‘Triple C’ this time? Share your thoughts below.
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Henry Cejudo wants to fight Brandon Moreno on Cinco de Mayo
After beating TJ Dillashaw to defend his flyweight title, Henry Cejudo made the decision to move up to bantamweight where he has remained ever since.
There was always one big matchup that would’ve likely seen one of the top names at 125-pounds move up to face ‘Triple C’ that didn’t happen.
However, if it did, Cejudo told MMA Fighting that it “would make perfect sense” for him to make another UFC return.
The former bantamweight and flyweight champion will share the card this Saturday at UFC 323 with Brandon Moreno, a fighter that he was once very close with.
Which UFC 323 main card fight are you most excited for?
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Their relationship spiraled following Moreno’s introduction to the UFC via ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, where he wasn’t picked to be a member of Cejudo’s team despite their friendship.
In 2023, Moreno called Cejudo out the day after he came up short when challenging for the bantamweight title, urging his former teammate to not retire so that they could “finish business”.
Cejudo said ahead of both men’s matchups on December 6 that he’d want to face the former champion on Cinco de Mayo while commenting on the fact that they could be sitting next to each other at this week’s press conference.
“I don’t know. I doubt it but it is what it is,” Cejudo told MMA Fighting. “This is some of the stuff that happens. It happened a long time ago. That’s also the beauty too… Sometimes that’s the way the journey is made. It’s not always a happy ending.”
Henry Cejudo’s coach says the UFC caused the rivalry with Brandon Moreno on purpose
Henry Cejudo’s coach, Eric Albarracin, believes that the UFC orchestrated the event that led to his falling out with Brandon Moreno as a way of punishing the former champ-champ.
It was ‘Triple C’ that convinced the promotion to put Moreno on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ in the first place.
However, due to the seeded nature of the bracket, when Cejudo selected top seed Alexandre Pantoja to join his team, it meant that his teammate had to join the opposing side.
“They planned it. If you’re putting your own guy in and kicking one of our guys out, you’re going to have to make a choice,” Albarracin theorized when appearing on The MMA Hour in 2023. “If you’re picking your best friend, the No. 1 seed goes to the other side. if you pick the No. 1 seed, Brandon goes to the other side. They planned it all along and they did it on purpose. UFC, they caused the beef. I know they did.”
Is Heavyweight Champ Aspinall Losing His Cool?
UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall has responded to the criticism he received following his no-contest at UFC 321 against Ciryl Gane in October—including the comments from Dana White. The question is: Is he losing his cool?
Aspinall’s first defense ended in a no-contest when a double eye-poke from Gane left Tom unable to continue after the first round. The decision resulted in jeers from the crowd, while fighters such as Jon Jones suggested Tom was ‘looking for a way out.’ At the post-fight press conference, White seemed to suggest Aspinall “didn’t want” to continue, a comment interpreted as questioning the champion’s heart. Aspinall has since then been diagnosed with bilateral Brown’s Syndrome, an eye condition that hinders his ability to move the eye normally. Tom has now shut down Dana’s comments.
Aspinall Reacts
“I didn’t continue, and I’ll tell you why I didn’t continue: because I’m not a f***ing dummy. I’m not going to go out there and fight one of the best strikers in the world if I can’t see. I know, as an MMA fighter, things are going to happen in the fight that compromise you. Go back and watch my fight with Arlovski. At the end of the first round, he punched me right in the eyeball. For the rest of the fight, I couldn’t see him out of that eye.
“That’s fine. If you get punched or kicked in the eye, that’s fine. If you get double eye poked in both eyes and you’ve got no vision because of a foul, why should I carry on? So some dummy can look and say, ‘Oh yeah, Tom just got knocked out’? I ain’t going to fight if I can’t see anything because of a foul. If it’s a legal move, we have to fight through it. That’s what we do as fighters. But when it’s a foul, why am I going to put my health at risk when I cannot see at all?,” Aspinall said
Aspinall stated that Gane was “trying to poke my eyes out all the way through that round” and that the illegal move was Gane’s intended strategy to win. This is a profound shift from the sportsmanlike approach Aspinall previously maintained, and it has drawn criticism from others, such as Ben Askren, who called the constant claims “whiny” and a “bad look.” Aspinall has publicly vowed to drop his “Mr. Nice Guy” persona and go “full bad guy” upon his return. This effort to rebrand suggests a high level of frustration, as Tom must back up his words.
Paddy Pimblett Gets Knocked Out in Unexpected Boxing Debut and Fans Shower Him With Praise
There’s still more than a month before Paddy Pimblett returns to the Octagon to face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324. The winner, of course, will earn a shot at Ilia Topuria’s championship. But ahead of the January 24 bout, Pimblett has surprised fans by briefly stepping into a different combat sport—making his debut in boxing.
The appearance comes over seven months after ‘The Baddy’ knocked out Michael Chandler in the third round at UFC 314. While Pimblett has taken heat for jumping ahead of No.1 contender Arman Tsarukyan in the title queue, his latest move won’t draw any criticism. Instead, he earned praise after taking part in a disability boxing show.
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Who did Paddy Pimblett fight?
The event took place on Wednesday at The Dome at Grand Central Hall in Liverpool, hosted by the No Limits gym. Paddy Pimblett stepped into the ring with George Goetzee, a fighter with Down syndrome who goes by the nickname ‘GGG’ in tribute to Gennady Golovkin. Ashley from Not Just Boxing shared a clip from the exhibition, offering a glimpse of the exchange.
It wasn’t a competitive bout, of course—Pimblett volunteered to help Goetzee fulfill his dream. The two went back and forth for a couple of light-hearted rounds before Pimblett was playfully knocked out. Ashley captioned the clip, “George ‘GGG’ Goetzee proved too much tonight knocking out Paddy the Baddy. Lovely work to the body champ.”
The No Limits gym has hosted similar events before. Former WBA lightweight champion Derry Mathews fought Goetzee in 2017. And established a boxing class to help people with disabilities stay active—eventually creating a ‘disability boxing squad’ that includes individuals with a range of conditions.
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Regardless, Pimblett’s participation was widely praised, with fans flooding the comment section to applaud the gesture.
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George Goetzee watched David Benavidez before the fight
It’s rare for fighters to fight for free, especially in a promotion like UFC, where pay has long been an issue. So, it didn’t take long for the public to praise Paddy’s gesture. “Really nice to see someone giving back like [Paddy Pimblett], big heart,” the user commented. Notably, Brazilian mixed martial artist Jailton Almeida did something similar in his country in early 2024.
Meanwhile, Goetzee’s moves appear to have reminded this user of an active boxer. “GGG definitely watched Benavidez the other week 🔥 nice work [Paddy Pimblett],” the user commented. Last month, David Benavidez defended his WBC belt against Anthony Yarde in a thrilling boxing match in Riyadh.
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Someone else joked about Pimblett’s beating. “He took a beating. God bless him. Wishing him a quick recovery,” the user commented. After all, ‘The Baddy’ has a pretty big fight coming up, and this one will go on his record.
The boxing match reminded this user of Ilia Topuria. “Damn, Paddy should really stay away from Ilia then,” the user wrote. ‘El Matador’ is known for his boxing skills—some even consider him the best boxer in the promotion.
Another user even had an opponent in mind for Goetzee. “We’ve seen enough. Give him Jon Jones,” the user remarked. Well, Dana White doesn’t want Jon Jones to fight on the UFC White House card. Perhaps Jones would accept the challenge to fight in Liverpool.
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That being said, it appears Paddy Pimblett has won over fans with his appearance in the disability boxing match. But can he win his upcoming fight?
Emma Raducanu Calls Out Carlos Alcaraz & Others’ “Moaning” About Tennis Schedule
The debate had been swirling for weeks – press rooms buzzing, social media sparking, and podcasts dissecting every angle of the ever-growing tennis calendar. But amid the rising noise, British tennis star Emma Raducanu stepped into the conversation with the calm of someone who’d seen both sides of the sport: the spotlight and the shadows.
Talking about hectic tennis schedules, we’ve seen Carlos Alcaraz complaining that the current schedule is pushing players to the brink and that they are probably trying to “kill” them. While Iga Swiatek labelled the tennis schedule as “crazy” and said “we play too much.” Even British star Jack Draper raised his voice on the same. “Injuries are going to happen… we are pushing our bodies to do things they aren’t supposed to in elite sport.” But surprisingly, Raducanu has taken a different stance from these players. She criticized her fellow players for “moaning” about the Tour schedule.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Emma Raducanu offered a reality check that landed like a clean winner down the line. “I think that’s a challenge. I don’t necessarily think it’s something to complain about because it’s what we are given. And we are making a great living as well.” It wasn’t dismissive. It wasn’t careless. It was grounded – and more importantly, honest. Raducanu has lived the highs and lows of the Tour as intensely as anyone: the explosive fame, chronic injuries, surgeries, scrutiny, and the pressure of being the face of British tennis at 23. But still her tone suggested a perspective built from experience, not privilege.
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“I mean, it’s not all glamorous. There are definitely times when it’s very difficult, and we are flagging mentally, physically, and everything hurts. But at the same time, what are we going to do about it? I am sure there are certain people who go to work, and their bosses make them do something, but they have to do it; it’s their job. If we put up a front that isn’t complaining, I think that is a better example to the people watching, trying to get into tennis, the younger people. If they see all the top players moaning about the calendar, I don’t think that’s necessarily inspiring to look up to.”
In a sport where transparency often takes the shape of frustration, Emma Raducanu is offering a different blueprint – one that blends realism with gratitude and toughness with awareness. This year, Raducanu played 50 matches, and guess what? That’s the most she has played in the last five years. She won 28 matches this year. Although she didn’t win any titles this year, Raducanu reached the QFs of the Miami Open, HSBC Championships, and the SF of the Citi Open.
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So, it was more or less a decent season for the Brit, especially considering the challenges she had to go through in terms of physical battles in the last few seasons. But now it’s time to shift our focus to what’s lining up for her in 2026.
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Which tournaments are lined up for Emma Raducanu in the next two months?
Emma Raducanu is not leaving anything to chance in 2026. After a year defined by stop-start momentum, the British number one has pressed reset with a clear mission: build a stronger base level, dictate more matches, and stop worrying about what’s happening to the other side of the net. She had already started her pre-season training with coach Francisco Roig in Barcelona. All she now wants is to see what Roig can add to her game.
“He wants me to focus a lot more on building a better Emma Raducanu and a better base level. It’s something that I don’t think I’ve necessarily done before. I’ve always been more tactical, more just having to exploit their weaknesses if they have any, and trying to be very crafty. And it works. But the ideal is that you don’t have to necessarily think too much about the other players – you can just go and execute your game and know that you can win. He’s trying to build a better quality, not necessarily by changing my physiological capacities, but by using better technique, better timing, and better movement.”
Her goal is now to try dictating the game a lot more. Other than Roig, she has also added Emma Stewart, a physiotherapist, to her team. Emma Raducanu has taken a lot of confidence from being able to play 22 tournaments across 9 months in 2025. Now, with these new additions, she will be keen to find ways to make a good start in 2026.
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If we take a look at what’s coming next for the Brit, well, she has already confirmed her participation at the United Cup, which starts on January 2. Following that, she will be seen in action at the AO and then probably at the Abu Dhabi Open, Qatar Open, and Dubai Tennis Championships in February. Do you think Raducanu can find more successes in 2026?
2025 All-North Jersey girls tennis teams
After an exciting season, these players were selected to the 2025 All-North Jersey girls tennis teams.
The North Jersey Girls Tennis Player of the Year will be announced at the North Jersey High School Sports Awards show in June. All first-team players are nominees for Player of the Year.
FIRST TEAM
Jaime Carlin
Holy Angels junior
Carlin helped the Angels win their second consecutive Bergen County team championship, taking home her second career first-singles title at the tournament. She also reached the semifinals of the inaugural Bergen County Singles Tournament as the No. 4 seed.
The Norwood resident secured a spot on the first team for the third year in a row after advancing to the NJSIAA singles Round of 16 to finish 18-5.
Kylee Hung
Saddle River Day junior
Hung is now a three-time selection, repeating on first team after earning a 2023 second-team nod at Ridgewood. She finished unbeaten in dual matches for the NJIC Patriot champs, including a 6-2, 6-3 victory over fellow first-teamer Sylvie Yao.
Although she did not play in any Bergen County events, Hung earned a 5-8 seed for the NJSIAA singles tournament and made the quarterfinals, where she ran into state runner-up Fiona Hu of Pingry.
Britney Lee
Ridgefield Park senior
The first Bergen County Singles Tournament champion completes her career as a four-time, first-team selection. Lee went unbeaten in dual matches for the Scarlets and topped fellow first-teamers Jaime Carlin and Sylvie Yao on her way to the county singles crown.
One season after being named North Jersey Girls Tennis Player of the Year, she advanced to the NJSIAA singles semifinals to cap a 19-1 campaign.
Sylvie Yao
Dwight-Englewood junior
Yao returns to the first team following her run to the Bergen County Singles Tournament final. Although she played sparingly in the regular season, the Tenafly resident helped the 15-3 Bulldogs defend their NJIC Liberty Division crown.
A 5-8 seed for the NJSIAA singles tournament, Yao emerged as one of three Bergen County players to reach the quarterfinals, where she bowed to three-time state champ Nina Abalos of Montclair Kimberley.
Mia Custodio & Norah Park
Holy Angels seniors (doubles)
For the second time in three years, a North Jersey duo played in the NJSIAA doubles final. Custodio was named to last season’s second team, but after her 2024 partner moved to singles, she joined forces with senior classmate Park to form the state tourney’s top-seeded duo.
Custodio and Park captured the Bergen County first doubles crown, and they went 16-1 in the regular season, scoring a win over the Pingry pairing that needed a marathon 6-4, 4-6, 6-6 (7-5) match to top them in the state final.
SECOND TEAM
Sabrina Chu, Demarest junior
Olivia Lai, Bergen Tech sophomore
Michelle Lee, Ridgefield Park sophomore
Jazmine Natividad, Bergenfield junior
Emily No, Holy Angels freshman
Valerie Sinitsyn, Bergen Tech freshman
THIRD TEAM
Priscilla Chow, Cresskill senior
Lily Cole, Glen Rock junior
Hrystyna Khrupalo, Passaic Tech senior
Faith Schulz, Mahwah junior
Umaiza Shaikh, Emerson sophomore
Amanda Anisimova returns to NJ for first Prudential Center tennis event
New Jersey-born tennis star Amanda Anisimova will face Jessica Pegula at the Prudential Center’s first-ever tennis event.
The
Breakout tennis star Amanda Anisimova set to return to N.J. for exhibition
Amanda Anisimova left Freehold, N.J. when she was 3 because her family wanted her older sister Maria to pursue a tennis career in Florida.
Maria went on to play college tennis at the University of Pennsylvania, while Amanda eventually eclipsed her big sister on the tennis court. Now Amanda is returning to New Jersey for an exhibition on Sunday at Prudential Center.
Anisimova, ranked No. 4 in the world after reaching the finals of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2025, will meet fellow American and world No. 6 Jessica Pegula in
Adidas Launches New Barricade Tennis Shoe
Twenty-five years later and Adidas is still going strong with the Barricade tennis shoe franchise. The German-based brand launched the 14th iteration of the franchise, continuing to push the Barricade forward to a new generation of tennis players.
Adidas says the fresh design draws inspiration from the legacy models but comes updated for the style and physical demands of the modern game. And updated it is, with Adidas creating an entirely new last for the model and adding something to the construction that the brand has never done in tennis shoes before.
That updated fit comes thanks to a completely restructured midsole construction that features a new last for the Barricade, designed to improve the fit of the shoe while providing midfoot support and increased toe spring. The new internal chassis was meant to create additional stability so players could withstand heavy impact.
To help with the fresh construction, Adidas brought foam into the forefoot of a tennis shoe for the first time. While foam is common in the forefoot across the sport, Adidas has long focused its foam cushioning elsewhere in tennis shoe design. The introduction of the Adidas Lightstrike Pro foam in the forefoot is meant to improve energy return for a more effective toe-off while on the move. The brand’s Repetitor foam appears in the heel, designed to offer shock absorption.
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An updated outsole technology, which Adidas previously debuted in running shoes and calls Lighttraxion, is expected to improve traction and durability while reducing weight from the previous models.
“Extensively tested in collaboration with our elite athletes, insights gathered revealed demand for a lighter and more comfortable design,” says Annette Steingass, senior director specialist for sports apparel at Adidas. “The latest silhouette reaffirms our drive to provide stability and comfort in one foundational shoe, and we can’t wait to see it on courts all over the world.”
The new construction includes an update cushioned collar to help with creating a snug and protective heel fit and a cushioned tongue adds a level of comfort.
“The Barricade is one of our most popular franchises for players of all levels,” Steingass says. “So when it came to developing the 14th iteration of our pinnacle control model, we wanted to make sure it served our whole tennis community in the best way.”
The December launch design of the new Barricade ($170) features a classic black on white look that will debut as the 2026 season starts and be seen at the Australian Open. Players expecting to don the new model includes Daria Kasatkina, Karolina Muchova, Francisco Cerundolo, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Tom Brady’s Ex-GF Joins Miami Dolphins In Celebrations as Tennis Legend Makes Personal Announcement
The sporting world lit up again this week as Venus Williams dropped a major personal update that immediately had fans talking. Fresh off her high-profile return to the WTA Tour at 45, the tennis legend surprised everyone with a post that shifted the spotlight off the court.
She’s officially engaged to Italian actor Andrea Preti.
Celebrating this wholesome moment, New England Patriots legend Tom Brady‘s ex-girlfriend Irina Shayk commented on Venus Williams’ post as she wrote, “❤️🔥🔥.” Similarly, the NFL franchise, the Miami Dolphins, also wished the couple, commenting, “Congratulations 🎊,” on the engagement post.
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Looking at the Instagram post shared by Venus Williams, the four-time Olympic gold medalist shared photos of the couple getting cozy, with her dog, Harry, at a scenic tropical locale. The post had a caption that included their engagement, as it said, “Engaged 1/31/25💫.”
Preti even jumped into the comments himself, joking that 18-year-old Harry is “the real boss,” a reminder that this engagement is as much about the little family they’ve built as it is about rings and dresses.
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From Venus Williams and Andrea Preti, let’s shift focus to Irina Shayk and Tom Brady, who were involved in a brief relationship that ended in late 2023. They were first seen together in July 2023 and kept their relationship private, meeting discreetly as they navigated a casual “no strings attached” dynamic.
After their brief 2023 fling, the pair reportedly rekindled things in early 2025 in a low-key, casual way, but with no public confirmation of anything long-term, Brady’s main focus remains his new life in the broadcast booth. He continues to excel as an NFL broadcaster, anchoring FOX’s lead NFL coverage and rolling out a weekly power-rankings segment that fans now treat as must-watch TV.
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Tom Brady names his hottest team in the NFL
In the latest iteration of Tom Brady’s weekly power rankings, the quarterback extraordinaire picked his former team, the New England Patriots, as the best-performing team in the league so far. The rapid rise of the Patriots boils down to second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who has grown into the franchise centerpiece New England hoped for when they drafted him No. 3 overall in 2024.
Maye has proven his worth with his command of the offense, improved accuracy, and ability to perform in clutch moments have drawn comparisons to early-career Brady. The Pats QB1 has recorded league-leading 3,412 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, which have carried a team that won only four games in 2024.
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Those numbers have powered New England to an 11–2 record and a 10-game win streak, turning last year’s 4–13 disappointment into an MVP-level redemption arc that has the rest of the AFC suddenly watching their backs again.
“After a serious drought, the New England Patriots are number one in the power rankings,” Brady said. “New England hasn’t played the league’s hardest schedule – it’s actually been the easiest – but this team passes the eye test and [Mike] Vrabel had them flying around on all three phases on Monday night.”
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Coming from a coach who won three Super Bowls in New England under Bill Belichick, that kind of praise for Mike Vrabel’s physical, all-phases identity says as much about how the Patriots are winning as it does about how often they’re winning.
Brady also highlighted how the Patriots enter their Week 14 bye with the perfect record: “Good timing to avoid a loss.”
Now with New England continuing to dominate, it’s happy times for Tom Brady, who remains an ardent supporter of his former team.
Hundreds honor the late tennis great Nicola Pietrangeli at Rome memorial
ROME (AP) — Hundreds of people paid their final respects to Nicola Pietrangeli days after the tennis great died aged 92.
A public viewing of Pietrangeli’s body and a brief memorial service were held Wednesday at the tennis court that was named after him. A private funeral was planned later in Rome.
In 2006, the statue-lined Pallacorda court at the Foro Italico — considered one of the most picturesque stadiums on the circuit — was renamed Stadio Pietrangeli.
Two tennis rackets and the Davis Cup won by Italy in 1976 under Pietrangeli’s captaincy were placed next to the coffin, which was decorated in blue and white flowers.
A large screen displayed images of Pietrangeli’s career accompanied by the music of Charles Aznavour, one of his favorite singers.
“My Way,” by Frank Sinatra, played as the coffin was moved from the court — headed to the church where the funeral was to be held.
“Everything just as he wanted, the place and the music,” said his son Marco.
Prominent figures of Italian sport attended, including the former and current president of the Italian national Olympic committee as well as the head of the Italian tennis federation.
Prince Albert II of Monaco, a longtime friend of Pietrangeli, was present at his funeral, at the Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio in Rome.
“I knew him for many years,” he said. “He was a splendid man. I really wanted to be here also for his family, I am very emotional. He was always there in the most important moments of my life.”
Adriano Panatta and Tonino Zugarelli, who won the Davis Cup with Pietrangeli, were also present as were other former tennis players including Fabio Fognini, who retired earlier this year.
Noticeably absent, however, were current Italian tennis players — especially Jannik Sinner.
Pietrangeli was the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles trophy, at the French Championships in 1959 and repeated in 1960. He also holds the Davis Cup record for total wins and singles wins from 66 ties from 1954-72. His singles record was 78-32 and his doubles record was 42-12.
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Hundreds honor tennis great Nicola Pietrangeli at Rome memorial
ROME – Hundreds of people paid their final respects to Nicola Pietrangeli days after the tennis great died aged 92.
A public viewing of Pietrangeli’s body and a brief memorial service were held Wednesday at the tennis court that was named after him. A private funeral was planned later in Rome.
In 2006, the statue-lined Pallacorda court at the Foro Italico – considered one of the most picturesque stadiums on the circuit – was renamed Stadio Pietrangeli.
Two tennis rackets and the Davis Cup won by Italy in 1976 under Pietrangeli’s captaincy were placed next to the coffin, which was decorated in blue and white flowers.
A large screen displayed images of Pietrangeli’s career accompanied by the music of Charles Aznavour, one of his favorite singers.
Serena Williams says she is not coming back to tennis
Serena Williams threw cold water on the idea that she might be preparing to return to tennis, writing on social media Tuesday that she is “NOT coming back,” after a spokesman for the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said the 23-time Grand Slam champion had registered with the sport’s drug-testing body.
That is the first step that would be required by a player seeking to come out of retirement.
The 44-year-old Williams, one of the greats of the game, has not competed since bidding farewell at the 2022 U.S. Open. At the time, Williams said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
It was not clear when or where — or even if — Williams actually will play again, and she later posted: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Her agent did not immediately return a request for comment.
In a statement emailed to The Associated Press, U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre said: “We are aware that Serena has filed the necessary paperwork with the International Tennis Integrity Agency to reenter the International Registered Testing Pool. If Serena decides to return and compete at the professional level, together with her fans, we will enthusiastically welcome the return of one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport.”
Williams was one of the biggest stars of any sport, a dominant talent on the court and still someone drawing attention away from it. If she were to end up returning to the tour, it would be a significant story line, of course.
Her decision to place her name back in the testing pool with the ITIA, which oversees anti-doping and anti-corruption efforts, was first reported by Bounces.
“She is on the list and back in the testing pool,” ITIA spokesman Adrian Bassett wrote to the AP on Tuesday.
Athletes returning to testing need to provide information on their whereabouts — details on their location when they are not at an official event and times when they are available to give samples. Someone who retires while they are on the list and later comes back needs to be available for testing for six months before they are allowed to return to competition.
Williams’ older sister, Venus, returned to competition this July at age 45 after nearly 1 1/2 years away from the tour; she never had announced her retirement. At the U.S. Open, Venus became the oldest player to play singles at the American Grand Slam tournament since 1981.
When Venus, a seven-time major singles champion, came back at the DC Open, she spoke about wishing Serena would join her back on tour. They claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair.
“I keep saying to my team: The only thing that would make this better is if she was here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her,” Venus said at the time when asked about a video on social media that showed Serena swinging a racket. “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”
You can now make your own FIFA World Cup trophy out of LEGO
Having previously released models of iconic football stadiums such as Manchester United’s Old Trafford and Real Madrid’s Bernabéu, LEGO is now giving everyone the chance to build their own version of soccer’s most prized artefact: the FIFA World Cup trophy.
The real thing — all 14½ inches and 13½ lbs of its gold and malachite glory — has become a symbol of the game’s grandest achievement since it formally replaced the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1974.
Only a select group of people — World Cup winners, FIFA’s president and heads of state — are allowed to hold the trophy, let alone triumphantly hoist it aloft in a cacophonous stadium full of people with a billion more watching on TVs around the world.
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So for us mere mortals who will never get close to that, FIFA has collaborated with LEGO to give fans the chance to get their hands on an extremely cool brick-based version of the most famous prize in sport.
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer, LEGO has created a brilliant replica of the actual trophy. It is a 1:1 scale model made up of 2,842 individual bricks, including — perhaps unsurprisingly — the highest number of gold-colored bricks ever used in a single LEGO set.
It also features a little hidden feature: a compartment in the globe at the top of the trophy opens up to reveal the 2026 FIFA World Cup logo, and a LEGO figure holding a mini-version of the trophy.
Although it may not be worth quite as much as the real thing, it will still cost a pretty penny: LEGO is now taking pre-orders to ship next March for the price of $199.99.
2026 World Cup Host Countries, Cities, Stadiums
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With the largest World Cup field ever (48 teams), you’re going to need a lot of stadiums to host the 104 matches. That’s why we’ll have three countries (the most ever) hosting the tournament across 16 cities. Here’s what you need to know.
When and Where is the Draw? How to Watch?
The World Cup draw will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Dec. 5 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT. The draw will air live on FOX and be streamed on FOX One, FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App. Coverage for the event that will decide the groups for all 48 teams will begin with a live pre-show at 11:30 AM ET/8:30 AM PT.
The draw will take place from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET and upon its conclusion, live coverage on FOX will continue until 3:00 PM ET providing instant analysis, reactions and interviews.
When is the World Cup?
The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The FOX family of networks and the FOX Sports app are your complete home for World Cup content, including live matches, complete highlights, commentary and analysis, and full-match replays.
Who is Hosting the World Cup?
For the first time ever, there will be three countries hosting the World Cup – the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Only once in the tournament’s history have there been co-hosts, with the 2002 edition being held in South Korea and Japan.
For 2026, the majority of the 104 matches will be held in the U.S., with 78 games spread across 11 cities. Canada (two cities) and Mexico (three cities) will have 13 matches each.
What are World Cup Cities and Stadiums?
In all, 16 cities across the three countries will host World Cup games. You’ll recognize several of these stadiums as they’re home to NFL teams.
Canada
Toronto (BMO Field)
Vancouver (BC Place)
Mexico
Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)
United States
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Boston (Gillette Stadium)
Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
Houston (NRG Stadium)
Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
San Francisco/Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium)
Seattle (Lumen Field)
Scheffler, McIlroy headline PGA Tour Player of the Year ballot
Scottie Scheffler is going for the four-peat.
The PGA Tour released the finalists for its Player of the Year (Jack Nicklaus Award) and Rookie of the Year (Arnold Palmer Award) honors Wednesday, and Scheffler once again headlines the ballot.
Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Ben Griffin and Rory McIlroy are the finalists for Player of the Year; Michael Brennan, Steven Fisk, William Mouw, Aldrich Potgieter and Karl Vilips are the Rookie of the Year nominees.
Scheffler has won the last three Player of the Year awards, and when he won in 2024 he joined Tiger Woods as the only players to win in three consecutive years. (Tiger won five in a row from 1999-2003 and three in a row from 2005-2007.)
Scheffler is the favorite this year as well. McIlroy might have had the most important win of the season — exorcising his Augusta National demons and claiming the career Grand Slam — but Scheffler won two majors to McIlroy’s one.
Scheffler won six times total, hoisting trophies at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, PGA Championship, Memorial, Open Championship, BMW and Procore. His two majors pushed his career total to four, and he’s now just a U.S. Open win away from becoming the seventh player to win the career Grand Slam. Besides the Masters, McIlroy won the Players and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am; he also won the Irish Open, although that victory doesn’t count toward his PGA Tour resume.
Griffin won three times in 2025. Tommy Fleetwood won once, claiming the Tour Championship for his long-awaited first PGA Tour victory.
All five Rookie of the Year finalists won once each in 2025. Potgieter was the only rookie to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs and finished 56th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings.
Both awards are determined by a member vote, with ballots closing on Dec. 12 and the winners announced shortly after.
Woods’ 11 Jack Nicklaus Awards are the most ever. Scheffler and McIlroy both have three.
Scottie Scheffler Sets Out His Conditions as Tiger Woods Plans PGA Tour Schedule Overhaul
With the latest meeting between Tiger Woods and CEO Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour is finally ready to revamp its calendar. And the world’s best player might be affected by it the most. Speaking at the Hero World Challenge press conference, Scottie Scheffler made a demand of the Tour’s officials.
“I’m going to play where the best players are playing,” Scheffler stated. “I don’t know what a perfect schedule looks like for me. I like being able to have a little bit of freedom in the way I play tournaments.”
Ranked first on the OWGR, he had to maintain his stature, and that’s possible only if he plays against good competition.
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“I love competition,” he continued. “I love playing against the best players, so wherever those guys are playing, that’s probably where you’re going to see me.”
Colt Knost elevated to CBS booth for 2026 PGA Tour season
Former PGA Tour player Colt Knost is moving from on-course reporter to the booth as an analyst for CBS Sports’ golf coverage in 2026.
Knost, 40, replaces Ian Baker-Finch, who retired in August after 18 years with CBS. Knost will be in the booth with host Jim Nantz, lead analyst Trevor Immelman and fellow analyst Frank Nobilo.
He just earned PGA Tour membership – thanks to a LIV Golf move
Dan Brown was the bubble golfer. A month ago, 10 pros had earned 2026 PGA Tour cards via the DP World Tour’s points standings — and he was No. 11. He knew it, too. In an Instagram post, he wrote about his standing, also noting other near-misses.
He remembered something, though.
Not too long ago, he would’ve taken No. 12. Or 50.
Or whatever.
“When all is said and done,” he wrote, “I never actually thought ever in my life that I would reach this level.”
And now he’s No. 10.
This week, the PGA Tour confirmed that Laurie Canter, the previous 10th pro, had “declined” his membership, and that Brown had replaced him. The update came after Canter instead signed with the Majesticks team of LIV Golf, where he had played in events from 2022 to ’24.
“Joining Majesticks GC is an incredible opportunity to be part of a team that has helped shape LIV Golf from day one,” Canter said in a press release. “The league’s growth has been remarkable and my experience in the league has led me to become a more complete player and a multiple winner on the DP World Tour. To return to the league with Majesticks GC is a huge honor, and they bring a standard of excellence, ambition and identity that really resonates with me. I can’t wait to get started and contribute to what this team is building.”
The move then sends Brown to the PGA Tour.
This season, Brown posted six top 10s on the DP World Tour, and In July, he won the BMW International Open for his second career DP World Tour title. He’s also ranked 75th in the world. Last year, Brown memorably entered the final round of the Open Championship in a six-way tie for second before finishing tied for 10th. The run sparked a series of stories on the now-31-year-old Englishman, and you can read a few by clicking here and here.
Some takeaways from those? Brown’s father was in the pig business, and his mom was a mortgage advisor. Ping reps were among Brown’s fans, and Brown had forever been an Open Championship fan. And he smoked. After hitting his tee shot on the 18th hole during the third round of the 2024 Open, Brown lit up a cigarette, then took a selfie with some fans.
He also knows where he’s playing next year. On Instagram, Brown shared a few stories noting his move to 10th.
A dream update.
Scottie Scheffler’s ideal schedule: Playing the best players
No matter what future changes the PGA Tour makes or doesn’t make to the schedule, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler knows where he wants to be every week.
Scottie Scheffler & Co. Pose Serious Problem for PGA Tour’s Revamp Hopes, per Insider
With Brian Rolapp‘s Future Committee in place, the PGA Tour has big dreams, aiming for a leaner schedule of 20-22 events per year. The Tour is also working to address its visibility issues, establish a global footprint, and provide opportunities for players worldwide. But what happens when the Tour’s global ambitions collide with its top players’ desire to stay home?
Gary Williams and Todd Lewis joined Golf Today to discuss the potential schedule changes for the 2027 season on the PGA Tour. They highlighted that while players like Rory McIlroy have earned the status of a ‘global golfer,’ playing in events in India and Scotland, Scottie Scheffler isn’t exactly following suit.
“There is an opportunity for the PGA Tour to align with other tours, probably specifically the DP World Tour. But the problem they’re going to run into on the PGA Tour is trying to convince elite American players to step outside the United States and play in these events,” Lewis began.
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Lewis mentioned that tours around the world need to come together for the game to grow. In 2022, the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour signed a 13-year operational joint venture partnership, valid till 2035. While the partnership was designed to create a bigger global footprint, Lewis notes that this goal is jeopardized if top players don’t participate, undermining the very visibility the Tour seeks.
“I don’t understand why these great American players don’t go out and play internationally like Rory McIlroy does brilliantly by the way more than they do… We love Scottie Scheffler. He is a dominant player. Whenever he shows up now, he’s the top draw… but rarely does he step outside the United States to play big events globally,” Lewis noted.
While Lewis has a point, Scheffler has his priorities. Earlier this year, in July, when it was confirmed that McIlroy would be heading to play internationally, Scheffler made it clear he wouldn’t be following a global schedule. He was at the Renaissance Club that week for the Genesis Scottish Open, but he shared that it was the furthest he had gone.
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“I haven’t really played too much golf internationally. I always come over here and try to play this tournament and The Open Championship. I haven’t played in Asia or Australia yet as a professional…” Scheffler told the media.
He emphasized that while most players during the offseason head to Asia or Australia, his priority remains being at home with his family.
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“With the way our schedule is on the [PGA Tour], the thing that’s most important to me is my time at home… My family is my priority, and there will hopefully be times later in my career where I have some free time. But if my wife and son are here, I want to spend time with them instead,” he added.
The challenge is clear: the PGA Tour aims to collaborate globally, elevate international tournaments, and streamline its schedule to focus on the most significant events. Yet, if the top American players don’t buy in, the Tour’s bold vision could stall before it even starts.
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As Lewis put it, the idea is “a great opportunity”, but success depends on convincing Scheffler and other elite players to step out of their comfort zones and embrace events outside their homeland.
But what are the potential changes we’re looking at on the PGA Tour?
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PGA Tour’s potential revamp for the future
As we advance, the PGA Tour could be in for its most dramatic schedule shake-up in decades. According to Golf Digest, the Tour is exploring a streamlined 20–22 event calendar, potentially starting around late February to avoid clashing with the NFL season.
While the plan aims to make the Tour more fan-friendly and globally visible, it introduces significant changes for long-standing tournaments and traditional venues.
Beloved Hawaii events like The Sentry and the Sony Open may be eliminated, and the West Coast swing could be deeply impacted. Historic courses, such as Torrey Pines, could be removed from the schedule entirely. In Florida, longtime events like the Cognizant Classic and the Valspar Championship might also be cut. Alternate-field events, too, may cease to exist entirely. Mandatory off weeks are being proposed immediately following the four major championships.
Tiger Woods confirmed that the changes could start in 2027, though he stressed that a phased implementation is more likely. One possibility is a later start to the season, potentially after the Super Bowl, allowing fans to engage with golf without competing with sports events.
Tiger Woods Expects ‘Financial Windfall’ From Revamped PGA Tour Schedule
Tiger Woods believes the PGA Tour’s forthcoming schedule revamp will deliver a “financial windfall” for players, along with a better product for the fans, aligning with broader conversations about reshaping the season’s timing and structure.
At the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, Woods spoke candidly about the Tour’s ongoing efforts to redesign its competitive calendar.
Scottie Scheffler Admits The One Tiger Woods Quality He Still Falls Short On
Between 2000 and 2001, Tiger Woods won 14 PGA Tour events. Scottie Scheffler knows the numbers, even if he missed the moment. At the Hero World Challenge pre-tournament press conference, Scheffler was asked about comparisons to Tiger’s early-2000s dominance. His answer revealed both reverence and distance.
“I was pretty young back then,” Scheffler said. “I’ve got to catch up on a lot of that stuff from YouTube.”
“There were very few spurts throughout his career when he wasn’t the best player in the world,” Scheffler explained. “He was never complacent or satisfied with where he was at with his game, kind of always kept working.”
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But Scheffler identified what set Tiger apart. It wasn’t just peak performance—it was sustainability.
That’s the trait Scheffler admires most. And the one he’s still chasing.
To Be Continued…
Jordan Spieth Drops Honest Feelings on Tiger Woods’s PGA Tour Vision Amid Uncertainty
Three years after the “Delaware 20” restructured the PGA Tour at the 2022 BMW Championship, Jordan Spieth found himself in another room where the Tour’s future was being rewritten — and this time, his tone was more measured.
On Tuesday night at the Hero World Challenge, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and Tiger Woods presented their vision for sweeping changes potentially arriving in 2027. Spieth, a former player director, walked out cautiously optimistic but with one clear takeaway: “They’re still a lot of things in consideration, so they’re gonna try to make sure they get it right.”
That phrase — “get it right” — matters more than the proposed reforms themselves. Woods spoke of a “financial windfall” and a “fantastic” product overhaul. But Spieth’s emphasis on transparency and deliberation suggests he understands what’s really at stake: whether the Tour can execute ambitious change without fracturing player unity or alienating the fans and sponsors it needs to survive the transition.
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Reports: PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, Tiger Woods pitch
After the PGA Tour’s Future Competitions Committee met on Tuesday, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and committee chair Tiger Woods met with the 20 players competing in this week’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, according to multiple media reports.
In what was reportedly a 90-minute presentation to the 20-man field, Rolapp and Woods laid out the vision for what is being termed as significant change to the PGA Tour schedule that could be installed as soon as 2027.
The three governing principles guiding the Future Competitions Committee’s work — at Rolapp’s suggestion — have been parity, scarcity and simplicity.
Per reports, the pitch brought to the players in the meeting included a reduced schedule of 20-25 events focused on the biggest markets and the best courses. An English Premier League-esque relegation system for PGA Tour competition also was presented, per reports.
Harris English, the world’s 11th-ranked player, spoke recently at a tournament about how there are discussions about starting the season in February — instead of January — to avoid competing with the NFL for viewership.
2026 Winter Olympics: Could rink issues pull NHL players out of Olympics?
The construction on the main arena where the Milan-Cortina Games are expected to host hockey in a few short months is not completed, raising concerns about whether the NHL will be able to send its players to the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
In an interview with Daily Faceoff, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly was asked what percentage the NHL players have of actually not going to the Olympics.
“Depends on the percentage you want to place on the possibility the rink doesn’t get completed,” Daly told the outlet. “If there’s no rink completed, there’s no NHL players going to the Olympics.”
There’s nothing to indicate the league won’t send players come February, according to ESPN, despite the ice reportedly being three feet shorter than the NHL’s usual 200-foot-by-85-foot dimensions.
The Athletic reported the IIHF approved a 196.85-foot by 85.3 ice sheet for Milan.
Despite the rink being shorter, a player who’s already been named to an Olympic team told ESPN he doesn’t believe the ice being shorter will impact the game as much as many may think.
“With the talent level there’s already going to be no time and space,” the player told ESPN. “The games are going to be incredible no matter what. Just give us a sheet of ice we’ll be good.”
The men’s hockey tournament is set to begin Feb. 11.
Where to watch Sabres vs. Flyers (12/3/25) | FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV Channel for NHL game
The Buffalo Sabres face the Philadelphia Flyers in a regular season NHL game on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Here are your best options to watch the game if you don’t already have cable:
You can purchase a Sling Orange Day Pass for just $4.99. A weekend pass costs $9.99 and a week pass is $14.99.
For a limited-time only, you can get the Sling Orange & Blue plan for half off your first month at $33. ($65.99 per month after).
A subscription to Sling TV‘s Orange plan is just $45.99 per month. Sling Orange gives you access to 34 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, TNT, TBS and more.
You can also watch for free via a trial of DIRECTV.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NHL game
Who: Sabres vs. Flyers
When: Dec. 3, 2025 (12/3/25)
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena
TV: TNT
Live stream: Sling, DIRECTV (free trial), HBO MAX
Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press:
Buffalo Sabres (11-11-4, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (14-8-3, in the Metropolitan Division)
Philadelphia; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres visit the Philadelphia Flyers after Joshua Norris scored two goals in the Sabres’ 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Philadelphia has gone 8-4-2 at home and 14-8-3 overall. The Flyers have a 2-3-3 record in games decided by a goal.
Buffalo is 11-11-4 overall and 2-6-2 in road games. The Sabres have a 5-1-2 record in games they score at least one power-play goal.
The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tyson Foerster has 11 goals and three assists for the Flyers. Trevor Zegras has five goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
Tage Thompson has 12 goals and 10 assists for the Sabres. Josh Doan has scored four goals with five assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 6-3-1, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.5 assists, 3.1 penalties and 6.7 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game.
Sabres: 6-4-0, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.2 assists, 2.5 penalties and 6.4 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.
INJURIES: Flyers: None listed.
Sabres: None listed.
NHL Notebook: Kings and Blues strike a trade, Adam Fox on LTIR, and more
The story of the Vancouver Canucks season has been injuries. They have probably been the most injured team all season, which is one of the reasons they are where they are in the standings – third last, just one point out of dead last. Which, of course, has led trade rumours to take over the market’s focus as fans look toward the future.
However, in this NHL Notebook, we have a trade and injuries that don’t surround the Canucks this past week:
Blues/Kings swap forwards
The St. Louis Blues announced on social media that they acquired forward Akil Thomas from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Nikita Alexandrov.
Thomas, 25, was drafted in the second round (51st overall) of the 2018 NHL draft. He spent the following two seasons in the OHL before heading to the AHL for the 2020-21 season. Since making the jump to the professional ranks, Thomas has dealt with several injuries. Through his first four seasons, Thomas has been in and out of the lineup with injuries, playing 157 of a possible 288 games.
The Toronto, Ontario native’s best season came in 2023-24, where he scored 22 goals and 46 points in 64 games with the Ontario Reign. His efforts earned him a seven-game stint in the NHL, where he scored three goals and four points. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Kings were hopeful Thomas could run away with a bottom-six role. However, that didn’t pan out as planned, as after his struggles, Thomas was a regular healthy scratch that season. He scored just one goal and three points in 25 games, finishing with a minus-four rating in sub-10 minutes of average ice time.
Through 19 AHL games with the Reign this season, Thomas has four goals and nine assists for 13 points. He will now join the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate.
Alexandrov, also 25, was drafted in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2019 NHL draft. His draft-plus-one season with the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL was his best in junior, as he scored 23 goals and 31 assists for 54 points. After playing the following two seasons in the AHL, Alexandrov split his seasons between the NHL/AHL. He played a depth role in his first season, scoring three goals and adding seven points in 28 games in 2022-23, but struggled to contribute offensively in 2023-24, recording just a pair of assists in 23 games.
The German-born centre has not been given another opportunity in the NHL since then. However, he finished 2024-25 with 21 goals and 28 assists for 49 points in 48 games, and is off to a decent start in 2025-26, scoring three goals and 11 assists for 14 points in 18 games with the Thunderbirds.
Just a change-of-scenery move for both players and teams, hoping to prove that they can make the jump to a more consistent NHL forward.
Injuries
Adam Fox
The New York Rangers placed defenceman Adam Fox on long-term injured reserve on November 30.
Palimeri gets tangled up with a Philadelphia Flyers defenceman on a race for the puck in the corner, which is when the injury took place. In agonizing distress, the Islander forward toughed it out, got back to his feet, and glided to the bench.
However, on his way there, Emil Andrae was backpedalling with the puck in his own zone. Palmieri stick lifted him from behind to steal the puck, and sent a backhand saucer pass to Jonathan Drouin, who then drops it for Emil Heineman, who roofs it on Samuel Ersson.
Hockey players are built different.
At the prime age of 34, Palmieri was off to the best scoring pace of his career, with 18 points (six goals and 12 assists) through 25 games, good for a 0.72 point-per-game. The Islanders have not yet announced if this injury will completely end his season. However, the 6-8 month timeline would have Palmieri return at the end of May/beginning of June.
Tyson Foerster
The Philadelphia Flyers announced that forward Tyson Foerster will be out 2-3 months with an upper-body injury.
Where to watch the Mammoth vs. Ducks NHL livestream today for free
The Anaheim Ducks look to maintain their spot atop the Pacific Division on Wednesday night when they play host to the Utah Mammoth.
After years of being a bottom-feeder in the NHL, the Ducks are starting to fly once again. Led by a talented young core, featuring Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson and goaltender Lukas Dostal, the team has been one of the best in the league over the first couple of months of the season.
The Ducks are dealing with a little bit of adversity, as both goaltenders, Dostal and Petr Mrazek, are out due to injury. However, the team still has plenty of talent to power through and get wins, something Anaheim showed on Monday night in a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues.
The Mammoth came into the year hoping to be competitive and remain in the playoff picture for a few months. That has proven to be easier said than done. The team has struggled to keep up with many across the Western Conference, leading to a four-game losing streak.
This is the second of three meetings between the interdivisional foes this season. The Ducks outlasted the Mammoth in overtime on home ice last month, 3-2.
NHL HOCKEY
Utah Mammoth (12-12-3) vs. Anaheim Ducks (16-9-1)
When: Wednesday, December 3
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Where: Honda Center (Anaheim, Calif.)
Channel: TNT
Check out the NHL standings and scores here
Where to watch Mammoth vs. Ducks (12/3/25) | FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV Channel for NHL game
The Utah Mammoth face the Anaheim Ducks in a regular season NHL game on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Here are your best options to watch the game if you don’t already have cable:
You can purchase a Sling Orange Day Pass for just $4.99. A weekend pass costs $9.99 and a week pass is $14.99.
For a limited-time only, you can get the Sling Orange & Blue plan for half off your first month at $33. ($65.99 per month after).
A subscription to Sling TV‘s Orange plan is just $45.99 per month. Sling Orange gives you access to 34 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, TNT, TBS and more.
You can also watch for free via a trial of DIRECTV.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NHL game
Who: Mammoth vs. Ducks
When: Dec. 3, 2025 (12/3/25)
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Where: Honda Center
TV: TNT, truTV
Live stream: Sling, DIRECTV (free trial), HBO MAX
Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press:
Utah Mammoth (12-12-3, in the Central Division) vs. Anaheim Ducks (16-9-1, in the Pacific Division)
Anaheim, California; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Utah Mammoth visit the Anaheim Ducks after Lawson Crouse’s two-goal game against the San Jose Sharks in the Mammoth’s 6-3 loss.
Anaheim is 9-3-0 in home games and 16-9-1 overall. The Ducks have scored 94 total goals (3.6 per game) to rank second in NHL play.
Utah has a 12-12-3 record overall and a 5-9-2 record on the road. The Mammoth have a 4-6-1 record when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent.
The teams meet Wednesday for the second time this season. The Ducks won 3-2 in overtime in the last meeting.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cutter Gauthier has 15 goals and 15 assists for the Ducks. Chris Kreider has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Nick Schmaltz has 10 goals and 12 assists for the Mammoth. Nate Schmidt has one goal and six assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Ducks: 5-5-0, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.6 assists, 4.3 penalties and 10.7 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.
Mammoth: 2-5-3, averaging 2.4 goals, 3.7 assists, 3.9 penalties and 8.6 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.
INJURIES: Ducks: None listed.
Mammoth: None listed.
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin expected to miss rest of NHL season with a torn ACL
NEW YORK — Tyler Seguin is expected to miss the rest of the NHL season with a torn ACL in his right knee, another major injury blow to the already-shorthanded Dallas Stars.
Coach Glen Gulutzan said Wednesday that Seguin would be out a significant amount of time. The 33-year-old forward was injured Tuesday night at the New York Rangers.
“It’s not just us, it’s the league, and it’s very unfortunate,” Gulutzan said. “It’s a tough day for us today with the news. Other guys now have to step in and play.”
Seguin got tangled up with Rangers defenseman Vladislav Gavirkov in the first period. Seguin went down in pain, could not skate and needed help from multiple teammates and an athletic trainer to get off the ice and more assistance to get down the tunnel to the visiting locker room area at Madison Square Garden.
Gulutzan said the team did not get positive news about Seguin’s knee after it was looked at more closely.
“There’s lots of injuries piling up and lots of games, so we just got to keep moving forward,” Gulutzan said. “There’s lots of guys that their opportunity is born from some of this misfortune. We just have to take that away: It’s next guy up, next guy’s opportunity and run with it. That’s what good teams do is they just keep pushing forward with the players that they have.”
Seguin missed the vast majority of last season after undergoing hip surgery. He returned for the finale and the Stars’ playoff run to the Western Conference final. He has been with Dallas since joining in a trade from Boston in 2013.
“I didn’t live it with him last year, but I did talk to our leadership group here and what I did know is just how hard he (worked) and the effort that he put in to come back last year and how diligent he was,” Gulutzan said. “He’s a great leader for us, and he’s a great pro and he’s been a guy, quite frankly, that I’ve been maybe the most impressed with – just his leadership ability when I’ve come in here.”
Nathan Bastian was expected to take Seguin’s spot in the lineup Tuesday night at the New Jersey Devils. Long term, the team hopes center Matt Duchene is able to help fill the void once he returns from his injury.
That could come “sooner than later” if Duchene’s current progress continues, according to Gulutzan.
“You’re going to have to have other guys step up,” Gulutzan said. “If Duchy comes back, he’s going to have to take some of that. (Mavrik Bourque is) going to get more opportunity. There’s going to be more opportunity for more guys, and then you’re going to see who takes it. So, you’re not really pigeonholing anybody. You’re just seeing who grabs it.”
Devils honor Dillon after 1,000th NHL game
The New Jersey Devils honored defenseman Brenden Dillon for reaching the 1,000-game threshold with a pregame ceremony on Wednesday at Prudential Center.
Dillon’s wife, Emma, narrated the video tribute that was played during the ceremony.
“You’ve worked for everything you’ve gotten,” she said in the video. “To be where you are and accomplish what you have. I’m forever in awe of the dedication and commitment that you display in every facet of your life. From the locker room to our living room, you make people light up around you.
“1,000 incredible moments. 1,000 times cheering for our guy. And we’d do it 1,000 times over.”
After the video, Emma joined Brenden on the ice with their young daughters, Elowen and Elton, as well as Brenden’s parents, Edward and Debbie.
Emma brought with her a special hat for Brenden with “1,000 NHL games” embroidered on the inside.
Islanders’ Cal Ritchie beginning to make impact at NHL level
The way Matthew Schaefer has upended the development curve has a way of making you forget what it usually looks like for a prospect to adjust to the NHL.
Cal Ritchie’s first month with the Islanders is much closer to the norm. And lately, things have been falling into place for the 21-year-old.
More ice time, more confidence, more assertiveness on the ice — and, on Wednesday, a pretty backhand assist to Anthony Duclair on what eventually became the game-winning goal in a 2-1 Islanders victory over the Lightning.
“I think my game is getting to a point where I’m starting to feel more comfortable,” Ritchie said afterward. “I’m starting to play more offensive hockey, showing my skill a bit more, trying to play with more confidence and stuff.
“And then just building chemistry with my linemates. Been doing a good job with the [offensive] zone and defensively. You don’t have to think as much defensively when you’re playing strong defensively. You can focus more on offense and creating.”
Ritchie’s current line — he’s skating between Simon Holmstrom and Duclair — came together as a necessity after Jean-Gabriel Pageau got hurt. To some extent, so too did his uptick in minutes, as he jumped from the fourth line to the third.
That confidence, though, was hard earned, and without Pageau, it’s been all the more crucial that Ritchie take the next step forward.
His contributions have gone from a luxury to a necessity for the Islanders, whose forward corps is down Pageau and Kyle Palmieri.
“I think at the start, you come up and you don’t want to make mistakes and stuff,” Ritchie said. “You want to be part of the team. So for me it was just a process to get comfortable. I’m starting to build that confidence, starting to play the way that I can. [I’ve] shown my abilities offensively a bit more and not focus too much on trying not to make mistakes.”
CHECK OUT THE LATEST NHL STANDINGS AND ISLANDERS STATS
That is just what the Islanders want, and just what coach Patrick Roy has stressed to Ritchie in video sessions.
“That’s my style anyway,” Roy said. “I let people play. I don’t hold them back. When they make a mistake, I can’t wait to put them back on the ice and give them a chance to — I don’t know if that’s the correct wording — but redeem themselves and find a way to show me they’re ready to go.”
NCAA notebook: Tracy of Minnesota State among top undrafted goalies to watch this season
Finding a goalie from the ranks of NCAA free agents is a challenge. There are a few undrafted goalies currently in the NHL, but not many.
Cam Talbot (University of Alabama-Huntsville) of the Detroit Red Wings and Charlie Lindgren (St. Cloud State University) of the Washington Capitals are established NHL goalies who never were drafted. Brandon Bussi (Western Michigan University) of the Carolina Hurricanes is off to a good start in his first NHL season after playing the previous four seasons in the minor leagues.
Scouts are making the rounds of college rinks each weekend with an eye out for goalies with NHL potential or who could provide organizational depth in the American Hockey League or ECHL.
Here, in alphabetical order, are 10 free agent goalies on the radar of NHL scouts this season.
Albin Boija, Maine
The junior from Sundsvall, Sweden, drew a lot of attention from NHL teams last season but decided to return to school.
He was one of four finalists for the Mike Richter Award as the top goalie in men’s Division I hockey last season after going 23-8 with six ties, a 1.82 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and four shutouts in 37 games.
This season, the 22-year-old is 6-4 with one tie, a 2.55 GAA, .899 save percentage and two shutouts.
Boija attended Boston Bruins development camp in July.
Cameron Korpi, Union College
The sophomore is in his first season at Union after playing at the University of Michigan last season.
He was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team after going 7-6 with one tie, a 3.08 GAA and .904 save percentage in 18 games.
This season, the 21-year-old is 8-4 with two ties, a 1.87 GAA, .918 save percentage in 14 games, and he is tied for the NCAA lead with three shutouts.
Korpi also attended Bruins development camp during the offseason.
Joshua Kotai, Augustana University
The 22-year-old junior is 7-5 with one tie, a 1.93 GAA, .936 save percentage and one shutout in 13 games.
He also was selected play for the United States Collegiate Selects at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland from Dec. 26-31.
Kotai attended development camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the offseason.
Daniel Hauser, University of Wisconsin
Hauser is undersized at 5-foot-11, but he piled up wins during five seasons in the Western Hockey League and is doing so this season as a college freshman.
The 21-year-old is 8-2 with two ties, a 2.14 GAA, .914 save percentage and two shutouts in 12 games. That includes 29 saves in a 6-1 win at top-ranked Michigan on Nov. 8.
Hauser is the winningest goalie in WHL history with a 123-36-9 record. He had a 2.58 GAA, .910 save percentage and 17 shutouts in 176 games.
Lassi Lehti, University of Alaska
The 24-year-old senior from Espoo, Finland has the kind of size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) NHL teams look for in a goalie.
Lehti is 4-5 with one tie, a 2.44 GAA and .926 save percentage in 10 games. That includes leading Alaska to the championship at the Adirondack Winter Invitational in Lake Placid, New York. He made 19 saves in a 2-0 win against St. Lawrence on Nov. 28 and 21 saves one day later in a 3-2 win against Clarkson in the championship game.
Max Lundgren, Merrimack College
A sophomore from Angelholm, Sweden, Lundgren has the size (6-5, 230) NHL teams covet in goalie prospects.
The 23-year-old is 5-8 with a 2.57 GAA and .916 save percentage in 13 games. That includes 40 saves in a 3-2 win against Providence on Nov. 15.
Kaidan Mbereko, Colorado College
Mbereko is 8-6 with one tie, a 2.32 GAA and .916 save percentage in 15 games this season.
The 22-year-old senior is fourth in school history with 53 wins, including a sophomore season in 2023-24 that saw him go 21-13 with three ties, a 2.40 GAA and .915 save percentage in 37 games.
Mbereko’s father played professional rugby in Zimbabwe for nearly two decades.
Shane Soderwall, Clarkson University
Soderwall played two seasons at Division III Curry College before transferring to Clarkson this season, including going 24-4 with a 1.47 GAA and .945 save percentage in 28 games last season. He tied an NCAA record with 98 saves in a four-overtime game against Hobart in the 2024 NCAA Division III Tournament quarterfinals.
This season, the 23-year-old is 5-9 with a 2.91 GAA and .899 save percentage in 14 games.
He attended development camp with the Utah Mammoth during the offseason.
Alex Tracy, Minnesota State University
Tracy was 26-9 with three ties, a 1.42 GAA, .946 save percentage and five shutouts in 38 games last season. He was one of four finalists for the Mike Richter Award, a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top men’s Division I hockey player and was voted the Central Collegiate Hockey Association player of the year and goalie of the year.
The 24-year-old senior is 10-2 with four ties, a 1.78 GAA, .936 save percentage and two shutouts in 16 games this season, and has been named to the U.S. Collegiate Select team that will play in the Spengler Cup.
Seider thriving for Red Wings, excited for Olympics with Germany
DETROIT — Just how good is Moritz Seider? What could the 24-year-old defenseman become not just for the Detroit Red Wings but for Germany?
Listen to Boston Bruins coach Marco Sturm, who had 487 points (242 goals, 245 assists) in 938 games as a forward in the NHL from 1997-2012. No one born in Germany has played more games in the League. Only one such player has compiled more goals and points: Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, who has 987 points (414 goals, 753 assists) in 817 games.
“He could be our Leon Draisaitl, just on ‘D,’” Sturm said before Seider had three points (one goal, two assists) in a 5-4 win against Boston on Tuesday. “He’s just that good. He has that presence on the ice too, and I feel like he’s just getting better and better. I think he hasn’t reached his top level yet, and he’s on his way.”
Seider is playing a key role for the Red Wings, who are third in the Atlantic Division and visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday in a nationally televised game (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU). He was one of the first six players named to Germany’s roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
The No. 6 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft hasn’t missed a game since debuting with the Red Wings to start the 2021-22 season. He is averaging 24:58 of ice time this season, first among Detroit skaters by a 3:20 margin and eighth among NHL skaters entering Wednesday, playing in all situations against top competition.
“I really think he’s a diesel engine,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “He just never turns off, and he just keeps going. His stamina is remarkable.”
Seider loves it.
“Who doesn’t?” Seider said with a smile. “I think the game gets easier the less you think about it. Things just come automatic. They happen instinctively. Other than that, I feel like you work so hard in the summer, you’re ready to go either way. If it’s 25 (minutes), if it’s 28, even if it’s 30, you kind of pick your spots even better, and you kind of just flow through the game.”
Seider won the Calder Trophy in 2021-22, voted the NHL’s rookie of the year after he had 50 points (seven goals, 43 assists) in 82 games. That remains his NHL career high. But he’s on pace to eclipse that this season.
He has 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) in 27 games, first among Detroit defensemen by an 11-point margin and tied for 14th among NHL defensemen with New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer entering Wednesday.
That projects to 57 points (12 goals, 45 assists) over a full 82-game schedule.
On a team with a minus-12 goal differential (not counting shootout-deciding goals), he’s plus-5 this season, the best rating among Detroit defensemen and best of his NHL career. The Red Wings are controlling 57.6 percent of the shot attempts when he is on the ice at 5-on-5, the best percentage among Detroit defensemen and best of his NHL career.
“His overall presence on the ice, both offensively and defensively, I think he’s taking strides,” McLellan said. “His … mistakes are being minimized.”
McLellan likes to play aggressively, and Seider likes being on his toes, snuffing out opponents’ plays before they start and turning around in transition. But as he has matured, he has learned to be more patient, and it’s paying off.
“I just try to stay calm,” Seider said. “Try to let the game come to me. Don’t be chasing it. Pick your spots whenever you get a chance. Then just really focus on moving the puck up ice and then kind of join instead of just trying to be ahead of the rush. Sometimes when you force things, you just end up with a goal against. I think that’s been working pretty good.”
In just his fifth NHL season, Seider already ranks fourth in games played (355), goals (33), assists (166) and points (199) in NHL history among defensemen born in Germany. He’s on track to be No. 1 in each category. Dennis Seidenberg leads in games played (859). Christian Ehrhoff leads in goals (74), assists (265) and points (339).
Seider has represented his country several times in international competition, including five IIHF World Championships, winning a silver medal in 2023. He was named the best defenseman in 2021 and to the media all-star team in 2021 and 2023.
Now he will get his first chance to represent Germany in the Olympics with NHL players participating for the first time since 2014 in Sochi. General manager Christian Künast and coach Harold Kreis visited Detroit last month as part of a North American tour, and Seider had dinner with them.
But Seider now serves as an alternate captain for the Red Wings, who haven’t made the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2016 and are in a tight race. The Olympic tournament isn’t until Feb. 11-22.
“It’d be totally wrong and be inappropriate to kind of drift away and think about that,” Seider said. “I think once we head into the new year, I think the excitement gets bigger, and that’s the way it should be. Other than that, I think we have a lot of business to take care of.”
FOX Broadcaster Tom Brady Shares Career News After Accepting New Role With FIFA
NFL broadcasters will tell you they love Thanksgiving football not just for the matchups, but for the guarantee that the country will tune in, no matter who lines up. Still, this year felt different. Fox Sports landed on a slice of history. And no one seemed more pleased than Tom Brady.
“LFG,” he tossed up on his Instagram story after Fox shared what the Lions-Packers game had pulled in.
Green Bay’s trip to Detroit delivered an average of 47.7 million viewers, per Fox, setting a new mark for the most-watched regular-season game the league has ever put on. And fittingly, Brady was right there in the booth, calling the afternoon alongside the rest of the Fox crew.
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Tyrod Taylor embracing his Jets moment after career ‘of perseverance’
Tyrod Taylor is having the kind of fun at the moment he probably should have had throughout his unique NFL journey, spanning 15 years and seven teams.
Who knew this kind of fun would come in his 100th career start on Sunday, against the Dolphins, playing for a young Jets team that’s learning on the fly with a rookie head coach and well out of playoff contention?
“My grandma said something to me years ago that always sticks with me,” Taylor told The Post on Wednesday. “She said the game of football has been teaching me more about life than the will of the game itself. I truly think that it’s taught me to be a better person. It’s shaped my perspective or changed my perspective on not giving up.”
Taylor has had plenty of excuses to give up — the most significant of which was when the Chargers team doctor accidentally punctured his lung trying to administer a pain-killer injection for his cracked ribs before a game in September 2020. Taylor, who was the Chargers’ starter at the time, ended up playing just two games that season as his injury unwittingly accelerated the Justin Herbert era.
Why USC Trojans Makai Lemon Deserves First Round NFL Draft Grade
The regular season has come to an end, the No. 17 USC Trojans have finished out the year 9-3 prior to the postseason. With the culmination of a regular season rises questions for veterans to declare for the NFL Draft.
For one, when discussing which USC players may declare, wide receiver Makai Lemon is often the first name mentioned. The 5-foot-11 playmaker finished the 2025 season with over 1,000 receiving yards, becoming the first FBS receiver to hit that mark this year.
Makai Lemon, Nation’s Best Receiver?
Going into this season, Trojan fans knew they had an elite wide receiver duo Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, who both thrive in different areas that create an elite air raid offense under coach Lincoln Riley. However, if there’s one thing Lemon has done this season is prove his talent.
This season alone, Lemon recorded 1,156 receiving yards on 79 receptions, 11 touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, numbers that exceeded his 2024 statistics beyond measure. Smith only has 942 receiving yards on 72 receptions and 11 touchdowns.
Lemon has made multiple headlines regarding his future in the league, even seen as up and coming versions of current NFL receivers. Lemon was also named as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, awarded to the nation’s best receiver.
A Los Alamitos, California product, there’s one thing for certain when Lemon talks about his one and only school he’s ever played for, it’s home.
“This is home. You know, it’s in my backyard. I got my family here. Such a great program. I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else,” Lemon told the media in September.
For Riley, Lemon, who also doubles as a punt returner, has simply been the most efficient receiver in the nation.
Justin Herbert, Davante Adams Among Pivotal Players on Week 14 NFL Injury Report
Injuries can plague your season, especially if they are happening this late in the season. We must stay healthy and if not, we must pivot to the best replacements possible. You cannot be prepared if you do not stay locked in to the news. That is where we come in with our Week 14 Fantasy Football Injury Report. These are updates on all the key injuries through Wednesday.
QUARTERBACKS
Geno Smith (Foot)
Smith is working through a foot injury, but he is expected to play this upcoming Sunday. Brock Bowers and Tre Tucker will remain fine.
JJ McCarthy (Concussion)
He is still in concussion protocol, but the team expects that McCarthy will be cleared and will start this week. He should not even be on your roster.
Baker Mayfield (Shoulder)
This shoulder injury will maintain to have Mayfield on the injury report weekly, but he will go this week.
Justin Herbert (Hand)
He underwent surgery earlier this week and works to rehab back to start on Monday Night. We must stay tuned in as Trey Lance could start.
Jayden Daniels (Elbow)
Daniels is working through practice this week and he will be reevaluated on Friday. Is would be smart for Daniels to be benched, but perhaps they have other plans. I’d be cautious to starting him.
Aaron Rodgers (Wrist)
Rodgers insists that he is improving so we expect that he will play.
RUNNING BACKS
Kyren Williams (Ankle)
His ankle was tweaked in Week 14, but Williams expects to play. The team will limit him and work more of a split with Blake Corum.
Aaron Jones (Shoulder)
He is a true questionable to play this week and Jordan Mason may very well have a notable RB2 role if Jones is out.
Josh Jacobs (Knee)
The Packers will continue to be cautious with Jacobs, but he will very likely play this week.
Alvin Kamara (Knee)
It is suggested that Kamara will be out again this week, paving way to RB2 status for Devin Neal as the teams RB1.
Kyle Monangai (Ankle)
He pops up with an ankle injury. We do not have clarity on his status and it could boost D’Andre Swift into RB1 status if Monangai is out.
Woody Marks (Foot)
Marks is on the injury report, once again. The team will monitor his status. Nick Chubb is a solid RB2 with RB1 upside if Marks is out.
Trey Benson (Knee)
It has been rumored that Benson is falling behind schedule and could end up without a 2025 return. As for now, he missed Wednesday practice.
Omarion Hampton (Knee)
Hampton makes his long-awaited return on Monday Night. He could be a league-winner for the playoffs.
Emari Demercado (Ankle)
The Cardinals are hoping to get Demercado back this week. He was limited in Wednesday practice. He may work in a Flex-worthy role is active, but it will also carry risk.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Davante Adams (Hamstring)
Adams has been held out of Wednesday practice, which is very concerning as he is a WR1 for some surging Fantasy Football teams.
Josh Downs (Hip/Knee)
He is being held out of practice. If Downs is out, it gives a nice boost to Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce.
Mike Evans (Hamstring)
The Buccaneers have opened his 21-day practice window and Evans could return as early as this week, although he would be likely limited.
Chris Godwin (Fibula)
No surprise that Godwin is on this report, but he will likely be good to go. It is maintenance.
Jayden Reed (Foot, Shoulder)
His return is imminent, but we will not be sure of his workload upon his return. I may sit Reed for one week when he returns.
Chris Olave (Back)
Olave has been surging as a WR1 breakout. We hope that he plays. IF not, DeVaughn Vele becomes interesting on top of Top-5 status for Juwan Johnson.
Rome Odunze (Foot)
Odunze sat out on Wednesday, but it appears that he should be fine. Odunze has lagged down to low-end WR2 status and even then, he may be overvalued.
Parker Washington (Hip)
If Washington is out, which it is unknown right now, Jakobi Meyers becomes very lucrative with WR1 upside.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Ankle)
St. Brown will be a Game-Time Decision. Jameson Williams may trend very highly against a very bad secondary.
Tee Higgins (Concussion)
He has yet to be cleared, but the team expects that Higgins will be back this Sunday.
Drake London (Knee)
London is 50/50 to return and this team will struggle very much so without him.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (Heel)
No sooner does he return, Harrison Jr. has a heel injury that has him a true questionable to play this week.
TIGHT ENDS
AJ Barner (Knee/Shoulder)
Barner is questionable to play this week. Even if healthy, I would bench him given lacking volume.
Dalton Kincaid (Hamstring)
The Bills would certainly like Kincaid to return this week, but he is questionable and will be monitored later in the week.
More Fantasy Sports On SI News:
Lions and Cowboys need a win in Thursday night matchup to improve position in NFL playoff picture
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are the top two teams in the hunt for an NFC wild card and are still holding on to hopes of competing for division championships.
Detroit (7-5) hosts Dallas (6-5-1) on Thursday night and the winner will improve its position in the playoff picture while the loser may not have time to recover from the setback over the last month of the regular season.
“Our margin for error is very small right now,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We’ve got to find a way to win this next one in front of us.
“Time’s running out.”
After starting 5-2, the two-time defending NFC North champions have lost three of five to fall behind division-leading Chicago (9-3) and second-place Green Bay (8-3-1).
The Cowboys, meanwhile, are surging into postseason contention behind a revitalized defense.
They’re over .500 for the first time this year thanks to three straight victories — including one over Philadelphia — to potentially challenge the NFC East-leading Eagles (8-3) for the division title.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott acknowledged he looked up the NFC playoff picture this week after he saw the AFC rundown on TV.
“We just win and handle our business, we’ll put ourselves in a great spot,” Prescott said.
Call it a comeback
Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson broke his left leg in two places in last year’s 47-9 early-season win at Dallas, ending his season.
Hutchinson has 8 1/2 sacks, a career-high four forced fumbles and 24 quarterback hits this season.
“Knowing how good of a player he is, we’ll have eyes on him and as many hands as we can,” Prescott said.
While Hutchinson has had an impact in most games, he did not have a sack or a QB hit in last week’s loss to Green Bay.
Testing a trend
Detroit has played 56 regular-season games over three-plus years without losing two in a row. If the Lions win on Thursday night, the streak without consecutive setbacks will be the league’s longest since New England’s 57-game run that ended in 2006, according to Sportradar.
Rubber match
The Cowboys and Lions are playing for the third straight year after splitting the last two memorable matchups in Dallas.
Detroit ended a six-game losing streak against Dallas with a 47-9 victory at AT&T Stadium last season. It was the most lopsided loss under owner Jerry Jones, who bought the Cowboys in 1989.
Two years ago, Detroit lost at Dallas 20-19 after a 2-point conversion pass to offensive lineman Taylor Decker was negated because the officials said offensive lineman Dan Skipper reported as eligible and Decker did not.
Each time Skipper has reported as eligible at home games since then, the crowd has roared for a player who has become an unlikely fan favorite.
“He’s reliable, dependable, and he does a lot of jobs for us,” Campbell said.
Potential shootout
Dallas has the NFL’s top-ranked offense, averaging 393 yards a game, and ranks second with 29.3 points per game. Detroit averages 376 yards of offense, ranking third, and 29.2 points to tie for third in the league.
The game will feature teams averaging at least 375 yards and 29 points for just the fifth time since 1970.
Still no Diggs
Dallas’ secondary has enjoyed the return of several injured players, most notably starting safeties Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson. But the Cowboys will have to wait at least another week to see 2021 All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs back on the field.
Diggs was ruled out for the seventh consecutive game with a concussion and issues with both knees, including a left knee that has been surgically repaired twice in the past two years. He was initially sidelined by the concussion, which he suffered in an accident at home.
The former Alabama player has never come close to matching his league-leading 11 interceptions in 2021, and he’s had a tumultuous year that included a workout bonus in his contract being withheld and a brief benching by first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“I know who I am,” Diggs told reporters this week, declining to go into detail on the circumstances of the concussion. “I know what I can do on the field, and I’m going to put that out there and show if they forgot, I’m going to make sure to remind them.”
Patriots Linked to Georgia’s Monroe Freeling in 2026 Mock Draft
The New England Patriots ‘offensive line has been much better than expected this year, but it’s never too early to start planning for the future.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Will Campbell in the first round with the fourth overall pick, securing their franchise left tackle. And with that, they also signed veteran tackle Morgan Moses to play on the right side.
However, there’s no ignoring that Moses will be turning 35 in March, calling into question how much longer he will play for.
So with that, NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his first 2026 Mock Draft and has the Patriots picking Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with the 32nd overall pick.
“The Patriots’ new team motto: Protect Drake Maye at all costs,” Brugler wrote. “Morgan Moses has played well at right tackle this season, but he turns 35 in March. Freeling would be a great understudy who could provide short-term depth and a long-term answer on the outside.”
Monroe Freeling Already Has A Connection To The Patriots
Freeling, a 6-foot-7 tackle, joined Georgia in 2023, appearing in eight games during his first season, and was part of an offensive line that ranked first in the SEC. Then, in 2024, he played in all 13 games with four starts. During his first two years, Freeling also spent time playing alongside Jared Wilson, who was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 95th overall pick.
Considering how close New England’s offensive linemen are this season, that familiarity with Wilson will allow him to fit right in.
Patriots’ Offensive Line Depth Was Tested On Monday Night
The Patriots were without Campbell and Wilson in Monday night’s primetime matchup against the New York Giants as the two had sustained a knee and ankle injury, respectively, in the team’s win a week prior.
And they were nearly without starting center Garrett Bradbury, who was added to the injury report shortly before the game with an illness. However, he ultimately played.
But without Campbell and Wilson, it meant that the Patriots had to rely on their offensive line depth, turning to tackle Vederian Lowe and guard Ben Brown. And the two stepped up, protecting Maye’s blind side, with head coach Mike Vrabel taking a moment to praise them on Tuesday.
“I thought that they were excited about playing, and I think that that is probably the thing that pleases me the most, is that they wanted it, that Vederian [Lowe] wanted to go out there, play, compete, and block. And Ben [Brown] fought and battled…” Vrabel said. “But they were excited about playing, they were prepared, and they were ready to go. So, that’s kind of what you have to do at this time of the year, or any time in the National Football League, is be ready to go.”
Sean Payton is
Bill Belichick is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Another coach who’s laying the foundation for a bronze bust of his own hopes Belichick will return to pro football.
“I’ll be honest with you, I miss him not being in the league,” Broncos coach Sean Payton told reporters on Wednesday. “I miss him not being in the league, and I wouldn’t be surprised, and I would be somewhat hopeful that he ends up back in the league. We’d all be better for it. He’s something.”
Belichick’s buyout costs a miniscule, for NFL owners, $1 million. But there’s no clear indication that anyone would want to hire him, given the latter years of his time in New England (which included putting a defensive coach in charge of the offense), the pettiness he and his consigliere, Mike Lombardi, have displayed toward the Patriots specifically and the NFL generally, his 2025 performance at North Carolina, the baggage and distractions he’d bring with him in a return to the pro game, and his reputation for hoping to take over the entire football operation in lieu of simply coaching the team.
Belichick should have a no-debate, no-brainer case for Canton. He should automatically gain entry. He’s one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. Failure to put him in immediately would undermine the credibility of the entire selection process.
That doesn’t mean Belichick currently is a viable candidate to become an NFL head coach.
Still, 31 teams can say “no way.” It only takes one to whisper, “Why not?”
The college game clearly isn’t for Belichick. For plenty of pro teams that haven’t won many games in recent years, they could do a lot worse than Belichick. And they have.
It nevertheless feels like an uphill climb. Which creates an interesting irony. It will be much easier for Belichick to gain a spot among the all-time immortals than it will be for him to get another opportunity to coach one of the NFL’s franchises.
Pro Beavs: Nahshon Wright Continues Hot Streak in Bears’ Win Over Eagles
The Oregon State Beavers 2025 season has wrapped up, but former Beavs who are now in the NFL still have a few weeks left in their regular season. Here is how former Oregon State stars fared in week 13 of the NFL season.
Brandin Cooks
Cooks made his first catch as a member of the Buffalo Bills in the Bills win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, reeling in his only target for 13 yards and a first down. The Bills offense will give Cooks a chance to play in a more explosive offense then the one the New Orleans Saints offered, and will allow Cooks to most likely play a role in the postseason. It may take a bit for him and Bills quarterback Josh Allen to build a rapport with one another, but the fact that Cooks is already being targeted is a good sign.
Johnny Hekker
Hekker punted five times in the Titans loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hekker averaged 46.4 yards per punt, and had a long of 57, which was eight yards off his season long. Hekker wasn’t able to down any of his punts inside the 20, and had one punt for a touchback. Hekker is currently tied for third for total punts this season with 56, but is 23rd in the NFL in punting average at 46.4 yards per punt.
Luke Musgrave
Musgrave caught his only target from Packers Jordan Love for 23 yards and a first down in the Packers win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksviging. With Packers tight end Tucker Kraft suffering a torn ACL, it was believed that Musgrave would find himself a bigger role in the Packers offense, but it seems his usage has stayed mostly the same. Musgrave, like Cooks did, might find himself in a better situation on a different team.
MORE: State of the Beavs: JaMarcus Shephard’s First Days At Oregon State
Jordan Poyer
Poyer’s role with the Bills continues to grow as the season progresses. Poyer tacked on another six tackles which took his season total to 46. Poyer currently has two pass deflections on the year, but is still looking for his first interception of the 2025 season. Poyer’s role in the Bills defense should grow as the Bills continue to make their playoff push.
Nahshon Wright
Wright has turned into one of the most important players on the Bears defense, and he showed up again big time in the Bears win over the Eagles. Wright had a forced fumble that he also recovered, which was Wrights first forced fumble of the 2025 season. Wright compiled five tackles in the win, four of which came unassisted. Wright is tied for second in the NFL for interceptions.
More Reading Material From Oregon State Beavers On SI
Cardinals’ Trey McBride Breaks Silence on Snubbing George Kittle From Top 5 NFL TE’s List
McBride, 26, is enjoying a breakout season, leading the NFL in receptions and all tight ends in receiving yards as he pushes toward his first All-Pro honor. Apart from his game, McBride is also being talked about for his choices for the top-5 tight ends in the league. Surprisingly, George Kittle, who has been one of the top TEs in the league, did not make it to McBride’s list. But before the Cardinals’ star faces the heat, he has something to say.
Jordan Schultz, an NFL insider, recently posted Trey McBride’s message on X, where the rising Arizona standout joked, “Great, left Kittle out, now the whole world is hating me.”
This is a developing story!
Roger Goodell says NFL is considering a second Black Friday game
Yes, the NFL will keep looking for ways to stuff more cheese into the pizza crust. And more cash into the coffers.
Via Sam Neumann of AwfulAnnouncing.com, Commissioner Roger Goodell recently told Joe Flint of the Wall Street Journal that the NFL is considering adding a second Black Friday game, among other potential schedule changes.
The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 prohibits the NFL from televising games on Saturdays or after 6:00 p.m. ET on Fridays from the second weekend in September through the second weekend in December. That was the quid pro quo for the extremely valuable broadcast antitrust exemption.
Under current federal law, a consecutive Black Friday doubleheader would have to be completed by 6:00 p.m. ET. The first game would have to start by noon ET, at the latest.
An overlapping doubleheader could have one game start at 1:30 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. ET, with the second kicking off at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Then there’s the possibility of working the current Congress and administration for an expanded exception to the SBA. How much would a Black Friday night game hurt high-school football? By late November, every state has made it to the postseason. Folks can attend the local playoff game while monitoring the NFL game on their phones.
Alternatively, the NFL could swing for the fences and try to get rid of the Friday/Saturday prohibition entirely, unlocking the possibility for Friday night and Saturday night games on a regular basis.
Regardless, it’s clear that the NFL wants more standalone windows. It’s still surprising that the league has yet to make Tuesday and/or Wednesday night football a thing, especially after the pandemic showed that such games can be scheduled.
At some point, the Sunday afternoon packages would become excessively diluted. That problem can be solved with expansion. Which feels increasingly inevitable.
One thing is certain. People like to watch football. Many would watch a game every night of the week. It’s foolish not to think the league would love to let us.
Bulls’ Noa Essengue to have season
CHICAGO — Bulls rookie forward Noa Essengue, the 12th pick in this year’s NBA draft, will have surgery on his left shoulder and miss the remainder of the season, coach Billy Donovan said Wednesday night before a game against Brooklyn.
The 18-year-old Essengue, from France, made his debut Nov. 22 against Washington and appeared in two games for Chicago. He totaled just over six minutes, going 0 for 3 from the floor. In four games with the G-League Windy City Bulls, Essengue averaged 23 points, 8.5 rebounds and 30.8 minutes.
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Lakers Get Bad News on Luka as Giannis Trade Rumors Intensify
The Los Angeles Lakers, still recovering from a 120–108 loss to the Phoenix Suns that snapped their seven-game winning streak, absorbed another blow ahead of Thursday’s road matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
The Lakers will be without Luka Dončić, who is listed out due to personal reasons, according to the official NBA injury report.
Dončić, the NBA’s leading scorer, has been nothing short of dominant this season, averaging 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists through 16 games. Yet, the Lakers have shown they can survive short-term absences, posting a 3–1 record without Dončić, largely fueled by Austin Reaves’ breakout rise.
In the three games Dončić did not play, Reaves averaged 40.0 points, 10.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds, elevating his value within the Lakers’ rotation and further complicating the franchise’s trade calculus moving forward.
While there is no firm timetable for Dončić’s return, league sources indicate his absence is not expected to be prolonged, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic.
Lakers’ Strong Start Fuels Hope — But Trade Questions Loom
The Lakers’ 15–5 record currently stands as the second-best in the Western Conference, marking the organization’s strongest 20-game start since the 2019–20 championship season led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
But the absence of Dončić and the rise of Reaves intersect with an even larger storyline dominating the league — the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, long rumored as a potential Lakers superstar target.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future Sparks League-Wide Frenzy
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have formally opened discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks regarding the two-time MVP’s future. The talks come amid Milwaukee’s disappointing 9–13 start, prompting questions about whether the franchise can sustain contention around its cornerstone.
“Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP’s future,” Charania posted on X. “A resolution is expected in the coming weeks.”
The update reignited Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, with multiple contenders believed to be monitoring the situation closely.
Lakers Considered Long Shots in Giannis Trade Talks
Despite the Lakers’ star-powered brand attraction, team insiders suggest the franchise is not well-positioned compared to other bidders.
Lakers reporter Jovan Buha said the team would be obligated to explore the possibility if Antetokounmpo requests a trade. However, he stressed that Los Angeles enters negotiations from a clear disadvantage.
“You have to explore it, right?” Buha said on the Lakers Lounge podcast. “But the ideal construction is probably Austin on a max contract plus the three picks.”
Salary Mismatch and Limited Draft Capital Hurt Lakers’ Chances
The Lakers’ most attractive trade chip — Reaves — is under contract at $13.9 million, far below Antetokounmpo’s $54.1 million salary this season. Under league trade rules, the salary gap has to be bridged.
Compounding the challenge, Los Angeles can trade only one first-round pick during the season and a maximum of three in the offseason.
Buha added that the timing alone “isn’t how this is going to play out,” noting that one of those picks is technically spent on draft night before becoming tradeable.
Reaves’ value is rising, but Buha cautioned that Milwaukee — if forced to move on — would seek a blue-chip prospect and multiple assets rather than a win-now contributor.
“If you’re Milwaukee… he is more of a win-now player,” Buha said. “I’d want a 22-year-old blue-chip prospect plus multiple picks, and the Lakers can’t currently offer that.”
Staying Alive Without Dončić — But Eyes Are on Giannis
The Lakers have learned they can compete — and win — without Dončić for short stretches, but his absence underscores the importance of depth and timing as the NBA trade rumor cycles intensify.
Whether Los Angeles is a real contender for Giannis Antetokounmpo remains far less certain.
NBA Champ Rips Clippers for Waiving Chris Paul in His Final Season
A shocking Los Angeles Clippers announcement on Wednesday has drawn the ire of NBA fans, analysts, and former players, as the team chose to part ways with All-Star guard Chris Paul amid his final season.
Paul revealed several weeks ago that he would officially retire at the end of the season, meaning he would retire with the team with which he had his most significant NBA runs. However, the Clippers officially waived the future Hall of Fame guard on Wednesday.
The 12-time All-Star signed a one-year $3.6 million deal to play for the Clippers in July, as he participated in his 21st year in the league. It was also a return to the team he played for from 2011 to 2017. However, it ended with the team’s surprising news that they were parting ways with CP3.
Read more: Lakers’ Luka Doncic Assigns Clear Blame for Suns Loss
That brought many individuals to react to the news, including Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, and three-time NBA champion Danny Green.
Green, now working as an analyst on ESPN’s
Thunder a historic NBA Finals favorite, threatening win record after 21-1 start
The Thunder are off to a historic start.
Oddsmakers are taking notice, to say the least.
Oklahoma City, the reigning champs and a heavy preseason favorite to repeat, are a massive +125 favorite to win the NBA Finals for a second straight season.
If that number holds or improves, the Thunder would be the biggest favorite heading into the playoffs since the 2019 Warriors were -179 to win the championship before Round 1 kicked off, according to Sports Odds History.
In the Western Conference, OKC is a -125 favorite.
Something even more historic than that is becoming more and more realistic by the game.
After moving to 21-1 after a Tuesday night road win over the Warriors, the Thunder are now just +550 at FanDuel Sportsbook to win 74 or more games, which would break the single-season record set by Golden State in 2015-16.
Oddsmakers are giving them essentially a 50/50 shot at reaching 70-plus wins, pegging them at +100 to hit that number.
They’re essentially a shoo-in to finish with the most wins in the NBA this season as well (-1500).
The wild Thunder forecasts aren’t at all surprising given their start to the season.
OKC’s current Net Rating (+15.1) would be easily the best in NBA history.
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They’re just the fourth team in NBA history to win at least 21 of their first 22 games, joining the 1969-70 Knicks, 1993-94 Rockets, and those 2015-16 Warriors.
The former two teams won the championship while Golden State lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
They’ve done all of this so far with Jalen Williams, arguably the team’s second-best player behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, playing in just three games.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
Draymond Green Issues Strong Statement on Mike Tomlin’s Firing After Ben Roethlisberger Turned On HC
The calls to fire Mike Tomlin are growing louder. But despite the growing sentiment, the Pittsburgh Steelers HC found his most vocal defender in an unlikely place. Golden State Warriors’ power forward, Draymond Green, has come out and issued a passionate defense for the 53-year-old at a time when even Steelers legends, like Ben Roethlisberger, are beginning to question the team’s direction.
To Green, the idea of moving on from Tomlin isn’t just wrong. It’s flat-out unbelievable. He couldn’t believe what he heard from Steelers fans on Sunday.
“I think it’s ridiculous that the Pittsburgh fanbase chanted ‘fire Mike Tomlin,’” Green said.
“Number one, we aren’t even an organization that’s just firing coaches. Number two, that’s like loser sh-t, man. I was very shocked by that.” Green went on to say. “Fire Mike Tomlin? That’s insanity. That’s insane. Come on. That was a little disappointing, but when Mike Tomlin has the back against the wall, he goes to Baltimore, he gets a win, rights the ship. That’s what’s happening. You can book it.”
The frustration hit a boiling point during Pittsburgh’s 26–7 loss to Buffalo. The boos were loud. The firing chants were louder. Tomlin didn’t shy away from any of it afterward, even saying he understood the fan reaction. But there’s no mistaking what this moment feels like.
Some difficult conversations may be creeping closer than anyone in that building ever imagined.
Fans can roll their eyes at Green involving himself in another sport’s drama, but his reaction wasn’t all that different from a longtime Steelers diehard, because that’s exactly who he is.
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He grew up with this franchise. He understands its identity. And that identity doesn’t include firing head coaches. Since 1969, the Steelers have had only three head coaches. That stability is their brand. And until very recently, no one would’ve believed even for a moment that Pittsburgh would entertain a coaching search.
It’s not the first time a long-tenured, successful coach has faced this kind of pressure. Tom Coughlin also faced significant scrutiny in 2015, after three consecutive losing seasons with the Giants. Eventually, he went on to resign in January 2016, marking the end of an era.
Every organization, even the most patient ones, has a threshold. There’s only so long you can sit in the middle of mediocrity, spinning your wheels, without asking where the real problem lies.
Even Ben Roethlisberger, maybe Tomlin’s strongest public defender since retiring, sounds like he’s running low on grace.
Ben Roethlisberger wants Mike Tomlin to move on
Former Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison both waded into the Mike Tomlin discussion this week, and their tone said plenty about where things stand. With speculation growing that the Steelers could finally move on from the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach after the season, Roethlisberger sounded resigned to the idea that change might be coming.
“Maybe it’s a clean-house time. Maybe it’s time. I like Coach Tomlin. I have a lot of respect for Coach Tomlin, but maybe it’s best for him, too. Maybe a fresh start for him is what’s best. Whether that’s in the pros, maybe go be Penn State’s head coach,” Roethlisberger said.
It’s jarring to hear that from him. But given Pittsburgh’s season, his sentiment is understandable. The Steelers opened the year looking organized and competitive. That version of the team has vanished. They’ve now dropped three of their last four, and Sunday’s lopsided loss to Buffalo was embarrassing.
The Bills ran for 249 yards, the most an opponent has ever put up at Acrisure Stadium. Some of this is on the roster itself. When the front office let the trade deadline pass without adding a receiver, it was clear the offense might have to survive on fumes.
But the defense was supposed to be the reliable half. Instead, it’s cracked right alongside everything else, giving up 82 points in the last three losses.
Tomlin’s resume is undeniable. A .625 career winning percentage. Nearly two decades of stability. But the Steelers haven’t won the AFC North since 2020 and haven’t won a playoff game since January 2017. Eight years without a postseason win is not how this franchise measures itself.
If the end of this season goes the way the last few weeks have gone, it’s hard to imagine those conversations in the front office won’t get uncomfortable. And if someone like Roethlisberger is quietly bracing for the worst, you have to wonder how different the organization’s internal read really is.
NBA Makes Russell Westbrook Announcement for Historic Climb
Russell Westbrook continues climbing up the NBA’s all-time scoring chart.
On Wednesday night, the Sacramento Kings guard surpassed Tim Duncan, who ranked 17th with 26,496 points.
After Westbrook landed his 26,497th point, the NBA released a special announcement to recognize the guard’s move up in league history.
Now, Westbrook is chasing Dominique Wilkins, who has scored 26,668 points. With that move, Westbrook would land No, 16 on the list, chasing Oscar Robertson.
This season, Westbrook is playing on a one-year deal with the Kings. Heading into Wednesday’s action, the veteran guard had appeared in 21 games. Initially, he was set out to be a reserve, but the Kings moved Westbrook into the starting lineup. He has 15 starts for the season, seeing the court for 28.2 minutes per game.
Westbrook has made 42 percent of his shots from the field, and hit on 37 percent of his threes this year. The future Hall of Famer is posting averages of 13.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Although the Kings have struggled in the Western Conference, entering their matchup against the Houston Rockets with a 5-16 record, which places them 13th in the conference, Westbrook has been a bright spot on the team after he spent more than just the offseason as a free agent. He joined the Kings during their preseason run.
Next summer, Westbrook is likely to become a free agent once again. He’s spent time with the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and now the Kings over the past few years. Despite being a veteran who is bouncing around the league, Westbrook is still one of the most accomplished players in the game.
In year 18, he’s still showing plenty of value and will continue to garner chances to move up in the history books.
Jamal Murray Makes NBA History With 52
Despite being a game-time decision heading into Wednesday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers due to a right ankle sprain, Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray had one of the best performances of his career.
In a dominant 135-120 road win over the Pacers, Murray dropped 52 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 19-25 shooting from the field and 10-11 from three-point range.
With this performance, Murray has become the first player in NBA history to record 52+ points and 10+ three-pointers, while shooting 75% or better from the field, per Stathead.
Jamal Murray’s historic performance
This was the third time Murray has dropped 50+ points in a regular season game and the fifth time overall (including playoffs), though he fell just short of his career high (55). With this, however, Murray has now passed Carmelo Anthony for the most 50+ point games in Nuggets franchise history.
Murray is undoubtedly one of the best scorers in Nuggets history, and these types of performances help cement his legacy as a Denver legend. When Murray is feeling it, he is capable of practically anything, and it is an incredible sign that we are seeing this version of him early in the season.
While Murray’s performance was historic, it does remind fans of what happened in Denver’s season opener. Though Murray’s 52 points set the historic mark, who is the only other player in NBA history to drop 50+ points with ten three-pointers on 75% shooting or better? Aaron Gordon in the Nuggets’ season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors.
The fact that two Nuggets players are capable of this type of outing, and neither is named Nikola Jokic, is a testament to this team’s depth and the three-time MVP’s improved supporting cast.
Jokic did still have another great performance himself, dropping 24 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds on 9-17 shooting. However, Murray not only outshined everybody else, but he barely needed any help in this monstrous game. Murray made more threes on Wednesday night than every other Nuggets player combined, putting the team on his back with a historic performance.
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NBA Fans In Disbelief Over Chris Paul & Blake Griffin Reunion After Years-Old Clippers Feud
Nobody expected the Chris Paul news to drop the way it did yesterday. The LA Clippers’ waiving the guard late at night sent shockwaves across the league, blindsiding everyone, even those close to the situation. A franchise legend cut loose after signing a modest veteran deal meant to close the loop on his run doesn’t make for good optics.
Now, something else has surfaced, changing the tone immediately. A screenshot posted to Paul’s Instagram story revealed the Point God smiling with two former teammates: DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. This trio, which defined the most electrifying era in Clippers history, was reunited once more, and the moment immediately reignited discussion about what could have been.
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For a team that lived in headlines and tension for six straight years, that image said more than any press conference, mainly because the end of Lob City wasn’t clean, and everybody in the league knew it.
Reports have circulated for years about the friction between Paul and Griffin, especially during their Clippers years. Even former teammates have come forward about their dynamic, including guard Austin Rivers, who, as early as 2017, indicated that significant friction existed behind the scenes.
“The dynamic with Blake and Chris was weird,” Rivers told Sports Illustrated. “No one knew who the leader was, and if you had something to say, it would turn into an argument.”
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However, in the years since, both Paul and Griffin have spoken about their improved relationship. Paul told All The Smoke hosts and former teammates Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson that he appreciated Griffin a lot more after Paul left the team.
“I think a lot of that with our team was a little blown out of proportion,” Griffin told reporters in 2022. “When you don’t win, things sort of get compounded… Obviously, we spent a lot of time together.”
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The two reuniting on a video call the same night the Clippers moved on from the face of that era feels symbolic. The moment we saw was three teammates looking back at not what separated them, but what built them: the hope, the culture, and the highlights.
Lob City might have fallen short, but what they created changed LA basketball forever.
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Fans Show Love to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin’s Lob City Reunion
Social media wasted no time exploding as screenshots of Chris Paul’s story were posted online. For many long-time Clippers fans, seeing the trio that put them on the map smiling together once again felt like closure to a decades long storyline. One fan wrote, “Our inner child is healing,” capturing the nostalgia flooding posts and timelines when the image surfaced.
Others leaned into humor and speculation about the team’s breakup. One comment read, “They were united by their hate for the organization 💀💀💀,” a playful jab at the well-documented circumstances of both Paul and Griffin’s exits from the organization.
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Paul demanded a trade from the team in the 2017 offseason after years of failing to make deep playoff runs as his and Griffin’s supposed beef boiled over, joining the Houston Rockets.
Griffin’s was far more egregious; after a receiving a five-year contract in the offseason as a part of a two-hour celebration in Staples Center in the celebration of his career, the team unceremoniously traded him midseason to the Detroit Pistons.
There was also surprise over how time has changed circumstances around the trio. “Who would’ve thought DeAndre Jordan would be the last one standing,” one viewer wrote, pointing out the absurdity of DeAndre Jordan still finding a spot with the New Orleans Pelicans, compared to Griffin, who now works as an analyst for Prime Video.
Nostalgia poured in as users recalled the chaotic joy of the Lob City era. “Great to see and miss this Fun 3! Clippers use to be such a trip to watch,” one observer wrote, remembering how, in the early to mid 2010s, the dominant LA team was not the Los Angeles Lakers, but the ‘little brother’ Clippers.
Naturally, regret surfaced: what could have been. “They was posed to win it all man😔,” one post read, highlighting the heartbreak that still lingers around a team widely believed to have championship talent, but not the luck, or chemistry, to finish the job.
Conor McGregor lawsuit dropped: UFC star accused of sexual assault at NBA Finals game
A sexual assault lawsuit against former UFC champion Conor McGregor has been dropped. The civil suit involving an alleged incident at a 2023 NBA Finals game was dismissed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday, according to ESPN.
The female plaintiff voluntarily filed for dismissal on Tuesday. The voluntary dismissal was filed with prejudice, meaning no further litigation can be brought forward. McGregor had denied all allegations against him and no criminal charges were pursued by the Florida State Attorney’s Office in the case.
The woman, described in the lawsuit as a 49-year-old business executive, accused McGregor of sexual assault during Game 4 of the series between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets in June 2023 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The alleged assault took place in the men’s restroom near the Courtside Club inside the arena, which is the home of the Heat.
The plaintiff filed a civil suit against McGregor and the Heat in January.
Last November, a High Court jury in Ireland found McGregor civilly liable in a separate sexual assault case. McGregor was ordered to pay approximately $258,300 to Nikita Hand. Earlier this year, Ireland’s High Court dismissed McGregor’s appeal.
NASCAR Executive Returns to the Stand in High-Stakes Antitrust Trial
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A top NASCAR executive returns to the stand Wednesday for a second day of testimony in the explosive antitrust case that accuses the top motorsports series in the United States of being a monopolistic bully in violation of federal antitrust laws.
NASCAR is being sued by 23XI Racing, owned by Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, which is owned by fast-food franchiser Bob Jenkins. They were the only two organizations out of 15 to refuse to sign agreements last year on new charters, which are NASCAR’s version of the franchise model used in other sports.
Front Row and 23XI contend that NASCAR is a monopoly that has handcuffed teams with a no-win revenue model. The charter agreement that took effect this year ended more than two years of bitter negotiations in which neither side budged until NASCAR presented its final offer on the eve of the 2024 playoffs and refused to negotiate any further.
The deal fell short of the requests made by all 15 teams, but 13 teams still signed under the belief they’d lose their protected status as a charter — which guarantees both entry into every race and a defined share of the purse.
The second day of testimony on Tuesday — which included nearly three hours from Hamlin — turned to Scott Prime, NASCAR executive vice president in charge of strategy. Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for 23XI and Front Row, used Prime’s memos and private communications to attempt to show anticompetitive practices.
Among the exhibits shown was NASCAR’s fear of a rival stock-car series developing that would resemble the LIV golf league. To stop such a move, communications showed NASCAR executives tried to lock the tracks it competes on into exclusivity clauses that would prohibit them from hosting other events.
Kessler showed an agreement with Las Vegas Motor Speedway in which NASCAR implemented a clause in which the track could not host a rival stock car series for two years after its deal with NASCAR expires.
Kessler also showed communications between Prime, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps and NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell in which the three expressed frustration with NASCAR chairman Jim France and vice chair Lesa France Kennedy because the owners of the series refused to offer any concessions in negotiations.
Phelps wrote the current proposal at that time showed “zero wins for the teams,
NASCAR Trial Day 3: Front Row Motorsports Owner Bob Jenkins Testifies
The third day of the NASCAR Trust trial in Federal Court in Charlotte, North Carolina included more testimony by NASCAR executive Scott Prime, followed by Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins.
NASCAR is being sued by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports for anti-trust violations claiming it operates as a monopoly. Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR star Denny Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing. Jenkins is the owner of Front Row Motorsports. Those were the only two organizations of the 15 in NASCAR that did not sign agreements in 2024 on new charters.
A NASCAR charter is considered a franchise in other sports leagues.
NASCAR Trial Day 3 Details With Bob Jenkins Testimony
During Wednesday’s third day of the trial, NASCAR Executive Vice President in Charge of Strategy Scott Prime was back on the stand. Jenkins followed and gave emotional testimony, according to Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press.
Jenkins testified he was “honestly very hurt” by a “take-it-or-leave-it” offer on a new charter agreement that came with a deadline of mere hours to sign the 112-page document. He said he was out to dinner with his parents and had no cell signal when the charter offer came in.
“There was a lot of passion, a lot of emotion, especially from Joe Gibbs, he felt like he had to sign it,” Jenkins testified. “Joe Gibbs felt like he let me down by signing. Not a single owner said, ‘I was happy to sign it. Not a single one.’”
Jenkins said the charter agreements arrived at 6 p.m. Friday with a midnight deadline to sign them. He felt the timing was deliberate as “no attorney on the East Coast was available to read a 112-page document” according to Fryer’s AP report.
He claimed NASCAR “knew we had to blindly sign it. Some of these owners have $500-$600 million facilities, long-term sponsors. They couldn’t walk away from that.”
Jenkins asked for and received an extension on signing but testified NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps made clear it was for review purposes only and told Jenkins, “negotiations are concluded. We are not re-opening the document,” according to AP.
“It was insulting, it went so far backward,” Jenkins testified. “NASCAR wanted to run the governance with an iron fist, it was like taxation without representation. NASCAR has the right to do whatever it wants.”
Later, Jenkins testified, “This is not about bashing the France family. They’ve made a lot of great decisions. This charter is not one of them.”
More Team Owners Prepare To Testify In NASCAR Trial
Other team owners are on the list to testify beginning Friday. Those include Heather Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing, former RFK Racing President Steve Newmark, now the Associate Athletic Director at the University of North Carolina, Legacy Motor Club CEO Cal Wells and team owners Rick Hendrick, Roger Penske and Richard Childress.
US District Judge Kenneth D. Bell informed attorney Jeffrey Kelser, who represents 23XI and Front Row Motorsports, that he wanted the jury to hear financial details for each team. NASCAR attorney Chris Yates said the finances for Hendrick’s and Penske’s teams were in their depositions, according to Deb Williams of AutoWeek.
Bell instructed both legal teams to ask general questions regarding team finances.
“You don’t have to go line-by-line over profits and losses,” Bell told attorneys according to William’s report. “I don’t like crucial pieces of evidence being excluded from the public.”
NASCAR Trial Text Message Trail
One issue that has taken up attention was communications that showed NASCAR executives tried to lock the tracks it competes on into exclusivity clauses that would prohibit them from hosting other events, according to Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press.
In the AP report, Kessler showed an agreement with Las Vegas Motor Speedway in which NASCAR implemented a clause in which the track could not host a rival stock car series for two years after its deal with NASCAR expires.
Kessler also showed communications between Prime, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps and NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell in which the three expressed frustration with NASCAR chairman Jim France and vice chair Lesa France Kennedy because the owners of the series refused to offer any concessions in negotiations.
It was revealed the NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps worried the current charter proposal had “zero wins for the teams.” NASCAR President Steve Phelps believed the agreement would set NASCAR back to 1998 and it would go back to being a “dictatorship, redneck, Southern tiny sport.”
“From my point of view, where we landed was strong for the two teams,” Prime said.
Prime also admitted he was not familiar with sanctioning agreements and had no knowledge of the split between CART and IndyCar that began in 1996 and didn’t end until 2008. That split deeply impacted IndyCar, setting it back decades in terms of popularity.
Texts from NASCAR officials have been made public in the trial, including a meeting with NASCAR Vice Chairman Lesa France Kennedy writing, “the teams won’t get everything they want, and hopefully we can meet in the middle.”
O’Donnell’s response was, “I just asked for someone in the room to point out how any of our positions are going to grow the sport and positions us for a big rights renewal in the future.”
To that point, Phelps responded, “Productive? Insanity. Zero wins for the teams.” He also believed a charter proposal “must reflect a middle position or we are dead in the water.”
Front Row Motorsports and 23XI did not agree with the new charter the proposal and refused to sign, while the other NASCAR team organizations agreed to it. NASCAR has since taken away the charters for 23XI and Front Row Motorsports, who are operating as “Open” teams for each NASCAR race and are not protected for each NASCAR Cup Series race.
The NASCAR trial continues Thursday, December 4 and is expected to last a total of two weeks.
NASCAR Humiliated in Court as Team Owner’s $16M Loss Claim Shatters “Offensive” Calls
In the months leading up to Michael Jordan’s lawsuit against NASCAR, tensions were escalating. Many Cup Series team owners confessed to massive financial struggles due to the Next-Gen car and the charter system. They spoke collectively as part of the Race Team Alliance, and included even Rick Hendrick. However, things changed following the new charter deal in October 2024. Now, one team owner testified to jaw-dropping economic challenges.
NASCAR lawsuit reveals bitter truth
Journalist Adam Stern wrote on X, “Asked about @NASCAR’s phrasing that it originally gave charters out for free in 2016, @Team_FRM owner Bob Jenkins said it was “a little hard to swallow when I heard that,” because he says that he lost $8.5 million in the two prior years during which time FRM qualified for them.”
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On the third day of the NASCAR lawsuit’s trial, Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins felt ‘offended’ by the sanctioning body’s defense. NASCAR’s attorney claimed that the Cup Series teams overspend and thereby lose money, and Jenkins was concerned about that as well. When FRM first appeared in the Cup Series in 2004, it failed to qualify for races. Stanton Barrett finally cut the following season at Bristol Motor Speedway in the No. 92 Chevrolet. However, Jenkins claimed that the team did not profit in the first ten years, as well as since the charters have come into existence.
Journalist Jeff Gluck wrote about Bob Jenkins’ testimony in the NASCAR lawsuit. “Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins is testifying now. He has revealed some numbers: — Front Row loses $6.8 million per year — He has never made a profit, nor has he even taken a salary from FRM — He had nine unsponsored races this year where he ran his own companies on the car to avoid a blank car — Pre Next Gen he spent $1.8 million per year on parts; with Next Gen he spends $4.7 million a year on parts. It costs $30k to repair a non-wrecked car each week because the nose and tail must be sent back regardless to the vendor and teams cannot repair it themselves.”
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These jaw-dropping figures may deliver a sharp blow to sport’s defense in the ongoing NASCAR lawsuit. Even Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, testified on Tuesday that he spent more than $700,000 on the series in 2022 alone. Besides these financial revelations, the monopolistic side of NASCAR was also portrayed.
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Uncovering the new deal’s conditions
The prime basis of the NASCAR lawsuit has been the charter system. And especially the new charter deal signed in October 2024, and the circumstances under which it was signed. NASCAR strategy chief Scott Prime was on the stand, and he referred to a 2024 email depicting four demands of race teams. They said that they may need to explore other options if NASCAR does not agree to those demands. This heightened concerns of a breakaway stock car series. And NASCAR had some solutions, like reducing the number of charters or presenting a take-it-or-leave-it clause.
Then-NASCAR President Steve Phelps projected his opinion in an email. “You accurately reflected our options. They are playing with fire. Lots of options, but all have the same theme: Pick a date and they can sign or lose their charters. It is that simple.” And Jeffrey Kessler, 23XI and FRM’s attorney, stated on this email: “Only a monopolist could say this. Only a monopolist has the power to say, ‘Take my offer and if you don’t take it, you will no longer be in this business, and someone else will take your place.’”
Clearly, the NASCAR lawsuit is getting raw to the bone with each passing day of trial. Let’s wait and see how it climaxes in the end.
Displeased Judge Bell Explodes on NASCAR Lawyers Caught Red-Handed In Dirty Courtroom Tactics
On Monday, Judge Kenneth D. Bell issued a warning. It marked the first day of the NASCAR lawsuit trial, and Judge Bell warned both sides of the case against ‘confrontational’ exhibits. Ever since its launch in October 2024, the lawsuit had turned bitter multiple times. From personal attacks to jaw-dropping text messages, the animosity has been no less. However, the courtroom snubbed NASCAR for attempting to continue that trend on Wednesday.
NASCAR lawsuit touches sensitive topics
Journalist Matt Weaver wrote on X, “Judge Bell admonished NASCAR’s lawyers…Twice they have violated court orders. 1) Asking Bob Jenkins about his non-NASCAR businesses when it was agreed upon in advance that it wasnt on the table and disclosing a Jeff Dickerson text message verbally when it wasnt admissible evidence. Bell said this will not be tolerated and the next time it happens, from either party, there will be significant consequences.”
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Outside of his Front Row Motorsports team, Bob Jenkins owns a fast-food franchise. His testimony at the NASCAR lawsuit was eye-opening, as he revealed dire financial crises. He said that the team has lost $16.3 million in the last three years, and approximately $70 million during the last 11 years. Besides FRM dodging profits, even Jenkins has not taken a salary from his team. Instead of running nine races without primary sponsors in 2025, he used his own brands on the cars’ liveries.
These struggles were starkly juxtaposed with NASCAR’s financial disposition. According to 23XI Racing and FRM attorney Jeffrey Kessler, the Florida-based France family earned $400 million over three years. A 2023 evaluation by Goldman Sachs found NASCAR to be worth $5 billion. The pretrial discovery process also revealed that Jim France‘s sport made more than $100 million in 2024.
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Hence, Bob Jenkins struck a sympathetic chord amongst the NASCAR lawsuit’s jury, as journalist Jeff Gluck said. The cross-examination that he faced from NASCAR’s attorneys did not sit well with the courtroom at all. A crucial avenue of financial loss for Jenkins was the Next-Gen car. FRM would spend approximately $1.8 million on parts annually before the Gen 7 car’s arrival. And that has since jumped to $4.7 million. Even if the team’s drivers emerge from races unscathed, Jenkins has to bear a $30,000 cost for each car to have its tail and nose returned to the vendor for repairs.
FRM’s dire state of affairs clearly moved the courtroom. However, that was not all, as Denny Hamlin also shared his team’s story.
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Dodging a calamitous result
“All it takes is one sponsor to go away, and all our profit is gone,” Denny Hamlin testified for the NASCAR lawsuit on Tuesday. He also continued about not signing the 2024 charter deal. “I didn’t sign because I knew this was my death certificate for the future,” he said, later adding: “I have spent 20 years trying to make this sport grow as a driver and for the last five years as a team owner. 23XI is doing our part. You can’t have someone treat you this unfairly, and I knew it wasn’t right. They were wrong, and someone needed to be held accountable.”
Denny Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan, outlined a history of losses for his Cup Series team. Three years ago, more than $703,000 was paid to NASCAR for things like entry fees, credentials for team members to enter the track, and even access to Internet signals. Meanwhile, he and Jordan spent $100 million to build the team from scratch. The reason for 23XI’s financial success was simply Jordan’s star power as an NBA legend. Even then, the losses did not stop – the team spends $20 million per Next-Gen car.
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Clearly, the revelation of these financial facts are key to deciding the NASCAR lawsuit’s path. Let’s wait and see how it all pans out.
Front Row Motorsports’ Bob Jenkins takes the stand in NASCAR antitrust case
Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins testified in a North Carolina federal court on Wednesday that he finds it “offensive” to say NASCAR teams overspend.
Jenkins, who filed a joint antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR with 23XI Racing, spent much of Wednesday’s proceedings on the witness stand. It began around 2:30 p.m. ET with one of the team’s lawyers having Jenkins introduce himself to the court through his background and how he got into the sport as a team owner. He explained that he started as a charter member of the Dale Earnhardt fan club before having the chance to sponsor through his Taco Bell franchise, and eventually founded his Cup Series team.
It was during this portion of his testimony that Jenkins admitted his organization has not made money in any year of its existence. There have been cost-cutting measures, however, and he mentioned implementing layoffs and temporary layoffs.
“Whatever we had to do,” Jenkins said.
In the two years before NASCAR awarded Jenkins two charters under the original agreement (2016), he said the organization lost $8.5 million. But he feels that Front Row has a reputation of doing more with less, and that’s where he mentioned it being offensive to say his, or any team, overspends.
“We have to have a model that works for us,” said Jenkins.
The charter system was something Jenkins favored and said it “gave us some stability.” The positives are that drivers, sponsors, and fans know they will be in the race. The guaranteed entry was also a big positive for team owners.
Jenkins insisted he does not have an issue with the system; but rather with what is in the agreement. Jenkins said he has not made a profit even with the implementation of the charter system. As such, even during the financial struggles, he has bought, sold, and leased charters over the years, seeing it as an opportunity to make money or break even.
Front Row Motorsports has lost $6.8 million annually in operating costs, and it costs approximately $20 million per year to race a car. The organization is worth $60.9 million.
Jenkins said he does not take a salary from the race team, which he said is not his day job, and stated that he’s only at the shop six to eight times a year. Jerry Freeze, the team president, handles the day-to-day operations.
The other businesses that Freeze has would become a point of contention under cross-examination by NASCAR. But before that came, Freeze continued to testify about the finances and why he didn’t sign the 2025 charter agreement.
Freeze first explained that he didn’t like the 2016 agreement but signed it in the hopes that the next one would be better. But he found that it went “virtually backwards in so many ways” and he did not sign it after consulting with his two oldest sons. The reason is that Jenkins hopes to one day pass the race team on to them, and he wanted everyone on the same page about what to do.
“It honestly hurt” when NASCAR gave the deadline to sign, and although Jenkins said he appreciated the extension for 23XI and Front Row, he stated it still felt like NASCAR “had them over a barrel” because 13 others had already signed. Jenkins, however, said no team owner told him they were happy to sign.
“This is not about bashing the France family,” Jenkins said. “This charter agreement is not one of them.”
NASCAR’s cross-examination of Jenkins began shortly before 4:00 p.m. ET. The first thing NASCAR’s lawyer did was have Jenkins acknowledge that his other business, particularly Charter Foods, is his day job. They then went on to explain that Long John Silver’s, one of the franchises Jenkins has owned, is now owned by his sons.
Long John Silver’s has appeared on the Front Row cars, a point NASCAR has made many times, noting that the organization does not get paid. NASCAR emphasized that Jenkins did not have his sons pay for the races they appeared in, yet reaped the benefits. Meanwhile, he wants the jury to award him millions of dollars.
Jenkins explained that he only puts those businesses on his cars when there is no sponsor. It was better than running a blank car, which Jenkins says doesn’t look good and doesn’t help sell sponsorship.
NASCAR then moved on to how Jenkins made deals in which a driver or partner could donate to the Lakeway Christian Schools he founded instead of paying the race team. One example was Matt Tifft, who had a contract to race for Front Row, paying $2.6 million, but his family trust could donate that to the school.
Tifft never finished the contract because he was sidelined with a medical issue, and therefore, the payment to the school was never made. It would have come from the Tifft family trust, which shared Jenkins’s beliefs.
Another example was that Jenkins had a conversation with Denny Hamlin in 2021 about merging with 23XI Racing. In those scenario, Jenkins would have sold his two charters and allowed donations to the schools instead of paying him. That proposal never came to fruition, and Jenkins used that as another way to forcefully tell NASCAR that no one has ever made a donation to the schools. But they could keep talking all day about money that didn’t go to his race team.
NASCAR also argued that Jenkins was losing money before the charter agreement and is now blaming the series and suing over it. They also brought up that, with a charter system, Jenkins wanted smaller field sizes, which would “free up” money for his team. Jenkins refuted that notion, but said he does believe in smaller fields because it would make things healthier, whereas allowing part-time teams doesn’t add value to the series.
Jenkins will continue under cross-examination on Thursday morning.
Sports fans are pumped as a popular simulation game is about to celebrate 20 years by going mobile
As a huge baseball fan, I used to love playing a baseball simulation game called Strat-O-Matic baseball. Each major league player has a card that uses percentages to capture his real-life performance. I started playing the game in 1968 and it remains popular. Those were the pre-computer days, and many serious baseball fans would play Strat-O-Matic or rival APBA baseball. In high school, I used to argue with the sports editor of the high school paper, Keth Olberman, about which game was better as he was a big fan of APBA. (As a footnote, I ended up replacing Keith as sports editor of the Hackley Dial when he graduated a year before me).
MLB: The Show is celebrating its 20th anniversary by going mobile
Then came the PC games. Ironically, they are not as statistically accurate as Strat-O-Matic is, but many prefer seeing a simulated game play out on a computer screen rather than using their imagination. One of the most popular of the computer games has been
Miguel Rojas Dodgers free-agent contract
The Dodgers and veteran infielder Miguel Rojas agreed to reunite on a one-year, $5.5 million deal on Wednesday, a source told MLB.com. The club has not confirmed the deal.
Rojas, who hit the game-tying home run in the ninth inning of World Series Game 7 that set the table for the Dodgers to repeat as champions, has said that the 2026 season will be his last in the big leagues. He was open about his desire to return to Los Angeles, with whom he made his Major League debut in 2014, for his final year.
Primarily serving in a bench role, Rojas hit .262 and played quality defense at second base, third base and shortstop in 2025. He was a finalist for the NL Gold Glove at the utility position.
An unlikely Fall Classic hero, Rojas started the final two games of the World Series at second base after more than three weeks of not being in the starting lineup. With the Dodgers down to their final two outs, he saved the season with an improbable solo homer off Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman that ultimately allowed L.A. to win in 11 innings to secure the ninth championship in franchise history.
Five MLB teams that are one move away from contending
With MLB’s winter meetings set to begin next week in Orlando, many teams are already in the middle of their quests to improve their rosters this offseason.
Some of those teams are franchises that missed out on the postseason in 2025 or made it to October but didn’t have the firepower to advance past other talented teams.
So which teams could be this year’s October darlings if they make a big move in the offseason to boost their rosters? Here are five MLB teams to keep an eye on, listed in alphabetical order.
Athletics
The Athletics finished 76-86 last season and have a lineup anchored by American League Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker and plenty of others who are dangerous at the plate. If the Athletics could land a true ace to lead the rotation, they could be a disruptor in a deep AL West this season.
Don’t forget the A’s finished last season with a 34-24 flourish, so the pieces are already there to have a strong 2026.
Atlanta Braves
Like the Athletics, Atlanta finished 76-86 last season. However, while the A’s might have surprised a few with that record, finishing 10 games below .500 was a big disappointment for the Braves, a team that is used to competing for the National League East title.
The Braves caught the brunt of injuries last year to key players such as Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley and Spencer Strider, so staying healthy will be a key this season for Atlanta under the eye of first-year manager Walt Weiss.
Atlanta has to get more answers at shortstop this season, and the trade for Mauricio Dubon may provide the missing link there in 2026.
Cincinnati Reds
Rumors are linking Kyle Schwarber to the Reds, and a bat with that kind of potential would do an immense amount of good for a team that was 21st in home runs and 19th in OPS last season.
Despite the lack of firepower last season, the Reds made it to the postseason. Getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the wild card round, however, showcased the need for Cincinnati to continue to improve in 2026 to compete with the deeper teams in baseball.
Detroit Tigers
Prospects Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle may help the Tigers be better in 2026, but there still needs to be a veteran presence who can do damage at the plate in order for Detroit to be taken seriously as a World Series contender.
With Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal still in the fold for this season, Detroit making that move to grab a big bat that can go alongside Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene is a must this offseason.
Kansas City Royals
Also in the American League Central, the Royals fell short of the postseason in 2025, finishing at 82-80. The talent is still there for the Royals, but Kansas City has to figure out how to get more production from its outfield to make an October appearance this season.
As this ESPN.com article points out,
Shotaro Morii returns to MLB Cup eight years after winning it
Eight years ago, A’s two-way prospect Shotaro Morii was just a 10-year-old student with a dream of playing baseball. That year, he arrived to Japan’s MLB Cup, a tournament featuring over 1,700 fourth- and fifth-grade ballplayers, where he and his team eventually won it all.
Winter Meetings Reddit AMA with reporter Mark Feinsand
Feinsand: I believe that the Reds do have a shot at signing Schwarber, though I certainly wouldn’t label them as the favorites. Cincinnati is looking for a big bat in the middle of the lineup, and if Schwarber has any interest in playing close to home (he’s from nearby Middletown, Ohio), the Reds are the only team that can offer him that. It will, in all likelihood, come down to money as it does with most free agents, but GABP is a great hitters’ park and should be attractive to a slugger such as Schwarber. Cincy is highly unlikely to be the highest bidder, but if the offer is competitive, I don’t think it’s impossible. Based on conversations I have had, I would put their chances around 15%, which is a [little bit] higher than I would have said a month ago.
Feinsand: I wouldn’t be surprised if the Angels dipped into both of those markets. Even with the acquisition of Grayson Rodriguez, Los Angeles still needs a frontline starter, and I have heard Gallen’s name connected to them a few times this offseason. I also think they could be in the market for either Murakami or Okamoto, as corner infield is a need.
Feinsand: I would say Bichette is the more likely candidate to sign with the Jays, as there is less competition for his services than for Tucker, who is on the radar of a number of big-market clubs. Still, I wouldn’t rule out Tucker at all. Could they sign both? Toronto certainly has enough money to do it if that’s what ownership wants to do, though that would be a pretty big commitment, especially after signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to his huge extension last year. One way or another, there’s at least one more big move coming for the defending AL champs.
Feinsand: I don’t know if it qualifies as an actual rumor, but any and all talk about Paul Skenes being traded — specifically to the Yankees — is just insane. The Pirates aren’t trading Skenes this offseason (I won’t guarantee anything beyond that), especially as we keep hearing about them spending some money in free agency. Anything you hear about Skenes being traded to the Yankees should be disregarded — at least for this winter.
Feinsand: The most logical players to look at are those who rejected the qualifying offer, as the draft-pick compensation can often slow a free agent’s market. Of the nine that rejected the QO, the one that might have an issue with this is Zac Gallen, though given the need for pitching around the league, I’m guessing he will find a solid deal anyway. Some of the players that took a long time to find deals last year — think Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman — won’t have that issue to deal with this time around.
Q: How active do you expect the Winter Meetings to be this season? Do you think we’ll see Kyle Tucker (who I think a lot of people expect to sort of “hold up” the outfield market) sign at them? Will we see any of the Japanese guys sign at them?
Feinsand: I’m expecting a pretty active Winter Meetings, actually. We’re still at Dec. 3 and we’ve already seen some notable free-agent signings (Dylan Cease, Josh Naylor, Ryan Helsley, Devin Williams and Cody Ponce), as well as three pretty big trades (Brandon Nimmo-Marcus Semien, Sonny Gray to Boston, Taylor Ward-GrayRod). It’s difficult to say which players might sign next week, but I could see the starting pitching market begin to move with pitchers like Michael King and Ranger Suárez. The relief market could also be active after Helsley and Williams have already signed. I don’t know if Tucker will get done next week, but the only player I think will wait for Tucker is Cody Bellinger, who is being pursued by many of the same teams. As for the three Japanese players who have been posted (Murakami, [Tatsuya] Imai and Okamoto), I would think their situations would extend deeper into December and closer to their posting deadlines, though if a team comes in strong, we could see any of them sign during the Meetings.
Q: What were the Marlins asking for Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera during the Deadline that none of them were moved? If it was so high, do you think the Marlins’ asking price might have come down this offseason? Chances Yankees moved to get Alcantara without giving any top prospect?
Feinsand: The asking price was high in terms of prospects, even while Alcantara wasn’t pitching well. That price hasn’t gone down, so I don’t think the Yankees (or any other team) will be able to acquire him without giving up a top prospect. That, of course, is assuming Alcantara is traded at all, which is no sure thing. Based on conversations with sources, the Marlins could hold both Alcantara and Cabrera this winter and reassess where they are come July.
Feinsand: Detroit continues to be connected to Alex Bregman, though pitching — both rotation and bullpen — appear to be a bigger priority for the Tigers. Michael King and Ranger Suárez are among the pitchers on Detroit’s radar. Pete Fairbanks is one of the relievers the Tigers have their eye on, but there are probably 8-10 relievers that could wind up in Detroit.
Feinsand: The fact that Imai seems unlikely to go to the Dodgers opens up the Yankees’ chances, though the Giants could be the biggest threat to New York or any other team interested in Imai. The biggest question with the Giants is whether they’re willing to spend six figures on a starter, because that seems like what it’s going to take to sign Imai. The Yankees signed Masahiro Tanaka a little more than a decade ago and made a splash with Hideki Matsui, so there is precedent for New York taking a big shot at a Japanese star.
Feinsand: I would think the Yankees would be in on Tucker if they don’t sign Bellinger, though I am also skeptical that Bellinger will sign before Tucker. Once Tucker signs, Bellinger’s leverage grows considerably, not only with the Yankees, but with other teams that are in on Tucker. Plan B, in the event that the Yankees don’t get either of them, would probably be to sign another outfielder (not on the same level as those two) unless they truly believe that Jasson Domínguez and/or Spencer Jones are ready to assume an everyday role.
Feinsand: Based on conversations I have had this offseason, the Twins appear more likely to hold Buxton, Ryan and López and try to add on the margins than to trade any or all of those three. If the first half of the season doesn’t go well, Minnesota could look to move any or all of them next summer, but if I had to guess right now, they’ll all be in Twins uniforms when Spring Training begins.
Feinsand: I do believe that the Pirates are sincere in their interest to spend money this winter, though I don’t know if they’re going to be playing in the market for someone like Schwarber. I think a more realistic option would be a guy like Eugenio Suárez, who has huge power and would make an instant impact on Pittsburgh’s lineup.
Feinsand: I think the Phillies’ window will still be open for the next two or three years, though some of that depends on how they handle their business this winter. Does Schwarber return? What about J.T. Realmuto? I would assume that No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter replaces Ranger Suárez in the rotation, but the Phillies need to build up their bullpen. There is also a belief around the league that Philly could be in the market for a third baseman (Bregman, maybe?), which would mean a trade of Alec Bohm. Bryce Harper (1B) and Trea Turner (SS) are locked into those positions, while Bryson Stott (2B) is under control for two more years. Aidan Miller, the team’s No. 2 prospect, could move to 2B or 3B at some point if the Phillies believe he’s ready to make an impact at the big-league level.
How worst MLB teams can improve in 2026
There are plenty of holes to fill on these rosters, but the Hot Stove provides plenty of opportunities to do just that. And each of these teams has positives to point toward. So here is a closer look at these six clubs: What has gone wrong, what they have going for them, what they might do to end their streak of losing seasons … and the chances that they actually will.
What has gone wrong: Well, it’s fair to say the A’s have had a tumultuous few years since their last winning season. It might be asking a lot of any team to keep a steady ship amidst all the movement and transition the A’s have been dealing with, but even as they played their first season in West Sacramento as they prepare for their eventual move to Las Vegas, the problem remains simple: Pitching. The A’s always have hitters — and they have even more than usual now — but the old
MLB Rumors: 6 Desperate Teams Could Trigger Fierce Trade War for Twins’ $100M Star Outfielder
Center field has quietly turned into the position frustrating teams the most this offseason. There aren’t many true centerfielders out there, and the demand is completely outpacing the supply. Sure, free agency has its share of solid bats, arms, and players at other positions, but center field? Not so much.
For reference, the Phillies grabbed Harrison Bader at the deadline, only to watch him walk a few months later. The Mets tried Cedric Mullins, but he turned out to be a huge disappointment. And now the remaining options are… Bader, who can hit, but he’s not exactly a lockdown defender anymore.
Cody Bellinger can play center, but at this point, he’s more of a temporary fix than a long-term answer.
And that’s why the Twins’ true, everyday centerfielder has suddenly become one of the hottest names of the entire offseason.
“Another theoretical trade option is Byron Buxton of the Twins. His contract gives him full no-trade protection through 2026, though it then drops to just a five-team no-trade list for the final two years of the deal,” MLB Trade Rumors reported.
So yes, even though teams like the Phillies, Mets, Rays, Orioles, Diamondbacks, and Royals are all chasing Byron Buxton, everything really hinges on whether the Twins are ready to move him. If you remember, he got a no-trade clause that doesn’t kick in until 2026.
However, it shrinks to a five-team list for the final two years of his deal. And with $45 million left to be paid from his $100 million deal till 2029, Buxton is a good bet for the suitors.
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And the big twist? Recent reports say Buxton is actually willing to waive his no-trade clause!!!
But what is it about Buxton that has all six suitors scrambling?
Well, he’s coming off a season where he launched 35 HRs, stole 24 bases, and put up a .264/.327/.551 line. The downside, of course, is his injury history: between 2018 and 2023, he never played more than 92 games in a season.
Still, his defense is what sets him apart. Notably, in a thin centerfield market, he wins the 2025 Jim Kaat Award and reminds everyone why he posted 23 DRS back in 2017.
But even though these six teams are leading the chase, don’t be shocked if a surprise contender swoops in for Buxton out of nowhere. Because with the scarcity at centerfield this offseason, everyone’s watching.
Another big fish is rumored to be behind Byron Buxton
And that big fish is none other than the Dodgers! Well, any big-ticket free agents without the Dodgers rumored to be involved are rare in MLB.
As reported by Tim Keown of ESPN, Twins center fielder Byron Buxton is the trade target he’d most like to see land with the Dodgers. And guess what, Buxton just played 126 games, which is encouraging, though the injury concerns are still very real. But that’s precisely why the Dodgers make so much sense… Why?
Their roster depth is unmatched, and they can absorb injuries better than anyone during the regular season.
And with the Dodgers’ Michael Conforto move backfiring in 2025, they’re suddenly back in the market for a true centerfielder.
Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernandez seem locked into the corner spots, and sliding Buxton into center would complete the picture perfectly.
And while the Twins are going to expect a strong return for him, if there’s a team willing to go big, especially with six others in the mix, the Dodgers might be the one ready to make that splash.
Blue Jays meet with Kyle Tucker
TORONTO — The Blue Jays might just be getting started. Kyle Tucker, the top player in this winter’s free-agent class, visited with the Blue Jays at their player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., on Wednesday, a source told MLB.com.
Tucker lives in nearby Tampa, making the visit an easy one, but this still speaks to the Blue Jays’ interest in landing the 28-year-old, who could command a contract that blows past $300 million. The Blue Jays remain interested in a reunion with Bo Bichette, too, but with Bichette having spent nearly a decade with the organization, no guided tour is required there.
This all feels so similar to the Blue Jays’ pursuit of Shohei Ohtani two offseasons ago, which included a tour of the complex. This pursuit won’t come with all of the drama — including that famous Zoom call when GM Ross Atkins refused to reveal where in the world he actually was — but the stakes are still incredibly high.
This offseason had some surprise momentum from the very start when Shane Bieber picked up his $16 million player option in November, and after landing the big fish in Cease, the Blue Jays agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with right-hander Cody Ponce, who comes back from four seasons in Japan and Korea as a talent reborn. This rotation is one of the best in baseball — one of the deepest, too — but the Blue Jays need a big bat.
Tucker’s fit with the Blue Jays is obvious. Yes, a talent like Tucker fits with any organization, but he does all of the things that define “Blue Jays baseball.” That’s a new idea, forged by the 2025 team, but it’s here to stay. Tucker puts the ball in play, gets on base and does it all with some thump behind his approach, good for an .865 OPS with between 20 and 30 home runs in each of his past five seasons. Any questions about Toronto can easily be fielded by some old teammates, too, including George Springer and Myles Straw.
Toronto’s outfield needs should be a bigger storyline, too. Just as Bichette would slide in naturally to the spot he just vacated on the middle infield — whether that be second base or shortstop — Tucker fills a legitimate need beyond his talent alone.
Daulton Varsho will be a free agent after 2026. The same goes for Springer, who’s more of a DH by now, and Anthony Santander will surely take some of those DH at-bats when Springer’s time in Toronto is done. The Blue Jays have some development success stories in the outfield, from Nathan Lukes to Addison Barger and Davis Schneider, but it’s been entirely too long since this organization developed an All-Star-caliber talent in the outfield. Tucker is just that, year in and year out.
Money matters, of course. Tucker will not come close to the mega-deals signed by Juan Soto or Ohtani — even half of Ohtani’s $700 million may be tough to scratch — but any deal could push $30 million per season or more. The Blue Jays will already begin paying Vladimir Guerrero Jr. handsomely along with Cease, but their books are set up well in the coming years. As long as Rogers ownership is determined to push in, the Blue Jays are built to sustain this spending without any albatross contracts on their books and no clear season coming over the hill that will cause a financial logjam.
This isn’t new ground for the Blue Jays now. They know how it feels to reel in the big fish, and fresh off their best season in more than three decades, one that brought a love for baseball back to life across the national market in Canada, they’re hungry for more.
Giants Face Tense Rule 5 Draft with Three Top Prospects Unprotected
The San Francisco Giants have a solid farm system. But they can’t hang onto all of them, and the theory will be tested at the Rule 5 draft next week at the MLB winter meetings.
When the Rule 5 deadline passed, the Giants left three prospects unprotected that were listed among the Top 35 players that could be taken in the Rule 5 draft by Baseball America (subscription required).
Those prospects are right-handed pitcher Tyler Vogel, left-handed pitcher Jack Choate and right-handed pitcher Will Bednar.
San Francisco Giants Prospects That Could Be Picked
Vogel was a 12th round pick out of Jacksonville in 2022 and is Rule 5 eligible because he’s been a pro baseball player for four years after signing his contract after his 19th birthday. He pitched at three different affiliates, including Triple-A Sacramento, and he went a combined 7-2 with a 2.88 ERA in 40 relief appearances, with nine saves in nine chances. If he’s selected, he could be a future closer.
Scouts at Baseball America highlighted his 25.4% strikeout rate, his 10.2% walk rate and 45.3% ground ball rate. But he’s only pitched 18 innings at Sacramento and likely won’t be ready for the Majors until late 2026.
Choate was also a 2022 draft pick out of college, but he played at Division II Assumption. He needs more time to get to the Majors, which may keep other teams from selecting him. He went 4-6 with a 3.51 ERA in 2025, pitching mostly with Double-A Richmond. He pitched 102.1 innings in 29 games (24 starts) and struck out 123 and walked 51. He held batters to a .247 batting average.
Bednar was the Giants’ first-round pick in 2021 out of Mississippi State. He finally got to Sacramento last season, though he only pitched in two games. So, any team selecting him will probably need to give him one more year in the minors. In 38 relief appearances he went 2-3 with a 5.68 ERA with three holds and a save two chances. San Francisco sees him as a reliever now. Will that help or hurt his Rule 5 draft chances?
A prospective suitor for any of the Giants’ prospects must have an open spot on the 40-man roster. If he’s selected, that team must roster the selection on the 40-man immediately and pay the Giants $100,000.
The player must remain on the MLB roster the entire season but can be moved to the IL for legitimate injuries. If that player isn’t kept at any point in 2026, he must be put on waivers, and any team can pick him up — but that team must assume the Rule 5 responsibilities. If he clears waivers, he must be offered back to the Giants for $50,000. If the Giants don’t want him, then he becomes a free agent.
San Francisco is gambling that teams that have 40-man spots won’t want to go to the trouble of selecting any of their prospects.
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Dodgers’ Dave Roberts approves of an MLB salary cap with one caveat
Dave Roberts, the man who has managed the big-spending Dodgers, says he’s open to a salary cap in Major League Baseball — but he’d also like to see a salary floor if it ever came to it.
Roberts appeared on Sports on Prime’s “Good Sports With Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson” when he was asked about the idea.
“You know what? I’m all right with that,” Roberts said after Thompson asked about it during the Tuesday night appearance. “I think the NBA has done a nice job of revenue sharing with the players and the owners. But if you’re going to kind of suppress spending at the top, I think that you got to raise the floor to make those bottom-feeders spend money, too.”
A salary cap is something MLB owners are likely hoping to see when they negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Players Association, and it could be a big sticking point in talks.
MLBPA leadership has indicated it’s a topic they won’t even entertain.
The Dodgers, back-to-back World Series champions, have been the prime argument for those in favor of a cap, with Los Angeles’ payroll somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 million, including their luxury tax bill.
And in the offseason before the 2024 season, the Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to massive contracts.
The exorbitant spending has also made the Dodgers the modern-day “Evil Empire,” with Roberts even leaning into the criticism about the team’s spending by declaring that the Dodgers would “really ruin baseball” by winning their second consecutive World Series title after defeating the Brewers to take the NL pennant.
MLB is the only North American sports league that does not have a salary cap, though with the current CBA set to expire on Dec. 1, 2026, a change could be coming.
Four iPhones will provide live footage of Saturday’s MLS Cup
Saturday’s Major League Soccer championship match between Inter Miami and the Whitecaps will incorporate footage from four iPhones. Apple previously used iPhones to capture live game footage during two Friday Night Baseball broadcasts.
MLS said that the weekend telecast will involve the league’s largest ever set of cameras, giving fans access to an unprecedented range of angles …
The league told Sports Business Journal you’ll be able to identify the iPhone footage thanks to a small on-screen Shot on iPhone graphic.
The four iPhones will be part of the league’s largest-ever camera arsenal for its championship match. With more than 30 cameras, fans will have access to an expanded range of angles, including goal robotic cameras, referee cam, dedicated isocams on coaches and players and drone coverage.
The use of the Apple devices during MLS Cup is a unique extension of the technology company’s ongoing “Shot on iPhone” marketing campaign, which seeks to demonstrate the iPhone’s ability to capture and produce high-quality content. Anytime footage from an iPhone is being shown during Saturday’s telecast, there will be a small on-screen graphic indicating the footage is being “Shot on iPhone.”
MLS exec Seth Bacon said that the initiative was one of the benefits of its partnership with Apple.
“The ability for us to integrate this and maintain that same level of integrity and quality in the pictures is really a testament to the partnership we have with Apple,” Bacon said. “Being partnered with the world’s biggest technology company, you have the ability to innovate and try new things.”
The league’s confidence in the quality of the footage is demonstrated by the fact that one key angle will be provided entirely by an iPhone.
The most ambitious use case for the iPhone during Saturday’s telecast will be as a high end zone camera. “Anytime you see a shot looking down the field from a high angle behind the goal that’s going to be shot entirely on an iPhone,” Bacon said.
The match will stream for free on Apple TV.
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Nancy leaves Columbus Crew to take charge of Scottish giant Celtic
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Wilfried Nancy left his role as coach of Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer to take charge of Scottish giant Celtic on Wednesday.
The 48-year-old Frenchman coached Crew for three years, leading the team to the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup and being named coach of the year in MLS in 2024.
Celtic is defending its title in the Scottish Premiership and, after a slow start to the season, is in second place — two points behind Hearts.
The team has won the last four top-flight titles and is on 55 overall, the same as fierce Glasgow rival Rangers.
Nancy described Celtic as “one of the world’s proper football clubs” because of its “real atmosphere and heart and soul, real high standards and real demands, which I am ready for.”
“I know the history, I know the values of Celtic and I know what is expected of me on this journey,” he said. “I know what Celtic means to so many people and my No. 1 aim will be simple — to give our fans a strong, exciting, attacking, winning football team they can be so proud of.”
Nancy will begin his tenure on Thursday.
Since the departure of Brendan Rodgers on Oct. 27, Martin O’Neill has been in temporary charge of the team.
Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond said O’Neill had done a “wonderful job” to “bring us through these last few weeks positively.”
“I will always hold Martin in such high regard for what he has done for Celtic and for what he is as a man — a man of such professionalism and integrity and someone who undoubtedly will always have the best interests of Celtic in his heart.”
___
Wilfried Nancy leaves Columbus Crew to take charge of Scottish giant Celtic
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Wilfried Nancy left his role as coach of Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer to take charge of Scottish giant Celtic on Wednesday.
The 48-year-old Frenchman coached Crew for three years, leading the team to the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup and being named coach of the year in MLS in 2024.
Celtic is defending its title in the Scottish Premiership and, after a slow start to the season, is in second place — two points behind Hearts.
The team has won the last four top-flight titles and is on 55 overall, the same as fierce Glasgow rival Rangers.
Nancy described Celtic as “one of the world’s proper football clubs” because of its “real atmosphere and heart and soul, real high standards and real demands, which I am ready for.”
“I know the history, I know the values of Celtic and I know what is expected of me on this journey,” he said. “I know what Celtic means to so many people and my No. 1 aim will be simple — to give our fans a strong, exciting, attacking, winning football team they can be so proud of.”
Nancy will begin his tenure on Thursday.
Since the departure of Brendan Rodgers on Oct. 27, Martin O’Neill has been in temporary charge of the team.
Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond said O’Neill had done a “wonderful job” to “bring us through these last few weeks positively.”
“I will always hold Martin in such high regard for what he has done for Celtic and for what he is as a man — a man of such professionalism and integrity and someone who undoubtedly will always have the best interests of Celtic in his heart.”
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Former Charlotte 49ers Player Could Leave MLS for European Soccer: Report
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Big Four Promotions Hinge on Politics, Not Merit, Researchers Say
A new study suggests the Big Four’s supposedly meritocratic promotion systems may rely far less on performance than on internal politics — and, crucially, on whether your manager is willing to put their own reputation on the line for you.
Within the Big Four professional services firms — Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, and EY— auditors are evaluated throughout the year after each client assignment.
Supervisors generally award A-to-D grades on technical competence, teamwork, leadership, and client relationships, creating a paper trail that appears — at least formally — to determine who gets promoted in the firms’
Gilbert Arenas Slams Clippers For Chris Paul Treatment, Move Back To Buffalo!
Instagram/@nochillgil
Gilbert Arenas says the Clippers might as well pack their bags and get the hell outta of Los Angeles … going OFF on the organization for disrespecting Chris Paul by sending him home during his retirement season.
The Clippers parted ways with the 12-time NBA All-Star guard in the middle of the night … and Arenas went to TikTok to go on a passionate rant on the matter on Wednesday.
Tom Aspinall Vows to Become ‘Full-Time Bully’ After Recent Loathing from MMA Community
Tom Aspinall entered UFC 321 with the biggest opportunity of his career, a moment to validate his rise from interim champion to undisputed heavyweight. The bout represented his chance to silence doubts and cement himself as the division’s true champion. However, the abrupt eye-poke ending dramatically altered the emotional tone of his journeys and shifted his outlook on fighting.
The Brit headlined UFC 321 against Ciryl Gane, and the opening round was tightly contested as both exchanged measured techniques. At 4:35 of the first round, Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in both eyes, stopping the action immediately. Aspinall repeatedly told referee Jason Herzog he couldn’t see, leading to a no-contest ruling. Later updates confirmed he was dealing with blurry vision from the foul.
The ending sparked criticism from parts of the MMA world, with Chael Sonnen and Anthony Smith accusing Aspinall of quitting early. Their remarks amplified an online narrative questioning his toughness despite the clearly illegal sequence. The backlash intensified as fans compared the stoppage to past foul-related incidents. This wave of scrutiny led directly to the comments referenced in the linked coverage.
When I come back, there is no more ‘Mr. Nice Guy’, nice Tom, when it comes to MMA, is gone. And I’m going full bad guy.
Tom Aspinall via YouTube
Aspinall has long been known for his respectful, measured approach, rarely engaging in trash talk. His reactions after UFC 321 stood in sharp contrast to his usual calm persona. The frustration he showed reflected the magnitude of the moment rather than a change in character. It highlighted how deeply the controversial ending affected a fighter who typically avoids drama.
Veteran voices like Jim Miller and Matt Brown stepped in to defend Aspinall as the criticism intensified. Both argued that stricter consequences were needed for repeat foul offenders, using the Gane incident as an example. Miller even demonstrated by using a UFC glove that eye pokes can occur despite a fighter’s intentions, reinforcing Aspinall’s position.
The UFC 321 main event marked Tom Aspinall’s first title defense after being elevated from interim champion without competing. He had hoped the bout would launch a new era for heavyweight contenders and restore the division’s historic allure. Instead, the controversy left his plans temporarily halted and his future momentarily uncertain.
Tom Aspinall lashes out at UFC fans criticizing his performance at UFC 321
Tom Aspinall built a reputation for dominance from his UFC debut, finishing every heavyweight opponent he faced. He secured knockout victories over multiple fighters and also submitted veterans Alexander Volkov and Andre Arlovski. None of his UFC bouts have extended beyond the second round, which has highlighted his fast-paced and decisive fighting style.
UFC 321, Aspinall appeared evenly matched with Ciryl Gane before the fight-ending eye poke. Scorecards indicated a competitive opening round, with Gane also managing to blood Aspinall’s nose. However, many believed this was the reason the British champion quit. This prompted Aspinall to recently clarify that his approach had been strategic pacing rather than aggressive knockout attempts.
I was prepared for the toughest fight of my life. Ciryl Gane is a very, very dangerous opponent. I wasn’t trying to knock him out, I was just trying to pace myself for five rounds. My nose is all good. I’ve probably broken my nose three or four times in my life. If you hit me in the nose, it’s gonna bleed. But mate, the casual, noob, hater MMA fan who sees one bit of blood and thinks that guy’s losing a fight? It’s wild.
Tom Aspinall via The Ariel Helwani Show
Can the OKC Thunder really get to 70 wins? 74? Here’s how they can
The story of this Oklahoma City Thunder team is best told in numbers, and let’s start with this one.
Late Tuesday night, with a 124-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors, the Thunder improved to 21-1, becoming just the third team in NBA history to record such a start or better.
Entering the night, they led the NBA in defensive rating, allowing just 103.6 points per 100 possessions … which was 7.0 fewer than the next closest team.
Entering the night, they led the league with a net rating of 15.3.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded his 94th consecutive 20-point game, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain (126). SGA ranks second in the league in scoring.
They are — far and away — the most dominant team in the NBA, with stars often resting in fourth quarters because games are so out of hand. But it’s one other number that Oklahoma City is chasing: 74.
Not only are the Thunder on pace to become the first team in 10 seasons to reach 70 wins, they pose a legitimate threat to eclipse the record-setting 73 victories the Warriors achieved in 2015-16. After all, a 70-win season would represent just a modest increase over last season, when they won 68.
To that point, OKC is already superbly locked in, its roster is balanced and deep and coaches and players are almost obsessively nerdy about basketball.
When asked before Tuesday’s game about how Oklahoma City could improve even with their near-unblemished record, coach Mark Daigneault made it clear the Thunder wouldn’t settle.
“I think the first thing is — and this isn’t blowing smoke — it’s like none of that matters tonight,” Daigneault said of his team’s early success. “All the stuff that we’ve done well to this point doesn’t carry over. Tonight’s a new opportunity. The better team tonight will win. That’s the competitive challenge, and that’s one of the beauties of our players: that competitive challenge turns them on.”
Jalen Williams, 24, was a first-time All-Star last season. Recovering from a torn ligament in his right wrist, he missed the first 19 games of this season. Williams is a righty. Unable to shoot with his right hand over the offseason, he became so bored and frustrated that he worked exclusively on his left, even developing an off-hand jumper.
But the Thunder are also built to smother and overwhelm opponents. They pick up full-court pressure just as easily as they clamp down in half-court sets. They emphasize efficiency, ranking second turnover percentage (12.4%) and first in turnovers forced (17.9 per game). They don’t score in runs or bursts; they score in avalanches that squeeze the life out of opponents.
Tuesday night, the Warriors went on a third-quarter run to close the margin from 22, eventually taking a four-point lead in the fourth (103-99). Oklahoma City responded by not pressing and ripping off a 25-9 run to close the game.
Granted, the Thunder have played the NBA’s easiest schedule thus far, and have the league’s toughest remaining slate, so it won’t be an easy path. Oklahoma City will have to evade the pitfalls of complacency.
Their lone loss was an aberration, a two-point defeat on Wednesday, Nov. 5 against the Portland Trail Blazers. For the Thunder to make history, they will not be able to let up.
Tuesday night’s opposing coach, Steve Kerr, knows all about that. He orchestrated that 2015-16 team’s run to 73 wins, surpassing the 1995-96 Bulls — a team in which Kerr was a player.
“Overall a team mindset of zero agendas,” Kerr said prior to the game when asked what it takes to get to 70 victories. “Just win every night. Obviously great talent, but I think high-IQ players. The two teams you’re referring to that I was part of, both had really, really high IQs individually and as a team. That’s what I see with OKC: really, really smart players, great coach, really connected. They’re on pace to shatter the record, it’s pretty remarkable what they’re doing.”
The scary part — for the rest of the NBA, that is — is that the Thunder are the sixth-youngest team in the league, with an average age of 24.53 entering the season. They are coming off an NBA championship; they know what it takes to get there and know how they can get even better.
“They have a deeper level of confidence now that they’ve won it all,” Kerr said. “Then the continuity is so powerful. All their actions that they’re running, they’re so comfortable with. They’ve expanded their offense a little bit; they have a little more motion than they did a year ago.”
The wild card, however, is that the more the Thunder win, the greater the pressure intensifies.
“These are all things that, in my experience, happen after the championship, after the first one,” Kerr said. “You just got a little different swagger, a little different belief.
“But, yeah, next year is the harder one.”
The Harsh Reality About the OKC Thunder the NBA Isn’t Ready For
The Oklahoma City Thunder are supposed to come back to earth at some point. They haven’t. The reigning champions opened the 2025–26 season looking even stronger, racing into December at 21-1 without All-Star forward Jalen Williams for the first quarter of the year. That alone should worry the NBA. But the bigger reality surrounding Oklahoma City is far more unsettling for everyone else.
This franchise isn’t just good right now. It is structurally positioned to dominate the league for years.
Why it matters: no contender in recent memory has paired this level of present-day success with this much future draft capital and developmental efficiency.
A Championship Core That Keeps Getting Better
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is performing like a player determined to stack MVP trophies, carrying over his Finals MVP pace without hesitation. Chet Holmgren looks every bit like the league’s Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner. The Thunder sit top-5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, the golden formula for repeat champions.
And they reached this point while missing their second-best player for an entire quarter of the season.
Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, and Williams give Oklahoma City three young cornerstones already operating at an elite level. But the scary part is the surrounding infrastructure. The role players are cheap, productive, and consistently overdeveloped relative to draft status.
Aaron Wiggins was the 55th pick.
Isaiah Joe was let go by Philadelphia and has become one of the league’s most efficient shooters.
Ajay Mitchell arrived as the 38th pick and already looks like a Most Improved candidate.
Cason Wallace, drafted 10th two years ago, is one of the most cost-effective defensive guards in the NBA.
Four core rotation pieces. Zero bloated contracts. All on the right timeline.
When a team produces this much value at this level of efficiency, the window doesn’t just open. It widens.
The Doomsday Scenario: Three Lottery Picks Incoming
On ESPN’s Hoop Collective, Brian Windhorst laid out what might be the most alarming scenario for the rest of the league. As of now, Oklahoma City is projected to receive:
The 5th pick from the LA Clippers
The 9th pick from the Utah Jazz
The 14th pick from the Philadelphia 76ers
Three lottery picks. None of them their own.
In a normal draft, that would be an asset haul. In the loaded 2026 class, it is franchise-altering. The headliners include Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke center Cameron Boozer, and BYU star Aj Dybantsa. Even players outside the top five project as long-term starters.
If Oklahoma City wants immediate star power, it could combine picks to leap into the top-5. Adding depth is an option as they could walk away with three cost-controlled rotation pieces. If it wants to swing bigger, it has the capital to pursue any disgruntled star in the league.
This isn’t a theoretical future. It is an active pipeline.
The Dynasty Path Is Sitting Right in Front of Them
Oklahoma City already owns the West. Now it owns the draft board. The team is well positioned to add its most valuable pick since Holmgren without sacrificing a single asset from its current roster.
The Thunder are young, elite, and inexpensive in key areas. They have a top-tier developmental structure. And they have a war chest of picks that rivals every rebuilding team in the league while operating as the best team in basketball. That combination doesn’t happen often. When it does, it usually defines a decade.
The harsh truth is simple: Sam Presti and the Thunder are nowhere near their ceiling. And the rest of the NBA may be witnessing the early stages of a dynasty built to last far longer than anyone expected.
Justin Marks Takes a Sly Dig at NASCAR’s Underhanded Techniques Protecting Its Stock Car Monopoly Amidst Court Trial
A lawsuit from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports is threatening to expose NASCAR’s iron grip on stock car racing, and an old social media post from Trackhouse Racing’s Justin Marks could be the smoking gun. The basic premise is that the two teams have accused NASCAR of running a monopoly over stock car racing. Of course, the sport’s officials have denied the claims and are fighting back. However, Trackhouse Racing’s Justin Marks might have evidence against them.
Back in 2022, he tweeted something that sounded like a great idea. The NASCAR and MotoGP team owner proposed a unique exhibition NASCAR race event. Unfortunately, nothing really came of it and the idea was soon dead in the water. The intention was to celebrate the history of NASCAR through the years, which sounds really fun.
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Justin Marks found out why NASCAR killed off the idea
As he explained on social media, the exhibition would last for four races. Each race would represent a different era, from the 1970s to the 80s, the 90s and the 2000s. Of course, finding NASCAR Cup cars from each era will not be an easy task, from a logistical standpoint. However, Marks had a solution for that little problem. As a matter of fact, he suggested searching for restored, track-ready cars and inviting several legendary drivers to race them.
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Unfortunately, NASCAR must have seen this innocent suggestion as a threat to their reign. Barely a couple of days later, the series filed a trademark for ‘NASCAR Classic’, which was obviously a reference to Marks’ idea. It talked about sanctioning racing events, an online database for historical rulebooks, and licensing historical specifications to third parties to use in racing events. The entire thing unfolded in the span of 2 days.
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All of this just lends credence to the accusations of running a monopoly. Especially when people consider the fate of the SRX Series, which only lasted 3 years. The Tony Stewart-owned series was a massive hit with the American racing community and even drivers, some of whom raced in it. However, NASCAR felt threatened by its popularity and swiftly moved to successfully shut it down. It does make one wonder just how far the stock car racing series is willing to go to preserve its own reign.
This did nothing to kill off Marks’ ambition
It is quite safe to say that Justin Marks is a very enterprising man. After all, it’s not easy to own a team spanning across multiple motorsports. Aside from NASCAR, his Trackhouse Racing team also operates in the MotoGP series and recently celebrated a maiden win. The organisation also runs part-time in the IMSA Series, having run the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 2025.
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Frankly, the multi-sports presence is not a novel concept, as Chip Ganassi Racing used to do it. Back then, CGR competed in NASCAR and IndyCar, but has since pulled out of the former to focus on IndyCar. Finally, there is Team Penske, which is active in NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA, World Endurance Championship, and even Formula E. Once upon a time, they also partnered with Dick Johnson Racing in Supercars, but ended the partnership in 2020.
Maybe Justin Marks is trying to become the next Roger Penske and build his own motorsports empire. For the moment, he is looking forward to the 2026 season for both of his teams. When it comes to NASCAR in particular, it is incredibly exciting for him, owing to the star-studded line-up. In 2026, Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen are back once again. Only this time, they have a new face in the lineup, and his name is Connor Zilisch. The teenager has already turned heads with his Xfinity Series run, where he very nearly won the title. So there are a lot of expectations for the upcoming Cup campaign.
Players to have MLB success after playing in Japan or Korea
The Blue Jays made what figures to be one of the more intriguing moves of the offseason on Tuesday when they agreed to terms with right-hander Cody Ponce on a three-year, $30 million deal, a source confirmed to MLB.com.
Ponce was once a top 10 prospect for the Brewers after they drafted him in the second round in 2015, but he struggled to find his footing in the Minors before eventually being traded to the Pirates in 2019. The righty made his MLB debut in 2020, but he put up a 5.86 ERA in 20 appearances from 2020-21.
Now, the 31-year-old Ponce will look to build off that success as he returns to the Majors. It may not be the path he envisioned for himself a decade ago, but plenty of players have revitalized their big league dreams after spending time playing in Japan or Korea.
A first-round pick by the Nationals in 2014, Fedde was ranked among the club’s top prospects alongside the likes of future stars Juan Soto and Trea Turner. Despite the high expectations, Fedde struggled to gain footing in the big leagues, posting a 5.41 ERA over 102 outings (88 starts) from 2017-22. He made 21 appearances (12 starts) for the 2019 World Series-winning club, though he did not appear in the postseason.
After recording a 5.81 ERA for the Nats in 2022, Fedde switched gears and decided to sign with the NC Dinos of the KBO League. The move proved to be a positive one for the righty, who went 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA in his lone season in Korea. Fedde returned to the Majors in ’23, racing out to a 7-4 start with a 3.11 ERA for the White Sox before being one of the most sought after arms at that season’s Trade Deadline.
An eighth-round pick by the Rays in 2010, Kelly toiled around the Minors for a few seasons before having a bit of a breakout season in ’14 when he went 9-4 with a 2.76 ERA with Triple-A Durham. Still, it wasn’t enough to break into the big leagues, so Kelly opted to sign with the SK Wyverns of the KBO League following the season. He went on to go 48-32 with a 3.86 ERA over four seasons in Korea, capped off by a dominant outing in Game 3 of the 2018 Korean Series en route to helping his team win the title.
Kelly’s success earned him a two-year deal from the D-backs, and he went on to become a top-of-the-rotation starter for more than a half-decade. After posting a respectable 4.27 ERA from 2019-21, Kelly fully broke out during the 2022-23 seasons. He went 13-8 with a 3.37 ERA in ’22, then helped lead the D-backs to the NL pennant in ’23, when he went 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA during the regular season before going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four postseason starts.
Mikolas’ first taste of the big leagues came in 2012 when he posted a 3.62 ERA over 25 relief appearances for the Padres. He spent the majority of the ’13 season in the Minors, then was acquired — and converted to a starter — by the Rangers ahead of the ’14 campaign. Mikolas struggled in his new role, posting a 6.44 ERA over 10 starts before taking his career to Japan for the ’15 season.
Mikolas had immediate success in Japan, going 13-3 with a 2.11 ERA with the Yomiuri Giants in 2015. He followed it up with a 2.45 ERA in ’16 and a 2.25 ERA in ’17. The Cardinals gave him another big league opportunity in ’18, and he picked up right where he left off in Japan. Mikolas went 18-4 with a 2.83 ERA in 32 starts with St. Louis, earning his first career All-Star selection and finishing sixth in NL Cy Young voting. He earned another All-Star nod in ’22 and became a mainstay in the Cardinals’ rotation.
Thames made his Major League debut with the Blue Jays in 2011, hitting 12 home runs in just 95 games while posting a 105 OPS+ — but he struggled to build off that success in ‘12. He hit just three home runs and had a 77 OPS+ in 46 games before being traded to the Mariners at the Trade Deadline. Thames didn’t perform much better in Seattle and spent the entire ’13 season in the Minors. He was traded to the O’s in July of that season and later designated for assignment in September.
Following his down 2013 season, Thames was offered a contract by the NC Dinos of the KBO League. Thames dazzled during his time in Korea, averaging 41 homers and 127 RBIs in his three seasons with the Dinos. Those power numbers earned him a big league offer from the Brewers — and he kept raking in his return to The Show. Thames teed off for 31 homers in his first season back in 2017, then added 16 homers in an injury-plagued ’18 season and 25 homers in ’19. Overall, he hit 72 home runs in 383 games — an average of 30 homers per 162 games — with a 118 OPS+ in his three seasons with the Brewers after returning from Korea. After a down 2020 season with the Nationals, Thames wrapped up his professional career with one season in Japan.
A highly touted prospect after being selected by the Rangers in the first round of the 1999 Draft, Lewis had trouble living up to the lofty expectations. He put up a 7.08 ERA in 41 appearances (30 starts) with the Rangers from 2002-03, then made just three starts in ’04 before undergoing rotator cuff surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He was claimed off waivers by the Tigers that offseason, though he missed the entire ’05 campaign while rehabbing.
After struggling to get on track with the Tigers in 2006 and the A’s in ’07, Lewis signed with the Hiroshima Carp in Japan. He proceeded to go 26-17 with a 2.82 ERA in 55 outings over the next two seasons, prompting the Rangers to give him another look in 2010. He rewarded the club by winning a dozen games and posting a 3.72 ERA over 32 regular-season starts as the Rangers clinched their first postseason berth in more than a decade. Lewis went 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in four starts that postseason to help Texas win its first pennant. He became a rotation staple over the next half-decade, earning 65 wins and posting a respectable 4.27 ERA over 161 starts from 2010-16.
MLB playoffs? What Cincinnati’s Hall of Fame desert says about Reds
Wittenmyer & Williams is a regular point/counterpoint column from Enquirer Reds reporter Gordon Wittenmyer and sports columnist Jason Williams. This week, they dive into the correlation between the Hall of Fame and playoff success and what it says about the Reds.
Wittenmyer: Hey Jdub, you’ll never believe what I saw watching football on Sunday. They showed the playoff picture on the screen and listed the Bengals
Dana White Weighs Eye-Poke Fallout: ‘Harder Penalties’ May Be Only Answer
Tom Aspinall is still recovering from the eye poke. That abruptly ended his first defense as undisputed UFC heavyweight champion against Ciryl Gane in October, and the incident has reignited a long-running debate in MMA: what can actually be done about eye pokes?
The foul, which occurred in the UFC 321 main event, turned a marquee title fight into a no-contest and left fans. Fighters, and officials frustrated. While some have renewed calls for equipment redesigns or rule overhauls, UFC CEO Dana White says the real solution might be much simpler and harsher.
The Eye Poke That Ended a Heavyweight Title Fight
In the Gane fight, the referee did correctly call the eye poke and paused the action, but there was no immediate penalty issued to Gane. Aspinall, clearly compromised, was eventually unable to continue, leading to the no-contest ruling.
As is often the case. The controversy didn’t just center on the foul itself, but on the lack of consequences in the moment.
Eye pokes are categorized as accidental fouls more often than not, but when one derails a main event especially a heavyweight title fight the backlash is amplified dramatically.
Dana White: “Harder Penalties” Over Technical Fixes
Speaking on the Triggernometry podcast, White said he’s less interested in technical fixes and more in deterrence.
“Getting poked in the eye by anybody isn’t good,” White said. “We’ve messed around with gloves, we’ve tried to do all these things. I think the big talk is if there’s harder penalties for doing it. Guys would be a lot more conscious of it.”
White pointed out that many eye pokes result from fighters extending their fingers while trying to measure or block strikes, a habit that’s hard to completely eliminate in a dynamic fight.
“You always have these guys where you’re throwing punches and I’m blocking your punches with my hands out and fingers extended and then you get a guy that reaches out to catch something and the other guy is coming forward, it’s going to happen.”
Despite the outsized attention on high-profile incidents. White argued that eye pokes are still relatively rare in proportion to the volume of fights.
“It doesn’t happen as much as it seems. I can’t remember the number … it’s like a hundred or something eye pokes over thousands of fights.”
Jon Jones ruined Dana White’s planned super fight which eventually led to his rival outdoing him
Jon Jones has had a love/hate relationship with the UFC for a long time.
In a bid to convince the promotion to let him return at the White House in 2026, Jones recently apologized to Dana White for how their negotiations played out earlier this year.
The saga regarding the heavyweight title may have led to a lot of criticism surrounding ‘Bones’ but it certainly wasn’t the only time that he’s caused frustration.
White was furious with Jones after he had to cancel a UFC PPV for the first time due to him not accepting a replacement opponent for a light heavyweight title defense.
In 2017, it looked like things were finally falling into place for the champion once again, only for the wheels to fall off in dramatic fashion.
Will Dana White change his mind on Jon Jones fighting at the White House?
Does the consensus greatest of all time return on this card? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Jon Jones missed out on the chance to become a champ-champ due to his doping violation
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier remain fierce rivals to this very day after sharing the Octagon with each other on two occasions.
After their UFC 200 rematch was canceled due to ‘Bones’ being suspended due to a doping violation, he appeared to have finally put this behind him when he returned at UFC 214 in December.
Jones produced arguably the most impressive win of his career by stopping Cormier in the second round to win the title only for the result to be overturned due to another doping violation.
What’s the best win of Jon Jones’ career?
With 22 UFC wins to pick from, let us know what you think is Jones’ best accomplishment inside the Octagon.
Jon Jones’ most notable wins:
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The belt was returned to a disappointed ‘DC’ while Jones’ suspension was reduced significantly following his cooperation and an independent arbitrator declaring that he didn’t intentionally cheat.
This still derailed the promotion’s plans for him following this emphatic performance, which Dana White revealed when he reacted to the news of Jones’ positive test.
The UFC president revealed that there were talks about the light heavyweight champion moving up to heavyweight to challenge Stipe Miocic for the title.
It would have ‘probably’ taken place at UFC 218 in Detroit, an event that took place on this day eight years ago.
By the time that Jones would return to the Octagon in December of 2018, the man he “beat” at UFC 214, Cormier, had moved up to heavyweight and dethroned Miocic to accomplish something that his greatest rival didn’t by becoming a simultaneous two-weight champion.
UFC 218 didn’t have a super fight at the top of the card but it certainly didn’t need it
The card that fans got for UFC 218 may not have been the one that the UFC originally hoped for, but that didn’t make it any less memorable.
Max Holloway may have fairly accurately replicated his first win over Jose Aldo when beating him for a second time to defend the featherweight title, but it was impressive nonetheless.
The real highlights from this event came elsewhere, with Francis Ngannou delivering a contender for the most devastating knockout of all time when he put Alistair Overeem out cold with an uppercut.
Jon Jones Uses Khabib’s Name to Reignite Beef with Daniel Cormier
The bitter, decade-long feud between UFC legends Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier has once again exploded onto social media. The latest chapter began over the Thanksgiving holiday when Cormier, now a prominent UFC commentator, supposedly questioned why Jones was not with his family under a video post showing Jones eating local food during his trip to Chechnya.
Jones, who recently revealed he was approached about a charity grappling match against Cormier, did not take the jab lightly. He fired back with a multi-layered retort on X (formerly Twitter) that extended the conflict beyond their personal history and involved one of Cormier’s closest friends and former training partners, undefeated UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Despite news of Cormier’s comment gaining traction, no actual source was given as to which post he commented on, and no comment on Instagram was ever found.
Jones didn’t care whether or not this comment was verified, however, and on Thanksgiving Day itself, he posted this in response:
Notably, Jones’ latest post dragged retired UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Cormier’s close friend and former teammate, into the fray by referencing “those Khabib gifts.”
This is a direct nod to Khabib’s recent sale of digital hat NFTs on the Telegram platform, a venture launched with Telegram CEO Pavel Durov that was mocked by Nurmagomedov’s former UFC rival, Conor McGregor.
Though Jones used Khabib’s business venture as a punchline, he responded to Durov on X, saying, “Aight @durov, get me a link on Telegram my guy. I see everyone making the move.”
What started as a punchline turned into what seems like a genuine interest in Khabib’s NFT venture.
A Feud That Refuses to Fade
Despite both men being out of active MMA competition, the animosity clearly persists, at least on Jones’s end.
Outside of bringing up Cormier’s name, Jones’ focus remains on coming out of retirement, returning to UFC competition, and getting the chance to fight on the promotion’s historic White House card, even if Dana White has admitted his hesitancy in booking Jones for the event.
The prospect of a charity grappling match, which Jones claims to have agreed to, offers a potential final chapter to their story. Even in retirement, Jones tries to find innovative ways to ensure his greatest rival is always thinking about him.
UFC 323: Dvalishvili Vs. Yan 2 Full Fight Card Betting Odds
The final UFC pay-per-view card of 2025, and the ESPN era, is nearly upon us. That event, UFC 323, takes place on Saturday, December 6 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Two title fights headline the UFC 323 fight card. We look at the betting odds for each of the bouts scheduled for the event.
In the UFC 323 main event, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili looks to defend his title for the fourth time in 2025, when he faces former champ Petr Yan in a rematch. With a win, Dvalishvili will become the first UFC champion to defend a UFC title four times in a calendar year.
The co-main event of UFC 323 finds UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja looks to defend his crown against the surging Joshua Van.
UFC 323 Pay-Per-View Card Betting Odds
Merab Dvalishvili (-415) vs. Petr Yan (+315)
Alexandre Pantoja (-225) vs. Joshua Van (+190)
Brandon Moreno (+105) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-125)
Henry Cejudo (+225) vs. Payton Talbott (-265)
MORE FOR YOU
Jan Błachowicz (-135) vs. Bogdan Guskov (+115)
UFC 323 Preliminary Card Betting Odds
Grant Dawson (-214) vs. Manuel Torres (+184)
Terrance McKinney (+140) vs. Chris Duncan (-160)
Maycee Barber (-180) vs. Karine Silva (+155)
Nazim Sadykhov (+113) vs. Farès Ziam (-133)
UFC 323 Early Preliminary Card Betting Odds
Marvin Vettori (-115) vs. Brunno Ferreira (-105)
Edson Barboza (+250) vs. Jalin Turner (-300)
Iwo Baraniewski (-190) vs. İbo Aslan (+165)
Mansur Abdul-Malik (-1200) vs. Antonio Trócoli (+750)
Muhammad Naimov (+205) vs. Mairon Santos (-240)
*Fight card subject to change
**Odds via BetOnline
UFC 323 Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili Vs. Petr Yan
Merab Dvalishvili (21-4), a long-time training partner of former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling stepped into the spotlight of the promotion’s 135-pound division in September 2014 when he scored a unanimous decision winover then-champion Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306.
The 34-year-old Dvalishvili joined the UFC in 2017 as much-hyped prospect. At the time, Dvalishvili was 7-2 and had won and defended the Ring of Combat bantamweight crown.
Dvalishvili did not have a smooth start to his UFC run, losing his first two fights. Falling to Frankie Saenz by decision, and the second, to Ricky Simon, via submission. In September 2018, things clicked in place for the Serra-Longo Fight Team product, and he has not lost since.
Heading into UFC 306, Dvalishvili was on a 10-fight winning streak. Prior to his matchup against O’Malley, Dvalishvili had defeated Marlon Moraes, Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo. The win over O’Malley stretched his winning streak to 11 straight. Dvalishvili extended that streak to 12 when he defended his title with a unanimous decision win over the previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.
Dvalishvili faced O’Malley in a rematch at UFC 316. O’Malley had not fought since he lost his title to Dvalishvili at UFC 306. Despite making wholesale changes to his life and training heading into UFC 316, Dvalishvili easily dispatched O’Malley in their second meeting, ending the fight in the third round via submission.
In his most recent title defense, Dvalishvili outworked Sandhagen, earning a unanimous decision win (49-45, 49-45, 49-46).
Petr Yan (19-5) is on the rebound. The 32-year-old former UFC bantamweight champion was 1-4 between March 2021 and March 2023, but has gone 3-0 with three decision wins in his past three outings.
Yan won the vacant UFC bantamweight belt by trouncing former UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo in July 2020. Yan’s run with the belt was short, as he lost the title in his first attempted defense. Yan handed the strap to Aljamain Sterling in March 2021 after Yan blasted Sterling with an illegal knee that prevented Sterling from continuing.
In October 2021 Yan picked up the interim bantamweight title with a decision win over Cory Sandhagen. Yan’s next outing was a title unification matchup with Sterling. Sterling retained the belt with a split-decision win.
Yan followed his loss to Sterling with a split-decision setback to Sean O’Malley in October 2022. He then dropped a March 2023 scrap to Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision. Yan got back in the win column in March 2024 with a decision win over Song Yadong.
Following that victory, Yan earned a decision win over former UFC flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo in a five-round affair in November 2024. In his most recent outing, Yan earned a decision over Marcus McGhee in a three-round bout in July.
The former champion heads into the UFC 323 fight card as the No. 3 fighter in the official UFC bantamweight rankings.
We will have more on UFC 323 as fight night approaches.
Merab Dvalishvili Breaks Rules’: UFC 323 Star Breaks Down Bantamweight Champ’s Legendary Title Run
In a sport defined by strategy and discipline, Merab Dvalishvili’s title reign is a masterclass in pure, unfiltered chaos. And it’s working. The Machine is set to run it back with Petr Yan on December 6 at UFC 323. A match that feels like another chapter in the reign of the pound-for-pound king of the bantamweights. As he prepares for his next challenge, his unique, relentless style has even his fellow fighters on the UFC 323 card trying to make sense of his dominance.
Payton Talbott, who will be fighting Henry Cejudo at the event, had heaps of praise for Merab Dvalishvili. Talbott recently appeared on Brian Campbell’s podcast, and the topic of conversation shifted to the chaos-driven dominance of Merab. He was very expressive in his description of the champ’s eccentricity.
“Merab is just a special case because he kind of just like breaks the rules and it works for him. So it’s like, you know, you can think, well, yeah, of course I would land this here in this exchange, but yeah, the guy just breaks rules, and he just fights goofy, and it works for him.”
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Talbott added that judging Merab from a distance doesn’t make sense, saying, “It’s easy to be a critic when you’re watching, so I try not to take it too seriously.”
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The only thing that can stop the 34-year-old is the clock, as no one has yet found an answer to his ceaseless style of wrestling. The Machine once attempted about 49 takedowns in one round against Talbott’s UFC 323 opponent, Cejudo, an Olympic wrestler.
Dvalishvili is not wasting any time in building up his legacy. He is already preparing for his fourth title defense of the year. The main event of UFC 323 will see him face Petr Yan again. The quick return is not a surprise because Merab left UFC 320 practically unhurt after he floored Cory Sandhagen and proved to everyone once more why the title has been stationary for weeks. Another win over ‘No Mercy’ would not only elevate Merab above the other contenders in his division, but it would also allow him to surpass Dominick Cruz in the all-time rankings of the bantamweights.
Merab’s year of dominance earns top honor
Merab Dvalishvili has been an impressive contender for the Fighter of the Year honors throughout the whole year leading to the upcoming UFC 323, and moreover, it is a very powerful 2025 performance that will be in favor of his being declared one of the greats in the sport.
The Georgian bantamweight king clinched the award during fight week, adding to the ESPY Award for Fighter of the Year that he won back in July. He then fights Petr Yan on December 6, possibly making history of being the first UFC champion to defend a title four times in one year. Just the figures tell an incredible story.
Dvalishvili would become a joint holder with Kamaru Usman of the second place on the list of all-time consecutive wins at UFC with 15 victories, and only Islam Makhachev and Anderson Silva would be ahead of him. He opened his 2025 campaign with a dominant decision against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January, followed it up with a submission of Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 in June, and a unanimous decision victory over Sandhagen at UFC 320 in October.
One thing that makes this situation even more incredible is that Dvalishvili has been competing with injuries that would put most athletes out of action. He fought with a broken toe against O’Malley and had to cope with a back injury and a staph infection while he was fighting Nurmagomedov. The man keeps going because he simply doesn’t know how to quit.
Dvalishvili was the lone ESPY nominee who notched up three title fight victories during the eligibility period, and by this, he took the honor from Islam Makhachev, Kayla Harrison, and Dricus Du Plessis. However, the Georgian is not very much interested in mid-year awards. He wants to end 2025 with a bang that will remove all doubts.
Even rival Umar Nurmagomedov has acknowledged this point, saying, “I think he deserves to be the fighter of the year because he is going to defend the title for the fourth time. Nobody is doing that. He’s very active. It’s amazing.” The statistical superiority is ridiculously high. Dvalishvili has the UFC record for the most career takedowns with 117, a number that keeps rising with every match.
His fighting style disregards all the rules of fight strategy; he goes for an average of 31.3 takedowns in a five-round fight, a rate that would exhaust ordinary humans before the end of the second round.
The main event at UFC 323 is not just a matter of defending a title. It is about establishing a legacy that appeared impossible. Can the Machine repeat what happened back in 2023?
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Petr Yan Height and Reach: UFC Stats, Physical Attributes & Fighting Style
When Petr Yan steps into the Octagon, he doesn’t tower over his opponents or overwhelm them with size. Yet he remains one of the most technically precise fighters the bantamweight division has ever seen. That contrast of modest physical tools paired with elite skill is a big part of what made “No Mercy” a UFC champion and why he now sits at #3 in the bantamweight rankings as he prepares for his rematch against the current champion, Merab Dvalishvili, at UFC 323.
And as fans study his stats and wonder how he measures up against taller, longer opponents, let’s start with the basics with Yan’s height and reach before breaking down how he weaponizes them in ways most fighters can’t!
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How tall is Petr Yan? Height, weight, and reach measurements
According to his official UFC profile, Petr Yan stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and competes at 135 pounds in the bantamweight division. His reach, an important metric for striking specialists, sits at 67 inches, which is fairly average for the weight class.
Yan fights out of Russia and represents Team BK Arkhangel Mikhail, holding the nickname ‘No Mercy’ for good reason. Born on February 11, 1993, the 32-year-old uses a switch stance, allowing him to flow between orthodox and southpaw depending on range, pressure, or opponent.
His martial arts story began early: taekwondo in grade school, then boxing in his teenage years, eventually earning the respected Russian designation of ‘Master of Sport.’ That boxing base became the backbone of his MMA success, especially as he climbed through Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB), where he became bantamweight champion before signing with the UFC.
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But despite his physical measurements being fairly standard, Petr Yan’s toughness, pressure, and technical discipline quickly set him apart. And that brings us to the real question: how does someone with average measurables turn into one of the most polished strikers the division has ever seen?
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Physical disadvantage overcome by Yan’s technical skill and boxing prowess
Petr Yan’s rise didn’t happen because he was the biggest or the most explosive athlete. It happened because he learned to turn fundamentals into weapons. Long before he entered the UFC, Yan showed his potential in intense battles against Magomed Magomedov in ACB, where he proved he wasn’t just another aggressive bantamweight; he was a technician in the making.
When he joined the UFC, he immediately began overwhelming quality opponents. Fighters like Jimmie Rivera, John Dodson, and Urijah Faber, who had long been considered elite, found themselves struggling to win even a single round.
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A big part of that success comes from his comfort in moving forward. Yan’s pressure is not reckless; it’s measured, consistent, and suffocating. Opponents know that if they allow him to march ahead unchecked, he will gradually dismantle them. So what’s the antidote? They must disrupt his rhythm. Threaten knees. Pivot before his feet set. Step into his space rather than concede it. Fighters who fail to interrupt Yan’s forward motion usually get swept into his pace.
His high guard is another signature. Many MMA fighters use high guards to protect their head, but ‘No Mercy’ elevates the technique by pairing it with subtle defensive tools taken from boxing, with hip folds, elbow adjustments, and constant upper-body movement. These micro-motions make him a slippery target. Even body shots, typically the best counter to a high guard, become difficult to land cleanly.
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And while the Russian fighter’s defense is sophisticated, his counterattacks are what truly keep opponents honest. Every punch caught on his forearms becomes a chance for a “catch-and-shoot”, a technique where he immediately fires back after absorbing the shot on his guard, a technique that was also utilized to great effect by Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson during his time.
Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Yan’s game is his footwork. Fans often talk about his big movements, shifts, blitzes, and stance switches, but it’s his small steps, the tiny angle changes, that allow him to evade while still being in a perfect position to return fire. Those steps make him appear calm, almost unbothered, even when opponents throw combinations.
That combination of composure, pressure, and economy of movement is how Petr Yan bridges physical gaps. Add in his plethora of trips, takedowns, and clinch work, and you get a fighter who is a tough out for anyone in the bantamweight division. As he prepares to face Merab Dvalishvili again at UFC 323, the question isn’t whether Yan has the reach or the size; it’s whether ‘The Machine’ can once again keep him from turning the fight into the technical showcase that made him a champion in the first place!
Merab Dvalishvili Breaks Rules’: UFC 323 Star Breaks Down Bantamweight Champ’s Legendary Title Run
The only thing that can stop the 34-year-old is the clock, as no one has yet found an answer to his ceaseless style of wrestling. The Machine once attempted about 49 takedowns in one round against Talbott’s UFC 323 opponent, Cejudo, an Olympic wrestler.
Dvalishvili is not wasting any time in building up his legacy. He is already preparing for his fourth title defense of the year. The main event of UFC 323 will see him face Petr Yan again. The quick return is not a surprise because Merab left UFC 320 practically unhurt after he floored Cory Sandhagen and proved to everyone once more why the title has been stationary for weeks. Another win over ‘No Mercy’ would not only elevate Merab above the other contenders in his division, but it would also allow him to surpass Dominick Cruz in the all-time rankings of the bantamweights.
Merab’s year of dominance earns top honor
Merab Dvalishvili has been an impressive contender for the Fighter of the Year honors throughout the whole year leading to the upcoming UFC 323, and moreover, it is a very powerful 2025 performance that will be in favor of his being declared one of the greats in the sport.
The Georgian bantamweight king clinched the award during fight week, adding to the ESPY Award for Fighter of the Year that he won back in July. He then fights Petr Yan on December 6, possibly making history of being the first UFC champion to defend a title four times in one year. Just the figures tell an incredible story.
Dvalishvili would become a joint holder with Kamaru Usman of the second place on the list of all-time consecutive wins at UFC with 15 victories, and only Islam Makhachev and Anderson Silva would be ahead of him. He opened his 2025 campaign with a dominant decision against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January, followed it up with a submission of Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 in June, and a unanimous decision victory over Sandhagen at UFC 320 in October.
One thing that makes this situation even more incredible is that Dvalishvili has been competing with injuries that would put most athletes out of action. He fought with a broken toe against O’Malley and had to cope with a back injury and a staph infection while he was fighting Nurmagomedov. The man keeps going because he simply doesn’t know how to quit.
Dvalishvili was the lone ESPY nominee who notched up three title fight victories during the eligibility period, and by this, he took the honor from Islam Makhachev, Kayla Harrison, and Dricus Du Plessis. However, the Georgian is not very much interested in mid-year awards. He wants to end 2025 with a bang that will remove all doubts.
Even rival Umar Nurmagomedov has acknowledged this point, saying, “I think he deserves to be the fighter of the year because he is going to defend the title for the fourth time. Nobody is doing that. He’s very active. It’s amazing.” The statistical superiority is ridiculously high. Dvalishvili has the UFC record for the most career takedowns with 117, a number that keeps rising with every match.
His fighting style disregards all the rules of fight strategy; he goes for an average of 31.3 takedowns in a five-round fight, a rate that would exhaust ordinary humans before the end of the second round.
The main event at UFC 323 is not just a matter of defending a title. It is about establishing a legacy that appeared impossible. Can the Machine repeat what happened back in 2023?
Tom Aspinall Contemplates Boxing Move as Dana White Disappoints Him Over Eye Poke Controversy
Heading into UFC 321 in October, Tom Aspinall was preparing to defend his heavyweight title for the first time. Meanwhile, his father and long-time trainer, Andy Aspinall, was already thinking ahead to a potential switch to boxing. “The money is more money. He has three more fights on the contract, and I don’t want to sign a new contract personally,” he told RMC Sport Combat. Clearly, neither of them could have predicted what was about to unfold for ‘The Honeybadger.’
On fight night, fans expecting 25 minutes of heavyweight chaos instead got less than five minutes—and a wave of controversy. Tom Aspinall was poked in the eye by Ciryl Gane, leading to the bout being ruled a no-contest. In the aftermath, experts like Michael Bisping claimed Aspinall’s father made a mistake discussing boxing plans publicly instead of handling it man-to-man. Now, Aspinall appeared on The AH Show to clarify his stance on the transition.
Tom Aspinall clears the air about his move to boxing
Speaking to the heavyweight champion, Helwani raised his father’s comments about a potential move to boxing. He noted that some experts viewed it as an unnecessary distraction heading into the fight, prompting him to ask Aspinall how he truly felt about the idea. “My dad said that he wanted me to box from the beginning. And also, those remarks were coming from my dad and not me,” Aspinall told Helwani. “I’m a prizefighter… because we want to fight for the most money possible.”
Aspinall then clarified why his father made those statements. “My dad, being a dad, if he sees me going out there and risking my life, then he wants me to do it for the most money possible… It wasn’t like in a public negotiation with the UFC or anything like that. He was just speaking honestly,” he added. When asked if the UFC was ticked off by the comments, Aspinall revealed he didn’t even hear about it until after the fight.
Pressed directly on whether he actually plans to transition to boxing, Aspinall admitted he’s keeping the door open. “Never say never, but… I got more to do with the UFC. So right now and before the fight, that wasn’t really something that I was thinking about,” he said during the interview with Helwani. As for the future? “I don’t know, I have no idea. I have no idea.” Still, he emphasized that none of the chatter about boxing distracted him before the fight.
After UFC 321, Aspinall now has two more bouts left on his UFC contract. The first is expected to be a rematch with Ciryl Gane in an attempt to right the wrongs. While no date or venue has been finalized, the rematch feels inevitable given Dana White’s confirmation and the general sentiment surrounding their first encounter. But that wasn’t the only headline. Aspinall also revealed that he was disappointed by Dana White’s actions after the controversial fight.
Aspinall hasn’t spoken to Dana White since the fight
Later in the interview, Helwani brought up Dana White’s post-fight press conference comments, where White claimed Aspinall could not continue. Helwani noted that White didn’t defend him and even seemed irritated by the outcome. “I was very disappointed,” Aspinall reacted to White’s comments. When asked whether all the criticism could have been avoided had White simply stated that Aspinall was poked in the eye and that it was illegal, Aspinall admitted, “It definitely didn’t help the cause. Definitely didn’t.”
The Brit also revealed that he has spoken to the UFC since the incident, though not directly to Dana White. “I’ve spoken to the UFC since, but I’ve not spoken to… I don’t really… Me and Dana don’t really speak like that anyway… ever,” he told Helwani. The lack of a personal relationship didn’t bother him, but he was frustrated with White for the health updates he shared publicly. “He started giving updates that there was nothing wrong with my eye when that isn’t the case. So, I’ve done a lot for the UFC. So yeah, disappointing,” Aspinall added.
While communication with UFC leadership has been limited, Aspinall confirmed the promotion has been checking on his availability to return. “I’m not in a position to be able to answer that right now. We sent them all the doctor’s reports and stuff. So that’s all we can do,” he said. Aspinall recently released a medical report revealing he suffered “significant bilateral ocular trauma.” He also criticized Ciryl Gane, calling him a cheater for repeatedly attempting eye pokes throughout the first round.
All things considered, Tom Aspinall now finds himself in a complicated spot after the controversial UFC 321 incident. Neither Dana White nor many fans are pleased with how the fight ended, and the pressure is on for Aspinall to make a strong comeback and silence the criticism. Do you think he can right the wrongs?
What Is Petr Yan’s Net Worth in 2025? UFC Career Earnings, Sponsors, and More
Petr Yan’s resume as a former bantamweight champion with 19 professional victories, and his wins over legends like Urijah Faber and Jose Aldo, does most of the talking for him. Yet as he heads toward his rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323, fans aren’t just discussing his path back to the belt. They’re also asking how much ‘No Mercy’ has earned over a decade of elite competition.
Yan’s rise has been steady, disciplined, and built on consistency rather than spectacle. From his ACB title run to capturing UFC gold against Aldo, every milestone has added another layer to his financial success. But how much is the former champion actually worth today? And which fights shaped his biggest paydays?
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What is Petr Yan’s estimated net worth as of 2025?
As of 2025, Yan’s net worth sits at an estimated $1.5–$2 million, depending on the source. In March 2024, he was widely reported to hold a net worth of around $1.5 million, largely accumulated through a decade of professional fighting, endorsements, and sponsorships.
Petr Yan has been competing since 2014, and nearly all his career income stems from what he’s earned inside the cage. Over time, he added additional revenue streams with brand deals, sponsorships, and partnerships to supplement his fight purses. But the real story of the Russian fighter’s financial growth becomes clear when you look at his biggest UFC paydays, and some of them may surprise you.
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Major UFC payouts: Biggest fight purses and performance bonuses
Yan’s earnings jumped significantly once he entered championship territory. According to MMASalaries.com, which publishes estimated payouts based on publicly available information, his fight purses and bonuses reflect a career built on high-stakes competition. These estimates may not represent actual official figures, but they offer a reliable snapshot of Yan’s financial progress. Here’s a breakdown of some of his largest paydays:
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UFC 299 vs. Song Yadong (2024)
Yan earned an estimated $411,000, including a $200,000 base salary, $200,000 win bonus, and $11,000 in sponsorship income.
UFC 280 vs. Sean O’Malley (2022)
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Despite the split-decision loss, Yan banked $311,000, which included a $250,000 base purse and a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus and sponsorship income.
UFC 273 vs. Aljamain Sterling (2022)
This title rematch saw one of his biggest career totals—an estimated $1,152,000, supported heavily by pay-per-view revenue, with 600,000 buys and a matching $600,000 PPV payout.
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UFC 267 vs. Cory Sandhagen (2021)
Yan earned an estimated $482,000, including a $200,000 bonus and the same amount as base salary, and a $50,000 Fight of the Night award.
UFC 245 vs. Urijah Faber (2019)
His head-kick knockout brought him $187,000, boosted by a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Outside the cage, though, Petr Yan has also built financial stability through strategic partnerships and endorsements.
Yan’s Brand endorsements and sponsorship deals
Over the years, Petr Yan has partnered with brands such as Reebok (during their UFC outfitting era), Hayabusa, Gorilla Energy, and Parimatch. These deals strengthened Yan’s income even when he wasn’t competing, giving him a consistent revenue stream between fights.
As for his personal life, ‘No Mercy’ currently resides in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, although little is publicly known about his property or real estate investments. He reportedly owns a Mercedes gifted by a sponsor. Now, with his rematch against Merab Dvalishvili approaching, one thing is certain: another championship run would only add to his legacy and net worth!
Why Is Petr Yan Called ‘No Mercy’? Origin and Meaning Behind the Nickname
Petr Yan has never been the biggest bantamweight, the loudest, or even the flashiest. Yet as he enters UFC 323 to challenge Merab Dvalishvili again, he remains one of the most feared technicians in the division. His record says plenty as a former undisputed champion with 19 career wins, and a highlight reel full of brutality, but his nickname carries even more weight. “No Mercy” isn’t just branding. It’s a preview of what awaits anyone who tries to slow him down.
And if you’ve watched Yan fight, you already know it fits. He doesn’t shout, doesn’t strut, and rarely smiles on fight week. But once the cage door closes, everything changes. So how did the quiet kid from Dudinka end up with one of the most intimidating monikers in modern MMA? And how did that name evolve as he matured from a street-tough brawler into one of the sport’s most disciplined specialists?
How Petr Yan got the ‘No Mercy’ nickname
The exact reason why Petr Yan is called ‘No Mercy’ is still a mystery, but it’s definitely linked to his habit of finishing his fights. In a conversation with the UFC, Yan once said, “Well, it’s just my style of fighting. I’m not forcing the finish, but if I see the opportunity to finish the fight, I will take it. And if my future opponents are getting intimidated while looking at my fights, then so be it, I have my own path, and if there’s anyone standing [in] my way – it may end badly for them.”
And that edge followed him through Russia’s regional scene and into the UFC, where he finished names like Urijah Faber, Douglas Silva de Andrade, and José Aldo en route to the bantamweight throne. Fans didn’t need an explanation. His fights told the story. But if the nickname was born from his natural aggression, what kept it alive was something far more evolved: his transformation into a calculated, disciplined machine.
Petr Yan’s fighting style transformation from aggression to discipline
There was also a time when Yan would show no mercy on the streets. However, with time, he matured as he began spending his time and energy in training. ‘No Mercy’ said, “In the past, I was very aggressive and fierce on the streets. I was spending my energy there. Now I’m a professional, it’s my job, I’ve matured a lot, and I understand that I need to put my energy [into] my professional fights. So outside of fighting, I’m calm, but inside the cage, I’m facing guys who are there to beat me, so I need to be aggressive to break them physically and sometimes even mentally.”
Yan is certainly a man who loves to finish his fights, as seen in his seven wins via KO/TKO, and one via submission. The trend of finishing fights began from his amateur mixed martial arts career. Competing in the Cup of Russia 2014, the bantamweight fighter won two back-to-back bouts via KO. The trend continued when ‘No Mercy’ shifted to the professional realm and fought under the banner of Baikal Storm. Needless to say, he won via a knockout.
When Yan entered Absolute Championship Berkut in 2015, his second bout became his only submission victory via guillotine choke. The lone submission win of his career came in just 47 seconds at ACB 19. His next win came via KO in the first round, when he competed at CSFR. After ending four fights by decision, he put his ACB career to an end with a spectacular knockout at ACB 71.
But what shocked the fighting community was the skills Yan showed when he knocked Teruto Ishihara out with punches in the first round of his debut in the UFC. The fight against Douglas Silva de Andrade ended with a corner stoppage win for Yan. However, when he faced Urijah Faber back in UFC 245, he showed absolutely no mercy when he head-kicked Faber and knocked him out. But his true strength was showcased in the fight against Jose Aldo at UFC 251. It was the bout that got him the bantamweight belt as he defeated Aldo by fifth-round ground and pound.
That’s why his nickname still fits, not because Petr Yan is reckless, but because he’s relentless. What started as youthful aggression grew into a refined philosophy: seize the moment, finish the fight, and never let hesitation take the wheel. As he steps into another title fight at UFC 323, one question lingers: Will “No Mercy” reclaim the belt that made his name echo across the division?
Serena Williams has taken the first step toward a comeback to tennis
Serena Williams has taken the first step that would be required ahead of a comeback to tennis, registering with the sport’s drug-testing body, a spokesman for the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Tuesday.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion, one of the greats of the game, has not competed since bidding farewell at the 2022 U.S. Open. At the time, Williams said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
It was not immediately clear when or where — or even if — Williams actually will play again. Her agent did not immediately return a request for comment.
Williams, who is now 44, was one of the biggest stars of any sport, a dominant talent on the court and still someone drawing attention away from it. If she does end up returning to the tour, it would be a significant story line.
Her decision to place her name back in the testing pool with the ITIA, which oversees anti-doping and anti-corruption efforts, was first reported by Bounces.
“She is on the list and back in the testing pool,” ITIA spokesman Adrian Bassett wrote to The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Athletes returning to testing need to provide information on their whereabouts — details on their location when they are not at an official event and times when they are available to give samples. Someone who retires while they are on the list and later comes back needs to be available for testing for six months before they are allowed to return to competition.
Williams’ older sister, Venus, returned to competition this July at age 45 after nearly 1 1/2 years away from the tour; she never had announced her retirement. At the U.S. Open, Venus became the oldest player to play singles at the American Grand Slam tournament since 1981.
When Venus, a seven-time major singles champion, came back at the DC Open, she spoke about wishing Serena would join her back on tour. They claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair.
“I keep saying to my team: The only thing that would make this better is if she was here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her,” Venus said at the time when asked about a video on social media that showed Serena swinging a racket. “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”
Serena Williams takes step necessary to return to professional tennis but says she’s ‘NOT coming back’
By Jill Martin, CNN
(CNN) — More than three years since playing her last match, 23-time grand slam singles champion Serena Williams recently has taken a step that would be necessary should she want to return to professional tennis.
Williams, 44, appears on a list on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) website showing players registered in the international testing pool. The document is dated October 6, 2025.
But, it seems as if the tennis legend is not planning a comeback at the moment.
“Omg yall I’m NOT coming back,” Williams said on X. “This wildfire is crazy.”
Williams last played in 2022, when she lost in the US Open to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanović. At the time, she did not use the word “retirement,” instead saying she was “evolving away from tennis.”
Appearing on the list didn’t necessarily mean Williams would return to competitive action. CNN Sports has reached out to Williams’ representatives, the WTA Tour and the ITIA for comment.
Adrian Bassett, a spokesperson for the ITIA, told The Athletic on Tuesday: “She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool. I do not know if this means she is coming back, or just giving herself the option. All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts.”
Williams is still shown on the ITIA retired players list, showing her as retired since September 3, 2022.
Retired players may not compete unless they’ve given at least six months’ written notice of their intent to return to tournament play as well as make themselves available for testing for a period of six months before returning to competition, according to tennis anti-doping rules.
Serena Williams not returning to tennis, despite rumors
Serena Williams has no plans to return to tennis.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion took to social media on Tuesday and said she is not returning to the sport despite swirling rumors of a potential comeback.
Serena Williams says she’s not returning to tennis
Serena Williams threw cold water on the idea that she might be preparing to return to tennis, writing on social media Tuesday that she is “NOT coming back,” after a spokesman for the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said the 23-time Grand Slam champion had registered with the sport’s drug-testing body.
That is the first step that would be required by a player seeking to come out of retirement.
The 44-year-old Williams, one of the greats of the game, has not competed since bidding farewell at the 2022 US Open. At the time, Williams said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
It was not clear when or where — or even if — Williams actually will play again, and she later posted: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
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Her agent did not immediately return a request for comment.
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In a statement emailed to The Associated Press, US Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre said: “We are aware that Serena has filed the necessary paperwork with the International Tennis Integrity Agency to reenter the International Registered Testing Pool. If Serena decides to return and compete at the professional level, together with her fans, we will enthusiastically welcome the return of one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport.”
Williams was one of the biggest stars of any sport, a dominant talent on the court and still someone drawing attention away from it. If she were to end up returning to the tour, it would be a significant story line, of course.
Her decision to place her name back in the testing pool with the ITIA, which oversees anti-doping and anti-corruption efforts, was first reported by Bounces.
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“She is on the list and back in the testing pool,” ITIA spokesman Adrian Bassett wrote to the AP on Tuesday.
Athletes returning to testing need to provide information on their whereabouts — details on their location when they are not at an official event and times when they are available to give samples. Someone who retires while they are on the list and later comes back needs to be available for testing for six months before they are allowed to return to competition.
Williams’ older sister, Venus, returned to competition this July at age 45 after nearly 1 1/2 years away from the tour; she never had announced her retirement. At the US Open, Venus became the oldest player to play singles at the American Grand Slam tournament since 1981.
When Venus, a seven-time major singles champion, came back at the DC Open, she spoke about wishing Serena would join her back on tour. They claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair.
“I keep saying to my team: The only thing that would make this better is if she was here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her,” Venus said at the time when asked about a video on social media that showed Serena swinging a racket. “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”
Serena Williams Shuts Down Speculation She’s Returning to Tennis: ‘NOT Coming Back’
Serena Williams is shutting down speculation that she’s returning to tennis.
After The Athletic reported that Williams, 44, has requested to reenter the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)’s International Registered Testing Pool — a requirement for active players for drug testing — which had fans thinking she was eyeing a return to the sport, the tennis superstar took to X to set the record straight.
Serena Williams insists ‘I’m NOT coming back’ despite rumors
Tennis great Serena Williams took to X on Tuesday to insist that she is not planning a return to the court, hours after news broke that she has re-entered the sport’s drug-testing pool.
“Omg yall I’m NOT coming back,” the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion wrote. “This wildfire is crazy-”
Williams played her last match on Sept. 2, 2002, a loss to Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the U.S. Open. The next day, Williams registered as retired with the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which oversees anti-doping and anti-corruption efforts in the sport, meaning she was no longer subject to regular drug testing.
An ITIA spokesperson confirmed to The Times on Tuesday that Williams is back in the agency’s drug-testing pool. Retired players “may not return to sanctioned events unless they have made themselves available for out-of-competition testing for at least six months prior to the event in question,” according to the ITIA website.
That is why talk of a potential Williams comeback was spreading like “wildfire” before the 44-year-old attempted to extinguish the flames on X. The mother of two did not explain why she is back in the testing pool. A representative for Williams did not immediately reply to a request for comment from The Times.
Williams famously avoided the word “retirement” when she announced her plan to step away from tennis in an August 2022 column in Vogue.
“Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution,” she said. “I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”
Serena Williams Signals Possible Return to the Court
One of the greatest tennis players of all time has just made a significant move that could signal a grand return to the game.
Serena Williams, 44, has surfaced on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) latest list of players in its registered testing pool, The Athletic reported on Tuesday.
The testing pool list, last updated on Oct. 6 with Williams’ name among registered players, does not include all active players—only those deemed highest priority in the top 100, who must register their whereabouts every day and participate in random drug testing.
Williams can return to competition after six months in the pool, potentially allowing her to play in tennis tournaments as early as April 2026.
The Daily Beast contacted Williams’ representatives for comment on her potential return but received no immediate response.
On Tuesday afternoon, Williams posted a message to Twitter denying that she was returning to the game. “OMG y’all I’m NOT coming back,” she wrote. “This wildfire is crazy.”
“She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool,” Adrian Bassett, a spokesperson for the ITIA, told The Athletic. “I do not know if this means she is coming back, or just giving herself the option. All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts.”
The 23-time major champion announced her retirement in 2022 in a Vogue essay, writing that she was “evolving away from tennis, toward other things” that were important to her, including her family and venture capital firm.
Last week, the mother of two posted photos of herself on the tennis court with her youngest daughter, Adira River Ohanian, whom she shares with husband and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, 42. “This is me sharing my passion for tennis with my youngest daughter,” Williams captioned the post, without making any further public comments about a potential return.
Williams’ older sister, Venus Williams, 45, returned to the court in July after a 16-month hiatus due to her struggle with uterine fibroids. “The only thing that would make this better is if she was here,” Venus said about Serena while discussing her return at the DC Open competition.
In August, after Venus competed in the Women’s Doubles with Canadian player Leylah Fernandez instead of her sister—with whom she won 14 major titles—Serena posted a joking, mocking TikTok, appearing to roll her eyes at the new duo and look unimpressed.
According to The Athletic, if Serena Williams returns from retirement, the most likely tournament for her to compete in is the star-studded U.S. Open mixed doubles in 2026.
Serena Williams takes step toward potential tennis comeback: report
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Tennis legend Serena Williams reportedly took a step toward returning to competition.
Williams, 44, has re-entered the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) registered testing pool for the first time since she retired in 2022, according to Bounces. She last played in the 2022 U.S. Open, where she advanced to the third round before being defeated by Ajla Tomljanovic.
When Williams retired, she applied for official retirement, meaning that she would not have to tell the ITIA her whereabouts for random drug testing. To re-enter as a retired athlete, Williams must be available for out-of-competition testing for six months before being allowed to enter an event.
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Williams’ name was on the ITIA’s updated testing-pool list on Oct. 6. Just because Williams’ name is on the list does not mean that a return to play is imminent.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion being listed is the requisite first step for any retired player who would like the option of competing again. If Williams remains on track throughout the process, she could return in April 2026.
TENNIS LEGEND SPEAKS OUT AGAINST TRANSGENDER IDEOLOGY IN SCHOOLS
Williams’ sister, Venus, took a break but never formally retired, which allowed her to compete after 16 months away from competing.
Serena Williams first sought reinstatement this past August, just before the U.S. Open, according to Bounces report. However, due to the re-entry process, she was unable to play.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Williams’ representatives for comment.
Williams is second all-time in Grand Slam singles titles to Maragaret Court, who won 24. Williams, with 23 championships, has taken the first step in trying to get that 24th championship, if she chooses to compete again.
Serena Williams sets the record straight on her possible tennis return
Serena Williams is shutting down buzz that she might be planning a tennis comeback.
“Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy,” Williams wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.
The former tennis pro’s career became the focus of conversation after it was reported that Williams had requested to re-enter the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)’s International Registered Testing Pool — a requirement for active players for drug testing.
According to the Atlantic, an ITIA spokesperson told the outlet that Williams’ re-entering the testing pool doesn’t make her potential return official. However, the rep said he does “not know if this mean she is coming back” or if Williams is “just giving herself the option” for a comeback.
“All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts,” Bassett said.
The reported move caused several of the retired athlete’s fans to question why she might be interested in re-entering the ITIA in light of her admission.
“Then why did you apply to reenter the testing pool?” one netizen wrote.
The rest of Williams’ fans weren’t as happy to see the tennis star’s news as several admitted to being in denial under the tweet.
“She retired, my denial did not. That’s the real wildfire here,” wrote a social media user.
Another wrote: “We have decided on your behalf.” Meanwhile, a third added: “The wildfire is a reflection of how much people miss you.”
Williams announced she would be retiring from professional tennis in August 2022 after she finished competing in the US Open.
She played her last match in September, which ended in a third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanović.
“These days, if I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter,” the mom of two wrote in a personal essay for Vogue.
“There is no happiness in this topic for me. I know it’s not the usual thing to say, but I feel a great deal of pain,” she shared. “It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads.”
Serena Williams Breaks Silence on Comeback Rumors After Her Latest Decision
The 44-year-old Serena Williams, celebrated as one of tennis’ all-time greats, hasn’t played since her emotional farewell at the 2022 US Open. Though she insisted she wasn’t “retiring” and was simply “evolving” away from the sport, renewed buzz about a possible comeback has followed her ever since. However, now, the 23-time Grand Slam icon has poured cold water on the speculation, signaling that a return to competitive tennis isn’t on her horizon.
Serena Williams is pushing back against growing talk of a tennis comeback. She denied the speculation in a direct post on X.
“Omg, y’all, I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy,” she wrote on Tuesday.
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The rumors started after she filed paperwork with the ITIA in September. This filing exempted her from strict whereabouts rules. The move caught fans’ attention and sparked new theories about a return.
Under ITIA and WADA rules, any player who wants to compete again must follow out-of-competition testing rules. They must be available for testing for six months before entering an event. Williams’s name appeared on the agency’s testing-pool list dated 6 October.
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An ITIA spokesperson confirmed that she had asked for reinstatement. The spokesperson also stressed that being on the list does not prove an athlete is preparing for competition. It only shows they are meeting eligibility requirements if they choose to return.
The spokesperson added more detail. “Serena Williams is back on the Registered Testing Pool list,” they said. They explained that athletes returning from retirement “need to make themselves available for testing for six months before they can compete again,” as required under WADA rules.
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The registered pool is selective. It includes top singles players, notable doubles and wheelchair athletes, and players coming back after long breaks.
Some fans believed the comeback rumors because of Williams’s own comments in 2022. At the time, she hinted that a return was possible. “The chances of me returning are very high,” she told. “You can come to my house and [see], I have a court.”
Adrian Bassett, another ITIA spokesperson, also weighed in. He told reporters on Dec. 2 that entering the testing pool does not confirm anything. He said he does “not know if this mean she is coming back” or if she is “just giving herself the option.” He added, “All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts.”
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And perhaps, this is also not the first time comeback rumors have followed the tennis icon this year.
Serena Williams sparked speculation of a US Open return in 2025
Rumors of a Serena Williams cameo at the US Open circulated quietly this year. Many focused on the mixed doubles event, which has become a two-day showcase filled with star wildcards. But Williams was still listed as retired, so she was not eligible to enter.
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People close to the process believe she considered a return earlier than this autumn. One attempt to rejoin the testing pool happened in August. This was just before the US Open.
The timing suggested she hoped to play doubles with her sister, Venus. But those plans collapsed once the strict six-month testing rule became clear. This same rule once stopped Andy Roddick from making a late doubles cameo in 2014.
Venus Williams did not face the same problem. She never formally retired and avoided the procedural barriers. This summer, she returned after a 16-month break and earned a singles win in Washington.
She also pushed No. 11 seed Karolína Muchová to a deciding set in New York. In doubles, she reached the US Open quarter-finals with Leylah Fernandez. Venus is expected to resume her schedule in Auckland early next season.
Serena’s name appearing again in ITIA documents does not confirm a comeback. It only resets her eligibility timeline.
If she stays in the testing pool without interruption, she could compete as early as mid-2026.
Whether she wants to play singles again, reunite with Venus in doubles, or simply keep her options open is still unknown.
Hero World Challenge prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions
Albany Golf Course in the Bahamas will host Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge this week. The first round begins on Thursday morning as the field of 20 players compete through the weekend. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the 2025 Hero World Challenge from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
The headliner of this tournament is the 2-time defending champion, Scottie Scheffler. He’s trying to make history by winning it for the third straight year, and he’ll be competing with the likes of Cameron Young, Robert MacIntyre, J.J. Spaun and Aaron Rai. Wyndham Clark has the longest odds of any player in the field at +5000.
Albany Golf Course features a unique layout with 5 par 3s and 5 par 5s, yielding some impressively low scores each year. Scheffler won at 25-under par last year, matching the score of Bubba Watson in 2015 for the lowest since the tournament moved to Albany.
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Hero World Challenge – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 6:13 p.m. ET.
Cameron Young (+120)
Young had a third-place finish at this event along with a 13th and 15th in his last 3 starts. He was one of the hottest players in the world this fall and could keep that going this week in the Bahamas where he’s played well before.
PGA: Hero World Challenge odds, picks, predictions
Keegan Bradley (+175)
Bradley is always a player to watch on a course where iron play is important, especially with 5 par 3s and scoring opportunities on the 5 par 5s. He notched a top-5 finish here last year and will try to make it back-to-back this week.
Jordan Spieth (+240)
Spieth has longer odds for a top 5 but in his last start at this event, he finished sixth. In a 20-man field, it’s reasonable to think he could come in fifth or better, especially with the lack of star power at the top behind Scheffler.
Hero World Challenge – Top-10 picks
Andrew Novak (-110)
Novak has the second-longest odds to finish top 10 but all that requires is him finishing better than half of the field. At -110 odds, that’s a fair bet. It’s hard to find much value in this market because of the limited field.
Hero World Challenge – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Cameron Young (-105) vs. Robert MacIntyre (-118)
MacIntyre is a world-class player who performs well on links courses, but so is Young – and he’s got a good enough track record to warrant a pick in this matchup.
Keegan Bradley (-110) vs. Hideki Matsuyama (-110)
Matsuyama won here in 2016, but he wasn’t in great form last year and didn’t have the season that Bradley did.
Hero World Challenge – Top American
Cameron Young (+800)
Scheffler is predictably the heavy favorite, but Young is second and a legitimate contender.
Hero World Challenge – First-round leader
Keegan Bradley (+1400)
Look for Bradley, who finished fifth last year, to get off to a good start this week in Albany.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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How to watch Connor Bedard, Blackhawks vs. Golden Knights NHL livestream today
One of the league’s hot young stars faces one of the best teams in the league, as Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks pay a visit to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.
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After many rough and bumbling seasons, the Blackhawks finally look like a team on the rise. Bedard has been one of the top scorers this season and has helped keep Chicago up near a playoff spot as we head into the holiday season.
The former Regina Pat has 37 points so far this season, placing him tied for second with San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, both trailing Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon. While the Hawks do not necessarily live or die with Bedard, the playmaker’s ability to be a game-changer has been noticeable this year.
The Hawks currently sit fourth in the Central Division, hanging on to the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
The Golden Knights have not been perfect this year, with injuries to the likes of Mark Stone and Adin Hill hindering the team. Yet, even though the team has lost 14 of its 15 games, Vegas is sitting third in the Pacific Division.
NHL HOCKEY
Chicago Blackhawks (11-9-5) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (11-6-8)
When: Tuesday, December 2
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Where: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Stream: ESPN+
Check out the NHL standings and scores here
Heavy Trade Interest Growing in Sherwood as Canucks Bide Time
Kiefer Sherwood continues to be talked about as one of the most sought-after trade targets well ahead of the NHL trade deadline. The Vancouver Canucks made it known they were open to moving veterans and pending UFAs, and Sherwood is among the most attractive on their roster, mainly due to his low cap hit. According to Pierre LeBrun, the level of interest is significant.
With a bargain $1.5 million cap hit, playoff-ready physicality, and steady production, Sherwood checks every box for contenders looking to add bite and depth to their lineup.
Who Is Already Calling About a Sherwood Trade
LeBrun reports that the Minnesota Wild are among the teams that have already checked in, despite initially searching for a top-six forward. Montreal and Dallas have also kicked tires, joining what he describes as a “long list” of teams doing their homework. Sherwood’s style makes him an easy fit almost anywhere, which is why his market appears to be expanding rather than narrowing.
The Canucks, however, aren’t in a rush. Vancouver wants a complete understanding of the market before moving one of their most valuable trade chips. What could complicate—or elevate—the situation is the possibility of teams being willing to negotiate an extension as part of the deal. If a contender is prepared to sign Sherwood long-term, that added security could increase the return and push Vancouver toward action.
For now, Sherwood’s market is heating up, and Vancouver is waiting for the right deal before trading one of the more interesting pieces this season.
Ice rink for 2026 Olympic hockey tournament is creating concerns
The men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics will feature NHL players for the first time since the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia, and that is creating a lot of excitement for the tournament. What is not creating excitement is the state of the arena that is set to host those games at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
There are problems. Multiple problems.
Ice rink for 2026 Olympic hockey tournament is creating issues
The most important problem so far is the simple the fact the PalaItalia Santa Giulia, a 16,000-seat venue which will host 33 games, including both the men’s and women’s gold medal games is not yet completed just two months away from the opening ceremonies. The NHL has been concerned about the lack of progress as far back as 2023, and according to The Athletic this week the
NHL sends memo about wearing helmets in pregame warmups
NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL has sent a memo to its teams about a rule that requires certain players to wear helmets in pregame warmups.
The memo was sent to all 32 clubs on Tuesday night. All players who debuted in the 2019-20 season or later are required to wear helmets during warmups.
Within the past few days, Ottawa and New Jersey were in violation of Rule 9.6, which went onto effect in 2022. The Senators, playing at Vegas, were hoping to end a losing streak at T-Mobile Arena, while the Devils were celebrating defenseman Brenden Dillon’s 1,000th game.
Neither team was expected to be punished beyond a warning.
Players who have been in the NHL since before 2019 are grandfathered into being able to choose whether to go helmet-less. The league also has barred players from continuing to play without a helmet during games and prevented them from removing the head protection before fighting.
Injuries have happened during warmups from falls or errant pucks, including Taylor Hall getting cut by a skate in 2012.
Visors on helmets were agreed to by the league and the NHLPA in 2013, also grandfathered. Four players remain without one.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Carter Hart makes NHL return with Golden Knights after acquittal
LAS VEGAS — Goalie Carter Hart, one of five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players acquitted of sexual assault in July, made his first NHL appearance in nearly two years Tuesday night and received an enthusiastic reaction from Golden Knights fans during pregame introductions.
Hart certainly received the loudest response before Vegas’ home game against Chicago, and if there were any boos, they were difficult to hear.
Some fans also held signs supportive of Hart.
Hart was the first of those five players to agree to an NHL contract. The league ruled those players were eligible to sign deals beginning Oct. 15 and to play starting Dec. 1. Hart signed a two-year, $4 million contract and has been working with the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Henderson, Nevada.
After he agreed to sign, Hart read a statement to reporters that, in part, said he wanted
Schaefer and Wiesblatt’s first NHL goals lead Predators over Flames 5-1
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Reid Schaefer and Ozzy Wiesblatt each scored their first NHL goal, Juuse Saros made 27 saves and the Nashville Predators defeated the Calgary Flames 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Michael Bunting had a goal and an assist, Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault also scored, and Nicolas Hague had a pair of assists for the Predators, winners of three of four.
Morgan Frost scored and Devin Cooley and Dustin Wolf combined for 23 saves for Calgary, which concluded a five-game road trip 2-2-1.
Schaefer scored the game’s first goal at 6:24 of the opening period.
Parked just outside the crease, Shaefer collected a loose puck and slid it past Cooley for his first goal, playing in his third NHL game.
Saros’ best stop came on a breakaway by Jonathan Huberdeau with 3:45 remaining in the first. Huberdeau forced a neutral zone turnover from Hague and then skated in all alone on Saros, who denied Huberdeau’s backhand with a sprawling left pad save.
Stamkos made it 2-0 at 5:04 of the second.
After taking a pass from Ryan O’Reilly, Luke Evangelista carried the puck behind the Calgary net and found Stamkos on the doorstep. The goal was the 1,200th point of Stamkos’ career, becoming the 53rd player in NHL history to reach that mark.
Marchessault extended the Nashville lead to 3-0 with 5:35 left in the second and Wiesblatt followed 1:07 later, scoring his first career NHL goal on a tap in off of a Bunting pass. Tuesday was NHL game number 28 for Wiesblatt, a Calgary native.
Cooley made 12 saves before being replaced by Wolf at the start of the third.
Bunting scored the only goal against Wolf, who made 11 saves.
Frost spoiled Saros’ shutout bid with a power-play goal 13:39 of the third.
Up next
Flames host the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
Predators visit the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
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Schaefer and Wiesblatt’s first NHL goals lead Predators over Flames 5
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Reid Schaefer and Ozzy Wiesblatt each scored their first NHL goal, Juuse Saros made 27 saves and the Nashville Predators defeated the Calgary Flames 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Michael Bunting had a goal and an assist, Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault also scored, and Nicolas Hague had a pair of assists for the Predators, winners of three of four.
Morgan Frost scored and Devin Cooley and Dustin Wolf combined for 23 saves for Calgary, which concluded a five-game road trip 2-2-1.
Schaefer scored the game’s first goal at 6:24 of the opening period.
Parked just outside the crease, Shaefer collected a loose puck and slid it past Cooley for his first goal, playing in his third NHL game.
Saros’ best stop came on a breakaway by Jonathan Huberdeau with 3:45 remaining in the first. Huberdeau forced a neutral zone turnover from Hague and then skated in all alone on Saros, who denied Huberdeau’s backhand with a sprawling left pad save.
Stamkos made it 2-0 at 5:04 of the second.
After taking a pass from Ryan O’Reilly, Luke Evangelista carried the puck behind the Calgary net and found Stamkos on the doorstep. The goal was the 1,200th point of Stamkos’ career, becoming the 53rd player in NHL history to reach that mark.
Marchessault extended the Nashville lead to 3-0 with 5:35 left in the second and Wiesblatt followed 1:07 later, scoring his first career NHL goal on a tap in off of a Bunting pass. Tuesday was NHL game number 28 for Wiesblatt, a Calgary native.
Cooley made 12 saves before being replaced by Wolf at the start of the third.
Bunting scored the only goal against Wolf, who made 11 saves.
Frost spoiled Saros’ shutout bid with a power-play goal 13:39 of the third.
Up next
Flames host the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
Predators visit the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Stamkos gets 1,200th NHL point, Predators cruise past Flames
Stamkos became the 53rd player in NHL history, and sixth active, to reach the mark when he gave the Predators a 2-0 lead at 5:04 of the second period on a wraparound pass from Luke Evangelista. Ryan O’Reilly led a 2-on-1 rush with Evangelista, who went around the net and found Stamkos on Devin Cooley’s blocker side.
It was Stamkos’ 589th career goal, the fifth most in League history at the time of the milestone point behind Brett Hull (656), Alex Ovechkin (653), Mike Gartner (636) and Dino Ciccarelli (608).
Michael Bunting had a goal and an assist, and Juuse Saros made 27 saves for the Predators (9-13-4), who have won three of their past four. Reid Schaefer and Ozzy Wiesblatt each scored his first NHL goal.
Morgan Frost scored for the Flames (9-15-4), who have lost three of their past four (1-2-1). Cooley allowed four goals on 16 shots before he was replaced after two periods by Dustin Wolf, who made 11 saves.
Schaefer gave Nashville a 1-0 lead at 6:24 of the first period on a rebound of a shot attempt from Fedor Svechkov.
Jonathan Marchessault extended it to 3-0 at 14:25 of the second on a wrist shot from the slot. He had missed the previous two games because of a lower-body injury.
Wiesblatt pushed it to 4-0 at 15:32 on a redirection of a pass from Bunting.
Bunting made it 5-0 at 2:59 of the third period on a rebound of a deflection off Frost’s stick.
Frost’s power-play goal cut it to 5-1 at 13:39 with a one-timer from the slot on a backhand pass from Nazem Kadri.
Wiesblatt honors late brother after 1st NHL goal
Ozzy Wiesblatt scored his first NHL goal on Tuesday and immediately took the opportunity to honor his late brother.
The Nashville Predators rookie scored late in the second period of the 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames, and, while skating back to the bench, pointed to the sky to pay tribute to his older brother Orca.
Orca passed away in a car accident in September at 25 years old. Like his brother, Orca was a professional hockey player. He was set to compete for the Allen Americans of the ECHL this season.
After the game, Ozzy said the meaningful tribute for his brother was always the plan after scoring his first goal.
“It’s just relief for me,” Wiesblatt told the media postgame. “Obviously I’ve thought about pointing to the sky for my brother for a while now. Just a cool feeling, and obviously that one’s for him.”
NHL.com independent correspondent Robby Stanley contributed to this report
NFL RedZone significantly increases commercials in Week 13
So much for “commercial-free football.”
NFL RedZone, one of the most popular sports telecasts, has increased the number of commercials during its seven-hour broadcast. At the beginning of the season, the league said it would be airing only four 15-second ads throughout its telecast in Week 1. But during Sunday’s Week 13 broadcast, RedZone aired 16 advertisements ranging from 15 to 20 seconds long, according to Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter.
The telecast ran two minutes of double-box advertisements, evenly split across the early and late windows of games. The league ran the same number of double-box ads in Week 1. The broadcast also displayed a 30-second double-box ad with DraftKings once the games ended. RedZone added the double-box advertisements in 2025 as a way to monetize the show.
It also continued to run its graphic banner ads (each around 20 seconds) and is now airing more sponsored segments throughout the show. Carpenter found that Allstate sponsored a 30-second “Good Hands” segment, and Progressive, Lowe’s, DraftKings, Mercedes-Benz and Accenture each had their own sponsored segments.
In total, combining double-box ads, banner ads and sponsored segments, NFL RedZone aired 16 elements of sponsored content for a combined total of five minutes and 10 seconds during Sunday’s broadcast.
Several fans on social media voiced their frustration about the increased number of advertisements, with some threatening to cancel their subscriptions or stop watching the telecast altogether. NFL insider Adam Schefter’s Sept. 4 X post defending the move — saying “viewers will be served 1-2 total minutes of ads in :15 increments. This comes out to anywhere between 0.25% – 0.5% of the total time, considerably less than other sports/entertainment programs” — also resurfaced and was heavily criticized.
The decision to put ads on RedZone rests entirely with the NFL, whose multibillion-dollar business depends on licensing its product to TV networks — and on those networks selling commercial time to companies eager to reach the league’s tens of millions of weekly viewers.
Though it was expected that RedZone would slowly integrate more advertisements into its telecast, the stark change is still unusual for fans who’ve heard host Scott Hanson’s catchphrase of “Seven hours of commercial-free football starts now” for years. But the broadcast still remains wildly popular and is one of the unique telecasts across sports.
NFL Week 14 Power Rankings: Cowboys & Bears Rise, Chiefs and Ravens Tumble
Thanksgiving week is over in the NFL, but it brought a ton of thrilling matchups with it. The Thanksgiving Day slate did not disappoint, with the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Cincinnati Bengals all securing upset victories. Then on Sunday, we saw multiple games come down to the wire, including an overtime thriller on Sunday night.
It was a fantastic week of football, which has shaken up the NFL standings. That means we have quite a few teams making a big jump or taking a big tumble in our NFL Week 14 power rankings.
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32. Tennessee Titans (1-11)
Last Week’s Ranking: 32
Week 13 Result: 25-3 loss to JAX
PFF Rankings: Offense 31st, Defense 17th
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Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at CLE
Before we get into a lot of the changes, the bottom three teams in our rankings stayed the same from last week. The Tennessee Titans remain the only one-win team in the NFL, so they maintain their bottom spot.
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31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
Last Week’s Ranking: 31
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Week 13 Result: 31-14 loss to LAC
PFF Rankings: Offense 29th, Defense 32nd
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 4:05 pm vs DEN
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Las Vegas keeps on making a case for being the worst team in the league, but as long as Tennessee stays in current form, they’ll avoid the bottom spot. Still, they are a very bad football team, and that won’t change by the end of the year.
30. New Orleans Saints (2-10)
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
Week 13 Result: 20-17 loss to MIA
PFF Rankings: Offense 28th, Defense 18th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at TB
The New Orleans Saints could’ve tied this game up and possibly sent it to overtime, but they got greedy and went for two after a late touchdown, and Miami picked it off and returned it the length of the field for two points, sealing the game. I thought Tyler Shough looked better than his stat line indicated, but it’s yet another loss for New Orleans, who are officially eliminated from the playoffs.
29. Minnesota Vikings (4-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
Week 13 Result: 26-0 loss to SEA
PFF Rankings: Offense 30th, Defense 22nd
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs WAS
The Minnesota Vikings are BAD. The only thing saving them from being 31st is their play early in the season, but they’ve been so horrible in recent weeks, I might just have to drop them to 31 next week if they don’t figure things out. J.J. McCarthy isn’t the answer, and apparently neither is Max Brosmer, though I don’t think anyone ever thought he was.
28. New York Giants (2-11)
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Week 13 Result: 33-15 loss to NE
PFF Rankings: Offense 22nd, Defense 30th
Week 14 Matchup: Bye
The New York Giants have been a really fun team despite their 2-11 record. They are certainly better than their record indicates, but you can only be so good when you’re 2-11. Jaxson Dart and Co. didn’t look great against New England on Monday, but then again, not many people have looked good against the Patriots.
27. Cleveland Browns (3-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Week 13 Result: 26-8 loss to SF
PFF Rankings: Offense 32nd, Defense 2nd
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs TEN
After Shedeur Sanders’ first win, many wanted to see Cleveland put on a show against the San Francisco 49ers. That was not the case, though. They were ran out of the building, losing by three scores, and their offense looked completely stagnant. Even their defense, which has been elite in recent weeks, looked pretty bad.
26. Washington Commanders (3-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
Week 13 Result: 27-26 (OT) loss to DEN
PFF Rankings: Offense 14th, Defense 29th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at MIN
The Washington Commanders took the Denver Broncos to the wire on Sunday night, but lost in overtime on a failed 2-point conversion. Marcus Mariota led their offense to 26 points against a very stout Denver defense, which really impressed me. I think they made the right choice going for two and the win; they just couldn’t get it done.
25. Atlanta Falcons (4-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 22
Week 13 Result: 27-24 loss to NYJ
PFF Rankings: Offense 13th, Defense 16th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs SEA
The Atlanta Falcons were without Michael Penix and Drake London again on Sunday, but their struggles didn’t come on offense; they came on defense. They scored 24 points, but gave up 27 to the Jets, who have one of the worst offenses in the league. It’s another loss for Atlanta, which falls to 4-8.
24. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 23
Week 13 Result: 20-17 loss to TB
PFF Rankings: Offense 21st, Defense 23rd
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 4:25 pm vs LAR
The Arizona Cardinals came up just short this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so they fall one spot in our power rankings. Their defense performed better than I thought, but their offense really struggled against Tampa. Arizona now owns the 8th pick in the draft despite having just three wins.
23. New York Jets (3-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
Week 13 Result: 27-24 win over ATL
PFF Rankings: Offense 27th, Defense 20th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs MIA
The Jets earned their third win of the season over the Falcons, which now gives them the 7th overall pick in the draft. They have now won three of their last five after starting 0-7, and they just look like a much better team than the one that took the field early in the year. They’re not great by any means, but they’re improving in year one under Aaron Glenn.
22. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 21
Week 13 Result: 20-17 win over NO
PFF Rankings: Offense 24th, Defense 21st
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at NYJ
Mike McDaniel is hanging on to his job by a thread. It felt like there was a chance he’d be fired midseason, but the Dolphins have won four of their last five and have a real shot to be 6-7 after next week. The turnaround in Miami has been incredible, so we’ll see if McDaniel can save his job by the end of the year.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Week 13 Result: 32-14 win over BAL
PFF Rankings: Offense 23rd, Defense 31st
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at BUF
The Bengals picked up a massive win on Thanksgiving, taking down the Baltimore Ravens in convincing fashion. They are now two games back in the AFC North and have a real shot of winning their division, but they’re going to need a win this week with one of Baltimore and Pittsburgh guaranteed to move to 7-6.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 19
Week 13 Result: 26-7 loss to BUF
PFF Rankings: Offense 26th, Defense 9th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at BAL
Speaking of the Steelers, they suffered an embarrassing defeat to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but there’s a pretty clear floor below them and Cincy, so they could only really drop so far. I have a ton of concerns about this time, primarily on offense, heading into the home stretch, but with the AFC North as weak as it’s ever been, they still have a good shot at the playoffs, especially if they can secure a big win over Baltimore on Sunday.
19. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11th
Week 13 Result: 32-14 loss to CIN
PFF Rankings: Offense 20th, Defense 15th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs PIT
The Ravens won five straight to get them into the lead of the AFC North, but they looked horrible against Cincinnati on Thanksgiving. They were blown out, and now they host their arch rivals on Sunday with the winner taking control of the division. This is arguably the biggest game of the weekend, so it should be a fun one.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
Week 13 Result: 20-17 win over ARI
PFF Rankings: Offense 24th, Defense 12th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs NO
The Bucs squeezed out a win over Arizona on Sunday, and now sit at 7-5 and are alone atop the NFC South. However, Carolina is right on their tails at 7-6, and with the Panthers on a bye this week, Tampa must beat New Orleans if they want to maintain the division lead. They should be able to, but this game is massive for the NFC South race.
17. Carolina Panthers (7-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 20
Week 13 Result: 31-28 win over LAR
PFF Rankings: Offense 18th, Defense 23rd
Week 14 Matchup: Bye
The Panthers earned one of the most improbable wins of the season on Sunday. The Los Angeles Rams were my No. 1 team last week, and even though Carolina was 6-6, I didn’t think they stood a chance against LA. Well, they did, and now they’re 7-6 and right behind Tampa in the South. They’ll be rooting for the Saints heavily this weekend.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 17
Week 13 Result: 25-3 win over TEN
PFF Rankings: Offense 16th, Defense 11th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs IND
The Jacksonville Jaguars dominated the Titans on Sunday, but that isn’t really anything to brag about. It’s hard putting an 8-4 team at No. 16, but that just shows you how tight the top half of the league is. There are 12 teams with 8+ wins, and four more in that 6-7 range that are still very good teams. Jacksonville just draws the short end of the stick here.
15. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Week 13 Result: 31-28 loss to DAL
PFF Rankings: Offense 11th, Defense 7th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 8:20 pm vs HOU
The Chiefs are still so hard to rank for me. They are a very good team. All of their losses have been by one score to some of the best teams in the NFL, but they just can’t seem to win close games. I had to drop them significantly now that they’re back at .500 with just five games to play, but I still think they’re better than a lot of teams out there. If they played New England today, I wouldn’t feel great about picking the Patriots because this roster is that talented. They just need to figure out how to win again.
14. Houston Texans (7-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 16
Week 13 Result: 20-16 win over IND
PFF Rankings: Offense 17th, Defense 3rd
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 8:20 pm at KC
The Houston Texans are peaking at the right time. They’ve won four straight games and are finally putting that vaunted defense to good use. They are just one game out of the AFC playoffs at the moment, and now they have to travel to Kansas City on Sunday night. This is a massive test for Houston, and if they win, they might just ride the momentum into the postseason.
13. Detroit Lions (7-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Week 13 Result: 31-24 loss to GB
PFF Rankings: Offense 3, Defense 4
Week 14 Matchup: Thursday, 8:15 pm vs DAL
The Detroit Lions are the opposite of the Texans right now. They’re falling off at the wrong moment. They’ve lost four of their last seven and three of their last five, and now find themselves sitting at 7-5. The only reason they’re above Houston is that, when they’re playing well, they’re one of the most explosive teams in the NFL.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Week 13 Result: 31-14 win over LV
PFF Rankings: Offense 19th, Defense 13th
Week 14 Matchup: Monday, 8:20 pm vs PHI
The Los Angeles Chargers took a step back when they lost to the Jaguars, 35-6, but a big win over the Raiders should get them rolling again. This is still a very good offense (especially once Omarion Hampton comes back), and this defense can shut teams down when they’re playing well. They have a high ceiling, but they cannot afford more games like the one against Jacksonville.
11. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Week 13 Result: 20-16 loss to HOU
PFF Rankings: Offense 4th, Defense 25th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at JAX
The Colts have faced two of the best run defenses in the NFL the past two weeks, and they’ve lost both of those games. That’s not a coincidence. When Jonathan Taylor’s struggling, so is the rest of their team. Daniel Jones is injured and has never been capable of carrying an offense. They have to play Seattle and Houston in two of their remaining five games, so if they drop both of those, they’ll be 11-6 and likely the 3-seed in the AFC. Not bad, but a far fall from where they were just a month ago.
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 15
Week 13 Result: 31-28 win over KC
PFF Rankings: Offense 5th, Defense 28th
Week 14 Matchup: Thursday, 8:15 pm at DET
Jerry Jones’ moves seem to be paying off quite a bit. This defense is really coming around, but their offense is also getting back to its early-season form. They are still multiple games out of the NFC playoff picture because the 7-seed is 9-4, but if they can beat Detroit this weekend, they keep their odds alive. Right now, they’re playing like a top-10 team.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Week 13 Result: 24-15 loss to CHI
PFF Rankings: Offense 12th, Defense 14th
Week 14 Matchup: Monday, 8:20 pm at LAC
This was a horrific loss for the Philadelphia Eagles. They looked awful offensively, and their defense didn’t look all that great either. This Chicago defense is not very good, and all they could manage was 15 points, seven of which came in garbage time. They need to figure things out fast because they’ve dropped two straight, and this offense just looks worse and worse each week. The only reason they’re in the top-10 is that this roster is still exceptionally talented.
8. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Week 13 Result: 31-24 win over DET
PFF Rankings: Offense 7th, Defense 6th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 4:25 pm vs CHI
The Green Bay Packers picked up a massive Thanksgiving Day win over the Lions, and now they’re just one game out of the NFC North lead. Chicago maintains possession of the North, but if Green Bay can knock them off in Lambeau, they’ll be the new leaders in the division. It should be a very fun matchup.
7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Week 13 Result: 26-8 win over CLE
PFF Rankings: Offense 9th, Defense 27th
Week 14 Matchup: Bye
The 49ers saw a decent bump in our power rankings after a three-score win, and some other top teams lost this week. Their offense didn’t look great, but they did enough to get the win. And their defense continues to look much improved from the unit that gave up 20+ in seven of their first 10 games. They’re improving and getting healthier every week, and they’re easily a top-10 team.
6. Buffalo Bills (8-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Week 13 Result: 26-7 win over PIT
PFF Rankings: Offense 8th, Defense 19th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs CIN
The Bills have gone win-loss-win-loss-win in their last five games, and currently find themselves at 8-4. I always expect to rank Buffalo lower than I do, because every time I drop them significantly, they just win. I just trust Josh Allen too much to put this team any lower than No. 6 for now.
5. Chicago Bears (9-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13th
Week 13 Result: 24-15 win over PHI
PFF Rankings: Offense 10th, Defense 26th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 4:25 pm at GB
I was wrong about the Chicago Bears. I’ve been waiting for them to lose because they kept narrowly beating bad opponents, but they are a very good team. I do still have some concerns with how Caleb Williams will perform under the brightest of lights and with a lot of things defensively, but they keep winning, and right now, that’s all that matters.
4. Seattle Seahawks (9-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Week 13 Result: 26-0 win over MIN
PFF Rankings: Offense 2nd, Defense 5th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at ATL
The Seahawks absolutely dominated the Vikings on Sunday. Their offense wasn’t great, but it didn’t have to be. Their defense shut out the Vikings and forced five turnovers in the 26-0 win. I would’ve liked to see more from Sam Darnold and Co. this week, but they’re still a top-five team in my eyes.
3. Denver Broncos (10-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Week 13 Result: 27-26 win over WAS
PFF Rankings: Offense 15th, Defense 8th
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 4:05 pm at LV
The Broncos looked a bit off on Sunday night. They let the Commanders take them to the wire, and it took an incredible defensive play to win the game. But great defenses make great plays in big moments, so it’s what we should expect from this unit. They will keep Denver in every game they play; their offense just needs to be more consistent, especially after ending regulation with a pick and three punts.
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Week 13 Result: 31-28 loss to CAR
PFF Rankings: Offense 1st, Defense 1st
Week 14 Matchup: Sunday, 4:25 pm at ARI
I still think the Rams have what it takes to win the Super Bowl this year, despite their loss this weekend. Matthew Stafford is the best QB in the NFC, and their defense is still great. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re back at No. 1 by the end of the regular season.
1. New England Patriots (11-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Week 13 Result: 33-15 win over NYG
PFF Rankings: Offense 6th, Defense 9th
Week 14 Matchup: Bye
We have yet another No. 1 team in our power rankings this week. The Pats have slowly been climbing each and every week, but now there’s nowhere else for them to go. They have a bye next week, so unless LA or DEN really convince me (which will be hard to do against bad opponents), they’ll remain No. 1 next week as well.
Bills’ Christian Benford: Scores first NFL touchdown in win
Benford recorded two tackles (one solo), an interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown during Sunday’s 26-7 win at Pittsburgh.
On the first play from scrimmage in the second half, Benford came into the backfield on a corner blitz, putting him in position to scoop up an Aaron Rodgers fumble at the Steelers’ 17-yard line and dash into the end zone. He had a relatively slow start to the year, but things appear to be picking up for him with a Week 14 tilt versus the Bengals around the corner.
How to Bet on Football: NFL Betting Strategies
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Curious as to how to bet on football? This quick guide to NFL betting strategy will show you how to move beyond guesses and start making informed picks, because in the most-bet sport in America, a plan beats luck.
We’ll go over practical football betting tips on choosing a trustworthy sportsbook or betting app, beginner-friendly strategies and advanced tactics. Let’s get into it:
How to Choose an NFL Sportsbook
Picking the right book matters as much as picking the right side. Here’s what to look for when perusing different ones:
Legal & regulated only: use a licensed U.S. sportsbook in your state. You’ll get verified odds, secure banking, geolocation compliance, and responsible-gaming tools.
Welcome bonus that fits your plan: you will often receive a Bet & Get (
Linebacker Eku Leota returns to the NFL
One Auburn alumnus returned to the NFL on Tuesday, while two other former Tigers lost their roster spots in the league.
The Arizona Cardinals signed linebacker Eku Leota for their practice squad, the Cleveland Browns released linebacker Eugene Asante from their practice squad and the New York Jets waived defensive tackle Byron Cowart from its injured reserve.
Leota played in three games for the New Orleans Saints as a practice-squad elevation this season, getting on the field for 31 special-team plays.
Each NFL team is allowed to elevate two of its practice-squad members to active status for each game. But no player can be elevated more than three times by a team in one season.
The Saints released Leota from their practice squad on Nov. 25.
After entering the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2023, Leota played in eight games with the Carolina Panthers. After Leota played in the Panthers’ first two games of 2024 and recorded his first NFL sack and three tackles for loss in the season-opener, Carolina waived Leota.
Leota joined Pittsburgh’s practice squad one week later and spent the rest of the 2024 season there, playing in one game. The Steelers waived Leota in their roster reduction from the preseason to the regular season in August, and the Saints signed him for their practice squad on Sept. 2.
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Asante had been on the Browns’ practice squad since Oct. 14, but he had not appeared in a game.
Asante started his NFL journey as an undrafted rookie with the Miami Dolphins in May. In the Dolphins’ 14-6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their preseason finale on Aug. 23, Asante sustained an ankle injury, and Miami waived him with an injury settlement three days later.
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Cowart had been on injured reserve on Aug. 26 because of an ankle injury. By leaving the Jets’ injured-reserve list, Cowart will have an opportunity to play in 2025, if healthy. But he needs a team.
If Cowart doesn’t play, this season will follow the recent pattern of his career.
Once ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the 2015 signing class, Cowart played at Auburn in 2015 and 2016 before being granted his release early in the 2017 season. Cowart cited his lack of playing time and the health of his mother as the reasons he sought to leave the Tigers. Cowart played at Maryland in the 2018 season.
Cowart joined the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played in five games as a rookie, then made 14 starts in his second season.
Cowart did not play during the 2021 season. He opened training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list with an undisclosed injury and never came off it.
After playing all 17 regular-season games with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, Cowart didn’t play in any NFL regular-season games in 2023, even though he appeared on the rosters of the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans and Dolphins.
In 2024, Cowart played in 15 games, with seven starts, for the Chicago Bears and recorded 2.5 of his career 3.5 sacks.
Cowart signed with the Jets as a free agent in March.
Justin Herbert injury already weighs heavy on Eagles vs. Chargers NFL predictions
The Los Angeles Chargers have quickly morphed into one of the toughest teams to predict going into Week 14 thanks to the Justin Herbert injury and resulting surgery.
Usually, terms like injury and surgery make things pretty easy to predict in the NFL.
But in Herbert’s case, there’s a chance he will still be able to play, if not at a high level, when his team plays the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night in primetime.
Herbert suffered a fracture in his non-throwing hand during the win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13. Surgery followed the next day.
Understandably, NFL predictions are all over the place, all things considered.
RELATED: Disturbing video appears to show Raiders targeting injured hand of Chargers QB Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert injury swings NFL Week 14 predictions
On paper, the Chargers-Eagles matchup is a tough call when both teams are fully healthy. Both squads are playoff contenders, if not outright Super Bowl contenders, should they get hot during the postseason.
But over at CBS Sports, the actual end predictive result of Monday’s matchup hinges all on Herbert, as noted by John Breech:
“The Chargers QB has a broken left hand, and right now, it’s unclear if he’ll be playing on Monday night against the Eagles, which means one thing: I have to make two picks for the game.
IF HERBERT DOES NOT PLAY: Eagles 24-17 over Chargers
IF HERBERT PLAYS: Chargers 24-20 over Eagles”
RELATED: Chargers’ Derwin James, Khalil Mack have words on Maxx Crosby over Justin Herbert hit
Even Herbert being on the field makes for a tough call, though. He actually returned to the win over the Raiders, finishing with 151 passing yards and two touchdowns. But he couldn’t take a handoff from under center.
Moving forward, the Chargers have been very open about the fact that backup Trey Lance will, at the very least, handle all goal-line situations. Herbert being in and otherwise limited to pistol and shotgun looks could make things predictable.
There’s also the post-surgery factor, as it’s probably a little different playing with the injury after an operation that needs protection.
Regardless, for those who actually want to predict games, Week 14’s Monday night, cross-conference showdown was one to avoid even before this unpredictable element entered the equation.
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Justin Herbert addresses broken hand as Chargers get boost in AFC Playoffs race
Madison Beer celebrates mother’s birthday during Chargers’ sweep of rival Raiders
An NFL head coach reportedly wanted to hire Ben Johnson in a completely different role
Upstart defensive coordinator Ben Johnson? The thought might not be as crazy as it sounds.
Chicago Bears reporter Brad Biggs mentioned on 670 The Score’s Mully & Haugh show that Bengals head coach Zac Taylor tried to lure Johnson to Cincinnati’s defensive staff.
Taylor and Johnson both joined the Dolphins staff in 2012 and worked together through the 2015 season, when the former left to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Johnson remained with Miami through the 2018 season.
Taylor became the Bengals’ head coach in 2019. Interestingly, that was the same year Johnson made the jump to Detroit after getting axed by new head coach Brian Flores. Based on everything we now know, I think that might’ve been when Taylor tried to bring him aboard. I find it hard to believe that he would try to lure him away from the Lions (although I suppose it’s possible), and it makes sense that he was putting together his staff at that point.
I know some might be saying,
How to Buy Las Vegas Raiders Gear: Shop NFL Jackets and Hoodies, Holiday Gifts
The holidays are here, officially marking the beginning of the shopping season, and Pro Standard is offering some of the highest-quality Raiders gear on the market this year.
The Raiders brand is built on a bold, hard-edged identity that has remained remarkably consistent since the team’s early days. Their iconic silver-and-black colors, pirate shield logo, and commitment to toughness have created a distinct image that stands apart in the NFL. Even as the team has moved from Oakland to Los Angeles and now to Las Vegas, the brand’s visual and cultural elements have remained intact, contributing to a sense of continuity and authenticity.
Their popularity stems from a combination of on-field history, cultural influence, and a passionate, rebellious fan base. The Raiders have long been associated with an underdog, anti-establishment spirit that appeals to people far beyond football. Music, fashion, and street culture embraced the Raiders’ look decades ago, transforming the team into a global cultural symbol.
As one of the most popular franchises in sports, Raiders gear is a great gift idea this time of year. Pro Standard has you covered with a wide array of styles, sizes, and options to choose from when picking the best items to go with.
Jackets, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, sweatpants, and more are all available, and right now, Pro Standard has select items marked down for the holiday season, making this the best time to buy.
Click on any of the links to order now. Pro Standard has you covered with officially licensed Las Vegas Raiders luxury sportswear.
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How to Buy Dallas Cowboys Gear: Shop NFL Jackets and Hoodies, Holiday Gifts and Deals
The holidays are here, officially marking the beginning of the shopping season, and Pro Standard is offering some of the highest-quality Cowboys gear on the market this year.
The Dallas Cowboys brand is built on a polished, iconic identity centered around the star logo, one of the most recognizable symbols in sports. Their clean blue-and-white color scheme, massive national fan base, and long-standing association with excellence and entertainment have made the Cowboys synonymous with the idea of “America’s Team.” The organization’s emphasis on visibility, tradition, and spectacle, from the stadium experience to its media presence, reinforces a brand that feels both classic and larger than life.
Their popularity comes from a blend of historic success, cultural visibility, and savvy marketing. The Cowboys dominated key eras of the NFL, creating generations of fans who associate the team with winning and star power. Off the field, their presence in pop culture, through TV coverage, merchandising, and a charismatic roster of past and present stars, has amplified their reach far beyond Texas.
As one of the most popular franchises in sports, Cowboys gear is a great gift idea this time of year. Pro Standard has you covered with a wide array of styles, sizes, and options to choose from when picking the best items to go with.
Jackets, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, sweatpants, and more are all available, and right now, Pro Standard has select items marked down for the holiday season, making this the best time to buy.
Click on any of the links to order now. Pro Standard has you covered with officially licensed Dallas Cowboys luxury sportswear.
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NFL Announces Late Change to Bears Schedule
It’s that time in the season when the NFL is flexing games and solidifying the timing of other ones. Towards the end of the season, the NFL looks at which teams are the hottest in the NFL and likes to put them in the spotlight, and with the Chicago Bears having a 9-3 record and being playoff favorites, they certainly qualify.
So, the Bears are on top of the world, or at least the NFC, and they’re one of the most talked-about teams in the league right now. So, the NFL wants to put them in front of as many eyes as possible, and that means changing the timing of some games.
It’s always best to know as soon as possible when game times change. That’s why there are only certain games the NFL is allowed to flex, according to their rules, and those games have to be flexed within a reasonable time. According to the official NFL rules, for Sunday night flexing, the NFL can flex up to two games taking place between Weeks 5 and 10. For Weeks 11 thru 17, the NFL is allowed to flex as many games as it wants, which seems generous. But, the league has to announce any changes no later than 12 days in advance of the flexed games.
Then, for Monday night flexing, the NFL can flex any time between Weeks 12 through 17, and they have to announce those changes no later than 12 days before the game. For Thursday night flexing, the NFL is allowed to flex up to two games between Weeks 13 through 17.
Chicago Bears Games Against Green Bay Packers Changed
Flexing season is here, and the Bears’ Week 16 game against the Green Bay Packers has been changed. Even though the Bears are looking ahead to their game against the Packers on Sunday, December 7, they also have one two weeks later.
For Week 16, the Chicago Bears will take on the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, December 20, at 7:20 p.m. CST on Fox. That game will mark the second of a doubleheader on the network, with the other one being the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles playing in the first game at 4 p.m. CST.
So, for those who had plans to watch the Week 16 Packers and Bears game, make note of the change.
Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson Praises Caleb Williams
Words get misconstrued in the NFL, and after comments Bears head coach Ben Johnson said about quarterback Caleb Williams after the team’s win over the Eagles, some thought Johnson was dissing Williams. The original comments were, “We’re winning in spite of our passing game, not because of it, and none of us are pleased with that right now.”
On Monday, December 1, Johnson addressed that and cleared the air. But, Johnson changed his tune on Monday, stating, “I think when I made that comment yesterday, it’s easy to construe it as I’m not happy with the quarterback,” he said, according to NBC Sports. “That’s not the case whatsoever. He continues to get better each and every week, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how he played last week.”
So, rest easy that all is well between Johnson and Williams. Johnson sees an opportunity with this 9-3 team now, and he’s just trying to squeeze as much juice as he can out of his key players.
NBA Fans Make Feelings Clear on Joe Mazzulla’s Antics During Knicks-Celtics
Tonight, as the Boston Celtics took on the New York Knicks at TD Garden, one moment stood out. On the nationally televised broadcast, fans and commentators were shocked as, in the first quarter, Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson was fouled off the ball immediately, sending him to the free-throw line.
Those unfamiliar with these teams’ matchups probably questioned why Boston was giving away free points, but everything soon became clear. Robinson, a notoriously bad free-throw shooter, missed three of his four foul shots before being benched, leaving the Knicks’ offense stuck.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is no stranger to using strange tactics to take any advantage over his foes, and this one in particular has been witnessed multiple times before. During last year’s playoff series between the two teams, Mazzulla heavily employed the ‘Hack-a-Robinson’ play, where his players would run to the center and foul him as soon as he touched the floor, completely neutralizing his absurd offensive rebounding skills.
NBA Makes Historic Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Announcement on Tuesday
Breezing through competition and MVP numbers aren’t the only things Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is accomplishing this season. Making NBA history is another thing on his checklist. He just surpassed Wilt Chamberlain in one record, on track to match his second one. While showing effortless consistency, he’s now joined Michael Jordan in an exclusive club.
After building up to it since the start of the season, it’s offfical. The NBA announced today that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Michael Jordan are the only guards ever to average 30+ points per game and shoot 50% or better from the field in each of three straight seasons.
This comes after Sunday night’s game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers. Apart from beating Portland 115-123, SGA had an easy-breezy 26 points while 8-for-15 from the field (53.3%).
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Michael Jordan made this record for five seasons from 1987-88 through 1991-92, that’s overlapping with his MVP years. SGA has been this consistent for three seasons, including his championship and MVP season in 2024-25. He’s on pace to make it to a fourth season.
They’re going into tonight’s game against the Warriors as a 20-1 team and the most fearsome team in the league. SGA’s Jordan and Wilt records add a whole other layer. And what’s cooler? Maybe we’ll hear Jordan’s opinions on it.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s thoughts on Michael Jordan comparisons
The Warriors vs Thunder game airs on NBC tonight. Between this game, we’re going to see a special segment with His Airness himself. It’s not clear if it’s another short interview from MJ”s Insights to Excellence or new segments. If it were live, maybe Mike Tirico or his colleague would ask him about SGA’s new record.
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Shai has been collecting the Michael Jordan comparisons for a while now. Most recently from Paul Pierce and that did not go down well. We’ve however never heard from the 6x NBA champion what he thinks about it the way we’ve got a few of his opinions on Anthony Edwards.
When the season began, and SGA was on track for this particular Jordan record, the 27-year-old had a level-headed response. “To be in those conversations, if I’m even in them, is why you play the game and what you dream about as a kid. It’s an honour.”
On the way to this Jordan moment, Shai surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s second-longest streak of 20+ point games on Sunday. He’s got 93 consecutive games with 20+ points, on track to match Wilt’s longest streak of 126 in February 2026, and doing it while rarely playing in the last quarter.
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These two records prove his consistent contribution to the team. But it also shows where Wilt carried the offensive load and Jordan himself showed frustration over carrying the team, SGA is surrounded by teammates who can share the offense with double digits of their own and still win a game.
Nets rookie Danny Wolf running with his first NBA opportunity
It was all premeditated, no matter how much Danny Wolf said it was a joke.
Prior to Monday’s clash with the Hornets, the rookie was going around to his Nets teammates, telling them he was going to “catch a body,” he admitted after the 116-103 win.
He felt like he had missed out on an opportunity in Saturday’s game against Milwaukee. So, as the Nets held the lead in the fourth quarter, Wolf saw an opening and took it.
With nearly two minutes to play, Egor Dëmin passed the ball off to Wolf at the top of the key. Unguarded, he sprinted down the lane for a poster dunk over Miles Bridges. The Nets bench was thrown into hysterics.
Both Nic Claxton and Michael Porter Jr. ran over for a chest bump with the No. 27 pick.
“I mean, I didn’t know he had it in him,” Claxton said. “Honestly, it caught me off guard, but it was a magnificent dunk… He manifested it before the game. He told me and Day’Ron [Sharpe] ‘I’m gonna catch me one, too.’ He went out and did it.”
“I’ve seen it in practice,” coach Jordi Fernández added. “I’m very happy for him… Those are big-time energy plays. That’s for all his teammates, for the crowd.”
The 21-year-old forward, who was called up from G-League Long Island when Porter was sidelined for two games with lower back tightness, has taken the long-awaited NBA opportunity and run with it.
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He recorded all 10 of his points on Monday in the final frame after not playing in the third quarter, and it led to his first NBA win and the first home victory for the Nets this season.
In three games, the Michigan product has averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 44 percent shooting.
“Obviously coming into the NBA, you don’t really know exactly the fine details as to what you’re getting yourself into,” Wolf said. “I mean, I look back on the first month, and you’re not getting the opportunity and you’re sitting on the bench. You just have that itch to play. I think going down to Long Island, the coaching and front office told me that how you look at it is what you’re gonna get out of it. That’s what I’ve said from Day 1 and credit to a lot of the guys who kind of passed that mindset on to me.”
Terance Mann (right rib soreness) has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game in Chicago.
With Porter healthy, Wolf’s minutes will vary, but he has made a case to stay in Brooklyn for the near future.
Celtics Knicks NBA Jaylen Brown
But this time, Boston did not crumble. Instead, it received critical contributions from forward Jordan Walsh down the stretch and held on for a 123-117 win, maintaining the momentum from Sunday’s big victory over the Cavaliers.
Jaylen Brown had 42 points on 16 of 24 shooting to lead Boston, and Derrick White added 22 points. Walsh had 6 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist in the fourth quarter alone for Boston, which shot 56.3 percent from the field and made 33 of 47 2-pointers (70.2 percent).
Mikal Bridges scored 35 points to lead the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns added 29. But star guard Jalen Brunson was just 6 for 21 from the field for 15 points.
The Celtics led by 18 with 11 minutes left. But the Knicks needed just one minute to slice that deficit in half with a 9-0 burst that was highlighted by a Jordan Clarkson 4-point play.
The Celtics called timeout and steadied themselves with a Sam Hauser 3-pointer that was followed by an Anfernee Simons three-point play. But the resistance was fleeting.
This time, the Knicks uncorked another 9-0 flurry in just 44 seconds. Hugo Gonzalez was whistled for a flagrant foul when he hit Bridges on a 3-pointer. Bridges hit all three free throws and the Knicks capitalized on the extra possession with a Towns three-point play on a putback. Then with 6:29 left Bridges hit another 3, pulling New York within 102-99.
The Celtics received lifts from unlikely sources. Josh Minott hit a 3-pointer, and Walsh converted consecutive putbacks to push the lead back to 109-101.
After the Knicks pulled within 113-110 on a Bridges 3-pointer with 2:40 to play, Walsh attacked a baseline close-out and converted a tough layup. The Knicks made a final push, getting a basket and a 3-pointer by Bridges to pull within 119-115 with 44.2 seconds left.
After a Brown turnover, though, Bridges missed a 3-pointer that could have brought the Knicks within 1. Walsh then put his final imprint on the game by winning a key jump ball.
Before the game, Mazzulla was asked what these Knicks do differently now that Mike Brown is their coach. He said the team is crashing for more offensive rebounds, and firing up more 3-pointers. It is an approach Mazzulla can probably get behind.
The Knicks generated wide-open 3-pointers on their first two possessions, and even though they missed one, the looks were a harbinger for the rest of the quarter. New York hit three 3-pointers in the first two minutes, and Miles McBride and Josh Hart combined to start 5 for 5 from beyond the arc to push New York to a 25-12 lead.
The Celtics, meanwhile, started 0 for 8 from long range, but used some hustle plays to keep the Knicks within reach. Two offensive rebounds on one trip led to a Neemias Queta alley-oop, and Walsh stormed in for a follow slam.
But Brown’s three turnovers were a hindrance, including when Hart had nowhere to go when he retrieved a loose ball near midcourt with the shot clock running down, and Brown bumped him to reset the possession.
Later in the quarter, the Celtics intentionally fouled Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks’ poor-shooting big man, dusting off a strategy they deployed during last season’s conference semifinals.
Robinson was just 1 for 4, but on the Celtics’ third attempt they were whistled for an away-from-the-play foul, giving Brunson a technical free throw. They did not try it again during the half.
Towns steamrolled the Celtics in the first 90 seconds of the second quarter. He bookended a 3-pointer with two baskets inside to stretch the lead to 39-25, New York’s largest.
But Hugo Gonzalez, who has proven he can be a pest against any opponent despite being just 19 years old, stepped forward and helped slow Towns on consecutive possessions. He held his ground despite the massive size difference.
At the other end, Brown wiped away his sluggish start with a dominant stretch. In less than a minute he made a layup, hit a 3-pointer and converted a 3-point play, igniting a 12-0 run that flipped the energy in an unusually Knicks-heavy crowd. He had 18 points in the period.
Gonzalez, who played the entire second quarter, remained disruptive with his defensive versatility. He slid over to Brunson and stripped the Knicks’ All-Star point guard, leading to a Payton Pritchard layup that gave the Celtics a 56-49 lead and capped a 31-10 surge.
Boston was 16 for 18 in the paint in the first half.
In the third quarter, Brown could not quite duplicate his 18-point second quarter, but he certainly came close.
He gave the Celtics their first double-digit lead (63-52) with a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer.
And Boston mostly maintained that lead with Brown pulverizing the Knicks with midrange jumpers. Then in the final minutes, the rupture Boston had been building toward arrived.
Brown called for an isolation against Robinson, an elite one-on-one defender, and shook him with a crossover before hitting a jumper. On the final possession he set up the same play, with the crowd buzzing in anticipation. The Knicks were anticipating it, too, and sent a double team Brown’s way. So he willingly made the pass to an open White, whose 3-pointer capped a 12-0 burst and sent Boston to the fourth quarter with a 94-76 lead.
Brown had 15 points in the third quarter and entered the fourth with 37 on 15 for 22 shooting.
Ex-Knick Danilo Gallinari retires after 16 years in NBA
Danilo Gallinari is calling it a career.
The former Knick and 16-year NBA veteran announced he was retiring from professional basketball on Tuesday in a heartfelt social media post.
“Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I am announcing my retirement from the career I’ve always dreamed of,” the 37-year-old wrote on X, while also sharing a montage of career highlights.
After four years playing professionally in his native Italy, Gallinari was taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Knicks. He remains the second-highest player picked from Italy.
He spent two and a half years in New York, averaging 13.7 points (shooting 37.7 percent from 3-point range), 4.3 points and 1.5 assists per game.
In the middle of the 2010-11 season with the Knicks, Gallinari was traded to the Nuggets in the three-team blockbuster that landed Carmelo Anthony in New York.
He spent the next six years in Denver and saw his points per game rise to 16.2.
Gallinari then bounced around the NBA, playing for the Clippers, Thunder, Hawks, Wizards, Pistons and Bucks.
He finished with 11,607 points, the most by an Italian in the NBA.
This year, while he did not play in the NBA, he suited up with Vaqueros de Bayamón in Puerto Rico, winning a title and Finals MVP.
“It’s been an incredible journey filled with countless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” he wrote in his social media post. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Player Stats, Box Score and Game Recap (Dec 2, 2025) – 2025-26 NBA Season
As the Boston Celtics hosted the New York Knicks tonight, it was the battle of the top scorers in the league. Jaylen Brown has kept the Celtics alive as the 9th ranked scorer in the league right now. Jalyen Brunson is a close 10th. And their ranks constantly switch up. Tonight might also change that. Both teams want to keep winning streaks alive, only one will. After a very close game, the Celtics defeated the Knicks 123-117.
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics player stats and box score
New York Knicks
Boston Celtics
Knicks vs Celtics: Game summary and key moments
Anytime the Knicks and Celtics clash, it’s a landmark game. Derrick White was back for a game where the Knicks were favored to upset the Celtics. And the opposite happened.
Reggie Miller and Spike Lee cut it up on NBC’s Knicks-Celtics pregame show
Reggie Miller and Spike Lee might as well exchange friendship bracelets.
The Pacers legend and the Knicks superfan have come a long way since their verbal sparring matches at Madison Square Garden in the 1990s, with Miller putting his arm around Lee when the director made a brief appearance on the NBA on NBC broadcast of the Knicks’ 123-117 loss to the Celtics on Tuesday night in Boston.
Lee, decked out in Knicks attire, stood next to Miller when Mike Tirico remarked that it was “so nice to see you two together.”
“You know we talk about it all the time, people think that we hate each other,” Lee said. “And it’s completely false. It’s nothing but love right here.”
But Miller chimed in, suggesting that the “love” wasn’t always the case.
“It’s love now, it wasn’t so much years ago,” Miller joked.
“Yeah, it was 30 years ago,” Lee replied, leading Tirico and Miller to burst into laughter.
Lee and Miller became attached in history during the heated Knicks-Pacers playoff games in the 1990s, where the two had several infamous verbal altercations that made headlines across the country.
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The most memorable interaction came during Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals when Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter and the Knicks blew a 12-point lead, which led to Miller making a choking gesture toward Lee sitting courtside.
Things have warmed between the two, and last year during the Eastern Conference Finals between New York and Indiana, Miller appeared on “Inside the NBA” with Lee sitting right beside him decked out in full Knicks attire.
Lee wasn’t the only Knicks fan in the building on Tuesday night in Boston.
Also on hand for the game at TD Garden was Knicks great Patrick Ewing.
The star power wasn’t enough, though, as the Knicks fell to the Celtics.
Michael Jordan Admits Helping Anthony Edwards Solve NBA Problem as 44-Point Game Sinks Pelicans
Next time Anthony Edwards says he chatted with His Airness, you best believe it. When he did flex about his casual conversation with Michael Jordan earlier this year, most felt it was another moment of Ant being a braggart playing into his Adidas commercial persona. Now the man himself confirmed it happened. Jordan just makes it sound more realistic than it felt.
MJ’s Insights to Excellence was back on NBC tonight on a day the Minnesota Timberwolves got an OT 142-149 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. In the latest microdose of MJ’s insight, Mike Tirico asked him about advising players like Antman.
“I had a conversation this summer with a high executive at Minnesota and he was talking about Anthony Edwards,” MJ said. “I heard during the course of the year that they were double-teaming (him). He didn’t know how to deal with the double team…”
This confirms what a Wolves insider revealed in January about Ant personally reaching out to MJ. He’s sought lessons on getting to his spots and shooting over defenders from the man who did that on any given Tuesday for 15 seasons.
Edwards was apparently frustrated about getting doubled. Jordan flipped that mindset around. “Well, that’s the highest respect that you can ever get if a team feels like they got to double team you. Now you figure out how to break the double team.”
Jordan told him about moving without the ball, getting into scoring positions, the likes. But changing his perspective was the most useful advice. When MJ says, “those are the types of conversations I try to have when players seek that information,” the impact it had on Ant was palpable.
The Wolves are not looking like the contenders they were last season. After a losing skid and struggling against injury-ridden teams, the nothing-to-lose last-seeded Pelicans made it very tough for them. It fell on Ant to rally an astounding 44 points to salvage Minnesota with an OT win.
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Ant was not the only one getting the MJ comparisons. But he was one of the few who could say he chatted up the legend himself.
Former Laker Elden Campbell, known for his effortless style, dies at 57
Former Lakers center Elden Campbell, who played 8 ½ seasons of his 15-year NBA career with the Los Angeles team he watched while growing up here and attending Morningside High, has died. He was 57.
Former Lakers teammates and friends offered their condolences Tuesday.
The 6-foot-11 Campbell, who was drafted by the Lakers in the first round out of Clemson in 1990, averaged 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds over his career. He won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, getting his title with a win over the Lakers.
Campbell was known for his seemingly effortless style of play and calm and easy-going demeanor.
Former Laker Byron Scott, who said he knew Campbell’s family because Scott also grew up in Inglewood and went to Morningside, said the news was painful to hear. Scott and Campbell were teammates on the Lakers when Scott returned for his final season back with L.A. in 1996-97.
“I just remember his demeanor. That’s why we nicknamed him ‘Easy E,’ ” Scott told The Times. “He was just so cool, nothing speeding him up. He was going to take his time. He was just easy. He was such a good dude. I loved Easy, man.”
Campbell averaged 14.9 points per game with the Lakers during the 1996-97 season playing alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
Campbell’s best season was with the Charlotte Hornets, when he averaged 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.
“This one hurt to the bone,” Cedric Ceballos said on Instagram about his former Lakers teammate. “Grew up as kids together.”
Campbell was part of the 2025 SoCal Basketball Hall of Fame Class.
After leaving Clemson, Campbell was viewed as a big man with vast potential who would become a force in the NBA. He never quite lived up to that billing, but he was a good defender and had a nice scoring touch.
NASCAR Broadcaster Wins America’s Heart With Bold 3-Word Call on Supercars’ Championship Controversy
Leigh Diffey has been in NASCAR fans’ living rooms for years, calling everything from photo finishes at Talladega to playoff chaos under the lights at Phoenix. Whether it’s IndyCar, IMSA, NASCAR, or even Olympic track, he has a way of making a moment feel bigger than the screen it’s broadcast on. When he’s locked in, and the field is door-to-door, his energy sounds like racing distilled into words.
But even the best have off days. Last year, Diffey had the kind of broadcasting nightmare nobody wants: he called the wrong winner in the Olympic 100-meter final. Live TV, cameras rolling, millions watching, and the call went out early.
He apologized immediately and owned it, but clips like that don’t disappear on the internet. For some NASCAR fans already skeptical of “outside voices” coming into the booth, it only added fuel. The takes came fast: “washed,” “lost his touch,” “not clutch when it matters.” Fair or not, the narrative stuck.
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So when chaos erupted in the 2025 Supercars Championship, a surprising group was watching closely: American NASCAR fans.
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Because that championship looked awfully familiar. Broc Feeney dominated the season. Fourteen wins, pole after pole, consistency that made the rest of the field look like background noise. Then the playoff-style format reset the points, one bad weekend flipped everything, and Chaz Mostert walked out with the official title.
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Sound familiar? It should. NASCAR fans have been arguing for a decade about dominant seasons being erased by one late caution, one restart, or one pit call. So when Feeney showed up at the season-ending gala and still won the Jim Richards Award for best overall driver and the Barry Sheene Medal for fan and media MVP, a lot of American fans felt déjà vu. The people who watched every lap said Feeney was the guy. The format said otherwise.
That’s when Leigh Diffey did something nobody expected. He saw Red Bull Ampol Racing’s post congratulating Feeney on his awards and simply quote-tweeted it with three words: “The real champion!”
No hedging. No corporate finesse. No polite neutrality. Just a call that picked a side and shook both continents. NASCAR fans on X immediately lost it.
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Fans gave Leigh Diffey a standing ovation
One guy summed it up: “Leigh Diffey is the GOAT commentator for a reason.” Another went full caps-lock: “Holy sh*t, the only person in mainstream media to support the true champion, unlike the pigs in the trough.” Harsh, but you could feel the relief. Finally, somebody with a big microphone said the quiet part out loud.
NASCAR fans jumped in: “Imma need you to bring this same energy to the 2026 NASCAR season.” Because we all know the feeling. We’ve watched a driver dominate thirty-five races just to lose the title because a caution fell wrong on the last night. When Diffey looked at Feeney’s season and called him the real champion, every American fan who’s ever screamed at a playoff finish felt seen.
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The love kept pouring in. “I knew I liked you for a reason, Leigh.” Simple, sweet, and probably the best thing you can hear after taking heat for a year. People remember the Olympic mistake, but also the passion in his voice when the cars are side-by-side on the last lap. Three little words just reminded everyone why they turn the volume up when he’s on the call.
Of course, someone had to challenge him: “Now say the same about NASCAR, Leigh. Win your credibility back in the SERIES YOU WORK FOR.” Fair play.
Leigh Diffey makes his living in the NBC Cup Series booth. If he’s brave enough to call the Supercars emperor naked, fans want that same fire when the Cup trophy gets handed out because of a green-white-checkered. Do it once or twice, and the Olympic clip becomes ancient history.
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At the end of the day, Diffey didn’t start the argument; he just picked the lane most fans were already driving in. Chaz Mostert is the champion on paper and always will be. Broc Feeney is the guy who looked fastest every weekend and took home the awards that actually measure exactly that. Diffey looked at both trophies, shrugged, and said who he thought deserved the big one.
Three words, zero apologies, and suddenly half the motorsport world is ready to run through a wall for Leigh Diffey again. Sometimes all it takes is someone willing to say what everybody else is thinking.
Denny Hamlin testifies that signing NASCAR’s charter deal would have been a ‘death certificate’
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin outlined the precarious situation facing NASCAR teams, testifying Tuesday in the federal antitrust trial against the stock car series that the race team he co-owns spent more than $700,000 to the series in 2022 alone and how agreeing to its charter proposal last fall would have been like signing his own “death certificate.”
Hamlin was the first witness called when testimony began Monday in the antitrust case brought by 23XI Racing, which is owned by Hamlin and Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by fast-food franchiser Bob Jenkins. The two teams contend that NASCAR is a monopoly that has handcuffed teams with a no-win revenue model.
Hamlin returned to the stand for more than three hours and was asked about line items in 23XI Racing’s budget. He noted how more than $703,000 three years ago was spent on costs to NASCAR ranging from entry fees, credentials for team members to enter the track and even access to Internet signals. He also said he and Jordan spent $100 million to build 23XI and “all it takes is one sponsor to go away and all our profit is gone.”
All 15 of NASCAR’s teams had been vocal for over two years that the last charter agreement made it impossible for them to turn a profit and they demanded four changes in prolonged negotiations. When the final offer came from NASCAR and lacked most of what the teams asked for, 23XI and Front Row refused to sign and instead sued.
23XI has turned a profit in all but one of its five seasons, but its financial success is largely a product of Jordan’s star power drawing top-dollar sponsors. Plaintiffs’ attorney Jeffery Kessler told the jury Monday that a NASCAR-commissioned study found that 75% of teams lost money in 2024.
Hamlin testified that the TV deal NASCAR signed ahead of the 2025 season has not been a boon to race teams because of a shift toward streaming services and big-ticket sponsors want to be on television. He also referred to a meeting with NASCAR chairman Jim France, who indicated teams are spending too much and it should only cost $10 million per car. Hamlin testified it costs $20 million.
“We cannot cut more. Tell me how to get my investment back? He had no answer,” Hamlin said.
As for refusing to sign the charter agreements last fall, Hamlin said the last-ditch proposal from NASCAR “had eight points minimum that needed to be changed. When we pointed that out we were told ‘Negotiations are closed.’”
“I didn’t sign because I knew this was my death certificate for the future,” he said, later adding: “I have spent 20 years trying to make this sport grow as a driver and for the last five years as a team owner. 23XI is doing our part. You can’t have someone treat you this unfairly and I knew It wasn’t right. They were wrong and someone needed to be held accountable.”
Under cross-examination, Hamlin was asked why he paints a rosier picture of NASCAR on podcast appearances. He replied that he is regurgitating NASCAR talking points because any negative comments can lead to retribution.
“You can take all my things out of context and paint a picture that everything is fine,” he said. “The reality is, (being) negative affects me in (technical inspection), getting called to the hauler, NASCAR not liking what I said.”
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
NASCAR is owned and operated by the Florida-based France family, which founded the series in 1948. Kessler said over a three-year period almost $400 million was paid to the France Family Trust and a 2023 evaluation by Goldman Sachs found NASCAR to be worth $5 billion. The pretrial discovery process revealed NASCAR made more than $100 million in 2024, while Jenkins testified in a deposition he has lost $60 million over the last decade and $100 million since starting his team in 2004.
NASCAR contends it is doing nothing wrong and has not restrained trade or commerce by its teams. The series says the original charters were given for free to teams when the system was created in 2016 and the demand for them created a market of $1.5 billion in equity for chartered organizations.
Hamlin countered that 11 of the original 19 chartered organizations are out of business; all three of 23XI’s charters came from teams that ceased operations. NASCAR also said each chartered car now receives a guaranteed $12.5 million in annual revenue, up from $9 million. Hamlin testified it costs $20 million to bring a single car to the track for all 38 races and that figure does not include any overhead, operating costs or a driver’s salary.
F1 title comes down to a three
All Times Eastern
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Season Wrap: Kyle Larson secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship while taking advantage of a late caution that allowed him to overtake Denny Hamlin in overtime. Larson’s victory marks the 15th Cup title for Hendrick Motorsports and coincides with the 30th anniversary of Jeff Gordon delivering Hendrick its first championship.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Season Wrap: In only his second year of racing, Jesse Love claimed his first Xfinity Series championship after passing Connor Zilisch in the final laps at Phoenix Raceway.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
Season Wrap: Corey Heim set a season record for wins with his 12th victory coming in the series finale at Phoenix. Heim had a dominant season in which he extended the record for laps led to more than 1,500.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA 1
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Site: Abu Dhabi
Track: Yas Marina Circuit
Race distance: 58 laps, 190.2 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 4:30 a.m., sprint qualifying, 8 a.m.; Saturday, sprint race, 5:30 a.m., qualifying, 9 a.m.; Sunday, race, 8 a.m. (ESPN).
Last year: Avoiding an early-race collision between Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris managed to win the season-ender and seal the constructors’ title for the McLaren team.
Last race: Max Verstappen kept his title hopes alive in Qatar, taking the win after a lap-7 safety car and strategic pit for tires that helped him pull clear of the McLarens.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
Season Wrap: Alex Palou won his third consecutive series championship, securing the title in four of the last five seasons.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Season has concluded.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Season has concluded.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
_____
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Michael Jordan Betrayed? Courtroom Stunned as NASCAR Reveals Denny Hamlin’s Secret Demand to Abandon 23XI
The Charlotte courtroom was already humming when Denny Hamlin took the stand. Everyone expected a few hours of charter talk and lawyer-speak. Instead, they got fireworks, sarcasm, and one bombshell text message that had jaws dropping.
By the time NASCAR’s attorney dropped line after line of tough questions, the room felt more like a Sunday showdown at Bristol than a federal antitrust trial.
Denny Hamlin goes scorched earth on NASCAR
NASCAR’s lawyer Lawrence Buterman came out swinging, throwing everything from driver contracts to revenue splits at Hamlin. Every time Buterman tried to paint 23XI as hypocritical for having its own exclusivity rules, Denny Hamlin fired right back with one sentence.
“We’re not a monopoly, you are.”
He said it so many times it almost became the chorus of the day.
When Buterman brought up the September 6 letter explaining why 23XI wouldn’t sign the charter deal, Hamlin didn’t flinch. He called NASCAR’s so-called concessions “small tweaks” and ripped the seven-year flat payout as ridiculous.
“You force us to buy all the cars and parts, but we don’t own any of it. How stupid is that?” he said.
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He compared it to renting a house forever, while the landlord keeps raising the rent and never lets you paint the walls.
The Team Owner Council got the same treatment. Hamlin called it window dressing.
“Anytime they feel threatened, they create a committee to make it look collaborative, but there’s no vote, no veto, no power.”
He even joked they could make teams race in Dubai tomorrow, and nobody could stop them.
Then came the Driver Ambassador Program. Hamlin admitted it puts money in his pocket but said he hates it anyway because it forces teams to loan their stars to NASCAR’s sponsors and give up forty percent of the cash.
Buterman tried a cheap shot, asking, “So you don’t want drivers to get paid?”
Hamlin smiled and shut it down. “Teams pay drivers, not NASCAR. And most drivers don’t win the number of races I do.”
The real gasp came when Buterman pulled up a text where Hamlin asked Michael Jordan to find someone to buy him out of 23XI. You could hear the air leave the room. But Hamlin didn’t panic. He explained that the reason he said that was because he wanted the success or failure of 23XI to depend on his own terms, and not under somebody’s control.
And that frustrated request to ‘buy him out’ was just his way to make the team owners realize the seriousness of it and get their attention. Which he eventually got, as Hamlin mentioned that they eventually ‘figured it out’. It was just a normal disagreement, the kind every partnership has.
End of story. Still, the fact that the text existed at all had everyone wondering what else happened behind those closed doors.
The same week Hamlin was battling lawyers in Charlotte, his fiancée Jordan Fish reminded everyone there’s a softer side to the story.
From courtroom drama to delivery room comedy
Back in June, Fish gave birth to their son Jameson Drew, and the way she tells it, the whole thing played out like a feel-good movie.
Taylor took fifty minutes, Molly took nine, so Jordan figured Jameson would be quick too. Nope. She started pushing at 10:10 a.m., and the little guy took his sweet time, finally arriving at 1:53 p.m. after some complications. The nurses rolled in a mirror so she could watch, and Hamlin turned into the world’s most attentive coach, handing out water, applying lip balm, keeping the mood light.
At one point, he asked how her lips were feeling. Jordan Fish, high on every drug known to medicine, cracked, “Which ones?” The entire room lost it—nurses, doctor, everybody. She said it felt like a sitcom scene she wished someone had filmed. Jameson came out eight pounds four ounces, healthy and perfect, and big sisters Taylor and Molly haven’t stopped hugging him since.
Hamlin even skipped the Mexico race to be there, proof that no matter how heated the courtroom gets or how big the fight with NASCAR becomes, some things still come first. One day, he’s telling a federal jury the sport is broken, the next, he’s putting lip balm on his fiancée and laughing through labor. Same guy, two very different battles, and somehow he’s still standing in the middle of both.
Hamlin Calls Charter Deal a ‘Death Certificate’ in NASCAR Lawsuit
The NASCAR lawsuit between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR entered Day 2 with long hours of tense testimony, as Denny Hamlin explained why his team chose to take the league to court.
Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI with Michael Jordan, walked the courtroom through financial numbers, past conversations with NASCAR leadership, and the reasons he believes the current system makes long-term team growth almost impossible.
He said the 2025 charter proposal would leave 23XI in a dangerous spot, and he described a tight financial picture that gives teams little room to survive. His answers stayed firm and detailed as lawyers pressed him on past comments and internal team practices.
Denny Hamlin Calls 2025 Charter Agreement a “Death Certificate”
Hamlin told the court that the proposed 2025 charter deal would put 23XI at major risk. The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi report Hamlin calling the offer “essentially my (team’s) death certificate for the future,” saying the team would “not… in business if we sign this (within) 10 years.” He argued that the current system pays teams a fixed amount instead of giving them a set share of growing media revenue. In his view, that structure benefits NASCAR and the France family, while teams continue to face rising costs each season.
Hamlin also described a 2023 meeting with NASCAR chairman Jim France that left him “very, very discouraged.” According to Hamlin, France said the “problem in NASCAR is teams spend too much money and suggested that teams should operate on around $10 million per year. Hamlin told the court that this does not match real-life team spending needs, saying, “We’ve cut this grass so short, we’re down to the dirt.”
Financial Pressure Takes Center Stage in the NASCAR Lawsuit
Hamlin explained that 23XI runs with a small 2.26 percent profit margin. He said he owes Michael Jordan tens of millions of dollars in loans tied to team operations and buildings. When NASCAR’s attorney, Lawrence Buterman, asked why the teams were seeking $205 million in damages, Hamlin replied, “We want to be made whole for what you guys did to us.”
Autoweek’s Deb Williams wrote, “In testimony today, Denny Hamlin said he filed the antitrust suit against NASCAR because ‘it’s time for a change. “
NASCAR attorney showed examples of Hamlin praising NASCAR’s business model and the Next Gen car, including comments from the Kenny Wallace podcast. Hamlin said those comments did not reflect what he truly believed, explaining, “All my public (comments) are out of context… You give me talking points, I say it to make fans feel happy.”
Racing America’s Toby Christie reported a similar exchange. “When pressed on why he didn’t say anything negative about the Next Gen car on the Kenny Wallace podcast, Hamlin said, because if he says anything negative about NASCAR, he gets a lashing. So, when he speaks publicly, he delivers the positive talking points that they give him.”
NASCAR Questions 23XI’s Own Internal Choices
NASCAR attorney argued that 23XI uses restrictive practices too, pointing to attempts to “lock up” Corey Heim, paying drivers a smaller revenue share than NASCAR pays teams, and putting Riley Herbst under an exclusivity clause.
Hamlin replied, “We are not a monopoly. The driver has options. That’s the difference. It’s not anti-competitive if the driver has options.”
His point was that drivers can move to other teams, while NASCAR controls the entire top level of the sport.
NASCAR’s Denny Hamlin Tears Up in Court While Discussing Ailing Father
Three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin took the stand on Monday, December 1, in his company’s antitrust case against NASCAR, breaking down in tears during his emotional testimony.
“We got to when I was about 20 and a decision had to be made, I could keep racing or go out and work for my dad’s trailer business,” Hamlin, 45, testified in court after he was asked how he got into racing.
He told the Associated Press in October that his father, Dennis Hamlin, is battling “serious illness” at age 75 and that 2025 would be his last chance to see Denny win the NASCAR Cup Series. Denny is widely viewed as the greatest driver in the sport’s history to never win the Cup.
“I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don’t want him going and never getting to see the moment,” he said before the final race of the season.
Denny finished sixth at Phoenix Raceway, securing a second-place Cup finish behind Kyle Larson. He later revealed on a November episode of his “Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin” podcast that he can’t bring himself to watch the video of his dad cheering him on from home.
“Yeah, he was fine, very supportive,” Hamlin said. “He didn’t like the outcome, but I think he was still okay with the result. You know, he said to me, just like a lot of people say, he’s like, ‘I don’t know what to say. What am I supposed to say?’ He’s like, ‘You had it. You did it. You just don’t have the trophy.”
A little over a month after his season ended, Denny was in a Charlotte, North Carolina, courtroom representing 23XI Racing, which he co-owns with NBA legend Michael Jordan. 23XI and Front Row Motorsports are suing NASCAR, accusing the auto racing giant of acting as a monopoly based on “exclusivity clauses, ownership of most of the race tracks on the Cup schedule, and its control of the rules and regulations,” according to the AP.
Denny told the court that his father is “not in great health” and detailed the sacrifices his family made to allow him to pursue his racing dreams. He previously told the AP that Dennis took out multiple mortgages on the family’s Virginia home and maxed out his credit cards to help Denny break into NASCAR.
“He was just so happy and he always tells me I’m the best, no matter if I win or not, he always says I’m the best,” Denny said in October. “He’s a big hype guy and I sat in his garage and talked with him, he’s got all my old memorabilia and it’s just good to reminisce. He’s a reminiscent guy and right now I am just cherishing those hours that I have with them each week.”
Going into that final race, Larson, 33, said that if he couldn’t win the Cup, he would like to see Denny do it for his dad.
“I could see how [his dad] absolutely gives extra motivation, and I think sympathy goes a long way,” he said. “It’s not going to stop me from wanting to beat him, but there’s a lot of reasons a Denny Hamlin championship would feel good.”
Fiery Testimony From 23XI’s Denny Hamlin In Day 2 Of NASCAR Trial
The second day of the NASCAR Anti-Trust Trial in Federal Court in Charlotte, North Carolina included 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin saying signing the NASCAR Charter Agreement would have been like signing his own “death certificate.” Also, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Scott Prime compared how LIV Golf disrupted golf and NASCAR was fearful of the same happening to stock car racing.
At times, the cross-examination was “contentious” according to the Associated Press.
Two NASCAR teams including 23XI co-owned by former NBA legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports are suing NASCAR over monopolistic practices and violation of anti-trust laws.
Tuesday’s Trial Testimony Begins With Denny Hamlin On The Stand
Hamlin spent a second day on the stand, including more than three hours on Tuesday, December 2. During the testimony, Hamlin revealed he makes approximately $14 million a year from Joe Gibbs Racing and emphasized how his co-ownership in 23XI Racing is an investment into the future of NASCAR.
According to The AP, Hamlin testified he is the 40 percent owner of 23XI and has invested $45 million into the team. During cross examination, Hamlin testified he has put in more than $10 million and the rest are though loans.
Hamlin and Jordan created 23XI Racing in 2021 and he projected a $900,000 profit in the first year. The team made more than $3 million in 2023 and built a $35 million shop that opened in 2024. NASCAR attorneys contended the budget for the shop was $9 million to $10 million and the team’s spending was “egregious”, according to the AP. Hamlin said the original budget was “pre-COVID” and did not include everything inside the facility.
NASCAR’s Cross-Examination
During cross-examination, NASCAR attorney Lawrence Buterman asked why 23XI Racing wanted $205 million in damages when emails showed a 10 percent return on investment. Buterman also said Hamlin told Jordan that the NASCAR Charter System and its Next Gen car made it a great time to invest in NASCAR but now claim it is part of NASCAR’s monopoly.
Hamlin and his attorney compared the charters to renting an apartment because both expire. Buterman fired back believing it was an unfair comparison because a home that is being rented can’t be sold by the renter, but the holder of a NASCAR charter can sell it.
Other major details that were revealed so far in court includes Hamlin saying it costs $20 million to run one race car per season. NASCAR CEO Jim France has said it should cost only $10 million a year, according to The AP.
Hamlin testified that he had a meeting with NASCAR Chairman Jim France and was told the teams are spending too much money and it should cost $10 million, not $20 million per year.
“We cannot cut more. Tell me how to get my investment back? He had no answer,” Hamlin said.
Also, $100 million is how much Hamlin said he and Jordan have spent on 23XI Racing since September 2020. During the pretrial discovery process, NASCAR made $100 million in 2024. That is also the amount Front Row Motorsports has lost since starting a NASCAR team in 2004, according to team owner Bob Jenkins, the other plaintiff in this lawsuit.
In 2023, Goldman Sachs evaluated NASCAR value at $5 billion, according to 23XI attorney Jeffrey Kessler.
NASCAR’s Prime Testimony
Scott Prime is NASCAR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. He took the stand on Tuesday and was grilled by Kessler, according to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.
The plaintiffs believe NASCAR actions such as enforcing tracks with “exclusivity agreements, underpaying teams and putting intellectual property patents on its race teams to make them unusable elsewhere.”
Hamlin also testified that $703,000 three years ago was spent on costs to NASCAR ranging from entry fees, credentials for team members to enter the track and even access to Internet signals.
“All it takes is one sponsor to go away and all our profit is gone,” Hamlin said.
Background To The Charter Agreement And How It Led To a Trial
All 15 of NASCAR’s teams had been vocal for over two years that the last charter agreement made it impossible for them to turn a profit, and they demanded four changes in prolonged negotiations. When the final offer came from NASCAR and lacked most of what the teams asked for, 23XI and Front Row refused to sign and instead sued.
Ironically, 23XI has turned a profit in all but one of its five seasons, but much of that financial success is largely a product of Jordan’s star power drawing big-time sponsors. Kessler told the jury Monday that a NASCAR-commissioned study found that 75 percent of teams lost money in 2024.
Hamlin testified that the TV deal NASCAR signed ahead of the 2025 season has not been a boon to race teams because of a shift toward streaming services and big-ticket sponsors want to be on television.
NASCAR Charters And 23XI’s Technical Alliance With JGR
Other important details include 23XI pays Joe Gibbs Racing $8 million a year for its technical alliance and 23XI employs 140 people. The partnership with fellow Toyota team JGR includes putting the bodies on the car and other crucial information.
Hamlin testified that 23XI Racing has paid a total of $46.2 million for three successive NASCAR Cup Series Charters. Those Charters are now in limbo as 23XI did not sign the Charter Agreement in 2024.
Hamlin stressed the last proposal from NASCAR “had eight points minimum that needed to be changed. When we pointed that out, we were told ‘Negotiations are closed.’
“I didn’t sign because I knew this was my death certificate for the future,” he said, later adding: “I have spent 20 years trying to make this sport grow as a driver and for the last five years as a team owner. 23XI is doing our part. You can’t have someone treat you this unfairly and I knew It wasn’t right. They were wrong and someone needed to be held accountable.”
Hamlin’s Fear Of Retribution
Under cross-examination, Hamlin was asked why he portrayed NASCAR in a positive manner on podcast appearances. He replied he repeated NASCAR talking points because any negative comments can lead to retribution.
“You can take all my things out of context and paint a picture that everything is fine,” Hamlin said. “The reality is, (being) negative affects me in (technical inspection), getting called to the hauler, NASCAR not liking what I said.”
NASCAR Statement On Day 2
NASCAR released the following statement at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 2. Below is the statement in its entirety:
“Today’s testimony confirmed that 23XI Racing purchased from another team a Charter, Denny Hamlin signed it agreeing to all of its contractual terms, got paid every penny due under the 2016 Charter – and now they want to claim they should receive a 900 percent return for supposed damages under the 2016 Charter.
“Most of the testimony focused on the two-and-a-half-year negotiation over the 2025 Charter which 23XI and Front Row Motorsports did not sign. They made a choice to forfeit their Charters instead of signing them as 32 Charter holders did.
“The 2016 agreement was itself a multi-year negotiated agreement that delivered many fundamental wins for race teams, including guaranteed starting position in every race, contractually secured payments of over $300 million a year to teams and a valuable long-term asset they can buy, sell, or lease at will – as Front Row has done on several occasions. 23XI and Front Row both kept buying Charters at ever-increasing prices even though they now say that the 2016 Charters were unfair to the teams.
“Based on witness testimony and exhibits entered into evidence today, several key points about Denny Hamlin and 23XI were revealed:
“23XI has been profitable and the owners continue to do well financially:
“Mr. Hamlin alone is making $14 million by driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.
“Mr. Hamlin and Mr. Jordan are charging their own team $1 million in rent for their $35 million Airspeed facility.
“23XI made profits of approximately $2.5 million in 2022 and $3.4 million in 2023, before the team began paying rent last year for the Airspeed facility owned by Mr. Hamlin and Mr. Jordan and paying legal fees for this litigation.
“23XI spent $28 million to acquire a third charter in 2024 after acquiring two charters for $13.5 million (2021) and $4.7 million (2020).
“According to Plaintiffs’ own expert, 23XI was worth at least $160.2 million just four years after it began racing.
“Mr. Hamlin made it clear he ‘took care of his people,’ but 23XI pays its drivers only approximately 22 percent of its revenues even though its counsel pointed out that athletes get paid far more on a percentage basis in other sports.
“Exhibits also showed Mr. Hamlin’s business partners believe he is an elite driver but was a cost control problem for 23XI.
“When Mr. Hamlin pitched Mr. Jordan on building a team, he projected a 10 percent ROI. And now, 23XI’s owners want at least $205 million in damages, a 900 percent return on investment (ROI). His comments on the witness stand show he believes that NASCAR should subsidize their racing operations while they keep all their own sponsorship revenues.
“Mr. Hamlin acknowledged that none of the alleged anticompetitive claims brought in his lawsuit against NASCAR were raised during negotiations for the 2025 charters, including in the 8-point letter that was the subject of much of today’s events.”
The NASCAR Anti-Trust Trial is expected to last for two weeks and will resume on Wednesday, December 3.
Hamlin, NASCAR share terse exchanges in court as antitrust case continues
NASCAR used Denny Hamlin’s own words against him Tuesday to paint the picture that what he has stated about the sport doesn’t match what he’s accusing them of in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit.
Hamlin began the day on the witness stand to pick up where he left off Monday during the opening day of the 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports versus NASCAR battle. It took less than half an hour for Hamlin to finish answering questions from one of the team’s attorneys, during which he pointed out financial numbers, including the team’s NASCAR expenses of $703,000 for entry fees, licenses, testing, internet, and data.
“We get charged for the WIFI at the racetrack,” Hamlin quipped.
It was during this part of Hamlin’s testimony that he explained NASCAR Cup Series teams had been telling NASCAR for years they were struggling. Hamlin, however, was given the impression that the 2025 charter agreement would be better, which would help the teams. He also strongly rebuked the second seven-year extension in the charter agreement because it does not include a negotiation opportunity, and teams could be in a position to not receive any additional revenue from NASCAR.
“Yes,” Hamlin admitted when asked if it was hard not to sign the 2025 charter agreement. It felt like a “death certificate for the future.”
The rest of the morning featured Hamlin under cross-examination from one of NASCAR’s attorneys, Lawrence Buterman. It was during these questions that Hamlin, multiple times, got terse on the stand as he took exception to NASCAR’s questions and inferences.
It started when Hamlin’s pitch deck for Michael Jordan to launch 23XI Racing was dissected. Buterman pointed out that Hamlin listed multiple positive points for Jordan about getting into the sport, including Bubba Wallace having over $17 million in sponsorship, the Next Gen car, and the charter system.
In the lawsuit, however, Buterman pointed out that Hamlin is using the same examples to harm his race team. Hamlin accused Buterman of twisting words. He further said that he was repeating what NASCAR had told the industry about what the car would do for costs, which turned out not to be true.
Buterman spent quite a bit of time bringing up previous comments Hamlin has made, both publicly and privately, about the sport, all of which have been positive and contradict what the lawsuit alleges.
Hamlin took clear exception to this line of questioning. In addition to saying his public comments are taken out of context because he’s doing NASCAR a favor by being positive, he claimed that if he doesn’t do that, he gets in trouble. And then Hamlin refuted the notion that his comments can’t be trusted.
The positive comments in public are “talking points” and to make the fans happy.
Buterman moved on to positive comments had made privately. One example was a text message exchange with a reporter from The Athletic in which Hamlin praised NASCAR/ISC for reinvesting money into the sport with its repave projects that are well done, while then criticizing Speedway Motorsports for the botched jobs they do and taking the money and running.
Hamlin said in those messages that Speedway Motorsports is “miles behind” ISC in promotion, attendance, and facilities.
Other private messages used as examples included Hamlin talking with fellow executives from 23XI Racing about meeting financial goals for the race team. There were also emails where Hamlin expressed that he wouldn’t build a team to lose money, and they haven’t. Again, Hamlin said he is being a cheerleader and saying positive things because he doesn’t want his partners to get ill will toward NASCAR and leave.
There were also multiple financial figures that came out during Hamlin’s testimony:
· It took nearly $100 million to build and run 23XI Racing, but Hamlin says that doesn’t account for the $40 – 60 million that it takes to go racing.
· 23XI Racing is paying $1 million in rent to Hamlin and Jordan, who own the Airspeed building.
· Hamlin makes approximately $14 million as a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.
· Hamlin stated he invested $45 million into 23XI Racing, but Hamlin’s lawyer told NASCAR that as of Aug. 2024, he had only put in $10 million. Hamlin owes the remaining amount on loans.
· 23XI Racing was estimated to be worth $160.2 million as of the end of 2024.
· Hamlin said COVID-related inflation made the cost of Airspeed exceed projections, which were about $10 million. It ultimately was $35 million, and Hamlin said the initial projection also didn’t include anything past the four walls.
Hamlin was later asked if he was aware that his 23XI Racing partners had expressed in their own private communications that he was a “terrible businessman.” After acknowledging that he was, Hamlin not only disagreed with those statements, but said that it’s the job of others to disagree and keep things in line when it comes to finances.
In further expressing how there can be disagreements between partners, Hamlin said it was the reason why there were communications about him telling 23XI Racing to find someone to buy him out of the team as early as 2023. Hamlin said that was looking for attention and just kicking and screaming over how to run the team the way he wanted. A compromise was eventually met, according to Hamlin.
Buterman used it as a pushback to Hamlin’s claims about being in the sport for the long haul – the same case he made when pointing out to Hamlin that he had communicated in 2024 about getting a third charter, building up its worth, and then selling a portion of it. But Hamlin said that was about getting some money back.
The rest of the afternoon saw NASCAR executive vice president Scott Prime on the witness stand. Prime was grilled by the team’s lead counsel, Jeffrey Kessler, over emails and pitch decks that had been previously released but were now being seen and heard by the jury for the first time. Among them were NASCAR’s contingency plans if none of the teams signed the charter agreement, as well as internal messages expressing frustration with the negotiation process.
Prime is expected to return to the stand on Wednesday.
Live Updates From Lawsuit Between NASCAR, FRM, and Michael Jordan’s 23XI
After more than a year of legal red tape and several heated back-and-forth arguments between the two opposing sides, the lawsuit brought against the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in October 2024 (by teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports) has made it to trial.
The two opposing sides will spend the better part of the next two weeks in a courtroom in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a jury decides whether NASCAR is using its monopolistic power illegally and damaging the financial stability of teams competing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
In-court sessions will begin Monday, December 1 with jury selection and opening statements, and will last for a total of 10 in-court days spanning the next two weeks – the final day scheduled to be December 12.
The majority of NASCAR’s media members are on-site in Charlotte to hear the details of the trial, and stand witness to what could be an explosive trial. With no electronic devices permitted in the courtroom, updates will come during court breaks.
Racing America on SI will have live updates from the trial as they become available. Our editor-in-chief, Toby Christie, will also be on site.
Hamlin’s Tuesday Testimony Lasts Four Hours
NASCAR Claims Lawsuit Was Plan of Polk, 23XI All Along
Hamlin Emotional in Monday Testimony During NASCAR Antitrust Lawsuit
NASCAR, Teams Present Opening Statements
Hamlin, Polk Barred From Courtroom Until After Testimony
Judge Bell Upset With Opening Statements from Both Sides
Jury Selected for NASCAR v. 23XI/FRM Antitrust Case
Potential Witness List Revealed for NASCAR Antitrust Trial
Hamlin’s Tuesday Testimony Lasts Four Hours
By: Joseph Srigley – Tuesday, December 2nd
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, continued his testimony in federal court on Tuesday morning, with NASCAR getting the opportunity to cross-examine the Chesterfield, Virginia-native for the first time in this case.
Lawrence Buterman, a member of NASCAR’s legal council, led the charge on the cross-examination and notably asked Hamlin about whether the public could trust what he’s saying, considering he’s been quoted using NASCAR talking points in the past.
That seemed to be a major part of NASCAR’s strategy when interrogating Hamlin, referring specifically to an appearance he made on the Kenny Wallace Podcast, where he praised the NextGen car as being great for the sport, and had similar comments about NASCAR’s planned trip to Mexico City in the Summer of 2025.
Hamlin quickly clapped back at NASCAR’s council in a feisty manner, a demeanor that several onlookers say the 44-year-old driver maintained throughout the entire three-plus hour testimony, but what he had to say, was even more interesting.
“Because, if I say anything bad, I get a lashing from NASCAR,” Hamlin said about his positive comments on the Kenny Wallace Podcast. “So, publicly, it’s all sunshine and rainbows. My job is to take the talking points NASCAR says to him [Wallace] and say them publicly. If he says anything bad, he gets a phone call from NASCAR.”
That was just one piece of the wide-spanning testimony that was given on Tuesday by the 60-time race-winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, which included several financial figures, both involving 23XI Racing and himself.
23XI Racing, owned by Hamlin, Curtis Polk, and Michael Jordan, is one of the few NASCAR Cup Series teams that are currently operating in the black, according to financial documents made available prior to the start of the trial. The team, which fields three NASCAR Cup Series entries has a profit margin of 2.26%, but Hamlin maintains that considering the $40 million of sponsorship they bring in, that isn’t substantial, at all.
“I’m one sponsor away,” Hamlin said. “All it takes is one to go away, and all of the profit is gone.”
As the collective losses of NASCAR Cup Series teams increases year-over-year, Hamlin suggests that could partly be due to the new media rights agreement. With sponsors wanting to be seen on television, a move towards streaming and away from network television limits their exposure with a drop in ratings, which makes companies less willing to spend money.
The teams have brought their concerns to NASCAR, and Steve Phelps, the Commissioner of NASCAR, promised a paradigm shift, but nothing like that materialized at all, Hamlin claimed during his testimony.
Hamlin has spent the last two decades making a career for himself in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. However, as his days of being a full-time driver continue to wind down, the 44-year-old is more than aware that his legacy for the next couple of decades likely lies within the walls of Airspeed, explaining that the reason he didn’t sign this Charter Agreement was because “this is his death certificate.”
“It’s time for change,” Hamlin said. “I’ve spent 20 years trying to change this sport and grow it further.”
Hamlin specifically mentions a meeting that he had with Jim France, CEO of NASCAR, in a Nashville hotel, where he left feeling “very discouraged” about the state of negotiations. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver says that France believes the issue lies within the teams overspending, and that he would like it if costs could be cut down to $10 million per entry… a mark which Hamlin thinks is unrealistic, considering it would involve cutting spending in half.
Another part of Tuesday’s testimony included an attempt by the defendants to paint the picture of reckless spending at 23XI Racing under the guise of Denny Hamlin, between a $35 million race shop and an extravagant holiday party in 2021, in which the team spent 17% of their operating budget.
NASCAR Claims Lawsuit Was Plan of Polk, 23XI All Along
By: Joseph Srigley – Monday, December 1st
In the first day of the NASCAR v. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports antitrust lawsuit in Charlotte, North Carolina, NASCAR continued to hold firm in the stance they’ve had since the complaint was first filed last October.
John E. Stephenson, Jr. made that clear very quickly when delivering NASCAR’s opening statements on Monday, asking the jury a simple question: “Why are we here?”
READ MORE: NASCAR Claims Lawsuit Was ‘Curtis Polk and 23XI’s Plan From The Start’
The first of 10 scheduled days of this trial included jury selection (where six jurors and three alternates were selected out of a pool of potential candidates), opening statements were heard from both sides, and the first part of testimony from Denny Hamlin, one of three co-owners of 23XI Racing.
After all of that came to a natural stopping point, around 5:00 pm local time, Judge Bell dismissed both parties and all the interested onlookers, and both went their separate ways without making any comments, whatsoever. About 90 minutes later, though, NASCAR broke its silence and made its stance known following an eight-hour day in court.
However, one of the last talking points or observations from NASCAR’s side on Monday is a bit jarring. Seemingly answering the question posed in their opening statement, the sanctioning body believes that they are here, in this antitrust lawsuit because this was the plan of Curtis Polk and 23XI Racing all along… and that’s the reason why this has all played out to this point.
“It’s important to talk about the truth in this trial, so let’s do that – this lawsuit was Curtis Polk and 23XI Racing’s plan from the start. That’s why we are here today.”
Hamlin Emotional in Monday Testimony During NASCAR Antitrust Lawsuit
By: Toby Christie – Monday, December 1
At the end of the first day of NASCAR’s antitrust lawsuit, brought against them by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, Denny Hamlin was called to the stand as the first witness to give testimony in the trial.
In the opening moments of said testimony, which concluded around 5:00 PM ET and will resume when the court’s recess lifts at 9:00 AM ET, the 60-time NASCAR Cup Series race-winner showed lots of emotion when the topic came up of how he made it to the NASCAR Cup Series.
As Hamlin relived his time climbing through the lower levels of racing on his path to NASCAR, he was overcome with emotion when thinking of his father, who has undergone struggles with his health recently. After a few moments, Hamlin was able to compose himself and finish out the first part of his testimony, where he explained to the jury who he was and ins and outs of NASCAR and how the Charter System works for NASCAR team owners.
READ MORE: Hamlin Emotional in Testimony on Day 1 of Antitrust Lawsuit Against NASCAR
While the only evidence that had been shown all afternoon came courtesy of three charter sales, where 23XI Racing purchased charters from Germain Racing (2020), StarCom Racing (2021), and Stewart-Haas Racing (2024), things didn’t remain entirely civil on Hamlin’s side, as he bashed NASCAR for poaching sponsorship from teams.
Hamlin explained to the jury that NASCAR’s taking Germain Racing’s primary sponsor, GEICO, led to the team folding its operations, which was the only reason that the charter was even available in the first place to get the organization into the NASCAR Cup Series.
Other nuggets were revealed throughout the afternoon including that 23XI Racing pays an annual $8 million to Joe Gibbs Racing for a technical alliance which supports the three-car NASCAR Cup Series program.
NASCAR, Teams Present Opening Statements
By: Joseph Srigley – Monday, December 1st
Both sides of this lawsuit were allowed to present their opening statements on Monday afternoon.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports asserted in their opening statement that the evidence they hold would show that NASCAR engaged in anti-competitive behaviour while negotiating and theorizing the Charter Agreement.
On the other hand, NASCAR says that the teams only brought up the anti-trust charges after the talks had concluded, and that the actions of both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have signaled that the teams have benefited from the Charter Agreement.
Claire B Lang reports that Judge Bell was quoted telling the six jurors on the panel for this case to keep an open mind when the evidence does start coming in — throughout two and a half hours of opening remarks, there has been no evidence presented yet.
Hamlin, Polk Barred From Courtroom Until After Testimony
By: Joseph Srigley – Monday, December 1st
Judge Kenneth Bell confirmed on Monday afternoon that both Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk (co-owners of 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan) will not be allowed to be in the courtroom until their testimony has been heard, a decision that Bell says he made “very reluctantly”.
This decision was made in hopes of “only trying this case once”, according to Bell, with NASCAR invoking a rule about having just a single corporate representative for each side (which in this case, is NBA superstar Michael Jordan). The main reason for this, is so that no technicality is brought up that would throw this case sideways in the event of an appeal from the losing party.
Hamlin and Polk will be present for Monday’s opening statements and then will leave the courtroom until their testimonies are heard. No date has been set for those testimonies, yet.
Judge Bell Upset With Opening Statements from Both Sides
By: Joseph Srigley – Monday, December 1st
It did not take long for the sparks to fly in the courtroom in the NASCAR v. 23XI/FRM antitrust lawsuit, but I don’t think anybody expected the frustration to come from the bench. After reviewing opening statements on Monday, Judge Kenneth Bell wasn’t happy with either side.
Bell stated that both opening statements – the one from NASCAR and the one from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports – featured arguments that were impermissible, and as a result, he has chosen to ban the presentation of exhibits during their statements.
“If we can be less confrontational about it next time, maybe you’ll get to do what you want to do,” Bell was quoted as saying.
Jury Selected for NASCAR v. 23XI/FRM Antitrust Case
By: Joseph Srigley – Monday, December 1
The first step of this antitrust case when both parties arrived at court on Monday was to select the jurors who would ultimately decide on this case. The final panel of jurors included six jury members and three backups.
According to Matt Weaver of Motorsport, the candidate pool was notably asked (among other questions) whether they were familiar with Michael Jordan and if they had any strong opinions about him, one way or the other. Jordan, an NBA Hall of Famer, is a major part of this case as the majority owner of 23XI Racing.
There was one candidate that did, in fact, have some pretty strong feelings about Jordan, and after being dismissed from his duty as a potential juror, made a fist pump gesture at the NASCAR Cup Series team owner, which not only garnered a chuckle from Jorda, but from everybody involved.
Candidates were dismissed for a variety of reasons; including one that worked at Hendrick Automotive Group, one that knew a great deal about NASCAR and all of the parties involved. There was a third juror dismissed because he couldn’t hear the judge and needed to get his hearing aid fixed.
Johnny Stephenson of Alson & Bird is now the arguing attorney for NASCAR, and spent the morning introducing himself to Judge Bell.
Potential Witness List Revealed for NASCAR Antitrust Trial
Jim France
Timothy Frost
Heather Gibbs
Denny Hamlin
Brian Herbst
Bob Jenkins
Lesa France Kennedy
Michael Jordan
Jonathan Marshall
Steve Newmark
Steve O’Donnell
Steve Phelps
Curtis Polk
Scott Prime
Daniel Rascher
Anthony Smith
Edward Snyder
Jordan Bazant
Tim Clark
Rick Hendrick
Ron Drager
Jerry Freeze
Rob Kauffman
Ben Kennedy
Steve Lauletta
Gene Mason
Gene Mato
Roger Penske
John Probst
Cal Wells III
Edwin Desser
Kevin Murphy
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Niece Motorsports Continues to Round Out 2026 Truck Series Lineup
Niece Motorsports is piecing together the lineup for its No. 42 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry for the 2026 season.
The team announced in November that Tyler Reif will serve as the anchor driver for the Craftsman Truck Series entry. Reif made his Craftsman Truck Series debut with Niece in the 2025 season finale, finishing ninth at Phoenix Raceway.
The 18-year-old from Henderson, Nevada was part of an ARCA Menards Series West owners championship in 2024, and finished second in the ARCA Menards Series East championship standings in 2025.
Michael Jordan’s Lawsuit Against NASCAR Gets its Day in Court
Basketball legend Michael Jordan’s lawsuit against NASCAR saw its first day in court on Monday in a jury trial that could change the very fabric of elite motorsports.
Filed on antitrust grounds by Front Row Motorsports and Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, which the basketball legend owns alongside his business manager Curtis Polk and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, the lawsuit alleges that NASCAR has been practicing a monopoly through its charter system – the elite motorsport’s version of the franchise model that guarantees the team’s “car a spot in the 40-car field for all 38 races, as well as a defined payout from the weekly purse,” per the Associated Press.
“Our fans have been brainwashed with (NASCAR’s) talking points for decades,” Hamlin wrote on social media. “Lies are over starting Monday morning. It’s time for the truth. It’s time for change.”
Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing were the only two teams out of 15 to refuse to sign NASCAR’s renewal of their charter agreement in late 2024, arguing that the terms fell short of what they sought after 2 years of negotiations.
“Even with the charters, the teams have argued that the revenue model is not viable,” noted the AP. “The teams wanted the charters to become permanent (they are renewable and revocable), a larger percentage of revenues, and a voice in governance.”
“The two organizations argue NASCAR holds too strong a hold on all aspects of the racing series and allege a monopoly based on exclusivity clauses, ownership of most of the race tracks on the Cup schedule, and its control of the rules and regulations,” it added.
The two teams have also sued NASCAR to recover their legal costs and financial losses after a year without being chartered.
NASCAR, however, has claimed that it has not violated antitrust laws by not restraining trade, arguing that the charter agreement presented in late 2024 actually increased payouts. The elite motorsports league also noted it offered cars to enter races as “open teams,” allowing them one of four non-chartered spots on qualifying speeds. 23XI and Front Row competed as open teams, allegedly costing millions of dollars in potential purse money.
NASCAR Insider Explains Dire Consequences for Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan if NASCAR Wins the Lawsuit
After much await, the NASCAR anti-trust lawsuit trial has finally begun on Monday, December 1. What started off last year as an accusation of monopolistic control and unfair charter terms by the teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports on NASCAR has hopefully reached the beginning of its end. Right now, with strong evidence from both parties, it’s hard to say whose favor the case will go to. But what is not hard, according to an insider, is understanding the consequences for the plaintiff teams if NASCAR comes out as the winner.
Will 23XI and FRM stay after losing?
Recently, Fox Sports journalist Bob Pockrass explored a what-if scenario where NASCAR wins the lawsuit.
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He told Roy Akers, “If NASCAR wins, both 23XI and Front Row, they would have to try and race as open teams. Front Row is committed to racing through 2026. 23XI, they’ve told their employees that they’ll pay them through 2026, I’m not sure exactly what their obligations to their sponsors are. Certainly, they would appeal, but the question is, how much longer can they go.”
Front Row’s case is a bit clearer. They will likely be continuing through 2026, even as an open team. The spice is about 23XI’s status. Co-owner Michael Jordan, who’s also the corporate representative for the team throughout the trial, has hinted at shutting down the team if NASCAR wins.
And whoever loses, it’s no surprise that the losing party will certainly appeal. But Pockrass asks the right question — how much longer can they go?
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And it’s not just the teams who’d lose. In either case, NASCAR itself would also pay the price, as it will lose its most high-profile minority team owner, who will take away that fanbase with him, too.
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“I would not expect them to be racing in 2027 if they lose this case. I would expect that their charters will be sold. Well, they don’t really have the charters, since they never signed for them.
“The charters that are not being used would be sold, and those organizations would need to find employees and equipment. 23XI and Front Row would certainly be spots where they could potentially buy some equipment and find some employees.”
The teams could go on slowly for a year, but not beyond that. Because it’s not just up to them. Sponsors, money, and such things ultimately overpower the will to stand up for what’s right.
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Meanwhile, as the trial begins, the teams have already irked Judge Kenneth Bell.
Judge Bell makes a stern call for the opening statements
When it was time for the opening statements, instead of simply using written data, both parties went overboard and presented a lot of visual aids and exhibits to prove each other wrong. But Judge Bell’s patience was tested.
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Judge Bell banned the use of visuals and exhibits from the opening statements. He asked to simply use words to begin the case first.
Another reason he banned it is that it contained inadmissible evidence, which is something that the jury cannot see right now.
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Meanwhile, the jury has been picked, and both parties have their list of witnesses ready for the trial.
From 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports: Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan, Curtis Polk, Steve Lauletta, Gene Mason, Bob Jenkins, and Jerry Freeze.
From NASCAR: Jim France, Lesa France Kennedy, Ben Kennedy, Brian Herbst, Steve O’Donnell, Steve Phelps, Scott Prime, Tim Clark, Greg Motto, John Probst, and Ron Draeger.
Miraculous Studio, Former F1 Driver Team on Women’s Racing Franchise
Zag, the studio behind the blockbuster franchise “Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir,” is teaming with former F1 driver Carmen Jordá to turn on the girl power with “Carmen,” a first animated feature film set in the world of women’s motorsports.
“Miraculous” co-creator and producer Jeremy Zag is developing the feature and a franchise (ranging from scripted, live experiences and consumer products) inspired by Jordá. The project will look to appeal to Gen Z audiences with themes of empowerment, cinematic storytelling and full-on action.
Zag has also enlisted high profile producing partners on “Carmen,” including Michael Gracey, the filmmaker of “The Greatest Showman” and “Better Man;” and Cross Creek Pictures’ Tyler Thompson, who’s produced “Black Swan” and “American Made;” alongside former HBO Max and Netflix executive Andrea Puig who is joining as executive producer.
The film will follow Carmen as she navigate a brutal racing universe and is forced to overcome doubt, pressure and heartbreak. “Carmen must push beyond her limits to reclaim her dream and discover who she truly is,” reads the synopsis.
“At Zag, we’ve always believed in creating heroes who inspire kids to believe in themselves,” said Zag, whose “Miraculous” franchise portrayed the first female-powered superhero set in Paris. “When I met Carmen, her journey and perseverance impressed and inspired me. I’m excited to let her personal story guide us as we imagine a new hero for tomorrow,” continued Zag, who just celebrated the 10-year anniversary of “Miraculous” with Mediawan’s chairman and co-founder Pierre-Antoine Capton.
Jordá, meanwhile, said, “Racing has shaped my life. Partnering with Zag means turning my passion into a story that can inspire millions of young girls around the world. I want them to know they can dream big, fight hard, and take their place on the track — just like I did.”
A former development driver of Lotus and Renault in Formula 1, Jordá became the 11th woman in history to be included in a driver line-up for a prestigious F1 team. She’s also an advocate for female race car
drivers and inclusion throughout motorsports.
Gracey said, “Carmen’s journey boasts a story of resilience and unwavering self-belief, even in the face of tempting limitations.”
The filmmaker praised Jordá for “her fearlessness and ambition,” which “are the qualities of true heroes.” “It’s a privilege to let them guide our narrative – and hopefully inspire the generation discovering her.”
Thompson said he was “excited to join the incredible team to bring Carmen’s story to life for so
many audiences around the world. What she’s done in her sport is truly remarkable.”
Puig said “Jeremy’s artistic sensitivity and instinct for talent make him a true pioneer in storytelling and musical creation, building worlds with lasting emotional impact.”
The executive said Zag has captured “Carmen’s fight and spirit in motorsport through characters only he can bring to life.” “Being able to share a female story driven by grit, speed, and ambition with the world is a dream come true,” Puig added.
The world of women in motorsports has been trending in recent years. Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, for instance, produced a docuseries about female drivers of Formula 1’s F1 Academy which found a home at Netflix.
Zag is also currently developing a second “Miraculous” movie with producer John Cohen (“Despicable Me,” “The Angry Birds Movie”) and writer Matt Roller (“Rick And Morty,” “Community”). The first opus “Miraculous Ladybug & Cat Noir” was a global hit in 2023. While it streamed on Netflix in a number of territories such as the U.S., Canada and Latin America, the film thrived at the box office across most of Europe where it opened theatrically, grossing over $40 million.
UniFirst Continues Partnership With Elliott, Announces 2026 Races
UniFirst’s partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and Chase Elliott continues into 2026, with the brand offering primary sponsorship for Elliott’s No. 9 entry in the NASCAR Cup Series for five races.
UniFirst and Hendrick Motorsports’ partnership enters its seventh season in 2026. Elliott is the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, with 21 wins in his career since debuting in 2015.
“We’re excited for another season of partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and Chase Elliott,” said David Katz, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at UniFirst. “The team consistently represents the highest levels of performance and integrity, and we are proud to have our brand associated with them. We are looking forward to getting back on the track and are looking forward to bringing home some wins in 2026.”
The first race of the UniFirst partnership in 2026 will be the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on March 22. The UniFirst car returns to the track one week later at Martinsville Speedway on March 29.
The UniFirst No. 9 Chevrolet will tackle another short track, Richmond Raceway, on Saturday, August 15. The entry then heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Bank of America ROVAL 400 on October 11.
The last race of the year for the UniFirst car will be the Xfinity 500, also at Martinsville Speedway, on November 1, one week before the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race.
“I’m eager to see what 2026 has in store for our No. 9 team after a solid 2025,” said Elliott. “We’ll have the UniFirst colors on board at tracks where we had some promising runs last year, and that makes me confident we can build on those and hopefully get UniFirst to victory lane in the process.”
UniFirst was the primary sponsor for Elliott in five races during the 2025 season as well. Elliott earned two top-10 finishes in those races, with eighth-place results at Darlington and the Charlotte ROVAL.
As the Official Workwear Provider for Hendrick Motorsports, UniFirst supplies uniforms, workwear and facility services to the team as well as its sister company, Hendrick Automotive Group.
Elliott earned two wins, 11 top-fives and 19 top-10s during the 2025 season, where he finished eighth in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings.
Following the season, Elliott was named the NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver for the 2025 season. It is the eighth consecutive year Elliott has been voted Most Popular Driver. His father, 1988 NASCAR Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, was voted Most Popular Driver 16 times during his career.
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Alek Manoah, Angels agree to free-agent contract (source)
Alek Manoah and the Angels have agreed to a free-agent deal, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Tuesday. The deal is expected to be for one year and worth $1.95 million. The club has not confirmed the move or the terms.
Manoah, who was non-tendered by the Braves, represents a reclamation project for the Angels. Entering his age-28 season, he last pitched in the big leagues in May 2024 with the Blue Jays, the team with which he debuted, became an All-Star and pitched parts of four seasons. But his time in Toronto ended on a disappointing note.
The righty underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024, the culmination of a rough stretch that began a season earlier when underperformance led to a demotion to Triple-A. The downturn was unexpected, as Manoah was coming off an All-Star campaign in 2022, a season in which he went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and finished third in AL Cy Young balloting.
Once he returned from Tommy John surgery, Manoah made 10 rehab starts for the Jays in 2025, with the final seven coming for Triple-A Buffalo. He pitched to a 2.97 ERA in Triple-A before being designated for assignment on Sept. 23. The Braves claimed him on waivers shortly after on the idea that he could potentially regain his 2022 form, but Atlanta ultimately did not tender him a contract for 2026.
If Manoah could return to the ‘22 version of himself, the one who was among the most dominant pitchers in the game, it would spell trouble for hitters and would be a big boost to the Angels’ staff. He held opponents to one or no runs 14 times in 31 starts that season and pitched to a 0.94 ERA over his final seven games.
Ryan Weiss agrees to free-agent contract with Astros (source)
HOUSTON — The Astros added some depth to their starting rotation on Tuesday by agreeing to a Major League deal with right-hander Ryan Weiss, a source told MLB.com. The deal, which is pending a physical, was not confirmed by the club.
Weiss, 28, spent the past two seasons pitching in Korea, posting a 3.16 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP with 305 strikeouts in 270 1/3 innings with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization. The 6-foot-4 Weiss was drafted by the D-backs in 2018 out of Wright State and has pitched in 132 career Minor League games (47 starts) with Arizona and Kansas City, reaching Triple-A in 2021-23. He also pitched in China in ’23.
The Astros will return Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier to the top of the rotation, with hopes that Spencer Arrighetti will be healthy. Weiss will add some depth, along with Lance McCullers Jr., Colton Gordon and Jason Alexander. AJ Blubaugh (ranked by MLB Pipeline as the club’s No. 16 prospect) and J.P. France will be in the mix in spring camp as well, but the Astros are still in the market for another starter.
Houston signed right-hander Nate Pearson, a former first-round pick of the Blue Jays, to a one-year deal in October. He’s expected to pitch out of Houston’s bullpen. Pearson, 29, split last season between Triple-A Iowa and the Cubs before being released on Sept. 21.
Cody Ponce, Blue Jays agree to free-agent contract (source)
The busy Blue Jays continued revamping their pitching staff by coming to a three-year agreement with well-traveled right-hander Cody Ponce, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The deal is expected to be worth $30 million, per a source. The club has not confirmed the move, which comes on the heels of Toronto signing Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract.
After four seasons overseas, the 31-year-old Ponce (he’ll turn 32 in April) returns to the Majors looking like a different pitcher than he was during his first stint, in 2020-21. That transformation didn’t really take place until 2025, though.
Ponce pitched in Japan’s NPB, for the Nippon Ham Fighters and Rakuten Golden Eagles, from 2022-24. His results there didn’t stand out, but everything changed when Ponce moved over to Korea’s KBO in 2025. Pitching for the Hanwha Eagles, Ponce made 29 starts and went 17-1 while leading the KBO with a 1.89 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 180 2/3 innings.
According to pitching analyst Lance Brozdowski, Ponce’s four-seamer averaged 95.5 mph in the KBO and reached into the upper 90s. He also threw a changeup (a “kick change” to be precise) that was a dominant pitch, getting Ponce a whiff on 46% of opponent swings, including 39% in the strike zone. Ponce also throws a cutter (which could also be termed a hard slider) and an occasional sinker.
That uptick in stuff should give Ponce a much better chance to get Major League hitters out than during his previous MLB stint, when his four-seamer averaged 93.2 mph and his changeup was a little-used fifth pitch in his repertoire. Without an effective changeup as a centerpiece, left-handed batters teed off on Ponce, slugging .703 with nine homers in 101 at-bats in the Majors.
Ponce has a power pitcher’s frame: 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds. The Pomona, Calif., native stayed home to pitch at Cal Poly Pomona, before the Brewers took him in the second round of the 2015 Draft. He made it to Double-A with Milwaukee before the club traded him to Pittsburgh in a 2019 Deadline deal for Jordan Lyles.
Ponce made his MLB debut early in the shortened 2020 season, and over the next two years, he appeared in 20 games for the Pirates, including five starts. He went 1-7 with a 5.86 ERA, serving up 13 homers in 55 1/3 innings. The Pirates released him after the 2021 season, when he made the move to Japan.
Now Ponce becomes the latest pitcher to attempt a successful return to MLB after taking advantage of an opportunity in the KBO. One recent example is Erick Fedde, who enjoyed a similarly lights-out season in Korea in 2023, then returned to sign with the White Sox. In 2024, Fedde posted a 3.30 ERA over 31 starts for Chicago and St. Louis, which acquired him in a Deadline deal. There’s also Merrill Kelly, who spent four seasons in the KBO and is now going into his eighth in MLB after returning to sign with the D-backs in December 2018.
Blue Jays sign Cody Ponce: What to know as righty comes back to MLB after successful stint in Korea
The Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with free-agent starter Cody Ponce on a three-year pact worth $30 million, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Ponce is the second starter the Blue Jays have added in the past week. They also officially announced their seven-year deal with Dylan Cease, a $210 million pact that’s the largest free-agent contract ever handed out by the Toronto franchise.
Ponce, 31, has not pitched at the MLB level since 2021. He spent last season with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization, starting 29 times and amassing a 1.89 ERA and a 6.15 strikeout-to-walk ratio. CBS Sports ranked Ponce as the 45th-best player on the market. Here’s what we wrote at the time:
Ponce, 32 come April, will return stateside after spending a few years overseas, first in Japan and then in South Korea. He’ll look nothing like he did during his first 20 career MLB appearances. These days, he’s capable of touching into the upper-90s with his heater and throws, among other secondaries, a quality splitter. There are enough KBO-to-MLB pitching success stories — ranging from someone with staying power, in Merrill Kelly, to more fleeting cases, like Erick Fedde and Chris Flexen — to envision a team giving Ponce a rotation spot on a multi-year pact to demonstrate where he lands on that spectrum.
Here’s more to know about the Ponce signing.
The Blue Jays have a rotation surplus
In addition to Cease and Ponce, the Blue Jays had Shane Bieber remain in his contract rather than execute an opt-out clause and enter free agency. Factor in Kevin Gausman, star rookie Trey Yesavage, and José Berríos, and Toronto has the luxury of having more capable starters than rotation slots. And that’s without mentioning Bowden Francis, who has started nearly 30 times the past two years, or Eric Lauer, who had a 3.18 ERA in 104 innings in 2025.
PitcherIPERASO/BB
Kevin Gausman
193
3.59
3.78
Trey Yesavage (MLB)
14
3.21
2.29
Shane Bieber
40.1
3.57
5.29
José Berríos
166
4.17
2.46
Dylan Cease
168
4.55
3.03
Cody Ponce (KBO)
180.2
1.89
6.15
Of course, that’s a good problem to have at this or any point in time because it gives the Blue Jays options and contingency plans. They can entertain trading from that group, and they can toy with shifting a couple members to the bullpen. They can also enter camp knowing that if and when an injury happens — and pitchers are known for getting hurt on occasion — they have internal backups already in place.
Keep in mind, the Blue Jays didn’t have that luxury entering last year, when they had to rush to sign Spencer Turnbull and José Ureña to serve as stopgaps on an injury-ravaged staff.
Bullpen, shortstop remain questions for AL champs
What else do the defending American League champions need to do this winter? A few things.
Foremost, the Blue Jays have been linked to most of the high-leverage relievers of note, including right-hander Pete Fairbanks. It stands to reason they’ll attempt to add quality instead of quantity to their relief corps. That’s because Toronto is starting to run into a numbers game with its pitching staff. With Ponce included, the Blue Jays now have nine pitchers who cannot be optioned to the minors. If Yesavage is part of the Opening Day rotation — and you would assume he is — then Toronto really has only three
MLB Network breaks ground on new facility set for ’28 season
“When you look at the MLB Network logo, it’s built around home plate,” said Bill Morningstar, MLB Network’s president. “That’s symbolic because the network serves as the home for fans of baseball across the entire U.S. Today is a big moment for us.”
“When you have a network that’s won more than 40 Emmys in different categories and produces the kind of content that we see on the network every day, it needs a facility that lives up to that standard,” Manfred said. “We settled on this building because we believe that we can build out a first-in-class production operation that’s fitting for the great work.”
“Everyone that works in the business understands that our media environment is changing very rapidly,” Manfred said. “We deal with it every day. We manage it as best we can. But one thing that I have tried to be clear about is that the MLB Network is central to our strategic approach to the media environment. It is central because the network produces tremendous high-quality content.
“You see it, you hear it from our most avid fans; it’s where they go to learn about baseball. You see it when you visit ballparks and clubhouses; players go to our network to learn about baseball, and that’s probably the highest compliment that can be paid to the network and the content it produces.”
“Out of the ashes of that infamous Marcal fire came Crow Holdings,” Mayor Colletti said. “They came to the planning board, they were all open arms wanting to do the right thing for the town. I must say, they did. We insisted on a building that did not look like a warehouse, that it was the cornerstone of our town, and we would want that to be part of the new look. … They did everything right, crossed every T and dotted every I. I think it’s because of that that it conjured the interest of Major League Baseball.”
Expected to be operational for the 2028 MLB season, the 207,000-square-foot commercial building will house all of MLB Network’s production studios and offices, as well as the Major League Baseball Film & Video Archive. The new facility will feature the latest cutting-edge technology and design, enabling the network to stay at the forefront of production excellence and innovation.
“When we first heard that the Major League Baseball Network might have an interest in this building, we sort of pinched ourselves,” Machemer said. “The history of this site is really unique, and [MLB and the Network] really embody what the possibilities in the future could be.”
2026 MLB Free Agent Signings, Trades: Blue Jays Bolster Bullpen With Ponce Deal
It’s never too early to look toward the 2026 MLB season, and that starts with keeping tabs on all the deals.
Here are all the notable free agency signings, trades, and extensions throughout the offseason:
Dec. 2
Blue Jays sign RHP Cody Ponce
Reported terms: Three years, $30 million
Astros sign RHP Ryan Weiss
Reported terms: One year, $2.6 million (option that could exceed $10 million over two years)
Angeles sign HP Alek Manoah
Reported terms: One year, $1.95 million
Dec. 1
Mets sign RHP Devin Williams
Reported terms: Three years, $45 million
Nov. 29
Orioles sign RHP Ryan Helsley
Reported terms: Two years, $28 million
Nov. 26
Blue Jays sign RHP Dylan Cease
Reported terms: Seven years, $210 million
Nov. 25
Red Sox land RHP Sonny Gray from Cardinals
Reported terms: Gray reworking contract, will receive $31 million in 2026 and a $10 million mutual buyout for 2027
Cubs sign RHP Phil Maton
Reported details: Two years, $14.5 million with a club option for 2028
Nov. 24
Semien to Mets; Nimmo to Rangers
Reported terms: Mets acquire INF Marcus Semien; Rangers acquire OF Brandon Nimmo
November 19
Braves, Astros trade infielders
Reported terms: Braves acquire INF Mauricio Dubón, Astros acquire INF Nick Allen
Braves re-sign RHP Raisel Iglesias
Reported terms: One year, $16 million
November 18
Angels trade Taylor Ward
Reported terms: Orioles receive OF Taylor Ward; Angels receive RHP Grayson Rodriguez.
Four players accept qualifying offer (one-year, $22.025 million deal):
New York Yankees OF Trent Grisham
Chicago Cubs LHP Shota Imanaga
Detroit Tigers IF Gleyber Torres
Milwaukee Brewers RHP Brandon Woodruff
November 17
Padres re-sign LHP Hart
Reported Terms: Padres sign LHP Kyle Hart to a one-year, $1.2 million contract that includes a club option for 2027
November 16
Dodgers, Mariners trade pitchers
Reported Terms: Dodgers acquire RHP Tyler Gough; Mariners acquire LHP Robinson Ortiz
November 11
Rays trade CF Kameron Misner to Royals
Reported Terms: Rays acquire Misner; Royals acquire player to be named later
November 5
Rays trade RHP Cole Wilcox to Mariners
Reported Terms: Mariners acquire Wilcox; Rays get cash considerations
November 4
Cubs trade RHP Andrew Kittredge to Orioles
Reported Terms: Orioles acquire Kittredge; Cubs get cash considerations
How to Buy Los Angeles Dodgers Gear: Shop Luxury MLB Jackets and Hoodies, Holiday Gifts and Deals
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The Dodgers have produced legendary players, memorable postseason runs, and a style of baseball that attracts both lifelong fans and newcomers. Beyond the field, the team’s presence in movies, music, and LA’s broader creative culture has cemented them as a symbol of the city itself. This blend of on-field achievement and cultural impact makes the Dodgers one of the most beloved and recognizable franchises in sports.
As one of the most popular franchises in sports, Dodgers gear is a great gift idea this time of year. Pro Standard has you covered with a wide array of styles, sizes, and options to choose from when picking the best items to go with.
Jackets, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, sweatpants, and more are all available, and right now, Pro Standard has select items marked down for the holiday season, making this the best time to buy.
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Dave Dombrowski & Phillies Confront Serious Kyle Schwarber Challenge as $4B Rival Threatens Offseason Heist
MLB’s uncertainty season is here. With 2025 wrapped, every team is reshuffling, fixing flaws, and chasing difference-makers. And no name is hotter on the stove than Kyle Schwarber. The latest club jumping into the mix? The San Francisco Giants.
Schwarber is coming off a season where he hit 56 homers and posted an MLB-best 132 RBIs. While many insiders believe the Phillies will get him back, that has not stopped other teams from making a bet, and this increased further after the star player rejected the $22.025 million qualifying offer from Philadelphia.
And if MLB Network’s Jon Morosi is to be believed, Schwarber is also gaining some interest from the Giants and Buster Posey.
Speaking in an interaction on MLB Network, Morosi said, “I think that having Buster Posey now fully comfortable in this role, he now has his own manager that he has hired, a lot of young energy with the Giants, and I was told they’ve actually already inquired about Kyle Schwarber’s market. Very interesting!”
While Morosi acknowledged that the discussion about Schwarber ending up with the Giants has not been as much, he highlighted Posey’s potential to make a huge impact, thereby giving the Phillies a setback.
“I do think Schwarber is one of the players the Giants are watching most carefully,” Morosi reiterated.
Interestingly, this comes at a time when the Annual Winter meetings are scheduled to take place in less than a week, between December 8-10, in Orlando, where the fate of many of these players will be decided.
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For the unversed, the Giants are not the only team to show interest in Schwarber. Previous reports have also linked him to teams including the Red Sox, Reds, Pirates, and the Orioles.
However, the Giants won’t be facing an easy route to the Schwarber Pursuit. Besides the challenges they face from rivals, there is a bit of a financial crisis as well. A recent report suggested that the Giants will have to make serious considerations before offering 9-figure deals, and signing Schwarber for anything less would be pretty tricky.
San Francisco’s financial challenges stem from deferred payments to Blake Snell and from managerial contracts that affect operational cash flow.
Another factor that adds to this problem is the Giants’ acquisition of Rafael Devers from the Red Sox and their coverage of his contract through 2033.
This cost the franchise over $250 million, further burdening it. Hence, it will be interesting to see how their latest desire for Schwarber unfolds.
But amidst this uncertainty, what is more interesting is that Schwarber himself is not ruling anything out and keeping all doors open.
Kyle Schwarber makes feelings known on free agency
Kyle Schwarber’s potential has made him a top candidate for many teams. One such team that he is being linked to is the Reds, and Cincinnati native Schwarber gave a cryptic message about what he wishes to do in free agency.
Schwarber was in Cincinnati on Wednesday, November 19, when he spoke with reporters and addressed his free agency. While he did not make any official announcement, he did not fail to highlight that he is keeping all options open.
“I grew up going to games here (in Cincinnati). I grew up sitting in the bleachers and watching a lot of games… You have your hometown team that’s calling… You always have to listen and keep different options open, and let’s see what happens,” Schwarber said, igniting serious questions about his Phillies return.
Now, as the offseason evolves, it would be interesting to see if the 32-year-old will continue his journey in Philadelphia or look for other alternatives. Can the Giants make a steal? Well, only time will tell.
Todd Dunivant hired as New York City FC sporting director
NEW YORK (AP) — Todd Dunivant, a veteran of 13 Major League Soccer seasons, was hired Tuesday as sporting director of New York City FC.
Dunivant, who turns 45 on Dec. 26, replaced David Lee, who left on Sept. 30 to become president of soccer operations and general manager of Sporting Kansas City.
Dunivant was a defender for San Jose (2003-04), the LA Galaxy (2005-06 and 2009-15), New York Red Bulls (2006-07) and Toronto (2007-08). He has been general manager of the second-tier Sacramento Republic since 2018 and president since 2021.
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MLS Make Historic Announcement Before Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps Cup Final
Major League Soccer has reached its final stage. Everything is set, and Inter Miami CF will host Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium on Dec. 6 in the 2025 MLS Cup.
Lionel Messi’s team made history by reaching the championship final for the first time since its founding in 2020. They achieved this after eliminating Nashville SC in the best-of-three round, FC Cincinnati in the semifinals, and New York City FC in the Conference Final, crowning the Herons as Eastern Conference champions.
Meanwhile, the Whitecaps reached this stage after eliminating FC Dallas in the best-of-three round, LAFC in the semifinals, and San Diego FC in the Western Conference Final.
As expected, Thomas Muller has grabbed all the headlines, as in his first MLS season, he managed to help his team reach the championship final.
This represents a 23% increase from last year. Partly, the difference stems from seeing Messi and his teammates in the late stages of the competition this year, whereas last season they were eliminated in the best-of-three round against Atlanta United.
Furthermore, the arrival of other superstars like Son Heung-min and Muller is also a factor. We also cannot overlook the emergence of San Diego FC as, objectively speaking, one of MLS’s best teams in its inaugural season.
Although Muller’s contract with Vancouver ends at the end of this month, it is expected to be extended for one more year. Additionally, Son is under contract with LAFC through 2027 and Messi with Miami through 2028, so interest in MLS does not appear likely to drop suddenly in the coming years.
2025 NewsTribune Girls Tennis Players of the Year: L-P’s Julia Garcia, Dagny Greer
La Salle-Peru’s Dagny Greer and Julia Garcia had plenty of motivation going into the Class 1A Ottawa Sectional this fall.
For Greer, a senior, it was her last chance to qualify for state. For Garcia, it was her only opportunity to advance to state as she’s a foreign exchange student from Brazil.
“We were like, ‘We need to go to state,’” Garcia said. “I wanted to have that experience, and Dagny, it’s her last year because she’s a senior, so that motivated me because I wanted her to have that experience. I think both of us wanted to have that experience, so we played our best.”
The Cavalier duo, who entered as the No. 6 seed, placed third at the sectional to earn a trip to state.
“I just think it’s so cool that in her one year here she made it to state,” Greer said. “And my last year as an L-P student, I also made it to state. It was just very fulfilling and rewarding. It made the rest of the tennis season worth it.”
Greer and Garcia were the area’s only state qualifiers. They finished with an 11-7 record and placed second in the No. 2 doubles bracket at the Interstate 8 Conference Tournament.
For all they accomplished this season, Greer and Garcia are the 2025 NewsTribune Girls Tennis Players of the Year.
“I thought the season ended as well as we were hoping for,” L-P coach Aaron Guenther said. “Putting them together midseason on the fly made for some tough adjustments, but they were able to come together, really jell well and played well enough to make state.”
Greer started the season as a singles player, but as Guenther watched Greer and Garcia play and saw results and matchups, he felt the two would make a strong doubles team.
“Dagny is tall and long, so she’s able to be the finisher at the net and she had singles experience from earlier in the year, so that really helped her with her baseline game,” Guenther said. “Julia has a motor that doesn’t stop, so she’s able to hunt down every ball she can get when she’s on the baseline then up at the net she has great touch to where she could always finish the ball and put it where it needed to be.”
Greer and Garcia first played together Sept. 23, beating Rochelle’s No. 2 doubles pair.
“With her being from Brazil, it was very different than being with someone who I’ve known for a few years,” Greer said. “But, honestly, I think that kind of made it better. We had to get to know each other and how each other played and how we could work together.
“If things went wrong on the court, it didn’t affect our friendship outside. Whether we had a bad match or bad game, we came back stronger and didn’t let it affect our dynamic.”
Garcia said the pair’s connection grew through the season.
“We helped each other to be our best,” Garcia said. “When I made a mistake, she would come help me and I would help her. Not being angry with each other for our mistakes and our communication for sure helped.”
The pair showed their ability to overcome past mistakes at the sectional.
Greer and Garcia lost to Ottawa’s Rylee Harsted and Brooklyn Byone 6-4, 6-0 at the conference tournament but came back to beat the Pirate pair 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 in the sectional third-place match.
“That was probably our best match of the season,” Greer said. “We played amazing.”
At state, the L-P duo lost both of its matches, including a 6-0, 6-0 first-round loss to Deerfield’s Shir Paz and Anna Dickinson, who went on to place third.
“It was mind-blowing,” Garcia said about going to state. “In the beginning, I didn’t even consider that going to state was something that was going to happen. Going to state and seeing all the girls who practice their whole lives was really incredible. Getting to know other people and see how they got there was cool.”
Garcia played tennis when she was around 5 years old but gave up the sport after about a year. She returned to it this fall when she arrived at L-P.
“I knew that sports would make my life here easier with making friends, and I really like to play sports,” said Garcia, who plans to play soccer in the spring. “I always wanted to come back to tennis but never could.
“Most of my friends are from tennis, and being friends with them helped me make other friends. Now I have really good friends I’m going to have for life, so that’s really good.”
Greer grew up playing volleyball but switched to tennis as a freshman.
“I decided I didn’t want to play volleyball in high school, but I still wanted a sport during the fall because I’d never really had a time where I hadn’t played a sport,” Greer said. “I was, like, ‘I’ll try tennis for fun,’ and I really liked it.
“The girls I played with my freshman year, who were a year older than me, they were such good teammates. The way that coach [Scott] Blessman coached my first two years made me want to stick with it. He’s was a very fundamental. He’s a good coach for when you’re starting out. He made it fun, but I also learned so much. I like the dynamic [of tennis]. I think it’s a lot of fun and it’s actually a lot harder than I feel people give it credit for. It’s work, and I really enjoyed that about it.”
Nicola Pietrangeli, Italy’s most accomplished tennis player before Jannik Sinner, dies at 92
ROME (AP) — Nicola Pietrangeli, the Italian tennis champion of the 1950s and 1960s whose records were only recently broken by Jannik Sinner but who remains the Davis Cup all-time leader in wins, has died. He was 92.
The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation announced Pietrangeli’s death on Monday, without providing a cause.
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Nicola Pietrangeli, Italy’s most accomplished tennis player before Jannik Sinner, dies at 92
Mr. Pietrangeli was the first Italian player to win a Grand Slam trophy, triumphing at the French Open in 1959. He defended that title a year later and his record of two Grand Slam singles titles among Italian players wasn’t broken until Sinner won his second straight Australian Open title in 2025 to increase his total to three.
Sinner has now won four majors.
“I won $150 for the 1960 title, which covered two months rent for my home in Rome,” Mr. Pietrangeli told the Gazzetta dello Sport in 2020.
He was also runner-up at Roland Garros in 1961 and 1964, losing both finals to Spanish player Manuel Santana. He won the doubles title in Paris in 1959 with Orlando Sirola.
“In 1964 Santana and I made a bet whereby the loser would pay for dinner,” Mr. Pietrangeli said. “I honored the agreement and 10 of us went out that night, including our wives, and Manolo invited (Spanish soccer player) Luisito Suárez.
“I spent my entire earnings from the tournament to cover the evening.”
He also reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 1960 and the quarterfinals at the Australian Open in 1957.
“Nicola Pietrangeli was not only the first to teach us what it really meant to win, on and off the court. He was the starting point for everything that our tennis (movement) has become,” said Italian federation president Angelo Binaghi.
In Davis Cup, Mr. Pietrangeli holds the record for most total wins and most singles wins, having played 164 matches for Italy. His singles record was 78-32 and his doubles record was 42-12. He also formed half of the most successful Davis Cup doubles partnership with Sirola, the pair winning 34 of their 42 matches together.
Mr. Pietrangeli led Italy to the Davis Cup final twice, losing both times away to an Australia team featuring Rod Laver and Roy Emerson.
Mr. Pietrangeli finally raised the Davis Cup trophy as captain in 1976, when he coached Adriano Panatta, Corrado Barazzutti, Paolo Bertolucci, and Antonio Zugarelli to the title with a win over Chile played amid the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.
There were calls for Italy not to travel to Chile but Mr. Pietrangeli pushed for the Azzurri to go.
“That was really my biggest contribution for that final,” he said. “Without me, Italy would have not traveled to that final and we wouldn’t have won.”
Italy didn’t win the Davis Cup again until Sinner led the Azzurri to the title in 2023 and 2024; and then Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli led Italy to a third straight Davis Cup — and first on home soil — in Bologna last month.
“Nicola Pietrangeli was the true embodiment of everything Davis Cup represents — passion, prestige, and pride in representing your nation,” said International Tennis Federation president David Haggerty.
“As well as reaching the top of the game as an individual, Nicola truly understood what it meant to play tennis for something bigger than himself, and his incredible achievements are carved into the 125-year history of the Davis Cup,” Haggerty added.
After his playing and coaching career was finished, Mr. Pietrangeli became a sort of “godfather” for Italian tennis. He was a fixture in the front row at the Foro Italico for the Italian Open, a tournament he won in 1957 and 1961 — beating Laver in the latter final.
In 2006, the statue-lined Pallacorda court at the Foro Italico — considered one of the most picturesque stadiums on the circuit — was renamed Stadio Pietrangeli.
He said he wanted his funeral to be held on the court named after him.
There will be a public viewing of Mr. Pietrangeli’s body on the court on Wednesday, followed by a brief memorial service, the Italian federation announced. The funeral is then to be held in a different location.
Nicola Chirinsky Pietrangeli was born in Tunis, which was a French colony at the time, to an Italian father and a Russian mother.
Mike Tyson issues letter voicing support for Muhammad Ali Revival Act for boxing
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is the latest high-profile name to throw his support behind the Muhammad Ali All-American Boxing Revival Act, which aims to bring UFC-style promotion to the sport of boxing.
In a letter sent to Congress and obtained by MMA Fighting, Tyson backs the bill, which was initially proposed by Congressman Brian Jack (R-Georgia) and Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), who trained and fought in MMA before making her way into politics. The bill was introduced just as the UFC’s owners at TKO Group Holdings are preparing to launch Zuffa Boxing in 2026 with financial backing from Saudi Arabia.
“The current system works well for fighters like myself who were able to compete and have negotiating power with promoters,” Tyson wrote in his letter. “Unfortunately, the majority of professional boxers never reach that level of influence. This bill does not take opportunities away from anyone; rather, it creates new paths for fighters seeking greater financial stability. The proposed reforms provide meaningful benefits for fighters.
“Establishing a per-round minimum ensures that every athlete who steps into the ring receives fair compensation for the risks they take with their body and mind. The requirement for mandatory health insurance is equally critical-no fighter should ever have to choose between paying medical bills and pursuing their career. I’ve seen too many of my peers face that impossible decision.”
Proponents of the bill have repeatedly stated that the new revival act doesn’t change the language of the original Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which was signed into law back in 2000 with the aim of protecting athletes from exploitation and conflicts of interests such as managers also acting as promoters in the sport.
Instead, the new revival act seeks to introduce Unified Boxing Organizations (UBO), which would allow UFC style promotion in the sport of boxing. That would include a promotion like Zuffa Boxing to maintain its own rankings and issue its own championship titles.
The bill has faced both support and criticism from the combat sports community with many former UFC athletes speaking out against that style of promotion being allowed in boxing while prominent regulators such as Andy Foster, the executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, voicing his support.
Now Tyson is backing the bill as well with his letter sent to Congress.
“Muhammad Ali has always been my hero, both inside and outside the ring,” Tyson said in his letter. “Supporting these revisions honors the spirit of the original Ali Act by closing loopholes that have allowed some promoters to regain monopolistic control over fighters’ careers.
“This new legislation restores balance-allowing boxers to choose their own path while preserving the integrity of the sport. The Act does not alter the opportunities of those who are comfortable with the current system; it simply adds options for fighters who wish to pursue a different path that better suits their career goals.”
At his peak, Tyson was one of the most well-known boxers in the history of the sport while reigning as heavyweight champion. The now 59-year-old veteran most recently set foot in the ring this past November when he engaged in a fight with Jake Paul with the event airing on Netflix with more than 100 million viewers tuning into watch the match.
UFC 324’s Sean O’Malley Speaks Out Against Dana White’s Halftime Announcement
UFC 324 is going to be crazy in the best possible way and is headlined with Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje, followed by the monster co-main of Amanda Nunes vs. Kayla Harrison. Fans are still not over with the ecstatic moment of Paddy’s wild TKO victory over Michael Chandler, a fight that clearly marked ‘The Baddy’s’ character as one of the UFC’s most electrifying players.
However, the fight announcement created a bit of a strange feeling and raised some questions as it directly linked Paddy to a feud with Ilia Topuria that has been simmering for a long time. This rivalry of verbal exchanges, bottle-throwing drama, and continuous tension had built up to exploding insults. Many expected Dana White to push this storyline. But the exchange of that high-voltage matchup for Gaethje felt unexpected, and Sean O’Malley did not hesitate in pointing out the uncomfortable halftime introduction that brought this about.
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Sean O’Malley believes Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria was the real plan
During his latest podcast, Sean O’Malley explained everything while kicking back with his crew and anticipating his return to the bantamweight division fight with Song Yadong at UFC 324. This will be his comeback fight after losing to Merab Dvalishvili, the cardio monster who has been bulldozing the division; hence, momentum is very important.
Despite being focused, Sean still felt it was strange how the UFC 324 reveal was.
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“Dana revealed the fights of 324. Paramount. Paddy versus Justin… Dana, the number one fight promoter in the world, definitely brings the energy when he goes live on Insta or YouTube. He brings the energy. This one felt weird.”
If Sean’s antennas went up, you can be sure that something was wrong with the vibe. Then he came up with the theory that the fans have been talking about for months.
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“I don’t know if it was the you know my theory is it was supposed to be Paddy versus Ilia. That’s what was supposed to happen, and you know they were really trying to get that fight to happen and they couldn’t do it.”
With the ups and downs between Pimblett and Topuria, the insults, the airport drama, the bottle-throwing. Sean was not demeaning the Gaethje fight; he was merely indicating how the announcement resembled a last-minute switch from a rivalry that was screaming for a cage.
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Dana White dragged into chaos after Max Holloway–Charles Oliveira BMF fight appears, then disappears
From the very beginning, UFC 324 has been nothing short of a mess. And now Dana White has become even more involved in the turmoil since the UFC Brazil account has very briefly posted and subsequently deleted what seemed to be a third title fight: Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira for the BMF belt.
Although the post was only live for a few minutes, it was enough time for the fans to go crazy and start doubting what the UFC has actually prepared. The now-deleted post, which was in Portuguese, was advertising the fight, saying that it is a clash of “hard-shelled” fighters. The description very well matches Holloway and Oliveira, two competing athletes who consider the damage as non-existing background sound.
Holloway won the BMF title after he took apart Justin Gaethje and Oliveira is still one of the deadliest finishers in the world. The BMF rematch between them is going to be extremely charged with a special kind of energy because their first fight was stopped by an injury to Oliveira, thus creating an unfinished story that the fans have been longing to get back for years.
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This is the reason why this “leak” caused such an instant explosion among the fans. The very fact that there was already criticism over UFC 324’s interim lightweight headliner made the idea of Max and Charles finishing the night a total chaos-and-violence-like upgrade that the supporters were asking for.
However, Dana White’s announcement during the NFL Thanksgiving game did not include Holloway–Oliveira making the sudden post and its disappearance even stranger.
Mentions of Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira together are like striking a match in the MMA world that instantaneously ignites the interest. Do it during a card already in trouble, and the volume only gets higher, particularly with Dana White’s name being part of the confusion.
Alexandre Pantoja Reveals Why Joshua Van is ‘Dangerous’
Alexandre Pantoja recently shared his thoughts on Joshua Van ahead of their flyweight title fight at UFC 323. The reigning flyweight champion isn’t overlooking the young, surging contender as he aims to continue his reign. UFC 323 takes place this Saturday and marks the promotion’s final pay-per-view under its current media rights deal with ESPN.
Pantoja has already had a legendary title reign. He has defeated several top contenders, some more than once, and now looks to add Van to the list.
During an interview with Stake, Pantoja acknowledged that Van’s journey to the UFC and his personal hardships make him a dangerous opponent. ‘The Cannibal’ explained that the flyweight contender has overcome significant obstacles, giving him extra motivation to become champion.
“Moving from his country, coming to America, starting something new, losing his father, and needing to take care of his mother. That’s a dangerous combination,” Pantoja said. “A lot of fighters are very good, they choose to fight, they chose to be athletes. But when a fighter has something more, like [Van] has, you need to be very sharp.”
He continued:
“[Van’s] young, hungry, motivated and has a reason why he fights. This makes it very, very tough for me.”
Alexandre Pantoja Intends to Deliver Dominant Performance at UFC 323
Alexandre Pantoja also shared insight into his mindset ahead of UFC 323 and revealed that he aims to deliver a dominant performance. The fight will mark his fifth title defense since becoming champion in 2023.
Pantoja has solidified his status as one of the greatest flyweight title reigns in UFC history. He still has a long way to go if he wants to surpass Demetrious Johnson‘s flyweight title defense record. However, there’s no denying he is one of the greatest flyweights of all time.
Speaking with Stake, Pantoja said he believes he needs a dominant win to silence his critics.
“You’re never good enough, you know? And I really don’t care. I do my job. I go very hard every day in the gym. My training partners know how much I want it,” Pantoja said. “I don’t just want to go on Dec. 6 to defend the belt, I want to conquer, I want to prove I’m the champion of the world.”
Pantoja Aiming for Top Spot in UFC Pound-for-Pound Rankings
Pantoja also revealed that he is aiming for the top spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. He has been a fixture in that debate alongside champions, including Merab Dvalishvili and Islam Makhachev.
Currently, Makhachev holds the No. 1 spot after moving up to welterweight and defeating Jack Della Maddalena to become the new champion.
If Pantoja wants that spot, he faces tough competition. Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight title against Petr Yan in the UFC 323 main event. That fight marks his fourth consecutive title defense this year, which would further strengthen his case.
Pantoja opened up about his aspirations, expressing his excitement on showcasing his skills.
“You have great pound-for-pound champions too, for example Makhachev, [Ilia] Topuria, Merab. Everybody does such an amazing job. I want to be the best of the best,” Pantoja told Stake. “I want to be the number one pound-for-pound fighter, I have a huge chance to prove that on Dec. 6. I’m starting to think about how I can show everybody how good I am.”
Ronda Rousey vs. Katie Taylor Boxing Match Reports Met With Harsh Verdict From MMA Rival
Ronda Rousey‘s return to combat sports should have sparked nostalgia. Instead, it came as an unexpected plot twist. A potential boxing bout versus Katie Taylor, one of the best pure boxers alive, sent shockwaves through both sports, not because fans were excited, but because the matchup felt almost absurd. ‘Rowdy’ hasn’t fought in almost a decade. Taylor is fresh off a historic trilogy win.
Nonetheless, plans are underway for a 2026 Las Vegas showdown backed by Netflix. And in the midst of the newfound hype, someone who knows Ronda Rousey better than most chimed in. Cris Cyborg didn’t just roll her eyes at the rumor; she torched it. The rivalry between them never found closure inside a cage, but outside of it? The heat never cooled. With a single tweet, Cyborg reminded everyone why.
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Cris Cyborg tears down the Ronda Rousey–Katie Taylor idea
So, when journalist Lance Pugmire tweeted the bout was “in the works,” Cyborg didn’t wait. She attacked the idea in her own style: “I once saw Ronda shadowboxing, and her shadow won! Zero chance she fights boxing,” she wrote in a tweet. No pause, no politeness, no benefit of the doubt. In her opinion, Ronda Rousey has no place in a boxing ring—unless her opponent is Gina Carano in a nostalgia bout.
Against Katie Taylor? “Zero chance,” she wrote, doubling down. The truth is that Cris Cyborg isn’t just being petty. ‘Rowdy’ has not fired a competitive punch since 2016. Taylor, on the other hand, has headlined at Madison Square Garden, ruled two divisions, carried women’s boxing on her back, and attracted Netflix-level viewership.
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Rousey’s admission of severe brain trauma in her autobiography, along with two recent pregnancies, makes the idea of her competing against one of the sport’s finest technicians seem overly optimistic. Nonetheless, the rumors persist, fueled by the spectacle energy that only Ronda Rousey can generate. That’s what makes Cyborg’s jab so effective—it cuts through the fantasy.
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Still, the rivalry between them never died for a reason. ‘Rowdy’ was once an unstoppable force. Cyborg was the immovable object the UFC never booked. And now, with talk swirling and speculation rising, Cyborg appears determined to remind fans that if Rousey returns, a boxing ring is the last place she should be. And it’s not like she is out of options either, as Kayla Harrison‘s manager recently called out Ronda Rousey for an epic dream fight once ‘Doug’ is done with Amanda Nunes.
Kayla Harrison’s manager wants her to fight Rousey
And that’s where Kayla Harrison comes in—not as another critic, but as the only name that makes sense if Ronda Rousey decides to fight again. Because, while Cris Cyborg is closing the boxing door, Harrison’s group is attempting to open a whole different one. Ali Abdelaziz did not mince words when he laid out her strategy: Amanda Nunes first, and if Kayla “dominates,” Ronda Rousey will be next.
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He said, “Kayla beats [Amanda] by dominating fashion and stops her, and after that, Kayla will have two options. Ronda Rousey will come out of the grave and step up and she will have to pay for everything she’s said and done, cause a lot of beef happened.” It was not said for shock value. Harrison and Rousey go way back—judo teammates, friends turned rivals, the kind of history you can’t manufacture.
According to Abdelaziz, if ‘Doug’ defeats Nunes at UFC 324, she will face either Valentina Shevchenko in a superfight or Ronda Rousey in a final showdown. It’s unclear whether ‘Rowdy’ really entertains the idea, but this is the first fight in years that connects her past, pride, and legacy.
While the Katie Taylor talks dominate headlines, the MMA world is whispering a different storyline—one based on old connections, old tension, and unfinished business. If Ronda Rousey ever decides to fight again, Kayla Harrison’s team believes it will not be for boxing glory. It will be for closure.
Tony Ferguson fought Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje – here’s who he’s backing at UFC324
Tony Ferguson is perhaps the best man to tell you who to pick in the interim lightweight title main event of UFC 324.
Former interim lightweight champion Ferguson fought Justin Gaethje at the beginning of the pandemic, losing that fight by TKO in the fifth. Three years later, he took on Paddy Pimblett in one of his final UFC outings and went the three round distance.
Now, he will be watching on as his two rivals compete for that same belt he once held years ago. And he believes that the ‘interim’ part will play a big part in the result if the fight becomes gritty and comes down to who wants it more.
Tony Ferguson picks Paddy Pimblett to beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 324
After having fought both men, Tony Ferguson’s take on the UFC 324 main event is arguably one of the most insightful you will find. He and Gaethje went five hard rounds, while he was closer to the end of his run against Pimblett.
And Ferguson is backing the Brit, noting that this ‘interim’ belt means a whole lot more to the rising Brit than it does to an aging veteran like Gaethje, who has already held that gold. “Justin doesn’t want another interim belt,” he told Ariel Helwani on his Uncrowned show this evening.
Justin Gaethje has 6 finishes inside the UFC Octagon, while Paddy Pimblett has 5. Whose highlight reel is better?
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“Paddy’s not bad, dude. He’s very beatable, and Gaethje is very beatable as well, but when it comes to the passion, man, how exciting Justin Gaethje has always been about not getting that real title shot — they just keep dangling it right there.
“Paddy’s in for a new treat. Paddy’s the one who has never fought for a belt. He’s going in there to try and get that, and he’s going to feel a little bit fresher. He’s going to have that excitement, in my opinion.
“So if I were going to try and place a bet, I would go with the new kid that’s going in for the new opportunity, rather than the old kid who fought for the belt. It’s going to go to Paddy, but best of luck for both of them, I hope they knock each other the f— out.”
Dana White Blamed as $1.2M UFC Star Claims Backstage Politics Triggered Heartbreaking Title Shot Snub
Lerone Murphy has built his career on a simple formula: show up, stay undefeated, and make himself undeniable. At 17-0-1, with a net worth reportedly touching $1.2 million, he has done everything a rising featherweight contender is supposed to do. Yet when the UFC and Dana White unveiled their first major slate for 2026, a seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcast era set to begin on CBS and Paramount, Murphy’s name was nowhere near the title picture. Instead, the company doubled down on a rematch for UFC 325: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 in Sydney, Australia.
The announcement dropped on Thanksgiving Day, a holiday surprise that left the community buzzing. Still, no reaction landed harder than Murphy’s. The undefeated contender had been circling the title for months, waiting for a crack at Volkanovski. And when he realized he wasn’t in the equation, the disappointment hit deeper than any punch he’s taken in the Octagon.
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Lerone Murphy breaks his silence on Dana White and the UFC skipping him for a title shot
In a recent interview, ‘The Miracle’ told Ariel Helwani that “Yeah, you know what? When I first found out, I didn’t even… Do you know what? I fell out love with it for a bit, I’m not gonna lie.”
He explained that he had originally turned to MMA because he believed “Oh, but boxing, because I thought there’s no politics here. I thought it was just simply do the work, the best fight the best, and that’s the way it goes.” Instead, the rematch announcement made him feel like the sport he trusted had shifted beneath his feet.
That’s when the heartbreak turned into perspective. Murphy recalled, ”But that’s what hurt me the most a bit. It’s like at the end of it… And then I kind of thought it over and it’s like… get over it is what it is it’s business just keep fighting keep doing what you’re keep winning and we’ll get there eventually and I think it’s inevitable that it’s gonna happen…”
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His road, he said, has “never been easy from the get-go,” and this setback is simply another bend in a long, winding story. But why did this title shot go to Diego Lopes again? That’s the question haunting fans.
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Lopes last fought Volkanovski at UFC 314 and lost a clean unanimous decision. Since then, he has only competed once, stopping Jean Silva at Noche UFC in September. Solid, yes. But enough to leapfrog a 17-0-1 contender with a bulletproof résumé? Many aren’t convinced.
Still, he isn’t sulking. If anything, the Manchester native is using this moment to sharpen the edge that kept him undefeated for nearly a decade. Murphy grew up in Old Trafford, dreamed of football glory, and wound up becoming one of the UFC’s most promising British prospects. His life is proof that detours sometimes lead to destiny, even when they come disguised as delays.
And that’s what makes the politics sting so much. Fans often assume an undefeated record guarantees opportunity. But as Lerone Murphy’s experience shows, meritocracy in MMA isn’t always straightforward. Broadcast deals, star power, market timing, all of it swirls together backstage long before bouts are booked on paper. And whether Dana White intended it or not, Murphy feels like the latest casualty of those invisible gears as even the champion has come out with a surprising take on the whole situation!
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‘The Great’ claims Murphy and Movsar Evloev were “deserving” of the title opportunity
Alexander Volkanovski didn’t hide from the confusion. In fact, he leaned straight into it. After all, how often does a reigning champion defend his belt against someone he just beat for the vacant title earlier? So when he addressed the UFC 325 matchup on YouTube, he spoke the same question fans have been asking: why Lopes again, and why now?
The champion admitted, “Obviously, we all know that I wanted to fight earlier, I thought it was going to be December.” For a moment, it even looked like Lerone Murphy would be his next challenger as he continued, “then I guess UFC they’re waiting for Jean Silva and Lopes. Then they were saying Lopes and obviously, we’re like, we just fought that guy.”
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But even ‘The Great’ had to pause when the promotion and Dana White circled back to Lopes. Yet business kept moving, and the UFC dangled something he couldn’t refuse, a title defense in Sydney as he stated, “‘We’ll give you Sydney.’ I’m like, alright, I’ll wait for that. Then it was looking like it wasn’t going to happen, but then did happen, which was great.”
Still, Alexander Volkanovski didn’t pretend that meritocracy added up. He openly named the contenders he believed earned the shot with, “I thought Movsar was deserving, Lerone Murphy, I thought they were the two guys. They were the guys I called out.”
That leaves fans with a lingering question: if performance, record, and momentum aren’t enough, what truly decides a title shot in the modern UFC? Lerone Murphy has chosen to swallow the politics and keep marching, trusting that persistence will eventually corner fate. But the irony is hard to miss as the fighter who built his career on being undeniable is now being asked to wait his turn while the business moves without him.
UFC Star Reveals What it’s REALLY Like Training With Controversial Influencer
UFC star Lerone Murphy has revealed what it’s really like training with, and sparring, Andrew Tate.
The controversial influencer returns to combat sports on the 20th of December against Chase DeMoor in a Misfits heavyweight title fight in Dubai. Tate remains in shape year-round, but the boxing bout will be his first fight since he retired from kickboxing in 2020 with a record of 76-9-1.
To get ready for DeMoor, and a run in 2026 that could see him compete 10 times — perhaps, even, against the likes of KSI or Darren Till, among others — Tate flew by private jet to the United Arab Emirates last month and has been vlogging his workouts, padwork, and general training.
But one fighter who has seen him spar up front, Murphy, lifted the lid on what Tate’s camp is like when talking on The Ariel Helwani Show via Uncrowned.
What it’s REALLY Like Training With Andrew Tate
A 34-year-old featherweight, Murphy has climbed the rankings to become a bona fide threat to the champion, Alexander Volkanovski, should they ever fight. And this week, Murphy told Helwani that the relationship with Tate came around through a mutual friend Luke Barnatt, also an experienced MMA fighter with 5-6 fights in the UFC.
Murphy said he got an invite from Barnatt because he and Tate thought the UFC star
Oleksandr Usyk’s Deontay Wilder Callout for Next Fight Has Boxing Fans Comparing Him to Dana White
The new crop of heavyweight contenders may be eager to test themselves against Oleksandr Usyk, but the Ukrainian superstar has his sights set elsewhere. At 38, with only a few years left in the sport, Usyk wants to cross off every major name in the division before he hangs up the gloves. That list includes former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, a once-feared knockout artist now well past his prime.
Usyk has no shortage of challengers after defeating Daniel Dubois earlier this year to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. But his reign didn’t last long—WBO stripped him of the title, which now belongs to Fabio Wardley. The Brit has already expressed interest in sharing the ring with ‘The Cat.’ He’s not alone, as contenders like Agit Kabayal and Moses Itauma have also raised their hands. Still, Usyk seems to have already made up his mind.
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Oleksandr Usyk wants just one man
Speaking to Boxing King Media at the WBC convention, Usyk opened up about his plans for 2026. “I think next year, I want to fight with Deontay Wilder,” he said. “For me, I think it’s interesting. He’s a world champion guy, this is a very famous guy, this is a strong guy. One of his great heavyweights in the last 10 years. Special information. I speak with my team, I say, this is my first task.”
When asked who else Oleksandr Usyk is considering, he made it clear that there is no Plan B. “We didn’t talk about this. We didn’t speak about this. Now I have only one option with Deontay,” Usyk concluded. Wilder, of course, has struggled since his losses to Tyson Fury in 2020 and 2021, dropping two of his last four bouts. He did, however, rebound earlier this year with a knockout win over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon.
To Deontay Wilder’s credit, he also appears interested in the matchup. “We have plans for next year, and we’d like Oleksandr Usyk to be part of them,” Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel told Sky Sports. “If we receive the right offer, we would be open to that fight.” The showdown is unusual in that Usyk could defend his titles against rising contenders, but seems determined to chase the fight he wants—something not uncommon in boxing.
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However, this choice has prompted some fans to draw parallels with UFC CEO Dana White’s recent matchmaking decisions after Happy Punch shared Usyk’s comments.
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Dana White catches strays
Reacting to Usyk’s choice, fans quickly flooded the comment section with mixed opinions. One user drew a direct comparison to the UFC’s recent matchmaking decisions. “This is some UFC-level match-making,” the user commented. The remark referenced the UFC pairing Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, despite Arman Tsarukyan earning the No. 1 contender spot after defeating Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar.
Another user echoed the sentiment, bringing Dana White into the conversation. “Bro is doing the Dana White WWE matchmaking 😂😂😂,” they wrote. From their perspective, Usyk is simply opting for an easier final fight—one that guarantees a payday and a high chance of ending his career on a win.
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Not everyone was critical, though. One fan embraced the idea. “Honestly, I’d love to see it. It’s new, it’s different, and it might even be competitive,” the user commented. However, in reality, the matchup is far from competitive on paper. Wilder has relied almost entirely on his power, while Usyk has dominated the heavyweight landscape with elite skill and wins over the division’s top names.
Another user understood the narrative surrounding Wilder at this stage of his career. “Wilders just signing up at this point to say I got KOd by all the greats! 😂,” they wrote. To date, Wilder’s only knockout losses have come at the hands of Tyson Fury and Zhilei Zhang.
A different commenter viewed the matchup as the final piece of Usyk’s mission. “He [is] trying to clean out an era of boxing and prove he [is] the best savage,” the user said. Still, names like Joseph Parker remain, opponents that Usyk would be skipping over.
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In any case, Usyk appears set on the path he wants to take. Fans aren’t entirely against it, but many are aware of how this choice sidelines more deserving contenders. What do you think about the potential fight?
Female MMA Fighter Knocking Out Male Sparring Partner Has UFC Fans Divided
Sparring sessions are meant to provide a controlled environment to sharpen skills. But that doesn’t mean they’re free of risk—especially when punches and kicks start flying. Something similar unfolded recently at the Syndicate Mixed Martial Arts gym in Las Vegas, Nevada. The UFC’s No. 10–ranked women’s bantamweight was working with a male training partner when things took an unexpected turn. Who?
Well, it was none other than undefeated [in the UFC] bantamweight Jacqueline Cavalcanti, who is fresh off her unanimous decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva on November 9. A clip recently shared by Full Send MMA captured the moment at her gym, where Cavalcanti was sparring with an unidentified training partner. But a perfectly timed left knee to the face sent him crashing down, turning a routine session into a viral moment.
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Cavalcanti’s counter from hell
“Undefeated UFC women’s bantamweight Jacqueline Cavalcanti was sparring recently and landed a perfectly placed knee that accidentally put her male training partner on the canvas and had him shaking things out afterwards,” Full Send MMA wrote on X alongside the clip. Meanwhile, the clip showed Cavalcanti firing off a combination before her sparring partner dipped low to grab her leg.
But he was caught off guard when Cavalcanti countered with a sharp left knee that landed square on his face. The impact sent him falling backward onto the canvas as the 28-year-old immediately moved in to check on him. Despite the brutal-looking shot, he didn’t appear to be knocked out cold—just dazed by the unexpected strike.
Cavalcanti joined the UFC in September 2023, debuting against Zarah Fairn after winning an LFA title. Since then, the Brazilian-Portuguese bantamweight has put together an impressive 5-0 record. At 28, she’s the youngest fighter in the women’s bantamweight top-10 and is widely seen as one of the division’s most promising prospects.
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The division is currently led by champion Kayla Harrison, who is set to defend her title against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324. Still, despite Cavalcanti’s rising stock, fans weren’t exactly impressed with the viral sparring clip.
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Jacqueline Cavalcanti is accused of ego-training
Unlike reactions after usual knockouts, Jacqueline Cavalcanti’s knockout received a lukewarm welcome. One user downplayed her skills. “The right shot with enough power to the chin can KO anyone,” the user wrote. Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, she hasn’t been able to score a knockout in the Octagon.
The next user defended the male sparring partner. “For anyone questioning dude’s chin, when it’s perfectly placed, there’s literally nothing you can do. [The] system just gets overridden, doesn’t matter how good your chin is,” the user commented. From the looks of the clip, the sparring partner went low to grab her leg at the wrong time.
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Meanwhile, this user blamed Cavalcanti for overdoing it in sparring. “Ego training, why are you throwing a full power knee without pulling it in sparring?” the user wrote. But it didn’t look intentional. And things can get heated during sparring, even when the intention isn’t to hurt anyone.
Another user decided to poke fun at the Brazilian-Portuguese fighter. “So [Jacqueline Cavalcanti] is only capable of finishing someone in the gym?” the user asked sarcastically. She has scored knockouts in the past, but it was during her stint in other promotions.
Someone else took things a little further, accusing Cavalcanti of staging the entire thing. “Worst part is he was the only one wearing headgear.. Probably staged,” the user commented. However, there’s nothing to prove the accusation.
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Having said that, it appears Jacqueline Cavalcanti will have to replicate that knockout in the Octagon to get in the good graces of the fans. But what did you make of the KO?
Michael Chandler Confirms Conor McGregor Fight Signed and Sealed for White House Event
After years away from the Octagon, former UFC double champion Conor McGregor is finally eyeing a massive comeback in 2026, just in time for the historic UFC White House event. Anticipation is skyrocketing, and although nothing is officially announced, Michael Chandler has emerged as the clear frontrunner to welcome McGregor back.
Chandler famously waited two years for their first bout at UFC 303, only to suffer back-to-back losses that frustrated fans. Despite doubts surrounding a rematch, he remains unwavering in his belief. In a new video update, ‘Iron’ confirmed the fight agreement is signed, sealing their highly anticipated showdown for the White House stage.
The fight’s already happening. He’s brought in guys to his training camp to mimic my style. That fight has already been signed, sealed and delivered since June of 2024. I’ll fight Conor, June, South Lawn, White House, God bless.
Michael Chandler via Instagram
Moreover, the Irishman had already confirmed he will fight Chandler at the White House event next year, creating massive excitement. ‘Mystic Mac’ boldly predicted a first-round knockout victory and claimed he expects to earn well over $100 million from the contest.
Apart from this, McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, also stated that Chandler will likely be their first official opponent since UFC 264, and their training camp has already begun.
According to Kavanagh, McGregor has gotten extremely serious about his return and has been putting time and effort into training. The fighter has deactivated his social media and has stayed out of the limelight in order to focus on his training. Moreover, he has also talked about embarking on a spiritual journey in order to get back to his old self.
McGregor recently revealed he underwent a psychedelic treatment in Mexico, describing the experience as deeply transformative for his life. He claimed the powerful session made him feel spiritually reborn, helping him confront personal struggles he had long tried ignoring privately.
The Irishman also said he felt saved by God during the process, emphasising renewed gratitude, purpose, and clarity moving forward.
Michael Chandler plans to beat Conor McGregor at the White House event
Conor McGregor is clearly not the same anymore, as he is currently 1-3 in his last 4 bouts inside the Octagon. Moreover, that single win also came against a washed Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. Apart from this, the Irishman failed to topple the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier, who also handed him his first TKO loss at UFC 257.
However, despite his worrying inactivity and inconsistent performances, he remains a fan favourite because of his knockout power. Fancy still believes McGregor can produce magic anytime since his dangerous left hand continues threatening opponents with brutal fight-ending consequences.
The Irish superstar can definitely compete against someone like Michael Chandler, who has also been struggling to secure consistent victories lately. For the unversed, Chandler is 2-5 inside the Octagon and recently lost a brutal bout against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 in Miami.
However, he appears fully determined to change the narrative by imposing relentless pressure and attempting to completely break McGregor. In a recent interview, the former 3-time Bellator 155lbs kingpin talked about his game plan against McGregor.
Go out there and not just beat Conor but dominate him and just systematically and surgically break the man down. I’ve dreamt about it. I’ve visualized it ever since this announcement was made that we were doing this fight on the White House lawn and I believe it’s going to come to fruition.
Michael Chandler via MMA Fighting
Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner Trigger Harsh Verdict From Italian Star on Modern Tennis Level
The 2025 season has undoubtedly been the year of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, no doubt. The two once again split the Grand Slams between themselves this year, with Sinner taking the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz grabbed the French Open and the US Open. They met six times in six finals, including three Slams, two Masters 1000s, and the ATP Finals. Safe to say, 2026 is in for another round of their competitive energy, but an Italian legend sees more than just that.
Adriano Panatta and Paolo Bertolucci recently discussed a perceived flaw in modern tennis during an appearance on DJ Radio. They highlighted how the sport’s elite level lacks the balance and variety of past eras. Their comments sparked debate about today’s dominant players.
“If we look at the elite of the seventies,” Panatta said, “Each of the top ten won at least one Grand Slam. The competition was much more balanced; anyone could lose. Today, Alcaraz and Sinner can’t lose anything.” The 1976 French Open champion pointed to this shift as evidence of reduced unpredictability at the top.
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The former Italian pro criticized the homogenization of modern tennis and the absence of diverse playing styles. “Alcaraz and Sinner are very good, but today almost everyone plays the same. Björn Borg and Guillermo Vilas have always beaten opponents with a similar style of play. But if they played against me or John McEnroe, they would lose because we play differently. There’s no such thing as a true attacker these days.” He argued that such variety once defined the game’s excitement.
The pair noted that Novak Djokovic stands alone in challenging Alcaraz and Sinner. Driven by his competitive hunger, the Serbian pursued them in the 2025 rankings, though he struggled for consistency beyond his quarterfinal victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open. No other rival has mounted a serious threat.
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Potential contenders like Ben Shelton, Félix Auger-Aliassime, and João Fonseca have emerged in discussions. Djokovic remains viable, but prospects for Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev appear to wane. Still, no one has disrupted the “New Two” atop the ATP rankings. On the other hand, while Panatta sees a clear flaw, another former pro views the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry positively!
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American ex-pro points out the advantage of the Alcaraz and Sinner rivalry.
Five months have passed by since Alcaraz and Sinner delivered that epic French Open final. They battled through five grueling sets over five-plus hours. It stands as the longest final in Roland Garros history. Andy Roddick, though, still thinks about it.
He dove back into the magic on his Served podcast alongside co-host Jon Wertheim. The former No.1 captured the essence perfectly: “An absolute force of mental anguish, athleticism, drama, peaking at the right time.” He made it clear this went beyond victory. It shaped an entire generation. Roddick kept the praise flowing. “Everything you could ever want in a match, this was. That’s before we get to sportsmanship. That’s before we get to humanity.” His words hung in the air like the tension on court that day.
During the final, Sinner struck first with commanding wins in the opening two sets. Triumph looked locked in. But Carlos Alcaraz flipped the script. He seized the third set and edged the fourth in a nail-biting tiebreak to square things up. Philippe-Chatrier buzzed with raw intensity. Pressure crushed most players there. Alcaraz thrived on it. He saved every critical point, broke back fiercely, and dragged the fifth into a tiebreak. Roland Garros saw its first final-set tiebreak ever. The crowd lost it when he clinched the win.
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Roddick zeroed in on what elevates their rivalry. “Both these guys do things the right way. You’re not cheering for or against. Maybe you are, but you’re cheering for them together, right? They make each other better. We want this rivalry.” Pure fire meets total respect.
Now, the 2026 season looms with fresh Sincaraz sparks. They team up for an exhibition in South Korea before the Australian Open heat. Sinner hunts a three-peat down under, and Alcaraz chases his Career Slam. Who will prevail? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
‘Marty Supreme’ Rotten Tomatoes Reviews: Is Timothée Chalamet’s Sports Comedy A Winner?
Reviews are out for Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet in a movie loosely based on table tennis champ Marty Reisman. What are Rotten Tomatoes critics saying about it?
While Marty Supreme doesn’t open in theaters until Dec. 25, the review embargo for the film was lifted on Monday. The official logline for Marty Supreme reads, “Marty Mauser (Chalamet), a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.”
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Directed by Josh Safdie, the ping pong period comedy also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, Tyler Okonma (aka Tyler, The Creator), Abel Ferrara and Fran Drescher.
As of the publication of this article, Marty Supreme has earned a 96% “fresh” critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 51 reviews. The RT Critics Consensus, Popcornmeter score and audience summary are still pending.
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What Are Individual Critics Saying About ‘Marty Supreme’?
Peter Debruge of Variety is among the top critics on RT who gives Marty Supreme a “fresh” score, writing in his review summary, “In the defining performance of his still-burgeoning career, Timothée Chalamet — aka ‘Marty Supreme’ — makes you want to believe in this instantly iconic character too … even if sometimes you also want to strangle him.”
David Ehrlich of IndieWire also praises Chalamet in his fresh review summary on RT, writing, “Chalamet makes one of the most colossal movie performances of the 21st century seem as natural as a lay-up.”
The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney also declares Marty Supreme a big winner on RT, writing in his “fresh” review summary, “As a kinetic portrait of a life in perpetual motion, Marty Supreme is a wonder.”
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Clarisse Loughrey of the Independent (UK) is also high on the film, writing in her “fresh” review summary on RT, “If Marty Supreme exists to prove that Timothée Chalamet could have easily kicked it with the New Hollywood icons of the Seventies, the Harvey Keitels and the Gena Rowlandses, then point proven. He’s truly one of our greatest talents.”
William Bibbiani of The Wrap is the only top critic on RT as of the publication of this article who gives Marty Supreme a “rotten” score, writing, “Shallow self-congratulation for American moxie at the expense of everyone and everything around us.”
Rated R, Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, opens in theaters nationwide on Dec. 25.
‘Marty Supreme’ review: Timothée Chalamet wins in the best movie of the year
Ping pong tends to be grouped with smaller, niche sports like bowling and badminton; built for basements and ESPN3 at 2 a.m.
But tiny table tennis is part of one big piledriver of a movie called “Marty Supreme,” starring a career-best Timothée Chalamet.
It’s cinematic Mountain Dew. You’ll be wired for the entire two and a half hours.
Not only does his striving New York paddler Marty Mauser exhilaratingly beat the bejesus out of little plastic balls. Bones break, tempers flare, there’s sex, police chases and a whoopsie incineration.
Yet for all the coursing adrenaline and cortisol that immediately bring to mind writer-director Josh Safdie’s previous breakneck film, “Uncut Gems” with Adam Sandler, “Marty Supreme” is also a charmer and a shameless flirt.
It makes you laugh hard and often, and even blush a bit. There’s ample heart and passion in Marty’s messy race to the top. And the 1950s Big Apple ensemble is so authentic it’s as if the filmmakers kidnapped a downtown deli.
What a winner “Marty Supreme: is. Safdie, his team and especially his ace star are serving the best movie of the year.
The speed-demon film follows the 2025 trend of sports flicks that aren’t really sports flicks, including “Christy” with Sydney Sweeney and Benny Safdie’s “Smashing Machine.”
This story, however, is fictional — although the title character is loosely inspired by ping pong champ Marty Reisman. So it’s not burdened by the familiar and dusty path of biopics. The zigzagging plot is wildly unpredictable.
So is the brilliant Chalamet. His neurotic, uncomfortably direct, “Fake it till you make it” Marty is right up there with Leonardo DiCaprio’s fraudster in “Catch Me If You Can,” only with the danger of Matt Damon’s Tom in “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” He has a hint of bogus heiress Anna Delvey to him. It’s a sensational, next-level performance.
Spitfire Marty is actually among the world’s best table tennis players from the start. Even so, as the sport is exploding in popularity in Japan, it earns crickets Stateside. He makes zilch doing what he’s best at, and works in his uncle’s shoe store to get by. But it’s not enough.
To bankroll his lofty dreams, he’s forced to lie, coerce, threaten, schmooze and sneak his way to hopefully becoming the Michael Jordan of table tennis.
And he won’t let anyone or anything disturb his plan, including people he ostensibly loves. There’s Rachel, the married woman he’s sleeping with, stunningly played by Odessa A’Zion.
Later, the unibrowed Casanova gets involved with Kay Stone, the married starlet he’s, um, also sleeping with, who Gwyneth Paltrow lends Hollywood gravitas, curiosity and that unmistakable Goop sternness.
Safdie has really ingeniously cast this thing. There are plenty of famous faces with Five Boroughs credi, such as Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as her sister. Blink and you’ll miss David Mamet as a Broadway director.
What’s cool is that Safdie has also creatively snapped up non-actors who are all ideal for larger-than-life New Yorkers. Billionaire Gristedes owner John Catsimatidis is — I kid you not — a revelation as Marty’s best friend’s annoyed dad.
And “Shark Tank”’s Kevin O’Leary makes a memorably snarling villain as Milton Rockwell, a pen manufacturer CEO that offers Marty the chance to sell out for big bucks.
For expert dribbling, Safdie has real basketball players Tracy McGrady and Kemba Walker play Harlem Globetrotters.
On the subject of globetrotting, for a ping pong player, Marty jet-sets like he’s James Bond. The film goes from the Lower East Side, to the Ritz in London, to a Parisian cafe and a Tokyo amphitheater. Ambition reigns supreme.
One of Safdie’s most inspired flourishes, though, is his incongruous use of 1980s music in a 1950s movie. There’s no soothing “Earth Angel” or jukebox “Tutti Frutti” here. Instead we get “Forever Young” and Tears For Fears.
That’s still nostalgic, for sure, but in a completely different way. Those sounds perfectly evoke John Hughes, “Ferris Bueller,” “The Breakfast Club” and fond memories of teenage rebellion.
Spot on.
Because, at its core, “Marty Supreme” is a film about youth, and how dumb, impulsive and euphoric it can be.
Of course, there’s more to the message than recklessness rules. In the end, Marty faces facts that carefree, consequences-be-damned spontaneity has an expiration date. It stops being cute. Chalamet’s last shot brought me back to his breakout role in “Call Me By Your Name” just seven years ago.
Last year at the SAG Awards, the star gave a controversial victory speech in which he boldly announced, “I want to be one of the greats.”
Really, Chalamet is a dreamer a lot like Marty. Only there is one important difference. As is obvious from this extraordinary movie, he’s well on his way to making it happen for real.
Critics Can’t Stop Talking About Timothée Chalamet In ‘Exhilarating’ Sports Drama Marty Supreme
Timothée Chalamet has been involved in a number of award-worthy projects over the past couple of years, including last year’s A Complete Unknown and Dune: Part Two. He’s not slowing down, either, with Marty Supreme hitting the 2025 movie calendar this month and already generating Oscar buzz for its lead actor. Critics have seen the upcoming A24 film, and they’re definitely fanning those flames.
Marty Supreme stars Timothée Chalamet as table tennis player Marty Mauser in a sports dramedy from Josh Safdie that’s loosely based on real-life champion Marty Reisman. Gwyneth Paltrow is returning to the big screen for the first time since Avengers: Endgame, and for a sports movie about ping pong, the trailer looks pretty intense. It seems like David Ehrlich of IndieWire would cosign this sentiment, as he calls Chalamet’s performance “legendary” in an “agonizing” epic about the true cost of greatness. He gives it an A, writing:
David Rooney of THR describes what Timothée Chalamet does in Marty Supreme as “Duracell Bunny physicality” and says the movie as a whole “is a wonder.” It strikes the critic as funny that this is Josh Safdie’s first feature since 2008 without his brother Benny, because, as Rooney puts it:
Michael Calabro of IGN rates it an “Amazing” 9 out of 10, saying that Marty Supreme is equal parts fun and stressful. The film combines Josh Safdie’s chaotic directing style with Timothée Chalamet’s charisma to make a movie that is, “without a doubt, one of the year’s best films.” Calabro continues:
Pete Hammond of Deadline praises all of the efforts behind the scenes of Marty Supreme, including production design, the period costuming and the musical score in creating what is so much more than a sports biopic. Of course, he also lauds the lead actor, comparing his talents to Adam Sandler’s in Uncut Gems. Hammond writes:
Time Magazine’s Stephanie Zacharek seems to be the rare outlier, as the critic pushes back against the notion that audiences are supposed to relish Marty’s passion despite how many people he has to steamroll to get to greatness. Such an idea can be fun, but this movie is as “hollow as a ping pong ball,” Zacharek says, all the way up to the main character’s unrealistic redemption. The critic says:
Margaret Court Fires off a Confident Claim Amid Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam Record Talk
Novak Djokovic is really close to achieving something incredible in tennis. He just needs one more major win to break a record that’s been around for more than fifty years. With his 24th Grand Slam title win at the 2023 US Open, the Serbian superstar has matched the all-time singles record set by Australian legend Margaret Court back in 1973.
Every year, and with each tournament, everyone in the sports world is keeping an eye on Djokovic, who’s now 38, to see if he can finally snag that elusive 25th title. It would really solidify his status as the undisputed numerical king of the sport. This chase has really turned into a key story in the final chapters of his career. But for the woman whose record he’s after, the thought of being surpassed doesn’t bring anxiety. Instead, she feels a calm confidence and believes in the lasting impact of her own, bigger legacy.
According to We Love Tennis, the 83-year-old Court shared her thoughts on Djokovic’s pursuit, highlighting two different milestones in the conversation. She shared a down-to-earth perspective on her singles tally, saying, “I wouldn’t be surprised if the record of 24 wins is broken.” She was really clear about how she feels about her other achievement, saying, “But I don’t think the 64-win record will ever be. Whatever tennis does, it can never erase what I’ve achieved.”
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She has an incredible total of 64 Grand Slam titles across all disciplines: 24 in singles, 19 in women’s doubles, and a record 21 in mixed doubles. This combined haul really shows off her versatility and dominance, something we don’t see often in today’s tennis. It’s what Court believes makes her record truly untouchable. Her confidence comes from a career that was both incredibly productive and truly historic.
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She’s the only tennis player, whether male or female, to have snagged the “Career Boxed Set”—winning the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles at all four major tournaments, and she’s done it not just once, but twice!
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Her 1970 season is still considered one of the highlights of the sport, as she managed to win the calendar-year Grand Slam, taking home all four major singles titles. Also, her 11 Australian Open singles titles are a tournament record for any player. This achievement happened during a time when the event’s remote location kept many top international stars from making the trip, which often comes up in discussions about how strong her competition really was.
Another perspective on the Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic comparison
For sure, the discussion around Novak Djokovic’s achievements in the modern era versus Margaret Court’s accomplishments from the pre-and-early Open Era is always a hot topic.
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Prominent tennis historian Steve Flink has shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s chase for a 25th major, saying, “What I don’t understand is his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam. It makes sense in terms of surpassing Margaret Court. But it’s a false argument, a false target. Mainly from the media, because they constantly place his photo next to Margaret’s.”
Flink went on to say, “He’s not in competition with Margaret Court because she isn’t even in the conversation for the greatest female player of all time. She’s far from it. Every expert would rank [Martina] Navratilova, [Steffi] Graf, Serena Williams, and [Chris] Evert above Margaret.”
So, with all this information, it has got a lot of fans thinking that Djokovic, with his 24 titles all earned in the super competitive Open Era against big names like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and now Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, has pretty much locked in his place as the greatest, no matter the number.
Serena Williams Drops the Truth Bomb on the Negativity That Tried to Break Her: “Join the Crowd”
Over two decades after her breakthrough at the 1999 US Open, Serena Williams began a journey that would redefine greatness. The American pro won 73 tour-level singles titles, including a staggering 23 Grand Slam singles crowns: 7 Australian Opens, 3 French Opens, 7 Wimbledons, and 6 US Opens. Serena’s impact on tennis is immense. Despite the hurdles, she carved a path and made it work!
In a new cover story for Net-A-Porter published on December 1, Serena reflected on a life-changing choice she made as a teenager. “I was so young, but I said I’m never going to read anything about me,” she recalled. That moment came at 17, right after winning her first title. Even then, Serena knew protecting her peace was crucial to surviving under the spotlight.
As a Black woman rising in tennis, Williams didn’t sugarcoat the challenges. “Growing up and being Black in tennis, it’s just like, well, that comes with negativity…,” she said. “You have something mean to say, get in line. You got to go way back. It’s going to take you a few days to get there. Join the crowd.” This honesty is classic Serena: Bold, self-aware, and a little defiant.
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Over 1,011 WTA Tour matches, Williams faced players born from 1966 to 2003, spanning nearly 40 years of tennis generations. She became the statistical queen of her era. Serena rewrote what dominance means on court. Breaking into a sport long seen as predominantly white, she battled criticism, racial bias, and scrutiny that tested her toughness again and again.
This isn’t the first time she’s opened up about what helped her through harsh criticism. In the first episode of Stockton Street, talking with her sister Venus in September, Serena was impressed by her sister’s wisdom. “In sport, to be a champion, you have to have brutal honesty,” the seven-time Grand Slam champ said. “If you’re not honest with yourself and completely open, you cannot hide from yourself. You can’t pretend, you can’t shut that part off.” Serena couldn’t agree more.
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She also revealed a raw confession about the self-talk that once held her back. “‘You were too big, and you needed to be lighter, and you needed to have an opportunity to run faster,’” she said. “I mean, those were the talks I had to have with myself later. But you have to be honest with yourself, right? If you can’t, no one else can.”
Serena retired in 2022, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape women’s sport. Conversations about Black women in athletics, she said, have “changed.” Now thriving beyond tennis, Serena remains very much in the spotlight. Her power was never limited to the baseline. Yet, as she admits, her journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
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Serena Williams speaks up on the new challenges she faces
On November 20, Williams opened up on Instagram about a recent slump that’s felt all too familiar. “So, I don’t know what’s happened to me lately. I’ve been so lazy, and I was training earlier this year for a half-marathon, and it didn’t go so well. I mean, it was going good, then I got injured. I sustained an injury in my leg,” she said, catching everyone’s attention with that honest vibe.
It’s well known that Serena’s no stranger to injury battles. Back in 2010, she stepped on broken glass which cut deep and caused tendon damage. That injury meant two surgeries and nearly a year off the court—a serious setback that tested her resilience.
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Then came Wimbledon 2021, when a painful hamstring injury forced her out mid-match. Many saw that moment as the beginning of her farewell from the sport. Maybe those memories surfaced as she prepared for this half-marathon, because bouncing back from injury is never a smooth ride.
She keeps it real about where she’s at now: “That was four months ago, maybe five, and I haven’t really done cardio since. So, I’m back at it. The half-marathon I wanted to do is in February; I think I can still make it. I just got to get serious. The only thing I’m really good at, like, focus on is tennis.”
Now, with the American legend revealing how she handled the stress of criticism back in the day and kept her head high, there’s no doubt she is working past these injuries to get back on her feet. What do you think?
Corona del Mar girls tennis stays proud after undefeated run ends in state
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Corona del Mar’s undefeated season ended in the CIF State girls tennis championships on Saturday but that didn’t wipe away its pride in a campaign full of accomplishments.
Los Altos of the Central Coast Section edged the Sea Kings 4-3 at Fresno State, dashing Corona del Mar’s quest for a perfect season and state crown.
Corona del Mar ends a historic season with a 24-1 record.
“Incredible season,” said Corona del Mar coach Jamie Gresh, who missed the state final because of recent hip surgery. “An amazing experience to watch this team go undefeated during regular season, win Southern Section, win regional and compete their hearts out in state finals.”
Corona del Mar collected two points in doubles against Los Altos and one in singles as the teams competed in the third state final.
The Sea Kings’ No. 2 doubles team of seniors Sasha Briggs and Isabel Roytman, and the No. 3 pair of sophomore Madi Jackson and freshman Olivia Lew each collected wins.
Freshman Addie Dinicola won at No. 4 singles for Corona del Mar.
Last year, Los Altos lost to undefeated Palos Verdes 5-2 in the state finals.
The Sea Kings’ highlighted their season by capturing CIF-SS Division 1 and CIF-USTA Southern California Regional titles. They won their first section title since 2019 and first regional crown since 2017.
Senior Emilie Lew claimed the singles title in the Sunset League for the champion Sea Kings. Freshman Sienna Lynn and sophomore Julia Cross took the league title in doubles.
Hero World Challenge odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions
The PGA Tour is in the Bahamas this week for the 2025 Hero World Challenge, an event hosted by Tiger Woods. The elite-field tournament starts on Thursday at Albany Golf Course as Scottie Scheffler looks to win it for the third straight year. Below, we look at Hero World Challenge odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
There are only 20 players in the field this week, led by Scheffler and fellow Ryder Cupper, Cameron Young. Robert MacIntyre and J.J. Spaun are also among the favorites. Scheffler is trying to become the first player ever to win the Hero World Challenge 3 years in a row after successfully defending his title last year.
Albany Golf Course is a par 72 and 7,449 yards long, hosting the Hero World Challenge for only the 10th time. Ernie Els designed the course, which is a links design with open fairways and plenty of water hazards to keep players honest. Scheffler tied the tournament record (for Albany) at 25-under par last year, matching Bubba Watson’s score in 2015.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Hero World Challenge – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 7:18 p.m. ET.
Cameron Young (+1200)
Young has finished 13th, 15th and third in his last 3 starts at this event, showing that his length and driving prowess give him a slight advantage. And his 13th-place finish last year was before he truly started heating up late in the season.
Keegan Bradley (+1600)
Bradley is coming off a strong 2025 campaign and now heads to the Bahamas where he finished fifth last year after coming in 13th the year prior. He’s always a good driver and all-around ball-striker, which fits this course well.
Hero World Challenge picks – Contenders
Sepp Straka (+2200)
Straka is a great big-game hunter when it comes to events with marquee players, which applies this week with Scheffler in the field. Straka was the runner-up when Scheffler won in 2023 and finished T-9 last year, so he’s had good results here.
Hero World Challenge picks – Long shots
Jordan Spieth (+2500)
Spieth had a disappointing 2025 season and failed to make the Ryder Cup, but he can get a fresh start beginning this week in the Bahamas. He finished sixth in his last appearance in 2023.
Brian Harman (+3300)
Harman has some of the longest odds in the field but has come in 12th and eighth in his last 2 starts at the Hero World Challenge.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
Two leagues, five majors, 41 events: Gary McCord’s vision for pro golf
Why Nick Faldo says it could be tough for Rory McIlroy to win another major
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Rolapp Outlines Case for Compressed 2027 PGA Tour Schedule
When Brian Rolapp stepped in as the PGA Tour’s new CEO earlier in 2025, he framed his ambition around three guiding principles: parity, scarcity, and simplicity. With those priorities in mind, the Tour is now openly entertaining a sweeping re-think of how the season is structured.
At the RSM Classic, Harris English signaled what could be a profound shift: the Tour may move to a far smaller schedule of just 20-22 tournaments per year, roughly half of what fans have grown accustomed to. The motivation? To make each tournament more meaningful, encourage the best players to show up consistently, and avoid diluting the talent across dozens of weak-field events.
“We’ve got some smart guys at the helm. Now with Brian Rolapp coming in, he’s seeing the PGA Tour in a different light,” English said.
“Sometimes change is good. I get that they want all the best players playing together more often, and the talk of the Tour potentially starting after the Super Bowl I think is a pretty good thing because we can’t really compete with football. So we’ll see where it goes.”
What Would a Compressed PGA Tour Calendar Look Like?
During a recent interview at CNBC’s CEO Forum, Rolapp said that starting the season after the NFL’s Super Bowl “makes sense,” and that compressing the calendar could help reclaim attention in a crowded American sports landscape.
That would mark a dramatic departure from the current tradition of beginning in January, often with events in Hawaii and early-season West Coast swing tournaments.
Under this scenario, many long-standing early events might be cut entirely or moved to new dates. Even beyond timing, the structure of tournaments may change: the distinction between “signature” or “elevated” events and regular tournaments could vanish. Instead, all events would be equal in status–with the hope that every tournament draws strong fields because top players would be expected to attend each one.
Beyond the core 20–22 tournaments, leftover weeks and lower-tier tournaments could be reimagined: perhaps folded into a revamped developmental circuit (or expanded second-tier tour), or consolidated into a fall season with a different competitive purpose. The idea is not just to cut tournaments, but to make each event count and to create a post-season model that feels logical, competitive, and digestible for golf fans and casual sports watchers alike.
Why Now? The Rationale from Rolapp and Others
To Rolapp, the overhaul isn’t just about scheduling; it’s about making the Tour’s product more compelling. He argues that the sport has grown into a patchwork of events that exist largely because someone found a course, sponsor, or date–rather than being designed as parts of a cohesive whole.
By reducing the number of events and focusing on “bigger” tournaments, the Tour can emphasize scarcity–when top players tee it up less often, each appearance becomes more desirable. The hope is that fans, broadcasters, and sponsors will take notice when each tournament promises a strong field and competitive drama. Similar to how marquee events work in sports like tennis or the NFL.
Moreover, by potentially avoiding a head-on clash with American football (one of the biggest draws in U.S. sports), the Tour could reclaim television attention and fan focus.
“These are the types of debates we’re [Future Competition Committee] having,” Rolapp said. “How does the schedule look? How do you make bigger events? How do you actually stream them together in a season that you can understand? Part of professional golf’s issue is it has grown up as a series of events, that happened to be on television, as opposed to how do you actually take those events, making them meaningful in their own right, but cobble them together in a competitive model, including with a postseason that you would all understand whether you’re a golf fan or a sports fan.”
Risks, Doubts, and What’s Still Unsettled
Of course, nothing is official yet. Rolapp and the Tour’s leadership have stressed that these are still ideas under discussion.
Additionally, some critics argue that making every tournament “equal” might dilute the prestige of majors or formerly elevated events. And for players outside the top tier, a leaner calendar could mean fewer playing opportunities. Potentially narrowing the pathway for rising stars or fringe pros.
The uncertainty may also impact courses, sponsors, and regional fans–especially in areas that have long depended on hosting tournaments for local pride and economic benefit.
“Every sport has stars, but what really makes sports work is really the middle class,” Rolapp said. “So, in my old job, sure, we put the Kansas City Chiefs on primetime as much as we can, but that’s not why the NFL was so successful; it was because when the Bengals are good, you watch, and when the Lions are good, you watch. The middle class matters. You cannot build a lifelong sport that outlives your stars if you don’t build a system that works beyond your stars. …
“I will do whatever makes the PGA Tour stronger.”
Paige Spiranac Backs Scottie Scheffler and Co. Over Social Media Struggles: ‘Mentally Messes You Up’
How many times have you opened Scottie Scheffler’s, Tiger Woods’s, or Rory McIlroy’s social media and thought it didn’t tell you about their personal lives? How many times has that feeling of feeling close to your favorite golfers lingered? We have seen many golfers not share so much online, and Paige Spiranac has a reason. She also believes players deserve more sympathy for being away from the spotlight than we give them.
On the We Need a Fourth podcast, host Brian Baumgartner asked, “Do you think that the PGA Tour players are making a mistake by not giving more access to themselves?” Spiranac didn’t hesitate.
“They’re [LeBron James and Steph Curry] also so engaging on social media, and they just seem to be able to block out the noise, but I think the difference with golf is … it just mentally messes you up. And so I think having more of that outside noise really does impact your game and how you’re playing on a professional level,” she told Baumgartner.
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Golf is heavily reliant on a player’s mental steadiness, and even the slightest distraction can throw players off balance. But that’s not all. Spiranac then dove into golf’s traditional culture. She explained that because “golf is stuffy” as a game, even sponsors are very concerned about their brand image. And that puts a strain on the players.
“I think a lot of players are scared to speak their mind or show personality because you’re going to get backlash from your more traditional conservative brands…” she added.
Anyone “who has a difference of opinion” gets scrutinized immediately or becomes a victim of online hate. And she used Rory McIlroy‘s example.
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Earlier this year, he skipped post-round interviews at both the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open, citing frustration and personal reasons. The media painted him as distant and closed off, but as Spiranac explained, being yourself in golf can quickly turn a player into a villain, especially when people don’t agree with you.
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“But it’s just the community of golf and the environment that’s just bred from traditionalism and how conservative it is that I think a lot of players just kind of shy away from that,” Spiranac pointed out.
Another point with respect to the lack of social media activity might be that they need permission from the PGA Tour to post.
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Why PGA Tour Players Struggle with Social Media
Unlike athletes in other sports, who freely use social media to build personal brands and connect with fans, PGA Tour players operate under tight restrictions. The Tour controls their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), meaning golfers essentially need permission every time they want to post a video on Instagram or YouTube. This basically suppresses fan engagement and limits players’ ability to grow their own profiles, keeping them largely invisible to younger audiences, who mostly consume content online.
Even with initiatives like the Players’ Impact Program (PIP), which is now discontinued, players lacked media rights. The reason why it was created in the first place was to increase player reach, but with the tour controlling players’ media rights, it was going in the opposite direction. Without the ability to create and share their own content, golfers remain disconnected from the fans and the growth opportunities that social media offers.
The PGA Tour has started making small adjustments, quietly updating media guidelines since the Player Equity Program came into effect, to allow some content to be posted from practice rounds and pro-ams. But still, for most of it, the players require Tour approval. This, coupled with the game’s traditionalism, is the main reason golfers struggle to connect with fans and build their personal brands.
CEO Brian Rolapp’s Old Mindset Could Spell Trouble for the PGA Tour, Warns Analyst
Is golf becoming the NFL? With Brian Rolapp’s NFL experience, the question is justifiably looming. Moreover, golf relies on the traditional American crowd and tends to lose its popularity when the more modern and flashy NFL season starts. Is that why Rolapp was rolled in? Could be. Yet, Eamon Lynch from Golfweek does have some caution to spare.
“The debate about optimal PGA Tour scheduling is myopically focused on another league—the NFL,” wrote Lynch in his weekly column. “That ignores two things: a core golf fan base that needs to be sustained with at least a partial menu and the fact that only the American market is distracted by football,” followed by “Rolapp’s last job involved catering to NFL fans. He shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking his current job asks the same.”
Golf is not just for the Americans. This criticism by Lynch is simple to follow. As the NFL season rolls in from September to October, the PGA Tour scales back its main events. After the TOUR Championship, we entered into the fall stretch of the event. That, let’s be honest, is not as religiously followed as the core FedEx Cup season. But Lynch argues that making space for another event does not make sense for a game like golf. And that too is due to a paranoid hypothesis of losing core viewership.
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It’s partially because golf’s committed audience is not like football’s hyper-concentrated, jubilant crowd (barring the Ryder Cup circus). Golf depends on providing a year-round event for fans who follow it each week. They don’t vanish for half the year just because football kicks off. Hollowing out four months of the schedule just to avoid a domestic viewing conflict is, in Eamon Lynch’s view, a surrender rather than a strategy. Such warnings have ensued before as well.
The second point that he puts forth is a more damning one. A belief that “only the American market is distracted by football” is delusional. Golf’s ecosystem stretches through several continents. The PGA Tour’s second- and third-best players are from Europe. NFL, there is barely a blip, and that too is due to America’s heavy commercialization. This American-centric tunnel vision wastes the potential of actually elevating the Tour’s global outreach. This has always been the norm. Like the time when the PGA Tour came into existence in the 1930s, and the European Tour was formed almost 50 years later.
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Talking about the European Tour, a lesson could be learned from them. At a time when the PGA Tour’s best players were resting, the DP World Tour players were competing all over the globe, from Dubai to India to, of course, Europe. This week, Rory McIlroy has flown into Australia for the Crown Australian Open. Now, who’s to say that only Americans would be tuning in for these events?
Coincidentally, though, McIlroy himself has advocated for an NFL-like schedule for the entirety of golf. But that’s mainly because of the condensed nature of the sport. Events are lined up week after week, with the Majors at times infused between them. In all honesty, the European talisman would prefer the Brian Rolapp administration any day over Jay Monahan‘s.
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And there’s a reason for that. Brian Rolapp was brought into the picture to undo some of Monahan’s slip-ups. The opacity with which he dealt with the PIF-LIV Golf deal and his inability to actually merge the two ultimately led to his ouster. The ex-NFL executive, on the other hand, seems more focused on the PGA Tour rather than the Saudi-backed league. He’s adding more courses from South America, working towards relaxing the overflowing schedule, and has also roped in exemptions for the Masters for global winners.
Still, old habits take time to die, and that’s what Eamon Lynch warns him of.
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Why is Brian Rolapp’s and PGA Tour’s vision being narrowed, anyway?
As per Eamon Lynch, this is no coincidence. The rise of the Strategic Sports Group (SSG), or as he calls them, “the finance bros,” has influenced these decisions. These investors’ focus is on quarterly returns (they have invested around $1.5 B). Instead, they should be on the long-term health of golf’s competitive ecosystem. As a carpet rolls out, these pressures somehow dovetail with Rolapp’s ‘NFL conditioned instincts,’ believes the Golfweek analyst.
That’s why he wants a balance to be struck.
“A delicate balance needs to be struck between current priorities and longer-term opportunities,” wrote Lynch. “The decision shouldn’t fall to finance bros or football fanatics inclined to declare five months of the calendar off limits.”
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Where to stream the Penguins vs. Flyers NHL rivalry matchup today for free
Two in-state rivals headline the NHL’s schedule on Monday night, as the Pittsburgh Penguins pay a visit to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Since the two teams entered the league during the league’s expansion in 1967, the two sides have had many memorable battles. From famous playoff clashes to outdoor games, the rivalry between the Pennsylvania foes has always been must-see television.
The teams entered the 2025-26 season in the same boat. Both have had years of disappointing results, with both sides having missed out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Yet, the Penguins and Flyers have had promising starts to the season, giving both fanbases hope that their teams will be able to make a push for the postseason.
For the Pens, led by veteran stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, the team got off to a hot start. However, the team has cooled off and has fallen back to the Wild Card spot.
The Flyers have a solid youth movement, with Matvei Michkov wowing patrons on a nightly basis.
Heading into Monday night, the teams sit just two points apart in the ever-competitive Metropolitan Division, but both are in a playoff spot.
NHL HOCKEY
Pittsburgh Penguins (12-7-5) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (14-7-3)
When: Monday, December 1
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Channel: NHL Network
Check out the NHL standings and scores here
Dillon reflects on career ahead of 1,000th NHL game
Brenden Dillon always dreamed about playing one game in the NHL, and now he’s suiting up for his 1,000th.
After starting his career as an undrafted free agent, the New Jersey Devils defenseman is set to hit that impressive milestone during Monday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Prudential Center (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, MSGSN).
To mark the occasion, after Monday’s morning skate, Devils team reporter Amanda Stein showed Dillon a photo of himself as a young boy skating with his dad, and asked him what he would tell that little boy today.
The photo elicited a strong emotional reaction from the 35-year-old skater.
“I just wanted to get one,” he said through the tears. “I’m just happy. So thankful to be playing the best game in the world. … It’s been awesome.”
Dillon started his NHL journey in 2011, when he was signed to the Dallas Stars as a free agent. In 2014, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks and played there until 2020, when he was traded to the Washington Capitals.
The following season, he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets. After three years there, he signed with the Devils in 2024 and is currently in his second year with the team.
Rocking a special “Dilly 1,000” hat after morning skate, Devils defenseman Luke Hughes talked about his relationship to Dillon and his impact during his time with the team.
“He’s an unbelievable person and fits in unbelievably on our team,” Hughes told the media on Sunday. “And just as a person, he’s one of my really good friends.”
He continued, “Playing 1,000 games in this league is such an honor, especially as an undrafted guy. He’s just a really special person and I’m really happy for him and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”
Dillon has nine points so far this season (three goals, six assists) in 25 games played. Throughout his career, he has 42 goals and 179 assists.
“Every step and every level there are so many people that make this,” Dillon said. “And there are fortunate things too, and I’ve just been so lucky and appreciative.
“I just love coming to the rink,” he continued. “It’s been so amazing since I came here to the Devils and everywhere I’ve played. … I wouldn’t change it for anything. I love being a hockey player.”
Penguins vs. Flyers free live stream: How to watch NHL game online
The Pittsburgh Penguins face the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa.
Here are your best options to watch the game if you don’t already have cable:
Watch for free with a trial of DIRECTV or FuboTV.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NHL regular season
Who: Penguins vs. Flyers
When: Dec. 1, 2025 (12/1/25)
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena
TV: NHL Network
Live stream: DIRECTV (free trial), FuboTV (free trial)
Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press:
Pittsburgh Penguins (12-7-5, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (14-7-3, in the Metropolitan Division)
Philadelphia; Monday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers head into a matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins as winners of three consecutive games.
Philadelphia has a 5-0-1 record in Metropolitan Division games and a 14-7-3 record overall. The Flyers serve 10.9 penalty minutes per game to rank sixth in league play.
Pittsburgh is 12-7-5 overall with a 4-1-3 record in Metropolitan Division play. The Penguins are 2-3-2 in games decided by a single goal.
Monday’s game is the second meeting between these teams this season. The Flyers won the previous meeting 3-2 in a shootout.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tyson Foerster has 10 goals and three assists for the Flyers. Matvei Michkov has six goals and one assist over the past 10 games.
Bryan Rust has seven goals and 11 assists for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby has seven goals and three assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 6-2-2, averaging three goals, 4.7 assists, 3.1 penalties and 6.7 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.
Penguins: 4-3-3, averaging 2.5 goals, 3.6 assists, 2.7 penalties and 5.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
INJURIES: Flyers: None listed.
Penguins: None listed.
Alaska sports notebook: Swayman continues strong NHL season start, Anchorage beats Kenai River in NAHL
Anchorage’s Jeremy Swayman picked up his 10th and 11th wins of the season between the pipes for the Boston Bruins this last week, taking just 16 games — his fewest so far — to reach the double-digit mark. In a 3-1 win over the New York Islanders on Wednesday, the former South standout made a whopping 44 saves on 45 shots. Three days later, he followed it up with a 3-2 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, making 24 saves on 26 shots.
“I just want to do my job,” Swayman said after his 44-save night. “The motivation is right in front of me seeing how these guys battle, compete, block shots. I’m not going to leave them hanging behind them.”
Staying in the rink, fresh off splitting a two-game series with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on the road, the Anchorage Wolverines returned home to face off with their other in-state rivals on the day before Thanksgiving. Thanks to another multi-goal game by leading scorer Luc Bydal, who led the team with a pair, they were able to skate into the holiday break with a convincing 6-3 win over the Kenai River Browns Bears.
“Wednesday’s game against Kenai was a gritty team win,” head coach Mike Aikens said. “We are battling injuries, physical and mental fatigue, and sickness, so I was very proud of our guys to find a way to get two points. We have some time off this week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The last game before some scheduled time off is always a dangerous one, so it was nice to head to break with a win and great momentum as we head on the road until after Christmas.”
At the high school level, reigning Division I state champion West Anchorage headed into the holiday weekend on a heater after closing it out with a 4-1 win over Eagle River on Tuesday.
“It was a great win for us,” head coach Rob Larkey said. “We came in off a hard game the other night, and these guys have really improved and they’re improving throughout the year.”
Special teams were the key to deciding this game as three of the Eagles’ four goals came on power plays where they had the numbers advantage in the ice. Meanwhile, their penalty kill was on point for the most part, allowing the Wolves’ lone goal of the game while shorthanded in the opening period, but they didn’t let them take advantage of other opportunities.
“We just had a couple of breaks and capitalized on it, and it kind of deflated (Eagle River) a little bit but I think they stuck with us the whole game,” Larkey said.
Anchorage’s Daishen Nix recorded a pair of 26-point games for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in a pair of losses in the NBA G-League last week. Against the Austin Spurs in a 118-100 loss last Monday, he flirted with a double-double with a team-leading 26 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. In a 134-125 loss to the Osceola Magic on Saturday, he nearly had a triple-double by tying for the team lead with 26 points, leading with 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
Anchorage’s Sayvia Sellers helped the University of Washington women’s basketball team continue its undefeated start to the season on Saturday. The former Anchorage Christian star tied for the team lead in scoring with 17 points in a 67-50 win over UC San Diego, which included knocking down a trio of 3-pointers and recording five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.
Anchorage’s Mikayla Johnson led the University of Pittsburgh women’s basketball team to a 67-53 bounce-back win over Chicago State in the second game of the Florida Gulf Classic on Saturday. The former Bartlett standout recorded her first double-double of the season by leading the Panthers with 17 points and finishing second in rebounds with 10.
Palmer’s Patrick MacMahon had a career day for the Montana State men’s basketball team in a narrow 84-81 loss to Utah State on Saturday night. The former Colony star led the Bobcats with a career-high 26 points and a season-high eight rebounds to go along with three assists and a steal.
[UAA men’s basketball winning streak snapped in Tundra Tip-Off finale]
Anchorage’s Alani Makihele and Thomas Whitte faced off for the final time at the collegiate level in the 51st Battle for the Fremont Cannon between University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Reno on Saturday. Makihele and the UNLV Rebels racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense against Whitte and the Wolves in a 42-17 win. The two former West High standouts starred for the Eagles before becoming rivals at the next level, and even though his team got blown out in this matchup, Whitte had a solid game with a solo tackle for a loss of 2 yards.
Alexey Toropchenko is the latest NHL player to be sidelined by a bizarre off
“I just know it was a home accident, so we’re going to leave it at that,” coach Jim Montgomery told reporters after the team’s morning skate Monday.
Toropchenko is the third NHL player this season to get injured away from the rink, joining a dubious list of maladies over the past decade or so.
Jack Hughes cut a finger at an off-night dinner
New Jersey Devils leading scorer Jack Hughes had surgery on Nov. 15 to repair a finger injury from a freak accident at dinner at a steakhouse in Chicago two nights earlier. Hughes was expected to miss roughly two months.
The team declined to reveal which finger or fingers were affected, other than to say Hughes underwent an operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. A photo posted on social media of Hughes dining in the city with pop star Tate McRae showed his right hand bandaged.
Hughes, the top pick in the 2019 draft who is expected to be on the U.S. Olympic team in February in Milan, missed the end of last season and the playoffs after shoulder surgery. That was a hockey injury, as Hughes went right shoulder first into the boards after getting tangled up with Vegas’ Jack Eichel during a game in early March.
Eetu Luostarinen is out after a barbecue accident
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are bidding for a threepeat and going through a stretch without Eetu Luostarinen after coach Paul Maurice said the Finnish center was out because of “a barbequing mishap.”
Luostarinen was listed as week to week after Maurice announced the injury on Nov. 19. The team did not seem to have a concrete timeline for when Luostarinen might be ready to return.
Ilya Samsonov was involved in an ATV crash in Russia
In between the time the NHL paused its season because of the pandemic in March 2020 and resumed to hold the playoffs in quarantined bubbles that summer, the Washington Capitals lost the services of goaltender Ilya Samsonov.
According to reports in Russia, Samsonov fell off an all-terrain vehicle in Magnitogorsk and injured his neck and back. He played two more seasons with the Capitals before bouncing around to Toronto and Vegas and landing back home in the KHL for this season.
David Pastrnak injured a thumb in a post-dinner fall
The Boston Bruins’ long 2019 playoff run had plenty of drama even before captain Zdeno Chara broke his jaw in the Stanley Cup Final against St. Louis. Winger David Pastrnak injured his left thumb in a fall while walking to his transportation after a sponsorship dinner in February, the team said.
Pastrnak had a tendon procedure and missed more than a month. Only Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos had more points than Pastrnak’s 15 from the time he returned until the end of the season and recently scored his 400th career regular-season goal.
Dustin Penner wrenched his back eating pancakes
Veteran forward Dustin Penner missed a Los Angeles Kings game in January 2012 after throwing his back out while eating pancakes his wife made that morning. Penner called it an isolated incident and hoped it would not become chronic.
“Woke up fine, sat down to eat and it locked right up,” Penner told the Kings website at the time. “It never happened to me before. I couldn’t stand up.”
Penner practiced the next day, got back in the lineup for the next game and only missed five the rest of the season. He had 11 points on the Kings’ run to their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
NHL has a shots-on-goal problem, but the Colorado Avalanche do not
Shots on goal are becoming a tougher commodity to collect in the NHL, except for the Colorado Avalanche.
NHL clubs are averaging 27.7 shots on goal per game through November. That would be the fourth-lowest total in league history, and the fewest since teams averaged 27.5 in 2001-02.
All three of the years with fewer shots on goal came between 1997-02, otherwise known as the heart of the “dead puck” era.
“It’s a commitment to play the right way early (in the season), same as what we’re doing,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “You’ve got to earn your scoring chances, and you’re trying to keep the other team from getting theirs.
“Look at the standings and how important the games are. There’s no easy teams to play against. … Every game is important, so it just kind of drives the buy-in and the commitment from all teams to defend the right way.”
The Avs have been immune to this trend, much like they have overcome the league-wide parity this season and bulldozed their way to a 18-1-6 start. Colorado leads the league with 33.9 shots on goal per game.
Colorado has had 32 shots on goal or more in 18 of the 25 games. The Avs have poured 35-plus shots on net in 12 games, two more than the Carolina Hurricanes for tops in the NHL.
There are 28 teams in the league who have hit 35 shots six times or fewer. Even the Hurricanes have not been able to escape the slog. Carolina defeated Calgary in a 1-0 overtime tilt Sunday that featured just 32 shots combined — the Hurricanes outshot the Flames, 17-15. Colorado’s season low was 23, in the season opener at Los Angeles.
“That’s a good question,” Avs defenseman Josh Manson said of the declining totals. “Could be defensive systems. I think guys are blocking more shots. It’s more of a puck possession game now. These young kids are super talented, so maybe they’re just holding onto the puck more and looking for the right opportunities.”
To Manson’s point about hunting for shot quality over quantity, the league average save percentage has also dropped to .897. That’s down from .900 last season, and part of a steady decline from a two-year run at .915 (2014-16) that proceeded tweaks to equipment sizes for goaltenders.
Teams averaged\\\\\ 3.14 goals per game in 2022-23, but that has dipped to 3.01 last year and 3.03 this season.
Just as an example to show how quickly it has shifted, the Edmonton Oilers averaged 34.0 shots per game in 2021-22. That would be first this season, but it was good for 10th just four years ago.
Why are the Avs still able to rack up 30-plus shots on goal per night, while five of the eight teams that played Sunday finished with 18 or fewer?
Part of it is just pure talent. Colorado has a deep collection of high-end offensive players, fronted by arguably the two best players in the world in December 2025 — Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
Part of it is Bednar’s systems and overall philosophy about how the game should be played. And part of it is how well the Avs turn defense into offense, whether that means turning the puck back in their favor while still in the offensive zone, in the neutral zone or from their own end in a full-ice counter attack.
“It’s a fun style of hockey, ” Manson said. “What I love about it is when we are playing well, it’s when we are committed on the defensive side. Then we can really play fast from there, because we’re turning pucks over.
“That’s when it’s the most fun, because we’re playing well defensively, we are creating all these chances and we are wearing other teams down.”
Colorado has outshot its opponent 17 times and been even in four games. Of the five times a foe has outshot the Avalanche, three times it was by two or less.
“We don’t want to take stupid shots, but we know you’ve got to get pucks to the net and bodies in front,” Avs forward Ross Colton said. “We preach that with our skill, we are going to check pucks back after we shoot it. With our work ethic, our structure, we are going to get it back and keep attacking.”
FOOTNOTES: Valeri Nichushkin practiced Monday with the Avs. Bednar said he is a possibility to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Nichushkin has missed the past eight games with a lower-body injury. … MacKinnon, Gabe Landeskog and Parker Kelly all missed practice because of illness, while Victor Olofsson was out for a maintenance day.
Did Devils break NHL rule by ditching helmets in warmups?
The Devils had a nice moment in warmups on Monday, honoring Brenden Dillon by ditching their helmets for hats that read “1,000 Dilly” to honor the defenseman’s 1,000th game.
Here’s the downside: They may have violated a league rule in doing so.
The league added a requirement in 2023-24 which mandated helmets in warmups. The change applies to anyone joining the league in 2019-20 or later. It is part of the official rulebook.
HAVE YOU JOINED OUR YOUTUBE PAGE? DEVILS REPORTER RYAN NOVOZINSKY BREAKS DOWN EVERY GAME — WITH YOUR HELP
Rule 9.6 of the NHL rulebook states that it is “mandatory for all players who entered the NHL beginning with the 2019-2020 season or later to wear their helmet during pre-game warm-up.
“To be clear, all players who entered the League prior to the 2019-2020 season and who are currently playing are exempt from this mandate.”
The Devils have six players — Dawson Mercer, Paul Cotter, Arseny Gritsyuk, Cody Glass, Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec — who made their debuts during or after the 2019-20 season.
NJ Advance Media reached out to the NHL for comment.
We’re told the Devils have not heard from the league at the time of publication.
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A similar incident occurred during the Senators vs. Sharks game this week, causing the league to reportedly “act” after some players violated helmet rule in warmups.
The “act”? Essentially a stern warning.
“We intend to send a reminder to Clubs regarding our collectively bargained rule requiring helmet use during warm-up,” Daly wrote in an email to Bay Area News Group. “I don’t anticipate that San Jose will be singled out or disciplined.”
The Devils are currently in a physical tilt with the Blue Jackets at Prudential Center. The game — which has featured a bevy of fights and big checks — is tied 2-2 entering the third period.
Rangers’ unconventional Artemi Panarin solution for power play
After losing one of the top power-play defensemen in the NHL for at least the next several weeks, the Rangers are going to try something unconventional to spark their inconsistent season.
With former Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox placed on long-term injured reserve with an apparent left arm injury, Rangers coach Mike Sullivan, at least initially, plans to deploy the five-forward power-play alignment he used late in Saturday’s home loss to the Lightning.
All-Star winger Artemi Panarin will man the blue line with the man advantage to start Tuesday’s game against the Stars at the Garden after working with fellow forwards Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck and Will Cuylle during Monday’s practice in Tarrytown.
“[Losing Fox is] very bad,” said Panarin, who is tied with Fox for the team scoring lead with 26 points. “He is a great player who generates for us, the first pass out of our zone to send us to the O-Zone, so just everything. A big power-play loss too. He’s great on the power play. Just very sad for him.
“It’s pretty sad, but we can’t do anything now. We don’t have time to figure out being sad for us. Just gotta score again.”
Panarin acknowledged he doesn’t have extensive experience in that role but said he often switches places with Fox during the normal flow of the power play.
Sullivan said Panarin’s vision and ability to get his shot through to the net made him the natural fit — along with potentially Zibanejad — among the forward corps to play at the top.
To wit, during practice, Panarin rifled a wrister from the top of the right circle that beat goalie Jonathan Quick over the right shoulder
The Rangers ranked 12th in the NHL through Sunday’s league action with a power-play efficiency of 21.3 percent, but they improved to 29 percent over 15 November games (fifth best) and an NHL-best 40 percent over their past nine contests.
“When I switch with Foxy, I’ve been there a few times in the game, so it’s kind of not really new for me,” Panarin said. “I switch with him a lot, but now I gotta stay there. I like [playing the point] actually. I think I have more options and more play with the puck, which I like.
“I will try obviously being a little safer, trying to play a little safer up top. But I also can’t be, like, too conservative because it’s obviously not working like that.”
CHECK OUT THE LATEST NHL STANDINGS AND RANGERS STATS
Sullivan also said the decision to go with Panarin as the quarterback rather than turning to a veteran defensemen such as Braden Schneider or Vladislav Gavrikov or rookie Scott Morrow is because he doesn’t think that’s “the strength of their games to this point.”
“We’re trying to put a power play together that we think gives us the best opportunity to have success,” Sullivan said. “Obviously, Foxy, I think, is an elite power-play defenseman, with how he distributes the puck up there and the way he sees the game. He’s got really good instincts. We don’t think that’s necessarily the strength of some of the other guys.”
The 23-year-old Morrow, who has appeared in four games for the Rangers and 12 for AHL Hartford, ran the second power-play unit in practice alongside forwards Alexis Lafrenière, Jonny Brodzinski, Conor Sheary and Noah Laba.
Sullivan said for Morrow to be given a chance on the power play, he needs to be more “assertive and make decisions with conviction and not being in between” while “eliminating hesitation from his game.”
Dallas Stars’ Wyatt Johnston named NHL’s first star of the week amid dominant stretch
Wyatt Johnston’s dominant stretch isn’t going unnoticed by the NHL.
On Monday, the Dallas Stars center was named the NHL’s first star of the week. Johnston earned the weekly award for his performance in games between Nov. 24-30.
It was an impressive week for Johnston, who posted his 200th career point and 100th career assist in a win over the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 25. Johnston finished the week with nine points (five goals, four assists) as the Stars came away with four consecutive wins.
Johnston also scored a pivotal goal against the Utah Mammoth on Nov. 28 and posted a hat trick against the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 30.
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The Stars center was joined by Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel and Washington’s Tom Wilson in earning weekly awards. Hagel was the second star of the week, while Wilson was the third star.
Johnston ranks third on the Stars’ roster with 30 points (16 goals, 14 assists) in 26 games this season. The Stars return to the ice Tuesday, facing the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
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Canadiens Throw Monkey Wrench NHL Free-Agent Market: Insider
The Montreal Canadiens could have inadvertently thrown a monkey wrench into the NHL free-agent market with a recent contract extension.
According to insider Elliotte Friedman, the Habs could have made the 2026 NHL free-agent market a little less enticing. During the December 1 edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman discussed how the Canadiens’ extension of Mike Matheson took a key piece out of next offseason’s free-agent pool.
The Canadiens extended Matheson on Friday to a five-year, $30 million contract, David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reported.
The deal is great for both Matheson and the Canadiens, but not so much for teams looking to bolster their blue line. Matheson was one of the hottest names at last season’s trade deadline. This summer, chatter picked up around the 31-year-old defenseman, as his impending UFA status made him a viable trade candidate.
However, the Canadiens weren’t hearing any of it. They went ahead and extended their assistant captain, keeping him in the fold for the foreseeable future.
Other teams looking for help on the blue line may have to pivot to other, older players. The UFA market will feature some household, albeit older, names.
In the meantime, the Habs’ defensive core looks solid with Noah Dobson, Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, and Matheson all signed to long-term deals.
Matheson Didn’t Want to Leave Montreal
One of the key issues Friedman underscored was how Matheson did not want to leave Montreal. Matheson joined the Habs ahead of the 2022-23 season as part of the Jeff Petry trade. Since then, he’s been a mainstay. The veteran blueliner had his best season in 2023-24, scoring 11 goals and 61 points in 82 games.
Last season, Matheson saw a dip in his offensive numbers, but maintained his generally reliable two-way presence. He was instrumental in helping the Habs return to the postseason after a short hiatus.
It’s worth pointing out that Matheson was a good soldier during the Canadiens’ short retool/rebuilding, enduring a couple of really tough seasons.
Now, the team has rewarded their veteran stalwart’s loyalty. The two sides can now confidently move forward as the club looks to become a serious playoff contender this season and beyond.
Canadiens Needed to Take Care of Other Business First
There was one other interesting point Friedman made. The notable insider pointed out that the Canadiens needed to take care of other pressing business matters before extending Matheson.
The first issue was Noah Dobson. Once the Habs were able to land Dobson via trade, the focus turned to signing him to an extension. That deal came relatively quickly.
Then, the biggest issue remained Lane Hutson. Things could have potentially gotten away from the Canadiens with Hutson. However, both sides worked out a very amicable agreement.
Once Hutson was signed, the onus turned to Matheson. As Friedman pointed out, Montreal GM Kent Hughes was Matheson’s agent at one point. So, the familiarity allowed the two sides to show patience and trust.
That situation enabled Matheson and the Habs to work out a deal that benefits both sides. Now, the real work begins as the Canadiens attempt to return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2021.
Patriots make it look too easy in win over lowly Giants
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The mark of a good NFL team is their ability to put bad teams away with ease. The New England Patriots made a statement against the New York Giants on Monday night, 33-15.
Drake Maye and the Patriots offense made it look easy from the start.
He found Kayshon Boutte on a 3-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to help take a commanding 17-0 lead. He then dropped an absolute dime to Kyle Williams on a 33-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
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Maye’s touchdowns helped the Patriots take a 30-7 lead into the locker room and New England didn’t look back from there.
The second-year quarterback was 24-of-31 with 282 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Giants’ defense was able to get to him three times. Patriots tight end Hunter Henry led the team with four catches for 73 yards.
Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson had 67 rushing yards on 11 carries.
The Patriots’ defense was able to keep rookie Jaxson Dart at bay for the most part. He was roughed up at points during the game, taking huge hits. He finished 17-of-24 with 139 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Darius Slayton. He added 20 yards on the ground.
The Giants had their share of head-scratching moments during the game.
YOUNGHOE KOO’S FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT GOES HORRIBLY WRONG AS SPECIAL TEAMS WOES CONTINUE FOR GIANTS
Kicker Younghoe Koo, somehow, got caught up in the field as he tried to kick a field goal in the second quarter. The Giants tried to make the most out of it but Jamie Gillan was stopped before he could even think about throwing the football.
Earlier in the game, Dart took a couple of hits from the Patriots defense. First, linebacker Harold Landry III hit Dart near the helmet as he tried to avoid him. There was no penalty flag thrown on the play. On the following drive, Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss trucked Dart as he was running up the sideline. It sparked a brief skirmish and a penalty on Giants tight end Theo Johnson.
New York looked completely out of sync the entire game, underscoring why they are now a 2-11 team. The defense allowed big plays early and often and failed to stop Marcus Jones on a punt return. He returned one to the house 94 yards.
With the win, New England is back on top of the AFC with an 11-2 record and completed a feat not seen since the 1999 Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots are the first team with a 10-game winning streak after losing 13 or more games in the previous season.
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The Patriots have a slim lead over the Denver Broncos, who moved to 10-2 on the year after an overtime win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.
NFL Week 13 2025 scores: Bills, Texans, Cowboys get big wins
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Week 13 of the NFL season provided some incredible games starting with Thanksgiving Day and carrying through Sunday.
Two games on Thursday were decided by three points while Thanksgiving and Black Friday featured upset victories by the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears. The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Dallas Cowboys and are seeing their playoff hopes hang on by a thread.
Meanwhile the Buffalo Bills were able to bounce back from a head-scratching loss to the Houston Texans. Speaking of the Texans, they made the AFC South race more interesting with a victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The playoff races have tightened and there’s only about a month left of the season.
Read below for the complete scoreboard.
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025
Green Bay Packers 31, Detroit Lions 24
Dallas Cowboys 31, Kansas City Chiefs 28
Cincinnati Bengals 32, Baltimore Ravens 14
Friday, Nov. 28, 2025
Chicago Bears 24, Philadelphia 15
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025
Carolina Panthers 31, Los Angeles Rams 28
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Arizona Cardinals 17
New York Jets 27, Atlanta Falcons 24
Miami Dolphins 21, New Orleans Saints 17
Houston Texans 20, Indianapolis Colts 16
Jacksonville Jaguars 25, Tennessee Titans 3
San Francisco 49ers 26, Cleveland Browns 6
Los Angeles Chargers 31, Las Vegas Raiders 14
Buffalo Bills 26, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
Denver Broncos 27, Washington Commanders 26
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Monday, Dec. 1, 2025
New England Patriots 33, New York Giants 15
Drake Maye passes for 2 TDs, Patriots become 1st team to 11 wins, defeating Giants 33-15
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye passed for two touchdowns, Marcus Jones had a 94-yard punt return for a TD and the New England Patriots became the first NFL team to reach 11 wins this season, beating the New York Giants 33-15 on Monday night.
It was the 10th straight win for the AFC-leading Patriots (11-2), the franchise’s longest streak since winning 10 consecutive games in 2015. Coach Mike Vrabel also became the third coach since 1970 to have a win streak of 10 or more games in his first season with a team.
NFL Monday night: Former Alabama prep star becomes league career leader
Marcus Jones returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown to send the New England Patriots on their way to a 33-15 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night.
With its 10th consecutive victory, New England became the first NFL team to reach 11 wins in the 2025 season.
Jones’ touchdown return came off a 54-yard punt by New York’s Jamie Gillan and put the Patriots ahead 10-0 with 5:17 left in the first quarter as they raced to a 30-7 halftime lead.
The punt return was the 75th of Jones’ career, qualifying the former Enterprise High School and Troy standout for the NFL’s career record book, and his 14.63-yards-per-return average went to No. 1 in league history.
Jones replaced George McAfee, who averaged 12.78 yards on 112 punt returns for the Chicago Bears from 1940 through 1950, with three years missed for military service in World War II.
Later in the game, Jones had punt returns of 17 and 13 yards, bringing his all-time best average to 14.64 yards.
Only twice in NFL history has a player from an Alabama high school or college had a longer punt-return touchdown than Jones did on Monday night.
On Nov. 24, 1968, San Diego Chargers cornerback Speedy Duncan from Druid High School in Tuscaloosa returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown in a 37-15 loss to the New York Jets in an AFL game.
On Jan. 1, 2017, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill from West Alabama returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown in a 37-27 victory over the Chargers.
The third punt-return touchdown of Jones’ career was his second of 2025. Jones returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown during a 42-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 28.
Jones’ Monday-night effort tied the franchise record for the longest punt-return touchdown, equaling Julian Edelman’s 94-yarder in a 38-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 2, 2011.
New England quarterback Drake Maye completed 24-of-31 passes for 282 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions on Monday night.
In addition to Jones, who started at cornerback for the Patriots, seven other players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the New York-New England game:
Christian Barmore (Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Patriots. Barmore made five tackles.
Carlton Davis (Auburn) started at cornerback for the Patriots. Davis made five tackles, recorded one tackle for loss and broke up two passes.
Patriots tight end CJ Dippre (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
Cor’Dale Flott (Saraland) started at cornerback for the Giants. Flott made five tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.
Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville, Alabama) made two tackles on defense, recorded one tackle for loss and had one tackle on special teams.
Giants offensive linebacker Evan Neal (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) made one tackle.
Patriots safety Dell Pettus (Sparkman, Troy) did not record any stats.
Darius Slayton (Auburn) started at wide receiver for the Giants. Slayton had two receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown. Slayton’s first touchdown of the 2025 season came on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Jaxson Dart as New York reduced New England’s lead to 17-7 with 12:46 left in the first half.
Patriots wide receiver Jeremiah Webb (South Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (Hueytown) dressed for the game but did not play. Winston had started the previous two games and thrown for 567 yards in a 27-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 16 and a 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 23. Winston returned to the sideline with the return of rookie QB Jaxson Dart from a concussion.
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New England (11-2) does not play against until Dec. 14 as the Patriots enter their bye week. New England will return against the Buffalo Bills at noon CST Dec. 14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
New York (2-11) also is set for its open date in Week 14 of the NFL season. The Giants return against the Washington Commanders at noon Dec. 14 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Analyst Debates Matthew Stafford’s MVP Chances After Disastrous Game
Matthew Stafford entered the Week 13 matchup against the Carolina Panthers throwing for 27 straight passing touchdowns without an interception, with his last INT coming in Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season.
The quarterback was able to extend his touchdown streak to 28 passes and broke the all time record from future NFL Hall of Famer Tom Brady, who he was tied with. Then it went south for Stafford against the Panthers.
The Los Angeles Ram threw for 2 interceptions in the game and recorded a fumble loss in the loss to Carolina.
Stafford credits the Panthers defense for doing a good job on defense on the first interception and takes some of the blame on the second interception of the game and on the fumble loss. His total turnovers on the season are 4 INTS and 5 fumbles on the season, only losing two of the fumbles.
“Obviously, we’re not going to win a lot of games when I turn [the ball] over three times,” the QB said after the game. “Don’t expect it moving forward. Just continue to trust my fundamentals. Go out there and play… I’m doing all the stuff I can to make sure I play at a high level, which didn’t happen for me today.”
Through the 12 weeks before, the 17 season vet as been playing like an MVP candidate. But will one rough game in the season derail him from the award?
Matthew Stafford MVP Chances Going Down?
While the Rams suffered the loss in Week 13, the team was still able to put up a fight, losing only by a field goal — all of LA’s losses this season have been from a one score game. In the loss to the Panthers, Matthew Stafford threw for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns.
After Stafford’s bad game, CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan called it an overreaction if the quarterbacks’ chances of winning MVP were out the window.
“Stafford came into Week 13 as the betting favorite to win NFL MVP, as the Rams quarterback had been on an absolute tear. He had thrown 28 straight touchdowns without an interception, which was the longest streak in NFL history. However, that streak was snapped with a first-quarter interception,” Sullivan wrote.
“Naturally, this puts a dent into Stafford’s MVP bid and could cost him his standing as the betting favorite. However, it’d be a step too far to say that his pursuit is over… If Stafford bounces back with strong performances over the next few weeks against opponents like the [Detroit] Lions (Week 15) and [Seattle] Seahawks (Week 16), his stock could be back up.”
The QB threw for 30 touchdowns and 2,830 yards in the previous 10 games for the Rams this season. It was an out of the norm game for Stafford, but still has plenty of time to get bad into the groove of things and get his name atop of the MVP list.
Who Else Is In The MVP Conversation?
From what has appeared to be a later career resurgence, Matthew Stafford is playing better than he did in the early part of his career. It isn’t uncommon for quarterbacks to get better as they age, take Tom Brady as an example.
While Stafford is still one of the top contenders to win the award, he has to worry about his competition to become the most valuable players of the 2025 season. The award has become dedicated for quarterbacks and there are a couple of players who have their names in the hat.
New England Patriots second year quarterback Drake Maye is looking like the franchise quarterback and has led the team to a complete turn around of the 2024 season. Maye is in top five of the passing yards and touchdowns on the season, and with the chance of leading the Patriots to the number one seed in the conference.
Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen is having another solid season and could be on his way to win his second MVP in a back-to-back award winning seasons.
There are still five more weeks in the season for Stafford to cement himself as MVP and possibly send his career off in a high note.
Patriots Get Best News Ever Before Bye Week
The New England Patriots in Week 12 barely escaped from Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium with a 26-20 win over the Bengals, as they lost four key players to injuries, including two members of the starting offensive line, left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson, charged with protecting sophomore quarterback and MVP candidate Drake Maye.
After that costly game, New England entered its only Monday Night Football game of the season — facing the New York Giants, with a degree of uncertainty about whether their so-far storybook season was about to come to a crashing halt.
Instead, the Patriots played what was very likely their best game of the season, dominating on both sides of the ball, as well as special teams, from start to finish for a 33-15 win that was not as close as the score made it look.
And that was not the only inspiring news for the Patriots.
Patriots Make New England History With Win
The win was history-making, in that it gave the Patriots a 10-game winning streak — the only such streak in the history of the franchise led by any quarterback other than the future Hall of Famer Tom Brady.
Brady quarterbacked the Patriots for 19 full seasons, and in that span led the team not only to six Super Bowl victories, but to five winning streaks of 10 games or more.
But since the team’s founding in 1960 as one of the original franchises in the American Football League, 35 other quarterbacks have started games for the Patriots, who were known as the Boston Patriots until 1971, playing in college football stadiums in the Boston area — and even sharing the iconic Fenway Park with Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox from 1963 to 1969.
Not one of those quarterbacks presided over even a portion of a 10-game winning streak — until Monday night when the 23-year-old Maye, the Patriots’ 2024 first-round draft pick (No. 3 overall out of North Carolina), led the team to its 10th consecutive victory.
New England Again Reigns Atop NFL
The Patriots have not lost since Week 3, when they committed five turnovers, essentially handing the Pittsburgh Steelers a 21-14 victory.
The unprecedented achievement for the Maye-led Patriots may have seemed like the best news ever, but it wasn’t even the best news of the night.
The Patriots now head into their long-awaited bye week carrying the best record in the NFL at 11-2, and also becoming the first of the NFL’s 32 teams to win 11 games this season.
Their record, of course, also puts them atop the AFC, meaning that if they can hold on to their spot over the season’s final four games, the Patriots would earn a bye out of the first round of the playoffs — getting a much-needed extra week to rest and recover from injuries before jumping straight to the divisional round.
Browns Get Brutal Message Over 49ers’ Jauan Jennings Situation
The San Francisco 49ers stretched their winning streak to three games with a 26-8 triumph over the Cleveland Browns on November 30 at Huntington Bank Field.
However, 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings found himself under scrutiny once again amid a potential on-field incident. A Browns player accused Jennings of unsportsmanlike conduct following a heated exchange.
The situation escalated after Maliek Collins went down with an injury, with Jennings reportedly taking things personally during interactions with the Browns’ defense.
Nonetheless, despite the commotion that the wide receiver generated in the Cleveland dressing room, one former NFL player is coming to his defense. During a December 1 appearance on KNBR, Tim Ryan spoke about how Jennings has this ability to get under opponents’ skin.
“I think part of why people get so agitated with Jauan is because of his style of play, which is as physical as it gets,” Ryan said. “It’s not dirty, but he’s going to play ball the way Kyle Shanahan wants him to in terms of his blocking. He’s going to block to the whistle and finish if he’s got you locked up.
“Hell, the referees will even penalize him for legal plays. Remember the Arizona game last year at the end of the season? So I think that’s part of it. And aside from that, Cleveland is probably overreacting with their defensive linemen. But it is what it is, man.”
Browns Players Didn’t Hold Back on Jauan Jennings
After the San Francisco win, Browns’ Shelby Harris was one of the players who publicly criticized the 49ers wideout for his actions after the game. Moreover, he didn’t hold back on his language, wanting to make his feelings about Jennings clear.
“He’s a h–, and I want that known,” Harris said (h/t Camryn Justice of WEWS).”I see why he got punched in the [groin] because he said some things you should never say to another man. But I don’t respect it—saying that and then running behind your O-line is some real soft stuff, and I want that known. I see exactly why they punched him in the [groin]. I’m surprised nobody has punched him in the jaw yet.”
Meanwhile, Myles Garrett was another player who didn’t hold back his remarks when talking about the situation with Jennings.
“So, he had a lot to say that was demeaning and disparaging towards some of our players,” Garrett said (h/t 49ers Web Zone). “And I was just trying to separate everybody. And I tried to go up and ask for what the problem was, and then he started coming at me and, I mean, some guys just roll like that.
“I don’t feel like that belongs in the game. But, hey, if that works for him and them, then more power to him.”
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Talks Latest Jauan Jennings Situation
Although San Francisco didn’t address the situation after the game, they did so the following day. On December 1, during a conference call with reporters, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the postgame accusations.
“My understanding was it had nothing to do with Maliek,” Shanahan said (h/t 49ers Web Zone). “We’ve got so much love for Maliek. It just sounded like there was players standing around for a while because of the injury, and then they got chirping at each other.
“I don’t know what words were said, but it sounded like he offended some guys with the words. But it was just about words during an injury timeout.”
Shanahan acknowledged that he had spoken with Jennings about the incident.
“I asked him about it, but I love how Jauan plays,” Shanahan said. “I think Jauan plays to the whistle as well as any player in this league. He is extremely aggressive and plays as hard as he can to the whistle, and he’s been doing that—as Niner fans know, and you guys know—since he’s been here.
“I think sometimes that offends other players and rubs people the wrong way because they’re not used to people going that hard to the whistle. But I think what J.J. is very good at is not breaking rules.”
Lakers vs Suns: How to watch NBA game tonight (Dec 1, 2025)
Tonight’s pro basketball slate features the Los Angeles Lakers facing off against the Phoenix Suns in this exciting NBA Western Conference matchup. Tipoff takes place at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET (8 p.m. MST) on Monday, December 1, and the only way to watch is streaming on Peacock.
• The only way to watch the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns NBA basketball is with Peacock Premium, NBC’s streaming service. If you need to know more about Peacock and how to get it on your TV for this game, we have you covered with our Peacock streaming guide.
What TV channel is the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns game on today, or is it streaming only?
When: 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET (8 p.m. MST) on Monday, December 1.
Where: crypto.com Arena | Los Angeles, CA
What TV channel is the game on? Peacock is not a TV channel, and there is no TV broadcast for this game. This game is only available to watch live streaming on Peacock.
How to watch the game streaming live: You have to sign up for Peacock Premium ($10.99/month) to watch this game live on your TV, computer, phone, or tablet with the Peacock app. To sign up, follow the sign-up instructions on the Peacock home page, and it will walk you through how to sign up quickly. Once you have signed up, you can download the Peacock app (for Apple/iOS or for Google Android) and sign in on your phone, computer, smart TV, or other streaming device.
Lakers vs. Suns spread, latest betting odds
Spread: LAL: -5.5 | PHX: + 5.5
Over/Under: 235.5
Get promo codes, signup deals, and free bets from our Oregon Betting News home page.
How to Watch Mavericks vs Nuggets: Live Stream NBA, TV Channel
The Denver Nuggets (14-5) return home from a win as they host the Dallas Mavericks (6-15) at Ball Arena on Monday night.
How to Watch Dallas Mavericks vs Denver Nuggets
When: Monday, December 1, 2025
Time: 9:00 PM ET
TV Channel: Altitude Sports, KTVD (Denver, CO)
Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Denver improved to 8-2 on the road Saturday night, cruising to a 130-112 win over the Phoenix Suns. Nikola Jokić sat most of the fourth quarter, still finishing with 26 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, while Jamal Murray scored 24 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench for 23. Bruce Brown dished 10 assists as well. The Nuggets remain without starters Christian Braun (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring).
Cooper Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history with a 35-point game as he led the Mavericks to a 114-110 win over the LA Clippers to salvage a split in Los Angeles for the Mavs. Flagg also grabbed eight rebounds while Klay Thompson scored 17 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to key the Dallas rally. Naji Marshall added 18 points and eight boards. Anthony Davis, who had returned from a calf injury in Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, rested on the back end of the back-to-back.
Jokić averages 28.9 points to go with NBA-leading 12.4 rebounds and 10.9 assists. Murray gets 24.0 points per game for Denver. Flagg, who turns 19 on Dec. 21, averages 16.7 points for the Mavericks while P.J. Washington gets 16.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. D’Angelo Russell posts 11.9 points and a team-best 4.8 assists a night, but has fallen out of the rotation, playing just once for 10 minutes in the team’s last five games.
This is a great NBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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How to Watch Lakers vs Suns: Live Stream NBA, TV Channel
Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers take on Devon Booker and the Phoenix Suns in this Monday night NBA matchup at Crypto.com Arena.
How to Watch Lakers vs Suns
When: Monday, December 1, 2025
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Live Stream: Peacock (watch now)
The Lakers head into this game riding a seven-game winning streak, boasting a 15–4 record, and looking to build on last night’s 133-121 win. Their offense has been humming with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves logging big scoring nights, while their overall team shooting and defensive fundamentals have combined to make them one of the toughest opponents in the Western Conference. LeBron James is expected to be available again after a one-game rest, potentially restoring even more balance and leadership to L.A.’s rotation.
The Suns come in somewhat banged up, but will have their best player, Devin Booker, who is averaging 25.7 points and nearly 7 assists per game. Their offense has shown flashes this season, averaging 116.7 points a night, and they’ll need to rely on that scoring punch, coupled with crisp defense, to try to slow down L.A. If the Suns can regain rhythm, particularly from the three-point line, and avoid defensive lapses, they could challenge the Lakers’ streak and make this a competitive one.
This is a great NBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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Malik Monk gets fined by the NBA for ridiculous flop
Malik Monk was caught in 4K this week.
The NBA announced on Monday that the Sacramento Kings guard Monk has been fined $2,000. Monk was hit with a postgame flopping fine after a league office review of a play from Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
During the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., Monk was jostling for position down low with Grizzlies center Zach Edey off a defensive rotation. As Edey made contact with him, Monk floundered dramatically and hit the floor in a heap (also taking out Kings teammate Zach LaVine in the process).
You can see the video of the play at the link here.
6-foot-3 Monk had to do something there to contend with the 7-foot-3 Edey, and he even managed to fool referee Scott Foster, who called an offensive foul on Edey on the spot. But the day after the Grizzlies won the game over the Kings by a final score of 115-107, the NBA league office is issuing a retroactive flopping fine to Monk.
Nets win battle of NBA tankers against Hornets
It was another battle of two of the top NBA tankers.
The Nets and Hornets met to open the NBA season in October, and the Nets looked the part of one of the league’s worst teams this year in a 19-point loss.
This time around, it was a competitive battle until the end, when the Nets pulled away for a 116-103 win that saw 11 lead changes at Barclays Center on Monday to end their four-game losing streak.
After a third quarter powered by rookies Drake Powell and Ben Saraf outside of Michael Porter Jr.’s season-best 3-point shooting efforts, the Nets held their largest lead of the game (seven points) at the time and were tasked with holding on to it — something they have had ongoing difficulty with.
Within four minutes, the Hornets cut it down to three points.
However, the Nets went on a run and the mood changed in the arena when a Porter 3-pointer was followed by a dunk from Noah Clowney to take a game-high 10-point lead with under five minutes to play.
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And it didn’t stop there.
Danny Wolf, who didn’t score any of his 10 points until the fourth quarter, went on to sink a 3-pointer and complete a 3-point dunk play to extend the Nets lead to 114-100 with nearly two minutes to play.
They never lost it from there in one of the best team efforts this season for the Nets.
Porter led the Nets with 35 points, shooting 7-of-11 from deep.
Claxton had his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Clowney added 18.
Despite Charlotte beating the Nets bench in points, Brooklyn’s reserves came out on top.
Powell impressed off the bench with 10 points along with four assists and three steals, and Saraf added seven points, including a key 3-pointer in the third quarter.
The game started messy with an opening 3-pointer by Kon Knueppel, with the Nets seeming unsure who was going to guard him. Yet, it proceeded to be a back-and-forth fight.
Charlotte’s sloppiness benefitted the Nets, totaling 11 turnovers in the first half to give away 17 points.
Porter getting hot didn’t hurt either.
He had 17 first-half points and was keeping the Nets competitive in his return after he was sidelined for two games with lower-back tightness.
One of Porter’s outside shots put the Nets within one point of Charlotte and on the following possession, he grabbed a steal and found Egor Dëmin for a dunk to take a 55-54 lead — the first of the game for the Nets— but it was short-lived.
A Knueppel deep shot spoiled it. However, as time ran out, Clowney had a layup to enter the half tied 59-59.
Report: Bulls Have Considered Making $175 Million Blockbuster Trade
The Chicago Bulls have gotten off to a slow start to begin the 2025-26 NBA season. With 20 games already in the books for the team, they hold a 9-11 record.
Obviously, that isn’t where the Bulls wanted to be. They were hoping to take a big step in the right direction towards being a contender in the Eastern Conference. Due to their slow start, some changes could be considered.
Josh Giddey has turned into a franchise cornerstone for Chicago and locked in with the team on a lucrative long-term extension during the offseason. Building around him will be a top priority for the Bulls moving forward.
Read more: Lakers Hit With Bad News on Long-Rumored Trade Target
That being said, Chicago has reportedly considered pursuing a blockbuster trade before the NBA deadline this year.
According to ESPN’s Jamal Collier, the Bulls have considered the idea of trading for Dallas Mavericks superstar big man Anthony Davis. He has been rumored to be a potential trade candidate this season.
Devin Booker Makes NBA History Before Alarming Injury vs Lakers
Devin Booker’s night was off to a decent start on Monday.
As the Phoenix Suns star went toe-to-toe with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was able to make some NBA history by becoming the third-youngest player in the league to reach 17,000 points and 3,600 assists. Only LeBron James and Oscar Robinson did it faster.
Booker didn’t have too much time to build on the impressive accomplishment, though. Unfortunately, the star guard left the game with an injury.
According to reports, Booker is dealing with a right groin injury. As the second quarter played out, his absence was concerning. Before the Lakers and the Suns would reach overtime, Booker was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
He left the game with 11 points, three assists, and two blocks in 10 minutes of action.
Now, all eyes will be on the All-Star-caliber scorer as his setback could have a massive impact on Phoenix.
This season, the Suns have been one of the hottest teams in the league. Although they had quite the roster shake-up, parting ways with multiple All-Stars such as Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns have managed to maintain a winning record so far.
Heading into Monday’s action against the Lakers, Booker’s Suns had a 12-9 record. They are looking to avoid dropping three games in a row, and they’ll have to spend a half without Booker in the mix.
This season, Booker has been healthy enough to play in every game for Phoenix, leading up to Monday’s action. In 21 games, he was shooting 45 percent from the field and 31 percent from three, taking 5.8 shots from deep per game. Booker has posted averages of 25.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists.
The star guard is working on notching his fifth All-Star nod. After Monday’s game, the Suns will get a handful of days off before returning to the court to face the Houston Rockets on Friday night. Booker’s status for that game is now in question, as he’ll have to go through some testing to reach an injury diagnosis.
Takeaways from 4th straight road loss in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. — The tank is empty.
The Chicago Bulls are long past running on fumes. For weeks they’ve been cruising downhill while averting their eyes from the gauge sitting on “E,” hoping a miracle would allow them to make it one more block, one more exit before clunking to a standstill.
There isn’t another choice. The Bulls are down to three members of their typical starting lineup. By the end of Monday’s 125-120 loss to the Orlando Magic, their injury report listed seven absences. But the NBA schedule doesn’t stop — or slow — for any team. What they have simply will have to do.
Against the Magic, that was enough for three quarters — and nothing more.
The Bulls did all they could. They built a 15-point lead on sharpshooting from Ayo Dosunmu and dogged finishing from Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey. When Kevin Huerter went to the locker room with an adductor injury six minutes into his outing as a starter, Tre Jones filled in eagerly.
But in the final two minutes of the third quarter, the engine started to choke.
It was the pressure that did it. The Magic were unrelenting on the boards, at the perimeter and in the open court. They poked and prodded at the ball, baiting the Bulls into technical fouls and frustrated errors as the lead bled away. The lead changed five times in the fourth quarter as Orlando racked up 40 points to close the game at a dead sprint.
“It sucks,” center Nikola Vučević said. “I don’t know exactly the reasons why we have so many injuries, but it’s frustrating to see guys go down. You feel for them. You know how much work they put in, how much time they put into their bodies to be ready to play, and when it happens like that it’s frustrating.
“But it is what it is. We have to move on.”
The Bulls landed in Orlando with an extensive injury report and played Monday without Coby White (left calf strain), Isaac Okoro (back), Jalen Smith (hamstring) and Dalen Terry (calf strain). They suffered another loss when Huerter was ruled out.
Center Zach Collins is working his way back from a wrist fracture but hasn’t been cleared to play. That leaves the Bulls with only five members of their preferred 10-man rotation. To add insult, rookie Noa Essengue is sidelined with a shoulder injury, preventing the Bulls from finding even a slim silver lining from their current situation.
Here are three takeaways from the loss.
1. Losing the boards
As the ball arced downward toward the rim midway through the second quarter, Desmond Bane lowered his shoulder and pushed. Bane wasn’t subtle about it. He pressed both hands flat against Giddey’s torso, knocking into the taller Bulls guard with his shoulder before extending his arm.
It took only two bumps for Bane to displace Giddey off the low block — where he should have held superior positioning to secure the ricocheting ball — and knock him against the baseline. Giddey stood a full arm’s length away when Bane grabbed the rebound, giving the Magic guard plenty of room to toss in a simple layup.
These types of miniature errors in boxing out hounded the Bulls, who gave up 12 offensive rebounds. They were fortunate Orlando converted them into only 15 second-chance points.
But more than half of those points occurred in the fourth quarter as the Bulls failed to maintain the energy of the first half, giving up five offensive rebounds in the fourth. A series of second-chance opportunities — including a spray-out 3 by Bane off consecutive offensive rebounds and a put-back dunk by Wendell Carter Jr. — served as the final nails in the loss.
Coach Billy Donovan felt the Bulls gave better effort on the defensive boards than in previous games, but that didn’t match the results in the fourth quarter.
“I thought we did a good job physically because they’re a big, strong, physical team,” Donovan said. “I felt like we were finding a way to manufacture enough points, but those rebounds could have really helped us build a lead out a little bit. In particular, that stretch there hurt us.”
2. Failure to launch
Somewhere between takeoff and landing at the rim, the Bulls often seem to run out of steam. They take the most attempts inside the restricted area (32.8 per game) of any team in the league. But once they reach the rim, the Bulls struggle to capitalize. Their 60.4% shooting percentage in the restricted area is the second-worst in the league.
One key source of inefficiency is allowing opponents to affect the shot. Teams average 6.1 blocks per game against the Bulls, and that number rose to 6.6 per game in November, the highest in the league. The trend continued against the Magic, who tallied 11 blocks, including four by Goga Bitadze.
These stops were sudden and equal-opportunity. Jalen Suggs scooped away a Jones attempt at a reverse layup. Bitadze slapped the ball off the backboard in transition. Jonathan Isaac tailed Buzelis and extended one long arm up, up and over the smaller forward to poke away his fadeaway attempt.
The Bulls shot 65.5% inside the restricted area. Nine of their 10 misses were blocked shots.
3. Big minutes for Lachlan Olbrich
The injury pileup translated into significant minutes for two-way players Lachlan Olbrich and Emanuel Miller, who both made their first appearances in the first quarter.
Olbrich, a second-round draft pick, is an unproven option in the frontcourt for the Bulls, who planned to have the rookie spend most, if not all, of his debut season with Windy City in the G League. Instead, Olbrich was thrust into the secondary rotation to add needed size for the Bulls, playing a total of 12 minutes.
Although Olbrich didn’t score, his production on the boards (four rebounds) and as a physical antagonist to the bullying Magic was a helpful addition off the bench.
Knicks in league of their own with 40-point quarters
Early in the season, the Knicks have shown that when they are clicking offensively, they are almost unguardable.
During their 116-94 win over the Raptors on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks recorded 41 points in the first quarter — the ninth time this year they’ve scored 40 or more points in a quarter.
They are in a league of their own in that category.
Their nine such quarters lead the NBA.
Entering Monday, five teams were tied for next closest at six.
“We’re extremely comfortable,” Josh Hart said on Sunday of the scoring outbursts. “I think we’re starting to make reads and starting to play off each other’s movements and those kinds of things and knowing where guys are going to be and knowing certain spots. So we’re getting more and more comfortable.”
Jalen Brunson was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
In four games last week, Brunson averaged 28.8 points and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range. The Knicks went 4-0 during that stretch.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic raved about Brunson ahead of Sunday’s game.
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“We had a discussion about that this morning in the coach’s meeting — he is the type of player that I can put in the category of Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic,” Rajakovic said. “Different position, obviously, but guys who are just playing at their own pace. You cannot speed them up. Their awareness is amazing. At any point of time they know where the hand of the defensive player is. What is the footwork, how can they get by somebody, how can they get to their sweet spot from the floor? How can they score from there, how can they playmake from there? And he’s elite at doing it.”
“He’s not the strongest, not the fastest, but his skill level and shooting ability is amazing and that makes him one of the biggest offensive weapons in the league.”
Mitchell Robinson is not listed on the Knicks injury report, meaning he is likely to play against the Celtics on Tuesday in Boston, the first leg of a back-to-back — the Knicks host the Hornets on Wednesday.
Robinson has not yet played back-to-back this year. Unless that changes, that means he will likely sit out Wednesday’s clash.
Chet Holmgren’s Dominant Start Makes Him Early DPOY Favorite
NBA champion center Chet Holmgren is wasting no time rewriting the early-season awards race. The Oklahoma City Thunder center has positioned himself as the clear frontrunner for the 2025–26 Defensive Player of the Year award after the league’s first quarter, a dramatic reversal from last season when a hip fracture limited him to 32 games and knocked him out of award eligibility.
Holmgren’s Odds Lead the Field
Holmgren enters December as the betting favorite. According to Fox Sports, he currently holds +130 odds, ahead of San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (+350) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (+600). Market projections tell a similar story. Prophetx gives Holmgren a 40 percent chance to win the award, doubling Wembanyama’s 20 percent and comfortably leading Mobley (12 percent), Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (9 percent), and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5 percent).
The rise is a reflection of strong defensive performance and a perfect storm around the rest of the field. Cleveland hasn’t matched last year’s blistering start that fueled Mobley’s DPOY push, while Wembanyama remains sidelined with a calf injury and has no timetable for return. According to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, it is unlikely Wembanyama will participate in the NBA Cup, putting him behind the league’s 65-game award eligibility rule for the second straight season.
Defense That Changes Oklahoma City’s Identity
The numbers support Holmgren’s case. Through 20 games, he is averaging 18.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.5 blocks, and nearly one steal per game, while shooting 55.5 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from three. But the defensive metrics carry the real weight.
According to 3stepsbasket, Oklahoma City owns a 102.8 defensive rating with Holmgren on the floor, placing him in the top one percent among all players in limiting opponent scoring. It is a notable improvement from last year’s 103.9 defensive rating in his minutes. Oklahoma City is also +10.5 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court, demonstrating that his defensive presence is not only elite in isolation but also elevates the entire unit.
These numbers matter for voters. Defensive Player of the Year has increasingly rewarded players whose impact extends beyond raw block and steal totals. Holmgren’s positioning, shot deterrence, weak-side timing, and ability to guard in space give the Thunder rare versatility at the five. His presence allows Oklahoma City to maintain their aggressive perimeter schemes without sacrificing rim protection.
Thriving Even Without Full Personnel
Holmgren’s case becomes stronger when considering context. Oklahoma City has dealt with lineup instability, including missed games from Jalen Williams, an All-Defensive candidate last season, and defensive cornerstone Lu Dort. Yet the Thunder remain one of the league’s most disciplined units. Their rotations stay sharp, their paint coverage remains tight, and their defensive identity never wavers.
Why Holmgren Leads the DPOY Race Now
With Mobley’s Cavs looking inconsistent and Wembanyama fighting both injury and the 65-game threshold again, Holmgren has the clearest runway. More importantly, his individual performance has matched the moment. His defensive rating, availability, and impact metrics position him as the league’s most influential defensive player through the first quarter.
If he remains healthy and Oklahoma City continues its strong play, the path for Holmgren to secure his first Defensive Player of the Year award is already taking shape.
Judge Slams Both Sides In Opening Day Of NASCAR Anti-Trust Trial
Just hours into the first day of the NASCAR trial that began on December 1, Judge Kenneth D. Bell slammed both sides, issuing a warning following opening statements.
The highly publicized antitrust lawsuit between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports versus NASCAR opened in Federal Court in Charlotte North Carolina on Monday. Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, was in attendance.
Both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports chose not to sign the charter agreement last year, leading to the antitrust lawsuit that was filed in October 2024. Both teams accused NASCAR of operating as a non-competitive monopoly.
The plaintiffs believe the charter system and exclusive agreement put limits on commercial pursuits and profit potential.
NASCAR has denied these allegations and insisted its contracts and supplier agreements are in line with what is considered standard practices for any auto racing series.
The charter system began in 2016.
Judge Issues Warning Over Opening Statements
Shortly after the jury was chosen, opening statements were read in the afternoon. The Athletic reported that Judge Bell issued an impassioned warning to both sides for delivering opening statements “riddled with impermissible arguments.
Emotional Denny Hamlin is first witness at NASCAR antitrust trial
“We got to when I was about 20 and a decision had to be made, I could keep racing or go out and work for my dad’s trailer business,” Hamlin testified, adding that he later was thinking about what retirement looked like and found a team going out of business. He needed a partner and turned to Jordan, who he had developed a friendship with when the Basketball Hall of Famer owned the Charlotte Hornets and Hamlin was a season-ticket holder.
“If I can’t be successful with Michael as a partner, I knew this was never going to work,” he said.
The references to his early days in auto racing and the sacrifices his family made were intended to show how difficult it is for both team owners and drivers to make it at the top level of the sport. He said he never would have been able to start 23XI in 2021 had he not partnered with Jordan.
Because of Jordan’s presence with the team, Hamlin testified, 23XI has turned a profit in all but one of its five seasons of operation. His attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, said in his opening statement that fast-food restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins has never turned a profit since starting his Front Row team in 2004.
Front Row won the 2021 Daytona 500. At the heart of the lawsuit is NASCAR’s revenue sharing model, which 23XI and Front Row argue is unfair to race teams that often operate at a loss. Hamlin testified it cost $20 million to bring a single car to the track over a 38-race season, not including overhead expenses such as driver salary.
Kessler said a NASCAR-commissioned study found that 75 percent of teams lost money in 2024.
“So, why would these people do this if you are just going to lose money because NASCAR isn’t giving you a fair deal?” Kessler said as Jordan watched from the gallery. “Because you love stock car racing, and there’s nowhere else to do it.”
The charter agreements signed for this year that triggered the lawsuit guarantee the teams $12.5 million in annual revenue. NASCAR argues the guaranteed payouts are an increase from $9 million from previous agreements, but Hamlin noted that 11 of the first 19 chartered teams are no longer in business. All three charters 23XI purchased came from teams that ceased operations.
Hamlin said 23XI paid $4.7 million for its first charter, $13.5 million for its second and $28 million for its third, acquired late last year.
The charter system guarantees a car a spot in the field each race week as well as a percentage of the purse and gives team owners an asset to sell should they want to get out of the business.
NASCAR attorneys argued that the charter system has created $1.5 billion in equity for the 36 chartered teams. Prior to the charter system, teams raced “open,” with no guarantee they’d make the field or earn a payout.
The case has churned through hearings and arguments for more than a year despite calls from other NASCAR teams to settle. US District Judge Kenneth Bell even helped mediate a failed two-day summit in October.
A NASCAR victory could put 23XI, Front Row, and their six combined cars out of business. Their charters — now being held by NASCAR — would likely be sold. The last charter went for $45 million, and NASCAR has indicated there is interest from potential buyers including private equity firms.
A win for the teams could lead to monetary damages and the potential demolition of NASCAR as it is run today. The judge has the power to unravel a monopoly, and nothing is off the table — from ordering a sale of NASCAR to the dismantling of the charter system.
The charter system introduced in 2016 is NASCAR’s version of the franchise model used by most professional sports leagues. Even with the charters, teams have argued that the revenue model is not viable. They wanted more favorable terms for the charters, including having them made permanent (they are renewable and revocable), a larger percentage of revenues, and a voice in governance.
23XI and Front Row also argue NASCAR has a vice grip on all aspects of the racing series and allege a monopoly based on exclusivity clauses, ownership of most of the race tracks on the Cup Series schedule, and its control of the rules and regulations. The two were the only teams out of 15 to not sign the charter extension a year ago and instead went to court.
NASCAR says it has not violated antitrust law because it has done nothing to restrain trade beyond normal business practices. NASCAR has also cited the option for cars to enter races as “open teams” and try to make the field in one of four non-chartered spots on qualifying speed. 23XI and Front Row raced this season as open teams, and while their combined six cars made every race, it cost the organizations millions in purse money.
The pretrial discovery process revealed NASCAR made more than $100 million in 2024.
NASCAR executives in the courtroom included chairman Jim France and vice chair Lisa France Kennedy, two scions of the family that founded NASCAR in 1948 and still owns it.
Huge stakes on the line as federal antitrust trial opens in Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The federal antitrust trial against NASCAR opened Monday with the star power of Michael Jordan on hand as a jury of nine was seated to hear allegations that the stock car series is a monopolistic bully that leaves its teams no option but to comply with rules and financing they don’t agree with.
The retired NBA Hall of Famer is the co-owner of the 23XI Racing team at the top Cup Series level. 23XI and Front Row Motorsports sued the series last year rather than sign extension agreements on new charters, which are franchise-type designations that serve as the framework for the revenue stream between NASCAR and the teams.
The stakes are huge: The charters are at the heart of NASCAR’s business model — they guarantee a car a spot in the field each race week as well as a percentage of the purse — and the disputes over how they work have dominated the series of late. A loss for the two teams could oust them from the series while a loss for NASCAR could mean a fundamental restructuring of how the series operates.
Six men and three women were seated for a trial expected to last two weeks before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell, who asked for opening statements to be completed later Monday. Bell ruled that 23XI co-owner and star driver Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk, the longtime business manager for Jordan and part of the team’s ownership group, will be sequestered after opening statements before they testify.
Jordan’s presence in the courtroom gallery near Hamlin was a factor: Among those dismissed from serving on the jury was a man who said he can’t be impartial because “I like Mike” and another who said he had Michael Jordan posters on his walls growing up. A juror said they were a North Carolina fan but noted the football team at Jordan’s alma mater is not “doing too well right now” to which the retired star shook his head and laughed.
NASCAR executives in the courtroom included chairman Jim France and vice chair Lisa France Kennedy, two scions of the family that founded NASCAR in 1948 and still owns it.
23XI and Front Row were the only two teams out of 15 to refuse to sign extensions on new charter agreements last fall. The teams wanted multiple concessions, and when they didn’t get them, they went to court. The case has churned through hearings and arguments for more than a year despite calls from other NASCAR teams to settle. Bell even helped mediate a failed two-day summit in October.
A NASCAR victory could put 23XI, Front Row and their six combined cars out of business. Their charters — now being held by NASCAR — would likely be sold. The last charter went for $45 million, and NASCAR has indicated there is interest from potential buyers including private equity firms.
A win for the teams would lead to monetary damages and the potential demolition of NASCAR as it is run today.
The judge has the power to unravel a monopoly, and nothing is off the table, from ordering a sale of NASCAR to the dismantling of the charter system.
The charter system introduced in 2016 is NASCAR’s version of the franchise model used by most professional sports leagues. Being chartered guarantees that car a spot in the 40-car field for all 38 races, as well as a defined payout from the weekly purse.
Even with the charters, the teams have argued that the revenue model is not viable. The teams wanted more favorable terms for the charters, including having them made permanent (they are renewable and revocable), a larger percentage of revenues and a voice in governance.
23XI and Front Row also argue NASCAR has a vice grip on all aspects of the racing series and allege a monopoly based on exclusivity clauses, ownership of most of the race tracks on the Cup Series schedule and its control of the rules and regulations.
NASCAR says it has not violated antitrust law because it has done nothing to restrain trade beyond normal business practices.
NASCAR has argued that payouts in the 2025 charter agreement increased and prove the series is not anticompetitive. NASCAR has also cited the option for cars to enter races as “open teams” and try to make the field in one of four nonchartered spots on qualifying speed. 23XI and Front Row raced this season as open teams, and while their combined six cars made every race, it cost the organizations millions in purse money.
The pretrial discovery process revealed NASCAR made more than $100 million in 2024.
Behind-the-scenes drama
The discovery phase was brutal for both sides. The antitrust allegations have exposed salacious personal communications, NASCAR’s finances and a deep contempt between some of the top executives in the sport and its participants.
NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps was among leadership who in a discussion with other NASCAR executives called Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress a “dinosaur,” an “idiot” and a “stupid redneck.” The discussion also included a reference that Childress “owes his entire fortune to NASCAR” and needed “to be taken out back and flogged.”
Another NASCAR executive alleged that fans of the sport can’t read, and multiple series leaders admonished Hall of Fame driver Tony Stewart’s summer short-track series, SRX, and threatened to have it the killed because NASCAR drivers were participating.
On the other side, the president of 23XI was found to have said France had to die in order to receive favorable charter terms, Hamlin admitted his dislike for the France family, one of Jordan’s advisers said Hamlin wasn’t a good businessman and Jordan joked that he loses more money in a casino than he pays one of his drivers.
Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner who less than a month ago had the Cup Series championship slip through his fingers, warned this weekend that the gloves will be off during the trial.
“Our fans have been brainwashed with (NASCAR’s) talking points for decades,” Hamlin wrote on social media. “Lies are over starting Monday morning. It’s time for the truth. It’s time for change.”
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Denny Hamlin breaks down in tears as the first witness testifying at NASCAR antitrust trial
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The landmark federal antitrust trial against NASCAR opened Monday with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin breaking down in tears minutes into his testimony as the first witness in a case that could upend the venerable stock car series.
Hamlin’s 23XI Racing, which he co-owns with Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports claim the series is a monopolistic bully that leaves its teams no option but to comply with rules and financing they don’t agree with.
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NASCAR Lawsuit: Denny Hamlin Breaks Into Tears as Antitrust Trial Begins in Federal Court
It’s NASCourt Day!
The NASCAR lawsuit trial has officially begun, pulling the entire industry into a courtroom showdown that’s been building for months. What started out as a simple dispute over the NASCAR charter system evolved into a high-stakes drama over the months. Leaked emails, tense negotiations, scathing accusations – you name it, and the NASCAR lawsuit has delivered it.
And now on Day 1 of the trial, all eyes turned to the witness stand as NASCAR called its first voice. It was none other than Denny Hamlin – driver, team owner, and one of the most outspoken figures in the case. However, what happened next was far from standard testimony. It set the tone for a trial that promises emotion, confrontation, and a deeper look into the human cost behind the business of racing.
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An emotional start to the NASCAR lawsuit trial
Denny Hamlin was barely into his testimony when the entire courtroom felt the emotional weight he carried as a driver, team owner, and the face of the NASCAR lawsuit. As he began, a simple question about his NASCAR journey and the man behind it (his father) made Hamlin emotional, and he finally broke down. It was an unexpectedly raw start to what would become one of the most revealing stretches of the trial’s opening day.
As you might know, Denny Hamlin’s parents have made significant sacrifices to support his motorsports career, including taking out multiple mortgages and using all their credit cards when Denny was starting. His father, Dennis, has been battling a serious illness for a while now. Hamlin recently expressed his desire for his father to see him win the championship. Despite the heartbreak of his 2025 championship loss, Hamlin’s father’s unwavering support and sacrifices remain a powerful motivator for him to continue pursuing the title in 2026.
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Once composed after a few minutes, Hamlin took the court through the origin story of 23XI Racing. He detailed how the idea formed, how Michael Jordan came on board, and what it took to turn that vision into a fully operational Cup Series team. But sentiment quickly gave way to hard numbers. Numbers, he argued, prove how unsustainable the current charter system is for modern teams.
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Hamlin shared that 23XI paid:
$4.7 million for its first charter,
$13.5 million for its second, and
$28 million for its third
Hamlin personally holds a 40% stake in each purchase.
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In total, the team is “in for over $45 million” on charters alone. Add in $35 million for the Air Speed shop, the $8 million alliance fee to Joe Gibbs Racing (about $2.66 million per car), and the staggering revelation that it costs $20 million just to put one car on track for 38 races, excluding driver salary or overhead.
When asked how his rocky 2025 season went, Hamlin quipped, “Can I plead the fifth?” But when the focus returned to the charter system, his tone sharpened. Asked why he considers the system unfair, he replied, “Your costs aren’t covered to put on their show.”
Denny Hamlin‘s 40-minute testimony ended not with closure, but a pause. His testimony resumes Tuesday as the NASCAR lawsuit trial continues.
Fans Erupt as Crash-Prone NASCAR Driver Snags Shock Niece Motorsports Deal
The new year is expected to be an innovative turning point for NASCAR. Especially for the Craftsman Truck Series, as Ram is making a comeback. The new OEM has already partnered with Kaulig Racing, which will likely involve adding a legendary NASCAR veteran to its roster of drivers. But while this news has thrilled fans, the announcement of another Truck driver did not elicit the same reaction.
Niece Motorsports had an eventful 2025 season, with Kaden Honeycutt’s abrupt mid-season departure. Rookie Andrés Pérez de Lara fetched impressive finishes like three top-ten results. Matt Mills was also there in the mix, posting improved milestones. But 2026 may be a little different – as their new teammate comes with an infamous resume.
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A history of carnage hovers over Niece
Conner Jones has been regarded as an exceptional talent – he has won in the CARS Tour and the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing competition. Jones has also already made 27 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts and picked up his best finish of 11th at Charlotte in 2024. So, he has big plans for 2024 – he will drive for Niece Motorsports. Bob Pockrass wrote on X, “Now catching up on some other news … Conner Jones will drive select events in the Niece No. 42 truck in 2026. Tyler Reif will be the “anchor” driver (Reif will have the most races).”
However, driving the No. 42 for Niece Motorsports feels ironic for Connor Jones. That is because of his history of carnage; in the 2024 NCTS Homestead-Miami race, Jones drove his No. 66 Front Row Motorsports truck right through Matt Mills’ No. 42 Niece Truck. The 42 slammed the outside wall hard, immediately bursting into flames. Following the incident, Mills had to be taken to the hospital, and Jones was hit with a two-lap penalty and a one-race suspension.
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Yet Niece Motorsports has chosen to forget that history, as Conner Jones ran select starts for the team this year. The 19-year-old’s best result was 18th at Bristol. Cody Efaw, President and CEO of Niece Motorsports, praised him. “Conner really did a good job in the races he ran for us this year, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the improvement he’s made with his race craft. There were a few times that he performed as our best-running truck out there, and I think he has been pretty overlooked. As he continues to gain experience, I think he will have a good shot at succeeding next year.”
Conner Jones also did not hide his enthusiasm. “I’m thrilled to continue this journey with Niece Motorsports. I’ve been able to learn so much already this year, getting to work with the crew chiefs on both the Nos. 44 and 41 teams, and I’m looking forward to continuing that behind the wheel of the No. 42.”
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However, fans are definitely not looking forward to the 42’s new driver. That is because their memory is a bit stronger than Niece’s.
NASCAR fans predict a tumultuous season
Although Niece Motorsports brushed off the 2024 controversy, fans could not. In fact, the team offering Conner Jones the exact Truck number that he had wrecked felt jaw-dropping. Somebody wrote, “The irony of going to the 42 of all numbers that Niece had to offer.” Given the tradition of NASCAR drivers to hold grudges and build up rivalries, it seems even more strange. One fan invoked the memory of Matt Mills’ spine-chilling wreck again: “Still can’t believe he’s driving for Niece Motorsports after intentionally wrecking one of their trucks last year at Homestead-Miami.”
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What’s more, Conner Jones’ history of carnage does not stop with just the Homestead incident. This year in February, he got into a scuffle with one of his own crew members during a short-track race. Then, at a CARS Tour race at Langley Speedway, he got into a fistfight with competitor Parker Eatmon. So, fans predicted a costly year for Niece Motorsports. Somebody wrote, “I give it 4 races before the checks don’t cover the amount of torn up race trucks niece is going to have to deal with.” Another fan predicted Niece’s added duties: “Good news!! Niece is going to keep about a dozen extra fabricators in jobs now.”
NASCAR tolerates such carnage-inducing drivers, as it helps create storylines for the sport. Besides Conner Jones, another big example of a rabble-rouser is Carson Hocevar. The Spire Motorsports driver has caused havoc from Trucks to Cup races. So one fan wrote, “There’s always has to be a couple of drivers in the sport that somehow, someway, just manage to stick around.”
Nevertheless, fans will witness Conner Jones in Trucks. With the new season a couple of months away, let’s wait and see how he performs.
NASCAR Claims Lawsuit Was ‘Curtis Polk and 23XI’s Plan From The Start’
In the first day of the NASCAR v. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports antitrust lawsuit in Charlotte, North Carolina, NASCAR continued to hold firm in the stance they’ve had since the complaint was first filed last October.
John E. Stephenson, Jr. made that clear very quickly when delivering NASCAR’s opening statements on Monday, asking the jury a simple question: “Why are we here?”
RELATED: Live Updates From Lawsuit Between NASCAR, FRM and Michael Jordan’s 23XI
The first of 10 scheduled days of this trial included jury selection (where six jurors and three alternates were selected out of a pool of potential candidates), opening statements were heard from both sides, and the first part of testimony from Denny Hamlin, one of three co-owners of 23XI Racing.
After all of that came to a natural stopping point, around 5:00pm local time, Judge Bell dismissed both parties and all the interested onlookers, and both went their separate ways without making any comments, whatsoever. About 90 minutes later, though, NASCAR broke its silence and made its stance known following an eight-hour day in court.
In an email correspondence sent to members of the media, NASCAR said: “As you know, the antitrust trial initiated by the only two race teams who elected not to sign the 2025 Charter Agreement that is threatening to change the future of NASCAR, began today in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina.”
“NASCAR has worked tirelessly for nearly eight decades to give fans a thrilling and unforgettable experience, while also ensuring that teams have a contracted revenue stream, guaranteed weekly racing entries that deliver sponsorship dollars, and long-term equity value. That’s what we are in court to protect for the sport, the team and fans.”
In this message, NASCAR also made clear its three largest takeaways from the first day in court.
NASCAR claims that the teams asked the sanctioning body for the charter system and helped to negotiate the deal and all its terms, including a commitment to be all-in to grow the NASCAR Cup Series. The sanctioning body says that at every turn, they’ve kept their word and paid every single dime promised to teams over the last nine years.
In this latest round of negotiations for the 2025 Charter Agreement, NASCAR says that none of this anticompetitive conduct was brought up in two-plus years of negotiations, which “consisted of 70 meetings, correspondence and drafts of the 2025 Charter Agreement.”
Letters sent by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports explaining why they wouldn’t be signing the Charter Agreement last September allegedly did not include any mention of these anticompetitive practices, either, NASCAR says.
“If the system is unfair, anticompetitive and below market, why did 23XI Racing buy a charter not once, not twice, but three times? And why did Front Row Motorsports but, sell and lease its own charters multiple times? And why did they want them forever? Remember, teams received charters for free and they’re worth over $45 million.”
However, one of the last talking points or observations from NASCAR’s side on Monday is a bit jarring. Seemingly answering the question posed in their opening statement, the sanctioning body believes that they are here, in this antitrust lawsuit because this was the plan of Curtis Polk and 23XI Racing all along… and that’s the reason why this has all played out to this point.
“It’s important to talk about the truth in this trial, so let’s do that – this lawsuit was Curtis Polk and 23XI Racing’s plan from the start. That’s why we are here today.”
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Testimony begins in NASCAR antitrust lawsuit
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The landmark federal antitrust trial against NASCAR opened Monday with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin breaking down in tears minutes into his testimony as the first witness in a case that could upend the venerable stock car series.
Hamlin’s 23XI Racing, which he co-owns with Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports claim the series is a monopolistic bully that leaves its teams no option but to comply with rules and financing they don’t agree with.
As Jordan watched from the gallery, Hamlin began to cry and had to stop and compose himself when asked how he got into racing. He disclosed to The Associated Press last month that his father is dying, and he said on the stand he was emotional because his dad “is not in great health.”
“We got to when I was about 20 and a decision had to be made: I could keep racing or go out and work for my dad’s trailer business,” Hamlin testified, adding that he later was thinking about what retirement looked like and found a team going out of business.
He needed a partner and turned to Jordan, with whom he had developed a friendship when the Basketball Hall of Famer owned the Charlotte Hornets and Hamlin was a season ticket holder.
“If I can’t be successful with Michael as a partner, I knew this was never going to work,” he said.
The references to his early days in auto racing and the sacrifices his family made were intended to show how difficult it is for both team owners and drivers to make it at the top level of the sport. He said he never would have been able to start 23XI in 2021 had he not partnered with Jordan.
Because of Jordan’s presence with the team, Hamlin testified, 23XI has turned a profit in all but one of its five seasons of operation. His attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, said in his opening statement that fast-food restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins never has turned a profit since starting his Front Row team in 2004, a team that won the Daytona 500 in 2021.
Kessler said a NASCAR-commissioned study found that 75% of teams lost money in 2024 and added that over a three-year period almost $400 million was paid to the France Family Trust. He said a 2023 evaluation by Goldman Sachs found NASCAR to be worth $5 billion. NASCAR is currently run by Jim France, son of founder Bill France Sr.
“What the evidence is going to show is Mr. France ran this for the benefit of his family at the expense of the teams and sport,” Kessler said.
At the heart of the lawsuit is NASCAR’s revenue-sharing model, which 23XI and Front Row argue is unfair to race teams that often operate at a loss. Hamlin testified it cost $20 million simply to bring a single car to the track over a 38-race season, not including overhead expenses such as driver salary and business operations.
“So why would these people do this if you are just going to lose money because NASCAR isn’t giving you a fair deal?” Kessler asked. “Because you love stock car racing, and there’s nowhere else to do it.”
The charter agreements signed for this year that triggered the lawsuit guarantee the teams $12.5 million in annual revenue per chartered car. NASCAR argues the guaranteed payouts are an increase from $9 million from the previous agreement, but Hamlin noted that 11 of the first 19 chartered teams are no longer in business.
All three charters 23XI purchased came from teams that ceased operations, and Hamlin said 23XI paid $4.7 million for its first charter, $13.5 million for its second and $28 million for its third, acquired late last year. He acknowledged purchasing the third charter was a risk because of the pending litigation — and the price concerned him — but it was required if 23XI intends to build itself into a top team.
The charter system guarantees a car a spot in the field each race week as well as a percentage of the purse and gives team owners an asset to sell should they want to get out of the business.
NASCAR attorneys argued that the charter system has created $1.5 billion in equity for the 36 chartered teams. Prior to the charter system, teams raced “open,” with no guarantee they would make the field or earn a payout.
“The France family built NASCAR from nothing. They are an American success story,” Johnny Stephenson said in the opening statement for NASCAR. Stephenson is a colleague of Christopher Yates, who had previously handled most of the courtroom arguments for the defendants.
“They’ve done it through hard work over 75 years. That’s the kind of effort that doesn’t deserve a lawsuit. That’s the kind of effort that deserves admiration.”
The case has churned through hearings and arguments for more than a year despite calls from other NASCAR teams to settle. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell even helped mediate a failed two-day summit in October.
A NASCAR victory could put 23XI, Front Row and their six combined cars out of business. Their charters — now being held by NASCAR — likely would be sold. The last charter went for $45 million, and NASCAR has indicated there is interest from potential buyers, including private equity firms.
A win for the teams could lead to monetary damages and the potential demolition of NASCAR as it is run today. The judge has the power to unravel a monopoly, and nothing is off the table, from ordering a sale of NASCAR to the dismantling of the charter system.
Jordan’s presence factors into the trial
Jordan’s presence in the courtroom gallery near Hamlin was a factor: Among those dismissed from serving on the jury was a man who said he can’t be impartial because “I like Mike” and another who said he had Michael Jordan posters on his walls growing up.
A juror said they were a North Carolina fan but noted the football team at Jordan’s alma mater is not “doing too well right now,” to which Jordan shook his head and laughed.
NASCAR executives in the courtroom included Chairman Jim France and vice chair Lesa France Kennedy, two scions of the family that founded NASCAR in 1948 and still owns it.
Hamlin will resume testimony Tuesday morning. NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps, 23XI minority owner Curtis Polk, France Kennedy and other top executives had to leave the courtroom after opening arguments because they are all potential witnesses.
Who Are the Potential Witnesses and Jury Members in the NASCAR Antitrust Lawsuit? What We Know After Selection
The NASCAR lawsuit has finally hit its trial phase. On December 1st, key individuals from 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, NASCAR, and other concerned race teams attended a federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina. Attorneys on both sides posted strong arguments, expanding on the antitrust lawsuit that was filed by Michael Jordan and Co. back in October 2024. However, the decision for those arguments will be taken by the jury, a crucial part of the legal process.
What is the Jury Selection Process in the NASCAR Case?
Alongside the opening arguments of the entities, the jury selection also happened on Monday morning. It went relatively quickly and with one hiccup. One of the jurors chosen was released soon after for necessary family obligations and replaced in short order.
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However, more hiccups emerged pertaining to choosing an impartial group related to a case with the most famous athlete in the world, Michael Jordan. The 6-time NBA champion and Chicago Bulls legend had two fans among the prospective jurors, and they were dismissed. “I like Mike,” one man explained before pumping his fist at Jordan on his exit. Another man confessed to having Jordan’s posters as a youngster. One woman, a fan of 23XI Racing’s rival, Hendrick Motorsports, was also dismissed.
Yet most of the prospective jurors had little knowledge about the case itself, or even NASCAR. Only three of 23 remaining candidates admitted to knowing of the lawsuit, and three of the remaining 19 people later said they were race fans. The final jury consisted of six men and three women.
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Why Jury Composition Matters in a High-Profile Sports Lawsuit?
The dismissal of the prospective jurors is significant in the NASCAR antitrust case. It demonstrates how such high-profile lawsuits work and how potential biases are filtered out of the jury selection process. Referred to as ‘voir dire’, or Latin for ‘to speak the truth’, the process is designed to seat a fair and impartial jury.
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Potential jurors are first picked from public records, such as registered voter lists or driver’s license databases, in the relevant judicial district. They must be a US citizen and at least 18 years old, without a disqualifying felony conviction. Then the judge and attorneys from both sides question all jurors to uncover potential biases, as were revealed in the NASCAR lawsuit. In sports cases, fandom, team loyalty, and perceptions of athletes can be big factors in biases. Then, media consumption and financial biases also count.
Which Key Figures Could Potentially Testify as Witnesses?
Denny Hamlin already occupied the witness stand on Monday morning. He told the jury that NASCAR team owners are “essentially just professional fundraisers” due to NASCAR’s business model. He said that 23XI Racing, the team he co-owns with Michael Jordan, had to generate $45 million in sponsorship revenue to make a minor profit.
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While this started the trial, other witnesses will be lined up soon over the next two weeks. Potential witnesses include Michael Jordan as well, a key figure behind the start of the lawsuit. Other notable figures who could take the stand include NASCAR CEO Jim France, whom Hamlin and Jordan have accused of running the ‘monopolistic’ business model. Then there are other NASCAR racing team owners, Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, and Roger Penske, who have also raced under the same model.
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What Role Do Team Executives and NASCAR Officials Play in Testimony?
The role of the team executives and NASCAR officials would be to confirm or negate the attorneys’ statements. Jeffrey Kessler, representing Michael Jordan and Co., laid out a chart of evidence that may show NASCAR locked up the racetracks and the race cars and also restricted teams’ eligibility to illegally maintain their monopoly. Kessler also presented a NASCAR-commissioned study that revealed 75% of teams lost money in 2024. Team executives would be there to testify to these claims.
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Kessler also said NASCAR was valued at $5 billion by a Goldman Sachs evaluation in 2023. In a counter-argument, NASCAR attorney John E. Stephenson highlighted the benefits that teams enjoy. He said that they generated a combined $640 million on average in sponsor dollars per year. Currently, teams are receiving $431 million from the new media rights deal and the sport’s charter system, which guarantees certain revenues to teams. Hence, the words of both team heads and NASCAR officials will count a lot with these claims.
What Happens Next? Trial Expectations and Legal Boundaries
If NASCAR wins, the lawsuit would reinforce the league’s business model for its 77 years in existence. 23XI and FRM would probably have to race as “open” teams in 2026. Both Cup Series teams would also face a substantial risk of shutting down within a year, based on any potential appeals.
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On the other hand, if 23XI and FRM attain legal victory, then it could reshape the very foundation of the sport. The judge will rule on the financial damages to the plaintiff teams, and the figures could triple under the law. What’s more, the judge will also decide on antitrust remedies. These can include mandating track sales, modifying or eliminating charters, abandoning the Next Gen car program, or removing exclusivity provisions.
With the jury now seated and the first testimony finally delivered, the lawsuit trial is officially underway. Now, NASCAR is either one step closer to reinforcing its legacy or facing a complete teardown of the sport’s foundation.
Denny Hamlin’s Wounds Pried Open in Courtroom as Sad Reality About NASCAR’s Place in America Surfaces
“We knew we were going to have a reset,” NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps said in early November. He referred to the drop in NASCAR’s TV ratings for the 2025 season, affected by the broadcast changes. However, a month after the championship weekend, deeper faults are visible in the sport. They were revealed on the first day of the NASCAR lawsuit’s trial, which featured Denny Hamlin.
Exposing Denny Hamlin’s and NASCAR’s scars
A jury of six men and three women was selected for the NASCAR lawsuit’s trial phase. Seated inside a federal courthouse in Charlotte, North Carolina, these individuals’ statements were shocking for the NASCAR community. Prior to the jury selection, most of the prospective jurors knew little about the case itself or even NASCAR. Only three of 23 remaining candidates at one point said they had even heard of the lawsuit, and three of the remaining 19 people later said they were race fans.
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“It might have been rough for some to hear but I do believe the jurors when they say they don’t follow NASCAR or don’t know much about it. Many are transplants from other cities and if you aren’t in the area north of the city, it isn’t like people are talking NASCAR all the time,” journalist Bob Pockrass wrote on X.
This revelation exacerbates the already drowsy situation of the sport’s popularity. The NASCAR Cup Series experienced a 14 percent drop in television ratings for the 2025 season. The championship race at Phoenix Raceway drew 2.77 million viewers on NBC, down from the 2.9 million it drew last year.
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Accompanied by this revelation was Denny Hamlin‘s tough time in the witness stand. The 60-time Cup Series race winner and co-owner of 23XI Racing rolled out his testimony for a duration of 40 minutes. It included 23XI’s $8 million payment to Joe Gibbs Racing for its alliance and the absence of 11 of the 19 original charter teams. It also included the jurors asking Hamlin about his season, upon which he emotionally pleaded for the Fifth Amendment. Yet he went on to explain about his ailing father’s struggles to pay for his career.
“Court done for today. Opening statements and about 40 minutes of Denny Hamlin testimony. Hamlin teared up when talking about his family investing in his racing,” Bob Pockrass wrote. A fan took Hamlin’s side: “Asking about Denny’s season is like putting salt in the wound. That’s horrible and I don’t even like Denny.”
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Clearly, the NASCAR lawsuit’s first day of trial ended with shocking elements for fans. However, one endearing element was also present.
Validating the NBA legend’s presence
Although Denny Hamlin had a tough time on Monday, his co-owner had a different experience. Michael Jordan, a 6-time NBA champion and Chicago Bulls legend, can give goosebumps to anybody when he walks into a room. Although he is going up against a 77-year-old stock car racing enterprise, Jordan’s fame knows no bounds. The ultra sports star had that impact on some of the prospective jurors, who confessed to being fans and were thereby dismissed. That is what Jenna Fryer, covering the trial for the Associated Press, explained in detail.
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“Jordan’s presence in the courtroom was a factor: Among those dismissed from serving on the jury was a man who said he can’t be impartial because ‘I like Mike’ and another who said he had Michael Jordan posters on his walls growing up. A third dismissed juror pointed and winked at Jordan as he left the courtroom while the juror said they were a North Carolina fan but noted the football team at Jordan’s alma mater “aren’t doing too well right now’’ to which the retired star shook his head and laughed,” Fryer tweeted.
Clearly, Michael Jordan would turn heads no matter which direction the NASCAR lawsuit takes. Let’s wait and see what unfolds in the following days.
Inter Miami schedule, Lionel Messi stats: When is MLS Cup Final vs Vancouver?
Lionel Messi continues to torch Major League Soccer defenses as he chases Inter Miami’s first MLS Cup.
The Herons are one win from the lifting the silverware; Messi was instrumental in their 4-0 Eastern Conference semifinal win at FC Cincinnati with a goal and three assists, and then set up Miami’s third goal in a 5-1 shellacking of NYCFC in the Conference Final.
MORE — MLS Cup Playoffs schedule, scores, format
Inter Miami’s foe in the final? Thomas Muller and the Vancouver Whitecaps. Can the German star again deny Messi and boss Javier Mascherano a glittering final prize?
The David Beckham-owned Miami have been among the favorites to win it all in MLS all year, but they were last year and got dumped out of the playoffs by Atlanta United.
Can this year be different?
What are Lionel Messi’s stats in MLS with Inter Miami?
2023 season
MLS: 6 games, 1 goal, 2 assists
Leagues Cup: 7 games, 10 goals, 1 assist
US Open Cup: 1 game, 2 assists
All competitions: 14 games, 11 goals, 5 assists
2024 season
MLS: 22 games, 21 goals, 11 assists
CONCACAF Champions Cup: 3 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
All competitions: 25 games, 23 goals, 13 assists
2025 season
MLS: 32 games, 34 goals, 18 assists
Leagues Cup: 4 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
CONCACAF Champions Cup: 7 games, 5 goals, 1 assist
Club World Cup; 4 games, 1 goal
All competitions: 47 games, 42 goals, 21 assists
Leo Messi’s career stats with Inter Miami
MLS: 61 games, 57 goals, 44 assists
Leagues Cup: 11 games, 12 goals, 3 assists
CONCACAF Champions Cup: 10 games, 7 goals, 3 assists
US Open Cup: 1 game, 2 assists
Club World Cup; 4 games, 1 goal
All competitions: 87 games, 77 goals, 42 assists
Leo Messi’s awards with Inter Miami
2023 Leagues Cup
2024 Supporters’ Shield
2024 MLS MVP
2025 MLS Golden Boot
2025 Eastern Conference Champion
Inter Miami 2025 Playoff Schedule
Round one series vs Nashville SC
Game 1: Oct. 24 at Miami — Won 3-1 — 2 goals in 90 minutes
Game 2: Nov. 1 at Nashville — Lost 2-1 — 1 goal in 90 minutes
Game 3: Nov. 8 at Miami — Won 4-0 — 2 goals, 1 assist in 90 minutes
Inter Miami wins series 2-1
Conference semifinals
vs Inter Miami at FC Cincinnati — Won 4-0 — 1 goal, 3 assists in 90 minutes
Conference final
vs New York City FC — Won 5-1 — 1 assist in 90 minutes
U.S. Soccer has bold plans for the World Cup legacy
By ANNE M. PETERSON
Associated Press
The last time the United States hosted the World Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation built on the the financial infusion and the public’s excitement to help launch Major League Soccer two years later.
Much has changed with the 2026 World Cup. This time the tournament is hosted by three nations, with the United States joined by Mexico and Canada. And the financial windfall will go to FIFA, which is running the tournament for the first time rather than a local organizing committee, such as the one in 1994 that used its $40 million surplus to fund the U.S. Soccer Foundation — the charitable arm of the national federation.
So what will the World Cup’s legacy be for U.S. soccer’s governing body? The not-for-profit is undertaking ambitious and sprawling projects to boost the game from the youth ranks to the pros.
U.S. Soccer’s ultimate aim is to spread the sport at the youth level through school and community programs, expand fundraising efforts and position the U.S. professional leagues and national teams for future success.
It’s a tall order, CEO JT Batson admits.
“We already have this massive engine that is people who love soccer in this country, and the infrastructure of our professional leagues and clubs, and all the youth soccer across the country. That’s a really powerful group that if organized and supported, can do some pretty incredible things,” he said.
Soccer Forward, the federation’s legacy project announced last year, has started to roll out. With the motto “Soccer Everywhere for Everyone,” it sells schools on expanded soccer programs, brings mini-fields into communities where soccer doesn’t have a big footprint, and supports community-led efforts to grow the game at a grassroots level. It includes everything from best practices for fundraising, to securing grants for building soccer fields, to tips for youth coaches.
U.S. Soccer says such initiatives are sorely needed: One in four schools have no sports programs.
But it goes beyond just the game, with elements of health and charity. In October, the Kansas City Current partnered with Soccer Forward for an event at the Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy. More than 100 girls took part in small-sided soccer games and programming focused on women’s health. The girls also packaged hygiene kits for women in need.
An emphasis on equity in the sport was aided by a $25 million donation from Michele Kang, owner of the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, as well as Lyon and the London City Lionesses in Europe. The money will be used to grow the women’s game through research and innovation projects.
Batson said the goal is to ensure that “everyone who wants to play soccer can play, and that we have the right resources going to the right levels of the game to achieve the right resources.”
That means there’s an opportunity not just to benefit the kids who want to play recreationally, but to also bring future players into the game who may go on to academies, colleges or professional soccer careers.
“I think one of the big shifts for U.S. Soccer is sort of articulating ourselves as being in service to soccer, and we take that very seriously around our role of supporting those who are brining soccer to life in communities all across the country,” Batson said. “This is a huge flipping of how U.S. Soccer sees itself and the role we play with our members and everyone else who loves soccer, and (we) are trying to do things every day to earn the trust of those folks to continue on that journey with us.”
Former Deloitte executive Dan Helfrich, hired as the USSF’s chief operating officer this month, will help oversee In Service to Soccer, the federation’s overarching strategy.
“It is our responsibility to drive lasting legacy from hosting the World Cup,” Helfrich said. “We take that responsibility very seriously and believe that we will have national holistic impact that comes from this World Cup, not just sporadic impact limited to a few communities or cities.”
To achieve these lofty goals, U.S. Soccer needs funding. So the federation has also launched the Behind the Dream campaign which aims to raise $250 million — and also hopes to capitalize on the excitement of the World Cup.
In many countries the government helps fund sports federations. For example, the English Football Association gets funding from several government entities, including Sport England. Sports federations in the United States are non-profit organizations.
U.S. Soccer has put an emphasis on fundraising in the past two years. In 2023, U.S. Soccer’s expenses exceeded its revenues. That has since flipped.
U.S. Soccer took in $257.4 million in revenue for the 2025 fiscal year, a 36% increase over 2024, in part because of fundraising and sponsorship deals in anticipation of the World Cup.
“U.S. Soccer is in a fortunate position by virtue of our financial growth to be able to invest in our soccer strategies at unimaginable levels, even five years ago,” Batson said. “And we also have been very intentional about learning from other very successful movements to say `OK, how do we approach this in a way that leads to the outcomes that we care about.’”
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FKA twigs Announces 2026 Tour, Shares New “Love Crimes” Video: Watch
Less than a year after wrapping up her last run of live performances, FKA twigs is going back on tour. Beginning in March of next year, the Body High Tour will bring twigs to theaters and arenas across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom in support of Eusexua and its companion album, Eusexua Afterglow. Opening at select shows are Yves Tumor, Eartheater, Tokischa, and Brutalismus 3000. Scroll down to see the full list of dates.
Afterglow came out last month, alongside an alternate version of Eusexua that swapped out four of the album’s original tracks for new songs. Today, twigs has also shared a video for the Afterglow track “Love Crimes” directed by Jordan Hemingway, who has helmed nearly all of the visuals for Eusexua and its follow-up.
See where the Afterglow track “Hard” falls on Pitchfork’s new list “The 100 Best Songs of 2025.”
FKA twigs:
03-14 Miami, FL – Factory Town *
03-16 Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy *
03-18 Washington, D.C. – The Anthem +
03-21 New York, NY – Madison Square Garden +
03-22 Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway +
03-34 Toronto, Ontario – Coca-Cola Coliseum +
03-26 Chicago, IL – Wintrust Arena +
03-27 Minneapolis, MN – The Armory +
03-30 Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium #
04-02 Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater #
04-03 Vancouver, British Columbia – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre #
04-04 Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds #
04-07 San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
04-12 Indio, CA – Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
04-19 — Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
04-23 Mexico City, Mexico – Pepsi Center WTC
06-04 Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena ^
06-06 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome ^
06-08 Paris, France – Adidas Arena ^
06-10 London, England – O2 Arena ^
06-12 Berlin, Germany – Velodrom ^